USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 31
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Mr. Cook was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and still gives his allegiance to that denomination. He is a republican in his politi- cal belief and is serving as school director. Although he takes a citizen's interest in matters of public concern, he has devoted the greater part of his energy to his private affairs and in attaining his individual success he has also contributed to the advancement of the agricultural and stock-breeding interests of Buchanan county.
THOMAS CONSIDINE.
Thomas Considine is well known as a pioneer of Buchanan county and Perry township, for he has been identified with the agricultural interests of this section since 1857, covering a period of fifty-seven years. He was born in County Clare, Ireland, September 14, 1842, a son of Patrick and Susan (Keane) Con- sidine, who were likewise natives of County Clare. Patrick Considine followed farming in his native county and in 1852, in company with his wife, three sons and one daughter, left the Emerald isle for Canada, the family home being estab- lished in Hamilton. There father and sons worked on the railroad for a few years. Their greatest ambition was to get to the United States and make for themselves a good home. To this end they worked diligently and saved their earnings, and in September, 1856, the son, Patrick, Jr., was sent out to invest in farm land. He decided upon Buchanan county, Iowa, as a desirable place in which to live and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Littleton, in Perry township. He then joined the other members of the family
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in Canada, but the following year they came to this state, though for several months they worked on the railroad, in the meantime making their home in Dyersville. In December of 1857 they took up their abode upon the newly acquired farm and at once undertook the task of breaking and developing land in this then new and largely unsettled region. The father remained on this place throughout the remainder of his life and passed away at the advanced age of ninety-two years. The mother died in 1878 at the age of seventy. He was a democrat in his political views and both he and his wife were devout members of the Catholic church. Their four children were as follows: Patrick, who engaged in farming in Buchanan county and died at the age of thirty-eight years; Michael, who was also engaged in farming in this section and died at the age of seventy-three; Thomas, of this review; and Margaret, the widow of Michael Cunningham and a resident of Waterloo, Iowa.
Thomas Considine was in his tenth year when the family left the land of their nativity for Canada, so that his early education was acquired in the latter place. He worked as water boy for the railroad company and was a youth of fifteen years when the family home was established in Buchanan county, sub- sequent to which time he continued his studies in the schools of Littleton. He remained on the home farm until he had reached the age of twenty-seven years, when he established a home of his own by his marriage. He purchased a part of his present farm property in Perry township and he has added to it until the place now embraces two hundred and seventy-three acres. He has improved his property with substantial buildings and now owns one of the most valuable and up-to-date farms in that section of Buchanan county.
Mr. Considine has been married twice. His first union was with Miss Bridget Meany. the marriage ceremony being performed January 31, 1870. She was a native of County Clare. Ireland, and in 1866, during her girlhood, emigrated to the United States. She passed away January 6, 1879, leaving two children : Charles James, who is associated with his father in the operation of the farm ; and Mary, who died at the age of fifteen years, on the 12th of Novem- ber, 1885. For his second wife Mr. Considine chose Mrs. Annie (Nolan) Brown, whom he wedded April 30, 1880. She was born in County Wexford, Ireland, and was there reared and married, after which she came with her husband to the United States and located in Freeport, Illinois. Later their home was established in Winthrop. Iowa, and it was in that city that Mr. Brown's death occurred. The widow then made her home in Independence, Iowa, until her marriage to Mr. Considine. By this union there is a son and daughter: Thomas Joseph, who is still with his parents ; and Frances Margaret, the wife of James Meany, a resident farmer of Perry township.
In polities an ardent democrat, Mr. Considine has always manifested a deep concern in public affairs, although he has persistently refused to accept publie position at the hands of his fellow citizens. He and his family are communicants of the Catholic church. It was the pioneers who through their patience and energy and their wise foresight organized and built up a community here which in its general prosperity, its orderly society, the pleasantness of its homes and the intelligence and moral tone of its people is all that goes to make up a desir- ahle civilization, and in this work Thomas Considine took a large part. In the fifty-seven years that have passed since he took up his abode in Bnehanan eounty.
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he has witnessed many changes and now in the evening of life he can enjoy many comforts, as the result of a life spent in usefulness and activity. At the age of seventy-two years he is still hale and hearty and is surrounded by a host of warm friends who entertain for him the highest respect and esteem.
N. M. MIGUET.
N. M. Miguet is now living retired in Hazleton, but for many years was actively identified with farming interests in Buchanan county, where he still owns four hundred and ninety-four acres of land which returns to him a gratify- ing annual income. He was born in France in 1842. His father, John Peter Miguet, was a farmer of that country, born near Paris, in which section he eventually became the owner of a farm. In 1847 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making his way to Dubuque, lowa. Ile sailed for New Orleans and was fifty-six days upon the water. He then proceeded up the Mississippi river and from Davenport continued his journey to Dubuque. He remained for several years in Dubuque county, where he secured land which he cleared and developed. There were no railroads in that district at that time, as Dubuque was but a village. It seemed that the work of progress and development had been scarcely begun and Mr. Miguet bore his part in the work of pioneer improve- ment there. In 1856 he removed to Buchanan county, which was also a frontier district. He took up his abode in what was then Superior, but is now Hazleton township, and purchased land three miles west of Hazleton, the original home- stead comprising eighty acres now in possession of his son N. M. Miguet. The father carried on general farming and stock-raising and his careful management of his business affairs brought to him a substantial measure of prosperity as the years went on. Before leaving his native country he wedded Frances Bar- donett, who was also born near Paris. They became the parents of ten children, two of whom are residents of Hazleton. Both the father and mother have now passed away, the former dying at the age of eighty-one years, March 10, 1880. and the latter when eighty-seven years of age, February 19. 1888.
N. M. Miguet was a little lad of five years when the family emigrated to the new world and was a youth of but fourteen when they came to Buchanan county. Here he continued his education in the district schools, walking four miles to attend a school, which was held in the basement of a house, for at that period there were no regular schoolhouses or church buildings in the township and he conned his lessons while sitting on a slab bench. His educational oppor- tunities were meager, but he employed his time to good advantage and in the school of experience he has since learned many valuable lessons. When only a small boy he began to look after the affairs on the farm, because his father could not speak English and therefore the son, who had readily picked up the language, managed his business interests. The occupation to which he was reared he made his life work and he continued upon the homestead farm. to which he added four hundred and fourteen acres, until his retirement from active business in 1895, when he removed to Hazleton. Ile still gives general supervision to the place, which is operated by his son, and he is today one of
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the prosperous citizens of Buchanan county, as is any man who can claim the ownership of four hundred and ninety-four acres of the rich and valuable farm land of this section of the state. Year after year he carefully tilled his fields, conducting the farm work along progressive lines, and year after year he harvested good crops which brought to him a gratifying income.
On the 17th of September, 1863, Mr. Miguet was united in marriage to Miss Caroline A. Long, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1847 and whose life record covered the intervening years to the 3d of January, 1908. Her parents were John M. and Margaret (Gross) Long, both of whom were natives of Germany. IIer father died when fifty-five years old and her mother at the venerable age of ninety years. They came to the United States when twenty-four years of age and settled in Pennsylvania. Mr. Long followed farming there. but afterward removed westward to Illinois and in 1855 came to Towa, taking up his abode in Hazleton township, then known as Superior township. There he secured land and began farming, carefully tilling his fields and also successfully raising stock. He owned two hundred acres of rich land, which responded readily to the care and cultivation he bestowed upon his fields. To him and his wife were born five daughters and a son, of whom Mrs. Miguet was the fourth in order of birth. Living as they did upon the frontier. the Long home was placed at the disposal of the publie for school purposes and for preaching. The parents were Presbyterians in religious faith and were very active workers in church circles, their influence counting as a strong element for good in the community in which they made their home.
Mr. and Mrs. Miguet became parents of six children : John L., a landowner of Buchanan county who married Emma Wise and has five daughters. Myra. Caroline. Modesta, Lucille and Ella : Edward T., who is residing upon his father's farm and married Susie Ewing, by whom he has a son. Hugh; Carrie, the wife of Charles Shaefer, who for eighteen years was agent of the Burlington Rail- road at Hazleton and is now a real-estate man of San Diego, California, by whom she has two children. Zella and Zora; Ella, the wife of F. W. Clark, a farmer of Buffalo township: Emma, the wife of J. T. Simek, a carpenter and builder of Hazleton, by whom she has two children, Len T. and Lera : and Dest. a traveling salesman representing the Mulford Medicine Company of Des Moines.
For fifty-eight years Mr. Mignet has been a resident of this county and is therefore familiar with its history in all the phases of its growth and develop- ment. He has not only been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred but has been a cooperant factor in many measures for the publie good. Twenty-eight.years ago he was chosen county supervisor for a term of three years and sixteen years afterward was again elected to that office, in which he served for six years. He was township treasurer for five years and has also been town- ship trustee. He is president of the board of education and when his present term expires will have served for twenty-eight years as school director. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and at all times he stands for progress and improvement. He was first elected county super- visor on the democratic ticket, but later study of political conditions led him to change his opinions and he is now active in the republican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Hazleton and his religious faith is that
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of the Presbyterian church. He is a man who has always believed in making present conditions better than those with which he was surrounded in his youth and his influence therefore has ever been cast on the side of advancement and improvement.
JOSEPH J. SMITH.
Joseph J. Smith, a highly respected and representative farmer of Washington township, owns three hundred and twenty-six acres of land and since 1874 has been identified with agricultural pursuits in Buchanan county. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1844, a son of .J. D. and Sarah (White) Smith, who were also natives of County Derry. Coming to the United States in early life, they were married in New York and there the father, who was a black- smith, followed his trade for seven years, after which he returned to Ireland, where he reared his family. He engaged in business as a grain merchant there until 1861, when he returned to the new world, settling at Chatham, Canada. After a year, however, he crossed the border into the United States and settled in Michigan, near Lake Superior, where he engaged in mining, remaining in that locality for six years.
J. D. Smith afterward came to Buchanan county and purchased land in Byron township, giving his attention here to general agricultural pursuits. At the time of his retirement he was one of the prosperous farmers of his locality, owning two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. He also engaged successfully in the raising of Durham eattle. To him and his wife were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in Ireland. One son, Isaiah Smith, now occupies the old homestead farm in Byron township. Upon that place the father lived to the time of his death, which occurred in 1893 when he had reached the very advaneed age of ninety- six years. His wife passed away ten years before, at the age of seventy. In religious faith they were Presbyterians and in political belief Mr. Smith was a republican, active and loyal in the support of the party. He was interested in all that pertained to public progress and cooperated in many movements which were directly beneficial to the community.
Joseph J. Smith attended school in Ireland until the time when the parents returned to the new world. He came with them to Iowa and when about thirty years of age began farming on his own account in Washington township. Pre- vious to that time he had been employed in the copper mines near Lake Superior but since 1874 he has continuously engaged in general agricultural pursuits in this county. covering a period of forty years. His holdings today embrace three hundred and twenty-six acres of arable land and in addition to eultivating the erops best adapted to soil and climate he raises considerable stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs. His farm presents a neat and thrifty appear- ance and everything about the place indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods.
In 1880 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Herrigan, who was born in New York in 1849 and passed away in this county in 1909 at the
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age of sixty years. Her parents were Jeremiah and Catharine (Devert) Her- rigan, both natives of Ireland. Crossing the Atlantic, they landed at New York and afterward made their way to Buchanan county, where the father purchased a farm. He continued to make his home in this county to the time of his death. In politics he was an active democrat and his religious belief was that of the Catholic church. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born four children: J. J., thirty-three years of age, who is now with a dredge company in Missouri and is the owner of land in this eounty; J. D., thirty-two years of age, and Leo, thirty-one years of age, both at home; and Mande, the wife of William Fenner, a farmer of Washington township, by whom she has three children-Leo, who was born May 11, 1911 ; Harold, February 17. 1912; and Evelyn Margaret, June 18, 1914. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, father and children all being members thereof.
Mr. Smith has no political aspirations but votes with the republican party and is a firm believer in its principles. He stands for progress and improvement in public affairs, just as he does in business life, and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further movements for the general good. The greater part of his attention, however, is given to his farming interests and he is today accounted one of the leading farmers of Washington township, where by careful management and practical methods he has won well deserved success.
W. L. POOLER.
W. L. Pooler, actively engaged in farming in Westburg township, was born in Clayton, Iowa, in 1859, a son of G. W. and Mary A. (Benedict) Pooler. The father's birth occurred at Swanton, Vermont, in 1822, and, leaving New Eng- land, he became a resident of Allamakee county. lowa, in 1852. There he pur- chased one hundred and twenty aeres of government land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but with characteristic energy he began to break the sod and till the soil. Later he sold the property at a profit of twelve hundred dollars in gold and returned to Vermont for a short visit. He then again eame to Iowa, arriving in Jesup, Buchanan county, in 1867. There he purchased a home, which he occupied for three years, after which he took up his abode in Westburg township, where he again became owner of a tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres. Later he invested in one hundred and sixty acres and to that added from time to time until he was the owner of four hundred and forty aeres of rich and productive land in this county. Year after year he carried on general farming, making his home upon his place until 1888, when he returned to Jesup and occupied the property which he had purchased when he first came to this county. There he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the 16th of October, 1895.
It was on the 20th of September. 1855, that Mr. Pooler was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary A. Benedict, who was born in New York in 1834 and eame to this state about 1852 with her parents, the family home being established in Clayton county, where her father took up land and carried on general farm- ing for about fifteen years. In 1867 he removed with his family to Jesup and
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the same year purchased land in Westburg township, residing upon his farm for twelve years. He then again took up his abode in Jesup, where Mrs. Benedict still makes her home. Mr. Benedict, however, spent his last days in Nebraska, where he died April 19, 1908.
On the old home farm in Westburg township W. L. Pooler spent the days of his boyhood and youth and in the public schools he acquired his education. The occupation to which he was reared he decided to make his life work and in 1895 he purchased the old home property, upon which he still resides. In the intervening period, covering nineteen years, he has given undivided attention to the work of further developing and improving the place and now has an excellent farm equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences.
Cn the 4th of February, 1880, Mr. Pooler was united in marriage to Miss Emma Mckibben, of Westburg township. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, March 10, 1831, and her mother was born in Ohio, March 22, 1834. The latter died in Nebraska, February 10, 1904. To Mr. and Mrs. Pooler have been born seven children : Etta M., now Mrs. Mastelles; Mrs. Elva B. Stevens ; Mrs. Irene E. Burrell; Lula W., who died July 4, 1914; George D., Leon E. and Mary W.
Mr. Pooler is an Odd Fellow and he attends the Methodist church-associa- tions which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. He has lived continuously in this county since 1867, or from the age of eight years, and thus for forty-seven years has been a witness of the continued growth and development of this section of the state. He has borne his part in the work of general advancement and rejoices in what has been accomplished. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public connection, prefering always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, and through his close application, energy and determination he has won a credit- able measure of success.
JERRY W. WOOFF.
Buchanan county lost a worthy citizen when Jerry W. Wooff was called to his final rest on the 6th of January, 1913. He was a representative farmer of Westburg township and in business affairs had become firmly established as an energetic, progressive man, while in matters of citizenship he was at all times reliable. His birth occurred in Lancashire, England, November 4, 1841, his parents being Thomas and Jane (Thompson) Wooff. The latter was a daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wooff were mar- ried in 1840 in England and in 1847 came with their family to the United States, settling at St. Louis, Missouri. For five years Mr. Wooff engaged in mining near St. Louis, where he passed away on the 20th of June, 1852, his wife sur- viving him for some time.
Jerry W. Wooff was reared on a farm near St. Charles, Missouri, and through the period of his boyhood and youth gave much of his attention to the work of the fields. When twenty-five years of age he went to Green county, Wisconsin, where he was married, and in 1869 he arrived in Buchanan county, Iowa, settling in Westburg township, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of
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land. He afterward sold that property and invested in one hundred and sixty acres, which he continued to cultivate and improve to the time of his death, which occurred on the 6th of January, 1913. In all of his farm work he fol- lowed modern methods, keeping in touch with the advancement of the times, and he used the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields.
Mr. Wooff was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Maddrell, who was born in Wisconsin in 1847, a daughter of John T. and Elizabeth (Hover) Maddrell. Her father was born on the Isle of Man, off the coast of England, January 20, 1814, and came to the United States in 1840, settling in Brooklyn, New York, where he established a tailoring shop, which he conducted for two years. He then removed westward to Benton, Wisconsin, where he continued in the same line of business for three years. He subsequently removed to Shullsburg and in 1852 made an overland trip to California, remaining a year and a half on the Pacific coast. He then returned by way of the water route and again became identified with the interests of the middle west, with which he was connected until his death on the 5th of April, 1888. His wife was born upon a farm in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and when eighteen years of age removed westward with her parents to Nauvoo, Illinois. After a short time, however, they went to Benton, Wisconsin, and it was there that Mr. and Mrs. Maddrell were married on the 27th of April, 1845.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wooff were born seven children: Mrs. Nellie Schroll, of Westburg township; John T .; Sadie E., now Mrs. Martin, whose husband is a farmer of Westburg township; Will H., living upon the home farm with his mother; Mary, who died April 1st, 1882; J. W. also upon the home farm; and Lee R., who completes the family. Mrs. Wooff still occupies the old homestead, which is being operated with the aid of her sons.
Mr. Wooff was a soldier during the Civil war, being enrolled in Company B, Tenth Regular Volunteers of Missouri, and serving for about three years. He was a devoted husband and father, finding his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare of his wife and children. He deserved much credit for what he accomplished, as he started out in life empty-handed and gradually worked his way upward through determination and energy that brought him at length to a position among the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of his section of the state.
HENRY TEMPUS.
Henry Tempus is one of the prominent farmers and dairymen of Buchanan county. In fact, his dairy is one of the finest in this part of the state. His home is pleasantly situated about two miles from Independence and is frequently visited by those who are interested in modern, progressive methods of farming and dairying.
Mr. Tempus was born in Independence on the 2d of February, 1859, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Book) Tempus, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. The father was born in Hessen-Nassau on the 20th of July 1820, and learned the tailor's trade in his native country. Before emigrating to the new
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HENRY TEMPUS AND FAMILY
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MR. AND MRS. PETER TEMPUS
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world he served for three years as a tailor in the German army. In the early '50s he bade adieu to his fatherland and sailed for the new world, making his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade. He afterward went to Pittsburgh, still later to Dubuque, Iowa, and ultimately arrived in Independence. His objective point was New Ulm, Minnesota, but the news of the massacre there prevented him from continuing on his way to that place. The journey from Dubuque was made by stage, for there were no railroads west of the city at that time. He was the first tailor in Dubuque and was also one of the pioneers in that line of business in Independence, where he remained continuously to the time of his death, which occurred on the 12th of October, 1900. In early man- hood he had wedded Elizabeth Book, who was born in Germany, January 6, 1836. Not far from the present home of Henry Tempus there still stands a log house in which his mother worked for Mrs. John Boone when she was but fourteen years of age. She had come from Germany with her parents, the family settling in Fairbank township, Buchanan county. After coming to the new world, Peter Tempus was drafted at Independence for service in the Civil war, but was not called into action, as it was found that the quota was full. More than fifty-five years ago he aided in organizing the German Presbyterian church of Independence and was ever active in its work and upbuilding, thus leaving the impress of his individuality for good upon the progress and development of this section of the country.
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