USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 73
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FRED GEBERS.
Fred Gebers, who resides in Audubon township, Audubon county, Iowa, where he is regarded as a successful farmer, has been able since com- ing to this country, more than a half century ago, to accumulate land until he now owns two hundred acres in Audubon county, and eighty acres in Adair county, Iowa.
Fred Gebers was born, October 5, 1853, in Hanover, Germany, and is the son of Peter and Marie (Peters) Gebers, also natives of Hanover, and farmers by occupation, and who were the parents of seven children. Of these children, Chris came to the United States and after living in Nebraska for five years, returned to his native land, and now lives there; Henry lives in Adair, Iowa, though he formerly lived in Audubon township, Au- dubon county ; Fred, the third child, is the subject of this sketch; William, who lives near Adair, was an early settler in Audubon township; Marie never came to this country; Mrs. Anna Meisker, now deceased, lived in this country and died at Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Katie Wedemeyer, wife of Fred W. Wedemeyer, lives in Audubon township.
Fred Gebers, who was almost nineteen years old when he came to the
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United States, and landed at New York city, had worked out at various occupations from the time he was eight years old. After arriving in Amer- ica, he came west to Scott county, Iowa, and here worked on a farm for seven years. After making a trip back to his native land, where he re- mained six months, he then returned to the United States and located permanently in Audubon county. In 1883, Mr. Gebers purchased eighty acres of land of the Rock Island railroad, paying ten dollars an acre for it, and here, four years later, added forty acres more, east of the original tract, for which he paid fifteen dollars an acre. All of this land which lies in section 22 of Audubon township was raw prairie when it was pur- chased, and was absolutely devoid of any improvements. Mr. Gebers, after building a fifteen by twenty-four foot house, of a story and a half with two rooms downstairs, had the misfortune to lose the house by fire and subsequently built a splendid eight-room dwelling. In 1907 he built an excellent barn, and has made other substantial improvements upon the place. In 1908 he also purchased eighty acres of land, forty acres of which lie in section 15. This farm had a group of buildings, and was fairly well improved. In 1914 Mr. Gebers purchased eighty acres in Adair county.
On March 31, 1885, Fred Gebers was married in Audubon county to Mary Wedemeyer, who was born August 12, 1867, in Hanover, Germany. She was the daughter of Jacob and Kattie (Earnest) Wedemeyer. They came to the United States when Mrs. Gebers was about one and one-half years old, and after settling in Guthrie county, Iowa, later purchased land in Audubon township, Audubon county, and lived here on their farm until their death.
Mr. and Mrs. Gebers have been the parents of six children, five of whom are living, as follow: Henry, born on June 1, 1887; Emma, April 6, 1890, and who married Chris Krause, now deceased, left a family of three children, Viola, Evona and Lawrence; Susie, November 3, 1892; Anna, April 23. 1896; George, February 9, 1898, and Clara, who died at the age of two years.
The Gebers family are all members of St. John's German Lutheran church, Mr. Gebers having been a charter member of the congregation, and one of those men who helped the parish buildings. He is a Republican in politics, and has served at school director for several years.
There are many men no older than Fred Gebers, who were born in this country, and who from the time of their birth were familiar with our customs and manners, and who have not been able to accumulate a com- petence for their declining years. It is a tribute to the enterprise, economy
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and prudence of thousands of German citizens, that they accumulate prop- erty and acquire wealth whatever may be their handicap. Moreover, they become good citizens of this great democracy, and Fred Gebers is a, typical American citizen.
CHRIS HECKMANN, SR.
One of the fine farmers and well-known citizens of Audubon town- ship is Chris Heckmann, Sr., who was born on August 24, 1846, in Baden, Germany, and who is the son of Henry and Christina (Betz) Heckman, also natives of Baden, where they were farmers. They had thirteen chil- dren, six of whom lived to maturity.
Chris Heckmann, Sr., attended school from the time he was six years old until he was fourteen. He then worked on his father's farm until he was twenty years of age, when he was compelled to serve in the army for three years. On the expiration of his enlistment he returned home and lived for nine months, when he was called back to the army. He served nine months more during the war with France in 1870 and 1871. After the end of this war, he returned home and lived another year, when he was married. He farmed for himself in his native land until 1883, when he came to the United States.
Landing in New York city in March, 1883, Mr. Heckmann came direct to Audubon county and here purchased eighty acres of prairie land upon which he built a small house, sixteen by twenty-four feet, with four rooms. In the beginning he had one team of horses. He has improved the farm and now has a good house, barn, cribs and one hundred and sixty acres of fertile and highly productive soil.
In March, 1872, Mr. Heckmann was married to Christiana Reichert, the daughter of Philip and Christiana (Mazer) Reichert. To this union have been born twelve children, five of whom died in one week during Jan- uary, 1891, of diphtheria. A terrible misfortune, the loss of these chil- dren was a painful and distressing event in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Heck- mann. The living children are Louisa, born May 31, 1873, who married John Wahe and his six daughters, Frieda, Lena, Emma, Eva, Florence and Ida; Chris, Jr., January 27, 1875, who married Anna Schwarting and has seven children, John, Emma, Katherine, Walter, Martha, Fred and Clarence; Lena, May 2, 1876, is the wife of Benhard Vose and has six children, Anna, Carl, Helen, Nettie, Irma and Louise; Frieda, August 12,
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1878, who became the wife of Julius Jergens and has five children, Millie, Fred, Martha, John and Arthur; Susie, January 20, 1891; Samuel, August 24, 1892, and Carl, January 16, 1894. The three latter children live at home. The mother of these children died on October 3, 1897, and on April 8, 1901, Mr. Heckmann was married to Mrs. Catherine (Leppert) Heck- mann, the widow of Mr. Heckmann's eldest brother, Matthias.
Chris Heckmann, Sr., is a Democrat in politics, although he always votes for whom he considers to be the best man, regardless of political or party affiliations. Mr. Heckmann has held no offices nor has he had any desire to hold office. The Heckmann family are members of St. John's Lutheran church, of which Mr. Heckmann was one of the charter mem- bers. On his farm in Audubon township, he is engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising and has been very successful.
Fired with ambition upon coming to America in 1883, Chris Heckmann has prospered year by year during his thirty-two years residence in his adopted country. Today he is an American at heart, devoted to the Demo- cratic institutions of this country. Having worked industriously during his productive years, he has a substantial competence ahead for his declin- ing years. There is no man living in Audubon township who does not re- spect and admire Chris Heckmann for his many good qualities.
ANDREW J. BAYLOR.
Andrew J. Baylor, who was born near Richmond, Virginia, August 2, 1849, came to the Hawkeye state from the old home in Virginia with his parents when five years old. He has seen the country grow from year to year and develop from raw prairie land and a few ridge roads here and there, to the richest farming land to be found anywhere in the whole coun- try. Mr. Baylor's career has been closely identified with the history of Audubon county's agricultural progress and prosperity. Descended from an old Virginia family, Andrew J. Baylor's ancestors very probably fought in the American Revolution. He himself was named after Andrew Jack- son, who was a friend of his father's family.
Mr. Baylor's parents were Christian and Marguerite (Argerbright) Baylor, also natives of Virginia. In July, 1854, when Andrew J. was only five years old, the family left Virginia and came to Johnson county, Iowa, driving through in wagons. When the family reached the Mississippi river,
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the boatman refused to let a dog cross on the ferry boat and as the dog did not try to swim the river, the family supposed that he was lost. Subse- quently, however, they heard that the dog had returned all the way to the old Virginia home.
Mr. Baylor's parents lived in Johnson county until their deaths. Mr. Baylor received such education as the schools of the pioneer times afforded and lived at home until about nineteen years old, when, in 1871, he came west to Audubon county. He worked in a brick-yard at Lewisville for three years and was then married and rented a farm for a few years. He had purchased five acres when he was married and built a house on it and here he lived for several years before selling the place. Mr. Baylor rented land for about nine years and then purchased eighty acres of land in section 9, of Audubon township. He has added to this farm until he now has two hundred acres of land in section 9 and forty acres in section 10 of Audubon township. He is today one of the most successful and extensive farmers of Audubon township.
On February 19, 1874, Andrew J. Baylor was married in Exira town- ship, Audubon county, to Susan Connrardy, who was born on April 17, 1857, in Luxemburg, Germany, and who is the daughter of Nicholas and Susan (Noel) Connrardy. They came to the United States in January, 1858, after spending forty-four days on the voyage. They lived first at Dubuque, Iowa, but later moved to Cascade, where the mother died after about one year and one-half, leaving six children. The father kept the family together as best he could until 1869, when Mr. Baylor's wife came west to Audubon county with William Bintner, who had married her elder sister. One year later the father came to Audubon county and Mrs. Baylor then made her home with him until she was married.
Mr. and Mrs. Baylor have been the parents of fourteen children, twelve of whom are now living, six daughters and six sons; two sons are deceased. They are as follow: Ina B., born on May 22, 1875, who married Ed Gus- ton and has six children, Marion, Andrew, Vivian, Nellie, George and Helen; Lottie A., November 6, 1877, who is the wife of Charles Parm and has six children, Nora, Elsie, John, Gretchen, Ina and Charles; Nellie Myr- tle, November 1, 1878, who became the wife of Walter Schlotfieldt and has two children, Harold and Carl; Jennie May, July 13, 1880, who married Otis Boehme and has one son, Lowell; Anna E., January 6, 1882, who mar- ried Edward Wahlert; Edward E., December 4, 1883, who is unmarried and lives in Canada ; John, September 14, 1885, and died on May 22, 1889; Clyde, born September 2, 1887, and died May 18, 1889, both he and his
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brother dying during an epidemic of diphtheria; Bernie, November 20, 1889, who lives at home; Walter H., February 13, 1892, who married Clara Klemmish and lives in Canada; Charles R., April 20, 1894; Andrew J., March 3, 1896; Everett, January 4, 1898; and Gretchen C., August 5, 1900. The four latter children are still at home.
Mr. Baylor is prominent in the Masonic lodge of this state. He is a member of the Exira blue lodge; a Knight Templar at Audubon, and a member of the Shrine at Des Moines. He was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Exira, but this lodge finally lost its charter.
Andrew J. Baylor is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Aside from his two hundred and forty acres of land in Audubon county, he also owns a half section of land in Alberta, Canada, and a half section in Saskatchewan, Canada. He is one of the well-to-do farmers and citi- zens of this township and county and one who is widely known and highly respected. He is a leader in all civic and political affairs and, although he has not held office, his advice and counsel are freely and widely sought.
MARIUS KNUDSEN.
One of the best known and most enterprising of the younger farmers of Hamlin township, Audubon county, Iowa, is Marius Knudsen, now in the very prime of life and usefulness. His influence as an honorable upright citizen is very marked in the community where he lives, and his life has been very wholesome as an influence upon all with whom he has come into con- tact. His past successes give assurances of many things yet to come, and Mr. Knudsen is evidently destined to continue as a potent factor for sub- stantial good for many years to come. He owns an excellent farm in Ham- lin township, which he operates in a manner that stamps him as a man who is fully abreast of the times.
Marius Knudsen was born on January 15, 1875, in Fyn, Denmark. He is the son of Knudt W. and Elenore (Hart) Knudsen, who were also born in Fyn. The father was a merchant in the old country, but on coming to the United States in August, 1884, with his family, took up farming. They lived in Atlantic, Cass county, for about a month and then moved to Marne, where they lived for two months. In November, 1884, they moved to a farm four miles northwest of Exira, where the father purchased eighty
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acres of land of a man by the name of Winchell. The land had a good house, barn and some fences and cost twenty-five dollars an acre. There was a great deal of sod and prairie land upon this farm to break and most of it was done with oxen, five yoke having been used with each plow. Oxen not only were better for this kind of work, but they were much cheaper than horses. At this time one could purchase an ox for about twenty-five or thirty dollars and horses cost a hundred and twenty-five to a hundred and seventy-five dollars each.
Knudt W. Knudsen lived upon this farm until 1891 when he retired and moved to Marne again, where he lived for a few years and then moved to Rohrbek, Iowa, where he lived until his death. He was the father of ten children, eight of whom lived to maturity, as follow: Albert C., Eliza- beth Christensen, Rasmus, Abraham, Marius, Lena Jensen, Rikke Christen- sen and Bessie.
Marius Knudsen attended school until fourteen years of age, and then worked for his father for a year or so and after that commenced working out by the month, finally renting a farm for two years in Cass county, Iowa. In 1904 he purchased his present farm of a hundred and twenty acres in section 25 of Hamlin township. The farm was fairly well improved at that time, but Mr. Knudsen has added to it in the way of improvements. He had the first hydraulic ram installed in Audubon county. This device pumps the water for his stock and home.
On February 14, 1900, Mr. Knudsen was married to Mae Wolf, who was born on August 12, 1877, in Schleswig, Germany, and who is the daugh- ter of Peter and Anna M. (Petersen) Wolf. They were also born in Schles- wig when it was a part of Denmark. They were farmers and came to the United States in 1883, locating in Audubon county. When the Wolfs first came to Audubon county, there were but few school buildings and Mrs. Knudsen, their daughter, attended, as the rest of them did, at a subscription school which was held in a private home.
Mr. and Mrs. Marius Knudsen are the parents of seven children, all of whom are living. They are as follow : Marguerite, born on November 20, 1902; Alvin, May 13, 1904; Viola, April 29, 1906; Glenn, July 17, 1908; Ruby, July 23, 1909; Joy, January 10, 1911, and Robert, June 14, 1914.
Fraternally, Mr. Knudsen is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a Republican in politics and served as school director for seven years. During his entire life Mr. Knudsen has been especially inter- ested in educational affairs. All the members of the family are identified with the Danish Lutheran church. Mr. Knudsen is a stockholder in the
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Exira Creamery Company and also in the Audubon County Mutual Tele- phone Company. Marius Knudsen is a progressive, enterprising and well- known citizen of Audubon county, where he is held in universal esteem by all his neighbors.
HENRY W. TIBBEN.
Henry W. Tibben, who owns four hundred acres of excellent farming land in section 4, Audubon township, was one of the organizers of the Audubon Township Creamery Company, and has been a director of the company for many years.
Henry W. Tibben was born on March 10, 1863, in Rock Island, Illi- nois, and is the son of John W. and Katherine (Schwenneker) Tibben, na- tives of Friesland and Hanover, Germany, respectively. They came to the United States when young people, and were married in Rock Island, Illi- nois. The father, a farmer by occupation, came to Audubon county from Rock Island, Illinois, in 1881, and after purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of land in Audubon township, lived on his farm until his death. He and his wife, both of whom are now deceased, were the parents of seven children, six of whom are still living, as follow: Henry W., Amos F., Anna, deceased, John C., William, Mrs. Minnie Carson and Mrs. Emma Porter. All the children except Emma, who lives in eastern Iowa, live in Audubon county.
After living at home until his marriage, Mr. Tibben then rented land for five years, and eventually purchased a hundred and sixty acres of land in section 4, of Audubon township. He has added to this and now has a total of four hundred acres, all in Audubon township. It is an interesting fact that Mr. Tibben's hen-house was the original dwelling on the farm. He has made many improvements upon the land, and erected many sub- stantial buildings, and he now has a well-improved and highly profitable farm.
On December 16, 1884, Henry W. Tibben was married in Audubon county to Mary Hocamp, who was born on October 25, 1866, in Hancock county, Illinois, and who is the daughter of William and Hannah (Elle- man) Hocamp, natives of Prussia, who came to the United States when young people and who were married in Quincy, Illinois. Although William Hocamp had been a miner in his native land, he became a farmer after coming to the United States. Finally he moved to Audubon county in
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1875, and after locating in Audubon township, purchased some land in this township. The mother died in the eighties, but the father is still living re- tired on his land.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Tibben have had eight children, as follow : Clara N., born on January 31, 1886, is a clerk in Petersen's store in Exira, where she has been employed for ten years; Nettie M., August 31, 1887, married Walter Meyers, and they live in Audubon township; Edward H., February 18, 1889, married Edna Luke, and they live in Audubon town- ship; Ralph H., May 3, 1891; Ethel L., November 2, 1898; Helen H., No- vember 17. 1899; Florence L., October 20, 1902, and Lowell W., Septem- ber 16, 1904.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Tibben served as township trustee for a period of ten years, and also served on the school board for several terms. Mr. and Mrs. Tibben are members of St. John's Lutheran church; Mrs. Tibben's mother was one of the charter members of this church. The Tibben children, however, are members of the Audubon township Chris- tian church.
A popular citizen of his community, Henry W. Tibben is a worthy de- scendant of the sturdy German parentage which established the family in America. Prudent in all the affairs of life, genial in manner, Mr. Tibben has the satisfaction of knowing that he has attained a worthy measure of success. He has always taken a commendable interest in public movements and his influence has been of potent power for good in Audubon township.
PETER F. PETERSON.
Peter F. Peterson, a retired farmer of Kimballton, Iowa, who started in life in a small way and who now owns considerable farm property in Audubon and Shelby counties, Iowa, was born on October 31, 1847, in Aro, Denmark, the son of Peter Ernest and Anna Peterson, both of whom were natives of Aro, Denmark, and where his father was a laborer. He and his wife, who were members of the Lutheran church, lived and died in their native land. They were the parents of seven children: Mary, Sasel, Metta, Andrea, Katrina, Carrie, deceased, and Peter F., the subject of this sketch.
Peter F. Peterson is the only member of his father's family who has ever come to America. After receiving a limited education in the schools of his native land when a lad, he first herded sheep and later engaged in farming, in order to make a living for himself. Coming to America in
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1869 alone, he first located at Atlantic, Iowa, when there were only three houses in the place. He worked for the Rock Island railroad, where he remained for two years and then moved to Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he worked in the coal mines for two years. Subsequently, he worked in the Colorado silver mines and then at Salt Lake City for a short time. Afterwards he was engaged at Austin, Nevada, in the silver mines for two years and then returned to Audubon county, Iowa, and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sharon township, consisting of wild land, which had never been plowed. He later added eighty acres in Jackson town- ship, Shelby county, and from time to time has made many improvements upon these properties.
On November 18, 1875, Mr. Peterson was married to Annie Anderson, a native of Jylland, Denmark, and the daughter of Anders Sorensen and Annie Davisen, who were both natives of Denmark and who, after coming to America, were early settlers in Story county, Iowa, where he farmed until his death. His wife, who is seventy-nine years old, is still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter F. Peterson have eight children: Mary, who mar- ried James Rosenbeck, of Columbia, North Dakota, and has four children, William, Lena, Franklin and Francis; Jens F., who lives on the old home place, married Christina Rasch and has two children, Annie and Idna; Car- rie, who married Martin Fredericksen, a real estate and insurance dealer of Kimballton, Iowa, and has four children, William, Annie, Edward and Elmer; Martha, who became the wife of Charles Wright, of Greenfield, Iowa, and has three children, Nellie, Annie and Minerva; Ernest, of Sharon township, who married Christina Jorgensen and has two children, Rosa and Roy; Hans, a farmer, who is single; Andrace and Anna. During his life as an active farmer, Mr. Peterson was engaged in farming and stock raising.
The Peterson family are all members of the Danish Lutheran church. A Republican in politics, Mr. Peterson has held several minor offices, and for many years served as a school director. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are very popular people; they have a comfortable home in Kimballton, Iowa, where they have lived retired for several years. In addition to all of Mr. Peterson's other property, he has small tracts of land scattered in different parts of Audubon county. Starting in life as he did with no financial aid and no hope of assistance, it must be admitted that Peter F. Peterson has made a splendid success of the opportunities which have come in his way. He is a man who richly deserves the comforts which he is able to enjoy during his declining years; comforts which arise from the competence which he himself has gained.
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HERMAN D REIMERS.
Herman D. Reimers, a native of Rock Island county, Illinois, born on January 1, 1877, who owns eighty acres of land in Audubon township, may rightly be said to own one of the best-improved farms in all Audubon county. Mr. Reimers' farm is thoroughly fenced with hog-tight woven wire fence and, altogether, there has been placed on the farm more than eight hundred rods of this fence.
A man who has made a remarkable success of farming, Herman D. Reimers is a son of Claus and Maggie (Dutlef) Reimers, both natives of Holstein, Germany, who came to the United States in 1871 and who, after landing at New York city, came direct to Rock Island county, Illinois, where they lived until 1882. At this time they came to Audubon county, Iowa, where they lived until 1895, when the father gave each of his sons eighty acres of land and removed to Adair, Iowa, where he now lives. His wife, the mother of Herman D. Reimers, died in November, 1913. There were five boys in the Reimers family who lived to maturity and three daughters died in childhood. The sons are, August, of Audubon township; John, of Moline, Illinois; William, of Sedgwick county, Kansas; Amos, of Adair county, and Herman D., the subject of this sketch.
After having lived at home with his parents until they left the farm, Herman D. Reimers began working out and, after a few years, was married and settled on the farm which his father gave him. It was partially im- proved, having a good house and a few other small buildings. In 1914 he built a large barn, forty-eight by thirty-two by twenty feet, and aside from these dimensions, the farm has a large basement, and is one of the best in Audubon township. It was built at a cost of about twelve hundred dollars.
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