USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 66
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 66
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John J. Brown was a pupil in the public schools of Iowa through the period of his hoyhood and youth and after attending the district schools near his father's farm con- tinued his education in Cresco. He later learned the painter's trade under the direc- tion of William Barber and has continued to follow it since that time, now doing paint- ing and decorating, for which he takes large contracts that he most carefully executes. He is today recognized as the leading contractor in his line in Cresco and likewise does a large amount of contract work in neighboring cities and towns. His work is always highly satisfactory not only by reason of his skill but also owing to the straightforward and reliable business methods which he follows.
In 1875 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Covey, a native of Frank- lin county, New York, and a daughter of John R. and Miranda (Williams) Covey. The parents were natives of Albany, Vermont, where they were married in 1853. The
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father was a traveling salesman and also a hotel man in Vermont for two years but afterward continued his salesmanship in the state of New York. In 1862 he enlisted in response to the country's call for troops, joining the Union army as a member of the Eighteenth New York Cavalry, with which he served for three years, engaged in camp and field work. He was at one time president of the army hospital at Fort Schuyler and at the close of the war he was honorably discharged. When the country no longer needed his aid he returned to the Empire state and afterward removed to the west, with McGregor, Iowa, as his destination. He traveled by way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, then across the country to McGregor, where he established a hotel, which he conducted for some time. He afterward cultivated a farm at National, lowa, and still later removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, establishing his home in Orleans township, where he secured a farm upon which he lived for three years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Cresco, where he is now living retired. He has served as marshal and constable for a number of years and has been prominently iden- tified with public interests, discharging every public duty with marked loyalty to the trusts reposed in him. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and proudly wears the little bronze button that indicates him to have been one of the defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war.
To Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been born a son, James Monroe. The parents are con- sistent members of the Congregational church and guide their lives according to its teachings. Mr. Brown is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, loyally adhering to the teachings of the craft, and his political allegiance is given to the re- publican party, which he has supported since attaining adult age. He is widely and favorably known in Cresco, where much of his life has been passed. He has lived in Howard county from pioneer times, his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He can relate many interesting events concerning the early history of the county as well as its later development, for Iowa has numbered him among its citizens for sixty-seven years.
ALBERT MILLER.
Albert Miller, who is living on section 7, Afton township, Howard county, was born in Wisconsin, January 24, 1872. He came to Howard county when a small boy with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Miller. His father is still living and resides upon the old home farm in Afton township, having for many years been a representative agriculturist of this section of the state.
Albert Miller was reared under the parental roof and his youthful days were spent in the usual manner of the farm boy who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. His educa- tional opportunities were only those afforded by the common schools and in later life he has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. His training in farm work was not meager, for he early began to assist his father in the work of the fields and had had valuable experience along this line when he started in farming on his own account. He purchased his present farm in 1895 and through the intervening period of almost a quarter of a century has resided thereon, bending his efforts to its further development and improvement. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, and the place is now very productive annually yielding splendid crops.
In 1906 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Lubbert, a daughter of Louis Lubbert, one of the old settlers of Afton township. Both of her parents have passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been born a daughter, Tena, who is now twelve years of age.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church of Riceville and guide their lives according to its teachings, their many sterling traits of character gaining for them the warm regard and good will of all who know them. In politics Mr. Miller is
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a republican and keeps well informed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day but never seeks office as a reward for party fealty. His entire time and attention have been concentrated upon his farming interests and his work in this connection is bringing him substantial results.
P. E. STUART, M. D.
Dr. P. E. Stuart, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Chickasaw county, lias continuously practiced his profession in Nashua for the past nineteen years. His birth occurred at Kellogg, Jasper county, Iowa, on the 26th of July, 1877, his parents being Jasper N. and Isabelle (Muir) Stuart, who were born, reared and married in Ripley county, Indiana. Immediately following the close of the Civil war they came to Iowa, taking up their abode on a farm in Jasper county, where the father successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his active business career. They now reside in Kellogg, where Mr. Stuart has lived retired for several years. enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
P. E. Stuart acquired his early education in the district schools and later attended the Newton Normal School at Newton, Iowa. In 1896 he took up the study of medicine in the medical department of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, which institu- tion conferred upon him the degree of M. D. on the 28th of March, 1900, and throughout the intervening period of nineteen years he has remained in active and successful prac- tice at Nashua. He is now well known as one of the able representatives of the profession in northern Iowa, his practice having steadily grown as he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate problems which constantly confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. In 1910 he pursued post-graduate work in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, and he keeps in close touch with the advanced thought of the profession through his membership in the Chickasaw County Medical Society, the Austin Flint Cedar Valley Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
On the 20th of June, 1900, Dr. Stuart was united in marriage to Miss Grace G. Barber, of Kellogg, Iowa, by whom he has two children, Margaret Jean and Robert James.
In his political views Dr. Stuart is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community in which he resides and is widely recognized as one of its most progressive and public-spirited citizens. He is now president of the Big Four Fair Association and also president of the Nashua school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. In Masonry he has also become prominent. belong- ing to Bradford Lodge, No. 129, A. F. & A. M., of which he was past master before reaching the age of twenty-five years; Almond Chapter, No. 53, R. A. M .; Joppa Commandery, No. 55, K. T., of Charles City; De Molay Consistory, No. 1. A. & A. S. R., of Clinton, Iowa; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Both the Doctor and his wife are identified with the Order of the Eastern Star. The former is likewise a member of Nashua Lodge, No. 391, I. O. O. F .; Nashua Lodge, No. 110, K. P .; the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers. Dr. and Mrs. Stuart are devoted and consistent members of the Congregational church and have gained an extensive circle of warm friends during the period of their residence in Nashua.
JOSEPH A. HRUSKA.
Joseph A. Hruska, living on section 30, New Oregon township, Howard county, is engaged in the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, of which he is the owner of eighty acres. He was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, December 7, 1894, and is therefore yet a young man. The qualities which he has already displayed argue well for further success in the future. His father became identified with farming in-
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terests in Howard county in early life. He was married when quite young to Mary Huka, of Howard county, and purchasing land, he became closely associated with the farming interests of the county. He actively tilled his fields until about four years ago, when his son took over the farm, since which time the father has lived retired. In community affairs he takes quite a deep interest, serving as school director for a con- siderable period and otherwise supporting plans and projects for the general good.
Joseph A. Hruska was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He attended the public schools and after his textbooks were put aside concentrated his entire thought and attention upon farming. About 1915 he took over the old home place, purchasing eighty acres from his father, and at the present time he is renting an additional tract of eighty acres. He has placed many substantial improvements upon his land and now has an excellent farm property.
On the 19th of September, 1915, Mr. Hruska was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stika, a daughter of Frank and Helen Stika, of Howard county, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Hruska attend the Catholic church at Protivin and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He does not seek nor desire office, however, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which are wisely and carefully managed and are bringing to him a substantial measure of success.
F. W. BROWN.
F. W. Brown is a dealer in farm lands at New Hampton, in which business he has continued successfully for a number of years. He had previously filled the position of sheriff for two terms and in all public relations has proven his fidelity to the gen- eral welfare and his interest in the progress and upbuilding of the community.
Mr. Brown is a native of the state of New York. He was born January 25, 1863, of the marriage of August and Julia Brown, who were natives of Germany. The father came to United States prior to his fifteenth year, following the death of his parents. He located in Erie county, New York, where he attained his majority. The mother came to the United States in her girlhood with her parents, who established their home in Erie county, New York, and it was there that Mr. and Mrs. Brown were married. For some years they continued to make their home in Erie county but afterward removed to Green Lake, Wisconsin, where they resided for ten years. In 1876 they came to Chickasaw county, Iowa, and Mr. Brown purchased a farm in Dayton township, upon which he still resides. He is now in the eighty-sixth year of his age.
F. W. Brown is indebted to the district schools for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed, but at an early age he began providing for his own support and this terminated his school life. He worked for a time as a farm hand and subsequently secured a position as clerk in a drug and grocery store in Ionia, in which the postoffice was also maintained. He thus received his initial commercial training. In 1886 he ventured in business on his own account, establishing a general merchandise store at Ionia, but after two years he disposed of that business and for a brief period resided in Nashua, Iowa. He next came to New Hampton, where he arrived in the latter part of the summer of 1888. He was appointed to a position in the railway mail service but after four months spent on the road he decided that the work held no future for him and he gave up the position. He then returned to New Hampton and accepted a clerkship in the postoffice. In the summer of 1889 he became active in politics and was elected sheriff of Chickasaw county, to which position he was reelected two years later. Upon the expiration of his second term as sheriff he established a real estate and loan business in New Hampton and has since been active along that line. For ten years he was identified with the First National Bank of West Minneapolis, with the Darrow Trust & Savings Bank of New Hampton and the State Bank of Waucoma as a stock- holder, but disposed of all of his bank holdings in 1916 and has since given his entire at-
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tention to his land business. He has now a large clientage as a dealer in farm lands and his business has reached very gratifying proportions.
In his political views Mr. Brown has been a lifelong democrat and became the can- didate of his party for mayor of New Hampton in the spring of 1919. He belongs to Ar-
cana Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is a loyal follower of the teachings of the craft Public opinion classes him with New Hampton's foremost residents and representative business men, who by the wise utilization of time and opportunity has advanced steadily step by step until he now occupies an enviable position on the plane of affluence.
E. D. McWILLIAMS.
E. D. McWilliams, cashier of the Chester Savings Bank of Chester, Howard county, was born in Postville, Allamakee county, Iowa, on the 15th of January, 1879, a son of Brown and Sarah E. (Neeling) McWilliams, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- vania. However, in early life they removed westward and were married in National, Clayton county, Iowa, to which state the mother had come with her parents. Soon after their marriage they established their home in Allamakee county and the father here engaged in farming, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation. He passed away March 11, 1896, and was long survived by his wife, whose death occurred on the 11th of September, 1918.
E D. McWilliams was reared upon the homestead farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farm-bred boy. He acquired his education in the schools of Postville, passing through consecutive grades to the grad- uation from the high school as a member of the class of 1896. Following the completion of his studies he remained at home, his parents having in the meantime removed into Postville, until 1904, when he became a resident of Chester and entered the German Sav- ings Bank as assistant cashier. His capability and fidelity led to his promotion to the office of cashier and in 1907 and in 1918 the name of the institution was changed to the Chester Savings Bank. For the past twelve years Mr. McWilliams has had charge of the financial policy of the bank and under his direction the business of the bank has largely grown, the deposits having increased from twenty-five thousand dollars in 1907 to almost one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars in 1919.
On the 5th of June, 1918, Mr. McWilliams was married to Miss Mary A. Young, of Cresco, Iowa, and they are numbered among the highly esteemed residents of Chester. In politics he is a democrat. In Masonic circles he is prominent, belonging to Brotherly Love Lodge, No. 204, A. F. & A. M., of Postville; Bruce Chapter, R. A. M., of Cresco; Iowa Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R .; and Kilwinning Lodge of Perfection, No. 2. of Cedar Rapids. He is also identified with Utopia Chapter, No. 379, O. E. S. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The steps in the orderly progression of Mr. McWilliams are easily discernible. Persistent purpose has brought him to the front in a business way and at all times he is willing to lend his aid and cooperation to any plan or measure for the general good. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him highly, his genuine worth being recognized by all.
HOMER DE FOREST JEWETT.
Homer De Forest Jewett, a photographer of Bradford and Nashua, was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, June 12, 1858. The family comes of Holland Dutch ancestry, the paternal grandparents of H. D. Jewett being representatives of that stock. In the maternal line, however, he is of English lineage, for the Stickney fam- ily, of which he is a representative, trace their ancestry back through several genera- tions to the town or parish of Stickney, near London, England. His parents, John and Lucy (Stickney) Jewett, were natives of Franklin county, Vermont, and on leaving
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the Green Mountain state removed to Potsdam, New York, in the year 1847. There they settled upon a farm in the south part of the town, living in a log house, the father taking up the arduous task of clearing a part of the land of the timber and stumps before the crops could be planted. Thus he aided in the pioneer development of that region.
His son, Homer D. Jewett, attended the district schools between the ages of six and sixteen years. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he worked on farms after leaving school, being thus employed until twenty-four years of age, when, think- ing to find other pursuits more congenial, he entered a studio and learned the art of portrait painting, which profession he followed until coming to the middle west in 1904. Since that time he has been a resident of Minnesota and Iowa and has been en- gaged in photographic work. Before removing west of the Mississippi he was employed in some of the leading studios of Potsdam and Syracuse, New York, and of Chicago Illi- nois, and it has been his privilege to paint portraits of some very notable personages, including governors of states, principals of large schools and people in other prominent walks of life.
At Potsdam, New York, on the 30th of August, 1887, Mr. Jewett was married to Miss Lottie E. Stickney, a daughter of J. Dennison and Beulah M. Stickney. Mrs. Jewett was born in Madrid, St. Lawrence county, New York, in March 1860. Her father was born in Jay, Essex county, New York, while her mother was a native of Madrid. They were farming people.
In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Jewett are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Good Templars, while from 1885 until 1888 inclusive, or for two terms, he served as financial secretary of his lodge. In all matters of citizenship he stands for those things which he deems of greatest worth to the community and his aid and influence are ever on the side of those projects which are for the uplift of the individual and the upbuilding of the state. He is a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance and in many ways has manifested his interest in forces for righteousness and public benefit. During the period of the world war he was a most loyal and earnest supporter of the government in its efforts to advance the cause of democracy among the people of the world and contributed to the extent of his ability to the support of the Liberty Loan drives and all war measures.
D. H. TIDGWELL.
D. H. Tidgwell is well known as a representative citizen of Elma. He was for many years engaged in the lumber trade but is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, September 30, 1859, a son of John and Margaret (McDonald) Tidgwell, the former a native of Bradford, Eng- land, while the latter was born in the north of Ireland. They came to the United States with their respective parents, the former as a youth of seventeen years and the latter as a little maiden of ten summers. Both of the families located in what was known as the English settlement in Racine county, Wisconsin, and there the parents of D. H. Tidgwell were later married. The father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and engaged in farming, residing upon his farm property to the time of his death.
D. H. Tidgwell was educated in the district schools and left home when twenty-two years of age to seek his fortune independently. In April, 1882, he came to Iowa, settl- ing in Chickasaw county, where he rented a farm a mile east of the present site of the courthouse. There he kept bachelor's hall and devoted his attention to his farm work for five years. In the fall of 1886 he bought lumber in New Hampton and hauled it to the present site of Elma, where he built a hardware store. This was prior to the time when the railroad was built and his was one of the first buildings erected in the town. He conducted a hardware trade for six years and success attended the new venture.
About this time, in the fall of 1892, Mr. Tidgwell was united in marriage to Miss
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Ida M. Trickle, of New Hampton, and retiring from the hardware trade, he turned his attention to the breeding and raising of race horses. About 1894 he established a lum- ber business in Elma but continued to follow the races until 1898. He was very suc- cessful in the lumber business and conducted his yard at Elma until about 1900, when he sold to the C. W. Chapman Lumber Company. A little more than a year later he engaged in the grocery business but after two years disposed of his stock of groceries and purchased the Church & Hoyt hardware store, which he conducted successfully for four years. He then sold the business and has since been engaged in buying and trad- ing in farm lands. He is now the owner of seven hundred and sixty-five acres of val- uable farm lands in Howard county. In all of his business affairs he has displayed sound judgment and keen enterprise and his carefully directed interests have brought to him a substantial measure of prosperity.
To Mr. and Mrs. Tidgwell have been born three children, of whom two are living: Iyla M., who is assistant principal of the Elma public schools; and Thelma I., who is attending high school in Elma. Mr. Tidgwell gives his political allegiance to the re- publican party and keeps well informed and the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he made most liberal contribution toward the erection of its house of worship. He stands loyally for every plan or movement which he believes will prove of benefit to the city, and his worth in this connection and as a business man has long been ac- knowledged. He has a wide acquaintance and all who know him speak well of him in terms of kind regard.
C. W. SCHNURR.
C. W. Schnurr is a dealer in agricultural implements at New Hampton and also agent for the Ford car, thus being actively identified with the business interests of the city. He was born in Buffalo, Scott county, Iowa, July 27, 1867, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Bald) Schnurr, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was also born in Buffalo, Scott county, Iowa. The father came to the United States when a youth of sixteen years in company with four brothers, and all located in Scott county, this state, where Daniel Schnurr was afterward married to Catherine Bald. They settled upon a farm there, which remained their home for a number of years, and in the fall of 1872 they removed to Chickasaw county, purchasing a farm in Richland township, which Mr. Schnurr continued to further develop and improve until about 1901, when he retired from active business life and established his home in New Hampton, where he now resides at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. On the mother's side of the house there are five generations of the family living, including the grandmother of C. W. Schnurr and his own grandchildren.
C. W Schnurr was educated in the common schools and on attaining his majority turned his attention to carpentering. He subsequently engaged in contracting and building on his own account, erecting barns and other farm buildings. Later he re- moved to New Hampton, where he entered the employ of Bigelow Brothers, lumber merchants, remaining with that firm and its successors, Bigelow & Donovan, for a period of eight years. In 1901 he was elected to the office of county sheriff, in which capacity he served for five years, and when he had retired from the position he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the International Harvester Company, which he thus represented for three years. On the expiration of that period he purchased an interest in the New Hampton Implement Company and the business is now owned by Mr. Schnurr and J. Blankenheim. They have built up a gratifying trade as dealers in agricultural implements, handling farm machinery of the latest and most improved man- ufacture, and they are also agents in New Hampton for the Ford car. They have also built up a large business in this particular and as the result of his industry, close appli- cation and enterprise Mr. Schnurr is now enjoying a liberal annual income.
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