USA > Iowa > Cass County > History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history > Part 75
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SORGHUM MILL.
S. H. Wood has on his farm a sorghum mill, which is very complete in all its ap- pointments. It was built in 1877, and has been run to its full capacity, during the season, ever since its construction. The mill proper is 16x32 feet in dimensions, with a measuring room 8x16 feet in size. As a part of the apparatus used in the process 'of manufacture, he has a pan, of his own design, 28 feet long, and other pans 13 feet, 8 feet and 3 feet in length, respectively. The furnace arch measures 20 feet, with 4-foot grates. The mill is of 4-horse power, and the capacity is 100 gallons per day. The average output is 2,230 gallons per year, and the mill is run from four to six weeks out of the fifty- two. The syrup manufactured is a bright amber in color, and is of the best quality. Mr. Wood plants about forty-eight acres of sorghum cane each year, and works up the crop from it, as well as all brought in by others. The mill is situated near the main road, and convenient to the house. This mill is now the only one in the town- ship.
OTHER INTERESTS.
John Findlay has a stock farm of one hundred and twenty acres, in the north- west quarter of section 27, which is widely known under the name of "Fairview Stock Farm." Mr. Findlay is meeting with
good success in breeding a cross between Black Angus and Durham cattle. For this purpose he had a fine thoroughbred Polled Angus bull shipped from Lake county, Illinois, which had been imported to this country from Scotland, which is claimed to be the first one shipped across the Atlantic. He is breeding largely from this stock, and the product is well worthy of a visit to see.
INCIDENT.
In July, 1864, a man named James T. Painter came to the township, and selec- ted a farm on section 22, with the purpose of locating permanently. On the 26th of July, he was on William Altig's farm, hauling a load of grain. While crossing a ditch, he spoke to the horses, scaring them. They started to run away, throw- ing him out between them, in such a man- ner that he was killed. He left a family to mourn his loss.
CEMETERY.
There is a cemetery in the southeast corner of section 15, Brighton township. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The first township officers were: J. R. Herbert, president; Mr. Franklin, sec- retary; Wm. Altig, treasurer.
TOWN OF MARNE.
Although the Rock Island railroad had been built in 1868, no effort was made to establish a town in Brighton township until the corporation known as the Marne Town Company bonght one hundred and sixty acres of land, on sections 21 and 28, of Thomas Meredith, and laid it out in lots. That was in the summer of 1875. The company was composed of Paul Weise, A. Langfeldt, C. Hanneman, H. Buch and E. Geisler. Their town was
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
laid out on the north side of the railroad track. In 1877, Thomas Meredith sur- veyed and platted an addition to the town lying on the south side of the railroad track, which he has made considerable effort to improve. There has been some rivalry between the two sections. The pioneer settler on the town site of Marne was Hans Simonsen, who came in 1875.
Hans Simonsen, proprietor of the Marne House, and first settler upon the town site of Marne, came here in 1875. He was the first purchaser of town lots here, and put up the first building, which was a small board shanty. In this he boarded his carpenters until the new hotel was finished. In 1878 he opened the new hotel, which he kept till 1881, when it was rented to Joe Caulkins, who kept it until September 1, 1884. At that date Mr. Simonsen again became the landlord. The building is a commodious structure, three stories in height, with an L, two stories. The house is well furnished and well kept and a favorite stopping place of the travelling public. Hans Simonsen was born in Sleswick-Holstein, Germany, September 23, 1835. He lived upon a farm in that country until he reached the age of thirty years. His parents were Simeon and Sike (Marta) Simonsen. Hans came to this country in October, 1864, and located near Davenport, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, remaining there until 1875, when, as before stated, he came to Marne. In 1881, he returned to Daven- port and engaged in the grocery business, which he continued until 1883. Mr. Simonsen was married in Daven- port, April 30, 1865, to Mary D. Wendt, also a native of Germany. He is
a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In 1883, Mr. Simonsen, en- gaged in the business of selling agricul- tural implements, and all kinds of farm machinery, which he still continues.
It is not often, in a town of Marne's size that one finds so complete a stock as that carried by Edwin Wheeler. Open- a grocery, July 1, 1875, he was the pio- neer merchant, in his line, of the town. Ilis first move was to erect a building, 18x28 feet in dimensions. Into this he placed a complete stock of groceries, opening business in June. His trade rapidly increased, and before long more room was wanted for the extension of his business. In accordance with this de- mand for extended facilities, he added eighteen feet in length to his main build- ing, making 18x46, and also put up a warehouse in the rear of his store, 18x16. On making these improvements, he added other lines to his business, and in each he carries an assorted stock. He handles a fine line of staple and fancy groceries, canned goods, queensware,glassware, etc., boots and shoes, slippers, etc., besides no- tions and fancy goods. Some idea of the importance of this establishment to Marne may be gleaned, when it is stated that he carries a stock valued at $3,500, and that his business amounts to $20,000 a year.
Edwin Wheeler, the pioneer grocer of Marne, is a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and was born November 3, 1831. His parents, Rollin and Phoebe (Bull) Wheeler, are both Americans by birth, and both natives of Vermont. Their country residence, Edwin's birth- place was a beautiful place on the banks of the Susquehanna river, and here he
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
spent his boyhood days, until the family removed to Luzerne county. There he remained till the spring of 1853, when, recognizing the superior opportunities af- forded by the West, he determined to remove to Illinois, selecting Dixon, Lee county, as his stopping place, and there for one year was engaged in the butcher- ing business, but not having formed a liking for the business, he then went on a farm in Carroll county. After one year spent in the pursuit of agriculture, he formed a partnership with his father and brother, and they entered into the mer- cantile business in Milledgeville. After this business had continued two years, Mr. Wheeler again retired to the farm. In 1862 he removed to Hardin county, Iowa, with whose interests he was identi- fied until coming to Marne, in 1876. He was married in Milledgeville, Carroll county, Illinois, May 10, 1855, to Deborah Stewart, whose parents had removed to Illinois from Steuben county, New York, in 1853. Three children have blest their union : Columbus C., William L. and Ed- win. The elder of these now makes his residence in Shelby county. Since com- ing to Marne, Mr. Wheeler has won the confidence and esteem of her people, and of those of the township in general. He is a wide-awake and shrewd business man, a leader in society, and a credit to the town. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Rudolph Lorenzen, one of the pioneers of Marne, came in 1875, and had an inter- est in the business of Julius Langfeldt. As this was the first store in the town, Lorenzen was one of the first merchants. He is a native of Germany, and came to
America in 1857. He located in Daven- port, and remained there in business till 1874, when he went to Maysville, and came to Marne as aforesaid.
Rudolph Lorenzen, merchant at Marne, came there in 1875, and engaged in mer- chandising in company with Julius Lang- feldt. Two months later they removed to the postoffice building, where they con- tinued business until 1878, then moved into their present store building. They are engaged in general merchandising. Mr. Lorenzen was born in the burgh of Fehmarn, in northern Germany, and is a son of Hans A. W. Lorenzen, who was a dyer by occupation. Rudolph was edu- cated in his native town, and at the age of fifteen years entered a store where he remained five years. He then went to IIuelligenhofen, where he occupied the po- sition of head clerk in a store for five years, receiving a large salary. His brother, Ludwig, had come to America in 1857, and located at Davenport, Iowa. Concluding to follow him, Rudolph also came to America, and to Davenport, where he was engaged in merchandising, two years; then on account of failing health he sold his business and went into the butcher business with his brother, which they continued three years. After this he was employed in a store for about two years, commanding good wages. He then went to Maysville, and was then employed in butchering one year, after which he came to Marne. Mr. Lorenzen, in addition to his other business, is en- gaged in the breeding of fine stock, in- cluding Durham cattle, Poland China hogs and Cotswold sheep. He has forty acres of land near town, which is divided into
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lots for stock. He commenced this busi- ness in 1881. He was married in Atlantic, in October, 1876, to Johanna Langfeldt, a native of Holstein, Germany. They have had three children, two of whom are living : Laura, born May 10, 1877, and Amanda, born October 19, 1882. Rudolph was born January, 27, 1879, and died April 7, 1880. Mr. Lorenzen is employed by the Davenport glucose company to buy corn in this vicinity.
The pioneer general store-keeper of Marne, was Julius Langfeldt, who opened out with a general stock, in the fall of 1875. He closed out business in the winter of 1876-77, and went west. He is now in Wilson, Kansas. His store was located in the building now owned by Olof Re- mien, on the corner of Washington and Second streets, occupied by L. H. Perkins. Rudolph Lorenzen bought Langfeldt's stock and removed it to the next building south, which he now occupies.
The original postoffice building was the next business place constructed. It is now used by H. Simonsen as an agricultu- ral implement store.
The first dwellings were erected by the Lansing brothers, and other mechanics in the northwest part of town, and shortly afterward residences were built by C. Hanneman, Paul Weise and Adolph Lang- feldt.
The hardware firm of Buch and Wer- senger, composed of Henry Buch and Fred Wersenger, commenced business in Marne, on the corner where Remien's clothing house now is, in October, 1875. This partnership continued until 1878. In that year they dissolved partnership, and then Mr. Buch built his present store, and
removed to it in 1879. This building is on West Wasbington street. The firm at first handled agricultural implements in connection with their hardware busi- ness, but Mr. Buch now keeps hardware exclusively. He carries light and heavy hardware of all descriptions, and his stock ranges in value between $3,000 and $4,000. The building is twenty-two by seventy feet in size, and one and a half stories in height.
West's drug store was the next business to enter the town. That was in October, 1875.
The first blacksmith to put in an appear- ance, was Adolph Koch, who built him a shop one block south of his present loca- tion. He commenced business in Novem- ber, 1875, and has prospered with the town. He is now to be found one block south of Washington street, and one block west of Main.
Adolph Koch, the pioneer blacksmith of Marne, was born in Prussia, in 1839. In 1857 he came to America, stopping a while in Pennsylvania, then going on to Illinois, where he engaged in blacksmith- ing, in Pike county. He enlisted, Janu- ary 1, 1862, in company I, Thirty-third Illinois, in which he served, taking part in many battles, till January 1, 1865, when he was discharged. He returned to Illi- nois, where he remained till 1873, when he went to Kansas, where he remained till coming to Marne, in 1875.
The first meat market in Marne, was opened in March, 1876, by Edwin Wheeler, near where his grocery store now stands. He sold the building to M. J. W. Maddy, and the business to two Danes, who ran it a short time, and then disposed of it to
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H. Simonsen. In 1881 he sold the busi- ness to C. Kroll, who erected a building one block north, and is now running the shop.
John Findlay, dealer in grain and live stock, is one of the representative men of Marne. He is the pioneer grain buyer of the town, having been here nearly a year before any one else entered the field in that line. He transacted business in a temporary building on the south side for three years. He bought the lot where his present building stands, on the west side of Main street, at the corner of Washington, in 1876, but could not make use of it until 1880. He also has a place on the north side of the railroad track, near the depot. He deals extensively in grain and live stock, and does a large shipping business. He also handles agri- cultural machinery, coal, etc. In 1882 bis total business amounted to $160,000, and in 1883, to $80,000. He has stock yards of his own to facilitate the handling of his large business; also an elevator, where he grinds feed for fattening his own stock, as well as that of others. When Mr. Findlay commenced in Marne, he also car- ried on the lumber business to some ex- tent, but has gradually dropped out of that line.
John Findlay is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, born June 14, 1850. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Anderson) Findlay, natives of Scotland where they now live. Thomas Findlay was born in 1801, and was a farmer by occupation. In May, 1871, John Findlay came to America and located at Lake Forest, Illinois, where he remained five years, clerking in a store. He then went to Chicago and engaged as
traveling agent for a commission house a short time. While in the latter business, he passed through Cass county, Iowa, and being pleased with the country, located here permanently in July, 1876. He has a fine cultivated farm, and has a stock of the finest cattle known. He pays particu- lar attention to the raising of stock, and is known throughout the country as a breeder of the fine Black cattle. He was married September, 7, 1879, to Elizabeth Williams, daughter of T. T. Willian.s, a resident of this county, but formerly of Iowa, City. Mr. and Mrs. Findlay have four children-George T., Mary A., Charles E., and Mercedes. Mr. Findlay is an elder of the Presbyterian church, of which they are members. He is an enter- prising business man and a public spirited citizen.
Rudolph Lorenzen buys corn for the Davenport GIncose company. In 1883, he purchased for them 67,000 bushels, and in 1884, 53,530 bushels. They have a stor- age capacity in their bins here, of 30,000 bushels. Mr. Lorenzen buys for this com- pany without limit as to amount.
J. M. Emmert, M. D., of Atlantic, has a drug store in Marne. The business was established in the fall of 1876, by John Pipher, on the south side; he shortly af- terward removed to the north side. After continuing the business of his new loca- tion six months, he sold out to John McKitchen. This gentleman conducted the store until January 1, 1883, when Dr. Emmert purchased the stock. He carries a stock valued at about $3,300, consisting of drugs, patent medicines, druggists sun- dries, etc. Dr. Emmert does not attend to the business in person, but has an able
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manager in the person of E. C. Thomp- son.
October 23, 1876, was the date on which John McEachim started in the grain bu- siness in Marne. At first he rented a warehouse for storage purposes, but after a short time he built one of his own. Finding his business rapidly outgrowing his facilities, he had this house torn down and in 1880 built a steam elevator. In August, 1881, he had the misfortune to lose this elevator by fire, but built one to run by horse power shortly afterward. He was also engaged in the stock trade at the commencement of his business, but now confines his attention to grain and coal. He ships an average of of two bun- dred and fifty cars per year. He also has corn cribs, and in 1883, cribbed 30,000 bushels.
John McEachim, grain dealer at Marne, was born in Massachusetts, June 10, 1848. Ilis parents, Neal and Jane (Taylor) McEachim, were natives of Scotland. He established himself in business here in October, 1876, first renting a warehouse, and soon afterwards erecting a steam ele- vator building of his own which in Angust 1881, was burned. Since that time be has put up another building and has a consid- erable trade in grain and coal. His moth- er died when he was quite young. His father was a stone mason and farmer, and died in 1383 in Canada, where they were then living. After the death of his father, Jolın went back to Massachusetts and en- gaged in the drug business. In 1871, he went to Door county, Wisconsin, where he followed the same occupation and re- mained until 1876, when he came to Cass county, settled at Marne and has since re-
mained. He is a Master Mason and a member of the A. O. U. W.
Lansing Brothers, wagon-makers, have their shop in connection with Adolph Koch's blacksmith shop. They were among the first to do business in the town.
A general store was opened in 1877, by a man named Hasler, in Remien's build- ing. He continued the business until 1879, when he sold to H. V. Smith. Mr. Smith had come from Shelby county for the purpose of going into business here, but not finding all his expectations real- ized, he sold out in the spring of 1881, to L. H. Perkins, and removed again to his farm in Shelby county, and from there to Texas in the spring of 1883. Mr. Perkins has conducted the business since that time. His stock consists of dry goods, groceries and provisions, no- tions, etc.
John Goldenberg started a small hard- ware store in 1877, but only remained in business a few months, when his stock was purchased by Buch & Wersenger.
Harvey Bros , prominent dealers in dry goods, boots, shoes, caps and clothing, commenced business in 1878, having come here from Lettsville, Louisa county. When they came they brought their stock of goods from Lettsville with them, and added to it largely on their arrival here. For a short time they carried groceries, but this line has been dropped. Their building is situated on the corner of Washington and Second streets, and is replete with a select stock of dry goods, boots and shoes of the best manufacture, hats and caps of the latest styles, and gentleman's clothing. They carry a stock
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of about $9,000 worth of goods, and do a business of about $15,000 in volume per annum.
J. L. Harvey, of the firm of Harvey Bros., is a native of Muscatine county, Iowa, born February 3, 1849. Heis a son `of S. C. Harvey. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Louisa county, and settled at Lettsville, where S. C. Har- vey was engaged in dealing in grain and stock, and the subject of this sketch was employed in a store. In 1873 he bought his father's business which he carried on until his removal to Marne, Cass county, in 1878. Mr. Harvey was married in Louisa county, May 12; 1872, to Jennie Thompson, a native of that county and daughter of Philip and Rebecca (Hender- son) Thompson. The former is a prominent farmer and stock dealer of Louisa county. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have four children-Howard W., Roy T., George G. and Gracie M. Mr. Harvey is one of the most enterprising and popular of the business men of Marne. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and holds the office of Postmaster, and secretary of the school board and is also sub-director.
S. C. Harvey is now a resident of Albia, Monroe county, where he is engaged in the stock business and farming. He is a a native of Pennsylvania. His wife was formerly Martha E. Smith, a native of Ohio.
Geo. Lasker started on the north side in 1879, having removed a shop from the south side of the railroad. He has good facilities for ttrning out first-class work.
Olof Remien, dealer in clothing, dry goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc., com-
menced business here November 6, 1883, since which time he has done a good bus- iness. Mr. Remien was born in Northern Germany, May 22, 1852. He spent his early life in his native country, and in bis youth learned the mason's trade in the city of Hamburg. In 1868 he came to America, and located at Davenport, Iowa, where he remained a short time, going from there to Chicago, where he followed his trade until 1874. In that year he came to Iowa, and resided in Avoca and Walnut, removing, in December, 1875, to Marne. In November, 1883, he started the clothing and 'dry goods store that he now owns, having previously worked at his trade, and being engaged in the coal trade in Marne, in the winter seasons of 1881 and 1882. At the fall election of 1882 he was chosen justice of the peace, and in August, 1883, he was appointed notary public. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. On June 26, 1875, Mr. Remien was united in marriage to Anna Greve, at Walnut, Iowa. She is also a native of Germany, and daughter of John and Margaret Greve. Mr. and Mrs. Remien have four children-Emma, Bertha, Carl and Alvina
H. Simonsen opened in the agricultural implement business in 1883, in bis row of buildings, in which the hotel is situ- atcd. He keeps all kinds of farming implements, and the best makes of each article.
Joseph S. Huhn came to Cass county in 1871, and settled on section 1, township of Brighton, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1872 he sold one-half of it, and in 1877 the balance, and removed to Marne, where he bought
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
a house and lot. He is a native of Ohio, having been born in Guernsey county April 6, 1820, and is a son of Jacob and Nancy (Saddler) Huhn, who were of Ger- man extraction. He continued to live on a farm in his native county until twenty- five years old, meanwhile learning the trade of carpenter. He then went to Union county, and remained seven years. Thence he went to Hardin county, Ohio, in 1857, and while there was engaged in farming until the 15th of September, 1864, when he enlisted in company H, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry, and took part in the battle at Nashville, and was shortly afterwards transferred to company K, as pontoon engineer. He was then sent down to the Tennessee and Alabama railroad to con- struct blockhouses, and continued in that service until discharged, on the 4th of July, 1865. He then returned to his fam- ily in Hardin county, where he resided until 1871, when he removed to Cass county. He was married on the 4th of July, 1853, to Nancy Ray, a native of Ross county, Ohio. Five children have blessed their union, four boys and one girl -Clara J., now the wife of Frank A. Her- bert and living in Kansas; Millard F., (deceased.) Mary C., wife of A. L. Squires, James S., the latter now living in Kansas, and Isolena. Mr. and Mrs. Huhn are members of the M. E. church.
M. V. Nussbaum, wagon maker, was born in Richland county, Ohio, July 7, 1841. He is a son of Isaac and Juliana (Mellinger) Nussbaum. When he was quite young the family moved to Putnam county of the same State. In 1847 they came to Iowa and settled in Polk county
on a farm, where they remained till 1862 when they sold the farm and moved into Polk City. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and taught school prior to his enlistment, Au- gust 1, 1861, in company A, of the Tenth Iowa Infantry. He served till the spring of 1862, when he was discharged on ac- count of disability. He participated in a number of engagements, among them were New Madrid, Fort Pillow, Iuka and Cor- inth; at the latter place he was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Keokuk, where he remained seven months. He was mns- tered into the service at Iowa City and discharged at Keokuk. He returned to Polk City and staid a short time. Au- gust 18, 1864 he was married to Nancy E. McCain, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Samuel W. McCain. Mr. and Mrs. Nussbaum have had eight chil- dren, four of whom are living-Julia V., Franklin W., Martin V. and Robert B. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Nussbaum moved to Monona county, where he oper- ated a saw mill until 1872. He then re- turned to Polk county and remained two years, after which he went to DesMoines and engaged in working at the carpenter trade, eighteen months. IIe next went to Van Meter where he worked at putting in a coal shaft, thence to De Soto and staid one winter, thence to Exira, Audu- bon county. He remained in Exira till 1881, at which time he came to Marne and went to work at carpentering, which he continued until 1883. In that year he opened a wagon shop which he now runs. Mr. Nussbaum is a member of the G. A.R.
Rev. B. F. Peerman was born near Lynchburg, Virginia, March 6, 1821, and
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