USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 37
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 37
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In 1878 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Ann H. Jones, a native of Wiscon- sin and a daughter of Richard and Ann (Hughes) Jones, who, like Mr. Davis' parents. were natives of Wales and on leaving the little rock-ribbed country across the sea took up their abode in Wisconsin. Their son, Thomas H. Jones, is a resident of Howard county and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been born seven children, namely. Alice, William, Elmer, Anna, Catherine, Bess and Benja- min F.
The family is well known in Cresco and Howard county and in social circles the parents occupy an enviable position the hospitality of the best homes of the city being freely accorded them. But Mr. and Mrs. Davis hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He votes with the republican party but is not ambitious for office. In matters of citizenship, however, he is never remiss and, actuated by a public- spirited devotion to the general good, has given generous and hearty aid to many move- ments looking to the welfare and benefit of both city and county. He was a little lad of but nine years when he came to Iowa and thus for more than a half century he has been a witness of the growth and development of this section of the state, while at all times he has borne his part in the work of general progress and improvement.
ELTON M. ELDRIDGE.
Elton M. Eldridge, an active and energetic representative of farming interests in Howard county, now makes his home on section 36, Howard Center township. He is one of the native sons of this county, having been born within its borders January 31, 1860. His father, Ira Eldridge, was a native of Burlington, New Jersey, born in January, 1814, and at the age of twenty-five years left the east and became a resident of Columbus, Ohio, where he established a grocery store. In August, 1855, he arrived in Howard county, Iowa, where he established a general store at Howard Center, conducting the business for two years. He then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Howard county from the government, paying the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. With characteristic energy he began the cultivation and development of the land and continued as an active farmer until he reached the age of seventy years, when he re- tired and established his home in Cresco. He was married to Eliza Carleton, of St. Clair, Michigan, and they became parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. This family was one of the first to settle in Howard county and from pio- neer times has been associated with the development of the community.
Elton M. Eldridge was reared upon the old homestead farm with the usual expe- riences of the farm-bred boy who divides his time between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks incident to the development of the fields. Upon his father's death he took over the management of the farm and has since given
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his attention to its further improvement. On the 15th of May, 1893, he was united in marriage to Ada L. Hudson, of Clayton county, Iowa, a daughter of Horace L. and Mary J. Hudson of that county. Her father was a Civil war veteran, having aided valiantly in the defense of the Union. To Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge have been born two children: Hazel J., now twenty-three years of age; and Gertrude M., aged nineteen, both upon the home farm with their parents.
Mr. Eldridge and his family attend the Congregational church. He has been iden- tified with the Yeoman lodge for eighteen years, having become one of its charter mem- bers. In community affairs he has taken a deep and helpful interest, has been a town- ship officer, secretary of the school board for the past twenty-four years, township clerk in 1893 and 1894, assessor for the past six years and census enumerator in 1915. He is a most progressive man in matters of citizenship and the same spirit is manifest in the conduct of his farm. All of the improvements upon the property at the present time have been placed there by him and he has one of the most modern and attract- ive farms in Howard Center township.
J. G. CHANNER.
J. G. Channer, who follows farming on section 4, Chickasaw township, Chickasaw county, was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, May 20, 1867, and is a son of William and Louisa (Borley) Channer, who were natives of England. Crossing the ocean, they became residents of Canada in young manhood and womanhood and were married in Ontario. In 1861 they made their way over the border into the United States and came to Iowa, Mr. Channer purchasing the farm which is now owned by J. G. Channer. Upon this place he and his wife resided throughout their remaining days, his death occurring in 1891, while his widow survived him until 1912.
J. G. Channer has spent practically his entire life in Chickasaw county and was a pupil in the district schools, while through vacation periods and after his schooldays were over he was carefully trained in the work of plowing and planting the fields and caring for the crops. He had attained the age of twenty-four years when his father died and he soon afterward purchased the old home farm of one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he has continuously lived for forty-eight years. His agricultural interests have been carefully conducted and his success is the legitimate and direct outcome of his persistent labor and intelligent effort.
In 1897 Mr. Channer was married to Miss Daisy Scott, a daughter of John Scott, of Chickasaw township, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Floyd county but for the past eleven years has lived retired on a small place adjoining the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Channer. The latter have become the parents of four children: Scott, Malcolm, Isa- belle and Mildred, the last two being twins.
Mr. Channer votes with the republican party, feeling convinced that its principles contain the best elements of good government. He and his family are members of the Congregational church. His life exemplifies many sterling traits of character, and his entire career has been actuated by high principles, making him a man whom to know is to esteem.
JOHN J. KLIMESH. -
John J. Klimesh, the owner of Maple Side Farm, one of the valuable properties of Utica township, situated on section 35, has been a lifelong resident of Chickasaw county, for his birth occurred February 22, 1886, upon the farm which he now owns and occupies. His father, Frank J. Klimesh, is one of the prominent busi- ness men of Protivin, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work.
The son at the usual age entered the district schools and when his textbooks were put aside he worked with his father and was thus employed until the time
MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. KLIMESH AND SON
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of his marriage. In the following spring he took charge of the old home farm, comprising two hundred acres, and upon this place began business independently. In 1914 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of the farm, but still culti- vates the entire tract, renting the additional eighty acres from his father. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and continues the work of further development and improvement, annually gathering large harvests as the reward of his labors and persistent purpose. He is a stockholder in the Provitin Cooperative Creamery and also a stockholder in Beseda Hall.
On the 4th of October, 1910, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Klimesh and Miss Mary Pecinovsky, a daughter of Joseph A. Pecinovsky, one of the prominent and well known citizens of New Oregon township, Howard county, who is repre- sented elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Klimesh have become the parents of a son and a daughter, William J. and Emma M.
In his political views Mr. Klimesh is a democrat, and in religious faith he and his wife are Catholics. That he has always remained a resident of Chickasaw county is one of the indications of the attractiveness of this county as a place of residence. Actuated by a progressive spirit, he did not find it necessary to seek opportunities elsewhere, for he felt that the chances to be obtained here were equal to those which he could find in other regions. Persistently and energetically he has worked his way upward and already has won a measure of success that many a man of twice his years might well envy.
ELLING ELLINGSON.
Elling Ellingson, concentrating his efforts and energies upon the further develop- ment of an excellent farm property on section 8, New Oregon township, Howard county, was born in Norway, December 24, 1852, a son of Nels and Martha Ellingson who came to the United States about 1855. The mother died soon after landing in this country and the father with his five children made his way westward to Stoughton. Wisconsin. where he lived for two years and then went to Vermilion, South Dakota. While there he enlisted for service in the Civil war and was on active duty at the front for three years. In 1865 he removed to Iowa, establishing his home in Chickasaw county, where he remained for a time and then went to Nebraska, where he resided a number of years. About 1890, however, he returned to Iowa and made his home with his son Elling, with whom he continued to the time of his death in February, 1900.
Elling Ellingson of this review took up his abode with the family of A. G. Fuller at Yankton, South Dakota, during his father's absence in the Civil war and lived with Mr. Fuller from his eighth to his seventeenth year, at which time he hired out to a man who had a contract with the government to deliver cattle to different Indian agencies. Through the following eight years Mr. Ellingson followed the life of a cowboy, the latter four years of that period being spent on the Platte river in Nebraska. About 1877 he came to Iowa on a visit to his brothers and remained for two years He then returned to Nebraska, where he took up a claim. but in 1880 he came to Iowa for his bride, whom he took to his Nebraska home in Holt county. He there proved up a claim and resided thereon until 1882, when he again came to Iowa. In the fall of that year he purchased his present home farm, comprising eighty acres of land. In 1885 he once more went to Nebraska, where he lived for two years, taking up a preemption of one hundred and sixty acres while there. In 1887 he made his permanent settlement in Howard county, Iowa, where he has since resided. In the intervening years he has increased his landed holdings to three hundred and twenty acres, two hundred and eighty acres of which he still owns, the other forty acres having been deeded to a son.
In 1880 Mr. Ellingson was married to Miss Julia Holvorson, a native of New Oregon township, Howard county, and a daughter of HoIvor Halvorson, who was among the earliest of the pioneers of this section of the state. Her mother was a widow, Mrs. Johanna Kittleson, when she came to Howard county in 1855, and later she became
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the wife of Mr. Holvorson. To Mr. and Mr. Ellingson have been born ten children, eight of whom are still living: Henry N., who is a farmer of Chickasaw county, Iowa; Johanna M., at home; Nels A., who carries on farming in New Oregon township, Howard county; Martha, the wife of Paul Eggert, of Bloomfield, Nebraska; Ida, the wife of George Reeves, of Center, Nebraska; Iver A., who has just returned from Germany, where he was on duty with the army of occupation as a member of Company H, Three Hundred and Fifty-seventh Regiment of Infantry of the Ninetieth Division; and Clara and John O., also at home.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church and in political belief Mr. Ellingson is a republican. He keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day and supports his convictions at the polls but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which have been carefully and wisely conducted, so that he has become one of the prosperous farmers of his adopted state.
ANTON NEUBAUER.
Anton Neubauer, busily engaged in the further development of a good farm prop- erty on section 7, Paris township, in Howard county, was born in Austria, April 2, 1870. His parents were also natives of that country, in which they spent their entire lives. Anton Neubauer was there reared to the age of nineteen, when he determined to try his fortune in America because of the favorable reports which he had heard concerning the business opportunities enjoyed on this side of the Atlantic. He there- fore crossed the ocean and made his way direct to Howard county, Iowa. Here he be- gan working as a farm hand and was thus employed for a period of three years, dur- ing which time he most carefully saved his money until his earnings were sufficient to enable him to purchase property. He first bought eighty acres of land in Howard county and began farming thereon. Year by year he carefully tilled the soil until 1909, when he sold that place and made investment in his present farm, comprising two hun- dred acres of land on section 7, Paris township. He has added various improvements to the property since taking up his abode upon it and the farm is most promising in every particular.
On the 4th of October, 1890, Mr. Neubauer was married to Miss Josie Papouch, a native of Howard county, and they have become parents of four children: James, Anton, Joseph and Mary. The son James married Mamie Stephanson, of Howard county, three years ago and is now living upon a farm. The other children are under the parental roof.
The family attend the Catholic church at Cresco and Mr. Neubauer gives his politi- cal support to the republican party, voting for its men and measures but not seeking office. He works diligently in the care and development of his farm and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicates his careful supervision
LEWIS J. MARAVETZ.
Lewis J. Maravetz, who carries on general farming in Howard county, makes his home on section 26, Paris township, where he has a good tract of land that responds readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it and brings forth rich harvests. His birthi occurred in Winneshiek county, Iowa, August 19, 1892. His father, Joseph Maravetz, was born in Bohemia, as was the mother of Lewis J. Maravetz. They came to the United States about 1863 and, making their way westward, settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Soon after his arrival the father secured employment as a farm hand and thus worked for a few years. He was then married to Miss Mary Jarosh, who at that time was living in Howard county. He further made arrangements for having a home of his own by purchasing a tract of land near Spillville, Iowa, upon which he
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lived for a number of years, carrying on the farm work with good success. He after- ward sold that property and made investment in two hundred and forty acres of land in Paris township, Howard county, and until a recent date was numbered among the progressive agriculturists of the community but has now put aside the active work of the farm and is living retired.
Lewis J. Maravetz spent his youthful days under the parental roof and the public schools of the county afforded him his educational opportunities. When his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his entire time and attention upon the work of the fields and continued the operation of the old home place in connection with his father until 1916, when the latter retired and Lewis J. Maravetz took over the management and further improvement of the old home place, which he is now cultivating. He works diligently and persistently and is meeting with good returns from his labors.
On the 10th of October, 1916, Mr. Maravetz was united in marriage to Miss Louise Shimek, a daughter of Joseph and Caroline Shimek, of Howard county. They now have one child, Clementine. The parents are members of the Holy Trinity Catholic church of Protivin and Mr. Maravetz gives his political support to the democratic party. He does not seek nor desire office, however, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs, and he is working diligently to maintain a place among the farmers of afflu- ence in Paris township.
M. P. LYDON.
M. P. Lydon, of Cresco, is widely known throughout this section of the state as a breeder of and dealer in Big Poland China hogs and draft horses, of which he has made a specialty for the past three decades. Howard county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 22d of August, 1867. His parents, Nicholas and Mary (Foley) Lydon, were both natives of Ireland, the former coming to the United States in young manhood, while the latter accompanied her parents to the new world in her girlhood days. They were married in Balti- more and in 1856 cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Howard county, Iowa, the father taking up a tract of government land in Paris township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully until 1893. From that year until 1898 he resided in New Hampton, while the remainder of his life was spent with his son, M. P. Lydon, in whose home he passed away in 1903. The death of his wife occurred November 26, 1906. The period of his residence in this part of the state covered nearly a half century, and when he was called to his final rest, the community mourned the loss of one of its honored early settlers as well as representative and esteemed citizens.
M. P. Lydon supplemented a district school education by a course of study in the Capital City Commercial College of Des Moines, Iowa, from which he was grad- uated in 1889. He then purchased the old homestead farm in Paris township, How- ard county, operating it with good success until 1896, when he disposed of the property and took up his abode in Cresco, where he has since resided. About 1889 he began the breeding of pure bred Poland China hogs and has specialized along this line throughout the intervening period of thirty years. For the same length of time he has also been extensively engaged in handling pure bred cattle, sheep and horses, so that he has become widely known throughout this section of Iowa as a breeder and dealer. His well merited reputation for fair dealing and absolute in- tegrity has contributed largely to his success and he has long ranked with the lead- ing live stock dealers of the state.
In 1899 Mr. Lydon was united in marriage to Miss Julia Crapser, of Sexton- ville, Wisconsin, by whom he had eight children, five of whom survive, namely: Mary Ellen, John C., Benjamin F., Margaret and James. All are yet under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Lydon is a democrat and he served as roadmaster and also as secretary of the school board for several years, making an excellent record
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in both positions. His fraternal connection is with the Knights of Columbus, which indicates his affiliation with the Catholic church, of which his wife and children are also communicants. His entire life has been spent in Howard county and that his career has ever been upright and honorable is indicated in the fact that the asso- ciates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends.
FRANK J. LUKES.
One of the old and representative pioneer families of Chickasaw county is the Lukes family, to which Frank J. Lukes belongs. He follows farming on section 14, Utica township, and it was in this township that his birth occurred September 29, 1877. His parents, Frank and Barbara Lukes, came to this country from Bohemia in early life, being brought to the new world by their respective parents when quite young, the two families being established in Utica township in pioneer days, when the work of modern progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun. The young people met and were married in Chickasaw county and for many years Mr. Lukes remained an enterprising farmer of Utica township, where he passed away about ten years ago. His widow survived him for a number of years and departed this life in the same township in July, 1919. Thus two of the well known and worthy pioneer people of the state were called to the home beyond but their memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of those who knew them.
Frank J. Lukes was educated in the district schools of his native township and when not busy with the work of the schoolroom he largely devoted his attention to the work of the fields, assisting his father until he reached the age of twenty-two. He was then united in marriage on the 8th of May, 1899, to Miss Mary Sobalsky, a daughter of Frank and Mary Sobalsky. They, too, were natives of Bohemia and on their emigration to the United States made their way across the country to become residents of Utica township, Chickasaw county, Iowa. The father died in that town- ship in 1917, but the mother survives and occupies the old homestead farm. Mr. and Mrs. Lukes have become the parents of a daughter, Emma, who is at home.
It was about the time of his marriage that Mr. Lukes purchased his present home property and he has since lived thereon. He now has one hundred and sixty acres of land and has transformed this place into well kept and highly cultivated fields. There are substantial improvements upon the farm and everything about the place bespeaks diligence and thrift. In politics Mr. Lukes is a democrat, while in religious faith he and his family are identified with the Catholic church of Little Turkey. He has always lived in Iowa and there are few elements in the history of his native county and this section of the state with which he is not familiar, hav- ing for forty-two years made his home within the borders of Chickasaw county.
WALTER B. JARRED.
Energy and determination feature as factors in the successful farming interests of Walter B Jarred, who makes his home on section 17, Chester township, Howard county, and is probably the oldest living resident of the county, for he has continu- ously made his home within its borders since he was born on the banks of the Iowa river in Chester township, November 1, 1854. His parents were Robert and Elizabeth (Scott) Jarred, both natives of England, where they were reared and married. About 1851 they determined to try their fortune in the new world and, coming to the United States, were for two years residents of Wisconsin, after which they journeyed westward with oxen and a few household effects to Howard county, Iowa. They took up their abode in Chester township, the father securing one hundred and sixty acres of government land on the banks of the Iowa river, and there he established his home, sharing in all the hardships and privations incident
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to the settlement of the frontier. He developed his farm as the years went by and continued to reside thereon until his eightieth year, when he retired and removed to Le Roy, Minnesota. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years.
Walter B. Jarred, a resident of Howard county for sixty-five years, pursued his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses which were features of pioneer life. The curriculum was not extensive, but he thoroughly mastered the branches of learning therein taught and thus laid the foundation for his success in the busi- ness world. His training at farm labor was not meager and at twenty-two years of age he purchased his present home farm and for nine years thereafter acted as his own housekeeper while tilling the fields. While he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, hard times came on and money was scarce, so he sold eighty acres of the original tract. He worked for fifty cents per day to pay the interest on the mortgage on the other eighty acres. Success ultimately crowns persistent and earnest effort when guided by sound judgment, and so it proved in the case of Mr. Jarred, who for many years has been accounted one of the men of affluence in Chester township.
In 1887 Mr. Jarred was united in marriage to Miss Josie Barnum, of Clayton county, Iowa. They became parents of two sons: Elias, who assists his father in the operation of the home farm; and Howard, a resident of Austin, Minnesota. The wife and mother passed away in 1916 and the son, Elias Jarred, with his wife, now resides with the father upon the home farm and looks after his comfort.
In politics Mr. Jarred is a republican who has long voted the party ticket but has never been an office seeker. There is no story that has important bearing upon the history of Howard county with which Mr. Jarred is not familiar. He has wit- nessed practically the entire growth and development of this section and his reminiscences of the early days are most interesting, indicating what a marked change has been brought about through time and the effective labors of man.
J. F. BIWER.
When Howard county was first being settled by a class of substantial men who wished to utilize her natural resources and make her agricultural opportunities the source of their success, the Biwer family was established in this section of the state and J. F. Biwer, whose name introduces this review, is now a substantial farmer of Howard township, living on section 36. He was born in this county February 19, 1873, and is a son of John and Margaret (Clear) Biwer, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States during infancy with their respective parents and both families settled near Madison, Wisconsin, where John Biwer and Margaret Clear were reared to manhood and womanhood. While residing in that state the father enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, with which he was on active duty throughout the entire period of hostilities between the north and the south. After three years' service he reenlisted as a veteran and participated in many hotly con- tested engagements on the battlefields of the south. Soon after the close of the war he was married and, removing westward to Iowa, purchased a farm in Howard township, Howard county, about one mile from Elma. He took up his abode upon this place and there resided for a number of years, after which he removed to a farm on section 35 of the same township, having previously purchased that property. While the family were living there, the mother and a daughter were killed by lightning on the 18th of July, 1898, the lightning striking the house and running down the chimney into the cellar, where the family had congregated, fear- ing a cyclone. Following the death of his wife Mr. Biwer retired from active busi- ness and established his home in Elma, where he lived for a number of years but afterward went to the Soldiers' Home, where he is now living.
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