USA > Iowa > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 10
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On the home farm John F. Hoogestraat was reared to manhood, and when old enough became a pupil in the public schools of Arcadia, graduating finally from the high school, after which he pursued a course of study in the Carroll College. He made good use of his educational advantages and after completing his college course engaged in teaching school for two years. He then took up agricultural pursuits, thinking that he would find that line of activity more congenial and remunerative, and now operates two hundred acres of land in Arcadia township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He also owns one hundred and twenty acres of Iowa land and one hundred and sixty acres in the Panhandle of Texas, near the
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town of Happy. In all of his work he is progressive, employing the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, while close study has given him progressive and accurate knowledge concerning the best methods of raising stock. He is a feeder of cattle and also makes a spec- ialty of thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs, and his live-stock interests con- stitute an important and lucrative branch of his business. Moreover he is secretary of the Arcadia Mutual Telephone Company, of which he was one of the organizers and also served as its first president.
In fraternal circles Mr. Hoogestraat belongs to the Woodmen of the World, at Arcadia, and in political faith is a republican. In local affairs he has taken considerable interest, but the honors and emoluments of office have never held attraction for him. Although he has not yet reached the prime of life he has nevertheless acquired a goodly measure of success, enjoying to a large degree the many advantages afforded by the present day, and being progressive, and a man whose life has always been in keep- ing with high standards, he justly deserves the prominent place which he occupies in the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.
WILLIAM GILLEY.
Among the early settlers of Carroll county William Gilley occupies a unique position as he is the oldest pioneer now living in the county. Fifty- five years have come and gone since he first cast his eyes upon this section of the state and he has ever since made it his home. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born March II, 1830, a son of Andrew and Catharine (Van- demark) Gilley, who were also natives of the Keystone state. The father was born October 5, 1804. He was reared as a farmer and after attaining maturity moved with his family to Medina county, Ohio, in 1833, locating a mile and a half from Lodi. He lived for forty-four years in Medina county and in 1877 came to Carroll county, Iowa, where he spent the re- mainder of his days, being called away May 9, 1884, at the age of seventy- nine years and seven months. The beloved wife and mother died in Ohio at the age of seventy-one. They were both consistent members of the Con- gregational church. There were nine children in their family, four sons and five daughters: Benjamin; Mary, who married Alpha Gilbert; William, of this review; Sarah; Jane, who became the wife of Harrison Chapman ; James ; Harrison ; Julia, who married John Deal ; and Almina, who died in infancy. Grandfather Gilley died in 1807 when the son Andrew was three years of age. The maternal grandfather was Benjamin Vandemark, also a native of Pennsylvania. He was of Holland-Dutch and his wife of Scotch descent. They had seven children: William, Maria, who married Peter Eaton; Sarah; Jane, who became the wife of Adam Eaton, a cousin of Peter; Julia; Leah, who married Abraham Springer; and Catharine, the mother of our subject.
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William Gilley moved to Medina county, Ohio, with his parents in his early boyhood and was reared upon his father's farm. He attended the district schools and engaged in farming in Medina county until twenty- four years of age when he was married and, having decided to cast his for- tune west of the Mississippi river, came to lowa with his wife and spent the first two years on a farm near lowa City. In April, 1856, he arrived in Carroll county and settled in what is now Pleasant Valley township. Here he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining the site of Carrollton which had been named as the county seat. He improved his farm and increased it by the addition of eighty acres, but in the meantime was elected county treasurer in 1867 and the county seat having been moved to Carroll, he took up his residence in this place in October, 1868. He was reelected to the office in 1869 and also subsequently served as sheriff and clerk of the district court and was reelected, and in 1878 and 1880 he served as mayor of Carroll. During the time that he filled the office of county treasurer he conducted a real-estate business. He purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land near the corporation line and has been largely instrumental in the improvement of the city by the erection of busi- ness properties. He engaged for a number of years in the lumber and coal business and also continued farming until about 1900 since which time he has lived retired. He still owns a beautiful farm of one hundred and seventy acres which is located a half-mile west of Carroll. At the time he settled in Pleasant Valley township there were only twenty-eight voters in the county and the only settlements were in Newton and Jasper town- ships. The people were all from the east, none of them being of foreign birth. Roving bands of Indians were frequently seen pursuing the elk and deer that were then abundant throughout this part of the state. The nearest mill was at Panora, about thirty miles away, and the nearest post- office was at the same place. There were not many improvements made until after 1865, as the Civil war attracted to the army nearly all of the able-bodied men, leaving the women and children to look after affairs at home.
On the 3d day of January, 1854, Mr. Gilley was united in marriage to Miss Leah Mohler, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Susan ( Mohler) Mohler. The parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania but removed to Ohio and located near Lodi. The father died when he was about sixty and the mother at the age of eighty-four years. In their family were Anna, Isaac, Cyrus, Reuben, Amos, Leah, Catharine, Rachel. Allen and Ira. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilley: Willard B., who was drowned at the age of twelve; Ira M., a farmer of Grant county, Washington, living near Coulee City, who married Stella Cushman and has two children, William C. and Gertrude; Ida, now living in Carroll. who married William Trowbridge and is the mother of three children. Blanche, the wife of J. E. Bruner, Emma. who married C. Dawson, and William Harrison ; and Emma I., also of Carroll, who married E. J. Pelsuc and has two children, Harold G. and Lutheria L. William Gilley of this
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review also has a grandson, Frank Cushman Gilley, a bright lad who gives evidence of becoming a worthy representative of the family.
Mrs. Leah Gilley, the beloved wife and mother, died November 4, 1906, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. Gilley is now eighty-one and is un- usually active in mind and body for a person of his age. In religious belief he is in sympathy with the Congregational church and this was also the faith of his. wife. Fraternally he is identified with Signet Lodge No. 264, A. F. & A. M., and Copestone Chapter No. 78, R. A. M. He was a charter member of the first Masonic organization in Carroll county and only two of the original signers for the lodge are now living. Politically Mr. Gilley gives his support to the republican party. He voted for John C. Fremont for president of the United States and has never seen a reason for chang- ing his political views. In all his responsibilities, public or private, he has discharged his duties with the strictest fidelity and honor, and today no man in Carroll county is more worthy of respect than William Gilley.
CARSON HOFFMANN.
Carson Hoffmann, who for many years was engaged in farming in Washington township, but is now living retired in Manning, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 13th of October, 1851, being a son of John and Frauke (Thede) Hoffmann. The parents were also natives of Schleswig-Holstein, the father's natal day having been the 3d of Decem- ber, 1818, and that of the mother the 23d of March, 1818. Mr. Hoffmann, who was a carpenter in the fatherland, emigrated to the United States with his wife and family in 1866. They located in Scott county where he and his elder sons worked as farm hands for a time. In 1870 he was able to buy forty acres of land which he cultivated for five years, then disposing of it he came to Carroll county. He bought eighty acres of land in Washing- ton township which he operated until his retirement about 1884 to Manning, where he passed away on the 6th of December, 1889. Mrs. Hoffmann sur- vived until the IIth of December, 1896. They were both members of the Lutheran church, and in politics he was a democrat. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are residents of Manning: Margaret, the wife of Henry Severs; Wiebke, who married Christian Grube; John, who is en- gaged in the lumber business; Carson, our subject; Frauke, the wife of Henry Herman; and Henry, who is a retired business man.
A youth of fifteen years when his parents emigrated to this country Car- son Hoffmann had acquired his education in the schools of Germany. Dur- ing the early years of their residence in Iowa he worked out as a farm hand, but in 1875, together with his father he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township, Carroll county. He cultivated his land with growing success, adding to his holdings at divers times, until he acquired two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land. He cleared and improved his property, bringing his fields to a high state of cultivation. In
MR. AND MRS. CARSON HOFFMANN-LE ROY. EVELYN AND EARL HECKMAN
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1893 he withdrew from active farming and came to Manning, where he is now living retired.
Mr. Hoffmann, who has married twice, chose for his first wife Miss Margaret Rohnferdt, their union being solemnized on the 28th of February, 1880. She was a daughter of Fred and Margaret (Jenk) Rohnferdt, na- tives of Schleswig-Holstein, from which country they emigrated to the United States, locating in Clinton county, Iowa. There Mrs. Hoffmann was born on the 3d of March, 1864, being reared on the farm which her father cultivated for many years. The parents were both members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Rohnferdt fraternally was identified with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, while he voted with the demo- crats. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann was born one daughter, Dora, the wife of Louis Hackmann, of Des Moines, lowa, and the mother of three chil- dren : Roy, Evelyn and Earl. His first wife passing away on the 6th of June, 1892, Mr. Hoffmann was again married on the 2d of April, 1894, to Mrs. Margaret Schlapkohl, widow of Henry Schlapkohl and a daughter of Hans and Cecelia (Urban) Luetje. They were also natives of Schleswig- Holstein, where they resided until 1874, when the mother emigrated to this country with her family, the father, who was a moulder in a foundry, hav- ing died in Germany.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann hold membership in the Lutheran church, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ever since granted the right of franchise Mr. Hoffmann has cast his ballot for the democratic candidates and served for one year as school director. During the period of his agricultural activity he met with a degree of success which now makes it possible for him to live retired, having acquired a com- petence which provides himself and wife with all the comforts of life.
WILLIAM A. COLLISON.
William A. Collison, one of the progressive and enterprising young busi- ness men of Carroll county, is the local manager of the Halbur (Ia.) yards of The W. T. Joyce Company. His birth occurred in the village of Black- stone, seven miles southeast of Streator, in La Salle county, Illinois, on the 22d of January, 1875, his parents being Joseph and Annie (Wolfe) Colli- son, the former a native of Yorkshire, England, and the latter of Ireland. The father, who was born in 1846, was brought to America when but four years of age. He located in Chicago before any railroads entered the place. When a youth of sixteen he removed with his parents to La Salle county, Illinois, locating on a farm which his father rented. At the age of twenty-eight he came to Iowa, settling on a farm four miles west of Carroll, in Carroll county, when our subject was a babe of six weeks. Here he has resided throughout the intervening thirty-six years, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits with excellent results. Both he and his wife still enjoy the best of health and are well known and highly Vol. II .- 6.
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esteemed throughout the community. The record of their children is as follows : William A., of this review; John R., who wedded Miss Cora Ma- loney, of Arcadia township, and follows farming in that township; Joseph B., at home; Daniel A., who is a practicing dentist of Marshalltown, Iowa, and married Miss Edna Gilford, of Platteville, Wisconsin; Frederick P. and Mary E., both at home; Morris L. and Frank L., twins, who are also still under the parental roof ; and Arthur V., who died at the age of thir- teen years.
William A. Collison was reared under the parental roof and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until twenty-seven years of age. His preliminary education, obtained in the rural schools, was supple- mented by a two years' course of study in the old Normal Business Col- lege of Carroll. Subsequently he followed the profession of teaching for six years, acting as an instructor in the different districts near his home. In 1903 he entered the employ of The W. T. Joyce Company at Carroll, Carroll county, as second man. After ably filling that position for one year he was made local manager of the Lidderdale yards, serving in that capacity for four years. On the expiration of that period he became local manager of the Halbur (Ia.) yards, the duties of which position he has now discharged for two years. Competent and faithful, he has proven a valued representative of The W. T. Joyce Company, and has contributed to the success of the concern in an appreciable degree.
Mr. Collison is a democrat in politics and while at Lidderdale served as city clerk for two years. He is a faithful communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic church at Carroll and an honored member of Charles Carroll Council, No. 780, of the Knights of Columbus at that place. A young man of social, genial disposition, he is very popular and enjoys a wide acquaint- ance throughout the county in which practically his entire life has been spent.
U. C. JONES, M. D.
The well established family physician obtains an influence in any com- munity which is more far-reaching than that of any man sustaining other relations to the public, but if his life is actuated by honorable principles and lofty ideals he becomes a notable force for good in support of those measures and movements which are calculated to benefit the community at large. Such a physician is Dr. U. C. Jones, who is also serving as mayor of Breda.
He was born in Kirkland, Clinton county, Indiana, on the 30th of De- cember, 1842, a son of Uriah and Elizabeth (Boyle) Jones, natives of Virginia. His ancestors on the paternal side were of Welsh extraction, while the Boyle family is of German descent. His great-grandmother was Irish and engaged in teaching school in Ireland. 'As a rule the members of the Jones family followed various trades, although some engaged in
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farming and a few others were identified with the professions. Uriah Jones on leaving the Old Dominion went first to Ohio, thence to Indiana and later to Poweshiek county, Iowa, locating near the present site of the town of Brooklyn. He was a carpenter by trade and also engaged to some extent in farming, being thus employed until his death, passing away at the age of seventy-five years. He was a bright, scholarly gentleman, with a broad general knowledge, and was held in the highest respect and es- teem by all who knew him. In his family were twelve children, as fol- lows: John, a retired farmer, who served throughout the period of the Civil war as a member of Company E, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and is now residing at Des Moines, Iowa, for the purpose of educating his two daugh- ters ; Dr. U. C., of this review ; Newton, a physician and surgeon of Shelby, Iowa; Timothy, engaging in the lumber business at Greeley. Kansas ; Henry, conducting a music store at Spencer, Iowa; David, the proprietor of a furniture and undertaking establishment at Berkeley, California; George W., a physician and owner of a hospital at Lawrence, Kansas; Jacob. a farmer of Poweshiek county, residing near Brooklyn, Iowa; Martha, the wife of S. M. Winshel, of Malcom, Iowa; Eldora, residing in Oklahoma ; and Robert and Martin, both now deceased.
In the district schools of Poweshiek county. Dr. U. C. Jones acquired his early education, which he later supplemented by a course of study in the high school at Brooklyn. For a time thereafter he assisted his father at the carpenter's trade, being thus engaged until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted, in the fall of 1861, from Grinnell, as a member of Company E, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. After a faithful service of about one year he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability occa- sioned by an attack of typhoid fever, after which he returned home and for seven or eight years was engaged in teaching school.
Then, thinking to find congenial work in the medical field, he took up the study of medicine and surgery in 1875, and was graduated from the med- ical department of Drake University at Des Moines in 1885. In the mean- time he had attended medical classes at Iowa City and had begun practic- ing his profession in the spring of 1881. After finally completing his prep- aration he opened an office at Breda and this has since remained the field of his activity. In the fall of 1881 he established a drug business in this city and in 1895 suffered the loss of his store through fire, while six months later he was again burned out. He now owns his own store build- ing in addition to a fine residence, and at one time owned other valuable real-estate holdings, which he has since sold. From the first Dr. Jones was successful, impressing all with whom he came in contact with his trustworthy character, his earnestness, zeal and scrupulous regard for the ethics of his profession. He has ever kept in touch with the trend of gen- eral progress in professional lines and by his investigation and research has added much to his knowledge and ability.
In 1867 Dr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Emma 1. Holmes, a native of New York, and to them have been born six children, namely : Belle, who is the wife of George B. Frazier, a banker of Muskogee. Okla-
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homa, and has three children, Alma, Margaret and Wright; Mrs. Ida Wilson, a twin sister of Belle, who without any capital whatever started in business ten years ago and now owns the largest dry-goods store in Breda, and through her own efforts entirely is educating her two daugh- ters, Hazel and Ruth, the former studying music in Breda and the latter attending college at Lake View, Iowa; Laura, a professional kindergarten teacher, who is now living at home; Charles B., a professional musician of Omaha, who directs a band of his own in the summer seasons and plays in the orchestra at the Orpheum, of that city, in the winter months, who married Elizabeth Coffey and has three children, Charles B., Jr., Utley D. and Margaret; Lottie, who resides at home and assists her father in the drug store; and one who died in infancy.
Dr. Jones is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Masonic order at Carroll; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 114, at Brooklyn, Iowa, and with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World, both at Breda. He is also a member of the Northwestern Medical Society, the Central Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Association, and is now serving as a member of the board of health in Wheatland and East townships and also in the town of Breda. In politics he is a stanch Bryan democrat, and although he has repeatedly refused all other official positions, he has now served for two years as mayor of Breda, his fellow citizens honoring him by election to the highest office in their power to bestow in recognition of his personal worth and ability. Fully realizing the obligations that devolve upon him in his professional and official capacity, he has ever performed his public duties with the same sense of conscientious obligation that has characterized his labor in the sick room, and he is now recognized as one of the eminent physicians and influential citizens of Wheatland township and Carroll county.
FRANK 'A'. BRUGGEMAN.
When diligence, industry and perseverance are brought to bear upon the conduct of any enterprise, the results are almost certain to be favorable, especially when supplemented by a spirit of progress and a sense of hon- esty. Such elements have formed the salient characteristics in the career of Frank A. Bruggeman. A native of Illinois, his birth occurred in Cum- berland county on the Ist of October, 1869, a son of Adolph and Charlotte (Stahlhut) Bruggeman. The parents were both natives of Germany, the father coming to this country when twenty-four years of age. He was located for a few months at New Orleans, Louisiana, later spent several years in St. Louis, Missouri, then made his way to Cumberland county, Illinois, whence he came to Carroll county, Iowa. Here he engaged in farming pursuits for many years and became one of the large landowners and successful agriculturists in his locality. He passed away in 1909, sur-
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viving his wife for many years, her death occurring about eighteen months after the birth of her youngest child. In their family were six children, as follows : Augusta, who passed away in infancy ; Emma J., the wife of John Hofeldt, of South Dakota; Pauline, residing in Arcadia; Frank A., of this review ; Louisa, whose death occurred at the age of three years; and Her- man F., who is mentioned on another page of this volume.
No event of especial importance came to vary the routine of life for Frank A. Bruggeman during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was quietly passed in his parents' home, his education being acquired in the public and high schools of Arcadia. The summer seasons were de- voted to assisting his father in the work of the farm, in which his train- ing was practical and thorough, so that when twenty-three years of age lie felt justified in starting in business on his own account. At that time he undertook the supervision of the home farm, since which he has con- tinuously made his home thereon, giving his attention to its further devel- opment and cultivation. Although he gives much thought to the care of his fields, most of his attention is devoted to his live stock interests, making a specialty of raising hogs. To this branch of his business is due in large degree the success which he today enjoys, for he has given much study to the raising of his specialty and is recognized throughout the community as a good judge of hogs. He is one of the prosperous and progressive farmers and stockmen in Arcadia township, and is now the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred and eighty acres.
Mr. Bruggeman was united in marriage, in 1893, to Miss 'Anna Behne- man, and unto them have been born seven children, of whom the eldest, Alonzo, has passed away. The others, all yet at home, are as follows: Harold, Edwin, Laura, Edna, Otto and Walter. The parents are both interested and active members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they take a helpful part, and in politics Mr. Bruggeman gives stal- wart support to the republican party. He is now serving as secretary of the township school board, and all measures which have to do with the material, intellectual or moral life of the community are matters of interest to him. His life has ever been actuated by high principles which have commended him to the esteem, confidence and good will of his fellowmen, and today he ranks prominent among the valued and representative citi- zens of Carroll county.
BERNARD CHARLES KELLY, M. D.
The medical profession finds a worthy representative in Dr. Bernard Charles Kelly, who for over eighteen years has engaged in practice at Carroll. He is a native of Lee county, Iowa, born November 19, 1860. and a son of Peter and Margaret ( DeVine) Kelly. The parents were both natives of Ireland, the father having been born in County Louthe and the mother in the town of Dingle County Kerry. The father engaged in the
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