USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 35
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 35
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of Minneapolis. The wife and mother passed away in 1912, her death being deeply regretted not only by her immediate family but by many friends as well.
Mr. Jones gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is well versed in the questions and issues of the day. He is one of the well known residents of Chester and of Howard county, having lived in this section of the country from pioneer times. He has therefore witnessed the entire growth and development of the region and has ever borne his part in the work of general improvement and progress.
J. A. BEAUMASTER.
J. A. Beaumaster, a well known farmer residing on section 1, Howard township, in Howard county, has been a resident of northern Iowa since a youth of thirteen years, at which time the family home was established in Chickasaw county. He was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, on the 8th of January, 1863, and is a son of William and Theresa (Wiemer) Beaumaster, who were natives of Germany. They came to America, however, in young manhood and womanhood and were mar- ried in Racine county, Wisconsin, where the father had taken up his abode at an early period in the development of that region. There he engaged in farming until 1876, when he removed with his family to Iowa, settling in Washington township, Chickasaw county, where he purchased eighty acres of land. This he afterward traded for town property in Alta Vista and a quarter section in Howard township, Howard county He was a veteran of the Civil war and his service so undermined his health that he was unable to do the active work of the farm. He suffered from rheumatism and heart trouble for many years and the trouble with his heart ulti- mately occasioned his death in 1913, when he had reached the age of eighty-seven years. His wife passed away in 1910, at the age of seventy-one.
J. A. Beaumaster began his education in the district schools of Wisconsin and continued his studies in the district schools of Iowa after the removal of the family to this state. His early experiences were those of the farm-bred boy and in 1885, when twenty-two years of age, he began farming on his own account. For nine years he continued the cultivation of rented land and in 1894 he purchased from his savings his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid thirteen dollars per acre. He had but fifty dollars capital at the time, but he purchased from S. A. Converse, who loaned him three hundred dollars in order to enable him to get a start. He bent every energy toward clearing his place of all indebtedness and the task was soon accomplished as the result of his indefatigable industry, perseverance and economy. That his labors have wrought a marked transformation in the appearance and value of the place is indicated in the fact that he would not today sell his farm for two hundred dollars per acre. He has carefully cultivated his fields and for some years has specialized in the breeding of registered polled Angus cattle and fine Poland China hogs. His stock raising inter- ests have been a very substantial element in his success. Aside from his home place he rents other land and for some years has been farming three hundred and sixty-five acres, annually gathering large crops because of the careful and syste- matic manner in which he tills his fields. He has ever been keenly interested in those things which have to do with the agricultural development of his district and has quickly adopted all improved methods which he believes will be of sterling worth in promoting farm progress. He served for twelve years as a member of the board of directors of the Elma Cooperative Creamery Company but is not at present a stockholder in that concern.
On the 18th of October, 1892, Mr. Beaumaster was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Fitzgerald, a daughter of Thomas Fitzgerald, who was one of the earliest pioneer settlers of Howard county but is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Beau- master have been born five children, four of whom survive, as follows: Mame, at
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home; William, who follows farming in Paris township, Howard county; and Lloyd and Esther, who are also yet under the parental roof.
Mr. Beaumaster and his family are members of the Catholic church and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has served for four terms as township assessor and for several years has been a member of the school board, stanchly supporting all progressive measures for the development of the schools of his district. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for his activity has been the basis of his growing success. He is truly a self-made man and his record shows what can be accomplished through individual effort and deter- mination. His labors have been wisely directed and he is today one of the pros- perous citizens of Howard county.
GEORGE W. MERRILL.
The home farm of George W. Merrill is situated in Saratoga township, Howard county, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land situated on section 27 and eighty acres on section 22. He manifests most progressive methods in the further development of his farm property and his careful tilling of the soil year after year has gained him place among the substantial residents of his part of the state. Mr. Merrill is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Decorah, April 12, 1861, his parents being George and Nancy (Trent) Merrill. The father was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1826, and the mother's birth occurred in Connecticut in 1829. They were married in Waukon, Iowa, in 1853, and in the following year established their home at Decorah. Mr. Merrill gave his attention to farming about a mile and a half north of the city, where he pur- chased land which he continued to cultivate until 1865. He then removed with his family to Frankville, Winneshiek county, disposing of his land at Decorah and making investment at Frankville. In 1880 he traded the latter place and came to Saratoga township, Howard county. It was in 1883 that he built upon the homestead farm, which comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. Throughout the intervening years to the time of his death he lived upon that property and brought his fields under a very high state of culti- vation. He died in the year 1907, having for five years survived his wife, who passed away in 1902.
The youthful days of George W. Merrill were spent under the parental roof and he accompanied his parents on their various removals. He was a pupil in the public schools of Iowa and in vacation periods worked in the fields, so that he early became familiar with practical farming methods. On attaining his majority he started out in the business world as a farm hand, working through the sum- mer months, while in the winter of 1884-5 he was again in school. As the years have passed he has concentrated his attention and efforts more and more largely upon farming and is today active in the cultivation and control of two hundred and forty acres of land situated in Saratoga township, constituting one of the fine farms of the district.
Mr. Merrill was united in marriage on the 2d of July, 1900, to Miss Julia Nelson, who was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1879, a daughter of Peter Nelson, who resides in Saratoga township, making his home about a mile south and a mile west of Mr. Merrill's farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have been born three children, Leona May, George Delbert and Joy Bernice, all at home.
Mr. Merrill and his brother Archie are the only members of the family resid- ing in this locality. A sister, Mrs. Dell Hawes, is living in Santa Cruz, California, and another sister, Mrs. Hattie Chamberlin, in San Francisco. He is the third in order of birth, while he has two younger brothers: Fred, making his home in Ione, California; and Frank, residing in Chickasaw county, Iowa. Another brother, Archie, is living a mile west of George Merrill, in Saratoga township, and the youngest, Ben M., resides in Hartford, Connecticut.
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. MERRILL
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Aside from his farming interests Mr. Merrill is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery of Saratoga. In the midst of a busy life he has yet found time for public service and for two terms or four years has filled the position of township clerk. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is interested in the church and all agencies for the benefit and welfare of the com- munity and his sterling worth is attested by many who know him.
A. J. PIERSON. .
A. J. Pierson, leading jeweler and a prominent business man of New Hampton, is the proprietor of one of the most up-to-date jewelry establishments in northern Iowa, which he has conducted for the past seven years. His birth occurred in Bremer county, this state, on the 21st of November, 1869, his parents being Charles A. and Eliza J. (Rickel) Pierson, the former a native of Sweden and the latter of Ohio. The father emigrated to the United States as a lad of twelve years in company with his parents, who settled in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Bremer county, Iowa, the family taking up their abode among the pioneer settlers of that section of the state. The Rickel family established their home in that county about the same time and it was there that Charles A. Pierson wedded Eliza J. Rickel, with whom he then located on a farm in Bremer county.
A. J. Pierson obtained his education in the district schools of his native county and on reaching young manhood took up the trade of watchmaking. In 1893 he was gradu- ated from W. F. A. Woodcock's horological school at Winona, Minnesota, and the fol- ling year established himself in the jewelry and watch repairing business at Wesley, Iowa, where he continued for four years. On the expiration of that period in 1898, he came to New Hampton, where he worked as a watchmaker for the firm of Wilkins Brothers through the succeeding fourteen years. In 1899 he was graduated from the Omaha Optical Institute in engraving and optics. When he felt that his capital and experience justified him in again embarking upon an independent business venture he engaged in the jewelry business on his own account at New Hampton in 1912 and has since developed his interests until he is now at the head of one of the most modern and successful jewelry establishments in this part of the state.
In 1893 Mr. Pierson was united in marriage to Miss Flora M. Castor, of Nashua, Chickasaw county. In politics he is a republican, loyally supporting the men and meas- ures of that party at the polls. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Arcana Lodge, while both he and his wife are members of New Hampton Chapter, No. 75, O. E. S. He is likewise a Knight of Pythias, having his membership in Lancelot Lodge, No. 183. Mrs. Pierson belongs to the Baptist church. The period of their resi- dence in New Hampton now covers more than two decades and they are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community, while Mr. Pierson enjoys an enviable repu- tation as one of its most enterprising citizens and foremost business men.
JOSEPH ANDERA.
Joseph Andera, deceased, was numbered among the pioneer residents of Howard county who settled in this section of the state when it was a wild and undeveloped region, giving little promise of future growth and improvement. Mr. Andera was born in Bohemia on the 10th of August, 1850, a son of Frank and Catherine (Chekal) And- era, who crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1862, settling first in Canada. A year later they crossed the border into the United States and established their home at Spill- ville, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where both the father and mother continued to reside until called to their final rest.
Joseph Andera was reared under the parental roof and in Spillville, in 1873, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kovarik, a native of Bohemia, who came to the United
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States in 1868 with her parents, John and Marie (Jira) Kovarik, who settled in Winne- shiek county and subsequently took up their abode in the town of Spillville, where they remained until called to the home beyond. In 1886 Mr. Andera with his family of six children removed to Howard county and purchased a farm in New Oregon township six miles west of Protivin. He then bent his energies to the further development and im- provement of that property but afterward sold the farm and bought the northeast quar- ter of section 32. He also rented other land and lived on the section across the road to the north, where his death occurred on the 9th of March, 1904. Mrs. Andera survives and occupies a comfortable home in Protivin.
To Mr. and Mrs. Andera were born eight children, seven of whom are yet living. namely: Joseph, a resident of Protivin, who is living with his mother and owns a farm; John F., a carpenter and building contractor of Protivin; Agnes, the wife of Lewis Pecinovsky, a farmer residing in New Oregon township; James L., a mechanic employed in the garage of the Klimesh Automobile Company; Bozena, the wife of Joseph Michalec, a horse breeder of Protivin; and Charles J., who is a road grading contractor, and Frank S. is a mechanic and owns an auto livery; likewise residents of Protivin All of the family are members of the Catholic church and the three sons, Joseph, James and John, have membership with the Catholic Workmen. The Andera family is one of the well known families of Howard county, where they have been represented from pioneer times.
J. B. LOWE.
J. B. Lowe is a representative and successful business man of New Hampton, where for the past seven years he has conducted his interests as a well driller and dealer in windmills and pumps. He was born in Delaware county, Iowa, on the 10th of November, 1856, a son of Andrew J. and Mary (Lloyd) Lowe, the former probably a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Wales. They were married at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and immediately thereafter came to Iowa, taking up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Delaware county. Andrew J. Lowe located his farm in the timber, although there was plenty of prairie land to be obtained only a half mile distant. About 1875 he went to Dubuque county, Iowa, and when five years had passed removed to Bremer county, while about 1892 he established his home in Crawford county, Kansas, where his demise occurred two years later.
J. B. Lowe pursued his education in the district schools and remained under the parental roof, assisting in the work of the home farm, until he was married at the age of twenty-four years. He then began farming on his own account as a renter and about two years later purchased a tract of land in Bremer county, the cultivation of which claimed his time and energies for three years. On the expira- tion of that period he took up his abode in Sumner, where he embarked in busi- ness as a well driller and dealer in windmills and pumps, with which line of activity he has since been prominently and successfully identified. In 1904 he removed to Mason City, Iowa, but after residing there for eight years came to New Hampton in 1912, purchasing the handsome residence on East Main street in which he has since made his home. Sound judgment, enterprise and industry have characterized him in the conduct of his business affairs, so that substantial prosperity has rewarded his efforts and he has become widely recognized as one of the representative and esteemed citizens of the community.
In 1880 Mr. Lowe was united in marriage to Miss Adaline E. McCormack, of Fayette county, Iowa, by whom he had two children, one of whom has passed away. The surviving daughter is Edna Eugenia, who is engaged in Chautauqua work with the Ellison & White Chautauqua Company of Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Lowe exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party but has never been an aspirant for public preferment. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Lancelot
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Lodge, No. 183. His wife and daughter attend the Congregational church. The family are widely and favorably known in New Hampton, where the circle of their friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
GEORGE H. MILLER.
George H. Miller, residing on section 10, Paris township, Howard county, is a native of Iowa, his birth occurring in Chickasaw county on the 15th of September, 1869. His parents, Charles G. and Julia (Wise) Miller, were both born in Ger- many and in early life came to the United States, locating first in the state of New York, where they were subsequently married. Not long afterward they came to Iowa and first located in Winneshiek county, but about 1867 removed to Chicka- saw county, the father acquiring two hundred and sixty-five acres of land in Jack- sonville township, one hundred and eighty acres of which he still owns. He was actively engaged in general farming until 1903, when he retired and removed to New Hampton, which city is still his home. His wife died on the 19th of Novem- ber, 1914.
In this locality George H. Miller was reared and educated, attending the dis- trict schools near his boyhood home. He assisted his father in the work of the farm until his marriage, which was celebrated in November, 1894, Miss Lena Natvig, of Saude, Utica township, Chickasaw county, becoming his wife. They have become the parents of two children, Carl J. and Homer A. G., both at home.
In the spring following his marriage Mr. Miller purchased his present farm on section 10, Paris township, Howard county, becoming the owner at that time of one hundred and sixty acres. Subsequently he bought another forty acre tract on sec- tion 14 in the same township and also five acres of timber land in New Oregon township. He has erected all of the present buildings upon his place, doing all of the carpenter work himself. as for two years prior to his marriage he had followed that trade and had become thoroughly familiar with the builder's art. He now has one of the best improved farms of the locality and has met with excellent success in his life work. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Jerico and for several years was a member of its board of directors. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Lumber & Coal Company of Alta Vista and is a most enterprising and progressive business man.
Mr. Miller has been a lifelong republican in politics, taking a very active and influential part in public affairs and serving for the past twenty years as chairman of the republican central committee of his precinct. For six years he was a mem- ber of the board of township trustees and he has always given hearty support to any enterprise which he believed would prove of public benefit. In religious faith the family are Lutherans and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them.
GERD MILLER.
Gerd Miller is a farmer and a stock buyer living on section 35, Deerfield town- ship, Chickasaw county. He was born in Germany, November 9, 1857, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Lauges) Miller, who spent their entire lives in Germany. There the son was reared to manhood and acquired his education in the public schools. His father was a veterinarian and in his youthful days Gerd Miller assisted him in work of that character. In young manhood he became employed by the year on neighboring farms and in 1880 he resolved to try his fortune in the new world and came to the United States first making his way to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he secured employment as a farm hand. He there remained for seven years and during one year of that time engaged in raising tobacco. In 1888 he removed to
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Iowa, becoming a resident of Chickasaw county, and during his first summer here he worked out by the month as a farm hand.
It was on the 2d of October, 1889, that Mr. Miller was married to Miss Anna Peitz, a daughter of Peter Peitz, a native of Germany and a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Chickasaw county. During the spring prior to his marriage Mr. Miller had purchased ninety acres of his present home farm in part- nership with his brother Anthony. Following his marriage he located upon this place and has since made it his home. He has prospered as the years have gone by and as the result of his diligence and industry has been enabled to add to his holdings until he is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of the most fertile land of Chickasaw county. He is ranked among Deerfield township's suc- cessful farmers and substantial citizens. In addition to developing his land and producing the crops best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here he has for twenty-three years also been engaged in the buying of live stock and is one of the best known stock buyers of Chickasaw county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born seven children, five of whom are yet living: Clara, the wife of George Peitz, a resident farmer of Washington town- ship, Chickasaw county; and Elizabeth, Sarah, Alfred and Raymond, all at home. The family are well known in this locality and are members of the Catholic church.
In politics Mr. Miller is an ardent democrat but has never been an office seeker. He has always preferred to give his time, and close attention to business affairs, and as the result of his unceasing labor, guided by sound judgment, he has gained a very substantial measure of success.
CHARLES D. NICHOLS.
Prominent among the enterprising, progressive and far-sighted business men of Cresco is Charles D. Nichols, owner and manager of the Nichols Clothing store and also active in connection with live stock interests of Howard county. He was born in Albion township of this county on the 26th of August, 1861, his parents being William C. and Lydia R. (Hazard) Nichols. The father was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, while the mother was a native of Yorkshire Corners, New York. William C. Nichols acquired his education in the public schools of his native town and in Lowell, Massachusetts, and for a period also studied in Boston. With his father's family he removed to Cattaraugus county, New York, where the grand- father engaged in farming. At a later period the family home was established in Ogle county, Illinois, and a part of that trip was made by wagon. The spirit of pioneer enterprise actuated the family and prompted their various westward re- movals. In 1854 Mr. Nichols again turned his face toward the setting sun and with ox teams traveled westward to Albion township, Howard county, Iowa, secur- ing a preemption claim of one hundred and sixty acres near Granger. For this he paid the usual government price and came into possession of a tract of wild prairie land on which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He at once built a log house there to shelter his family and in the course of years this primitive frontier home was replaced by a frame dwelling. Year after year he carefully tilled his fields and improved his farm, continuing to reside thereon until his death, which occurred in 1873, while his wife passed away in 1883. They were both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were ever loyal to its teachings. Mr. Nichols was a republican in his political views and held a number of township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity, his course being one which reflected credit upon himself and was highly satisfactory as well to his constituents.
After removing to Ogle county, Illinois, with his parents William C. Nichols began traveling for the Grand Detour Plow Company, selling plows off the wagon for this firm until 1856, when he, too, made his way to Albion township, Howard county, Iowa, and purchased a quarter section of government land south of his
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father's old farm. His first home in Iowa was likewise a log house, but when his financial resources increased and lumber could be more easily secured he built a frame dwelling. Year after year he carried on general agricultural pursuits with success and became one of the representative and valued farmers of his locality. At length he put aside active business cares and took up his abode in Cresco, where he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, passing away in 1901 at the age of seventy-one years, while his wife, long surviving him, died in 1918 at the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. William C. Nichols had removed west- ward with her parents from New York, the trip being made by boat to Chicago and with ox teams to Ogle county, Illinois. At that period Chicago was a small town and the most farsighted could scarcely have dreamed of the marvelous changes which were to occur within a comparatively short time. Her father took up gov- ernment land and built a log house, which in time he replaced by a more commo- dious and modern residence, continuing to develop his farm until his death, and his wife also passed away upon the farm.
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