USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 60
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 60
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Charles L. Putney acquired his education in the public schools of Nashua, pass- ing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1885. Later he attended a business college at Fayette, Iowa, and following the completion of his studies accepted a position with the Appleton Manufacturing Company of Appleton, Wisconsin, manufacturers of agricultural implements, being in charge of the office for about eight years. In the spring of 1898 he returned to Nashua and was made manager of a creamery conducted by the Sharpless Separator Company, acting in that capacity for four years, while for seven years he served as manager with the Gurler Creamery Company. Subsequently he spent three years in the offices of the Bellamy-Gates-Dawson Lumber Company and in 1912 purchased the interests of A. H. Nafus in the lumber business of Granger & Nafus, forming the present firm of Granger & Putney. They conduct an extensive and profitable busi- ness as grain buyers and dealers in lumber, coal and agricultural implements, and the enterprise and excellent executive ability of Mr. Putney have contributed largely to the continued growth and success of the concern.
On the 25th of July, 1891, Mr. Putney was united in marriage to Miss Helen R. Enos, of Appleton, Wisconsin, by whom he had five children, four of whom still sur- vive, namely: Leona, who is principal of the Junior high school at Rolfe, Iowa; Truman, a stockholder in the firm of Granger & Putney of Nashua; Edith, who is a teacher in the schools of Newell, Iowa; and Catherine, at home.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Putney has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, being a firm believer in its principles. He has been an important factor in business circles and his pros- perity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He is progressive and public-spirited, giving his cooperation to every movement which tends to promote the general welfare of conimunity and state.
JOSEPH J. PROCHASKA.
Joseph J. Prochaska, proprietor of the Plain View Stock Farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 22, Utica township, Chickasaw county, is well known as a successful dealer in registered Poland China hogs, registered black polled Angus cattle and pure bred Percheron horses, together with pure blooded Plymouth Rock chickens. His live stock interests constitute a most important feature in his business and he is known as one of the prominent and progressive stock raisers of his section of the state.
He was born in Utica township, July 8, 1874, and is a son of Frank and Mary (Ptacnik) Prochaska, both of whom were natives of Bohemia. They came to the United States after reaching adult age and took up their abode in Chickasaw county, where they were married. They settled upon a farm in Utica township and as the years passed Mr. Prochaska prospered in the conduct of his business affairs and became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, of which he still owns one hundred and sixty acres. For many years he carefully, systematically and profitably conducted his farm, and when he had acquired a
JOSEPH J. PROCHASKA AND FAMILY
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handsome competence he retired from active business life and is now living in Protivin, enjoying all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
Joseph J. Prochaska was educated in the district schools and his training made him thoroughly familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and cultivating the crops during his boyhood days. Arrived at years of maturity, he was married on the 18th of November, 1907, to Miss Mamie Fisher, of Winneshiek county, a daughter of John Fisher, who was one of the early settlers of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Prochaska have been born four children, namely: Clarence J., Alice M .. Joseph R. and May A.
In the spring following his marriage Mr. Prochaska began farming on his own account and settled upon his present home place, which he rented from his father for three years. In 1911, however, having carefully saved his earnings, he pur- chased the farm and has since been the owner of this valuable property, which is known as the Plain View Stock Farm. In 1910 he began the breeding of thorough- bred Poland China hogs and in 1918 began the breeding of thoroughbred polled Angus cattle. In 1919 he took up the breeding of pure blooded Percheron horses and he is well known as one of the leading stock breeders and raisers of this section of the state. His reputation as a breeder of hogs is particularly wide, for he ships his products as far as New York and New Jersey. He shipped thirty head of hogs in the month of June, 1919, to Nebraska and Minnesota. He likewise raises fine poultry and his business affairs are being most wisely and successfully conducted.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Prochaska has voted with the democratic party and is a firm believer in its principles but has never sought nor desired office. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and he belongs also to the Catholic Workmen. His attention, however, centers in his business, which has been wisely managed, his efforts being put forth along lines leading to continued success, and today he is one of the widely known and pros- perous stock breeders of his native state.
M. W. MURRAY.
M. W. Murray is numbered among those men whose activities make them a dynamic force in business circles. Lawler numbers him among her foremost citizens and he is well known in that section of the county as a dealer in live stock. He was born in Chickasaw county, August 19, 1883, a son of Andrew and Margaret (Rourke) Murray, both of whom were natives of Wisconsin. They came to Chickasaw county with their respective parents in childhood and were here married. They began their domestic life upon a farm a mile north and a half mile east of Lawler, the father becoming the owner of three hundred and twenty acres. He bought and sold various farm properties during the course of an active business life and was long and prominently identified with the agricultural development of this section of the state. He passed away in 1906 at the age of fifty-eight years and is still survived by his widow, who resides with her son. Roy Murray, in Utica township, Chickasaw county.
M. W. Murray, after attending the common schools and assisting in the further de- velopment and improvement of the home farm until twenty years of age, then began farming on his own account. It is said that he made a hand in the fields at the age of nine years and handled three horses at the plow and on the drag. His life has ever been one of marked industry, intelligently directed, and the results which he has achieved have been most gratifying. Following his marriage in 1907 he continued to engage in farming until 1911, when he removed to Lawler and concentrated his efforts and atten- tion upon the live stock business. However, he still owns one hundred and twenty acres of the old homestead and from this property derives a substantial annual income. He is an excellent judge of live stock and his purchases and sales are therefore judiciously and profitably made.
In November, 1907, Mr. Murray was married to Miss Genevieve Burns, a daughter
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of O. F. Burns, one of the prominent farmers of Stapleton township, and they became the parents of four children: Mabel, Russell, William and Helen.
Mr. Murray is a democrat in his political views and has served as a member of the town council. He has also filled the position of president of the Commercial Club for two years and this, added to his six years' service. on the town council, has made his work in behalf of public progress and improvement one of great importance to the commun- ity. His family are members of the Catholic church, and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Homesteaders and the Modern Woodmen of America.
J. C. HEWITT.
J. C. Hewitt is a member of the board of county supervisors in Chickasaw county and is well known in its business circles as a live stock dealer. He was born in this county, August 30, 1863, a son of John H. and Calista (Taylor) Hewitt, who were na- tives of the state of New York. In childhood they accompanied their respective parents to Whiteside county, Illinois, where they reached adult age and were married in 1855. In the same year they removed westward to Chickasaw county and they were the first couple to begin housekeeping in New Hampton. In 1858 they settled on a farm in Washington township, four miles north of New Hampton, where Mr. Hewitt acquired three hundred and twenty acres of land. As one of the pioneer settlers he contributed in marked measure to the early development and improvement of the district and was a most prominent and influential factor in the public life of the community. He held practically all of the offices in Washington township and was one of the foremost citizens of his part of the county, honored and respected for his sterling worth and his devotion to the public welfare. His death occurred in New Hampton in March, 1916, when he had reached his eighty-second year, and the mother still makes her home in New Hampton, being now in her eighty-fourth year.
J. C. Hewitt was educated in the district schools and in the public schools of New Hampton and at the age of twenty-one years worked in a general store of that place, occupying the position for a year. On the expiration of that period he reurned to the home farm and assisted his father up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in 1888, Miss Amanda Davidson becoming his wife. Mrs. Hewitt is a daughter of John Davidson, a native of Union county, Pennsylvania, who removed with his parents to Ohio in 1835, when a boy of ten years. In 1845 he became a resident of Laporte county, Indiana, where he worked at the trade of carpentering and joining. The year 1856 witnessed his arrival in Iowa, at which time he took up his abode on Crane creek, in Jacksonville township, Chickasaw county, where he invested in forty acres of land. Two years later he bought land on section 10 of the same township and eventually by additional purchase acquired four hundred acres. He resided thereon to within five years of his death and during the last period of his life was a resident of New Hamp- ton. Through his untiring efforts and indefatigable labors he had become the owner of one of the best improved farms of Chickasaw county.
After his marriage Mr. Hewitt served for one year in a clerkship in a New Hampton mercantile establishment and in 1889 he began farming on his own account, cultivating rented land for a period of five years, during which time he carefully saved his earn- ings, and in 1894 was enabled to purchase a farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Jacksonville township. He bought the same place which he had cultivated as a renter and which was the farm on which Mrs. Hewitt was born. He continued to reside there- on until 1909, when he removed to New Hampton and engaged in the live stock busi- ness. In 1914 his son Lucian B. was admitted to a partnership under the firm style of J. C. Hewitt & Son. Mr. Hewitt still owns his farm, which is now being operated as a stock farm by a tenant, who conducts it on shares. Mr. Hewitt is devoting his time and energies largely to his live stock dealing and has developed a business of ex- tensive proportions.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt have been born five children, four of whom are yet living. Lucian B., a graduate of the New Hampton high school, is the junior partner of the
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firm of J. C. Hewitt & Son, live stock buyers. Lowell C. is a graduate of the Ames Ag- ricultural College, in which he took the ceramic course, and is now superintendent of that branch of work in the largest clay working factory in the United States, at St. Louis, Missouri. Myrtle B. is attending the Ames Agricultural College, and Marshall D. is a pupil in high school.
In politics Mr. Hewitt is a democrat and was the only representative of his party elected at the county's last election, on which occasion he was chosen for a second term as one of the county's supervisors, winning with a vote of three to one over his oppo- nent. This fact certainly indicates his personal popularity, the confidence reposed in him and the capability which he displayed during his first term's service in that posi- tion. He also filled the office of city councilman for a period of four years and while living upon the farm served for several years as president of the school board and for four years was a member of the board of township trustees. He belongs to Arcana Lodge, No. 274, A. F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Order of Eastern Star. They likewise hold membership in the Baptist church and its teachings guide them in all the relations of life. In the work of the church they are deeply interested and contribute generously to its support. Mr. Hewitt is ever found as the champion of plans and measures for the public good, and his labors have been an effective force for the material, intellectual, social, political and moral progress of the community.
SAM BARKER.
Sam Barker is now living retired in Fredericksburg but for many years was ac- tively identified with farming in Chickasaw county. He was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, October 13, 1849, and has therefore reached the seventieth milestone on life's journey. His parents were George and Isabella (Swale) Barker, who came to the United States in the spring of 1854 and for a few years were residents of Cook county, Illinois. In 1857 they removed to Chickasaw county, Iowa, reaching this place in June. The father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government on the Bremer county line in Chickasaw county, paying a dollar and a quarter per acre, and built thereon a frame dwelling. He continued to develop and further improve his farm until the time of his death, which occurred July 26, 1891. At one time he owned eight hundred acres of land, for as his financial resources increased he kept adding to his holdings, realizing that real estate is the safest of all investments. His wife passed away about ten years prior to the death of her husband and thus were called from the scene of earthly activities two of the most worthy pioneer people of this section of the state.
Sam Barker was educated in the district schools and in 1872, when twenty-two years of age, began farming on his own account on a tract of eighty acres which had been deeded to him by his father. Ambitious to win success, he subsequently purchased an- other eighty acres from his father and from time to time invested in still other land until he became the owner of about seven hundred acres. He has disposed of a portion of this property but still owns three hundred and fifteen acres of valuable farm land, from which he derives a substantial annual income. Year after year he carried on the work of the fields and annually gathered good crops as a result of his care and labor. He worked diligently, employing the most progressive methods in farming, and his labors brought substantial returns. In 1915 he removed to Fredericksburg and the fol- lowing year built one of the beautiful homes of the city, which he now occupies.
In 1872 Mr. Barker was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Knight, of Dresden town- ship, and they became the parents of seven children, six of whom are yet living, namely: Lena, the wife of Leland Hubbard, a farmer of Fredericksburg township; Harry G. and Henry, twins, the former of whom is engaged in the operation of a farm in Dresden township, while the latter is manager of a store in Sumner, Iowa; Roy, a farmer of Dresden township; Maud, the wife of Roy Schoonover, a farmer of Fredericksburg township; and Neil R., who is operating the home farm. The wife and mother passed away on the 22d of June, 1914, and on the 14th of October, 1915, Mr. Barker was mar-
1
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ried to Mrs. Theodore Kendall, of Chickasaw county, a daughter of Erastus Cain, who came to this county in 1856, settling in Fredericksburg. By her former marriage Mrs. Barker has three children: C. A. Kendall, who is engaged in the drug and jewelry business in Earlville, Iowa; R. W. Kendall, a druggist and jeweler of Janesville, Iowa; and Lawrence Kendall, who is also a druggist and in the medical department of the United States army at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan.
In religious faith Mrs. Barker is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. In political belief Mr. Barker is a democrat and both are widely and favorably known in this section of the state. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families and has witnessed the growth and progress of northern Iowa from early times. Sixty-five years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since he took up his abode in Chicka- saw county, then a little lad of but seven years. He has witnessed all of the changes which have occurred, placing the once wild frontier district in the ranks of the progres- sive counties of the middle west. In his business career he has made substantial ad- vancement through industry, perseverance and determination and is now numbered among the men of affluence of Fredericksburg.
WILHELM MANNING.
Wilhelm Manning, a resident farmer of Deerfield township, Chickasaw county, his home being on section 19, is actively engaged in the further cultivation and improvement of a valuable farm property of four hundred and forty acres. This is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift, for whatever he has acquired has come to him as the direct result of his own labor.
He was born in Germany, October 29, 1852, a son of John and Dorothy (Nieman) Manning, who came to the United States in 1862, when their son Wil- helm was a lad of but ten years. Proceeding across the country to the Mississippi valley, they first settled in Cook county, Illinois, where the father worked on the railroad for a year. He afterward rented farm land in that county for a time and his last days were spent in Chicago. Following the great Chicago fire of October, 1871, the mother with her children removed to Iowa, the family home being es- tablished in Deerfield township, Chickasaw county, on the section which is now the home of Wilhelm Manning. On this property they built a log house near the site of the present modern farm residence. From 1872 until 1876 Wilhelm Manning was allowed the crops from one hundred and twenty acres in return for fencing the tract and breaking the sod. Later he purchased this one hundred and twenty acre farm from R. M. Cleveland and gradually kept adding to his holdings from time to time until his landed possessions aggregate four hundred and forty acres. He enjoys the reputation of being one of the most enterprising and successful farmers of this section of the state and his progressiveness is evi- denced in the fine appearance of his place. The basis of his advancement was a common school education, obtained in Dupage county, Illinois, and to the powers which he thus developed he has added the habits of industry, thrift and persever- ance. His fields are splendidly cultivated at the present time, producing large and abundant harvests, and in addition thereto he breeds Durham cattle and Poland China hogs, keeping only registered stock.
On the 27th day of May, 1883, Mr. Manning was married to Miss Emma Hilma, a daughter of Henry and Dora Hilma, who came from Germany to the United States. Mrs. Manning passed away upon the home farm in 1905. In their family were seven children: Mrs. Emil Klingbeil; Ernest, who is married; and William, Eliza, Esther, Henry and Doris, all yet at home. The son William, responding to the call of the colors, served with the Eighty-eighth Division of Iowa in the Three Hundred and Thirty-seventh Machine Gun Battalion in the great World war and was on active duty in France.
Mr. Manning and his family are members of the German Lutheran church of Bassett and in political belief he is a republican, having continuously supported
MR. AND MRS. WILHELM MANNING
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the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Much of his life has been passed in Iowa and the enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the rapid upbuilding of the west has always been manifest in his busi- ness career.
HERMAN L. PIEHN.
Herman L. Piehn, proprietor of the H. L. Piehn Telephone Company of Alta. Vista, was born in Chickasaw county, August 10, 1871, a son of August and Bertha (Schoenfeldt) Piehn, who are natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in his boyhood days with his parents, while the mother had attained young womanhood when she crossed the Atlantic. They were married in Chickasaw county and located on a farm in Washington township, whereon they resided until about 1909, when Mr. Piehn sold the farm to two of his sons and removed to San Jose, California, where he has since lived.
Herman L. Piehn mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools and through vacation periods and after his school days were over worked in the fields on the old homestead until 1894, when he left the farm and established his home in Alta Vista. He turned his attention to photography and in addition to con- ducting a gallery he afterward opened a jewelry and watch repairing establishment, building up a good business along those lines. In 1905 he organized the H. L. Piehn Telephone Company, starting in a small way. He has built up a telephone system with almost three hundred patrons and is making every effort to give to these all excellent service. In 1913 he withdrew from the photographic business but still continues in the jewelry trade. He is likewise a stockholder in the Alta Vista Farmers' Lumber & Coal Company and his position is that of one of the foremost business men of his town.
On the 30th of September, 1897, Mr. Piehn was united in marriage to Miss Emma Walters, a daughter of William Walters, of Howard county. They now have three children: Melinda, Orville and Waldon. The parents are members of the Evangelical church, while in political faith Mr. Piehn is a republican. He is a public-spirited citizen and his devotion to the general welfare is attested in many practical ways, but he has never been an aspirant for office. Business activities have claimed his time and attention and he has developed various interests which have featured in connection with the material progress of his section of the county.
EDWARD E. SIMPSON.
This is an age of intense activity and the man who would win must make wise use of time and opportunity. A modern philosopher has said: "Success does not depend upon a map but upon a time-table." That Edward E. Simpson has won a place among the representative farmers of Chickasaw county is due to his life of well directed energy and toil. He lives on section 4, Bradford township and was born in this township, March 21, 1880, a son of William and Urania (Parks) Simpson, who were natives of Canada and Illinois respectively. They were married, however, in Bradford township, Chickasaw county, Iowa, having come to this state with their respective parents, who were among the pioneer families who settled in Bradford and Richland townships, the home of the Simpson family being established in Bradford township, while the Parks family took up their abode in Ricliland township. The maternal grandfather was a soldier of the Civil war and died while in the service. William Simpson, the father, is still living, and for the past three years has made his home in Nashua, having retired from business cares. For more than forty years he had been actively engaged in farm- ing in Bradford township and is one of the well known and highly esteemed residents of that section of the county. His wife passed away in 1898 at the age of forty-five years.
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Edward E. Simpson pursued his education in the district schools and in the schools of Bradford and remained upon the home farm until after attaining his majority. In 1909 he married Miss Grace Bird, a daughter of John Bird, one of the earliest of the pioneers of Bradford township, who is still living and now makes his home in Nashua. For the past ten years Mr. Simpson has been engaged in farming independently and in the spring of 1913 located on his father-in-law's farm of three hundred and twenty-acres, which he has since cultivated, annually gathering good crops as the result of the dili- gence and energy with which he tills and cultivates the fields.
In his political views Mr. Simpson is a republican and while not an office seeker, has served as secretary of the Bradford school board. He is a loyal follower of Ma- sonic teachings and belongs to Bradford Lodge, No. 129, A. F. & A. M., one of the oldest Masonic organizations in the state. He is likewise connected with the Modern Wood- men of America, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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