USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 22
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Ruth Agnes, who was born in this county and is a graduate of the high school of Independence, is now engaged in teaching in the country schools. Elsie Virginia, born in Buchanan county, is a high-school graduate and also a teacher in the country schools.
Mr. Boyack belongs to the Odd Fellows' society and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has always been very active in support of the republican party, for he believes its principles contain the best elements of good government. He stands loyally for everything which he thinks has a bearing upon the welfare and upbuilding of his city and county. Here he has always lived and his many excellent traits of character are recognized by his large circle of friends.
JOHN WEIHER.
John Weiher, who has lived retired at Rowley since 1910, was for a number of years actively and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits in this county, owning and operating an excellent farm of two hundred acres in Cono township. His birth occurred in Germany on the 3d of April, 1837, his parents being John and Mary (Deikmann) Weiher, who were likewise natives of that country. The father, a farmer by occupation, passed away in Germany in 1847, but the mother died in the United States.
John Weiher acquired his education in the schools of his native land and there lived for a number of years after attaining his majority, following farming as a means of livelihood. In 1864 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way to Wisconsin, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for six years, being employed as a farm hand for four years and cultivating the soil on his own account for two years. Subsequently he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, and purchased and improved a tract of two hundred acres in Cono township, devoting his attention to its operation throughout the remainder of his active business career. In 1910, having won a comfortable competency, he left the farm and took up his abode in Rowley, where he is now spending the evening of life in well earned ease.
Mr. Weiher has been married twice. In October, 1860, he wedded Miss Carlonia Ludemann, by whom he had four children, as follows: John, who is a resident of Chicago; Augusta, who gave her hand in marriage to Charles Heiland, of Rowley; Emma, who passed away in 1902; and Frank, a resident of Rowley. The wife and mother was called to her final rest September 10, 1900, and on the 10th of June, 1904, Mr. Weiher was again married, his second union being with Miss Catherine Ossman, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1850. Her parents, Israel and Katie (Garis) Ossman, were pioneer settlers of Buchanan county, Iowa, and here resided until they passed away, the former in 1899 and the latter in 1906. Israel Ossman gave his time and energies to general agri- cultural pursuits throughout his entire business career.
In his political views Mr. Weiher is a democrat, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in the new world has been more than realized, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won
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a gratifying measure of prosperity. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
MANLY I. PERRY.
Manly I. Perry, engaged in general merchandising at Quasqueton, is actuated in all of his business activities by high standards and follows the most modern commercial methods. He was born in Jones county, Iowa, in 1868, a son of Malachi and Lucretia (Cutler) Perry. The father was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, in 1844, and the mother's birth occurred in Linn county, Iowa, in 1850. In early life the father followed farming and on coming to Iowa settled in Jones county, but afterward removed to Linn county. At the period of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations, feeling that his first duty was to his country, and enlisted in Company K, First. Iowa Cavalry, with which he served for three years, and, although he participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, he was never wounded nor taken prisoner. In 1886 he removed to Buchanan county and engaged in farming in Cono township up to the time of his retirement from agricultural life. He then removed to Quasqueton, about two years prior to his death, and engaged in the butcher business with his son.
Manly I. Perry was largely reared in Linn county and acquired his educa- tion as a public-school student. He began working in the fields when but seven years of age and assisted his father until he reached the age of fourteen, after which he began working for others, spending the succeeding seven years as a farm hand in the employ of different people in the neighborhood. He afterward engaged in farming on his own account for three years and then opened a meat market in Quasqueton, continuing in the butcher business for nine years. Suc- cess attended his efforts in that direction and led him to branch out along other commercial lines. He opened his general mercantile store, which he has now conducted for about thirteen years, winning a substantial measure of prosperity. He carries a good line in all the different departments and his reliable business methods, carnest endeavor to please his patrons and fair prices have won for him a continually growing trade.
In 1890 Mr. Perry was united in marriage to Miss Stella C. Williams, who was born in Quasqueton, Iowa, a daughter of George and Emily A. (Wilkins) Williams. Her father, who was born in Pennsylvania. learned the carpenter's trade in early life and after living for some time in Wisconsin came to Iowa, arriving in this state after the Civil war, in which he had served as a member of a Wisconsin regiment. He found pioneer conditions in this state and shared in the arduous task of early development and improvement. Owning land, he followed farming in Buchanan county for some time, but was living retired when death called him. He was an active member of the Methodist church and was recognized throughout the community as an exemplary Christian man.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Perry have been born two children: Floyd, who is in the store with his father: and Bernice, who is attending school.
In his political views Mr. Perry is a republican, but does not seek nor desire office. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Eastern Star. He has held all of the offices in the Odd Fellows' society and is connected with the Rebekahs. He also has membership with the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Modern Woodmen of America and in both of those organiza- tions has held office. The varied interests of his life are given a proportionate measure of time and attention, but are never allowed to interfere with the capable conduct of his business affairs. He has won success and in addition to his store is the owner of farm lands in Buchanan county. His has been an active, useful and well spent life, placing him among the representative mer- chants of his town.
EVINGTON F. MUMFORD.
Every state in the Union perhaps has contributed to the citizenship of Iowa, and among the many who have come from New York is numbered Evington F. Mumford, who was born in Lewis county, that state. on the 1st of September, 1847, a son of W. C. and Mary (Walsworth) Mumford, natives of New York. The father owned land and improved a farm in the Empire state, there spending the greater part of his life. He died in 1886 and for two years was survived by his wife, who passed away in 1888.
The usual experiences of a farm lad came to Evington F. Mumford in his boyhood, which was spent in New York. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority and then made his way westward to Illinois, where he rented land and carried on farming for six years. At the end of that time he purchased eighty acres which he cultivated for about six years and on selling out he bought a swamp at ten dollars per acre. When the state ran a big ditch through this he also further tiled the land and converted one hundred and sixty acres of untillable swamp land into a fine farm upon which he reared his family. After cultivating that place for sixteen years he traded it at a rate of one hundred and forty dollars per acre for his present place in Buchanan county, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres on sections 3 and 4, Homer township, and which was known as the S. S. Allen farm. In addition to his previous farm he gave four thousand dollars for his present property, the transfer being made on the 1st of March, 1910.
Mr. Mumford at once began the further development and improvement of his farm, which is now one of the attractive properties of the county. The evidences of thrift and untiring industry are there seen and all of the modern buildings and improved machinery upon the place indicate the fact that the owner has kept in touch with the trend of advancement along agricultural lines. He also engages quite extensively in stock-raising, making a specialty of handling thoroughbred Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs.
On the 1st of September, 1870, Mr. Mumford was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Moon, a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Haxby) Moon, who were
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natives of England and in an early day came to the United States, the mother being then a little child, but the father was practically grown when he made the voyage to the new world. He located in Illinois and purchased land near Kewanee, where he carried on farming throughout his remaining days, passing away in 1878. His wife survived for more than two decades, dying on the 7th of September, 1899. To Mr. and Mrs. Mumford have been born six children, as follows: John T., at home; Ella, who passed away in 1873; Elizabeth A., who is the wife of Bert Fifield, of Illinois, and the mother of a daughter, Irene, thirteen years old; Alice, who gave her hand in marriage to Elisha Myer and resides near Trenton, Missouri; Leonard B., at home; and Manville, who follows farming near Vista, Iowa.
A republican in politics, a Baptist in religious faith-these are the associa- tions of Mr. Mumford outside of business. He is neglectful of none of the duties which devolve upon him in a public relation but has made farming his chief interest and his labors have resulted in the attainment of a high measure of success which is the merited reward of his industry and close application.
HON. BENJAMIN F. STODDARD.
Hon. Benjamin F. Stoddard for many years has been prominent in public affairs of Buchanan county and his influence has been felt throughout the state of Iowa, as he was for two terms a member of the general assembly. He is the present mayor of Jesup and brings his wide knowledge of eivie and governmental matters to the administration of the affairs of the town, proving an unusually able and progressive executive.
He was born at Gales Ferry. near New London, Connecticut, on the 9th of July, 1848, a son of Isaae A. and Celia M. (Cortes) Stoddard. The father was a native of the same place and the subject of this review is a representative of the sixth generation of the family born at Gales Ferry, the Stoddards having resided in this country since about 1650. when William and Anthony Stoddard came here from England. The mother was also of English descent and was born at Windham, Connecticut.
In early life Isaac A. Stoddard was a whaler and had many interesting expe- riences in the Arctic seas. In 1855 he came with his family to Iowa and settled in Clayton county, near the town of MeGregor, where he resided for four years. At the end of that time he removed to Grand Meadow township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. Ile cleared the farm and cultivated it for a number of years, or until 1867, when he sold the place and came to Buchanan county, buying one hundred and sixty acres east of Jesup. He operated that farm until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-nine years of age. He was a man of iron constitution and was vigorous and active until a very short time before his death. He was a republican in politics and held all of the township offices. He was also very active in church work, being a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and prominent in the Sunday school. His wife died when the subject of this review was fourteen years of age and when she was but forty years old. Her religious affiliation was with
HON. BENJAMIN F. STODDARD
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the Congregational church and she could always be depended upon to aid in the work of that organization. By her marriage she was the mother of three children, namely: Benjamin F .; Mary M., the wife of N. R. Reynolds, of Luverne, Minnesota; and Isaac C., who died when thirty-five years of age.
Benjamin F. Stoddard was about six years of age when the family removed to Iowa and remained at home until he was a youth of eighteen years. He then began the study of telegraphy at Jesup and for about two years followed that occupation, being stationed at various points on the Illinois Central Railroad. At the end of that time he abandoned telegraphy and learned the miller's trade, which he followed for six years at Independence, Iowa. He then began farming and still oversees the cultivation of a valuable tract of land which he owns in Perry township, this county. About thirty-eight years ago he built his present home in Jesup and has since been a resident of the town. A great deal of his time has been devoted to public service, as he has held all of the town offices and, as before stated, is the present mayor. He represented his district in the state legislature in the thirty-third and thirty-fourth general assemblies and proved an efficient member of that body. He served on the following committees : Railroads and transportation, roads and highways, food and dairy, agriculture, telegraph and express, schools and text-books, senatorial districts, federal rela- tions, and was chairman of the committee on horticulture. He readily learned the intricacies of legislative procedure and manifested excellent judgment in deciding upon the merit of the bills that came up for consideration, and was an important factor in securing the passage of a number of measures which proved beneficial to the state at large.
On the 12th of February, 1875, the marriage of Mr. Stoddard and Miss Electa A. Labour was solemnized. Mrs. Stoddard was born May 21, 1849, in the state of New York and came to this locality in 1867. They have two children : Gertrude E., the wife of R. W. Houck, of Jesup; and Margaret M., assistant superintendent of the Northwestern Hospital at Moorhead, Minnesota.
Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a republican in politics and his advice is much sought in local councils of his party. Fraternally he belongs to Siolem Lodge No. 222, A. F. & A. M., of Jesup, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. He is one of the prominent citizens of Jesup and his endorsement of any project does much toward insuring its success.
GEORGE W. FRANCK.
A farm of one hundred and sixty acres situated on section 8, Newton town- ship, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by George W. Franck, and he holds title to one hundred and forty acres of land in that township. He was born in Independence, Buchanan county, February 22, 1882, a son of Fritz and Fredericka (Geiser) Franck, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of Fred Franck, on other pages in this work.
At the usual age George W. Franck became a public-school pupil, pursuing his studies in the schools of Homer and Middlefield townships. When not busy
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with his text-books he worked in the fields and received thorough training in the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty-four years of age and then started out in life on his own account, choosing as an occupation the pursuit to which he had been reared. During the greater part of the time he has lived in Newton township and he is now operating what is known as the Hekel place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 8. He has recently purchased from George Hekel one hundred and forty acres on sections 16, 17 and 24, Newton township, and in the spring of 1915 expects to build a residence on section 16, when he will then remove to that place.
On the 8th of September, 1909, Mr. Franck was married to Miss Julia May Fest, a daughter of John and Janet Alice ( Ironside) Fest. Mr. and Mrs. Franck have become the parents of three children, Benjamin G., Gilbert W. and Leon L., aged respectively four, two and one years.
The religious faith of the parents is that of the Congregational church and they are well known in the community where they reside. They have many sterling traits of character which have gained for them the friendship and high regard of those with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Franck votes with the republican party but does not seek offiee as a reward for party fealty, preferring always to give his attention to his business affairs, which are now bringing to him the substantial rewards of labor.
FRANK E. SHIMER, M. D.
Dr. Frank E. Shimer, who has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Jesup for the past nine years, is widely recognized as an able and successful representative of the profession in Buchanan county. His birth occurred in Benton county, Iowa, on the 9th of October, 1880, his parents being John A. and Ellen (Clark) Shimer, the former a native of Black Hawk county, this state, and the latter of Buchanan county. Jesse Shimer, the paternal grandfather of our subject, came to Iowa from Pennsylvania in 1854, settling in Black Hawk county. The maternal grandparents of Dr. Shimer came to Buchanan county, Iowa, from Indiana, and here their daughter Ellen was reared. She passed away at the age of forty-eight years but is survived by her husband, who makes his home at Laporte City, Black Hawk county, Iowa.
Frank E. Shimer spent the days of his boyhood and youth on the home farm and supplemented his early educational training by a course of study in the high school at Laporte City. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the medical department of the University of Illinois in 1901 and at the end of four years was graduated from that insti- tution, receiving the degree of M. D. on the 6th of June, 1905. He passed the required examination before the state board of Illinois and a month later opened an office at Jesup, Iowa, where he has remained continuously to the present time, his practice having steadily grown as he has demonstrated his skill and ability in coping with the intrieate problems which continually con- front the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. With the
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advanced thought of the profession he keeps in elose touch through his mem- bership in the Buchanan County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association.
On the 30th of September, 1905, Dr. Shimer was united in marriage to Miss Tina Ashley, a native of Black Hawk county, Iowa, by whom he has a daugh- ter, Dorothy A. He gives his politieal allegiance to the republican party and is identified fraternally with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Safety Lodge, No. 416, at Jesup. A man of genial, cordial nature, he has gained the good will and friendship of all with whom he has been associated in profes- sional, fraternal and social relations.
FRANK E. KERR.
Frank E. Kerr is a resident farmer of Byron township, living on section 15. The farm that he now owns is also the place of his birth and his natal day was October 11, 1870. His parents were William and Amanda Morehouse (Hearn) Kerr. The father was a native of Scotland, born in 1830, and after spending the period of his minority in the land of hills and heather he came to the new world in 1852, settling first in New York state, where he was employed until 1859. He then came to Buchanan county and in 1860 made his way westward to the Black Hills, where he engaged in teaming for five years. He then returned and bought land in Byron township in 1865. This district was then largely undeveloped and the land which came into his possession was wild and unimproved, but with characteristic energy he began its cultivation and converted it into produetive fields. He also added to his holdings until at one time he owned three hundred and twenty aeres, of which he later sold forty acres, retaining possession of a tract of two hundred and eighty aeres until his death, which occurred on the 9th of May, 1906.
The political- views of Mr. Kerr accorded with the principles of the repub- liean party and his religious belief was that of the Presbyterian church. He was a self-made and successful man to whom difficulties and obstaeles seemed but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort. Gradually he worked his way upward and no one could grudge him his prosperity, so honorably was it attained. Mrs. Kerr was a native of Ohio. In early womanhood she married a Mr. Hearn, who died while serving the country as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. In 1868 she became the wife of William Kerr and twenty years later passed away leaving two sons, Frank E. and William, who own the old homestead.
Frank E. Kerr spent his boyhood days upon the home farm and pursued his education in the public schools. At the time of his marriage he rented the farm from his father and thus continued its cultivation until the father's death, when he and his brother inherited the place.
It was in February, 1898, that Frank E. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Florence Elliott, who was born in Fremont township, this county, a daughter of George and Jannette (Sharp) Elliott. The father was born in England in 1830 and when ten years of age went to Illinois with his parents. In 1856 he
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came to this county and operated a threshing machine in Jefferson township for three years. He then removed to Byron township, where he lived for three years and on the expiration of that period took up his abode in Fremont town- ship, where he purchased land which he brought to a high state of cultivation. From time to time he added to his holdings until he became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres upon. which he is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. He has held various township offices and has been a promi- nent leading citizen of the community. His wife was born in New York, in 1843, and in her girlhood came to Iowa, where she engaged in teaching school prior to marriage, which was celebrated in 1861. To Mr. and Mrs. Elliott were born eight children, of whom seven are yet living. Mrs. Kerr was edu- cated in the public schools of this county.
In his political views Mr. Kerr is a stalwart republican and several times has served as school director but has never sought nor desired political office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon general farm work, in which he is busily and successfully engaged. His farm is well improved, giving evidence of the care and supervision of the owner, who in all of his methods is most practical and progressive.
A. F. TUNKS.
A. F. Tunks, living retired in Jesup, was engaged for many years in business as a contractor and builder, and various substantial structures in Buchanan county stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. A native of Ohio, he was born in 1842, a son of Levi and Sarah ( Alexander) Tunks. In 1854 the father took his family to Illinois, settling in Winnebago county, where he pur- chased sitxy acres of land, upon which he resided for a decade. In 1864 he removed with his family to Tama county, lowa, but the following year became a resident of Black Hawk county, where he invested in eighty acres on which he lived to the time of his death, when he was seventy-four years of age. His wife, a native of New Jersey, went to Ohio with her parents, who purchased land in that state and there carried on farming throughout their remaining days. It was in Ohio that she became the wife of Levi Tunks, and thereafter she accom- panied her husband on his various removals, which brought her ultimately to Iowa. Following his death she went to Center Point, Linn county, to live with her son Allen and there passed away.
A. F. Tunks was largely reared upon his father's farm in Winnebago county, Illinois, and is indebted to the public-school system for the educational oppor- tunities which he there enjoyed. When his text-books were put aside he began learning the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he followed until he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company I, Seventy-fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, in 1862. He spent a year at the front and then, because of illness which rendered him unfit for further duty, was honorably discharged. He immediately returned home and afterward assisted his father in the cultiva- tion of the farm until 1866, when he came to Buchanan county.
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