USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 42
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In 1880 Mr. Kirchner was united in marriage to Miss Clara Teresa Atkinson, a resident of Clay county, and the couple are parents of the following children : P. M., who resides on section 20, this township: Blanche, Avery W., George C., Charlotta, and Kenneth W., all of whom are at home with their parents. Politically, Mr. Kirchner is loyal to the republican party. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the Masonic fraternity, and the Eastern Star. He is a man whose industry, honesty and success have made him influential in the affairs of the township, and being possessed of noble traits of character and a man who takes a deep interest in the general welfare of the community, he commands the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens and is accounted one of the substantial financial factors of the county.
C. H. ZISHKA.
'Germany has furnished a number of worthy citizens to Clay county and their enterprise and progressive spirit have constituted features in the county's up- building and development. Among this number is Carl H. Zishka, now living on section 16. Summit township. He follows general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, also feeds stock to a considerable extent and that he has prospered as the years have gone by is indicated in the fact that he now owns four hundred and eighty acres of fine farming land. He has lived in the county since 1881, arriving here when a young man of nineteen years. His birth occurred in Ger- many September 4, 1862, and he came to the new world with his father, God- frey Zishka, who first located in Illinois. The same year, however, he came to Iowa, settling in Franklin county in 1874. Locating on a farm he continued to
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make his home there for seven years, and in 1881 removed to Summit township .. Clay county, where land was purchased and the development of a farm was begun.
Carl H. Zishka was at that time a young man of nineteen years and his strength and energies were employed in tilling the soil and developing the prop- erty. He broke and fenced one hundred and thirteen acres of land, carrying. forward the work of improvement until the place became very valuable. He remained with his father until twenty-five years of age and then made arrange- ments for having a home of his own.
It was in Summit township in 1887 that Mr. Zishka wedded Miss Minnie Schuneman, a sister of G. H. Schuneman, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Following their marriage the young couple located on a farm adjoin- ing his father's property. Mr. Zishka purchasing eighty acres which he culti- vated and developed. As the years passed he continued the work of improvement and his industry was seen in the well-tilled fields that brought forth abundant crops. In 1889 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides on section 16, Summit township, beginning here with one hundred and sixty acres. Later by trade he extended the boundaries of his farm and is now the owner of four hun- dred and eighty acres of rich land. The soil is very arable and responds readily to cultivation. That practical farming methods are employed is indicated in the rich harvests which are annually gathered for he secures extensive crops of corn and other cereals. In improving his property he has erected a large two-story residence built in modern style of architecture and supplied with modern con- veniences. There are also two big barns upon the place, while cribs and granaries furnish shelter for the grain and houses have been built for hogs. He uses woven and barbed wire fences to enclose his fields and he has a feed grinder which is operated by a gasolene engine, in order to grind feed for the stock. He keeps stock of good grades, having now sixteen head of Aberdeen Angus cattle, with a , , pure-blooded, thorough-bred male at the head of the herd. In addition to raising fine stock he fattens from one to two carloads of cattle and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head of hogs annually and his live-stock interests constitute an important feature in his success. In connection with his brothers, Frank and Dan, he owned and operated a steam thresher twenty-seven seasons, threshing for people all over this part of the county and in adjoining counties. Carl H. Zishka is likewise a stockholder in the Fostoria Farmer's Elevator and the Cooper- ative Creamery there. He is a director in both enterprises and also of the Tele- phone Company.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Zishka has been blessed with two sons and six daughters, Gustav H., Carl, Lena, Annie, Minnie, Mary. Edna, and Richie. They also lost a son, Otto, at the age of four years.
In his political views Mr. Zishka is a democrat where national issues are involved, but casts an independent local ballot. He is now serving as township trustee of Summit township, has been identified with the schools for several years in an official capacity, and at the present time is acting as one of the school directors. He is a member of the Lutheran church and his life has been well spent, his religious principles constituting a moving force in all that he does. Great changes have occurred since he arrived in this county, where he has now
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lived for a period of twenty-seven years. He has witnessed the entire growth of Spencer, has helped improve three fine farms in the county and demonstrated in his life the value of integrity and industry, for he started in empty-handed and has won his prosperity through intense and well-directed energy.
EARL BRONSON.
Earl Bronson, editor and publisher of the Spencer Herald, was born at Manchester, Iowa, February 23. 1869, a son of Charles E. and Jennie E. (Sheldon) Bronson, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. The former was a son of Clark M. and Abigail (Cornish) Bronson. The grandfather, also a native of the Empire state, conducted business as merchant tailor there. Both he and his wife lived to an advanced age. his death occurring when he was more than seventy years of age, while his wife was in the eighties. They were the parents of two sons and a daughter, who reached years of maturity, Charles E., Clark Henry, of Chicago, and Nellie E., the wife of Frank E. Merriam. Comparatively little is known concerning the maternal grandparents of Earl Bronson, save that the grandfather was a farmer and trader, and lived to an advanced age, as did his wife. They reared a large family.
Charles E. Bronson, well known as a practitioner of the Iowa bar, became an early settler of Manchester, Delaware county, this state, where he has been engaged in law practice for more than forty years, and is still active in the work of the courts. Moreover he has gained distinction in democratic circles as a leader of the party, for one term represented his district in the state senate. Both he and his wife are of the Universalist faith. Their family numbered five children : Earl; Wirt. of Spencer: Le, who is located at Craik, Canada ; Byron, of Muskogee, Oklahoma : and Henry, a resident of Manchester, Iowa.
Reared in his native town, Earl Bronson attended the public schools, passing through successive grades until he became a high school student. However, in the meantime, when eleven years of age, he began learning the printer's trade, which he has followed almost continuously since. He was in the railroad postal service for a time, under President Cleveland's first administration, and in July, 1891, came to Spencer where he and his brother, Wirt, established the Spencer Herald, bringing forth the first issue of the paper in August. They were thus associated in business until 1902, when Earl Bronson purchased his brother's interest, and has since been sole proprietor of the Herald, which is one of the leading country papers of the state. It is democratic in its political sympathy, and is devoted to the dissemination of local and general news. The plant is splendidly equipped, and in connection with the publication of the newspaper Mr. Bronson also conducts a general job printing business, which is now proving a profitable source of income.
On the 25th of January. 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Earl Bronson to Miss Minnie M. May, a daughter of John W. and Marinda (Colvin) May. They have but one child, Zoa May. Mrs. Bronson was born in Manchester, November 22. 1868, and is a representative of one of the old families of the
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state. Her paternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He was drafted for service in the Revolutionary war, but just at the time of the close of hostilities, so did not take any active participation in that struggle. However, he rendered active aid to his country in the War of 1812. Both he and his wife reached old age and reared a large family, including John W. May, who was born in Pennsylvania and became one of the pioneer residents of Delaware county, Iowa. In early manhood he wedded Marinda Colvin, a daughter of James A. Colvin, a New York farmer, who removed to Iowa in pioncer times. He reached an advanced age, but his wife died in early womanhood. They had a family of four children, including Mrs. May, who was also a native of the Empire state. Coming to the west, John W. May purchased government land and began the development of a new farm. Attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made an overland trip to the Pacific coast in 1850, and returned to New York by way of the isthmus route. Unto him and his wife were born two children, who reached adult age, Dr. John A. May, of Manchester, Iowa, and Mrs. Bronson.
In his political views Mr. Bronson is a stalwart democrat, and served as postmaster of Spencer for four years during President Cleveland's second administration. His paternal relations connect him with the Evening Shade Lodge No. 312, A. F. & A. M., the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen, Homesteaders, and the Court of Honor. He is interested in all that pertains to general progress and cooperates in many movements for the good of the community, being at all times a public-spirited and progressive citizen as well as a successful business man in his representation of the journalistic interests of the county.
FRED KIRKPATRICK.
In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit Fred Kirkpatrick has gained more than local distinction, practicing at the bar as a member of the law firm of Buck & Kirkpatrick, of Spencer. He has recently completed a five years' service in the office of county attorney, in which position he proved most loyal to the interests entrusted to his care. He is regarded as a forceful advocate, whose knowledge of the law is comprehensive and exact and his application of legal principles is at all times accurate. A native of Minnesota, he was born near Faribault, Rice county, December 22, 1867, and is a son of Douglas and Cordelia (Davis) Kirkpatrick, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. Both the Kirkpatrick and Davis families have been represented in America through several generations. The Kirkpatricks are of Scottish lineage, while in the Davis family there are strong German and Welsh strains. The great-grandfather of Fred Kirkpatrick was born in the highlands of Scotland but came to America during his minority and was married here, his wife being a native of the United States. Baldwin Kirkpatrick, the grandfather of Fred Kirkpatrick, was born in Ohio and devoted his life to the occupations of blacksmithing, milling and farming. He lived at different times in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas, his death occurring near the
CLAY 22.
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town of Mankato, in Jewell county, Kansas, May 22, 1876, when he was sixty- eight years of age. He wedded Meribah Condit, who was born in Pennsylvania, and her parents were likewise natives of this country. She was eighty-four years of age at the time of her death. Unto Baldwin and Meribah (Condit) Kirkpatrick were born the following named children: Samuel, who was born in Pennsylvania and is a carpenter now residing in Minnesota ; Douglas: Addie. now a physician of Billings, Montana ; Mrs. Amanda Ballard, who died at Spencer, Iowa, in 1890: Thomas S., who was formerly a school teacher and is now a lawyer of Billings, Montana; Milo and Platt, who are farmers of Mankato, Kansas. The maternal grandfather of Fred Kirkpatrick was a native of Pennsylvania and devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. Removing westward to Minnesota, he settled in Rice county, where he died when well advanced in years, while his wife passed away when about ninety years of age. They had a family of fourteen children.
Douglas Kirkpatrick, born in the Keystone state, removed at an early age to Wisconsin, and at the age of ten years became a resident of Waucoma, Iowa, where he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for sixteen years. Later he engaged in railroad contracting for twenty years and subsequently he devoted his energies to mining in Colorado until 1904, when he returned to Spencer, Iowa, but after two years removed to Wadena county, Minnesota, where he is now conducting a lumbering business. He was twenty-two years of age when he wedded Miss Cordelia E. Davis on the 17th of January, 1864. She was born near Chicago, Illinois, and was a daughter of Sylvester Davis. Her father was born in this country but was of Welsh descent. He followed the occupation of farming and spent his last days in Minnesota. His wife, who was a representative of an old New England family, died near Redwood Falls, Minnesota, in the 'gos. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Kirkpatrick removed to Rice county, Minnesota, and after four years became residents of Jackson county, that state, where they lived for two years. In 1871 they established their home in Spencer, where they remained until the death of Mrs. Kirkpatrick in August, 1902. She was at that time fifty-five years of age and was a consistent Christian woman, holding membership in the Baptist church. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters: Fred, of Spencer; Ettie, who died at the age of five years : Nellie, now the wife of L. G. Cullen, of Chicago, Illinois; Minnie E., deceased, who was the wife of Charles E. Dick, of Mankato. Kansas; and Charles, of Seattle, Washington.
Fred Kirkpatrick, who has been a resident of Spencer since the age of four years, except for a brief period spent in college and in railroad contracting with his father, completed his course in the public schools at Spencer and then entered the normal school at Dixon, Illinois. After two terms spent in study there he entered Cornell College, at Mount Vernon, Iowa, where he completed his course by graduation in the class of 1892. During his junior year in college he was president of the State Oratorical Association. In the senior year he reached the highest rank in the battalion-that of major-and his name, with that of two others, was submitted to the war department, that they might be called upon for military service in case of an emergency. In the acquirement of his education he
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displayed the strong and forceful element of his character, for he worked his way through college, clerking, acting as book agent and also making out the tax lists for the county auditor in 1885, 1886 and 1887. Following his return from railroad work he clerked for Horace Smith about three years. When his college days were over he took up the study of law, in the office of Parker, Richardson & Buck, and was admitted to the bar on the 17th of January, 1894. In May of that year he purchased the interest of Mr. Parker and the firm became Richardson, Buck & Kirkpatrick and when, in 1898, Mr. Richardson sold his interest, the present firm of Buck & Kirkpatrick was assumed. This is a strong law firm, generally retained either for the prosecution or defense in almost every important case tried in the courts of this district. In 1894 he was elected to the office of city attorney and by re-election was continued in the position for eight years, retiring in 1902 to take the office of county attorney, to which he had been elected. Mr. Kirkpatrick's success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities. He is a strong advocate with a jury and concise in his appeals before the court. His pleas have been characterized by a terse and decisive logic and a lucid presentation rather than by flights of oratory, and his power is the greater before court or jury from the fact that it is recognized that his aim is ever to secure justice and not to enshroud the cause in a sentimental garb of illusion which will thwart the principles of right and equity involved.
On the 20th of June, 1894, Mr. Kirkpatrick wedded Katherine Elizabeth Bair, a daughter of Albert and Mary E. Bair. She was born at Legrand, Marshall county, Iowa, December 27, 1872. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Lancaster, November 16, 1836, while his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Bowman ) Bair, were also natives of Lancaster. Jacob Bair came of German ancestry, while his wife represented an old American family. They had three sons and a daughter, who are yet living: John H., a merchant ; Daniel W., a banker, and Mrs. Kate Ryan, all of Lancaster, Penn- sylvania ; and Henry C. Bair, a capitalist, of Pittsburg. There were four sons in this family, John H., Daniel W., Henry C. and David Bair, who were soldiers of the Civil war. It was of this family that Albert Bair was a member. Born in Pennsylvania, he spent much of his early life at Lancaster and in 1865 came west to Monmouth, Illinois. There he was married on the 23d of July, 1867, to Miss Mary Harvey, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1848. Her brothers and sister were: S. B., Amos and Archibald Harvey, all farmers of Carroll county, Iowa ; J. A. Harvey, an attorney of Montour, Iowa; and Mrs. Carrie Kelly, of Parnell, Nebraska. The parents of these children were William A. and Susan Harvey, the former born in York county, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1823, and the latter in Baltimore, Maryland, June 26, 1824. William A. Harvey followed the occupations of carpentering and farming and died August 30, 1896. His widow still survives and is now living at Dedham, Iowa. It was in the year 1866 that Albert Bair removed to Davenport, Iowa, and there he engaged in the produce commission business. In 1871 he became a resident of Legrand, Marshall county, Iowa, and for a number of years was engaged in the creamery business in Marshalltown. In 1886 he removed to Belle Plaine, Iowa,
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where he continued in the same line of business until the failure of his health. He died at Belle Plaine, September 1, 1907. Unto him and his wife were born the following named: Ida, who was born October 7. 1868, and is living with her mother at Belle Plaine, Iowa ; Charles Morgan, who was born November 1, 1870, and is a railroad engineer living at Clinton, Iowa : Katherine Elizabeth, who was born December 27, 1872, and is the wife of Fred Kirkpatrick ; and Susie, who was born March 20, 1874, and died at Mount Vernon, Iowa, February 17, 1900.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick have been born two daughters, Ruth and Florence. The parents are prominent socially in Spencer, and are faithful members of the Congregational church. In addition to his home property, whichi is one of the attractive residences of Spencer, Mr. Kirkpatrick has an interest in a farm of two hundred acres in Clay county, an interest in five hundred and forty-seven acres in Chippewa county, Iowa, and owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lake county, Minnesota. He has thus made judicious investment of his financial resources and his property interests return to him a good income. Fraternally Mr. Kirkpatrick is connected with Harmony Lodge, No. 188, K. P., Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M .. Estherville Lodge, No. 528, B. P. O. E., and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has always voted with the republican party and is one of its stalwart supporters in Clay county. The only offices which he has filled, however, have been in the direct path of his profession. He served as city attorney from 1894 to 1902 and then became county attorney, which position he has filled for five years with marked ability and impartiality. He is justly accounted one of the able lawyers and valued citizens of Spencer.
CHRISTIAN P. CHRISTENSEN.
Christian P. Christensen, successfully engaged in merchandising in Royal, possesses a spirit of determination and of unfaltering diligence characteristic of the nationality of which he is a representative. He was born in Denmark, February 14, 1868, and is a son of Hans and Caren Christensen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. The father was a rope maker and died in the year 1881, while his wife survived only until 1882. There were four children in the family : Dorothea, the wife of Peter Hensen, living in Denmark; Maren. the wife of Hans Peterson, also of the same country ; Mary, the wife of Lars J. Peterson, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Christian P., of this review.
The last named acquired a common school education in the schools of Den- mark and at the age of fourteen years started out to make his own living by working as a farm hand. He was thus employed until twenty years of age and in the meantime, in 1884, he came to the United States, thinking to have better business opportunities in the new world. He was employed at farm labor in Clay county until 1887, after which he worked as a section hand on the railroad until 1890. He then established a dray line, which he conducted until 1895, when he secured a clerkship in a store in Peterson, where he remained until 1900. In that year he came to Royal, where he has since resided, and here he established a
MR. AND MRS. C. P. CHRISTENSEN
THE NEW YORK BLICLIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX 1_ON FOUNDATIONS
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
general mercantile store, which he yet continues, carrying a large and well selected line of goods. The steps in his progressive career are easily discernible and it is clearly seen that his own worth and enterprise have constituted the basis of his success.
In 1887 Mr. Christensen was married to Miss Anna Hyllested, the wedding being celebrated in Clay county. They have three children, Carrie, Arthur H. and Marie N., all at home. In his political views Mr. Christensen has been a repub- lican since becoming a naturalized American citizen. While living in Peterson he served as marshal four years and for eight years was street commissioner and likewise a member of the town council three years. Since his removal to Royal he has been justice of the peace one term and in this position, as in the others that he has filled, he has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, his course reflecting credit upon himself and proving entirely satisfactory to his con- stituents. Both he and his wife are members of the Danish Lutheran church and he is well known in fraternal circles. He became a member of Welcome Lodge. No. 536, A. F. & A. M., but has since demitted to Sunset Lodge at Royal, of which he is now the senior warden. He likewise belongs to Clay Chapter, No. 112, R. A. M., of Spencer, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America at Royal. Coming to the new world in early man- hood, he has felt that the country fully justified his expectations and in this land, where labor is unhampered by caste or class, he has steadily advanced and as a result of his persistent energy and unabating industry has gained a place among the substantial business men of his adopted country, while personally he enjoys the warm friendship of the majority of those who know him.
LAWRENCE WHALEN.
Almost thirty-seven years have come and gone since Lawrence Whalen arrived in Clay county. Already some hardy pioneers had settled here and the land was rapidly being taken up by those who wished to make homes for themselves and were willing to meet the hardships and privations of frontier life in so doing. Mr. Whalen was ambitious to own property and, arriving in Clay county in 1872, he secured a homestead claim of forty acres and a tree claim of eighty acres. He also bought an additional tract of forty acres and now has an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres which bears little resemblance to the tract which came into his possession more than a third of a century ago. Then the land was covered with the wild prairie grasses and starred with millions of wild flowers in the spring months. Today there are seen waving fields of grain and annually good crops of corn and other cereals are harvested. All this represents much hard work but his persistent labor has at length been crowned with success.
Mr. Whalen was born in Ireland, February 22, 1843, and was brought to the new world by his father in 1849, the family home being established in La Salle county, Illinois, where the father passed away about 1852. The family later removed to Livingston county, Illinois, in 1856 or 1857 and there purchased
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