USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
MARTIN SCHNEIDER.
Martin Schneider, a representative agriculturist and well-known citizen of Buchanan county, who has here resided for a period covering thirty-six years, owns and operates an excellent farm embracing one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Newton township, and also owns other land in that township. His birth occurred in Dubuque county, Iowa, in July, 1861, his parents being Christian and Catherine (Buck) Schneider, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. The father emigrated to the United States in an early day, locating in Dubuque county, Iowa, where he purchased and improved a farm which he operated until 1878. In that year he came to Buchanan county and bought a tract of land in Newton township. which he improved and in the cultivation of which he was actively engaged throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in 1892, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1894.
Martin Schneider accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, and remained at home until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he
204
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
1
devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land for three years, and on the expiration of that period purchased a farm of two hundred acres in Newton township in association with his brother. He cultivated the property for five years and then sold his interest, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Newton township, which he improved and which he has operated continuously and successfully since. In 1909 he bought another farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 16 and 17, Newton township, which is being operated by his sons. In connection with the cultivation of cereals he also devotes consideration attention to live-stock interests, buying hogs, sheep and eattle at the town of Kiene. He is likewise a factor in financial cireles as vice president and a stockholder of the Walker Exchange Bank of Walker, Jowa.
On December 12, 1882, Mr. Schneider was united in marriage to Miss Martha M. Hoover, a daughter of Samuel and Hulda (Cummings) Hoover, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father came to Buchanan county, Iowa, in an early day with his parents, the family taking up their abode among the first settlers here. Samuel Hoover operated a farm in Newton township throughout his aetive business career. Both he and his wife are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have been born four children, as follows: Nettie passed away in May, 1911, and was the wife of Victor Hocken, an agriculturist of Newton town- ship. They had a daughter named Elva, who makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Schneider. George W. and Nelson M. operate their father's farm, and Ida L. is at home.
In his political views Mr. Schneider is a stanch republican. He acted as trustee of Newton township for a period of seven years and has also served as school director for a number of years, ever proving a most capable and trust- worthy public official. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Troy Mills, while his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He possesses many qualities that have commended him to the friendship and kindly regard of all with whom he has come in contact and he has long been numbered among the valued and repre- sentative residents of his community.
JAMES ORR.
The home farm of James Orr on sections 2 and 11, Homer township, con- stitutes one of the attractive features in the landscape and is the tangible evi- dence of a well-spent, active and useful life, for largely through his efforts this farm has been brought to its present high state of cultivation. Mr. Orr was born in Ireland in October, 1847. and of that country his parents, John and Mary (Kirkpatrick) Orr. were also natives. The father devoted his life to farming and both he and his wife remained residents of the Emerald isle until their life's labors were ended, Mr. Orr passing away in 1906 and his wife in 1910.
The youthful days of James Orr were devoted to the acquirement of a public-school education and to farm work in Ireland, for he remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age. Ambitions to enjoy the privileges and
205
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
opportunities of the new world, he came to America at that time and crossed the continent as far as Buchanan county. In Homer township he was employed as a farm hand for about seven years, but it was his desire to engage in farming on his own account and he accordingly rented land which he cultivated for five years. On the expiration of that period he bought one hundred and twenty acres in the southern part of Homer township, which he afterwards traded as partial payment upon his present plaee, comprising two hundred acres on sec- tions 2 and 11, Homer township. His residence is situated on the former section and near his pleasant and commodious home stand substantial barns and sheds, so that there is ample shelter for grain and stock. The fields produce golden harvests and the work is carried on so methodically and systematically that there is little doubt as to what the result will be. Aside from his other interests, Mr. Orr is a stockholder in the Rowley Bank.
On the 24th of March, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of James Orr and Miss Sarah Agnew, a daughter of John and Eliza (Orr) Agnew, who were natives of Ireland. Her father was likewise a farmer and carried on that occu- pation throughout his remaining days in the old country, where his death occurred in 1886, while his wife survived until 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Orr have two children: John, at home; and Elizabeth, who is teaching school at Aekley, Iowa.
For four years Mr. Orr has filled the office of justice of the peace and his decisions embody both the law and the equity in the case. Politically he is a republican and in religious belief is a Presbyterian, serving as an elder in the church in which he has his membership. His fellow townsmen among whom he has lived for four decades have learned to know that he is a man of his word, that what he promises he will perform, and that he is thoroughly trust- worthy in all of his business dealings.
EDWARD L. PLANK.
Edward L. Plank, a well known and sueeessful agriculturist residing on section 1, Cono township, is the owner of an excellent farm embracing one hundred and forty-seven aeres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Allamakee county, Iowa, on the 1st of April, 1867, his parents being John and Eva C. (Barnhart) Plank, the former a native of Detroit, Michigan, and the latter of Germany.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a Methodist preacher who emigrated to the United States in a very early day, loeating at Detroit, where he spent the greater part of his life as a minister of the gospel. When seventy- five years of age he abandoned the pulpit and went to South Dakota, taking up a homestead on which he spent the remainder of his life. John Plank, the father of Edward L. Plank, made his way to Allamakee county, Iowa, many years ago and there carried on agricultural pursuits for a period of about twenty-two years. In 1876 he came to Buchanan county, purchasing a tract of land in Middlefield township which he cultivated until 1881. In that year he took up his abode in Cono township and bought the farm which is now in
206
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
possession of our subject and which comprises one hundred and forty-seven acres on section 1, improving the property and operating the same suecess- fully until 1892, when he put aside the active work of the fields. His remaining years were spent in honorable retirement at Quasqueton, where his demise occurred in December, 1908, the community thus losing one of its most esteemed and substantial citizens. His widow, who survives and makes her home at Quasqueton, enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the county in which she has now resided for nearly four decades.
Edward L. Plank, who was a lad of nine years when the family home was here established, acquired his education in the district schools of the county and also attended the public schools of Quasqueton. After attaining his majority he rented the home farm on shares for three years and during the next five years rented the place for cash. He then purchased the property and in its further development and improvement has been actively engaged to the present time. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and for the past fifteen years has also raised thoroughbred Poland China hogs, finding both branches of his business gratifyingly remunerative. The Quasque- ton State Savings Bank numbers him among its stockholders.
On the 31st of December, 1891, Mr. Plank was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Perkins, a daughter of Joshua and Fannie (Leatherman) Perkins, who were natives of Maine and Illinois respectively. They came to Buchanan county, Iowa, in a very early day and the father operated a farm near Quasqueton throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in October, 1911. The mother was called to her final rest in October, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Plank have seven children, as follows: Neta M., twenty-one years of age: Flossie I., who is eighteen years old; Lewis H., a youth of sixteen; and Eva F., Ethel M., Raymond E. and Iona G., who are fourteen, ten, eight and five years of age respectively.
Mr. Plank gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now serving in the capacity of trustee, having held that office for the past six years. He is also candidate for the position of county supervisor, being nominated at the convention in June, 1914. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life. His unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of duty in every relation in which he has been found, and his appreciation of the responsibilities which rest upon him make him a citizen whose worth is widely acknowledged.
F. W. NICHOLS.
F. W. Nichols has resided in Fairbank for almost fifty years and in that time has seen Fairbank grow from a tiny settlement to the present thriving town. He has contributed to its development and his long and useful life here entitles him to the regard of his fellow citizens. He has also another claim upon the respeet and honor of this generation, as he is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in that memorable eonfliet for almost three years. He was born in Lower Canada, June 16, 1833, a son of Truman and Abigail (Minkler)
207
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
Nichols, natives of Canada and New York, respectively. The father died in Iowa and the mother in Sycamore, Illinois. To their union were born four sons : Henry, deceased; Elum, who resides in Sandwich, Illinois; F. W., of this review ; and John, deceased.
In 1838 F. W. Nichols was taken by his parents to Illinois, the family locating in St. Charles, where they remained the first winter. The following spring, however, they settled upon a farm in Du Page county, and there Mr. Nichols of this review grew to manhood and became a farmer. On the 2d of September, 1862, he enlisted in the Union army, being enrolled in Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was with his command for nearly three years and participated in many hotly contested engagements, but on the 7th of June, 1865, was honorably discharged. His regiment was at different times attached to the command of General O. O. Howard and to that of General Williams. At the close of the war Mr. Nichols returned to Illinois, but in the fall of 1866 came to Fairbank. He engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with Jacob I. Minkler, the association being maintained for a number of years. After the partnership was dissolved he became a stock buyer, and has since been identified with a number of business interests of the town. He has excellent judgment and his wisely directed activities have brought him a competence which enables him to live retired. He owns his success solely to his own industry, good management and thrift and these qualities have also won him the respect of those who know him.
Mr. Nichols was married in Illinois on the 1st of September, 1865, to Ellen M. Green, who was born in Hardwick, New York, on the 10th of August, 1841, a daughter of George A. and Hannah Moore (Hughes) Stittman. Her father was born in Connecticut on the 15th of June, 1812, and died in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her mother was a native of Pennsylvania, born August 21, 1818, and also passed away in Battle Creek. There were seven children born to their union : George A., deceased ; Mrs. Maria White, of Muskegon, Michigan; Mrs. Nichols; Phoebe, Richard and William, all deceased; and Mary A. George and Richard were both in the Seventh Michigan Battery during the Civil war and are buried at New Orleans, Louisiana. The former died in July, 1866, and the latter July 5, 1865. All of the children were born in the state of New York, except the youngest, whose birth occurred at Coldwater, Michigan.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nichols were born the following children: Laura A., whose birth occurred August 7, 1866, and who died August 31, 1868; Mrs. Abigail Dewey, whose birth occurred August 3, 1868, and who is now residing in Moville, Iowa; Mrs. Hattie Polson, born July 11, 1870, who died September 13, 1900; Mrs. Kate Knight, born April 30, 1872, now residing in Salem, Missouri; Wil- liam A., born on the 7th of April, 1875, who is living near Middle River, Minne- sota ; and Mrs. Ellen S. Corrigeux, born September 25, 1880, now a resident of Spokane, Washington. All of the children were born and raised in Fairbank.
Mr. Nichols has been superintendent of the Sunday school of the Methodist Episcopal church at Fairbank for twenty-five years and since 1868 has been a trustee of the church. In the many years that he has gladly given his time and service to the church his influence has affected many lives and he has been a potent force in the maintaining of a high moral standard in the community. His wife is also an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically
208
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
Mr. Nichols is a republican and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Pythias of Fairbank and also to the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Nichols holds membership in the Pythian Sisters and in the Woman's Relief Corps. For forty years Mr. Nichols has been identified with the Cemetery Association of Fairbank, which has the task of keeping the local City of the Dead in good condition. Mr. Nichols owns his residence in Fairbank and has accumulated sufficient property to enable him to live in leisure. He and his wife are held in warm regard by their fellow citizens and there is no couple in the county more highly respected than they.
JOHN H. WILLEY.
John H. Willey, one of the owners and editors of the Bulletin Journal, has devoted his entire life to newspaper publication and is well known among the representatives of that field of business in the state. His birth occurred in Zanesville, Ohio, April 1, 1853, his parents being Moses H. and Charlotte Belle (Moore) Willey. The father's birth occurred in West Virginia in 1820 and the mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1831. In early life Moses H. Willey fol- lowed the occupation of farming but afterward learned the carpenter's trade and became a contractor and builder. When a young man he removed to Ohio, residing in that state until 1856, when he brought his family to Iowa, settling in Oskaloosa, but later removing to Atlantic in 1868. He continued in business as a contractor to the time of his death, which occurred in 1887. He was an expert mechanic and, therefore, found little difficulty in securing a liberal patronage. His widow still survives and now makes her home in Independence. In their family were ten children, of whom six are yet living.
John H. Willey, the second in order of birth, was but three years of age when the family arrived in Iowa and in the schools of Oskaloosa he pursued his education, but from an early age he has been dependent upon his own resources, working for others since a mere boy. He had learned the printer's trade before he reached the age of twenty years, at which time he purchased a half interest in a newspaper at Atlantic, Iowa, with which he was connected from 1874 until 1880. He then became sole owner of the paper, which he published for eleven years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and a year later came to Inde- pendence. Here he purchased the Bulletin Journal and for two years was in partnership with William Toman. This is the second oldest newspaper in the county. Mr. Willey is still connected therewith as editor and in the ownership of the paper has as his partners A. H. Farwell and Willard B. Coltman. He devotes his entire time to the interests of the paper and has gained a good sub- scription list and advertising patronage. The paper is carefully managed and attractively edited, and Mr. Willey keeps in touch with the trend of general ad- vancement, which is as marked in the field of journalism as in any other walk of life.
On the 28th of September, 1876, Mr. Willey was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Boyer, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, a daughter of Oliver J. and Emily Boyer, who were natives of Maryland. Soon after the Civil war they
JOHN H. WILLEY
A. H. FARWELL
213
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
came to Iowa, settling at Clinton and subsequently removing to Boone, where the father did railroad work until a short time prior to his death, which occurred in 1907. He served for four years as a private in the Civil war. His wife died when Mrs. Willey was a mere child. She was the eldest of five children. To Mr. and Mrs. Willey have been born four children: Nellie E., now the wife of R. B. Hovey, who is living retired in Chicago; one who died in infancy ; Harry R., who is a regular in the United States cavalry and is now on the Mexican border ; and Horace B .. who is assisting his father in the newspaper office.
Mr. Willey belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he attends the Methodist church, of which his wife is a member. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, the principles of which he upholds through the columns of his paper. He stands at all times for progress and improvement and gives his aid to any movement or measure which he deems of benefit to the community. Practically his entire life has been passed in this state and for fifty-eight years he has been an interested witness of its progress. Personal effort and newspaper publication have both been made to serve publie ends, and he deserves mention as one of the representative and valued residents of Buchanan county.
HENRY F. BALL.
Henry F. Ball is a resident farmer and a township trustee of Liberty town- ship. Success has come to him as the reward of persistent effort, wisely and intelligently directed, for he started out in life for himself as a farm hand with no capital and has achieved success by dint of determined purpose, indefatigable energy and business integrity. He was born in Linn county, Iowa, in 1866, a son of Marcus Lysander Ball, who was born near Syracuse, New York, in 1838, and had attained the age of sixty-eight years when, in 1906, he was called to his final rest. In early life the father worked on canal boats in the east and also learned the shoemaker's trade, but the reports which reached him con- cerning the opportunities, the growth and the advantages of the middle west drew him to Iowa and he made the overland trip to Jones county. He settled upon a tract of land which his father had entered from the government, and there began the development of a farm.
The grandfather died soon after his arrival in lowa and Marcus L. Ball then removed to Linn county, where he carried on general farming until 1866. In that year he arrived in Buchanan county, where evidences of pioneer life and conditions still existed. He had to haul his produce to Manchester and at times the roads were almost impassable, but with persistent energy he continued his farm work. In 1882 he removed to Liberty township, where he also owned land. and there he carried on general farming until he retired from active life and took up his abode in Winthrop where, in 1906, he met death by accident, being killed by a train. He had been somewhat active in public affairs, having served as road supervisor for twenty years. He was a zealous advocate of the republican party and did all in his power to further its growth and win for Yol. II-10
214
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
it success. He was a charter member of the Presbyterian church and assisted in organizing the Unity Presbyterian church. He also aided in organizing the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Independence, and in all things he was actuated by a progressive spirit, which was never content to rest with present conditions, but was always seeking something better and something in advance. In early manhood he wedded Ellen Keller, who was born in Ohio in 1845. They traveled life's journey happily together for many years and were then separated by the death of the father in 1906, while the mother passed away in 1912.
Henry F. Ball had only such educational advantages as the district schools of that day afforded, and when but a boy he began work as a farm hand, and from that time forward has been dependent upon his own resources. When twenty-one years of age he purchased eighty acres and since that time has been busily engaged in general farming. To his original holdings he has added until he now owns one hundred and eighty-five acres, in the midst of which stands a comfortable and commodious residence. The barns and outbuildings, too, are such as one would expect to find upon the land of a progressive farmer and the fields present a neat and thrifty appearance. In a word, Mr. Ball has led an active, useful and well spent life and has won the merited rewards of labor.
It was in 1889 that Mr. Ball was united in marriage to Miss Flora Swartzel, a native of Buchanan county and a daughter of Frank and Lucy (Sherretts) Swartzel, who are natives of Ohio and are now seventy and sixty-seven years of age respectively. The father has made farming his life work. In the early '50s he came to Iowa, locating near Quasqueton, and he is well known in this part of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Ball have become the parents of four children : Lila, the wife of Charles Switzer, by whom she has one child, Mervene: Eulalie, the wife of Carl Gates, a farmer and representative of a pioneer family, by whom she has a son, Elno: Neva, who is a graduate of the Iowa State Teachers' College and has taught in the schools of this county; and Frank, who is associated with his father in the farm work.
Mr. Ball is a charter member of Winthrop Lodge, No. 550, I. O. O. F., and has taken an active interest in its work and filled all of its chairs. His political indorsement is given to the republican party, and he has served as township trustee for the past twelve years. He is also the township director of the Farmers Insurance Company. His interest in the public welfare is manifest in many tangible ways, and he is a well known and popular man of his township.
CALVIN HUBERT GILBERT.
Calvin Hubert Gilbert, of Independence, is one of the leading photographers of lowa, a fact which is attested by the many medals and honor awards which he has received in exhibition contests. Moreover, he is today the president of the Iowa State Photographers' Association-a position which indicates his high standing among the representatives of the art.
215
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
Mr. Gilbert was born near Beloit, Wisconsin, June 24, 1874, and is a son of William H. and Lucy M. (Truesdell) Gilbert, the latter a sister of Gaylord Sankston Truesdell, the noted American artist, who won the gold medal at the Paris (France) Salon, for a study of cattle in oil. Mrs. Gilbert was born at Waukegan, Illinois, on the 8th of May, 1848. The birth of William H. Gilbert occurred at Pulaski, New York, on the 9th of September, 1840, and in early life he learned the carpenter's trade. He was still but a young lad when he accompanied his parents to Afton, Wisconsin, where he was reared to manhood and later he went to Chicago. It was there that he learned the trades of carpentering and cabinetmaking and he continued in active business in Chicago until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he put aside all personal con- siderations and enlisted for active duty at the front, becoming drummer boy of Company A, Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, the Zouaves. He enlisted for the entire war, and with his company fought at the battle of Chickamauga. He was captured while attending the wounded on the battlefield and confined in six rebel prisons, including Andersonville and Libby, his incarceration cover- ing seventeen months, at the end of which time he finally succeeded in making his escape. Our subject has in his possession a number of interesting relics which his father made while in prison. After his escape he was taken to the Charleston hospital, where he was treated for eight months, for his health had become greatly impaired through the ravages of prison life. When the war was over he was mustered out and returned to his father's farm near Beloit, Wisconsin, where he recuperated. He then took up his abode in that city and worked at the carpenter's trade for several years. In later years being unable to work at his trade, he assisted his son in the studio until his death, which occurred November 14, 1906. He was an earnest Christian man, holding mem- bership in the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon. His life was indeed honorable and upright in all of its purposes and in all of his actions, and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His widow survives and now resides in Independence.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.