USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 64
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this state, and thence in 1868 to Grundy county, where he remained until 1885 and then repaired to Cherokee county, where he still resides. His wife, Emma Rice, was born near Knoxville, Indiana, her parents being pioneers of that state and to her were born G. W .. Charles Ferd, Maria, Clarissa, Carrie, Frank and Emma, all of whom excepting Clarissa reside in Cherokee county and she lives just across the line in Buena Vista county.
Charles Ferd Johns learned the art of agriculture under his father, acquir- ing his education in the district schools of Grundy county and remained upon the home farm until 1893, when he settled on the farm he now occupies in Logan township, this county, his farm containing three hundred and thirty acres for which he paid twenty-two dollars an acre. The attention which he has given it has made it one of the finest and most productive tracts of land in this part of the state. There were some improvements upon the land when he took hold of it, but he razed all of the old buildings and constructed new ones so that now his premises are provided with an elegant dwelling house, a substantial barn and all outbuildings and other conveniences required to successfully pursue the occupation of farming. Here he engages in general agriculture, taking con- siderable interest in stock-raising and breeding, keeping on hand a number of head of registered cattle and sheep in which he does an extensive buying and shipping business.
On December 28, 1880, Mr. Johns wedded Mary Reeverts, daughter of H. and Maggie (Sweeter) Reeverts, natives of Germany, who came to America in the early '50s, settling in Ogle county, Illinois, remaining there until 1856 when they repaired to Grundy county, this state, removing to South Dakota in 1905, where they now reside. In their family were the following children : Hilka : Mary; Frederick George; Fred, deceased; Harriett ; and Dekana, de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johns have been blessed with the following progeny : William David, who wedded Jennie Brown, the couple having one child, Cecil, and residing in South Dakota; Bert Hagen, who with his wife, Lizzie Herr, and daughters Myrtle and Maggie, also resides in that state; and Maggie, who lives with her parents, one child having died in infancy. Mr. Johns is one of the most enterprising farmers in this part of the state and his transactions being conducted on the basis of honesty and being a man of high morals he is known throughout the community as an excellent farmer and worthy citizen.
HANSEN C. BITTINGER.
The business life of the farmer today has become so complex that he lives in a broader way than if he were one of the many atoms of a great city, and he is certainly much more independent. He lives in a freer atmosphere, away from the contaminating influences of city life, and does not experience poverty, which is ever reaching out in want and distress. There is always a peculiar charm in the broad expanse of field and sky which brings one in closer touch with nature and develops a wider personality. It is true that the city has its counter charms, gayety and pleasures, its temples of art and halls of music. But all the
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music of the human voice or of instruments is dead tones compared with the songs of birds, nor is anything to be seen about a city to be compared with the broad and resting view of the landscape. While farm life may in many instances lack the opportunities of city life, yet upon the whole it is in many particulars advantageous and always enables one to live in comfort and quiet.
Hansen C. Bittinger was reared amid the environments of rural surround- ings and has always been contented with the opportunities afforded on a farm. He was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1862, a grandson of Andrew and Barbara (Beamer) Bittinger and a son of Phillip and Ann Eliza (Funk) Bittinger, natives of the Keystone state, where they now reside. He is the eldest son of seven children, the next in order of birth being Clara, who married John Herdeny, and lives in Adams county, Pennsylvania; Anna, who married William Lady, who also lives in Adams county; John, who wedded Mary Deardorff, of Adams county; Olive, who passed away in infancy; Sadie, the wife of David Byrens, residents of Adams county, Pennsylvania; and Daisy, the wife of William F. Hankey.
Hansen C. Bittinger was reared upon the home farm and obtained his edu- cation in the district schools. In 1885, leaving the old homestead, he went west- ward to Kansas, living for about three years in Dickinson county, and then removed to Lee county, Illinois, settling near Franklin Grove, where he remained for twelve years. At that period of his life, realizing the advantages that might be secured in the farther west, he disposed of his interest in Lee county and in 1900 came to Clay county, where he purchased and settled upon the farm he now occupies, containing two hundred and forty acres of highly improved and cultivated land, to which he has given sufficient attention to make it one of the finest farms in the county. Here he engages in general husbandry and stock raising, keeping on hand thoroughbred animals which he uses for breeding purposes and at the same time carries on quite a business in cattle and sheep feeding.
On February 1I, 1892, Mr. Bittinger married Miss Anna Thomas, daughter of Ephraim and Lucy Ann (Fehl) Thomas, natives of Adams county, Penn- sylvania, where they reside at present. Mrs. Bittinger is the eldest of a family of four sons and four daughters, the others being: John Franklin, who wedded Sarah Lookingbills, and resides in North Dakota; Edward, who married Anna Nipple, of Franklin Grove, Illinois ; Amanda Jane, the wife of William Slaybaugh. of Adams county, Pennsylvania; Margaret Alice, who married Samuel Allison, of Adams county, Pennsylvania ; Cora Emma, the wife of Samuel Robinson, also residing in that county ; Lily, the wife of Frank Hemler; Charles, who lives at home: and Harvey, who is united in marriage to Elsie Swope and follows farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Bittinger have been born three children: Clarence, whose birth occurred December II, 1894: Wilbur Thomas, born August 7, 1896; and Harvey Hansen, who entered this life December 7, 1901.
Mr. Bittinger is a wide-awake and energetic farmer, whose industry has done much to develop the resources of this part of the county, and the years of his application have enabled him to surround himself with many comforts. Politically he is a republican, always loyal to the candidates of his party. Hc has served for several years as school director and is now performing the duties
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of township trustee. He belongs to the Knights of the Globe and the Fraternal Tribunes and is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is an enthusi- astic worker. His life being in harmony with the principles of his faith, his daily conduct is above reproach and he justly deserves mention among the excellent citizens and substantial farmers of Garfield township.
G. W. ANDERSON.
G. W. Anderson, of Spencer, is prominently connected with the banking interests of the county, having been one of the organizers of two substantial banks here. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence here has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the requirements that are sought in schools and in books, he must essentially formulate. determine and give shape to his own character, and this is what Mr. Anderson has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and has gained a most satisfactory reward.
Mr. Anderson is numbered among the worthy citizens that Michigan has- furnished to lowa. He was born in the former state, being a native of St. Joseph county, where he started on life's journey on the 11th of August, 1860. On the home farm there he was reared to manhood and he supplemented his early educational privileges by study in the high school at Constantine, Michigan. When he had reached adult age he turned his attention to farming, which he followed for several years in his native state, and through much of his life he continued an active factor in agricultural lines.
In March, 1884, in De Kalb county, Indiana, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie B. Tess, who spent her girlhood days there and pursued her education in the locality in which she was born and reared. Previous to his marriage Mr. Anderson had visited Iowa and had purchased land here, becoming the owner of a tract of wild prairie. With his bride he returned to this state and at once began the cultivation and improvement of a farm which he continued to develop until 1894. His labors were effective factors in trans- forming the raw prairie into productive fields, from which he annually gathered good crops of wheat, corn and other cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here. In 1894, however, he sold his farm for the purpose of retiring from agri- cultural life and becoming identified with business pursuits in the city. He therefore removed to Spencer and for five years was engaged in the real estate business, during which time he, with others, organized the Citizens State Bank of Spencer, which was opened for business March 4. 1897. Said bank was changed to a national bank in 1903. He opened up and took charge of the Fostoria Bank June 1, 1899, and there built up a good business, acting as man- ager and cashier, while in the conduct of the bank he is ably assisted by his son. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson was blessed with three sons. O. J., who is now assistant cashier of the bank at Fostoria, was educated at Spencer and received a thorough business training under his father's direction.
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He is now recognized as one of the enterprising young business men of the county. He was married in Hardin county, Iowa, July 18, 1905, to Miss Anna B. Beving, who was there born and reared, and they have one son, George W., named in honor of his grandfather. The second son of the family. W. D. Anderson, passed away March 12, 1904, at the age of seventeen years. Reader is still a student in the schools of Spencer.
Mr. Anderson and his elder son are both members of the Masonic fra- ternity. He belongs to the lodge and the chapter, and the former served as Master for three years. He and his wife are members of the Eastern Star and Mrs. Anderson served as worthy matron for two years. Mr. Anderson occupies a prominent place in business circles in Clay county. In addition to his banking interests, he is buying and dealing in improved farms in Clay and adjoining counties, and is recognized as a man whose business judgment is sound, whose discernment is keen and whose enterprise is unfaltering. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity by his own high moral worth. What he undertakes he accomplishes, for he possesses resolution, perseverance and reliability, and these qualities have caused him to be enrolled among the best citizens of this part of the state.
JOHN RINGERING.
Farming and stock-raising constitute the chief sources of wealth in Clay county, for the rich and fertile soil offers excellent opportunities to the agricul- turist. To this work, which George Washington characterized as "the most useful and honorable occupation of man." John Ringering gives his attention, having a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Waterford town- ship. He has lived in Iowa since 1881, at which time he took up his abode in Hardin county, whence, in 1888, he came to Clay county. A native of Germany, his birth occurred in Hanover on the 6th of March, 1864. His father, John Ringering, Sr., was also a native of that province, where his youth was passed. His wife, Mrs. Maggie Ringering, was likewise a native of the same locality. The father learned the baker's trade in Germany and followed that pursuit in his native land until 1877. when his life's labors were ended in death. In 1882 his widow came to the new world and here joined her son John who in the previous year had crossed the Atlantic. The family numbered three sons and three daughters: George, who follows farming in Waterford town- ship; Jacob, of Cedar county, Nebraska; John, of this review; Anna, the wife of Boye Boyenga, of Franklin county ; Fanny, the wife of Dick Kaster, also of Franklin county ; and Hannah, the wife of John Bademaker.
In taking up the personal history of John Ringering we present to our readers the life record of one who is now widely and favorably known in this part of the state. He was reared in his native country to the age of seventeen years, and during the period of his minority worked at farm labor there. He was only thirteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and, the family
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being left in limited circumstances, he was thus thrown upon his own resources and has since provided a living for himself. Attracted by the business condi- tions of the new world and the hope that he might benefit his financial resources here, he came to the United States in 1881 and took up his abode in Hardin county, Iowa. There he secured employment at farm labor and devoted seven years to that task in the employ of one man. His long continuance in that service plainly indicates his faithfulness and the confidence reposed in him. In 1888 he came to Clay county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres where he now resides, on section 12. Waterford township. Here he took up the diffi- cult task of developing a new farm, but day after day persistently carried on his labor and each evening saw something accomplished that had not been done the day before. Thus the work was carried steadily forward until he is today the owner of a valuable farming property, on which stands a comfortable frame residence a good barn, a granary, corn cribs, hog house and machine shed. All these have been put up by Mr. Ringering, and another evidence of his labor is seen in the fine grove upon the place. He likewise raises and fattens stock. shipping about one hundred head of hogs annually. In addition to his home place, he purchased another farm of two hundred acres, which he now rents.
On the 6th of March, 1893, in Clay county, Mr. Ringering was married to Miss Ida Groenewald, who was born in Peoria county, Illinois, but was reared in this state. Her father, George Groenewald, was a native of Hanover, and when he had made the long voyage across the Atlantic, established his home in Hardin county, Iowa. Subsequently he came to Clay county, and is now a well known farmer of Waterford township. Mr. and Mrs. Ringering have five children: Gerty, Hannah, Mary, William and Martha. Mr. Ringering votes with the republican party, which he has supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen. No native son of this land is more loyal to the institutions and interests of America. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed church and occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Ringering is a man of good business ability, recognized as an industrious and frugal farmer, who has made good use of his opportunities and has therefore prospered from year to year.
URIAH D. FISK.
Uriah D. Fisk, who since 1882 has been a resident of Clay county, is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Logan town- ship. This is an attractive place because of its skillfully tilled fields and the substantial improvements he has put upon the property. He is, therefore, well known as an excellent representative of the agricultural life of the community, and the success he has attained in his farming operations is attributable entirely to his own labors. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Adams county, June 12, 1871. and is a son of Robert and Emeline (Webster) Fisk, both of whom were natives of Canada. The Fisk family was established in Lee county, Illinois, about 1855, while the Websters located there a few years later, the
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parents of our subject being married in Lee county, where they continued to reside for a number of years. July 3, 1882, when their son Uriah was eleven years of age, they arrived in Clay county, Iowa, locating on section No. 28, Lincoln township, where they have since made their home.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Uriah D. Fisk was early trained to the work of the farm, assisting in the labors of the fields and meadow as the years passed and his strength increased. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and in his school and home training hie formed habits of life which have made his an active, useful and honorable career.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Fisk chose Miss Emma Klein, born in Iroquois county, Illinois, July 27, 1873, a daughter of Fred and Caroline (Bishop) Klein, who were natives of Germany.' To this union there came three children : Milo, born November 30. 1896; Robert, born June 27, 1901 ; Vera, born April 3, 1903. On coming to America in 1864 Fred Klein and wife settled in Chicago, where they remained for several years. The father was a shoemaker by trade and depended upon that occupation for a living in early manhood, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Leaving Chicago, he established his home in Iroquois county, Illinois, where he lived a few years, and in 1884 came to Clay county, Iowa. Here he secured land and carried on general farming until his death, which occurred in 1899, when he was sixty-six years of age. His wife survived him about four years and died on the 23d of October, 1903, at the age of sixty-nine years.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fisk was celebrated November 29, 1894, after which they established their home in Garfield township, where his atten- tion was given to general agricultural pursuits for about seven years. In1 1904 the removal was made to Logan township and he purchased the farm which he now owns and operates. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of well cultivated fields, on which are fine improvements. In fact, all of the equip- ments of a model farm are to be seen upon this property, and in addition to tilling the soil, Mr. Fisk is largely interested in stock raising and shipping. He is a busy man, his time and attention being closely given to his farming and livestock interests, and as the years go by he is attaining substantial success in his chosen field of labor.
GEORGE EWVOLDT.
There are few individuals who are released from the necessity of business activity, and it is through energy, determination and strict conformity to high principles that an upright character is developed which commands confidence, friendship and regard. Neither are the fruits of success easily won, but come as the result of indefatigable industry. It has been through his persistent and well directed labor that George Ewoldt has gained a place among the prosperous farmers of Lone Tree township, where he now owns three hundred acres of land on section 15. He was born in the city of Davenport, Iowa, December 16, 1863, and there remained until fifteen years of age, when he removed with
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the family to a farm in Tama county, Iowa, and there remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority. His educational privileges were those afforded by the common schools. He was married in Tama county. February 27, 1890, to Miss Mary Lammers, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, where her girlhood days were passed, save that for a part of the time she lived in Tama county. She is a sister of Julius Lammers, mentioned else- where in this volume.
Two years prior to his marriage Mr. Ewoldt had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lone Tree township, Clay county, and in the spring of 1890 he located on this place. He has since been one of the factors in the substantial upbuilding and development of the county. Here he built a small house and after the family was installed therein he at once began to break the sod. A difficult task confronted him, for the surface soil was hard packed and held together by the innumerable roots of the prairie grasses. He per- sisted in his work, however, until the uncultivated tract was brought into a state of fertility and in course of time produced rich and abundant harvests. for which he found a ready sale on the market. Later he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, but subsequently sold forty acres of this. He after- ward was given sixty acres by his wife's father, and now has a farm of three hundred acres, pleasantly and conveniently situated near Everly on section 15, Lone Tree township. A fine grove is one of the pleasing features of the place, and it contains cottonwood, ash, maple and box-elder trees. The residence is a large frame house, conveniently arranged and pleasantly furnished, while a spirit of warm-hearted hospitality there abounds. In the rear of the house is a good barn, while other features of the place are a granary, wind-pump and waterworks. There is an abundant water supply for stock, and everything about the farm indicates the owner to be a man of alert. wide-awake and enter- prising spirit, who keeps thoroughly in touch with modern methods of agri- culture. He feeds a carload of fat stock each year, and this branch of his business is quite remunerative. Moreover, he is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Everly.
Mr. and Mrs. Ewoldt are the parents of three children, Frank. Gladys and Edna. They lost a daughter, Louisa, at the age of four years. Mr. Ewoldt votes with the democracy, but is not active in search of political office. He is a man of good business ability, carefully managing his interests and winning the success which is now his. Upright character and sterling worth have gained him a favorable place in the regard of many friends, and Lone Tree township numbers him among her valued citizens.
DETLIEF J. STARK.
No history of Clay county would be complete without mention of Detlief J. Stark, one of its homesteaders and first settlers. Mr. Stark is a native of Holstein, Germany, born October 3, 1841. When a young man of twenty-two years he came to the United States and for a time worked in a lumber yard at
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Winona, Minnesota. He later purchased eighty acres of land in Olmsted county, Minnesota, and engaged in farming. Meeting with reverses, owing to failure of crops, he sold the land and, bringing his tools and teams to Clay county, homesteaded eighty acres of land in section 2, Peterson township, in 1870. In true pioneer style he lived the first year in a sod house. A poor man, but with strong physique and resolute will-characteristics of his race-he overcame all obstacles and became one of the county's prosperous and respected citizens.
He was married in Minnesota in 1870. His wife, Mrs. Kathrina Stark, who was also a native of Germany, bore her full share of pioneer hardships and experiences. After a happy married life of thirty-two years she passed away on the old homestead farm June 21, 1902. In her death the community lost one of its noble friends and neighbors and her family a loving wife and mother. She was a lifelong member of the German Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Stark were the parents of six children, three of whom have passed away. Those who are living are: Fred, a young man of thirty-one years, who since infancy has been deprived of his eyesight; Emma, the wife of Henry Lundt, a farmer of Douglas township, this county; and Sophia, the wife of Edward Bouser. residing in Nebraska.
Starting in life empty-handed, Mr. Stark has, by his own efforts, been more than ordinarily successful and has accumulated a goodly competence. His farm in Peterson township comprises two hundred and eighty-seven acres of finely improved land. Three years ago he took up his residence in Spencer, leaving the active work of the fields to others. He owns a pleasant home on East Fifth street and though living retired he cannot content himself to be idle, but does teaming and makes numerous trips to the old homestead to look after his farming interests. Mr. Stark also is a member of the German Lutheran church and is an honest, upright man. A democrat in politics, though never an office seeker, while on the farm he served as school director and road supervisor. Since coming to Spencer he has become a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Stark is one of those men who came to Clay county when it was a pioneer district and has done his full share towards bringing about the conditions that exist today. Although past sixty-eight years of age, he is still hale and hearty and active as many men twenty years younger. Public-spirited, doing all he can to further any worthy cause, he is today one of Clay county's most highly esteemed and respected citizens.
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