USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 17
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 17
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D. E. HORTON.
D. E. Horton, postmaster of Lime Springs, was born in Vestal Center, Broome county, New York, November 15, 1860, a son of J. A. and Laura A. (Platt) Horton, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Pennsylvania. During the infancy of their son, D. E. Horton, they removed westward to Fillmore county, Minne- sota, settling there when the subject of this review was less than a year old. The father purchased the place known as the Willow Creek Farm but after five years sold that property and purchased another farm near Granger, thereon residing up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1913, when he was eighty-six years of age.
D. E. Horton had the usual experiences of the farm-bred boy who acquires his education in the district schools and divides his time between the schoolroom and the fields. He also attended the high school at Preston, Minnesota, from which he was graduated, and later he pursued a commercial course in the J. L. Wallace Business College at La Crosse, Wisconsin. On the completion of his studies he returned to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming, being identified with that business for a period of twenty-three years. He brought his fields under a very high state of cultivation and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicated his practical and progressive methods. In 1907 he rented his farm and removed to Lime Springs, Iowa, where he engaged in the drug business. In 1916 he was appointed postmaster and took charge of the office on the 16th of August of that year, at which time he sold his store in order to give his entire attention to the duties of the posi- tion, which he lias since most capably, systematically and promptly discharged.
On the 1st of October, 1890, Mr. Horton was united in marriage to Miss Jessie O. Boice, of Fillmore county, Minnesota, and to them were born seven children, six of whom are living: Gertrude M., the wife of Emil Debban, a farmer of Howard county; Vincent J., who is in the United States Navy, stationed at the Great Lakes near Waukegan, Illinois; Violet, a clerk in the postoffice of Lime Springs; and Laura A., Millard R. and Lillian, all at home.
Mr. Horton has been a lifelong democrat, giving stalwart support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a member of Howard Lodge, No. 214, A. F. & A. M., and he and his family are members of Utopia Chapter, No. 379, O. E. S. He is likewise connected with Harmony Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Harmony, Minnesota, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brother- hood of American Yeomen. He is highly esteemed in these various orders with which he is connected and he is justly accounted one of the leading citizens of Lime Springs, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
THOMAS F. SEERY.
Thomas F. Seery, engaged in general farming in Jacksonville township, Chicka- saw county, was born in New Jersey, September 28, 1859, a son of Thomas and Mary (Donohoe) Seery, mentioned in connection with the sketch of their son, James H. Seery, on another page of this work. Thomas F. Seery was a pupil in the district schools and when not busy with his textbooks worked upon the home farm and con- tinued to assist his father in its further development until his twenty-eighth year In the spring of 1887 he began farming for himself on a tract of land of one hundred
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and sixty acres in Jacksonville township. He rented this place for a period of four years and later he purchased a livery barn at Alta Vista, where he conducted busi- ness for a year. He then disposed of the livery stable and resumed the occupation of farming. For a year he cultivated rented land and in the fall of 1895 he removed to his present home place of one hundred and twenty acres, which he purchased at that time.
On the 9th of October, 1888, Mr. Seery was united in marriage to Miss Julia Dowd, a daughter of John Dowd, who was one of the early settlers of Jacksonville town- ship, Chickasaw county. Mr. and Mrs. Seery have become parents of twelve children, nine of whom survive, as follows: Nellie, who is the wife of Nicholas Aegeiter, of Sumner, Iowa; Mamie, a resident of Davenport, Iowa; John J., at home; Earl T., who is engaged in teaching school; and Regina C., Ulysses M., Waldo W., Francis H. and Kenneth J., all of whom are yet under the parental roof.
The family are adherents of the Catholic church and two of the sons, John J. and Earl T., are members of the Knights of Columbus. In politics Mr. Seery is a democrat and for six or eight years served as a member of the school board but has never sought political office. His place in agricultural circles and his devotion to the general welfare, however, rank him with the valued and substantial residents of his community.
GUS O'DONNELL.
Gus O'Donnell, manager of the yards of the C. W. Chapman Lumber Company at Elma, was born at New Diggings, Wisconsin, on the 7th of April, 1876, and was the fourth child in a family of thirteen children, eight of whom are still living. Hig parents were John and Mary (Rooney) O'Donnell, the former a native of County Monaghan, Ireland, while the latter was born in County Cavan. They came to the United States on sailing vessels in their childhood days, the father crossing the At- lantic by way of the Gulf of Mexico with his parents on a voyage that covered eleven weeks, while the mother was thirteen weeks upon the water. She, too, made the trip to the new world in company with her parents. Both families settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where the father and mother of Gus O'Donnell reached adult age and were married. Soon thereafter they removed to Wisconsin, settling at New Dig- gings, where the father engaged in farming. In 1863 he responded to the call of his adopted country for military aid and joined a Wisconsin regiment, with which he served until the close of the Civil war, participating in several hotly contested en- gagements and at length winning an honorable discharge. He then returned to his family and resumed his farm work in Wisconsin, residing there to the time of his death, which occurred in 1900. His wife died in November, 1912.
Gus O'Donnell acquired a common school education and when eighteen years of age left home to begin his career, going to Dubuque, Iowa, where he secured employ- ment in the Cooper wagon factory. He remained at that place for about a year and a half and then went to Jackson, Minnesota, where he was employed by the firm of James Lowe & Company, live stock shippers, with whom he was associated for two years. During this time he was married to Miss Mary Miller, of Jackson, Minnesota, and from Jackson he removed to Rockwell, Iowa, where he became assistant manager for the L. Lamb Lumber Company. While thus engaged he acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the lumber trade and remained with the company for more than two years, after which he returned to Jackson, Minnesota, and became manager of the lumberyards of R. S. Robertson & Company, occupying that position for three years. Later, at Cartersville, Iowa, he was manager for the grain and lumber business of the Nve-Snyder-Fowler Company, with which he continued for three years. In 1905 he came to Elma as manager of the Elma yards of the C. W. Chapman Lumber Com- pany, in which important position he has since served.
Mr. and Mrs. O'Donnell are members of the Catholic church and he has member-
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ship with the Knights of Columbus. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Donnell has been born a son, Leo A., who is with the Buck Mercantile Company of Sioux City, Iowa.
Mr. O'Donnell is recognized as one of the alert and energetic young business men of Elma. He was in charge of Red Cross work during the World war and how well he succeeded with the aid of his able lieutenants constitutes an important chapter in the history of Elma, indicating the patriotic support of the government by the district and the most efficient organization work done by the one in charge. In his political views Mr. O'Donnell is a republican but is an American first and a partisan afterward.
ANTON J. KUBIK.
Anton J. Kubik, who follows farming in Paris township, is a native son of How- ard county, his birth having here occurred August 4, 1875. His parents, Vincent and Antoinette Kubik, were natives of Bohemia and came to the United States in the spring of 1875, the year in which their son Anton J. was born. They established their home in Howard county and the father engaged in farming for several years. Subsequently he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Paris township and afterward purchased another farm of one hundred and fifteen acres. Still later he made investment in the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which his son Anton now owns. He came to this country a poor man, borrowing money with which to pay his passage across the Atlantic. He was unable to meet the payments on the first team which he bought and therefore had to forfeit the team, but he was undaunted and his courage and perseverance at length enabled him to triumph over hardships and difficulties. He is now the possessor of a handsome competence as the reward of earnest, persistent and honorable labor. His first wife died in 1888 and he afterward married Miss Anna Voves. They are now making their home with his son Anton.
In the district schools Anton J. Kubik pursued his education and after his school- days were over he worked with his father until he reached the age of twenty-nine years, assisting him in the work of making the payments upon his purchases of land. In 1901 he bought the present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres but did not take possession thereof until 1905. The following January he was united in marriage to Miss Elenore Falada, of Paris township, and they have three children, John, Adolf and Alois.
Mr. and Mrs. Kubik are consistent members of the Catholic church. In politics he is a democrat and keeps well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire public office, preferring to give his undivided atten- tion to his farming interests. He has worked diligently in the development of his fields and his energy has brought to him well merited success.
THEODORE ROTHS.
For more than a quarter of a century Theodore Roths has made his home in Chickasaw county and is now busily engaged in farming on section 13, Chickasaw township. He was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, July 13, 1874, and is a son of Mathias and Katherine (Trappen) Roths, both of whom were natives of Germany, where they were married, crossing the Atlantic to the new world in the '60s. They first settled in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where the father worked as a farm hand for a time. He later engaged in the cultivation of rented land and in 1892 brought his family to Iowa, settling in Chickasaw township, Chickasaw county, where for two years he again cultivated a rented farm. He afterward bought property, on which he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in Chickasaw township in 1909. For about two years he had survived his wife, who passed away on the old homestead in 1907.
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At the usual age Theodore Roths became a pupil in the district schools of his native county. He accompanied his parents to Iowa and remained upon the home farm with his father until the time of his marriage. It was on the 25th of April, 1900, that he wedded Susanna Peters, a daughter of Nick and Lena (Durgey) Peters, who are of German birth but came to the United States in early life and were mar- ried on this side of the Atlantic. They are now residents of Dayton township, Chick- asaw county. Mr. and Mrs. Roths have become parents of five children: Mabel, Carl, Arlene, Marie and Charles Theodore, all at home.
Following his marriage Mr. Roths cultivated a rented farm for eight years and then made investment in his present farm property of one hundred acres, which he has since carefully cultivated and improved, greatly enhancing the productiveness and the value of his land through the care and labor which he has bestowed upon it. At the same time he finds opportunity to assist in matters relative to public progress and upbuilding. He and his family are members of St. Boniface Catholic church of Ionia and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council, No. 1697 at New Hamp- ton. In politics he is a democrat, and while he has never been an office seeker, he did active work for his country as a member of the Liberty Loan committee during the third, fourth and fifth loan drives. He is a man of resolute spirit, accomplish- ing what he undertakes, and his success in business is the direct outcome of earnest and persistent labor. Aside from his farming interests he is today a stockholder in the Ionia Farmers' Creamery Association and has won for himself a place among the substantial residents of Chickasaw township.
F. J. KLIMESH.
F. J. Klimesh, a dealer in agricultural implements and one of the foremost business men of Protivin, was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, about three miles east of Pro- tivin, on the 9th of July, 1861, his parents being John and Anna (Mikota) Klimesh. both of whom were natives of Bohemia. The father came to the United States when twenty-eight years of age, bringing with him his mother and sister, his father having died in the old country. Mrs. John Klimesh was a maiden of fifteen summers when she came to the United States with her parents. The families settled in Winneshiek county, where the parents of Mr. Klimesh were later married and made their home until called to their final rest, the father dying in 1909, while the mother passed away in 1906. He was a farmer by occupation and became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in Winneshiek county. He was a poor man when he came to the United States, owing five dollars on his passage across the Atlantic at the time he landed on American shores. He was a mason and worked at his trade while paying for his land. When he had cleared it of all indebtedness he concentrated his efforts and attention upon farming and as the years passed won a place among the substantial agri- culturists of his section of the state.
F. J. Klimesh had but limited educational opportunities. He attended the district schools for about two months and for about eight months was a pupil in the parochial school at Spillville. This constituted the extent of his educational training. but in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons, and possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, he has constantly broadened his knowledge through reading and observation.
In 1882 Mr. Klimesh was united in marriage to Miss Lena Sobolik, of Winneshiek county, and in the spring of 1883 he began farming on his own account, having previ- ously purchased eighty acres of land in Utica township, Chickasaw county, for which he paid twelve dollars per acre. In subsequent years he bought an additional forty acres, also an eighty acre tract and another tract of one hundred and forty-three acres but since that time has divided all of his land among his children with the exception of eighty acres, which he retains in his home farm. He operated a threshing machine for thirty-two seasons and it was said of him that he was one of the most efficient and successful threshers in this section of the country, for he stayed with his machine, fixed
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it up at night and it was always ready for service in the morning. In January, 1904, he purchased the implement business of John Fencl, of Protivin, and continued to engage in farming and threshing until 1912, when he took up his abode in the town and has since given his undivided attention to the conduct of his commercial interests, carrying a large and carefully selected line of hardware, farm implements and kindred lines. His capable management and enterprise have been dominant factors in the upbuilding of a trade which has now reached gratifying proportions.
To Mr. and Mrs. Klimesh have been born ten children, nine of whom are yet living: Frank and John J., who are resident farmers of Chickasaw county; Lena, the wife of Robert Lukish, who carries on farming at Lisbon, North Dakota; Mary, the wife of Adolph Zahasky, a farmer of Chickasaw county; Rose, a Sister in St. Joseph's convent at Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Barbara, Lewis, Joseph and Adaline, all at home.
In politics Mr. Klimesh is a democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek office as a reward for party fealty. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and he is keenly interested in everything that per- tains to the welfare and progress of the community, cooperating heartily in all plans and projects for the general good.
COLONEL L. WHITCOMB.
Colonel L. Whitcomb is the secretary of the Fredericksburg butter factory and thus closely associated with the business activity and development of the city of Fredericks- burg, of which he is now serving as mayor. He was born in Palatine, Cook county, Illinois, August 23, 1843, a son of Justus and Lovisa (Putnam) Whitcomb, both of whom were natives of Stockbridge, Vermont, where they were reared and married. They came west to the Mississippi valley on their wedding trip in 1836 and took up their abode in Cook county, Illinois, at which time Chicago was but a village, having not yet been incorporated. Mr. Whitcomb settled upon a farm about three miles from Palatine and continued to live at that place to the time of his demise.
Colonel L. Whitcomb was reared upon the home farm and received his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses of the frontier with its puncheon floor and slab seats. In September, 1862, he responded to the country's call for troops to aid in crushing out the rebellion in the south and enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg, was with Sherman on the celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea and participated in a number of hotly contested engagements under Generals Sherman and Grant. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war and returned to his home with a most creditable military record in July, 1865.
For a few years thereafter Mr. Whitcomb was engaged in farming near Palatine. Illinois, and then removed to Chicago, where he became foreman of the western division of the Street Railway Company, occupying that responsible position for two years, dur- ing which period the street cars of the city were run by horses. Later Mr. Whitcomb removed to Kane county, Illinois, where he engaged in the dairy business, continuing active along that line for ten years. In 1881 he came to Iowa, settling in Chickasaw county, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres two and a half miles east of Fredericksburg. He continued for a long period in the dairy and stock business and while he still calls his farm "home." he has spent much of his time in Fredericksburg since the death of his wife in 1901. In 1890 he was one of the dominant factors in the organization and building of the Fredericksburg factory and was made vice president when the company began operations. A year later he was elected to the presidency and served in that capacity for fourteen years. In 1905, however, he withdrew from the executive position and was elected secretary of the company, in which capacity he has served for fourteen years, being the incumbent in the office at the present time. The success of the creamery is attributable in very large measure to his efforts and coopera- tion, for from the beginning he has been one of its officials and active in shaping its policy.
HON. H. H. BAILEY
Vol. II-10
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because it was well known that he was a man of keen sagacity, who in all business matters readily discriminated between the essential and the nonessential.
Fraternally Mr. Bailey was connected with the Masons, the Elks, the Eagles and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was likewise identified with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Woman's Relief Corps and he was the organizer of the Fredericksburg Corps, G. A. R. For years he served as commander of the post, which in his death lost one of its most valued representatives. In fact his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret wherever he was known, for he was one of the most honored and beloved citizens of New Hampton and Chickasaw county, having endeared himself to all who knew him by "his many little unremembered acts of kindness and of love." After the death of her husband Mrs. Bailey removed to New Hampton, where she is now mak- ing her home. She is a woman of natural refinement and kindly spirit, who at all times was a worthy helpmate as well as a cherished companion to her able and honored husband. A well known writer has said: "Small kindnesses, small courtesies, small considerations, habitually practiced in our social intercourse, give a greater charm to the character than the display of great talents and accomplishments." Such were manifest in the career of Mr. Bailey, whose life record reminds us of the words of the Greek sage Euripides, who said: "It is a good thing to be rich and a good thing to be strong, but it is a better thing to be beloved of many friends."
LOUIE DETERDING.
Louie Deterding is the owner of a good farm property of one hundred and twenty acres situated on section 6, Howard township, and through his industry and persever- ance has won classification with the representative farmers of Howard county. He was born in Germany, March 14, 1877. a son of Henry and Charlotte (Gevecke) Deterding. He came to this country with his parents when a youth of sixteen years and the family made their way direct across the country to Iowa. Their first home was in Tripoli, Bremer county, where Louie Deterding resided for a period of eight years. He then came to Howard county, arriving here in 1901. Two years before, or in the spring of 1899, his father had taken up his abode in this county.
Louie Deterding attended the public schools of Germany and also continued his education after becoming a resident of Bremer county. He was married on the 11th of May, 1911, to Miss Bertha Lone, a daughter of Dick and Mary (Schrader) Lone, of Tripoli. Bremer county. By this marriage there are three children: Marie and Henry, who are public school students; and Edna.
Throughout his active business life Mr. Deterding has followed general agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres. His diligence and industry have been the basis of his success and aside from his farm- ing interests he is connected with the Maple Leaf Creamery Company as a director and stockholder. In his political faith he is a democrat but has never held or desired office. He and his family attend the German Lutheran church at Maple Leaf and they are widely and favorably known in this section of the state, where their circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
NORMAN ALLEN HAVEN.
Norman Allen Haven, deceased, was for many years a most highly respected and valued resident of Howard county. He made his home on section 18. Forest City town- ship, where he followed farming, and his place is still in possession of the family, being conducted by his son George. Norman A. Haven was born in Ellisburg, New York, on the 28th of November, 1842, and was a son of Daniel and Tamar Haven. He repre- sented one of the old New England families, being a descendant of Colonel Ethan Allen,
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who led the American forces in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in the Revolutionary war, a campaign which won for him the title of general.
It was during the childhood of Norman Allen Haven that his parents removed from New York to Canada, where they resided for a few years. In the year 1856 they again crossed the border between Canada and the United States and established their home in Rock county, Wisconsin, where the father engaged in farming until 1858, in which year they removed to Foreston township and there resided until 1859. In that year the family home was established in Forest City township, Howard county, Iowa. Norman A. Haven accompanied his parents on their various removals and was a youth of seven- teen years when he took up his abode upon what is now known as the old Haven home- stead. There he attained his majority and through the period of his youth and early manhood his attention was given to the farm work, so that he became thoroughly familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and was able to take charge of farming interests on his own account when he established a home of his own.
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