USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 41
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On the 15th of October, 1879, Mr. Scharcs was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Kascht, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Margaret (Hustedt) Kascht, who were born in Prussia and came to America at an early day. The father was a tailor by trade and after reaching American shores made his way first to Chicago. Subsequently, however, he removed to Lemont, Illinois, where he purchased a small farm and was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until 1867, when he came to Black Hawk county, Iowa. Here he bought ninety acres of land in Fox township, which he cultivated success- fully throughout the remainder of his active business career. His last days were spent in honorable retirement at Gilbertville, where he passed away in 1893, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1899. To Mr. and Mrs. Schares have been born nine children, namely: William; Anna; Matilda ; Mary; John ; Margaret ; Clara; Herbert ; and Ida, who died in 1904.
Mr. Schares gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now ably serving in the capacity of trustee, having held that position for eleven years. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. In his business dealings he has ever been straightforward and reliable, enjoying the confidence of those with whom he has been associated, and as a worthy and representative citizen of Black Hawk county he fully deserves the substantial prosperity which is his today.
A. R. STILLWAGON.
A. R. Stillwagon is a well known and prominent figure in real-estate circles in Waterloo, being connected with several companies which operate largely in both country and city properties. He also has other important business con- nections and belongs to that class of energetic men who carry forward to suc- cessful completion whatever they undertake. He was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in 1884 and is a son of Crawford and Jane Stillwagon. The father was a coal operator of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and was also one of the political leaders of his state, prominently known as a representative of the democratic party. He died in August, 1908, while his wife passed away previously.
A. R. Stillwagon acquired his education in the Keystone state and after his father's retirement from business, in 1904, took charge of the latter's coal
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interests. Subsequently he purchased the business, which he continued to con- duct until 1910, when he sold out and came to the middle west. He had operated in the east under the name of the Stillwagon Coal Company and the Middle Run Coal & Coke Company and of the latter business organization was the president.
On removing to Iowa Mr. Stillwagon settled in Fayette county, where he purchased a farm of two hundred acres, but after several months he disposed of that property and since that time has made Waterloo his permanent head- quarters with offices in the Lafayette building. At the present time he is con- fining his operations largely to handling his own properties, consisting of both farm land and city real estate. He negotiates many important realty transfers annually and through judicious investment and profitable sales he has gained a place among the prosperous real-estate men of this section of Iowa. He is now one of the stockholders and the president of the Waterloo Sand & Gravel Com- pany ; is also a stockholder and the president of the Riverview Development Company; and since the ist of January, 1915, has been president of the Batavia Telephone Company.
In 1907 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stillwagon and Miss Wadena Van Sickle, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Albert and Virginia Van Sickle. Her father was one of the largest landowners of that county and was the vice president of the First National Bank of Somer- field. He was also interested in a wagon and carriage shop of that place. He died in the year 1908, but his widow still occupies the old homestead. To Mr. and Mrs. Stillwagon have been born three children: Jane, who was born in 1908; A. Richard, born in 1909; and Albert V., twin brother to Richard, who died at the age of six months.
Mr. Stillwagon is a Baptist in religious faith, while his wife holds member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is connected with the Loyal Order of Moose. In politics he is a republican, active and earnest in support of the party, yet has never been an office seeker. He recognizes, how- ever, the duties as well as the privileges of citizenship and believes that every man should exercise his right of franchise in a manner he thinks will benefit the community and country at large. His life has been a busy and useful one and as the years have gone on he has improved his opportunities and his ad- vantages wisely and well. He has made steady advancement and his business ability is recognized by all with whom he has been brought in contact.
PROFESSOR ROLLA E. EKLUND.
The development of business has brought about constantly changing condi- tions resulting in the need of thoroughly trained men and women to control the interests and perform the duties intrusted to them. As the result of this need there has been established and developed the business college of the present day which, taking cognizance of the requirements of the commercial world, has developed its curriculum to meet every need. It is no idle boast to say that the College of Commerce of Waterloo, of which Professor Rolla E. Eklund is the
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president, ranks among the foremost institutions of this character, for the state- ment is substantiated in the work of its pupils, and the city is to be congratulated upon having in its midst a school of such excellent character and repute.
Professor Eklund is a native of Moline, Illinois. He was born in 1876, of the marriage of Lawrence and Louisa (Greene) Eklund, the former a native of Sweden and the latter of Illinois. They are now residents of La Crosse, Wis- consin. In the schools of Moline, Rolla E. Eklund pursued his education until graduated from the high school with the class of 1891. He completed a course in the Wisconsin Business University of La Crosse in 1898 and was afterward assistant teacher in that college for a year. He next went to Wausau, Wiscon- sin, where he had charge of the shorthand department of Toland's Business Uni- versity for a year. He then went to Toland's Business University at Monroe, Wisconsin, and after a year's connection with that school returned to the Wis- consin Business University at La Crosse, where he also spent one year. On the expiration of that period he was sent to Oelwein, Iowa, as manager of Toland's Business University, and after acting as teacher there for a year purchased the school, which he conducted at Oelwein through the succeeding five years.
In 1908 he opened the College of Commerce in Waterloo and from the begin- ning the institution has met with success. Anyone meeting with Mr. Eklund would recognize him as an alert, energetic, determined man in whose vocabulary there is no such word as fail. From the beginning the attendance at the school has constantly increased until there are now several hundred pupils. The work of the school has been thoroughly systematized and organized and Professor Eklund has surrounded himself with a most capable corps of assistants. The school is located in the new Fowler block at East Fifth and Lafayette streets, in a building that is absolutely fireproof, heated by steam, lighted by electricity, has hot and cold water, a sanitary drinking fountain and more window space than wall space. The school is splendidly equipped with all of the devices com- mon to the business world. The course includes stenography, typewriting, book- keeping, banking, and in fact every requisite of training for the commercial world. There is a civil service course, a commercial teachers' course and a sales- manship course. There is no better indication of the efficiency of the students than to say that two of them have carried off world records for speed in touch typewriting, winning the Brown trophy and the amateur championship of the middle west in a typewriting contest at Des Moines, where the representatives of the College of Commerce defeated students from business schools in Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha and Des Moines. They also won the Remington student cham- pionship and the Smith Premier student championship of the world. The record speed for touch typewriting on the Remington was made by Carrie Anderson and on the Smith Premier by Ruth Herfurth, fourteen years of age, and the same teacher who instructed those pupils is still in charge of that department of the work. Mr. Eklund was the first school man in the state to use shields on his typewriters because he believed that this was the only correct way to teach touch typewriting. The students are not blindfolded so they will not see the keys, because the shields so cover the keys that it is impossible to see any part of them, making the students touch operators in every sense of the word and thus, having never to watch their fingers while they write, they can devote all their time to watching their notes and turn out more work in a day than the ordinary
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stenographer. There is a greater demand from business houses for the students of the College of Commerce than the school can supply.
On the 23d of December, 1902, at Barstow, Illinois, Professor Eklund was united in marriage to Miss Anna D. Letsch and their close association is not only through the home ties but also in the business world, for Mrs. Eklund assists her husband in the school.
Professor Eklund holds membership with the Elks. He belongs also to the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and is interested in all plans and projects for the upbuilding and benefit of Waterloo. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He has gained a wide and favorable acquaintance during the six years of his residence in Black Hawk county and enjoys the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact. His pupils regard him not only as an instructor, but as a friend who feels an individual interest in his students and their success. He has held to the highest standards in all educational work and has followed the methods of the pioneer in that he has instituted and developed new plans for the benefit of the school whereby the efficiency of the pupils is promoted. He is both forceful and resourceful and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
JOHN McCHANE.
John McChane is extensively engaged in farming in Spring Creek township, owning and cultivating four hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land on sections 35 and 36. He follows the most progressive methods of farming and excellent results attend his labors. Moreover, he is regarded as a wide-awake, energetic business man who brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by per- sistent, earnest and honorable effort.
Mr. McChane was born in Joliet, Illinois, November 22, 1852, a son of John and Margaret (Johnson) McChane, who were natives of Scotland. Thinking to have better opportunities in the new world, they crossed the Atlantic and settled in Illinois about 1851. They established their home at Joliet, where the father worked for three years, and then he removed with his family to Black Hawk county, Iowa, where for two years he engaged in cultivating a rented farm. The family practiced frugality as well as industry during those years and after renting for a time Mr. McChane was able to purchase property in Spring Creek township. He at once began to develop and improve his newly acquired posses- sions and devoted the remainder of his life to cultivating his farm, which he purchased for seven dollars per acre and which as the result of his labors and the natural rise in land values is today worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. The death of Mr. McChane occurred in July, 1902, while his wife passed away in 1894.
John McChane was brought to Black Hawk county by his parents and remained with them until he reached the age of twenty-six, receiving practical training in all lines of farm work, so that he was well qualified to manage a farm property when he started out for himself. He purchased one hundred and seventy-two acres of land in Spring Creek township and operated that farm for
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1
three years, at the end of which time he sold the place and purchased his present property, comprising four hundred and twenty acres on sections 35 and 36, Spring Creek township. With characteristic energy he began the further development of this farm and has since operated it. What he has accomplished is easy to be seen. The place would attract more than a casual glance from the passerby, for the farm is ncat and thrifty in appearance and gives every evidence of careful, practical and progressive supervision on the part of the owner.
On the Ist of January, 1878, Mr. McChane was united in marriage to Miss Melvina Sprague, a daughter of T. and Hannah (Baldwin) Sprague, who were natives of New York and pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county, arriving here when the work of progress and development had scarcely been begun. The father purchased land and here carried on general farming throughout the remainder of his days. To Mr. and Mrs. McChane were born four children : Lilly, who died June 26, 1909; Maggie, the wife of L. H. Abbott, a resident of La Porte City : John, who is married and is now operating his father's farm; and Harry, who carries on farming in North Dakota. The wife and mother passed away October 20, 19II, and her death was the occasion of deep regret to those who knew her.
Mr. McChane is a Methodist in religious belief and has lived an upright and honorable life that has won for him high regard. His political indorsement is given the democratic party and for the past twelve years he has served as trustee of Spring Creek township, being the present incumbent in that position. That his record is most creditable is indicated in the fact that he has been again and again chosen for office. He is always interested in everything pertaining to the progress and welfare of his community, and his worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged.
SAMUEL MARTIN RULE.
Samuel Martin Rule, the general superintendent of the Fred L. Kimball Com- pany of Waterloo, has ably served in this position of responsibility and im- portance during the past seven years. His birth occurred in Greencastle, Pennsyl- vania, on the igth of April, 1878, his parents being James M. and Anna B. (Martin) Rule, who are also natives of the Keystone state. They removed to Lanark, Illinois, in 1881 and still reside on a farm near that town.
Samuel Martin Rule attended the public schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation and assisted his father in the work of the home farm until he had reached his nineteenth year, when he identified himself with the printing business as an apprentice on the Vinton (Ia.) Eagle under Mr. Murphy, who was then editor of the paper. At the end of three and a half years' service he became a member of the force of the Dysart Reporter at Dysart, Tama county, Iowa, while in February, 1901, he accepted a position with the Fred L. Kimball Company of Waterloo, making his beginning in the humble capacity of press feeder. His ability and trustworthiness soon won him recognition, however, and he rose steadily through the various departments until in 1907 he was made general super- intendent of the plant, having served in that position of responsibility to the
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present time. His record is one well worthy of commendation and emulation, showing what may be accomplished when energy and ambition are wisely directed.
On the 25th of June, 1902, Mr. Rule was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Verheren, of Waterloo, Iowa, by whom he has three children, namely : Robert J., Virginia M. and Jackson D. He casts an independent ballot, but is rather in favor of republican principles. Fraternally he is identified with Pythian Lodge, No. 81, K. P., and he also belongs to the Town Criers Club of Waterloo, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Methodist Epis- copal church, with which his wife is likewise affiliated. Those who know him respect him for his sterling personal worth, and in all relations of life he measures up to the full standard of honorable, upright manhood.
JOHN G. MILLER.
John G. Miller, a prominent and capable contractor of Waterloo, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 29th of December, 1871, a son of John G. and Libby (Wall) Miller, who were lifelong residents of that country. The father, who was a blacksmith and wagonmaker, died in 1911 and was survived for one year by his widow. Their children were seven in number, namely: Rosa, who is still living in Germany: Gotlibin, deceased; Carrie, the wife of George Kreb of Bremer county, Iowa; Christina, the wife of George Steinbron, also a resi- dent of Bremer county : Christ, who is living in Retland, Iowa ; Gottlob, of Ger- many ; and John G., of this review.
The last named attended school in the fatherland and grew to manhood there, learning the blacksmith's and wagonmaker's trades under his father and finishing under another master. He subsequently made a specialty of cutlery and at the age of eighteen, having finished his apprenticeship, came to America and settled in Iowa. For a year he worked in a creamery and was then employed upon a farm for the same length of time. He next took up carpentering and followed that trade for a number of years. In the spring of 1893 he came to Waterloo from Colorado after having worked in a number of states. After following carpentering in this city for three years he began to take contracts for work and since 1896 has continued in that line. He has built some of the finest homes, business buildings and churches in Waterloo and is one of the best contractors in the city. In 1910 he began developing his own property and has since contributed in no small degree to the material expansion of the city by building and selling substantial houses. He is a pioneer in the erection of apartment buildings in Waterloo and has built and now owns some of the largest and finest apartment houses here, among which may be men- tioned the Colonial and Superior. Since beginning contracting he has done a business of from thirty thousand dollars to one hundred thousand dollars per year, a record which places him among the most prosperous and substantial men of the city. In addition to his property in Waterloo he owns several improved farms in the Red River valley, Minnesota and North Dakota, from which he derives a gratifying addition to his income.
JOHN G. MILLER AND FAMILY
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Mr. Miller was married on the 26th of September, 1896, to Miss Emma Goughener, who is a native of Waterloo and a daughter of W. S. and Susan ( Biekley) Goughener. Her mother was a sister of the late Dr. G. G. Biekley. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born ten children: Miriam, who is taking the liberal arts course at the University of Iowa; Robert, Reuben and Francis, attending the high school at Waterloo; Ruth, Moses, Aaron, and John G., Jr., the fifth of that name, who are in the public schools; Esther ; and Homer.
Mr. Miller is a republican but does not feel himself bound by party ties if an independent vote would better serve the public good. He is a member of the Christadelphian Society. His success is notable in itself, but more so when we consider that when he emigrated to this country a youth of eighteen he was entirely without capital and was compelled to rely altogether upon his business ability and energy in the struggle to attain success. Integrity and uprightness are as characteristic of his life as enterprise and good business judgment, and his fellow citizens all hold him in high regard.
CHARLES F. SCHILDMEIER.
Charles F. Schildmeier is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty-nine acres on section 4, Spring Creek township, and in its cultivation is meeting with substantial success. He was born May 27, 1864, in the township which is still his home, his parents being Christ and Christina (Hartwig) Schild- meier, both of whom were natives of Germany. Leaving the fatherland, they crossed the Atlantic to the new world and made their way to Iowa, taking up their abode in Black Hawk county in the '50s. The father purchased land in Spring Creek township and resolutely set to work to bring the wild prairie under cultivation. The remainder of his life was devoted to the further development and improvement of this farm, which as the result of his untiring labors became a very desirable property. He died in November, 1912, after a residence of about sixty years in this county. He was widely known and was numbered among the early settlers who were instrumental in laying the foundation upon which has been built the later progress and prosperity of the county. For sixteen years he survived his wife, who passed away in 1896.
C. F. Schildmeier was reared and educated in Black Hawk county, his time being divided between the work of the fields and attendance at the district schools. After he put aside his text-books his undivided attention was given to the farm and its further cultivation and he remained on the home place until forty years of age. He then purchased one hundred and sixty-nine acres of land situated on section 4, Spring Creek township, and at once began the task of fur- ther improving this place. He has since continued its cultivation and has one of the fine farms of the county lacking in none of the accessories, conveniences and equipments known to the model farm of the twentieth century. His fields bring forth good crops and he has good grades of stock upon his place. His buildings are modern and substantial and he has secured the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of planting, cultivating and harvesting his crops. Vol. II-21
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On the 27th of August, 1903, Mr. Schildmeier was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hoppe, a daughter of Carl L. and Christina (Tebbe) Hoppe, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Schildmeier have become the parents of two children: Otto, who was born in February, 1909, and died when he was but four months old; and Lillie, who is now two years of age. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and are loyal to its teachings.
Politically Mr. Schildmeier is a democrat and keeps in touch with modern political problems but does not seek nor desire office. He has always lived in Black Hawk county and the fact that many of her native sons have remained here is indicative of the attractiveness of this section as a place of residence and the opportunities here offered citizens. For a half century he has witnessed the changes which have occurred as the work of improvement has been carried forward, making this one of the progressive and prosperous counties of the commonwealth.
RICHARD T. GLESSNER.
Richard T. Glessner, an active business man engaged in dealing in feed and flour in Waterloo, selling both to the wholesale and retail trades, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1873, a son of Joseph T. and Mary A. (Kimmel) Glessner, who were also natives of Somerset county, the former born November 22, 1851, and the latter on the 17th of May, 1850. The father devoted his entire life to farming and in the spring of 1894 he left the east and came to Iowa, settling on a farm on the Eagle Center road in Black Hawk county. Subsequently he removed to a farm just south of Waterloo on the Blue House road, where he and his wife now reside. He is now practically living retired, although he still gives supervision to the cultivation of his fields.
Richard T. Glessner spent the period of his boyhood and youth in the Key- stone state, acquired his education in the public schools of Somerset county and when twenty-one years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He then worked for others as a farm hand to the time of his marriage, when he began farming on his own account on a tract of land on the Blue House road, where he remained for a year. He then removed to Spring Creek town- ship, where he continued for nine years, and then returned to his first place. There in connection with general farming he conducted a dairy business for five years, at the end of which time he sold out and came to Waterloo, where he embarked in the feed business. He now handles feed of all kinds and also flour, selling both to the wholesale and retail trades, and in the period of his connection with the commercial interests of this city he has built up a gratifying and sub- stantial business.
On the 16th of March, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Glessner and Miss Thurza F. Teeter, who was born in Spring Creek township, this county, a daughter of Daniel and Emeline (Clark) Teeter, both of whom were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, the former born July 5, 1825, and the latter on the 30th of April, 1832. Mr. Teeter was a farmer by occupation and about
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