USA > Iowa > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 2
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JOHN P. STEVENS.
One of those who have long been identified with the agricultural interests of Carroll county is John P. Stevens, who was born in Bureau county, Illi- nois, on the 18th of August, 1855. He is of English extraction, his father, Robert E. Stevens, having been born in Cambridgeshire, England, as was his grandfather. S. F. Stevens.
John P. Stevens came to Richland township when a lad of thirteen years, and here he has ever since resided, devoting his attention to farming. He and his family continue to make their home on the farm, in the operation of which he engaged for many years. Mr. Stevens is now living practically retired, having turned over the cultivation of the land to his son.
On the 26th of June, 1877, Mr. Stevens established a home by his mar- riage to Miss Mary J. Willey, of Pleasant Valley, and they became the par- ents of three children, one of whom, Guernard DeLos, passed away on the 24th of September, 1903, being laid to rest in the cemetery at Glidden. The other two are Malcolm Erie and Hazel Emily, both of whom are at home with their parents. Mrs. Stevens is also of English extraction in the paternal line, her father, Edwin Willey, having been born in the mother country, but her mother, Sarah McDonald, was born in southern Illinois and her grandmother in Parish, Kentucky.
Mr. Stevens has met with success in his farming and owns one of the good homesteads of Richland township, where he and his family are held in high esteem.
JOHN PARKER.
A highly respected citizen of Carroll county who donned the blue for three years and valiantly fought in defense of the stars and stripes on the battle fields of the south is John Parker, a retired agriculturist of Warren township. He was born in Langton, England, on the 16th of March, 1833, being a son of John and Elizabeth (Taylor) Parker, also natives of Langton.
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John Parker spent the first twenty-four years of his life in the mother country, acquiring his education in the common schools, after the comple- tion of which he learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1857 he took passage for America, locating in Canada, where he remained for three years. On the Ist of June, 1860, he crossed into the United States, settling in Dixon, Illinois, where he continued to follow his trade. When the call came for troops in the '6os, he responded, going to the front with Company H, Third Missouri Cavalry. He saw considerable active fighting as well as field duty while serving in the Department of the Northwest and assisted in driving the rebels out of Missouri. During the winter of 1864 he crossed the Arkansas on the ice at Little Rock, where he was later mustered out, after having spent three years and nine months in the service. Although he never sustained any wounds on the field of battle, Mr. Parker was left quite deaf as the result of exposure, but aside from this affliction, which naturally has grown more pronounced with the passing of time, he enjoys most excellent health at seventy-eight. After receiving his discharge he returned to Dixon, Illinois, where he was subsequently married, following which he located on a farm which he cultivated until 1879. In the latter year he moved to Iowa, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Warren township, Car- roll county, upon which he has ever since continued to reside. Success fol- lowing his efforts he was later able to add to his tract, which was located on section 16, a quarter of section 17. He has since disposed of one hun- dred acres of the latter, investing the proceeds in one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota. In 1909 Mr. Parker divided up his property among his children, giving the old homestead to his three unmarried daughters, who rent out the land. He continues to make his home on the farm where he has resided for over thirty-two years.
On the Ist of March, 1866, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Mary Leivan, of Dixon, Illinois. Mrs. Parker was born in the district of Trier, Prussia, Germany, on the 13th of December, 1842, and was a daugh- ter of Matthias and Anna Mary (Mischel) Leivan, the mother having passed away when her daughter was six weeks of age. Matthias Leivan was also a native of Trier on the river Mosel, his natal day being the 13th of November, 1813. At the age of twenty-one he entered the German army, serving for four years in the Ninth Regiment of Hussars. After his period of service had expired he was married to Anna Mary Mischel, their union being sol- emnized in 1839. Mr. Leivan emigrated to the United States with his four- year-old daughter in 1846, locating in Pennsylvania. In 1857 he removed to Dixon, Illinois, and there he passed away on the 15th of May, 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker there were born five daughters and one son, the order of their birth being as follows: Jennie M., who is living on the old home- stead ; Ida, the wife of Charles Rocksien, of Manning, who has two children, Pearl and Lee; Clara, also at home; Grace, the widow of Homer Waugh, of Zion City, Illinois; Minnie, who is on the old homestead; and Charles W., of Draper, South Dakota, who married Mildred George, of Coon Rapids, Iowa, to whom has been born one daughter, Mabel. Mrs. Parker is deceased, having passed away on the old homestead on the 13th of October, 1907.
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The entire family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Parker was also a member. Mr. Parker maintains relations with his old comrades of the field through the medium of his membership in Mc- Pherson Post, No. 33, G. A. R., of Manning, lowa, of which body he was chaplain for many years. Ever since he was granted the right of suffrage through naturalization Mr. Parker has voted with the republican party. He was the first school director in the Manning district, which at that time had the supervision over three schools, continuing in this capacity for several years. Mr. Parker has made many friends, whose regard has grown with the passing of time, during the long period of his residence in Warren town- ship.
WILLIAM T. BOHNENKAMP.
William T. Bohnenkamp, who is now serving his second term as super- intendent of schools of Carroll county, a position which he has filled to the general satisfaction of parents and pupils, is a native of this county, born March 5, 1879. His father, John H. Bohnenkamp, was born in Dubuque county, lowa, and came to Carroll, Carroll county, and engaged in buying and selling stock with his brother, William Bohnenkamp, for a year. He then moved to Breda and entered business on his own account, being now proprietor of a meat market. The mother, Caroline Adeline (Bruning) Bohnenkamp, was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, a daughter of Clemence and Mary Ann (Arts) Bruning. Mr. Bruning arrived with his family at Carroll, Iowa, early in the '70s and took up his residence at Arcadia, later locating on a farm one mile south of Breda. Mr. Bohnenkamp, Sr., and his wife are both members of the Catholic church and he is also connected with the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association. He votes the demo- cratic ticket and served as postmaster of Breda under President Cleveland's second administration. He has also very successfully filled the office of mayor of the town. He is now fifty-eight years of age and his wife is three years his junior.
Mr. Bohnenkamp of this review is indebted to the public and parochial schools for his preliminary education. He later became a student of the Breda high school from which he was graduated in 1896. He taught school for five years in district No. 3 of Kniest township and then became con- nected with his brother, Clemence A. Bohnenkamp, with The Breda Watch- man. In the spring of 1903 he retired from the newspaper business and again resumed teaching, having charge of a school in district No. 1, Wheat- land township, one year, and in district No. 2 of the same township three years. In the spring of 1907 he was elected principal of the Breda public schools and displayed such excellent ability that in November, 1908, he was clected county superintendent of schools, a position which he now fiils. He is an earnest and capable friend of education and having had large practical experience as a teacher and school superintendent is well qualified to dis-
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
charge the responsible duties required of the head of the educational system of the county.
On the 27th of November, 1901, Mr. Bohnenkamp was married to Miss Margaret Spoo, who was born in Clinton county, Iowa, March 30, 1883. They have five children, John H., Mildred A., Elizabeth B., Mary P. and Clara E. Mr. Bohnenkamp was born and reared within the folds of the Catholic church and has always endeavored to shape his life in accordance with its teachings, being a member of St. Joseph's church at Carroll. He was a charter member of St. Bernard's Court, No. 873, C. O. F., and also holds membership in the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association and the Knights of Columbus. In politics he adheres to the democratic party as the organization he believes is best adapted to guide the destinies of the nation. He has been largely controlled by an abiding sense of personal re- sponsibility and is justly regarded as one of the most useful and trustworthy citizens of Carroll county.
DANIEL JACKSON LOVELL.
Daniel Jackson Lovell, who is engaged in the cultivation of a hundred and twenty acre farm on section 5, Union township, was born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 15th of December, 1859. He is a son of William and Sarah (Grace) Lovell, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother of Pennsylvania. William Lovell was a son of John and Elizabeth (Rush) Lovell, also natives of New Jersey, where he was reared and educated. In his early manhood he came west to Iowa, being one of the first settlers in Davenport, where for a time he followed his trade, which was that of car- pentry. Later he settled in the vicinity of Walnut Grove, Scott county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1877 he came to Carroll county, where he passed away in 1895 at the age of eighty-seven years and ten days. His wife survived until 1900, her demise occurring a few days before celebrating the seventy-eighth anniversary of her birth. They were both originally members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The maternal grandfather, Michael Grace, was a native of Pennsylvania, but of German extraction. To him and his wife were born the following children: John, Eunice, Sarah Jane, Lois Catharine, Margaret, Mary Ann, Michael, Nelson, Daniel, Hannah and Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. William Lovell were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Nelson G., who is a resident of Miller, South Dakota ; Sarah Jane, the wife of William Trucks, of Calhoun county, Iowa ; Mary Elizabeth, the deceased wife of J. D. Binford; John G .; Michael William, who is a resident of Colorado; Lois, the wife of G. H. White, of Marion, Iowa; Joseph Henry, who lives in Oklahoma; Reuben D., who is deceased; Eliza Ann, the wife of William Bolan, of Fort Dodge, Iowa ; Daniel J., our subject ; and James Washington, who is deceased.
The first eighteen years of his life Daniel Jackson Lovell spent in Scott and Clinton counties, Iowa, in whose district schools he obtained his educa-
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
tion. He removed with his parents to Carroll county in 1877, continuing a member of the parental household until he attained his majority. After his marriage he farmed in Union township as a renter until 1882, when he bought eighty acres which he disposed of later, again operating leased land until 1905. In the latter year he purchased his present place in Union town- ship, where he has ever since resided.
On the 3d of February, 1881, Mr. Lovell was united in marriage to Miss Annis Parker, a daughter of Asa and Margaret (Boyle) Parker. Mrs. Lovell was born in the state of Oregon, her parents having moved to the west in the early days. The father died in California, following which the mother returned to Iowa, passing away at her home in Union township. To them were born seven children: Seth, Honor, Annis, Estella, Longley, Dora and Carrie, who is deceased.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lovell was blessed by the birth of six children: Irwin, a resident of Guthrie county, who married Mabel Rabuck and has two children, Mary Edna and Tama Evelyn ; Mona, who is a gradu- ate of the Iowa State Teachers' College, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Harry ; Ray- mond; John; and one who died in infancy. All the members of the family surviving with the exception of the eldest son are still at home.
Mr. Lovell gives his political support to the republican party, and is now serving in the capacity of township trustee, the responsibilities of which office he is discharging in a manner highly satisfactory to his constituency.
HENRY G. JACOBS.
Henry G. Jacobs, who is engaged in the cultivation of two hundred acres of fine farming land which he owns in Sheridan township, was born near Salt Creek, in Menard county, Illinois, on the 7th of January, 1873. He is a son of John and Catherine (Meyers) Jacobs, natives of Germany, the father having been born in Hanover. He emigrated to the United States during Grant's second administration as president and located in Menard county, Illinois, where they resided for four years. In 1874 they removed to Iowa, settling on a farm which they acquired in Sheridan township, Carroll county, in the cultivation of which Mr. Jacobs engaged until his demise in 1896. Mrs. Jacobs passed away in the same year and was laid to rest beside her husband in Mount Hope cemetery. They both affiliated with the Lutheran church, in the faith of which they reared their two sons, Henry G., our sub- ject ; and George D., also a farmer of Sheridan township.
Our subject was only a child a trifle over one year of age when his par- ents located here and he acquired his education in the district schools of Sheridan township and the normal at Carroll. He remained a member of the parental household during the lifetime of his father and mother, giving his time and attention to the cultivation of the homestead. Twelve years ago he acquired the farm upon which he is now residing, during which time
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
he has wrought many improvements. He engages in general farming in connection with which he also raises stock and is making a success of both.
Mr. Jacobs established a home for himself by his marriage in 1899 to Miss Caroline Louisa Lange, and they have become the parents of six chil- dren: George, Carl, Arvel, Lauretta, Helen and Elmer.
His political support Mr. Jacobs gives to the democratic party in state and national elections, but in the selection of county and township officials he votes for the man he deems best qualified to protect the interests of the majority, regardless of party affiliation. He is one of the widely known citi- zens of the township as well as one of the most prosperous agriculturists.
WILLIAM ARTS.
Not what a man has done for himself but what he has done for others is the true measure of his worth, and in all history it is those who have con- tributed most to the happiness of their fellow beings that stand highest in the love and respect of mankind. Judged by this standard, William Arts, for nearly forty years a leading citizen of Carroll, will long be remembered by those who had the honor of his acquaintance and his name will always be associated prominently with the history of Carroll county. Eminently suc- cessful in every line of business to which he directed his attention, he was especially noted for his fidelity to trust and one of his chief concerns in the closing days of his life was to safeguard the interests that had been placed in his charge.
Born near Galena, Illinois, October 2, 1840, he spent his boyhood in southwestern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. He attended the district schools and later possessed advantages of training in the public schools of Galena and the college of the Dominican Fathers at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. At the age of nineteen, in 1859, he yielded to the gold excitement which swept throughout the country from the Pacific coast and started with a party of adventurers upon a trip of five and one-half months across the plains and mountains to California. After spending several years in California, in the course of which he underwent great hardships, he joined with others on a prospecting tour through Oregon, Washington, and the present state of Idaho. He and two partners made a rich gold strike on the spot where Ida- ho City, Idaho, now stands and were practically the founders of a mining camp which has since developed into one of the flourishing cities of the state. He engaged successfully in mining until the fall of 1864 and then started for his old home in Illinois with a party of companions. After pass- ing through great dangers from Indians and also from hunger and thirst, Mr. Arts with two other survivors of the party arrived almost exhausted at one of the frontier settlements of Nebraska. Shortly afterward he arrived at Galena, where he was married, and on January 24, 1865, started with his bride on a ship from New York to return to Idaho. The journey led to the Isthmus of Panama and from the western coast of Central America Mr.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
Arts and his bride went aboard a ship for San Francisco and finally arrived at Idaho City after a period of about three months. Here they lived for three years, their daughter, Emma, being the first white child born in that mining camp. In October, 1867, Mr. Arts started with his wife and baby by stage upon a trip of fifteen days and nights to Cheyenne, Wyoming, which was then the terminus of the Union Pacific Railway. They returned by train to Galena, Illinois, and after spending the winter there Mr. Arts went to the mines for one more season. He disposed of his interest and on October 7, 1868, bade farewell to Idaho City, once more returning to Galena. In passing through Iowa he was much pleased with the appearance of the coun- try and accordingly in October, 1869, came to Wheatland township, Carroll county, Iowa, and purchased section 12, which became known as the Arts section. Here he erected the first building of the locality, in which his family took up their residence the next spring. In 1871 he removed to Carroll, which he made his permanent home. He soon became a leading business man and also took a prominent part in public affairs, serving as a member of the city council and also from 1880 to 1882 as county treasurer, but declined re- nomination at the close of his first term. He engaged in grain buying in the early days and was a partner of D. Wayne in a general merchandise store, later purchasing his partner's interest. In 1884 he associated with A. C. Manemann in the general merchandise business, in which they continued for more than ten years. In 1888 he assisted in organizing the German Bank of Carroll county, buying out Patterson Brothers, and served as president of the bank for many years. In 1887 he organized the German Printing Asso- ciation, which acquired Der Carroll Demokrat, and Mr. Arts was the first president of this association. Through his influence the Carroll Times was organized in 1897. This proved an enterprise in which he was greatly inter- tested, its success affording him probably as much satisfaction as any invest- ment that he made in his later years. He was the founder of the German- American bank, which began business February 1, 1898. This institution may be regarded as a monument to Mr. Arts' energy and ability and he took great pains to provide for its continuation according to his sterling ideas of honesty and integrity. He was followed by his two sons, W. A. and J. C. Arts, who are worthy successors to him in business. Beside his banking in- terest he had extensive real-estate holdings in this and adjoining counties and was also the owner of large tracts of farm land in western Canada. He left an estate probably the largest ever accumulated in Carroll county.
On the 24th of January, 1865, Mr. Arts was married, at Galena, Illinois, in St. Mary's Catholic church, by Rev. Father Powers, to Miss Christine Manemann, a daughter of Clemence and Mary Anna (Stockel) Manemann, who were natives of Lengeringen, Germany, where they were married Janu- ary 4, 1843. Two years later, with their son, Bernard, they came to America, landing at New York, whence they made their way to Nauvoo, Illinois. After a short time they removed to Galena, where the father engaged in farming. However he had previously learned the trade of carpentering in Germany, where he had built many residences, mills and public buildings, and also conducted a carpenter shop on his farm. In 1893 he and his wife Vol. II-2
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
celebrated their golden wedding. They were members of the Catholic church and Mr. Manemann was a stanch supporter of democratic principles. He died November 16, 1895, and his wife passed away January 4, 1906. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arts have been born the following children : Emma, resides at home. William A. is mentioned on another page of this volume. Frank H. wedded Mary Mikesell and resides in Fremont, Nebraska, where he is en- gaged in the mercantile business. He has three children, Graydon, Gretchen and Stanford. Anna is the wife of Frank J. Rettenmaier, a pharmacist of Carroll, Iowa, and has four sons, Wilbur, Paul, Lewis and Gerald. J. C. is mentioned on another page of this volume. Louise is the wife of Fred A. Pielsticker, of Eldorado, Kansas, who is manager and owner of the Eldorado Electric Refrigerator Company. They have two children, William and Robert. Augusta, the next member of the Arts family, and Mary, the young- est, reside at home. Mr. Arts was a man of fine social characteristics but his greatest happiness was found in the society of his wife and children. He was a valued member of the Knights of Columbus and in religious belief was a lifelong adherent of the Catholic church. He was the leader in the organization of the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic church in 1885, becoming one of the three trustees of the church. He was a generous contributor to religious objects and to all movements that aimed to promote the welfare of the community, giving freely of his time as well as his money and asking 110 return except the approval of his own conscience. He was a public-spirited citizen and did his part in every enterprise that looked to the advancement of the general welfare. He was active in politics and at one time was treasurer of this county and held many positions of trust in the city. What- ever he did was for the best interests of the community and his labors were an element in promoting the material, intellectual, political, social and moral progress.
This noble citizen, who won and retained the good will of all who came within the circle of his influence, died September 22, 1910, being then nearly seventy years of age. He suffered for over eight years from diabetes and, although he secured the best medical advice, the disease slowly advanced until the spirit was freed from its earthly tenement. It was only through the exercise of a masterful will that he was able to endure for this long period, but he bore his sufferings heroically to the last and spoke calmly to his sons of the approaching change and unflinchingly prepared for the end but out of the depth of his sympathy and love sought to conceal the gravity of his real condition from his wife and daughters.
One of the local papers said of him: "The importance of Mr. Arts as a business man, his intimate relations from an early day with the affairs of Car- roll and Carroll county, makes his death in the fullness of years and in the esteem of all who knew him somewhat of an epochal event as between the old and the new generation, the pioneers and the sons of pioneers. Very few are left of the hardy generation to which he belonged, whose lives sur- veyed the vast building which has fashioned the present from its beginning in the far past. Many have already gone and few remain. No one has given in greater measure of himself and of his talents to Carroll and Carroll coun-
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
ty than has William Arts. In a sensible and unostentatious way he was a charitable man, helping many in their struggles to get a start or tide over difficulties, and to the church and its charities and enterprises he was a prodigal giver. By the exercises of a powerful will and good judgment he made his way to a success that others with the same opportunities could not reach, but it was done by prudent investment, not by speculation. It was his pride that not a dollar of his fortune was made in a questionable way."
The following summary of his character appeared in the Carroll Times and as it was written by one who knew him through years of intimate associ- ation the tribute is especially appropriate in this place: "In the death of William Arts this city and county is deprived of the influence for good of a man incorruptible in his sterling integrity, a powerful factor in seeking the bettering of wrong conditions affecting the body politic, and whose views, freely expressed, always carried great weight in influencing thought and the study of questions among those who might have differed with him through erroneous impressions. He will be missed by high and low, rich and poor, all of whom will recall his many good acts and qualities. The busi- ness sagacity of William Arts, his enterprise, integrity and solidity, were of the old school, all based on unswerving honesty and the sense of duty to God and man. His moral life, clean habits, honesty and sturdiness of character are virtues that should keep bright the lamp of his memory to generations yet to come. He has passed to his eternal reward, let us hope and believe, as we hope that an all merciful Father may grant us everlasting life when this earthly career ends. We sadly miss our fellow citizen, neighbor, friend, benefactor. Henceforth we can but cherish his memory, seek consolation in the thought that his pains, trials and vexations are over ; that beyond the vale of shadows his spirit emerged into the world that we can but mistily view by the power of our imagination, but which faith depicts and assures us. abounds with joy that shall never cease."
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