USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 10
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departed this life in December, 1886, having for ten years survived his wife, who died in June, 1876. Unto them were born three children: Nora and Grace, both of whom died in infancy : and Horace Thomas. Following the death of his first wife the father was married, in 1878, to Clara Benjamin, and unto them was born a daughter, Clara Belle, now the wife of Dr. Heinenan, of Colorado. Mrs. Lorenzo D. Cook-Leonard is a resident of California.
Horace T. Cook, reared in his native county, attended school until sixteen years of age and then entered business life in connection with the trade of book- binding. At a later date he entered into active connection with the clothing busi- ness as an employe of the firm of Wallace & Johnson. This was in 1888 and he continued in that house for seven and a half years. In 1897 he established a busi- ness on his own account in connection with James T. Regan, the partnership con- tinuing for nine months under the firm style of Cook & Regan. At the end of that time Mr. Cook purchased the business, which has since been carried on under the name of H. T. Cook. He carries a large and well selected line of men's clothing and furnishings and is today the oldest representative in the mercantile line in Boone. His store is well appointed, his stock large and attractive, and his progressive methods have placed him among the leading and successful merchants of his part of the state. The location of the store would ordinarily insure good business, but. the personality of the owner and his methods accord- ing to the general opinion have been the salient features in his growing success.
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He has made it his purpose to serve each customer in such a way as to secure his continued patronage and friendship and the same treatment is carried out by those in his employ in the conduct of all business transactions. Mr. Cook is outspoken and always to the point, qualities which are admired by those who have regard for truth and abhor anything that even approaches hypocrisy or dissimulation in the slightest degree.
On the 23d of September, 1890, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Harriet M. Shulters, a native of Boone, and they became parents of four chil- dren : Margaret, deceased; Lucille, twin to Margaret, who has also passed away ; Caryl Clare, born in July, 1894; and Horace Dow, whose birth occurred in May, 1899. In his political views Mr. Cook is a stalwart republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Masonic order and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. These associations indicate much of the prin- ciples that govern his conduct and have made him a man whom to know is to respect and honor. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance in his native county, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood indicates that his life has been an honorable and upright one.
HENRY MAAS.
Henry Maas was one of the very successful German American agriculturists of Boone county, Iowa. For many years he cultivated a profitable farm near Ogden which is now in possession of his widow. Mr. Maas combined German patience and thoroughness with American aggressiveness and by following mod- ern and up-to-date methods and giving close attention to all tasks at hand gained success. He was born in Germany and early in life crossed the Atlantic to America. In 1871 he came to Boone county, Iowa, and purchased land which he operated until his death. He transformed the wild prairie into richly bearing fields, and the appearance of his farm buildings betrayed his careful attention to the smallest detail of operation. He was ever ready to embrace the latest ideas and the most modern machinery could be found upon his place. He was rewarded by rich annual harvests and as time passed he became one of the substantial farmers of his neighborhood.
In 1871 Mr. Maas was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ehlers, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ehlers, also natives of Germany. The father con- cluded his days in the fatherland, and after his death his widow came to America and made her home with her daughter until she passed to her reward in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Maas had twelve children, Catherina, Johanna, Henry, Charles, Herman, Margaret, Lena, Marie, Edward and William. Two daughters Emma and Annie, died in infancy. For the past nine years Mrs. Maas has made her home in Ogden, although she still owns the homestead. She resides in a fine modern brick residence in Ogden and is highly esteemed and respected in that city, where she has many friends.
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Mr. Maas was a member of the German Lutheran church. He was interested in all worthy public projects and took a deep pride in the civic advancement of his section. He not only gained individual success but by his labors contributed toward raising agricultural standards and was a factor in raising Iowa to the position of the most prosperous agricultural state in the Union. Mr. Maas died in 1894, his demise causing sincere mourning to his many friends. He left his family in most comfortable circumstances, but their greatest heritage is the memory of his untarnished and honorable life.
GEORGE WALKER.
George Walker is now living retired in a pleasant home at No. 714 Fifth street in Boone but in former years was closely and prominently connected with agricultural activity in Boone county. He has passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred near Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 10th of February, 1837. His forefathers had there resided for genera- tions and were salt makers, many representatives of the name residing at Mus- selburgh and Inverness. The paternal grandparents, George and Isabelle ( Juere) Walker, and the parents, James and Margaret (Gregg) Walker, all died in Scotland. The mother of George Walker came of a family noted for longevity and she reached the remarkable old age of ninety-seven years. Her children were: Isabelle, who became the wife of Robert Grundy and died in Scotland ; Jane, who married Angus McMillan and died in Scotland; George, of this review ; Janet, who became the wife of David Howie and died in Scotland; James, who passed away in the same country : Alison, who married Cornelius Yourston, who for thirty-nine years was sealer of weights and measures in Edinburgh ; Helen, now living in Scotland ; and Margaret, who became the wife of John Blythe and died in Boone county.
George Walker attended the home schools of Cockenzie, pursuing his studies there until he reached the age of twelve years, when he began work in the salt and coal mines. The village was located on the coast and vessels would stop there to coal. Mr. Walker and others boys would haul coal and salt to the ships. At seventeen years of age he left home and went to Lanarkshire, near Glasgow, where he was employed in the coal mines for four years. He then returned home and worked in that locality for a time. He next went to Midlothian, the region made famous by Sir Walter Scott's romantic and pathetic story of The Heart of Midlothian. In 1868 he sailed for the United States as a passenger on the steamship Hibernia and landed at New York on the 4th of July. He made the voyage alone, leaving his wife and three children in Scot- land until he could prepare a home for them in the new world.
Mr. Walker made his way to Sharon, Pennsylvania, where he began work in the mines. He there continued until 1874 and in the meantime was joined by his wife and children. In the year mentioned he traveled westward to Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he spent a part of three years. On the expiration of that period he settled in Marcy township, Boone county, Iowa, where he pur- chased eighty acres of land and followed farming until about 1910. He added
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GEORGE WALKER
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to his property, becoming owner of one hundred and fifty acres which he still owns and upon which he erected a new house and also built a substantial barn and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Year by year he care- fully tilled his fields and his labors brought good harvests. At length, with a comfortable competence acquired from his well directed efforts, he retired from business life and established his home in Boone, where he now resides.
It was in Scotland on the 16th of January, 1864, that Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Grundy, of that land, a daughter of Robert and Agnes (Wishart) Grundy, in whose family were eleven children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walker have been born twelve children: Agnes, now the wife of Francis Muck, of Minnesota ; Margaret, who was graduated at Independence, Iowa, and is now a trained nurse: Euphemia, who died in infancy ; James C., who married Minnie Linerod and is a practicing physician of Boone; Robert and George, who have passed away: Walter, who married Carrie Counter and is living in Sioux City, Iowa ; Robina, the wife of John Peacock, of Boone; Isabelle, the wife of John Wright, of Boone; John, living in Minnesota; Allie, who married John B. Donaldson, of Minnesota ; and William, who married Clara Stewart and resides upon the home farm.
The parents are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they have taken active and helpful interest, Mr. Walker, serving as one of the dea- cons for many years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a stalwart advocate of its principles. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world. His youth was a period of earnest and unremitting toil in his native land and, believing that he might have better opportunities on this side the Atlantic, he came to the United States. Nor has he been disappointed in his hopes. Gradually he has worked his way upward here, finding that in America "labor is king." His business enterprise, his unfaltering diligence and his honorable dealing have been the salient fea- tures in his growing success, making him at length one of the substantial resi- dents of Boone county.
SIXTEN T. ANDERSON.
Sixten T. Anderson is a member of the mercantile firm of Hagge & Ander- son of Beaver and also serves as postmaster of the town, having held that posi- tion for the past decade. His birth occurred in Norrkoping, Sweden, on the 23d of January, 1875, his parents being Gus and Christina Anderson, who are likewise natives of that country. They emigrated to the United States in 1881. locating in Ogden, this county, where Gus Anderson worked in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway for some time. Subsequently he cultivated rented land for a time and later purchased a farmr in Union township, which he operated during the remainder of his active business career. He now lives retired in Bouton, Dallas county, this state, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. 1
Sixten T. Anderson, who was a little lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, acquired his education in
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Boone county. After leaving the Ogden high school he was employed as a clerk by D. Nebbe of Ogden for a period of eight years and in 1902 came to Beaver. Here he embarked in the mercantile business in partnership with his father-in- law, Claus Hagge, and has remained a member of the firm of Hagge & Ander- son to the present time. The concern carries an extensive and well selected stock of goods at reasonable prices and is accorded a gratifying patronage, botlı the members being widely recognized as enterprising, progressive and reli- able merchants and capable business men. Mr. Anderson owns a third interest in a quarter section of land in Beaver township and is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Company and the Grocers Wholesale Company of Des Moines, Iowa.
In June, 1902, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hagge, her parents being Claus and Margaret (Hensen) Hagge, of whom more extended mention is made in connection with the sketch of Henry D. Hagge, brother of Mrs. Anderson. Mr. Anderson is a republican in politics and is now making a creditable record as a member of the town council. He has likewise served as secretary of the school board and for two years held the office of mayor, his administration being characterized by valuable measures of reform and improvement. For the past ten years he has acted as postmaster of Beaver, satisfactorily discharging the duties devolving upon him in that capacity. The period of his residence in Boone county covers a third of a century and he has long been 'numbered among its respected, representative and public-spirited citizens.
EVAN H. JENKINS.
Evan H. Jenkins, who has been a leading resident of Ogden for the past twenty-two years, is a prominent factor in financial circles as president of the Farmers State Bank, which was organized in June. 1910. His birth occurred in Lee county, Iowa, on the 2d of January, 1852, his parents being W. H. C. and Mary A. (Cassel) Jenkins, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to Boone county, Iowa, in 1854, purchasing land in Marcy township which the father improved and cultivated during the remainder of his life. Both Mr. and Mrs. W. H. C. Jenkins are deceased.
Evan H. Jenkins was reared and educated in this county, pursuing his studies in a log schoolhouse. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and subsequently purchased and improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Beaver township, devoting his attention to its operation until 1892. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he augmented his property holdings by additional purchase and now owns six hundred and seventy acres of rich and productive land, one hundred and ninety acres thereof lying in Greene county. In 1892 he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Ogden, where he has remained continuously since and where he owns a magnificent home. In June, 1910, the Farmers State Bank was organized and he became a stockholder, direc- tor and president of the institution, the affairs of which he has since guided most
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ably and well. He is likewise a stockholder in the City State Bank of Ogden and well deserves a place among the leading and representative citizens of the county.
In March, 1878, Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McCarthy, a daughter of John and Catherine (Hoffman) McCarthy, who were natives of Canada and Indiana respectively. The parents became pioneer resi- dents of this county, taking up their abode in Boonesboro, where Mr. McCar- thy devoted his attention to mercantile pursuits. Both he and his wife have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are the parents of four children, as follows : Lura, who is the wife of C. E. Swain and resides in Malvern, Iowa; Laura B., the wife of D. E. Peck, of Berlin, Germany; Roy E., who operates his father's farm in Beaver township; and Eva E., who is a high-school teacher at Denison, Iowa.
In politics Mr. Jenkins is a stanch republican and he has done able service as a member of the town council and also on the school board. He is a charter mem- ber of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, joining the organization in 1873. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. His life has ever measured up to a high standard of manhood and honorable purpose and the years have brought him a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
WILLIAM WARD GOODYKOONTZ.
Boone county numbers William Ward Goodykoontz among its native sons, his birth having occurred within its borders on the 18th of August, 1872, his par- ents being Daniel F. and Mary Elizabeth ( Moore) Goodykoontz, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father came to Iowa about the year 1855, settling in Allamakee county when it was largely an unde- veloped district. In 1886 he removed to Boone and became one of the pioneer merchants of the city, opening a drug store. He built the first brick block in Boone and has contributed to the improvement and progress of this section in many ways. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a member of Company B, Twelfth Iowa Infantry, with which he was on active duty throughout the period of hostilities, participating in many engagements which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. In 1906 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 6th of January, of that year. In their family were two children, but they lost their second child in infancy.
William Ward Goodykoontz attended the public schools and passed through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school on the 28th of May. 1890. He afterward went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he entered the State University, there pursuing a collegiate course, where, in 1895, he was graduated on the completion of the law course. He afterward returned to Boone, where he opened an office and has since practiced.
On the 3Ist of December, 1900, Mr. Goodykoontz was united in marriage to Miss Florence S. Streeter, a native of Blackhawk county, Iowa, who formerly
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engaged in teaching in the schools of Boone. In their family are three children : Elizabeth G., who was born October 4, 1902; Mary W., October 25, 1904; and Daniel Edward, October 31, 1907. The family attend the Presbyterian church. The parents are well known socially, and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Goodykoontz is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and his fellow townsmen have several times called him to public office, and his record as mayor of the city, as city attorney and as legislator is a most commendable one. He served as a member of the city council before being made chief executive of Boone and his understanding of the needs of the city made him a splendid municipal officer. In 1908 he was called to represent his district in the state legislature, of which he was a member for four years. He proved an able working member on the floor of the house, connected with much important constructive legislation and serving on a number of the leading committees. He is a member of the Com- mercial Association and in this connection works effectively and earnestly for the advancement of the interests of Boone.
G. H. GETTY.
In connection with public affairs of his community G. H. Getty has been very active and at the present time he is serving for the second term as county audi- tor, in which connection he has made a splendid record as a painstaking and trustworthy official. He was born in Washington county, New York, November 25, 1870, and is a son of James H. and Sarah E. ( Williamson) Getty, both of whom were natives of New York and in 1877 came to Iowa. They settled on a farm in Beaver township, Boone county, and in connection with developing the fields and cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Getty engaged in the raising of blooded Holstein cattle, winning substantial success in the con- duct of his business interests. Unto him and his wife were born five children : G. H., of this review: Estella, the wife of James Boomer. of Greene county, Iowa ; James A. and Nettie E., both of whom are now deceased ; and Guy W., living in Meade county, South Dakota.
G. H. Getty was a lad of but six years when the family came to Iowa and upon the home farm in Beaver township he was reared, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the public schools and when eighteen years of age took up the profession of teaching. He was not satisfied, however, with the education that he had thus far acquired and he grasped eagerly every opportunity that would enable him to broaden his knowledge and thus prepare for the higher responsibilities of life. He at length entered the Greene County Normal School, from which he was graduated, afterward taking a special course in bookkeeping, commercial branches and in law. He followed the profession of teaching for twenty years and at the same time managed a farm and engaged in raising thoroughbred stock in Beaver township. It is a widely recognized fact that he is a man of undaunted
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energy and that diligence and determination are among his chief characteristics. Even important agricultural and professional duties did not seem to fully mo- nopolize his time, for he was able also to faithfully perform the duties of various township offices. He served as road supervisor and township clerk and was twice a candidate for superintendent of schools-in 1899 and again in 1908. Failing of the nomination at the primaries, however, he showed nothing of a disgruntled spirit, but actively set to work to elect the man who was nominated. This is certainly an indication of his broad mind and public spirit. In 1908 he was offered and accepted the position of deputy county auditor and during his two years incumbency in that position he thoroughly acquainted himself with all of the intricate details of the work involved. He displayed thoroughness, patience and accuracy, and his ability was recognized by all who knew aught of the workings and management of the office. In 1910 his party sought him to become a candi- date for the position of county auditor and he was elected. Indorsement of his first term service came in 1912, when he was reelected by an overwhelming major- ity, a deserved honor conferred upon him by the citizens of Boone county, irre- spective of party ties. He is now the present incumbent and his record is most . satisfactory to the people of the community.
On the 15th of March, 1893, Mr. Getty was united in marriage to Miss Emma M. Hayer, a native of Boone county, and unto them have been born six children : Sarah Nettie and Lillian Elizabeth, who are attending high school; a son who died in infancy ; Donald Hiram ; Mildred Frances ; and Everett Benjamin.
The family attend the Baptist church, in which Mr. and Mrs. Getty hold mem- bership. He is also identified with various fraternal organizations and exen- plifies in his life the beneficient spirit upon which these have been founded. In politics he is a republican, always well versed concerning the important issues and questions of the day, and he has become a recognized leader in party ranks in Boone county. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county and his worth and ability are recognized and attested by his fellow townsmen, his circle of friends being an extensive one.
LINCOLN McCASKEY.
Lincoln McCaskey, owning and operating a well improved farm of eighty acres on section 20, Yell township, has been a resident of Boone county through- out practically his entire life or for more than a half century. His birth occurred in Indiana on the Ist of April, 1861, his parents being Harrison and Elsie ( Ritter ) McCaskey, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. They came to this county in 1863, the father purchasing and improving a farm in Yell township which he operated throughout the remainder of his active business career. The last few years of his life were spent in honorable retirement at Ogden, where he passed away in September, 1900. His demise was the occa- sion of deep and widespread regret in the community which had been his home for thirty-seven years. His widow, who is seventy-six years of age, still makes her home in Ogden, where she is well known and highly esteemed.
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Lincoln McCaskey, who was but two years old when brought to Boone county by his parents, attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and remained at home until he had attained his majority. When twenty-one years of age he began the cultivation of a rented tract of land but at the end of two years bought property of his own, purchasing eighty acres on section 20, Yell township, which he improved and which he has operated continuously to the present time. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with gratifying success, the well tilled fields annually paying tribute to his care and labor in bounteous harvests.
On the 25th of March, 1884, Mr. McCaskey was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary J. Pugsley, a daughter of Wyman and Margaret (Reading) Pugsley, the former a native of New York and the latter of Germany. Mr. Pugsley removed to Minnesota in an early day and in 1865 enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of the First Minnesota Regiment, remaining with that command for six months or until the cessation of hostilities between the North and the South. After returning to Minnesota he followed farming in that state for a short time and then came to Boone county, Iowa, purchasing the property which is now in possession of our subject. Subsequently he bought another tract of land and con- tinued its cultivation throughout the remainder of his life with the exception of a year spent in Kansas and another year or two in New York. His demise oc- curred in this county on the 20th of August, 1902, when he had attained the age of sixty-seven years. Mrs. Pugsley, who survives her husband, is seventy-seven years of age and still resides on the old home place. Mr. and Mrs. McCaskey have five children, namely: Bessie, Devillo, Maude, Wilma and Gertrude. All are still under the parental roof.
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