USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 55
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 55
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Lee J. Chestek supplemented his district school education by a course of study in the Nora Springs Commercial College at Nora Springs, Iowa. In his boy- hood and youth he assisted in the work of the farm and his training well qualified him for later duties and responsibilities. After his marriage he rented land in Floyd county, near Charles City, and there carried on farming for a year. He then returned to the old homestead, his father removing to Bassett, and took charge of the farm which he has since operated. In June, 1919, he purchased the place, which comprises one hundred and forty-two acres of rich and productive land. He is carefully cultivating his fields and his progressive methods are mani- fest in the excellent appearance of the place.
On the 25th of July, 1907, Mr. Chestek was united in marriage to Miss Florence Tibbitts, a daughter of Nelson Tibbitts, of Floyd county, Iowa. They now have four children, namely: Thelma A., Leland N., Robert W. and Bernald E. In his political views of Mr. Chestek is a republican and he is numbered among the pro- gressive citizens, and representative farmers of Deerfield township. He has never sought or desired office, but his support can always be counted upon to further any plan or measure for the general good.
ROGER FOGARTY.
Roger Fogarty is busily engaged in the further development and improvement of his farm, which is situated on section 14, Howard township, in Howard county. He is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred within its borders March 22, 1874, his parents being John and Mary (Richards) Fogarty, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Coming to America, they established their home in this state and the father passed away in Afton township, Howard county, on the 14th of May, 1918. To him and his wife were born the following children, the brothers and sisters of Roger Fogarty be- ing Mrs. Mary Beaumeister, Mrs. Kate Conley, Mrs. Hannah Conley, John, Mike and Patrick. Another son, Edward G., was killed in the World war in France in 1918 and his brothers, Patrick and Roger, were made trustees of the estate for ten years, at the end of which time the property will come to them.
In the district schools near his father's home Roger Fogarty pursued his education and in the summer months he worked in the fields. early acquainting himself with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He has always carried on farming and in 1900 purchased eighty acres of his present farm property, while upon the death of his father he came into possession of an eightv acre tract adjoining, so that he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and to which he has added various modern improvements. He uses good machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and every- thing about the place indicates his careful supervision:
Mr. Fogarty is a member of the Catholic church at Elma. His political endorse- ment is given to the democratic party but he has never sought nor desired office, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business interests, and his diligence and determination have been the basis of his success.
JOHN MIKES.
John Mikes, of the firm of Mikes Brothers, proprietors of the Fredericksburg Meat Market, was born in Lisov, Bohemia, Austria, on the 15th of May, 1867, a son of Matthias and Antonia (Hanzel) Mikes, both of whom passed away in Bo- hemia. The son was educated in the public schools of that country and upon reaching manhood entered upon an apprenticeship to the butcher's trade. Later he served three years in the Austrian army and in 1890 came to the United States, settling first at Bristow, Iowa, where he had a brother engaged in the butchering
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business. He entered the employ of his brother, with whom he remained for two years, and then went to Elma, where he conducted a shop for his brother for a period of two years. In 1894 he came to Fredericksburg and in company with his brother Adolph opened a meat market, the business being conducted under the firm name of Mikes Brothers. In 1901 Charles Mikes purchased the interest of his brother Adolph in the business, which has since been continued under the old firm style. John Mikes has been identified with the business interests of Fredericksburg for a period of a quarter of a century and the firm of Mikes Brothers is said to be one of the most successful of the town. They carry a large line of fine meats and their honorable business methods, their thorough reliability, their enterprise and their straightforward dealing have gained for them a very liberal and gratifying patronage.
In 1901 Mr. Mikes was united in marriage to Miss Rosa H. Ruska, of Elma, Howard county, and they have become the parents of eight children, namely: Frank J., John P., Rosa A., Victor E., Edwin M., Isabelle A., James R. and Anna V.
In his political views Mr. Mikes maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. He served for four years as a member of the town council and is interested in all that has to do with public progress and improvement. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He deserves much credit for what he lias accomplished in a business way and may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out in life empty-handed. In fact he had no capital when he came to the new world and from that point in his career he has steadily worked his way upward, utilizing the opportunities and advantages which have come to him. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to es- tablish a home on this side of the Atlantic, for through the intervening years he has advanced steadily step by step and is now one of the prosperous citizens of Fredericksburg.
CHARLES HENRY LEONARD.
Charles Henry Leonard, who has made the Lawler Dispatch, of which he is editor and publisher, one of the dynamic forces in the development and upbuilding of his section of Chickasaw county, was born March 2, 1872, in the town which he still makes his home. His parents were Phillip Henry and Maggie Isabelle Leonard. The father was born in Minnesota in 1847 and was active in the development of the west along various lines. He superintended the men who built the railroad in 1869 and eventually he took up the business of grain dealing in the new town of Lawler. Previously he had served as a Union soldier in the Civil war. He married Maggie Isabelle O'Hanlon in the year in which he established his home at Lawler and for thirty-five years he continued a resident of this city. His wife passed away at Lawler, August 15, 1901, and Mr. Leonard now resides at Minneapolis.
Charles Henry Leonard was educated in the public schools of Lawler and in the Mount Carmel parochial school of Lawler, from which he was graduated with the class of June, 1897. He followed farming until he reached the age of twenty-three years and then became manager of a restaurant, which he conducted for three years. He afterward secured a clerkship in Landon's drug store, occupying that position for nine years, and for three years he managed a store for Mr. Landon at Jerico, Iowa. On the 1st of July, 1912, he purchased the Lawler Dispatch and has since been its owner and publisher, making it one of the most alive newspapers of the county. It is his purpose to keep in closest touch with the news of the day and to make the journal of keen interest to the public. The business has been attended with success. The paper, which was a five-column sheet when he took hold of it, has been enlarged to six columns, a linotype machine has been installed and the Dispatch has become the official paper of the county.
On the 31st of October, 1900, at Afton, Iowa, Mr. Leonard was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Daly, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Daly, of Thayer,
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Iowa. They have become the parents of four children, as follows: Mary Aneta, who died on the 26th of December, 1901; Angeline Daly; Charleen Margarite; and Anna Rose.
The religious faith of Mr. Leonard is that of the Catholic church and fraternally he is connected with the Catholic Order of Foresters and with the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs also to the Lawler Commercial Club and is one of its most progressive representatives. In politics he has always supported democratic prin- ciples but has never been an aspirant for office, feeling that his business affairs have claimed his entire attention. Alert and energetic, he is well qualified for the line of business in which he has engaged and he has made of the Lawler Dispatch a paper which would be a credit to a city of much greater size.
O. J. FREDERICI.
More than fifty years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since O. J. Frederici started upon life's journey as a native son of Chickasaw county. He was born January 1, 1868, in the old town of Bradford, and he now makes his home on section 34, Chickasaw township, where he is busily and successfully engaged in farming. He is a son of Valentine and Theresa (Boller) Frederici, who were natives of Germany, whence they came to the United States. The father had reached young manhood ere he emi- grated to the new world, and the mother came to this country in her girlhood with her parents, who settled in Guttenberg, Clayton county, Iowa. It was in that county that Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Frederici were married, and in 1867 they established their home in Chickasaw county, taking up their abode at Bradford. The father was a brewer by trade and in this county he purchased a brewery at Bradford, continuing its operation until it was destroyed by fire some time in the '70s. He then removed to Bassett and afterward to Nashua and in 1894 took up his abode in the home of his son, O. J. Frederici, with whom he continued to reside until his death about 1902.
O. J. Frederici was educated in the rural school and in the Bradford schools and in 1894 he began farming on his own account. He had been trained to this occupation from boyhood and for fifteen years he cultivated rented land but was ambitious to own property and carefully saved his earnings until he was able to purchase his present farm of one hundred and ten acres in 1909. Since that time he has resided upon the place, and his enterprise and diligence have wrought a marked transformation in its appearance and productiveness.
In 1897 Mr. Frederici was married to Miss Ethel Trask. a daughter of John Trask, of Deerfield township, who was one of the earliest of the pioneers of Chickasaw county arriving here in 1854. He is mentioned at length elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Frederici have two children, Leon O. and Cecil C., both at home.
In his political views Mr. Frederici is a democrat and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has long occupied a position among the suc- cessful farmers and progressive citizens of Chickasaw township and has throughout his entire life been an interested witness of the growth and development of this section of the state at all times bearing his part in the work of public progress and improvement.
W. F. JACOBS, D. V. M.
Dr. W. F. Jacobs, one of the successful veterinarians of Chickasaw county, filling the office of assistant state veterinarian, was born in Allison, Butler county, Iowa, November 18, 1882, a son of William and Johanna (Toll) Jacobs, both natives of Ger- many. The father came to this country in young manhood and settled in Butler Cen- ter, Butler county, Iowa. The mother crossed the Atlantic when a child of seven or eight years in company with her parents, who after landing at New York city made their way direct to Iowa, establishing their home in Butler county. On the journey
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west they went through Chicago and from that point to Belvidere, Illinois, by train, which was then the terminus of the railroad. There they outfitted for the trip across the country and the journey was made with eleven yoke of oxen. In the party with which they were traveling there were nine families. The trip by wagon covered six weeks and they reached Butler county in 1852, forming one of the first colonies to settle within the borders of that county. William Jacobs, father of Dr. W. F. Jacobs, had been a soldier in the German army before coming to the new world and fought in the Franco-Prussian war. He was a baker by trade but on coming to America took up his abode upon a farm in Butler county and continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his active life. He is still living and makes his home in Clarksville but the mother passed away in 1917 at the age of seventy-three years.
Dr. Jacobs attended the Clarksville high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. He afterward became a student in the Jones National School of Auc- tioneering in Chicago and completed his course there by graduation in 1912. He next entered the McKillip Veterinary College of Chicago and received from that institution his D. V. M. degree as a member of the class of 1917. When his course was completed he came at once to Nashua, where during the intervening period of two years he has built up a remunerative practice. Four months after opening his office here he was ap- pointed assistant state veterinarian, in which official capacity he has since served.
In 1908 Dr. Jacobs was married to Miss Helen O. Miller, of Butler county, and they have made many friends during the period of their residence in Nashua. Dr. Jacobs belongs to Bradford Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Nashua, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is also connected with Nashua Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Nashua Lodge, No. 110, K. P .; and the Modern Woodmen camp. He belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He has been a lifelong resident of Iowa and in all that he does or un- dertakes is actuated by the spirit of western enterprise and progress.
CHRIS RUSSLER.
Chris Russler, who is the capable butter maker with the Fredericksburg Butter Company at Fredericksburg, Chickasaw county, was born in Germany, September 16, 1875, his parents being Simon and Margaret (Koehler) Russler, who spent their entire lives in their native land. There Chris Russler was reared to his seventeenth year and the public schools afforded him his educational opportunities. In 1892 he determined 10 enjoy better conditions by emigrating to the United States, and having a sister in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, made that city his destination. After spending thirty days with his sister, however, he continued his westward travel until he reached Hawkeye, Fayette county, Iowa, where he had a brother living. For five years he resided at Hawk- ave and engaged in farm work. In 1897 he entered upon an apprenticeship to the butter maker's trade and for seventeen years was associated with that business at Hawkeye. In the winter of 1901-2 he attended the State Agricultural College at Ames and further qualified for the difficult task of the scientific making of good butter. He subsequently occupied the position of butter maker with the Hawkeye Creamery for ten years and in 1914 came to Fredericksburg to take charge of the plant at this place. In the past six years he has been one of the dominant factors in placing the products of the Fredericksburg Butter Company among the highest rated butter products of the country. During the summer of 1918, from the 1st of May to the 15th of Novem- her, this company made one hundred and seventy-eight thousand pounds of butter for the United States navy and since the 15th of July, 1919, the navy has taken the entire product of tne Fredericksburg plant.
On the 11th of February, 1904. Mr. Russler was married to Miss Anna M. Reichel, of Hawkeye, Iowa, and they have become the parents of three children: Luella F., Hazel M. and Howard E. Mr. and Mrs. Russler are members of the German Lutheran church and they are well known in Fredericksburg, where they have many friends.
CHRIS RUSSLER
Vol. 11-28
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In politics Mr. Russler is a republican. He has had neither the time nor the inclina- tion to seek office, however, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business interests and duties. He has well won the reputation of being one of the best butter makers in the state of Iowa and has gained for the product which he makes the highest award of public approval. Butter from the Fredericksburg factory has won prizes at the Iowa State Fair at Des Moines, at the Dairy Cattle Congress at Water- loo and in fact has taken awards wherever exhibited.
REV. J. J. ZEYEN.
Rev. J. J. Zeyen, pastor of St. Bernard's church of Alta Vista, was born in Treves, France, January 1, 1883, his parents being Joseph J. and Barbara (Weyer) Zeyen, who came to the United States in 1885 and established their home in Spokane, Washington, where the mother and some of the children now reside. The father, however, passed away December 31, 1917.
J. J. Zeyen obtained his elementary schooling in Spokane, Washington, and later attended the St. Lawrence College at St. Lawrence, Wisconsin, where he remained for seven years, completing the full classical course during that period. He afterward went to Europe and attended the Imperial University at Innsbruck, in the Tyrol of Austria. There he spent three years in the pursuit of a theological course and later he pursued a post graduate course at the French Seminary and in the Gregorian University in Rome. He was graduated from the latter institution in 1907 and was ordained to the priesthood at Innsbruck by the Rt. Rev. Altenweisel, of Brixen Tyrol, in 1906.
In the following year Father Zeyen was given his first charge as assistant priest at Gilbertville, Iowa, where he remained for five years. In 1912 he was sent to Dubuque, lowa, as assistant pastor to Rt. Rev. Mgr. George W. Heer of St. Mary's church. He remained there until May, 1915, when he was appointed pastor of the Sacred Heart church at Meyer, Iowa, over which he presided for a year. In May, 1916, he came to Alta Vista as pastor of St. Bernard's charge, over which he now presides. This parish is in a prosperous condition and the school has an attendance of one hundred and twenty-five pupils. Father Zeven is greatly beloved by the people of his parish and is doing excellent work for the Catholic cause in this section of the state.
J. W. McKONE, M. D.
Dr. J. W. McKone, physician and surgeon of Lawler, whose practice is of substan- tial proportions and of important character, was born January 26, 1872, in the town which is still his home. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (McCartin) McKone, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Dubuque, Iowa. The father came to the United States with relatives when a boy of nine years and became a resi- dent of the state of New York, where he was reared to manhood. He afterward made his way to Iowa, where he took up blacksmithing. He worked at his trade in the Union army during the Civil war and it was subsequent to this period that he estab- lished his home in Chickasaw county. Here he was married and for some years there- after he conducted a blacksmith shop in Jacksonville. Following the building of the railroad into Lawler he removed to the new town and opened a smithy, which he car- ried on for several years but retired from active business some time prior to his death, which occurred in 1912. His widow survives and still makes her home in Lawler.
Dr. McKone, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the schools of Lawler and in the State University of Iowa at Iowa City. After pursuing a two years' preparatory course he entered the medical department of the State University and there won his professional degree upon graduation with the class of 1896. Following the com- pletion of his course he came direct to Lawler and opened an office. Here he has con- tinuously practiced for twenty-three years and his professional career has been marked
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by steady progress that lias followed broad reading and continuous study that has kept him in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries of the medical fra- ternity. During the summer of 1895, while attending the State University of Iowa, he took up three months' special work at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chi- cago and in 1900 and once more in 1909 he pursued post-graduate work in the Chicago Post Graduate School. He has ever been actuated by the laudable ambition of making his service of greatest possible benefit to his patients, who have the utmost confidence in him, recognizing the superiority of his methods and his devotion to his professional duties. He is a member of the Chickasaw County Medical Society, the Austin Flint Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In June, '1901, Dr. McKone was united in marriage to Miss Maria Burk, of Chicka- saw county, by whom he has a son, John Robert, who is now attending school.
In his political views Dr. McKone is a democrat and is interested in party successes because of his firm belief in the party principles. He served as mayor of Lawler and also as county coroner for one term. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church and he belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, also to the Modern Woodmen of America and its ladies' auxiliary, the Royal Neighbors. He has a very wide acquaint- ance in this section of the state and is held in the highest esteem because of his personal worth as well as his professional powers.
RUSSELL H. PIERCE.
Russell H. Pierce is a partner in the firm of J. W. Pierce & Sons, dealers in country produce, hides and furs at Nashua and maintaining also branch houses at Plainfield and Waverly. The members of this firm are recognized as alert and progressive business men and have built up a trade of large and gratifying pro- portions.
Russell H. Pierce was born in Richland township, Chickasaw county, on the 30th of August, 1890, a son of John W. and Nettie (Cory) Pierce, the former a native of England, while the latter was born in Wisconsin. The father came to the United States when a child of but six years in company with his parents, who settled in Ohio. There his mother passed away and about 1869 or 1870 the father with his seven children removed to Iowa. After a brief residence in Bremer county he brought his family to Chickasaw county, taking up his abode upon a farm in Rich- land township, where he purchased eighty acres of land. Upon this farm his son and namesake, John W. Pierce, was reared to manhood, meeting the usual experiences of the farm-bred boy who spends his youth in a frontier district. About 1884 John W. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Cory and they began their domestic life upon a farm, his attention being devoted to the further development and im- provement of his fields until 1891, when he turned his attention to merchandising in Republic, Chickasaw county. For twenty years he conducted his store, meeting with substantial success in the development of his trade. In 1911 he removed to Nashua and for one year was engaged in the restaurant business in company with his two sons, Charles L. and Russell H. In 1912 they bought out the produce busi- ness of C. A. Moody, of Nashua, and from that time have steadily prospered in the conduct of their affairs. In 1915 they established a branch house in Plainfield and further extended the scope of their activities by opening a branch house at Waverly in 1919. The business has now grown to large and gratifying proportions, the father and Charles L. Pierce looking after the business in Waverly, while Rus- sell H. Pierce manages the parent house in Nashua. The extent and growth of their trade is indicated by the fact that the amount of their business is now written in six figures and theirs is regarded as one of the most important commercial en- terprises of Nashua.
Russell H. Pierce spent his youthful days under the parental roof, devoting his attention largely to the acquirement of a public school education and to such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority. Becoming an active assistant of his
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father, his business training was thorough and he became well qualified for the onerous duties that devolve upon him in his present connection as manager of the Nashua branch of the produce, hides and fur business of J. W. Pierce & Sons.
In 1913 Russell H. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Iowa L. Badger, of Chickasaw county, a daughter of F. J. Badger, a retired farmer who is now residing in Nashua. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have become parents of a son, Russell B.
Politically Mr. Pierce is an earnest republican and is serving as the present clerk of his township. Fraternally he is connected with Bradford Lodge, No. 129, A. F. & A. M., and also with Nashua Lodge, No. 391, I. O. O. F., Nashua Lodge, No. 110, K. P., and the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife attend the Congregational church and guide their lives by its teachings. They are people of prominence in social circles, and the hospitality of their own home is greatly en- joyed by their many friends. Mr. Pierce is regarded as one of the most progressive business men of his city, a dynamic force in its commercial circles and one who can always be counted upon to further public progress or advance in any way the welfare and development of the district in which he has so long resided.
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