USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 35
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John F. Hekel was one of a family of eight children. He attended the rural schools of Newton township and when eighteen years of age began farm- ing on his own account on lands given him by his father, and when the father's health beeame such that he was no longer able to carry on the work John F. Hekel lived for a time on the old homestead in Newton township and managed its cultivation and development. In 1895 he removed to Liberty township, where he is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of valuable farm land. giving his attention to its general supervision and further improvement. He
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carefully tills the fields and golden harvests reward his labors. In addition to raising cereals he also buys, sells and ships stock and feeds a large number of cattle annually. His business interests are carefully managed, for he is wide- awake, alert, sagacious and persevering. In addition to his other interests he is a stockholder in the State Savings Bank of Quasqueton.
On September 3, 1890, Mr. Hekel married Miss Lillian M. Daubenberger, a native of Clayton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Frank and Catherine (Rupp) Danbenberger. The father was born in Germany in 1839 and died in the year 1901, while the mother, who was born in Indiana in 1848, still resides in Buchanan county. In his boyhood days Mr. Danbenberger came to the United States with his parents, who established their home amid the pineries of Wis- consin, living there until 1855, when they removed westward to Clayton county, Iowa. Frank Daubenberger there remained until 1889, when he came to Buchanan county, settling in Middlefield township, owning there one hundred and sixty acres of good farm land. In 1907 he retired and took up his abode in Newton township, where he was living at the time of his death. In religious faith he was a Catholic.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hekel have been born three children: Lester C., who is at home with his father on the farm, assisting in its cultivation; and Artie M. and Gilbert L., who are attending school. The family is well known and the parents have the warm regard of those with whom they have come in contact.
Mr. Hekel is a Mason and is an active member of the Odd Fellows lodge, in which he has filled all of the offices. He votes with the republican party, has been active in township affairs and has filled several local offices. He belongs to the Unity Presbyterian church of Liberty township and is zealous and helpful in its work. His life interests are many and indicate his breadth of thought and purpose. He neglects no duties, never fails to meet his obligations and wisely uses his time, talents and opportunities not only for his own benefit but also for the public welfare.
J. D. SWEENEY.
The history of business development and material growth in Brandon would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to J. D. Sweeney, who was largely instrumental in organizing the new Farmers State Savings Bank of Brandon, of which he is the president. He has also become well known through his active identification with farming interests. He was born in Belle- ville. Canada, in 1865, his parents being Michael and Mary (Kilty) Sweeney. The father was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and upon his emigra- tion to the new world settled at Belleville, Canada. He made the trip across the Atlantic when a youth of twelve years, in company with his parents, who purchased a tract of wild land from the government. seeuring one hundred acres which was covered with timber. The grandfather at onee began to cut away the trees and clear the fields and there he continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death.
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Michael Sweeney went from Canada to New York, where he worked at his trade for some time, but later removed to Charleston, South Carolina, where he spent a few years. He then returned to Canada and was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kilty. Afterward he sold the old home farm in the Dominion and removed to Hancock county, Michigan, where he rented a tract of land and carried on general agricultural pursuits for four years. In 1870 he arrived in Buchanan county and invested in property in Jefferson township, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres which is now the home of his son, J. D. Sweeney, and upon which he lived to the time of his death. His labors wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place, for his work brought the fields to a high state of cultivation and he added to the farm many modern equipments. His political views were in accord with the principles of the democratic party and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church. His wife was a native of Canada, where she was educated and married. She, too, spent her last days in Jefferson township.
J. D. Sweeney was reared under the parental roof and in his boyhood learned lessons concerning the value of industry, perseverance and determination. His mental discipline was received in the public schools, and after his text-books were put aside he learned the carpenter's trade but devoted his time prin- cipally to his farm, having a good tract of land on section 15, Jefferson town- ship. The soil is naturally rich and productive and the care and labor which he bestows upon the place results in good harvests. In addition to tilling the soil Mr. Sweeney has become actively interested in financial affairs as president of the Farmers State Savings Bank, which he aided in organizing, and also as secretary of the Farmers Cooperative Exchange, which deals in grain and live stock. He is also interested in timber lands near Morton, Washington, and in coal-bearing properties in the same vicinity.
Mr. Sweeney is unmarried and his sister Martha lives with him upon the farm. His political indorsement is given to the democratic party and he is now chairman of the democratic central township committee. He has been secretary of the school district for nineteen years and is interested in much that pertains to general progress and improvement. He has adhered to the religious faith of the family and is a Catholic.
SAMUEL MILLER.
Samuel Miller is numbered among the pioneer settlers of this county, he and his wife arriving here from the east in 1857. In the nearly fifty-eight years succeeding they have resided here continuously, and they have done their full share in the upbuilding and development of this section of their adopted state.
Mr. Miller was born in Preble county, Ohio, in May, 1833, a time when the Buckeye state itself was on the frontier. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed till 1856, when he embarked in the grocery business at Lexington, conducting a store there for a year. when he coneluded to try his fortune in the new and growing west. His father had been here the previous year and had bought a small farm near Littleton, which they were to divide.
SAMUEL MILLER
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Samuel Miller had only recently been married, and his small savings were barely enough to bring himself and wife west and make the first payment on their land. Without teams or farming tools, he turned his attention to his old trade, working in connection with his brother, David. There are still houses and barns standing in the vicinity of Littleton which they constructed in the '50s and '60s, cutting and hewing lumber from the native timber for framework that has defied time. Those truly were times that tried men's souls. The year following their arrival came an almost total crop failure, along with the hard times consequent upon the money panic. Wildcat money received one day was apt to be no good the next, and there was almost no specie in circulation. For his carpenter work Mr. Miller was largely paid in barter, corn, provisions, ete. Many a grist of corn and wheat he carried a mile and a half to the old Littleton mill, then carried home his flour or meal. Although their little house had real lumber siding, the shingles were sawed and dressed down from native oak, and the beds, tables and other furniture were almost wholly his own handiwork from native trees. They were homesick almost to death, but were without the money to go back to Ohio, and had to remain here. Little by little, by means of hard labor and the closest economy, they began to gain. Mr. Miller of this review finally got an ox team, later a horse, then a team, and with these enough machinery to work his little farm, gradually giving up his trade for agriculture. Forty-nine years ago he bought the farm he still owns, moving on to it the next year. Occasionally he added to his land holdings and began to work into stock-raising. He was one of the early cattle feeders of his locality, and almost the first farmer there to ship stoek of his own feeding to the Chicago market.
In 1884, their three sons and one daughter having grown to mature years and prepared to start in life for themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Miller rented the old home place and moved into the home in Independence, where they have since lived. Shortly afterward he engaged in buying live stock. in which he has been interested almost continuously sinee. for fifteen years past as senior member of the firm of Miller & Son, his partner being his eldest son, A. P. Miller. When the latter was elected to the board of supervisors they sold their Independence stock business, but a year or two later bought the Doris elevator, with the accompanying grain, live stock, coal. flour and feed business, which they still continue to carry on, although both live in Independence.
Fifty-nine years ago at West Alexander, Ohio, Mr. Miller was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah A. Wikle, who was born in that state in 1834 and survives, after almost sixty years of faithful companionship. At eighty-one and eighty years of age respectively they enjoy better health than is usual at their age. Mr. Miller is particularly well preserved. His mind is keen and aetive, and he takes a live interest in public matters as well as in business. They became the parents of four children, all of whom survive: Alonzo P., a stoek and grain buyer, who has served the county two terms on the board of supervisors ; Mattie E .. the wife of W. G. Stevenson, cashier of the First National Bank; William C., a practicing physician in Independence, and Warren F., editor of the Independence Conservative.
It is seldom that one of Mr. Miller's years remains active in business, and his record should put to shame any man of much fewer years who, grown weary of the struggles and burdens that he should bear. would relegate his duties to
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others. While living in the county he has served as a member of the board of supervisors and filled a number of township offices, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. The religious faith of his wife and himself is that of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they have been active and helpful, guiding their lives by its teachings.
J. D. NABHOLZ.
J. D. Nabholz, carefully, systematically and successfully carrying on general farming in Jefferson township, his home being on seetion 36, was born in Homer township, this county, in 1865, his parents being David and Susan (Krommiller) Nabholz. The father's birth occurred in Germany in 1836, his parents being Paul and Mary Nabholz. His youthful days were spent in Wit- tenberg, Germany, where his education was acquired, and in 1854, when eighteen years of age, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he eame to the United States. He settled first near Rochester, New York, and there worked as a farm hand for six years, after which he made his way westward to Iowa, traveling by wagon across the country to Jefferson township, Buchanan county, where he purchased forty acres of land which he at once began to cultivate and improve. His place was situated near Independence. Subsequently he rented a farm five miles to the north.
In 1863 Mr. Nabholz married Miss Susan Kronmiller, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Kronmiller. Following their marriage they settled upon a farm in the southwestern part of Homer township, where later Mr. Nabholz pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres of land at ten dollars per acre. Upon that farm he remained until 1869. when he sold the property and removed to Linn county, Iowa, purchasing one hundred and twenty aeres upon which he resided for seven years. He then traded that property for a farm in Jeffer- son township, Buchanan county, of three hundred and sixteen aeres, which he continued to cultivate and develop until 1899. He then removed to Brandon and bought a small farm of twenty-seven acres upon which he spent his remaining days, his death occurring January 23, 1906. His interest in the political situa- tion of the country led him to give earnest support to the republican party and he guided his life by the teachings of the German Evangelical church, of which he was a member. Ilis wife was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, born January 21, 1843, and with her parents she went to Linn county. Iowa, in her childhood days, the family driving across the country with a team. The father purchased land and improved his property, thereon making his home until 1880, when he sold out and went to Independence, where he purchased a residence and lived retired until the death of his wife in 1889. He afterward made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Hemphill, at Lafayette, Iowa. until his demise November 6, 1894.
J. D. Nabholz spent his boyhood in Linn and Buchanan counties, attending school in both counties. Ile lived upon his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-six years and then took up his abode in Jefferson township, this county, where he began farming on his own account. He was married in
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1890 to Miss Jennie Briggs, a daughter of Jonathan and Rachel (Roszell) Briggs. Her father was born in Belvidere, Illinois, in 1842, and with his par- ents went to Missouri, where he lived for some time. He made the journey to Benton county, Iowa, in a covered wagon and there on the 23d of March, 1866, he wedded Miss Rachel Roszell, a daughter of Hiram and Mary (Doles) Roszell, after which he rented a farm which he occupied for some time. Later he came to Buchanan county and purchased a farm upon which he and his wife continued to reside until their deaths. Mrs. Briggs passed away November 1, 1912, when about sixty-six years old, and the death of Mr. Briggs occurred on the 4th of March, 1913, when he was seventy-one years of age.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Nabholz took up their abode upon a farm of eighty acres which he purchased and to which he added until he had one hundred and sixty acres. In 1899 he traded this property with his father and returned to the old homestead, upon which he now resides, having one of the most thoroughly up-to-date, progressive and well developed farms of Jeffer- son township, lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. As the years have gone on, Mr. Nabholz has prospered and his success is evidenced in the fact that he is now the owner of three hundred and thirty-six acres of rich and valuable land.
To him and his wife have been born two children, Edith and Millard, both yet at home. In his political views Mr. Nabholz is a republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons at Vinton, Iowa, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. High and honorable principles have invari- ably guided him and have been manifest in his straightforward business dealings and in all of his relations with his fellowmen.
W. F. STUMMA.
W. F. Stumma is a prosperous farmer of Westburg township living on sec- tion 34. He dates his residence in Iowa from 1867, arriving here when a lad of but eleven years, his birth having occurred in Wisconsin in 1856. His parents were Frederick W. and Ernestina Stumma. The father, who was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1820, spent the period of his minority in that country and in 1844 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way to Wis- consin. In 1846 he enlisted for service as a private in the Mexican war, becom- ing a member of Company K of the Wisconsin Infantry. When the city of Mexico was captured he climbed the wall and was one of the first men to get inside the city. He served under General Winfield Scott. When the war was over he returned to Wisconsin and the government in recognition of his serv- ices gave him a land warrant for one hundred and sixty acres, which he located in Sheboygan. He at once began to improve the tract and lived thereon until 1867, when he sold that property and came to Buchanan county, settling in JJef- ferson township, where he purchased ninety acres of land. He was thereafter engaged in the further development of that place until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-six years of age. The community found in him a worthy and representative citizen and reliable business man. His political faith was
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that of the republican party and his religious belief that of the German Lutheran church.
Mrs. F. W. Stumma was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1832, and in 1840 was brought to America by her parents, who settled in Sheboygan county, Wis- consin, where they purchased land. She there resided up to the time of her marriage and afterward accompanied her husband to this state. She survives and is now living in Jefferson township. IIer parents both passed away in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, her father in 1860 and her mother in 1892 at the advanced age of ninety-two years.
W. F. Stumma was largely reared on the old homestead farm on which his parents took up their abode on coming to Iowa. His education, begun in the publie schools of Wisconsin, was continued in the public schools of this state, and when not busy with his text-books his attention was mainly given to the farm work, so that broad practical experience qualified him for carrying on farming on his own account when he started out in life independently.
It was in 1886 that Mr. Stumma was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Schulte, a daughter of Arndt and Augusta (Gosse) Schulte, of Jefferson town- ship. Following his marriage Mr. Stumma purchased a traet of land of eighty acres in Westburg township whereon he has since made his home. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and has added many modern equipments to his farm. He has good buildings upon the place, his barns furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock, and his land is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. As the years went by a daughter came to bless their home, Eva May, now Mrs. Nevin Shane, of Jesup.
In his political views Mr. Stumma is an earnest republican, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party, which has called him to various local offices. He was township trustee for four years, was road supervisor for four years and for fourteen years has served as school director, the eanse of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and his aid and influence are always given on the side of progress, reform, justice and truth. The spirit of advancement has ever actuated him and he was the first farmer to own an automobile in Buchanan county and also among the first to seeure certain kinds of improved machinery. As the years have gone by his business affairs have been conducted so carefully and wisely that he now not only owns a good farm property in Westburg township but also attractive residence property in Independence and in Jesup.
E. D. CORNWELL.
E. D. Cornwell has been a lifelong resident of Sumner township and is now the owner of one hundred and thirteen acres of the original Cornwell homestead, which has been in possession of the family for about forty-nine years. He was born in Independence on the 11th of April. 1868. his parents being Charles E. and Sarah J. (Carpenter) Cornwell, both of whom were natives of New York. The father was born at Middlebery, April 30, 1841, and the mother's birth oeenrred in Warsaw, Wyoming county. Angust 17. 1844. Mr. Cornwell
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was the owner of one hundred acres of land in New York, but, thinking to find still better opportunities in the growing west, he came to Iowa in Sep- tember, 1865, and resided in Independence until he could erect buildings and otherwise prepare his farm for occupancy. He went to Michigan, where he was married, and then brought his bride to his new home. He and his brother had first come to Buchanan county, making the trip by wagon, but when the family removed to the west the railroads were being built. On the first trip, however, there was no railroad bridge at Dubuque and they crossed the ice on sleighs. On leaving Independence Mr. Cornwell took up his abode upon a farm three miles south of the city, in Sumner township. There were eight children in his father's family and practically all of them removed to the west in the early days, becoming actively identified with the pioneer development of different sections.
Following his removal to the farm Charles E. Cornwell continuously and successfully cultivated his land until his life's labors were ended in death on the 15th of October, 1891, when he was fifty years of age. He had held local township offices, but he always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and lived a quiet, unassuming but useful life. His widow sur- vives and is living with her son in Sumner township at the age of seventy years. There were but two children in the family and the daughter, Gertrude. also resides with her mother and brother in Buchanan county.
E. D. Cornwell largely acquired his education in public school No. 6 in Sumner township, but for a short period while visiting an aunt he attended school in Cleveland, Ohio. Practically his entire life has been spent on the old home place, where he now resides, and through the period of his youth his time was divided between the acquirement of an education and the work of the fields. When his father's health became impaired E. D. Cornwell assumed the management of the farm and has since carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He now has one hundred and thirteen acres of the original homestead and his place is a valuable farm property, splendidly improved with all modern improvements and accessories. His home is one of the finest in the township and there are also large and substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. In fact, this is one of the best improved farms in the county, thoroughly modern and up-to-date in every particular. His resi- dence is built in attractive style of architecture and supplied with every con- venience.
In 1902 Mr. Cornwell was united in marriage to Miss Cora MeGrew, who was born in Legrand, Iowa, a daughter of A. H. and Lydia J. (Hiatt) McGrew. Her father was born in Ohio in 1848 and his life record covered the inter- vening years to the 5th of October, 1903. The mother. who was born in 1846. is now living in Whittier, California. At an early day A. H. McGrew came to this state and lived for a time in Marshalltown and also in Oskaloosa. IIe after- wards established his home in Sumner township, Buchanan county, and still later lived in Independence. At the time of his death he was a resident of Manchester, Iowa, where he had been a news dealer. He and his wife were members of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, and were married according to the ceremony of that sect. Later, however, they united with the Methodist church, in the work of which they took an active part. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
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Cornwell have been born three children: Charles Edward and Helen Marian, who are attending school in Sumner township; and Ruth Elizabeth.
Mr. Cornwell holds membership with the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World and in both has filled the various offices in the local lodges. His entire life has been passed in Buchanan county and the work instituted by his father has been carried on by him. He has ever been dominated by the spirit of enterprise and progress and is today one of the progressive farmers and valued citizens of Sumner township.
SAMPSON C. HITTLE.
Sampson C. Hittle, deceased, carried on general farming in Washington township for many years. He was born in Naehusa township, Lee county, Illinois, December 27, 1847, and is the seventh in order of birth in a family of eight children whose parents were Jacob and Naney (Culp) Hittle, both of whom were natives of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. The former was born in 1804 and the latter in 1808. In Pennsylvania the father engaged in business as a teamster until 1840, when he moved westward to Lee county, Illinois. There he turned his attention to farming and became the owner of two hundred aeres of good land. In addition to cultivating the fields in the production of erops best adapted to soil and elimate, he engaged in the raising of fine Morgan horses. His political belief was that of the republican party and he took an active and helpful interest in its work. His religious faith was that of the German Baptist church, and his life ever measured up to high standards of honor and manhood. He died in the year 1877, survived by his wife for five years, her death oeeurring in 1882, in Illinois, as had his. They had one son, Alexander P., who came to Iowa in 1863 and enlisted in the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, of which he became a sergeant. He had his second finger shot off in the battle of Shiloh, but he recovered from his injuries and lived until 1883. George W. Hittle, another son, was wounded and died in battle at Perryville, Kentucky.
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