USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 10
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 10
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In 1897 Mr. Hildman was united in marriage to Miss Angela Gotto, of Holy Cross, Iowa, by whom he has nine children, as follows: Emma; Raymond, who is acting as assistant cashier of the First State Bank of Ionia; Leo; Mathilda; Olivaria; Flor- ence; Clair; Matona; and John Louis. All are still under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Hildman is a democrat, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. He is a devout communicant of the Catholic church and also belongs to the Roman Catholic Protective Society. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and through their wise utilization has won a place among the substantial and respected citizens of his community.
W. O. DAVIS.
W. O. Davis, of the firm of Jones & Davis, dealers in farm machinery and hardware in Lime Springs, is a most alert and energetic business man who is ready for any emerg- ency or for any opportunity. Working steadily upward along the legitimate lines of trade. he now occupies an enviable position in commercial circles. Howard county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having here occurred September 7, 1888. His parents were Jolın W. and Ann J. (Thomas) Davis, the former a native of Columbus county, Wisconsin, and a son of William P. and Catherine (Davis) Davis, bothı of whom were
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natives of Anglesey, Wales. They are mentioned on another page of this work in con- nection with the sketch of their son, D. W. Davis. The father of W. O. Davis was born November 27, 1850, and was therefore a lad of eleven years when his parents removed west of the Mississippi, settling in Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1869 he arrived in Howard county, Iowa, with the family and soon after reaching his majority he began farming on his own account on a tract of land five miles northeast of Lime Springs which he purchased. He afterward added to his holdings as his financial resources increased until he was the owner of two hundred and eighty-four acres of valuable farm land. He also acquired a farm adjoining on the south, comprising one hundred and seventy-two acres, and for many years he was actively identified with the agricultural development of his section of the state. He carried on his farm work according to most progressive methods and his enterprise and energy enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path. At length he retired from active business and removed to Lime Springs in 1912. There he spent his remaining days, his death occurring January 26, 1918. He was a republican in his political views and was an influential factor in the local councils of his party.
W. O. Davis was reared upon the old homestead farm and the district schools afforded him his early educational opportunities, while later he attended the Lime Springs high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910. He remained upon the home farm for two years thereafter and in 1912 became a resident of Lime Springs, where he engaged in the pump and windmill repairing business, following that trade until June, 1914, when he entered into partnership with M. H. Jones and pur- chased the site of the store now occupied by the firm. They began the erection of their modern brick block, which is the finest business block in Lime Springs. The firm of Jones & Davis was organized in February, 1915, and in December, 1916, they removed into their new building and have since enjoyed a large and growing trade, their establish- ment being the expression of modern business enterprise.
Mr. Davis is a member of Howard Lodge, No. 214, A. F. & A. M .; Shiloh Chapter, No. 65, R. A. M .; and Utopia Chapter, No. 379, O. E. S. He is keenly interested in all that tends to promote the interests of the fraternity or to upbuild the county in which he has spent his entire life. He is actuated by a progressive spirit that prompts his hearty cooperation in plans and measures for the general good and many tangible evidences of his public-spirited citizenship may be cited.
CARL PRINZ.
Carl Prinz, engaged in general farming on section 19, Saratoga township, Howard county, was born in Germany, May 28. 1850, and in that country his parents, Frederick and Marie (Will) Prinz, spent their entire lives, both having now passed away. Under the parental roof Carl Prinz remained until he had attained his majority. In fact it was not until July, 1889, that he came to the United States, at which date he made his way across the country and established his home in Saratoga township, Howard county, Iowa. Here he began work as a farm hand and was thus employed for a number of years. He likewise worked at the mason's trade. He was ambitious to engage in busi- ness on his own account, however, and carefully saved his earnings until he was able in 1901 to make investment in land and became the owner of seventy-six acres, con- stituting his present farm. Through the intervening period of eighteen years he has
carefully, systematically and profitably cultivated his land and his fields now return to him a gratifying annual income. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Saratoga and is constantly studying questions that have to do with the welfare and progress of the farming community.
In 1876 Mr. Prinz was united in marriage to Miss Marie Schubir and they have become the parents of six children: Ida, who is married and resides in Colfax, Wash- ington; Charles Warren, who is married and makes his home in St. Paul, Minnesota; Minnie, who is married and lives in Howard township, Howard county; Emma, at home; Otto, who is married and resides upon the home farm; and August, who became a
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member of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Infantry of the Thirtieth Division and went to France for active service with the American army on the European battle front.
Mr. Prinz and his family are members of the German Lutheran church and his political endorsement is given to the republican party. He is interested in all matters of civic moment and supports various plans and measures for the general good, while in his farm work he so directs his efforts that his persistency and energy have gained for him a comfortable competence.
REV. MICHAEL H. CAREY.
Rev. Michael H. Carey is the beloved pastor of St. Joseph's parish of the Roman Catholic church at New Hampton, where he has thus labored with excellent results for the past seven years. He is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Shulls- burg, that state, on the 5th of September, 1858. His classical education was acquired in St. Marys College of St. Marys, Kansas, and later he took a philosophical course in Dubuque College of Dubuque, Iowa, while his theological studies were pursued in Grand Seminary of Montreal, Canada. On the 22d of December, 1900, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Bruchesi of Montreal and his first assignment was as assistant at the Cathedral in Dubuque, in which capacity he continued for five and a half years, subsequently serving as pastor there for about six years. In April, 1912, he was trans- ferred to New Hampton as pastor of St. Joseph's parish, over which he has since pre- sided. The modern parsonage in which he resides was built under his direction in 1917 at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. while the church and parochial school buildings could not be erected at the present time for a hundred thousand dollars. He removed and rebuilt the convent at a cost of five thousand dollars. St. Joseph's parish has enjoyed splendid growth both in a material and moral sense and will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary on the 2d of July, 1919. Father Carey is popular not only among his parishioners but among people of all denominations in New Hampton, being uniformly esteemed as a man of consecrated zeal whose efforts have proven a potent element in the moral upbuilding of the community.
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HENRY SCHWICKERATH.
Among the substantial citizens of Chickasaw county who have always lived within her borders is Henry Schwickerath, who makes his home on section 17, Dayton township, and who was born in Washington township, October 18, 1880, his parents being Joseph and Katherine (Puitz) Schwickerath, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States when eighteen years of age-a poor boy with no capital, but ere death called him he had won a place among the prosperous farmers of Iowa. He first settled in Wisconsin but afterward removed to Washington township, Chicka- saw county. In the meantime he had been married in Wisconsin to Miss Katherine Puitz. Much of his life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he became a prosperous farmer. He removed to New Hampton in 1900 and died there in 1914. He is still survived by his widow, who yet makes her home at New Hampton.
The youthful experiences of Henry Schwickerath were those of the farm-bred boy who attends the district schools and works in the fields. He continued to assist his father until his marriage and then began farming on his own account. The years have registered his substantial success as the result of his industry, enterprise and close application. He is now profitably breeding registered Hereford cattle, to which busi- ness he has directed his energies for seventeen years, being recognized as one of the well known and successful stock raisers of this part of the state. His property hold- ings now embrace three hundred and four acres of land in Dayton township, together with a tract of twenty acres in Chickasaw township. His place is known as the Hereford Stock Farm and is one of the most modern and best improved stock farms in Iowa,
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pleasantly and conveniently situated about three miles northeast of Ionia. He has splendid buildings upon the place, furnishing ample shelter to grain and stock, and the equipment of his farm is up-to-date in every particular.
On the 25th of November, 1902 Mr. Schwickerath was united in marriage to Miss Christina Diederich, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Diederich, the former now living at North Washington, Iowa, while the latter passed away there in 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Schwickerath have seven children, three sons and four daughters: Gertrude, Margaret, Marie, Lucille. Clarence, Norbert and Jerome, all yet under the parental roof.
The family are adherents of St. Boniface Catholic church of Ionia. In politics Mr. Schwickerath maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. He has recently joined the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1697 at New Hampton and he has always given his aid and support on behalf of those projects and interests which have to do with the common weal. In business affairs he is most alert and energetic and his close application and unfaltering industry have resulted in the attainment of very substantial success as one of the leading stock raisers of northern Iowa. He is a member of the Chickasaw County Equity Cooperative Association of New Hampton.
JOHN BOUSKA.
John Bouska is one of the conspicuous figures in connection with the history of New Oregon township and the town of Protivin, his progressive spirit constitut- ing a dominant element in the work of general development and upbuilding. He has retired from farming, with which he was actively connected for many years, but is still the vice president of the Bohemian Savings Bank of Protivin. He was born in Bohemia in July, 1847, a son of Frank and Josephine (Kouldaka) Bouska, who came to the United States in 1853 and after spending six months in Cleveland, Ohio, continued their westward journey to Iowa. They took up their abode in Win- neshiek county, where the father secured a homestead claim of eighty acres in Sumner township. Later he preempted forty acres and subsequently purchased a tract of eighty acres, thus owning two hundred acres in Winneshiek county. In the '90s he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in Howard county and some time later in the same decade removed to his Howard county property and remained thereon to the time of his death, which occurred in 1900, when he had reached the venerable age of ninety years. His wife died in 1908 at the age of eighty-eight years.
Mr. Bouska of this review was a lad of seven years at the time of the emigra- tion of the family to the new world. He has since lived in Iowa, where he was reared and educated, attending the district schools, although his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited, and his lessons of life have been largely learned in the school of experience. It was only in the winter months when farm work was practically over for the year that he found opportunity to attend school. He worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn and he continued to assist in the further develop- ment and improvement of the home farm to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in 1874. In that year he wedded Anna Fencl, a daughter of Frank Fencl, who came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, from Bohemia in 1856. Immediately following his marriage Mr. Bouska removed to Howard county, settling on land which his father had previously purchased adjoining the townsite of Protivin, and for forty years he was actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He was very successful in his undertakings during that period and acquired as the years passed extensive landed possessions, embracing over thirteen hundred acres in Howard and Winneshiek counties. His investments were most judiciously made and his holdings made him one of the prosperous men of this section of the state. In late years he has divided his property among his children save that he retains a twenty acre tract of land as his home place. Mr. Bouska was one of the founders
JOHN BOUSKA
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of the Bohemian Savings Bank of Protivin and has been one of the officers of the institution since its organization. He served for some time as president of the bank and is filling the position of vice president and is also serving on the board of directors. In all business affairs he has displayed sound judgment and sagacity as well as unfaltering industry and enterprise and his dominant qualities have brought to him a most gratifying measure of success.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bouska have been born thirteen children, nine of whom are yet living. Frank W., who is a graduate of the State Agricultural College at Ames and was at one time a member of its faculty, afterward became assistant state dairy commissioner of Iowa, a position which he filled for two years. He is now dairy expert for the National Dairymen's Association, with offices in Chicago. Mary is the wife of Anton Blazek, a resident farmer of Chickasaw county. John A. follows farming in Winneshiek county. Caroline is the wife of Frank Klimesh, a resident farmer of Chickasaw county. Frances is the wife of Ludwig Ptacek, living at Cresco, Iowa. Joseph D. is manager of the telephone and electric light plants at Protivin, is also owner of a garage, is interested in farming and at the same time is serving as a notary public. Louisa is the wife of Adolph Busta, who carries on farming in Winneshiek county. Albina is the wife of John Swoboda, a farmer of Howard county. Charlie B. carries on farming in Howard County and is the youngest of the family.
In his political views Mr. Bouska is a democrat and a stalwart champion of party principles. He has served for several years as a member of the board of town- ship trustees and president of the school board. He is keenly interested in all that has to do with the welfare and improvement of the district in which he lives. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and he is justly accounted one of the most progressive men and leading citizens of Howard county. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished as his success is the direct outcome of his persistent and earnest labor. Step by step he has worked his way upward and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities.
DARYL C. GROVER.
Daryl C. Grover is actively engaged in farming on section 1, Afton township, devoting his attention to the cultivation of the land belonging to Frank Shelhamer. He has for a number of years been a substantial resident of Howard county but is a native son of Minnesota, his birth having occurred in Fillmore county, October 7, 1889. He is a son of Alvin B. and Emma L. Grover, who are likewise natives of Minnesota. The father was a butter maker by trade, carrying on business along that line at Grand Meadow, Minnesota, where he owned a creamery which he successfully conducted for twelve years. He then disposed of his creamery and removed to Riceville, Iowa, in 1900. There he also became identified with the creamery business and was a well known butter maker of that place for about fourteen years. Eventually, however, he withdrew from the creamery business to engage in the draying business to which he still devotes his energies. He is still a substantial resident of Riceville, where he is widely and favorably known. He has held membership with both the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Masonic fraternity for a number of years.
Daryl C. Grover spent the first ten years of his life in his native state and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. His education was acquired in the public schools of both states and throughout his business career he has followed the occupation of farming. He now makes his home on section 1, Afton township, where he is devoting his time and energies to the further development and improvement of a farm belonging to Frank Shelhamer, his father-in-law. He is diligent and determined in the conduct of his business affairs and his labors have brought him substantial results.
On the 30th of December, 1915, Mr. Grover was united in marriage to Miss Winnie Shelhamer, a daughter of Frank Shelhamer, who is mentioned at length on another page of this work. They have become the parents of two sons, Paul Daryl and Franklin
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Robert. The family is well known socially, their friends in this section of the county being many. În politics Mr. Grover is a republican and stanchly supports the prin- ciples of the party, with which he has voted since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.
CHARLES S. MULKS.
Charles S. Mulks, living on section 27, Jamestown township, Howard county, was horn November 14, 1872, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, a son of Daniel S. and Hanna J. Mulks, who for many years made their home at Whitewater. The grandfather in the paternal line went to Wisconsin in pioneer times and secured a homestead in that state, obtaining a tract of government land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He devoted his energies to the cultivation of the land for a number of years and after the grandfather retired the farm was taken over by his son, Daniel S. Mulks.
It was upon this place that Charles S. Mulks was reared and he early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He attended the public schools of his native county and when twenty-two years of age left home and made his way to Howard county, Iowa, since which time he has been identified with the interests and with the development of this section of the state. As he was in limited financial circumstances at the time of his arrival he first rented a farm, which he cultivated on shares for about twenty years. He then purchased his present farm property, which is situated on section 27, Jamestown township, and he now has a good place, to the further development and improvement of which he is bending his efforts and energies.
On the 14th of November, 1894, Mr. Mulks was married to Miss Julia E. Taft, a daughter of Clarence R. and Frances M. Taft, of Whitewater, Wisconsin. They have become the parents of two children, William Glendon and Dorothy, who are at home, the son assisting his father in the further development of the farm. He saw service with the United States army for four and a half months, being a member of Battery E of the Coast Artillery, stationed in Florida and Virginia.
Mr. Mulks gives his political support to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He is a worthy representative of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Riceville Lodge, No. 119, A. F. & A. M. The teach- ings of this fraternity he exemplifies in his life and he is regarded as a straightforward, honorable and reliable man who enjoys and well merits the high esteem of those with whom he has been associated.
DAVID J. FERRIE.
David J. Ferrie, the efficient sheriff of Howard county and a well known resident of Cresco, was born in Howard county, on the 18th of December, 1873, his parents being John and Esther (Ackerson) Ferrie. The father is a native of the state of New York, while the mother was born near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. John Ferrie left the Empire state when a small boy in company with his parents. who removed to Wisconsin, from which point some years later they made the trip to Paris township, Howard county, Iowa, with ox teams. This was in the early '60s and there were many evidences of frontier life in all this section of the state. The father took up government land. securing a claim of one hundred and sixty acres which was wild and unimproved. He built a log house upon it and at once began the arduous task of developing a new farm. As the years passed he added many improvements to the property and extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprised three hundred and twenty acres. Both of the paternal grandparents of David J. Ferrie passed away on the old homestead in Howard county. Their son, John Ferrie, spent his boyhood days here amid pioneer sur-
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roundings and conditions and later he homesteaded a tract of land a mile south of his father's farm, thus securing one hundred and sixty acres of Iowa's rich and productive land. He also built a log house and began the development of his fields. McGregor was at that time the nearest market and travel in those days was mostly with ox teams, so that it was a long and tedious trip to market. There were plenty of Indians in the neighborhood and all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life had to be met by the early settlers, but with resolute spirit they faced these conditions and lived to wit-
ness a remarkable transformation in the appearance of the county and in the conditions existing here. John Ferrie remained upon his first farm for a number of years or until the failure of the wheat crop, when he sold his place and rented another tract of land in the same township. At a subsequent period he purchased the Ackerson farm, owned by his wife's father, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, and upon that place he resided until about twelve years ago, when he retired from active business life and removed to Cresco, where he is now living at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife has reached the age of seventy-four years. Mrs. Ferrie had come to Howard county with her parents in her girlhood days and her father, like the other early settlers, secured a claim from the government and began the development of a new farm. His home, too, was constructed of logs after the primitive manner of the times and for twelve years he continued the development and cultivation of his land, after which he removed to Cresco, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. His son, David Ackerson, was at one time sheriff of Howard county, filling the position for four years.
David J. Ferrie, whose name introduces this review, was reared upon the old home- stead farm amid the usual environment and conditions of pioneer life. The public schools accorded him his educational privileges and on reaching the age of twenty-four years he was married and removed to the old Thomas Dale farm, which he cultivated and developed for two years. He next took up his abode upon the Robert Thompson farm, where he lived for two years, and then upon the E. H. Jones farm, comprising a half section of land in Center township, Howard county. There he continued to make his home for six years, after which he removed to the A. A. Reynolds farm of four hundred and eighty acres in Center township and continued thereon for six years. In 1913 he was elected to the office of sheriff and has since served in that capacity, making an excellent record by the prompt and faithful manner in which he discharges his duties. He performs every official service without fear or favor and his course has won him high commendation.
In 1898 Mr. Ferrie was married to Miss Mary Walsh, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Kerns) Walsh and a native of Cresco. Her father is with the Milwaukee Rail- road Company. To Mr. and Mrs. Ferrie have been born six children: Gerald, Irene, Leland, Donald, Kenneth and Harold, all of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrie are well known in Howard county, where they have long resided, both being representatives of old pioneer families. Mr. Ferrie has spent his entire life here and the work which was begun by his grandfather and continued by his father is being further promoted by him.
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