USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 13
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 13
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In 1904 Mr. Lusson was married to Miss Anna Meyer, a daughter of John and Caro- line (Horn) Meyer, who were farming people living for many years in Howard county, Vol. II-7
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Iowa. The father has now retired from active business and he and his wife make their home in Cresco. Mrs. Lusson was born in Howard county and by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Irvin, Bernadetta, Leo J. and Jerome. The family are well known in Cresco, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends.
Mr. Lusson votes with the democratic party, which has received his earnest support since he attained his majority. He has always been a believer in the principles of the party yet he has never sought or desired office. He stands, however, for all those inter- ests which he feels will prove of benefit and value to the community and his cooperation can always be counted upon to support any measure of public worth.
HENRY SCHWAKE.
Henry Schwake, a Howard county farmer living on section 12, Afton township, was born in Maxfield township, Bremer county, Iowa, April 10, 1872, a son of Conrad and Marie (Hassey) Schwake, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1866. The father is still living but the mother passed away in Howard township, Howard county, in 1917. After crossing the Atlantic they took up their abode in Chicago. Each crossed the ocean alone and for two years they re- sided in the new world before they were married. After a residence of two years in Chicago they removed to Bremer county, Iowa, where the father rented a farm which he conducted for six years. He then removed with his family to a place about twenty miles eastward, near Buckcreek, there purchasing a tract of land which he con- tinued to cultivate and improve for fourteen years. On the expiration of that period he sold his property and came to Howard county, where he bought three eighty acre tracts of land four and a half miles northeast of Elma. With characteristic energy he bent his efforts to the further development and improvement of that place and resided thereon until 1909, when he retired from active business life and took up his ยท abode in Busti.
Henry Schwake was reared under the parental roof and has been a lifelong resi- dent of Iowa. His youthful days were passed in the usual manner of the farmbred boy who attends the district schools and works in the fields when not busy with his textbooks. After his schooldays were over he concentrated his efforts and energies upon farm work, thus aiding his father up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in 1901. Subsequently he bought his present home property on section 12, Afton township, and has since occupied this place. Its attractive appearance is the direct outcome of his labors and perseverance. He has worked diligently and persist- ently in the development of the fields and annually gathers golden harvests.
On the 28th of March, 1901, Mr. Schwake was married to Miss Fredericka Bayer, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bayer, who were natives of Germany and have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Schwake have become parents of a daughter, Marie, who is now in school. They are members of the Lutheran church at Elma and in political belief Mr. Schwake is a democrat. He served for seven or eight years as school director but otherwise has not held or desired public office. He was a sup- porter of the Liberty Loans and the Red Cross and he has ever been keenly interested in all projects for the upbuilding and progress of his county, commonwealth and country.
JOHN A. CRAY.
John A. Cray, one of the earliest of Howard county's pioneer settlers, arriving here with his parents in 1857, was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 27th of August, 1856, a son of Joseph and Matilda (Coombs) Cray, both of whom were natives of Somersetshire, England, where they were reared, educated and married. Immediately after their marriage they came to the new world, emigrating
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in 1849 and taking up their abode in Canada, where they resided for eight years. In 1857 they came to Howard county, Iowa, and the father purchased eighty acres of land from the government, the tract being situated four miles west of Lime Springs. Thereon he resided to the time of his retirement from active business in the late '80s, at which time he removed to Lime Springs, where his death occurred. His wife died in September, 1882.
John A. Cray was reared from infancy in Howard county and has therefore been a witness of practically its entire growth and development. He was educated in the district schools, attending school in private homes before a schoolhouse was erected in the section of the county in which he lived. He shared with the family in all the hardships and privations incident to the settlement of the frontier and through the period of his youth he aided in the work of the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After attaining his majority he continued to farm the land on which he had been reared, for the father and sons had acquired more than a section, to a part of which John A. Cray held title. Year after year he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, continuing the further development and improvement of his farm until 1894 save for a short period spent in the western country In 1894 he took up his abode in Lime Springs, where he has since made his home. In the fall of 1892 he was elected to the board of county supervisors and abandoned farming in order to give more time to the duties of the office, for in those days much of the bridge building and other work of the county was done under the supervision of the supervisors and not through contract as is now the custom. Following his removal to Lime Springs, Mr. Cray became associated with his brother, S. R. Cray, in the farm imple- ment and hardware business. They continued active in that line of trade for a number of years but finally sold their interests to A. E. Marsh. Through the inter- vening period Mr. Cray has lived retired, enjoying well earned rest which is possible through the fruits of his former toil.
In his political views Mr. Cray is a democrat, with firm faith in the principles of the party, and he has served as a member of the board of township trustees for many years. He was called to that office about the time he attained his majority and continued to fill the position until his removal to Lime Springs in 1894. Since that date he has served continuously as a member of the town council. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is a generous and earnest supporter thereof. He is keenly interested in everything that has to do with public welfare and progress and at all times he has contributed to the upbuilding and development of his section of the state. More than six decades have been added to the cycle of the centuries since he became a resident of Howard county and through this period he has wit- nessed the wonderful transformation wrought by time and man, Howard county taking its place with the most progressive counties of this great commonwealth.
O. A. CERWINSKE.
O. A. Cerwinske, who follows farming on section 8, Chickasaw township, in Chicka- saw county, has been a lifelong resident of Iowa. His birth occurred near Rockford, in Floyd county, February 8, 1882, his parents being Joseph and Lena (Balitz) Cerwinske, who were natives of Germany but in early life came to the United States. They met and were married in Floyd county, Iowa, where for many years the family home was maintained.
O. A. Cerwinske, after attending the district schools of Floyd county, continued his education in a college at Charles City, Iowa, where for two years he pursued a com- mercial course, thus becoming well qualified for the duties and responsibilities of business life. During his youthful days to the time of his marriage he remained upon his father's farm and on the 16th of August, 1904, he wedded Cornea Robison, a daugh- ter of George and Alice Robison, who are yet residents of Charles City, Iowa. The father of Mr. Cerwinske died in Floyd county in 1902, but the mother still survives,
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making her home at Missouri Valley, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Cerwinske have been born three children: Maurine, six years of age; Joseph, aged three; and Sheldon, who is one year old.
After the death of his father Mr. Cerwinske carried on the home farm in connec- tion with his brother for five years and then began farming on his own account in Floyd county. In 1913 he removed to his present farm in Chickasaw township, Chicka- saw county, and made purchase of eighty acres of land, which he is now carefully culti- vating according to improved and modern methods of agriculture. His labors are bringing about good results and his success has placed him among the substantial young farmers of this section of the state. His property is located just south of the corporation limits of Bassett and he is engaged extensively and profitably in the breed- ing of registered Poland China hogs.
In his political views Mr. Cerwinske is a stalwart republican and is now serving for the second term as mayor of Bassett, giving to the town a businesslike and pro- gressive administration. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and he and his family hold membership in the Methodist church of Bassett. His fellow townsmen attest the sterling worth of his character and class him with the leading and repre- sentative residents of his section of Chickasaw county. He has ever been imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress that has been the dominant factor in the upbuild- ing of the west and this spirit has been manifest in his connection with public affairs as well as in the control of his private business interests.
WILLIAM M. KALISHEK.
William M. Kalishek is actively identified with commercial interests in Protivin as a dealer in groceries and meats. He has built up a business of substantial proportions and his trade is constantly and steadily growing. Mr. Kalishek is a native of Winne- shiek county, Iowa, his birth having there occurred November 11, 1881. His parents were natives of Bohemia. His father came to the United States when a youth of twelve years and was employed on a farm in Winneshiek county for a number of years. during which time he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase property. He invested in farm land in Winneshiek county, becoming owner of two hundred and twenty-seven acres, which he carefully and successfully cultivated for a considerable period. Several years ago he retired from active business life and he and his wife removed to Protivin, where they are residing at the present time. From his farm he secures a good rental which supplies him with all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. In early manhood the father, Martin Kalishek, wedded Elizabeth Novotny, who had come to Iowa from Bohemia with her parents when quite young, the family home being established in Winneshiek county.
William M. Kalishek of this review was reared to farm life, early becoming fa- miliar with all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer. He assisted his father with farming until he was about twenty-five years of age, when he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Kovarik, a daughter of John and Barbara Kovarik, of Spillville, Iowa. Following his marriage Mr. Kalishek removed to North Dakota and purchased a farm near Lisbon, that state. He continued to cultivate the property for seven years, after which he rented his land in North Dakota and removed to Proti- vin, where he purchased a meat market. This he has conducted for the past five years and has built up a business of substantial proportions. He has a thoroughly modern store in its equipment-a credit to the town of Protivin. He is a progressive and en- terprising business man and is well liked by the community.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kalishek has been born a son, Richard, who has enjoyed the advantages of the public schools. It was such training that qualified Mr. Kalishek of this review for life's practical and responsible duties, for he was educated in the schools of Winneshiek county. He and his family attend the Catholic church at Proti- vin and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has never sought
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nor desired office for himself, but his father served as school director and was road supervisor for fifteen or twenty years. While William M. Kalishek does not desire public office, he is always loyal in matters of citizenship and gives his earnest support to every plan or project for the public good.
M. R. HOFFMANN.
M. R. Hoffmann, actively engaged in general farming on section 24, Washington town- ship, Chickasaw county, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, April 16, 1869, a son of Charles and Susan (Loux) Hoffmann, who were natives of Germany and came with their parents to the new world. They became acquainted and were married in Jackson county, near Dubuque. Iowa, and for many years the father followed farming in that county, meeting with a fair measure of success. He died in Alta Vista, Iowa, December 17, 1913, while his wife survived until October 9, 1915, and also passed away in Alta Vista.
M. R. Hoffmann acquired his education in the parochial schools of Jackson county and remained with his father through the period of his minority, assisting in the farm work from the time that he was old enough to manage the plow until he reached his twenty-eighth birthday. It was then that he was married and rented a farm in Henry township, Plymouth county, Iowa, near Remsen, upon which he lived for a year. He afterward rented land in Nassau township, Sioux county, for a period of seven years and later he took up his abode upon his present home place in 1907, purchasing one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, which he has since greatly developed and improved. He has erected a beautiful residence, in the rear of which stand substantial barns and out- buildings, some of which have been put up by him. These in turn are surrounded by fields of convenient size which are highly cultivated, so that he annually harvests good crops. He has added to his original quarter section by additional purchase and his farm now comprises two hundred and forty acres of land.
Mr. Hoffmann was united in marriage on his twenty-eighth birthday to Miss Rosa Herbst, by whom he had four children who are living: Florence, Raymond, Elma and Arnold. The wife and mother passed away August 15, 1906, and on the 14th of May, 1912, Mr. Hoffmann wedded Anna Sassen, a daughter of Herman and Mary (Westen- dorf) Sassen, who now reside at Adrian, Minnesota. Three children have been born of the second marriage: Rosella, Naomi and Louraine.
The family are members of St. Bernard's Catholic church of Alta Vista and Mr. Hoffmann is identified with the Catholic Order of Foresters. He belongs to the Alta Vista Farmers' Equity Association and he gives his political endorsement to the demo- cratic party. The activities and interests of his life have been well balanced, making his an evenly rounded character.
WILLIAM B. RINN.
William B. Rinn, a representative farmer whose home is situated on section 20, Paris township, Howard county, is not only active as an agriculturist but is an influen- tial factor in connection with the public interests of the community. He is serving at the present writing as chairman of the board of township trustees and at all times his aid and cooperation can be counted upon to further measures for the general good.
He was born in Jones county, Iowa, October 11, 1857, and is a son of Peter and Ann (Rowley) Rinn, who were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in young manhood and womanhood. Peter Rinn was accompanied by his father, who, however, died on the voyage across the Atlantic and was buried at sea. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rinn were among the earliest of the pioneers of Jones county but subsequently removed to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where they resided for a number of years. Some time later, in the '60s, they came to Howard county, where Mr. Rinn purchased one hundred acres of
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land, constituting the present home farm of his son William. He and his wife occupied that place until they were called to their final rest.
The memory of William B. Rinn compasses the period when the country was wild and undeveloped and the farm was alive with rattlesnakes. The family first lived in a little log cabin and they faced many of the hardships, trials and privations of pioneer life. In fact conditions were very disheartening and they felt that they could not remain in such a country, yet they persevered and by reason of their determination and energy they developed what was once a tract of wild land into rich and fertile fields. The father died when but thirty-five years of age. He left a heavy indebtedness upon the little farm and William B. Rinn, although but a boy in years, put his shoulder to the wheel, discharged the indebtedness and in subsequent years has added to the farm property until today he is the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of Howard county's most fertile farm land.
On the 25th of June, 1888, Mr. Rinn was married to Miss Margaret Woods, of Howard Center township, Howard county, and they became the parents of eleven children, of whom two died in infancy, while a son died after being, called for examination for service in the European war. Eight of the children are still living, as follows: William E., at home; Mary, the wife of William Conry, residing at Loudres, Howard County; Clara, Anna, the wife of William Bauster, a farmer of Paris township, Howard county; and Ella, Regina, Marguerite and Thomas, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Rinn is a democrat and for many years served as president of the school board and also as school director. He has likewise been a member of the board of township trustees for a number of years and is its present chairman. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and he belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America. He ranks with the most progressive men of Paris township and has always stood for everything of worth to the community, the commonwealth and the country. During the recent war he served on the Liberty Loan committee and was a most earnest champion and supporter of Red Cross work and other war activities. His life has been made a factor for good and usefulness in the community in which he makes his home and at the same time he has so conducted his business affairs as to win substantial prosperity.
L. D. WHITNEY.
L. D. Whitney is now living retired from business, but for many years was actively identified with farming on section 9, Deerfield township, Chickasaw county. He makes his home in the town of Deerfield and is enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits, for through earnest and persistent labor he won a substantial competence. He was born August 4, 1861, on the farm which he still owns, his parents being Moses and Mary (Hoyt) Whitney, who were natives of New Hampshire, where they were reared and married. In September, 1854, they came west with other pioneers to Iowa and the first winter Mr. Whitney purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 9, Deerfield township, Chickasaw county, buying this from the government at the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. In April, 1861, responding to the coun- try's call for troops, he enlisted for service in the Civil war and was on active duty on the frontier as a cavalryman, fighting Indians. He was wounded near Sioux City, Iowa, and died from the effects of this injury in the hospital at Davenport in September, 1862. Immediately after the death of her husband, owing to straightened financial circum- stances, Mrs. Whitney was obliged to sell eighty acres of the home farm in order to help support the family. In 1867 she was again married, becoming the wife of Joseph Stram, and her death occurred on the 12th of October, 1883.
L. D. Whitney was educated in the district schools and from the time that he was old enough to handle a plow his services were required on the farm. At eighteen years of age he began farming on his own account. cultivating the land owned by his mother. In 1881 he made his first purchase of property, buying forty acres of brush land, for which he paid six dollars and a quarter per acre. This he cleared and placed under
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cultivation, and after his mother's death the forty-acre tract which belonged to her came to him by inheritance, as he was an only child. In 1893 he bought an adjoining forty .. acre tract, so that his holdings now embrace one hundred and twenty acres. As the years have passed he has diligently carried on the farm work, following progressive methods in all that he has undertaken, and year by year he was able to add to his finan- cial resources and is today in most comfortable circumstances. Aside from the farm, from which he derives a good income, he is a stockholder in the Colwell Grain Exchange.
In 1900 Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Mrs. John Johnstone, who in her maidenhood was Miss Eliza Biggs, a native of the province of Ontario, Canada, where her parents lived and died. By her former marriage Mrs. Whitney had seven children, five of whom survive, as follows: Arthur A. Johnstone, who is with the Northwestern Trading Company of New York city; William O., who is engaged in the operation of the Babcock farm near New Hampton; Margaret I., who is a kindergarten teacher in Charles City; Ethel R., the wife of T. R. Ballentyne, who cultivates her father's farm; and Gladys E., who is employed in the navy department at Washington, D. C.
In his political views Mr. Whitney is an earnest republican, and while not an office seeker, he has served as president and secretary of the school board for several years. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and both are highly esteemed throughout the community by reason of their sterling worth, their social qualities and their thorough reliability. Whatever success Mr. Whitney has achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors and perseverance. He has worked his way steadily upward and his industry and determination have constituted the foundation of his prosperity.
W. H. OWENS.
W. H. Owens, a representative farmer of Vernon Springs township living on sec- tion 14, is well known in Howard county by reason of the progressive methods which have brought him to a prominent position among the agriculturists of this section of the state. Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Chickasaw county on the 22d of February, 1863, his parents being Hugh and Sarah (Cull) Owens, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to the United States in early life and the father first made his way to Rock county, Wisconsin, while the mother became a resident of New Haven, Connecticut. It was about 1858 when Hugh Owens removed to Iowa and in 1860 the lady whom he afterward made his wife also became a resident of this state. It was in April, 1862, that they were married in Fes- tina, Iowa, and soon afterward they removed to Chickasaw county, where Mr. Owens settled on a tract of virgin prairie in Washington township. There he built a log cabin and began the development of a farm upon which he resided for three or four years, when he removed to Conover, which was then the terminus of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad. At that date he opened a hotel, which he conducted for a number of years, when the railroad was extended and he removed to Cresco; he was also proprietor of a hotel there for several years. Later he purchased a farm in Ver- non Springs township and for a few years devoted his attention to the cultivation and development of that property. In 1900 he retired from active business life and removed to Cresco, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring April 26, 1907. He had for a number of years survived his wife, who died on the 1st of July, 1900.
Their son, W. H. Owens, was educated in the public schools of Cresco and also in the Upper Iowa University, in which he studied for a term. After reaching his ma- jority he cooperated with his father in the further development of the home farm until 1900. On the 2d of May of that year he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Dor- gan, a daughter of Lawrence and Mary (Killoy) Dorgan, the former a native of Penu- sylvania, while the latter was born in Wisconsin. They were married on the 3d of October, 1871, in Keyesville, Wisconsin, and the father devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits. He is still living and resides at Richland Center, Wisconsin but the mother passed away on the 15th of November, 1908. Mr. Dorgan has always been
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