USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 58
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 58
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JERRY C. MARR.
Jerry C. Marr, a dealer in produce at Alta Vista, was born in Howard county, Iowa, September 12, 1877. His father, William Marr, was a native of Hamburg, Germany, but was brought to this country by his parents when but three years of age, the family home being first established in Buffalo, New York. Later a removal was made to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, where the grandparents spent their later years. It was in that state that William Marr was reared to manhood and after attaining adult age he wedded Rosella Yeager, who was probably born in Wisconsin. A year after their marriage, or in the spring of 1864, they came to Iowa, traveling westward with an ox team and wagon. They took up their abode in Afton township Howard county, where Mr. Marr purchased eighty acres of government land. He had but little money and could make only a small cash payment. He built thereon a log cabin to provide shelter for his wife and baby and a log barn for his cattle. He
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then proceeded in earnest to make a home for his family, but in the early days they had to endure all of the hardships and privations which are incident to the settlement of the frontier. His marketing in those days was done at McGregor, making the journey of more than eighty miles each way by ox team. It required an entire week to complete the trip with favorable weather. Various difficulties were endured by the family in those pioneer times, but as the years passed on conditions changed and in his farming operations Mr. Marr prospered. As he was able to save some- thing he added to his land and in time became one of the very prosperous residents of Howard county, owning twelve hundred acres of Iowa's rich and productive soil. He died March 5, 1899, and for a decade was survived by his wife, who passed away in March, 1909.
The youthful days of Jerry C. Marr were unmarked by any event of special importance. He attended the district schools and in his youth worked with his father upon the farm. Following his father's death in 1899 he took charge of the home place and continued its cultivation for seven years. In 1906 he removed to Alta Vista and for two years represented a company in the purchase of flax. In 1908 he engaged in the produce business on his own acount and has since been prominently identified with that work, winning substantial success as the years have gone on.
In 1903, while still residing upon the farm, Mr. Marr was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Doyle, a daughter of Matt Doyle, who was one of the earliest of the pioneer settlers of Deerfield township, Chickasaw county. Mr. and Mrs. Marr have become the parents of two sons, Glenn F. and Elvoy M.
Voting with the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Marr is regarded as one of its stalwart supporters but has never been an aspirant for public office. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and his position in commercial circles is that of one of Alta Vista's most prominent and representative business men.
D. P. O'CONNOR.
D. P. O'Connor, the efficient postmaster of Lawler, was appointed to that posi- tion on the 1st of September, 1913, and has since made a most creditable and com- mendable record in that connection. His birth occurred in Independence, Buchanan county, Iowa, on the 19th of January, 1874, his parents being Timothy and Ellen (Curran) O'Connor, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father came to the United States as a youth of seventeen years, while the mother was brought to this country by her parents when but two years of age. Their marriage took place at Garry Owen, Jackson county, Iowa, and they settled on a farm in Dubuque county which Timothy O'Connor owned. In the early '70s they removed to the vicinity of Independence, Iowa, where the father continued farming until about 1905, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in the town of In- dependence. His wife had passed away on the farm in 1890. In November, 1915, Mr. O'Connor came to Lawler with the intention of establishing his home here, but his demise occurred about two weeks later and before he had unpacked his goods.
D. P. O'Connor pursued his education in the schools of his native town and on attaining his majority went to Chicago, where he was employed at the stock yards for a year. At the end of that time he returned to Independence, where for six- teen months he worked in the Iowa Hospital for the Insane. In 1899 he came to Lawler and here secured employment in the store of O'Connor Brothers, conducted by his two brothers, Timothy and James O'Connor, in whose service he remained for about two years. Subsequently he spent six years as assistant cashier in the Merchants' Exchange Bank, now the State Savings Bank of Lawler, and later had charge of the station of the Standard Oil Company in Decorah, Iowa, for one year. He next devoted a year to the buying of horses and then became traveling salesman and station manager at Calmar, Iowa, for the Hawkeye Oil Company, who he rep-
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resented for about three years, spending about half of the time on the road. He was afterward placed in charge of the Farmers' Elevator at Lawler, ably serving in that position for three years. On the 1st of September, 1913, he was appointed postmaster at Lawler, in which capacity he has since continuously served, making a most excellent record by capable and faithful discharge of his duties.
In 1902 Mr. O'Connor was united in marriage to Miss Anna Burke, of Lawler, Iowa, by whom he has three children, Charles F., Helen and Timothy, who are still under the parental roof. Mr. O'Connor gives his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party, while the religious belief of himself and family is that of the Catholic church. Fraternally he is identified with the Catholic Order of Foresters. His career has been upright and honorable in every respect and he has become widely recognized as one of Lawler's leading and representative citizens.
WILLIAM LUNDT.
William Lundt, one of the foremost business men of Nashua, where he has suc- cessfully conducted his interests for nearly a quarter of a century, is a dealer in furniture, rugs and musical instruments and also carries on an undertaking estab- lishment. His birth occurred in Clayton county, Iowa, on the 7th of December, 1872, his parents being Henry and Margaret (Brockmann) Lundt, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1853, when a youth of fourteen years, the father emigrated to the United States with his parents, who settled in Clayton county, Iowa. There he wedded Miss Margaret Brockmann, who had been taken by her parents to that county in 1860. Following his mar- riage Mr. Lundt carried on general agricultural pursuits in Clayton county for about three years and then in 1874 removed to Butler county, purchasing a farm four miles from Clarksville. To the cultivation and further improvement of that prop- erty he devoted his attention throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1903. His widow subsequently sold the farm and has since resided in Clarksville.
William Lundt attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and was married at the age of twenty-two years, after which he cultivated the farm of his father-in-law for two years. In October, 1896, he came to Nashua, Chickasaw county, and in association with Henry Luhring embarked in the furniture and under- taking business under the firm style of Lundt & Luhring. Six years later he pur- chased his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. During the period of his association with Mr. Luhring the latter carried on the undertaking branch of the business, and in order to acquaint himself therewith, Mr. Lundt at- tended the Barnes School of Embalming at Dubuque, the Eckles School at Milwaukee and the Hohenschuh-Carpenter College of Embalming in Des Moines, receiving his diploma from the last named institution. He was given his license on the 29th of January, 1903, after passing the required examination before the state board. Throughout the intervening years he has conducted his interests independently as a furniture dealer and undertaker and has built up a most extensive and gratifying patronage, enjoying an enviable reputation as a reliable, progressive and leading merchant.
On the 18th of April, 1895, Mr. Lundt was joined in wedlock to Miss Laura Leiteritz, a native of Butler county, by whom he has three children: Theckla L., who is the wife of H. S. Bell, superintendent of the public schools of Nashua; and Loren W. and Laura A., twins, who are attending high school.
Mr. Lundt gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is a valued member of the city council, with which body he has been connected for about six- teen years. For the past five years he has also served as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. Fraternally he is identified with the following organizations: Bradford Lodge, No. 129, A. F. & A. M., of Nashua, Iowa; Almond Chapter, No. 53, R. A. M., of Charles City, Iowa; Nashua Lodge, No. 391, I. O. O. F .; Nashua Lodge, No. 110, K. P .; the Modern Woodmen of
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America; the Modern Brotherhood of America; and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. His wife belongs to the Nashua chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and both Mr. and Mrs. Lundt are consistent and devoted members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Lundt has long been recognized as one of Nashua's most enterprising and public-spirited citizens and one whose efforts have contributed in no small measure to the business development of the city as well as to its intellectual, moral and political progress.
NICK NOSBISCH.
The enterprising little city of Alta Vista profits by the labors of Nick Nosbisch, who is a member of the firm of Hentges & Nosbisch, dealers in farm implements. He is num- bered among Chickasaw county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Washington township, September 9, 1881, his parents being Michael and Katherine (Spoden) Nos- bisch. The father was born in Germany and the mother was a native of Dubuque county, lowa. Coming to the new world with his parents when quite young, the father became a resident of Iowa, the family home being maintained near Waterloo for a time. Mrs. Nosbisch passed away in North Washington, Iowa, October 10, 1903.
In the public and parochial schools of Washington township Nick Nosbisch acquired his early education and afterward spent a year in college at New Hampton, Iowa. He remained with his parents to the time of his marraige, which was celebrated Novem- ber 19, 1903, Miss Susie Hentges becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Nick and Anna (Maiers) Hentges, both of whom are residents of New Hampton. Following his marriage Mr. Nosbisch carried on farming for two years in Deerfield township, renting a place during that period, and later he worked for E. C. Brenner, of Alta Vista for four years. He then engaged in business with Peter Hentges under the style of Hentges & Nosbisch as dealers in farm implements and they have since conducted their trade with good results, their patronage steadily increasing. Mr. Nosbisch is also a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Lumber Company at Alta Vista and the Farmers Telephone Company of that place.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nosbisch have been born six children: Bertha, Mabel, Alfred, Hazel, Marie and Ralph, all yet at home. The parents are communicants of St. Bernard's Catholic church at Alta Vista, and in politics Mr. Nosbisch is a democrat. He has served as a member of the town council for four years and has done effective work in promoting public welfare through the exercise of his official prerogratives. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Knights of Columbus at New Hampton. He is inter- ested in all that has to do with public welfare and improvement, and his cooperation can be counted upon in support of any measure for the general good. At the same time he is a most progressive business man, largely giving his time and efforts to the conduct of his trade, and the firm of Hentges & Nosbisch now handles a general line of farm implements, buggies, wagons, cream separators, gas engines, tractors, thresh- ing machines and windmills, displaying the output of the best manufacturing con- cerns of the country. Their business methods are such as will bear the closest in- vestigation and scrutiny, and integrity as well as enterprise constitute the foundation upon which their success has been built.
PETER P. HENTGES.
Peter P. Hentges is engaged in the implement business at Alta Vista as senior partner in the firm of Hentges & Nosbisch, and at all times his record measures up to the highest commercial standards and ethics. Thoroughly reliable in his dealings, he has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and he has put forth every effort to please his customers and win a trade that will make the business a source of gratifying income.
NICK NOSBISCH
PETER P. HENTGES
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Mr. Hentges was born at North Washington, Iowa, February 12, 1886, a son of Nicholas and Anna (Maiers) Hentges. His father was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, September 26, 1857, his parents being Peter and Mary (Schmidt) Hentges. He obtained a district school education in Concord township, Dubuque county, and afterward de- voted his efforts and energies to the work of assisting his father upon the home farm until his marriage on the 31st of January, 1882, to Miss Anna Maiers. She was born in Liberty township, September 15, 1862, a daughter of John and Susan (Griner) Maiers.
Following his marriage Mr. Hentges remained upon the old homestead with his parents for a year and then came to Chickasaw county, Iowa, establishing his home in North Washington. Here he and his brother Peter conducted a general store for nine years, at the end of which time their place of business was destroyed by fire. Having thus lost his store, Mr. Hentges turned his attention to farming, having one hundred and twenty acres of land, which was his share of the old family estate. He settled upon this place in September, 1891, and continued its operation until October, 1911, when he retired from active business. In the meantime he had been very successful and had become the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of excellent land in Deer. field township, Chickasaw county, and eighty acres in Richland township. He and his wife now make their home in New Hampton, where they are most pleasantly situated. They have reared a family of three sons and three daughters: Mrs. Susan Nosbisch, Mrs. Mary Hilsman, Frank, Mrs. Barbara Delsing, Arthur and Nicholas.
The youthful days of Peter P. Hentges were quietly passed upon the home farm and he continued to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he was married and started out in business independently. He wedded Susan Lentz, a daughter of Nick and Susan Lentz, both of whom were natives of Germany. Mrs. Lentz still lives on the old home farm, which is situated two and a half miles west of North Washington, but Mr. Lentz passed away upon that place about sixteen years ago. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Hentges was celebrated September 26, 1911, on the anni- versary of his father's birth. In the meantime Mr. Hentges after attending the paroch- ial schools of North Washington had pursued his education in the Interstate School of Commerce at New Hampton for a period of six months, taking a commercial course there. He likewise attended the district schools of Deerfield township and thus his training well qualified him for the important duties which have since devolved upon him. He started in business with his present partner, Nick Nosbisch, a year prior to his marriage and through the intervening period the firm of Hentges & Nosbisch has been identified with the agricultural implement trade at Alta Vista. They carry a large and carefully selected stock, including all kinds of farm machinery and tractors, and their patronage is now extensive. Mr. Hentges is also a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company of Alta Vista.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hentges have been born four children: Clifford, Clement, Elroy and Robert. The parents are members of St. Bernard's Catholic church at Alta Vista, and he is a member of Council No. 1697, K. C., of New Hampton. He votes with the democratic party and when matters of public moment seek his aid and support it is generously and quickly given. He is justly numbered among the representative mer- chiants and business men of his section of the county, and the course that he has always pursued well entitles him to the liberal support accorded him.
WILLIAM DRAPE.
William Drape, the period of whose residence in Chickasaw county now covers more than three decades, has made his home in Fredericksburg since 1915 but has long been actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests and still owns two hundred and ninety-two acres of valuable land in the county. He has also devoted considerable attention to contracting and building operations and has moreover been an effective public servant, now acting as a member of the board of county supervisors for the second term. His birth occurred in Germany on the 12th of February, 1865, his parents being Henry and Marie (Shutte) Drape, who
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emigrated to the United States in 1868 and made their way to Bremer county, Iowa. There the father purchased a farm of one hundred and ten acres and carried on general agricultural pursuits until about 1895, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Tripoli, where he spent the remainder of his life in well earned retirement. His demise occurred in 1915, when he had reached the age of eighty-four years.
William Drape, who was but three years of age when brought by his parents to the new world, obtained his education in the district schools of Bremer county and when a youth of nineteen turned his attention to carpentering. In the spring of 1888 he purchased a small farm in Chickasaw county and began its cultivation but at the same time continued his operations as a contractor and builder, supervising the labors of a crew of workmen in this connection. He has resided in Fredericks- burg since 1915 but still owns two hundred and ninety-two acres of rich and pro- ductive land in Chickasaw county and has long been numbered among its most pro- gressive, substantial and enterprising citizens. In November, 1914, he was elected a member of the board of county supervisors, making so creditable a record that he was reelected in 1918 and is now serving for the second term in that capacity.
On the 3d of May, 1888, Mr. Drape was united in marriage to Miss Alvina Karnatz, of Dresden township, Chickasaw county, a daughter of John and Wilhel- mina (Wahlfield) Karnatz, who came to the United States from Germany in 1874 and established their home in Chickasaw county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Drape have become parents of four children, namely: Alma A. and Marie L., both at home; Min- nie D., the wife of William Harms, who cultivates one of her father's farms; and Herbert, who is yet under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Drape is a stanch democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office. He served as township clerk for six years and was a member of the election board when first a candidate for the board of county supervisors, to which position he was chosen in spite of the fact that he made no canvass. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Evangelical church and have an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community in which they make their home.
FRANCIS A. GLASS.
Francis A. Glass, engaged in the flour and feed business at Cresco, was born in Carrolltown, in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of August, 1849, and is a son of William A. and Mary A. ( Miller) Glass. The father was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, while the mother's birth occurred in Munster, Cambria county. Her mother was also a native of Pennsylvania but her father was born in the province of Alsace, France, and was a soldier in Bonaparte's army. Solomon Glass, the great- grandfather of Francis A. Glass, was also a native of France, and on emigrating to the United States settled in Center county, Pennsylvania. William A. Glass pursued his education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and followed the occupation of farming as a life work, in connection with which he also operated a sawmill on the banks of the Susquehanna river. His attention was directed to those two lines of activity until 1864, when he removed westward with Iowa as his destination and took up his abode in New Oregon township, Howard county. He then purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and with characteristic energy began its further cultivation and improvement. He continued to operate that tract of land until about 1890. His wife passed away at the age of eighty-two years and Mr. Glass then retired from active life and took up his abode in Cresco, where his death occurred in 1892, when he was eighty-two years of age.
Francis A. Glass spent his early boyhood upon the home farm in Pennsylvania and was a youth of fifteen at the time of the removal of the family to Howard county, Iowa. From that time to the present he has been identified with the interests of the middle west. He continued his education in the country schools of Howard county and in the
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Cresco high school and then took up the profession of teaching, which he successfully followed for three terms, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He afterward spent one year in Nevada county, California, but on the expiration of that period returned to Howard county and entered the employ of Platt & O'Malley of Cresco, Iowa, who were proprietors of a general store. In that establishment he continued for seven years, after which he devoted a year to general agricultural pursuits, and he later became deputy county treasurer of Howard county, in which capac- ity he served for a year and a half. He was next called to the office of city recorder of Cresco and was also elected to the position of alderman, in both of which offices he discharged his duties with marked capability, promptness and fairness. He subsequently turned his attention to the grocery trade, entering into partnership with C. F. Webster, with whom he remained for two years. At the end of that time he bought out the in- terest of his partner and he remained in the grocery business for twenty years, conduct- ing a well appointed store and enjoying a large and continually increasing patronage. His business methods would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and his integrity as well as his enterprise constituted one of the strong features in the growth of his trade. While engaged in the grocery business he was also appointed postmaster of Cresco and occupied that position for four and a half years. At length he disposed of his stock of groceries and became the manager of the Copeland lumber yard, with which he was thus connected for four years. He afterward engaged in the flour and feed business and is now directing his efforts and attention along that line.
In 1886 Mr. Glass was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Fitzgerald, a daughter of Patrick and Mary Fitzgerald of Winneshiek county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Glass became the parents of three children: Francis R., Mary B. and Loyola A.
Mr. Glass votes with the democratic party, which he has supported since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. He is always interested in matters of citizen ship and those activities which have to do with the public welfare but has never sought political preferment himself. His has been preeminently that of a business career. He has concentrated his efforts and attention upon commercial pursuits and, making good use of his time and opportunities, he has steadily advanced along lines leading to success. He now has one of the substantial business enterprises of Cresco and his liberal pat. ronage is well deserved.
W. A. GRANGER.
W. A. Granger is a member of Granger & Putney, dealers in lumber, coal and agricultural implements and also conducting a successful business as grain buyers at Nashua. A life of activity is bringing to him gratifying results in the attainment of that success which is the legitimate goal of honorable business endeavor.
Mr. Granger was born in Bremer county, Iowa, September 12, 1858, a son of Ebenezer A. and Olive (Marsh) Granger, the former a native of the province of Ontario, Canada, while the latter was born in the state of New York. They were married in De Kalb county, Illinois, where they had gone as children with their parents. Prior to their marriage, in the fall of 1855, Mr. Granger came to Iowa and located upon a farm in Bremer county. He then returned to De Kalb county for his wife and in the spring of 1856 brought his bride to the pioneer home in Iowa which he had established. In subsequent years he increased his holdings to three hundred and twenty acres and resided upon his farm until 1888 or 1889, when he rented the place and removed to Nashua. Here he became president of the Nashua Water Power Company and was a dominant factor in the management of the cor- poration, continuing in that capacity until his death, which occurred in October, 1907, when he was in his seventy-fourth year. His widow survived him until June, 1917, passing away at the age of seventy-six years.
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