USA > Iowa > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
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On the ist of September, 1867, Mr. Bell was joined in wedlock to Miss Margreta Spickler, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania and a daughter of John and Nancy ( Walker) Spickler, who were likewise born in the Keystone state. They became early settlers of Rock Island county, Illinois, residing there during the period of the Black Hawk war. John Spickler passed away at the age of eighty-two, while his wife was called to her final rest when seventy-two years old. Unto them were born six
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sons and five daughters, namely : Sarah, William, Margreta, John. Henry, Louisa Boone, Abigail, George, Howard, Nancy and Eugene Ellsworth.
Mr. and Mrs. Bell were the parents of nine children. John, an agri- culturist of Newton township, wedded Miss Maude Davis, by whom he had eight children : Clifford, Avery, Fay, Clara, Arvilla, Goldie and Bonnie, all living; and Alice, deceased. Loren, who married Miss Lillian Ellis, has three children: Alva, Lula and Jacob Harris. J. Benjamin married Miss Tena Van Aiken and also has three children: Beulah, Gertrude and William George. Henry wedded Miss Ida Davis and is likewise the father of three children: Vivian, Millard and Jacob Henry. Albert, who married Miss Mittie Godown, has two children, Howard and Henry. Raymond wedded Miss Zula Patrick and has one child, Opal. Maude gave her hand in marriage to William Maybay. Ethel is the wife of O. W. Tuel and the mother of one child, Hilda. Lottie died in infancy.
Mr. Bell is a republican in politics and has proven an able public official. He served as township trustee for fifteen consecutive years and has also been school director for a number of years. While a resident of Illinois he held the office of supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with the Ma- sons, belonging to Charity Lodge, 'A'. F. & A. M .; Copestone Chapter, No. 78, R. A. M .; Audubon Commandery, K. T .; and Za-Ga-Zig Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Perry Wright Post, G. A. R. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bell are Baptists in religious faith. They enjoy in large measure the confidence and esteem of those with whom they have come in contact, and the hospitality of their pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
JOSEPH S. LIGHT.
Joseph S. Light is a member of the dry-goods firm of Light Brothers. wide-awake, successful and popular merchants of Carroll. His birth oc- curred in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, on the 21st of June, 1877, his par -. ents being William B. and Sarah (Strohm) Light, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of William H. Light the brother of our subject. He was a lad of ten years at the time his parents established their home in Carroll county, Iowa. Sub- sequently the family removed to Guthrie county, Iowa, but at the end of seven years returned to this county, since which time Joseph S. Light has made his home in Carroll. He attended the district schools in the ac- quirement of an education and also pursued a commercial course in the Capital City Business College. In 1898 he began clerking in Carroll, being thus employed until 1903, when he formed a partnership with Herman Ohlsson, who was in the clothing business. A few months later he sold out and purchased an interest in the dry-goods establishment of his brother, Wiliam H., since which time the firm has been known as Light Brothers.
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Owing to their large and well selected stock of goods, reasonable prices and earnest desire to please their patrons, they now enjoy a most extensive and gratifying trade.
On the 28th of June, 1905, Mr. Light was united in marriage to Miss Florence Edith Hatten, a native of Atchison county, Missouri, and a daughter of Matthew and Jennie Hatten, who were born in Virginia and Kentucky respectively. Their children were four in number, namely : Kate, the wife of Gabriel Moore; William P .; Alvira, the wife of John Finnell, Jr .; and Mrs. Light. The last named is the mother of one son, Joseph Hatten Light, whose natal day was July 24, 1908.
Mr. Light gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Signet Lodge, No. 264. A. F. & A. M .; and Copestone Chapter, No. 78, R. A. M. Both he and his wife are well known and highly esteemed throughout the commu- nity, having ever displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime win respect and regard.
HENRY VONNAHME.
Although numbered among the younger farmers and stockmen of Kniest township Henry Vonnahme has, nevertheless, won a place for himeslf among the progressive and enterprising business men of this locality, and the prosperity which has already attended his efforts augurs well for a suc- cessful future. He was born on the farm which yet remains his home, on the 13th of March, 1880, a son of Bernard and Gertrude (Ehrig) Von- nahme, both natives of Westphalia, Germany.
The father came to the United States about 1868, first locating in Dela- ware county, Iowa, where he was married and resided two or three years. He then came to Carroll county, and here spent his remaining days. He had been a farmer and sheep-raiser in his native country and after his ar- rival in this county again took up agricultural pursuits on a farm in sec- tion 16, Kniest township, which at the time it came into his possession was raw prairie land upon which not a furrow had been turned. He at once bent his energies toward its improvement and development and in this undertaking was eminently successful, and as he prospered he invested in more property, until at the time of his death he was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of well cultivated land. A democrat in politics he was a man of progressive ideas and a public-spirited citizen, at all times casting the weight of his influence upon the side of advancement and im- provement. He was one of the founders of the Mutual Fire Association and served as the first president of that concern. He also assisted in build- ing three Catholic churches in Carroll county, and was a man whose broad humanitarian spirit ever sought the good of the community before his own welfare. He passed away in 1905, his remains being interred at Mount Carmel, and at his death Carroll county lost one of its most valued and
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respected citizens. His wife, whose demise occurred in 1896, was also laid to rest at Mount Carmel. In their family were seven children, as follows : Joseph, a resident of Kniest township; Anton, a farmer in Kniest town- ship; Mary, a sister of the La Crosse Order at La Crosse, Wisconsin ; Frank, of this township; John, whose home is in Wheatland township; Henry, of this review; and Agatha, who resides with her brother Henry.
Henry Vonnahme acquired a good education in the parochial school of Mount Carmel, and on the home farm he passed through the usual ex- periences common to the country lad. He assisted in the cultivation of the fields as soon as old enough to handle the plow, and as his years and strength increased his duties became more numerous and important until he had thoroughly mastered the various branches of agriculture. He re- mained with his parents until their death, after which he purchased the old homestead and now owns two hundred and forty acres. He has car- ried on the work of development which his father began and has intro- duced many needed improvements, and the farm, which is one of the valu- able properties of the township, is equipped with all the accessories that go to make up a model farm. In addition to tilling the soil he also engages in the live-stock business, making a specialty of raising high grade hogs and thoroughbred cattle, and he is the owner of much valuable registered stock.
Mr. Vonnahme was married, on the 22d of February, 1911, to Miss Sophia Odendohl of Carroll county, and both are well known throughout this locality in which they have resided for so long. They hold member- ship in Mount Carmel Catholic church and Mr. Vonnahme belongs to the Catholic Mutual Protective Association of Iowa and also to St. Josephi Men's Society. He gives his political support to the democracy but the honors and emoluments of office have held no attraction for him. He is prominent among the younger residents of Carroll county, where his entire life has been spent, for he has a genial, cordial nature which wins friend- ship and at the same time commands the respect, confidence and good will of all.
THOMAS H. MARTIN.
Another of the estimable citizens of Carroll county who gave three years of his early manhood to the service of his country is Thomas H. Martin, who is engaged in farming on an eighty acre tract he owns on section 14, Sheridan township. A native of the state of New York his birth occurred in Rochester, Monroe county, on the 23d of August, 1840, his parents be- ing Daniel G. and Hannah Martin. The father, who was born in Somerset county, England, when a young man emigrated to the United States, set- tling in Rochester, New York, where he passed away in 1855. There his wife, who survived him for ten years, was also living at the time of her demise. Of the twelve children born of their union none but the son Thomas H., the youngest member of the family, is living.
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Thomas H. Martin was reared in the town where he was born, ac- quiring his education in the common schools, continuing to remain at home until 1859 when he went to live with a brother in the vicinity of Buffalo. In 1860 he accompanied his brother west, locating in De Kalb county, Illi- nois. He was residing there when he enlisted in the army on the 9th of August, 1862, going to the front in Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, on the 30th of June, 1865, with the rank of corporal. Mr. Martin saw con- siderable active service, participating in the skirmishes at Resaca. Buzzard Roost, Kingston and Pumpkin Vine Creek, Georgia, but he was never seriously wounded, although twice struck by minnie balls. The first time the course of the ball was deflected by striking his bayonet and the other time it struck his canteen and glanced off. After receiving his discharge he returned to De Kalb where he resided until 1871 when he came to Car- roll county. When he first located here he took some land on section I, Sheridan township, which he partially improved and cultivated. He later abandoned this tract and settled on his present homestead, where he has ever since resided.
While living in Illinois, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. McNish, and to them were born eight children in the following order of birth: Hannah, the wife of Albert Hosmer, of South Dakota; Dora, the wife of James M. Figert, also a resident of South Dakota; Allie, who married Charles Blahanvictz, living on the homestead of Mr. Martin ; Julia, who is deceased; Hattie and Mabel, both of whom are at home; one who died in infancy, and Mattie, who is also deceased.
Through the medium of his connection with the G. A. R. Mr. Martin keeps in touch with his comrades of the field, and in politics he is a re- publican. He has never prominently participated in township activities of a governmental nature but has served as a member of the local school board. During the long period of his residence in Sheridan township Mr. Martin has made many friends, whose regard he yet retains, having dis- played in his private relations the same loyalty as characterized his service on the battlefields of the south.
PETER BERGER.
Among the men who have been active in promoting the growth of Car- roll should be named Peter Berger who for seventeen years past has been prominently connected with real-estate interests. He is a native of Ba- varia, Germany, born October 16, 1843, a son of Adam and Theresa (Knoll) Berger. The father came to America in June, 1853, and engaged in farm- ing at Allentown, Pennsylvania. He came to Carroll county, Iowa, and established his home in Kniest township where he lived for thirteen years, passing away in 1883 at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife died two months previously, being also in her seventy-eighth year. Both were de-
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vout members of the Catholic church. Their children were Jacob, Mary, Theresa and Peter.
Peter Berger came to America with his parents in his boyhood and has been a resident of Carroll county since 1856. He received his education in the public schools and followed farming until 1884, becoming the owner of two hundred and eighty acres in Kniest township. Seventeen years ago he moved to Carroll where he has ever since successfully engaged in the real-estate and insurance business.
Mr. Berger married Miss Katharina Beierschmidt, a daughter of John and Mollie Beierschmidt. She was born at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, her parents being natives of Germany. Her father was one of the early settlers of Blackhawk county, Iowa, and died in that county at the age of seventy- five years. The mother is now living with her son John on a farm near Fairbanks, Iowa, and is eighty-one years of age. There were six children in the family : Katharina, who married Peter Berger; Mary; Tillie; Susie; Veronica; and John. The following children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Berger: Mary, now the widow of George Schmich and the mother of six children, William, Anna, Albert, Florence, Catharine and Lorena; Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Wiedermeier and the mother of the following children, Linus, Elizabeth, Louisa, Loretta, Augusta, and John and Nicholas, who died from diphtheria in early childhood; Frank P. who married Amelia Trieben and has three children living, Paul, Leo and Helen; William J., who is in partnership with his father in business; The- resa, who married Charles Schmich, the city marshal of Carroll, and has one child living, Marie; Helen; Veronica, the wife of Nicholas Wille, an express agent at Omaha, and the mother of one child, Louis; and Augusta, who died at the age of one year.
Mrs. Berger, the beloved wife and mother, was called from earthly scenes in 1903, having then arrived at the age of fifty-four years. She was a lady of many estimable qualities who attracted friends wherever she was known. In religious belief she adhered to the Catholic church of which her husband is also a member. Mr. Berger has been prominent in public affairs and served as county treasurer for five and one-half years, and as supervisor for two terms. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He is a man of unsullied character and his straightforward course in busi- ness as well as in private affairs fully warrants the great esteem in which he is held by the people of the city and county.
T. J. ARMSTRONG.
A valuable property of Warren township is the homestead of T. J. Arm- strong, which is one of the best cultivated farms of the district. Mr. Armstrong was born on a farm in County Fermanagh, Ireland, on the 18th of March, 1846, being the son of Robert and Mary (Irwin) 'Armstrong. The parents spent their entire lives in the Emerald isle, where the father
MR. AND MRS. T. J. ARMSTRONG
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engaged in agricultural pursuits, the mother having passed away in 1852, on the old homestead. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong numbered nine, the order of their birth being as follows: William, who is a farmer of Ireland; Robert, an agriculturist of Kansas; and James and John, both of whom are deceased; Letitia, now Mrs. Irwin, who lives in Ireland; Matilda, who is deceased; T. J., our subject ; George, who is deceased ; and Fannie, who lives in the old country.
T. J. Armstrong spent the first twenty years of his life on the farm where he was born, acquiring his education in the common schools of the vicinity. Finishing his studies he gave his entire attention to the cultivation of the homestead until 1866, when he decided to enter the business world. In Belfast he obtained a position in a hardware store where he worked for a year. America had long been his dream, so he carefully saved as much as possible of his meager wages, in order to secure money for his passage to the United States, where he felt assured better opportunities awaited him. In 1867 he crossed the Atlantic, traveling inland until he reached Rock Island, Illinois, which was his destination. For three years thereafter he worked as a farm hand by the month, during which time by means of constant application and rigid economy he acquired sufficient capital to justify his marrying and starting to farm for himself. For the following thirteen years he cultivated rented land, meeting with such suc- cess that in 1882 he was able to purchase eighty acres of land in Shelby county, Iowa. He engaged in the cultivation of this farm for thirteen years, at the expiration of which period he disposed of it and removed to Carroll county. In 1895 Mr. Armstrong settled upon his present home- stead containing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Warren township. He has ever since continuously resided upon this property, which is located on section 15, and there engages in general farming. His land is all in a high state of cultivation with the exception of two acres which contain a fine orchard. He takes great pride in the appearance of his place, keeping the fences and buildings in good repair and giving the grounds careful at- tention, thus making his one of the attractive homesteads of Warren town- ship.
On the 5th of April, 1871, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Holdsworth, who was born near Toronto, Canada, and is a daughter of John and Margaret Holdsworth. The parents were born and reared in Ireland from which country they emigrated, soon after their mar- riage, to America, locating near Toronto in the early '50s. Mr. Holds- worth worked in the lumber camps there for eight or nine years, when he removed to Illinois, locating on a farm in Mercer county, where they re- sided until 1885. They came to Iowa in the latter year, purchasing a farm in Crawford county, where they spent the remainder of their days, the mother passing away in 1901 and the father about four years later. To them were born eight children: Matilda, now Mrs. Armstrong; Martha, who married Joseph Walters, of Rock Island, Illinois; Letitia, the wife of William Dixon, of Virginia; Sarah, who is now Mrs. Geisinger, a resident of Pennsylvania ; Samuel, who passed away at the age of nine years ; Will-
Vol. II-14
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iam, who was forty-seven years old at the time of his demise; Isabella, now Mrs. Stumm, a resident of Minnesota ; and George, who is living in Manilla, Iowa. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong was solemnized at Rock Island, Illinois, while he was residing at Preemption, Illinois, where he lived for thirteen years prior to locating in Iowa.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, the order of birth being as follows: Robert John, who is at home; Margaret, the wife of Harry Porter, of Manning, Iowa, who has one son, Clarence; Hayes, who is also a resident of Manning; Laurence, who is living with his parents on the farm; William, a farmer of Warren township, who married Sadie Stew- art; Edward, Losina and Eva, all of whom are at home.
Having been born and reared in the north of Ireland, naturally Mr. Armstrong is a Protestant and an Orangeman, of which fact he is very proud, holding membership in Lodge No. 132, at Preemption, Illinois. The family are all conformists and affiliate with the Episcopal church, while politically he is a republican. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in political affairs, and has often served his party as delegate in township, county and state conventions, while for two years he was a member of the school board in Shelby county. Mr. Armstrong is one of the progressive and highly estimable citizens of the township, as well as one of the prosperous agriculturists, whose success is the justly merited reward of intelligently directed effort.
ALBERT PUCK.
The late Albert Puck who at the time of his demise was cashier in the German Savings Bank, was born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 20th of April, 1863, and was a son of Peter and Catherine (Brockman) Puck, na- tives of Germany. The father, a farmer, emigrated to the United States in his early manhood, locating on a farm in Scott county during the pio- neer days. There he passed away in 1865. the mother, also dying in Scott county. They were both members of the German Lutheran church and he voted with the democratic party. To Mr. and Mrs. Puck were born six children, in the following order of birth: Henry, who is a resident of Scott county ; Minnie, who is deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of Peter Puck. Scott county ; Albert, our subject; Louis, also a native of Scott county ; and Helena, the wife of Rathje Holling, of Colorado.
The boyhood and youth of Albert Puck were spent on the family home- stead in Scott county, his education being obtained in the district schools of the vicinity. Like the majority of lads reared on a farm he was early assigned duties about the homestead, the responsibility of which increased during the passing years, so that when he laid aside his studies he was well qualified to earn his living as an agriculturist. In 1892 he came to Carroll county, locating on a farm in Warren township in the cultivation of which he engaged until 1903, when he moved to Manning. Having decided to
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withdraw from active farming he purchased stock in the German Savings Bank, of which institution he was cashier until his demise, which occurred on the 15th of June, 1907.
On the 6th of March, 1890, Mr. Puck was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Stoltenberg, also a native of Scott county, her natal day having been the 11th of February, 1864. Her parents, Peter and Charlotta (Fey) Stoltenberg, were born in Germany, from which country they emigrated to America, settling in Scott county in 1848. The father was a farmer and soon after his arrival acquired some land which he continued to cultivate for many years. He passed away in January, 1889, but the mother sur- vives and makes her home in Scott county. In politics Mr. Stoltenberg was a democrat, while he affiliated with the Lutheran church in which his wife continues to hold membership. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Stolten- berg numbers nine: Catherine, the wife of James Stoltenberg, of Cedar county, Iowa; Dora, who married Peter Goettsch, of Scott county; Mary, the wife of Henry Puck, also of Scott county; Minnie, who married John Wunder, of Crawford county; Christina, the wife of Jacob La Freng, of Cedar county ; Peter, also of Scott county ; Annie, who is at home; Caro- line, the widow of Albert Puck; and William, who is a resident of Scott county.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Puck was blessed by the birth of a son and a daughter: Albert Edwin, who was born on the 21st of November, 1892; and Clara Bonita, whose birth occurred on the 3d of October, 1897. Both children were born on the farm in Warren township.
Mr. Puck was a member of the Masonic fraternity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was an ar- dent democrat and always gave his support to the candidates of that party. During the period of his residence in Manning he was elected a member of the school board, in which capacity he gave efficient service. A man of upright principle, genial personality and affable manners he was well adapted to the position he was filling at the time of his death, holding the esteem and regard of the patrons of the bank.
HENRY THIELE.
Representatives of foreign countries are doing much toward peopling the great west and among them are many Germans who have taken the unimproved prairies and by energy and industry transformed them into fertile fields, thereby adding greatly to the country's wealth. Henry Thiele, for a number of years identified with the agricultural interests of Carroll county, is a native of the fatherland, his birth having occurred in West- phalia on the 26th of July, 1858. His parents, John and Catherine (Raar- sen) Thiele, were also born in Germany and there spent their entire lives. Their family consisted of three children: William, operating the old home-
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stead farm in Germany ; Matilda, who also resides in the old country ; and Henry, of this review.
In the Catholic schools of his native land Henry Thiele received a good education, and later served for six months in the German army. He re- mained at home until twenty-four years of age, at which period of his life he came to the United States, making his way direct to Mount Carmel, Carroll county. For three years he hired out at farm work, at the expira- tion of which time he began agriculture for himself on his present farm in Kniest township. This tract of two hundred and forty acres was prac- tically unimproved when it came into his possession but under careful man- agement has been transformed into a splendid property. He has fenced his fields, put out fruit and shade trees, erected substantial and commodious buildings, and altogether made of his place a valuable farm. It has proved a paying proposition, constituting a gratifying source of income, for his annual sale of grain and stock brings to him a substantial yearly return.
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