USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 46
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
As a young man he went to Michigan and attended school in Berrien county, for he was ambitious to secure a better education than had been afforded him in Wisconsin. He pursued his studies during the cold seasons and in the summer months worked as a farm hand in order to secure the funds necessary to meet the
HELON WETMORE
PUBLIC LIBRI
ASTOR. L. NOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
461
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
expenses of his school work. While living in Winneshiek county, Iowa, Captain Wetmore was married, on the 18th of January, 1858, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Lucy Wilson, nee Stewart, who was then a widow. She was born in Ire- land, but in early girlhood was brought to the United States and reared in Illinois. where she married Augustus Wilson. Later they removed to Winneshiek county. Iowa, where Mr. Wilson opened up a farm and made his home until his death. In 1857 Captain Wetmore became a resident of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and carried on general farming. on his wife's land until after the inauguration of the Civil war. On the Ist of November, 1864, he was drafted into the Union army and became a member of Company C, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry. He joined the regiment at Chattanooga and participated in a battle at Kinston, North Carolina. He was with General Sherman's troops at Goldsboro and later went to Raleigh, North Carolina, going into camp there. Subsequently the regiment marched to Washington, where he participated in the grand review. Becoming ill in the capital city, Mr. Wetmore remained in the hospital there until honorably dis- charged, when he returned home, arriving on the 3d of July, 1865. He was still ill and quite emaciated and it was some time before he recovered his health, but as soon as possible he resumed farming and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits in Winneshiek county until 1873. In that year he removed to Clay county and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of raw land, on which not a stick had been laid or an acre broken. In a short time, however, he turned the sod, harrowed the fields and when the soil was brought into fit condition he planted the seed and eventually gathered good crops. He also fenced his land and built a fair house on the place. He also planted a nice grove of cottonwood, maple, ash and walnut trees, the grove covering ten acres, while he likewise set out a willow hedge. He also planted an orchard and for a number of years energetically and successfully carried on his farm work until his labors brought to him a sub- stantial competence and he retired from active life, since which time he has lived in Everly. It was in 1896 that he took up his abode in the village, purchasing a lot and erecting thereon a substantial and attractive residence in modern style of architecture. Here he has since lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. His tastes are not extravagant and therefore his means are sufficient to sup- ply him with all of the necessities and comforts of life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wetmore were born two sons: Seymour, who is now living in Redwood county, Minnesota ; and Thomas, a carpenter, residing with liis parents. By her former marriage Mrs. Wetmore had two children: Clara, the wife of James McMullen, a farmer living in Winneshiek county, Iowa ; and D. C. Wilson, who also follows farming in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Wetmore are widely and favorably known and their extensive circle of friends indicates that their lives have been worthily passed. In politics Mr. Wetmore has been an earnest republican since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. At each presidential election since that time he has been found at the polls giving his allegiance to the standard bearers of the party. For some years he served as school treasurer and the cause of education has always found in him a stalwart champion. He has never sought nor desired office, however, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs. His wife is a member of the Christian church and their son. Thomas, belongs to the Masonic
462
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
lodge at Everly. Mr. Wetmore has lived a most busy and useful life. He has assisted in clearing farms in Wisconsin and Michigan and two in Iowa and has helped to improve and make the county what it is today. During their early resi- dence here he and his wife endured many hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier, but they persevered until advancing civilization did away with the difficulties and obstacles which the early settlers must meet. They have re- joiced in what has been accomplished as the county has steadily progressed until it is now in the foremost ranks among the leading counties of the state. Mr. Wet- more has never failed to do his part in citizenship, while in business he has always held to a high commercial standard, never overreaching another in any business transaction.
MATTHEW HOFSTAD.
A good farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 10, Summit township, is the property of Matthew Hofstad and in its cultivation and further improvement his time is busily occupied with the result that he is meeting success in his efforts. He has lived in Iowa since 1871, arriving in this state when a little lad of five years. He came to America from Norway, where he was born the 25th of March, 1866. His father, Mathias Hofstad, was also a native of the land of the midnight sun and there he was reared, choosing as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Grethe Olson, who was likewise born in Norway. Mr. Hofstad was a blacksmith by trade and followed that pursuit in Norway until 1868, when he came to the new world. He made his way direct to Chicago, where he worked at his trade for three years and in 1871 came to Iowa, securing a homestead of eighty acres, upon which his son now resides. At that time it was a tract of raw prairie, on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. This he broke, also fenced the fields and in course of time his careful cultivation was manifest in the rich crops which he gathered. He also built and carried on a blacksmith shop, doing work for the neighborhood. In his farming interests he manifested a progressive spirit, which was soon evidenced in the attractive appearance of his place. He set out a grove of forest trees, which was a pleasing feature in a landscape that naturally was destitute of any forest growth. As he prospered in his undertakings he added to his original holdings, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Summit township, across the road from his first farm. There he continued to carry on general farming until his death, which occurred July 29, 1884. His widow still survives him and yet resides on the old home place, being one of the esteemed pioneer women of the community.
Matthew Hofstad, whose name introduces this review, was a little lad of five years when brought to Iowa by his parents. His youth was passed on the home farm and the common schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges. His brother, Olaf Hofstad, owns a farm adjoining the old home place. Following his father's death Matthew Hofstad took charge of the farm and business and has since added to and remodeled the house, has erected a good
453
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
barn and built other substantial outbuildings, so that ample shelter is afforded grain, stock and farm machinery. He also set out an orchard, planted ornamental trees and has done some tiling. The fences are kept in a state of good repair and a glance over the place shows that everything is orderly and well managed. Large crops of corn and other cereals are annually garnered and with his farming Mr. Hofstad also raises and feeds stock, this branch of his business proving to him a profitable source of income. He is likewise a shareholder in the Coopera- tive Creamery, in the Farmers' Elevator and in the telephone company.
In his political views Mr. Hofstad is a republican, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has acted as road supervisor and has been identified with the schools as a director for several years. He and his mother are both members of the Lutheran church and are greatly esteemed in the community. He is one of the active and progressive young farmers of Summit township, a man of good business capacity and enterprise and of unquestioned business integrity, enjoying in an unusual degree the confidence and good will of the community.
JOHN B. BURGER.
John B. Burger, who owns one of the finest farms near Royal, Clay county, on which he located when it was in a raw condition and has since so improved the land that it yields abundantly hay and various grains, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1848. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Boyer) Burger, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until he departed this life in 1892, his wife surviving him fifteen years. They had the following children : Jacob, who operates a large farm in Clay township, this county ; John B., of this review ; Liddie Ann, the widow of George Reinhart, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ; Andrew, deceased; Lizzie, who became the wife of William River, a railroad man residing in Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania ; Mary Ellen, who wedded Anton Stauch, of Pennsylvania ; and Katie, deceased.
When a lad John B. Burger attended the district schools of his native town, where he acquired his education and, completing his study, he remained at home and engaged in the daily routine of the farm until he was twenty-three years of age, at which period of his life, being desirous of starting out in the world for himself. he left the home farm and spent four years at various occupations in different portions of Pennsylvania. At the end of that time he located in Randolph county, Indiana, where he rented a farm which he kept under cultivation for four years and then, giving up agriculture, he went to work on the Shoo Fly railroad. where he remained for some months. He afterward spent one year in the employ of the Pan Handle Railroad. Later he spent two years in Illinois and in 1879 came to Iowa, locating in Buena Vista county, where he followed farming for six years and at the expiration of that time, upon hearing. that Clay county offered better inducements to the agriculturist, he bought eighty acres here. upon which he has since resided. His land is situated on the northeast
1
464
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
quarter of section 17, Clay township, and since Mr. Burger purchased it he has provided the farm with a comfortable residence, substantial buildings and every convenience with which to carry on farming by modern methods. He engages in general farming, producing large quantities of hay and various grains of excellent quality, and in addition takes considerable interest in stock-raising and has a number of head of fine horses and cattle. When Mr. Burger took hold of this property it presented anything. but the appearance of a farm, being in a primitive state and far from arable, but by his industry and good management he has succeeded in putting it under a high state of cultivation and in converting it into one of the finest farms in the vicinity.
In 1871 Mr. Burger was united in marriage, in Goldsboro, Pennsylvania, to Miss Josephine Spengler, a native of York county, that state, and to this union were born the following children: Elizabeth, deceased; Rosa, who was united in marriage to Harvey Goyette; Martin, who remains on the farm with his father ; Berdell, who became the wife of John Mingus, and resides on a farm in this county two miles from Spencer ; Anna, the wife of Alvin Petit; and Edith, who wedded Otto Ruch, a farmer of this county.
Mr. Burger is a stanch adherent of the republican party and, being con- vinced that it contains the secret of the nation's financial prosperity, he has always been loyal to its candidates during campaigns. He is one among others who deserves great credit for turning the wild prairie into fertile lands, thereby adding to the wealth of the country, and it was by making. use of his youthful energy that he won success and finally attained his present prosperity. When he came to this county he had very little as far as wealth is concerned but he was rich in enterprise, perseverance and patience and these, directed toward the soil, soon enabled him to draw forth its wealth and gradually win prosperity so that now in his declining years he may rest in comfort and enjoy somewhat of the hard earned but substantial fruit of his long years of earnest and unremitting labor. Mr. Burger has not only been industrious but has evidenced in his transactions those qualities which make friends and, being upright in his dealings and interested in the moral as well as the financial welfare of the community, he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.
ED SITZ.
Ed Sitz, who operates a large flour mill in Peterson and is well known throughout the state because of the excellence of his manufactured product, was born near Berlin, Germany, December 31, 1853, a son of Lewis and Augusta (Klath) Sitz, both of whom were also born near that city. In the old country his father engaged in agricultural pursuits and in 1859 came to the United States, having made the voyage across the sea in a sailing vessel, which while enroute the captain lost his bearings and as a consequence those aboard were four months upon the high seas before reaching a harbor. Being enroute for so long a time the water gave out as well as provisions and there was much suffering among the passengers and a number died of thirst and hunger. After a long and tedious
THE NEW YORU PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
ED. SITZ
MRS. ED. SITZ
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
469
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
journey, accompanied by many hardships and anxieties Mr. Sitz and his wife finally landed in New York from which place they went directly by rail to Milwau- kee, Wisconsin. Mr. Sitz engaged in farming near that city for two years and then went to Green Bay, Wisconsin, farming in that place for the same period, thence to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and after a sojourn of six years in that place came to this. county in 1869, making the trip in a prairie schooner. Here he homesteaded land in the northern part of section 2, Peterson township and later removed to a farm two miles northeast of Peterson, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until he departed this life, his remains being interred in the cemetery here. His wife still lives at an advanced age and resides in the village of Peterson. In the family were eight children, namely: Ed, of this review; Amos, who owns a telephone line at Peterson : Augusta, wife of Harry Teller, an agriculturist of Douglas township; Eunice, who is the widow of James Frasher and resides in Peterson : Delia, who became the wife of Eph Williams, residing on a farm in Douglas township : Ida, who is wedded to C. H. Atkinson, a barber in the village of Peterson ; Tillie, wife of Samuel Wilkison, a merchant of Wilkins, Minnesota; and one who died in infancy.
In the common schools of Wisconsin and also the graded schools of Mil- waukee Ed Sitz acquired his education. He remained at home, engaging in the daily routine of the farm, until he was twenty-one years of age when he began work in the flour mill at Peterson, which was owned by J. A. Kirchner, his father-in-law, who established the business in 1865. Mr. Sitz has since been connected with this enterprise, with the exception of one year spent in the employ of Charles Beckworth, a miller of Cherokee, Iowa. About fifteen years ago Mr. Sitz purchased the mill but prior to that time he was practicaliy in full man- agement of its affairs. Shortly after he became associated with the busines's he installed new rollers and new machinery and about the time he bought out the concern he replaced the old water-power system by steam power so that now the enterprise is in every sense conducted upon modern principles and today the Peterson Rolling Mills are known throughout the county and the state as well. Mr. Sitz turns out about one hundred and fifty barrels of flour a day and fifty barrels of corn meal and in addition manufactures a special pancake flour known as Ida's Pure Wheat Cake Flour and of this commodity he produces about forty cases per day. Mr. Sitz has invented a special process by which to manu- facture corn meal and he is now contemplating the construction of a large plant by which to supply his constantly growing trade for that superior commodity.
In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Ella Kirchner, daughter of J. A. Kirchner, a pioneer of this county, she being the first white child born in Clay county. Mr. and Mrs. Sitz have four children, namely : R. E., who is connected with the elevator business here; L. A., who is associated with his father in the milling business; Ida, who became the wife of Clyde Martin, an agriculturist of O'Brien county ; and Le Roy, who attends school at Valparaiso, Indiana.
Mr. Sitz gives his political allegiance to the republican party and cast his first vote for General Grant when he was a candidate for presidential honors. He has served the township in a number of useful offices and for the past twenty-four years has been a member of the school board. He is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Daughters of Rebekah, the Masonic Lodge, in CLAY 24.
470
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
which he is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter at Sioux Rapids, Eastern Star, Ancient Order United Workmen, Yeomen, Homesteaders and Legion of Honor. Mr. Sitz is as attentive to his religious duties as to those incumbent upon him in the business world and attends services at the Congregational church, to which he is a large contributor. He is a man of excellent business ability, well known throughout the community for his honesty and the interest he takes in public improvements. He is in every sense of the word a man worthy of the confidence of the people and is one of the township's most substantial business factors.
FRANK HUSS.
Among the agriculturists of Everly, Clay township, Clay county, who are numbered among the substantial farmers and representative citizens and who have achieved success and surrounded themselves with prosperity by their own exertions and persevering efforts, is Frank Huss, whose birth occurred in Jackson county, this state, on August 20, 1865. His industry and enterprise together with good management, have been the means of enabling him to acquire considerable acreage of excellent land, which he has for many years kept under cultivation and from which he has derived bountiful harvests. His parents were Henry and Anna (Gross) Huss, the father having been born in Lutzenburg, Germany. In 1846 he crossed the seas to seek his fortune in the new world, locating in Jackson county, Iowa, where he followed agricultural pursuits until he departed this life in 1887, his remains being interred in that county. He was a man who had a high sense of honor and his excellent qualities of character together with his aggressiveness have made him a substantial farmer and have enabled him to stand high as a citizen of the community. The mother was also born in Germany, where she was united in marriage, accompanying her husband to this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives and reared the fol- lowing family: John, deceased; Pile, a retired farmer of Dubuque, Iowa ; Nicholas, who lives a retired life in Dumont, Iowa: Anthony, who resides in Miner county, South Dakota ; John, who follows agriculture in that state : John, deceased; Lizzie, of Sheldon, O'Brien county, Iowa; Mary, who resides in Dubuque county, Iowa ; and Frank.
In his native county Frank Huss was reared and there he attended the district schools, where he acquired his education, in the meantime assisting his father in the duties of the farm. Upon completing his studies he remained under the parental roof. daily engaged in farm work, until he was about nineteen years of age, at which period of life he became ambitious to be self-supporting and work independently. During his labors thus far he had lived modestly, laying by the larger portion of his earnings, so when he desired to conduct a farm for himself he had sufficient means with which to buy a tract of land and made a purchase in Jackson county, and for a period of six years engaged in general agriculture and stock-raising for himself. In this venture he prospered. but, upon thinking that the state of Nebraska offered greater opportunities for his occupation than that of Iowa, he repaired to that place, but after one year he
471
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
decided to return to Iowa, locating in O'Brien county. In this county he was married and remained seven years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, at the expiration of which time he settled in Clay township, Clay county, where he resides at present, owning section 3, in that township, also eighty acres in Lone Tree township. Both farms are in a high state of cultivation and Mr. Huss has provided them with all modern improvements, each farm being supplied with its own dwelling, barns and other buildings and since he has made a special study of soils he has been able to preserve the growing properties of his farms and consequently he succeeds in deriving from them their full quota per acre of hay and various kinds of grain. In addition to general farming interests he pays some attention to stock breeding and makes it a point to deal only in thoroughbreds, doing quite a buying and shipping business.
In the year 1890 Mr. Huss wedded Miss Mary Gillespie and they have reared the following children: Nellie, Edward, Gertrude, Laura, Eliner, Mabel, Ralph and Evelyn. In politics Mr. Huss does not bind himself to any particular party but thinks more of the man who seeks office than of the principles of the party to which he belongs. He therefore deems it just and right to consider the qualifications of candidates irrespective of partisan ties and uses his vote and influence in behalf of the interests of the commonwealth. One of the services which he has rendered the township is that of school director, having served efficiently for several terms as a member of the school board. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and, considering his religious obligations first, he is a regular and faithful attendant upon divine services. He inherited industry, perseverance and patience from his sturdy Teutonic parents and, always evidencing that willingness to work and ambition to succeed common to those of his race, he has, step by step, made his way in the world until now he has risen to a position where he is numbered among Clay county's substantial farmers and most highly respected citizens.
THEOPHILUS PARRY POWELL.
Among the successful men of Clay county is numbered Theophilus Parry Powell, whose former activity in agricultural lines now enables him to live retired in Spencer. He has also been active in political circles and at one time served as recorder of the county. His birth occurred near Scranton, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1847. His paternal grandfather. Thomas Powell, was a native of Wales and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He died when seventy- four years of age, while his wife, Mrs. Margaret Powell, passed away in middle life. They were the parents of ten children : Theophilus, Thomas, William, Leah, Peter, Emma, Joseph, Christmas, and two who died in childhood. Of this family, Thomas T. Powell, father of T. P. Powell, was also a native of Wales, and having arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Margaret Parry, who was also born in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales. Her father died in early manhood at Waterloo, Belgium. Thomas T. Powell, while a resident of his native country, followed the occupation of mining. In March, 1846, he came to
472
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
America, locating in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he continued in the same line of business. In 1852 he removed westward, taking up his abode in Iowa county, Wisconsin, where he purchased an eighty-acre farm, to which he afterward added until he was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres. There he died in June, 1880, at the age of sixty-six years, while his wife survived him until 1896 and passed away at the age of eighty-two years. They were members of what was known as the Close Communion Baptist church.
T. P. Powell, their only child, was reared to manhood in Wisconsin from the age of five years, spending his boyhood and youth upon the home farm, during which time he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was obtained in one of the old-time rock schoolhouses of that period and he assisted in the arduous task of developing new fields and converting his father's land into a rich and productive tract. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and the only interruption to his farm work came through his service as a soldier of the Civil war. He enlisted in October, 1864, as a member of Company K, Fiftieth Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, and served until June. 1866, holding the rank of corporal.
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.