USA > Iowa > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
WILLIAM SEXTON.
One of the well known early settlers of Carroll county is William Sexton. who has been living retired in Ralston since 1907. He was born in Norfolk county, England, on the 22d of January, 1848, and is a son of Stephen and Mary (Fields) Sexton. The father was also a native of Norfolk county. born on the Ist of December, 1810, and was a son of William Sexton. Stephen Sexton was reared at home, remaining a member of the paternal household until he had attained the age of twenty-five years, at which time he was married to Miss Fields, and subsequent to this event he became game-keeper for James Gay. a large land owner of Norfolk county. Ten children were born to Stephen and Mary Sexton, the order of their birth being as follows: Margaret, the eldest member of the family. is deceased. Sarah A., who kept house for the family following the demise of the mother. taught school in Illinois for nearly fifty years. Mary A., who married B. F.
26
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
Blessinger, of Bluffton, Indiana, has one child, Millie. Stephen, who was the eldest son, is deceased. James, who lives in Streator, Illinois, has two children, Dr. Roy Sexton and Nellie, who married Jay 'Arthur and has one child, Alice E. William, our subject, is the sixth in order of birth. Eliza, who married C. B. Crittenden of Carroll county, has five children : Stephen, Annie, Grace, Edwin and Birdie. Fred, who is living in Seattle, Washing- ton, is married and had the following children: Kate; Fred; William ; Wal- ter, deceased ; and Roy. Emily married J. R. Howard and has five children : Effie, Charlie, Mabel, Benjamin and Mary. Emma, the youngest, died in infancy. In 1857 Stephen Sexton and family emigrated to the United States, locating in La Salle county, where two years later the wife and mother passed away. In the spring of 1859 he removed to a farm ten miles north- east of Streator, where he continued to reside until 1875, at which time he came to Carroll county. From his retirement in 1875 until he passed away on the 19th of June, 1890, Mr. Sexton made his home with his children in Carroll county.
William Sexton, who was nine years of age when his parents came to America, had been attending one of the private schools of England for four years. After locating in La Salle county he entered the district school in the vicinity of his home, continuing to study there until he had attained the age of fifteen years, at which time he left home to begin earning his own living. He first hired out as a farm hand by the month, continuing to be identified with that occupation until he reached the age of nineteen, at which time he was married. Subsequent to this event he removed to Cedar county, Iowa, where he farmed as a renter for four years, during which time he saved sufficient money to enable him to buy eighty acres of land in Carroll county. After cultivating his property for eleven years he added another fifty-six acres to his holdings, and in 1892 he again added a similar amount, making the aggregate of his realty one hundred and ninety-two acres. Mr. Sexton lived upon his homestead, engaging in general farming and stock- raising until 1907, when he removed to Ralston and bought his present home. Since his retirement he has sold all of his farm lands except the old home- stead, which he is now renting to his youngest son.
On the 4th of June, 1867, Mr. Sexton was united in marriage to Miss Peniath Spencer, a daughter of James and Mary (Bilsborough) Spencer, natives of England. Mr. Spencer, who was born on the 22d of February, 1812, was reared and educated in the mother country, emigrating to the United States in 1830. When he first arrived in this country he located in Fall River, Massachusetts, where he held the position as foreman in a calico print works for several years. He subsequently removed to Michigan, where he resided for three years, during which period he was married to Miss Bilsborough. From there he moved to Illinois, locating upon a farm in La Salle county in the cultivation of which he was engaged until his demise in 1881. He had survived his wife for twenty-four years, her death having occurred in December, 1857. They were the parents of five children. James B., the eldest member of the family, was killed in the Civil war. Mary E., who was married to Philander Brock of La Salle county, passed away in
27
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
1893. Thomas HI., also of La Salle county, where he died in October, 1909). was married and had six children: Mary, James, John, Mabel, William and Elmer. Peniath, who became Mrs. Sexton, is the youngest, Jane, the last born, having died in infancy. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sexton : Willis H., who lives in Ralston, married Miss Addie Boyes, and has one child, James ; Anna V., who passed away on the 19th of May, 1903, became the wife of Wesley J. Taylor, by whom she had one child, Har- old; Mary E., who is also deceased, her demise occurring on the 30th of May, 1907, married E. G. Boyes, and had one child, Hazel; Harry V., who is a resident of Green county and married Miss Flora Jenks, and has four children : Thelma, Marion, William and a baby; Laura, who is living in Carroll county, became the wife of George Hobbs, and their children are Glenn, Iva and May ; Stephen, who married Miss Hester Cox, has one child, Margaret ; Floy, the youngest child, became the wife of Gay S. Thomas.
Mr. and Mrs. Sexton have never affiliated with any denomination but they attend and give their support to the United Brethren church. In poli- tics he has always supported the candidates of the democratic party, and for five years he was a member of the board of supervisors, three years of which time he served as chairman, discharging the duties of his office in a manner which was highly commendable to himself and the body he represented.
HENRY HACKFORT, SR.
Henry Hackfort, Sr., who is now living retired on his farm of two hun- dred acres near Willey, was successfully identified with agricultural interests throughout his active business career and still owns five hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Pleasant Valley township, as well as a farm of three hundred and nineteen acres in Newton township. His birth occurred in Westphalia, Germany, on the 24th of February, 1853, his parents being B. H. and Adeline Hackfort, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father passed away at the age of sixty-two, while the mother was fifty- nine years old when called to her final rest.
Henry Hackfort, Sr., began his education in the fatherland and subse- quently continued his studies in America. He worked as a farm hand for his father until the time of his emigration to the new world in 1873 and after landing on American shores made his way to Winneshiek county, Iowa. where he was employed at farm labor for six years. In 1879 he came to Car- roll county and having carefully saved his earnings, purchased a farm of eighty acres in Pleasant Valley township. As his financial resources in- creased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he ex- tended the boundaries of the place by additional purchase from time to time until it now embraces two hundred and forty acres. This farm is at present being operated by his son Henry. In 1902 our subject took up his abode on a tract of two hundred acres on section 21, Pleasant Valley township, where he is now living in honorable retirement. He likewise owns another farm
28
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
of one hundred and twenty acres which is being operated by his son Her- man. In Newton township he owns and leases a tract of land comprising three hundred and nineteen acres. During his active business career he raised white-faced cattle and at one time fed cattle for market purposes. In all of his business affairs he was alert and enterprising, meeting with the measure of success which always rewards earnest, persistent and well di- rected labor.
On the 29th of May, 1877, in Winneshiek county, Mr. Hackfort wedded Miss Mary Geling, a daughter of Henry and Adeline (Kennebec) Geling, who operated a farm in that county. The father was called to his final rest in 1870, while the mother passed away in 1890. Unto our subject and his wife were born seven children, as follows: Henry, Jr., residing on the old homestead, who wedded Miss Mary Smith and has one child, Lauretta ; Herman, who operates another of his father's farms; Anna, who is the wife of John Smith, an agriculturist of Pleasant Valley township, and has one child, Leona ; and Benjamin, Mary, Lizzie and Joseph, all at home.
In politics Mr. Hackfort is a democrat, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. The German Catholic church at Willey numbers him among its faithful communicants. Coming to the new world in early manhood, he wisely utilized the opportunities offered in a land unhampered by caste or class and steadily worked his way upward to a position among the respected and substantial citizens of his community.
SAMUEL H. JOHNSTON.
Samuel H. Johnston, who is now serving as mayor of Carroll for the third term, has been successfully engaged in the practice of veterinary sur- gery here for the past twenty-three years. His birth occurred in Ontario, Canada, on the 12th of October, 1862, his parents being Henry and Jane (MacMillan) Johnston, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Canada. Henry Johnston, who emigrated to Canada when a boy, was suc- cessfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his active busi- ness career. He died when our subject was still a child, passing away in the faith of the Presbyterian church. His widow has now attained the age of eighty-seven years and is living on the old homestead in Canada with a son and daughter. She was reared in the Episcopal faith, but is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Samuel H. Johnston, who was the ninth in order of birth in a family of ten children, attended the public schools of Canada in the acquirement of an education. When twenty-two years of age he entered the Ontario Vet- erinary College, from which institution he was graduated in 1888. In that year he located for practice in Carroll, Iowa, and this city has since remained the scene of his professional labors, which have been attended with a gratify- ing measure of success. He has landed interests in Crawford county, this
29
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
state, and is widely recognized as a prosperous and leading citizen of the com- munity.
In 1891 Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Sophronia Dun- ham, who was born in Dunlap, Iowa, in 1867. Unto them has been born one child, Roswell, whose natal year was 1898. Mr. Johnston is a stanch republican in politics and has been a member of the school board for twelve years, while for eight years he served on the city council. He is now serving his third term as mayor of Carroll and has exercised his official prerogatives in support of many measures of reform and improvement. Under his ad- ministration the city sewage system was inaugurated at a cost of thirty thou- sand dollars and this has since proved of immeasurable benefit. The water system was remodeled and improved at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars and the saloon license increased from fifteen to fifty dollars per month. The paving ordinance has been passed and over a mile of paved streets is under way. Also a franchise for city electric lighting and city heating was granted and valuable plants installed ; also a gas franchise has been granted and a large plant put in operation. Mr. Johnston is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Of a sociable nature, he has found life enjoyable in the acquirement of a circle of friends that grows as grows the scope of his acquaintance.
JUDSON L. HANDLEY.
'After many years of application as a farmer Judson L. Handley is now practically retired from the active duties of life and is living comfortably in a pleasant home in Maple River township, which he acquired by his wisely directed labors. He was born in Jefferson county, Ilinois, April 19, 1844, a son of Jeremiah Washington and Abigail (Andrews) Handley. The father was for a number of years engaged in farming in Jefferson county and in 1848 settled in Linn county, Iowa, where he continued until called to his reward in 1895. There were twelve children in the family, namely : Arby L., now living in Missouri; Judson L., of this review ; Axim I., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Louisa L., now the wife of Henry Blessing, of Linn county ; George A., of St. Louis; Gertrude, the wife of Cloyd Collyer, of Denver, Colorado; John Q., of Plymouth county, Iowa; P. A., who lives in California; Edward S., of Linn county; Elmer L., also of California; Effie L., who married John A. Baer, of Linn county ; and Charles W., of California.
Judson L. Handley possessed advantages of education in the district schools and was a student for two terms at Cornell College, Mount Ver- non, Iowa. He continued at home until he was about twenty-five years of age when he began upon his own account by renting a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres in Linn county from his father, which he cultivated to excellent advantage. However, he came to the conclusion that more
30
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
favorable opportunities were presented in Carroll county and in 1874 pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Maple River town- ship where he has ever since lived, except for a year and a half which he spent in Jackson county, Missouri. He has engaged in general farming and stock-raising and being an industrious man of good judgment and thor- oughly acquainted with his business, has from the very beginning made a success of it. The farm is well equipped with good buildings and modern machinery and the fields yield abundant annual harvests.
In 1868 Mr. Handley was united in marriage to Miss Melvina G. Col- lins, a native of Whitley county, Indiana, and a daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Cuppy) Collins. Six children grew up in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Collins : James, who lost his life in the Civil war; Emmeline H., now the wife of William Collier, of Linn county, Iowa; John, who also died in the army; Martha, the wife of Fred Banta, of California, now deceased ; Melvina G., now Mrs. Judson L. Handley; and Ella, who married Alvah Hayden and is deceased. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Handley has been blessed by the arrival of six children: William S., now living in Carroll county ; Albert J., of Boone county, Nebraska; Abigail, who died at the age of four years ; Ernest E., who has charge of the home farm; Robert E., who was called away at the age of twenty-five; and Grace E., the wife of William Ralph, of Carroll county.
In religious belief Mr. Handley gives his adherence to the German Brethren. Politically he supports the republican party and while he has not sought official honors, has served very acceptably as a member of the school board and also as its treasurer. He was early introduced to labor and acquired a competency which is highly creditable as it was honestly obtained. He is a reputable citizen of Carroll county who has contributed his full share toward the development of its important interests and there- fore deserves adequate mention among thie names recorded in this volume.
REV. JOHN HEINZLMEIER.
Rev. John Heinzlmeier has for the past eight years officiated as priest of St. Mary's church at Willey. His birth occurred in Bavaria, Singenbach, Germany, on the 24th of January, 1870, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Stegmeier) Heinzlmeier, both of whom were natives of that country. The father, who was an agriculturist by occupation, passed away in Germany, in which country the mother still makes her home.
Rev. John Heinzlmeier obtained his education in the graded and high schools of the fatherland and in 1887 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, reaching New York on the 10th of October of that year. Making his way to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, he there attended St. Vincent's College for five years. Subsequently he spent three years at St. Bernhard's Seminary at Cullman, Alabama, and then entered St. Meinrad Seminary in Spencer county, Indiana, where he was ordained. He was first appointed
31
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
assistant to Rev. Frank Schulte of the Remsen (Iowa) parish and later spent three months with Father Joseph Keumper at Carroll. On the 6th of Au- gust, 1903, lie became pastor of St. Mary's church at Willey, where he has since labored with consecrated and untiring zeal. The school and parson- age, two handsome and modern structures, were completed in 1907, while the present house of worship, which was erected at a cost of about thirty- five thousand dollars, was completed in January, 1910.
FRANK HOFFMAN.
Frank Hoffman, busily engaged in the pursuits of farming and stock- raising, is the owner of a well improved and productive tract of land com- prising one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Eden township. His birth occurred in Chicago, Illinois, on the 12th of November, 1858, his parents being 'Anton and Catherine ( Ploederl) Hoffman, both of whom were natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father's birth occurred in Febru- ary, 1830, while the mother was born on the 27th of January, 1826. Anton Hoffman emigrated to the United States in 1850, and Catherine Ploederl crossed the Atlantic the following year. Their marriage was celebrated in Chicago, Illinois. For a period of twenty-six or twenty-seven years Mr. Hoffman was there employed as yard man by the Singer & Talcott Stone Company. In 1879 he came to Carroll county, Iowa, spending the remain- der of his life on a farm in Eden township. While a resident of the father- land he had also been engaged in farming. His demise occurred on the 18th of May, 1908, while his wife had been called to her final rest on the 3d of the same month. Mr. Hoffman gave his political allegiance to the democracy and was a faithful communicant of the German Catholic church at Templeton, Iowa.
Frank Hoffman obtained his education in the grammar and high schools of Chicago and is a graduate of St. Michael's school. After putting aside his text-books he spent three years in the employ of the McCormick Wood Moulding & Building Company of Chicago as a shipping clerk. In July. 1877, he came to Carroll county, Iowa, with his older brother, John, set- tling on a farm near Carroll. It was in 1880 that he took up his abode on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Eden township which has remained his home to the present time. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he raises Duroc Jersey hogs and at one time fed cattle for the market. His farm is well improved in every particular and its neat and thrifty appearance testifies to the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
In the spring of 1880 Mr. Hoffman wedded Miss Mary Kollmansper- ger, a daughter of Andrew Kollmansperger, now deceased, who was a blacksmith of Hardin county, Iowa. Our subject and his wife are the par- ents of ten children. Elizabeth, who gave her hand in marriage to John Klocke, an agriculturist of Eden township, is the mother of three sons:
32
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
Frank, John and Joseph. Mary, living on a farm near Carroll, is the wife of Andrew Kirsh, by whom she has three children: Nicholas, Mary and Andrew. Johanna is the wife of Peter Siebenaller, a farmer by occupa- tion, and has one child, Mary. The other children of Mr. Hoffman are as follows : Augusta, who joined the order of St. Dominic and is now known as Sister Merceda; Rosa and Frank, Jr., both at home; Theresa, a member of the same order as her sister Augusta and known by the name of Sister Gerarda; and Peter, Catherine and John, who are still under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Hoffman is a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recog- nizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He held the office of township clerk for twelve years, was assessor for six years and has also served in the capacity of township supervisor and that of road master. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Catholic church at Templeton. His career is identified with the history of Carroll county, where he has acquired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen.
JAMES H. FREETLY.
The cultivation of his excellent homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Warren township has engaged the attention of James H. Freetly for over thirty years. His birth occurred in Henderson county, Ilinois, on the 6th of November, 1848, his parents being John L. and Mary (Robins) Freetly, natives of Pennsylvania, the father being of German extraction. Mr. Freetly, who was a linguist of unusual ability, speaking seven differ- ent languages fluently, acquired his education in Pittsburg. He was a min- ister of the Presbyterian church, being identified with that profession for over forty years, during the greater portion of which time he was engaged in home missionary work. During the latter years of his life he was a resident of Henderson county, Illinois, and there he passed away in De- cember, 1896, at the age of sixty-four years. Mrs. Freetly preceded him in 1891. To Mr. and Mrs. Freetly were born seven children, the order of their birth being as follows: Margaret Jane, who is a resident of Gray, Audubon county, Iowa; John Logan, who died in childhood; David, who passed away at the age of eight; James H., our subject; William, who is a farmer of Gray, Audubon county, Iowa ; Mary Elizabeth, also a resident of Gray ; and Joseph E., who died at the age of forty-two years.
James H. Freetly was reared at home, remaining a member of the pa- rental household until he was twenty-three years old. In the acquirement of his education he attended the district schools of Lee county and the public schools of De Kalb county, Illinois. For seven years after leaving home he herded cattle in the swamps, following which he moved to Iowa, locating in Carroll county. During the first years of his residence here he farmed as a renter in the vicinity of Arcadia. At the expiration of that time he had
33
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
acquired sufficient capital to enable him to buy one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16, which forms his present homestead. He has re- sided continuously on this place ever since settling here in 1879, with the exception of the year 1909 when he removed to Manning, but he returned to his farm in 1910. Mr. Freetly owns one of the well improved and highly cultivated properties of the township, which is plentifully stocked with a high grade of cattle and hogs. He has always engaged in general farming, but also has a very fine orchard containing one hundred bearing fruit trees, which have proven to be very lucrative. One of the desir- able things about this very attractive homestead is the excellent water to be found there. By means of close application and unceasing effort, as- sisted by Mrs. Freetly's capable supervision of the household affairs, he has acquired a very comfortable competence in addition to his homestead, besides which, in 1908, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Wells county, North Dakota.
Mr. Freetly's plans for a home of his own had their culmination in his marriage on the 25th of April, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Conner, a daughter of Martin and Harriet (Zigler) Conner. The father was a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, of Irish extraction, his father having been born in the Emerald isle. Mr. Conner, who was a brick and stone mason, came west to Illinois in 1846, locating in the vicinity of Dixon, where he followed his trade. He came to Iowa on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Freetly, in 1909, in December of which year he passed away, his demise occurring at the home of his son-in-law. Mrs. Conner died when her daughter Mary was in her seventeenth year. Mr. and Mrs. Conner were the parents of ten children : William E., who is a miner in Cripple Creek, Colorado; Mary E., now Mrs. Freetly; Alonzo, an implement dealer and well driller of Harmon, Illinois; Lucius L. and Lena, twins, the former having passed away in South Dakota and the latter now a resident of Harmnon, Illinois ; John, who died at Woolsey, South Dakota, his death resulting from an attack of pneumonia, as did that of his brother Lucius, both passing away in one week; Agnes, who died in Pennsylvania; Anna E., the wife of A. Lenhart, a farmer of Geneva, Nebraska; Rheuamy, who died at the age of fourteen in Harmon, Illinois; and Ottis E., a retired railroad man, now interested in the sawmill and lumber business in El Paso, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Freetly became the parents of eight children. Elmer, a farmer of Calhoun county, Iowa, married Fannie Doty, of Lake City, Iowa, and they have three children, George, Velma and Claude. Elbert, who is a farmer of Boynton, Oklahoma, married Maude Sutton, of Man- ning, Iowa, and they have seven children : Levan, Dale, Florence, Ralph, Marian, Louis and Bessie. John M., also a farmer and a resident of Ful- ton, Minnesota, married Ellen Vollmer of Templeton, Iowa, and they have seven children : Glen, Frank, Otto, Cora, Hilda, Paul and Harvey. O. C., who is the fourth in order of birth, is a stock buyer at Manning, Iowa. Cora, the eldest daughter, married W. E. Wood, a farmer near Spokane. Washington, and they have become the parents of three children : Alma, Earl and Opal. Bertha, the youngest daughter and seventh in order of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.