USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 13
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Mr. Sherren was united in marriage to Miss Dora Myer, a daughter of Henry Myer, and they have become the parents of five children, of whom three died in early life, those still living being Verna and Maurice. In his political views Mr. Sherren is a republican but has never consented to accept office, desiring to concentrate his undivided attention upon his business affairs. He has worked persistently and energetically as the years have gone on and that his labors have been intelligently directed finds evidence in his fine farm, now one of the best improved in the township. He has closely studied the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops with the result that his place is most pro- ductive, his farm work bringing him a substantial finaneial return annually.
WILLIAM O. HAINES.
William O. Haines was born upon the farm on section 14, Homer township, which he is now operating, his natal day being June 29, 1888. His parents were William A. and Anna (Buell) Haines. of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of H. C. Haines. His boyhood days were passed in the usual manner of farm lads. He attended the district schools and worked in the fields through the summer months, early becoming acquainted with the best and most practical methods of planting the erops and earing for the harvests. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-three years and then started out in life independently by renting land near Independence for a year. He then removed to his father's farm on section 14, Homer township, and has since continued its cultivation and further
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development. The fields are now well tilled and good erops are gathered annually. The place is divided by well kept fences and the latest improved farm machinery is used to facilitate the work.
On the 10th of February, 1912, Mr. Haines was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Jayne, a daughter of Frank and Rosetta (Squires) Jayne, who were natives of Illinois. The parents came to Buchanan county at an early period in its development and the father seeured a tract of land, upon which he en- gaged in farming for many years, operating the place until 1911, when he put aside active farm work, and is now employed at the Insane Hospital at Inde- pendence. His wife passed away on the 25th of March, 1901.
In his political views Mr. Haines is a democrat and keeps well informed con- verning the vital questions before the country, vet does not seek nor desire offiee. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church and to its teach- ings he is most loyal. He has been a lifelong resident of this county and that his record is an honorable and upright one is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood to the present.
CLARENCE B. EVERETT.
Clarence B. Everett, president of the Fairbank State Bank, is a native of Fairbank township, this county, born September 5, 1855. His parents were poineers of this county and he was the first white child born in Fairbank town- ship. His father, F. J. Everett, was born in New York, on the 28th of March, 1829, and began providing for his own support when quite young. When twelve years of age he entered the employ of a bank in New York city and con- tinned in that line of work until he was twenty-five. when his health failed and he came west, being at the time a bookkeeper in the Chemical Bank in New York city. When he decided to emigrate he went to Dubuque, lowa, on the advice of friends, but did not remain there, however, and, keeping his course due west- ward, he arrived at what is now Fairbank, walking the entire distance from Peoria, Illinois, to Fairbank. He arrived here in 1853 and at that time very little land had been taken up. He secured ahout twelve hundred acres and, having faith in its value, he held it until he was able to sell at a great advance over the price paid. Some of the land entered then is still in possession of the family. Ile thoroughly identified himself with the county and took an active part in the upbuilding of the town of Fairbank, operating the first sawmill in the locality and was proprietor of a general store in Fairbank for many years. Ile continued to make this community his home until his death, with the excep- tion of a short time when he returned to the east. His wife was born in New York state, May 28, 1829, and came to this county in 1853. Their marriage, which occurred in 1854, was one of the first events of the kind to be celebrated in Buchanan county. After the birth of the eldest children she returned to the east and resided there for a time but eame again to this eounty and continued to live here until her death, which occurred December 11, 1899. F. J. Everett died in Fairbank on the 25th of October, 1898. To their union were horn ten
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children, of whom four are still living. The record is as follows: Clarence B., of this sketch; F. G., who was born on the 1st of May, 1857, and died in Fair- bank, Iowa, on the 12th of November, 1907; Newton B., a resident of Los Angeles, California; Hattie, deceased; John, also deceased; Mrs. Mary Davis, living in Fayette, Iowa; C. L., who died May 20, 1903; Eva and Emma, twins, who died in childhood; and Mrs. Sarah Ross, a resident of Waterloo, Iowa. All of the children were reared in this county.
Clarence B. Everett grew to manhood in Fairbank township and after at- tending the common schools of that locality was for a time a student at Lenox College in Hopkinton, Iowa. He was for a time associated with his father in the conduct of the latter's general store, but in 1900 he entered the banking business. His first position was that of bookkeeper of the Fairbank State Bank and he later served as cashier. Since 1910 he has been president of the institution.
Mr. Everett was married on the 8th of April, 1880, to Miss Achsah French, who was born in Black Hawk county, Iowa, a daughter of Ezra and Melissa (Siple) French, natives of England and Canada respectively. They were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Everett; Mrs. Rebecca Gates, of Oel- wein ; Mrs. Mary Noss, who died in Waterloo, Iowa; and Charles, a resident of Wisconsin. All were born in Black Hawk county and were there reared, the parents being among the early settlers of that section of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Everett have been born five children: Ed E., who attended the Iowa Teachers' College at Cedar Falls and Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa, and who is now the auditor of Buchanan county and a resident of Independence ; Mrs. Bessie Kautz, living in Oren township, Fayette county, this state; C. Her- bert, who is telegraph operator for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad at Thistle, Utah; Harry, in the employ of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the northwestern territory; and Mrs. Mildred Gorman, a resident of Independence. All of the children were born and reared in Fairbank. Mr. Everett is a demo- crat in his political belief.
AUGUST P. TIELEBEIN.
August P. Tielebein of Newton township, is the owner of one of the best improved farms of Buchanan county, supplied with all modern accessories, con- veniences and equipments. He has always lived in this county and has not only been an interested witness of its growth and development, but has aided in various projects for the public good. He was born in Newton township, Sep- tember 4, 1866, a son of Frederick C. and Catherine E. (Fisher) Tielebein, of whom mention is made in connection with the record of Otto Tielebein, on an- other page of this work.
Mr. Tielebein of this review spent his youthful days upon the home farm and he knew the joys and pleasures as well as the duties that fall to the lot of the farm lad. His education was such as the public schools afforded, supple- mented by a course in the Highland Park College at Des Moines, from which he was graduated with the class in pharmacy in 1909. At the age of twenty-six
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years he left the old homestead and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 5, Newton township, which he at once began to develop and improve. At a later date he added to his original holdings and now owns one hundred and seventy acres in that farm, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He has since operated the land with the exception of four years, during which he was engaged in the drug business at Ryan, Iowa, and five years spent upon a ranch in South Dakota, where he took up a homestead and to it added until he became the owner of thirty-three hundred acres in one piece. That place is well stocked with forty-two head of horses and three hundred and eighteen head of cattle. He employs a man to conduct and cultivate that raneh and on the 2d of March, 1914, he returned to his old home in Newton township, having one of the best improved farms in the county.
On the 19th of July, 1893, Mr. Tielebein was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Daubenberger, a daughter of Frank and Catherine Daubenberger, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. Her father was a youth of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to America. He took up the occupation of farming, which he afterward followed, and after cultivating a farm in Clayton county, Iowa, for a number of years removed to Buchanan county, securing a traet of land in Middlefield township, whereon his remaining days were spent. He died in 1900 and is survived by his widow. Mr. and Mrs. Tielebein have become the parents of one child, Ilazel C., born July 8, 1894. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In politics Mr. Tielebein is a progressive republican, and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, with the purposes of which he is in hearty sympathy. He has served as school director and as assessor of his township and his influenee is always on the side of advancement and improvement. His life has indeed been a busy and useful one. in which there has been mueh hard labor, but his industry has been crowned with success and he is today one of the substantial agriculturists of Newton township.
ALEXANDER HOUCK.
Since 1900 Alexander Houck has rented his valuable farm in Westburg township to his son and has lived in honorable retirement from the responsibili- ties of active life in Independence. He was born in Walton, Delaware county, New York, on the 14th of June, 1844, a son of William and Lydia (Hoage) Honek. The father was born in Schoharie county, New York, his parents being Ruloff and Rachel Houek. Ruloff Honek was a native of Holland and was sent to the United States with a colony before the war for independence. During that struggle he was a tory, remaining loyal to King George. He lived to the remarkable old age of one hundred years and his wife also survived to an ad- vaneed age. Both the father and mother of our subject were born in Decatur, New York, and the former was a farmer by occupation. During his lifetime much of the Empire state was a wilderness, and he cleared three farms, which he improved and eultivated. He passed away in that state at the age of seventy-one years and his wife died when fifty-six years of age. The father was
ALEXANDER HOUCK
MRS. ALEXANDER HOUCK
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a democrat in his political belief, and she belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. To their union were born seven children. The father had eight chil- dren by a previous marriage, Miss Sarah Case, a native of New York, being his first wife.
Alexander Houck remained at home until he was twelve years of age, or until the death of his mother. His father died two years later and he was thrown upon his own resources. He worked upon farms by the month until 1862, when, on the 27th of August, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, serving with his command until the close of the war and participating in a number of battles and skir- mishes. He took part in the engagements before Charleston and in many battles upon the Atlantic coast. He was honorably discharged on the 15th of June, 1865, in South Carolina and returned to Delaware county, New York.
In the fall of that year Mr. Houck removed to Jones county, Iowa, where he remained for one year, working upon farms by the month. He then came to Buchanan county and was employed by others for two years. At the end of that time he was married and, as his wife owned eighty acres of land in West- burg township, the couple settled upon the place and Mr. Houck devoted his time to its cultivation and improvement. . He purchased adjoining land until the farm comprised nearly four hundred acres, but eventually disposed of all but two hundred acres. He operated it successfully until 1900, when he rented it to his son and removed to Independence, where he now lives retired. The land is naturally very productive and its fertility has been carefully conserved by modern methods of agriculture. Mr. Houck was a very progressive and energetic farmer and his place yielded him annually a substantial return.
On the 15th of April, 1869, Mr. Houck was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Stewart, a native of County Derry, Ireland, born on the 26th of December, 1847. When quite young she was brought to the United States and lived for three years in Philadelphia and for nine years in Bolton, New Jersey. Her parents, Robert and Margaret (Gourley) Stewart, were likewise natives of the north of Ireland and came to the United States about 1850. Her father was a farmer in his native land, but for several years after emigrating to this country was employed in a nail factory in New Jersey. In April, 1860, he came west and located in Westburg township, this county, settling upon a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he had purchased in 1856. He was an indefatigable worker and soon had his land in a fine condition. As his capital increased he invested in additional land until he became the owner of twelve or thirteen hundred acres of fine land, besides owning a great many residences in Independence. He eventually rented his farms and removed to Independence, where he built a home and lived retired, with the exception of a couple of years, when he again farmed, until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-nine years of age. His wife also lived to a good age, dying when eighty-five years old. They were both members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Stewart was a republican in politics. Mrs. Houck has lived the greater part of her life in this county and is widely known and highly respected here.
To Mr. and Mrs. Houck were born seven children. Elsie is the wife of Erk- son Houck, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Houston, Texas, and they have two children, Alexander and Harriet. Robert W., a mail carrier on a Vol. II- 7
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rural route from Jesup, Iowa, is married and has three children, Frances, Harold and Bernice. Harry, who is farming near Jesup, is married and has two children, Herbert and Theodore. Stewart, who is operating his father's homestead, is married and has four children, Donald, Kenneth, Marcia and Wayne. Margaret is the wife of George E. Knapp, a lawyer of Vinton, Iowa. Lulu married Roy G. Crowder and died when twenty-eight years of age, leaving a son, John Alexander. Mabel is the wife of Harold Tabor, of Independence, and they have two children, Elizabeth Janet and Charles Byron.
Mr. Houck is a member of the Masonic fraternity and his wife has been connected with the Eastern Star for over twenty years. She attends the Pres- byterian church. Mr. Houck by his ballot supports the men and measures of the republican party. He has taken quite an active and prominent part in public affairs, serving on the school board, as township trustee and as assessor. He enjoys the unqualified respect of those who have been brought in contact with him, as his life has always been guided by high standards of conduct.
CHARLES W. FIESTER.
Charles W. Fiester, secretary and general manager of the West End Gro- cery Company, in which connection he is directing an important business enter- prise of Independence, was born June 23, 1875, in the city which is still his home, his parents being Roland B. and Marietta (Lowmiller) Fiester, both of whom were natives of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, born near Williamsport. In early life the father learned the carriage painter's trade and about 1864 removed to Iowa, where he continued in the painting business for a number of years. In fact he still follows it to some extent, although he is now practically living retired from industrial life. He is city assessor of Independence, which position he has filled for several terms. To him and his wife have been born seven children : Janet, the wife of Austin Hatch, cashier of the Harlem National Bank at Harlem, Montana; Charles W .; Sidney, who is engaged in the restau- rant business in Chicago and who married Gertrude Nelson, a native of Michi- gan ; William A., who is associated with his brother Charles in the grocery busi- ness ; Archie, a resident of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, who is in the employ of the General Electric Company between Pittsfield and Schenectady, New York; Lena, at home; and Clarence, who is with his brothers in the grocery store.
Reared in his native city, Charles W. Fiester attended the public schools and at the age of eighteen started out in life on his own account, being en- ployed as clerk in a grocery store in Independence, where he worked for others for about seven years. Since that time he has been carrying on business on his own account as a stockholder in the West End Grocery Company, of which he is the secretary and general manager. This is one of the important commercial concerns of the city, having a liberal patronage. Mr. Fiester is also a land- owner in Buchanan county but devotes his entire attention to the management of the store, in which is carried a large and carefully selected line of staple and fancy groceries. The business methods of the house are such as will bear the closest investigation and serntiny and their trade is constantly growing.
ALEXANDER HOUCK As a Union Soldier
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT STEWART
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On the 10th of November, 1908, Mr. Fiester was united in marriage to Miss Mary Belle Donnan, a native of Independence and a daughter of James B. and Martha (Ross) Donnan. In early life her parents came to Iowa, where the father practiced law and also engaged in the abstract business. Mr. and Mrs. Fiester have one son, Charles Donnan, who was born April 26, 1911.
Fraternally Mr. Fiester is connected with the Odd Fellows and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He has preferred always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and throughout his entire life has been connected with the grocery trade, which he knows thoroughly and in which he is now meeting with substantial success.
WILLIAM E. GRISWOLD.
William E. Griswold was born on the 7th of October, 1866, upon the farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on seetion 30, Fremont township, which he now owns and operates. His parents were Harvey and Mary E. (Dilenbeck) Gris- wold. The father was born in Saratoga county, New York, a son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Van Buren) Griswold, who spent their entire lives in the Em- pire state. The latter was a relative of President Van Buren. Josiah Griswold kept a tavern in New York state for many years. In his family were six chil- dren, of whom one son went to California. Harvey Griswold was the only one of the family to come to this county, arriving here in 1855, and he entered land from the government, the patents signed by President Pierce being still in the hands of his son, William E. He entered three hundred and twenty acres at that time and later entered one hundred and twenty acres more, but eventually sold a part of his land. In 1862 he brought his family here from Janesville, Wisconsin, and he continued to reside upon his land, which he farmed until his death in 1883, when he was sixty odd years of age. He was a republican and served upon the board of supervisors and also held a number of township offices. Fraternally he belonged to the Masonie order. Ilis wife was born in Montgomery county, New York, and went to Wisconsin with her people, where her marriage occurred. Three children were born there and two were born after the removal of the family to this county. They are as follows: Hon. Henry J., engaged in the real-estate business in Des Moines, was formerly state representative and state senator. In early life he was a merchant of Winthrop. Arthur M. is a farmer of Fremont township. Ida E. is the wife of Harry Hig- man, ex-postmaster of Winthrop. Lizzie is the wife of W. B. Miller, a merchant. of Winthrop. William E. is the youngest of the family. The mother died in 1905 at the age of about seventy-two years. Her mother, who in her maidenhood was Miss Catherine Moyer, died at the home of our subject when ninety years old. Her birth occurred just three days before that of Abraham Lincoln. In her religious belief she was a Congregationalist.
William E. Griswold was educated and grew to manhood in Fremont town- ship and after reaching years of maturity was a carpenter, painter and paper hanger. He followed these occupations for nineteen years, or until his marriage,
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after which he removed to the farm where he now resides. It comprises one hundred and sixty aeres on section 30, Fremont township, and as its owner he ranks with the substantial citizens of the county. His initiative and well directed energy insure him good crops and as he studies carefully market condi- tions he sells to good advantage.
Mr. Griswold was married in Winthrop on the 24th of February, 1903, to Miss Anna Christensen, a native of Denmark. When a child of four years she was brought to America by her parents, Hans and Christina Christensen who now live retired in Independence. Her father was during his active life a farmer and accumulated a competence. To Mr. and Mrs. Griswold have been born two children, Wilda Marie, a child of eight years, and Gerald William, four years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Griswold are members of the Congregational church and are numbered among those whose lives are forees for good in the community. Mr. Griswold is a republican, but has never accepted office. He belongs to the Masonie order and to the Modern Woodmen of America and has many friends in those organizations. He is respected by the community at large and has not only achieved financial success but has also aided in the development of the county.
BRUNO W. TIELEBEIN.
Bruno W. Tielebein, who has spent his entire life in Buchanan county and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of its representative agriculturists and prosperous citizens, is the owner of an excellent farm embracing one hundred and sixty acres on section 4, Newton township. His birth occurred in that town, ship on the 16th of May, 1868, his parents being Frederick C. and Catherine E. (Fisher) Tielebein, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Otto Tielebein, a brother of our subject.
Bruno W. Tielebein attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age. Subsequently he cultivated rented land until 1902. when he fell heir to a farm of thirty-five aeres on section 4, Newton township, the boundaries of which he extended by purchase to include one hundred and two acres. He improved the property and later bought more land until his place now comprises one hundred and sixty acres. He likewise owns a fifteen-acre traet of timber land on section 31, Newton township, and in his undertakings as an agriculturist has won a well deserved and most gratifying measure of success. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he raises high grade Poland China hogs and thor- oughbred shorthorn cattle, this branch of his business adding materially to his annual income. He is also a stockholder in the general store at Kiene and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the enterprising and substantial eiti- zens of his native county.
On the 27th of March, 1895, Mr. Tielebein was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth C. Schuman, a daughter of William and Susan (Harmon) Schuman,
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both of whom were natives of Dubuque county, Iowa. The father came to Bu- chanan county in an early day and purchased four hundred acres of land in Newton township, here carrying on agricultural pursuits throughout the re- mainder of his life. His demise occurred in October, 1911, but the mother survives and resides on the old home place.
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