USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 6
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HENRY MEYER.
Henry Meyer, who in the course of an active, busy and useful life has con- verted raw prairie land into highly cultivated fields and is now the owner of a valuable farm property of two hundred and twenty acres situated on section 11, Byron township, was born July 19, 1843, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, a son of Henry and Isadora (Sullivan) Meyer, of whom mention is made on an- other page of this work in connection with the sketch of their son-in-law, Colonel Jed Lake.
The boyhood days of Henry Meyer were spent at the old home in Pennsyl- vania and at Rockford and Dixon, Illinois, following the removal of the family to the middle west. In 1855, however, another removal brought the family to Buchanan county and their home was established in Byron township. Henry Meyer was then a youth of about twelve years. He continued to assist his father in the task of developing and improving a new farm and at the same time spent the winter seasons in the acquirement of his education. He gave his father the benefit of his services up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated on the 7th of July. 1869, Miss Sarah L. Spangler becoming his wife. She was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in January, 1844, and is a daughter of George and Rebecca (Cleggett) Spangler. both of whom were natives of Maryland, the former of German lineage and the latter of English extraction. Removing to
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Ohio. the father there engaged in farming until his death, which occurred when he was in middle life and before the birth of Mrs. Meyer. IIis widow survived until sixty-five years of age. Mrs. Meyer spent her girlhood in the Buckeye state and about 1865 came to this county, where her brother, Samuel T. Spangler, was living. She made the trip in order to visit her brother and here formed the acquaintance of Mr. Meyer, who sought her hand in marriage. They have be- come the parents of three children : Isadora, the wife of William Sherren, a resident farmer of Byron township; Hattie Jane, the wife of J. W. Marshall, a farmer of the same township; and Lee L., who is a school teacher and also a teacher of music, having taught for nine years in one distriet near the old home.
In early manhood Henry Meyer received from his father a gift of eighty acres of land which was wild and unimproved, not a furrow having been turned upon it. He bought an adjoining tract of eighty aeres which was likewise raw prairie, and later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the old home- stead. With characteristic energy he began the development of his farm and his labors were attended with good results, his fields being brought to a high state of cultivation, while the large crops annually garnered found a ready sale on the market. In late years Mr. Meyer sold one hundred acres of the old homestead property to his son-in-law, but he still retains the ownership of two hundred and twenty acres of excellent farm land, which he personally culti- vated until two years ago. He then rented the farm land but keeps the pastur- age and is raising full blooded shorthorn cattle, which branch of his business is bringing to him gratifying success.
In his political views Mr. Meyer has long been a stalwart republican, sup- porting the party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. For several years he has been roadmaster and he thoroughly recognizes the value of good highways in this age when the question of good roads looms large on the public horizon. Otherwise he has never sought nor desired public office but concentrates his energies upon his business affairs, which are capably and profit- ably managed.
FRED FRANCK.
Fred Franck, numbered among the enterprising, prosperous and representa- tive agriculturists of Buchanan county, owns and resides upon a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 8, Newton town- ship, and also has a forty-aere tract in Cono township. His birth occurred in Independence, Buchanan county, Iowa, in November, 1873, his parents being Fritz and Fredericka (Geiser) Franek, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, a stonemason by trade, emigrated to the United States in the '50s and located at Buffalo, New York, where he worked at that occupation for several years. Subsequently he came to Independence, Iowa, and here worked as a stonemason for thirty years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of land in Homer township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for five years and then removed to Middlefield township, buying another farm which he operated throughout the remainder of his life. In his demise, which occurred
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in September, 1906, the community lost one of its most substantial and re- spected citizens. His widow resides on the home place and is well known and highly esteemed here.
Fred Franck was reared and educated in the town of his nativity and remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age. He then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, operating a rented farm for eight years. On the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 8, Newton township, and subsequently bought a tract of forty acres in Cono township. He made a number of substantial improvements on the place and now has a valuable and highly developed prop- erty which yields him a gratifying annual income. In connection with the cultivation of cereals he makes a specialty of the raising of Poland China hogs.
In February, 1904, Mr. Franck was united in marriage to Miss Louise Walter, a daughter of Christian and Caroline (Wahl) Walter, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in 1849, locating at Wheaton, Illinois, where he remained for four years. In 1853 he came to Newton township, Buchanan county, Iowa, and here purchased and improved a tract of land which he cultivated until the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He loyally served as a member of the Union army for three years and then returned to his farm in this county, here carrying on agri- cultural pursuits successfully throughout the remainder of his active business career. He subsequently lived retired at Walker for some time and spent his last days in the home of his son at Quasqueton, where his demise occurred in November, 1910. His wife was called to her final rest in January, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Franck have two children, Elta C. and Fred C., who are eight and six years of age respectively.
Mr. Franck gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as a trustee of Newton township, having held that office for two years. while at one time he discharged the duties of constable. In Buchanan county he has lived. from his birth to the present time. He is a man loyal in citizenship, reliable in business, at all times public-spirited and progressive and his life measures up to the full standard of honorable manhood, his record being a eredit to a name that has been known and honored in this part of Iowa since pioneer times.
JOIIN LAWRENCE MCGRATH, D. V. S.
Dr. John Lawrence MeGrath has been engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery at Jesup since 1912 and is widely recognized as an able and successful young representative of the profession. His birth occurred in Westburg town- ship, Buchanan county, Iowa, on the 26th of June, 1881, his parents being William and Elizabeth Ann (O'Donnell) MeGrath, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the latter born in County Clare.
William MeGrath crossed the Atlantic to the United States as a youth of sixteen but at the end of a year returned to the Emerald isle. In 1861, when a young man of twenty-one, he again came to America and for a period of
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fourteen years was engaged in mining in Michigan and in Duluth, Minnesota. The year 1875 witnessed his arrival in Buchanan county, Iowa, and here he purchased a traet of land in Westburg township, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in 1904. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won an extensive cirele of friends in the community which had been his home for almost three decades. He gave his political allegiance to the democracy and was a devout communieant of the Catholic church. His widow, who still resides on the home farm in Westburg township and has now reached the age of sixty-one years, came to this country in young girlhood. To them were born teur children, as follows: John Lawrence, Eugene N., Martin Leo, Peter R., William C., Lewis A., James L., Bridget Mary, Hanora and Johanna.
John L. MeGrath spent the period of his boyhood and youth on the home farm and attended the publie schools in the acquirement of an education. When twenty-five years of age he left the parental roof and made his way to MeKenzie county, North Dakota, where he took up a homestead. At the end of eight months, however, he gave up his preemption and acquired the property by paying a dollar and a half per acre. He entered the Chicago Veterinary College in the fall of 1908 and was graduated therefrom with honors in 1912. In that year he opened an office at Jesup and has since built up and maintained an extensive and profitable practice as a veterinary surgeon.
On June 19, 1912, Dr. MeGrath was united in marriage to Miss Florence Anna Collins, a native of Liberty township, this eounty, and a daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Stafford) Collins, who were born in Ireland and survive, making their home in Westburg township, Buchanan county. Our subject and his wife are the parents of one child. Mrs. McGrath has always lived in Buchanan county and is well known and highly esteemed here. In his political views the Doctor is a democrat, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, to which his wife also belongs.
MERRITT O. FOUTS.
Called to the position of cashier of the Commercial State Bank of Inde- pendence in January, 1911, Merritt O. Fouts is still filling that position and is proving a capable official, popular with the bank patrons and thoroughly reliable in every relation. He was born at Brandon, this county, March 1, 1874, a son of William H. and Mary A. (Romig) Fouts. The father's birth occurred in Warren county, Indiana, May 30, 1834, and the mother was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, April 21, 1844. W. H. Fouts engaged in merchandising with his father and in 1851 came to this county, settling at Brandon. ITis father established a sawmill and platted the town, after which he conducted a mercantile enterprise. With the business interests of the town W. H. Fouts was continuously identified up to the time of his retirement and contributed much to the upbuilding and development of that place. He also became the owner of large traets of land and engaged extensively in farming. Apprecia- tive of his worth and ability, his fellow townsmen frequently called him to local
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offices and for a number of years he served as postmaster of Brandon. His wife died in 1892 and he now makes his home with his daughter Clara, the wife of J. W. Elliot, a farmer residing near Brandon.
In the family were but two children, the younger being Merritt O. Fouts. who in the pursuit of his education attended successively the schools of Brandon and Independence and of Van Wert, Ohio. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching school near Brandon and during periods of vacation was employed as a clerk in a department store in Independence, where he remained for about two years. He afterward engaged in the real-estate business in Independence for about three years, at the end of which time he became manager for the Inde- pendence Mills Company, but left that firm in less than a year in order to accept public office.
In politics Mr. Fouts has always been a stalwart republican and in 1900 was elected clerk of the district court, to which office he was twice reelected. IIe resigned before the expiration of his third term to accept the position of special examiner for the United States bureau of pensions, spending most of the period of his five years' incumbency in that office at Indianapolis and Milwaukee. On leaving that position he became cashier of the Commercial State Bank in January, 1911, and has since been thus identified with financial affairs.
On the 18th of March, 1896, Mr. Fouts was united in marriage to Miss Mae Chapman, who was born in Stillman Valley, Illinois, a daughter of William and Ellen (Broadwood) Chapman, both of whom were natives of Canada, whence they removed to Illinois about 1870, settling at Stillman Valley, where the father engaged in contracting and building. About 1884 he removed with his family to lowa and took up his abode upon a farm just south of Independence, where he is still carrying on general agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Fouts was the youngest of four children and by her marriage has become the mother of a daughter and son, Mildred J. and John Kenneth.
Mr. Fouts holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America and is secretary of the Odd Fellow's lodge. In all these different organizations he is held in high esteem, for he is loyal to their pur- poses and in his life exemplifies their teachings. He is also a member of the school board. Ilis record is a creditable one in every relation. He has proven thoroughly trustworthy in business and reliable in office and has the warm regard and confidence of an extensive circle of friends.
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CHARLES F. HERRICK.
The predominant trait in the Herrick family is perhaps that of patriotism, for in the different wars of the country the family has been represented and among those who aided in defense of the Union in the darkest hour of our country's history was Charles F. Herrick of this review. In days of peace, too, he was equally loyal to his country and cooperated in movements for local prog- ress and improvement. Thus it was that he became recognized as a citizen of sterling worth in Buchanan county and his death was the occasion of deep and
CHARLES F. HERRICK
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widespread regret when, in 1905, he was called to his final rest. His birth occurred in Lima, New York, in 1835.
Israel Herrick, his father, was of English parentage, but was born in Ver- mont in 1786. There is a long genealogical record of the family and frequently the name of Herrick appears in the annals of America in connection with the war history. Israel Herrick, Sr., grandfather of Charles F. Herrick, was one of the Minutemen of the Revolution and his son, Israel Herrick, Jr., was a soldier of the War of 1812. Then came Charles F. Herrick as a soldier of the Civil war and his son, C. G. Herrick, as a soldier of the Spanish-American war. Israel Herrick, Jr., was a carpenter and joiner by trade and removed westward from New England in 1858, at which time he took up his abode in Buchanan county. His son Charles, however, had come to this state in 1856, arriving on the day on which James Buchanan was elected president of the United States. After his arrival in Iowa Israel Herrick practically lived retired, although there is still standing as a monument of his handiwork one of the buildings which he erected after coming to Independence, where he remained a substantial and respected citizen to the time of his death.
When thirteen years of age Charles F. Herrick was apprenticed to the jeweler's trade, thoroughly mastering the business and becoming an expert work- man in that line. In 1856, the year in which he attained his majority, he bade adieu to his old home in the east and came to Independence, where he opened a jewelry store, becoming one of the pioneer merchants of the city. He con- tinued actively in the business until his death, which occurred forty-nine years later. At different times he had partners, but never at any time did he sever his own connection with the store which he established in pioneer days. In his business he kept in touch with the advancement of the times and with the growth and progress of the county, carrying a large and well-selected stock and enjoying a liberal patronage by reason of his honorable methods and earnest efforts to please his customers. For a time he conducted a music store in connection with the jewelry business. He possessed natural musical talent and was always active in musical circles.
In 1861 Mr. Herrick enlisted in the Eleventh Illinois Infantry at Rockford, becoming a member of the regimental band. Later such bands were discharged by general order and in 1864 he again offered his services to the government and was elected captain of Company D, Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry. After serving for a short time, however, he was sent home in a precarious condition because of camp sickness, being honorably discharged and mustered out before the company disbanded.
Mr. Herrick was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Sauerbier, who was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1842, a daughter of George and Sarah A. (Haberacker) Sauerbier, both of whom were natives of Reading. Penn- sylvania. The father, who was born September 21, 1805, died on the 5th of August, 1885. The mother, who was born February 26, 1815, passed away May 15, 1877. It was in 1855 that George Sauerbier came to Iowa, settling in Inde- pendence. He had engaged in the manufacture of hats when in Pennsylvania. but lived retired in Iowa, owing to ill health. The house which he erected in 1856 is still occupied by his daughter and her family. It was first used as a store when most of the city of Independence was on the west side. Mr. Sauerbier was
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an active and earnest member of the Presbyterian church, both he and his wife being widely recognized as people of sterling worth. They had but two children, including Mrs. Herrick, who has long been a prominent figure in social and religious circles of the city and interested as well in many civic problems.
To Mr. and Mrs. Herrick were born six children : Ellen A., Alice E., William S., Mary P., Sarah E. and Charles G. The eldest is now the wife of S. P. Rider, a retired wholesale dry goods merchant of Dubuque, and they have two children : Herbert, a dentist practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Marie, the wife of Merrill Burch, of Dubuque. The third daughter, Mary P., became the wife of A. J. Schaefer, a dry goods merchant of Belvidere, Illinois, and they have four children. The fourth daughter, Sarah E., became the wife of Reece Tucker, a live-stock dealer of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and they have three children. The younger son of the family is Charles G. Herrick, now a jeweler and watch- maker of Independence, his father's successor in business. He learned the trade under the direction of his father, and in 1898 gave evidence of possessing the same patriotic spirit that has ever been characteristic of the family, for he joined Company E of the Forty-ninth Iowa Infantry, of which he became ser- geant and was also sergeant-major of his regiment. With that command he went to Jacksonville and on to Havana, Cuba, thus defending American interests in the war with Spain. Since 1908 he has been continuously engaged in the jewelry business in Independence, ranking with the leading and enterprising merchants of the city. In 1900 he married Maude A. King, a daughter of Prettyman King, who was born in Defiance, Ohio, in 1841, and attended the Ohio Wesleyan University. He served as a captain in the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and made a splendid record, participating in twenty-four important battles. He was also present at General Lee's surrender. He married Miss Mattie Dorset, who died in 1868. Later Mr. King came to Iowa and for two years was engaged in the dry goods business in Independence. He then returned to Ohio and in 1872 again came to Iowa, being identified with general merchandising in Hazleton. He was married again, his second union being with Amelia Manz. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. By his first marriage he had three children, of whom Mrs. Herrick is the youngest. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Herriek have been born two children, Bernice and Lucille. Like his father, Charles G. Herrick has been active in Masonie cireles, holding membership with the lodge, the chapter, the commandery and El Kahir Temple of the Mystie Shrine. He has been junior warden and senior deacon in the blue lodge and was its master for two years. In the commandery he has been both the junior and senior warden and captain general. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias.
Charles F. Herriek always took a deep and active interest in civie affairs and heartily cooperated in every movement for the benefit and upbuilding of town and county. He was one of the early mayors of the city of Independence, serving in 1868 and 1869. Again in 1896 he was appointed to fill out an unex- pired term in that office and in 1905 was again elected the chief executive of the city, filling the position at the time of his death. That he was on three different occasions called to the office is indieative of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. It also indicates that through the intervening years he never lapsed in his loyalty to the eity and its welfare, but again and
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again gave evidence of his devotion to the public good. He likewise served as a member of the city council and was at all times an earnest advocate of repub- lican principles, being one of the active members of the party in Independence. He figured prominently in the social as well as the political cireles of the eity and was especially active as a member of St. James Episcopal church, serving for many years as a vestryman and as superintendent of the Sunday school. He was one of the most prominent Masons of Independence, passing through the blue lodge and later taking the degrees of capitular, cryptic and chivalrie Masonry. He also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was a senior warden of his lodge in 1868, its master in 1869, 1870, 1883 and 1884. He likewise filled one of the principal offices in the chapter and in 1882 was elected eminent commander of the Knights Templar Commandery, which office he filled for twelve years. He belonged to El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids and from the time he became a member of the order he was ever a worthy exemplar of the beneficent spirit of the craft, its tenets and its teachings. His life was at all times honorable and upright and in every relation he commanded the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen. He contributed much to the material development of the city through his business activity and equally to its advancement along political, social and moral lines. He left behind him the priceless heritage of a good name and the memory of a life that may well serve as a source of inspiration and also as a benedietion to those with whom he came in contact.
WILLIAM J. FRANCK.
William J. Franek is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on sections 4 and 5, Newton township, and derives a gratify- ing annual income in its operation. His birth occurred at Independence, this county, on the 30th of September, 1878, his parents being Fritz and Fredericka (Geiser) Franck, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Fred Franek, brother of our subject.
William J. Franck acquired his education in his native town and in the district schools of Homer and Middlefield townships. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and then worked as a farm hand for one year, while subsequently he cultivated a rented tract of land in partnership with his brother for three years. On the expiration of that period he returned home and worked for his father for one year. He then again rented a traet of land which he cultivated for about seven years and at the end of that time purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 4 and 5, Newton township, his residence being on the former seetion. This he has improved and has operated to the present time, carrying on nis agri- cultural interests in a manner that has insured his continued and growing success. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also raises thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs and high grade cattle, breeding princi- pally Herefords.
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In October, 1906, Mr. Franck was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Fest, a daughter of John and Janet Alice (Ironside) Fest, whose record appears else- where in this work. John Fest took up his abode among the pioneer settlers of this county and is still actively engaged in farming in Newton township. Mr. and Mrs. Franck have three children, as follows: William Raymond and Hazel M., who are seven and five years of age respectively; and Arthur L., three years old.
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