USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 43
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 43
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In February, 1886, Mr. Heimerdinger was married to Miss Rosa Reinhart, a daughter of Samuel Reinhart, a pioneer settler of Iowa, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his son Albert. To Mr. and Mrs. Heimerdinger have been born eight children, of whom five are living, namely: Emma, Floyd, Louis, Lydia and Celia, all of whom are at home.
Politically Mr. Heimerdinger is a republican and at three different times has served as a member of the township board of trustees and is now a member of the school board. He ranks with the representative and honored residents of his community, and he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WELLINGTON De NOYELLES.
Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose and it was with great sorrow and regret that the citizens of Cresco learned of the demise of Wellington De Noyelles, who for a considerable period was a well known and prominent hotel man and jeweler of Cresco. The sterling traits of his character gained him many warm friends and won him the respect of those with whom he was associated. He was born in the state of New York in 1856, his parents being Joshua and Almira (Borst) De Noyelles, both of whom were also natives of the Empire state and of French descent. The father engaged in the hotel business in the east and also carried on farming on an extensive scale and owned many fast horses. In his later life he retired from the hotel business but still retained possession of his farm land and continued to make his home in New York until 1870, when he re- moved westward to Nashua, Chickasaw county, Iowa. There he once more re- sumed active connection with the hotel business and remained a resident of that place until called to his final rest. His business affairs were wisely and carefully conducted and his interests brought to him a substantial measure of prosperity. His wife also spent her last days in Iowa, passing away in Mason City.
Wellington De Noyelles was largely reared in Cresco and is indebted to the public school system of the city for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. After his textbooks were put aside he began learning the jewelry trade in the store and under the direction of Charles Webber and afterward he returned to Nashua, Iowa, where he engaged in the hotel business with his father. At a subsequent period he established a jewelry store at Northwood, in Worth county, Iowa, where he remained for two years and then removed to Garner, Iowa, where he engaged in the jewelry business to the time of his demise. For an extended period he was
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connected with the jewelry trade of Iowa and his stores were always attractive establishments, well appointed and equipped. Moreover, his business methods in- sured him a liberal patronage, for he was ever straightforward and honorable in his dealings and built up his interests along constructive lines, his path never being strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes.
In 1872 Mr. De Noyelles was united in marriage to Miss Emma Caward, a daughter of James and Mary (Brown) Caward, who were natives of England, where they were reared and married. They came to the United States in early manhood and womanhood, crossing the Atlantic about 1843, at which time they established their home in the state of New York, where Mr. Caward followed the occupation of farming. Some time later, however, believing that he might have better business opportunities in the middle west, he removed to North Prairie, Wisconsin, where the father resumed agricultural interests, carefully and syste- matically conducting a farm there for a number of years. Eventually he removed to Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it was while the family was residing at that place that the birth of Mrs. De Noyelles occurred. While living in Whitewater, Mr. Caward was engaged in construction work on the Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul Railroad from 1857 until 1859. He remained a resident of that place until his death, which occurred when he was forty-nine years of age. His widow afterward removed to Chicago, Illinois, where her last days were spent, and she had reached the age of sixty-eight years ere she was called to her final rest. To Mr. and Mrs. De Noyelles was born a son, Leon Caward. Mrs. De Noyelles is still a resident of Cresco, where she has a fine modern home and is most pleasantly situated.
In his political views Mr. De Noyelles was a democrat, loyal to the party because of his firm belief in its principles. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church and he held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He had many substantial traits of character which won him kindly regard and good will from all who knew him and made his death a matter of deep regret to those who came within the circle of his friendship. Mrs. De Noyelles is widely and favorably known in Cresco and the hospitality of her pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by those with whom she is brought in contact.
A. J. VENZ.
A. J. Venz, a farmer residing on section 17, Deerfield township, Chickasaw county, was born in Germany, July 14, 1862, his parents being William and Hannah (Kneppe) Venz, who came to the United States in the spring of 1873 and first settled in Ripon, Fond du lac county, Wisconsin. After ten years they removed to Chickasaw county, Iowa, taking up their abode in Deerfield township on a tract of land of forty acres. A year later, however, Mr. Venz went with his family to Floyd county, Iowa, where he resided to the time of his death, which occurred January 2, 1919.
A. J. Venz was about eleven years of age when he crossed the Atlantic and had attained his majority at the time of the removal of his parents to Iowa. For three years after coming to Chickasaw county he worked for wages as a farm hand and then began renting land which he cultivated for seven years. The profits from his crops were carefully put away until the sum was sufficient to enable him in 1893 to purchase eighty acres of land on section 16, Deerfield township. For twelve years he resided upon and further improved the farm and on the expiration of that period he traded the property toward the purchase of his present home place, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. Today he has a modern farm, improved with good buildings that afford ample shelter for grain and stock. He devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits, producing the crops best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here, and the results of his labors have been very gratifying.
In November, 1888, Mr. Venz was married to Miss Emma Krumrey, of Chickasaw township. a daughter of Henry Krumrey, who came to Chickasaw county from Germany about 1866. He is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Venz are the parents of three children:
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Etta, now the wife of E. W. Manning, a farmer of Deerfield township; George, who married Lulu Rose, a daughter of W. W. Rose, and is now engaged in farming in Chickasaw township; and Wilbur, at home.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen A. J. Venz has given his political support to the republican party but has never sought nor desired office. His attention has been fully claimed by his business affairs and it has been through his own labor that he has gained his present day success. He started out in life empty-handed and has worked his way upward. He has never been afraid of hard labor, and his dilligence and industry have placed him among the substantial farmers of this section.
JAMES W. MULICK, M. D.
Dr. James W. Mulick is a well known physician of northern Iowa practicing at Elma, where he enjoys a large and lucrative practice in medicine and surgery. He was born in Riceville, Iowa, February 4, 1867, and mention of his family is made in connection with the sketch of his brother, J. F. Mulick, on another page of this work. In his youthful days he lived on the home farm of his father and attended the common schools at Riceville. After he had completed the course of instruction in those insti- tutions he became a student in the high school at Osage and was graduated therefrom in due time. In 1895 he determined to make the practice of medicine his life work and with this end in view went to Chicago, where he matriculated in the Rush Medical College, in which he completed the course and was graduated with the class of 1899. For a year thereafter he practiced medicine in McIntire, Iowa, and then removed to Elma, where he has since resided. Through the intervening period a large and very gratifying practice has been accorded him. He has been a most earnest and untiring student in his life's work.
On the 7th of June, 1905, Dr. Mulick was married to Miss Catherine Cullen, of Montreal, Canada, and they became the parents of four children: Mary Mildred, James Arthur, Catherine Marion and P. J. Clarence. The daughter Catherine M. died at Elma, March 15, 1912. The wife and mother passed away after a long illness on the 23d of October, 1918, her death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret, she being a most estimable young woman.
Dr. Mulick is a member of the Catholic church of Elma and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters, He likewise has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Modern Brotherhood of America. During the years 1917-18 he was honored with the presidency of the Howard County Medical Society and he also belongs to the Iowa State and American Medical Asso- ciations. His political endorsement is usually given to the democratic party and he feels an interest in its success and the adoption of its principles. When not too busy with his practice he takes a keen interest in the improvement of his farm lands.
JOHN F. BAETHKE.
John F. Baethke, a resident farmer of Howard county, is living on section 6, Paris township, where he owns and cultivates eighty acres of good land. He was born in this county on the 27th of September, 1888, and is a son of Christ and Sophia (Suerbeer) Baethke, both of whom are natives of Germany, although they came to the United States in early life and were married on this side of the water. The father was born May 25, 1858, and after his arrival in Howard county he worked as a farm hand for a short time. He was ambitious, however, to engage in farming on his own account and he carefully saved his earnings, practicing the strictest economy as well as the closest industry in order to gain a start. He then purchased property and for many years was classed with the progressive and representative farmers of the community, tilling the soil until about a year ago, when he retired from active business life, rent-
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ing his farm to his son and taking up his abode in Cresco, where he now lives in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He had pursued his early education in the schools of Germany, but by diligent study after coming to America he has won a place among those who are well informed concerning the history and development of this country.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for John F. Baethke of this review during the days of his boyhood, at which period he divided his time between the acquirement of a public school education and the work of the fields. Through vacation periods he assisted in the task of caring for the crops and was well trained in all branches of farm work when he took over the management of the old home property, to which he is now giving his entire attention. He carries on general farming and the results of his labors are most gratifying.
On the 22d day of January, 1913, Mr. Baethke was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Eberling, a daughter of Fred and Elizabeth Eberling, of Clayton county, Iowa, where the father is now engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Baethke have two children, Violet and Reuben, the former four years of age, while the little son is but a year old. The family attend the Lutheran church at Davis Corners. Mr. Baethke votes with the republican party nor does he lightly hold the duties and obligations of citizenship, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests, which he is now most carefully and creditably managing.
CHAPMAN ALEXANDER MARSHALL.
Chapman Alexander Marshall lived a life of great usefulness, dividing his time between agricultural pursuits and the work of the ministry. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1836, a son of Anthony and Jane (Alexander) Marshall. The father and mother were both natives of the South of England and were married there. The father was an officer of the English army and rose to the rank of lieutenant general. He served his government at Gibraltar, in South Africa, in Nova Scotia, in Canada and in Dublin, Ireland, and for many years remained with the colors, but his last days were spent in England, his demise occurring at Leamington. His wife also died at Leamington and was eighty-four years of age at the time of her death.
Chapman A. Marshall spent his boyhood in various localities, according to his father's places of assignment for military duty. He was at times in Dublin, Ireland, in South America and in Plymouth, England. He came to the United States in 1858, when a young man of nineteen years, and settled in Paris township, Howard county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, devoting about two years to the development and improvement of the place. In 1860 he returned to Plymouth, England, where he was married, and then with his bride he sailed for the new world, again making Howard county his destination. In the vicinity of Cresco he purchased a farm, which he at once began to develop and improve, and his labors soon wrought a marked transforma- tion in the appearance of the place. When Cresco was organized as a village le es- tablished a general store there and conducted the business for some time. As the years passed and his financial resources increased he kept adding to his farm land until he had a valuable place of six hundred acres, most carefully and successfully tilled. In addition he owned a store at Vernon Springs and he also devoted much time to the ministry, giving more and more of his time and energies to the work of the church as the years passed. He was also called upon to aid in public affairs and in 1886 was elected to the state senate, where he made so creditable a record that his fellow townsmen reelected him to the position. He continued a member of the upper house of the Iowa legislature through the second term and gave most thoughtful and earnest consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement. Through the period of his residence in Iowa he spent three years at New Hampton and during the following four and a half years resided at Nashua, Iowa. After leaving Nashua he took up his abode in Clinton, Iowa, where he continued for two years, and later
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spent thirteen years in McGregor. It was on the expiration of that period that he located in Cresco, where he and his wife spent their remaining days.
It was in 1860 that Mr. Marshall was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Greenway at Plymouth, England, and they became the parents of eight children, namely, Annie Jane, Edith Emma, Henry, Anthony, Chapman A., Florence R., Charles G. and Gertrude E. Both the father and mother have now passed away, the death of the Rev. Chapman A. Marshall having occurred in 1906, while his wife died in 1905. He was a republican in his political views and always stood loyally by the principles of the party, in which he firmly believed. As a minister of the Congregational church he did excellent work for the moral progress of the community, as a member of the state legislature he did effective service in placing important laws on the statute books and as a business man contributed to the material growth and development of Iowa. In a word, his worth was acknowledged along all the lines to which he directed his activities and his entire career was characterized by devotion to duty. He held to high ideals and was continually reaching out a helping hand to assist others on life's journey. A modern philosopher has said: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success," and judged by this standard Mr. Marshall was a most successful man. To know him was to esteem and honor him and thus his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret in the community in which he so long lived.
JAMES A. WOOD.
For years the most conspicuous figure in the business life of Ionia was James A. Wood, who controlled interests of a most important character, his labors at all times contributing to the progress and prosperity of the community in which he lived as well as to the advancement of his individual fortunes. He was born in Prescott, Canada, September 5, 1836, and in 1880 became a resident of Ionia, Iowa. At that time he was a man without capital, but he took advantage of opportunities which he found at his new location and won success as the years passed. He engaged in the creamery business and prosperity attended his efforts from the beginning. It was but a short time later that he founded lonia's first bank and not only did he prove himself an efficient and successful banker but also served as postmaster of the city and in addition found time to conduct a livery stable. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion. In his vocabulary there was no such word as fail, and if one avenue of opportunity seemed closed, he sought out other paths whereby he might reach the de- sired goal.
Ionia honored him as a citizen by electing him its first mayor and he served as postmaster for four years during the last Cleveland administration. It may also be said of him that he was the advisor to the people of the town. They consulted him upon all vital matters, and if advice were needed, or assistance in financial matters, it was to Mr. Wood that they turned and received from him wise counsel. He was ever ready to lend a willing ear to the troubles of the people of his community and to render such assistance as was possible. It seemed to be one of the vocations of his life and one of his keenest pleasures to help others. It is said that many of the oldest settlers owe their advancement in life directly to his timely help and his efforts in their behalf. He was a man of action rather than of theory and his own activity inspired others to greater effort.
Through the advice of his physician Mr. Wood sold his bank in 1901, but he be- lieved in the old adage that it was better to wear out than to rust out and he could not content himself to remain idle. He therefore turned his attention to the lumber busi- ness, which he conducted up to the time of his demise on the 28th of December, 1918, when he passed peacefully away without a pain to the other life which has no ending. He was one of the charter members and one of the principal figures in the organization of the Masonic lodge of Ionia, which later was consolidated with the lodge at Bassett,
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and at all times in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed.
It was on the 4th of September, 1894, that Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Alice A. Harrison, of Nashua, Iowa, a daughter of one of the earliest of the pioneer families of Chickasaw county. In his marriage to Miss Harrison, Mr. Wood found a helpmate worthy of the bigness and broadness of her husband. She was not only his companion but his assistant in all of his business activities, bringing to every question an intelligent understanding. The two were inseparable in all things and much of the business success of Mr. Wood may be attributed to his wife's loving care and assistance. Since her husband's death Mrs. Wood has continued to conduct the lumber business and has proven her ability in business affairs. She is a woman of education and refinement who for eighteen years prior to her marriage was engaged in educational work and during a part of that time taught in the primary department of the New Hampton schools. For several years past she has been a regular contributor to the local papers and has become well known in these and other connections. Her social position is an enviable one and her circle of friends is extensive. In politics Mr. Wood was a democrat but never sought or desired office, always preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. He had many admirable traits of char- acter and enjoyed the high regard and goodwill of all with whom he came in contact.
FRANK BURNS.
Frank Burns is the proprietor of the Lime Springs Meat Market and is one of the oldest business men of the town in years of continuous connection with the com- mercial interests. He was born in Watertown, Wisconsin, September 14, 1858, a son of Sylvester and Sarah (Barnes) Burns, both of whom were natives of Oneida, New York, where they were reared and married. In 1843 the father removed west- ward to Wisconsin and the following year was joined by his wife. They located in Jefferson county, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land near Watertown, at which time, because of the unsettled and undeveloped condition of the country, they did their marketing in Milwaukee-thirty-five miles distant. In young manhood the father lost a leg, which was torn off by the tumbling rod of a threshing machine. This forced him to give up farming and he removed to Water- town, where he conducted a hotel and also secured a government position as a mail carrier on the Star route. He died in 1880.
It was in the following year that Frank Burns removed to Iowa. His brother, Calvin W., was engaged in the butchering business in Lime Springs and Frank Burns joined him in this town, purchasing a half interest in the business. The two brothers then conducted their interests in partnership for about five years, when Frank Burns bought the interest of his brother and became sole proprietor. He has been continuously identified with the commercial activity of Lime Springs for thirty-seven years, there being scarcely anyone else who has so long been connected with business interests at this place. In 1898 his establishment was destroyed by fire when a part of the town was burned. Immediately afterward he began the erection, on the same site, of his present brick business block. The fire occurred in August and on the 1st of December following he resumed business in his new building. He has always carried a large line of fine meats and his reasonable prices, straightforward dealings and earnest desire to please his customers have been salient features in his constantly growing trade.
On the 27th of June, 1882, Mr. Burns was married to Miss Nannie Moore, of Lime Springs, and they had four children: Teresa, now the wife of Charles A. Kohout, a jeweler of Cass Lake, Minnesota; Gladys M., the widow of Lloyd Horton, who died at Camp Grant, near Rockford, Illinois, in September, 1918; Vera, the wife of F. H. Luhman, of Postville, Iowa; and Beryl, who is attending a business college in Minneapolis. The wife and mother passed away on the 15th of July,
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1915, her death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret throughout the community.
Mr. Burns is a democrat in politics and has been quite active as a leader in the local ranks of the party. He served as a member of the town council for nine years and for a similar period was a member of the school board, taking keen in- terest in the development and improvement of the school system of the town. He is a member of Howard Lodge, No. 214, A. F. & A. M., and served as master for five years, while he and his four daughters are all members of Utopia Chapter, No. 379, O. E. S. Mr. Burns is serving as worthy patron, while his daughter, Mrs. Gladys M. Horton, is worthy matron. Mr. Burns also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Burns and his family are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and their aid and influence are always given on the side of right, progress and improvement. He justly deserves mention among the representative and worthy citizens of Howard county.
HON. D. A. LYONS.
Hon. D. A. Lyons has left the impress of his individuality upon the history of Iowa as a member of the state senate during the twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, thirtieth and thirty-first sessions of the general assembly. His influ- ence in public affairs has been a potent one and the results of his labors have been far-reaching and beneficial. He is now living retired in Cresco, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of an active business life, characterized by sound judgment and enterprise.
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