USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa: a record of settlement., Volume 2 > Part 21
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In his early manhood Mr. Brown had learned the shoemaker's trade and followed this for some time after his return from the army, working at his trade during the winter months and during the summer aiding in the operation of his father's farm. In 1866 he came west to Iowa and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of wild land in Blackhawk county. He broke the soil and after making a number of improvements upon the place sold it and purchased an eighty acre tract near Waterloo. Soon after- ward he returned to New Hampshire but in 1867 came again to Iowa, settling in Butler county, where he has since resided. In 1876 he bought six hundred and eighty acres near the town of Dumont and at the same time rented a tract of three hundred and twenty acres, upon which he made his home while carrying out the improvements upon the land which he owned. For many years thereafter he engaged to some extent in buying and dealing in farming property and recently sold his six hundred and forty acre tract for sixty-four thousand dollars. At the present he owns a farm lying partly within the corporate limits of Dumont and is erecting upon it a modern residence which when completed will be one of the finest of its kind in Butler county. He has resided upon this property for over thirty years and the results of his careful supervision and intelligent management are evident in the appearance of the farm, which is up-to-date in every particular. It is equipped with substantial barns and out-buildings, the fields are fenced and crossfenced and a grove of evergreen and orna- mental trees affords the necessary wind break.
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Although Mr. Brown is regarded as one of the leading agricul- turists of Butler county, his interests have extended to many other fields, touching closely the business development of this section of the state. In 1880 he opened a lumberyard in Dumont and is still connected with the conduct of this enterprise, controlling a large and profitable business. He was a promoter of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Butler county and served as presi- dent and as treasurer of this organization. To his initiative spirit and executive ability the First National Bank of Parkersburg owes its existence and to his unusual financial acumen is due a great deal of its present prosperity. He served as its first presi- dent and his ability, enterprise and energy influenced its policy for many years thereafter. In addition to these enterprises Mr. Brown was a promoter of the Cooperative Creamery Association and the Farmers Elevator Company of Dumont and has accom- plished a great deal of important work in the best interests of his town and county.
Since the organization of the republican party Mr. Brown has been one of its most earnest and loyal advocates. Previous to its establishment he affiliated with the old line whigs but since the Civil war has been a stanch republican, supporting the principles and candidates of this party with the same energy and singleness of purpose which mark his efforts in whatever direction they are turned. He served as a member of the Nineteenth general assem- bly of Iowa and upon the completion of his term was reelected to that body. His public spirit and political ability carried him for- ward into close connection with important legislative interests, as is evident by the fact that he was chairman of the committee on cities and towns and prominent in the work of eight or ten other committees, his legislative record being varied in service and faultless in honor. A stanch advocate of the cause of temperance, Mr. Brown was fearless in his support of prohibition principles in the house of representatives and by untiring work upon the floor of the house accomplished the passage of a number of temperance measures. He has held various other positions of public trust and responsibility and has been a delegate to numerous state, county and congressional conventions.
On the 16th of September, 1856, in Belknap county, New Hampshire, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Bickford, a daughter of Captain Arthur Bickford, one of the prominent men of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Brown became the parents of three children, one of whom, a daughter, Clara, died
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at the age of seven years. The others are: Anna, the wife of H. B. Akin, former superintendent of schools of Butler county ; and George S., of Dumont, of the firm of George S. Brown, Son & Company, dealers in lumber, etc.
Mr. Brown is connected with the blue lodge in Masonry and is a member of the Grand Army post at Bristow. During the forty-six years of his residence here he has been one of the great- est individual forces in the promotion of the general good of the community, a moving spirit in the organization and support of various progressive public projects. The years have brought him success, prominence and a substantial fortune and today, at the age of eighty-three, he seems yet in his prime in spirit and interests, a man of keen intellectual power, unusual business abil- ity and progressive public spirit.
PETER H. IBLINGS.
Among the men of Butler county who have made substantial contributions to the advancement of practical agriculture in the vicinity is numbered Peter H. Iblings, who owns three hundred and twenty acres of fine land on section 26, Monroe township and in its cultivation has followed always the most modern and pro- gressive methods, surrounding himself with an enviable degree of prosperity. He was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, Feb- ruary 14, 1876, and is a son of Ibling Iblings, who was born in Germany in 1842 and who came to America about the year 1856. The father settled in Butler county, Iowa, in 1886 and engaged in farming in this locality until his death which occurred in 1907. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Anna Whilhelms, was born in Germany in 1846 and died in Butler county in 1911. They had ten children: John, Christopher, Katie, William, Claus A., Peter H., Henry, Emma, Herman and Anna.
Peter H. Iblings attended district school until he was eight- een years of age and then spent two years in Ames Agricultural College. He afterward worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty-two years of age and then rented land for two years. At the end of that time he bought two hundred and forty acres in Allen township, a tract which he sold at the end of three years, purchasing the farm upon which he now resides. He owns three hundred and twenty acres on section 26, Monroe township and
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harvests every year abundant crops of hay, corn, oats and rye, which he sells in the local market. He has also important stock- raising interests, keeping seventy head of pure-bred, registered, polled Angus cattle, one hundred and fifty hogs and fourteen horses. Mr. Iblings makes it his aim to keep abreast of the modern advancement in the science of agriculture and is a con- stant reader of the best farm journals. In consequence of his practical ideas and unremitting efforts his farm is one of the fin- est in the township and he himself is numbered among the repre- sentative and able agriculturists.
At Clara City, Minnesota, on the 21st of June, 1906, Mr. Ib- lings married Miss Jessie Voss, a daughter of Tonious Voss, a farmer living in Austinville, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Iblings have two children; Herman and James.
Mr. Iblings is a stockholder in the Farmer's Cooperative Ele- vator Company at Charles City, Iowa. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a member of the Baptist church. He has been very successful in the conduct of his farm- ing interests, his success rewarding unremitting industry and practical labor.
GERT DE BOWER.
Many of the sterling traits of the German race find manifesta- tion in Gert De Bower, an enterprising farmer, whose realization of the fact that success is the outcome of industry, determina- tion and perseverance has enabled him to win a place, by the exercise of these qualities, among the substantial farmers of Jef- ferson township. He lives on section 8 and has a well developed farm.
He was born in East Friesia, Germany, August 4, 1864, and is a son of Harry and Isabel (Sucher) De Bower, who in the year 1872 became residents of Dane county, Wisconsin. The father, however, was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring two or three months after his arrival. The family resided there for about two years and then removed to Lodi, Columbia county, Wisconsin, where they made their home until coming to Iowa about a quarter of a century ago. Here the mother passed away in 1891. The family was brought to the United States by two uncles, Gert and Sim De Bower. They
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. were in very straightened financial circumstances when they arrived, and the uncles furnished a little home for them to live in the first year. All of the boys began to work and all remained at home until they married and made homes for themselves. All now own good places, and most of their success has been won in Butler county. In Wisconsin they cultivated a rented farm but after coming to Iowa purchased property and thus gradually worked their way upward until they gained a place among the substantial residents of the county. In the family were six chil- dren: Ed and Paul, who are resident farmers of West Point township; Mrs. Tina Fraese, now deceased; Dora, the wife of Louis Hummel, of West Point township; Gert of Jefferson town- ship; and Herman, who is living in Jackson township.
Gert De Bower was a little lad of but eight summers when he accompanied his parents on the voyage across the Atlantic. His youth was a period of earnest and unremitting toil because of the financial condition of the family, which made it necessary that he begin work at an early age. The habits of industry and determination, which he then developed, have clung to him through life and have constituted the foundation upon which his success has been built. From early youth he has worked in the fields and has at length gained the legitimate reward of his labors, being now the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred acres on section 8, Jefferson township, on which are two sets of farm buildings. His first purchase was one hun- dred and sixty acres, but he afterward bought the Baldwin farm adjoining, comprising two hundred and forty acres. He pur- chased the entire tract and is known as a most successful general farmer and stock-raiser. His fields produce excellent crops of corn, wheat and other cereals and in his pastures are seen high grades of stock. The work of improvement has been carried for- ward along progressive lines, and that he is a wide-awake, alert. and energetic business man is furthermore shown in the fact that he is a director of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company of Allison, a director of the Farmers Cooperative Butter fac- tory of Allison, a director of the Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company of Jefferson township and a director of the Butler. County Fair Association. He takes an active interest in the last mentioned, believing in anything that will stimulate activity and promote the standards of farming in this part of the state.
In 1890 Mr. De Bower was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Hummel, who was born in Arlington, Columbia county, Wis-
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consin, June 12, 1867, and is a daughter of Frank Hummel, who was born on the ocean while his parents were coming to America. The mother of Mrs. De Bower was a native of Germany, and both Mr. and Mrs. Hummel were residents of Wisconsin until called to their final rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. De Bower have been born ten children: Emma, who is the wife of Otto Ernest, of Schuyler, Nebraska, and has one child, Pearl; George, who is living with his sister Emma; and Elsie, Lawrence, Frank, Clar- ence, Elmer, Roy, Vernie and Alvin, all at home. All of the children were born in this county.
The family are members of the German Lutheran church, and Mr. De Bower gives his political indorsement to the republican party. He belongs to the progressive class of agriculturists, to whom this county owes her progress, upbuilding and improve- ment. He has indeed won the proud American title of self-made man. In America labor is king. The man who is willing to work and whose efforts are directed by intelligence can always win advancement. It has been in this way that Mr. De Bower has gained his present creditable position as one of the substan- tial residents of Butler county.
JAMES WARREN HICKLE.
James Warren Hickle owns and cultivates an excellent farm of one hundred and fifty acres, situated on sections 28 and 29, Butler township. He is a native of the neighboring state of Illi- nois, his birth having occurred in McLean county, near Bloom- ington, on the 2d of December, 1854. His parents were John and Hester (Van Gundy) Hickle, natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married. They later removed to Illinois, where they remained for ten years and in 1856 they came to Butler county, settling upon the farm which is now the home of their son, James W. Here the father carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred December 16, 1894, when he was eighty-two years of age, for he was born on the 24th of August, 1812. His wife, who was born July 7, 1820, was almost a nonagenarian at the time of her demise, on the 20th of June, 1910. In politics Mr. Hickle was a stalwart republican and held a number of local offices, the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He belonged
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to the Masonic lodge for thirty-six years, having become a charter member of the lodge at Clarksville. He was ever pub- lic-spirited and progressive in all of his relations to the commu- nity, promoted many projects for the public benefit and donated from his farm a tract of land for the Lowell cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. John Hickle were born the following children: Jacob H., now living in Clarksville; William, also a resident of that place; Alfred, a farmer of Jackson township; David, who died in 1909; James W .; Eliza, who lives with a brother; Charles, a resident of Butler township; and three who died in childhood.
James Warren Hickle was but two years of age when brought by his parents to Butler county. At that time he came to the old homestead farm and has hereon since resided. He owns one hundred and fifty acres of land pleasantly and conveniently located on sections 28 and 29, Butler township, not far from Clarksville. All the improvements have been made by the family, and the farm is now an excellent property, the land being divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, while substan- tial barns and outbuildings offer shelter for grain and stock. The latest improved machinery also facilitates the work of the fields and indicates the careful supervision of the owner. Mr. Hickle has always voted with the republican party and believes firmly in its principles.
JOHN P. ARENDS.
One of the active and progressive young business men of Aplington is John P. Arends, who since 1909 has conducted a large hardware, heating, lighting and plumbing establishment in the town. His birth occurred here November 13, 1884, his par- ents being John P. and Grace (Iben) Arends, both born in Ger- many in 1853. The father was the first hardware merchant in Aplington and was connected with that line of business here until his death in 1902. His wife survives him and still makes her home in Aplington. They became the parents of six children. The oldest, Arend P., is a salesman with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. He married Miss Minna Fink and they have become the parents of a daughter, Maurine. Gertrude lives at home; John P. is the subject of this review; Robert is also at home; and Henry was taken in as a partner with his brother,
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John P., in the hardware business in Aplington, in February, 1913. The youngest member of the family, Florence, lives at home. John P. Arends was graduated from the Aplington high school in 1899 and took a course in the Waterloo business col- lege, from 1900 to 1902. At the time of his father's death, in February, 1902, he was called upon to work in his father's hard- ware store, assisting his older brother, Arend P., in conducting the business until May, 1903, when the estate was settled. In December, 1903, he moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, but in 1909 returned to Aplington and established himself in business, open- ing a hardware, heating, lighting and plumbing concern. He has met with a gratifying degree of success and has now a large patronage accorded to him in recognition of his honorable and upright methods and his reasonable prices.
In Marshalltown, Iowa, on the 16th of May, 1905, Mr. Arends was united in marriage to Miss Bessie L. Hauser, a daughter of David Hauser, a retired farmer living in Union. Mr. and Mrs. Arends have four children : David R., Roger, John P., Jr .; and a son, born January 15, 1914, and not named at this writing.
Mr. Arends is independent in his political views. He is a young man' of energy, resource and capability, and he will undoubtedly be carried forward into still more important relations with business interests of the community.
PAUL J. GERDES.
The Evergreen Home Stock Farm, comprising three hundred and twenty acres of the finest land in Butler county, is the prop- erty of Paul J. Gerdes, and its excellent condition and modern equipment testifies to his progressive and practical agricultural methods and to the care and supervision which he bestows upon his property. He was born in Peoria county, Illinois, March 26, 1866, a son of George P. Gerdes, a native of Germany, who emi- grated to America and located near Peoria, Illinois, where he worked in the coal mines for about thirteen years. In 1881 he moved to Iowa, settling on a farm in Carroll county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying there in 1909. His wife survives him.
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Paul J. Gerdes came to Iowa with his parents when he was about sixteen years of age and remained with his father on the
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farm until he reached manhood. He afterward worked as a farm laborer for four years and after his marriage, which occurred in 1891, he rented land in Butler county for five years and then pur- . chased his father's property of one hundred and forty-five acres. At the end of six years he sold this and moved to Butler county, buying the farm whereon he now resides. He owns three hun- dred and twenty acres of well improved land on sections 17 and 18, Madison township, and upon this he has made excellent im- provements, setting out a grove of evergreen and forest trees and providing his place with substantial buildings, including a scale house, a granary, corn cribs, a milk house and a garage. His place is known as the Evergreen Home Stock Farm and upon it he raises horses and a good grade of shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey crossed with Poland China hogs. He is a stockholder in the Butler County Telephone Company and in the Farmers Co- operative Elevator Company of Dumont. In addition to his home farm he owns eighty acres in Franklin county, and this place is also well improved and highly developed.
On the 13th of March, 1891, in Butler county, Mr. Gerdes mar- ried Miss Hattie Betten, a native of Germany, who came to Amer- ica when she was eight years of age and was reared in Carroll county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Gerdes became the parents of five children: Hilda, the wife of Albert Lowling; Dirk P., who is aiding in the operation of the homestead; George H .; and two children who died in infancy. The parents are members of the German Reformed church, and Mr. Gerdes gives his political alle- giance to the republican party. He is one of the progressive and representative business men of Madison township and in attaining the enviable degree of success which he today enjoys has con- tributed in substantial measure to community growth and develop- ment.
ROBERT G. WOLFENSPERGER.
Agricultural interests of Beaver township find a progressive and worthy representative in Robert G. Wolfensperger, engaged in general farming, dairying and stock-raising upon one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 32. He was born in New Hart- ford, Iowa, April 2, 1885, a son of Newton and Emma (Packard)
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Wolfensperger, the former born in Morgansville, Maryland, in November, 1861, and the latter in Grant county, Wiscon- sin, in 1868. The father came to Iowa about the year 1879 and his marriage occurred in Waterloo about 1884. He was con- nected with agricultural interests in that locality for a number of years thereafter and is now living retired in New Hartford. He and his wife have four children, Robert G., Lola G., Orrin E. and Orphia A. Members of this family have been in America for many generations. Mr. Wolfensperger's maternal grand- father, Robert Packard, was a mail carrier between Dubuque and Chicago in pioneer times and was several times shot by highway- men while discharging his duties.
Robert G. Wolfensperger acquired his education in the public schools of New Hartford and was graduated from the high school at the age of eighteen. He afterward worked on the farm with his father until 1907 and then entered the restaurant business in New Hartford, continuing in this for two years. In 1911 he rented his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 32, Beaver township, and upon this property has since resided. He raises grain and hay, all of which he feeds to his stock, raising an average of fifty-five head of cattle, one hundred hogs and twelve horses every year. He ships to outside markets, but the products of his large and profitable dairy are all sold in the local market. Mr. Wolfensperger has met with a notable degree of success in the conduct of his farming interests and is recog- nized as one of the most able agriculturists in the county. He owns a half interest in one hundred and sixty acres in Mower county, Minnesota, and is a stockholder in the New Hartford Creamery Company and the Packard Power & Mining Company, of Gypsum, Colorado.
In New Hartford, on the 1st of September, 1909, Mr. Wolf- ensperger married Miss Myra Morton, a daughter of John and Emma (Cumming) Morton, the former a retired farmer living in New Hartford. He was born in Hadley, Massachusetts, in 1835 and came to Iowa in 1858. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fif- teenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served during the entire course of the Civil war. His wife was born in Ohio in 1850 and died in 1909. They had five children: Nina A., who has passed away; Anna S .; Ida I .; Charles A .; and Myra, the wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfensperger have become the parents of two sons: Wendell E. and Harland Morton, born December 7, 1913.
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Mr. Wolfensperger is a member of the Baptist church. He is independent in his political beliefs and is connected frater- nally with the Modern Woodmen in America. He is a young man of energy, resource and capacity and will undoubtedly be carried forward into still more important relations with the agri- cultural life of the township.
HENRY E. DAY, M. D.
Dr. Henry E. Day, who for the past fifteen years has prac- ticed medicine and surgery in Dumont, was born in Somerset- shire, England, July 21, 1868, a son of John and Sylvia Day, also natives of England. The father engaged in farming in Somer- setshire until his death and afterward the mother and her chil- dren came to America, locating at Auburn, New York, where she still resides. She had two sons: Dr. Henry E., of this review; and Dr. W. E., a well known physician of Clarksville, Iowa.
Dr. Henry E. Day remained in England until he was seven- teen years of age and acquired his primary education there. He crossed the Atlantic to America in 1884 and came direct to Iowa, locating first in Franklin county, where for a time he worked on a farm during the summer months, attending school during the winter. He afterward removed to Bristow, where he pursued his education, still spending his vacations working as a farm laborer. Having determined to study medicine, he entered the office of Dr. Hobson, of Bristow, later taking a course of lectures in the medical department of Iowa State University and graduating with the degree of M. D. in 1897. During his university course he remained with Dr. Hobson, studying under him and assisting him when not attending lectures. After his graduation he formed a partnership with Dr. Appleby and began the practice of his profession at Bristow, continuing there until his removal to Alli- son. About 1898 he came to Dumont, where he has since resided. He is recognized as a man of superior professional attain- ments, well versed in the underlying principles of medicine and in touch with the most advanced medical thought. His prac- tice has increased yearly in volume and importance and its pro- portions now place him among the most successful physicians and surgeons in his part of the county. Dr. Day is a member of the Butler County and the Iowa State Medical Societies and also
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