USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 40
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In 1891 Mr. Headford was united in marriage to Miss Annie Stellenberg, who was born in Galena, Illinois, and they have two children: Pearl, who is the wife of Ralph Williams, of Chicago; and Edward William, who is in the office at Waterloo. The parents are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Headford belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Royal Arcanum. His friends, and they are many, find him a genial, courteous gentleman, obliging in manner and kindly in spirit. His business associates find him alert, energetic and resolute and in his career he has brooked no obstacles that could be overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable effort. Thus it is that he has steadily advanced and is now numbered among the leading and representative business men of Waterloo as vice president of his company.
E. F. RATH.
E. F. Rath is the secretary and treasurer of The Rath Packing Company, one of the leading industries of Waterloo, devoted to the packing of pork and beef. This is the only enterprise of the kind in the city and its growing business is indicated in the fact that there are now two hundred employes.
Mr. Rath is a native son of Iowa, having been born in Dubuque in 1860. His father, George Rath, was a native son of Germany and in 1848 arrived in this state, casting his lot among the early settlers. He took up his abode in Dubuque, where he engaged in the pork-packing business, and for many years was accorded a foremost position among the prominent business men of the
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state. He served on the board of aldermen in Dubuque and was otherwise connected with public interests. His death occurred in January, 1906.
E. F. Rath was reared and educated in the city of his nativity and after leaving school became connected with his father in the packing house. He was also engaged in the hardware business for some time but afterward returned to the packing business and in 1887 became a member of the firm of George Rath & Son, meat packers of Dubuque. In 1891 their plant in that city was destroyed by fire and the same year The Rath Packing Company of Waterloo was or- ganized and has since been one of the leading productive industries of the city. The present officers of the company are: J. W. Rath, president ; F. J. Fowler, vice president ; and E. F. Rath, secretary and treasurer. The last named is also a member of the board of directors of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, and chairman of the manufacturers' committee.
Mr. Rath was married in 1891 to Miss Anna Kudobe, of Dubuque, and they have become parents of four children: Reuben A., who is with The Rath Packing Company : Ruth E .; George E .; and William M.
Mr. Rath is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his influence is always on the side of progress and improvement, justice and right. Unselfish and re- tiring, he prefers a quiet place in the background to the glamour of publicity, but his rare aptitude and ability in achieving results make his advice constantly sought and often bring him into a prominence from which he would naturally shrink were less desirable ends in view.
MISS MARGARET CELIA MYERS.
It has been aptly said that this is preeminently the age of woman. The recognition of her rights is being expressed in enlarged opportunities given to her through law as well as through public opinion. Her influence is constantly broadening in scope and into almost every field of legitimate activity she has extended her efforts, attended with good results. It has been at only a com- paratively recent date that woman has been called to official connection with the public schools, although through generations she has been active as a teacher. Black Hawk county has given expression of a public recognition of ability in choosing Miss Margaret Celia Myers for the position of county superintendent of schools and under her direction the educational system has been advanced and improved.
Miss Myers is a native of Aurora, Illinois, and a daughter of Moses R. and Celia (Vroman) Myers, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Wiscon- sin. They were married in Allen's Grove. Walworth county, Wisconsin, and following that important event in their lives removed to Aurora, Illinois. In 1871 they came west to Iowa, settling in Black Hawk county upon a farm north of Waterloo. For several years the father devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits but about 1899 he removed to Waterloo, where his death occurred in 1909. He was an enthusiastic and zealous republican and, while never a politician in the sense of office seeking, he was nevertheless an effective factor in the success of his party. His life was ever actuated by Christian teach-
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ings and he held membership in the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. He was a man highly esteemed and loved by those who knew him and the memory of his upright life remains as a benediction to all with whom he came in contact. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Waterloo.
Their daughter, Miss Myers, was a student in both the East and West Waterloo high schools and in the Iowa State Teachers' College. At an early age she entered upon the profession of teaching and for twenty years was prominent among the educators of Black Hawk county. With the exception of a brief period of two years all of her work as teacher has been in this county. She spent, however, two years in connection with the schools of Manchester, Iowa. For five years she taught in the country schools, for six years was a teacher in the Cedar Falls schools and for seven years in the schools of Water- 100. In 1912 she became the republican nominee for county superintendent of schools and received an overwhelming majority in the primaries and a large plurality at the following election. She has proved most capable in the office. Her work has been most thorough and the school system of Black Hawk county is second to that of no county in the state. She has worked for the funda- inentals in education and in her work has embodied the thought of Kant, who says: "The object of education is to train each individual to reach the highest perfection possible for him." She has ever recognized the fact that education is to develop capacity and to this end her efforts have been put forth. She has recognized another need in the civic life of the community, the need for the development of the social interests and for a thorough understanding of present day conditions as bearing upon education and other phases of life. To this end she has organized township picnics and community gatherings in the schoolhouses and has had competent lecturers to address these assemblages, thus doing much to encourage that community interest that makes life attractive in the rural districts and holds the young people on the farm rather than sending them to the cities.
Miss Myers is a member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. Her vision of life and its opportunities is broad and her observations are keen and her deductions sound. She is in touch with that widespread civic spirit which is seeking the uplift of humanity and the benefit of all classes. She ranks with the able officials of Black Hawk county, is president of the North Central County Teachers' Association, composed of eight counties, and is one of the well known educators connected with the public-school system of the state.
PROFESSOR CHARLES W. KLINE.
Professor Charles W. Kline, who for two years has been superintendent of schools of Waterloo, is guided in all of his work by high ideals and has ever labored for the adoption of improved standards. His efforts have indeed been of direct value and worth to the schools of Black Hawk county. His birth occurred in Marion county, Kansas, on the 6th of October, 1872, his parents being Levi and Amanda (Long) Kline, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Tennessee. The father, who is now living in Marion, Kansas, was
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born near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, September 9, 1843, and about 1849 accompanied his parents on their removal to Huntington county, Indiana. Sev- eral years later they went to Wabash county, Indiana, and in the fall of 1856 the family home was established in Logan county, Illinois, where they were living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war.
Levi Kline enlisted as a private near Broadwell, Logan county, becoming a member of Company F, Seventy-third Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on the 5th of August, 1862. He served. until June 25, 1865, lacking but a short time of completing his full three years' term of enlistment. He was with the Army of the Cumberland and the first battle in which he participated was at Perryville, Kentucky. He was with the division commanded by the match- less Sheridan and served in that division until after the battle of Missionary Ridge, when he was transferred to the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Kline's regiment formed a part of the Twentieth Corps of the Army of the Cumber- land until after the battle of Missionary Ridge, when the Twentieth and Twenty- first Corps were consolidated as the Fourth, and with that command Mr. Kline served until the close of the war under different division commanders. After taking part in the battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862, he became ill with the measles and was in Nashville, Tennessee, thus incapacitated, at the time of the battle of Stone River, which was fought from the 30th of December, 1862, until the 2d of January, 1863. Mr. Kline was in the Chattanooga campaign and in the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19 and 20, 1863. He also took part in the engagement of Missionary Ridge on the 25th of November, 1863, and was in the expedition for the relief of Knoxville, Tennessee. While on that campaign he became seriously ill and was sent to the hospital at Knox- ville, Tennessee, where he spent a part of the winter of 1863-4. He was then transferred to Nashville, Tennessee, later to Louisville, Kentucky, and after- ward across the Ohio river to Jeffersonville, Indiana. When he was again able for duty he rejoined his regiment, at which time the army was near Atlanta. He assisted in the capture of that place and with his regiment moved south of the city and aided in destroying all the railroads. He took part in the battles of Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station and after the fall of Atlanta the regiment to which he belonged was sent back under command of General George H. Thomas to Nashville, Tennessee. He participated in the battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864, and later, on the 15th and 16th of December of the same year, he participated in the battle of Nashville, which terminated the war for the Army of the Cumberland. After that battle the Fourth Army Corps fol- lowed what was left of Hood's army as far south as Huntsville, Alabama, where they went into winter quarters. In March, 1865, the Fourth Army Corps was sent to eastern Tennessee, near the Virginia border, and was there stationed when the news of Appomattox was received. When the war was ended they were sent back to Nashville, where the Seventy-third Illinois was mustered out. The regiment then returned to Camp Butler, near Springfield, and the men were discharged on the 25th of June, 1865. Mr. Kline is now a member of Pollock Post, No. 42, G. A. R., of the Department of Kansas.
Charles W. Kline supplemented his public-school education by study in the Kansas State Normal, from which he graduated with the class of 1898, and in the Kansas State University at Lawrence, in which he completed his course in
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1902, while in 1906 he won the degree of LL.B. upon graduation from the Uni- versity of Chicago Law School. After the completion of his course in the Kansas State University he was made principal of the high school of Hutchin- son, Kansas, which position he occupied for three years, and at the end of that time was elected superintendent of schools at McPherson, Kansas, where he remained for five years. In 1911 he came to Waterloo as principal of the east side high school and so continued through 1911 and 1912, when he was elected superintendent of schools in Waterloo. His preparation for his chosen profes- sion was thorough and his reputation is well earned. He has made a study of individual needs and at the same time has carefully studied the curriculum in order to meet the demands of the public for a broad yet practical education as a training for the later duties of life. The schools of Waterloo have benefited much through his efforts and he is able to inspire teachers and pupils with much of his own zeal and interest in the work.
On the 15th of July, 1907, Professor Kline was married in McPherson, Kansas, to Miss Florence Upshan, and they have a daughter, Dorothy. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Professor Kline is also a Master Mason. For three years he was a member of the Kansas National Guard at Marion, Kansas. His political indorsement has always been given the repub- lican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he regards it as the duty as well as privilege of every true American citizen to vote for the measures which he thinks will best advance the welfare of the country at large. He is a member of the Commercial Club of Waterloo and as such does everything in his power to further the interests of the city in which he now makes his home and which is proud to number him among its residents.
HARRY W. SIGWORTH, M. D.
The demands made upon the medical profession are many. If a lawyer is brusque and crabbed, it is believed to be because he is intent upon his profes- sional interests, which are most complex and burdensome. If a minister seems unsympathetic and remote in manner, it is thought that it is because he is en- gaged in the contemplation of things beyond our ken. But of the physician and surgeon we demand not only broad and accurate scientific knowledge but also keen understanding, thorough sympathy and unabating courtesy. Meeting all these requirements, Dr. Harry W. Sigworth has gained a creditable position among the professional men of Waterloo during the seven years of his residence in this city.
He was born in Anamosa, Iowa, in 1878, a son of Dr. H. W. Sigworth, who has engaged in the practice of medicine in that place for nearly a half century. The son was reared in his native city and attended its public schools until he had mastered the branches which constitute the curriculum there. He after- ward attended the Iowa State University and completed his professional course in Rush Medical College of Chicago with the class of 1899. He then located in Anamosa and entered upon active practice with his father, there remaining until 1907, when he removed to Waterloo, where he has since followed his pro-
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fession. While he continues in general practice, he does much work in surgery and he has comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and the component parts of the human body, combined with that skill and steadiness of nerve which are so essential in difficult and delicate surgical work. He is now attending surgeon to the St. Francis Hospital of Waterloo and is district surgeon for the Illinois Central Railroad. He has specialized to a considerable extent in that field and his rapidly developing power and ability have already placed him in the front rank among the leading surgeons of this part of the state.
In 1902 Dr. Sigworth was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Hileman, of Waterloo. They attend the Congregational church and their home is the center of a cultured society circle. Dr. Sigworth is connected with several fraternal organizations, including the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and in Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree and is also a Mystic Shriner. All these things, however, are but side issues in a life that is devoted to a beneficent work for mankind. Along strictly professional lines his mem- bership is in the Waterloo, the Black Hawk County, the Austin Flint, the Cedar Valley and the Iowa State Medical Associations. He is fortunate in that he possesses character . and ability which inspire confidence in others, and the simple weight of his character and ability has carried him into important rela- tions with professional interests in his adopted county.
THOMAS STEILS.
Thomas Steils is the owner of an excellent farm property on sections 32 and 33, Cedar township. He is among the worthy representatives of agricultural life that Germany has furnished to this country. He was born in that country, February 23, 1862, a son of John and Mary (Uhren) Steils, who were likewise natives of Germany. The father there followed farming and never came to the new world, remaining in active connection with agricultural interests in his native land until his death, which occurred in June, 1899. His wife passed away in January, 1914.
Thomas Steils was reared and educated in Germany and began to earn his living as a farm hand, in which capacity he was employed until eighteen years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic, attracted by the broader opportunities of the new world. Making his way at once into the interior of the country, he became a resident of Gilbertville, Iowa, and secured employment as a farm hand. He was thus engaged for about seventeen years, after which he rented a farm for thirteen years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry, economy and frugality had brought to him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase eighty-seven acres on sections 32 and 33, Cedar township. He at once began improving the tract and now has one of the best improved places in the county. He has continuously operated this land since making the purchase and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place is proof that his methods are practical and that he is actuated by a progressive spirit in the conduct of his farm work.
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In April, 1899, Mr. Steils was united in marriage to Miss Annie McKevitt, a daughter of Michael and Grace (Thompson) McKevitt, who were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in the '40s. They settled first in Wiscon- sin, where they resided until about 1854, when they removed to Black Hawk county, Iowa, the father purchasing land in Cedar township, whereon he engaged in general farming throughout his remaining days. He died March 16, 1889, and his wife was called to her final rest on the 19th of June, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Steils have become the parents of four children: Joseph, John and Mar- garet H., who are all attending school; and Grace, who died in June, 19II.
Mr. Steils is now one of the trustees of Cedar township, which position he has acceptably filled for four years. He has also been constable for two years and has been officially connected with the schools as a director. He votes with the democratic party and is a communicant of the Catholic church of Gilbert- ville. All of his life he has worked hard in order to win advancement, and step by step he has progressed until he is now one of the substantial farmers of his community, his property holdings being the visible evidence of a well spent life characterized by indefatigable energy.
J. F. CRISP.
j. F. Crisp is a real-estate dealer of Waterloo and his business methods, enterprise and thorough reliability, have gained for him a large clientage. He was born in South Dakota in 1882, a son of Walter and Lottie Crisp, both of whom were natives of Manchester, England, in which place they were reared and married, emigrating to the United States forty-five years ago. They arrived in Minnehaha county, South Dakota, in 1869 and the father entered land from the government. With characteristic energy he began to develop and improve his farm, and he and his wife still make their home thereon. Success has at- tended his efforts in substantial measure and he is now the owner of four hun- dred and fifty acres of choice land in that section situated near Sioux Falls. Moreover, as one of the pioneer settlers of that district he has contributed largely to its development and upbuilding. In the family were four children, Walter J., W. H., E. E. and J. F.
All of the brothers remained with the father until they attained their ma- jority and were educated in the public schools of Minnehaha county, South Dakota. J. F. Crisp, of this review, also attended the State University at Ver- milion and in the acquirement of a liberal education thus laid the foundation for his later success. On attaining his majority he married and began farming on the old homestead, of which he had charge until 1909, when he removed to Waterloo and here engaged in the real-estate business, which he started on a small scale. His business, however, has gradually increased in volume and im- portance to the present time. He makes a specialty of handling Iowa farms and Canadian lands and has sold many farm properties in this state. He has also negotiated sales of farms in Canada amounting to half a million dollars in the past two years, and he now has an option on seven thousand acres of land in the agricultural districts of Iowa, Canada and South Dakota. He knows values
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and is thus able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. In associa- tion with C. C. Pierce, he is now engaged as distributor of the Ideal Safety Steering Device, for a Kansas City firm, in the state of Iowa, and Mr. Crisp is sole distributor in Minnesota.
In 1903 Mr. Crisp was united in marriage to Miss Carrie L. Jerome, who was born in South Dakota, a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Jerome, who were natives of New York and in 1881 went to South Dakota, where the father carried on general farming until his death. His widow still survives and is now living with Mrs. Crisp, who acquired her education in the Potsdam Normal School of Potsdam, New York, and afterward taught school for seven years prior to her marriage. She was one of four children and the second oldest, the others being Clarence, Wesley and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Crisp have been born two children: Ernest Jerome, whose natal day was July 23, 1904; and John Vivian, born June 10, 1907.
The family are ali adherents of the Episcopal faith. They occupy a pleasant home at No. 1023 South street in Waterloo and enjoy the warm regard of many friends and neighbors. Mr. Crisp exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. In the former he has attained high rank and is now a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. His business interests have been carefully directed and, making a close study of real-estate conditions and values and of the market, he has been enabled to so direct his energies that substantial results have accrued.
ADAM H. SCHARES.
Adam H. Schares, who has lived in Black Hawk county for about a half century and has successfully followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, now owns two hundred and eighty-one acres of valu- able land, one hundred and twenty-four acres of which comprises his home farm on section 6, Spring Creek township, and is one of the best improved prop- erties in the county. His birth occurred in Prussia on the 15th of October, 1855, his parents being William and Barbara (Heinen) Schares, who were like- wise natives of that country. In 1865 they emigrated to the United States and located first in Illinois but at the end of two months came to Black Hawk county, Iowa. Here the father purchased and improved eighty acres of land in Fox township, which he cultivated successfully throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in May, 1888, while his wife survived until July, 1906, when she, too, was called to her final rest.
Adam H. Schares, who was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, had begun his education in the schools of his native country and continued his studies in the district schools of Black Hawk county. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating a tract of rented land for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased forty acres in Spring Creek township and began the improvement of the prop-
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erty. As time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until he now owns two hundred and eighty-one acres of rich and productive land. One hundred and twenty-four acres thereof lie in his home place on section 6, Spring Creek township, while the remainder is in Fox and Poyner townships. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also raises shorthorn Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, meeting with gratifying success in both branches of his business. For the last sixteen years he has been a stockholder and director in the Farmers Creamery Company of Gilbertville and he is likewise a stockholder in the German Savings Bank of Gilbertville.
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