USA > Iowa > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 7
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zens of the community. Both he and his wife are Catholics in religious faith. Their children were twelve in number, namely: Joseph M., of this review : Conrad, an agriculturist of Maple River township ; Theresa, the wife of C. J. Montag, of Oregon ; Julia, the wife of B. B. Lemker, of Maple River town- ship; Mary, the wife of Joseph Goecke, of Kniest township; Catharine ; Agatha, the wife of P. D. Neu, of Templeton, Iowa ; Anna, the wife of John Schaefers, of Breda, Iowa ; Frances ; Josephine ; and two who died in infancy.
Joseph M. Dunck, whose name introduces this review, was reared on his father's farm in Maple River township and obtained his early education in the district schools and the parochial school at Mount Carmel. In 1887 he went to Illinois and attended St. Joseph's College at Teutopolis in Effinghanı county for two years. The next two years were spent on his father's farm and during that period he took private lessons of Rev. Ignatius Roettler of Mount Carmel. Subsequently he attended St. Joseph's College at Dubuque for three years, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1894. Five years later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by the same in- stitution. During the next ten years he followed the profession of teaching, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He was then made editor and manager of a weekly German newspaper pub- lished in Carroll under the name of "Der Carroll Demokrat" and under his able direction the sheet has secured a large advertising patronage as well as many subscribers. In connection with his duties as editor of the paper Mr. Dunck also does general job printing. He gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is a devoted communicant of the Catholic church. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of great commendation.
LEWIS HOFFMAN.
Lewis Hoffman was born on the Atlantic Ocean, July 4, 1854, and was reared in the state of Wisconsin but came to Iowa in 1884, locating in Coon Rapids, Carroll county, where he has since resided. He is well and favor- ably known here.
WILLIAM A. ARTS.
William A. Arts, the cashier of the German-American Bank at Carroll, is one of the well known and representative residents of the city. His birth occurred at Galena, Illinois, on the 26th of July, 1869, his parents being William and Christine ( Manemann) Arts, who were likewise natives of that place. Their children were nine in number, namely : Emma, at home ; Wil- liam A., of this review ; Frank H. : Anna, the wife of Frank J. Rettenmaier ;
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Joseph C., the vice president of the German-American Bank; Louise, the wife of Frederick A. Pielsticker ; Augusta ; Mary, at home ; and one who died in infancy.
William A. Arts was eighteen months old when brought by his parents to Carroll county, while in 1872 the family home was established in the town of Carroll, where he grew to manhood and where he has resided continuously since. He supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the pa- rochial and public schools, by four years' study at Notre Dame, Indiana, where he attended college during the years 1884, 1885, 1886 and 1887. After returning to Carroll he worked for one year as bookkeeper for the firm of Arts & Manemann, general merchants. On the Ist of January, 1888, he ac- cepted a position in the German Bank of Carroll county, which had been established by his father and in which he remained until the Ist of February, 1898. At that time they bought out the old Bank of Carroll, which was the first financial institution established here, changing the name to the German- American Bank. William A. Arts has acted as cashier thereof to the present time, while his father was the chief executive officer of the institution until he passed away on the 22d of September, 1910. His mother, Mrs. Christine Arts, now holds the office of president. A wide-awake, energetic business man. Mr. Arts has done much to promote the interests of the institution and has become thoroughly conversant with every department of banking. He keeps well posted on the financial interests of the country and in his manage- ment of affairs has followed a safe, conservative policy which has won the commendation of the patrons of the bank and gained the confidence of the general public. For a period of twelve or fifteen years he was also engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in association with his brother Jo- seph, selling out on the 19th of October, 1910.
On the 7th of September, 1892, Mr. Arts was united in marriage to Miss Emma Keckevoet, a native of Delphi, Indiana, and a daughter of Louis and Bernardina (Dunkel) Keckevoet, both of whom were born in Germany. Louis Keckevoet was one of the prominent traveling men of that country. being a highly educated and brilliant man. Following his emigration to the United States he was engaged in merchandising at Dubuque for a number of years. His demise occurred at Carroll, Iowa, in 1882, when he had attained the age of forty-seven years, while his wife passed away in 1906 when about seventy years old. They had three daughters, namely: Antonia, the wife of Augustus C. Manemann, of Carroll; Frances, who is a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri ; and Mrs. Arts. Both the paternal and maternal grand- fathers of Mrs. Arts passed away in Germany, the latter being a celebrated physician of that country. Unto our subject and his wife were born three children, namely : Charlotte, Norbert and Alfred. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 29th of October, 1910, when forty-two years of age, passing away in the faith of the Catholic church.
Mr. Arts is a democrat in politics and has held the office of city treasurer for the past seventeen or eighteen years, discharging his duties in this con- nection in a most able and satisfactory manner. For a period of twenty years he was at the head of the fire department. He is a valued member of
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the Commercial Club of Carroll and takes an active and helpful interest in every movement instituted to promote the welfare of city and county. In religious faith he is a Catholic, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He has resided in Carroll county throughout practically his entire life and has long been numbered among its most enterprising and respected citizens.
PHILIP SCHLEISMAN.
An enterprising son of Germany who has acquired a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 14, Sheridan township, is Philip Schleisman, whose natal day was the 20th of August, 1862, his parents being Adam and Cath- erine (Krohmer) Schleisman, natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in 1868, locating in Rock Island county, Illinois. Here the father, who had been a weaver in the fatherland, engaged in farming for four years. At the expiration of that period he came to Carroll county, buying a farm on section 22, Sheridan township; later he removed to sec- tion 15, continuing the operation of his land until he retired to Carroll about 1895. There he passed away in January, 1896, while his wife still survives and continues to make her home in Carroll. To Mr. and Mrs. Schleisman were born eleven sons, namely: Mike, Andrew, George, Mike, Henry and Gottlieb, all of whom are deceased ; Philip, our subject ; Adam, who is a resi- dent of Sheridan township; Jacob, who is living in Louisville, Kentucky ; and John and Theodore, both of whom are also residents of Sheridan town- ship.
Philip Schleisman, who was only a lad of six years when his parents located in America, acquired his education in the common schools of Illi- nois and Iowa. As is common with the majority of farmer boys he was early trained in the work of the homestead. He assisted in harvesting and threshing when only thirteen years old, at which age he also lent aid in the drilling of wells, always having displayed unusual mechanical skill. He remained a member of the parental household until he was twenty-two years of age when he removed to the farm where he is now residing. He now owns two hundred acres of land which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. His is one of the well improved as well as valuable proper- ties of the township, and here he engages in general farming in connection with which he is also an extensive feeder. Both ventures have proven most lucrative and Mr. Schleisman is known to be one of the successful and prosperous farmers of the county. He is also a stockholder in the Lo- cal Telephone Company, of which he was one of the organizers.
Mr. Schleisman completed his plans for a home by his marriage in 1885 to Miss Catherine Heim, who passed away June 5. 1896. They were the parents of five children : Molly, the wife of Henry Daniels, of Carroll county ; Edward, who is a resident of Sheridan township; Walter, also liv- ing in Sheridan township; and Foster and Irene, who are at home. In
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1902 Mr. Schleisman was married to Miss Kate Danner, and to them have been born four children: Philip J., who died July 19, 1903; and Blanch, Philip A. and Clarence.
The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, while fra- ternally Mr. Schleisman formerly was affiliated with the Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a democrat and has held various township offices. He is highly deserving of the prosperity which has rewarded his efforts, as his life has ever been directed along paths of integrity, industry and perseverance.
B. GRETEMAN.
B. Greteman, who has been identified with mercantile interests at Willey for the past twenty-four years, is one of the most prosperous and enter- prising residents of the town and is now at the head of one of the largest general stores in Carroll county. His birth occurred at St. Lucas, Iowa, on the 4th of April, 1866, his parents being Otto and Elizabeth (Kemen) Grete- man, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1850, landing at New Orleans and making his way up the Mississippi river to Chi- cago. After residing in that city for a number of years he was married and removed to Minnesota, where he remained for one year. On the ex- piration of that period he came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Fayette county, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1867. His wife passed away in 1885.
B. Greteman, who was the sixth in order of birth in a family of nine children, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion. He then went to work in order to earn money sufficient to buy books that he might continue his studies. In 1887 he began teaching school and followed that profession for four or five years, imparting clearly and read- ily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1887 he also em- barked in the general mercantile business at Willey in association with his brother Frank, who now resides at Templeton. During the period that our subject taught school, the store was conducted by Frank Greteman. In 1891, however, B. Greteman became an active factor in the management of the establishment and now conducts the same independently. He carries a large and well selected stock of all goods handled in the modern depart- ment store, including machinery, hardware, etc. Having at all times mani- fested an earnest desire to please and satisfy his patrons, his trade has steadily grown until it has assumed large and profitable proportions.
Mr. Greteman has been married twice. On the 10th of November, 1891, he wedded Miss Anna Smith, a daughter of Jacob Smith, who was a farmer by occupation. By that union there were six children, namely : Jacob, who is a student in St. Benedict's College at Atchison, Kansas ; John and Clem, who are employed in their father's store; Victor and Joseph,
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both of whom are attending school at Willey; and Rosie, who lives with her aunt, Mrs. Victor Croatt, at Waucoma, Iowa. The wife and mother passed away in 1903 and in January, 1907, Mr. Greteman was again married, his second union being with Mary Meisner, a daughter of Leonard Meisner. Unto them have been born three children : Frank, Bernhard and Lawrence.
Mr. Greteman is a democrat in his political views but not bitterly parti- san and supports the men and measures that he deems will best conserve the general welfare. He has held the positions of town clerk, school treasurer and postmaster of Willey, ever discharging his official duties in a most prompt and capable manner. An enterprising and progressive citizen, he assisted in the installation of the first telephone system in Willey. In ad- dition to his mercantile interests he likewise owns a creamery. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus at Carroll, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Catholic church at Willey. His success has been won entirely along lines of old and time-tried maxims. He has carefully planned his business, has the ability and execu- tive force to carry it forward and has gained thereby a gratifying pros- perity.
WILLIAM IRVING SAUL.
One of the youngest newspaper editors in Iowa, William Irving Saul, now in charge of the Carroll Herald, has made a splendid start in the field of journalism. He possessed every necessary advantage of education and train- ing and has now assumed a responsibility which presents opportunities of great usefulness to the community. Born in Denison, Iowa, January 25. 1887, he is the son of William C., and Elida (Thomas) Saul, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was a year old when his parents re- moved to Chadron, Nebraska, and a child of four years when the family took up its residence in Carroll. He received his early education in the public schools, graduating from the Carroll high school in the spring of 1904. He then entered Iowa State College at Ames, where he continued two years. He was early attracted to the study of electricity and devoted his attention to that branch until 1911, when he became editor and manager of the Carroll Herald under the title of Saul & Son. The paper is a republican weekly, and is con- nected with a fine job printing plant and book bindery, which does a flourish- ing business. The Herald is one of the well established newspapers of Car- roll county and has a large and growing patronage, which gives promise of still further development.
On the 3d day of October, 1907, Mr. Saul was united in marriage to Miss Leola Williams, a native of Columbus City, Iowa, daughter of Lawrence and Belle (Painter) Williams. Two children have come to bless this union- Helen and Robert. The parents of Mrs. Saul are also natives of Iowa and now live at Ames, Iowa, the father being proprietor of a candy store. There were seven children in their family, namely: Bird, Frank, Leola, Grace. Mabel, Fred and Verle.
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Socially, Mr. Saul is prominent in the Masonic Order, being a member of Signet Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M., and Copestone Chapter, No. 78, R. A. M., both of Carroll. Politically, he gives his support to the republican party and judging by what he has so far accomplished he can scarcely fail to prove an able and convincing champion of its principles. He has many friends and well wishers who entertain bright anticipations as to his future.
JACOB THOMAS SMOUSE.
A persevering and highly successful agriculturist of Union township is Jacob Thomas Smouse, who is engaged in the cultivation of a one hundred and eighty acre farm on section 30. He was born in Jefferson county, Penn- sylvania, on the 3d of May, 1860, and is a son of Samuel and Harriet (Thomas) Smouse, also natives of the Keystone state. Samuel Smouse was a son of John Adam and Eve (Diehl) Smouse, the father, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, living to attain the venerable age of eighty-nine years. They had the following children : Peggy, Samuel, Isaac, Adam, Ann, Thomas, Charles, Conrad and Aaron. The son Samuel was reared on the family homestead in his native state and when he was old enough to be- come a wage earner he engaged in lumbering. He came west in 1869, locat- ing in Knox county, Illinois, where he remained for two years then removing to Iowa, he settled in the vicinity of Redfield, Dallas county, where he en- gaged in farming. In 1879 he went to Audubon county and from there to Guthrie five years later, and there he passed away in 1887. His wife was a daughter of Jacob and Polly (Frans) Thomas, both of whom died in Penn- sylvania of which state, the father, who was a farmer and lumberman, was a native. To them were born six daughters and one son : Louise, Anu, Har- riet, Asenath, Eveline, Nancy and Simon. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Smouse the following children were born: John Adam, Jacob T., Asenath, the wife of Lewis Sauvago, of Guthrie county ; Sarah, the wife of Robert Mains, of Council Bluffs ; Simon Peter, of Alberta, Canada ; Aaron M., who is a resi- dent of Union township ; Nancy, of Council Bluffs ; Samuel : Lot, who is de- ceased ; and Archibald, a resident of Council Bluffs. Both parents were sixty-one at the time of their demise, but Mrs. Smouse survived her hus- band twelve years, her death occurring in 1898. They both affiliated with the German Reformed church.
Jacob Thomas Smouse was a lad of eleven years when his parents located in Dallas county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, assisting in the work of the homestead and attending the district schools in the acquirement of his education. Upon attaining his majority he left the parental household and began his career of an agriculturist as a renter in Audubon county. After five years residence there he went to Guthrie county continuing to farm leased land for another two years. Meeting with success in the pursuit of his vocation he acquired sufficient money in 1887 to enable him to buy eighty acres of good farming land in Carroll county, upon which he settled in 1889.
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He has ever since continuously resided upon this property the boundaries of which he has extended at divers times until his homestead now embraces one hundred and eighty acres of land. During the period of his occupancy he has made many improvements upon his place and has brought the land into a high state of cultivation, his being one of the valuable farms of the town- ship.
The 10th of November, 1886, was the marriage day of Mr. Smouse and Miss Sarah Catherine Nedrow, who was born in Van Buren county, lowa, on the 13th of August, 1862. Mrs. Smouse is a daughter of George and Mary ( Bridenstine) Nedrow, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. The paternal grandparents were Michael and Sarah ( Nedrow) Vedrow, and the maternal Peter and Catherine ( Mason) Bridenstine. Mr. and Mrs. Nedrow were among the early settlers of Iowa, and the father passed away in Nebraska, in 1896 at the age of sixty-five years, but the mother still survives at the age of seventy-five. To them were born five chil- dren : Salathiel ; Nelson, who is deceased ; Druella; Sarah, now Mrs. Smouse ; and Ulysses Peter.
Mr. and Mrs. Smouse have become the parents of twelve children : Dicy and Don, who are twins; George; Harriet ; Lot ; Druella; Eve; Vernita, de- ceased ; Ralph ; Alice and Anna, also twins ; and Miles.
Fraternally Mr. Smouse is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a mem- ber of Charity Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M., of Coon Rapids, also of Copes- stone Chapter, No. 78, R. A. M., at Carroll, in addition to which he belongs to the Brotherhood of American Ycomen. In politics he is a democrat, and has served in the capacity of school director for several terms and he has also been road commissioner. Year after year Mr. Smouse has applied himself energetically to the development of his farm, the result of his labors being evidenced in his attractive and well kept fields and well stocked pasture and stable.
LIECHTI BROTHERS.
The Liechti brothers, who for the past sixteen years have carried on cooperative farming in Arcadia township, their combined efforts being con- centrated upon the cultivation and improvement of three valuable farms, are numbered among the most practical, progressive and prosperous agricul- turists of this locality. Their parents, John and Caroline (Lehman ) Liechti, were both natives of Switzerland, who came to the United States in 1873. locating in Carroll county. The family home was established on a farm in section 13, Arcadia township, and there Mr. Liechti carried on general farming until his death. He was most successful in his undertaking, being the owner of three good farms at the time of his demise. He passed away on the 20th of February, 1911, and was laid to rest in Carroll cemetery. He was a member of the Evangelical Reformed church, and was a man of hon- orable purpose and high principles. Ere coming to this country he had
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acquired a medical education, and during the early settlement of t' s county greatly assisted his fellow citizens in the line of his profes ; one of the most popular residents of this locality. His wife, a lady y excel- lent traits of heart and mind, still survives and makes her hc Le on the old homestead farm. In their family were ten children, as follows: Emma, at home; Ernest, residing on a farm one mile west of Maple River, Iowa; Charles, a farmer living on section 2, Arcadia township; Bertha, the wife of Fred Glanzman, of Platte, South Dakota ; Emily, also at home ; John, whose farm is located two miles west of Maple River, Iowa; Ida, who married Henry Mitchell, of this township; and Adolph, who with his brothers Otto and Hugo, also engage in farming in Arcadia township.
The three youngest sons, Adolph, Otto and Hugo, have for the past six- teen years carried on general farming in partnership, operating three farms, one of one hundred and eighty acres, another of one hundred and eighty- three acres and the third of one hundred and sixty acres. This property, naturally rich and arable, is as well improved as any in the township, for the brothers are all exponents of progress, having kept pace with the advance- ment which is constantly going on along agricultural lines, and in the conduct of their affairs have followed the most modern and approved methods. They also make a specialty of feeding cattle and for some time have operated a threshing machine throughout this community, both enterprises being im- portant channels of their success.
Adolph Liechti, the eldest brother, was born in Switzerland and is un- married. Otto, the second in order of birth, was born on the old home farm and in 1906 was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Knowlton. They now have three children, Walter, Helen and Ethel. In politics he is a republican but not an office-seeker. Hugo, the youngest brother, was also born on the old homestead, which he yet makes his place of residence. In 1909 he wedded Miss Ora Knowlton and unto them has been born one son, Roy. The broth- ers have all lived quiet but industrious lives, characterized by energy, perse- verance and thrift that have resulted in the attainment of a most gratifying degree of prosperity, and by honorable dealing and integrity of purpose have gained for them the esteem and confidence of all with whom they have been associated. Their success is substantial and well merited and today Carroll county has no more representative or respected citizens than the Liechti brothers.
REV. JOSEPH KUEMPER.
The province of Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, has contributed many promising sons to America, and in the number should be named Rev. Joseph Keumper, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul's Catholic church. He was born March 22, 1855, son of Herman and Mary Ann (Wassels) Kuemper, both natives of Westphalia. The father was a farmer and died in 1874 at the age of forty-eight, the mother passing away in 1869 at the age of forty-four
REV. JOSEPH KUEMPER
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ycars. Both were consistent members of the Catholic church. There were six children in the family, namely: Lizzie, now the wife of Anthony Welchers of Oklahoma ; Herman, who is now living in Minnesota ; Gernard, of Canada; Mary, who is housekeeper for her brother Joseph ; Clement, of Canada, who served ten years in the American navy and was at the battle of Manila under Admiral Dewey; and Joseph of this review.
Joseph Kuemper received his carly education in the parochial schools of his native land and after finishing the classical course in college attended the University of Louvain, Belgium, one year. He then came to America and studied at Montreal, Canada, and in Milwaukee, graduating from St. Francis Seminary in the latter city in 1879. He was ordained to the priesthood of the Catholic church in the same year and then accepted a professorship in the College of Dubuque, which position he occupied one year. After serving as pastor pro tem in Saint Mary's in Dubuque for a year he was again called to the college as professor. In September, 1883, he took charge of the pas- torate at Centralia, Iowa, and in September, 1887, was transferred to Sher- rell, Iowa. In September, 1901, he came to Carroll and has ever since filled most acceptably the position of pastor of SS. Peter and Paul's church. The church has a membership of more than three hundred families and is in a highly flourishing condition. The school and church buildings compare fav- orably with those in any other city in the state and the congregation is stead- ily increasing in number and strength under the capable leadership of the pastor.
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