USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa: a record of settlement., Volume 2 > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
CHARLES ERNEST GRAHAM.
Charles Ernest Graham needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he has been a lifelong resident of Butler county, his birth having occurred on the 10th of September, 1868, in Clarksville, in the house which he now occupies. He is a son of the Rev. George and Almyra (Rose) Graham. The father was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, on the 13th of December, 1826, and the mother's birth occurred in Granville, that state, August 3, 1830. They were reared and married in Ohio. The father was educated in the Washington and Jefferson College and a theological college and, having determined to enter the ministry, became a Presby-
Digitized by Google
1
340
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
terian clergyman. For nearly forty years he was the loved and esteemed pastor of the Presbyterian church at Clarksville and no man in this county has had more to do with its moral devel- opment. He had held only one pastorate before he removed to Clarksville and from that time forward he devoted his efforts and energies to the work of upbuilding his church in this section of Iowa. He was a man of no restricted influence, being denied not the harvest nor the aftermath of his labors, and his good work is still an active force in the lives of many with whom he came in contact. He died in Clarksville on the 28th of October, 1900, honored and respected by all who knew him. In no less degree was his wife esteemed and when her death occurred, on the 12th of December, 1905, many friends mourned her loss. Aside from his duties as a clergyman Rev. George Graham served for a short time as superintendent of schools in Butler county to fill a vacancy in that office. Unto him and his wife were born four children: Mary, who is now living with her brother, M. H., of Mahtowa, Minnesota; Frank H., a resident farmer of Butler township; M. H., a farmer of Mahtowa, Minnesota; and Charles E.
Throughout practically his entire life Charles E. Graham has been a resident of Clarksville, acquiring his education in its pub- lic schools and afterward conducting a photographic gallery for about three years.' He also spent a year in photographic work in Eldora and was upon the road for twelve years in connection with scenic work, but made Clarksville his home. During that period he represented the interests of the Scenic Art Company, of which he was sole proprietor, and he had a number of employes with him. At different times he conducted two newspapers, the Brookston (Ind.) Reporter and the Tremont (Ill.) Sun, owning and editing both for a year. He then sold out and returned to the road, being engaged in photographic work for a short time. At length he entered upon his present business of painting and decorating and is proprietor of a well appointed paint and wall paper store in Clarksville, which he established in 1912. He car- ries a large and well selected line of wall paper and takes contracts for work of this character. He possesses an artistic nature, which has found expression in his photographic work and is of much assistance to him in carrying on his present business, enabling him to make most helpful suggestions to his patrons.
Mr. Graham was married on the 12th of January, 1907, to Miss Emma Rottink, who was born in Butler township and is a daughter of Herman Rottink, who is mentioned elsewhere in this
Digitized by Google
341
ยท
:
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
volume. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have a son, George Gordon. In his political views Mr. Graham is an earnest republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, yet has never been active as an office seeker, although he filled the posi- tion of deputy county auditor. He has always remained loyal to the Christian faith in which he was reared, being a member of the Presbyterian church, and his life has ever been character- ized by high and honorable principles that make him worthy of the warm regard in which he is uniformly held.
ANSON G. WELCH. .
Among the men who enjoy a high reputation as able, up-to- date and shrewd business men in Butler county is Anson G. Welch, prominently and widely known in connection with the Welch Grain Company, an establishment which is of the greatest impor- tance to the farming district surrounding New Hartford. Mr. Welch is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Marshall county, March 5, 1877. He is a son of Isaac P. and Elizabeth (Compton) Welch, natives of Virginia, the former of whom was born in 1831 and the latter in 1839. The father was one of a sur- veying party which many years ago made their surveys in this part of the state. He is now in partnership with our subject under the name of the Welch Grain Company. There are six living children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac P. Welch: Rachel E., Harriet A., Mary A., Anson G., Bertha E. and Charles L: There are also four deceased: Rosa V., Augusta, John W. and Edwin.
Anson G. Welch was reared under the parental roof and attended school in Grundy Center, this state, until sixteen years of age. He then turned his attention to farm work, continuing along that line until 1909. He then spent one year in traveling and, returning to New Hartford, engaged with his father in grain buying, their operations being conducted under the name of the Welch Grain Company. Shrewd, and an able business man, Mr. Welch has been exceedingly successful in his line, in which he has come to be recognized as an expert. The firm buys a great deal of the grain which is raised in this section, and Mr. Welch has been able to market his staple to such good advantage that pros-
Digitized by Google
342
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
perity has rewarded his transactions although he has been in business but a few years.
Politically Mr. Welch is a republican, giving his stanch sup- port to the measures and candidates of that party. He is inter- ested in all matters of public benefit, but he himself has never seen fit to enter the political arena although his interest in the cause of education has led him to accept a position on the school board, of which he is still a member. He attends the Methodist church and fraternally is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. In business circles of New Hartford he enjoys a repu- tation as one of the most progressive men in commercial life, and he is generally highly respected, for all of his business transac- tions have ever been such as to merit the highest confidence.
HENRY W. HARMS.
For thirty-eight years the name of Harms has figured in con- nection with the history of Butler county, being identified with its agricultual and financial interests. Henry W. Harms is today an active farmer, owning and cultivating the old home place of three hundred and twenty acres on sections 6 and 21, Jefferson township. His residence is a commodious and beautiful one stand- ing on an elevation and commanding a fine view of the surround- ing country. Every phase of farm life is carefully superintended by him and his practical methods and capable management have made him one of the men of affluence of Butler county.
Henry W. Harms was born in East Friesia, Germany, August 16, 1868, his parents being G. P. and Deborth (De Bower) Harms, who were also natives of the same locality, the former born Febru- ary 19, 1844, and the latter on the 31st of August, 1837. They were married in 1867. Mrs. Harms was at that time a widow and by her former husband, Martin Meffen, who was a sailor and was drowned at sea, had one child, a daughter, Martha, who is now the wife of Ed De Bower, of West Point township. In the fall fol- lowing the birth of their son, Henry W., Mr. and Mrs. G. P. Harms crossed the Atlantic and became residents of Dane county, Wisconsin, where they resided for a number of years, or until the fall of 1875. They then came to Butler county, arriving at the home of William Folkers, north of Allison, on the 10th of October. The father drove a team and Henry W. Harms also drove one from
Digitized by Google
1
1
-
MR. AND MRS. G. P. HARMS
Digitized by
7
E NEW
1
1.
LENOX DIATION3
Digitized by Google
345
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Wisconsin, while the women and children of the household fol- lowed on the train. For four years G. P. Harms cultivated rented land and then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of what is now the old Harms homestead. The family practiced frugality, economy and industry so that Mr. Harms was able to add one hundred and sixty acres to his original purchase and later bought tracts of one hundred and twenty, one hundred and sixty and two hundred acres respectively. Subsequently his sons rented a quarter section east of him and when they had saved one thousand dollars he sold them the quarter, allowing them two thousand dol- lars for their one thousand dollar payment down. Later he sold them still more land. The father continued to engage actively in general agricultural pursuits until 1896, when he removed to a small place and let his son, Henry W. Harms, have the old home- stead. He then retired and now spends a part of his time in visit- ing around among his children. He has made two trips back to Germany since coming to the new world and during 1912 spent most of the summer in Europe. The success which has come to him enables him now to enjoy life without further care concern- ing an income. For a time he owned a controlling interest in the Farmers Bank of Allison and he also conducted a lumberyard for a number of years both enterprises proving a gratifying source of profit. He also bought and sold considerable land, from which he realized a good return. He has ever been most generous with his means in assisting others and has been especially help- ful to many German friends in enabling them to secure farms. He had only about twenty-five dollars when he arrived in this county and a widowed mother and younger brothers and sisters in Ger- many, who were dependent upon him for support. His entire life was one of unfaltering industry and perseverance and gradually he worked his way upward, his record proving that success is not a matter of genius or of fortunate circumstances, as some declare, but is rather the outcome of clear judgment and unfaltering enter- prise. While he became a self-made man he has never selfishly hoarded his gains nor is there any taint of dishonor about his accumulations. He has never taken advantage of the necessities of others in business transactions, and his record is another proof of the old adage that honesty is the best policy.
In politics G. P. Harms has always been a stanch republican since becoming a naturalized American citizen and has taken an active part in political affairs, being much interested in the sig- nificant and vital questions of the day. In 1900 he was called
Digitized by Google
1
346
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in February of that year, her death being deeply regretted by many friends as well as by her immediate family. She was a member of the Ger- man Lutheran church, to which Mr. Harms also belongs. He assisted in founding the church of that denomination at Vilmar and afterward organized the church in Jefferson township known as the Friedens German Lutheran church. Thus he has gone on doing good in one way or another as the years have passed, and his life record is fraught with many kindly deeds. To him and his wife were born five children: Henry W .; Tina, the wife of Wil- liam J. Poppen, of Jefferson township; Kate, the wife of F. A. Poppen, of the same township; Minnie, who married H. Foulkon, of Rockwell, Iowa; and Ed, living in West Point township.
Henry W. Harms was brought to America when but six weeks old and has been a resident of Butler county from the age of seven years. He has always followed farming, to which occupation he was reared, early becoming familiar with the best methods of till- ing the soil and caring for the crops. He is now the owner of the old homestead of three hundred and twenty acres and is most pleasantly situated in life. His attractive home, occupying an elevation that enables him to look far over the country, is large and built in an attractive style of architecture. In the rear are large barns and substantial outbuildings and his modern and highly improved farm machinery indicates his progressive spirit. He makes stock-raising an important feature of his busi- ness and uses all of the grain which he produces. He now handles about one hundred head of cattle and two carloads of hogs annually and his business affairs are capably and successfully managed. In 1913 he purchased another farm, becoming the owner of two hundred and forty acres near Riceville, Howard county, Iowa. In addition to his agricultural interests he was a director of the Farmers Savings Bank of Allison and he is now a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Elevator of Allison and president of the Jefferson Central Telephone Company. His business judg- ment is sound and his discrimination keen, and as the years go by his well directed interests contribute to public prosperity as well as to individual success.
Mr. Harms has been married twice. In 1894 he wedded Talka Hoodjer, who died in June, 1900, leaving five sons, Gerhard, Claus, Edward, William and Henry. In 1901 Mr. Harms married Miss Alcha Hoodjer, a sister of his first wife. Both were born in Ger- many and came to America about 1892. Their father was Claus
Digitized by Google
347
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Hoodjer. There have been seven children born of the second mar- riage, Grace, Mattie, Walter, Ella, Gertrude, John and Paul. The religious faith of the family is that of the German Lutheran church, and their loyalty thereto is pronounced, while their sup- port is generous and helpful. Mr. Harms is a progressive republi- can and for four years has been trustee of his township. He is ever active in conserving interests for promoting the public wel- fare and his influence is always on the side of progress, truth, reform and improvement.
CHARLES E. CHURCH.
Charles E. Church, a valued and representative citizen of Parkersburg, prominently connected with business interests as the proprietor of a modern garage, was born in Waverly, Iowa, March 1, 1866. He is a son of Francis M. and Fannie (Brown) Church, the former born in New York state in 1836 and the latter in DuPage county, Illinois, in 1839. The parents came to Beaver township, this county, in 1869 and the father died in that locality October 6, 1910. In their family were ten children: Cora, who died at the age of three; Mary A., who passed away on the 14th of October, 1910; Fred A., who resides in Waterloo; Francis E., of Sinclair, who married Lydia Card, by whom he has four chil- dren; Charles E., of this review; Florence A., who married Charles A. Dean, a farmer in Waterloo, by whom she has seven children; Sarah J., who makes her home in Waterloo; Eva, who became the wife of Byron Norton, of Shell Rock, and died leav- ing eight children; Arthur E., at home; and Jennie, who married Arthur Robertson, an electrician in Chicago, by whom she has two children.
Charles E. Church engaged in farm labor until he was thirty- two years of age and then moved to Parkersburg, where he estab- lished himself in the livery business. At the end of two years he purchased a restaurant which he conducted for four years, after which he was in the saloon business for a similar period of time. He then purchased a hotel in Parkersburg and after conducting it for five years rented the establishment and became interested in a garage, which he has since owned. He has met with an enviable degree of success, for he is a farsighted and resourceful business man, quick to recognize a business opportunity and capa-
Digitized by Google
348
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
ble of carrying forward his plans to successful completion. He has valuable property interests, owning besides his hotel a garage, two fine residences in Parkersburg and a half section of land in North Dakota.
On the 22d of February, 1889, in Waverly, Iowa, Mr. Church married Miss Hannah Card, a daughter of Lyman Card, a pioneer of Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. Church have two children, Ray- mond C. and Harry S. The elder son married Miss Anna Becker, a daughter of John Becker, a farmer in Parkersburg, the mar- riage taking place on the 4th of September, 1912.
Mr. Church is connected fraternally with the Knights of Pythias. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been road superintendent and school director, proving himself a reliable and capable public official. He holds the esteem and confidence of all who have personal or business rela- tions with him.
W. M. NESBIT.
W. M. Nesbit, a resident farmer of Jefferson township, highly respected for his sterling worth, makes his home on section 28 and is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and ten acres which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He was born in Freeport, Illinois, December 17, 1853, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Case) Nesbit, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Vermont. They were married in Freeport, and there the father died of cholera during the infancy of his son, W. M. Nesbit. The mother passed away in Cedar Falls, Iowa, when the son was eleven years of age. He was the elder of two children, his sister being Eva, the wife of William Shorter, of Mount Grove, Missouri.
Following the removal of the family to Iowa, W. M. Nesbit resided in Blackhawk county until he came to Butler county in 1875. He has since lived upon his present farm with the excep- tion of a period of two years. His entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and prospering in his undertakings, he has become the owner of two hundred and ten acres situated on section 28, Jefferson township. Only about sixty acres had been placed under the plow when he took possession. Since then he has splendidly improved the property according to modern meth-
Digitized by Google
-
i
349
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
ods of farming. A fine, large residence stands in the midst of well tilled fields, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the careful supervision of the owner.
On the 7th of March, 1874, Mr. Nesbit was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Hayes, who was born in Jefferson township, October 21, 1855, and has the distinction and honor of being the first white child born there. Her parents are William M. and Rachel (White) Hayes. The father's birth occured in West Vir- ginia, October 17, 1824, and the mother was born in New York on the 15th of September of the same year. They were married at Shabbona Grove, Illinois, and in October, 1843, became resi- dents of this county. Mr. Hayes was the first white settler in Jefferson township. He entered land on West Fork Bottom and resided there throughout the remainder of his days. He broke the prairie with ox teams and performed all the arduous tasks necessary in the cultivation and development of the new farm. The neighbors were few and widely scattered. In 1864 Mr. Hayes was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 12th of February, 1864. He long survived and passed away March 13, 1897. In politics he was a stanch republican, while his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which organization he took an active and helpful part. In the Hayes family were nine children: Elizabeth, who was born February 9, 1844, became the wife of John Dilts, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Susan, born July 16, 1847, died November 6, 1863; Nancy Ann, born January 24, 1849, became the wife of Arlo Marchant, a civil war veteran, and died August 12, 1904; Miles, born December 4, 1850, died July 1, 1851; Calista A., born iu April, 1852, became the wife of James Shorter, of Shell Rock. who was a Civil war soldier; James, born February 8, 1854, died on the 30th of September of the same year; Mrs. Nesbit; Ben- jamin D., born February 7, 1858, is now residing near Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Louisa, born August 30, 1860, is the wife of George Richardson, of Montana. Mrs. Nesbit was born in one of the old time log cabins but now resides in one of the finest homes in Jefferson township. The residence contains ten rooms and is finished in pine and oak with cypress floors. It is con- veniently arranged and tastefully furnished and one of its charms is its warm hearted hospitality.
Mr. and Mrs. Nesbit have one child, Arthur B., who was born January 27, 1879, and is now a young man of thirty-five years. Mr. Nesbit exercises his right of franchise in support of the men
Digitized by Google
350
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
and measures of the republican party, and for the past twelve years he has been township clerk. He is a Mason, belonging to Compass Lodge, No. 239, A. F. & A. M., Parkersburg. His sali- ent traits of character are such as commend him to the good-will and confidence of all, and as the years have passed by he has gained a prominent position among the substantial farmers and highly respected citizens of Jefferson township.
WILLIAM A. TOLL.
The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Butler county without learning that the Toll fam- ily has played an active and prominent part in shaping the events which have contributed to the progress and upbuilding of this section of the state. The Tolls are, indeed, one of the worthy pioneer families and of this family William A. Toll is a worthy representative. He was born August 2, 1874, in Jefferson town- ship, upon a farm adjoining his present place of residence, his parents being Frederick and Jane (Borchers) Toll, who are now living in Shell Rock. Seven of their children are yet living and of this number William A. Toll was the fourth in order of birth. With the exception of a year or so spent in Shell Rock he has always made his home in Jefferson township. He purchased the electric light plant at Shell Rock and operated it for about two years, when he returned to the farm. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, early receiving practical training in the best methods of tilling the soil. He took his place in the field almost as soon as old enough to handle the plow and gave his father the benefit of his services up to the time of his marriage, since which he has carried on general farming on his own account. He rents from his father a tract of land of two hundred acres on section 16 and also leases a quarter section elsewhere, so that he is extensively engaged in farming. His life is a busy and useful one, in which he is accomplishing substantial results, yet he never sacrifices the business interests and opportunities of others to his own advan- tage. In addition to cultivating the fields he makes live stock an important feature of his place and is now specializing in the rais- ing of Hampshire hogs and fine-wool sheep. For a time he was associated with W. H. Betts in the ownership of fine race horses, continuing in that connection for ten years. Personally he owned
Digitized by Google
351
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Echo, Jr., which won a five thousand dollar purse at Hamlin, Minnesota, with a pacing record of 2:71/4 in 1905. He only lost one race that season and on that occasion came out second. His horse, however, was sick at the time. Echo, Jr., proved to be one of the largest money winners in the United States that year. Mr. Toll also owned the sire of Echo, with a record of 2:19, and the dam of Sis Havock. He was likewise the owner of Bell Charleston, with a record of 2:171/4, and he has had many fine colts. From his boyhood he has been interested in fine horses and is never without some excellent specimens of the noble steed.
Mr. Toll was married February 19, 1902, the lady of his choice being Miss Myrtle Hewitt, who was born in Charles Mix county, South Dakota, August 29, 1882. Her sister Mabel was the first white child born in that county and they are daughters of Wil- liam and Jennie (Kirk) Hewitt. Her father is deceased, but her mother still resides in Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. Toll lost one child, Byrl, who died in his fourth year. Mr. Toll was reared in the German Lutheran faith, and his wife is a member of the Congregational church and together they attend its services and contribute to its support. In politics he is a republican, and his worth as a citizen has been recognized in his selection for many township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. He belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges at Shell Rock, and both he and his wife are con- nected with the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. They have a very wide acquaintance in the county with which their circle of friends is almost coextensive. The hospitality of the best homes is gladly given them, and in their own home they maintain the cordial welcome of pioneer times. As people of sterling worth they are widely known, and as a business man Mr. Toll is reckoned with those who, while promoting individual interests, also con- tribute to the public welfare and prosperity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.