USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 14
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Mr. Tielebein gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is identified fraternally with the Modern Brotherhood of America, while his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is esteemed by all who know him and enjoys the respect and confidence of his friends and the general public.
A. B. CROOKS.
A. B. Crooks, who in 1912 became manager of the implement business of A. P. Burrhus & Sons at Rowley, was born in Ohio, June 11, 1852, a son of Alexander and Hannah (Johnson) Crooks. The father was a native of Ireland and when thirteen years of age ran away from home and came to America. Ile landed at New York city, having worked his way across the water, and for six years he was employed in different capacities in the eastern metropolis. He spent much of three years in a store and afterward served an apprenticeship of about three years to the tailor's trade. On the expiration of that period he removed to Leesville, Ohio, where he engaged in the tailoring business on his own account, conducting his establishment successfully at that point until 1856, when he came to Buchanan county, settling in Quasqueton.
This was a new but rapidly developing region and Alexander Crooks be- lieved that better business opportunities could be secured in the growing west. He opened a tailoring establishment in Quasqueton which he conducted for ten years and then turned his attention to the real-estate and insurance business. In the meantime he was called to public office, having in 1862 been elected sheriff of the county, in which position he served for four years. After his retirement from office he returned to Quasqueton, where he continued in the real-estate and insurance business until his death, which occurred in 1899. His wife, who was born in Ohio, passed away in 1898.
A. B. Crooks was a little lad of but four summers when the family came to Iowa, so that he was largely reared in Quasqueton and Independence, pur- suing his education in the schools of the two cities. When his text-books were put aside he engaged in farming upon a tract of rented land in Liberty town- ship. This he continued to cultivate until 1872, when he removed to Grundy county, where he worked on the farm of Governor Boise until the fall of 1878. At that date he went to Nebraska, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land which he at once began to develop, living thereon for seven years. At the end of that time he sold the property and returned to Buchanan county, where he again cultivated a rented farm for two years. He then aban- doned general agricultural pursuits and secured a clerkship in a store in Quasqueton, where he remained for six years. He next went to Lisbon, Iowa, where he resided for a year, his wife conducting a millinery store there during
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that period. At the end of that time they came to Rowley and Mr. Crooks purchased a hotel and livery business. He later sold the livery barn and con- ducted the hotel for three and one-half years, after which he engaged in truek and fruit farming until 1912, when he accepted his present position as manager of the implement store of A. P. Burrhus & Sons at Rowley.
On the 18th of August, 1877, Mr. Crooks was united in marriage to Miss Hattie A. Odren, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Twitchell) Odren, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of Ohio. They became pioneer residents of Buchanan county and in 1854 removed to Howard county, where Mr. Odren entered a elaim from the government, on which he began to break the sod. In the course of time he had transformed the place into productive fields, which he continued to cultivate until 1870. He then came to Buchanan county and rented land until 1878. In that year he removed to Nebraska, where he secured a homestead claim but after a few years he returned to Bu- «hanan county and lived in Quasqueton until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1906. He is now residing in Cedar Rapids at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He is one of the veterans of the Civil war, having served for more than four years at the front as a member of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, during which he participated in a number of hotly contested engage- ments and helped to capture Jefferson Davis.
Mr. and Mrs. Crooks have become the parents of a daughter, Iva May, now the wife of B. E. Davis, a truek farmer of Independence. Mrs. Crooks is the proprietor of a millinery store in Rowley, having conducted the business for twenty-two years. Her productions are tasteful and stylish and her store is liberally patronized.
The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Crooks is that of the Methodist church. His political indorsement is given to the republican party, and he has served as justice of the peace here for four years. He belongs to Franklin Lodge, No. 59, I. O. O. F., of Quasqueton, and is interested in the growth and upbuild- ing of the institution.
ALBERT MERRILL.
The Merrill family have been represented in this county since pioneer times and have been leaders in all that makes for the public welfare and the name is highly honored in this locality. Albert Merrill is a worthy representative of the family and has the unqualified respect of those who have been associated with him. He is a retired farmer, living in Winthrop, enjoying a leisure won by former years of wisely directed labor.
He was born in Tusearawas county, Ohio, February 17, 1848, a son of John and Margaret (Guthrie) Merrill. The former was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of Jesse Merrill. The ancestry is traced back to two brothers, who. at an early day, emigrated from Holland to the United States. Jesse Merrill married Miss Nancy Hemphill, a native of the Keystone state, although her parents were born in Ireland. She accompanied her husband to this county and they remained residents thereof until ealled to their final rest. She died
ALBERT MERRILL
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when about eighty-five years of age and he lived to the venerable age of ninety- three years. After he came to this county, about 1855, he lived with his son John and other members of his family. As a young man he ran a distillery in Pennsylvania but in 1832 removed to Belmont county, Ohio, where he followed farming.
John Merrill, father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1812, and remained there until he was a young man of twenty years. He then removed to Belmont county, Ohio, where he married and where he carried on farming for a time. However, in June, 1849, he came to this county and settled four miles south of the present site of Winthrop. The land is now in Liberty township but at that time the county was unorganized. He pur- chased forty acres from a squatter and the family resided for some time in a log house upon that place. He also took up a claim from the government and began the improvement of his land. By degrees he added to his property until at the time of his death, which occurred when he was eighty-two years of age, he owned about one thousand acres of land in the county. He was not only one of the leading agriculturists of his locality but was prominent in public affairs. He was county supervisor at the time that the poor farm was pur- chased and held various township offices. He and his wife were among the charter members and organizers of what is now known as the Pine Creek Presbyterian church, the history of which organization is given elsewhere in this work. He was also an elder therein for many years. He died July 19, 1894, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Margaret Guthrie, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, January 28, 1814, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Cunighan) Guthrie, natives of Scotland and the parents of a large family. Mrs. Merrill was reared in Ohio and there her mar- riage occurred. Upon the journey to Iowa it was necessary to go to Wisconsin by canal and thence by ox team to this county. She was one of the honored pioneer women of Buchanan county and did her full share in redeeming the land from the wilderness. She survived her husband for several years and passed away October 25, 1902, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. In their family were eleven children, namely: Jesse, who died when about thirty years old; Jane, a resident of Winthrop; Nancy, also living here: Mary, the wife of Charles Boon of Linn county, Iowa; Margaret, now Mrs. David Milne and a resident of Creighton, Nebraska ; Robert, who met death by accident when in his thirteenth year; Albert, the subject of this review; James, who was a farmer by occupation and died in 1901; John, living retired in Ames, Iowa ; Alice, the widow of Samuel Slemmons of Independence ; and Sarah, who married Samuel Wilson and passed away in 1886.
Albert Merrill spent his boyhood under the parental roof and when his time was not taken up by attendance at the public schools he assisted his father in the work of the farm. When twenty-four years of age he located on one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Middlefield township that belonged to his father and began operating the same. He subsequently bought the place and still later purchased eighty acres adjoining. He built a good residence upon his land and in many other ways improved his property and from time to time added to his holdings until he was the owner of four hundred and forty acres of fertile land, all under cultivation. He successfully carried on agricultural operations until
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1907, when he sold two hundred and eighty acres, retaining one hundred and sixty acres, which he now rents to his sons. He purchased his residence in Winthrop and has since resided here, enjoying a well earned ease. He has extensive landed interests in other states, owning eight hundred aeres in New Mexico; twenty-eight acres of valuable irrigated land near Brownsville, Texas; one hundred and sixty aeres in the Panhandle of that state; and three hundred and twenty aeres of wild land in Stanton county, Texas.
Mr. Merrill was married on the 23d of January, 1879, to Miss Fannie L. Kershner, who was born in New York state, February 12, 1855, a daughter of Jonathan and Jane (Vance) Kershner, natives of Pennsylvania and the Empire state respectively. Her paternal grandfather, Jonathan Kershner, was born in Germany. The parents of Mrs. Merrill eame to this county in 1868 and located in Liberty township, where they lived for a time, after which they removed to Middlefield township, where her father died at the age of fifty-five years. Her mother made her home with the subject of this review until her death, which occurred in 1913, when she had reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Both were members of the Methodist church. To them were born seven children, namely : John, a resident of Independence : Florence, the wife of A. P. Miller, of Boulder, Colorado: Mrs. Merrill: Fred, a resident of Winthrop ; Mary, who died in New York state when three years of age; Edwin, who was accidentally killed when a lad of fifteen: and Anna, the widow of William Auten and a resident of Winthrop. Mrs. Merrill was fourteen years of age when she accom- panied her parents to this county. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children : Fred, who died at the age of seven months; Willis Hodge, who is conducting a general store in Winthrop: Clyde R., at home; Charles R., who resides upon the home farm : Jessie Jane, a nurse by profession ; Bessie, who is engaged in teaching in this county and resides at home; Susie, who conducts a millinery store in Winthrop ; and Hazel, likewise a teacher.
Mr. and Mrs. Merrill are members of the Presbyterian church and take a keen interest in its welfare. The father and grandfather of Mr. Merrill were the prime movers in establishing the first Presbyterian organization in Liberty township and in building the first church edifice of that denomination in the township, and he has been very active in erecting the three buildings of that church. In early life he voted the republican ticket but of late years has given his support to the prohibition party. He has served as trustee of his township and as road commissioner and for fifteen years was a school director. He is upright in all of his dealings, and his sincerity and straightforwardness have won for him the esteem of his fellow citizens.
JOSEPH H. RISELEY.
Since assuming office in 1913. Joseph H. Riseley has demonstrated his ability to handle the affairs of the postoffice at Winthrop with system and dis- patch, and has also proved a courteous and obliging postmaster. He was born in Ulster county, New York, on the 13th of April. 1848, a son of Albert and Margaret (Bradstreet) Riseley, both natives of the Empire state.
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The former engaged in moving houses and in various other lines of work and so provided for the support of his family. He was married in August, 1844, to Margaret Bradstreet, a native of Delaware county, New York, who was born March 11, 1820. In the fall of 1854 they came west and after two years spent in Ogle county, Illinois, settled in this county and he took up forty acres of land in Middlefield township upon a land warrant. As that was before the days of ramifying railroad connections he drove through from Ogle county, Illinois, to Buchanan county, Iowa, with oxen. In addition to cultivating the land which he owned he rented a farm and began its operation. He also broke the prairie sod for others, preparing many hundreds of aeres in the county for cultivation, and built a number of bridges for the county authorities. As he was able he bought more land until he became the owner of six hundred and forty acres all situated in Middlefield township. However, he lost part of this through signing his name as security on notes. He subsequently removed to Calhoun county, Iowa, where he lived retired for ten or twelve years. His wife passed away in Rockwell City, February 15, 1899, when seventy-eight years and eleven months of age. He later returned to New York and remarried, but after remaining in his native state for a time he returned to Iowa, locating at Rockwell City and there passed his remaining days, his death occurring October 27, 1910. He was liberal in his political views and, although he usually sup- ported the republican party, upon occasion he voted for the man irrespective of his party affiliation. He held a number of township offices and served as county supervisor for three terms.
Joseph H. Riseley was a lad of eight years when brought to this county and the greater part of his boyhood was passed in Middlefield township. As his strength increased he aided more and more in the work of the homestead and aside from breaking much of their own land he broke many acres of prairie for others. He remained at home until he was a young man of twenty-eight or thirty years, but after his marriage he removed upon a quarter section of land which his father gave him with the condition that he was to assume and pay off the indebtedness upon it. After farming for some time he sold his place and started a creamery near Fort Dodge, Iowa, operating the concern for a year, when he sold his interest to his partner and removed to Calhoun county, Iowa, where he engaged in the general mercantile business for two years. At the expiration of that time he sold his store and returned to this county and went into the livery and horse business in partnership with G. E. Titus, continuing in that relation for about three years. He was then elected county supervisor and for six years devoted his entire attention to the work of that office. He then purchased a small farm of thirty acres in this county, which he cultivated intensively and greatly improved for two years, but, as he was appointed post- master upon the 1st of September, 1913, he then located in Winthrop. He quickly mastered the details of the work of the office and his services are giving satisfaction to the people of the town.
Mr. Riseley was married on the 22d of February, 1876, to Miss Elma E. Hulett, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Marshall and Margaret (Clark) Hulett, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. Her father was a farmer by occupation and emigrated with his family to Wisconsin, where the family home was maintained until 1868, when they removed to this county and
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he purchased two hundred aeres of land lying in Liberty, Byron and Fremont townships. He operated his land until his death, which occurred in June, 1903. IIis widow survived him for ten years, passing away in 1913.
Mr. Riseley is a democrat and has served on the city council for a number of years. Fraternally he belongs to Byron Lodge, No. 546, A. F. & A. M., and eonforms his life to the high standards of ethies ineuleated by that order. His life has been one of useful activity, and he has not only made many friends, but has also retained their steadfast regard and esteem.
ALEXANDER M. DONNAN.
Alexander M. Donnan, the faithful custodian of public funds in Buchanan county, having been called to the office of county treasurer in 1906, was born in Independence, lowa, on the 6th of October, 1871, a son of James B. and Martha (Ross) Donnan. The father's birth occurred in West Charlton, Sara- toga county, New York, December 17, 1840, while the mother was born in Lower Waterford, Vermont, and was a sister of E. Ross, formerly president of the Peoples National Bank of Independence, and a sister of Senator Ross of Ver- mont, who was chief justice of the Green Mountain state for many years and succeeded Senator Morrell in the office of United States senator.
When twenty-one years of age James B. Donnan removed to the west and, entering the office of his brother, W. G. Donnan, began reading law. He was admitted to the bar soon after the close of the war and then entered upon the active practice of his profession, in which he continued with his brother for a number of years, or until his hearing failed and forced his retirement from that field of professional activity. He then turned his attention to the abstract business, in which he continued until 1911. At different times he has held local offices, but has never been an aspirant for politieal preferment. His wife died in August, 1906. In their family were five children : Lillian, the wife of C. A. Rosemond, a resident of Bloomington, Illinois: Alexander M .; Abbie, at home with her father: Mary B., the wife of C. W. Fiester: and Ruth M., who died in 1909.
Alexander M. Donnan, reared in his native city, attended the public schools of Independence and afterward spent two years as a student in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and three years in the University of Illinois, trom which he was graduated with the class of 1895. During vacation periods he worked in a store for a few years. He was graduated from the College of Engineering of the University of Illinois and afterward turned his attention to the profession of architecture, which he followed in Independence until called to his present position, having been made county treasurer on the 1st of February, 1906. He has since been the incumbent in the office, covering a period of more than eight years, and has made a most ereditable record by the prompt, capable and thoroughly reliable manner in which he has discharged his public duties.
In September. 1903. Mr. Donnan was united in marriage to Miss Helen Maude Rosemond, who was born in Taylorville, Illinois, a daughter of Captain
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W. E. and Caroline (Baumgartner) Rosemond, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Removing westward, they settled in Taylorville, Illinois, and in the spring of 1882 arrived in Iowa. At different times the father engaged in busi- ness as a stockman and merchant. Settling in Independence, he devoted some time to dealing in live stock, but later became connected with commercial inter- ests, although at the present time he is living retired, both he and his wife being still residents of Independence. He served in the Civil war with the rank of captain, having enlisted in an Ohio regiment. On several occasions he was wounded, being at one time injured at the battle of Lookout Mountain. His family numbered six children, of whom Mrs. Donnan is the youngest.
In his political views Mr. Donnan has always been a stalwart republican and does everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the rules which further govern his conduct and guide him in all his relations with his fellowmen are found in the Presbyterian church, of which he is a faithful member. That his life has been well spent is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
LOUIE L. KASSAR.
The farm of Louie L. Kassar is situated on sections 15 and 16, Homer town- ship, and comprises one hundred and twenty acres of rich land. Thereon he is engaged not only in the cultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and climate but also in the raising of high grade stock and is meeting with success in that undertaking. He was born in Illinois, August 26, 1878, a son of Louis and Emma (Hudson) Kassar, both of whom were natives of Germany. In early life they crossed the Atlantic to the new world and settled in Du Page county, Illinois, where the father purchased and improved land, continuing its cultiva- tion throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1880. His widow survives and is now living in Buchanan county at the age of seventy-two years.
Louie L. Kassar was reared and educated in Illinois and in Buchanan county, for with his mother he came to this county, settling on land which the father had previously purchased in Homer township. The usual experiences of the farm boy fell to his lot, for from an early age he worked in the fields, assisting in the task of plowing, planting and harvesting. Eventually he purchased the old home place, comprising one hundred and twenty acres of sections 15 and 16, Homer township, his residence being situated on the former section. He has greatly improved the property and- has continuously carried on farm work here with the exception of two years which he spent in farming near Elkton, South Dakota. Today upon his place are seen substantial buildings that furnislı ample shelter to grain and stock. He is making a specialty of high grade shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and his annual sales of stock bring to him a gratifying return.
In August, 1901, Mr. Kassar was united in marriage to Miss Edna Robson, a daughter of Robert J. and Bessie (Councilman) Robson, the latter a native
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of Illinois, while the former was born in Canada. The father made farming his life occupation and after removing westward to Iowa in an early day settled in Clinton county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for some time. He afterward eame to Buchanan county and invested in land in Homer township which he farmed for about twenty years. He is now living retired, making his home in Nebraska, but his wife died in January, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Kassar have become parents of two children : Wayne F., ten years of age ; and Donald L., aged three.
Mr. Kassar votes with the republican party and his ballot is intelligently cast because he always keeps in touch with the modern, significant issues and problems of the day. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church, are loyal to its teachings and generous in its support. He has made a creditable record as a farmer and, as the greater part of his life has been passed in Buchanan county, he is widely known here.
WILLIAM E. POWLES.
William E. Powles, who passed away at Rowley on the 30th of May, 1907, was long and actively identified with agricultural pursuits as a farmer of Sum- ner township and spent the last seven years of his life in honorable retirement. His birth occurred in Steuben county. Indiana, on the 28th of November, 1847, his parents being John and Elmira (Perkins) Powles, the former a native of England and the latter of Ohio. John Powles, a shoemaker by trade, located in Illinois on coming to America and followed farming in that state for some years. Subsequently he came to Buchanan county, lowa, purchasing a traet of land in Cono township which he cultivated throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away when but forty years of age, and his wife is also deceased.
William E. Powles was reared and educated in Illinois and when a youth of eighteen came with his parents to Buchanan county, this state. He purchased and improved eighty acres of land in Sumner township and throughout the remainder of his active business career devoted his attention to the operation of that farm, annually gathering good crops which found a ready sale on the market. In 1900 he put aside the work of the fields and took up his abode at Rowley, where he lived in honorable retirement until called to his final rest, passing away May 30, 1907, after a short illness. For one year he served as deputy postmaster at Rowley and made a creditable record in that connection. His widow is still in possession of the home farm and also owns a handsome residence at Rowley.
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