USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 49
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 49
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On the 4th of September, 1907, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Vina Clapham, of Fredericksburg, Iowa, by whom he has two children, William C. and Catherine.
In politics Mr. Parker is a republican and always keeps well informed concerning the political questions and problems of the day. He is a member of the town council and formerly served as clerk of the board. Fraternally he is connected with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America and is serving as clerk of his camp. He is also a member and the secretary of the Homesteaders Lodge and a member of Standard Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Waucoma, Iowa, while in Arcana Chapter, R. A. M., of New Hampton, he has taken the Royal Arch degrees. He is likewise identified with Eudora Commandery, K. T., of New Hampton, and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in El Kahir Temple of Cedar Rapids. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and they are keenly interested in all that has to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the district in which they live. During the period of the war Mr. Parker took a most active part in furthering the interests of the government and was a member of the Liberty Loan committee of Chickasaw county, having charge of the loan in Stapleton township during the third and fourth drives. He put the town- ship over the top in both loans and he was again appointed to that position at the time the Victory Loan was launched. His work in this connection has been most efficient and his labors brought results that were thoroughly gratifying.
SUMNER P. MOORE.
Sumner P. Moore, one of the oldest of the pioneers of Chickasaw county and for many years justice of the peace at Fredericksburg, was born in Union county, Ohio, June 9, 1849, a son of Thomas C. and Emily (Paine) Moore, the former a native of Connecticut, while the latter was born in Union county, Ohio, where they were married. In 1854 they removed to Iowa, settling in Postville, where the father conducted one of the old-time log hotels, sheltering many of the early pioneers and upon his place he also had accommodations for the teams of the continental travelers, the hotel being ccated on the old military road. In 1866 he removed to Fredericksburg, Chickasaw county, and purchased a farm a mile north of the town. He spent many years upon that place but passed the last ten years of his life in Kansas, where his death occurred.
Sumner P. Moore of this review was educated in the district schools and on reach- ing young manhood took up work at the carpenter's trade. For twenty-five years he was prominently identified with the contracting and building business, erecting many of the substantial and fine buildings of Fredericksburg, which stand as monuments to his activity in this field of labor and show forth his skill and handiwork. He then turned his attention to the insurance and loan business, with which he has since been identified. In 1906 he bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-seven and a half acres, a part of which lies within the corporation limits of Fredericksburg. This tract of land he cultivated very successfully for nine years and then sold the place in 1915.
In 1883 Mr. Moore was married to Miss Jennie Parks, of Fredericksburg, a daughter of Benjamin B. Parks, who came to Chickasaw county in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have become the parents of seven children, of whom four are living: Walter H., a resident of New Hampton, Iowa; Ben H., living at Eagle Grove, Iowa; Clint H., who
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is in the United States army, stationed at Kelly Field No. 1, in camp at San Antonio, Texas, serving with the rank of sergeant; and Wynona, at home.
Politically Judge Moore is a republican and during the fifty-three years of his residence in Fredericksburg he has never missed a general election and has always voted the republican ticket in the same precinct. For the past ten years he has served as notary and for many years he has filled the position of justice of the peace, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He has been a Mason for forty-five years and for twenty years has been secretary of Mount Horeb Lodge, No. 333, A. F. & A. M., which has ever found in him a worthy exemplar, one who is most loyal to the teachings of the craft, the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Chickasaw county numbers him among her best known and most highly respected citizens. His friendship is of that kind which stands the test of adversity as well as prosperity, and his character includes the power of appreciating whatever is noble and uplifting in another.
GEORGE J. SCHOLZ.
George J. Scholz, cashier and member of the board of directors of the Alta Vista Savings Bank of Alta Vista, Iowa, was born in Guttenberg, this state, on the 26th of January, 1881, a son of Charles and Helena (Ulrich) Scholz, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to the new world in young manhood in company with his brother, W. H. Scholz, while the mother crossed the Atlantic as a girl with her parents. Both became residents of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they were later married. For a year or two they resided in that city and then removed to Guttenberg, lowa, where the father engaged in general merchandising and became prominently identified with the business life of that city, where he continued his mercantile activ- ities for more than a quarter of a century. He was also active in community affairs, served as president of the school board and for a number of years was a member of the city council. He passed away at a comparatively early age, being called to his final rest when a man of fifty-three. His widow continued the business for a period of ten years.
George J. Scholz was educated in the common schools of Guttenberg, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1896. He displayed special aptitude in his studies, completing his course before his sixteenth year. When his textbooks were put aside he secured a clerkship in a store, in which he was employed for a year, and subsequently he taught school for two years, at the expiration of which period he came to Alta Vista and entered the banking business as assistant cashier of the Alta Vista Savings Bank. He held that title for several years but served in the capacity of cashier, being practically alone in the conduct of the bank's affairs. In 1906 he was formally chosen as cashier of the institution and has since given his attention to constructive effort, administra- tive direction and executive control. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the banking business and his efforts have been a basic element in the success of the institution. He is ever a courteous and obliging official and does everything in his power to accommodate the patrons of the bank, while at the same time carefully safe- guarding the interests of depositors and stockholders.
In 1903 Mr. Scholz was united in marriage to Miss Millle Kohler, of Guttenberg, Iowa, who passed away in 1916, leaving three children, of whom two are living, Charles H. and Milton K. In August, 1917, Mr. Scholz was again married, his second union being with Miss Clara Erion, of Alta Vista.
In his political views Mr. Scholz is an earnest republican and for ten years has served as mayor of Alta Vista, giving to the city a very businesslike and progressive administration, characterized by needed reforms and improvements. He has also served as president of the school board and is interested in the intellectual progress of the community. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Maple Leaf Lodge, No. 528, A. F. & A. M .; Adelphia Chapter, No. 113, R. A. M., and also to Alta Vista Lodge,
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No. 65S, I. O. O. F., and to Charles City Lodge, No. 418, B. P. O. E. He is ever loyal to the teachings and purposes of these organizations and in every relation of life is found true to the trusts reposed in him. He has won a creditable place among the substantial, progressive and representative business men of Chickasaw county, where his worth is widely acknowledged. Actuated by a laudable ambition, he has advanced step by step and each forward step in his career has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. Moreover, opportunity has ever been to him a call to action and one to which he has made ready response. Men who know him-and he has a wide acquaintance-speak of him in terms of the highest regard and aside from what ne has done for his city as a business man he has greatly furthered its interests and upheld its civic standards through the exercise of his official prerogatives as mayor.
F. A. SCHUETZ.
For thirteen years F. A. Schuetz has been the cashier of the State Savings Bank of Lawler and through his connection with the institution it has shown rapid and substantial growth, becoming one of the strong moneyed concerns of Chickasaw county. Mr. Schuetz is a native of New Hampton, Iowa, where he was born May 9, 1877, his parents being John and Mary (Demuth) Schuetz, who were natives of Luxemburg. In 1855 the father came to the United States, making the voyage in a sailing vessel. He took up his abode at Aurora, Illinois, where he was employed at railroad work for a period of eight years, and in 1863 he returned to Luxemburg, where he was married. He then brought his bride to the United States and established his home in Dubuque county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm which he cultivated for a period of five years. At the end of that time he sold the property and removed to New Hampton, where he engaged in merchandising. In 1880, after the three years' wheat crop failures of Iowa, he lost his business owing to the fact that he was carrying so many on his books who were unable to pay him. He thereafter lived a private life in New Hampton, where he passed away in 1909, at the age of seventy-seven years.
F. A. Schuetz was educated in the graded and high schools of New Hampton, being graduated on the completion of his high school course as a member of the class of 1896. He next entered the State Agricultural College at Ames, where he completed his studies in 1899. Following his graduation there he taught in the schools of Bassett for a year and subsequently became principal of the New Hampton high school, in which position he remained for two years. He next accepted the principalship of the high school at Grinnell, Iowa, where he continued for one year and was then made superintendent of the schools of Perham, Minnesota, in which capacity he continued to serve for three years. On the expiration of that period he was offered and accepted the cashiership of the State Savings Bank at Lawier and in this important position has since remained. When he entered the bank in 1906 its resources amounted to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, while on the 1st of April, 1919, its resources aggre- gated six hundred and nine thousand dollars. During the prosecution of the war with Germany the bank furnished the government through the subscriptions which it took and through its private subscriptions something over three hundred and eighty-four thousand dollars. The bank has shown a wonderful growth since Mr. Schuetz became its cashier and has been active in managing its financial policy.
On the 5th of June, 1907, Mr. Schuetz was united in marriage to Miss Grace C. Struett, of Perham, Minnesota, by whom he has four children: John S., Louis F., Catherine and Francis J.
Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz are members of the Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and for many years he served as secretary of the school board and was recently elected to the county board of education. He has ever stood for progress and improvement in the public life of the community and during the period of the war was especially active in promo- tion of the Liberty Loan drives and was chairman for Utica township during the third
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and fourth loans and also again for the Victory Loan. He was chairman of the Red Cross fund of Stapleton township and made numerous speeches in his district in support of the various drives and the war work. He is a man of progressive spirit, satiety having no part in his nature. He is always looking to opportunities not only for the development of his individual interests but for the benefit of his town and county as well and his labors in this direction have been far-reaching and effective.
MARCUS OSCAR SWENSON.
Marcus Oscar Swenson is a plumbing and heating contractor of Cresco, conduct- ing a business of gratifying proportions. Moreover, he is a native son of the city in which he resides, his birth having here occurred November 17, 1879, his parents being Frederick and Josephine (Iverson) Swenson. His father was born near Racine, Wisconsin, and there pursued his education in the public schools, after which he worked on a farm for his mother for a time and later he secured employ- ment in a blacksmith shop and machine shop. He afterward came to Iowa, estab- lishing his home in Cresco, where he obtained a position in the jewelry store of his brother, Ole Swenson. A little later he returned to Wisconsin but after a short time again came to Cresco, where he established a machine shop. Later he took up the business of manufacturing mowers, which became widely known as the Swenson mowers and were the first made in this part of the country. He con- tinued in the business for a number of years and in 1892 he began the installation of heating plants and also did plumbing work. During this time he likewise manu- factured engines and boilers. He thus developed important industrial interests in Cresco and ranked with its prominent and representative business men. His activi- ties constantly broadened in scope and his business continually increased in volume. He continued an active factor in the industrial life of Cresco to the time of his death, which occurred April 11, 1905, when he had reached the age of fifty-eight years. His political support was given to the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. In 1878 he married Miss Josephine Iverson, a daugh- ter of Lars and Anna Iverson. She was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, while her parents were natives of Norway. At an early day they left the land of the mid- night sun and came to the United States, establishing their home near Leland, Illi- nois, where Mr. Iverson engaged in farming for some time. Subsequently he re- moved to Newburg township, Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he took up gov- ernment land, upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He at once built a little log house and began to break the prairie and cultivate the fields. He brought his farm under a good state of cultivation but eventually left that place and removed to Hesper township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he again purchased land. This he cultivated for a number of years and at length re- moved to Mabel, Minnesota, where he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He died at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife reached the age of eighty-six years. Their daughter, Mrs. Swenson, was the first child born in Fillmore county.
Marcus O. Swenson of this review pursued his education in the schools of Cresco and in the normal school. His business training was received under the direction of his father and through the International Correspondence School. He began working with his father at the heating and plumbing business in the old machine shop and foundry and developed his mechanical skill and ingenuity. He also worked for the Grubbing Machine Company, owned by Caward & Swenson, and was employed at the city water works as engineer. He also spent some time as miller in a flour and feed mill of Cresco owned by John McCoy and John Casper and later he worked for the firm of Swenson & Moen in the plumbing business. His next step in his business career was to enter into partnership with his father and this relation was maintained until the latter's death on the 11th of April, 1905. at which time the father was fifty-eight years of age. Following his demise Marcus
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O. Swenson and his mother carried on the business until February 4, 1908, after which the son became sole proprietor and has since conducted his interests as a plumbing and heating contractor. In 1909 he removed his shop from the old foundry building to its present location and has since continued in the business, winning a liberal patronage as the years have passed on and he has demonstrated his skill and efficiency in his chosen line.
On the 4th of February, 1908, Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Miss Violet E. Hammond, who was born near Cresco, a daughter of William and Mar- garet (Clarke) Hammond. Her parents were natives of Illinois but came to How- ard county at an early day, casting in their lot with its pioneer settlers before the town of Cresco had been established. To Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have been born four children: Marjorie, Robert, Ruth and Paul.
On July 8, 1918, Mr. Swenson went to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked a short time at his trade, after which he went to Nashville, Tennessee, and was em- ployed as a pipe fitter by the Du Pont Engineering Company, constructing the Old Hickory powder plant at Jacksonville, Tennessee, sixteen miles northeast of Nash- ville and adjacent to The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson. Mr. Swenson moved his family and mother to Lebanon, Tennessee, twenty-five miles southeast of the powder plant, September 28, 1918. His work ended there Feb- ruary 20, 1919. He then took heating and plumbing contracts for the Cedar City Machine Shop Company of Lebanon, Tennessee, securing considerable business until he accepted a position with the Lindle Plumbing & Heating Company of Akron, Ohio, August 20, 1919, his family and mother then returning to Cresco, Iowa, for a visit.
Mr. Swenson was a member of the fire company of Cresco for about ten years and acted as one of the foremen. In June, 1902, he joined as a charter member Company E, Forty-ninth Regiment, Iowa National Guard. During the summer of 1902 the Forty-ninth's Regiment number was changed to the Fifty-third, as the Forty-ninth was a Spanish War Regiment and the reorganized regiment was given a new number with the similar change in the other three state regiments. He served as second lieutenant in the Fifty-third Regiment from April 21, 1908, until May, 1909, when Company E was mustered out. He had worked his way up through the ranks to his position as a commissioned officer. Fraternally he is a con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Masons and is a loyal adherent of their teachings and purposes. In fact he is regarded as a man of genuine worth in Cresco.
AUGUST MILHAM.
August Milham, who successfully followed farming on section 29, Afton town- ship, Howard county, was born in Germany in 1843 and came to the United States when a young man of twenty-four years. He made the trip alone after bidding adieu to friends and native country, thinking that he would have better opportuni- ties on this side of the Atlantic, nor did he ever regret his determination to come to the United States. He made his way first to Illinois, where he remained for two years, during which time he was engaged in hauling milk. On the expiration of that period he removed to Howard county, Iowa, and purchased a farm in Afton township, which he conducted for two years. He then sold that property and later was employed as a farm hand in Afton township for a time.
In 1876 Mr. Milham was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Arndt, a daughter of Fred Arndt, and they began their domestic life upon a rented farm. Mr. Milham continued to rent land for twenty years after his marriage and then purchased the present home farm, upon which he resided to the time of his death, which occurred on the 8th of December, 1916. He was an active and energetic farmer, who carefully tilled the soil and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. putting forth every effort to provide a comfortable living for his family.
AUGUST MILHAM
LEO MILHAM
ARTHUR MILHAM
Vol. II-23
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To Mr. and Mrs. Milham were born thirteen children, namely: Mrs. Augusta Brown; Mrs. Carrie Patri; Mrs. Minnie Weipert; Amelia M., deceased; Mrs. Annie Klein; John; Benjamin and Joseph, twins, deceased; Frederick, also deceased; August; Leo, who was with the Eighty-first Machine Gun Battalion and went over- seas during the world war, seeing much active service, but has since been honorably discharged and is now at home on the farm with his mother; Mrs. Noretta Bohardt; and Arthur, who was with the Headquarters Company, Eighty-eighth Infantry, sta- tioned at Camp Dodge for about six months, and is now on the home farm.
Mrs. Milham still resides upon the home farm. Mr. Milham was a member of the German Lutheran church, of which his family are also adherents, and his political endorsement was given to the democratic party. He was a man who stood loyally in defense of whatever he believed to be right or for the benefit of the community at large and his sterling worth was recognized by all with whom he came in contact.
CHARLES MICHAEL GAMROW.
Charles Michael Gamrow has throughout his entire life been a resident of How- ard county and makes his home on section 7. Afton township. He was born on the 27th of September, 1861, a son of Frederick and Annie Gamrow, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States with their respective parents at an early age and in young manhood the father worked for a time in Wis- consin but eventually removed to Iowa and purchased land in Howard county which he developed into an excellent farm property. It was largely wild and unimproved when it came into his possession, but his labors soon wrought a marked change in the appearance of the place, converting it into rich fields that annually produced sub- stantial crops. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gamrow were two sons: Charles M., of this review; and Frederick, a resident farmer of Howard county. The latter married Minnie Sprung, of this county, and he is well known among the agricultur- ists of the district.
Charles Michael Gamrow spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of the farm-bred boy of Howard county. He attended the district schools, enjoyed the pleasures of the playground and worked in the fields during vacation periods. He thus became thoroughly familiar with the best methods of cultivating the soil and caring for the crops and was well qualified to take up farming on his own account after he had reached adult age. He has carried on farming independently for thirty years and is meeting with success in all of his undertakings.
In his political views Mr. Gamrow is a republican but has never been an office seeker. However, he manifests a deep interest in all plans and projects looking to the development and upbuilding of his section of the state and is regarded as a sub- stantial citizen. His religious faith is indicated by his attendance at the Lutheran church of Riceville. Having spent his entire life in Howard county, he is well known and those with whom he has been brought in contact speak of him as a thoroughly reliable business man.
NELSON I. MEAD.
Nelson I. Mead, who follows farming on section 10, Chickasaw township, in Chick- asaw county, and whose activity in public affairs of the community is indicated by his service as a member of the present board of township trustees, was born September 18, 1855, in the township where he still lives and in which he has now made his home for sixty-four years. His parents were Isaac and Helen (Rice) Mead, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, where they were reared and married. Subsequently they made their way westward to Illinois and thence removed to Wisconsin, while in the spring of 1855 they came to Iowa, settling in Chickasaw township, Chickasaw
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county, where the father purchased two hundred acres of land from a speculator at five dollars per acre. He at once began the development and improvement of the farm, which he brought under a high state of cultivation and upon which he made his home until the death of his wife, which occurred on the 19th of August, 1884. He then made his home with his son, Nelson I., until he was called from this life on the 3d of July, 1905.
Nelson I. Mead was educated in the district schools, attending when there was no work to be done on the farm. His youth was a period of earnest toil and after reaching manhood he and a brother operated the home farm for two years. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara J. Hooker, of Ionia, a daughter of James M. Hooker, who came to Chickasaw county from Rockford, Illinois, in 1859, settling on a farm in Chickasaw township, a half mile east of Ionia. There he lived up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1903. He served for several years as justice of the peace and was a prominent figure in the councils of the republican party. In fact he was regarded as one of the leading and influential residents of his section of the state and contributed much to the development of his district from pioneer times down to the present century.
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