USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 42
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Otto Hammelmann acquired his education in the public schools of his native county and after putting aside his text-books served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. In 1886 he came to Westburg township, Buchanan county, Iowa, but three weeks later went to Beadle county, South Dakota, where he pur- chased a farm. He hired a man to operate the place. however, and devoted his attention to carpentering and contracting, remaining in that state for eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he returned to Westburg township, this county, and after working at his trade for two years purchased one hundred acres of land, having been actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits to the present time. He has extended the boundaries of his farm by additional pur- chase until it now embraces two hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land which annually yields him a gratifying income, for he carries on his agri- cultural interests in a most progressive and resultant manner. The prosperity which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his own efforts and he has long been numbered among the substantial and respected citizens of his community.
In 1890 Mr. Hammelmann was united in marriage to Miss Helena Luloff, born in Westburg township on the farm which our subject now owns, and a daughter of Ludwig and Henrietta Luloff, who were born in Germany and
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settled in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, after emigrating to the United States. The father passed away on the farm of our subject in Westburg township, while the mother, who survived him, died on the farm of Fred Luloff in Jefferson town- ship, Buchanan county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hammelmann have been born six children, as follows: August L .; Louis; Mrs. Clara Hoppe, who resides in Fox township, Black Hawk county. this state; Alma, at home; Anna, whose demise occurred February 27, 1914; and Esther, at home.
Mr. Hammelmann gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has creditably served in the capacity of road supervisor and also as a member of the school board. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church. He deserves great credit for his successful career, for industry, ability and a progressive spirit have constituted the basis of his prosperity and his genuine personal worth has enabled him to maintain his high standing in the community as a substantial and desirable citizen.
H. E. TUNKS.
H. E. Tunks. a contractor and builder living in Brandon and a well known representative of industrial activity in this county, was born in Tama county, Iowa, in 1874, his parents being A. F. and Lucinda (Elliot) Tunks, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
H. E. Tunks was reared upon the home farm in Perry township, Buchanan county, and pursued his education in the public schools of Jesup. In 1893 he removed to Sibley, Iowa, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for eight months. He then returned to Buchanan county. settling upon his father's farm in Jefferson township. where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he began working at his trade in Jesup and vicinity and was thus actively engaged until 1898, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered to render military aid to his country then engaged in the Spanish-American war. He joined Company E. of the Forty-ninth Iowa Infantry, with which he remained for a year. He was then taken ill and was granted a furlough. When his time was out he was sent transportation from Cuba, where his regiment was then stationed. The troops were transported to New York city, after which Mr. Tunks returned to his home and was honorably discharged on the 8th of Janu- ary, 1899. He afterward worked at his trade in this county until May of that year, when he went to Iowa Falls, where he was employed at carpentering until October. He then went to Jesup, where he worked for his father, building two houses there. During the succeeding year he was employed at Hazleton, but subsequently returned to Jesup, where he followed his trade for two years.
In 1903 Mr. Tunks was united in marriage to Miss Georgia Hanover, a daughter of Everett and Nancy (Freeland) Hanover. He then removed to Traer, lowa, where he engaged in contracting, remaining in business there for two years. He afterward removed to Muskogee. Oklahoma, where he followed his trade for six months, and then returned to Westburg township, Buchanan county, where his wife passed away July 27, 1905. Afterward Mr. Tunks returned to Muskogee, where he was engaged in contracting and building for
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two and a half years. On the expiration of that period he again located in Jesup, where he followed his trade for a time, and later worked on his father's farm near Brandon in Jefferson township for about two years. The succeeding year was passed in Waterloo and on the 1st of February, 1911, he went to Salem, Oregon, where he followed contracting and building until January 1, 1914. He is now located in Brandon, where he continues in the same line of business.
On the 20th of May, 1912, Mr. Tunks was again married, his second union being with Miss Margaret Mcleish, a daughter of D. A. and Ann McLeish. Fraternally Mr. Tunks is connected with the Elks Lodge, No. 290, at Waterloo, and with Safety Lodge, No. 416, K. P. He attends the Presbyterian church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. The greater part of his life has been spent in this county and he has been closely associated with its building operations for an extended period. He is a good workman, thorough in all that he does, and whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors.
JOHN ELLIOTT.
John Elliott, one of the most prominent and influential business men of Lamont, has served as president of the Lamont Savings Bank since the 1st of January, 1910, and in the conduct of its business has displayed the same aggres- siveness and capable management that have ever characterized his own private affairs. Besides his banking interests he is also engaged in the produce business and is an extensive land owner.
Mr. Elliott was born in Fremont township, this county, June 4, 1862, a son of George and Jeannette (Sharp) Elliott. His father was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 30th of July, 1830, and when a youth of twelve years accom- panied his parents to the United States, the family settling in Winnebago county, Illinois, where his parents spent the remainder of their lives. George Elliott was reared to manhood in that county but in 1856, when a young man of twenty- six years, he came to lowa and bought land in Jefferson township, this county. Four years later he purchased the farm where he still resides and where his son, John, was born. He has been very successful as a farmer but has also found time for other interests, as he was for twenty years president of the Winthrop State Bank and is still a stockholder in that institution. He is a republican in his politi- cal belief. His wife was born near Albany, New York, in 1843, of Scotch descent, as her parents were born near Glasgow. The family emigrated westward from the Empire state and settled in Buffalo Grove, this county. where they were pioncers. The father, John Sharp, was a carpenter and cabinet-maker by trade. Both he and his wife passed away about 1879.
To Mr. and Mrs. George Elliott were born eight children, of whom John is the eldest. The record of the others is as follows: W. G. is cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Aurora. Leigh is operating the home farm. Alice is the wife of Albert Reed, a retired farmer of Winthrop. Florence married
JOHN ELLIOTT
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Frank Karr, a farmer of Byron township. Blanche and Belle are both at home. Bertha died August 3, 1879, when a child of three years.
John Elliott was reared in this county and attended the public schools in the acquirement of his education. He followed farming until he was twenty-nine years of age. In 1892 he removed to Lamont and has engaged in the produce business to the present time, buying and shipping poultry and eggs. His busi- ness has increased steadily and yields him a gratifying profit annually. Since the 1st of January, 1910, he has been president of the Lamont Savings Bank and takes a very active and influential part in the management of its affairs. He has erected a fine home in Lamont and owns several farms in Buchanan county, aggregating five hundred and ten acres, and also has a half interest in two farms of four hundred and eighty acres, all of his land being operated by others under lease.
On the 2d of December, 1885, while still residing upon his farm, Mr. Elliott was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Martin, a native of Delaware county, this state, born on the 20th of June, 1857. Her parents were Ezekiel and Margaret (Le Lacheur) Martin, early settlers of Delaware county. The father removed there from Ohio on the 20th of September, 1845, and became a successful agri- culturist, accumulating a large landed estate. He passed away on the 15th of May, 1911, when eighty-two years of age. He was born in Urbana, Ohio, on the 15th of December, 1828. His widow is living at Lamont at the advanced age of eighty-one years, as she was born on Prince Edward Island on the 23d of May, 1833. Their marriage occurred on the 29th of March, 1855, in Delaware county. They became the parents of three children, Mrs. Elliott, and two sons: G. A., who was born February 16, 1850, and is now a railroad man of Lewistown, Mon- tana ; and John, who was born June 27, 1859, and who is engaged in farming in Delaware county. Mrs. Elliott was reared in her native county and attended the Manchester high school. For twenty-three terms previous to her marriage she taught in Buchanan county. She is the mother of two children: Mark W., born August 11, 1888, is now engaged in farming in this county. On the 28th of February, 1911, he married Miss Ethel Stephenson, who was born July 14, 1891, and they have one son, Merle J., whose natal day was May 29, 1912. Mildred M., born August 3, 1894, is now a student at the State University at Iowa City.
Mr. Elliott is a republican and for one term served as a member of the board of supervisors of Buchanan county. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Masons and his wife belongs to the Pythian Sisters and the Rebekahs. He has contributed largely to the business expansion of Lamont and has also aided in the furtherance of many movements seeking to advance the moral and civic welfare of the community.
THE LAMONT SAVINGS BANK.
The Lamont Savings Bank was the first incorporated bank in the town, although a small private bank had been previously conducted here by Oscar Tuttle. The Lamont Savings Bank has been in existence for over twenty-one years and in that time has firmly intrenched itself in the confidence of the Vol. II-21
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general public and is today one of the most thriving financial institutions in Buchanan county. It was organized April 4, 1893, by A. R. Loomis, Millard F. LeRoy, E. H. Hoyt, E. S. Cowles and E. M. Carr. It was authorized by its charter to engage in the general banking business under the laws of Iowa and was capitalized for ten thousand dollars. The incorporators composed the first directorate and the administrative officers were : A. R. Loomis, president; E. S. Cowles, vice president; Millard F. LeRoy, cashier; and E. H. Hoyt, assistant cashier. On the 10th of August, 1899, the bank was so firmly established as a paying institution that the capital was increased to fifteen thousand dollars and on the 24th of February, 1900, it was made twenty-five thousand dollars, which is its present figure. It includes among its stockholders practically all of the progressive and substantial farmers and business men of the locality. In 1914 the undivided profits and surplus totalled ten thousand dollars and in later years the average deposits have been about two hundred and ten thousand dollars. Especially during the last five years the business of the institution has grown rapidly and not only has a creditable surplus been accumulated, but the bank has declared good dividends. The present officers are: John Elliott, president ; A. A. Smith, vice president; and C. E. Hayes, cashier. The board of directors includes besides the officers Thomas Kelsh, Henry Allenstein, C. R. Jenks, James Carr, John Kash and Henry Sherff. For seventeen years the assistant cashier and later the cashier, E. H. Hoyt, practically managed the institution, and since 1910 C. E. Hayes, the present incumbent in that office, and Mr. Elliott, president, have had charge of the actual operation of the bank and to a large extent have determined its policies.
In 1903 the bank erected its present well arranged building at a cost of six thousand dollars and occupies the entire structure. The building in which the bank began business is now occupied by the postoffice. The Lamont Savings Bank is conducted upon strictly business principles and the most modern meth- ods are followed in the handling of its detail work. It has an excellent stand- ing among the banks of the state and is a member of the Iowa Bankers Asso- ciation. Four per cent is paid upon time deposits and the sum of money which it handles annually increases from year to year. It has correspondence with reliable banks in all of the large cities, giving its customers excellent facilities for exchange, and through paying interest on deposits and by the guarded ex- tension of credit it fulfills all of the functions of a modern bank which is indis- pensable to the business world.
WILLIAM H. GARDNER.
William H. Gardner is the owner of a farm of eighty acres on section 17. Cono township, which in its neat and attractive appearance evidences his care- ful supervision and practical labors. His birth occurred in Quasqueton, Buchanan county, Iowa, on the 23d of June, 1876, his parents being John and Emma (Heiland) Gardner, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
William H. Gardner was reared to manhood under the parental roof and when twenty-three years of age purchased the old homestead farm of eighty
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acres from his father, having since devoted his time and energies to its further cultivation and improvement. He also operates a rented tract of forty acres and in the conduct of his agricultural interests has met with a most gratifying and well-merited measure of success. In connection with the production of cereals he raises Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle, finding this branch of his business quite profitable.
On the 15th of November, 1899, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Katie Kaesser, a daughter of W. C. and Mary Ann (Kautz) Kaesser, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have three children, namely: Wilma G., twelve years old; Marion E. and Roy Charles, who are nine and four years of age respectively.
Mr. Gardner gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving in the capacity of township clerk, having filled that office in a most creditable manner for the past eight years. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Buchanan county has remained his home from his birth to the present time. His life has been well spent, in harmony with his professions, and in every relation he has been honorable and upright, winning for himself the warm regard of his fellow citizens.
GEORGE A. JAKWAY.
George A. Jakway came to this county in 1853 and was one of the leading agriculturists and prominent men of affairs in early days. He was born ncar Whitehall, Vermont, a son of Thomas Jakway, who owned a farm on the shores of Lake Champlain, in the neighborhood of Fort Ticonderoga of Revolutionary fame. The parents of our subject both passed away upon the homestead.
George A. Jakway remained under the parental roof until grown and his marriage occurred in his native place. He subsequently removed with his bride to Boone county, Illinois, and erected the first building erected there. Before leaving Vermont he purchased a pair of Canadian ponies, which he took by boat to Chicago, where he was offered forty acres of land in trade for them, it. being now in the main part of the city. He entered land in Garden Prairie township, Boone county, near the town of Belvidere, and resided there for some time. In 1853 he came with his family to Buchanan county and located upon two sections of land where Aurora now stands. He paid a dollar and a quarter per acre for part of it and a dollar and seventy-five cents per acre for the remainder. A year and a half later he sold all for the uniform price of six dollars per acre to Bishop and Oscar Warren. He then bought seven hundred acres of land near Buffalo Grove, on the site where the town of Mudville was started. The land is still largely in possession of the family, some of it being owned by Charles H. Jakway, a brother of our subject. George A. Jakway made many improvements upon his farm, erecting a substantial dwelling house and develop- ing the land. He resided upon his farming property until a few years before his death, when he removed to Strawberry Point, Clayton county, where he passed away on the 18th of March, 1891, when he was seventy-three years of age. When he came to Iowa from Illinois he drove three thousand sheep and seven
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yoke of oxen. In that early day Dubuque and MeGregor were the nearest trad- ing points and there were many inconveniences, discouragements and hardships to be endured, but the rich prairie land offered a great reward to those who persevered in the effort to bring it under cultivation and the unpleasant phases of pioneer life were compensated for by the abundant harvests of later years and the thought that a worthy work was being done.
Mr. Jakway married Miss Matilda Preble, a native of Orville, Vermont, and a daughter of Edwin and Nancy Preble, who spent their entire lives in that state. She died in Buchanan county in 1862, leaving nine children, of whom six are living: Gustavus H., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Fred, a farmer of Buffalo township, who is also represented on another page of this history ; Frank, a twin to Fred, who is carrying on agricultural operations in Madison township; A. T., of Oelwein; Mary, now Mrs. Spear, of Oklahoma; Emma, a teacher in this county, and Martha, the wife of Harry Schofield of Strawberry Point, Iowa. Mrs. Israel Titus and Charles W. Jakway both grew to maturity but are now deceased. Two others, Eddie and Walter, died at seven and two years of age respectively. After the death of the wife and mother Mr. Jakway was married to Mrs. Martha A. Whitmarsh of Buffalo town- ship, who is still living at Strawberry Point, Iowa.
Mr. Jakway was a whig in early years but joined the republican party at the time of its organization and supported it loyally thereafter. He served as county supervisor and was a leader in public affairs in his community. He was well informed and widely read and his advice was often sought upon many matters when there was especial need of level-headed and farsighted action. While a resident of Vermont he was a captain of militia and was always interested in military affairs. His demise was the occasion of sincere regret and a distinct loss to the county in which he had lived for so many years and whose interests he had served so well.
FRANK E. JAKWAY.
Frank E. Jakway is an agrieulturist and stockman who owns and operates a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 7, Madison township, and who also owns ten acres of timber land upon Buffalo creek. In addition to the raising of grain he breeds shorthorn Durham cattle and has won a reputation as a raiser of a fine grade of stock. He was born May 29, 1861, in a log house which stood on the site of the present house of Charles H. Jakway, in Buffalo township. He is a son of George A. Jakway, who is mentioned on other pages of this work.
In the fall of 1861 Frank E. Jakway moved with his parents to the farm where he still resides. His boyhood and youth were spent there and in assist- ing his father with the work of the farm he found that exercise and outdoor life which are so conducive to health and also learned thoroughly the principles of agriculture. He attended the country schools in the pursuit of an education. His father owned hundreds of aeres of land and raised great quantities of wheat and as Mr. Jakway of this review grew in strength and in knowledge of farming he assisted more and more with the work of planting, harvesting and threshing.
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Since beginning his independent career he has continued to farm and has been successful not only in the cultivation of land but also as a stock-raiser, specializ- ing in draft and standard bred horses. His animals are of a fine strain and possess symmetry of form, strength and great power of endurance.
Mr. Jakway was married in this county to Mrs. Mabel C. Wilcox, who was born in Independence, May 23, 1875, a daughter of D. W. and Olive M. (Porter) Hammond, who came to Buchanan county in the early '50s. Mr. Hammond located at Buffalo Grove and secured land but for some time taught school. He taught for several years at Quasqueton and during that time resided at In- dependence. Mrs. Hammond was also a teacher, having taught in the east and after coming to this county at West Union. They were married in Lisbon, Illinois. Mr. Hammond went to California at the time of the gold excitement and taught school there for some time. He was subsequently in the United States railway mail service for fourteen years and was also a hardware merchant at Oelwein and at Independence for a number of years. He and his wife held membership in the Presbyterian church of Independence and fraternally he be- longed to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Legion of Honor. He was a republican in political belief and was active in local affairs. He passed away at Oelwein in February, 1907, at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife died in May, 1908, at the age of seventy-two years. Both were natives of Cattaraugus county, New York, and the mother lived at Utica, New York, for some time before coming west. To them were born three children: Mrs. Frank E. Jakway; Mrs. Addie Porter Gunn, of Locke, Washington, who was a teacher before her marriage to Mr. Gunn, who is a contractor and builder and also a landowner of that place; and Frank M., of Oelwein, who is a tinner by trade and who is married. Mrs. Jakway was reared in Independence and there received her education. Previous to her marriage she taught school near Aurora, this county. She first married Fred Wilcox and one daughter, Beat- rice, was born to that union. To Mr. and Mrs. Jakway have been born three sons : Chester Preble, born February 16, 1904; Donald Fred, born June 2, 1905; and Clinton Hammond, born November 20, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Jakway are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and do all in their power to further the cause of righteousness in their community. Mr. Jakway is a republican and has been a member of the school board for some time. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and his wife to the Pythian Sisters, and both are members of the Yeomen of Aurora. They are widely known in their community and have many friends who often meet at their hos- pitable home.
LAFAYETTE McBANE.
Lafayette MeBane, who follows farming in Liberty township, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1850, a son of George and Sabina (Eisnogle) . McBane, both of whom were natives of Tuscarawas county. In early life the father followed farming in Ohio, where he owned lands, and on removing west- ward settled in Buchanan county, Iowa. The journey was made by boat to
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Dubuque, from which point he came overland to this eounty and secured gov- ernment land in Liberty township. He at once began the arduous task of clearing this and preparing it for cultivation and in 1850 built a log house, which was the pioneer home of the family. The conditions of frontier life were everywhere in evidence. Many Indians were still to be seen and there was much game to be had. The prairies were covered with their native grasses, the timber was largely uncut and there was little indication of the rapid changes which were soon to transform the district from a wild, unsettled region into one of the populous and prosperous counties of the commonwealth. Mr. McBane was the owner of two hundred and fifty-five acres of land and carried on general farming, success attending his efforts more and more largely as the years went on. He was always interested in the publie affairs of the community and cooperated in many plans for the betterment of existing eon- ditions. He lived to see marked advancement here. The population of the county was very sparse at the time of his arrival and Independence was only a village with a few houses and a store or two, while Quasqueton contained nothing but a postoffice. Ile saw all this changed and rejoiced in what was accomplished. He helped to build the first church and the first schoolhouse in Liberty township, and thus aided in laving the foundation upon which later progress has been made.
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