USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 20
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W. C. BAETHKE.
W. C. Baethke, who carries on general farming on section 18, Saratoga township, Howard county, was born in Germany, March 24, 1889, a son of C. F. and Minnie (Johlas) Baethke. The parents came to the United States in 1898 and made their way at once to Iowa, establishing their home in Saratoga township. The father worked as a farm hand for two years, but desirous of engaging in business on his own account,
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then rented a farm, which he continued to cultivate for nine years. During this period lie carefully saved his earnings and in 1909 bought the farm which is now owned and occupied by W. C. Baethke.
The latter was a lad of but nine years when he bade adieu to friends and native country and accompanied his parents to the United States. He was reared under the parental roof and the educational opportunities which he enjoyed were those afforded by the public schools of this county. In the fall of 1918 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hinz and they are well known and highly respected people of the district in which they live. They hold membership in the German Lutheran church and are loyal to its teachings and generous in its support. In politics Mr. Baethke is a republican. He has a brother, August C., who is with the American army of occupation in Germany, and the family are most loyal in their support of American interests. On coming to this country Mr. Baethke entered fully into the life and welfare of America and in the sup- port of the institutions and principles of American life he has measured up to the one hundred per cent mark.
A. G. MERRILL.
A. G. Merrill, a general farmer of Howard county living on section 22, Saratoga township, was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, December 28, 1869. He has always remained a resident of this state and the spirit of progress and advancement which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the west has been manifest in his life record. He was reared as a farm boy, dividing his time between the work of the fields, the pleasures of the playground and the duties of the schoolroom.
Mr. Merrill had attained his majority when in February, 1902, he was united in marriage to Miss Dora Enos, whom he met and married in Saratoga township. Her parents were Joseph and Alice Enos, the former of whom passed away in October, 1918. while the latter is now living with a son, W. H. Enos. The family is mentioned else- where in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill began their domestic life upon a farm and he has throughout his business career been identified with the active work of tilling the soil, making his home on section 22, Saratoga township. He has here sixty acres of land and is leading a life of industry and thrift, resulting in the further development of his farm property, his labors greatly enhancing its productiveness. He is also a stock- holder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Saratoga.
Mr. Merrill is a supporter of the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors at Saratoga, while his wife is a member of the Congregational church. Both are well known in this section of the state, where they are highly esteemed, and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.
ALBERT REINHART.
Albert Reinhart, a representative farmer of Howard county, living on section 11, Paris township, was born in Elgin, Iowa, September 24, 1860. He is of Swiss descent, his parents being Samuel and Anna (Lehman) Reinhart, both natives of the land of the Alps. They came to the United States in early life. The father, however, was a young man when he crossed the Atlantic with his parents. The mother came to the new world as a maiden of thirteen or fourteen years with her father and mother, who settled in Elgin, Fayette county, Iowa, where they resided until called to their final rest. It was in Elgin that Anna Lehman became the wife of Samuel Reinhart in May, 1853. They remained residents of that place until 1864 and then removed to the vicinity of Lawler, Iowa, where they made their home for a quarter of a century. Subsequently they took up their abode in Howard county and after spending several years on a farm in Paris township they removed to Cresco, where they resided for eighteen years. They
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then took up their abode in the home of their son Samuel in Alta Vista, Iowa, where the father passed away March 2, 1913, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, ten months and twenty-six days. The mother is still living and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Fred Heimerdinger, in Paris township, Howard county. She is now in her eighty-second year but is still quite active and well preserved.
Albert Reinhart, after attending the district schools near his father's home, assisted in the work of the farm up to the time of his marriage. In 1886 he wedded Miss Anna Albers, of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and the young couple began their domestic life upon their present home farm, which now comprises three hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. At first, however, Mr. Reinhart bought only one hundred and twenty acres but in the intervening period he has added to his property from time to time until he has become owner of more than a half section and his farm is splendidly improved. He erected all of the buildings upon the place and has carefully cultivated his fields, so that he now gathers golden harvests. In addition to the tilling of the soil he raises black polled cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, handling only pure blooded stock eligible to registry.
To Mr. and Mrs. Reinhart have been born eleven children, nine of whom are yet living, namely: Clara, the wife of Frank Dreckman, of Alta Vista; Henry and Albert, who are engaged in farming in Howard county; Esther, the wife of Clifford Platz, also a. farmer of Howard county; Luella, who married Fred Rethamel, of Charles City, Iowa; and Earl, Edwin, Alfred and Harvey, all yet at home.
By reason of his success Mr. Reinhart has been able to provide a most comfortable living for his family. In addition to his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery of Jerico and a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Lumber Company of Alta Vista. In his political views he is an earnest republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. In religious faith he and his wife are Methodists and their sterling worth has made them highly esteemed throughout the community in which they live. In every relation of life Mr. Reinhart has been honor- able and upright, and his integrity in business affairs has been one of the strong forces in his success.
O. A. TAYLOR.
O. A. Taylor, alert and energetic, is now successfully managing the interests of the Gilchrist Elevator & Grain Company at Ionia. He is numbered among the sub- stantial residents that the Empire state has furnished to Iowa, his birth having oc- curred in Tioga county, New York, August 11, 1851, his parents being Luther and Maria (Jacobs) Taylor, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, where they were reared and married. In 1856 they became residents of Wisconsin, settling on a farm near Janesville in Rock county, and about 1877 they arrived in Chickasaw county, Iowa, taking up their abode on a farm near Lawler, where the father passed away three or four years later. The mother afterward made her home with her chil- dren and departed this life in 1916, at La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she was living with a daughter.
O. A. Taylor supplemented his common school education by study in the Milton College of Milton, Rock county, Wisconsin, and later he followed the profession of teaching for two years, spending one year of that time in Michigan and the other year in Wisconsin. During this period he worked on his father's farm through the summer months. In 1875 he came to Iowa and entered into active association with the firm of Gilchrist & Company, grain dealers, in whose employ he has remained for forty-four years. No higher testimonial of efficiency, fidelity and capability could be given. He spent one year in their elevator at Cresco, Iowa, and thence was sent to Lawler as manager of their business at that point. He remained there for fifteen or sixteen years and was afterward sent to Fredericksburg, while a year later he was transferred to Ionia as manager of the interests of Gilchrist & Company at this place. Here he has since remained and he is today one of the best known grain buyers of
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northern Iowa. There is no feature of the business with which he is not thoroughly familiar and his labors have been of immense benefit to the firm which he represents, while at the same time his efficiency has enabled him to command an excellent salary.
In 1876 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Noon, of Chickasaw county, by whom he had seven children, five of whom survive, as follows: George R., who is grain buyer at Jackson Junction for Gilchrist & Company; Oliver B., who is engaged in buying grain for Gilchrist & Company at Lawler, Iowa; Claude L., who is managing an elevator for Gilchrist & Company at Devon, Iowa; Maud, who is the widow of Patrick Conley and resides at Maquoketa, Iowa; and Ruth, the wife of Christian Osterwalder, of Rock Island, Illinois.
In his political views Mr. Taylor is an earnest democrat and is recognized as one of the local party leaders. He served for two or three terms as mayor and for several terms as a member of the city council and is acting in the latter capacity at the present time. His wife is a member of the Catholic church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are well known in Ionia and this section of the state and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Progress has characterized the entire business career of Mr. Taylor and advancement has come to him in recognition of his ability and merit.
BERNARD FLOOD.
For the past third of a century Bernard Flood has resided on his farm of one hundred and six acres on section 15, Vernon Springs township, adjoining the city limits of Cresco on the north. It is a most valuable and highly improved property and its owner is widely recognized as one of the leading and representative agricul- turists of Howard county. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on the 21st of May, 1848, his parents being Bernard and Rosanna (Clark) Flood, both of whom were na- tives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the United States as young people. They were married on Staten Island, New York, and subsequently removed to Baltimore, Maryland, in which city they continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. The father was a laborer.
Bernard Flood spent the period of his minority in his native city and attended the public schools of Baltimore in the acquirement of an education. When twenty- one years of age he left the parental roof and made his way westward to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he was employed in a hotel for eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he went to Sioux City, Iowa, where he worked in a hotel for one year and then removed to Northfield, Minnesota, there conducting a restaurant for a year. Later he spent three years in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a restaurant proprietor and subsequently secured employment in the roundhouse of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Minneapolis, remaining in the latter connection for
two and a half years. The year 1879 witnessed his arrival in Howard county, Iowa, and here he worked as a farm hand for a period of six years. At the end of that time, in 1885, he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and six acres adjoining the city limits of Cresco on the north, now conceded to be one of the finest and best located farms in the county. The operation of the place has claimed his attention continuously since and he has erected all of the buildings thereon, making it a most excellently improved property. Mr. Flood is the second owner of the land, having purchased it from the widow of a Mr. Williams, who homesteaded the tract. The latter, however, went to the front during the period of the Civil war and never returned.
On the 18th of May, 1874, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Mr. Flood was united in marriage to Miss Nellie O'Malley, by whom he had two children: Bernardina, the wife of William Mullen, who follows farming in Vernon Springs township; and Mat- thew C., who cultivates the home place. The wife and mother passed away on the 1st of September, 1908, and her demise was not only felt as a great loss by the mem- bers of her immediate family but also by a large circle of friends.
In politics Mr. Flood maintains an independent course, supporting the candidate
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whom he deems best qualified for office without regard to party ties. In religious belief he is a Catholic. He has now passed the seventy-first milestone on life's journey and his career has ever been such that he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
HON. H. H. BAILEY.
Hon. H. H. Bailey, deceased. was one of Chickasaw county's most prominent pioneer settlers and honored citizens. He was born in Vermilion, Ohio, September 26, 1837, and passed away in St. Joseph's Hospital in New Hampton, Iowa, June 10, 1918. His early life was one of hard knocks. The difficulties and obstacles in his path were many. When he was a child of but seven years his father died and his mother soon afterward married again. He was sent to live with his grandparents, who put him out to work for neigh- boring farmers. He was thus employed at a wage of seven cents per day and when his wages were increased to ten cents per day he felt that he was receiving a munificent salary. His educational opportunities were limited to a few months' attendance in the old log schoolhouse with its slab benches and other primitive furnishings, while the methods of instruction were almost equally crude. As he grew older he realized the need of a better education and for two terms attended Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio, working his way through school during that period.
In the spring of 1855 Mr. Bailey came with an uncle to Chickasaw county, Iowa, and later homesteaded on the section of land in Richland township which remained his place of residence up to the time of his death. On the outbreak of the Civil war he was on a visit to his mother at the old home in Ohio and while there he responded to his country's call, enlisting on the 1st of July, 1861, as a member of the Seventh Ohio (Rooster) Regiment. He served with this command for almost four years, being mustered out on the 3d of January, 1865. He participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Antietam, the second battle of Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Lookout Mountain, which was fought above the clouds, and many other notable engagements. He was three times wounded, being once shot through the neck, again through the right limb and a third time through the left hand. After receiving his discharge Mr. Bailey returned to his Iowa home and on the 6th of January, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah P. Birdsell, a daughter of S S. Birdsell, who was also one of the pioneer settlers of the county. Five children were born of this marriage but only two are now living: Louis P., who is engaged in mer- chandising at Williamstown, Iowa; and Paul J., a farmer who is operating the home farm.
Mr. Bailey possessed the intellect and ability that made him a man among men. He was most progressive and public-spirited and was always the leader in any movement that tended to promote the welfare and upbuilding of the district in which he lived. He possessed many sterling characteristics and it was said of him that he had a heart as big and kind as the master of men could put into a single body. He was unostenta- tious, was most liberal and charitable to every good cause. All who knew him spoke of him in terms of high regard and his sterling worth was recognized by all with whom he came in contact.
In politics Mr. Bailey was an ardent republican and was recognized as one of the foremost men of his party in Chickasaw county. He served for years in the various township offices and was for years a member of the board of county supervisors. He also represented his district in the twenty-first general assembly of Iowa and gave most thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up for settle- ment.
In financial affairs, too, Mr. Bailey was equally forceful and his success was notable. At the time of his death he owned two farms, the home place of two hundred acres, situated on sections 12 and 13, Richland township, and another tract of two hundred and ten acres on section 10 of the same township. His property interests were acquired as the result of close application and unabating industry, carefully directed by sound judg- ment. He was a stockholder and one of the members of the board of directors of the State Bank of New Hampton and in these various connections his judgment was sought
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.
In the year 1883 Mr. Haven was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Jones and to them were born two sons, George B. and Norman Allen, Jr. The son George B. was married in 1914 to Miss Ruth Dykeman and they have two children, June Marie and Leonora Esther. The other son is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
The death of Norman Allen Haven was a matter of deep and widespread regret not only to his immediate family but to all who knew him. He passed away at his home in Forest City township, Howard county, May 23, 1911, and was laid to rest in Pleasant Hill cemetery three days later. He was a man of upright character and of strong convictions, to which he was always true and loyal. His sterling worth was recognized by all with whom he came in contact. In politics he was a republican but never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty. He gave loyal support, however, to measures and movements which he believed would prove of worth to the county and the commonwealth and in matters of citizenship his aid and influence were always on the side of improvement.
ALBERT J. MIKESH.
Albert J. Mikesh, a merchant of Protivin, who for two years has conducted one of the excellent stores of the town, was born in Spillville, Iowa, April 22, 1869. His father, John W. Mikesh, was a native of Bohemia and came to the United States when twelve years of age. He made his way to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand for a few years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land. He became the owner of a farm at Spillville and continued its cultivation and improvement to the time of his death, which occurred in 1914. He erected all of the buildings upon the place and converted it into a modern farm, equipped with all the improvements and accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century. His first purchase made him owner of forty acres of land, to which he grad- ually added as his financial resources increased until he was the owner of one hundred and ninety acres. He married Frances Janoush, a daughter of John Janoush, of Spill- ville, and passed away in 1914, at the age of seventy-two years, on the old home farm, which he had so long owned and occupied. He had filled the office of road supervisor for a number of years and was interested in the welfare, upbuilding and progress of the community. But a young lad when brought to America, he supplemented his edu- cation, acquired in Bohemia, by attending the public schools of Winneshiek county. When the country needed his aid in the preservation of the Union he joined the army of the north and was wounded in battle but entirely recovered and throughout his remaining days he displayed the same loyalty to his adopted land that he manifested when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south. At the time of the father's death his son, Louis Mikesh, took over the farm and has since continued its cultivation.
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