USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
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Twelve children were born to Thomas G. and Marilla Hill, five of whom are now living, namely: Rufus L., the subject of this review; James J., of Linn county. Iowa ; Alexander F., of Arkansas; Mary, the wife of Hiram Harris. of Goodnight, Oklahoma; and Albina, now Mrs. G. S. McCorkle, of Alma, Nebraska.
Rufus L. Hill was reared in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and received his educa- tion in the public schools. In his early manhood he ran an engine in his fath- er's lumber mill but after his marriage engaged in farming in Linn county for a short time and then entered the sewing machine business in Tama county, after which he became connected with the marble business at Holdrege, Nebraska, continuing there from 1879 to 1897. In the latter year he came to Denison and engaged in the same business with marked success, recently, however, having turned over the management to his sons, Walter L. and Albert R.
On the Ist of January, 1863, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet E. Wayt, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of William C. and Elizabeth Wayt. The parents were also natives of Pennsylvania and were Quakers, or Friends. The mother died in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the age of forty-three, and the father in Jefferson, Iowa, at the age of eighty-six years. Four of their children grew to maturity. John J., Margaret E., Wooster B. and Benjamin F. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill, namely : Carrie, who married J. T. Strome, of Grand Junction, Colorado, and has eleven children ; Walter, of Omaha, Nebraska, who married Elizabeth Bull and is the father of seven children; Marilla, now of Blackfoot, Idaho, who married Grant Fraker and is the mother of seven children; Albert R., who married Birdie E. Ewall and is the father of three children; Cora, who died at the age of seven years ; Frank C., now of Emporia, Kansas, who married Clara Holmes and has an adopted son ; Earl; Paul, who died at the age of two and one-half years ; Mary, who died at the age of six months; and Warren, who died at the age of eight months. The mother of these children passed away in 1888 at the age of forty- four years.
On the 17th of September. 1889, Mr. Hill was married to Mrs. Eliza A. Wilson, the widow of Harrison J. Wilson, of Fairfield, Grundy county, Iowa. a daughter of James M. and Caroline M. (Davidson) Collier. Mrs. Hill by her former marriage had six children: Ira J., now of Dickinson, North Dakota, who married Viola Chase and is the father of four children ; George F., of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who married Effie Burgess and is the father of four children ; Car- rie H., of Waterloo, Iowa, who married Rev. E. N. Miller and is the mother of six children ; Wellington M., who married Mattie Gibson, now deceased, by whom he had two children, and for his second wife wedded Mrs. S. E. Hanson ;
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Ernest M. of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who married Mary Dority, and is the father of one child, a daughter; and Julia O., who married William P. Cox and is now living at Enid, Oklahoma. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Eliza A. Hill was James Collier, who married Margaret Driesdal and became the father of one son. The maternal grandfather was Ira Davidson. His wife was Luania Clark. Mrs. Hill has five great-grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Hill reside in a beautiful home in Denison, which is the center of generous hospitality. He has made a study of social and political questions and as a result gives his support to the prohibition cause as representing the most important problem of the times. He is a man of patriotic and loyal nature which frequently finds avenues of expression, making him a prominent mem- ber of the community. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company H, Twentieth Iowa Regiment, but was rejected on account of rheumatism. In business affairs he has always been controlled by principles of the highest honor, and he enjoys in the evening of a long and active life the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
THOMAS J. HOFFMAN.
Thomas J. Hoffman, who has served as postmaster of Vail since his ap- pointment to that office on the Ist of July, 1897, has also been successfully en- gaged in the grain and stock business here for more than a third of a century. His birth occurred in Iowa on the 4th of December, 1846, his parents being Henry and Nancy (Baldwin) Hoffman, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky respectively. They took up their abode in Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1846 and the following year entered land in Boone county, where the father erected a log cabin. The primitive little structure had a clapboard roof, a puncheon floor and a door with a string latch. That the region was still but sparsely settled is indicated by the fact that the nearest market was Davenport. Henry Hoffman passed away in Boone county in 1869, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1878, her demise occurring in Crawford county. Their children were eleven in number, namely: Elizabeth, who is a resident of West Bend, Iowa; Thomas J., of this review; Ella, the wife of Everell Springer, of Pennsylvania ; and eight who are deceased.
Thomas J. Hoffman attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained with his father until 1864, when he joined Company H, Forty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving with that command for one hundred days. On the expiration of his term of enlistment he returned to Boone county, Iowa, and in 1867 came to Crawford county, purchasing a farm whereon he resided for ten years. On abandoning agricultural pursuits he took up his abode in the village of Vail, where he has been identified with the grain and stock business continuously since, having met with success in his undertak- ings in this connection. He was appointed postmaster of Vail by President Mckinley on the Ist of July, 1897, and for the past fourteen years has dis- charged the duties of this office in a most satisfactory and commendable man-
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ner. Mr. Hoffman has a nice residence in Vail and also owns the building in which the postoffice is located.
In 1869 Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage to Miss Debbie Leonard, a na- tive of Michigan and a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Leonard. Unto them were born three children, as follows: Leonard S., who is married and acts as assistant postmaster of Vail: Harry B., who is a resident of Denver, Colorado; and Earl E., living in Vail, Iowa. The wife and mother passed away on the 8th of February, 1903, her remains being interred in the Vail cemetery. In 1908 Mr. Hoffman was again married, his second union being with Miss Annie Wall, a native of England, who came to the United States with her parents at an early day. Both her father and mother are now deceased.
In politics Mr. Hoffman is a republican and for several years he served on the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Diamond Lodge, No. 422, at Vail, in which he has filled some of the chairs. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Good qualities of heart and mind have gained for him warm and last- ing friendships and he has a wide and favorable acquaintance in this part of the county.
HERMAN W. BOECK.
The agricultural interests of Crawford county find a worthy representative in Herman W. Boeck, who is operating a quarter section of rich and productive land in East Boyer township. His birth occurred in Davenport, Iowa, on the 9th of October, 1875, his parents being Henry and Catherina (Kahler) Boeck, both of whom are natives of Holstein, Germany. The father, who was born January 24, 1839, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1859, locating in Davenport, Iowa, where in March, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Second Iowa Cavalry. He served with that command for four years and four months, and was mustered out with the rank of second sergeant. He made a creditable military record, never faltering in the performance of any task assigned him. On returning to Davenport he became identified with industrial interests as a contractor and builder, investing his earnings in Crawford county land. At the present time his holdings embrace twelve hundred acres of valuable land here. He retained his residence in Davenport and managed his estate in Craw- ford county from that point. A portion of the property is now being operated by our subject. Henry Boeck has been twice married, his first union being with Elizabeth Peterson, by whom he had three children, namely: William F., who is a resident of Nishnabotny township, Crawford county ; Laura, the widow of Otto J. Teegen, of Davenport, lowa; Lizzie, the wife of Fritz Brandenburg, of East Boyer township, this county. Unto Henry and Catherina ( Kahler ) Boeck, who celebrated their marriage in Davenport, were born five children, as follows : Herman W., of this review; Ferdinand and August H., both of whom are resi- dents of Davenport, Iowa; George H., living in Nishnabotny township; and Louisa, the wife of August A. Schnoor, of Nishnabotny township.
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Herman W. Boeck obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and also pursued a short course of study in the Iowa Commercial College. When a lad of eleven years he began spending his summers on his father's land in Crawford county, attending school in Davenport during the winter seasons. General agricultural pursuits have claimed his time and energies throughout his entire business career and have proved a gratifying source of remuneration to him. He now operates one hundred and sixty acres of land belonging to his father in East Boyer township and annually harvests good crops which find a ready sale on the market.
In 1897 Mr. Boeck was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Blunk, a native of Germany, who accompanied her parents on their emigration to the new world when a little maiden of four or five years. Mr. and Mrs. Boeck now have three children : Oliver C., Benton H. and Alfred R.
Mr. Boeck is a republican in politics and is serving his second term as town- ship clerk, while for three years he held the office of assessor. He belongs to the Sons of Veterans at Denison and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity at Manilla, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boeck are identified with the Eastern Star at Manilla and are also consistent members of the Lutheran church at that place. They are well known and highly esteemed as people of genuine personal worth and the hospitality of the best homes of the locality is freely accorded them.
JOHN B. DUNBAR.
Although thirteen years have passed since John B. Dunbar, of Denison, was called from earthly scenes, his memory survives in the hearts of many to whom he was endeared by acts of courtesy and kindness. He was a native of Swanton, Franklin county, Vermont, born November 9, 1842, and was a son of Almon C. and Fannie (Crawford) Dunbar, both of whom were born in Vermont. The father was a miller at Swanton and died after he had passed the age of seventy years, his wife departing this life five years later. They were both members of the Methodist church. There were seven children in their family: John B., the subject of this review; George B. and Almon C., deceased; Elisha B., now living at West Danville, Vermont; Sidney, of Richford, Vermont; Sarah, who married Stephen Jones; and Alice, the wife of George Jones, who, although of the same name, was not related to Stephen Jones.
John B. Dunbar was reared in his native town and attended the public schools, graduating from the high school. After laying aside his books he as- sisted his father in the mill, continuing in Vermont until he was thirty-one years of age. In 1873 he came west and located in Denison, Iowa, where he engaged in the milling business and later became interested in insurance and real estate in company with Charles Bullock. He was for twenty-five years a resident of Denison and became recognized as one of its most respected citizens.
On the 8th of December, 1861, Mr. Dunbar was united in marriage to Miss Mercy M. Phelps, who was born at Stanbridge, Quebec, Canada, February 7, 1846, a daughter of Elnathan and Phoebe (Blakely) Phelps, both of whom were
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natives of Connecticut and went with their parents to Canada. Elnathan Phelps died in Canada at the age of sixty years and his wife passed away five years later, being then sixty-three years of age. They were the parents of the follow- ing children : Eliza, John B., Zaccheus Lock, Zaccheus Aylmer, William E., Al- bert T., Anna J. and Mercy M. The father comes of Revolutionary stock, the greatgrandfather having been a soldier under General Washington. The maternal grandfather, Zaccheus Blakely, was a farmer of Connecticut. Four daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar: Emma Eliza, who died at the age of seven- teen and one-half months; Ella Eunice, who passed away at the age of three years and seven months; Ada Julia, who died at the age of eleven years; and Lena Phelps, whose death occurred at the age of nine years.
Mr. Dunbar died August 9, 1898, having reached the age of fifty-six years and being then in the midst of an active and useful career. He was identified with the Baptist church, of which Mrs. Dunbar is also a member. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic lodge at Richford, Vermont, in which he retained membership after coming west, and politically he gave his adherence to the republican party. During the Civil war he served as cavalryman, guard- ing the frontier against the rebels, and he bravely performed his duty in war as well as in times of peace, when he set an example of industry, application and helpfulness to others well worthy of imitation.
Although Mrs. Dunbar has been sorely afflicted by the loss of those she held most dear, she has been sustained by an unfaltering trust in a Divine hand that guides all things aright, and her faith in the assurance of holy writ has never been shaken. She has many friends in Denison whom she has attracted by qualities of mind and heart that are recognized the world over as the foundation of a beautiful character. She will make her home in Lafayette, Indiana.
THOMAS JOCHIMSEN.
Thomas Jochimsen, who follows general farming and stock-raising in East Boyer township, is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 5th of October, 1856, his parents being Claus and Anna (Ratje) Jochimsen, who were born, reared and married in that country. The father, who worked as a carpenter in Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1878, first locating in Davenport, Iowa, where he spent nine months. On the expiration of that period he came to Crawford county, settling in East Boyer township, where he made his home until 1883. In that year he purchased and located upon a tract of raw prairie land in Nishnabotny township, improving the prop- erty and bringing it under a high state of cultivation. His demise, which oc- curred in 1902, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had lived in Crawford county for almost a quarter of a century and had gained an ex- tensive circles of friends here. His wife died in 1904, her remains being interred in the Nishnabotny cemetery. They reared a family of six children, as follows : Thomas, of this review; Botilda. the wife of Conrad Eric, of Council Bluffs ;
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Peter, who is a resident of Manilla, Iowa; Kate, the wife of Hans Miller, of Ida county, Iowa ; Henry, living in Nishnabotny township; and Claus, who makes his home in Colorado.
Thomas Jochimsen obtained his education in the common schools of his native land and after putting aside his text-books worked as a farm hand. He was a young man of twenty-two when he accompanied his parents on their emi- gration to the new world and in 1888 started out as an agriculturist on his own account in Crawford county, cultivating land which he rented from his father until 1892. In that year he located upon his present farm in East Boyer town- ship, first purchasing one hundred and sixty acres. By additional purchase he extended the boundaries of the place until it now embraces three hundred and twenty acres of land which responds readily to the care and labor which he be- stows upon it. The property is lacking in none of the improvements and ac- cessories of a model farm of the twentieth century and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision of the owner. In addition to cul- tivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Jochimsen devotes con- siderable attention to stock-raising, finding both branches of his business profit- able as well as congenial.
In 1891 Mr. Jochimsen was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Neimeyer, who was born in Germany and came to the United States with her parents in 1877. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children: Anna, Eddie, Henry and Herbert, all at home.
In politics Mr. Jochimsen is a republican, while his religious faith is in- dicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his wife also be- longs. In an analyzation of his character and life work we note many of the characteristics which have marked the German nation for many centuries,-the perseverance, reliability, energy and unconquerable determination to pursue a course that has been marked out. It is these sterling qualities which have gained to Mr. Jochimsen success in life and made him one of the substantial and valued citizens of East Boyer township.
EDMUND HOWORTH.
As one of the pioneers and extensive landowners of Union township, Ed- mund Howorth has for over half a century been identified with the agri- cultural development of Crawford county. He was born in North Lancaster- shire, England, December 23, 1823, a son of Ferdinand and Mary (Howorth) Howorth, the former of whom was also a native of Lancastershire, whence he emigrated to the United States in 1842, locating in Athens county, Ohio. Here he remained until 1853 and then moved to Union township, Crawford county, Iowa. He had followed the occupation of wool comber in the old country but upon taking up his residence in Iowa he engaged in farming and continued along this branch of industry until his death. His wife, who was also a native of England, departed this life in Crawford county, her remains being interred in the Dow City cemetery. Of the eight children born to this couple but two sur- vive : Edmund, of this review ; and Daniel, who resides in Dunlap, Iowa.
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Edmund Howorth obtained his early education in the elementary schools of England and continued to reside in the land of his birth until 1850, when he decided to seek new fields for his endeavors and came to the United States, eventually. in 1853, locating in Union township, this county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. This he improved and continued to reside upon until 1901, a year later taking up his abode in Dow City. During this time he had, by unwonted thrift and diligence, added to his landholdings until they aggregated twelve hundred and five acres. all of which is located in Union and Goodrich townships.
The marriage of Mr. Howorth was solemnized in 1862, when he was united to Miss Sabina Goodrich, a daughter of Isaac Goodrich, of Goodrich township. She died in November. 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Howorth became the parents of nine children, of whom the following survive: John William; Mary; Lulu; Isaac, who lives in Goodrich township; Margaret, who became the wife of Fred E. Butler and lives in Lewiston, Idaho; and Frank C., who resides in Union township. The active work of the farm is now entrusted to the sons, who have added very materially to the estate, bringing it to an unusual state of cultivation and greatly enhancing its value. While general farming in all its branches is carried on, they make a specialty of raising blooded horses, in which they have met with unusual success.
Mr. Howorth is an independent Republican and has served as trustee of Goodrich township. In his religious faith he is a consistent and faithful member of the Baptist church. He has now passed his eighty-seventh milestone on his journey through life and in reviewing his career it is found to be char- acterized by industry and integrity in all his business dealings and by faith- fulness to every trust imposed upon him in other relations of life.
IRA C. GILLMOR.
Ira C. Gillmor has not only acquired unqualified success as an extensive stock-raiser in Crawford county but has also been connected prominently with the public affairs of Denison township and has done much to advance its inter- ests both politically and socially. Mr. Gillmor was born on the adjoining farm to the north, June 12, 1876. a son of Isaac Gillmor, and successively passed through the public and high schools of Denison, later pursuing his studies in Cornell University at Mount Vernon. Upon concluding his course there he entered into partnership with his father on the old homestead, which connection continued until 1898, when he removed into Denison, in order to widen his field of endeavor. For the ensuing five years he engaged in the livestock business, buying and shipping, a part of this time special attention being given to west- ern horses. Subsequently he removed to his present property on sections 28 and 29, Denison township, consisting of three hundred and sixty acres of some of the best grazing land in the state. With increased facilities he has con- tinued to engage in the live-stock business, his past wide experience enabling him to build up a large and ever growing trade in that branch of industry. He
ISAAC GILLMOR
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is now stocking his farm with registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, of which he will make a specialty as a breeder. Aside from his live-stock interests he has considerable landholdings in South Dakota.
The marriage of Mr. Gillmor took place April 20, 1898, when he was united to Miss Mabel Hardy, a daughter of A. P. Hardy. She was educated in the Dow City schools and high school, later attending Denison College, after which she taught for three years in the rural schools of Denison township. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillmor have been born two children, namely: Ira Hardy, March 16, 1899, and Zella Olive, May 12, 1902.
Mr. Gillmor has taken a conspicuous part in the political history of his town- ship, always doing everything in his power that would tend toward clean gov- ernment. A stanch republican, he has been chosen by his party at different times to fill positions of responsibility, has served two terms as township clerk, being at the present time the incumbent of that office, has been clerk of election for seven years and filled the position of secretary of the school board for six years. In discharging the duties of the offices he has shown his executive ability and proven his loyalty to the general welfare in such a manner as to command the generous esteem and respect of his fellow townsman. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and socially is a member of the P. E. O. Mr. Gillmor stands as a type of the highest manhood, is a man of strict integrity, ever upright and honest in all his business transactions, always genial and courteous with his fellow beings, and his numerous friends recognize in him all the sterling quali- ties for which he is well known.
JOHN SAGGAN. 1
John Saggan, one of the well known and prosperous residents of Denison, is a native of the fatherland, his birth having occurred in Holstein on the Ist of May, 1867. His parents, H. H. and Christina Saggan, who were also born in Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1872 and during the first five years of their residence in the new world made their home in Chicago, Illi- nois. In 1877 they came to Crawford county, Iowa, spending the remainder of their lives on a farm here. H. H. Saggan passed away in 1910, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1907. They reared a family of three children, namely : Mary, the wife of Paul Rosburg, of Plymouth county, Iowa; John, of this review; and Martin, who is a resident of Denison, Iowa.
John Saggan, who was a little lad of five years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. On attaining his majority he rented the place and was busily engaged in its cultivation for ten years. On the ex- piration of that period he took up his abode in Denison, where he has remained to the present time, being engaged in business as the proprietor of a saloon. He now owns a brick business block containing five store buildings on West
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