USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 49
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
445
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
Mr. Emert is a prominent Mason. He holds membership with the lodge, chapter, council and commandery in Waterloo and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, recognizing at all times the brotherhood of man- kind. He is also connected with the Royal Neighbors and the Modern Wood- men of America and he is a member of the Board of Trade of Waterloo. In politics he is an earnest republican, doing all in his power to further the growth and promote the success of his party. He has held minor township offices, but has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, devoting the greater part of his attention to his farm, which is most capably managed and is bringing to him gratifying success. Sound judgment controls his business activities and interests and by the consensus of public opinion he is numbered among the representative farmers of Poyner township.
FRANK R. HOLLIS.
Frank R. Hollis is a retired farmer and the president of the Hudson Savings Bank and his business ability, expressed in indefatigable industry guided by sound judgment, has brought him success in creditable measure. He was born in Rensselaer county, near Albany, New York, in 1842, a son of Harlan S. and Jane (Coons) Hollis, the former born in Vermont in 1819 and the latter in Rensselaer county, New York, in the same year. The father followed farming in early life and also engaged in dealing in coal, which he hauled from the mountains to Albany for many years. In 1862, following the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted at Troy, New York, as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Infantry, and went to the front as a teamster. He served until the close of the war and at Harper's Ferry was taken prisoner. When hostilities were over he returned to his farm in the Empire state and there lived until his retirement from active business life, when he came to Hudson, Iowa, and made his home with his son until his death. He was active in republican politics in his community but was not an office seeker. In the family were five children, of whom Frank R. was the second in order of birth. Two of the number are now residents of Iowa, George Hollis making his home in Cedar Falls.
Frank R. Hollis acquired his early education in a little log schoolhouse, where he sat on a peg bench. The curriculum embraced little more than the three Rs- readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic. However, in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons and reading has also broadened his knowledge. He possesses, too, an observing eye and a retentive memory and thus it is that he has become a power in business circles in his community. He remained upon the home farm until twenty years of age, working for his father and also for neighboring farmers. He, too, became a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting at Troy, in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Infantry, as a private, thus becoming a member of the same company to which his father belonged. He was never wounded, but was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry. He saw active service at Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, the battle of the Wilderness and other important engagements. He never faltered in the face
446
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
of duty, whether on the firing line or on the lonely picket line, and made a most creditable military record by his loyalty and bravery.
When the war was over Mr. Hollis made his way westward to Black Hawk county, where he purchased land and began farming. He had previously mar- ried in New York and he brought his wife to the new home. There were few settlers in this part of the state and the work of improvement had been carried forward to only a slight degree. For more than forty years Mr. Hollis engaged in farming and as the years passed on he prospered owing to his untiring efforts and his judicious investments. As opportunity offered he added to his landed possessions from time to time until he is today the owner of one thousand acres in Black Hawk county. He engaged quite extensively in raising shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and the various features of his farm proved sources of profitable income. He extended his connections to other business interests also and became one of the original stockholders of the Hudson Savings Bank, of which he is now the president. He is likewise the vice president of the Hudson Lumber, Grain & Coal Company and his spirit of enterprise and his sound judgment constitute an impetus for these concerns. The active manage- ment is largely left to others, yet he still gives supervision to his business interests and at the same time has leisure for the enjoyment of those things which are a matter of interest and pleasure.
In 1865 Mr. Hollis was united in marriage to Miss Ellen S. Bly, who was born in New York, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bly, who were natives of Massachusetts. The father became a farmer and sawmill owner near Troy, New York, where he lived until 1864, when he removed westward to this county. Here he became the owner of land and was numbered among the well known farmers of his township. Both in New York and in Iowa he was a supporter of the democratic party. His family numbered thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Hollis is the seventh in order of birth.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hollis have been born nine children. Charles, who is man- ager of the Black Hawk Oil Company of Cedar Falls and is a recognized leader in the local ranks of the republican party, is married and has two children : Frank, who is now a student in the Normal School; and Geneice. Harlan, who is manager of the lumber company at Hudson, Iowa, and is active in the public affairs of the community, is married and has three children, Mildred, Dorothy and Palmer. Iola is the wife of Orley Mosely, a farmer of Black Hawk town- ship, and they have three children, Mae, Nellie and Hollis. Edward, a graduate of the Normal School of Cedar Falls, of the Iowa University and of Rush Medical College of Chicago, is now a practicing physician of Rolfe, lowa, and is married and has two children, Catharine and Marion. John is with his father in Hudson. Rienza, who is operating his father's farm, is married and has one child, Keith. Lettie is the wife of Clyde Eighmey, a farmer of Orange township, near Waterloo, and an active and influential citizen of his locality, and they have one child, Elizabeth. Arthur, who resides on a farm near Hudson, is mar- ried and has one child, Edna. Jennie became the wife of Albert Manish and died at the age of twenty-three years, leaving one child, Arthur.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hollis has been a stalwart republican and does everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He has held a number of township offices,
ยท 447
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge, being a charter member at Hudson, and has filled all of the chairs, including that of noble grand. While in New York he and his wife held membership in the Freewill Baptist church, but now attend the Breth- ren Progressive church. His wife is very active in church work and also in the social clubs and literary circles of Hudson. Both are highly respected and occupy a place of prominence in public regard. Mr. Hollis has justly won the success that has come to him and the esteem in which he is uniformly held. He had no special advantages at the outset of his career but one must essentially formulate and determine their own character and, prompted by laudable pur- pose and high principles, Mr. Hollis has so guided his life that he ranks today among the forceful and honored residents of Hudson.
FRED WILLIAM HARRISON BUEHNER.
Fred William Harrison Buehner, who since the IIth of February, 1911, has been actively engaged in business at Fairbank, was born June 21, 1888, in Lester township, Black Hawk county. His father, John Buehner, was born January 16, 1852, in Howard township, Stephenson county, Illinois, and when four and a half years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Black Hawk county, settling in Barclay township in 1856, where they lived for a number of years, removing in 1866 to Lester township. John Buehner acquired his edu- cation in the rural schools and spent his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farm lads. He was married on the 25th of February, 1873, to Caroline Isa- belle Holdiman, who was born May 19, 1855, in Wheatland township, Will county, Illinois, and on removing with her parents to Iowa settled in Bennington township, Black Hawk county. She was then thirteen years of age and she, too, attended the country schools. Mr. and Mrs. Buehner are still living in this county in the locality where they first established their home and to them have been born ten children: Mrs. Mary Finch, residing in Fairbank; Mrs. Clara Stufflehean, of Waterloo; John J., also of Waterloo; Chris, residing in Dunker- ton ; Albert, whose home is in Waterloo; a son who died in infancy; Fred W. H., of this review; Mrs. Lydia Mickleson, of Waterloo; Sidney, living in Lester township ; and Frank, who was born August 29, 1896, and died August 21, 1899, at the age of two years, eleven months and twenty-two days.
Upon the old home farm Fred W. H. Buehner spent his youthful days and at the usual age began his education in the public schools. He attended the Pleasantville school in district No. 3 in Lester township, completed the work of the eighth grade and afterward spent one term in the spring of 1908 in the Fairbank high school. In the fall of that year he entered upon a year's course in the Stone School of Horology at St. Paul, Minnesota. Throughout the periods of vacation his attention was devoted to the farm work and thus year by year he assisted in the further development and cultivation of the fields upon the old homestead. In 1901 he began farming and operating a traction engine and was engaged in that business from the time that he was about fourteen years of age until 1910. On the Ist of October, 1909, he began learning the watch-
448
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
maker's trade and has been engaged in business along that line continuously since the IIth of February, 19II.
At Waterloo, on the 10th of June, 1913, Mr. Buehner was united in marriage to Miss Irene C. Arett, of Austin, Minnesota, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Arett, of that place. Her father was born December 18, 1860, and her mother, Mary (Knutson) Arett, was born September 29, 1863. They were married in 1886 and they became parents of twelve children: Amma, born February 12, 1887 ; Henry, born August 31, 1888; Bertha, who was born in 1890 and died in early childhood ; George, born July 8, 1891 ; Ellen, February 9, 1893; Irene, November 29, 1894; Clint, June 22, 1896; Bennie, March 29, 1898; Walter, May 23, 1900; Albert, March 7, 1903 : Ernest, April 26, 1905 ; and Clarence, January 23, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Buehner have become parents of a daughter, Esther Madaline, born July 31, 1914, in Fairbank.
Mr. and Mrs. Buehner attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Fairbank and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, but he does not hesitate to vote for the nominee of the other party if he thinks him the better man. He is well known in this county, where his entire life has been passed, and among those who know him his many substantial and admirable qualities and characteristics have gained him warm friendship and high regard.
H. C. RIENSCHE.
An attractive country home in Fox township is the property of H. C. Riensche. It stands in the midst of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres and to the development and improvement of the place he gives his undi- vided attention with good results. He was born in 1867 in the township which is still his home, his parents being William and Eleanor ( Lichtenberg) Riensche, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in Buckeburg in 1826 and the latter in Dankersen in 1832. The father followed farming in his native country and when a young man made the long voyage to the new world. He at once started westward and for six years was employed at railroad building in Indiana. In 1854 he drove across country to Black Hawk county, Iowa, and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were reclaiming this district for the purposes of civilization. Waterloo was at that time a mere village and there was only one house between it and his own home. The most farsighted could scarcely have dreamed of the changes which were soon to occur and transform this into one of the populous and prosperous counties of the commonwealth.
Mr. Riensche broke the prairie with ox teams, planted his crops and in the course of time gathered good harvests. His farm comprised one hundred and twenty acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, and in addition to his activity along agricultural lines he took a most helpful interest in public affairs, especially along those lines which contributed to the early development and improvement of this section. He assisted in building the early churches and schoolhouses of logs and he was one of the organizers of the Evangelical Lutheran church, in the work of which he took a most active part. His efforts were at all times of value to the community and his name is therefore indelibly
449
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
inscribed upon the pages of pioneer history in Black Hawk county. His family numbered nine children, of whom H. C. was the second youngest in order of birth. The father died in the year 1908 and thus passed away one of the worthy pioneer settlers whose memory had constituted a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
H. C. Riensche had but limited educational opportunities but attended the German parochial schools and the country schools for five months. With experience as his teacher, however, he has learned many valuable lessons as the years have gone on, for he possesses an observing eye and a retentive mem- ory. When twenty-four years of age he bought land but still resided at home and rented the farm. Later he began the cultivation of his own property and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres, in the midst of which stand an attractive residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. Everything about the place indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods and he is justly accounted one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of the com- munity.
Mr. Riensche was united in marriage to Miss Anna Pump, who was born in Chicago, a daughter of John and Maria (Esch) Pump, natives of Germany. After coming to the United States they lived for some time in Chicago, where the father worked in lumber yards. In his native land he had been identified with farming. In 1884 he removed to Black Hawk county, establishing his home in Spring Creek township, where he not only carried on general agricul- tural pursuits, but was also very prominent in township affairs. He came to the United States a poor boy and became a wealthy man owing to the wise use which he made of his time and opportunities. His diligence enabled him to overcome many difficulties and obstacles in business and ultimately reach the goal of success. Mr. and Mrs. Riensche have three children: Olinda, who was born in 1897: Erwin, born in 1899; and Gilbert, whose birth occurred in 1912.
The family attend the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Riensche is a very active and prominent member, doing all in his power to further its growth and extend its influence. He has been an important factor in community affairs and has co-operated in many plans which have been directly beneficial to the district. He has for six years been township trustee of Fox township, in which office he is the present incumbent. His influence is always on the side of advance- ment, progress, reform and improvement and his life has been one of value to the community in which he lives.
GEORGE H. QUEST.
George H. Quest is the senior partner in the firm of Quest & Smith, plumbers and steamfitters of Waterloo, in which city he was born on the IIth of October, 1883, his parents being Matthew W. and Mattie M. (Harroun) Quest, the former a native of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Darlington, Wisconsin. They were married, however, in Freeport, Illinois, and in 1879 became residents of Waterloo. For thirty years the father was engaged in the jewelry business in Freeport and for a decade continued along the same line in Waterloo. Suc-
450
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
cess attended his well managed business affairs until ultimately he put aside further business interests, having in the meantime acquired a handsome com- petence. For twenty-five years he lived retired in Waterloo, enjoying a well earned rest, and on the 12th of September, 1914, he passed away at the age of seventy-eight years.
George H. Quest entered the public schools at the usual age and continued his education until he entered the West high school, from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1901. Following the completion of his course he entered upon an apprenticeship to the plumber's trade, thoroughly mastering the business and becoming an expert workman along that line. In 1906 he embarked in the plumbing business on his own account, continuing so independently for four years, or until 1910, when S. C. Smith purchased an interest in the business which has since been conducted under the name of Quest & Smith. Their trade is of an extensive character and the constant demand made for their services has resulted in the attainment of a substantial and gratifying measure of success.
On the 8th of May, 1914, Mr. Quest was joined in wedlock to Miss Hilda Sylvester, of Greene, Butler county, Iowa. His fraternal relations are with Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P. He is also a member of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and is deeply interested in matters of citizenship. He studies the vital and significant situations and problems, and gives his aid and influence on the side of advancement and improvement. He is well known in the city where his entire life has been spent and his many good traits of character have brought him the high regard and good-will of those with whom he has come in contact.
SIDNEY C. SMITH.
Sidney C. Smith, an enterprising and successful young business man of Water- loo, is a member of the firm of Quest & Smith, plumbers and steamfitters, conduct- ing one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in the city. His birth occurred in Rockford, Illinois, on the 16th of September, 1887, his parents being Harry and Eliza (Hodges) Smith, both of whom were natives of England. They emigrated to the United States in young manhood and young womanhood and were married in Rockford, Illinois. Harry Smith was a harness maker by trade and for many years conducted a harness shop in that city. His demise occurred at Rockford in 1909, when he had attained the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. Smith survives, however, and now makes her home with a daughter in Dixon, Illinois.
Sidney C. Smith acquired his education in the graded and high schools of Rockford and when in his sixteenth year became a wage earner as an employe in the Wire Iron Works of that city, remaining with that concern for about eighteen months. In the spring of 1904 he came to Waterloo, Iowa, served an apprenticeship to the plumber's trade and subsequently worked as a journey- man until 1910. In that year he purchased an interest in the plumbing business of George H. Quest, forming the firm of Quest & Smith, which has developed one of the most extensive enterprises of the kind in Waterloo. The junior partner is widely recognized as a young man of excellent executive ability and
451
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
keen discernment who has contributed not a little to the growing success of the concern.
On the 14th of September, 1911, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Maud Frye, of Waterloo, Iowa. He is identified fraternally with Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., and also belongs to the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the Town Criers Club. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, to which his wife likewise belongs. In private life he has been actuated by principles which govern honorable and upright manhood and the same high ideals have ever been manifest in his business dealings.
WILLIAM L. CHAPLIN.
William L. Chaplin is a retired farmer, residing in Jesup, whose life work indicates what may be accomplished when ambition and determination point out the way. Today he is the possessor of a handsome competence, but he started out in life empty-handed and he knows all of the difficulties which are to be met in a business career. An analyzation of his life shows that work-earnest, persistent work-has been the basis of his prosperity and the course which he has followed may well serve as an example for others.
Mr. Chaplin was born in Cortland county, New York, in 1847, a son of Erin and Abby (Atwell) Chaplin, the former a native of New York and the latter of Vermont. The father learned the trade of shoemaking in early life and followed it for a time but in 1847 removed westward to Illinois and in the Mississippi valley turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. After living in Illinois for eight years he made the journey by wagon to Iowa and in 1855 took up his abode in Barclay township, Black Hawk county. He found pioneer conditions here. There were only a few houses in the vicinity of his home but he lived to see the country become thickly settled. With characteristic energy he began farming and continued upon the home place until he retired from active business and removed to South Dakota, where his remaining days were passed. He took a helpful interest in public affairs in this county and aided in advancing material progress. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted here for service in the Union army and was one of the able defenders of the stars and stripes. Upon his return he resumed the work of general farming and stock-raising and as the years passed on he met with substantial success.
William L. Chaplin was but an infant when his parents removed from the Empire state to Illinois and was a little lad of but eight years when they came to Iowa. He attended the early schools of Barclay township and he was trained to farm work when young, following the plow almost from the time that he was large enough to reach the handles. He purchased property when land was cheap and by reason of his unfaltering industry and perseverance has met with sub- stantial success. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings from time to time and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres in Black Hawk county and eight hundred acres in South Dakota, near Huron. He also has extensive holdings in Wisconsin. He has dealt more or less in lands, winning substantial prosperity from his well directed business
452
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
interests. He is today numbered among the men of affluence in the county and in 1908, retiring from the active work of the farm, he removed to Jesup, where he now resides. His property interests return to him a gratifying annual income. He is also a stockholder in the Jesup State Bank and in the Securities Building Company and is today regarded as one of the substantial citizens of Jesup.
Mr. Chaplin was married to Miss Rose L. Chatfield, who was born in Du Page county, Illinois, in 1850, and passed away in Jesup in 1913. Her parents were Alonzo and Mary (Graves) Chatfield, both natives of New York. In early manhood her father removed westward to Illinois and took up a claim. He saw Chicago emerge from villagehood and take on all the aspects of metro- politan life. He was always active in community affairs and held a number of local offices. He owned considerable land, winning success as the years passed on. Removing to Jesup, he retained his residence there to the time of his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Chaplin were born six children: Jay, who resides on a farm near Moorhead, Minnesota, is married and has six children. Mabel is the wife of Burton Fuller, a farmer living in Kiester, Minnesota, and they have six chil- dren. Genevieve maried Charles Nessfield, of La Porte City, Iowa, and they have one child. Arthur occupies a farm in Barclay township. George is mar- ried and resides upon a farm in Sauk county, Wisconsin. Caryl is operating his father's farm in Barclay township. He is married and has one child.
Mr. Chaplin gives his support to the Methodist church, of which he has long been an earnest and consistent member. He has never taken an active part in public affairs as an office seeker, yet his influence has always been on the side of improvement and advancement. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in that he started out a poor boy and is today numbered among the men of affluence in Black Hawk county. His efforts have brought excellent results, for they have been guided by the rules that govern industry and strict, unswerving integrity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.