USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 56
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When thirty years of age Mr. Samberg was married to Miss Wilhelmina Sam- uelson. For three years thereafter they remained in Sweden and in October, 1854. they left their native land for the United States, landing at New York, whence they made their way to Chicago and on to St. Charles, Illinois, where Mr. Samberg obtained work on a farm. Again disaster overtook him in the loss of his wife, who died in October of the same year.
Mr. Samberg continued farming for a time and afterward worked at the months he did mason work as a contractor. His home was upon a farm of one mason's trade. Later he went to Red Wing, Minnesota, where in the summer hundred and sixty acres, which he cultivated and developed for fourteen years. Ile then sold that property and on the 16th of October, 1869, arrived in Boone county, settling in Marcy township, where he purchased a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres. His attention was given to its further development and improvement until 1872, when he went to Chicago. In the previous fall the most disastrous fire had wiped out a large portion of the city and artisan labor was in great demand. Mr. Samberg worked as a mason foreman at seven dol- lars per day, being an expert at his trade. In 1877 he returned to Iowa and established his home in Boone, but still owns the farm and also several prop- erties in the town, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. Some time after his return to the county he began the manufacture of a liniment which became famous, having great healing properties, and he conducted that business for a considerable period.
Mr. Samberg is a veteran of the Civil war. His first military training was received in Sweden, for he was a soldier in the Swedish army for ten years and was well versed in the methods of warfare. His early experience made him very valuable during his connection with the Union army. In 1861 he enlisted for active duty, becoming a member of Company D, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Western Army. He served first under Colonel Lester, who surrendered at Murfreesboro. After being held prisoners for forty-eight hours the members of the regiment were exchanged. Mr. Sam- berg fought against the Indians in Minnesota for a time in 1862. He continued
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in the army until November 14, 1864, when he was honorably discharged in Arkansas and returned to his home. He twice took command of his company during the war when superior officers were disabled. It was before he went to the front that he began the manufacture of liniment and he had considerable knowledge of the remedial properties of other medicines. He frequently min- istered to his wounded comrades and was offered the position of regimental surgeon, but refused to accept because he could not speak good English and believed that this would hamper him in the work.
For his second wife Mr. Samberg chose Augusta Johnson, who died in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, leaving five children, Charles, James. Wilhelmina, Nellie and Matilda. For his third wife Mr. Samberg married Carrie Samuelson, who died in Ogden, this county. On the 6th of June, 1904, he wedded Mrs. Jennie Johnson, the widow of Swan Johnson. She was born in Sweden, came to the United States at six years of age and lived with her parents in Brooklyn.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Samberg were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and he has always been a great reader of the Bible. For sixteen years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was local preacher for a num- ber of years. His political allegiance was given to the greenback party for a long time. He once voted the republican ticket when Lincoln was candidate for the presidency and in later years he has been a populist. His life, actuated by high and honorable principles, has made his record one over which he can look back without regret. Without any advantages in his youth, he has made good use of his time and opportunities and he is today one of the venerable citizens of Boone county, respected by all. His age, perhaps, exceeds that of any other resident of the county, and his life record covers a period of history remark- able for many achievements. For sixty years he has lived on this side the water and for forty-five years has been a resident of Boone county.
THEODORE BALDUS.
Theodore Baldus is the owner of one hundred acres of land on section 25, Harrison township, Boone county, and also four hundred acres in Story county, lowa, located on section 36, Lafayette township. He is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in the duchy of Nassau on the 14th of November, 1836, and his parents being Christian and Elizabeth (Schlaughter ) Baldus. The mother passed away when our subject was a small boy and the father came to America in 1852, locating in Cook county, Illinois, twenty miles from Chicago. He later came to Iowa and made his home in Story county with his son Theo- dore. There his death occurred in 1878 when he was past eighty years of age. Six children were born to Christian and Elizabeth Baldus. but our subject is the only one now living and is the youngest of the family. Two of his brothers had preceded him and the father to America.
Theodore Baldus arrived in Story county, Iowa, in 1855, having made the trip from Illinois by wagon drawn by oxen. He had but little capital and it was necessary for him to buy his first land on time, paying forty per cent interest on the deferred payments. The purchase price was a dollar and a quarter per
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acre. There was little in the undeveloped prairie region of that time to indicate that in fifty years it would be the prosperous agricultural section that it is today. Mr. Baldus' first purchase consisted of eighty acres in Lafayette township, Story county, where he now owns four hundred acres, and he made his home there until 1890, when he removed to his present place in Harrison township, Boone county. The farm was but slightly improved when it came into his possession but he has since made it one of the most highly developed agricultural properties of the county. In 1901 he built his present fine residence and in 1913 he erected a large barn. He has followed general farming and stock-raising, finding the fattening of hogs for the market especially profitable. He has a fine orchard and a grove of shade trees on his place and this greatly increases its attractive- ness.
Mr. Baldus has a very creditable military record and is entitled to honor as one of the defenders of the Union in the crisis of the '6os. From 1860 to 1865 he was in the Rocky mountains, where he engaged in mining for some time, and also served in the regular army. He enlisted in the Third Colorado Cavalry and served for nine months in the Civil war toward the close of the conflict. Previously he had been detailed to protect the stages and emigrant trains cross- ing to the far west.
Mr. Baldus was united in marriage at Ames, Iowa, in 1867, to Miss Christina Born, a native of Illinois, of German ancestry. Her parents settled in Polk county, Iowa, at an early date in the history of this state but later removed to Ames and became the owners of a farm. East Ames has grown up on the site of their homestead. Mr. Born passed away at his old home some thirty years ago and Mrs. Born died at our subject's home in 1897, at the age of seventy-six. He was a farmer and won success in his chosen vocation. Mr. and Mrs. Baldus became the parents of ten children, of whom six are living, as follows: John. of Story county, who has eight children; Walter, who has six children; Carl, also a resident of Story county, who has five children; Leo, at home; Mrs. Peter Worth, of Story county, who has eight children ; and Mrs. Frank Rickerl, of South Dakota. Our subject and his wife have twenty-five grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Baldus are members of St. Peter's Catholic church of Lafay- ette township. Story county, and politically Mr. Baldus is an adherent of the democratic party. Although not a native of this country, he has become thor- oughly imbued with its spirit and is a loyal supporter of its institutions. His sterling worth of character has won for him the respect of the community.
CHARLES M. CRANK.
Charles M. Crank is connected with business interests of Woodward, lowa, where he conducts a jewelry store, and also handles violins, chinaware, cut glass and similar articles. As a merchant he enjoys the highest reputation and his customers are many and of the best class of citizens. He was born in Polk City. Polk county, Iowa, September 10, 1874, a son of George W. and Catherine ( Kirscher) Crank, prominent residents of Madrid, who are men- tioned elsewhere in this work. He attended the public schools and after coming
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with his parents to Madrid on May 17. 1891, completed his education here. He subsequently learned the jeweler's trade under his father. the latter being one of the most renowned and successful men along that line in the state. On De- cember 7, 1896. he began business for himself in Woodward, where he has continued to the present day. When he began business on his own account his sole capital consisted of two dollars and a half, but by strong determination, honesty and industry he has succeeded in building up a trade which is a credit to his efforts. He now carries one of the best selected and most complete jewelry stocks to be found in Dallas county, having also a large trade from Boone county. He does efficient work at most reasonable prices.
On March 17, 1897, in Polk City, Iowa, Mr. Crank married Miss Ada M. Richards, who was born in Des Moines, January 17, 1873. She attended the public schools there and also took a course at Simpson College, Indianola. Her father, Rollin Richards, was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. being a member of the Sixty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Her mother is now residing in Polk City. Mr. and Mrs. Crank have become the parents of five children, all born in Woodward: Viva, whose birth occurred December 29, 1897; Velma, born on March 13. 1899: one who died in infancy; Julia Marie. born July 3. 1906; and Charles Dean, born October S. 1908. The children are attending the public school in Woodward.
Mr. Crank has always given his allegiance to the republican party and front 1911 to 1913 served as mayor of Woodward, promoting a number of valuable measures which have been of great benefit to the city. He is a member of the board of education and both he and his wife belong to the Church of Christ. Fraternally he is identified with Woodward Lodge, No. 460, I. O. O. F., and the Modern Woodmen of America. The family resides in a handsome home in Woodward, where they receive their many friends, being popular in society. Mr. Crank has always interested himself in any forward movement and has often contributed to worthy enterprises. He is a self-made man and has every reason to be proud of his success ..
HENRY KNIGHT.
Henry Knight owns one hundred and twenty acres of good land on the east- ern part of section 21, Ilarrison township, and has here resided since 1910. He had previously spent twenty-nine years upon a farm on the western part of the same section. At the present writing he is not actively engaged in the work of the fields but rents his land to his son and son-in-law and lives retired in the enjoy- ment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 10, 1854, and when twelve weeks old was brought by his parents to the United States. He is a son of Daniel and Emma (Dimery) Knight, both of whom are now deceased. Their children were as follows: Rosina, now the wife of Ed Eckley, residing in Boone; Pauline, who married S. E. Smith, a resident of Sac county, Iowa ; Ellen, the wife of J. A. Johnston, living near Stanhope: Daniel, who married Martha Ritter and makes his home near Stanhope; Henry, of this review: Bertha, the wife of Greeley
HENRY KNIGHT AND FAMILY
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Ritter, a resident of Boone; John, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Chamberlain, South Dakota; Seth, who married Amanda Pratt and resides in Dodge township, this county; and Viola, the wife of Ben Pollard, of Boone. On coming to the new world the parents settled first in Wisconsin, where they remained for three years, and then went to Missouri, afterward coming to Boone county, Iowa, where the family home was established.
Henry Knight of this review was then a little lad of but four years, and he has since lived in Boone county, so that he has now witnessed its growth and development for six years more than a half century. He is indebted to the public- school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and his home train- ing was that of the farm, with the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the farmer lad. He never sought to change his occupation, realizing the fact that the rich soil of Iowa afforded good opportunities to the agriculturist. In time he became the owner of a farm on section 21, Harrison township, and occupied that place for almost three decades. He then removed to his present place on the same section, having here one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. At the present time, however, he leaves its cultivation and management to his son and son-in-law who rent the place from him.
It was on the 14th of September, 1876, that Mr. Knight was united in mar- riage to Miss Lizzie Bronkar, a daughter of Louis and Mary (Gibbons) Bronkar. Mrs. Knight was born in Zanesville, Ohio. Her father died in early manhood and the mother afterward removed to Boone county, Iowa, in 1866, settling in Dodge township. Her children by her first marriage were four in number : Sarah, the wife of James Gibbons, of Boone; Mrs. Lizzie Knight ; Clara, who married Lyman Sayles, a resident of Jackson, Minnesota ; and Samuel Gladen, deceased. After losing her first husband Mrs. Bronkar became the wife of J. K. Tumble- son, but both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Knight have a family of five children: Nellie, the wife of Ole Johnson, who follows farming in Harrison township; Millie, who married Roscoe Nelson, a resident farmer of Harrison township; Edward, who married Eldora Wheeler and is operating the home farm; Mabel, the wife of Fred Pollard; and Hazel, at home.
Mr. Knight has provided a most comfortable home for his family and his suc- cess enables him to give them not only the necessities but also some of the luxuries of life. He owns an automobile and says that he regrets he did not get one years ago. The family attend the Methodist church. Politically Mr. Knight is a democrat and for fourteen years filled the office of township trustee of Harrison township. He has also served as school director and believes in having good schools, recognizing how important wise instruction is as a prep- aration for the later responsibilities and duties of life.
WILLIAM M. WADE.
William M. Wade is one of the public-spirited and substantial residents of Woodward, where he is successfully engaged in the insurance business, also giving considerable time to the development of a valuable farm of three hundred and six acres which he owns in Emmet county. Great credit is due him for what Vol. 11-28
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he has achieved, for all that he is and has today has been won through his own efforts.
Mr. Wade was born in Peoples township, Boone county, Iowa, April 3, 1864, a son of Washington and Lucy ( Bass) Wade. The father was born in Medina county, Ohio, in 1818, and the mother in Pennsylvania in 1825. Both died in Woodward, Iowa, in 1904 and 1906 respectively. They were among the earliest pioneers of Boone county, having made their way overland in 1853 from Illinois. They located in Cass township when that section was sparsely settled. They had eleven children: J. B., of Nebraska ; Mrs. Josephine Miller, deceased; Mrs. Alice Calonkey, of Woodward; Mrs. Jennie Bettis, of Denver, Colorado; Alfred B. and Albert, twins, the former a farmer of Peoples township and the latter deceased, having passed away at the age of nine months: Ella, a resident of Woodward: Mrs. Hattie Hughes, of Belle Plaine, Iowa: William M., of this review ; Mrs. Minnie Callahan, of Woodward ; and Albertus, also a resident of Woodward.
William M. Wade attended the common schools of Peoples township and the Woodward public schools. He then taught in the schools of the neighbor- hood for nine terms and later engaged in educational work in Lake View, Sac county, for some time. Subsequently he was a traveling insurance writer, but in December, 1903, became the local representative of various well known insur- ance companies. He also became interested in the furniture and undertaking business in Woodward in that year. He has continued his insurange agency and also gives much attention to the development of his farm in Emmet county, which is improved with a set of modern buildings.
On October 15, 1891, at Woodward, lowa. Mr. Wade married Miss Hattie M. Smith, who was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, October 15, 1866. Her par- ents, O. W. and Esther J. ( Stillwell) Smith, came to Boone county in 1871, locating in Cass township, but now a part of Peoples township. They were num- bered among the successful people of the community. The father, who was born in Vermont in 1839. died January 17. 1881, and his widow is now residing in Spokane, Washington. In their family were five children: Mrs. Wade, the wife of our subject ; A. Le Roy, born July 20, 1870. who is residing in Chehalis, Washington; Mrs. Addie Craft, born December 4, 1873, of Woodward: Floyd, who died in infancy ; and Mrs. Olive Duffy, born February 28, 1881, whose hus- band is city clerk of Spokane. The oldest child was born in Illinois and the others in Peoples township, where all were reared. Mr. and Mrs. Wade have one son, J. Lester, who was born in Lake View. Sac county, Iowa, April 11, 1897, and is attending high school in Woodward. The family reside in a hand- some and nicely appointed home in that city. Mrs. Wade is one of a class of ten women, who as girls attended the Oak Grove school in Cass township and who had a reunion at the home of Mrs. Wade in 1914, their old school-teacher, A. C. Smith, a prominent resident of Woodward, participating in the celebration. Prior to her marriage she taught school for six years.
Mr. Wade is a democrat and has always taken an interest in the success of his party, being influential in its local councils. He is at present the democratic nominee for representative from Dallas county and has an excellent chance of realizing his ambition. He has a large number of friends and admirers who are going to support him because they are convinced of his thorough honesty and
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of his trustworthiness and faithfulness. Many of these are not even of his own party but belong to other political organizations. Mrs. Wade is a member of the Congregational church of Lake View, Iowa, and has always taken a deep interest in religious work. Her husband has been a member of the town council of Woodward and also has served on the board of education. Fraternally he is a member of Woodward Lodge, No. 460, I. O. O. F., and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias of that city. Such success as has come to him is well merited, for it is the outcome of his own efforts.
GEORGE W. NOLAND.
George W. Noland, who owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cass township, was born in that township on section 27, August 4, 1852, and is now the oldest living native son of his township. He is a son of William and Rachel (Bennett ) Noland, the father born in Pike county, Ohio, February 29, 1822, and the mother in Highland county, Ohio, March 13, 1823. They came to Iowa in 1850, the family making the trip by boat to Keokuk and thence over- land to Cass township where Mr. Noland located on section 27. There he fol- lowed farming and stock-raising. He was the first justice of the peace in Cass township and performed the first marriage ceremony in that part of Boone county. In 1865 he became a member of the Thirteenth Iowa Regiment and died in the service at Newbern, North Carolina. His wife died in Cass town- ship June 20, 1886. Their marriage took place in Ohio, September 2, 1842, and in their family were ten children: Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Dickerson, born July 2, 1843; Mary, deceased, born January 6, 1845; Albert C., who was born November 16, 1846, and who died at Huntsville, Alabama, as a member of Company D. Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry: John W., born April 25, 1848, of Cali- fornia ; James M., born October 26, 1850, a prominent agriculturist, mayor of Woodward and president of the board of education : George W., of this review ; Mrs. Margaret Ellen Newell, born January 26, 1856, of Woodward; F. S., born October 3, 1859, of Modesto, California; Joshua, born July 31, 1861, of Alberta, Canada ; and Nathaniel, born July 28, 1864, of the same city.
George W. Noland attended the early schools of Cass township, including the Eversole school. He subsequently followed farming and stock-raising and has so continued to the present time. He owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all of which is under high cultivation. His buildings are sub- stantial and modernly appointed, and his home is conveniently arranged and well equipped. He has been successful because he has always been industrious and energetic, carrying out the plans which he has made.
On the 2d of November, 1876, Mr. Noland was married in Cass township to Miss Sarah J. Carrel, who was born in Marcy township, May 6, 1856, and grew to womanhood in this county, of which she has always remained a resident. Her parents were John and Amanda (Lamb) Carrel, the former born near Bowling Green, Clay county, Indiana, December 4, 1833, and the latter in Ohio, November 17, 1834. His parents came to Iowa in 1842, first settling in Jefferson county, but in 1843 removed to Wapello county and in 1848 came to Boone
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county, making their home in Douglas township. The father died in Madrid, Iowa, May 17, 1908, and the mother in Cass township. In their family were nine children. William, born March 29, 1853, a resident of Missouri; Mrs. Mary Kirk, born October 24, 1854, of Kansas ; Sarah J., the wife of our subject ; George, who was born November 17, 1858, a resident of Woodward; David, born November 26, 1860, of Missouri; Albert and Mrs. Alice Davidson, twins, born April 18, 1865, the former residing in Fort Dodge and the latter in Des Moines ; Mrs. Minnie Lucas, born January 21, 1871, who died in Madrid, Iowa, June 16, 1906; and one who died in infancy. All these children were born and reared în Boone county, in Marcy, Peoples and Cass townships respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Noland were born six children: Mrs. Della M. Swisher, whose birth occurred October 27. 1877, and who resides in Cass township; William E., born May 22, 1879. of Iowa; Scott E., born February 10, 1882, of Madrid, this state; Harry, born April 22, 1885. who died July 17, 1891 : Ray W., who was born September 17 1887, a resident of Winona, Minnesota: and Clifford C., born .August 24, 1893. of Cass township.
Politically Mr. Noland is an adherent of the republican party and is true to its standards. Both he and his wife are members of the Liberty Methodist Episcopal church of Cass township. They are highly respected and esteemed, having many friends in Boone county, to the development of which both have contributed along various lines.
CONSTANTINUS POULOS.
Constantinus Poulos was born in Tripolis, Greece, on the 21st of May, 1881. His father is Athanasus Anognostopulos, the surname having been abbreviated by our subject and his brother to Poulos. The father is a native of Tripolis and has spent his entire life there. devoting his active years to agricultural pur- suits. He is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five. The mother, who was in her maidenhood Evangelia Bosilakopulos, is also a native of Tripolis and is now seventy-two years of age. She is the mother of nine children, as fol- lows: George, of Perea, Greece; Alexander, of Boone: Jolin, at home ; Demet- rius, at home : Leonidas, of Sioux City, Iowa ; Theodore, of Boone : Constantinus, of this review; Vasiliki, at home; and Antonious, of Boone. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Anognostopulos, who lived and died on the homestead in Greece.
Constantinus Poulos spent his boyhood and youth in his native land, his education being obtained in the public schools of Tripolis and Perea, whither he went at the age of thirteen years. Two brothers. George and Demetrius. had preceded him to that city and were there engaged in the grocery business. Our subject entered their store as a clerk and attended school as well. He was thus employed for about six years, at the end of which time he set sail for the United States, landing in the new world in April. 1901. He joined his brothers Alex- ander and Theodore in Chicago, they being employed in the Pullman Car Works, and he also obtained employment there, remaining for ten months. He spoke no English at the time of his arrival, but applied himself diligently to the mastery
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