USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 17
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the time of his death on the 12th of March, 1909; and Wilbur G., who is travel- ing auditor for the Rothschilds of Chicago.
Thomas L. Jones was reared in the usual manner of farm lads who spend their time and youth in the middle west. From the time of early spring planting he would assist in the work of the fields and was thus engaged until after crops were harvested in the autumn. The winter seasons were devoted to the acquire- ment of an education and in 1800 he took up the profession of school teaching. being then a young man of twenty-four years. He proved capable in imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired, and the schools under his control made substantial progress. The summer seasons were devoted to farm work. In 1892 he removed to Boone and in 1893 he established a music store, which he conducted successfully until 1896. He then turned his attention to the real-estate and loan business, handling property both for himself and others and making loans on farm lands. He has become widely and favorably known in this connection and he is thoroughly informed concerning realty values and knows exactly the property that is upon the market.
On the 27th of April, 1890, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Bertha A. Jones, a native of Indiana, and to them have been born three children : Bernice R., whose natal day was March 11, 1891 ; Ethel L., born May 29, 1892: and Edith L., born on the 30th of March, 1894. The family occupies an enviable position in the social circles of the city, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded all of the representatives of the Jones household. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian church, and Mr. Jones also holds membership in the Royal Arcanum and the Woodinen of the World. His political support is given the democratic party and upon its ticket he has been elected to several offices. He served for four years as city assessor, has also been city clerk and for three years was a member of the city council, during which period he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many progressive public move- ments and needed reforms and improvements. He has at all times been loyal to the best interests of the community, and his worth both as a man and citizen is widely recognized.
MRS. SARAH ADELLA KOUHNS.
The highest esteem and greatest respect is given on all sides to Mrs. Sarah Adella Kouhns, who for many years has been an honored resident of Ogden, Iowa. Mrs. Kouhns was born in Ohio in September, 1852, a daughter of William and Lucinda (Robinson ) Hassenpflug, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a carriage maker by trade and at an early day went to Ohio, where he engaged in farming, operating land for the remainder of his life in that state. He died in 1860, being survived by his widow until 1904.
Sarah A. Hassenpflug was reared and educated in Ohio, where she subse- quently turned her knowledge to good account by teaching school for some time. In 1868 she married A. Kouhns, now deceased, and since 1871 she has lived in Boone county. For the past fifteen years she has been a resident of Ogden. Mrs. Kouhns had five children: Laura, who married A. E. Yarges, who farms
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in Nebraska ; Lucy, the wife of Al. Treloar, a farmer in Boone county ; Ruben, who follows the same line of occupation in this county ; Margaret, who died in 1904; and Montie, who died in infancy.
Mr. Kouhns was engaged in agricultural pursuits but his widow has sold the farm and has her money invested in other profitable ventures. She owns a handsome home in Ogden, where she has many friends. Mrs. Kouhns gives her adherence to the Baptist church, in the work of which she takes a deep and help- ful interest.
OSCAR OAKLEAF.
Oscar Oakleaf, whose record furnishes an excellent illustration of the power of industry and perseverance in the attainment of success, came to America in early manhood and has worked his way steadily upward to a position of influ- ence and affluence in his community, being now the president of the Madrid State Bank, one of the solid financial institutions of Iowa. His birth occurred in Sweden in 1858, his parents being J. P. and Annie ( Peterson) Oakleaf, who spent their entire lives in that country. Their children were nine in num- ber, as follows: three who died in infancy; Oscar, of this review; Carl, still residing in Sweden; Gust, who makes his home in Minnesota; Mrs. Emma Swanson, of Madrid; Mrs. Hannah Peterson, also living in Madrid; and Mrs. Martha Hallblad, who resides in Minnesota. All were born in Sweden.
Oscar Oakleaf spent the first twenty-one years of his life in the land of his nativity and in 1879 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating at Mar- shalltown, Marshall county, Iowa, where he secured employment as a farm laborer. In 1881 he came to what is now Madrid and entered the service of William Johnson as a clerk, remaining in his employ for nine years and nine months. On the expiration of that period, in 1891, he secured a position with the A. T. Davis Milling Company of Madrid and continued with the concern for about a year, later becoming financially interested in the same. He also became interested in the Citizens State Bank of Madrid, which was located on the present site of the Madrid State Bank. In that institution he rose steadily from one position to the next highest, serving successively as bookkeeper, assis- tant cashier, cashier, and president, and proving his ability and worth in each capacity. The Madrid State Bank conducts a general banking business and enjoys a reputation as one of the safe and conservative financial institutions of Iowa. It has a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars and a surplus of twenty- five thousand dollars-a fact which bespeaks the able management and care- ful direction of its chief executive officer. The bank is modernly equipped, has safety deposit boxes and is the depository for the United States postal sav- ings funds. Mr. Oakleaf is one of the heaviest stockholders of the Madrid State Bank, owns an attractive home in Madrid, and also has a valuable and modernly improved farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres in Douglas township.
In 1895 Mr. Oakleaf was united in marriage to Miss Clara Anderson, who was born in Madrid in 1864, her parents being Peter and Melinda Anderson,
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OSCAR OAKLEAF
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both of whom are deceased. They were among the early settlers of Boone county and it was here that Mrs. Oakleaf grew to womanhood and attended the public schools. By her marriage she has become the mother of two chil- dren: A. Ruben, who was born July 19, 1897, and is now a high school stu- dent in Madrid; and Gladys H., who was born March 26, 1899, and also attends school in Madrid. Both are natives of that city.
In his political views Mr. Oakleaf is a stanch republican and for the past fifteen years has ably served as school treasurer of Madrid. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church in Madrid. The period of his residence in this county covers a third of a century, and he enjoys an extensive acquaintance within its borders. Coming to the new world in the hope of bettering his financial condition, he found the oppor- tunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won both prosperity and friendly respect.
AXEL E. SKORTMAN.
Axel E. Skortman has been a resident of Madrid for nearly a half century and throughout practically his entire life. He is successfully engaged in busi- ness as a merchant, owning a half interest in a stock of implements. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 5th of November, 1864, his parents being August and Carolina (Anderson) Skortman, who were likewise natives of that country, the former born in 1838 and the latter in 1842. In the summer of 1865 the family crossed the Atlantic to the United States and settled at Madrid, Boone county, Iowa, where August Skortman worked at the tailor's trade for three years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits in Douglas township and in 1874 took up his abode on a farm in section 24, Garden township, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1902. He paid but four dollars per acre for his first farm and the land has since steadily increased in value until it is now worth two hundred dollars an acre. In his demise the community lost one of its substantial, esteemed and representative citizens. His widow, who still survives, now makes her home in Slater, Story county, this state.
They were the parents of ten children, including the following named : Axel E., of this review ; Mrs. Anna Cross, who is a resident of Sac City, Iowa ; Charles, living in Slater, Iowa; Emil, who makes his home in Minnesota ; Mrs. Nellie Swanson, of Story county, lowa; Minnie, who is married and resides in Garden township, this county; Mrs. Selma Peterson, also of Garden township ; and Edward, who passed away at the age of twenty-one years. All were born in Boone county, Iowa, with the exception of our subject, and all were reared and educated here, attending the early schools of the county.
Axel E. Skortman grew to manhood in Madrid and, as above stated, has always remained a resident of the town. Success has attended his undertakings in the business world until he is now numbered among the prosperous and repre- sentative citizens of his community, owning a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Madison township, Polk county, and also a Vol II-9
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half interest in a stock of implements in Madrid. He likewise owns an attractive and well appointed home in Madrid and is one of the best liked and most enterprising residents of the town.
On the 7th of March, 1888, Mr. Skortman was united in marriage to Miss Dora Cross, who was born in Madison township, Polk county, Iowa, on the 5th of May, 1868, her parents being Homer and Samantha (Scheidler ) Cross, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The took up their abode in Garden township on coming to this county and are now residents of Madrid. Their two daughters are as follows: Mrs. Dora Skortman, who grew to womanhood in this country and has always remained a resident here; and Mrs. Ina Ed- wards, a native of Garden township, this county, who now resides in Des Moines, Iowa. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Mrs. Violet Kinsey, who was born in Madison township, Boone county, Iowa, on the 15th of March, 1892, and grew to womanhood in Polk county. She pursued a high- school course in Madrid and was married in that town.
Mr. Skortman is a republican in politics and has done valuable service as a member of the town council of Madrid. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church of Madrid, to which his wife also belongs, and fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Star Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., of Madrid. He is likewise connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias of Madrid and the Yeomen. By nature he is social and genial and he has many attractive qualities which have won him a circle of warm friends.
VIRGIL O. HOLCOMB.
Virgil O. Holcomb is actively engaged in the real-estate and insurance busi- ness in Boone and has won a gratifying measure of success in this connection. His birth occurred in Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 8th of March, 1866, his par- ents being Charles and Louisa (Wilbur ) Holcomb, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. In 1869 the family home was established in Boone county, Iowa, the father here devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. He now resides in the town of Boone and is well known and esteemed throughout the community which has been his home for a period of forty-five years. The demise of his wife occurred in August, 1909. They had two children : Virgil O., of this review ; and Frank who is deceased.
Virgil O. Holcomb supplemented his preliminary education by a high-school course and also attended Highland Park College of Des Moines. Returning to the home farm, he was busily engaged in agricultural pursuits during the summer seasons, while in the winter months he followed the profession of teaching. He was chosen a member of the board of supervisors and ably served in that capacity for six years, on the expiration of which period he embarked in the real-estate and insurance business at Boone, with which he has been con- tinuously identified to the present time. He has kept well informed concern-
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ing property values and has therefore been enabled to negotiate important realty transfers beneficial alike to his clients and to himself.
On the 2d of August, 1892, Mr. Holcomb was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Wylie, a native of Boone county, by whom he has three children, namely, Caroline J., Curtis F. and Richard Franklin. In politics Mr. Holcomb is inde- pendent, supporting men and measures rather than party. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. In civic as well as business affairs Mr. Holcomb is enterprising and progressive and is always ready to accord his support and cooperation to every movement the adoption of which he feels will redound to the benefit of the majority. He has resided within the borders of Boone county since three years of age and enjoys a very extensive and favorable acquaintance here.
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WILLARD FOSTER.
Willard Foster may truly be called a self-made man, for the success which has come to him has been won entirely through his own efforts. He started out to make his way in the world when a lad of but thirteen years and since that time has led a busy life, his growing effectiveness and usefulness in business circles finding tangible evidence in his property holdings, consisting of an attract- ive home and a large feed and coal yard. He was born in Story county, Novem- ber 4, 1856, and is a son of John R. and Elizabeth (Jackson) Foster, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They came to Iowa in 1852, taking up their abode in Story county, where the father followed farming until 1860. Follow- ing the outbreak of the Civil war he immediately responded to the country's call for troops, feeling this to be his paramount duty. With his command he went to the front and was among those who laid down their lives on the altar of their country, his death occurring while he was serving as a soldier. His wife had previously passed away and thus their three children were orphaned. The daughter, Suzanna, is now the wife C. P. Meredith, a resident of Clark Fork. Idaho. The elder son is Willard, and the youngest of the family was Thomas, who died in childhood.
When his father went to the army Willard Foster went to live with his grandparents, with whom he remained through much of the period of his youth. He continued with them through winter seasons, while in the summer months he earned his own living by working at farm labor from the age of thirteen years. When crops were harvested in the late autumn he would return to the home of his grandfather and spend the winter season in attending school. It will thus be seen that he had no special advantages or opportunities at the outset of his career, being forced to enter so early upon the task of earning a livelihood. When twenty-one years of age he was married and located upon a farm in Boone county. After renting land for about three years, during which time he lived most economically, he invested his earnings in an eighty acre tract. After cultivating that property for a time he sold out and bought one hundred acres. Later he rented his farm and removed to Boone, where he became an
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employe in the shops of the Northwestern Railroad Company, there spending three years. He was afterward in the street car service for ten years and later was elected township constable, to which position he was reelected at the close of his first term. Ere he retired from that position he was elected sheriff of the county and filled the office most acceptably for five years, discharging his duties without fear or favor. He next purchased a feed and coal business on Tenth street and has thus been identified with commercial interests in the city to the present time. Evidence of his success is seen in his fine home, which is one of the modern residences of Boone, situated at the corner of Sixth and Harri- son streets. It is attractively furnished and, moreover, is the abode of a warm- hearted hospitality, which makes it the center of a cultured society circle.
On the 15th of July, 1877, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Moyer, and unto them has been born a daughter, Bertha, who is now the wife of W. H. McLain, of Emmetsburg, Iowa. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Foster is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his fraternal relations are with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He votes with the republican party, and it was upon this ticket that he was elected to office. He has never been remiss in the duties of citizenship, while in business he has never failed to show that enterprising spirit and unfaltering determination which overcome obstacles and advance steadily toward success. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, inasmuch as he started out for him- self at a very early age and has been dependent entirely upon his own resources from that time to the present.
L. D. NORRIS.
The late L. D. Norris was one of the best known and most beloved citizens of Madrid and Boone counties. He was born in Brown township, Vinton county, Ohio, on February 7, 1847, and died in South Dakota, February 27, 1909, at the age of sixty-two years. His parents were Daniel Johnson and Martha (Coe) Norris, the former born in New Hampshire, March 6, 1816, and the latter in Connecticut in 1818. The father died in Arkansas in 1896 and the mother in Nebraska in 1881. They were among the pioneers of Iowa, having come overland in 1854. They first located at Salem in Henry county. The father was a school teacher in that place and for a number of years followed the profession in Iowa. From Henry county the family removed to Nevada, Iowa, when this territory was as yet all prairie and there were but a few log cabins in Nevada. Thence Mr. and Mrs. Norris and family went to Monroe, Jasper county, where they remained for two winters during the war, in 1862 and 1863, and from there they made their way to Dallas county, coming in 1864 to Boone county. Members of the family have made their home in this county since. Mr. and Mrs. Norris, Sr., had four sons and one daughter. The latter was Mrs. C. H. Hayes, who died in Arkansas. The sons were: L. D., of this review ; Jacob Chester, born February 1, 1851, who resides in Madrid; H. R., who lives in Oakwood, Oklahoma; and Johnson, who died in infancy. The three eldest children were born in Vinton county, Ohio, H. R. Norris in
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Salem, lowa, and the youngest in Nevada, this state. All were reared and educated in lowa.
L. D. Norris of this review married in Boone county, March 13, 1870, Miss Elizabeth Hubby, who was born in Cass township, Jones county, Iowa, May 24, 1852. Her parents settled there in 1851, entering land. In 1867 the Hubby family came to Boone county, and here her father resided until his death. Her parents were John and Hannah (Jones) Hubby, natives of Canada, the former having been born in the Dominion in 1800. He died near Madrid in 1879, hav- ing survived his wife but a short time, the latter passing away September 4, 1878. To Mr. and Mrs. Hubby were born thirteen children, of whom seven are living: Mrs. Lois Kelley-McCapes, residing in California; John, of Lynch, Nebraska; Mrs. Helen Wagner, of Des Moines; Mrs. Elizabeth Norris; Mrs. Harriett Williams, of Boone county ; Mrs. Clara Huffman, of Douglas town- ship ; and George, a resident of Boone county.
Mr. and Mrs. Norris became the parents of eight children, all of whom are living. They are: Mrs. Lillian Mills, born January 7. 1871, of Madrid; Mrs. Hannah Johnson, born December 1, 1872, of Des Moines; Edward C., born February 18, 1875, of Minnesota ; George H., whose birth occurred March 12, 1877, and who is a resident of South Dakota : Mrs. Dollie Stinehouse, born July 31, 1879, and residing in Madrid, Iowa; Edith, born in 1881, who is teaching school in Madrid; Mrs. Bessie Harleen, born May 22, 1884, residing near Madrid; and Duroc, born February 5, 1888, who makes his home with his mother. All these children were reared in Madrid and received their education in the public schools of that city. The daughters have all followed the pro- fession of teaching and the second son was also engaged along that line.
Mr. Morris was a republican but he never entered public life, although he was deeply interested in the welfare of his nation and the progress of his locality. He was a member of the Christian church of Madrid, to which the widow vet belongs. All members of the family with the exception of one brother own claims in South Dakota and secured the same by locating on them and im- proving them. Mr. Norris stood high in the estimation of his fellowmen, who appreciated in him a man of character and one who was always ready to extend a helping hand to those in need. His memory is venerated by all who knew him. Not only did he leave his family a competence but an honored name-a name which stood for truthfulness in friendship, loyalty in citizenship and the faithful discharge of all obligations of life.
WILLIAM H. AIRHART.
William H. Airhart is well known in Boone as proprietor of The Regal, which is recognized to be the best equipped billiard parlor in the state of lowa. His birth occurred in Ogle county, Illinois, on the 16th of August, 1859, his parents being . David and Jane (Taylor) Airhart, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in 1865, locating in Story county, where the father devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. In 1896 he came to Boone and here both Mr. and Mrs. David Airhart spent the remainder
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of their lives in honorable retirement. Their children were as follows: Rose ; Clara and Andrew, both of whom are deceased; William H., of this review ; George, a resident of Whittemore, Iowa; Fred, living in Des Moines; Vione, the wife of R. Ballard, of Story county, this state; Julia, who is the wife of William Bell of Boone county; Edward, residing in Boone; and Cora.
When twenty years of age William H. Airhart began farming in Story county, being thus actively engaged until March, 1887, when he came to Boone. Here he entered the train service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, con- tinuing with that corporation for a period of about fifteen years. In 1901 he embarked in the feed and coal business but at the end of about three years again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, following farming for five years. Subsequently he conducted a coal and feed store in Boone for another period of three years and then spent a year in California. Returning to Boone, he opened a select billiard parlor known as The Regal, which has been pronounced by experts to be the best equipped parlor of its kind in the state.
Mr. Airhart has been twice married. On the 8th of August, 1880, he wedded Miss Olive Corey, by whom he had three children, namely: Edward, who is a resident of Boone county ; and Harry and Maude, both deceased. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1896 and in September, 1898, Mr. Airhart was again married, his second union being with Miss Carrie Low, a native of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Airhart is a socialist in his political views and has served as a member of the city council. His religious faith is that of the Christian church, while fraternally he is identified with the Improved Order of Redmen. He is widely recognized as a substantial and representative citizen of Boone county and is popular by reason of his genial and social qualities which, combined with his genuine personal worth, have won him the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
WILHELM DOERDER.
For over four years Wilhelm Doerder has lived retired in Boone after a suc- cessful agricultural career in Jackson township. He resides in a handsome home at No. 1818 Boone street, which is his property and where he is_surrounded by the comforts of life, to which he is entitled because of his many years of arduous and successful labor. He was born in the province of Silesia, Germany. April 2, 1849, and is a son of Karl and Ernestina (Sanger) Doerder, natives of that province. The father was a cloth weaver and died in his native land about 1900, at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife attained the age of sixty-four. In their family were ten children, eight of whom died during their youth, the only living sister of our subject being Mrs. Hannah Bittner, who resides in Germany.
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