USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 42
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 42
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The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 6th of April,
.
MAJOR LAWS
Vol. II-21
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1916, Major Laws was called to his final rest. He had long been recognized as a man of sterling and upright character, who made valuable contribution to the development of the district in which he lived by his activity in agricultural lines and his support of all plans and measures for the general good.
WILLIAM BUNSTON.
William Bunston is a well known representative of the farming interests of Howard county and makes his home on section 24, Afton township, where he is engaged in the cultivation of a good tract of land that responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. Mr. Bunston is a native of England. He was born January 10, 1868, of the marriage of William and Emily (Burt) Bunston, who were also natives of that country. There the father still resides and the mother continued to make her home in England until called to her final rest in 1916.
William Bunston pursued his education in the common schools of his native country and came to the United States in 1887, when a youth of nineteen years. The reports which he had heard concerning business conditions and opportunities in the new world had determined him to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and he made the trip alone. He was employed in different parts of the country until October 4, 1887, when he removed from Richmond, Virginia, to Dubuque, Iowa. For a short time he there engaged in renting land, after which he went to McGregor, Iowa, where he spent the succeeding winter. He next became a resident of Lawler, Iowa, where he was employed at farm labor for six years.
It was in February, 1895, that Mr. Bunston was united in marriage to Miss Ida Cochran, a daughter of Charles Cochran, of Jacksonville, Iowa. The young couple began their domestic life upon what is now their home farm and this place they have since occupied. As the years have passed they have become the parents of three children: Charles W., who served with Company Eight of the Transportation Corps with the American Expeditionary Force in France; and Emily and Ruth G., both at home.
Mr. Bunston is interested in all that has to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the district in which he resides and for two years he served as school director but has had no time nor inclination to seek public office. He came to the new world empty-handed and has ever bent his energies to the task of making a good living for himself and his family. While he met hardships and difficulties in the early days, he has steadily worked his way upward, advancing step by step, and he is now numbered among the substantial farmers of Afton township.
REED ELWOOD.
Reed Elwood, of the firm of Elwood & Elwood, attorneys at law, and also con- nected with the Elwood Land Company of Elma, was born on the 1st of October, 1885, a son of Frank D. and Catherine (Harris) Elwood, mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of their son, Hon. Lee W. Elwood.
After attending the public schools until he had passed through consecutive grades to the Elma high school, Reed Elwood entered the Capital City Commercial College at Des Moines. He then went to Wyoming and occupied the position of cashier in the First National Bank of Wheatland for a period of two years. The bank was sold and Mr. Elwood returned to Elma with the determination of enter- ing upon the study of law. He matriculated in the Iowa State University, where he pursued a two years' law course, and then entered the University of South Dakota, from which institution he received his law degree in 1911. While a student there he became a member of the Delta Phi Delta fraternity.
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Returning to Elma, Mr. Elwood became associated with his father and brother, Lee W., in the land business and in 1917 he also became a partner with his brother in the practice of law. The Elwood Land Company has heavy land holdings, hand- ling their own property, and at the same time they are extensively engaged in the raising of cattle and hogs.
On the 30th of June, 1915, Mr. Elwood was married to Miss Goldie Dowd, of Ossian, Iowa, who is a graduate of the Upper Iowa University at Fayette and was principal of the public schools of Elma up to the time of her marriage. They now have one son, Frank D. Mr. Elwood is a member of Maple Leaf Lodge, No. 528, F. & A. M., and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. At the pres- ent writing he is serving as a member of the Elma city council and does everything in his power in an official way to promote the welfare and upbuilding of the com- munity. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and took a very active part in Red Cross and Liberty Loan work. In a word their aid is ever given on the side of progress and improvement and their cooperation can at all times be counted upon to further plans and measures looking to the welfare of the district and the support of all measures for the public good.
JOHN F. MULICK.
John F. Mulick, leading a busy and useful life as a farmer of Howard county, his home being on section 33, Afton township, was born in Watertown, Wisconsin, August 3, 1855, a son of Patrick and Mary (McCormack) Mulick. The father was a native of Roscommon, Ireland, born January 1, 1834, and when fourteen years of age he came to America with a younger sister, their parents having died during his childhood days. He first established his home at Port Jervis, New York, and while there residing was married on the 24th of October, 1854, to Miss Mary McCormack. Attracted by the op- portunities of the growing west, he started with his bride for Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1855 and after a residence of ten years in the Badger state purchased what was long known as the homestead property east of Riceville. He became owner of this farm in 1865 and at once contributed to the pioneer development of his section of the state. The careful management of his business and the thorough and systematic manner in which he cultivated his fields brought to him a very substantial measure of success. At the time of his death a local paper said: "His farm under his judicious, painstaking care made a life competency for him and his loved ones. How he loved his home! The work and the play! His horses were his personal friends and his flocks and herds received his special, constant care, making an ideal farm home, where love and honor abided." A great blow came to Mr. Mulick in the loss of his wife on the 6th of August, 1903. He remained upon the farm until 1905, when he and his daughter Anna removed to Riceville, where he remained until he passed away on the 8th of November, 1914. He had long been a devoted member of the Catholic church and it was said of him that he was ever a kind, thoughtful neighbor, a loving husband, and through all the trials of pioneer life a thoughtful christian father and at all times a bountiful provider. He was a man of whom it can be truly said that he was generous to a fault, who though jocular by nature never passed a thorn into the side of his fellow.
"Who never did a slander forge, His neighbor's fame to wound, Nor hearken to a false report By malice whispered round."
Mr. and Mrs. Mulick were the parents of four sons and four daughters, of whom Dr. Joseph Mulick and Sister Mary Lenontine passed away in 1909. The others are: John F. and Dr. James Mulick, of Elma; Sister Mary Seratina, of Waterloo; Sister Mary Mark, of Fort Dodge; Anna, who remained with her father until his demise; and Pat- rick, of Rockford, North Dakota.
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Upon the old homestead farm John F. Mulick spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He was reared as a member of a large household and the home training was such as developed in the children high principles and worthy characteristics. He at- tended the district schools and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In 1890 he purchased his present farm and was actively engaged in its further development and improvement until 1914, when his son Frank J. took over the further cultivation and management of the place.
Mr. Mulick was married to Miss Bridget Burns, a daughter of Patrick and Rose Burns, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who came, however, from Ireland to the new world. In 1908 Mr. Mulick was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 29th of July of that year, leaving many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her loss. Mr. and Mrs. 'Mulick were the parents of four sons and two daughters: Frank J., who married; Charles G., at home; John B., who is also mar- ried; Edmond J., who served for thirteen months with the Twentieth Engineers of the American Expeditionary Force in France; Rose; and Mary. Mr. Mulick and his family are members of the Catholic church at Elma.
He is a democrat in politics and has served for several terms as school director in Afton township. He was also the president of the Farmers Cooperative Creamery of Elma for a number of years and he has always been keenly interested in everything that has had to do with the welfare of the agricultural community. He cooperates in any plan or measure for the general good and his worth as a man and citizen has long been acknowledged by those who know him. The greater part of his life has been passed in this county and his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
JOSEPH M. SVESTKA.
Joseph M. Svestka, who is engaged in general farming on section 9, New Oregon . township, Howard county, is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Winneshiek county on the 24th of February, 1876. His parents were born in Bohemia and the father is now living in Protivin at the advanced age of eighty-five years, but the mother passed away in 1913 at her home in Protivin, when sixty-eight years of age. Forty-six years ago the father came to the United States and rented a farm in Chickasaw county for a few years, after which he purchased eighty acres of his present farm and as the years passed increased it by additional purchase until it became one hundred and twenty acres in extent.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Joseph M. Svestka in the days of his boyhood and youth. He attended the public schools and when not busy with his textbooks worked in the fields. In fact his time was given to planting, plowing and harvesting until the field work was over for the year. He con- tinued to assist his father until twenty-three years of age, when he took over the home farm, purchasing a part of the land at that time and afterward acquiring the remainder by purchase. He has an excellent tract of one hundred and twenty acres, which he is most carefully cultivating, and nearly all of the improvements upon the farm have been placed there by him. He is practical and progressive in his methods and the air of neatness and thrift which characterizes the place indicates the spirit of advancement that actuates him at all times. In addition to his farming interests he is connected with the creamery and the United Shippers of Cresco.
On the 26th of September, 1899, Mr. Svestka was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hubka, a daughter of Albert and Anna Hubka, of Howard county. Mrs. Svestka was here reared and was educated in the graded schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Svestka have been born six children: Adella, Edward, William, Nora, Lillie and Auna, all of whom are upon the home farm with their parents.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, they being com- municants of the church at Protivin. In politics Mr. Svestka is a democrat. He has
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served as road boss, and his father was road supervisor for a number of years. Mr. Svestka of this review has also been one of the school directors and is keenly inter- ested in everything that has to do with the progress and welfare of the community in which he makes his home.
GEORGE N. WALKER.
George N. Walker is one of the substantial and well known farmers of Vernon Springs township, Howard county, residing on section 4, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in 1905. He was born in Connecticut on the 13th of March, 1863, his parents being John R. and Mary A. (Palmer) Walker, who spent their entire lives in that state.
George N. Walker acquired a limited district school education and when but fourteen years of age left home and came west to make his own way in the world. Locating at Big Rock, Illinois, he there secured employment on a farm at a wage of five dollars per month and he continued a resident of Big Rock for a period of twenty- six years, working by the month as farm hand and later carrying on agricultural pursuits on his own account as a renter. In 1900 he came to Iowa and settled at Manson, Calhoun county, where he remained for five years. On the expiration of that period, in 1905, he made his way to Howard county, purchasing his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 4, Vernon Springs township. Thereon he resided continuously until March, 1918, when he leased the property and took up his abode in Bonair. After a year's residence in town, however, the call of the land brought him back to his farm and he is now again actively engaged in tilling the soil. The carefully cultivated fields annually yield good crops and his labors as an agri- culturist have been attended with a well merited measure of success.
In October, 1895, Mr. Walker was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Tripp, of Kane county, Illinois, by whom he had three children, as follows: Grant, who follows farm- ing in Howard county; Myrtle, who is the wife of William Fisk and resides with her father; and Ruby, who is employed in Cresco. The wife and mother passed away in April, 1915, and her demise was deeply deplored by all who knew her.
In politics Mr. Walker is a stanch republican, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. His life has been characterized by intense and well directed industry and he deserves mention among the enterprising and representative citizens of his community.
FRANK A. PECINOVSKY.
The attractiveness of Chickasaw county as a place of residence is indicated in the fact that many of her sons have remained within her borders, confident that the advantages here offered are equal to those to be secured in any other sec- tion of the country. To this class belong Frank A. Pecinovsky, who now follows farming on section 15, Utica township, Chickasaw county, and who is a native of Howard county. He was born in New Oregon township of the latter county, April 14, 1873, a son of John and Frances (Chyle) Pecinovsky, who came from Bohemia with their respective parents and removed to the middle west. They were married on this side of the Atlantic and for many years the father was identified with farm- ing interests in Howard county, spending his last days in New Oregon township, where he departed this life in 1875. His widow survives and yet makes her home in that township.
Upon the old homestead farm Frank A. Pecinovsky was reared and in his youth- ful days mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools near his father's place. He was married on the 23d of February, 1896, to Miss Anthony Blazek and they became the parents of four children: John, Bennie, Mary and
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Charlie, all yet at home. The wife and mother passed away in 1911 and in 1918 the father was again married, his second union being with Katherine Krachmer.
Mr. and Mrs. Pecinovsky are members of the Catholic church of Little Turkey and generously contribute to its support. He is a democrat in politics and for ten years he has filled the office of school director in Utica township but has never been ambitious to fill positions of public trust. He has always felt that his time should be given to his business interests and throughout his entire life has been identified with agricultural pursuits. He is now cultivating a good tract of land on section 15, Utica township, and has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation.
RICHARD H. JONES.
Richard H. Jones, who is carrying on general farming on section 13, Forest City township, Howard county, was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, June 27, 1862', his parents being Richard and Ann (Hughes) Jones, to whom extended reference is made in the sketch of their son, Thomas H. Jones, living in Cresco. Richard H. Jones acquired his early education in the district schools. He was a lad of but eight years at the time of the removal of the family to Howard county, where he has now resided for almost a half century. He spent his youthful days under the parental roof, remaining at home to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in July, 1891, when Miss Sarah J. Evans, of Lime Springs, a daughter of John E. Evans, one of the early settlers of Howard county, became his wife.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones began their domestic life upon the farm which is still their place of residence. It is a tract of two hundred acres of rich and productive land which was deeded to Mr. Jones by his father at the time of his marriage. Through the intervening years he has continued the further cultivation and development of the property and has now a splendid farm, equipped with all modern improvements and accessories, including the best machinery and everything needed to facilitate the work of the fields.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born eleven children, ten of whom are yet living: Francis H., who is a member of Company I., Three Hundred and Fifty- second Infantry, Eighty-eighth Iowa Division, and has been in active service in France; Dina M .; Emerson H .; Myron J .; Anna E .; Ellis; Edwin; Ellen E. and Elmer E., twins; and Harold. All of the children are yet at home.
In his political views Mr. Jones is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In these associations are shadowed forth the interests and principles of his life-principles that have made him an honored and valued citizen of Howard county.
JOHN PECINOVSKY.
An excellent farm property situated on section 4, New Oregon township, How- ard county, bears tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by John Pecinovsky, who is justly accounted one of the representative agriculturists of the community. Howard county is proud to number him among her native sons. He was born in the township in which he still resides on the 16th of June, 1867, his parents being John and Frances (Heley) Pecinovsky, both of whom were natives of Bohemia. The father came to this country when about thirty years of age, accompanied by his parents. The family remained for a short time in Dubuque, Iowa, and thence con- tinued their journey westward to Howard county, where John Pecinovsky, Sr., and his father purchased land together, becoming owner of a farm in New Oregon town- ship. Mrs. Frances Pecinovsky was a child of but nine years when her parents left Bohemia and started with their family for the United States. They journeyed
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first to Canada and for a brief period resided in Montreal and in Quebec, whence they came to the United States and took up their abode in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Their voyage to the new world was an eventful one as they made the trip on a sailing vessel and were sixteen weeks in crossing the Atlantic. Cholera broke out on the vessel and many died of that dread disease during the voyage. One member of the Heley family died while the journey to the new world was being made and the father of Mrs. Pecinovsky suffered from the disease when the family were in Montreal. It was in Winneshiek county, Iowa, that Mr. and Mrs. Pecinov- sky, the parents of John Pecinovsky of this review, were married. They took up their abode upon a farm in New Oregon township, Howard county, which he had previously purchased, and his remaining days were devoted to the further develop- ment and improvement of that property, upon which he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1878. His widow survives and now makes her home with her son Thomas in New Oregon township, Howard county.
John Pecinovsky whose name introduces this review pursued his education in the district schools near the old homestead, but his opportunities in that direction were limited, as his father died when his son was but eleven years of age and he found it necessary to aid in the support of the family. He was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children and he early found it necessary to begin work upon the farm, assisting his brothers in the development and improvement of the old home property. He was thus engaged until 1892, in which year he was mar- ried.
Mr. Pecinovsky was joined in wedlock to Miss Anastasia Prochaska, of Chickasaw county, Iowa, and the young couple began their domestic life upon what is now the home farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 4, New Oregon township, Howard county. This tract Mr. Pecinovsky had previously purchased. Year by year he carefully tilled the fields and as season after season passed and he harvested good crops his financial resources increased. In 1913 therefore he was enabled to purchase another farm of one hundred and sixty acres, becoming the owner of a quarter section in Paris township. He also owns ten acres of timber land on section 18, New Oregon township, and his hold- ings therefore comprise three hundred and thirty acres of valuable land. He has been most active and enterprising in the conduct of his farm and his progressive spirit has brought to him the measure of success which is today his.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pecinovsky have been born seven children. Albina is the wife of Joseph E. Sokup, a resident farmer of Winneshiek county, Iowa. Thomas is at home. Frances is the wife of Eugene Smith, a resident farmer of Chickasaw county, Iowa. Edward, Charles, Cyril and Maurie are also at home.
Mr. Pecinovsky votes with the democratic party and he is serving at the present time as a member of the board of trustees of his township. During eight years' service in that position he has done most creditable and efficient work for the bene- fit of the community. He is now the treasurer of the school board of New Oregon township. He and his family belong to the Catholic church and his position as a citizen of his community is with the foremost. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, appreciate what he has done, the effectiveness of his ideas and of his work and the value of his labors in behalf of public progress and improve- ment.
FRED HEIMERDINGER.
Fred Heimerdinger, a representative farmer of Howard county, lives on sec- tion 14, Paris township, where he is busily engaged in the development of an ex- cellent tract of land. He was born in Germany, April 11, 1865, a son of John J. and Dorothy (Breming) Heimerdinger, who came to the United States in June, 1866. They first settled at Ridgeway, Winneshiek county, Iowa, and there the father passed away some years later. The mother afterward became the wife of
MR. AND MRS. FRED HEIMERDINGER
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Fred Opitz and with him removed to Howard county about 1880. Mr. Opitz passed away in this county in August, 1902, and following the demise of her husband Mrs. Opitz made her home with her son Fred until her demise, which occurred in De- cember, 1918, when she had reached the notable old age of ninety-three years and eleven months.
Fred Heimerdinger was but a year and three months old when brought to the new world and in Iowa was reared and educated, attending the district schools. As early as his eighteenth year he started out to provide for his own living by cultivating rented land and was thus engaged for a number of years. In 1885, just prior to his marriage, he made his first purchase of land, becoming owner of a tract of forty acres, on which his present farm buildings now stand. Whenever possible he has added to the property and his possessions now include two hundred acres of land and he ranks with the representative farmers of his district. He is likewise a stockholder of the Alta Vista Farmers Lumber & Coal Company and for ten years has been a member of its board of directors. He is a stockholder in the Jerico Farmers Creamery and also a representative of its directorate and is a stockholder in the Grain Belt Packing Company of Dubuque, Iowa. His activities and interests have thus covered a broad scope, and the careful direction of his affairs has brought to him a very gratifying measure of success.
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