USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 59
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WV. O. ECKLEY.
Among the younger men finding their fortunes in the great west is W. O. Eckley, who is extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Logan township, and formerly well known as a livery man and dealer in farm implements, both of which enterprises he gave up recently in order to devote his undivided attention to his agricultural interests. Ile is a man whose aggressive spirit is enabling him to turn the soil to his advantage, and being possessed of the strength and vigor of youth, he may well look forward to many a year of bountiful harvests, which will be the means of leading him along the pathway of success and to permanent prosperity. A native son, his birth occurred in Douglas township. Clay county, December 19, 1877, and he is a son of John L. and Mary E. (Duboise) Eckley. His father was also a native of Iowa, and now resides in Barnum, Carlton county, Minnesota. His mother is a native of New York state.
The boyhood days of W. O. Eckley were spent in Douglas township and Spencer, where he attended the common schools and remained at his studies until he had completed his education. Upon leaving school he remained at the home of his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life for himself. Being somewhat inspired by the brawny arm of the blacksmith, he thought he would like to engage in that occupation as his life work, consequently he secured a place in a blacksmith shop, when, after one year's hard work, he gave up his desire to follow the occupation and engaged in business at Gillett Grove. He remained there two years and became connected with a livery busi- ness, which he pursued for a time, and then entered the employ of Charles Gilmore. for whom he worked until he was united in marriage, and then took up farming in Herdland township. He followed farming there for a period of three years. then removed to his present rented farm in this township, and there cultivates a half section of excellent land. Since his occupancy of this place he has been
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meeting with more than ordinary success in producing general crops and in handling and breeding a high grade of stock, and at the expiration of 1909 he anticipates having sufficient surplus means with which to rent an additional quarter section, upon which he will broaden his farming interests and pay more attention to stock-breeding.
February 2, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Carlson, a daughter of John Carlson, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, who now resides in Greenwood, Missouri. To this union have been born the following children : Hazel Esther, who is four years of age, and Harvey John, now in his third year. The republican party receives MIr. Eckley's support, the principles of which, upon candlid consideration, he has decided contain the secret of the nation's financial power and permanent prosperity. He attends divine services at the Methodist church and his excellent qualities of character and enterprising spirit have given him high standing as a citizen of the community.
FREDERICK WILLIAM HOFFMAN.
Frederick William Hoffman, who follows farming on section 15. Freeman township, has always been connected with agricultural interests and is today one of the prosperous farmers of the county, owning and operating three hundred and thirty-five acres of land. He was born in Ogle county, Illinois. April 15. 1869, and his life displays many of the sterling characteristics of his German ancestry. His parents, Ferdinand and Sophia ( Stuckenburg ) Hoffman, were both natives of Germany, and unto them were born seven children, five of whom still survive, as follows: Henry, now living in Freeport, Illinois; Louise, the wife of Martin Miller, of Forreston, Illinois: Ferdinand, who is living near Adeline, Illinois: Fredericka, the wife of Adam Brewer, of Sheldon, North Dakota ; and Frederick W. Two of the children died in infancy. The father gave his attention in early life to railroad building. At the age of twenty years he obtained employment in the construction department of railroad service and rose to the position of foreman. A thoughtful comparison of the business con- ditions of the old world and the new led him to the belief that he might benefit financially if he came to the new world. Accordingly he left Germany in 1853 and reached New York on the ISth of October, after a prolonged and tedious voyage of forty-two days. He began life in the new world with a cash capital of but eight dollars. Having made his way westward into the interior of the country, he was first employed near Elgin, Illinois, at husking corn, but his knowledge of railroading soon gained for him a more lucrative position and he obtained a situation with the Chicago & Northwestern Company, with which he remained for a few months. In 1854 he turned his attention to farming and was employed by the month at farm labor for two years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings in the hope of one day becoming the owner of a farm. This hope found realization in his purchase of forty acres of wild prairie land, which he began to cultivate, using a pair of oxen in breaking the sod. He also had one cow, but no other equipments with which to begin life on his farm.
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After a struggle of two years with privations he laid the foundation for a suc- cessful career in Brookville township, Ogle county, after which he found it less difficult to maintain a financial footing. In fact he began to save money and purchased forty acres of land on section 32, Maryland township, where he developed the farm upon which his remaining days were passed. Near the close of the war he enlisted in defense of the Union and served until hostilities were brought to an end. being mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in September, 1865, after which he returned to Springfield, Illinois, and was there honorably discharged. While he willingly gave his aid to his country he also gladly returned to his home when the government no longer needed his assist- ance, and at once resumed his farming interests. Working diligently and per- sistently as the years passed, he accumulated two hundred and seven acres of land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation. The farm was pleas- antly located within a quarter of a mile of Adeline, Illinois, and the soil, naturally rich and productive, respouded readily to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it. There he continued his agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred March 20, 1892, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife died in December, 1891. Both were members of the Evangelical Association and Mr. Hoffman gave his political allegiance to the democracy. In the community where this couple resided they were widely and favorably known and the father's example of industry and perseverance was one which may well be followed.
Frederick W. Hoffman spent his youthful days on his father's farm in Ogle county, Illinois, and was early trained in the work on the fields which he assisted to cultivate and improve. His education was acquired in the district and graded schools, but all through the periods of vacation he was busy in the fields, and remained at home until twenty-one years of age and until his parents' death. He then started out in business for himself by renting a part of the old home place and, when the estate was settled, he sold his interest and removed westward to Iowa, establishing his home near Dickens. Here he purchased two hundred and sixty acres of land on which he now lives, but the farm at that time bore little resemblance to his place at the present day for, as the years have passed, he has equipped it with substantial modern buildings, has put up good fences and has secured the latest modern machinery to facilitate work in the fields. By additional purchase he has also extended the boundaries of his farm until it now embraces three hundred and thirty-five acres which are devoted to the raising of such cereals as are best adapted to the soil and climate.
On the 22d of January, 1896, Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Sophia Dorothea Bernhagen, daughter of Michael and Amelia ( Hartwig) Bernhagen. She was born in Clay county, while her parents were natives of Germany, born near Berlin. Coming to America, they settled in Lake township, Clay county, where the father engaged in farming, becoming well known as a representative agriculturist of this community. He died in the spring of 1903, at the age of sixty-three years, while his widow still survives and yet makes her home on the old farm. To them were born ten children, of whom six are now living : Bertha, the wife of Albert Albers; Paulina, the wife of John Hopkins, of Langdon; Marie Emily; Frederick William : Sophia Dorothea ; and Reinhold Ferdinand.
CLAY 30.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have been born five children : Ralph Ferdi- nand, Agnes Marie. Randall Arnold, Milo Michael and Bertha Louise. Mr. Hoffman is a democrat in his political views, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He is a gentleman of broad mind and takes a calm survey of life, recognizes its purposes and meets its obligations. He is held in high regard throughout the county and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
EMIL SEBASTIAN.
1
Western lowa is constantly attracting a class of progressive citizens who recognize the opportunities offered and utilize them for the advancement of indi- vidual prosperity. Among the number who have come to Clay county within a comparatively recent period is Emil Sebastian. now living on section 20, River- ton township. He has made his home within its borders since 1897 and is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of good land which is devoted both to stock raising and to general farming.
Mr. Sebastian is a native of Germany. His birth occurred in Saxony on the 28th of December, 1858. His father, Mell Sebastian, was also born and reared in the same country. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Ernstine Gerth, a German maiden, and to provide for the expenses of a home which he had established he followed the carpenter's trade, which he had pre- viously learned. Several years were devoted to building operations in his native country, but wages were comparatively low and advancement slow. From time to time reports reached him concerning the more remunerative wages to be secured by artisans of the new world, and with the hope of more rapidly attain- ing prosperity Mr. Sebastian sailed with his family to the United States in 1860. The voyage across the Atlantic safely accomplished. he continued on into the interior of the country and took up his abode in Washington county, Wisconsin. where he again worked at the carpenter's trade, and when his industry and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital to purchase property he invested in a farm in that county and made it his home throughout his remaining days, giving his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits. While he did not seek to figure prominently in public life, he was a worthy and respected citizen of the community, and therefore, when he passed away on the 24th of March. 1897. his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His wife survived him a few years and died on the 19th of December. 1902.
In taking up the present history of Emil Sebastian we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Clay county. although his residence here covers a period of but twelve years. He was less than two years old when brought by his parents to the United States, and was ' reared in Wisconsin, spending his youth largely upon the farm which his father there purchased. The common schools afforded him his educational privileges, and in early manhood he went to Illinois, securing work as a farm hand in La Salle county. Ten years were there passed, and on the expiration of that
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time he returned to Wisconsin and in that state was married on the 12th of February. 1882. This important event in his life united him to Miss Hulda Koutz, a well bred German girl and the daughter of Louis Koutz, who was born in the fatherland and on coming to the new world located in Milwaukee, Wis- consin. He was a wagon-maker by trade and followed that pursuit in Mil- waukee, where he reared his family, his daughter being there educated. Subse- quently he removed to Thiensville, where he conducted a wagon-shop and is still living. However, he lost his wife, in July, 1905. Following his marriage Mr. Sebastian took up his abode in La Salle county, Illinois, and for four years he lived with his family near Peru. The year 1892 witnessed their arrival in Iowa, at which time they took up their abode in Butler county. There Mr. Sebastian farmed for five years, and in 1897 he came to Clay county. The pre- vious year he had visited the county and had purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, situated on section 20, Riverton township. The following year he removed to this property and began tilling the soil and improving the place. The leading features of the farm are new structures, and an air of enterprise and progress is everywhere noticeable. His home is a pleasant two-story resi- dence, tastefully furnished. In the rear stands a large barn, with an extensive loft for hay, while there is capacious stall-space for stock. Corn-cribs and gran- aries shelter the cereals which he produces, and wind-pump and waterworks indicate his progressive spirit. He has set out an orchard and planted a grove of shade trees, and thus his place is no longer an open prairie, for fine trees now provide shelter from the hot rays of the summer sun. In his pastures and feed- lots are found good grades of stock and the farm in all its departments is well kept.
Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian are the parents of five children: Ida, the wife of Edward Warren, a business man of Lyndon. Kansas : Louise : Emil W .; Emily, wife of V. H. McCleary, a farmer of Riverton township; and Arthur, all of whom are under the parental roof. Mr. Sebastian votes with the republican party and was elected and is now serving as township trustee. For some years he was officially connected with the schools. He has always believed in main- taining a high standard of education and employing good teachers. Both he and his wife were reared in the German Lutheran faith and have brought up their children in the same church. Mr. Sebastian belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Since he came to Clay county his acquaintance has con- tinually broadened and those who meet him in business and social relations find him a man whose friendship is worthy to be cherished and whose business integrity and enterprise calls for emulation.
EDWARD A. LANDERS.
Edward A. Landers, who conducts a general merchandise business at Gillett Grove, Iowa, was born in Madison county, this state, June 26, 1870, a son of Hiram and Eliza (de Bord) Landers, natives of Indiana and Iowa respectively. They reared the following children: Edward A., our subject : Mary, wife of
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Elmer Allen, of Winterset, Iowa; and Alvin, deceased. Hiram Landers came from his native state to Iowa about the year 1849. settling in Madison county, and bought a farm which he improved and put into a superb state for cultiva- tion and upon which he lived and worked until his death in 1901. his wife having passed away about 1876. Mr. Landers was a member of the Christian church. while his wife was actively identified with the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
The paternal grandfather was John Landers, a native of Virginia, who came to Iowa in 1849, settling in Madison county, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his death at an advanced age. He reared the following children : Tira, Felix, Hiram, Eli, Lilah Peffley and Garst. Maurice C. de Bord, the mater- nal grandfather. a soldier in the Civil war, was a farmer and a native of Ken- tucky, his wife being Mary (McClelland ) de Bord. They were among the 'early settlers of Madison county, Iowa, where they lived to an advanced age. having reared a large family.
On the farm in Madison county Edward A. Landers was reared, attending the district school of that place and the high school at Patterson. and subse- quently taking a business course in the Capital City Commercial College at Des Moines. Upon his graduation from that institution he was employed as a clerk at Gilmore City, and later served in the same capacity at Lake City. In 1891 he came to Clay county and for a period of two years clerked in a store at Webb. Upon resigning this position he went to Fort Dodge, remaining there until 1905. when he came to Gillett Grove, clerking for J. H. Zimmerman until the spring of 1908, when he opened a general store for himself in which he has met with signal success.
Mr. Landers was married to Miss Minnie Kime, a native of Livingston county, Illinois, and a daughter of Paul Kime, and they have four children. Mrs. Landers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, where she and her husband attend divine services. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party. Hle is an energetic man, of keen business discernment and inspired with an ambitious spirit, and is adding daily to his volume of trade and establishing himself in a substantial and lucrative enterprise.
THOMAS MARION ELLESS.
Thomas Marion Elless, who has followed agricultural pursuits all his life and is now operating a large farm in Garfield township, is a native of Brown township, Ripley county, Indiana, born March 22. 1837; and a son of James and Matilda (Harns) Elless, natives of Kentucky, who located in Indiana in 1800 when that country was in a primitive condition and inhabited by Indians. When a young man his great-grandfather on the paternal side left Ireland with a com- panion and succeeded in being secreted in the hold of a ship bound for America. In this manner he made his way to the new world, where he became a soldier in the Revolutionary war, after which he removed to Pennsylvania and thence to Kentucky. becoming a pioneer in both states. He is the founder of the family in this country. His given name is unknown, all family records having been lost.
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The grandfather of Thomas M. Elless was a resident of Kentucky and at the time he located there settlers were permitted to select their own tracts of land, mark them out to suit their own convenience and upon returning their field notes to the government authorities they secured the title to the property. This was a very illy devised method, as people made little provision for roads and conse- quently the thoroughfares were few and narrow and ran in every direction. In his family were James, John, William, Wesley, Nancy. Polly, Becka and Susanna. James Elless, the only survivor, removed with his family from Indiana to Winne- shiek county, Iowa, in 1853 and two years later went to Fillmore county, Minne- sota, where he departed this life in his eighty-third year. His wife passed away in 1865 in her sixty-fourth year, while on a visit to the place where she was married. Her ancestors were of English and Welsh descent. while her husband on the authority of his father was of English, Irish, Welsh and Dutch extraction.
The district schools afforded Thomas Marion Elless his education and in his twentieth year he left his father's farm and started out in the world for himself, spending two years in Kentucky and Indiana. In 1888 he settled in Garfield township, Clay county, Iowa, the place being then known as Herdland township. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35, for which he gave eight dollars an acre and with the exception of a little over a year, which he spent in the town of Marathon, he has since resided on this farm where he has been engaged in producing general crops, also giving some attention to live stock. Here he has lived to see his family grow up around him and all comfortably set- tled in life and, having worked hard throughout his career, always evincing a high degree of industry and enterprise, together with good management and economy. he is now planning to give up active life and retire to the town of Marathon to spend his declining years in retirement.
On October 30. 1862, Mr. Elless was united in marriage to Mary Catherine Cole, daughter of Abner and Mahala (Oneal) Cole, natives of Kentucky, who at an early day went to Indiana. where her father passed away in 1884 and her mother seventeen days later. In her mother's family were many children, all of whom are now deceased, while the members of her father's family have also long since entered into rest. To this union have been born : Mahala is the wife of A. E. Wright, and they live in Payette, Idaho. with their children : Emery Leonard. Vernie, Glenn and Bessie. Matilda is the wife of John Fishbaugher. a resident of Fillmore county, Minnesota, and they have four children: George, Franklin. Glenn and Lee, all of whom reside with their parents. Elzora is the wife of George Delaney and they reside in Garfield township with their two children. Owen and John. Edward married Daisy Murray and resides in this county. Frances wedded J. R. Cross and they are living in Dewey county, Oklahoma.
In politics Mr. Elless is usually in accord with democratic principles and votes for the state and national candidates of the party, but at local elections casts an independent ballot, supporting the men who, in his opinion, are best qualified for the offices they seek. His own public service has been commendable. He was for five years a member of the school board and has ever been a stalwart champion of the cause of public education. For six years he served as justice of the peace and it is to his credit that during his incumbency in that office he never tried a lawsuit. Not because none were brought before him, but by reason
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of the fact that he always succeeded in bringing the contesting parties to a mutual agreement. He has been a member of the Baptist church since he was twenty-one years of age and is a zealous and faithful Christian. His life has ever been upright and honorable and in his record there are many qualities worthy of emulation. He has now passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey and his activity and enterprise in former years well entitle him to rest throughout his remaining days. He has not only by capable management and unfaltering industry won for himself a handsome competence but through his agricultural interests has pro- moted the general prosperity of the county.
MARTIN L. LAUCK.
Martin L. Lauck, living on section 22. Summit township, where he is busily engaged with the duties of farming and stock-raising, has a good place of one hundred and fifty-seven acres which is well improved. He has lived in the county since 1802 and has always been a resident of the middle west, his birth having occurred in Stephenson county, Illinois, September 10, 1856. His father, John Lauck, was a native of York county. Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated. 'In that county he wedded Miss Anna Marian, a native of the Keystone state. During his residence in Pennsylvania John Lauck followed the occupation of farming but, thinking the great prairie districts of the middle west offered still better opportunities, he removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, where he opened up and developed a new farm, upon which he reared his family. There he spent his remaining days, his death occurring January 18, 1886. His wife survived him about fifteen years and died January 19, 1901. Their family numbered eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom four sons are vet living.
The days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed by Martin L. Lauck, who was reared on the home farm in his native county. He attended the public schools through the winter seasons and in the periods of vacation assisted in the work of the home farm, so that he early became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. On the 7th of November. 1879, he won a companion and helpmate for the journey of life in his marriage to Miss Maggie L. Bennehoff, who was born and reared in Stephenson county. Following their marriage Mr. Lauck cultivated his father's farm for two years and then began renting land elsewhere, remaining on one farm ten years. Desirous of owning a farm and believing that he would have better opportunity to secure land in western Iowa, he came to Clay county in 1892. Here he began renting and after ten years took up his abode on his present place, on section 22, Summit township. He purchased the farm in 1904 and. though it was then raw land, he soon transformed it into productive fields. In the midst of his place stands a neat residence, while a barn and outbuildings furnish shelter for his stock and his grain. He not only cultivates his home place of one hundred and fifty-seven acres. but also operates other land and is numbered among the substantial farmers of the county. He has owned and operated a steam thresher for ten
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