USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 25
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 25
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Following his marriage Mr. Novotny settled on his present home farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres, which he purchased from his father, and through the inter- vening period he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon the further develop- ment of the land. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and annu- ally gathers rich crops as the reward of his care and labor. There are excellent mod- ern improvements upon the farm and thoroughly up-to-date machinery enables him to develop his fields.
In his political views Mr. Novotny is a democrat, voting with the party since he attained his majority. He and his family are members of the Catholic church. They are well known people of this community, enjoying the warm regard and friendship of many with whom they have been brought in contact.
JOHN MISHAK.
John Mishak, who follows farming on section 2, Deerfield township, Chickasaw county, was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, June 9, 1867, a son of Felix and Mary (Andreaska) Mishak both of whom were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married. In 1864 they left that country and came to the United States, establish- ing their home at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where the father, who was a wagon maker by trade, established a shop which he conducted for eight or ten years. He then re- moved to Iowa, taking up his abode in North Washington, Chickasaw county, where he also was proprietor of a wagon shop for several years. Subsequently he engaged in farming and remained a resident of North Washington to the time of his death, which occurred in 1914.
John Mishak was educated in the district schools and in 1889 began farming on his own account, at which time he purchased his present home place of one hundred and sixty acres. For two years he devoted his time and energies to the development of the farm and kept bachelor's hall during that period. In 1891, however, he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Marion, of Deerfield township, a daughter of Max Marion. one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the county, who is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Mishak have been born seven children: Evelyn, Loretta, Viola, Mildred, Verna, Ralph and Ray. All are still under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Mishak has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served for a number of years as a member of the board of township trustees and is the present clerk of the board. He stands loy- ally for all that he believes to be for the best interests of the community and he and his family are idenified with its moral progress as members of the Catholic church. In his business career he has made steady advance and his diligence and enterprise have been the foundation of the success which is now his.
PETER HANSEN.
Peter Hansen, who has been actively identified with farming interests in Howard county for the past forty-four years, resides on section 22, Vernon Springs township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, while his holdings also embrace a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Howard Center town- ship. His birth occurred in Denmark on the 9th of May, 1853, his parents being Lars and Cecilia (Petersen) Hansen, who spent their entire lives in that country.
Peter Hansen acquired his education in the district schools of his native land and there remained until he had attained his majority. His father owned but a small farm of ten acres and the country offered comparatively meager opportunities to a young
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man. In 1874, therefore, desiring to enjoy the advantages of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and for one year worked as a farm hand in New York. He then came west to Iowa, locating in Howard county, within the borders of which he has resided continuously since. During the first summer he was employed at farm labor by M. B. Doolittle and he continued working as a farm hand until the spring of 1881. The previous year he had purchased a tract of seventy acres in Ver- non Springs township but after operating the place for two years disposed of it and for some years thereafter devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land. In 1888 or 1889 he bought his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 22, Vernon Springs township, which he had operated as a renter before be- coming the owner. The further development and improvement of the property has since claimed his time and energies and he derives therefrom a gratifying annual in- come. He likewise owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in Howard Center township, which he purchased about 1908. In the work of the fields he utilizes the most advanced methods, so that his labors are attended with the best results, winning him a place among the representative and successful agriculturists of the district.
On the 6th of April, 1885, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Marie Chris- tensen, a native of Denmark and a daughter of Christ and Elizabeth Christensen, both of whom passed away in that country. Mrs. Hansen came to the United States in 1883 and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, four of whom still survive, namely: Ellen K., the wife of Alfred Gesell, who operates her father's farm in Howard Center township; Henry M., who is now filling the office of county treasurer of Howard county; Lewis N., who is engaged in the automobile business at Granger, Minnesota; and Samuel P., at home.
In his political views Mr. Hansen is a republican and he has given able service to his fellow townsmen as a member of the board of township trustees, in which capac- ity he served for four years, and also as a member of the school board, with which he was connected for a number of years. His record is indeed commendable, for he came to the new world empty-handed and through his own efforts has won prosperity, now owning two hundred and eighty acres of Howard county's most valuable land.
F. G. HARNOSS.
F. G. Harnoss is a farmer residing on section 22. New Oregon township, Howard county, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, constituting one of the excellent farms of the district. He was born in Germany, August 10, 1873, a son of Frederick and Rosie (Mikush) Harnoss. He came to this country with his grandfather and an aunt in the summer of 1883, when a lad of but ten years, and thus for thirty-six years has resided on this side of the Atlantic. In the fall of the same year his parents came to the new world. They made their way direct to Iowa and settled in Fayette county.
F. G. Harnoss was educated in the public schools while spending his youthful days under the parental roof. His father continued to carry on farming and was thus en- gaged at the time of his death, which occurred September 17, 1915. For four years he had survived his wife, who died August 24, 1911.
F. G. Harnoss was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has followed as a life work, and there is no phase of progressive agricultural life with which he is not familiar. For seven years he has resided upon the place which is now his home and he has here one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he has carefully and systemati- cally cultivated and which annually returns to him a gratifying income upon his invest- ment.
On the 14th of February, 1895, Mr. Harnoss was united in marriage to Miss Marie Hagge, a daughter of Christ and Minnie (Raymond) Hagge, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Harnoss have become parents of four children, three of whom are living, but their first born, a son, Louis J., died February 16, 1917. The other children are: Alfred W., Dorothy L. and Raymond C.
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Mr. Harnoss served on the school board in Fayette county before his removal to Howard county. In politics he is a republican but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his busi- ness affairs. He and his family attend the German Lutheran church in Cresco. His worth as a man and a citizen is widely recognized, for he has led a life of industry and perseverance-qualities which have constituted the foundation of his growing prosperity.
W. W. CRAY.
W. W. Cray is the president of the Farmers Bank at Chester, Iowa, and has made for himself an enviable position in financial circles by reason of the pro- gressiveness, tempered by a safe conservatism, that he has manifested in the con- duct of the bank. He is one of Howard county's native sons, having been born on a farm a mile and a half south of the present town site of Chester on the 13th of May, 1860, his parents being Joseph and Matilda (Coombs) Cray, of whom extended mention is made in connection with the sketch of their son John on another page of this work.
W. W. Cray was reared upon the home farm and was educated in the district schools. Soon after reaching his majority he bought a farm of his own, on which he resided, and continued to cultivate that tract until 1913, when he removed to Chester. The following year he founded the Farmers Bank, which he has since successfully conducted, and through the intervening period has gradually developed its business, securing for it a constantly increasing clientele that is at once indi- cative of the progressiveness and reliability of his business management and the confidence reposed in him by the general public. As the years have passed he has made extensive and judicious investments in real estate and has heavy land holdings in Howard county. In fact he is one of the county's most substantial business men.
Mr. Cray was married to Miss Elizabeth Bullis, of Chester township, Howard county, and to them have been born two children: Joseph B., who is cashier of the Exchange State Bank of Lime Springs; and Winfield, who is with the army of occupation in Germany.
In politics Mr. Cray is a democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but never seeks nor desires office. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they occupy a very enviable social position, the hospitality of the best homes of Chester being most cordially extended them, while in all matters of public concern Mr. Cray's position is one of leadership.
MICHAEL L. BARNES.
Michael L. Barnes, a farmer residing in Schley, Paris township, Howard county, was born February 2, 1875, in the county which is still his home, his parents being Sylvester and Catherine (Ferrie) Barnes, who were natives of the state of New York. The father was born February 22, 1840, and came to Howard county in his boyhood days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Barnes, who settled in Vernon Springs township, being among the earliest of the pioneers of this section of the state. At the outbreak of the Civil war Sylvester Barnes joined the Union army and served through- out that memorable struggle. He married Catherine Ferrie, who had come to Howard county with her parents in her girlhood days, they, too, being among the early resi- dents of the county, settling in New Oregon township. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes were married in Vernon Springs, December 25, 1862, and their later years were spent in Howard and Chickasaw counties. Mr. Barnes purchased the farm which his son Michael now owns and also established a country store. He likewise founded the town of Schley and for several years served as its postmaster. He was one of the well known and highly esteemed men of his community and his death, which occurred April 9,
W. W. CRAY
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1912, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His widow survives and makes her home with a son in Cresco.
Michael L. Barnes was educated in the district schools of Howard and Chickasaw counties and spent his youthful days under the parental roof. In 1901 he was married to Miss Verona Novak, a daughter of Thomas Novak, one of the early settlers of How- ard county, now living retired in Cresco. In 1900 Mr. Barnes began farming on his own account on rented land and was thus engaged for five years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings, and in 1905 purchased the old homestead farm at Schley, which is regarded as one of the best farm properties in Howard county.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have become the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are yet living, namely: Harry J., Cornelius M., Inez H., Winifred M., Kenneth G., Ed- mund T., Deloras T., Celesta E., Georgenia S. and Cyriac D. Virgil V., the eighth in order of birth, is deceased.
The family are communicants of the Catholic church, and Mr. Barnes is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Am- erica and in politics is a republican. His entire life has been passed in Howard county, and he has carried forward the work of development and improvement which was begun by his father and which has connected the name of Barnes with the up- building of the county from pioneer times.
THOMAS KAKAC.
Thomas Kakac is conducting a general merchandise establishment at Saratoga and the large line of goods which he carries signifies the liberal trade accorded him. He was born in Moravia, Austria, July 17, 1863, a son of Thomas and Anna (Popelka) Kakac, who in the year 1868 bade adieu to friends and native country and with their family sailed for the United States. They made their way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they took up their abode, and the father followed cabinet making in that city for a year. He then removed with his family to Chicago following the Chicago fire and Mr. Kakac worked at the cabinet maker's trade and afterward at cigar making until 1873, when the family home was established at Ely, Iowa. There Mr. Kakac resumed work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1875, when he turned from in- dustrial to agricultural pursuits and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Saratoga township, after which he bent his energies to the development and im- provement of his farm. The mother of Thomas Kakac of this review died in 1897 and in 1898 the father married again and is now living at Haugen, Wisconsin, having reached the age of eighty-one years.
Thomas Kakac accompanied his parents to the new world and was with them on their various removals. He continued under the parental roof until 1878 and after- ward went to Chicago, where he attended the public schools and then returned home, again taken up his abode upon the farm in Saratoga township in 1880. In 1881 the father rented the farm for five years and took his family to Chicago, where he engaged in carpentering, and there the son Thomas became active in the real estate business, in which he remained for six years.
While in Chicago, Mr. Kakac was married July 21, 1887, and not long after he and his wife, together with his parents, returned to the home farm in Saratoga township, Howard county. A year and a half was devoted by Mr. Kakac to general agricultural pursuits, at the end of which time he returned to Chicago with his wife and there be- came engaged in the insurance business, to which he devoted another period of a year and a half. Once more he came to Howard county and in connection with his brother John established a general store on the farm, conducting the business there for six months. Subsequently they bought cut the business of C. W. Fields at Saratoga and for a year conducted the store. Later they erected the present store building which they now occupy. The brothers continued the partnership until 1906, when they di. vided their interests, Thomas Kakac remaining as owner of the store, while John Kakac took the farm as his share of the property. Thomas Kakac is now enjoying a liberal
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and gratifying trade, his annual sales bringing to him a substantial profit. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Saratoga.
Mr. Kakac was married in Chicago, as previously stated, to Miss Mary Fischer, whose parents have passed away. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children: Anna Rose, who is the wife of Fred Vagts; Elsie Mae, the wife of Frank Wallace; Thomas John, who was with the Twentieth Infantry Headquarters Band as a member of the American army but is now at home; Mildred B., who is now a nurse in the Michael Reese Hospital at Chicago; and Mae Julia, who is attending high school at Cresco.
Mr. Kakac filled the office of justice of the peace for eighteen years in Saratoga township, continuing in that position until 1911. He had been postmaster of Saratoga since 1906. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party, for he is a firm believer in its principles. Both he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church of Saratoga and are highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside. For twenty years Mr. Kakac has been a faithful member of the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging now to Relief Lodge, No. 211, A. F. & A. M., at Riceville, Iowa, while his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. Kakac is also connected with the Mod- ern Woodmen camp at Saratoga and has been clerk thereof since 1906. He likewise belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America at Mason City, Iowa, and has been treasurer of the local lodge since 1913. He is likewise a member of the C. B. Z. J., a Bohemian secret organization of Cedar Rapids, with which he became connected in 1914. His interests are thus broad and varied. He is a forceful and resourceful man, displaying ready adaptability and keen discrimination in business affairs and at all times standing for the welfare, benefit and progress of the community in which he makes his home.
F. P. WENTZ.
F. P. Wentz is a representative of the automobile trade of northern Iowa as the head of the Wesp Motor Company of New Hampton, agents of the Buick, the Cadillac and the Chevrolet cars. Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Winneshiek county, March 9, 1872, his parents being William and Anna M. (Dietrich) Wentz, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared, while their marriage occurred in that state in 1866. Three years later they made their way west- ward to Calmar, Iowa, and settled upon a farm near the town. Later the father engaged in the butchering business in Calmar and in 1891 he removed to a farm near New Hamp- ton, whereon he continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until 1906. He then retired from active business cares and took up his abode in the city of New Hamp- ton, where he resided to the time of his death in 1910. His widow survived him for almost a decade, passing away on the 23d of January, 1919.
F. P. Wentz was educated in the parochial and public schools of Calmar and Ossian, lowa. and remained at home until he reached his twenty-fifth year, when he rented land and began farming on his own account. He cultivated leased land for seven years and in 1902 removed to New Hampton to accept a position with the firm of Wesp & Gray, dealers in agricultural implements. Six months later he resigned this position to en- gage in building and land speculation and has since been prominently identified with business of that character. In 1913 he also entered the automobile field, organizing the firm of Wentz & Rosaner, but in 1917 he sold his automobile interests. A year later, however, he bought a half interest in the business of A. H. Wesp, organizing the Wesp Motor Company, one of the leading business houses of New Hampton. They handle the Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet cars and sell a large number annually. Their business has now reached very substantial proportions and their success is due to their thorough understanding of the cars which they handle, their enterprising methods and reliable dealings.
On the 28th of January, 1902. Mr. Wentz was united in marriage to Miss Estella Emiessy, of New Hampton township, Chickasaw county, and they have become parents
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of four children: Orville and Raymond, both of whom are high school students; Luella, who is still in the grades; and Merle.
In politics Mr. Wentz maintains an independent course, but his interest in com- munity affairs is deep and sincere and is manifest in many tangible ways. He served for one year as secretary of the Commercial Club of New Hampton. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, with the American Yeomen and the Knights of Columbus and he and his family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church. Starting out in life without any special advantages, he has steadily worked his way up- ward, for he early recognized that there is always room at the top and he resolved not to be one of the laggers in life. He has brooked no obstacle that could be overcome by determined and persistent labor, and while there have been no spectacular phases in his career, the sterling worth of his character and the reliability of his business methods have commanded for him the respect, confidence and good will of all.
EWING L. BRADLEY.
Ewing L. Bradley, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Cresco, was born near Hopkins, Missouri, June 23, 1880. His father, Alonzo S. Bradley, was a native of Illinois, born in Monmouth, and at the place of his birth he remained until ten years of age, when his parents removed with their family to Siam, Iowa, where the grand- father traded a wagon for eighty acres of land. He then began the development of that tract, which was entirely wild and unimproved when it came into his possession, and throughout his remaining days he resided thereon. Following his demise his widow removed to Bedford, Iowa, where she lived with her daughter, with whom she remained until death called her to the home beyond. Their son, Alonzo S. Bradley, was reared on the old homestead in Iowa, where he continued until his marriage, after which he started out in farming on his own account on rented land, his first home being a log cabin. He occupied that place for four years and then with his earnings purchased a farm west of his former place, comprising eighty acres, which he owned and cultivated for eight years. He next sold that property and bought one hundred and twenty acres about two miles west and concentrated his efforts and attention upon its further culti- vation, while to the farm he added many modern improvements. Upon that place he continued for four years and later established his home on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres one-half mile east of Siam. This.he continued to further develop and improve until 1900, when he sold his land and took up his abode at Gravity, Iowa, retiring from active business cares. Both he and his wife have reached the age of fifty-nine years. They are consistent members of the Christian church and Mr. Bradley gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil and his perseverance and energy have been the salient features in winning for him a com- petence that now enables him to rest from further labor.
Ewing L. Bradley spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm in the vicinity of Siam, pursuing his early education in its public schools, while his preliminary training was afterward supplemented by study in the normal school at Bedford, Iowa, which he attended during the summer months. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for six years in his old home, and for two years he taught school at. Gravity. On the expiration of that period he settled at Lenox. Iowa, where he taught for a year, and then, thinking to find a broader and more profitable field of labor along commercial lines, he turned his attention to the furniture trade and to undertaking in Lenox. For five and a half years he was connected with business interests at that place and in 1914 came to Cresco, where he entered the employ of the Meverden Furniture & Undertaking Company, with which he continued for three years. He then established business on his own account and now has a well appointed store and undertaking parlors. He practices the most scientific methods in the care of the dead and has a liberal patron- age in that connection.
In 1901 Mr. Bradley was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wheeler, a daugliter of Elisha and Ellen (Torrance) Wheeler. She was born in Siam, Iowa, and by her mar- riage has become the mother of four children, Cecyle, Norman, Luella and Lester.
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Mr. Bradley votes with the democratic party, which he has supported since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise, and he is anxious for its success because of his firm belief in the efficacy of its principles as factors in good government. He belong to the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F., Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen and the Christian church, associations which indicate much of the nature of his inter- ests and the rules that govern his conduct. His fellow townsmen speak of him in terms of high regard and he has many warm friends in Cresco and throughout Howard county.
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