USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
The family were early settlers of Crawford county and her father died in Vail about twenty years ago. Her mother, however, is still living. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, William W., Charles S., John S., James, Fannie, Lydia M .. Alice and Lizzie. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson has been blessed with six children, namely : Clair W., Pearl E., Ben- jamin Y., Jr .. Gladys Erma, and two who died in infancy, Russel and Merrill.
Mr. Nicholson is an advocate of Masonic principles and endeavors to em- body in his life the benevolent and charitable spirit of the craft. His member- ship is with Sylvan Lodge, No. 507. A. F. & A. M., of Denison; Ark Chapter. R. A. M., of Dunlap; Mount Zion Commandery, K. T., of Harlan, Iowa; and Za-ga-zig Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Des Moines. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge. Politically a republican, he served for about twelve years as a member of the city council, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many measures and movements for the general good. He has also been a member of the school board for fourteen years and the cause of public education finds in him a warm friend. He was chairman of the county central committee when Hon. Leslie M. Shaw was elected governor and served as chairman for two years. He believes that the best interests of good gov- ernment are to be conserved through the adoption of the principles of the re- publican party and thus he labors earnestly and untiringly in its behalf.
L. A. VORE.
As a native son of Union township, Crawford county, L. A. Vore is one of the best known and highly respected agriculturists in this section of the state whose early efforts in farming operations have gained for him an ade- quate competence which he is now enjoying on his home place near Dow City. He was born in Union township, May 25, 1858, a son of R. and Anna Eliza (Whaley) Vore, both of whom first saw the light of day in Ohio, the father's birth occurring in Athens county. There they were married and in 1855 came to Crawford county, Iowa, locating at North Grove, Union township. In those days methods of travel were very crude and the journey was made in wagons, forty days being consumed en route, while the hardships during the trip were many and severe. Mr. Vore remained in Crawford county until about 1900 and then removed to Dunlap, Iowa, where he still continues to reside. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits but of late years he has taken an active interest in politics, his support being given the republican party. Mrs. Vore was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church until her death, which occurred January 20, 1911. To this couple were born the following children : Ellen, who is the wife of A. P. Lyman, of Oklahoma; L. A., of this review; Charles, deceased; Pearl, who follows farming near Spring Lake, Texas; Fred, a resident of Nebraska.
L. 'A'. Vore remained at home until twenty-six years of age, although he had worked for himself since attaining his majority, subsequently locating on the property upon which he now resides and which, under his careful and business-
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like management, has been increased in extent until it now comprises four hun- dred and twenty acres of highly developed farm land, all the improvements upon it having been made by himself.
Mr. Vore was married in 1884 to Miss Lydia Buss and the following five children were born to them: Nellie, who became the wife of Isaac Gardner, traveling salesman for the Brist Manufacturing Company, of Topeka, Kansas; Susie, Pearl, Hattie and Charles, who are residing at home.
In his political views Mr. Vore is a republican but has never been an office seeker, although he keeps well informed on all the issues and questions of the day, as is the duty of every true American citizen. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with his wife holds member- ship in Rebekah chapter. In religion they both give their helpful support to the Methodist Episcopal church. Advancing civilization has wrought many changes in the county since the pioneer days, changes for the better which Mr. Vore has watched with keen interest and in which he has borne his full share, both in the business development and in his individual affairs. His success is the more gratifying for the reason it is well earned, and his worth as a man is demonstrated by the high esteem which is uniformly tendered him by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
J. PETER JEPSEN.
J. Peter Jepsen, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a two hundred acre farm in Otter Creek township, is a native of Germany, his natal day being the 7th of July, 1868. His parents, Thomas and Christina (Petersen) Jepsen, spent their entire lives in the land of their nativity and there his two brothers, the only surviving members of the family with the exception of himself, reside. Six children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jepsen, but the two youngest, Claus and Carsten, and Margareta, the third child and only daugh- ter, have now passed away, leaving the two eldest sons, Hans and Thomas, and J. Peter, who is the fourth in order of birth, the only surviving members of the family.
J. Peter Jepsen remained a subject of Germany until he had passed the twenty-eighth anniversary of his birth, at which time his general dissatisfaction with conditions as he knew them there, and the confident hope and belief that broader and greater advantages were to be found in America, prompted him to take passage for the United States. He arrived here in 1894 and almost immediately made his way westward locating in Crawford county, Iowa, where he obtained employment on a farm and for ten years he continued in this oc- cupation. Here the characteristics of his nationality-perseverance, energy and thrift-served to make it possible for him to acquire during that period the money essential to begin farming for himself, and he rented two hundred acres of land and engaged in general farming and stock-raising. For more than ten years now he has continued to reside there, following the same pursuits, which have proven to be sufficiently lucrative to enable him to become the owner of
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one-half section of land in North Dakota. He is known as one of the success- ful and capable agriculturists of his township and is realizing profitable returns from both his stock and farm products.
On the 28th of February, 1900, Mr. Jepsen was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Naeve, a daughter of William and Mary (Schneider) Naeve. Mr. and Mrs. Naeve had five children, of whom Mrs. Jepsen is the eldest, the others being as follows: Katie and Emil, both deceased; Freda, at home; and Willie, an adopted son. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jepsen : Walter, who is ten years of age; Harley, now in his eighth year; and Alice, who has passed her second birthday.
The family always attend the services of the Lutheran church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Jepsen are communicants. Ever since naturalization conferred upon him the full rights of a citizen of the United States Mr. Jepsen has taken an active interest in all political issues and questions of vital concern to the public. He supports the candidates and measures of the democratic party and his party fealty has been rewarded by his election to the office of assessor, while he is at present serving as clerk of his township, in the discharge of the duties of which he seems to be meeting with the general approval of the community.
OTTO HENRY VOSGERAU.
Although only twenty-five years of age and just fairly started in his busi- ness life, Otto Henry Vosgerau, manager of Der Crawford County Demokrat, has attained recognition as one of the energetic and capable citizens of the county. He is a native of Stockholm township, this county, born October 17, 1886, and is a son of Henry and Elise (Kreuger) Vosgerau. The father was born in Schleswig-Holstein. Germany, in 1834, and on coming to America first took up his residence in Clinton county, Iowa. Later he removed to Crawford county and located upon a farm which he cultivated until 1898, when he retired to Denison. In 1910 he removed to Sac county, Iowa, and there passed away October 9, 1910. The mother is still living and makes her home in this county. There were seven children in their family, five of whom survive.
Otto HI. Vosgerau spent the earlier years of his boyhood on the home farm and received his preliminary education in the public schools. Later he attended a college and applied himself to his studies with a diligence that gave bright promise as to his future. On the Ist of January, 1911. he acquired a half-in- terest in Der Crawford County Demokrat, of which he has since been manager. The paper was established in 1887 and is published weekly, being the official organ of the county. As it is conducted on thoroughly reliable and conserva- tive lines it wields considerable influence in this section of the state and under the new management gives promise of a much more extensive circulation.
On the 28th of July. 1909, Mr. Vosgerau was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Boettger, a native of Goodrich township, Crawford county, and a daughter of Fred Boettger. Her mother is deceased but her father is still liv-
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ing in this county. There were three children in their family. One daughter, Lucile H., has come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Vosgerau, her natal day being October 23, 1910.
Mr. Vosgerau and his wife are valued members of the Lutheran church and are well known socially in Denison. They live in a beautiful residence in one of the most attractive parts of the city and he also owns eight acres within the city limits. He has made an excellent beginning in a business which his friends prophesy is destined to bring to him honor and prosperity.
JOHN TEBBE.
John Tebbe, who well deserves the title of a self-made man, his present suc- cess in the agricultural world coming to him as the result entirely of his own well directed efforts, is one of those sturdy citizens who have come from the fatherland and in the new world have found opportunities for advancement in business impossible in the old world. Born in Germany, in the Rhine province, on the 16th of March, 1850, he is a son of Albert and Henrietta (Tebbe) Tebbe, both natives of the fatherland, the former's birth occurring in the same place as that of the son. That district remained the home of the family until 1875, when Albert Tebbe, with his wife and seven children, came to the United States, locating in Clinton county, Iowa, near Big Rock. He had been a farmer in his native country and after coming to Iowa resumed that occupation, being thus engaged in Clinton county until his death, which occurred on the 12th of May, 1894. He had survived his wife for only a few years, her death occurring July 30, 1890. Their family of seven children included the following: Henry, a farmer of Hanover township; John, of this review; Elizabeth, the wife of George Bush, a farmer of Lost Nation, Iowa; Anna, who married Henry Bush, a farmer of Jackson county, Iowa; Minnie, the wife of William Kuhn, of Clin- ton county ; Matilda, who wedded August Kuehl, also of Clinton county; and Christina, the wife of Leonard Zogg, who follows farming in Genoa, Wisconsin.
In the common schools of Germany John Tebbe acquired a good education and he remained with his parents during the period of his boyhood and youth. He was a young man of twenty-five years when, in 1875, he came with the family to the United States and for a year after his arrival here was employed as a farm hand in Clinton county. At the end of that time he rented a farm, which he operated until coming to Crawford county in 1882, when he purchased a farm, becoming the owner of eighty acres of land in Hanover township. Later, however, he sold that property and acquired another tract in the same township, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. To the improvement of that property he devoted his entire time and attention, bringing it under a good state of cultivation, and it remained his place of residence for eighteen years. He then purchased an eighty acre tract near Kenwood, in Paradise township, but never lived upon that place, coming to his present home about three years ago. Altogether his possessions aggregate three hundred and twenty acres, all located in Paradise township and all in excellent condition. The home place
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is equipped with good buildings and all modern conveniences for facilitating farm labor, and besides cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he engages in stock-raising to a considerable extent. His stock is of an ex- cellent grade and therefore commands ready sale and good prices on the market. He has adopted practical, progressive methods in the management of his affairs, gives close application to and is careful in the supervision of his business in- terests, and his efforts therefore are effective forces in the acquirement of sub- stantial results.
It was in the year 1881 that Mr. Tebbe was united in marriage to Miss Jo- hanna Tebbe, and unto them have been born seven children, namely: Anna, de- ceased; Emma, the wife of Jurgen Detlefsen ; Albert, Christina, Herman, all at home; Elizabeth, deceased ; and George, at home.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they take a helpful interest, and in politics Mr. Tebbe gives his support to the republican party. He is not, however, an active worker in party ranks, prefer- ring that his duties of citizenship shall be performed in a private capacity, and yet he has ever taken a deep interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the communities in which he has resided and he is numbered among Iowa's loyal adopted sons. The sturdy qualities in his nature, which are the birthright of the Teutonic race, have been elements in the acquirement of a gratifying success, while the personal elements in his character-clean manhood and honest principles-speak for desirable and valuable citizenship.
GEORGE A. NORELIUS.
Among the native sons of fowa who have assisted very materially in the ad- vancement of the locality in which their lot has been cast is George A. Norelius, a prominent citizen of Kiron. He was born in Hamilton county, Iowa, Decem- ber 5, 1868, son of A. and Christina Norelius, who are now living in Crawford county.
Mr. Norelius of this review received his early education in the district schools and later entered the Western Normal College of Shenandoah, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1888. He began his business career as a teacher and continued for five terms, but being attracted to commercial life he entered general mercantile business at old Kiron on March 1, 1892, and continued at that place for seven years, when he moved his store building to new Kiron and resumed the same line of business. He served for four years as postmaster, discharging his duties with the same fidelity that he evinces in his own affairs and meeting with the hearty approval of the people. He is prominently iden- tified with various enterprises, being director of the Kiron State Bank and also of the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Sheyenne, North Dakota. As a farmer he has been very successful and owns one hundred and ten acres of land on section 19, Stockholm township, and three hundred and twenty acres in Dickey county. North Dakota, also one hundred and twenty acres in Per- kins county, South Dakota, and has a one-half interest in the opera house at
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Kiron. He and his family occupy a fine residence in Kiron, which is provided with all modern conveniences.
On the 21st of December, 1890, Mr. Norelius was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hanson, a native of Sweden and daughter of N. A. and Christina Han- son, both of whom were born in Sweden. They came to America about 1870, and the mother died in this country in 1888. The father is still living and re- sides at Kiron. There were ten children in their family. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Norelius, namely : Neva C., who is now a student in college at Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Elsie R. and Jessie P., also students at college; Irma E .; and Everett A.
Politically Mr. Norelius gives his support to the democratic party, of which he is a stanch adherent. He has served as justice of the peace and president of the school board and is now mayor of the village of Kiron, which office he has filled with marked ability for several terms. Fraternally, he holds member- ship in Wheeler Lodge, No. 398, A. F. & A. M., and he is an earnest believer in the beneficent principles of this order. He is a representative business man and by his acknowledged ability and high character has attracted many friends and is justly held in high regard by all who claim the honor of his acquaintance.
G. P. KEAIRNES.
G. P. Keairnes, who is recognized as one of the prominent and successful farmers of Union township, was born in Shelby county, November 20th, 1862, a son of Wilson and Sarah (Parks) Keairnes, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father came to Iowa in 1852, locating in Grove township, Shelby county, where he obtained land from the government and erected thereon a log house. This was a unique performance in those days and the ceremonies at- tending the "log-raising," as it was termed, were witnessed by every man in the county, fifteen in number. He remained at that location until 1904, when he removed to Dunlap and has since continued to reside in that city.
Fifteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Keairnes, of whom the follow- ing eleven survive: Elizabeth, who became the wife of A. Beedle and resides in Harrison county, Iowa; Julia, who lies at home in Dunlap; William, who re- sides in Shelby county; Sarah, who is the widow of George B. Runnels and makes her home in Shelby county; Harry, who is on a claim in South Dakota ; M. W., who lives in Grove township, Shelby county; Edward, who is farming in the Dakotas; Jeannette, who is the wife of S. H. Buchter and resides in Ply- mouth county, Iowa; G. P., of this review ; Mary, who married Thomas Woren, of Chicago, Illinois; and Martha, who became the wife of William Hammer, of Harrison county, Iowa. The mother departed this life in 1906 and is interred in the Dunlap cemetery.
G. P. Keairnes obtained his elementary education in the district schools of Shelby county and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-three years old, when he began farming upon his own responsibility. He rented land in Shelby county and there labored in the fields for eight years, after which
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he purchased land in the same locality and continued to operate this until 1901. In that year he disposed of his property and removed to Washington township, Crawford county, remaining there for four years and then coming to Union township, where he has since continued to reside. He devotes his entire time and attention to general farming on an extensive scale, his farm property in that township comprising four hundred and twenty acres, besides which he is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres in Shelby county.
In 1891 Mr. Keairnes was united in marriage to Miss Viola S. Cross, a na- tive of Shelby county, and unto them nine children have been born, including : John W., Mary H., Ward, Lloyd V., Ruby L., William V., Sarah S. and Elsie Mabel. Two are now deceased, William V. having died May 2, 1911.
The political support of Mr. Keairnes has always been given to the republi- can party and in religion both he and his wife follow the precepts of the Lat- ter Day Saints. Since his residence in Crawford county he has been considered an important factor in advancing the agricultural interests of Union township, where he has a wide circle of friends, in whose esteem he holds a high place.
GEORGE H. HOLDSWORTH.
George H. Holdsworth, who occupies the old family homestead in Iowa township and is prospering in his business, was born in Mercer county, Illinois, January 1, 1866. He is a son of John H. Holdsworth, who was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, July 22, 1821, and grew to manhood on the Emerald isle, where he was married April 8, 1846, to Miss Margaret Irvin. One year after their marriage they emigrated to Canada, where they continued until 1855. when they arrived in Illinois, locating at Preemption, Mercer county. In 1884, Mr. Holdsworth removed with his family to Crawford county, Iowa, and located in Iowa township. He died May 11, 1905, the mother having passed away four years previously, and their remains were interred in Manning cemetery. There were twelve children in their family, six of whom are now living, namely : Matilda, the wife of T. J. Armstrong who lives near Manning; Martha, who married James Waller, of Rock Island, Illinois; Letitia, who became the wife of William Dixon, of Jeannette, Pennsylvania; Sarah, the wife of Andrew Geisinger, of New Jersey; Belle, the wife of Lou Stumm, of Minnesota ; and George H.
George H. Holdsworth received his preliminary education in the district schools and as he grew up became well acquainted with the details pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. He remained with his parents and is now the owner of the old homestead, which embraces one hundred and fifty-four acres of good land. The property is well improved and provided with all de- sirable modern facilities. In 1910 Mr. Holdsworth completed the improvements by the erection of one of the most substantial barns in the county. In addition to the home farm he cultivates three hundred and twenty acres to good ad- vantage. He raises a good grade of stock and also feeds stock for the market.
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GEORGE H. HOLDSWORTH AND FAMILY
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In 1892 Mr. Holdsworth was united in marriage to Miss Dora Brigmann, a native of Schleswig, Germany, who came to America with her parents, the family taking up their residence in Crawford county, Iowa. Five children have blessed this union, namely: George Washington, Edward Henry, Alexan- der, Matilda Jane, and John James, all of whom are at home and are being given excellent advantages of education and training.
Ever since arriving at voting age, Mr. Holdsworth has supported the re- publican party, believing that in so doing he assists in advancing the best in- terests of the whole country. He is not a member of any religious denomina- tion, but attends the Presbyterian church and is a liberal contributor to worthy causes. Industrious and enterprising, he is steadily forging ahead financially and has gained a position of comparative independence. He is a man of sound judgment and richly deserves the success that has crowned his efforts as an agriculturist and stock-raiser.
FRANK ARTHUR BROWN.
Frank Arthur Brown, mayor of Manilla and a leading business man of Craw- ford county, is a native of Argyle, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, born February 20, 1869. His parents were Thomas Henry and Mary Ann (Penniston) Brown, the former born in Hartford, Connecticut, and the latter in Nottingham, Eng- land. The father was educated and grew to maturity in his native state and as a young man moved to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where he was married. Later he took up his home in Shelby county, Iowa, where he continued three or four years, finally settling on a farm in East Boyer township, Crawford county. He removed to Manilla when the town was started in 1896 and has ever since been in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. He served for three years and three months in the Union army during the Civil war, being a member of Company G, Thirty-first Wisconsin Volunteers. His command was assigned to the Army of the West and participated in the Atlanta cam- paign and the celebrated march of Sherman to the sea. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. Our subject's grandfather Brown was one of the early settlers of Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where he died at the age of seventy years. He had five children : Thomas Henry, Alexander, Joseph, Mollie and Jane. The maternal grand- father, Daniel Penniston, was born in England. He came to this country about 1855 and settled near Argyle, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming and also in mining. He was twice married and there were two children by his first union, Mary Ann and Charles. Mrs. Penniston died on shipboard of cholera when the family were coming to this country.
Six children blessed the union of Thomas Henry and Mary Ann Brown, namely : Frank Arthur, the subject of this review; Eliza Catharine, now the wife of E. C. Baker, of Manilla; Abbie Caroline, now Mrs. Arthur Brink of Galva, Iowa; Fred Neroy, of Manilla; Celia Ann, who married Leslie Anthony
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