USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 33
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MR. AND MRS. GEORGE GERSTENBERGER
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He makes the latter an important feature of his business and derives therefrom a substantial annual income. He has two good houses upon his place and the farm is well improved in other directions. In fact, it is lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model farm.
On January 14, 1890, Mr. Gerstenberger was united in marriage to Miss Mary Heid, a native of Johnson county, this state, and a daughter of John and Mary (Schnoeblen) Heid, the former a native of Florida and the latter of Johnson county, Iowa. They are now residents of Oklahoma. The father has made farming his life work. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Johnson county, Iowa, where he lived until 1888, when he came to Buchanan county. Here he won a place among the prosperous agriculturists of the district, owning about four hundred acres of rich and arable land. In 1909 he removed to Okla- homa, where he is still busily engaged in farming and stock-raising, having in that state about five hundred acres. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his religious belief is manifest in his membership in the Catholic church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gerstenberger have been born ten children: Frank, John, Fred, Joseph, Teresa, Leo, George, Anthony, Anne and Alice. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death and all are still under the parental roof. They have been reared in the faith of the Catholic church, attending St. Mary's church at Hazelton, to which the parents belong, and Mr. Gersten- berger is a democrat in his political opinions. He is willing to aid in movements for the public good and has held some local offices, but he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which are carefully guided by sound judg- ment and have become important elements of prosperity.
J. BARNEY LUX.
J. Barney Lux owns and occupies an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Sumner township and in addition is the owner of a quarter sec- tion of land in Westburg township. Whatever success he has achieved is the direct result of his own labors, and he early came to a recognition of the eternal truth that "industry wins." He was born near Joliet, Illinois, in 1864, a son of IIenry and Elizabeth (Gravenish) Lux. The father was a native of Luxem- burg, Germany, born in 1835, and he died at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, who was born in Germany about 1828, passed away in 1906. Henry Lux spent the period of his minority in his native country and then when twenty-one years of age came to the United States, settling first in Chicago. He afterward took up his abode upon a farm near Joliet, Illinois, where he remained until the early '70s, when he came to Iowa, locating near Fairbank in Hazleton township. There he became the owner of land which he cultivated and improved for about seven years. He next removed to a farm north of Independence, in Washing- ton township, and subsequently took up his abode in Homer township, where he remained for seven years. He afterward removed to Laurens, Iowa, there remaining until his death, at which time he was the owner of farm property in
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Pocahontas county. He was a member of the Catholic church and was a demo- crat in his political belief.
J. Barney Lux is the second in order of birth and the only one of the six children in the father's family who is now living in Buchanan county. Here he attended the country schools and when not busy with his text-books his time was given to the task of cultivating and improving the fields. He started out in- dependently when twenty-one years of age and was employed by neighboring farmers until he reached the age of twenty-six. He then began farming upon the place of his father-in-law, which he cultivated for several years. He care- fully saved his earnings until his industry and economical expenditure had brought him a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase property, and that he has succeeded in his undertakings is indicated in the fact that he is now the owner of one hundred and eighty aeres of land in Sumner township and one hundred and sixty aeres in Westburg township. Thereon he is engaged in the raising of Poland China hogs and Durham eattle and both branches of his busi- ness are bringing to him substantial success, his entire time being given to his farm interests.
Mr. Lux was joined in wedlock to Miss Alvina Stewart, a native of this county. They have had no children of their own, but the kindness of their hearts has prompted them to rear four, two girls and two boys, to whom they have given every advantage of home and school life, caring for them until they have been able to eare for themselves. Two of the number are married and all four are a credit to the careful rearing of their foster parents.
Mr. Lux is an Odd Fellow and in polities is a republican. He has served as township trustee and in other local offices but has little aspiration along that line, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He has been a resident of Buchanan county for four decades and has therefore wit- nessed much of its growth and development. He has taken an active interest in the work of progress as the years have gone by and his aid can be counted upon to further beneficial public measures. Moreover, his life record shows what can be accomplished in business when energy and determination point out the path to success.
THOMAS KELSII.
Although Thomas Kelsh has only held the office of postmaster of Lamont since May 20, 1914. he has already demonstrated his fitness for the place and his capacity for systematic and accurate handling of routine work. He is efficient, courteous and obliging, and his appointment to the office meets the approval of his fellow eitizens.
He was born in Platteville. Grant county, Wisconsin, in November, 1863, a son of Thomas and Ann (Virden) Kelsh. The father was born in County Meath, Ireland. and in 1843, as a young man, emigrated to America. He first located in Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in mining for nine years, and then removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, where he mined and farmed. In 1872 he went to Dubuque county, lowa, and followed agricultural pursuits there for
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ten years, but in 1882 removed to this county, locating in Madison township, where he farmed until his death, which occurred in 1894 when he was seventy- four years of age. He was a communicant of the Catholic church and a demo- crat in politics. His wife was also a native of County Meath, Ireland, and died in this county in 1900 at the age of seventy-nine years. She also belonged to the Catholic church. The subject of this review is the youngest of the seven children born to them, three of whom survive. The others are: J. M., of Emmetsburg, Iowa, where he is engaged in farming; and John, a railroad man of Cedar Rapids.
Thomas Kelsh, Jr., was reared in Dubuque and Buchanan counties and was given the advantages of a good education, graduating from the Dyersville high school with the class of 1881. Upon starting out in life for himself he became an agriculturist and operated his farm near Lamont until the spring of 1914, when he accepted the office of postmaster of that place. He was successful as a farmer and his services in his present capacity are highly acceptable to his constituents.
In 1897 Mr. Kelsh was united in marriage to Miss Frank M. Quick, a daughter of William and Mary Quick, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. With the exception of four years, Mr. Kelsh has resided in Lamont since 1897. From 1904 until 1910 he was mayor of the town and was for three years previous to that a member of the city council. He understands well the problems of municipal government as applied to the small town, and as mayor and councilman did much to secure efficiency in the administration of public affairs and to advance the welfare of the community along lines of eivie progress. For the past eight years he has been a member of the township board and for three years has served upon the school board. From 1894 until 1897 he was secretary and general manager of the Farmers Creamery and proved an able business executive. He is a democrat and has been county committeeman from Madison township for twenty years and his counsel is often sought in regard to the best policy to pursue in local political affairs. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in St. Mary's Catholic church of Lamont and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the Modern Wood- men of America and the Woodmen of the World, belonging to the camps of those organizations at Lamont. Whether as a private citizen or as a public official he has measured up to high standards of citizenship, which demand that, if need be, private interests be subordinated to the general welfare, and in all rela- tions of life he has condueted himself as a man of honor and integrity.
CHARLES E. MEYTHALER.
Charles E. Meythaler, a prominent representative of agricultural interests. owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land in Sumner township, where he is engaged extensively in the cultivation of corn and also in the raising of full blooded Holstein cattle. He was born in this county in 1876, a son of Christian and Margaret Haman Meythaler, the former born in Germany in 1836 and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1840.
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When nineteen years of age Christian Meythaler crossed the Atlantic to the new world and settled in Green county, Wisconsin, where he became the owner of land, upon which he lived for about ten years. He then removed to Black Hawk county, Iowa, where he also owned and cultivated a farm, but after a brief period there passed took up his abode in Independence, where he followed the stonemason's trade, which he had previously learned in Wisconsin. He lived in Independence at the time of the memorable fire and afterward was employed in connection with the building of the hospital and on the erection of many of the new structures of the city. He afterward took up his abode upon a farm north of Independence, where he lived for several years, and it was upon that place that his son Charles E. was born. After about five years there spent he removed to a farm three miles south of Independence, upon which he con- tinued to reside until 1902, when he sold that property. He is now a resident of Spokane. Washington, where he makes his home with his daughter. In the family were twelve children, of whom Charles E. was the eighth in order of birth. Six of the number are yet residents of Buchanan county, where all own land. In addition to tilling the soil the father was well known as a successful breeder of shorthorn cattle, which he raised more for commercial purposes than for the prize ring. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church.
Charles E. Meythaler attended the common schools of this county and at the age of twenty-one years began farming, spending two years in the employ of others. When a young man of twenty-three years he rented a tract of land and started out independently. He has since been thus engaged and is today the owner of a valuable property of one hundred and sixty acres, of which he has fifty-five acres planted to corn, twenty acres to oats, while the remainder is meadow and pasture land. He raises full blooded Holstein cattle, having about sixty head of thoroughbreds on his place. He maintains a dairy in con- nection therewith, but sells his milk to other parties to deliver. He has a barn fifty-six by sixty-two feet and his farm is thoroughly equipped for the conduet of the business to which he devotes his energies. He is an active, energetic business man. progressive and enterprising, and accomplishes what he under- takes.
In 1899 Mr. Meythaler was united in marriage to Miss Alice Warburton, a daughter of William II. and Ellen C. (Irvine) Warburton, both of whom were natives of Ogle county, Illinois. Iler father was born in Galena in 1845. His father had removed to Illinois before Chicago sprang into existence. the little village there being known as Fort Dearborn. He was an exhorter of the Metho- dist church and in 1850 went to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope. Ilis son William H. Warburton attended the Rock River Methodist Seminary of Illinois and retained his residence in Ogle county until 1869. when he came to Buchanan county, lowa, settling in Sumner township, where he has since harvested forty-six crops. He has one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land. known as the Pleasant View farm, and aside from his business affairs he has been prominent in other connections. He has held all the township offices, gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been a member of the county central committee. For five years he has been president of the Farmers County Institute and is known as the father
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of the institute. He is especially active as a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he has served as deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school. The scope of his activities is broad and his efforts have been of the greatest possible value to his fellow townsmen. He it was who made and used the first King road drag in this county and at all times he has stood for advance- ment and progress. He married Ellen C. Irvine, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Ogle county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Warburton have been born three children: Carrie, who is very active in Sunday school work and has attended the international and world's conventions as a delegate ; Alice, now Mrs. Meythaler: and Clyde W., who is in the United States service as a small grain expert.
Mr. and Mrs. Meythaler have become the parents of three children : Irvine, born in 1901; Marion, in 1909; and William Charles, in July, 1912. Mr. Mey- thaler belongs to the Buchanan County Fair Association and also to the Iowa Holstein Breeders Association. His political allegiance is given to the repub- lican party, but he has no desire for office. In the Presbyterian church he has taken an active and helpful interest and is now serving as one of the deacons. His life has been well spent and his many sterling traits of character have won for him the confidence, good-will and high regard of all with whom he has been associated. He has always resided in Buchanan county and among his stanchest friends are many who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
JOHN D. THOMPSON.
John D. Thompson has been engaged in business in Lamont for many years and is now the owner of a general store. Also for a time he served as post- master of the town. He was born in Kane county, Illinois, May 19, 1860, and received his education in the country schools near Lamont, his parents remov- ing to this county while he was still a child. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age and then for four years operated a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 36, Madison township. At the end of that time he removed to Lamont and purchased a half interest in a furniture and undertaking business. He was appointed postmaster of the town under Cleve- land's administration and held that office for four years or from 1892 to 1896. He still retained his interest in the furniture and undertaking establishment while serving as postmaster and in the meantime became connected with the coal. feed, grain and stock business. He eventually sold his interests in all of these undertakings save the stock business, which he has continued to engage in to some extent ever since. In 1900 he invested in a meat market, which he conducted until 1912, and still owns the building and fixtures. While he was engaged in the butcher business he was elected secretary of the Cooperative Creamery, which is located in Lamont, and held that responsible position for seven years. For the last three years he has been again engaged in mercantile business, conducting a general store in Lamont. He knows what lines of goods are demanded by his customers and spares neither time nor pains in securing
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a stock that best supplies the local demands. His business methods are above reproach and his patronage is growing steadily.
Mr. Thompson was married January 1, 1891, to Miss Sadie Colomey, a daughter of Levi and Mary (Hutchinson) Colomey. The father was born in Farmington, New Hampshire, February 26, 1832, and in 1867 eame to Delaware county, Iowa, and settled upon a farm. However, he continued to follow his trade, which was that of a shoemaker. and resided in Delaware county until 1889, when he came to Buchanan county. His wife was born at Litchfield, Kennebec county, Maine, February 12, 1834, and lived there until sixteen years of age, when she accompanied her parents to Massachusetts, her marriage occurring in Natick, that state. They had five children. Herbert Erwin, who resides in Kansas, has been twice married. Childs B. died when sixteen years of age. Anna May died when a child of three years. Sadie is now Mrs. Thomp- son. Mrs. Etta M. Sherwin is residing in Kansas and is the mother of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of two children. George Levi, whose birth occurred November 1. 1891. is now taking the animal hus- bandry course in the Ames Agricultural College. Mary Cynthia. born August 27, 1893, completed one term of study at the Iowa State College for Teachers at Cedar Falls after completing the course offered by the high school at Lamont.
Mr. Thompson is a democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs. He was the second mayor of Lamont and held that office for four years, giving the municipality a thoroughly efficient administration. Fraternally he is a charter member of Mohawk Lodge, No. 310, K. P., and is also a member of Bush Camp, No. 2605, M. W. A. His wife belongs to the Pythian Sisters, the Rebekahs, the Royal Neighbors and the Woman's Relief Corps of Lamont. Both are widely known and highly esteemed in Lamont, where they have resided for many years.
CORNELIT'S TOOMEY.
Cornelius Toomey is a prosperous farmer living on section 25, Westburg town- ship, where he owns a good farm. within the borders of which are comprised one hundred and sixty acres. Illinois numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in MeHenry county in 1843. his parents being Cornelius and Catherine (Riley) Toomey. The former was a native of Ireland, born in County Cork, and on coming to the United States settled in MeHenry county, Illinois, where he purchased a tract of land of eighty acres. He bent every energy to the further development and improvement of the place and remained thereon for twenty years. Ile then sold it and came to lowa with Sumner town- ship, Buchanan county, as his destination. There he purchased eighty acres of land and continued to live thereon until his life's labors were ended in death in 1889.
The religious faith of Cornelius Toomey. Sr., was that of the Cathohe church, and his political belief was that of the democratic party. His wife was also a native of County Cork, Ireland, and it was when she was a young lady that she accompanied her parents to the new world, becoming a resident of MeHenry
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county, Illinois, where her father purchased farm land and continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits until his death. It was in that county that Catherine Riley became the wife of Cornelius Toomey. She accompanied him to Iowa, and they continued to live upon the old homestead in Sumner township throughout their remaining days and were witnesses of much of the growth and development of this section of the state.
Cornelius Toomey, whose name introduces this review, spent his boyhood largely upon the old home farm and is indebted to the public school system of the county for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. His time was divided between his studies, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields, for at an early age he began assisting his father in the cultivation of the crops. He remained at home until 1894 and then purchased a farm in Westburg township comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 25. In the intervening period, covering twenty years, he has wrought many changes in the appearance of his place through the improvements he has made upon it and the careful. systematic manner in which he has developed his fields.
Mr. Toomey was united in marriage to Miss Amy Tole, and they have a daughter, Alice, who is in her nineteenth year. The family are well known in the part of the county in which they live and have many warm friends. Mr. Toomey votes with the democratic party, but neither seeks nor desires office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. From his boyhood days he has continu- ously resided in Buchanan county and is interested in everything that pertains to its upbuilding and progress.
GEORGE W. HARDWICK.
George W. Hardwick, successfully engaged in general farming and stock- raising, his position, by reason of his ability. being one of leadership in his chosen calling, was born in Westburg township in 1871, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Schutte) Hardwick. The family is of English descent. The father was born in England in 1818 and. coming to America, was employed as a farm hand in the state of New York for two years. He then made his way westward to Illinois, where he worked upon a farm for a similar period, and in 1855 he came to Iowa, entering a tract of government land four miles north of Winthrop. He then returned to Illinois, where he remained for one year, and in the spring of 1856 he again went to Winthrop, making the journey across the country with ox teams. With characteristic energy he began to break the sod. till the fields and otherwise improve the property. He lived there for ten years, keeping bachelor's hall, but in 1866 sold his farm and removed to Westburg township. where he purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he lived until July 20. 1912, on which date he passed to the home beyond. For several years past the half century mark he had been identified with agricultural pursuits and at all times had stood for progress and improvement. He displayed sound judg- ment in business affairs, unfaltering energy and most commendable persistency of purpose.
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In addition to being a successful farmer Thomas Hardwick was one of the organizers and stockholders of the Jesup State Bank. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and his religious faith was that of the Episcopal church. His wife was a native of Wisconsin but in her girlhood days went to Jefferson township, this county, where, in 1868, she became the wife of Thomas Hardwick, and unto them were born two children, the elder being John T. Hardwick, now a prominent resident farmer of Westburg township.
At the usual age George W. Hardwick became a pupil in the public schools and through the period of his boyhood and youth he worked in the fields. gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of cultivating the soil and caring for the crops. After his text-books were put aside he began farming on his own account, cultivating a part of the old homestead until his father's death, when he inherited his present place of three hundred and twenty acres situated in Westburg township. Thereon he built a beautiful residence and has added many other modern equipments indicative of his progressive spirit. His farm constitutes one of the attractive features in the landscape by reason of its excellent buildings, its fine shade trees, its well tilled fields and high grades of stock, for in addition to general farming Mr. Hardwick engages in raising and feeding stock, handling both cattle and hogs.
On the 31st of March. 1909, Mr. Hardwiek was united in marriage to Miss Frances Ellen Ross, who was born in England in 1886, a daughter of William Ross. She came to the United States with her parents when three years of age, the family home being established in St. Louis, Missouri, while later a removal was made to Chicago, where her parents are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Hardwick has been born a daughter, Frances Ross.
Mr. Hardwick votes with the republican party, but has never wanted office. This does not mean that he is negleetful of the duties of citizenship: on the contrary he willingly and helpfully supports many measures for the general good, and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further the public welfare. He is a man of unfaltering energy who allows no obstacles or difficulties to bar his path to success, and as the years have gone by he has gained for himself a very creditable position among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of the county.
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