USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 60
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Unto them were born six children: Emma, living in this city: Julia, who died in infancy ; J. Henry, the subject of this sketch : Anna B., who died in early womanhood; John F., now cashier of the Security Savings Bank; and Otto C., vice president of the same institution.
J. Henry Herman was a little child when brought by his parents to Boone (then Montana), where he has spent practically all of his life. He was gradu- ated from the public schools here, being the second boy to graduate from the high school, which was in 1883. Later he attended Elliott's Business College at Burlington, completing the course in 1884. He afterward spent a brief period in McPherson, Kansas, looking after some interests for his father, but returned to Boone to accept the position of bookkeeper in the First National Bank, which was being organized, going in on the opening day and remaining with the insti- tution continuously since. He was promoted to assistant cashier in 1888, and in 1890 he became cashier, which position he is now filling. He was also one of the organizers of the Security Savings Bank of this city as well as the City State Bank and the Ogden State Bank of Ogden, Iowa, in all of which institu- tions he still retains an interest.
Mr. Herman is also interested in some local manufacturing concerns and always contributes to all good causes tending toward the growth of the city in
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whose future he has always been optimistic and which is evidenced by his hold- ings of real estate and farm properties adjoining.
On the 14th of March, 1899, Mr. Herman was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Ursula Goeppinger, a native of Boone and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Goeppinger, who are also numbered among the earliest settlers of Boone. After spending their honeymoon in Europe they settled in Boone. To them were born five children : Paul H., born November 26, 1900; Louise A., September 20, 1902; John C., July 10, 1904; Albert L., March 7, 1906; and Helen Henrietta, April 10, 1913.
In politics Mr. Herman has never taken a very active part. Although twice elected as school treasurer, he has never been active in the sense of office seeking, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He holds membership in the Evangelical Lutheran church and is a director of the Commercial Club. He is well known in financial and society circles and possesses many substantial qualities which have won him confidence, regard and good-will in Boone and Boone county, where he has a very large acquaintance and where most of his life has been spent.
JOHN F. HERMAN.
John F. Herman is a factor in financial circles of Boone county as cashier of the Security Savings Bank of Boone, in which capacity he has been identified with the institution for the past nine years. His birth occurred in Boone on the 27th of March, 1868, his parents being John M. and Anna (Spring) Herman, who are mentioned at greater length in another part of this work.
John F. Herman attended school in Boone, supplementing his early educa- tional training by taking a course in the Iowa State College at Ames. He began his business career by accepting a position in the First National Bank, in which he served as bookkeeper and later was for about a year connected with the post- office. In 1888 he decided to establish himself independently and associated him- self with Canier Brothers, the leading shoe merchants of Boone, with whom he was actively and successfully engaged in business until 1905. In that year he accepted the position of cashier of the Security Savings Bank and in that capacity has since been identified with the institution, contributing to its continued growth and success in no uncertain degree. A few months ago the bank moved into hand- some new quarters on Eighth street. Mr. Herman enjoys an enviable reputation as a courteous, capable and obliging official and a financier of undoubted ability. He is likewise a director in the First National Bank, a stockholder in the Boone County Telephone Company and a director in the Boone Brick, Tile and Paving Company.
On November 4, 1896, Mr. Herman married in Kansas City, Miss Katherine Hungerford of Burlington, Vermont, whose birth occurred August 23, 1871, and who is a graduate of Smith College. Her father was the Rev. Edward Hunger- ford, of Connecticut, whose wife was born in Vermont, although both were of English descent. In their family were four children: Caroline, who is now Mrs. Silas A. Mills; Charlotte, who married William H. Zantzinger ; Frederick ; and
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Katherine. Mr. and Mrs. Herman have the following children: Dorothea H., born January 8, 1898; Edward, born June 30, 1900; Frederick, whose birth oc- curred in 1902 ; George, whose natal year was 1905 ; and Buell, born in 1907.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and thoroughly devoted to its work. Politically Mr. Herman is not very active, although he is true to his standards and always indorses those measures which he considers of the greatest value to the community. He is interested not only in material growth but in intellectual and moral betterment and gives much thought to the issues and ques- tions of the day. Fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is very popular in this organization. He is a thoroughly up-to-date American business man, making use of opportunities as they present themselves, but at the same time he is considerate of the interests of others and never loses sight of the community welfare.
ABNER LYCURGUS HARLOW.
In taking up the personal history of Abner Lycurgus Harlow we present to our readers the life record of one who was well and favorably known in Boone county for many years and who by his quiet and well spent life contributed to the development, improvement and upbuilding of the section in which he lived. He was born in Cass township on the 31st of October, 1860, and was but forty- six years of age when he passed away in Woodward on the 5th of January, 1907. He was a brother of Charles D. and A. M. Harlow, both of whom are mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
The experiences in the early life of Abner L. Harlow were those which usually fall to the lot of the farm boy. In the public schools he acquired his education, and his business training was received under the direction of his father until he started out in life on his own account. Turning his attention to farming and stock-raising, he won a substantial measure of success in that direction and for a time was interested with his brother in the lumber business in Woodward. In 1886, however, he returned to the farm and concentrated his energies upon the work of the fields through the succeeding twelve years, the result of his labors being manifest in the large crops which he annually harvested and which brought him a substantial financial return. In 1898 he removed with his family to Wood- ward, but later they returned to the farm for a short time. Again they took up their abode in Woodward and Mr. Harlow retired from active business, his death occurring soon afterward.
It was in Cass township, on the 16th of December, 1885, that Mr. Harlow wedded Miss Eva Patrick, who was born in Union county, Ohio, September 7, 1867, and in 1884 came to Iowa with her parents, the family home being estab- lished in Woodward, Dallas county, where the family has since been represented. Her father, Harmon Patrick, was born in Union county, Ohio, February 12, 1840, and died at Woodward on the 25th of June, 1897. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Lovina Severs, was a native of Knox county, Ohio, born October 1, 1839. She makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Harlow, in Woodward. The Patricks were pioneers of Ohio. Three children were born
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unto Harmon and Lovina (Severs) Patrick, two sons and a daughter : David, who was born December 25, 1859, and died in Ohio in 1862; Jefferson, who was born November 15, 1863, and passed away in 1870; and Mrs. Harlow, of this review, who by her marriage also became the mother of three children: Britt P., who was born in Peoples township, July 8, 1888, and now resides on the home farm in Cass township ; Howard H., who was born October 24, 1889; and Opal, who was born in Woodward, Iowa, September 14, 1901, and is attending high school in Woodward. The second son, Howard H. Harlow, is one of the progressive young farmers of Boone county. He owns and cultivates two hun- dred and forty acres of choice land in Cass township and has his place splendidly improved according to modern standards. He has brought his land to a high state of cultivation, and the result of his labors is seen in his excellent crops. The neat and thrifty appearance of his place constitutes his farm one of the attractive features of the landscape. Moreover, he is willing to bear his part in worthy public enterprises. Fraternally he is connected with Peaceful Lodge, No. 454, A. F. & A. M., of Woodward. In politics he is a democrat but has neither the time nor inclination for office. He has served as school director, and the cause of religion as well as that of education finds in him a warm friend, as is indicated by his membership in the Woodward Methodist Episcopal church.
The father, Abner L. Harlow, was likewise a member of Peaceful Lodge, No. 454, A. F. & A. M., of Woodward, and of the Modern Woodmen Camp at that place. His sterling traits of character were recognized by all who knew him. He was faithful in the performance of every duty in both public and private life, and he left behind him not only a handsome competence as the result of his labor but also a good name. Mrs. Harlow remains in Woodward, where she occupies a well furnished and hospitable home.
OTHO S. BURKHART.
Otho S. Burkhart, local manager for the Standard Oil Company at Woodward and well qualified for his present position, was born in Peoples township, Boone county, July 13, 1878. He is a son of David L. and Sarah (McDonald) Burkhart. The former. a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Butler county in 1833, but came to Iowa in early life, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Boone county at a time when the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun here. On first reaching this state he made his way to lowa City, then a small town, while Fort Des Moines had not yet been founded. After a short time at Iowa City he removed to Fort Des Moines and worked at his trade of carpentering for a number of years. At length he exchanged his home in Des Moines for a tract of land in Peoples township, Boone county, and took up his abode thereon, making that place his home until he was called to his final rest. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company , Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. He was enrolled at Zena and was honorably discharged in 1863 on account of physical disability. In the meantime he was with Grant at the siege of Vicksburg and was in charge at Big Black river, in which he received special mention. For bravery on that occasion he was ad-
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vanced to the captaincy of his company. In the charge his company captured many swords and flags, and a sword and flag which he took on that occasion are still in the possession of his family in Peoples township. He made an excel- lent military record, and it was with the deepest regret that he was forced to put aside his duties on account of the greatly impaired condition of his health.
David L. Burkhart was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McDonald, whose mother was a near relative of John Brown, the famous anti-slavery leader, who was killed at Harpers Ferry. Mrs. Burkhart was born in Michigan in 1834 and died in Peoples township, Boone county, lowa, August 7. 1892. She became the mother of eleven children: Mrs. Laura Hayer, residing at Lesmore, Minnesota ; Mrs. Sarah J. Rittenhouse of Oregon City, Oregon; John P .; Thomas, de- ceased; Charles, who makes his home in California; William, who has passed away ; Aaron E., who was born March 24, 1870, and is living in Peoples township; Alva A .; George Washington, who makes his home in the state of Washington ; Albert, living in Peoples township; and Otho S., of this review. The parents of these children were married in Polk county, but established their home in Peoples township, Boone county, and all of the children were born there.
Upon the death of his parents Otho S. Burkhart was taken into the home of an aunt in Polk county, where he remained for a year, or until the aunt's death. lle then returned to Peoples township, where he continued to live until taking up his abode in Woodward. In his youthful days and early manhood he followed farming and stock-raising, being thus continuously engaged until 1907, when he removed to Woodward and secured a clerkship in a hardware store. He was thus employed for five years and afterward spent one year at the carpenter's trade and one year as a painter. In May, 1914, he became manager for the Standard Oil Company at Woodward and has charge of this immediate territory. He is well qualified for the position and is doing good service for that corpora- tion in this section.
In his political views Mr. Burkhart is an earnest republican, well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to Peaceful Lodge, A. F. & .A. M., of Woodward, and to Woodward Lodge, No. 460, I. O. O. F. He is a member of the World's Champion Odd Fellows' Degree Staff of Woodward and was with them in their triumphant career.
JAMES W. WANE.
With the farming and stock-raising interests of Boone county James W. Wane has been identified for over forty years. He is today the owner of a well improved and highly cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 12 and 13, Worth township, where he has made his home since the Ist of March, 1873. He was born in that township, December 13, 1848, a son of J. M. and Caroline (Hull) Wane. The mother was a daughter of Dr. James Hull, one of the pioneer physicians of this county. She was born in Ohio and died here in June, 1911, at the age of eighty-six years. The father was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and on coming to Boone county, Iowa, in May, 1848, located in Des Moines township, where he continued to make his home throughout the remainder
MR. AND MRS. JAMES W. WANE
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of his life, dying in 1896 at the age of eighty-four years. He was one of the early county commissioners and also served as county clerk, taking a very promi- nent part in public affairs. Both he and his wife were earnest and consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. James W. Wane is the eldest of their nine children, the others being: Mrs. W. S. Sparks, of Des Moines township; Samuel R., a merchant of Boone; W. S., a resident of Roy, New Mexico; Mrs. Mary Latham, living near Boone; Edward H., a farmer of Worth township; S. C., of Salem, Oregon ; J. M., Jr., a merchant of Boone; and Mrs. Minnie Latham, who lives on the old homestead near Boone. Mrs. Lucy Grayson, a half sister of our subject, is now deceased.
- James W. Wane, familiarly known as Jim by his many friends here, was reared on the old homestead in Worth township and attended the public schools of the neighborhood. As soon as old enough to be of any assistance, he began to aid in the operation of the farm and throughout his active life has followed agricultural pursuits. In connection with general farming he has given consid- erable attention to the raising of stock. He was married December 25, 1872, to Miss Laura Boone, a daughter of William M. Boone. She died October 29, 1908. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wane as follows: Mrs. Lena Dyer, now a resident of San Diego, California ; Zylph, at home; John MI., a resi- dent of Webster City, Iowa, who married Millie Hull and has one son, Walter ; Mrs. Eva Franzen, of Boone, who has one son, Marvin ; George R., who died at the age of twenty-six years ; and Eunice L., twin of Eva, also deceased.
The republican party has always found in Mr. Wane a stanch supporter of its principles, but he has never accepted office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. He is president of the Squire Boone Cem- etery Association and never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will advance the interests of the community, being a very public-spirited citizen.
CHARLES B. PIERCE.
Charles B. Pierce is actively engaged in the livery business at Woodward and is a reliable, enterprising business man. He was born in Cass township, Boone county, November 18, 1862, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state. His father. John Pierce, drove across the country to Boone county in 1857, casting in his lot with the carly settlers. He was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, and since coming to Iowa has continued his residence within its borders, his home being now in Woodward. He married Margaret Ellisant, a native of Indiana, who died in Peoples township, Boone county, in 1880. In their family were seven children, as follows : Rena, deceased ; Mrs. Evelyn McLain, who has also passed away ; Charles B., of this review ; Mrs. Laura Gordon, who is a resident of Dallas county ; Mrs. Carrie Knight, of Boone county ; Snyder J., living in Thompson, Iowa; and Frank, who makes his home in Woodward, Iowa. All were born and reared in Cass township.
It was upon the old homestead there that Charles B. Pierce spent the days of his boyhood and youth, attending the common schools of the neighborhood and Vol. II-80
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working in the fields through the periods of vacation. He continued to engage actively in farming until the fall of 1902, when he embarked in the livery busi- ness in Woodward and since that time, with the exception of two years, he has continually and successfully conducted his livery stable. Following the destruc- tion of the old barn by fire, a new modern building was erected under his direc- tion, and he owns the stock and equipment. He has a number of good horses and a fine line of carriages and, keeping up with the demand and progress of the times, he also has two new automobiles in connection with his other equipment. He gives good services at reasonable prices and is always courteous and obliging. His son Floyd is now associated with him in business under the firm style of C. B. Pierce & Son and they enjoy a liberal and well deserved patronage.
It was in Boone that Mr. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Mary l'res- ton, a native of Xenia, Dallas county, born April 10, 1869. She was reared to womanhood in that county and was educated in the public schools. The Pres- tons were among the pioneer settlers of this section of the state. Her father, Zenos Preston, who was born in Henry county, Indiana, September 13, 1835, is now residing in Woodward in the seventy-ninth year of his age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza A. Turk, was born in Montgomery, Hamilton county, Ohio, June 4, 1842, came to Iowa in 1856 and took up her abode in Xenia. She died in Woodward on the 5th of November, 1901, and her death was the occasion of deep regret to those who knew her. There were seven children in the Preston family : Mrs. Emma J. Grimm, a resident of Woodward, Iowa; Wil- liam Albert, who passed away October 16, 1900: Charles L., was also re- sides in Woodward, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Pierce: Mrs. Janet Webber, who makes her home in Woodward, Iowa; Norman P., a resident of Woodward, Iowa; and Fred E., who resides in Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Grimm is a native of Missouri, while the younger children were born at Xenia, Dallas county, Iowa, where all were reared.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have become the parents of a son and two daughters : Floyd, who was born January 16, 1887, and is now engaged in the livery business with his father; Mrs. Mabel Staker, who resides in Woodward; and Mrs. Elva Anderson, whose home is in Dallas county. The son is a native of Boone county and the daughters were born in Polk City, lowa.
Mr. Pierce holds membership in Woodward Lodge, No. 460, I. O. O. F., and he and his brother, Snyder J. Pierce, were members of the World's Champion Degree Staff of Woodward. He has taken an active and helpful interest in the work of the order and has exemplified its beneficent spirit in his life. He is now widely and favorably known in Woodward. where he owns a profitable and growing livery business and also owns a pleasant home.
ALBERT F. NELSON.
Business enterprise finds an exponent in Albert F. Nelson, who is a member of the Nelson Dairy Company at Boone. He was born in Fillmore county, Ne- braska, May 8, 1885, a son of Peter P. and Alexandria ( Benson) Nelson. His education was acquired in the schools of his native town to the age of sixteen
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years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Nebraska to Boone.
His grandfather, Peter P. Nelson, was a farmer of Sweden and came to the United States in 1854. He followed farming near Knoxville, Illinois, and there passed away. He married Ellen Nelson, who died in Sweden.
Their son, Peter P. Nelson, Jr., the father of Albert F. Nelson, was for many years engaged in farming in Worth township, but is now living retired. Hle was born in Sweden, May 2, 1852, and attended school until fourteen years of age, after which he began work upon farms, being thus engaged until he came to the United States. He was married in Sweden to Miss Hannah Abrahamson and in 1873 they arrived in New York. They made their way direct to Knox- ville, Knox county, Illinois. In the following spring Mr. Nelson returned to his native land but in the meantime had purchased forty acres in Knox county. In October, of the same year, he once more came to America and settled upon his farm in Illinois, where he lived for four years. On the expiration of that period he sold his land and removed to Chase county, Nebraska, where he took up a homestead clain, upon which he lived for seventeen years, being quite successful in its development and management. He then sold that property and brought his family to Boone county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and seventy- four acres of land in Worth township. With characteristic energy he began the development and improvement of the place and lived there until his retirement from active business life when he took up his abode in Boone, trading his farm for his town property. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he also conducted a dairy business, and the products of his dairy found a ready sale upon the market. In 1880 he and his first wife returned to their native land upon a visit and while there Mrs. Nelson passed away. On the 15th of November, 1881, in Chicago, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to the mother of our subject, who was born in Copenhagen, April 23, 1864. She came to the United States in 1881 and was living in Chicago at the time of her marriage. The children born unto Peter P. and Alexandria Nelson were eight in number : Lillie, now the wife of Levi Wells, of Columbus, Ohio; Albert F., whose name introduces this review ; Henry H., of Boone; Ernest W., who follows farming; Chester V .; Edith H .; Floyd V .; and Glenn, all at home. The parents are mem- bers of the Swedish Mission church and Mr. Nelson gives his political support to the republican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen. He has gained many warm friends during the period of his residence in this county and his many substantial qualities have won for him the respect and good- will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
Albert F. Nelson, following the removal of the family to Boone county, began work upon the home farm in the employ of his father and spent five years in that way, at the end of which time he purchased his father's farm and continued its cultivation and development alone until the spring of 1914, when he admitted his brothers, Ernest W. and Henry H., to a partnership in what is now known as the Nelson Dairy Company. In this connection they are doing a good business. They keep a large number of cows for dairy purposes and the product of their dairy finds a ready sale on the market. Neatness and sanitation are characteristic features of the place and the results achieved indicate careful management and unfaltering enterprise.
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On the 14th of December, 1911, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Melle M. Nelson, and they have a daughter, Irma Elizabeth. The parents hold membership in the Swedish Evangelical Mission church and Mr. Nelson has acted as a teacher in the Sunday school. He contributes generously to the support of the church and does all in his power to further the moral progress of the com- munity. He was one of the organizers of the C. B. C., the largest in the state, and was its first president. He votes with the republican party and is unfaltering in his support of its principles which he deems best qualified to promote good government. His life has been well spent, his actions manly and sincere, and the sterling traits of his character are attested in the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
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