USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 33
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 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
GUST BROD.
For an extended period Gust Brod was connected with general agricultural pursuits in Boone county, but on the Ist of March, 1914, retired, taking up his abode at Boxholm, where he is now living. He is serving as one of the trustees of Grant township and is financially interested in business enterprises, the active management of which, however, he leaves to others, while he is enjoying a well earned and well merited rest. He was born in Germany, August 17, 1859, and is a son of August and Mary Brod, who were also natives of that country. The father learned and followed the weaver's trade in Germany, and in 1872 crossed the Atlantic to America, making his way at once to Boone county, where he took up his abode in Grant township, purchasing sixty acres of land which was largely wild and undeveloped. This he improved, carrying on the farm work to the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1893. His wife passed away December 25, 1901. They had long been numbered among the worthy residents of Boone county, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they had been brought in contact.
Gust Brod was reared in the fatherland to the age of thirteen years and pur- sued his education in the schools of that country until the emigration to the new world, after which he continued his studies in public schools of Iowa. He remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age and then started out in life on his own account, purchasing eighty acres of land in Grant township, which he improved. Subsequently he purchased his father's original tract of sixty acres, so that his farm then comprised one hundred and forty acres, lying on sections 26 and 27. Grant township. Year by year he carefully cultivated the place, bringing the fields under a high state of development, and year by
year he gathered good crops as the reward of his care and labor. The wise management of his business affairs and the practical progressive methods which he followed in developing and cultivating his farm brought him a most gratifying and substantial measure of success, enabling him to put aside further business cares, so that on the Ist of March, 1914, he retired from
358
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
farm life and removed to Boxholm, where he now resides. He is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank of Boxholm and also a stockholder and director of the Farmers Elevator Company.
On Christmas day of 1884, Mr. Brod was married to Miss Cora D. Muench, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Bubb) Muench, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father was a mason by trade and at an early day made his way to Illinois, where he remained until 1881, when he removed with his family to Boone county, Iowa, purchasing land in Grant township which he carefully tilled and developed for many years, winning success in his undertaking. He then retired from active business life and removed to Pilot Mound, where he made his home until his death, which occurred on the 23d of December, 1907. His widow survives and is yet living at Pilot Mound. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brod have been born six children : Alvin E., Lillian, Nellie, Ruby, Gladys and Myrtle. Mrs. Brod was born in Mount Morris township, Ogle county, Illinois, December 5, 1866.
In his political views Mr. Brod is a republican and is serving as one of the trustees of Grant township, a position which he has ably filled through the past ten years. His religious faith is that of the Evangelical Association. He belongs to that class of self-made men whose success is the logical outcome of their un- faltering energy and close application.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM DAVIS TEMPLIN.
Captain William Davis Templin, an honored veteran of the Civil war, resid- ing at No. 904 Marion street, was born October 22, 1832, in Delaware county, Indiana, a son of Dr. Isaiah and Elizabeth (Clevenger) Templin. The father was a medical practitioner in Indiana and in 1851 removed westward to Oska- loosa, Iowa, where he practiced until his death in 1866. He was born in Hills- boro, Ohio, and his wife was a native of Clinton county, that state. Her people, however, came from Virginia, while the Templin family were from Kentucky, the grandfather, Robert Templin, there making his home prior to going to Indiana. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Isaiah Templin there were born six sons and two daughters, of whom three sons and one daughter are yet living: William Davis; Cyril, a resident of Hoskins, Nebraska; James, of Iola, Kansas; and Mrs Serena J. Cline, of Oklahoma.
When twelve years of age Captain William D. Templin, who was the second in order of birth in his father's family, went to Piatt county, Illinois, where he remained until 1855. He then came to Boone county, Iowa, establishing his home here prior to the Civil war. He at first engaged in farming and also conducted business as a stationary engineer. After the war and until a recent date, when he retired, he was in the pension claim service and was also justice of the peace for fourteen years.
Captain Templin proved his loyalty to his country by enlisting in 1861 as a member of Company D. Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for six months as a private. He was then elected second lieutenant, in 1862
CAPTAIN WILLIAM D. TEMPLIN
٠
361
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
returned home and in one day raised Company D, of the Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, numbering one hundred and ten men, seventeen of whom are still living. A reunion is annually held on the rith of August, the date of their enlistment. Mr. Templin went to the front as first lieutenant of that company and during most of the time commanded the company. He served from the 12th of August, 1861, until the 30th of March, 1865, and participated in many hotly contested engagements. He was wounded at Yellow Bayou, Louisiana, in the famous Red River campaign, which caused the loss of his left limb, the other leg being broken by a shot. He never suffered from illness, however, throughout the long period of his connection with the army. It was meet that he should be given a government position, so ably and faithfully had he served his country and so great was the sacrifice which he made for the Union cause in losing his leg.
On the 12th of December, 1858, at Boone, Captain Templin was married to Miss Catherine Olson, whose people came to this county about 1856. Two of her brothers are still living : William, a resident of Des Moines; and John, who is in Oklahoma. Mrs. Templin died October 6, 1891, at the age of fifty-six years, and of her seven children four daughters and one son survive. In order of birth the children were as follows: Ida M., now the wife of W. R. Vernon, of Julesburg, Colorado; Mellie, the wife of Jacob Odendeahl, of Des Moines; Edward E., of Redfield, South Dakota, who is a farmer and married Mabel Jays; Annie, the wife of J. A. Benson, of Sheldon, Iowa; Jessie M., at home; Emma, who was the wife of G. William Rinehart and died February 21, 1889; and Willie, who died in infancy.
Captain Templin is a member of J. G. Miller Post, No. 67. G. A. R., of which he was the first commander, and since that time he has held various other offices in the organization. For the past ten years he has acted as quartermaster. At one time he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religions faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Captain Templin is widely known in this county, where he has now made his home for fifty-nine years. He has not only been an interested witness of the great changes which have occurred but has taken an active and helpful part in promoting them, and his influence and aid have ever been on the side of progress and improvement. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey and his is a ereditable record, not the least important feature of which has been his life-long fidelity to his country and her best interests, his spirit of patriotism being one of his predominant characteristics.
CLINTON STAPLES MASON.
A merchant may do much to promote the growth of his community and may serve it in many ways if he be energetic enough to make use of the opportunities that present themselves. Such a merchant was Clinton Staples Mason, who with his brother, Charles T. Mason, for many years conducted a general dry- goods store at Boone under the name of Mason Brothers. No firm in this section of the state enjoyed a higher reputation than Mason Brothers, as their stock of goods was always up-to-date and varied. It was also, first of all, of
362
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
excellent quality, for the brothers made it the basic principle of business that full value should be given for value received. Our subject was born in Tamworth, New Hampshire, on the 28th of October, 1843. a son of Larkin D. and Catherine ( Staples) Mason. The father was prominent in public affairs in his section of the state, being active in politics, a merchant and a judge. He was also a landowner and gave his personal attention to the operation of his farm. He was twice married, two children being born to the first union and ten to the second. Of the children born to the last marriage, two, our subject and his brother Charles T., came to Boone county.
Clinton S. Mason received the advantages of a high-school education in his native state and there secured his first business experience. He was for two years a clerk for William H. Bailey, a merchant of Littleton, New Hampshire, and he was subsequently employed for a similar length of time by C. H. Dearborn at Center Ilarbor, New Hampshire. He had heard much concerning the advan- tages of the West and made his way to Chicago, where he started a grocery store, conducting the same for one year. He then disposed of this property and with his brother, Charles T. Mason, went to Moingona, lowa, then a thriving mining town. The brothers engaged in a mercantile enterprise at that place for five years. They kept a general stock of merchandise, meeting the varied needs of the community. At the end of that time, as the mines were being abandoned, our subject and his brother saw that Moingona no longer offered the same oppor- tunities for commercial success. They recognized that Boone was a town with a future and opened a retail dry-goods store in this city. With their usual fore- sight they secured the best location in the city at the beginning and for thirty-five years carried on a flourishing retail business at that point. Their name was known throughout this section of the state, and their trade came from a wide extent of territory. It was not alone the excellence of their goods that attracted custom but also the willingness to serve that was the actuating spirit of the house. They builded upon the principle of absolute honesty in all their dealings, and the wisdom of their policy was shown by the fact that for thirty-five years they held a place of supremacy in their line. Both Mr. Mason and his brother, Charles T., invested in land, thus becoming still further identified with the interests of Boone county. Both are now living practically retired, enjoying a rest which is well deserved. as for many years they contributed much to the prosperity of their city and county.
Mr. Mason married Mrs. Annette Curry Noyes, widow of Captain Samuel B. Noyes, and they became the parents of four children. Arthur Larkin was born in 1873 and died in 1874. Howard Curry Mason was born on the 3d of Septem- ber, 1875, and passed away on the 7th of September, 1912. He left a widow, Mrs. Lilian T. Mason, and three children, all of whom reside in Winchester, Massachusetts. The children are: Annette E .; Clinton Staples, Jr. ; and Frances Bell, II. Frances Bell Mason, whose birth occurred on the 26th of June, 1877, is an alumna of Wellesley College and of the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn. She is now a teacher of art in St. Louis. Catherine Staples was born on the 6th of November, 1879, and has been twice married, her first husband being Harold J. Copeland, who met death in an accident. His widow later married Professor Robert H. Fernald, of the mechanical engineering department of the University
363
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
of Pennsylvania. Two children have been born to this marriage, Merritt Cald- well and Frances Mason.
Mr. Mason of this review is a republican in politics, believing that the policies of that party are for the good of the country. He is one of the most gifted orators of this section of the state and has delivered some memorable addresses both on political issues and on other topics. He attends the Presbyterian church and contributes to its support. His life has been one of unusual openness and candor and none has ever questioned his integrity. He is today enjoying the ease which his former years of strenuous activity made possible and is secure in the esteem and good-will of his fellow citizens.
JOSEPH E. REUTTER.
Joseph E. Reutter has long been actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests of Boone county, owning and operating a well improved farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Grant township. He is likewise a factor in, financial circles as president of the Farmers State Bank of Boxholm. His birth occurred in Henry county, Illinois, in February, 1870, his parents being Jacob and Hannah ( Metzger) Reutter, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. In 1866 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up their abode in Henry county, Illinois, where the father followed farming for five years. On the expiration of that period he came to Boone county, Iowa, purchasing and improving a tract of land in Grant township and continuing its cultivation for a number of years. Eventually he put aside the active work of the fields, having acquired a comfortable competence that obviated the neces- sity of further toil. He made several trips to Germany and spent the winter seasons in California. His demise occurred in September, 1910, while his wife was called to her final rest in April, 1905.
Joseph E. Reutter was reared and educated in Grant township, this county, continuing under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Subse- quently he cultivated rented land for about six years and at the end of that time bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Grant township, which he at once began improving and which he has operated continuously since with the exception of three years spent as cashier of the Farmers Bank. His property is now under a high state of cultivation, returning bounteous harvests as a result of the care and labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Reutter also occupies a prominent position in financial circles as president of the Farmers State Bank of Boxholm and is likewise a stockholder and director of the Farmers Elevator Company of that town.
In November, 1898. Mr. Reutter was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Muench, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine ( Bubb) Muench, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a mason by trade and at an early day made his way to Illinois, where he remained until ISSI, when he removed with his family to Boone county, Iowa, purchasing land in Grant township which he care- fully tilled and developed for many years, winning success in his undertaking. He then retired from active business life and removed to Pilot Mound, where
364
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
he made his home until his death, which occurred on the 23d of December, 1907. His widow still survives and is yet living at Pilot Mound. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reutter have been born four children, namely : Ralph, Clarence, Elliott and Mabel.
In his political views Mr. Reutter is a progressive, stanchly advocating the principles set forth by Theodore Roosevelt at the time of the birth of the new party. He is at present serving in the capacity of township clerk and has ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that connection for sixteen years. His religious faith is that of the Evangelical Association. Having resided in Boone county throughout practically his entire life, he is well and favorably known here and his record is such as commends him to the respect and good-will of all with whom he is associated.
JOHN NELSON ROSS.
John Nelson Ross, who follows farming on section 13, Des Moines township. was born in Champaign county, Ohio, November 15, 1848. His paternal grand- father, John William Ross, was a native of Scotland but decided to establish his home in the new world and spent his last days either in Pennsylvania or Ohio. His son, John Williamson Ross, father of John Nelson Ross, was born in Ohio, near Cincinnati, following the removal of his parents from Pennsylvania. The grandparents of our subject were among the early settlers of Ohio and members of the family fought in the Indian wars, while one Captain John Ross was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John W. Ross developed a farm in the north- ern part of Champaign county, Ohio, where he had one hundred and twenty acres of land. All around him were Indians and wild animals haunted the forests, while wild game of all kinds was plentiful. With a comrade, Sol. Remley, he left Cincinnati and on horseback made his way northward to Champaign county. where they purchased and and built log houses upon their farms, which adjoined. Mr. Ross then returned to Cincinnati, where he was married, after which he took his bride to the home which he had prepared. Remley also did the same, and they reared their families in Champaign county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ross were born twelve children, of whom our subject was the sixth in order in birth. Eight of the children are still living, the youngest being fifty-six years of age. The oldest, Marcellus D., was a member of the First Ohio Volunteer Infantry from 1861 until 1865 and was wounded in the leg at the battle of Chickamauga, while serv- ing under General Rosecrans. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Christina Wambaugh and was a native of Pennsylvania.
On the old family homestead in Champaign county, Ohio, John N. Ross was reared and in the pursuit of his education he attended the public schools and also a normal school in St. Paris, Ohio. He continued his education after arriving in lowa and was graduated from the Boone County Normal School with the class of 1889 under Superintendent Ashton. When twenty years of age he began teaching in the rural schools of the Buckeye state. In 1870 he removed to Boone, Iowa, where he began teaching under Superintendent L. W. Fisk and was actively identified with the educational interests of the city until 1894. Within that period, about the year 1890, he was a candidate for the position of county superintend-
MR. AND MRS. JOHN N. ROSS
367
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
ent of schools: For the past twenty-five years he has written for the local papers, thus further identifying himself with the life of the community.
In 1872, in Boone county, Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Esther Ann Smith, a daughter of Charles H. and Margaret Rebecca ( Paxton) Smith, who were early settlers of Coshocton county, Ohio. The Paxtons came from Ireland. In 1854 Mr. Smith removed with his family by wagon to the west, set- tling in Boone county. Following his marriage Mr. Ross settled upon a farm but continued to engage in school teaching. Through the summer months he would cultivate his farm until his boys were old enough to work, after which he taught through both the summer and winter months. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ross were born seven children: Euphemia, now the wife of J. W. Cutler of Boone county ; Charles H., who married Laura Bass and is living on the home farm ; John W., who married Maggie Otterbein and is residing in Boone; Walter C., who married Grace Bass and is living in Estherville, Iowa; Francis Mahlon, who married Ada Wilson and lives in Des Moines township, Boone county ; Mabel E., the wife of R. J. Stark of Grant township, Boone county ; and Otto Glenn, who married Bessie May Pardee and lives in Des Moines township, Boone county.
John N. Ross and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, identified with Bethel Chapel. Mr. Ross has been very active in church work for a long period, having been class leader and a teacher of the Bible class. He has been lifelong republican since casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant, and for sixteen years he has filled the office of assessor. Fraternally he is a Woodman of the World, having been connected with the camp for sixteen years. His interests are broad and varied, and his is a well rounded character because of the nature of his activities, which have recognized not only his oppor- tunities for attaining success but also his obligations in citizenship and his duties to his fellowmen.
LOUIS GOEPPINGER.
For many years Louis Goeppinger has in various ways participated in the development of Boone, of which city he is a pioneer. Here he founded what is now the oldest saddlery firm in the state and also participated in other enterprises which contributed to the upbuilding of the city. Mr. Goeppinger was born in Reutlingen. Wurtemberg. Germany, on the 9th of June, 1829, and was the second child of Johannes and Katharine (Ammer) Goeppinger. During the period of his boyhood he acquired a good education in the schools of Germany and then took up the tanner's trade, an occupation that had been followed by his ancestors for more than three centuries.
The reports which he heard concerning the opportunities of the new world, however, attracted him to America and in the spring of 1849, accompanied by his brother Frederick, he sailed for the United States, landing at New York on the 19th of April, after forty-nine days spent as a passenger upon the sailing vessel Luconia. This length of time for the crossing was in marked contrast to the voyage which he made in 1896, when he returned on a visit to his old home in Germany, taking passage on the Columbia, of the Hamburg-American line, Vol. II .- 17
368
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
which made the trip in six days. On first coming to America Louis Goeppinger made his way to Dauphin, Pennsylvania, where he remained for six months, and then went to Allegheny City, that state, where he followed his trade for some time. He carefully saved his earnings until economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to embark in business on his own account. He then went to Malvern, Ohio, where he opened a tannery, which he conducted suc- cessfully until 1866. He then disposed of his plant at that place and removed to Boone, Iowa, where he opened a leather store in a modest frame building with a small stock of goods, conducting the business under the style of L. & H. Goeppinger, which name has ever since been used. This is the oldest saddlery firm in the state and its business has been one of growing importance, bringing to the owners a most gratifying return. Mr. Goeppinger is one of the pioneer residents of Boone and when he arrived here he could buy land at his own price. The town was very small and for hundred of miles around and to the west there stretched a vast sea of billowy green-the waving prairie grasses. He saw lots sold on Story street, now the principal business thoroughfare of Boone, at two hundred and twenty-five dollars each, while today some of the same lots would bring ten thousand dollars. From the time of his arrival he took active and helpful part in the development and upbuilding of the city and for many years figured as one of its most prominent business nien. He was one of the first stockholders in the City Bank and for many years was its vice president and later president. His firm built the first three-front, substantial business block on Story street, and he was otherwise connected with the improvement of real estate. He also aided in building the German Lutheran church and for many years has been one of its consistent and helpful members. On April 1, 1912, he was elected city trustee.
It was on the 19th of July, 1857, at Malvern, Ohio, that Louis Goeppinger was united in marriage to Miss Catharine LeBeau, who was born at that place February 10, 1840, a daughter of Charles LeBeau, a native of Landau, Germany, who, emigrating to Ohio, there carried on the cooper's trade until his death at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Goeppinger was for many years a member of the school board of Boone, and the cause of education always found in him a friend. To his children he gave good opportunities in that direction.
John L. Goeppinger, their son, is today at the head of the saddlery business in Boone. He is a man of strong purpose, alert and energetic, and his success has come to him as the merited reward of intelligently directed effort. He was born in Malvern, Ohio, June 5, 1862, and removed with his parents to Boone, being graduated from the Boone high school at the age of nineteen years. He was the only male member of the first class to complete the course. He after- ward became a student in Duff's College at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was graduated therefrom in 1881. He next entered into active connection with the wholesale leather and saddlery business which was established by his father and uncle and with which he has since been connected. This is today one of the most important business enterprises of the city and under the guidance of John L. Goeppinger it has grown and developed to its present extensive and profitable proportions. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in conducting this he has met the changing conditions of the times and proven his ability to cope with the problems that a different age has brought. He, too,
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.