USA > Iowa > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
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Mr. Thiele was married, in 1887, to Mrs. Mary (Ehrig) Feniger, the widow of Hugh Feniger and, having no children of their own, they adopted two boys: Wendell, yet at home; and LeRoy, engaged in farming for him- self. Mr. Thiele purchased a farm for the latter which cost him two thousand dollars. He and his wife belong to Mount Carmel parish, and he also holds membership in St. Joseph Men's Catholic Association. In his business dealings Mr. Thiele has ever been fair and upright and has gained for himself an honorable name among men and a reputation for integrity that will live through the coming years. He enjoys the respect of all with whom business and social relations have brought him in contact, and thus has never had cause to regret his determination to seek fortune in this country.
LESTER G. BANGS.
Among the old soldiers now living in honored retirement should be named Lester G. Bangs of Carroll. He was born in Newburg, now a part of the city of Cleveland, Ohio, November 8, 1837, and is the son of James S. and Louisa (Gilbert) Bangs, the former of whom was born near Akron, Ohio, and the latter near Cleveland. The father became a physician and practiced in Cincinnati, Ohio, until after the death of his wife, which oc- curred in 1849, from cholera which was then raging in this country. He removed to Chicago and continued there until after the Civil war, then taking up his home at Brooklyn, New York, where he died in 1872 at the age of sixty years. He was for several years connected with the customs service at New York. There were two sons and two daughters in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bangs, namely: Lester G., the subject of this review ; Mrs. Irene McConnell, now deceased; Mrs. Alicia C. Clopper, a resident of Wichita, Kansas; and William H., who became a drummer boy in the Civil war at the age of twelve years and is now deceased. The
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paternal grandfather of our subject was James Bangs, who became a cap- tain in the state militia of Massachusetts. He was born at Williamsburg, Massachusetts, in 1769, and engaged as a shingle manufacturer. In 1790 he was married to Martha Nash. They spent their last days at Akron, Ohio. There were seven children in their family, namely: Theodore. Henry, Samuel, Elisha, Martha, Hortensia and Horatio.
Lester G. Bangs lived at Cuyahoga, Ohio, until about ten years of age, and then went with his parents to Cincinnati, where he attended the com- mon schools. At the age of twelve he became a clerk in a wholesale and retail hat and cap store in Cincinnati. In 1859 he went to live with an uncle on a farm in Grant county, Wisconsin, and three years later removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he started to learn broom making. On April 17, 1861, he enlisted in the Civil war, in response to the first call for troops issued by President Lincoln, and was sent with two companies and a piece of artillery to guard the bridges near Cairo, Illinois. After three months the company was reorganized as Company A, Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, the regiment participating in many of the most im- portant battles of the Civil war, among which were Stone River, Chicka- mauga and Mission Ridge. At the battle of Chickamauga Mr. Bangs re- ceived a slight wound in one of his arms and at the battle of Mission Ridge he lost his right leg. He enlisted as a private and served three years and four months, being honorably mustered out as first lieutenant and adjutant. After the war he learned telegraphy and for two years was in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railway Company at Lincoln and Chicago, Illi- nois. In August, 1867, he came to Glidden, Carroll county, as agent of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, continuing in that capacity until 1881, when he went to Lake City and engaged for nine years in the hardware business. He was in the employ of the First National Bank at Carroll from 1890 until 1899, and then went to Cuba and had charge of the postoffice in the city of Batabano for fifteen months. Returning to Carroll, he served for three years as state oil inspector, since which time he has lived in honorable retirement.
On the 3d day of September, 1863, Mr. Bangs was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Hopkins, daughter of Aaron and Maria (Shelton) Hopkins. The father was born in Salem, Washington county, New York, and the mother in Troy, New York. Mr. Hopkins came west, reaching the present site of Chicago in 1835, when there was only one frame build- ing there, the others being log cabins. He cultivated a farm near Lock- port, Illinois, and later built a home in Lockport. In 1864 he removed to Fayette county, Iowa, and in 1881 took up his residence in Lake City. He died in January, 1891, being then within a few months of ninety years of age. His wife passed away in October, 1890, at the age of eighty-seven years. Mr. Bangs has one brother, Aaron. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Bangs was Nathan Hopkins, and his wife was Martha Robinson. In their family were William, Aaron, Nathan, Jane and Annie. Abijah Shelton, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Connecticut, and his wife was Ann Heermance. Three children came to bless the union of
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Mr. and Mrs. Bangs, namely: Lois, now of River Forest, Illinois, who married William B. Rowland, and they have one child, Leon B .; Bertha, also of River Forest, who married Edwin S. Wells, Jr., and they have two children, Edwin S., III and Lester G .; and Walter G., who married Louise Blackman, and is now cashier of the International Harvester Company at Minot, North Dakota.
Mrs. Bangs is a lady of intelligence and discernment, and has with special ability served as librarian of the Carroll Public Library. Politically Mr. Bangs is an ardent adherent of the republican party. He cast his first vote for John C. Fremont for president of the United States and has never departed from the party he then espoused. Socially he is iden- tified with Jeff C. Davis Post, G. A. R., of Carroll and is now its adjutant. He is a man of many sterling qualities and has a host of friends in Carroll county, being known as one of its representative citizens.
CARSTEN MOELLER.
Carsten Moeller, who follows farming on section 27, Wheatland town- ship. has always been connected with agricultural interests and is today one of the prosperous farmers of the county, within whose borders his entire life has been spent. He was born in Arcadia, February 26, 1874, a son of Claus and Ena (Lamp) Moeller, both natives of Germany. In early manhood the father came to the United States, locating first at Tama City, Iowa, and there he was united in marriage. He carried on farming for a time and then took up his residence in Arcadia, where he was ein- ployed as a section hand for two years. Again returning to agricultural pursuits he purchased the present homestead located on section 27, Wheat- land township, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land. By his own efforts he brought his farm under a high state of cultivation, introducing needed improvements as the years passed, and it is now one of the well equipped and desirable properties in the township. He be- came well known throughout this community and has served efficiently as road supervisor for the township.
In a family of twelve children Carsten Moeller, of this review, was the eldest, the others being as follows: Henry, John, Dora and Lena, all de- ceased ; Emma, at home; Anna, who married Emil Vetter, carrying on farming about five miles southwest of Arcadia; Celia, the wife of Gustave Diernfeld, a farmer residing five miles west of the Moeller homestead; Amanda, who wedded Gustave Berger, of Davenport, Iowa; Bertha, the wife of Paul Ehlers, whose farm is located five miles south of Arcadia ; William and Pauline, yet at home. No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for Carsten Moeller during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was spent upon his father's farm. Fortunate in being reared among the wholesome scenes and environment of the country, his early life was one of healthful growth, characterized by clean
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habits, and amid the busy activities of rural life he learned many lessons concerning the value of industry, perseverance and integrity. He attended the public schools of Arcadia in the acquirement of his education, and thus well prepared for life's practical and responsible duties he took up agricul- tural pursuits in connection with his father, and has since continued to reside on the old homestead, assisting in its cultivation and improvement. He is dominated by a spirit of progress, follows the most modern and approved methods of farming, and now ranks among the substantial and prosperous men of the locality.
Mr. Moeller is interested in the various phases of community life, hold- ing membership in the Lutheran church and also in the Woodmen of the World, while in politics he is a stalwart supporter of republican principles. He has passed his entire life within the borders of Carroll township and is a popular figure in this locality, having gained for himself a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. The fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that he pos- sesses those qualities which win and hold the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen, and which speak for honorable manhood and de- sirable citizenship.
KITT W. MAREAN.
Success in any line of business or any profession continuing uninter- ruptedly for a number of years may be regarded as evidence of superior ability. Accepting this statement as true, it is safe to claim that Kitt W. Marean, who has been engaged in the practice of the law at Glidden, Iowa, for seventeen years with a steadily growing clientage, is one of the tal- ented attorneys of Carroll county. A native of Standish, Maine, he was born December 25, 1859, and is a son of Aaron and Martha Ann (Thorn) Marean, both of whom were born at Standish. The father was a black- smith and followed his trade all his life. He removed to Illinois with his family and lived two years at Le Roy. In 1869, the year of the total eclipse of the sun, he removed to Belle Plaine, Iowa, making the journey in a mover's wagon. He continued actively at his trade until sixty years of age and then retired, being called from earthly scenes in 1893, at the age of eighty years and fourteen days. His wife died of heart disease in 1879, being then fifty-three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Marean were Unitarians in religious belief. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in the Twentieth Maine Infantry, otherwise known as the Maine Gray- beards, April 14. 186-, and was honorably discharged at Gallops Island. Boston Harbor, May 6, 1865. There were seven children in their family. four sons and three daughters, namely: Emma F., who married J. D. Parker, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Alonzo G., of Belle Plaine, Iowa; Eldora F., the wife of George S. Treanor, of Waterloo, Fowa; Evelyn F., the widow of William Murray, of Belle Plaine; Fred K., of Glidden; Kitt
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W., our subject; and William C., also of Glidden. The paternal grand- father of our subject was Aaron Marean, a native of Maine, who also lived for a short time in New Brunswick. He was a ship's blacksmith and died at an advanced age in 1835. His wife was Abigail Crocker and there were eight children in their family, Eliza, Abigail, Moses, John, Susan, 'Aaron, Mary and Crocker, the latter of whom died when young. Merritt Thorn, the grandfather on the maternal side, was a native of Standish, Maine, and his wife was Betsey Adams. He was a farmer and lumber- man. Mrs. Thorn lived to be ninety-three years old and was the mother of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, Nathaniel S., Mar- tha Ann, Caroline A., Elizabeth, Maria, Greenleaf, Leander M., William, Ellen Rebecca, Jane and Abbie F.
Kitt W. Marean arrived in Iowa at the age of ten years and was reared at Belle Plaine. He received his preliminary education in the common schools and was graduated from the high school in 1880. He taught for several years, thus acquiring the means for paying his expenses through college, and was graduated from Iowa State University with the degree of LL. B. in 1893. He taught school for a number of months and began practice at Glidden in the fall of 1894. He has applied himself diligently to his profession and has attained a gratifying degree of success. A con- stant student, he is well informed as to the principles of law and a well selected library indicates he has at hand the best authorities. His clients are to be found among the prominent business men and citizens of Carroll county. Politically he is an adherent of the democratic party and in re- ligious belief is a Unitarian, although he attends the Methodist church. He has been prominent in public affairs and served most acceptably for about ten years as mayor of Glidden. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias.
JOSEPH H. LAMPE.
Joseph H. Lampe, numbered among the younger generation of farmers in 'Arcadia township, has always been connected with this line of activity and is today one of the prosperous men of this locality, operating an ex- cellent farm of two hundred acres. A native of Iowa, he was born in Dubuque county, on the IIth of November, 1882, a son of Bernard and Bernadine (Olberding) Lampe, both of whom were born in Germany. The father came to the United States when a youth of sixteen years of age, and located first in Illinois. Later, however, he removed to Iowa, taking up his abode in Dubuque county, where he remained until 1882, then came to Carroll county. Here he purchased a farm in Arcadia town- ship, to the improvement of which he directed his energies for a number of years, his efforts being so successful that in 1907 he was able to with- draw from active work and now makes his home in Carroll, enjoying well earned retirement. His wife also survives. In their family were eleven
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children, namely : Henry, a farmer of Kansas; Mary, the wife of Henry Schrad, of Arcadia township; Frank, Herman, Clem, Bernadine and Liz- zie, all deceased; one who passed away in infancy; John, residing at Tem- pleton, Iowa; Josephine, who married A. B. Lappe, of Carroll, Iowa; and Joseph H., of this review.
In the public schools of Arcadia township Joseph H. Lampe pursued his education, remaining a student therein until his graduation from high school. The home farm was a training ground and under the wise guid- ance of his father he was prepared for the practical duties of business life. Wisely choosing as his vocation the occupation to which he had been reared, he has since given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and now operates the old homestead, consisting of two hundred acres. As a farmer he has been quite successful, and, taking pride in the appearance of his place, has added every improvement which might contribute to its neatness and fertility. He has also made such study of the soil as to enable him to so adapt his crops as to reap the maximum yield per acre, and bountiful harvests have enabled him to place himself in prosperous 'circumstances.
On the 26th of August, 1908, Mr. Lampe was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Lampmen, a daughter of John and Lizzie (Hoefer) Lampmen. Her mother was a native of Germany but her father was born in Dubuque, Iowa, and they were early settlers of Carroll county, but both are now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lampe have two children, Paulina Bernadine and Clarence.
They hold membership in the Catholic church, while in politics Mr. Lampe is a democrat. He has spent practically his entire life within the borders of Arcadia township and has therefore become widely acquainted, many of his best friends being numbered among those who have known him the longest, a fact which would indicate the possession of such quali- ties of character as win confidence, respect and good will.
ORRIN W. EMMONS.
Orrin W. Emmons, engaged in the general practice of law in Manning. was born in Carroll county, September 11, 1873, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families. His father is Chandler A. Emmons, who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 18, 1849, a son of Ezekiel J. and Priscilla (Cornwall) Emmons, the former a native of Canada, of Ger- man-English descent, and the latter of New York, of English-Scotch ex- traction.
The marriage of the grandparents of our subject was celebrated on the 4th of July, 1832, in Niagara county, New York, and in 1847 they removed from New York to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they resided until the fall of 1850, when they became residents of Dane county, Wisconsin, mak- ing their home in that locality until 1864, whence they came to Iowa. The
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grandfather died in 1881 and his wife survived until 1893, making her home, after her husband's death, with her son, Chandler A. Emmons. He was one of a family of nine children as follows: Martha A., who became the wife of D. A. Pound, both of whom are now deceased; Hiram, who is living in Stoughton, Wisconsin; Eunice, who became the wife of Albert Gillett, both deceased; Elvira, who married John M. Sampson, has passed away; Fannie, a resident of the state of New York; Charles B., living in Carroll, Iowa; Mary Jane, who died in infancy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; Chandler A .; and Mary, who died in Butler county, Iowa.
Chandler A. Emmons came to Iowa in 1864 with his parents. The family home was established in Blackhawk county and in 1871 he removed to Carroll county. He was a farmer by occupation and on coming to Car- roll county purchased ninety acres of land, later selling same and purchas- ing other land from time to time, until he is now the owner of four hun- dred acres of as good land as is to be found in Carroll county. Chandler A. Emmons continued to carry on the occupation of farming for a long period and as the years passed by, prosperity attended his efforts until, in 1890, he was able to retire from active life and is now enjoying a well earned rest in Manning. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church and with Manual Lodge, No. 450, A. F. &. A. M. On October 17, 1869, he wedded Lucy A. Sampson, who was born in Dexter, Maine, November 18, 1849, and was a daughter of John M. and Jeanette R. (Mains) Sampson, who were also natives of the Pine Tree state, removing from there to Dane county, Wis- consin in 1850, where Mrs. Emmons spent her girlhood, later going to Iowa on a visit, where, in Butler county of that state, she was married. She too was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in that faith on the 20th of April, 1910, her death being deeply re- gretted by all who knew her, because of her many admirable traits of char- acter. Their family consisted of four children, namely : Albert S., a con- tractor of Omaha, Nebraska; Orrin W., of this review; Clara E., wife of J. H. Wisse, residing on the home farm; and Clarence M., also residing on the old homestead. There was also an adopted daughter Mildred E. Emmons, now a resident of Boone, Iowa.
Upon the home farm in Carroll county, Iowa, Orrin W. Emmons, spent his youthful days, working in the fields during the time of plowing, plant- ing and harvesting, and also herding cattle over what is now highly im- proved farm country. The experiences and hardships of pioneer life are familiar to him and the history of Carroll county's development is well known to him. His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by a course in the Manning high school, from which he grad- uated with the class of 1891. He afterward spent two years as a student at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, and was graduated from the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois, with the class of 1894. Subse- quently he spent a year and a half in mercantile pursuits at Scranton, Iowa, and for several years engaged in teaching school. In 1900 and 1901 he devoted his attention to farming on his own account, but thinking to find
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a professional career more congenial, in 1902 he entered the State Univer- sity of Iowa at Iowa City, where he completed a three years' law course in two years and three months, being graduated with the class of 1904. The following year he located for practice in Manning, where he has since re- mained. He was a successful farmer and a capable school teacher, and has made continuous progress in the practice of law, his knowledge of the prin- ciples of jurisprudence and his correct application thereof giving him rank with the prominent members of the Carroll county bar, and bringing to him a large and remunerative practice.
On the 9th day of May, 1900, Mr. Emmons was united in marriage to Miss Jennie C. Scott, who was born in Crawford county, Iowa, January 28, 1876, a daughter of William A. and Estella ( Butler) Scott. Her father. who engaged in farming throughout his entire life, passed away in 1899 and her mother now lives at Ida Grove. In their family were nine chil- dren : Mrs. Eva M. Foltz, residing near Grafton, Nebraska; Albert B., engaged in farming near Danbury, Iowa; Mrs. Emmons; Mrs. Olive Good- win, who lives in Ida Grove, Iowa; Mrs. Edna Wolfe, residing near Dan- bury, Iowa; John Logan and James Blaine, twins, engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits near Danbury, Iowa; and Joseph Orien and Homer W., who make their home with their mother at Ida Grove. Mrs. Emmons pursued her education in the district schools and in the Normal College at Denison and Woodbine, Iowa, and was successfully engaged in teaching school for six years prior to her marriage, imparting with readiness and clearness the knowledge that she had acquired. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, as follows: Robert E., born August 9, 1901; Floyd H., born August 1, 1907; Clarence S., born September 16, 1908; and Florence E., born August 24, 1910.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Emmons are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is equally as loyal as a representative of Manual Lodge No. 450, A. F. & A. M. of Manning, and Copestone Chapter R. A. M., of Carroll, while both he and his wife belong to Salona Chapter, O. E. S., at Manning. His study of political issues and questions of the day has led him to indorse the principles of the republican party. The only office that he has ever held was that of secretary of the school board, which he filled for six years, and then voluntarily resigned. He has been a lifelong resident of Carroll county and his record has at all times been creditable to the community which numbers him as one of its native sons.
FRANK HAGAMAN.
Frank Hagaman, who is actively engaged in farming at Glidden, has made his home in Carroll county for thirty-nine years, although he had be- come seven years previously a resident of Iowa. He is a native of Seneca county, Ohio, born January 24, 1847, a son of Charles and Harriet (Per- kins) Hagaman, the former of whom was born in New York and the lat-
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ter in New Jersey. The father moved to Ohio when a young man and later to the pineries of Michigan. Subsequently he went to La Salle county, Illinois, and later to Eureka in the same state. In 1865 he arrived in Iowa and took up his residence in Wapello county where he died in March of the year following, having arrived at the age of forty-four years. His wife still survives and is living with a son, Lester, at Glidden. She is a member of the Methodist church but her husband was not identified with any religious denomination although he was a believer in Christianity and a reader of the Bible. They had six children, three of whom are now living: Frank; Le Roy C., of Greene county, Iowa; and Lester J., of Glidden. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Cornelius Haga- man, a native of New York and by occupation a farmer. He died in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1868. He was born in 1794 and his wife, Harriet Hagaman, was born in 1800 and died in 1871. There were eight children in their family, six of whom grew to maturity, George, Charles. Nancy, Joseph, Maria and Eunice. Hoel Perkins, the maternal grand- father, was born in 1794 in New Jersey and his wife, Mary Perkins, was born in 1795. She died in 1851 in Ohio. He later came to Iowa and spent the remainder of his days with a son, Russell Perkins, at Sisley Grove, Linn county. He was the father of ten children, Laura, Sallie, Jesse. Lucy, Harriet, Harmon, Russell, Amos, Harlow and Ward.
Frank Hagaman possesses the distinction of having been reared in three states-Ohio, Michigan and Illinois. In 1865, at the age of eighteen, he came to Iowa and in 1872 he arrived in Carroll county and engaged in farming in Glidden township for four years. He then moved to Glidden and followed draying for more than twenty years. He is now engaged in farming and also in teaming. He owns a well improved place of fifty- nine acres at the southeast corner of the township corporation and as a result of his industry is financially in favorable circumstances.
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