USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 65
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 65
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Mathew V. Miller attended the parochial schools at Lawler, Iowa, and the Globe Business College at St. Paul, Minnesota, and when twenty-three years of age he began farming on his own account, purchasing two hundred acres of the old home property on section 33, Utica township. This he has since developed and improved until he has one of the best equipped farms in northern Iowa. In 1913 the old barn was struck by lightning and was replaced by a new and commodious one with cement floor and many sanitary features. Mr. Miller has specialized in the raising of shorthorn cattle and all of his cattle are bred on the farm from a famous imported sire known as Imported Villager. In 1916 Mr. Miller also undertook the work of breeding pure bred Poland China hogs and since that time has developed Pilot, the champion sire of the United States. Mr. Miller has recently refused twenty thousand dollars for this animal. He has upon his place sires which he considers the equal of the champion. His entire herd is of the same breed and strain and his production was so great that he has erected a selling pavilion on the ranch and there conducts his sales. His entire farm is fenced and cross-fenced and he has a fine artesian well, with water piped to all buildings. In the summer of 1919 sixteen carloads of tiling were laid upon the farm, or four thousand rods, making this the best tiled farm in northwestern Iowa. Everything about the place is indicative of his progressive spirit and methods. His hog pens are sanitary, having cement floors, and the buildings are all excellently appointed.
On the 7th of June, 1915, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Mary D. McGinn, a daughter of John and Katherine (Spain) McGinn. Her father was born in Clinton
. Mallien. T. Miller
1
Mary D. Miller
DONALD JOSEPH MILLER
MADANE KATHERINE MILLER
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county, Iowa, where he spent his entire active life in farming, and he has for the last ten years been president of the People's Savings Bank of Delmar, Iowa. He also owns a section of land in Bloomfield township, Clinton county, whereon he spends most of his time He is a son of William and Eliza (Fitzgerald) McGinu, who came to the United States from Toronto, Canada, and, settling in Clinton county, Iowa, preempted one hundred and sixty acres of government land, the first grant being signed by Presi -- dent Madison Both Mr. and Mrs. William McGinn passed away in Clinton county, the latter dying upon the home farm in 1897, at the age of sixty-three years, while Mr. Mc- Ginn retired from active life and spent his last days in Delmar, there dying in 1907, at the age of seventy-four. Mrs. Miller attended Our Lady of Angels' Seminary at Lyons, Iowa, and completed her education in St. Joseph's College at Dubuque. She was afterward graduated at the Mercy Hospital at Clinton after pursuing a course in nurs- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children: Madane Katherine, born July 5, 1916; and Donald Joseph, born July 29, 1917.
The religious faith of the parents is that of the Catholic church, their membership being at Lawler. In politics Mr. Miller maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. In his business affairs he has displayed a most progressive spirit and in the conduct of his farming and stock raising interests em- ploys scientific methods which show his thorough understanding of questions relative to the development of his herds and the production of his crops. He is of the third generation to reside upon the Miller farm in Utica township and that the work of farm improvement has been carried on along most practical and progressive lines is manifest in the present productivity of the place. They have never allowed the soil to become exhausted but have practiced the rotation of crops and the judicious use of fertilizers, so that the fields have always been kept in excellent condition. Moreover, Mr. Miller en- joys a well deserved reputation as the owner of some of the finest shorthorn Villagers and Poland China hogs that the country has produced.
JOE R. MARR.
Among the well known farmers of Howard county is numbered Joe R. Marr, who is living on section 18, Afton township. He is one of the native sons of this county, his birth having here occurred September 6, 1879, his parents being William and Ros- ella (Yager) Marr. The father was born in Germany, while the mother was a native of Austria. The former came to the United States with his parents when but four years of age and the mother crossed the Atlantic with her parents when a maiden of fifteen summers. They became residents of Wisconsin and in that state reached adult age and were married. They afterward removed to Iowa, taking up their abode in Afton township, Howard county, about the year 1869. The father preempted land from the government, a tract that was in its primitive condition. He also bought land in Afton township upon his arrival and to the time of his death was identified with the farming interests of this section of the state. He converted a wild tract into produc- tive fields and to his place added many modern improvements, being classed with the representative and progressive farmers of the district. He died in Afton township in 1899 and was survived by his widow for eight years, her death occurring in 1907.
By the terms of his father's will Joe R. Marr came into possession of the farm of two hundred acres upon which he now resides on sections 17 and 18, Afton township. He had been reared upon the old homestead farm and pursued his education in the com- mon schools near his father's home. He had been accorded thorough training in farm work and remained in his father's employ until the death of the latter, which occurred when the son Joe was twenty years of age. He then took over the management and further development of the land which he inherited and has made for himself a most creditable and enviable position as a prominent and representative farmer of Afton township.
In his political views Mr. Marr has always been a stanch democrat, voting for the men and measures of the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.
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During the World war he was an active worker in behalf of the Red Cross and also in support of the Liberty Loan drives. He early recognized the fact that industry wins in business and saw that honorable success is only to to be attained by persistency of purpose and unfaltering diligence; that it slips away from the sluggard and tauntingly plays before the dreamer but yields its fruits to the man who works persistently and earnestly. This Mr. Marr has done and he is now numbered among the men of affluence in Afton township.
JAMES ADAMEE.
James Adamee, living on section 14, New Oregon township, Howard county, was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 28th of October, 1868. His parents were na- tives of Bohemia and on coming to the United States made their way across the coun- try and took up their abode in Howard county. In early life the father turned his at- tention to the occupation of farming and continued to engage in that pursuit to the time of his death, which occurred in 1901.
His son James, who had been reared to farm life, then took over the work of the farm and has since been engaged in the further cultivation and improvement of the old home property, assisted by his son. All of the present excellent improvements upon the place were put there by James Adamee, who now has a thoroughly modern farm, supplied with all the equipment common in the twentieth century. His has been an active and useful life. He was educated in the public schools of Howard county and as the years have passed he has made good use of his time, his talents and his oppor- tunities.
Mr Adamee is the father of two children: Albert, twenty-two years of age; and Mary, eleven years of age, both upon the home farm. He and his family are members of the Holy Trinity church of Protivin. His entire life has been passed in this section of the state, and the spirit of enterprise which has actuated him in his business affairs has been the basic element of his growing success.
THOMAS H. KELLY.
Among Howard county's well known farmers is Thomas H. Kelly, who resides on section 5, Afton township. He was born upon this farm July 27, 1865, and has here spent his entire life. His parents were Thomas and Bridget Kelly, natives of Ireland, who on coming to Howard county cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Afton township. They contributed to the early development of the district and remained resi- dents of the county until called to their final rest. The father passed away in Afton township in 1877, and the mother died upon the old homestead in 1892.
In his youthful days Thomas H. Kelly of this review attended the public schools near his father's home and when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom largely gave his attention to work in the fields. When his textbooks were put aside he con- tinued to assist in the further development and improvement of the old homestead. Hav- ing arrived at years of maturity, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Martin, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Martin, who were natives of Ireland. On coming to the new world they made Iowa their destination and were identified with farming interests in Afton township from pioneer days. They shared in all of the hardships and privations incident to the settlement of the frontier and bore their part in the work of general improvement. Both passed away in Afton township. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have been born three children, Gladys, Bernard and Timothy, all yet at home.
The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly is that of the Catholic church and they have membership in the St. Cecelia church in Afton township. Mr. Kelly is also con- nected with the Catholic Order of Foresters. He has filled several local offices, serv- ing as township clerk for a number of years and also as township trustee of Afton town-
Dominick Hiller
Mary E. Milley.
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ship. His worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged by those who know aught of his career. His course in business has been characterized by a diligence and de- termination that have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward. He has many admirable and substantial traits of character that have not only brought him success in business but have also gained for him the high regard of those with whom he has come in contact.
JOSEPH MALEK.
Bohemia has furnished å very large quota to the substantial citizenship of Howard county. Among those born in that land and now living in Paris township is Joseph Ma- lek, who makes his home in Schley, while owning a good tract of land on section 13. He was born in Bohemia, October 17, 1841, and there spent the first twelve years of his life, coming to the United States in 1853 in company with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Malek. The father, settling in Cleveland, Ohio, worked in a stone quarry there for a brief period, after which he left that city and removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he purchased land and began farming. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and continued the work of improving his farm property, on which he resided to the time of his death in 1870, after which the farm was divided among his sons, while John was to take care of the mother. He afterward turned over the home farm to his brother Michael, who later sold the property.
His wife, Mrs. Sophronia Malek, was born in Bohemia, where her parents were farming people. Mr. Malek has served as school director for seven years and in politics has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to the Catholic church of Protivin and is widely and favorably known through- out Howard county. At the present he is living retired, making his home in Schley. Throughout a long period he was an active factor in the agricultural development of the community and succeeded in bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. He ever carried his work diligently forward and he never had occasion to regret the determination of the family to come to the new world, for he here found business op- portunities which he sought and in their utilization made for himself a place among the men of affluence in his community.
OLE E. HOVEY.
Ole E. Hovey, who follows farming on section 11, Forest City township. Howard county, was born in Norway on the 22d of March, 1862, his parents being Andrew and Ture (Olson) Iverson. The father died in his native country, after which the mother came to the United States with her son Ole and at a subsequent period became the wife of Gilbert Olson, with whom she is now living in Minnesota.
Ole E. Hovey, spending his youthful days in the land of his nativity, attended the public schools there and after his father's death, which occurred when the son was eighteen years of age, he worked for two years at the shoemaker's trade. The favora- ble reports which he heard concerning business opportunities and conditions in the United States led him to the determination to try his fortune on this side of the At- lantic and in 1884 he bade adieu to friends and relatives and sailed for America. Traveling across the country to Decorah, Iowa, he hired out as a farm hand and for six years worked for wages, but was ambitious to engage in business on his own ac- count and carefully saved his earnings during that period until his economy and labor had brought him a sufficient sum to enable him in 1890 to purchase a farm of one hun- dred and fifty acres. Since that time he has resided upon his present place, covering twenty nine years, and the fruits of his toil are seen in the highly cultivated fields and splendid improvements. His has been a life of diligence, fraught with gratifying re- sults.
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In June, 1890, Mr. Hovey was united in marriage to Miss Gena Hovey, a native of Fillmore county, Minnesota, whose father was a native of Norway, while her mother was born in Minnesota but of Norwegian parentage. To Mr. and Mrs. Hovey were born ten children, namely: Lena, the wife of Toleff Bergen, a resident of Howard county; Carrie, who married Harry Owens, of Lime Springs, Howard county; Ole, who follows farming in Howard county; Bertha, who acts as housekeeper for her brother, Ole; Emma, the wife of Clinton Lewis, a resident of Fillmore county, Minnesota; and Ger- rie. Clarence, Edward, Oliver and Goldie, all yet at home.
The wife and mother passed away in 1912, in the faith of the Norwegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Hovey is also a member. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and while he is not an office seeker he is interested in everything per- taining to the welfare, development and progress of the district in which he has so long resided. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought. Centuries ago a Greek philosopher said: "Earn thy reward; the gods give naught to sloth." Mr. Hovey early realized that industry is the basis of advancement and week after week, month after month and year after year he has diligently toiled and has most creditably won his present enviable position among the capable and prosperous farmers of Forest City township.
HENRY J. BIWER.
Henry J. Biwer, engaged in general farming in Howard township, Howard county, was born upon the old Biwer home farm in the same township, September 29, 1887, a son of John and Margaret (Clear) Biwer, mentioned in connection with the sketch of J. F. Biwer on another page of this work.
Henry J. Biwer spent his youthful days in the usual manner of the farmbred boy. He began his education in the district schools and in vacation periods as he advanced in years he was busily employed in the work of the farm. In 1910 he began farming on his own account on a tract of land of eighty acres in Howard township which he then owned. In 1915 he sold that property and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty- seven and a half acres, which he cultivated for two years. He sold that farm in 1917 and has since been renting land.
On the 4th of February, 1913, Mr. Biwer was united in marriage to Miss Cecelia Ragan, who resided near Riceville, Mitchell county, Iowa. Both are members of the Catholic church, and in politics Mr. Biwer is a republican. He manifests a commend- able interest in community affairs and supports all well defined plans for the upbuilding and progress of the district in which he has always lived.
EDWARD H. MULLER.
Edward H. Müller has devoted much of his time to farming but is now living re- tired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Prussia in the year 1848 and came to the United States in 1861, the family home being established at Manistee, Michigan. Edward H. Müller was at that time a youth of thirteen years. He early began to provide for his own support, working in the sawmills of Manistee, where he was busily employed until 1873. He came to this country with his parents, his father also working in the sawmills of Manistee for a number of years.
When twenty-five years of age Edward H. Müller, whose names introduces this review, left Michigan and made his way westward to Albion township, Howard county, Towa, accompanying his parents on the westward trip. Here he and his father pur- chased eighty acres of land and became identified with the farming interests of the community. In the year 1874 Edward H. Müller married Elvina Greenwald and they began their domestic life upon the farm. In 1876 he sold his eighty acre tract to his
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father and with his family removed to Bristol, Minnesota, where he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land. He had to grub out the stumps from the greater part of this tract, but with characteristic energy he continued the arduous work of developing the place. which he converted into rich and productive fields.
In 1899 Mr. Müller sold his one hundred and sixty acres at Bristol, Minnesota, and removed to Albion township, Howard county. Iowa, where he made investment in four hundred acres of land. He continued to farm that property until 1904. when he again sold his farm and retired from active business. He then removed to Florenceville, Al- bion township, where he purchased a pleasant home and about an acre and a half of land and through the intervening period he has occupied that place. He is most pleas- antly located. his former toil and industry bringing to him a competence that now supplies him with not only all of necessities and comforts but many of the luxuries of life. To Mr. and Mrs. Müller have been born six children: Mary, who is now the wife of Mitchel Bruner; Albert, who married Anne Rung; Herman, who wedded Amanda Walters; Gustave, who married Alvina Biel; Martha M., who lives with her sister Clara, the latter being the wife of Charles Biel.
The Müller family has long been represented in this section of the state. The father of Mr. Müller passed away in 1891, the mother surviving for a considerable period, her death occurring in 1904. In community affairs Mr. Müller has always been deeply interested and he has served as school trustee of his district in Albion town- ship for two years. In politics he is a republican and is keenly interested in affairs of · general moment. He is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the county and during the recent war activities was a most earnest supporter of the Red Cross.
JOSEPH A. PECINOVSKY.
Joseph A. Pecinovsky, living on section 12, New Oregon township, Howard county, was born April 17. 1866, in the county which is still his home. His father, Frank Pecin- ovsky, was a native of Bohemia, born in 1833, and the mother's birth: likewise occurred in that land They came to the United States on the 23d of December, 1854, and after a short time settled in Howard county, Iowa, where the father purchased the home- stead farm. This he developed and improved, continuing the cultivation of the place until 1889, when it was taken over by Joseph A. Pecinovsky, and the father retired from active business life to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of a rest which he had truly earned and richly merited. He died December 21, 1905, while his wife survived for several years, passing away March 16, 1911.
The educational opportunities which Joseph A. Pecinovsky enjoyed were those af- forded by the public schools of Howard county. He was reared to farm work and thus had had broad and valuable practical experience when he assumed the management of the old home farm of one hundred and ninety-seven acres. Since that time he has added various improvements and at the present time has one of the fine farms of the county, neat and attractive in its appearance and giving every evidence of the practical and progressive methods of the owner.
On the 11th of November, 1889. Mr. Pecinovsky was married to Miss Katherine Holub, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Holub, of Linn county, Iowa, who were formerly farming people there. Mr. and Mrs. Pecinovsky have become parents of four sons and a daughter who are yet living, these being: Mary, Aloise. Joseph, John and William. The eldest daughter is the wife of John Klimesh, of Chickasaw county, Iowa, where her husband follows farming. Aloise enlisted in the United States army September 18, 1917, as a member of Company E, Three Hundred and Fifty-first Infantry, and was in overseas service for fourteen months. The other children are yet under the parental roof. There was also another daughter, Rosalia, who at the age of thirteen entered St. Joseph's convent at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but died five years later. At the time of her death she was known as Sister M. Mathilda and was a member of the Order of St. Francis.
The family adheres to the Catholic faith, having membership in the church at
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Protivin. In politics Mr. Pecinovsky is a democrat but while he keeps informed on the questions and issues of the day he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concen- trate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which are wisely and carefully directed and have brought to him a substantial measure of success. He has always lived in Howard county and has therefore through a period of fifty-three years been a wit- ness of its development and upbuilding, while at all times his aid and influence are given on the side of progress and improvement.
MRS. ANN JEANNETTE SLAWSON.
Mrs. Aun Jeannette Slawson is a well known resident of Howard county, where she owns an excellent farm property. She is the widow of Eben Slawson and is a na- tive of the state of New York, her birth having there occurred on the 9th of March, 1847. Her parents were Thomas and Abby Ann (Potter) Jinney, both of whom were natives of New England and representatives of old American families. Mrs. Slawson came to the west in 1871 to visit an uncle, James Potter, who resided in Iowa. Six months later she was united in marriage to John Slawson, the ceremony being per- formed on the 29th of June, 1871. Mr. Slawson died November 14, 1872, at the age of twenty-three years and ten months, and in January, 1873, Mrs. Slawson was married to Eben Slawson, the brother of her first husband. They traveled life's journey together for a long period but on the 19th of March, 1906, Mr. Slawson passed away at the age of fifty-one years, seven months and twenty days. He was one of the successful farmers of Albion township, having carefully and persistently carried on his business affairs until he had acquired a most substantial competence. He left an estate of six hundred acres of rich, fertile and valuable land, of which Mrs. Slawson now owns two hundred and forty acres, constituting one of the excellent farms of Albion township. Mrs. Slaw- son has one daughter, Ida May, the widow of T. H. Stevens, of Cresco.
Mrs. Slawson belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and also has membership with the Royal Neighbors. She is widely known in Howard county and enjoys the friendship of all. She has passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey and for forty-eight years has made her home in Iowa, so that she has long been a witness of the development and progress of this section of the state.
JOHN J. BROWN.
John J. Brown, a decorating contractor carrying on business at Cresco, was born in Freeport, Illinois, in 1848, his natal day being the 10th of December. His parents were James H. and Malinda Brown, who in the year 1851 removed from Illinois to Iowa, establishing their home in Winneshiek county, at which time their son John J., was a little lad of but three summers. The father preempted land, acquiring one hun- dred and sixty acres, and built thereon a log house. Later he removed to Cresco when the town was started.
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