USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 59
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 59
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W. A. Granger, after attending the district schools, remained upon the home farm and assisted his father in its development and management to the time of his marriage. That important event in his life occurred November 28, 1879, Miss Mary
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M. Nafus becoming his wife. The young couple took up their abode upon a farm which was purchased by his father at the time of the marriage of the son. The latter continued to cultivate the land for two years and assisted his father in paying for the farm, in recognition of which he was subsequently deeded eighty acres. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Granger of this review removed to Nashua and accepted a position in the lumberyard of H. B. Laird. On the 1st of September of the same year he purchased a half interest in the business and the firm style of Laird & Granger was adopted. Under this name the partnership was maintained for twenty- one years, at the end of which time Mr. Laird sold his interest to A. H. Nafus and the firm became Granger & Nafus. The business was thus carried on until 1912, when C. L. Putney became the successor of Mr. Nafus and the present partnership of Granger & Putney was formed. Their business has reached large proportions. They carry all kinds of lumber and builders' supplies, also coal and agricultural im- plements, and in addition to their trade along these various lines are doing a profit- able business as grain buyers.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger became the parents of two daughters: Ethel, now the wife of E. W. Staley, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Nashua; and Mildred, who is principal of the schools of Adair, Iowa. The wife and mother passed away June 9, 1912, and on the 3d day of May, 1917, Mr. Granger was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Dodd, who in her maiden- hood was Miss Mary West, a daughter of Frank West, one of the well known early settlers of Chickasaw county now living retired in Nashua. By her former marriage Mrs. Granger had two children: Edith, the wife of Beam Patterson, a druggist of Westside, Iowa; and Norris E., who is the proprietor of a sheep ranch at Haines, Oregon. Mrs. Granger is a member of the Congregational church.
Politically Mr. Granger is a republican, having stanchly supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and in local political circles he has long been a recognized leader. He served for two terms as mayor of Nashua and did effective work on the side of law and order, completely putting out of ex- istence the "blind pigs" that were operating in the town. He served for several years as a member of the town council and ever exercised his official prerogatives in support of the public good. He belongs to Bradford Lodge, No. 129, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in De Molay Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R., at Clinton, Iowa. He has likewise crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine as a member of El Kahir Temple of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and his wife and two daughters are members of Nashua Chap- ter, No. 248, O. E. S. Mr. Granger likewise belongs to Nashua Lodge, No. 110, K. P., and at all times he is a loyal follower of those different fraternities with which he is affiliated. He is a man of social and genial nature, whose circle of friends constant- ly broadens as the circle of his acquaintance widens. Those who have business rela- tions with him speak of his capability and trustworthiness; those who know aught of his official career attest his loyalty in citizenship, and those who meet him in so- cial relations prize his friendship.
O'CONNOR BROTHERS.
James and Joseph O'Connor are the partners in the firm of O'Connor Brothers, proprietors of one of the most important mercantile enterprises of Chickasaw county. They are conducting business at Lawler and their progressive methods have resulted in the upbuilding of a trade of very large and gratifying proportions. Their worth to the community as representatives of mercantile interests is widely acknowledged.
James O'Connor was born in Independence, Iowa, April 23, 1871, and the birth of Joseph O'Connor occurred in that place, August 21, 1883. They are sons of Timothy O'Connor and in their youthful days had but limited educational oppor- tunities. James O'Connor went to Chicago in 1893 and was employed in various ways during the three years of his residence in that city. In 1896 he came to
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Lawler, where he engaged in merchandising, establishing business in a small way on the site that the present extensive establishment of O'Connor Brothers now occu- pies. His brother Timothy was a partner in the business until 1913, when he sold his interest to another brother, Joe O'Connor, and the trade has since been carried on by James and Joe O'Connor under the style of O'Connor Brothers. In 1916 they purchased three buildings, giving them command of the principal business cor- ner of the town, and on this site they erected one of the most commodious and finest business blocks in Chickasaw county with a frontage of sixty-six feet on Main street and a depth seventy feet on the two east lots and a depth of sixty feet on the west lot. They occupy two floors of the building with their business, carrying a large and carefully selected line of general merchandise, and their sales have reached a very substantial figure.
On the 20th of May, 1902, James O'Connor was married to Miss Agnes McEn- aney, of Waucoma, and to whom have been born five children: Leo, Madonia, Clarice, James J. and Catherine.
The brothers are both democrats in their political views and both are members of the Catholic church. James O'Connor is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He takes a deep and helpful interest in pro- moting the work of the church and in advancing many activities of public benefit. In addition to his mercantile interests he owns a farm near Cresco, Iowa, in partner- ship with his brother Timothy. The name of O'Connor has long been regarded as a synonym for enterprise and progressiveness in commercial affairs, and Lawler may well be proud of the establishment conducted by the firm of O'Connor Brothers.
EMIL J. POLASHEK.
One of the well known commercial establishments of Alta Vista is the meat market owned by Polashek & Kaderabek, of which firm Emil J. Polashek is the senior partner. He has always lived in Iowa, his birth having occurred in Tama county, March 26, 1887, his parents being William and Rose ( Bittner) Polashek, who came originally from Austria. They arrived in the United States in 1880 and established their home in Tama county, Iowa, where the father followed farming for a quarter of a century. In 1905 he sold his farm property there and removed to Chelsea, Tama county, where he bought a butcher shop, which he conducted for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Protivin, and, disposing of his meat market at Chelsea, bought another shop at Protivin, which he conducted until 1916, when once more he sold out and on this occasion retired from active business life. He still makes his home in Protivin, where for a long period he occu- pied an enviable position in business circles.
Emil J. Polashek was a pupil in the district schools of Tama county and after- ward attended the St. Prokopius College at Lisle, Illinois, for ten months, pursuing a commercial course there and thus qualifying for life's practical and responsible duties. When twenty years of age he began working at the butcher's trade, being first employed at Garwin, Iowa, where he continued for a year with the firm of Brechtbill, Morrison & Company. At the end of that time he bought out the busi- ness in connection with W. H. Tode and became active in the organization of the firm of Morrison, Conant & Company. A year later Mr. Polashek sold his interest in the business to W. H. Tode and removed to Howard county in company with his parents, his father having also disposed of his business interests in Tama county. The family home was established in Protivin and Emil J. Polashek became the ac- tive assistant of his father in the conduct of the meat market which the latter ac- quired at that place. He continued as his father's assistant until 1910, when he purchased a shop at Waucoma, Iowa, which he conducted for fifteen months. At the end of that time he sold his business there and removed to Monona, Iowa, where he again became the owner of a butcher shop, which he carried on for two years. Once more he sold out and on this occasion removed to Cresco, Iowa, where he
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entered the employ of V. N. Zender, with whom he remained for six months. His next change in business made him the partner of Mr. Kaderabek in the ownership of a market at Alta Vista. They acquired the business in 1914 and have since con- ducted their interests under the present firm name of Polashek & Kaderabek. They have a well appointed meat market with a good refrigerator and facilities for handling the meat and by reason of their progressive methods and straightforward dealings they have been accorded a very liberal patronage. As the years have passed Mr. Pola- shek has prospered and besides his interests in the business at Alta Vista he is a stock- holder in the Jacob E. Decker Packing Company of Mason City, Iowa.
On the 14th of February, 1911, Mr. Polashek was married to Miss Anna Novak, a daughter of T. M. and Fronia (Kus) Novak. The father was born on this side of the Atlantic but the mother is a native of Bohemia. Both are still living, their home being in Protivin. Mr. and Mrs. Polashek have become the parents of two children: Evelyn Margaret, six years of age; and Dorothy Irene, a little maiden of three summers.
Mr. and Mrs. Polashek are members of St. Bernard's Catholic church of Alta Vista, and his political faith is indicated in the allegiance which he gives to the democratic party. Throughout the greater part of his life he has been identified with the meat trade and his ability in this direction, combined with his indefatigable energy and thrift, have been salient features in the attainment of his present day success.
FRANK D. ELWOOD.
Frank D. Elwood is senior partner in the Elwood Land Company, in which con- nection an extensive business is conducted. Mr. Elwood was born August 4, 1860; ir. Jackson county, Iowa, a son of Knisey and Percey (Dawse) Elwood. The father was born at Sheridan, Mercer county, Ohio, June 23, 1826, and passed away at Wyoming. Iowa, in 1902, at the age of seventy-six years. He had there been extensively engaged in farming and stock buying and became one of the prominent live stock dealers of the state. The mother was born at Birdhill, Ohio, November 14, 1835.
Frank D. Elwood pursued his education in the public schools of Wyoming, Iowa, to the age of sixteen years, when he began buying and trading in live stock. In 1881 he left Iowa and traveled west through Colorado and Wyoming, working at various places and having the usual experiences of the cowboy on the western plains at that period. He was employed in connection with a number of the famous western outfits of those days, being for a time in the employ of Bass & Bacon and also with the Black outfit. In 1882 he returned on horseback, riding through the wild horse district, from Laramie, Wyoming. to West Union, Iowa, the trip requiring from the 9th of December. 1882, until the 26th of July, 1883. After a few months spent at West Union, Mr. Elwood removed to Elma, Iowa, where he began trading and selling stock, and in 1888 he turned his atten- tion to operations in land and is today associated with his sons in the latter connection. They are numbered among the largest operators in northwestern Iowa and conduct busi- ness under the firm style of the Elwood Land Company. They handled eleven thousand acres of land in Howard county in 1919.
On the 30th of August, 1884, Mr. Elwood was married to Miss Katherine Harris, a daughter of Martin and Katherine (Dunn) Harris. Mrs. Elwood was born in Toronto, Canada, and in 1867 her parents came to the United States with their family, remaining in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for six months and then removing to Vernon Springs town- ship, Howard county, Iowa. In 1876 they settled in Saratoga township, Howard county, upon the farm where they resided until called to their final rest, the father in 1902 and the mother in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Elwood became the parents of four children: Reed, born October 1, 1885, and Lee, born December 28, 1888, both represented elsewhere in this work; Dale, who was born December 21, 1896, and is now a member of the Elwood Land Company of Elma; and Frank, who died in infancy.
FRANK D. ELWOOD
Vol. II-30
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In his political views Mr. Elwood is a republican but not an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which have been care- fully, wisely and profitably conducted.
ERNEST SCHULTZ.
Ernest Schultz, who carries on general farming on section 30, Washington town- ship, Chickasaw county, was born August 17, 1880, on a place two miles south of his present home. His parents, Herman and Johanna (Glienke) Schultz, were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married. In 1874 they came to the United States and first established their home in Chicago, where the father worked as a mason for about four years. He then removed to Chickasaw county and took up his abode on what is now known as the old Schultz homestead-the place upon which Ernest Schultz was born. The father's first purchase of land made him the owner of forty acres and he thereon engaged in general farming to the time of his death. Both he and his wife spent their remaining days in Washington township, the latter dying in 1910 and the former in 1913.
The youthful training and experiences of Ernest Schultz were those of the farm- bred boy, for when quite young he began to assist his father in the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting as the farm work was carried forward from one season to another. He determined to continue in the same line of work on reaching adult age and originally purchased fifty acres of land from his father. He has increased his holdings until his farm now comprises one hundred and twenty acres and the place is now carefully and profitably cultivated and developed. The fields give promise of substantial harvests and the methods followed in the cultivation of the crops are of the most progressive character. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Schultz is a stockholder in the Farmers Lumber Company of Alta Vista, also in the Farmers Creamery of that place and in the creamery company he is one of the directors.
On the 21st of February, 1906, Mr. Schultz was joined in wedlock to Miss Ida Glienke, a daughter of Henry and Alvina (Schmidt) Glienke, who are now residents of Alta Vista. Mr. and Mrs. Schultz have become parents of two daughters and a son : Luella, born September 9, 1907; Ada, born July 28, 1909; and Harry, March 13, 1916.
The parents belong to the German Lutheran church of Alta Vista, and at the polls Mr. Schultz gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Diligence and thrift have constituted the foundation upon which he has built his present pros- perity. His life has been quietly passed, his attention being always given to his farming interests, and thus concentrating his efforts along a single line, he has won the merited reward of labor. At the same time he is actuated by a progressive spirit that has led him to study business conditions and opportunities and made him a cooperant factor in the lumber company and in the creamery of Alta Vista.
S. H. SIMMONS.
S. H. Simmons, a retired farmer residing in Nashua, where he now conducts a pool and billiard parlor, is numbered among the worthy native sons of Chickasaw county, his birth having occurred in Richland township on the 19th of January. 1872. His parents were Julius J. and Mary (Cooper) Simmons, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in the state of New York. They were married in Kane county, Illi- nois, where the father had taken up his abode as an orphan of eleven years and to which place the mother had accompanied her parents in girlhood. Following his mar- riage Julius J. Simmons devoted his attention to farming in Kane county, Illinois, for a few years and in 1866 came west to Chickasaw county, Iowa. He purchased a farm
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in Richland township and there carried on general agricultural pursuits with excellent success throughout the reminder of his life. His demise, which occurred on the 8th of February, 1912, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive circle of warm friends during the forty-six years of his residence in the county. His widow afterward became the wife of William Cole and now resides in Yorkville, Illinois.
S. H. Simmons acquired his education in the district schools and when twenty-four years of age was married. He continued on the home farm in Richland township and was actively engaged in its cultivation until 1913, annually gathering good harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. On abandoning ag- ricultural pursuits he removed to Waterloo, where he was connected with the land business, but in 1914 he came to Nashua, here devoting his attention to the land busi- ness until September 1918. He then purchased a billiard and pool parlor in Nashua, of which he has since remained proprietor and which he has conducted in such a man- ner as to make it a popular and well patronized establishment.
On the 24th of January, 1896, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage to Miss Anna Caswell, of Richland township, Chickasaw county, by whom he has five children, as follows: Nellie, who is a teacher in the schools of Floyd county; Maurice, who is attend- ing high school; and Madge, Nora and Marian, who are pupils in the graded schools.
In local political circles Mr. Simmons is a well known worker in democratic ranks and while living on the farm he served for several years as a member of the dem- ocratic county central committee. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Nashua Lodge, No. 391, and he is likewise a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife belongs to the Christian church. Practically his entire life his been spent in Chickasaw county and that his career has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact that the acquaintances of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends.
JOHN CHESTEK.
Nature seems to have intended that man should enjoy a period of rest in the even- ing of his days. In youth he is possessed of vigor and energy and hope. In mature life sound judgment is developed and enterprise is intelligently directed. Therefore if one uses his talents wisely and well he can reach a point where success is his in later years and he is able to put aside further business cares. Such has been the record of John Chestek, who now makes his home in Bassett but who for many years was connected with farming interests in Chickasaw county. He was born in Austria, October 31, 1837, and is a son of John and Anna Chestek, both of whom passed away in Austria.
John Chestek came to the United States in 1855, when a youth of eighteen years. He made his way to Chicago, where he engaged in cutting timber for a time, and later he removed to Racine, Wisconsin, but afterward returned to Chicago. He next became a resident of Lake county, Illinois, where he carried on farming for eleven years. Mr. Chestek came to Chickasaw county, Iowa, in the early days of the development of this section of the state and first established his home in Deerfield township. He was quite successful in carrying on his farming operations there and has accumulated two hun- dred and forty acres of valuable farm land, together with ten acres of timber land. As the years passed he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and added may improvements to the home place, which since his retirement some years ago has been conducted by his son, Lee J. Year after year. however, Mr. Chestek carefully car- ried on the farm work and won thereby a substantial measure of success that has en- abled him in later years to live retired in Bassett.
In 1865 Mr. Chestek was married to Miss Emelia B. Cummins, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Cummins. The latter made her home with Mr. Chestek for some years prior to her death and subsequent to the death of her husband, which occurred in Wis- consin. In 1907 Mr. Chestek was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed
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away in a Chicago hospital on the 17th of July of that year, having been taken to the metropolis for medical treatment. To Mr. and Mrs. Chestek were born seven children, three sons and four daughters, who are yet living, namely: Mrs. Ellen Stuart; Mrs. Lillian Boutelle; Mrs. Mae Clark; Mrs. Louise Ebert; Edward and Lee J. both of whom are married; and H. B.
Mr. Chestek has led a most useful, honorable and upright life and has long been a consistent member of the Christian church of Charles City, Iowa. In politics he is a stanch republican and served as road supervisor of Deerfield township and also as one of the school directors of that township. He has ever endeavored to do unto others as he would have them do unto him and has been loyal to every duty and responsibility of life. He has thus come to an honored old age, and while he has now passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey, he still retains a keen interest in affairs of the day and keeps in close touch with questions of the time.
GUY M. PADDEN.
Guy M. Padden, a representative and resourceful young business man of Fredericks- burg, is now filling the position of cashier of the First National Bank of that place. He was born in Superior, Nebraska, November 14, 1879, and is a son of Frederick and Valeria A. (Babcock) Padden, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Binghamton, New York. They were married in New Hampton, Iowa, having come to Chickasaw county in their childhood with their respective parents. Following their marriage they made several removals and the father passed away in Independence, Kansas, in May, 1916. The mother, however, is still living and makes her home at In- dependence.
Guy M. Padden was educated in the schools of Superior, Nebraska, graduating from the high school with the class of 1897. Soon after the completion of his course he went to Chicago and for four years was employed in the wholesale house of Marshall Field & Company. In 1903 he came to Fredericksburg and entered the banking business, secur- ing a position in the private bank of Shaffer Brothers & Padden. He made good in this connection and was advanced to the position of cashier. Later the bank was converted into the First State Bank and Mr. Padden continued as cashier of the institution until 1911, when he became connected with the First National Bank, then called the State Savings Bank, as cashier. The bank upon being nationalized assumed the name of the First National in 1914. Mr. Padden remains as cashier and is a most popular official, extending the courtesies of the bank in every possible way to its patrons and maintaining at all times a safe, conservative policy that thoroughly protects the inter- ests of depositors.
In 1910 Mr. Padden was united in marriage to Miss Katharine Young, of New Hamp- ton. Fraternally he is connected with Mount Horeb Lodge, No. 333, A. F. & A. M., and Adelphia Chapter, No. 113, R. A. M., of New Hampton. He is also a member of Fred- ericksburg Lodge, No. 661, I. O. O. F., and of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at New Hampton. He is always loyal to the teachings and purposes of these organiza- tions and his life by reason thereof measures up to high standards. He is regarded as one of the representative residents of Fredericksburg and by a wide acquaintance is spoken of in terms of warm regard.
CHARLES L. PUTNEY.
Charles L. Putney is a prominent representative of the business interests of Nashua as junior member in the firm of Granger & Putney, grain buyers and dealers in lumber, coal and agricultural implements, which connection he has maintained continuously since 1912. His birth occurred in Appleton, Wisconsin, on the 29th of June, 1866, his parents being Samuel W. and Aurelia (Stone) Putney, both of
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whom were natives of the state of New York. In childhood, however, they removed with their respective parents to Wisconsin and in that state were reared and married, after which the father engaged in farming near Appleton. In 1874 he came with his family to Chickasaw county, Iowa, locating in Richland township, where he re- mained for three or four years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Nashua and there continued to reside throughout the remained of his life, passing away about 1914, while the death of his wife occurred about a year later. They had resided in the county for a period covering four decades and had become most widely and favorably known, so that their passing was the occasion of deep regret.
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