USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa: a record of settlement., Volume 2 > Part 25
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In 1867 Mr. Toll was united in marriage to Miss Jane Borcher, who was born in Hanover, Germany, September 3, 1851, and went to New Jersey in 1854 with her parents, Carl and Christiana
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(Hinemeyer) Borcher. In the year 1856 the parents left New Jersey and removed westward to Illinois, coming in 1865 to But- ler county, her father taking up farming in Ripley township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Toll were born eight children: Flora, who became the wife of Ed Trager and died leaving two children; Fred H. and Charles A., who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume; William A., living in Jefferson township; George O., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Irving of Swanton; Carrie, the wife of Roy Betts of Shell Rock; and Clar- ence, who is living on the old homestead in Jefferson township.
In his political views Mr. Toll is a republican, having voted for the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He is one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state, there hav- ing been but two houses on the Butler Center road at the time of his arrival. He hauled his goods to Cedar Falls, which was the nearest railroad market, and he underwent many of the hard- ships and privations of pioneer life. He can recall many changes which have occurred during the half century of his residence in the county, for work of development and improvement has done away with all of the pioneer conditions and brought about a condi- tion of progressive prosperity that is most gratifying.
FRED W. CROSS.
Among the men of Fremont township who have risen by the force of their energy and ability to a place of importance in busi- ness circles is numbered Fred W. Cross, a well known farmer and stock-raiser. In the course of many years' residence here he has accumulated valuable holdings and now owns in conjunction with his sons three fine farms on section 15. He was born in Bremer county, Iowa, June 4, 1857, and is a son of Jackson J. Cross, a native of Cattaraugus county, New York. The father there resided until he was seventeen years of age and learned the carpenter's trade. He afterward worked at building railroad bridges in Ohio and Indiana for a number of years and then removed to Illinois, where he married Miss Permelia Ballard, also a native of Cat- taraugus county, New York. In 1853 Jackson Cross came to Iowa, settling at Syracuse, Bremer county, where for a time he engaged in contracting and building. Later he located on a farm on section 1, Fremont township, buying one hundred and fifty-
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six acres, fifty-six of which he afterward sold. Upon the one hundred acres remaining he resided for a number of years, becom- ing a prosperous and substantial agriculturist. He later removed to Chickasaw county, settling in Nashua, where he now resides. He held various positions of public trust and responsibility in Fremont township and was well and favorably known in this locality.
Fred W. Cross was reared at home and aided in the operation of his father's farm until he was twenty-five years of age. He married in 1882 and immediately afterward took up his residence upon a portion of the farm which he now owns. At that time he purchased eighty acres of land in Fremont township and after breaking the soil began the work of improvement and cultivation. He set out a grove and an orchard and remodeled the house, which is now an excellent two-story residence. He also erected a barn and convenient outbuildings. From time to time he purchased more land and now owns in conjunction with his sons four hun- dred acres on section 15, this being divided into three farms. They make a business of raising high-grade shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and heavy work horses, and they have made this branch of their business extremely profitable.
On the 8th of March, 1882, in Floyd county, Mr. Cross mar- ried Miss Evelyn Porter, who was born in Chickasaw county, but reared in Floyd county. For a number of years previous to her marriage she engaged in teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Cross became the parents of five children: Charles, an evangelist; Harry, who is married and operates one of his father's farms; Fred and Vic- tor, partners with their father in his farming and stock-raising operations; and Edith, a successful school teacher.
ALFRED HICKLE.
Alfred Hickle is engaged in general farming on section 26, Jackson township. His life record contains no spectacular phases but proves what may be accomplished when industry and per- severance become the salient features in a man's life. He was born in McLean county, Illinois, March 2, 1846, and was a little lad of seven summers when brought to Iowa by his parents, John and Hester (Van Gundy) Hickle, who are mentioned in connec- tion with the sketch of W. J. Hickle on another page of this work.
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Their family numbered seven children, of whom Alfred is the third in order of birth. He remained with his parents upon the farm in Butler township until he enlisted for active service in the Civil war in 1863, as a member of Company G, Eighth Iowa Cavalry. He served for two years and one month, or until the close of hostilities, and participated in a number of hotly con- tested battles, which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms.
Following the close of the war Alfred Hickle returned home and assisted his father to the time of his marriage in 1870. He then took up his abode upon a farm belonging to his father in Butler township, residing there for twelve and a half years, or until he purchased his present farm on the 17th of April, 1882. He first became the owner of eighty acres, but has since extended the boundaries of his place until it now comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 26. No improvements had been made upon the place when it came into his possession, although the prairie sod had been broken and some crops had been planted. Mr. Hickle made all of the improvements, erecting a substantial residence and good barns and outbuildings, and he also set out all of the trees. There was no shade upon the place when he took possession, but today fine growing trees add to the attractive appearance of his place. During the past thirty-one years he has done much hard work here, and the farm shows the result thereof, being today one of the highly cultivated and well improved places of Jackson township.
On the 15th of May, 1870, Mr. Hickle was united in marriage to Miss Annie Mcclintock, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, April 21, 1852, and on the 28th of March, 1865, came to this county with her parents, J. H. and Ruth (Winchell) McClin- tock, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. Their last days, however, were spent in this county. They had a family of three sons and three daughters, and two sons and two daughters are yet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hickle have been born two children. Alvin D., the elder, resides on his father's farm and married Gertie Arts, and they have three chil- dren-Dora Anna, Grace Ruth and Robert Alfred. Florence Mabel is the wife of George Woolridge of Tripp county, South Dakota. They have four children: Clarence Warren, Dorothy Viola, Donald Ernest and Ruth A.
Mr. Hickle is a republican in his political views and is a pub- lic-spirited citizen, whose support can be counted upon to further
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measures and movements for the general good. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is as loyal to his country in days of peace as when he followed the old flag upon the battle- fields of the south.
REV. JOSEPH J. GOUGH.
From early pioneer times the name of Gough has been closely associated with the agricultural development of Butler county and this section of the state and at the present writing Joseph J. Gough is engaged in active church work, while at the same time he carries on his farming and stock-raising interests. He has always believed with Lincoln that "there is something better than making a living-making a life," and, while he possesses the laudable ambition of providing well for his family, he has also found time and opportunity to aid in the establishment of those principles which are ever factors in upright, honorable manhood. His birthplace was his father's farm, four miles northwest of Clarksville, and his natal day June 12, 1858. He was the fourth in a family of six children born to William and Susannah (Walsh) Gough, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of Thomas A. Gough on another page of this work.
Joseph J. Gough has spent his entire life in Butler county save for four years, from 1879 until 1883, passed in Valley City, North Dakota. He broke prairie for one season and had a pre- emption claim of a quarter section of land. He also speculated in cattle and horses. With the exception of this period of four years he has always been identified with farming interests in Butler county and for twenty-two years he operated a threshing machine here. For a quarter of a century he has resided upon his present place, being now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land on sections 3 and 10, West Point township, his home being situated on the latter section. When he purchased this it was raw prairie, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but with char- acteristic energy he began its development, recognizing the pos- sibilities here. offered. He turned the sod for the first time upon his quarter section, fenced the land, took out the stones and erected all of the buildings upon the place, which is now a well improved property, lacking in none of the accessories of the model
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farms of the present age. His time has been given to the cultiva- tion of crops best adapted to soil and climate and to the raising of stock of all kinds, and both branches of his business have proved profitable, owing to his capable management and enterprising spirit. He is recognized as a man of sound judgment and keen discrimination, and his cooperation is regarded as a valuable factor in the management of other interests. He is identified with the Farmers' Cooperative Elevator Company of Allison, of which he was secretary for a time, and he is also a stockholder of the West Point Mutual Telephone Company.
On the 27th of January, 1886, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gough and Miss Emma J. Chapman, who was born in Butler county, December 12, 1865, a daughter of Ira and Mary (McKin- ney) Chapman. The mother died when the daughter was but six years old, and the father is now an inmate of the Gough home. Seven children have been added to the Gough family as the years have gone by. Edward T., who married Miss Edna Robbins, is a Methodist Episcopal preacher, residing at Boston, Massachu- setts. After his graduation from the Upper Iowa University he attended the Boston University for three years, pursuing the theological course. His wife is also a graduate of the Upper Iowa University and spent one year in the study of music in Chicago. They were married on the 3d of September, 1913, and started the same day for Boston, where they are now located. Susannah E. is the wife of A. E. Kernahan, who was graduated from the Upper Iowa University and is now a student in the theological department of Boston University. Mildred J. is the wife of Lewis Currell, who for several years has been superin- tendent of schools at different places and is now located on a farm in West Point township, Butler county. Wilford I., who married Lilly Roberts, is a resident farmer of West Point town- ship. Joseph J. is at home. Galal R. is a high-school pupil at Bristow. John B., who was named after a distant relative, the famous temperance lecturer, John B. Gough, is now a high-school pupil at Bristow.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Gough has voted with the republican party. He holds member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church and for the past ten years has been a local preacher in that denomination, having now been minister of the church at Aredale for the past two and a half years. He devotes all of the time possible to church work. A self-educated man, he never had the advantage of the high-school
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or college course, but he possesses a large library and has been an extensive reader. Possessing a retentive memory, he is con- tinually adding to his knowledge and thus promoting his efficiency as one of the world's workers, and his high ideals of life find expression in his practical and effective efforts for the benefit of his fellowmen.
J. C. CARTER.
Statistics show that many of the substantial citizens of this county have come from Wisconsin. With the tide of emigration steadily flowing westward they crossed the Mississippi to become active factors in the development of a frontier region here. Among the number is J. C. Carter, who was born in Monroe, Green county, Wisconsin, October 25, 1856, his parents being John and Dorothy (Hickman) Carter, who were natives of Yorkshire, England, and arrived in America at the age of seventeen and eighteen years respectively. They were married in Green county and there the father passed away June 25, 1881, at the age of forty-nine years. The mother still survives and is living in that county, having reached the age of seventy-nine years on the 22d of April, 1913. Mr. Carter was a successful farmer and a good man, whose religion was to do right to all his fellows. His politi- cal indorsement was given to the republican party and he held a number of local offices. Legislative honors would have also been conferred upon him, but he preferred not to become a member of the general assembly. His life record indicates what may be accomplished when laudable ambition and unabating energy point the way, for he started out in life empty-handed and by means of his persistent and well directed labors he left an estate valued at eighty thousand dollars.
His children, eleven in number, were: J. C., of this review; W. M., of Clarksville; George Henry, who died in Jackson town- ship in September, 1901, leaving a family, who are still living in this county; Joseph, who died in his third year; Frank E., of Monroe, Wisconsin; Fred M., also living in Monroe; Fannie Mary, the wife of A. W. Jenny, mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Dora May, the wife of Edwin Deal of Monroe, Wisconsin; Anna E., the wife of William Dreibelbis of Green county, Wisconsin;
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J. C. CARTER
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Ella M., the wife of John Haase, of Monroe; and Newton Le Roy, who died at the age of eighteen years.
J. C. Carter spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native county and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He came to Iowa in 1886 when a young man of thirty years and has since lived upon his present farm on section 17, Jackson township. His first purchase of land made him owner of eighty acres, to which he has added from time to time, thus extending the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises three hundred and twenty acres. It is without a doubt one of the finest farms in all the county, the work of cultivation and the improvements that have been made upon it enhancing its value until it is now worth two hundred dollars per acre. Its buildings are substantial; commodious barns and sheds furnish ample shelter for grain and stock ; and the home is an attractive residence. Mr. Carter has largely engaged in raising stock, both cattle and hogs, and has had as high as three hundred head of cattle upon his place at one time. His shipments average about six carloads of stock annually, he sending away a carload about every two months. Mr. Carter, however, feels that his active labors as farmer and stock-raiser are nearly at an end, for he has rented his farm for the succeeding season, and will retire from business life in February, 1914, removing at that time to Allison. He was prominently identified with financial interests as a director and president of the Farmers Savings Bank at Alli- son, having been at the head of that institution for ten years, or until it was sold. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Co- operative Elevator Company of Allison; the Cooperative Cream- ery Company of Allison, and is secretary of the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company. His cooperation is eagerly sought in the conduct of important business interests because it is recognized that his judgment is sound and his enterprise unfaltering.
In 1884 Mr. Carter was married to Miss Mary B. Earlewine, who was born in Monroe, Wisconsin, in 1861, a daughter of Jack- son and Mary Jane (Ely) Earlewine, the former a native of Ohio. His death occurred in Broadhead, Wisconsin, where his wife still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have become the parents of six chil- dren: Charles Hugh at home; Elsie B .; Ruth Imo, a graduate of the high school of Allison and now engaged in teaching; Amy Ethel; Mary Hope, who died at the age of six months; and Dean J.
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Mr. Carter has ever been a public-spirited citizen, interested in all measures for the general good and his cooperation has been a valuable factor in promoting worthy public projects. He is a director of the Fair Association of Allison and as such has done much to stimulate an interest in its exhibits. He was census enumerator for the United States when but twenty-two years of age and has been school officer for many years but has no political ambition. He votes independently, holding himself free to sup- port the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for public office. His record proves how excellent are the advantages which Iowa offers to her agriculturists. The man who is not afraid to work will always find that her soil responds readily to his wise cultivation. Mr. Carter won success in that way and his many friends rejoice that a well earned rest is soon to be his.
FRANK A. YEOMAN.
Frank A. Yeoman owns one hundred and ninety acres of val- uable land comprised in two farms, and in their development he has met with a degree of prosperity which places him among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of Dayton township. He has been a resident of Iowa since 1866, coming to this state when a youth of sixteen years, his birth having occurred in Loraine county, Ohio, May 4, 1850. When he was two years of age his parents removed with their family to Wisconsin, where he resided until he reached the age of ten years. In 1860 the family returned to Amherst, Ohio, remaining in that state until 1866, in which year they again migrated westward, their destination being Mahaska county, Iowa, where the father purchased a farm of two hundred acres. Upon that place Frank Yeoman grew to man- hood and in 1872, when a young man of twenty-two years, he came to Butler county, where he was employed as a farm hand for some time. Subsequently he returned to Mahaska county, where he was married.
Mr. Yeoman then rented a farm in that locality, but at the end of four years came again to Butler county, where he settled upon a tract of land of two hundred acres. For ten years there- after he made his home upon that property and in 1890 took up his abode upon a tract of two hundred acres adjoining his pres- ent farm, there remaining until 1912. In the meantime he pur-
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chased a farm of eighty acres which he improved and developed, but did not locate thereon until 1912. Upon the natural building site he erected an excellent residence. The house stands high, commanding an excellent view of the surrounding country and a comprehensive view of the farm. He set out a good orchard, built a substantial barn, fenced his fields and carried forward the work of improvement along the most progressive lines. From time to time he added to his holdings, owning today two excellent farms comprising one hundred and ninety acres. In the cultiva- tion of these properties he is assisted by his son, and they have been very successful, conducting both general agricultural pur- suits and stock-raising, which they carry on extensively. They breed shorthorn and Polled Durham cattle, Belgian and Norman horses and a good grade of hogs, and their live-stock interests constitute an important source of revenue for them. Mr. Yeo- man is, moreover, a stockholder in the Farmers' Cooperative Elevator Company of Greene and is widely recognized as a man of business ability and sagacity. His success is entirely due to his own well directed labor, for he began life with few resources and has steadily worked his way upward to success.
In Mahaska county, Iowa, on the 30th of March, 1876, Mr. Yeoman was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Stout, a native of Mahaska county, Iowa, and they have become the parents of three children. Charles Arthur is in partnership with his father and resides upon one of the latter's farms. He is married and has one son, Gilbert. Lila May is the wife of Lon Woodward, of Greene, and they have two sons. Luella married Theodore Thomas, of Greene, and they have four children, two sons and two daughters. In 1912 Mr. and Mrs. Yeoman made a trip to the Pacific coast, traveling through the Rocky mountains and visiting Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Spokane and many other places of interest.
Fraternally Mr. Yeoman is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand, and he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. He is independent in his political views and has always taken an active part in community affairs, being recognized as a public-spirited and progressive citizen. He was elected township trustee and was twice reelected to this office. He has also been a delegate to numerous county conventions. He is a trustee in the Packard Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active and helpful part in various lines of church work. Throughout his residence in Butler county, cov-
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ering about thirty-five years, he has proved himself an active and industrious farmer, a careful and conservative business man and a progressive and public-spirited citizen, his many salient traits of character winning him the confidence, esteem and good-will of the entire community.
JOHN H. PLANTZ.
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John H. Plantz, now deceased, was the owner of an excellent farm on section 36, Shell Rock township, where his family still resides. He was born in Johnstown, New York, May 31, 1830, a son of Peter and Margaret (Putnam) Plantz, who were also natives of the Empire state, but died in Illinois. The family continued to reside in New York until 1846, when they removed to Ogle county, Illinois. The father was a millwright and fol- lowed that trade during the greater part of his life. To him and his wife were born nine children: Catharine, the deceased wife of Timothy Plantz; John H .; Jacob, who has passed away; Mar- tin, who is living in Nebraska; Maria, the wife of Harry Clayton, of Des Moines, Iowa; Rebecca, the deceased wife of John Kiested; Victor, a resident of Des Moines; David, of Washington; and Malvina, the deceased wife of Will Wright.
John H. Plantz was a youth of sixteen years when the family left the east and went to Illinois. He continued a resident of Ogle county until 1861, when he came to Iowa and settled on a farm five miles south of Shell Rock, there residing to the time of his death which occurred forty-five years later, on March 21, 1906. He always carried on general agriculture pursuits, yet also worked at the carpenter's trade to a considerable extent. He carefully developed his place and made it a well improved farm, the changes being wrought through his own efforts. His fields were carefully tilled so that he annually harvested good crops. He erected a large residence and substantial outbuildings, which in turn were surrounded by broad acres devoted to the cultiva- tion of corn, wheat and other cereals. He also made stock-raising a feature of his place.
On the 4th of June, 1857, Mr. Plantz was married to Miss Samantha Whitney, who was born in Prescott, Ontario, Canada, July 15, 1834, and in 1854 went to Illinois with her sister and brother-in-law. Her parents were Samuel and Mary (Jackson)
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Whitney, who spent their entire lives upon the farm in Ontario. They had nine children, four sons and five daughters. It was in Ogle county, Illinois, that Mr. and Mrs. Plantz were married and to them were born five children: Cynthia, who became the wife of George Hettler and died in Colorado; Hannah Margaret, the wife of Henry Nichols of Des Moines, Iowa; William W., who operates the home place for his mother; Joseph Milton, liv- ing in Nashua, Iowa; and Harry Roy, of Finchford, Iowa. The two eldest children were born in Illinois and the three youngest upon the home farm in Shell Rock township. Mrs. Plantz is now in her eightieth year, yet does all of her own housework and is accounted one of the good housekeepers of this part of the county. In politics Mr. Plantz was a republican, and his sup- port was given to the party without hope of the rewards of office. He was willing, day after day, to perform the duties that devolved upon him, and his sterling traits of character gained for him the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Mrs. Plantz has now been a resident of Butler county for fifty-two years and can relate many interesting incidents of the early days when this was the frontier district and the work of development and improvement seemed scarcely begun. Many changes have occurred since then, and the primitive homes have been replaced by com- modious and substantial farm residences. There are also many changes in the methods of farming, as improved agricultural implements have been introduced. Well advanced in years, Mrs. Plantz is still active, and it is the wish of her many friends that she may yet be spared for years to come.
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