USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 11
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 11
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JESS HAYES.
Jess Hayes has been a lifelong resident of New Oregon township, Howard county. His present farm is situated on section 12, and it was here that he was born on the 20th of February, 1872. Through all the intervening years he has been identified with the agricultural interests of the district and is a representative of one of the oldest and best known pioneer families of this part of the state. He is the only son of Jacob and Bettie (Malone) Hayes, who for many years occupied the farm, in fact resided thereon until death called them about three years ago. The father, Jacob Hayes, was one of the first settlers of New Oregon township, taking up his abode within its borders when the work of progress and improvement had scarcely been begun. He aided in the task of general development here and his labors were pro- ductive of excellent results.
Vol. II-6
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Jess Hayes of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. As time passed he assisted more and more largely in the work of the fields and eventually took charge of the old home place. On the 14th of March, 1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Money, a daughter of Harrison and Florence (Mowry) Money, of Minneapolis. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have been born the following children: Hulbert, who for nine months was connected with the Amer- ican army and is now employed in Ord, Nebraska; Esther, at home; Paul, who is now residing in Ord, Nebraska, with his father's sister; and Percy, Isabelle, Lucile, Eva, Marion and Lawrence, all yet at home.
Mr. Hayes and his wife attend the Methodist church at Cresco. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he has supported since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been keenly interested in educational activities in the community and has served as a director on the school board for four terms. He cooperates heartily in all plans or movements for the general good and his work along various lines has produced results that have been most beneficial. In a business way he has never dissipated his energies over a wide field but has con- centrated his efforts and attention upon a single line and his close application has been a salient feature in the attainment of his present day success.
D. A. PALMER.
D. A. Palmer is half owner and manager of the Cresco Creamery Company, in which connection a successful business is being conducted in Cresco, Howard county. He was born in Marquette, Michigan, July 20, 1856, and is a son of Benjamin H. and Angeline (Taylor) Palmer. The father was born in Madison county, New York, while the mother was a native of New Hampshire. They were married in the Empire state, where Mr. Palmer followed carpentering and contracting until 1856. He then removed to Forestville township, Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he homesteaded land and built a log cabin, after which he began the improvement of his farm, doing all of his work with ox teams. Many Indians still lived in the neighborhood and the family met all of the experiences, hardships and privations of pioneer life. After thirteen years a removal was made to Strawberry Point, Iowa, where Mr. Palmer purchased a farm and again he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the further development and improvement of his land, which he converted into one of the excel- lent farm properties of the district. He died at the age of seventy-nine years and eleven months, while his wife reached the notable old age of ninety-three years. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. He took an active interest in promoting the welfare and progress of the district in which he lived and ranked with the leading agriculturists of the neighborhood.
D. A. Palmer spent his boyhood days at Strawberry Point, Iowa, upon the old homestead farm and pursued his education in the common schools. He afterward learned the creamery business and subsequently went to Hayward, Minnesota, where he was connected with a creamery for three years. He afterward spent a similar period in the same line of business at Rochester, Minnesota, and for ten years was located in Monticello, Iowa, where he also conducted a creamery. In 1906 he removed to Cresco and entered into partnership with N. H. Nelson, now of Charles City, Jowa, in purchasing the Owens creamery in Vernon township, Howard county. They pur- chased the site where the present creamery now stands in Cresco and erected thereon a fine brick building. Since then they have enjoyed a profitable and steadily increas- ing patronage, their business having now reached extensive proportions. They make large shipments of butter to New York, Chicago and other points in the country. It is their policy to pay cash for all cream purchased and they are developing a patron- age which is most gratifying. Their business is carefully systematized and the most sanitary conditions prevail in their creamery. Mr. Palmer also held the position of dairy freight agent for the Wabash Railroad Company in his younger years.
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Mr. Palmer has been twice married. In 1880 he wedded Miss Clara King, a daugh- ter of James and Ann King, who were natives of Indiana. Her father was a black- smith by trade but at the time of the Civil war put aside all business and personal considerations and responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in 1861 as a mem- ber of the Union army. He served for almost five years and participated in a number of hotly contested engagements. With a most creditable military record he returned to his home and took up his abode in Hopkinton, Iowa, where he continued to follow his trade until his demise. His wife has also passed away. Their daughter, Mrs. Palmer, died in 1902, at the age of forty-two years, leaving two children, Maud L. and Lorena. Mr. Palmer has since married again, his second union being with Miss Jennie G. Rensiek, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of John Rensiek. Her parents were natives of Holland and in early life came to the new world. The father was a farmer, devoting his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and both he and his wife have now passed away. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he strongly supports, yet he does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. He prefers concen- trating his energies and attention upon his business affairs and his well directed efforts are bringing to him deserved and gratifying success.
JOHN KUBIK.
John Kubik, devoting his time and energies to general farming in Paris town- ship, Howard county, has always resided within the boundaries of this county, his birth having here occurred March 8, 1885. The record of his parents is given in the sketch of Anton Kubik on another page of this work. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for John Kubik in the days of his boyhood and youth. He pursued his education in the public schools and when not busy with his textbooks aided in the work of the farm, so that he was well trained to the labors of the fields when he began farming on his own account. He worked diligently and persistently and his land is now highly cultivated, bringing forth rich harvests.
On the 14th of June, 1909, Mr. Kubik was united in marriage to Miss Stella Mrchek, of Chickasaw county, Iowa. They now have five children, namely: Clarence, Raymond, Gertrude, Helen and Arthur.
Mr. Kubik attends the Catholic church of Protivin and he gives his political en- dorsement to the democratic party. He is well known in Howard county, where his entire life has been passed, and his energy and enterprise have stood him in good stead in the development of his business affairs, while his sterling qualities have gained for him the warm friendship and respect of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
CHARLES KALISHEK.
Charles Kalishek is the proprietor of the High View Farm, a valuable property situated on section 26, Utica township, Chickasaw county. He is numbered among the native sons of Winneshiek county, Iowa, his birth having there occurred August 19, 1878. His parents, Martin and Elizabeth (Novotny) Kalishek, were natives of Bohemia and came to the United States with their respective parents in childhood. They were married in Winneshiek county and settled on a farm four and a half miles southeast of Protivin, where the father still owns two hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. He continued to reside upon that farm until April, 1918, when he retired from active business life and removed to Protivin, where he now resides. In the meantime he had acquired a substantial competence as the reward of his industry and diligence and well deserved success has come to him.
Charles Kalishek was educated in the district schools and was reared in the usual
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manner of the farm lad of northern Iowa. When he reached man's estate he resolved to establish a home of his own and to this end was married June 17, 1902, to Miss Mary Kovarik, of Winneshiek county. The following spring the young couple located on their present home farm of two hundred acres, eighty acres of which was given to Mr. Kalishek by his father. He afterward purchased eighty acres from his father and subsequently invested in a forty acre tract, so that within the farm boundaries are now comprised two hundred acres of rich and arable land that responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it, for his efforts have converted the place into pro- ductive fields, from which he annually gathers large harvests. He is also a stockholder in the Bohemian Savings Bank of Protivin, and Utica township numbers him among her leading citizens.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kalishek have been born two children, Bennie C. and Marcella C. The parents and children are members of the Catholic church and in his political views Mr. Kalishek is a democrat, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is now serving on the township board of trus- tees and in all matters of progressive citizenship is deeply interested, aiding freely any plan or project for the general good.
J. H. WHALEN.
J. H. Whalen has long been known in Chickasaw county, where he now makes his home on section 25, Jacksonville township, while his birth occurred in Utica township. His natal day was September 11, 1866, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Reilly) Whalen, who were natives of Ireland. The year 1854 witnessed the arrival of the father in the new world, at which time he took up his abode in Georgia. He afterward removed to lowa and established his home in Utica township, where for a time he engaged in farming. Later he removed to Jacksonville township and settled upon the place which is now the home of his son, J. H. Whalen. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, annually gathering large crops as a reward for his diligence and his thrift. He died upon the old homestead in 1903. His wife was born in Massachusetts and came to Iowa with her parents, Sylvester and Bridget Reilly, who located in Utica township, where Mrs. Whalen was reared and married. It was her father who donated fifteen acres of iand where the Catholic church of Reilly Ridge now stands, and upon that tract a house of worship was erected. This tract was named in his honor and the church stands as a monument largely to his generous spirit and devotion to the cause of religion. Mr. and Mrs. Reilly were among the oldest of the pioneer settlers of Utica township and in the work of development and progress there they took an active and helpful part. In community affairs Thomas Whalen took a deep and helpful interest and was regarded as a most public-spirited citizen. He served as town clerk of Utica and Jacksonville townships for a period of thirty-six con- secutive years and no higher testimonial of his efficiency and fidelity could be given than the fact that he was so long retained in that office. Never for a moment did he disregard his duty or hold it in slight consideration. He was likewise justice of the peace for twenty-eight years and his decisions in that connection were strictly fair and impartial, "winning him golden opinions from all sorts of people." In educational matters, too, he was deeply interested and for a number of years served as treasurer of his school district in Utica township. A life of great usefulness and worth ended when he was called to the home beyond. His wife was a woman of many admirable traits of heart and mind, and her death, which occurred Novem- ber 18, 1893, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
J. H. Whalen, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, pursued his education in the public schools of Jacksonville township and when his textbooks were put aside he continued upon the home farm with his father until the latter's death and remained throughout that period his father's active assistant. He was reared as one of a family of ten children, having four sisters and five brothers, all
J. H. WHALEN
THOMAS WHALEN
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of whom are yet living, namely: Mike, Sylvester, John, Charles, Roger, Mrs. Gus Fox, Mary, Mrs. Cornelius Mulcahy and Mrs. Leo Mitchell. All of the members of the Whalen family are identified with the Reilly Ridge Catholic church and loyally follow its teachings.
In his political views J. H. Whalen has ever been a stalwart democrat, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as constable and justice of the peace in Jacksonville town- ship and, like his father, has made a most creditable record in public office. He prefers, however, to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and now owns and cultivates the old home place of one hundred and twenty acres, constituting one of the well developed farm properties of Chickasaw county.
FRANK A. ZAK.
Frank A. Zak, who carries on general farming on section 11, Howard township, has spent the greater part of his life in Howard county, although born at Calmar, Iowa, in September, 1883. His parents were Frank and Catherine (Horkey) Zak, both of whom were natives of Bohemia, whence they came to the new world in young manhood and womanhood. They became acquainted and were married in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Calmar, Mr. Zak there renting land until about 1893 or 1894, when he purchased the farm in Howard county upon which his son, Frank A., now resides, acquiring title to one hundred and twenty acres of land. His attention was then given to the further development and improvement of this property up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1912. His wife had passed away two years after their removal to Howard county.
Frank A. Zak began his education at the usual age, attending the district schools and the parochial school at Spillville, Winneshiek county. Through vacation periods he aided in the work of the home farm and after reaching his majority he remained upon the old homestead and assisted his father in the further cultivation and develop- ment of the place. About four years prior to his father's death he took over the opera- tion and management of the farm as a renter and about a year prior to his father's demise bought the home place, which he still owns and cultivates. He has worked dili- gently and persistently as the years have passed on and his success is the direct result of earnest labor. He is also a stockholder in the Maple Leaf Creamery Company.
In 1911 Mr. Zak was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Maravetz, a daughter of Joseph Maravetz. who is now living retired in Cresco. They have become the parents of three children: Ralph F., Jerome J. and Richard A.
In politics Mr. Zak is a democrat, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his farming interests. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church and in the community where they reside they have become widely and favorably known. At an early age Mr. Zak realized that industry is the basis of all honorable success and throughout his entire life he has been a most industrious man, his labors bringing about the careful cultivation of his fields, resulting in the gathering of golden harvests.
RASMUS R. OSWOLD.
On the list of Howard county's substantial farmers appears the name of Rasmus R. Oswold, who is living on section 18 in Forest City township, where he is operat- ing the Grant Jones farm, an excellent tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres which is now under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Oswold is a native of Norway, his birth having occurred in the land of the midnight sun October 13, 1877. His parents were Rasmus and Carrie (Mallen) Oswold, who came to the United States in the spring of 1892, establishing their home in Chester township, Howard county,
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Iowa, where the father's death afterward occurred May 12, 1912. The mother makes her home at Elmore, Minnesota.
Rasmus R. Oswold was a youth of seventeen years when the voyage was made to the new world. He acquired his education in the common schools of Norway and after reaching Iowa started out to provide for his own support. In March, 1902, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ness, a native of Fillmore county, Minnesota, and in the spring of the same year he began farming for himself. He rented the farm of Otto Olson, which he continued to cultivate for five years, and in 1907 rented the Grant Jones farm, upon which he has resided for the past twelve years. He is classed among the most progressive farmers of Howard county, his labors being in- telligently directed, while his energy is proving most resultant in the development and cultivation of the crops.
To Mr. and Mrs. Oswold have been born three children, two of whom are yet living, Bernice and Violet, and they have an adopted son, Wilbert, who is the eldest of the three children of the household. Both .Mr. and Mrs. Oswold are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and their sterling worth has gained for them the high regard of those who know them. In his political belief Mr. Oswold is a repub- lican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his busi- ness affairs, which have brought him to a position among the men of affluence in his community.
JAMES H. SEERY.
James H. Seery, who follows farming on section 7, Jacksonville township, has been a lifelong resident of Chickasaw county and is a representative of one of its old and honored pioneer families. He was born August 10, 1864, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Donohoe) Seery, who were natives of Ireland. The father arrived in the new world when a youth of twelve years and the mother was brought to America when a maiden of sixteen summers. They were married in Lowell, Massachusetts, and three children were born to them during the period of their residence in the east. In 1863 they came to Iowa, establishing their home in Chickasaw county, where Mr. Seery pur- chased a farm of forty acres in Jacksonville township. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings and from time to time made other investments in land until his holdings comprised three hundred and forty acres, making his property a very valuable one. It is said by his many friends that he was one of the finest men who ever settled in Chickasaw county. He was most charitable, freely aiding those who needed assist- ance, and in manner was ever kindly and genial. His many substantial and admirable traits of character won for him the love and friendship of all. He passed away January 10, 1910, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and on the 11th of April, 1911, the mother was called to her final rest, being then about eighty years of age.
James H. Seery is indebted to the district school system of Chickasaw county for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. After reaching manhood he worked with his father upon the home farm until about 1894, when he began farming independ- ently on his present place, which comprises one hundred and eighty acres of land that was deeded to him by his father at that time.
In 1896 Mr. Seery was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Ralph, a daughter of John Ralph, one of the early pioneer settlers of Chickasaw county who is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Seery have been born five children, three of whom survive, namely: Fran- cis Ralph, James Virgil and Mary Viola.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Seery brought his bride to the home farm and through the intervening period has remained thereon, devoting his energies and atten- tion to the development and improvement of the place and by reason of his industry and diligence winning an enviable position among the substantial men of Jacksonville town- ship. He is also a stockholder in the Jerico Creamery Association.
Mr. Seery and his family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church and are gen-
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erous contributors to its support. In politics he is a democrat but has never been an office seeker, although he served for some years as a member of the school board. He represents a substantial and honored pioneer family of Chickasaw county and for fifty- five years he has resided in this county-an interested witness of its development and improvement.
P. G. BUTTON, D. V. S.
Dr. P. G. Button, one of the best known veterinarians of northern Iowa, has con- tinuously practiced his profession in Cresco for more than a quarter of a century and throughout the past eighteen years has ably filled the position of assistant state veter- inarian. His birth occurred in Ringwood, Ontario, Canada, on the 30th of March, 1864, his parents being Newberry and Catherine (Bartholomew) Button, who spent their en- tire lives in Ontario, where the father followed the occupation of farming.
P. G. Button acquired his education in the graded and high schools of Ringwood and later, in preparation for his chosen life work, entered the Ontario Veterinary College, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1892. Crossing the border into the United States, he made his way direct to Cresco, Iowa, where he began prac- tice and has successfully followed his profession throughout the intervening period of twenty-seven years. He has won a well earned reputation in this connection and has become widely known in this part of the state. About 1901 he was appointed assist- ant state veterinarian under Governor Cummins and has since continued in the posi- tion, being reappointed by each succeeding governor. His long retention in the office clearly indicates his professional skill and his faithfulness in the discharge of duty.
In 1893 Dr. Button was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Crawford, of Cresco, Iowa. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as a member of the city council, making a most commendable record in that connection. Fraternally he is identified with Cresco Lodge, No. 150, A. F. & A. M., and with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. They have become widely and favorably known in the community in which they make their home, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
ADOLPH KAKAC.
Adolph Kakac is living on section 2, Howard township, in Howard county, and is the owner of a farm of seventy-two acres. His parents are Joseph and Frances Kakac, now residents of Saratoga, Iowa. They are natives of Bohemia and came to the United States in 1883. They made their way westward to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and there resided until 1887, during which period Mr. Kakac worked at the shoe- maker's trade, which he had previously learned in his native land. He then came to Iowa and took up his abode in Saratoga township, Howard county, where he re- sided for a period of two years. He next removed to Howard township and in 1892 purchased the farm upon which his son, Adolph Kakac, now resides. For seventeen years he bent his energies to the development and improvement of that property, re- siding there until 1909, when he retired from active business life and established his home in Saratoga, where he and his wife now reside, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of their former toil. Mr. and Mrs. Kakac are the parents of three sons and five daughters, the brothers and sisters of Adolph Kakac being as follows: Frank, Joseph, Frances, Mary, Tillie, Rose and Josie. The daughters are all married.
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