USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 18
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Wilhelm Doerder received his education in Silesia, laying aside his text- books when about fourteen years of age. He then worked for farmers living in his neighborhood and also found employment in the coal mines. Being im- pressed with the opportunities awaiting a young man in the new world, he came to the United States in 1876, sailing from Rotterdam to London and thence
MR. AND MRS. WILHELM DOERDER
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traveling to Liverpool, where he took the steamship Abyssinia to New York. On a later trip this boat went to the bottom of the ocean. When Mr. Doerder began his voyage to America he had little more than the necessary traveling expenses. After arriving in New York he made his way to Nebraska, settling in Lancaster county, where there was a friend living from the old country. The first summer he engaged in farm work, remaining with the friend during the winter, and in the spring joined a party of gold seekers who were bound for the Black Hills of South Dakota. He with five other men walked all the way from Nebraska to the Black Hills, and many times they awoke in the morning to find themselves covered with snow. Mr. Doerder had no blankets and traded a knife to an Indian for a buffalo robe. There he remained only one month, at the end of which time he returned east, walking the whole distance to Boone county, where he worked in the Canfield coal mine in Logan. He then was employed for a few months in the Herman Brewery and subsequently became a section hand on the Northwestern Railroad. Toward the end of the summer he traveled over the country with one Henry Bowman, selling goods. He then worked in Jackson township on the farm of Mrs. John Adix, a widow, whom he married in 1879. Mr. Doerder successfully cultivated this farm until he retired four years ago, moving to Boone on November 10, 1909. He always followed the most modern methods and became prosperous in his farming pursuits.
On April 26, 1879, Mr. Doerder married Mrs. John Adix, who before her marriage was Miss Hannah Goetsch. She was born in Pomerania, Germany, and died April 6, 1914, at the age of seventy-six years. She bore her husband the following children: Albert, who is in charge of the home farm in Jack- son township and who married Rosie Linniger, by whom he has one son, Law- rence; and Paulina, who married Lee Koepenhaver, residing near Jordon. By her first marriage Mrs. Doerder had five children: Charles, of Jackson town- ship ; William, also a resident of that township; John, who makes his home in Harrison township; Kate, who married John Murken, of Harrison township; and Ida, the wife of Joseph F. Gutt of Boone. Mr. Doerder enjoys the full con- fidence of all those who know him and is well entitled to the respect and esteem which he receives on all sides because of his manly qualities of character and the success which he has achieved in life.
CHARLES E. ROGERS.
Charles E. Rogers, senior member of the firm of Rogers & Dodge of Boone, is profitably engaged in the auto repair and general machinery business and enjoys a reputation as one of the most substantial business men of the city. He was born January 6, 1875, at Fort Dodge, Cooper township, Webster county, Iowa, his parents being George W. and Emma R. (Wood) Rogers. The paternal grandfather, Daniel Rogers, was born in England, near the Wales line, and was a farmer by occupation. He came to the United States with his wife and three children, the family landing in New York, whence they went to Baltimore, making their home near that city for about ten years. They subsequently located on a farm near Wheeling, West Virginia, where the grandfather remained until his
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death in 1896, at the age of ninety-three years. His wife, Elizabeth Rogers, attained the remarkable age of one hundred and three years, passing away at the home of her son John in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In their family were the fol- lowing children: Mary, who married John Hirschberger and resides at Elk Garden, West Virginia, at the age of eighty-three; George W., the father of our subject ; Sarah, who married John Glidden and lives at Cherokee, Iowa, at the age of seventy-one: Elizabeth, who died at the age of eighteen years ; James, of Portland, Oregon, who married Lucy Johnson ; John, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Benjamin, of Pipeston, Minnesota; David, of Minneapolis; and Lucy, who married John Bailey, their residence being Elk Gardens, West Virginia.
George W. Rogers, who was born in England in 1839, came with his parents to the United States when ten years old. He attended the common schools of his native country and America, but his educational advantages were limited by circumstances and the conditions of the time. He earned his first wages as a driver of a supply team in Wheeling, West Virginia, delivering goods to points within a radius of one hundred and fifty to two hundred miles from that city. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company H, Eleventh West Virginia Volunteer Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war, being veteran- ized after eighteen months. He held the rank of chief gunner at the time of his discharge and after the war was over became a bridge builder for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company. In 1866 he removed to Fort Dodge, Iowa, home- steading one hundred and sixty acres in Cooper township and proving up his claim. However, he never developed the land but for two years engaged in the cigar business at Fort Dodge. He then turned his attention to the coal busi- ness there until 1907, but now lives retired at Marshalltown, Iowa. The father has been a lifelong republican, stanchly upholding the principles of that party. Although prominent in his community, he has never sought office, preferring to work for the good of his fellowmen as a private citizen. Both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church. They had the following children : Charles E., of this review : Gertrude, who died at the age of nine years ; Nettie, who was three years old when she passed away ; Henry, who died in infancy ; William G., a resident of Superior, Wisconsin, who married Mary Dyson ; Ellen C., who married Charles Wolcott and resides in New Hampshire: and Edith I., the wife of Melvin Wooley, of Ceylon, Minnesota.
Charles E. Rogers was educated in the schools of Fort Dodge, which he attended until sixteen years of age. He entered upon his business career in the employ of the Northwestern Railway, remaining with that company for some time. He was then for six months a seaman on the Great Lakes, being subse- quently promoted to the position of mate on the sailing vessel Driver, a schooner going out of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After this he was connected with a machine shop in Sheboygan and subsequently held similar positions in Des Moines, various places in Minnesota and in other parts of the country. In September, 1912. he became independent by opening his present repair shop as a member of the firm of Rogers & Dodge. He shortly after bought out his partner but again be- came associated with Mr. Dodge in February, 1914. They do a general repair business and enjoy a high reputation for excellent workmanship. Moreover, both are business men of no mean qualifications and enjoy the confidence and
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respect of all those who have transactions with them. Good work at fair prices has been their motto and they have gained a large patronage by adhering to this policy.
On June 21, 1905, Mr. Rogers married Miss Ellen Taylor of Des Moines, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Kavanaugh) Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have two sons: Gilbert T., born October 26, 1907; and William Charles, July 16, 1910. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Rogers gives his adherence to the republican party. He is interested in all movements undertaken to promote the growth of the city and readily gives his support toward material and moral advancement. Although he has not lived in Boone many years, he has already made many friends who esteem him as an earnest, conscientious and progressive business man and citizen.
MATHIAS J. REILLY.
One of the important business enterprises of Boone is that which is incor- porated and conducted under the name of the Leader Grocery & Market Com- pany, in which Mathias J. Reilly is the senior partner. His name has long been a familiar one in the trade circles of the city and stands as a synonym for pro- gressive methods, his establishment largely setting the standard for activity in other business houses of Boone.
Mr. Reilly was born in Utica, New York. April 5, 1859, and is a son of Lawrence and Bridget Reilly, both of whom were natives of Ireland. It was in the year 1848 that the father bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world. He established his home in Utica, New York, where he was well known as a railroad man for a number of years. In 1869 he arrived in Iowa and for a year thereafter engaged in railroading. Subsequently he turned his attention to farming, which he followed for several years, being thus engaged to the time of his death, which occurred in 1887. His wife survived him for many years and passed away on the 19th of March, 1905.
Mathias J. Reilly was reared on the old home farm and at the age of twenty- one was still upon his father's place in Harrison township. Upon the solicita- tion of Mr. Schroeder, however, he left the farm and entered the Schroeder meat market at Boone. This was about 1880. He remained in that employ for three years and in 1883 embarked in business on his own account as proprietor of a meat market, in which he had L. D. Sparks as a partner, their interests being conducted under the firm name of Sparks & Reilly. At length Mr. Reilly sold out to Mr. Sparks and entered the T. P. Rogers grocery, with which he con- tinued for about a year. He next sold out and later entered into partnership with A. S. Tarrow. In 1891, however, he purchased the business of his partner and for about twenty-one years was alone, but in January, 1912, he incorporated the business under the name of the Leader Grocery & Market Company. In this undertaking he is associated with Severt Teasdahl, Charles Rafferty, Cleo Elliott, Ed Ray and his daughter Marie. The business is now an extensive one and is growing year by year. A large and well selected line of staple and fancy
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groceries is carried, and equal excellence is maintained in the market. This insures a liberal patronage, and the success of the house is very gratifying.
In January, 1884, Mr. Reilly was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hamilton, a native of Clinton county, Iowa, and unto them have been born five children : Grace; Leo, who died in childhood; Marie; Leonard; and John. The relig- ious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, to which Mr. Reilly loyally adheres. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and also holds membership with the Yeomen, the Workmen and the Woodmen. His political support is given the republican party and for four years he served as a member of the city council. Diligence and determination have been among his salient characteristics and have been manifest with equal result in behalf of the general welfare and in advancing his individual success.
L. W. ADIX.
For many years L. W. Adix successfully followed farming in Yell town- ship, Boone county, but he now lives retired in the city of Boone in the enjoy- ment of a competency which he has well earned. He was born in Mecklenburg- Schwerin, Germany, March 4, 1833, and is now in the eighty-second year of his age. He is a son of John Jacob and Friedericka Elizabeth (Schmidt) Adix, both natives of Mecklenburg. The father was a wagonmaker by trade and established himself independently in that line of business. He died in 1842, at the age of forty-five years, his widow surviving him until her death, which occurred when she was seventy-two years of age. Of their children two died in infancy, the others being: Sophia, who married in Germany and subse- quently came to the United States, locating in Austin county, Texas, where she passed away; Mary, who married Gottlieb Days, residing in Dane county, Wisconsin ; Dora, who married Daniel Fitzgerald, of Boone, both having passed away ; L. W., of this review ; and Frank, who resided in Boone county for many years and died here.
L. W. Adix was but nine years of age when his father died. He attended school until fourteen and then learned the trade of marble worker in Mecklen- burg. At the father's death the mother was left with six children and our subject greatly assisted her in rearing the family. In 1854 they decided to emigrate to America and sailed from Hamburg, Germany, to New York on a sailing vessel, the voyage taking nine weeks. They at first lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a short time and then removed to Madison, that state, Mr. Adix turning his hand to any honest labor which he could find to do. In October, 1865, the family arrived in Boone, Iowa, where he established himself as a builder and contractor of houses, engaging in that business for about three years. He then married and in 1869 bought a farm in Yell township. comprising eighty acres. He set himself immediately to the work of placing this land under cul- tivation and so prospered in his affairs that he subsequently added one tract of forty and another of eighty acres to his holdings. There he farmed for thirty years, bringing his fields to a high state of productivity and erecting substan- tial and modern buildings. He was a leader in agricultural pursuits there and
MR. AND MRS. L. W. ADIX
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4.
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largely contributed toward the development of his section. In 1900 he retired from active life and removed to Boone to enjoy a well earned competency.
In Madison, Wisconsin, Mr. Adix married Miss Fredericka Krogman, who was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, November 13, 1841. She was thirteen years of age when she came with her parents to the United States and grew to womanhood in Madison. Her father, Louis Krogman, was a shepherd in Germany, where he married Louisa Schmidt. He was a man well along in years when he emigrated to America and his death occurred in Madison, Wis- consin. He and his wife had the following children: Minnie, who married Levi Carp and died in Madison; Christian, who was also married and died near that city; and Mrs. Adix. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Adix are: Bertha, the widow of William Wolf, of Yell township; Louis, who married Rosetta Phipps and resides near Ogden; Lizzie, the wife of Marion McCoskey, of Marietta, Minnesota ; Minnie. the wife of Joseph Wagner, of Marietta ; Frank, of Boone, who married Lizzie Reinhart; and Albert, who married Katrina Kampf and resides in Boone.
Mr. and Mrs. Adix are both devout members of the Lutheran church. Politically the former has always supported the democratic party but has never aspired to public office. He and his wife reside in a handsome home at No. 1511 Boone street, Boone, and there they often entertain their many friends. Both are highly esteemed by all who know them and are venerated as early pioneers who came to Iowa when civilization was yet in its infancy and both contributed largely toward that development by which the present prosperous conditions have become a reality.
WILLIAM S. GRAY.
William S. Gray enjoys an extensive patronage as a hardware merchant of Ogden and has won an enviable reputation as a straightforward and reliable business man. His birth occurred in Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa, on the 21st of September, 1875, his parents being Alex and Ann (Shearer) Gray, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They emigrated to the United States in the '40s. Alex Gray, who was a miller by trade, followed that occupation for some time or until he removed to Johnson county, Iowa, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for nine years. In 1893 he came to Boone county, this state, and purchased a tract of land which he cultivated during the remainder of his life. In his demise, which occurred on the 16th of December, 1904, the community lost one of its substantial and esteemed citizens. His widow sur- vives.
William S. Gray was reared and educated in Johnson and Boone counties of Iowa, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then pursued a course of study in a commercial college of Omaha and was subsequently employed as a traveling salesman for five years. On the expira- tion of that period he went to Oklahoma and for three years carried on business as a plumber of Enid. The next two years were spent as a traveling salesman and then he came to Ogden, Iowa, here embarking in the hardware business in
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partnership with A. G. Howe. Subsequently he purchased his partner's interest and has since continued in business alone. He carries a large stock of shelf and heavy hardware and is accorded a liberal and well merited patronage. He owns the double-store building of two stories in which the business is con- ducted and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous, enterprising and repre- sentative merchants of the county.
On the Ist of June, 1912, Mr. Gray was united in marriage to Miss Ailene Farnham, a daughter of N. H. and Eleanor (Gardner) Farnham, who were pioneer settlers of Wisconsin. The father now makes his home in Idaho, but the mother passed away in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have one child, Elaine F., who is a year old.
GEORGE H. LAWTON.
George H. Lawton has lived in Boone county for fifty-eight years and is the owner of a well improved farm of eighty acres on section 20, Yell township. His birth occurred in Elizabethtown, Ohio, on the 10th of September, 1852, his parents being Alfred and Jane (Stewart) Lawton, who were natives of New York and Ohio respectively. The father, a blacksmith by trade, con- ducted a shop in Ohio until 1856 and then, because of impaired health, came west to Boone county, Iowa, purchasing a farm in Marcy township. He im- proved the property and began its operation, also conducting a blacksmith shop on the farm for six years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the place and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Yell township, part of which is now in possession of our subject. He likewise improved the latter tract and was busily engaged in its operation for many years or until he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Ogden, where he lived retired until his death in October, 1896. The period of his residence in this county covered four decades and he had gained enviable recognition as one of its substantial agriculturists and esteemed citizens. The demise of his wife occurred in October, 1890.
George H. Lawton, who was but four years of age when he came to this county with his parents, attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. When twenty-four years of age he purchased eighty acres of the home farm, on section 20, Yell township, and has since devoted his time and energies to its further cultivation and improvement with the exception of a period of five years spent as the proprietor of a meat market in Boone. As progressive ideas have guided him in his work, and industry has been the force which has put them into constant practice, it is but in the natural course of events that Mr. Lawton should be accounted one of the prosperous farmers of the community.
On the 5th of April, 1881, Mr. Lawton was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Wilkins, her parents being George and Sarah A. (Osmer) Wilkins, both of whom were natives of England. They emigrated to the United States in 1867, locating in Sterling, Illinois, where Mr. Wilkins followed farming until 1880, when he came to Boone county, Iowa. Here he operated a farm for two years and on
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the expiration of that period returned to Illinois, purchasing a tract of land near Sterling which he cultivated during the remainder of his life. His demise occurred on the 7th of March, 1909, while his wife was called to her final rest in November, 1912. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lawton were born eight children, as follows: Oscar, who passed away in 1882; Henry Owen, whose demise occurred in 1884; Pearl, who died in the year 1892; Anna Mabel, who passed away in 1894; one who died in infancy, in January, 1897 ; George A., a Methodist minister of Evanston, Illi- nois ; Edgar, at home ; and Olive, who is attending school at Ogden.
In politics Mr. Lawton has always been a stanch republican. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and for five years he served as secretary of the school board. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. His entire career has been characterized by high ideals and noble prin- ciples and in every relation of life his record has ever measured up to a high standard of honorable manhood.
REV. CARL E. JIPP.
For many years the late Rev. Carl E. Jipp was in charge of the German Luth- eran church at Ogden and his Christian activities were of untold value to the many who came under his teachings and instructions. He was born in Ger- many, August 15, 1864, a son of Christian and Sophia (Hammerich) Jipp, both natives of the fatherland. Christian Jipp passed away in his native land, and his wife subsequently came to America, making her home at Wilton, Iowa, where she resided with her son until her death.
Carl E. Jipp was reared and educated in Germany, leaving his native land at the age of fourteen and crossing the ocean to America. He located at Wil- ton, Iowa, where he had relatives, and there he remained until twenty-one years of age. He then entered Concordia College at Springfield, Illinois, and studied for the ministry. He graduated from that institution with the class of 1893 and then received a call to Coon Rapids, Iowa, where he remained for a year. At the end of that period a pulpit at Ogden was offered him, and he accepted the charge of the German Lutheran church at this city. He continued in this charge for about seventeen years, or until his death. His influence upon the community was a decided factor in the upbuilding of religion and morality in his city. Rev. Jipp not only preached Christianity but all his actions were permeated by Chris- tian principles. He entertained deep love for his fellowmen and he was ever ready to hold out a helpful hand to those who struggled on life's pathway. Many were the ones who received encouragement from him and who under his stimu- lating guidance took on new hope and succeeded in overcoming life's serious struggles. His friends in Ogden-friends not only of his faith but adhering to other religions-were many and all entertained for him the highest regard and veneration. When he died July 15, 1911, sorrow entered into many homes of his city, for all who knew him realized that they had lost a true friend.
On May 23, 1894, Rev. Jipp was united in marriage to Lena A. Nanke, a daughter of Gustaf and Ernestina ( Neuman) Nanke, natives of Germany, who at an early day settled in Keokuk county, Iowa, where the father successfully
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followed agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. He died in 1900, having survived his wife for twenty-one years, the latter passing away in 1879. Rev. and Mrs. Jipp had nine children : Frieda; Marie; Carl ; Lena ; Walter ; Alma; Luella ; Louise; and Ernest, who died in 1896.
Rev. Jipp was not only interested in the spiritual welfare of his charges but always concerned himself in the material development of Ogden and would readily give his support to measures which had for their purpose the advance- ment of the city. His political allegiance was given the democratic party. Mrs. Jipp, who survives him, owns a handsome residence in Ogden and a valuable farm in Osceola county, Iowa. She has many friends in her city, who esteem in her a lady of the highest womanly qualities of character.
HENRY SCHROEDER.
Henry Schroeder is proprietor of a large grocery store and meat market in Boone. Watchful of all indications pointing to success, he has so conducted his affairs that substantial returns have accrued and he is now one of the prosperous merchants of the city. His birth occurred in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, September 17, 1847, his parents being Henry and Katrina (Lentz) Schroe- der, who were also natives of that country. When nineteen years of age Henry Schroeder of this review left Germany in company with his brother Andrew Schroeder, then seventeen years of age, and sailed for the new world in 1867. Later the parents of our subject also crossed the Atlantic and came to Iowa, settling at Wheatland, Clinton county, where their two sons had preceded them. The father was a farmer by occupation, devoting his entire life to the work of tilling the fields. Unto him and his wife were born six children: John, de- ceased ; Hans, who died in Britt, Iowa, February 8, 1914; Adolph, who was a fireman on the Northwestern Railroad and was killed in an accident in 1882, leaving a widow and five children, residents of Boone; Victoria Elizabeth, the wife of Peter Umland, of Fort Dodge, Iowa ; Henry, of this review ; and Andrew, who is living at Rushmore, Minnesota.
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