USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 39
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
Mr. Barnes and his family are communicants of the Catholic church and he is identified also with the Knights of Columbus and with the Catholic Order of Foresters. His political support is stanchly given to the republican party and for the past five years he has served as treasurer of the school board, while for sev- eral years prior to this time he was a member of the board. He has ever been keenly interested in educational progress and was instrumental in bringing the schools of his district up to the present high point of efficiency. He is regarded as one of the foremost citizens of Utica township, manifesting a spirit of enterprise and progress in all that he does or undertakes. He never stops short of the suc- cessful accomplishment of his purpose and that his labors have ever been intelli- gently directed is indicated in the fact that he is today the owner of a valuable place of two hundred acres, the Evergreen Hill Farm being one of the attractive features in the district.
C. J. MILLER.
A fine farm property of two hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 9, Chickasaw township, Chickasaw county, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner, C. J. Miller, who has devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits in this county. His birth occurred February 7, 1871, in the township which is still his home, his parents being D. C. and Sophia (Sutton) Miller, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. They came west with their parents and settled at old Chickasaw, where they became acquainted and were married. The father died January 19, 1891, at the age of fifty-four years, four months and three days, while the mother passed away January 24, 1900, aged fifty-eight years, eleven months and eleven days. Both died in Chickasaw town- ship, where they had lived for many years, identified with its agricultural interests. At the time of his death the father was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good farm land.
C. J. Miller was educated in the district schools of his native township and in early life assisted his father upon the home farm. In fact he continued to devote his labors to the further improvement of the old homestead till his father's death. He was married March 6, 1892, to Miss Mabel Hoover, a daughter of George and Teresa (Whitehall) Hoover, both of whom passed away in Chickasaw township a number of years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four living children, two sons and two daughters: Maude, the wife of Ellsworth Idler, who is engaged in the cement block and tile business at Bassett, Iowa; Ada, who is a teacher in the graded schools of Spencer, Iowa; Harland, who enlisted during the World war, but was never sent overseas and now assists in the operation of the home farm; and Earl, also at home.
For a year after his marriage Mr. Miller rented a farm of eighty acres in Chickasaw township and then purchased forty acres in the same township, remain- ing upon that farm for ten years. On the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred acres of his present home property, but has since extended the boundaries of the place until it now includes two hundred and sixty acres of very excellent land, his second purchase being made in 1904. He is busily engaged in the further development of the place and has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, while to the farm he has added many modern improvements. He has good buildings upon the place and well kept fences, while modern farm ma-
MR. AND MRS. C. J. MILLER
307
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
chinery greatly facilitates the work of the fields. He is a member of the Farmers Equity Association of Bassett.
Mr. Miller is a republican in his political views and fraternally he is connected with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen at Bassett. He and his family are members of the Congregational church of Bassett and they are people of genuine worth who enjoy and merit the warm regard and confidence of all. Mr. Miller represents one of the old pioneer families of Chickasaw county that from early days has been closely identified not only with the material development but with the social, intellectual and moral progress of the community.
CARL W. REED.
Carl W. Reed, filling the position of county attorney in Howard county and ranking with the leading and well known lawyers of Cresco, was born May 6, 1873, in the city where he still resides, a son of Judge H. T. and Laura J. (Web- ster) Reed, prominent and well known people of the county. He spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and after graduating from the Cresco high school, went to Madison, Wisconsin, where he entered the State University, matriculating as a law student. After spending one year there he entered the law department of the State University of Minnesota, graduating in 1896. Following his admission to the bar he returned to Cresco, and with his father formed a law partnership which continued until 1904, when H. T. Reed was appointed United States district judge. On the first of December, 1910 he became associated with Charles Pergler and has since been an active member of the bar. His ability has been attested in many important cases which he has carried forward to successful completion. In 1914 he was elected to the office of county attorney and in 1918 he was elected state senator from the Howard-Winneshiek district.
Mr. Reed is most pleasantly situated in his home surroundings. In 1909 he married Miss Alice Swenson, a daughter of Fred and Josephine (Iverson) Swenson and a native of Cresco. Her parents came from Wisconsin to this state in 1870 and took up their abode in Cresco, where the father began the manufacture of mowing machines in connection with J. J. Lowry and also operated a steam boiler foundry. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed have been born three children, June, Henry Fred and Richard
The parents are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Reed is identified with various fraternal orders. He has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite of Masonry and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and he is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World and the B. P. O. E. In politics he is a republican but has never sought or desired office outside the strict path of his profession. He is in- terested, however, in the vital question and issues of the day and keeps well informed concerning all political problems
WILLIAM BALL.
Wiliam Ball, devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits in Howard county, his home being on section 12, Afton township, was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on the 20th of April, 1883. He is a son of Carl and Freda (Hofferd) Ball, who are now residents of Elma, Iowa. For many years the father was connected with agricultural interests in Howard county but in 1911 retired from active business life and is now enjoying a well earned rest, his former toil supplying him with all of the necessities and many of the comforts and luxuries
308
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
of life. It was in 1893 that he became a resident of Afton township and took up his abode upon the farm which is now the home of his son William.
After acquiring a public school education William Ball concentrated his efforts and attention upon farm work and at his father's retirement took over the manage- ment and operation of the old homestead and has since succesfully cultivated the fields. He has closely studied modern progressive methods of farming, keeps his land in good condition through the rotation of crops and the judicious use of fer- tilizer and has by reason of his success demonstrated that his methods are thoroughly practical and progressive. Aside from carrying on his home place he is a stock- holder in the Maple Leaf Farmers Creamery.
Mr. Ball was united in marriage on the 15th of February, 1911, to Miss Clara Baethke, a daughter of Carl and Marie (Schall) Baethke, who are now residents of Saratoga, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Ball have three children: Hilda, Esther and Mabel, aged respectively six, five and three years. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church of Maple Leaf and in his political views Mr. Ball is a republican, having continuously supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is always loyal to any cause in which he has faith and his position upon any vital question is never an equivocal one. It is a recog- nized fact that his aid and cooperation can be gained for any practical plan for the public good and he does everything in his power to promote the welfare and advance the upbuilding of his section of the state.
D. J. O'DONNELL.
D. J. O'Donnell was born in Riverton township, Floyd county, Iowa, September 29, 1867, a son of Peter and Mary (O'Donnell) O'Donnell, both of whom were natives of Emerald isle. The father came to the United States in young manhood and the mother crossed the Atlantic as a girl with her parents. They were married in Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, and soon afterward removed to Chickasaw county, Iowa, settling in Nashua, but after a short time removing to a farm three miles southwest of the town, the father there purchasing forty acres of government land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He at once began the development of the farm, upon which he lived until 1874. The previous year he had purchased a farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres adjoining the city of Nashua and he removed to that place, upon which he remained to the time of his death, in 1881. His widow survived for a number of years, passing away in 1894.
Their son, D. J. O'Donnell, was educated in the schools of Nashua, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. He was but fourteen years of age when his father died and for some years thereafter he and his brother operated the home farm, after which the brother left the farm and D. J. O'Donnell continued its cultivation alone. He was thus engaged for several years, after which he and his mother in 1891 removed to Elma, where D. J. O'Donnell has since made his home. In the spring of 1892 he engaged in the fire insurance and real estate business and after about fifteen years he formed a partnership with the Hon. H. L. Spaulding, organizing the firm of Spaulding & O'Donnell to engage in the buying and selling of farm lands. Since then they have conducted an extensive business and they are heavy landholders in Howard county at the present time. Mr. O'Donnell conducts his insurance business independently. He is a member of the National Farm Loan Association and is the vice president of the First State Bank of Elma, of which he was one of the incorporators.
On the 15th of October, 1895, Mr. O'Donnell was married to Miss Agnes Roach, of Afton township, Howard county, and to them have been born eight children, of whom seven are living: Joseph E., who is associated with his father in the insur- ance business; Mary A., who is attending the Mount St. Joseph College at Dubuque,
309
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
Iowa; George Norbert, a student in the Elma high school; Harriet E., also a high school pupil; and Catherine A., Arthur D. and Charles L., all in school.
Mr. O'Donnell and his family are members of the Catholic church and he belongs also to the Knights of Columbus and to the Catholic Order of Foresters and for several years has been chief ranger in the latter lodge. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He served as town clerk of Elma for five years, was a member of the city council six years, and in March, 1918, was elected mayor of Elma, so that he is the present chief executive of the city. He exercises his official preroga- tives in behalf of progress and improvement along every line and while working toward high ideals he employs the most practical methods in their fulfillment. He brings the same keen discernment and unfaltering enterprise to bear in the dis- charge of his public duties that he displays in the conduct of his private business interests.
FRANCIS DANE.
There are few men who have improved their opportunities so wisely and well as did Francis Dane, who, handicapped in youth by poverty and a lack of liberal education, nevertheless made steady progress throughout his career and con- tributed not only to the development of his own fortunes but as well to the upbuild- ing of the district in which he lived. Chickasaw county numbered him for many years as one of its valued citizens who began his labors there in pioneer times. He was born in West Derby, Vermont, October 6, 1828, and came of English ancestry, although the family has been represented on American soil through many genera- tions. The first of the name in the new world came from Hertfordshire, England, about the year 1640 and settled at Ipswich, Massachusetts. They took active part in shaping the history of that period and down to the present time members of the family have left the impress of their individuality and ability upon the development and upbuilding of various localities in which they have lived. One of the early ancestors of the family was John Dane, a man of considerable literary talent, who acted as a juror in the famous Salem witchcraft trials. Nathan Dane, a greatuncle of Francis Dane, served as a member of the Massachusetts general as- sembly and afterward represented his district in the lower house of the United States Congress. A notable feature of his congressional career was his placing the famous clause in the ordinance which forever prohibited slavery in the North- west Territory-a work that was of untold worth to that district. He displayed notable prescience as well as broad humanitarianism in this act, freeing the great district from that curse which later involved the entire country in civil war. He it was who founded the law school of Harvard University and his scholarly attain- ments and statesmanship thus caused his name to be written high on the roll of America's eminent citizens. Another well known member of the family was Major Henry C. Dane, traveler and lecturer, whose interest in the peoples and lands of the world finds a duplicate note in the life of Harry H. Dane, of New Hampton.
James Dane, the father of Francis Dane, came from the state of Vermont, to Chickasaw county, Iowa, about the year 1858. His last days were passed in Water- loo, Iowa, where his death occurred January 21, 1891, when he was in his ninety- third year. He was a man of inventive genius having taken out patents on brick molding machines and on grain harvesting machines.
Francis Dane was numbered among the earliest of the pioneer settlers of Chicka- saw county. Making a trip to the west, he entered land from the government, becom- ing the owner of a tract in Jacksonville township upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. Later he returned to Vermont and there, on the 13th of March, 1853, wedded Jane Crane, removing with his bride to Iowa the following year. They took up their abode upon the land which he had entered
310
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
and his efforts and attention were concentrated upon the arduous task of turning the first furrows and developing the fields. This place, which became his home farm, remained in his possession until his death and then passed to his descendants. He had been active in its cultivation for many years, but about a decade prior to his death he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to New Hampton, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest on the 11th of April, 1908. For two years he had survived his wife, who died February 21, 1906. They were the parents of two children, the son being Harry H. Dane, who is mentioned else- where in this work, while the daughter, Lydia E., became the wife of Albert H. Markle, a prosperous farmer of Chickasaw county. Mr. and Mrs. Markle and family of three children, Eva C., Jane D., and Dane H., now reside at Fayetteville, Arkansas.
With the organization of the republican party Francis Dane espoused its cause and remained ever afterward one of its consistent supporters. He exercised no little influence in political circles in Chickasaw county and his writings concerning the tariff and his arguments for protection of American industry, appearing in the local papers, carried conviction to the minds of the readers. He often addressed the public upon political topics and the soundness of his opinions and the clearness with which he presented his cause made him a most convincing speaker. For a number of years he served as a member of the board of county supervisors in Chickasaw county and advocated many reforms in the management of the county business. He believed in the application of sound business principles to public affairs and upon all vital public questions he looked with a broad-mindedness that indicated his thorough study of the questions and his deep interest in the general welfare. Graft found in him an uncompromising opponent; the public school sys- tem found in him a stalwart friend. He was also a consistent member of the Baptist church of Jacksonville township and was keenly interested in the moral advancement of the community. No one ever questioned the integrity of his posi- tion or his loyalty to a cause which he espoused. His sterling worth made him the valued friend of many men in public life in the state and was well known through- out Iowa. He used his time and talents wisely and well and his opportunities were made not only to serve his own ends but to further the interests and welfare of the community and the commonwealth in which he lived.
HERBERT L. PERRY.
Herbert L. Perry is a progressive farmer of Howard county, living on section 22, Howard center township, and is also a member of the United Shippers of Cresco. He was born in the state of New York, January 30, 1855, a son of Thomas R. and Eunice A. (Couch) Perry, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. They came to Iowa in 1856 and the father preempted land, upon which his son Herbert L. now resides. The father was a graduate in law, having completed a course in the Auburn (N. Y.) University. He was also numbered among the Argonauts who went to California in search of the golden fleece in 1849. He made the trip by ship around Cape Horn and the ship was becalmed in the Pacific ocean, being out of sight of land for eighty days. After reaching Iowa Mr. Perry here engaged in farming, and during the period of the Civil war he occupied a clerkship in Wash- ington, D. C., for two years. He was a member of the legislature of Iowa at an early day and for many years remained an honored and respected resident of the state, passing away in 1913, when eighty-six or eighty-seven years of age.
Herbert L. Perry was educated in the district schools and after reaching man's estate engaged in farming and in other lines of business to the time of his marriage, which was in 1889. He then went to Fresno, California, where he spent five years on a raisin ranch that belonged to his uncle, Daniel P. Perry. He afterward re- turned to Howard county and purchased a farm in Howard Center township. Fol- lowing his father's death he sold this property and bought the old home farm,
.
311
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
comprising two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land, which he still owns and successfully cultivates.
In 1889 Mr. Perry was united in marriage to Miss Belle Young, a daughter of James Young, now deceased, who was a well known resident of Saratoga township. To this union have been born eight children, four sons and four daughters, namely: Thomas R., who is filling the responsible position of county engineer of Howard county; Harry, who is engaged in farming in Howard county; Madge and Florence, both of whom are graduate nurses; Helen, who is a graduate of the Cresco high school and is now at home; and Leslie, Chester and Edith, all yet at home.
Mr. Perry votes with the republican party and has served for several years as a member of the board of township trustees and for some time as a member of the school board. He belongs to Cresco Lodge, No. 150, A. F. & A. M., and is a worthy follower of the craft, exemplifying in his life its teachings concerning the brother- hood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. In his life record there are no exciting chapters but fidelity to principle has marked his career and his business life has been actuated by a laudable ambition that has enabled him to accomplish substantial results.
D. M. BERNETT.
D. M. Bernett, who is successfully engaged in the operation of a fine farm of eighty acres on section 8, Saratoga township, Howard county, was born in Dear- born county, Indiana, November 29, 1877, of the marriage of Daniel and Margaret (Trout) Bernett. On coming to Iowa in 1878 the family located at Ridgeway, Winneshiek county, where the father purchased a farm and engaged in its cultiva- tion for three years. During the following three years he operated a rented farm in that county and then removed to Decorah, Iowa, where he cultivated rented land for ten years. At the end of that time he came to Howard county and located a mile south of Saratoga, where he followed farming for fifteen years. He died on the 9th of September, 1914, but his wife is still living and now makes her home with three of her sons in Waterloo, Iowa.
D. M. Bernett accompanied his parents on their various removals and was reared in much the usual manner of the farm lad, his education being obtained in the district schools near his home. By assisting his father in the work of the farm he became thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits and in 1907 he purchased his present farm on section 8, Saratoga township, Howard county, and has since successfully engaged in its operation. He has eighty acres under a high state of cultivation and is regarded as one of the prosperous citizens of his community.
On the 6th of January, 1904, Mr. Bernett was united in marriage to Miss Martha Breitsprecher, a daughter of August and Louise Breitsprecher, and to them have been born three children, namely: Vera Louise, now ten years of age; Arlys Anna, nine years old; and Lois Marie, an infant of six months.
Mr. and Mrs. Bernett hold membership in the Lutheran church and are widely and favorably known throughout the community in which they reside. Mr. Bernett is independent in politics and for five years has faithfully served as a school director in his district.
FRANK KALISHEK.
Frank Kalishek, a retired farmer residing in Protivin, was born in Bohemia, October 9, 1862, a son of Martin and Catherine (Vet) Kalishek, who came to the United States in 1869. Crossing the continent to Iowa, they established their home in Sumner township, Winneshiek county, upon a farm, where they resided until the mother's death in 1875. Two years later the father married Mrs. Catherine
312
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
Novotny and continued to further develop and improve his farm until 1900, when he removed with his family to Howard county, settling in Protivin, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring on the 11th of March, 1913. His second wife has also passed away.
Frank Kalishek was educated in the district schools and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On the 15th of January, 1884, he was married to Miss Josephine Novotny, a daughter of his stepmother. In the following spring he began farming on his own account in Winneshiek county on a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, which he inherited from his father. In 1893 he removed to Protivin, Howard county, where he established a restaurant and pool room, conducting the business for three years, when he turned it over to his son and returned to the farm, whereon he resided for four years. He then retired from active business and has since lived in Protivin, enjoying a well earned rest. His has been an active and useful life in which labor has been crowned with success to the extent of enabling him now to rest from further business cares.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kalishek have been born four children, three of whom are yet living, William J., Adolf M. and Edward F. The last named has recently returned from active service with the American Expeditionary Force in France.
In politics Mr. Kalishek is a democrat and for many years served as a member of the school board and has also been a member of the town council of Protivin. He is keenly interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the com- munity and has heartily cooperated in plans and projects for the general good. He is a stockholder in the Bohemian Savings Bank, also a stockholder in the Pro- tivin Electric Light Company and a stockholder in the Protivin Telephone Com- pany. He has thus done much to encourage projects of public importance and at the same time has thereby promoted his individual interests. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and he has membership with the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is chief farringer of the lodge and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquain- tance, recognize in him a man of progressive spirit whose labors have been widely and beneficially resultant.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.