USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 4
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 4
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and municipal affairs of his township. He was highly respected in the community for his integrity and his honorable dealings.
For the first years during their residence in Howard county the family obtained their supplies from Decorah, it requiring about three days to make the trip with oxen. Mr. Cray always tried to lay in his supplies for the year between planting and harvest time, generally going to market during the long, pleasant days of June, and in this way he saved both time and money. In 1861, when the Civil war broke out and many young men were called into the service, the early settlers were hard pressed, as. help was scarce and prices, especially for clothing, soared high, almost beyond the reach of the poor man. Mr. Cray was never one to complain of conditions but worked early and late on his own farm and then joined with neighbors in making a "bee" to help the less fortunate, especially those where the husband or sons had been called to the service of their country.
As the years went by, his family outgrew the little log house and he saw the need of erecting a larger and better one. In the summer of 1863 he began getting together material with which to build. This he bought at McGregor, about eighty miles away. Fle would take a load of grain to market and then return with a load of lumber, it requiring six or seven days to make the trip with oxen. A number of loads were on the ground the first year and in June, 1864, more material was brought and in the fall of that year the house was erected but not completed until the summer of 1865. All the material and furnishings were hauled from McGregor with ox teams. In August, 1865, the family moved into their new home, which was thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed by them. As time passed he kept adding to his stock until he was managing cne of the largest dairy farms in Chester township. In the summer of 1867 Mr. Cray purchased his first team of horses, a span of sorrels, which were kept as long as they lived. The buying of these horses was put off until he had the cash ready to pay for them, one of his characteristics being never to go in debt, and this was well instilled into the minds of the family. He owned the first wagon that was made in Howard county. It was constructed by Alvarado Jones and A. A. Sage in a little log workshop on the bank of the creek, about a mile and a half from the farm, and was used for about forty years.
One of the strong points in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Cray was their strict observ- ance of the Sabbath day, no unnecessary work being permitted. While the hum of machinery and the voices of workmen were heard on adjoining farms, with the plea of the crops spoiling, Mr. Cray always said there was nothing gained by that, believing that both men and teams should rest for one day in the week. During the winter months he would cut and haul timber from Root river, a distance of from fifteen to twenty miles, for fencing and stove wood for the year. This was a hard and tedious job, as the weather was often extremely cold and the snow deep. He would start out long before daylight in the morning and often would not return until after dark, having nothing but a cold lunch at noon and this sometimes frozen. None but those who have experienced such things can realize the hardships endured by the early settlers in this new country.
Five more children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cray in their prairie home, these being Rosa Matilda, William Washington, Eliza Emma, Albert Joseph and Seymour Romeo, making a family of nine who grew to manhood and womanhood on the home- stead. On the 18th of September, 1882, the wife and mother passed away and her loss was keenly felt by all. Her life had been devoted to her home and family and much credit was due her for their prosperity. In early life both Mr. and Mrs. Cray united with the Episcopal church in England and continued members of that denomination during their residence in Canada but later joined the Methodist church at Lime Springs. They were always interested and liberal in support of Christian work and faithful in their attendance on church services. In December, 1884, Mr. Cray was again. married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary E. Searles, the widow of an early settler, and they remained on the farm until 1892, when they removed to the village of Lime Springs. From a small beginning in 1857, his farming interests grew until he became the largest landowner in Chester township and one of the largest in Howard county. The fact that his children were loyal and faithful to the home and farm made this
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possible. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his second wife, who died September 16, 1903, leaving him very lonely in his old age.
The last project in which Mr. Cray took special interest was the building of the new Methodist church just across the street from his home in Lime Springs. This he watched closely day by day and was privileged to be present at its dedication in December, 1894. He was the largest contributor to its erection and thus helped make it posible to build such a fine church. After a useful and well spent life he passed to the home beyond February 21, 1906. Being a man of temperate habits, he always enjoyed good health. As a citizen he desired to do his whole duty and all who knew him appreciated the friendship of one who was upright in character and one who would value those things which are for the good of the community and all mankind. His nine children were all present at the funeral and all of them still live near the old home It was a source of great satisfaction to him to see his children do well, His sons, when grown to man- hood, began filling positions of responsibility and proved themselves worthy of such. Today the sons and grandsons of this honored pioneer are among the most highly respected business men of Howard county.
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LIEUTENANT WILLIAM H. PARKER.
Lieutenant William H. Parker, deceased, was for many years one of Lawler's fore- most citizens, actively identified with merchantile and banking interests and at all times contributing through business and other channels to the upbuilding and develop- ing of his section of the state. He was a native of New England, his birth having oc- curred in Weathersfield, Vermont, March 20, 1840. He came of Puritan ancestry. But- ler's history of Groton, Massachusetts, and the genealogy of various Parker's e. g. Wil- liam Thornton Parker, give Captain James Parker as one of five brothers, founders of the American branch of the family. James was born in 1617 and it is presumed he came from Wiltshire, England, some time prior to 1640 as she was in Groton at that time. He married Elizabeth Long of Charleston in 1643. He settled first at Woburn, then re- moved to Chelmsford and later to Groton, of which place he and Joseph were the original , proprietors. James' tract was fifty acres. His house lot lying directly across the prin- cipal street near the center of town. He held many town offices and his name appears in the town records as a member of various committees of a public nature. Isaac, the grandfather of Lieutenant William H. Parker, (direct male line from James-Eleazer, Zachariah) fought in the Revolutionary war with the Connecticut militia. He was in Captain Experience Storr's company, Colonel Israel Putnam's regiment. His father, Dexter Parker was born at Weathersfield, Vermont, May 30, 1799, and married Esther Piper, January 24, 1824. He was for years prominently identified with the cotton weav- ing industry, serving as superintendent of mills in Lowell, Massachusetts, with twelve hundred operatives under his management. In May, 1844, he came west, settling on a farm at Rutland, Dane county, Wisconsin, about fifteen miles south of what is now Madison. The future capital city was then a hamlet of but four log cabins. Dexter Parker died in May, 1853, his early death due to the treatment given by physicians at that time for fever. The physician treating him for malaria, took blood from his sys- tem three times. Mr. Parker was a foremost citizen of his community, serving in vari- ous local offices. He was a county supervisor at time of his death.
Lieutenant William H. Parker was a boy of thirteen at the time of his father's death and all opportunity for education, thus far acquired in the country schools, ceased at this time. He was a constant reader, however, and through his reading, study and observation, became possessed of a good practical education and he was well informed on subjects of general interest. Following his father's death, he and his brother Amasa, under the guidance of their mother, worked the home farm and in the fall seasons op- erated a threshing machine. The mother passed away November 16, 1888, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-one. Of the practical, capable, pioneer type, she was looked up to by her family and held in high esteem by a large circle of friends.
After the death of his young wife (nee Louisa Smith) Lieutenant Parker enlisted
Jonge Parker
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February 20, 1864, as a private in the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. When the company was mustered in he was made second sergeant and was commissioned second lieutenant, June 27, 1864. On the 10th of November, 1864, he was advanced to the rank of first Lieutenant of his company, which he commanded in two engagements-one at Deep Bottom, Virginia, and the other the battle of Ream's Station on the 25th of August, 1864, in which he and the greater part of his regiment were taken prisoners, one hundred and forty-eight of the one hundred and eighty-five who went into this battle being either killed, wounded or captured. He was confined in Libby prison, also at Salisbury and Danville for a period of six months, being paroled on the 22d of February, 1865. After arriving at Annapolis, Maryland, he was granted a leave of absence (prison fare had left him weak and emaciated) of thirty days. He rejoined his regiment at Burkville, Virginia, and was offered a position on the brigade staff which he declined. He was also offered the command of a division of the provost guard but declined this also, expressing himself as preferring to remain with his men.
He participated in the battles of North Anna, Totopotomy Creek, Bethseda Church, Cold Harbor, the charge over the Melon Patch, Jerusalem Plank Road, Deep Bottom, Petersburg and Ream's Station. The thirty-sixth Wisconsin's percentage killed was fifteen and four-tenths per cent as compared with the average loss of the whole northern army of five per cent. This shows that its service of but one year and two months was located where action was severe and incessant. Lieutenant Parker had command of one company front, or twenty files, in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., on the 23d of May, 1865.
After his regiment was mustered out, July 12, 1865, Lieutenant Parker returned to Dane county, Wisconsin, and engaged in the grain business at Brooklyn near his old home. This, however, did not prove a financial success and he traded his ware- house and stock of grain for a half interest in a mercantile business at Clermont. Iowa, thus becoming identified with the interests of this state. His partner was Isaac Mason, later, his father-in-law.
It was at Clermont, on the 30th of December, 1866, that lieutenant Parker married Ettie Mason. In 1870 he removed with his wife and one daughter to Lawler, Chickasaw county, where he resided at the time of his death, June 12, 1912. Following his re- moval to Lawler he engaged in the implement business, which he continued seven years. He then traveled for the Walter A. Wood Harvester Company for three years through eight midwestern states. In 1887 he purchased the Bank of Lawler, afterward the First National, and actively managed the business until the last six months of his lifetime. He was a man devoted to his undertakings and carefully developed his in- terests making his institution a valuable asset to the business interests of the com- munity.
In politics, Lieutenant Parker was a republican and became a prominent factor in his party's councils in Iowa. He served repeatedly as a delegate to county and state conventions and in 1896 was chosen an alternate delegate from the fourth congressional district of Iowa to the republican national convention in St. Louis. From 1881 until 1886 he was postmaster of Lawler and again from 1890 until 1893, occupying that posi- tion for nine and a half years. His interest in national affairs never abated. At noon on the day of his death he walked to the telephone and asked that his daily paper be brought to him that he might see "what they are doing in Chicago." The republicans were in national convention and nominated Taft that day. He was town mayor and a member of the school board at various times and served many years as a member of the town council.
Mr Parker inherited the strong character and sterling integrity of his Puritan fore- fathers. While he was ever kindly to his fellowmen, he held them to the strictest accountability and gave honor only where it was due. He shunned the unworthy or dishonorable. In works of charity, he was entirely free from ostentation but those fa- miliar with his private affairs found repeated evidence that he wilfully let his heart govern instead of his keen shrewd knowledge of human nature and loaned where lie knew there would be no day of settlement. He enjoyed helping young men establish credit and liked to recall that he seldom found his credit or confidence misplaced. He
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was absolutely honorable in all his dealings with the public and this principle through life gained him the confidence and esteem of the people. It also was an element in his success, which was of a very substantial nature. He left a valuable estate in farnı lands, town properties and stocks. True to the habits of lifelong foresight, he conveyed all his holdings to his family and no court procedures were necessary. Two daughters, Cora A., aged eighteen, and Elizabeth Frank, aged twenty-seven, preceded him in death. The four children left to mourn the loss of a devoted father are Louisa May, wife of Andrew Z. Bailey, a substantial merchant of New Hampton, Iowa; Henrietta, wife of Charles J. Martin, cashier of the Rock County Bank of Luverne, Minnesota: Fannie Esther, wife of George E. Himes, cashier of the First National Bank of Lawler; and Clifton Mason Parker, who as president of the bank has continued the business ca- pacity and integrity of his father. Lieutenant Parker repeatedly expressed himself as satisfied if permitted to continue his labors until all his children had received the bene- fits of college education for it was his great desire to thus prepare them for the prac- tical responsibilities of life. He succeeded not alone in doing this and leaving them a substantial competence also but by his upright life left the priceless heritage of a good name; his memory revered by all his associates. Mrs. Parker, a genuine helpmeet and mother, now makes her home among her children. There are eight grandchildren, Cora A. Martin-Benton, Fannie May Martin, Henrietta Elizabeth Martin, Esther Lenore Martin, Charles Andrew Martin, May Himes, William Clapham Parker and Catherine Parker.
BERT MILES.
Bert Miles, who follows farming on section 29, Saratoga township, Howard county, has always made his home in this township, where his birth occurred September 22, 1871. He is a son of William and Jane (Arnold) Miles, the former a native of Indiana. born March 10, 1837, while the latter was born in Ireland, January 11, 1835. The youth- ful days of Bert Miles were spent in the usual manner of the farm lad. Through the winter seasons he attended school and in the summer months worked upon the home farm with his father and throughout his entire life he has carried on general agricul- tural pursuits. He has followed farming independently for a long period and is now the owner of one hundred and fifty-six acres of excellent land lying in section 29, Saratoga township. This he has carefully developed and his fields are well tilled, returning to him golden harvests as a reward for his labor. Mr. Miles was the trainer and owner of Penica Maid one of Iowa's famous trotters, which was afterward sold for twenty- five thousand dollars. She was the champion state trotter of 1909.
Mr. Miles was united in marriage to Miss Annie Koinek at Owatona, Minnesota. October 7, 1903. They have one daughter. Gladys Leone, now attending school. In politics he maintains an independent course, supporting men and measures rather than party. He has never sought or desired political office but is recognized as a good, substantial citizen and one whose cooperation can be counted upon at any time to further the general welfare.
ADOLF ZAHASKY.
Adolf Zahasky is a farmer of Utica township, Chickasaw county, living on section 23, where he is engaged in the raising of registered Poland China hogs and thoroughbred black polled cattle, his activity and success along this line having numbered him with the representative stock raisers of this section of the state.
He was born upon the farm which he now owns, his natal day being August 24, 1887. His parents were Frank and Catherine (Fisher) Zahasky, the former a native of Bohemia, while the latter was born in Spillville. Winneshiek county, Iowa. The father came to the United States about 1853, when a child of six years, in company
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with his parents, who settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, the Zahasky family being among the earliest of the pioneers in that section of the state. Following his marriage Frank Zahasky settled on a farm in Winneshiek county, where he continued to reside until about 1879, when he removed to the farm upon which his son Adolf now lives. He was quite successful in the conduct of his business affairs, was recognized as a good manager and a progressive, enterprising and industrious agriculturist, and as the years passed he acquired four hundred acres of land, thus leaving his family in comfortable financial circumstances when, on the 2d of May, 1905, at the age of fifty- eight years, he passed away. His widow is still living and resides at her own home in Utica township. .
Adolf Zahasky was educated in the district schools and in the Bohemian school of Protivin. In October, 1908, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Klimesh. a daughter of Frank J. Klimesh, an implement dealer and one of the leading business men of Protivin, who is mentioned at length on another page of this work.
In the spring of 1909 Mr. Zahasky began farming on his own account on the old homestead, having inherited one hundred and sixty acres of this land after his father's death. He also owns twenty acres on section 3, Utica township, and he has the reputa- tion of being one of the best farmers in the township. His methods are at once practical and progressive. He rotates his crops, keeps his land in excellent condition and studies the nature of the soil. He is careful not to exhaust his fields through over-cultiva- tion and by reason of his sound judgment in business matters is meeting with well deserved success. An important feature of his business is stock raising and he makes a specialty of the breeding of Poland China hogs and thoroughbred black polled cattle, which are eligible to registry.
To Mr. and Mrs. Zahasky have been born four children, namely: Beatrix, Edwin, Majella and Emil. The family are communicants of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Zahasky is a democrat and for two years he served as a member of the school board but otherwise has not sought nor filled public office. His time and attention are concentrated upon his farm work and in the management of his property he displays his sound judgment and progressive spirit.
J. J. IRVIN.
J. J. Irvin is the owner of an excellent farm property situated on section 2, Afton township, Howard county. His place comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is divided into fields of convenient size that produce substantial harvests annu- ally. It was upon this farm that J. J. Irvin was born on the 30th of May, 1888, his parents being Joseph and Diana Irvin, who came from Pennsylvania, having previously lived in the vicinity of Erie. On removing to Iowa they settled in Afton township. Howard county, and took up their abode fifty years ago upon what has since been known as the Irvin homestead. They were among the earliest of the pioneers of the township and met all of the hardships and privations incident to the settlement of the frontier. With characteristic energy the father bent his efforts to the cultivation and improvement of the land, which was a wild tract when it came into his possession. For a long period he continued to till the soil but about twenty-three years ago left the farm and rented the property for ten or twelve years. The father passed away Novem- ber 20, 1918, and in his death the community lost one of the representative citizens and pioneer men of Howard county. He was a republican in politics and at one time was the republican nominee for the position of representative in the general assembly but lost the election by a small vote. In public affairs he was keenly and deeply inter- ested and gave his hearty aid and cooperation to all plans and projects for the general good. For only a brief period he survived his wife, her death occurring on the 18th of November, 1917.
J. J. Irvin of this review spent his youthful days under the parental roof and ob- tained a public school education. In the summer months he worked in the fields and thus early became well qualified to take up farming on his own account. In the spring
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of 1919 he returned to the old homestead upon which he had been reared and is now giving his time and efforts to the further development and improvement of this prop- erty of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 2, Afton township.
On the 6th of June, 1917, Mr. Irvin was married to Miss Verna Perry, a daughter of Orin and Lucy Perry, who were natives of Madison, Wisconsin. Mrs. Irvin, how- ever, was born upon a farm west of Riceville, Iowa. Her father is still living, making his home in Minnesota, but her mother passed away about fourteen years ago.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Irvin are members of the Baptist church and guide their lives according to its teachings. In politics he is a republican but has never sought or de- sired office. He is, however, a progressive citizen whose cooperation can be counted upon to further any plan for the public welfare. He was a liberal supporter of the Lib- erty Loan, also contributed freely to the Red Cross and in fact did everything in his power to uphold American interests during the great World war.
GEORGE KESSEL, M. D.
Dr. George Kessel is a prominent representative of the medical profession in How- ard county, specializing in the practice of surgery. He makes his home is Cresco and his birthplace was nine miles north of the city. The greater part of his life has been passed in this county and it is his spirit of progressiveness and enterprise which has been one of the factors in the rapid development of northeastern Iowa. After master- ing the branches of learning taught by the district schools near his boyhood home, he entered Grinnell College at Grinnell, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1883, re- ceiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, thus acquiring a good literary education to serve as a foundation upon which to build the superstructure of his professional learning. Having decided upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he matriculated in Rush Medical College of Chicago and is numbered among its alumni of 1885. He returned to Cresco and entered upon the practice of medicine in that city. In 1889 he went abroad for further study, spending several months in the University of Vienna, coming under the instruction of some of the ablest representatives of the profession in the old world. He afterward did hospital study in Berlin, Germany, where he also took up the study of surgery, and upon his return to the United States opened his office in Cresco, where he has since engaged in practice.
In 1908 he purchased the residence of Mrs. Augusta Beadle, which was one of the first and finest homes in Cresco. The property consisted of sixteen acres of land, in the center of which stood this beautiful home. He converted the residence into a hos- pital. In 1910 he gave the north half of the property to the Sisters of Mercy of the Catholic faith. Assisted by public subscription, they immediately built a forty-five thousand dollar modern brick addition to the hospital, which is now known as St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital. Dr. Kessel has since acted as surgeon in chief and supervis- ing head of the new institution.
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