USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 15
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 15
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to a farm in Richland township, where they resided for ten years, and on the expiration of that period the father purchased a farm in Chickasaw county west of Ionia, occupy- ing the place for a number of years. He then retired from active business life, sold his farm property and established his home in Nora Springs, Floyd county, where a daughter was teaching in the college. He passed away there two years later but the mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety-three years and is remarkably well preserved. She insists in going about the household duties as a younger woman and lends considerable assistance to her children, with whom she makes her home.
F. B. Strike was educated in the public schools, in Bradford Academy, in the Deco- rah Institute and in the Rich's Business College at Decorah, thus making steady ad- vancement along lines that have rendered him an efficient factor in the world's work. He began his career as a school teacher and for ten years taught in the district schools, while for one year he was principal of the public schools of Bradford and for three years was connected with the schools of New Hampton, spending one year as principal and two years as superintendent. He became a resident of New Hampton in 1889 and in 1892, after giving up educational work, engaged in the fire and accident insurance business, with which he was identified for nine years. In 1901 the city took over the light and water plant. Mr. Strike was elected city clerk and was also installed as manager of the municipal plant, in which important capacity he has served continuously and most efficiently for eighteen years. The first year of municipal ownership of the plant the receipts were less than four thousand dollars. In 1918, with more than seven hundred patrons, the receipts reached twenty-two thousand dollars and the plant has fourteen thousand dollars in the city treasury. This is due to the excellent business management and splendid service given to the public under the direction of Mr. Strike.
In 1887 Mr. Strike was married to Miss Delphine M. Sheldon, of Richland township, Chickasaw county, a daughter of John Sheldon, who was one of the early pioneers of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Strike were born nine children. Clarence L., who is a graduate of the University of Iowa in both the electrical and civil engineering courses, served with the rank of major with the One Hundred and Ninth Engineers in France. Clifford I., also an electrical engineer, is now superintendent of the electric light plant at Eureka, South Dakota. Hazel is the wife of G. L. Sheehy, a farmer of Chickasaw county. Clara acts as housekeeper for her father. Wallace was sergeant of Company B, One Hundred and Ninth Engineers, in France. Celia is a senior in the high school at New Hampton. Marion is a junior in the high school. Cora and Edith are also pupils in the public schools of this city. The wife and mother passed away March 20, 1909, her death being the occasion of deep regret not only to her immediate family but to her many friends throughout the community.
Mr. Strike gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, while he and his family religiously are of the Baptist faith. He is keenly interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his city and his cooperation has been most resultant in promoting public progress. He is now president of the city school board and his influence is ever on the side of advancement where the cause of public education is concerned.
OWEN O. WILLIAMS.
Owen O. Williams, a resident farmer of Howard county, his home being on sec- tion 18, Albion township, was born in Forest City township of the same county June 15, 1871, a son of Owen H. and Jane (Davis) Williams, both of whom were natives of Wales. The father came to the new world in young manhood, while the mother crossed the Atlantic when a maiden of thirteen years, making the voyage in company with her parents. They became residents of Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where their marriage was celebrated later, and after the close of the Civil war they came to Iowa. They took up their abode in Forest City township, Howard county, and in 1879 removed to the present home farm in Albion township, where the family has now lived for the past forty
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years. The father died on that place on the 6th of July, 1913, but the mother survives and still occupies the old homestead.
Owen O. Williams was reared upon the old home farm and received a district school education. After his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the development of the fields and continued to work in cooperation with his father until the latter's death and still is in active charge of the farm, which com- prises one hundred and thirty acres of rich, fertile and valuable land. He is regarded as a type of the progressive young farmer of the county and his intelligent direction of his labors is producing excellent results. Both he and his mother are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics Mr. Williams is a republican but while giving loyal support to the party does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which are bringing to him well deserved success.
WILL BRUGER.
Will Bruger, who carries on general agricultural pursuits on section 15, Jamestown township, has spent almost his entire life in Howard county, although he was born in Germany on the 22d of January, 1889. He is a son of Fred and Sophia (Bruno) Bru- ger, who were also natives of Germany, whence they came to the United States in 1891, settling first in Blairstown, Iowa, where the father worked for a time by the day at tiling and also at farming. He continued to make his home at Blairstown until about 1901, when he removed with his family to Calhoun county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and there carried on general agricultural pursuits on his own account for a period of three years. At the end of that time he sold his farm property in Calhoun county and came to Howard county, settling in Jamestown township, where the par- ents have now resided since 1914.
Will Bruger, spending his youthful days in his parents' home, acquired a common school education in Calhoun county and when not occupied with his textbooks gave his attention to farm work, being thus employed to the time of his marriage. In 1912 he wedded Miss Erma Stilling, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stilling, who came from Germany to the new world. Her father is still living but her mother has passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Bruger have been born two children: Amanda, five years of age; and Naomi, who is in her second year.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church of Riceville and loyally follow its teachings, seeking ever the uplift of the individual and the upbuilding of the community at large. Mr. Bruger is identified with the Farmers Equity Association of Riceville but otherwise concentrates his efforts and attention upon his general agricul- tural interests. He works diligently and persistently in the development of his farm, to which he has added many modern improvements, and as the result of his earnest labor is meeting with a fair measure of success.
GLENN D. KEPPLE.
Glenn D. Kepple is junior partner in the firm of Kepple & Huffman, leading mer chants and foremost business men of Ionia. He was born in the city of Chickasaw on the 23d of March, 1889, and is a son of Hon. Presley L. and Lizzie (Raumbaugh) Kepple, both of whom are natives of North Washington, Chickasaw county, and representatives of early pioneer families of this section of the state. The father is the present repre- sentative from his district in the general assembly of Iowa and for twenty-five years he was a prominent figure in the business circles of Ionia. He served for several years as postmaster of Ionia and is now for the third term member of the house from his district, his frequent reelections coming to him in recognition of his marked devotion
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to duty, his high ideals of citizenship and his statesmanlike qualities. He is indeed one of the most distinguished of Ionia's citizens.
Glenn D. Kepple was educated in the public schools of Ionia, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1906. He afterward attended the Capital City Com- mercial College at Des Moines and when he had completed his business course he re- ceived his initial practical training in his father's store. In 1910 he engaged in busi- ness on his own account as a member of the firm of Rink & Kepple and a year later his father purchased Mr. Rink's interest in the business, at which time the firm style of Kepple & Son was assumed. During the following year Joshua Huffman purchased the interest of the father in the store and the name of the firm was then changed to Kepple & Huffman, under which style the business has since been conducted with splendid suc- cess. In June, 1917, the firm purchased a store in Floyd, Iowa, and Mr. Huffman took charge of the Floyd establishment, while Mr. Kepple manages the Ionia store. Their business has steadily increased and has now assumed very gratifying proportions, the partners being progressive and representative business men of this section of the country.
In 1910 Mr. Kepple was united in marriage to Miss Edith Peterson, of Nashua, Chickasaw county, by whom he has two children, Merrill L. and Margaret E. In politics Mr. Kepple is an earnest republican and has always been keenly interested in political questions and well informed concerning the issues of the day. He is now serving as township constable and is also a member of the Ionia school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He has made for himself a creditable place in business circles and his posi- tion in regard to public questions is always on the side of progress and improvement.
JAMES L. PANOS.
James L. Panos, whose time and energies are concentrated upon general farming on section 2, Utica township, Chickasaw county, is numbered among the native sons of the county whose continuous connection with this region throughout the entire period of their lives indicates the attractiveness of northern Iowa as a place of residence, for among the citizens are many men of ambitious and progressive spirit who would seek homes elsewhere if they felt they could have better advantages.
Mr. Panos was born August 17, 1891, in the township where he still resides and is of Bohemian descent. His parents, Albert and Barbara Panos, were natives of Bohemia, the former coming to the new world in young manhood, while the latter crossed the Atlantic with her parents in her girlhood. Both became residents of Chickasaw county and some years later were married. They settled upon what has since been known as the old home place on section 11, Utica township, and the father still survives, now making his home with his son, A. J. Panos, who today owns the farm. The father first purchased eighty acres of land and as the years passed and his financial resources in- creased added to his possessions until his holdings aggregated five hundred and forty acres. This he has since divided among his children, enabling them to share in his prosperity. His wife passed away in 1900, her death being the occasion of deep regret to her family and to many friends.
At the usual age James L. Panos entered the district schools and therein mastered the lessons constituting the common school curriculum. His training in farm labor was not meager. for from an early age he assisted in the development of the fields on the old home place and when he had attained his majority he began farming on his own account, well equipped by previous training and experience for the responsibilities and duties that now devolved upon him. He rented from his father his present home farm of one hundred and twenty acres and as time passed he was able to save from his earn- ings a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase the farm about 1914.
On the 17th of August, 1916, Mr. Panos was married to Miss Emma Teepy, of Win- neshiek county, a daughter of Michael and Anna Teepy, who was one of the early settlers of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Panos have two children, Viola and Clarence. The parents
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are communicants of the Catholic church and the democratic party receives the support of Mr. Panos at the polls. He has never been an active political worker nor office seeker, however, for he feels that his business affairs need his entire time and attention. He is a young man, having not yet passed his third decade, but already he has made a creditable place among the progressive farmers of Chickasaw county.
R. P. KEEFE.
Farming interests of Howard county are well represented by R. P. Keefe, who makes his home on section 33, Afton township, where he is busily engaged in the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred at Stacyville, Mitchell county, May 27, 1872. His parents were John M. and Anna (O'Neil) Keefe, the former a native of County Meath, Ireland, while the latter was born in Elgin, Illinois. Coming to the new world in early life, John M. Keefe responded to the call of his adopted country for service in the Civil war and went to the front in defense of the Union, participating in a number of hotly con- tested engagements. Recently a most interesting letter has come to light which was written by Mr. Keefe during his Civil war experience and is as follows:
"Fackler Station, near Stevenson, Ala., "Feb. 1st, 1864.
"Mr. Thos. Milnamore,
"Dear Sir: It is with great pleasure that I now take the liberty on myself of ad- dressing you with a few lines which gives me the satisfaction to announce to you of the present condition of my health since I returned to the sunny south. I never felt better in my life than I do at the present, thank God. I hope these few lines will find you and family enjoying the same blessing.
"I have seen in the columns of the northern newspapers that you had a hard win- ter during December and also of many people getting frozen with the cold. About the time I got down to this place we had a cold snap lasting for many days which made camp life a little disagreeable for a while, but the Almighty God seemed to take an in- terest in our cause and so delivered us from the cold by restoring to us fine, pleasant weather which now exists here. We cannot bear to wear a coat on us during the day because it is so warm. The nights are also close and warm, so you see that I had luck to return here before the cold weather set in. I will now make you a few remarks on the present condition of our army in this part of the south. The very best feeling is entertained amongst us that we are now capable of defeating our enemy at all points and in the wind-up of ending the rebellion. This spring the enemy is getting very much disheartened and discouraged of accomplishing their ideas. They are deserting in large numbers every day into our lines and giving themselves up for protection under the old flag. They also confirm the news that is now in circulation concerning Johnson's army. It takes one-half of his men to guard the others from deserting over to us. There is a rumor in camp today that we are going to make a move on closer to the enemy, but I cannot say it for a fact; but I know myself that there are two corps of the army now en route to the front. There is one thing sure-we will have an early campaign of it this spring, as it looks very much like it now. The roads are in good order at present to renew the combat.
"This, our regiment, is in the best of health. There are not five men on the sick list in our whole command. I can miss many faces from our regiment in our military family that were very familiar to me. Before I got enlightened, when I inquired about some old acquaintance, they will tell me that he is dead-he fell on the memorable charge, which showed what Irishmen can do as they have done at Missionary Ridge and many other gory fields.
"I will close. I have no news of importance to mention this time. I wish you to sit down some of those long nights and write me.
"I am your humble servant,
"JOHN KEEFE.
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"P. S. Company G, Ninetieth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. First Brigade, Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, near Stevenson, Ala."
In the summer of 1868, John M. Keefe removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, driving across the country from Illinois. He cast in his lot among its pioneer settlers and contributed to its early development and improvement. He died September 9, 1917, and is still survived by his wife, who now makes her home in Elma. In politics Mr. Keefe was a republican but never held office.
R. P. Keefe was educated in the public schools of Paris township, Howard county. and when not busy with his textbooks worked in the fields. After his school days were over he continued to assist his father in the improvement of the home farm up to the time of his marriage. He then began farming on his own account. He has been a resident of Howard county for forty-three years and has done not a little to further its agricultural progress. His landed possessions now comprise one hundred and twenty acres, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and from which he annu- ally gathers rich harvests. He is also a stockholder of the Howard County Equity Co- operative Society. For the past eighteen years he has lived upon the farm which is now his place of residence and its excellent appearance attests a life of thrift and activity.
On the 5th of February, 1901, Mr. Keefe was married to Miss Elsa Richardson, who was born in Butler county, Iowa, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Marlow) Richardson, who have passed away. Her father was a native of the state of New York, while her mother was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Keefe have been born six children: Edward R., who is now a high school student; Gertrude, Leila and Kath- erine, who are attending the public schools; Veronica, who is four years of age; and John F., two years old.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, of which they are faithful adherents. Mr. Keefe has been a member of the school board in his district for the past fifteen years and is now acting as president of the board. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and his political belief is that of the republican party. While he has never been ambitious to hold office, he has always stood for progress and improvement in the county in which he lives and has cooperated in movements of general worth. During the war he was a liberal supporter of all the Liberty Loan drives and gave generous aid to the Red Cross. His son donated a pumpkin to the Red Cross chapter which netted them three hundred and forty-seven dollars and twenty-five cents, while pies made from the pumpkin brought a total of seventy-one dollars. Mr. Keefe was a prominent worker for the sale of War Savings Stamps and there was no feature of war work which did not receive his generous assistance and endorsement.
JAMES F. BABCOCK, SR.
It would be impossible to dissociate the life record of James F. Babcock, Sr., with the history of New Hampton and of Chickasaw county. He has long been a dominant figure in the development and upbuilding of this section of the state and has left the impress of his individuality upon many lines of business advance- ment and public progress. He was the builder of the first brick building in New Hampton and established its first drug store. He has actively engaged in farming and stock raising and banking interests have felt the stimulus of his cooperation and profited by his sound judgment. Nor has he made business the end and aim of his life. He has given to the city effective service as New Hampton's first mayor and he has contributed in substantial measure to the moral development of the district. His life record indeed constitutes an integral chapter in the annals of northern Iowa.
James F. Babcock was born in Steuben county, New York, November 27, 1833, a son of Amos and Elma (Cornell) Babcock, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, where they were reared and married. In 1868 they came with their
JAMES F. BABCOCK, SR.
JAMES F. BABCOCK, JR.
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son James to Chickasaw county and made their home with him and their other son, Dr. Amos Babcock, throughout their remaining days, Dr. Babcock having become a resident of New Hampton a month or so after the arrival of his brother, James F. The father died at the venerable age of eighty years, while the mother reached the age of seventy-eight years. James F. Babcock supplemented his com- mon school education by study in the Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary at Kirt- land, Ohio, where he continued his attendance for several years and taught in the seminary, thereby helping to pay his tuition. Later he became a teacher in the schools of Winnebago county, Illinois, where he worked during the summer season at the trade of brick and stone mason and also followed plastering. His parents joined him while he was still a resident of Illinois. He first came to Iowa in 1854 and purchased a farm in Fayette county. He made several trips from Illinois to this state to look after his farming interests during the succeeding four years and in 1858 he took his parents to his Fayette county farm, whereon he resided for ten years, carefully continuing its cultivation and further development and im- provement. During four years of that decade he also served as sheriff of Fayette county and filled the office of town clerk for several years, while for a time he was likewise justice of the peace.
In 1868 Mr. Babcock removed to New Hampton, where he continued to work at the trade of brick and stone mason for a number of years and erected the first brick business block in New Hampton. Later he built two other brick business blocks in the city, laying practically every brick himself. After coming to New Hampton he opened the first drug store of the town and conducted the business for ten years. The store is still in existence, being now owned by Olmstead & Gardner, who still occupy the original brick building which Mr. Babcock erected and which was the first in New Hampton. In 1877 he purchased his first farm land in Chicka- saw county, investing in three hundred and fifty-two acres adjoining the town, a portion of which now lies within the corporation limits of the present city. He resided upon the farm for ten or twelve years and actively cultivated the place during that period but has recently transferred the ownership to his son, James F. Babcock, Jr. Early in the '80s he introduced Holstein cattle into Chickasaw county, paying what was thought at that time to be an exorbitant price-one hundred dollars for a suckling calf. In later years he considered this the best investment that he ever made. In subsequent years he engaged extensively in the breeding of registered Holstein cattle and also conducted a large dairy business. His place was registered as the Holstein Farm, by which name it is still known. His efforts constituted a most important element in improving the grade of cattle raised in this section of the state and thereby contributed in marked measure to the prosperity of the region. Mr. Babcock was also one of the leading factors in the organization of the State Bank of New Hampton and has been one of the principal stockholders and a member of the board of directors since its establishment. Following the organization of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Chickasaw county he was elected to its presidency and served in that important capacity for twenty-one years. Thus his business activities have covered a broad scope and have ever been of a character that has contributed to general progress and prosperity as well as to individual success. In business affairs he displays notably sound judgment and has readily discriminated between the essential and the non-essential, quickly eliminating the latter and utilizing the former to the fullest extent. Moreover, the integrity of his business methods has been one of the elements of his success. His name has ever stood as a synonym for honorable endeavor and he has ever held a good name above riches.
It is but natural that a man of Mr. Babcock's capabilities and powers should be called upon for public service, and in addition to his office holding in Fayette county he has been chosen for political honors in Chickasaw county. He was the first mayor of the city of New Hampton, following its incorporation, and he has repeatedly served as a member of the town council and for one term as chairman of the board of county supervisors. In 1882 he was elected to represent Chickasaw county in the state legislature and in the discharge of his official duties he has
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