USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 41
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 41
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
August Lauck, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the dis- trict schools, but his opportunities in that direction were limited, for his father was then a poor man and needed his assistance upon the home farm. As early as his tenth year he was hired out to neighboring farmers, his wages going to the support of the family. His chances for acquiring an education were thus very meagre, but in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. He remained upon the home farm with his father until his twenty-sixth year, when his father gave him two thousand dollars and he started out in business life inde-
AUGUST LAUCK AND FAMILY
32:
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
pendently. He purchased a farm in Bremer county, nine miles south of Sumner, but soon afterward disposed of that property and in 1892 became owner of two hundred and forty acres in Howard county, upon which he now resides. It was a tract of raw prairie land when it came into his possession, but characteristic energy and thrift on the part of Mr. Lauck soon brought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place.
In September following the purchase of his land Mr. Lauck was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Smith, of Afton township, Howard county, and thus completed his arrangements for having a home of his own. In the same fall he built a small house and other farm buildings upon his tract of prairie land and started upon what has proven a most successful career as a farmer and dairyman. While he has carefully, systematically and successfully developed his fields in the cultivation of crops best adapted to soil and climate, he has also profitably carried on dairying and the raising of hogs and these different lines of business have brought him a substantial fortune. He has owned and milked as high as sixty cows at one time and the revenue from cream alone during the year 1918 was over thirty-six hundred dollars, while in the month of July, 1919, his sales of cream amounted to four hundred and forty-two dollars and fifty-four cents and his cream check for the month of August exceeded that amount. Thus his business is steadily growing and as the years have passed and his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings and is now the owner of six hundred acres of land, having made purchases of four other farms, three of which he still holds. He has two hundred acres on section 28 and one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Howard township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lauck have been born seven children. of whom six are yet living: Dora, the wife of Henry Rimroth, a resident farmer of Howard township; and Albert, August, Jr., Mabel, Elsie and Rosanna, at home. The son William J., died in France of spinal meningitis November 1, 1918, while in the service of his country. Shortly prior to his entrance into the war Mr. Lauck had deeded to his son a farm and had built for him the finest barn in Howard county. This is the third fine barn which Mr. Lauck has built on his land. The last one has all the modern labor saving devices known in barn construction and is equipped with a ventilating system that would be a credit to a modern sky scraper. It is indicative of the progressive spirit which actuates him in all things. He has a nature that can never be content with mediocrity but always picks out the best and he em- ploys every avenue for improvement in business.
In politics Mr. Lauck is a republican and is keenly interested in the success of his party but is not an office seeker. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church. He has cooperated in many interests that have been of public benefit and is now one of the directors of the Howard County Farm Bureau. The consensus of public opinion places him among the most progressive and successful farmers of Howard county. His home place is one of the best im- proved properties in this section of the state and the fertility of his land could not be surpassed because of the care he has given to it, employing all modern scientific methods in the further development of his holdings.
CLYDE HENRY MITCHELL.
Clyde Henry Mitchell is the manager of the Cresco Opera House and has been identified with theatrical interests in Cresco since 1906. He was born in New Hampton, Chickasaw county, Iowa, on the 3d of August, 1882, his parents being Alonzo and Hattie (McCallum) Mitchell. The father spent his boyhood days in New Oregon, Iowa, where he was reared and educated, and then removed to New Hampton, where he lived for some time. He afterward accepted the position of salesman in the music house of George H. Kellogg, in Cresco, Iowa, and traveled through the country as a representative of that house, selling pianos and other
324
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
musical instruments. In 1895 he removed with his family to Cresco, where he con- tinued to make his home throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1904, when he had reached the age of sixty-three years. His widow survives and is now making her home with her son, Clyde Henry, at the age of sixty-seven years. The father was a republican in his political views and a progressive citizen, interested in the welfare of the community to an extent that prompted him to give hearty cooperation to plans and measures for the general good.
Clyde H. Mitchell of this review spent the first ten years of his life in the place of his nativity and then left New Hampton, Iowa, to go to Chicago, where he lived with his sister, Mrs. E. B. Fritz, and there attended school until fourteen years of age. On the expiration of that period he returned to Cresco, but after a time he again went to Chicago and in fact divided his time between Chicago and Cresco until he had attained his majority. He was employed in the former city by E. B. Fritz, proprietor of a paper store, of which he became assistant manager. On com- ing to Cresco he learned the decorator's trade, which he followed for twenty-four years, but ultimately turned his attention to the theatrical business. In 1906 he established a picture show house in Cresco where the Freeborn Restaurant is now located and continued at that location for six years. He then conducted the Cozy Theatre and in 1917 took over the management of what is known as The Cresco. This is a fine modern brick theatre and he enjoys a very extensive patronage, giving to the public the best reel productions and constantly presenting the foremost movie stars.
In 1904 Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Pearl Lewis Ricks, a daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth (Highhouse) Ricks. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Monona, Iowa, and they have one child, Harold Clyde. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are well known in Cresco, where he has spent much of his life, although at different periods he resided in Chicago. In the conduct of the moving picture business he displays a spirit of marked enterprise and progressiveness that is bringing to him satisfactory and well deserved success.
OTTO MASEMANN.
Otto Masemann, who is engaged in general farming on section 22, Washington township, Chickasaw county, and also in the breeding of Scotch Durham cattle, was born in Germany, September 17, 1865, his parents being John H. and Anna Mase- mann. They never came to the United States, the father passing away in Germany a number of years ago and the mother still making her home there.
Otto Masemann came to the United States in 1883, when a young man of eighteen years, after having acquired a common school education in his native country. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his way to the Mississippi valley and took up his abode at Bellevue, Iowa, where he soon secured work as a farm hand. He was thus employed for seven years and afterward he engaged in farm work in Washington township, Chickasaw county, for a year. He was an- bitious to own property and carry on farming independently, however, and in 1892 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the farm upon which he now resides. Since then he has further extended its boundaries by investment in an additional tract of eighty acres, so that he now has two hundred and forty acres of good land. He is regarded as one of the successful farmers of the county, following improved modern methods in the development of his fields. He breeds and raises Scotch Durham cattle and his stock raising as well as his general farming interests have brought to him success. He has made all of the improvements upon his property and it presents a most attractive appearance, constituting one of the pleasing features in the landscape.
At the age of twenty-seven years, on the 17th of March, 1892, Mr. Masemann was married to Miss Elvina Joachim, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Schultz) Joachim, both of whom were natives of Germany and have now passed away. The
325
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
father departed this life in Washington township, Chickasaw county, while the mother died in La Grange, Illinois, her remains being brought back to Alta Vista for interment. Mr. and Mrs. Masemann have two living children, Fred and Alvina. The son served with the famous Thirty-third or Prairie Division during the European war, being a member of Company C of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry. He was in France for a year and was on some of the most notable battle fronts.
Mr. Masemann and his family are members of the German Lutheran church of Alta Vista, and in politics he is a republican. He has served as school director in Washington township for several years and is a stanch advocate of progressive methods of education. In fact he stands for all that tends to promote improvement and upbuilding along any line vital to the welfare of the community. In his busi- ness affairs he has prospered and has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he has here found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has gained a place among the substantial farmers and repre- sentative business men of northern Iowa.
FRANK SHORES.
The industry, enterprise and perseverance which Frank Shores displayed through- out a long and active business career spelled success which now enables him to live retired. He makes his home in Protivin, having divided the land that he had acquired among his children. He was born in Bohemia, January 15, 1839, and there spent the period of his boyhood and youth. It was in 1867 that he came to the United States, making his way first to Chicago, where he did factory work for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Crown Point, Indiana, where he took up his abode upon a farm. He purchased land, which he cultivated and improved for eight years, and on the expiration of that period sold it and removed to Howard county, Iowa, where he made investment in ninety acres of land. This constituted the nucleus of landed interests to which he constantly added as his financial resources permitted. In time he became the owner of four hundred and forty acres of very valuable land, which in recent years, since his retirement from active business, he has divided among his children.
Mr. Shores was married in Bohemia to Miss Josephine Mara and they became the parents of four sons and four daughters: Frank, John, James, Louis, Mary, Barbara, Anna and Emma. The last named is the wife of John Fancl, of Howard county, where he follows farming. All of the sons have married and are living on farms given them by their father.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, Mr. Shores being a communicant of the church at Protivin, where he now makes his home, occupying a pleasant residence. He served as road supervisor while living in Chickasaw county, occupying the office for a number of years. His political allegi- ance has always been given to the democratic party and he has ever been loyal to any cause that he has espoused. Those who know him, and he has many stanch friends, entertain for him warm regard, and he ever manifests a kindly spirit in all of his relations with his fellowmen. He has now reached the advanced age of eighty years and is one of the highly respected and substantial citizens of New Oregon township.
JOHN P. BERCKES.
John P. Berckes, who follows farming on section 10, Howard township, and is a well known representative of the agricultural interests of Howard county, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, November 21, 1868, a son of Bernard and Margaret Berckes, who were also natives of Luxemburg, where they spent their entire lives.
326
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
At the age of twenty years J. P. Berckes, who had pursued his education in the public schools of his native country, came to the United States, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities than he believed he could secure in his native land. He made his way first to Ionia county, Michigan, where he resided for two years, working on a farm during that period. Later he removed to Chicago, where he lived for a brief time and then went to Wyoming and to Nebraska. He was also in Oregon at one time and in fact visited many points in the west, going from place to place for a number of years, or until 1896, when he came to Iowa, settling first in Chickasaw county. He located at North Washington, where he worked at the printing trade for seven years, and in 1909 he bought a farm in Washington town- ship, which he conducted for three years. In 1912 he made investment in his present farm on section 10, Howard township, Howard county, and has since resided thereon. He is now engaged in the cultivation of two hundred and forty acres of land, which he owns, and his well developed fields are returning to him golden harvests.
On the 11th of August, 1894, Mr. Berckes was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Hurtes, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hurtes, both of whom passed away in North Washington, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Berckes have become the parents of six children: Henry, who served with the eighty-eighth Division of the American Ex- peditionary Force in France; John; Joseph; Herbert; August; and Bennie.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and they are identified with the parish of Alta Vista. In politics Mr. Berckes maintains an inde- pendent course, preferring to support the candidates whom he regards as best quali- fied for office without regard to party ties. For several years he has served as school director and is also a director of the Farmers Equity Company of Alta Vista. Whatever success he has achieved and enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own labors. He came to the new world with little capital and started in business on this side of the Atlantic as a farm hand. He has been employed in various ways and gradually has made advancement until he is now the owner of an excellent farm property in Howard county, from which he derives a substantial annual in- come.
A. H. SHAFFER.
A. H. Shaffer is a prominent figure in the banking circles of Iowa. He is the cashier of the Second National Bank of New Hampton and a member of its board of directors, is the president and a director of the First State Savings Bank of Ionia, the president and a director of the State Savings Bank of Orchard, Iowa, a director of the First State Savings Bank of Waucoma, Iowa, a director of the State Savings Bank of Bassett, Iowa, and a member of the board of direc- tors of the First State Bank of Fredericksburg, Iowa. Mr. Shaffer is numbered among the native sons of Chickasaw county, his birth having occurred in Jackson- ville township on the 26th of February, 1866, his parents being Henry H. and Sarah (Albert) Shaffer. After mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools he attended the Osage Seminary and also was a student in the Iowa Business College at Des Moines. On reaching his majority in 1887 he went to western Kansas and preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land in Greeley county. There he built a sod house and proved up on his claim. In the fall of that year he opened a private bank in Horace, which he conducted until the winter of 1892, when he sold his business interests there and returned to New Hampton. In January, 1893, he joined his brother, W. G. Shaffer, who had established a private bank in New Hampton in the previous year. He became a member of the firm and in subsequent years has been closely associated with his brother in his extensive banking interests, as previously indicated. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the banking business and his enterprise and progressiveness have brought him prominently to the front in this connection.
.
327
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
On the 13th of November, 1890, Mr. Shaffer was married to Miss Myrtle M. Thompson, of Pueblo, Colorado, and to them have been born two children: N. Lucille, the wife of Joseph A. Miller, of Valley Junction, Iowa; and Harry Allen, who has just completed the high school course, and is now a student at the Uni- versity of Chicago, Illinois.
Mr. Shaffer is a stalwart republican in politics and has served as city treasurer for a number of years. He and his wife and children are members of the Baptist church, in which he has served as deacon and as superintendent of the Sunday school. He was a dominant factor in the building of the church in 1894 and long served in church offices, filling both the above mentioned positions for twenty-five years. He has also supported a native preacher in India for the past fifteen or twenty years. He was also largely instrumental in building the Baptist church in Horace, Kansas, while a resident of that state. He ranks with New Hampton's most public-spirited, prominent and progressive citizens and there is no plan or meas- ure for the advancement of public welfare in community or commonwealth that does not receive his active and earnest support. He was vice chairman of the last two Liberty Loan drives in New Hampton township and has served on various commit- tees in connection with the war work. He also served as a member of the board of directors of New Hampton Chapter of the Red Cross and did everything possible to uphold American interests during the period of the world conflict and aid in the support of the khaki-clad boys on the fields of France.
ENOCH STROTHER.
Enoch Strother was a mine operator and hotel owner of Cresco. Every feature and phase of western frontier life was familiar to him and he could relate many interest- ing stories of the early days not only in Iowa but in Colorado and the west. From time to time in the course of life removal brought him westward until eventually he reached Colorado, attracted by the discovery of gold at Pikes Peak. He was born in Westland, Virginia, a son of Enoch and Mary Ann Strother. He left the Old Dominion with his parents during his infancy and the family home was then established in Columbus, Ohio, where he began his education, supplementing his public school training by study in the Columbus University and also in Fulsom's Commercial College. He afterward went to Havana, Cuba, where he remained for two years, and later became a sailor on the seas, sailing from Cuba to Swansea, Wales. Eventually he returned to the United States and made his way to Racine, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the wholesale grocery business for a numebr of years. He afterward removed to Vernon Springs, Iowa, where he established a general store in 1857. The northern part of Iowa was then largely undeveloped and unimproved and he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were aiding in the work of reclaiming the region for the purposes of civilization. At a later date, in company with Judge Gilchist, he went west across the plains, traveling with ox teams to Pikes Peak, Colorado, in search of gold. He did not remain there long, however, but continued on his way westward to Sacramento, Calif- ornia. Still he was not satisfied with the outlook in the mining regions of the Pacific coast and retraced his steps across the mountains to what is now Nevada. There he engaged in the mining of silver and gold and also took up the study of law under Judge Gilchrist, using his leisure hours in that way. He was still identified with mining interests in the west at the time of his death, having mining property at Virginia City, Nevada, and it was Mr. Strother who named that place, calling it so in honor of his native state. While living in Nevada he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of law. He also served as judge in the United States bankruptcy court for ten years and was a resident of that state for forty-one years altogether. During that time, however, he made frequent trips back to Iowa to visit his brother in Cresco and look after his interests and investments in this city. His business as well as his friendly relations with Judge Gilchrist continued until the time of the death of the Judge in Nevada. Their relations were ever of a most pleasant and agreeable character and the
328
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
firm ranked very high in the legal circles of that state. He became familiar with all of the experiences and phases of western frontier life. In 1861 there was an Indian scare in Nevada, but Mr. Strother had always proved himself friendly to the Indians and they occasioned him no trouble. He found, as many another white man has done, that kind and humane treatment won their lasting friendship and gratitude and that he had nothing to fear at their hands.
While a resident of Nevada, Judge Strother was united in marriage in 1889 to Miss Julia A. Fratt, a native of Racine, Wisconsin. Judge Strother filled various positions of public honor and trust while living in Nevada, acting as justice of the peace for some time, while his fellow townsmen also called him to represent them in the state legislature. He was likewise nominated for the position of governor of the state on the republican ticket and he long exercised a wide influence in republican circles, doing not a little to shape the growth and win success for the party. He served as chairman of the state central republican committee of Nevada, was also its treasurer and was likewise made a member of the republican national committee. He had known many of the most prominent political leaders of the country and his opinions carried much weight in their councils. Fraternally Judge Strother was a Mason and took the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite. He also was connected with the Improved Order of Red Men. He greatly enjoyed travel and made several trips aboard, gaining wide knowledge and that liberal culture which can be acquired in no other way as rapidly as in travel. The interests of his life were most varied and he was associated with events which are as thrilling as any told in tales of fiction. He had been one of the builders and promoters of the west, especially along the line of mining develop- ment. His death took place July 9, 1918, regretted by all who knew him.
MAJOR LAWS.
In the history of Howard county it is imperative that mention be made of Major Laws, who was one of the honored pioneer residents of this part of the state. He made his home for many years on section 16, Chester township, and there passed away. He was born at Feltwell, in Norfolkshire, England, June 24, 1844, and was a lad of twelve years when in 1856 he came to the United States with his parents, Mager and Maria (Hensby) Laws. Mager Laws never took up government land nor did he long survive to enjoy his new home, passing away in 1863, when fifty-two years of age. His wife, however, reached the advanced age of eighty-two years.
Major Laws of this review, having accompanied his parents to the United States, remained with them for a year in Wisconsin, after which the family home was established in Howard county, Iowa, in 1857. From that time until his death Major Laws was identified with the development and upbuilding of this section of the state. He established a home following his marriage on the 26th of June, 1871, to Miss Adalaide Nye, a daughter of Jesse A. Nye, of Chester township, who came to Howard county from Wisconsin in 1856.
Following his marriage Mr. Laws continued to engage in farming as a renter until 1879, when, having carefully saved his earnings, he was enabled to purchase what is now the Laws homestead farm, still occupied by his widow and son. Through the intervening years to the time of his death he was busily employed in the further development and improvement of the property and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation.
To Mr. and Mrs. Laws were born thirteen children, eleven of whom are yer living, as follows: Jesse J., who is employed on the Oakdale farm in Howard county; Anna J., the wife of F. W. Whitcomb, of Austin, Minnesota; Fannie M., who is the wife of M. D. Daily, of Taopi, Minnesota; Clarence, living in Absher Montana; Charlie, a resident of Hill City, Minnesota; William, who operates the home farm; Alice, the wife of H. C. Brown, of Rochester, Minnesota; and Elizabeth, Wilbur L., Harold V. and Harvey C., all at home.
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.