USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 16
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 16
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brought to bear the same thoroughness, progressiveness and integrity of purpose that has characterized his activity along other lines.
On the 1st of January, 1862, Mr. Babcock was married to Miss Mary L. Robison, of Fayette county, Iowa, and they became the parents of four children, of whom two are living: James F., Jr., mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Mary, the wife of Charles A. Larson, a banker of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Babcock are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is well known in Masonic circles, having for fifty-three years been a loyal and exemplary follower of the order, joining the lodge at West Union, Iowa, in 1866. He now holds membership in Arcana Lodge, No. 274, A. F. & A. M .; Adelphia Chapter, No. 113, R. A. M .; Eudora Commandery, No. 53, K. T. In 1877 Mr. Bab- cock made an extended tour of Europe, visiting England, Belgium, France, Holland and Germany, and on his return to this country wrote a series of letters for the press concerning his travels. He has always been a democrat in politics and is one of those who were fortunate enough to hear the famous Lincoln and Douglas debate at Freeport, Illinois, during the campaign when those two great statesmen were contending for senatorial honors. His life experiences have been broad, varied, interesting and educational in their scope and purpose. There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which are uniformly accorded to James F. Babcock, for through more than a half century's connection with Iowa's history his has been an unblemished character. With him success in life has been reached by his sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every manly principle. He has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right and honor- able between his fellowmen and himself. He has never swerved from the path of duty and now after a long and eventful career he can look back over the past with the consciousness of having gained for himself, by his honorable, straightforward career, the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he lives. We read of the lives of the heroes of the past and they not only prove of historical interest but serve to inspire and encourage. Yet we need not go to former ages for examples that are worthy of emulation. The men of today who have won dis- tinction and honor excel in exemplary traits of character many of those who have passed away and the life record of James F. Babcock may well prove of great benefit if one will but heed and follow the obvious lessons which it contains.
JAMES F. BABCOCK, JR.
James F. Babcock, Jr., is a retired farmer and dairyman who is the present owner of the Holstein Farm, which adjoins New Hampton and which was originally established and developed by his father. It was upon this farm that James F. Bab- cock, Jr., was born October 19, 1875. He was educated in the city schools of New Hampton, in the New Hampton Business College and in the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls. His father had founded the Gazette of New Hampton and the son entered the printing office, working at the trade for eight years. He then took up the operation of his father's farm, on which he continued actively and extensively in the dairy business which had been established by his father. He was thus active until the death of his mother on the 10th of August, 1918, when he left the farm and removed to the family home at New Hampton, in order to look after the care and comfort of his father in the sunset of his life.
In 1903 James F. Babcock, Jr., was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Poppleton, a native of Chickasaw county and a daughter of Oscar O. Poppleton, who came to the county in 1854, when the work of development and improvement was in its pioneer stages. He became one of the leading apiarists of the United States and conducted business along the line for a number of years in Florida, being known as the bee king of the eastern coast. He introduced migratory bee culture, having three hundred colonies of bees on a lighter which he moved up and down the coast wherever there was a crop of honey to be gathered. He was in Cuba for two years
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in charge of a large apiary. He was likewise known as a veteran of the Civil war, having served as a lieutenant of his company, and after hostilities had ceased he was detailed for special duty, serving in that way for eight years. He died at the soldiers' sanitarium at Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was laid to rest in the Republic cemetery in Chickasaw county, Iowa. One of the proudest achievements of his life was his organization of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Chickasaw county, in the work of organization walking over the entire county, doing all of the work himself. As stated, it was his daughter who became the wife of James F. Babcock and to them have been born three children: Hersey P., who was in the hospital service in France during the European war; Ruth, who is now a freshman in high school; and James O.
In his political views James F. Babcock, Jr., is a democrat and has filled the offices of township trustee and justice of the peace. He belongs to Arcana Lodge, No. 274, A. F. & A. M., and is now master of the lodge. He is also identified with Adelphia Chapter, No. 113, R. A. M., and Eudora Commandery, No. 53, K. T. He is likewise a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 556, I. O. O. F., of which he is the secre- tary, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. They likewise hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are keenly interested in all that has to do with the vital progress and upbuilding of the com- munity along material, intellectual and social lines. Opportunity early came to James F. Babcock, Jr., and this opportunity he utilized, soon proving his worth in the business world by the capable manner in which he took up the duties that developed upon him. While he inherited wealth, he has made wise use of it for the benefit of others and the improvement of public interests. His own career, measuring up to high standards of manhood and citizenship, has made him one of the valued residents of this section of the state.
W. C. SOVEREIGN.
W. C. Sovereign is engaged in the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 4, New Oregon township, Howard county. It was upon this farm that he was born on the 30th of June, 1878, the property being the old family home- stead. For many years the father here carried on general agricultural pursuits and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He died upon this property on the 8th of June, 1900, but his widow survived until December, 1901, when she, too, passed away.
W. C. Sovereign of this review inherited one of the forty acre tracts comprising the old homestead and he now cultivates the other two forties, which he has purchased. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the old homestead and began his education iu the district schools, wherein he mastered various branches of learning. He afterward spent two terms as a pupil in the Cresco Normal school and thus became well qualified for life's practical, responsible and onerous duties. He is today one of the oldest settlers in the locality in which he resides. For seven years he rented the home place and gave his attention to the further cultivation of three hundred and twenty acres for the D. S. Edmisten estate. He has recently returned to the old home farm, however, resuming the cultivation of that property in the spring of 1919.
On the 1st of January, 1900, Mr. Sovereign was united in marriage to Miss Florence Eugene River, a daughter of William F. and Carrie River, both of whom were natives of Iowa and were among the early settlers of Howard county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sovereign, namely: Claud, who completed a course in the graded schools and recently graduated from the University of Southern Minnesota on the com- pletion of an engineering course, since which time he has been assisting his father in the cultivation of the home farm; Gladys, who has just completed the work of the graded schools and will attend high school in the following year; and Gerald, Clark and Doris, all yet in school.
Mr. Sovereign and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Cresco.
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He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and his political views are in accord with the teachings and principles of the democratic party. He has served as township trustee for the past three years, so that he has now entered upon the second term in that position. His entire life has been passed in this section of the state and the worth of his character is widely recognized by those with whom he has been associated. He holds to high standards of manhood and citizenship and in all public affairs has proven himself one hundred per cent American.
FRANK ZOBECK.
Frank Zobeck, a resident farmer of Howard county, his home being on section 24, Howard township, was born October 19, 1893, on the farm which he now owns, his par- ents being Joseph and Barbara (Mashek) Zobeck, both of whom were natives of Bohemia. They came to the United States in early life. The father was a young man when he crossed the Atlantic and was accompanied by his parents. The mother came alone to the new world in young womanhood, her parents having died in Bohemia. Both Mr. aud Mrs. Zobeck established their home in Howard county and later were married here. Joseph Zobeck afterward bought the farm upon which his son now resides, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he carefully cultivated and im- proved throughout his remaining days. He passed away January 22, 1917, having for a number of years survived his wife, who died in 1906.
Frank Zobeck, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, entered the dis- trict schools at the usual age and this constituted his educational opportunities. His training at farm labor was not meager, for as soon as old enough to manage the plow he took his place in the fields and thus he had gained valuable practical experience when he started out as a farmer on his own account. On the death of his father he inherited a part of the home property and acquired ownership of the entire farm by the purchase of his sisters' shares in the estate. He is now busily engaged in its further development and cultivation and has added various modern improvements to the place, which is now an excellent farm, bringing forth substantial harvests as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Zobeck is also a stockholder in the Maple Leaf Creamery Company and is accounted one of the progressive young farmers and business men of Howard township.
In his political views Mr. Zobeck is a democrat and is well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. The high principles which govern his life are manifest in his membership in the Catholic church.
AMOS E. BARKER.
Amos E. Barker is an attorney of Howard county and the efficient mayor of Cresce, guided in all that he does for the city by a most public-spirited devotion to the general good. He was born in Indiana on the 23d of April, 1854, a son of Jeremiah and Jane (Kerlin) Barker, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Tennessee. They were married in the Hoosier state, to which Mrs. Barker had removed during her girlhood days with her parents. In 1857, Jeremiah Barker came to Iowa with his family and purchased a farm in Howard county about a mile east of the present site of Cresco. He later acquired several other farms and became one of the heavy landholders of the county. In all of his business affairs he displayed keen discrimination and sound judg- ment and prospered in whatever he undertook. He died in the year 1858, while his wife passed away in 1877.
Amos E. Barker was educated in the district schools of Howard county and in the high school of Cresco and after completing his course there he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for several years in Howard and Winneshiek counties and
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also in South Dakota. He made an excellent record as an educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired, and later he was elected county superintendent of schools in Day county, South Dakota. He abandoned the pro- fession of teaching in 1895, however, and took up the study of law, having two brothers who were members of the bar, practicing in Cresco. He entered their office and subse- quently became a student in the law department of Drake University at Des Moines, there pursuing his studies until admitted to the bar in 1899. He returned to Cresco, where he began active practice, and in the intervening twenty years has built up a large clientage in Howard county.
In 1885 Mr. Barker was married to Miss Ada Galloway, of Day county, South Dakota, who had been a schoolmate of his in the Cresco high school. She, too, was identified for several years with educational work and was teaching in Day county, South Dakota, at the time of their marriage. They have become the parents of three children: Irene, tlie wife of Cloyd Lybarker of Lake Helen, Florida; Mattie C., overseer of the bookkeep- ing department of the St. Paul Gas & Electric Light Company; and Mckinley, living in Cresco.
In politics Mr. Barker is a republican and is deeply interested in the vital questions and issues of the day. He has several times been called to public office and is now a member of the county board on insanity and is serving for the third term as mayor of his city, to which he is giving a most businesslike and progressive administration that has resulted in bringing about various needed reforms and improvements. He earnestly seeks the welfare of the community and his efforts are far-reaching and resultant. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and both within and without the organization he has many warm friends.
TOLLEF C. BRATRUD.
While thirteen years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since Tollef C. Bratrud passed away, he is yet remembered by many of the citizens of Chester and of Howard county and his memory is cherished by those who knew him because of the prominent place which he occupied in the community, because of his kindly spirit and his loyalty to every interest which he espoused. He was born near Pilot Mound, Fillmore county, Minnesota, on the 28th of August, 1861, and in the acquirement of his education attended St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minnesota. He afterward became a student in a business college at La Crosse, Wisconsin, and was thus well qualified for life's prac- tical and responsible duties. For several years he worked with S. C. Lobdill at Spring Valley and there learned the tinner's trade. Following his marriage he removed to Preston, Minnesota, where he established a hardware store that he conducted success- fully until 1890, in which year he became a resident of Chester, Iowa. Here he opened a hardware store and lumberyard. The town was then a little village and his business activity and enterprise contributed to its steady and substantial growth. In all busi- ness affairs he was thoroughly reliable, honesty and industry being among his marked characteristics. He never was afraid of hard work and his diligence also contributed to his success.
It was on the 6th of December, 1886, that Mr. Bratrud was united in marriage to Miss Betsey Thorson and they became the parents of a daughter, Alma, who is a cul- tured and accomplished young lady. She was educated at the Minnesota State Normal School at Winona, Minnesota, and in the Northwestern Conservatory of Music and Art at Minneapolis, from which institution she received her degree in public school drawing and art work. On May 1, 1919, she was married to Dr. G. I. Badeaux of Brainerd, Min- nesota, who has commenced practice at Crosby, Minnesota.
Mr. Bratrud was always keenly interested in everything that had to do with the progress and welfare of his adopted city and state and lent hearty aid and cooperation to any movement for the public good. He was a faithful and exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the order at Preston, Minnesota. He was likewise a member of Chester Lodge, No. 444, I. O. O. F., and of the Modern Woodmen of America,
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and his daughter, Alma, is a member of Utopia Chapter, No. 379, O. E. S. Mr. and Mrs. Bratrud and the daughter all held membership in the United Lutheran church. He guided his life by the teachings of the church and was a most honorable and upright man. In his business affairs he prospered and was thus able to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. In addition to his hardware and lumber business he was an extensive operator and owner of real estate, both in Iowa and Minnesota and he rejoiced in his success because of the opportunity which it gave him to provide liberally for those near and dear to him. He passed away April 5, 1906, to the deep regret not only of his immediate family but of all who had come in contact with him. His course in life had ever measured up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name, which is rather to be chosen than great riches.
REV. P. H. RYAN.
The Church of the Assumption ( Roman Catholic) was established in Cresco in 1870. Prior to that time, the religious needs of the few Catholic families were administered by pastors from Decorah, Fathers Linehan, Lowry and Harding. In 1869 the foundation to the present building was started, under the guidance of Father Harding. The following year Father McCartey was assigned as resident pastor, with out parishes at Lourdes and Plymouth Rock. The building was com- pleted in 1871 and, with additions and improvements, still remains. Shortly after his assignment, Father McCartey organized a St. Matthews Temperance Society, which organization flourished and boasted an enrollment of practically every Catholic man in the parish. In 1883, the Worden Strother home was purchased by the parish and, after being remodeled, was used as a parochial school, under the direc- tion and tutelage of the Sisters of Charity, B. V. M., and supervision of the Mother- house at Dubuque, Iowa. The school and buildings were enlarged and remodeled to meet the demands of increased enrollment and modern methods, and in 1910 the old school buildings were replaced with a modern fireproof structure, suitably equipped and adapted to all school uses and so located as to afford excellent play- grounds. In recognition of his executive ability and untiring zeal in this portion of the Lord's vineyard and the generous and unselfish response which was accorded to his every undertaking, the parish of Cresco was raised to the dignity of a deanery and Father McCartey was honored with the title of its first Very Reverend Dean. At the present time it has an enrollment of two hundred pupils, in the grades and high school courses, and the curriculum and course of study pursued are of the approved requirements.
In December, 1909, Father McCartey died, after having been pastor of this parish for thirty-nine years, during which time he had the respect and confidence of the whole community, regardless of creed. He had been a tireless worker in the cause of temperance and was an enthusiastic leader in ciyic affairs until the last few years of his life, when age had robbed him of his strength and, like the other pioneers, he was forced to surrender to the younger and more vigorous the tasks which he had so nobly and so capably started.
After Very Rev. Father McCartey's death, the duties as pastor were assumed by Very Rev. T. J. Murtagh, formerly of Masonville. In order to care for Mercy Hospital, which had been recently built, Father John Murtagh was assigned as assistant pastor and was succeeded as such in 1915 by Rev. Ernest J. McDonald, who, in 1918, was summoned to take charge of the parish at Sabula, Iowa, and whose place was taken in this parish by Rev. E. J. Bendlage. The Very Rev. Father T. J. Murtaghı, under whose supervision the new school was erected, was called to his heavenly reward in 1918 and was succeeded as pastor of this parish by Very Rev. P. H. Ryan, formerly of Lawler and Ryan, Iowa.
The Assumption parish consists of one hundred and eighty families and during the late war boasted a service flag of forty-seven stars. At the present time the
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grounds surrounding the church and school are being improved and the erection of a large, modern brick church to accommodate its increasing needs is contemplated. The property occupies the north half of the block between Second and Third streets West on Third avenue, West.
The present pastor, Very Rev. Father Ryan, was ordained to the priesthood al St. Joseph's College of Dubuque, where he completed his studies in 1882. After his ordination his first appointment was that of assistant pastor at the Dubuque Cathedral. His next charge was that of the first pastor of a little settlement of Catholics in Delaware county consisting of about seventeen families. As the sup- port and accommodations which they were able to extend to him were but meager, he was compelled to live in one of the two sleeping rooms in the home of one of his poor but devoted parishioners for a number of years. Today that little settle- ment, with a foundation of seventeen families, has one of the best equipped parishes, consisting of a beautiful brick church, school and parochial residence, in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. These buildings are located in what is now known as the town of Ryan, which name was given to it in recognition and appreciation of the untiring labor of Father Ryan in behalf of his people and the community at large.
Father Ryan is yet an unusually active worker in the Lord's vineyard; and when the new church which he has in contemplation is completed, the Assumption parish of Cresco will be among the best equipped and most substantial in the whole Archdiocese of Dubuque.
STEPHEN A. HAMILTON.
Stephen A. Hamilton, well known in industrial circles of Howard county as the proprietor of the Cresco Novelty Works and also identified with public interests as a member of the city council, was born in Clayton county, Iowa, October 15, 1860, his parents being John and Orilla (Miller) Hamilton, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Vermont. They were married in Clayton county, Iowa, to which place the mother had removed in her girlhood days with her parents, while Mr. Hamil- ton took up his residence there in young manhood. In 1868 he removed to Howard county, settling on a farm twelve miles southwest of Cresco, and six years later took up his abode in Lime Springs, where he resided until within four years of his death. His last years, however, were passed in Cresco.
Stephen A. Hamilton received a limited district school education, for the school facilities were very poor in those pioneer times, the sessions being held in the homes of the early settlers. On reaching his sixteenth year he entered upon an apprentice- ship to the blacksmith's trade and after completing his term of indenture conducted a shop in Lime Springs for a year. He then went to Emmetsburg, Iowa, where he worked as a journeyman for two years, and in 1882 or 1883 returned to Howard county, establishing his home in Cresco, where he has been in business on his own account most of the time continuously since. He carries on his interests under the name of the Cresco Novelty Works, doing blacksmithing and wagon and carriage repairing. also horseshoeing. He does engine, boiler and plow repair work, making gas engines and combination hog racks and wood tanks. He has the best equipped machine shop in Howard county and by reason of his skill is able to turn out a variety of wood and iron work.
In 1885 Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Minnie Hilke, of Cresco, and they have become the parents of five children: John F., who assists his father in the conduct of the business; Mabel O., who is employed in a millinery store in Chicago, Illinois; S. Archer, at home; George C., who is first class mechanic on the U. S. S. Panther, hav- ing served for two years in the navy; and Harry H., who is at the Dunwoody naval training station at Minneapolis.
Mr. Hamilton maintains an independent course in politics, voting for men and measures rather than party. He is serving for the second term as a member of the city
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council of Cresco and is keenly interested in everything having to do with its welfare and upbuilding. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church, while his wife holds membership in the Lutheran church, and both are most highly esteemed in the community in which they live. Mr. Hamilton belongs to Cresco Lodge, I. O. O. F., also to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Royal Neighbors and is loyal to the teachings and purposes of all these different organizations.
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