USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
405
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Twentieth New York Volunteer Infantry; and Josephine, who was united in marriage to L. J. Richards June 23, 1870, and lives in Western Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Chatterton were married in 1854, to which union were born: A. S., a physician at Peterson ; R. W., whose birth occurred September 27, 1863, and lives near Onslow, Jones county, Iowa ; and H. L. One child died in infancy.
H. L. Chatterton acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and subsequently pursued a course of study in the Iowa State College at Amies, during the years 1884 and 1886 inclusive, and was graduated from the veterinary department. He at once entered the practice of his profession, which he followed two years at Anamosa and one and a half years at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with Dr. J. C. Milnes, and in 1890 came to Peterson. Giving up the exclusive practice of veterinary surgery in 1896 he devoted his attention to farming. and owns the southwest quarter of section 23 and one-half of the northwest quarter of section 26, in this township, which farms he has under a high state of cultivation and supplied with all modern improvements, having a comfortable residence, commo- dious barns, outbuildings and machinery, together with every convenience requi- site to pursue the occupation by progressive methods. Here he produces large quantities of hay and general grain crops and at the same time devotes some attention to stock-raising, in which he is greatly aided by his knowledge of veterinary surgery.
On June 25. 1896, he married Miss May Harmon, a native of Waldo, Wis- cousin, and a daughter of D. B. and Josephine ( MacIntire) Harmon, who went to O'Brien county in 1869, where he still resides. The wife died in 1905. To Mr. and Mrs. Charleton were born the following children: Josephine, who is ten years of age : Harley H., whose birth occurred July 18, 1902 ; and Hilah May, born April 28, 1905. Mr. Chatterton gives his political support to the republican party, and together with his wife are members of the Congregational church, in which he is an active worker. He is a man of remarkable intelligence, well- versed in everything. pertaining to his profession as a veterinary surgeon and is familiar with every department of farming. His success in life is due to his own exertions since he has attained his present reputation as a physician and his pros- perity as a business man through his own resources. Mr. Chatterton is widely known throughout the county as a representative citizen and courts the confi- dence and respect of the entire community.
JOHN LORENZEN.
John Lorenzen is one of the prosperous farmers and business men of Clay county. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lone Tree township, constituting a neat and well improved farm, but now rents this property, while at present he is engaged in the agricultural implement business in Everly. He is also one of the directors of the First National Bank and his connection with commercial and financial interests secures him classification with the leading and representative citizens of the community. Since March, 1894, he has made
406
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
his home in Clay county, arriving here when thirty-six years of age. He was born in Holstein, Germany, February 25. 1858, and his youthful days were passed there to the age of seventeen years, while in the schools of his native country he acquired a fair education in the German tongue. He is mostly self-educated in English, however. It was in 1875 that he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and made his way to Clinton county, Iowa, where he was employed at farm labor. Later he removed to Jackson county, where he again worked as a farm hand and thus through diligence and industry made his start in the business world.
While living in Jackson county Mr. Lorenzen was married on the 19th of January, 1883, to Miss Minnie Butzloff, a native of Germany, who was, how- ever, reared in Jackson county, Iowa. Following their marriage Mr. Lorenzen purchased a farm in Jackson county, being associated with his brother, Nis Lorenzen, in the ownership and conduct of a farm of seven hundred and seventeen acres. They carried on business together in a most successful manner for eleven years, at the end of which time John Lorenzen sold out and removed to Clay county. He arrived here in 1894 and has since lived in this county, where he has made for himself a creditable reputation as an enterprising, progressive business man. He first purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Lone Tree township, which he cultivated for a time and then sold and bought the southeast quarter of section 28. This he at once began to improve, added to and remodeled the dwelling and put up good buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He also fenced the place, tiled the land and there he engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1908, when he rented bis farm and removed to Everly. Here he purchased stock in an implement business, to which he has since given his attention. He was also one of the first stockholders and organizers of the First National Bank and has been a director from its beginning. His business judgment is sound and reliable and his enterprise unfaltering. Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzen have an attractive home in Everly, where he rented a commodious residence, built in modern style of architecture. It is most taste- fully and comfortably furnished and, moreover, is the abode of culture and warm-hearted hospitality. Mr. Lorenzen is a stanch republican in politics but has never been an office seeker. He and his wife were reared in the German Lutheran church, in which they still hold membership. They are well known in Spencer and the western part of the county and Mr. Lorenzen occupies a commendable position in business circles, having fully demonstrated his worth and his progressiveness.
A. B. KINYON.
A. B. Kinyon, a retired farmer of Peterson township, this county, who now resides in the village of Peterson and is one of the original frontiersmen of the early days, whose grandfather served in the war of 1812, is a native of Elery, Chautauqua county, New York, where his birth occurred October 28, 1838, and a son of Amasa and Caroline (Collins) Kinyon, his father having been a native of the Empire state, where he was reared, and who about the year 1846 located
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ABTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
A. B. KINYON
1
-
MRS. A. B. KINYON
THE NEW MOON PUBLICLIBRARY
ASTOR LENCX TILDEN FOU ? TIONS
411
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
in Shiawassee county, Michigan, where he followed agricultural pursuits until he departed this life in 1853. His mother, also a native of New York state, was there united in marriage and departed this life in the state of Michigan in 1852. In the family were seven children, namely: Shenanda, widow of Edward Brad- ley; Caroline, widow of Albert Faust; Oliver, an agriculturist of Winthrow, Minnesota : Polly, widow of Harmon Miller: A. B. : Miles, an agriculturist of Bottineau county. North Dakota; and William, who resides in the state of Wash- ington.
In an old log schoolhouse in his native county A. B. Kinyon acquired his education and remained at home until he was fifteen years of age, at which period of life he started out in the world for himself and in the year 1856 went to Still- water, Minnesota, where he secured employment for awhile, thence to Wisconsin, where he spent something over a year in hunting big game, and after he had satisfied himself sufficiently with the sportsman's life he returned to Stillwater, where he spent two years in farming, at the termination of which time he went back to Wisconsin, where he worked for four years and then started westward from St. Paul, Minnesota, in company with one hundred and fifty-six men, their destination being Montana, but while enroute, when within nine miles of Little Missouri, they were attacked by the Indians, and so fierce was the hostility of the savages that he and his companions, in order to obtain safety, were forced to construct a fort behind which to secure refuge, which they named Fort Diltz, and for three days they carried on a hot conflict with the Indians. The fight and siege continued twenty days and on the last day they were happily reinforced by eight companies of United States regulars, with whom they retraced their steps and went to Fort Rice, North Dakota, thence to Sioux City, Iowa, and finally reached Omaha, Nebraska, where they remained until January of the year 1865. during which year they left that place for Denver, Colorado. Here they were pressed into service by the government to assist in putting up telegraph poles thrown down by the Indians, and then reaching Denver April 14, 1865, Mr. Kin- yon entered the service of an ox-train company and drove five yoke of cattle to Virginia City. When the train was five and one-half miles on its way he, in com- pany with five others, organized and engaged in mining there until 1868, when Mr. Kinyon returned by steamer from Fort Benton to Omaha, thence .on to Chicago, then to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to St. Paul, back to Chicago, to Elkhart, Indiana, once more back to Chicago, and from there to Neenah, Wisconsin. where he was united in marriage in the spring of 1869, during which year he came to this county, leaving his wife behind, and took up a claim of eighty acres in section 4, of this township, and after having cleared fifteen acres, which he put into a fit state for cultivation, he secured employment on the railroad and fol- lowed this occupation until the fall of 1869, when he returned to Wisconsin to get his wife. On the trip back to this county all the bridges were down on the Des Moines river and it became necessary for Mr. Kinyon to take apart his wagon and transport the parts across the river in a boat, the horses swimming the stream with him and his wife. Mr. Kinyon, with pride, points to the fact that he has swum nearly every river between here and Virginia City, Montana, and he has in the early days been so far in the depths of the wild west as to have been separated
412
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
from human beings for a period of three weeks at a stretch, and also to have been compelled on many occasions to go for days without food, and particularly without salt, a great necessity. The couple finally safely arrived here and Mr. Kinyon engaged in farming until the year 1890, when he went to the state of Washington and for two years was in the lumber business there, at the expiration of which time he returned to this county and settled down on his farm in Peterson township, and during his active farming career he engaged in producing hay and the various grains and paid considerable attention to stock raising, in which for many years he did quite a shipping business. He owns four hundred and sixty- two acres of land in this county, a section near Oakes, North Dakota, and also four valuable lots and an elegant residence in the village of Peterson. He removed to his town residence six years ago and has since been enjoying the fruits of his many years of industry and adventure.
On January 6, 1869, Mr. Kinyon was united in marriage with Miss Emma Potter, a native of New York, by whom he has had one child, Lulu, who became the wife of Edwin Tibbetts, an agriculturist of this township, and who has three children, namely. Bert, Dell and Leona. In politics Mr. Kinyon has always been loyal to the republican party and cast his first vote, in 1860, for Abraham Lincoln, and during his life, having been deeply interested in public matters, has held a number of public offices, among which being that of township trustee, clerk, and assessor. He has also served five years as central committeeman. Among the fraternal organizations with which Mr. Kinyon is affiliated are the Free Masons and Eastern Star, his wife being also a member of the latter. Ile is a man who has always exerted a wide influence, not only in agriculture but also in financial circles, and is president of the Farmers Elevator Company, of Peterson, of which he was one of the organizers. He is a man whose career has been inspired by laudable ambition and whose enterprise and aggressiveness have stood him well in the battle of life, won him the prosperity which he enjoys today, and placed him in the foremost rank as a representative citizen of the community.
RUDOLPH MOELLER.
The attractiveness of Iowa as a place of residence is indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, believing that her advantages and opportunities are equal if not superior to those to be secured in other parts of the country. Mr. Moeller was born in this state, the place of his nativity being in Scott county and the date of his birth September 8, 1860. His father, Henry Moeller, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and spent his youth- ful days in that country and came as a young man of nineteen years to the new world, landing at New Orleans. For a time he remained in Louisiana, working on plantations there, but eventually he started northward and located in Scott county, Iowa. It was in that county that he married Miss Sophia Moeller, also a native of Mecklenburg, Germany. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Scott county, where the husband continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits for many years, or until 1887, when he sold his property
413
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
there and removed to Clay county, taking up his abode on a farm on section 18, Lone Tree township. This was an improved property of one hundred and sixty acres. Later he bought other land, from time to time adding to his holdings, until they aggregated fourteen hundred acres comprised in several farms. Thus with the passing of the years he became one of the wealthy agriculturists of the county and his success was attributable entirely to his own labors, his sound judgment. his judicious investments and his unabating energy. In all of his business dealings he was thoroughly reliable, never taking advantage of the necessities of another in any trade transaction. He died here about 1897, while his wife survived him and passed away in 1901, Clay county thus losing two of its representative and valued citizens.
Rudolph Moeller was reared upon the old home farm in Scott county and in order to obtain an education attended the common schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning that usually constitute the public-school curriculum. During the periods of vacation he was employed at farm labor on the old home- stead and after he had completed his education worked with his father until his marriage, which was celebrated in Clay county. In order to have a home of his own he then rented his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he lived for a few years as a renter, after which he purchased a tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres that was largely undeveloped and unimproved. Resolutely he set himself to the arduous task of developing a new farm, breaking the sod. harrowing the fields and planting the seed which in due course of time brought forth abundant harvests. Substantial improvements have been made as the years have passed, including the erection of a pleasant residence, two good barns and commodious sheds and other outbuildings, so that stock and grain are amply pro- tected from inclement weather. He has built many rods of fence, has set out a grove and adorned the lawn with evergreen and other ornamental trees. An orchard of his own planting is now in bearing and all of the features of a model farm property are here to be seen, while an air of neatness and thrift pervades the entire place. Mr. Moeller bought eighty acres adjoining his original tract and he and his brother also own one hundred and sixty acres in another farm. His business interests likewise include stock in the Moneta Bank and in the Farmers Elevator at Moneta. Up to his retirement he engaged in raising and feeding stock, making a specialty of fine hogs. His success placed him among the leading agriculturists and stock-raisers of Lone Tree township.
Mr. Moeller was married in Clay county to Miss Emma Brogeman, who was born in Scott county and was reared and educated there. They began their domes- tic life upon the farm and early in 1909 retired to Everly, where they live in one of the many fine homes of that pretty village. Unto them have been born three children : Carl, who is now a student in the Cedar Rapids Business College ; Ella, who has been well educated and is now a teacher in the old home school ; and Walter, a lad of eleven years, attending school. They also lost one son, Albert, who died in his second year.
In his political views Mr. Moeller is a democrat, somewhat active and influ- ential in the local ranks of the party. He has served as road boss several years. being again and again elected to the office. He has now filled the position ten consecutive years and was reelected in the fall of 1908. He has also been town-
414
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
ship clerk and in matters of citizenship is progressive and public spirited. He and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and attend the Everly German Lutheran church. Mr. Moeller is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and also of the Yeomen lodge at Moneta. A resident of the county for more than twenty-two years, he is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in his citizenship and in his business relations have gained him a high place in the regard and good will of his fellow townsmen.
CHARLES S. ROGERS.
Charles S. Rogers, one of the younger men who is finding his fortune in the soil of Lincoln township, this county, and who is doing an extensive agricultural and stock-raising business, at the same time being affiliated with a number of other lucrative enterprises in the county, is a native of Peoria county, Illinois, where his birth occurred February 11. 1870, a son of William Henry and Jenette Ellen (Wakefield) Rogers. His grandfather met death by drowning in the Mississippi river while on his way from New York to Peoria, Illinois. His father was a native of New York state, who came west in the year 1846, locating in Peoria county when a lad of but nine years of age where he remained actively engaged in the pursuit of agriculture until last year when he retired from the active duties of the farm and removed to Dunlap. Illinois. Here he is enjoying both the leisure and comfort lie deserves after his long years of business activity. He was a man of considerable importance in the county, well known as a repre- sentative of the republican party and for twenty years served as school director and for eighteen years as township commissioner. Aside from being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in the affairs of which he has always taken a deep interest and to which he is a large contributor. His mother was a native of Peoria county. Illinois, where she was united in marriage. She passed away in the year 1888 and her remains were interred near Dunlap, Illinois. She gave birth to ten chil- dren, namely : Clarence and Elliott, deceased : Logan A .. an agriculturist of Lin- coln, Nebraska : Charles S .; Leslie J .. deceased ; Wilson N., William J., John L., Mina E. and Elmer B .. all of whom reside at home.
The common schools of his native land afforded Charles S. Rogers his preliminary education and subsequently he completed a course of study in the Metropolitan Business College, of Chicago, Ilinois, from which he was graduated in 1890, and immediately became engaged as a bookkeeper in that city in which capacity he served for one year. At the termination of that time he began farming in Peoria county, Illinois, where he rented land on which he remained for twelve years. At the expiration of ten years he purchased one hundred and forty acres there, which he later disposed of, and in 1902. coming to this county he bought one hundred and sixty acres in section 25 and has since resided here. actively engaged in the pursuit of agriculture and stock-raising. The old resi- dence which stood on the premises he remodeled and now has an elegant ten room dwelling, and in addition a new barn together with all the necessary out-
.
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES S. ROGERS
THE NEW VERK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
417
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
buildings and other conveniences requisite to pursue farming by modern methods, his farm being thoroughly drained and cross fenced with woven wire. While he takes some interest in stock-raising, keeping on hand only graded specimens, vet he devotes most of his attention to producing general crops and from year to year harvests the finest quality of hay and the various grains. Aside from his farming interests he is connected with the hardware enterprise in Greenville, is a stockholder in the Rossie Savings Bank and also in the Farmers Creamery Association, of which he was secretary for four years. Moreover, he was one among those instrumental in consolidating. the five local telephone companies and was elected secretary of the new consolidation. He is also affiliated with the Clay County Insurance Association and the Bankers Life Insurance Company of Des Moines. He gives his political support to the republican party and has served efficiently as a school director, having also been president of the school board for two years. Among the fraternal organizations with which he is affiliated are the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Greenville, Iowa, and the Modern Woodmen of America at Greenville, Iowa. Mr. Rogers is one of the most aggressive citizens of the community in which he is held in high respect and is a stanch agitator of public improvements, among other services which he has rendered tlie township being that of securing the present rural free delivery service.
WILLIAM KIRCHNER.
William Kirchner, who in an influential way has for many years been identified with the farming interests of Peterson township. and whose enterprise has contributed much toward the financial betterment of the community, was born in Albany, county, New York, December 31, 1851, a son of Christian and Magdalena (Knipcher) Kirchner, his father a native of Germany who, in December of the year 1841, came to this country on a sailing vessel and located in Albany, New York, where he remained three years, at the expiration of which time he removed to a farm about twenty-eight miles from that city. where he pursued farming until 1856, and then removed to that part of Clay county, Iowa, occupied by the present site of Peterson, where he spent the remainder of his life. The mother, also a native of Germany, where she was united in marriage, after a long and beneficial life passed away here, where she was laid to rest. They reared the following family: Dorothy, deceased ; J. A., who was the first settler in Clay county and a review of whom is to be found elsewhere in this volume; Mary, widow of C. H. Brockschink, of Webster City, Iowa: Barbara, wife of Michael Springer, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Jacob, a miller of that place : Christian, deceased : Phillip, deceased : Charlotta, widow of Dr. Butler : Laney, wife of Walter French, a clothier in Sioux City, Iowa; Julia, deceased : and William.
William Kirchner removed with his parents when four years of age from Albany, New York, to Peterson township, this county, where his father built the first house, which was a log cabin, and since the first schoolhouse was built
418
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
in the year 1861, when William Kirchner was ten years of age, it is evident that he had few advantages in an educational line, as he had opportunity at that age of spending but two or three years under instruction. He lived on the land now the present site of Peterson, assisting his father in agricultural work until the year 1888, when he purchased for himself a quarter of section 34. which he improved with a comfortable residence, barns and outbuildings. and on which he has since lived and carried on general farming and stock feeding and breeding. His venture proved lucrative from the start, and by producing bountiful harvests from year to year he has been able to add to his land holdings from time to time, until at present he possesses two hundred acres in sections 34 and 35 ; a quarter section in section 32, in Herdland town- ship, this county; two hundred acres in section 13, Lone Tree township, this county ; one hundred and sixty acres in section 20, Peterson township; and a half section in McCook county, South Dakota. All this land is in a high state of cultivation and the several farms are well kept and provided with all the requisites for carrying on the occupation of husbandry successfully. In addition to his enlarged land interests Mr. Kirchner has also found time to launch out into the commercial world and become influentially affiliated with other enter- prises, and at present is a considerable stockholder in the First National Bank of Peterson, of which he is president.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.