USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 24
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They are of the Evangelical faith and affiliate with the Lutheran church. Ever since acquiring the full rights of citizenship Mr. Stegemann has given his po- litical support to the democratic party, believing that its policy is best adapted to protect the interests of the masses. He actively participates În local affairs and has several times been elected to the various township offices, the duties of which he faithfully and satisfactorily discharged. He has been a resident of Otter Creek township for twenty-five years, during which period he has made many friends, the regard of whom he continues to retain.
JOHN BRAASE.
John Braase, who resides on a well cultivated farm of two hundred acres located on sections I and 2, Hanover township, Crawford county, was born in Germany on the 2d of March, 1862. His parents, Henry O. and Sophia ( Peter- sen) Braase, were born, reared and married in the fatherland but emigrated to America with their family in 1883 and settled in Jackson county, Iowa. Dur- ing the first year of their residence in the United States they worked out but at the end of that time they removed to Ida county, this state, and rented one hundred and sixty acres of land, which they farmed for two years, and then came to Crawford county, continuing to lease land for six years. During this period by thrift, hard work and much self-denial they were able to accumulate the capital which enabled them to realize their great ambition-to hold property of their own, and in 1892 they bought one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which they located. They cultivated this for six years and during that time added another one hundred and sixty acres to their original tract, all of which was well improved and under a high state of cultivation at the time of Mr. Braase's demise in 1898. Mrs. Braase still survives at the venerable age of seventy-eight years and makes her home in Schleswig, Iowa. The first born of their five children died in Germany. The eldest of those surviving is John, and the others are as follows: August, a resident of Crawford county; Dora, the wife of Fred Berendes, of South Dakota; and Fred, who lives on the old home- stead.
John Braase was twenty-one years of age when his parents became citizens of the United States so that his education was acquired in the schools of Ger- many. He remained at home until he had passed the twenty-eighth anniversary of his birth, when he began farming as a renter, which method he continued for three years. His industry and application, assisted by the ambition and strength of youth, made it possible for him to save during that time the money necessary to become a property owner. His first farm contained eighty acres and after cultivating this for a time he traded it for a portion of the land con- tained in his present homestead in Hanover township.
Mr. Braase completed arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage on the 8th of January, 1890, to Miss Dora Hansen, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 20th of September. 1872. She is a daughter of Peter and Theresa (Struve) Hansen, who were born in Germany but were married in
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the United States, and for thirteen years thereafter they cultivated rented land in Scott county and other places and then bought a farm in Morgan township, Crawford county, which they operated until the time of their retirement in 1906. They are now living in Schleswig, enjoying the ease and comfort made possible in the evening of life by the thrift and industry of their youth. They were the parents of the following children besides Mrs. Braase, who is the eldest of the family : Louisa, deceased, the wife of Johannes Lorenzen, of Mor- gan township; Emma, who died at the age of eighteen years; Adolph, a resident of Schleswig, Iowa; Henry, who is living in Morgan township; John, of Morgan township, this county; Theresa, the wife of Henry Rickett, of Schleswig; and Helmina, the wife of Ernest Boock, of Schleswig.
Mr. and Mrs. Braase have become the parents of four children, as follows : Henry, who was born on the 26th of October, 1893, and is still at home; John, born on the 15th of June, 1896; Herbert, born on the 16th of August, 1899; and Emma, who was born on the Ioth of August, 1908.
The family attend the services of the Lutheran church, with which the parents are identified by membership. Although he has always supported the principles of the democratic party, Mr. Braase does not actively participate in political affairs, as he does not aspire to public office. However, he meets the requirements of good citizenship by going to the polls on election day and casting his ballot for the candidates of his party. He is held in high regard in his community and is considered one of the substantial farmers of the town- ship.
H. H. FRAHM.
There are quite a number of residents in Crawford county who are of Ger- man nativity and among these is H. H. Frahm, a prosperous farmer of Denison township. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein August 22, 1868, a son of Her- man and Maggie (Luth) Frahm. His early youth was spent in Carroll county, Iowa, where he obtained his education in the public schools and there remained with his parents until twenty-two years old. He then left the home place and removed to Denison, where for ten years he engaged in stock buying and the elevator business, at the end of which period he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 35, Denison township.
Mr. Frahm has taken an active part in politics, always casting his vote for the republican party, and has held the office of school director of his township. He is a member of the Holiness church, with which, during her lifetime, his wife was also affiliated. In 1890 M. Frahm was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Burkhoffer, who was a native of Switzerland and whose demise occurred November 21, 1910. They were the parents of the following six children : John ; Lillian, deceased; Harry Alfred; Hattie Hazel; Henry Willie; and Fay Ruby.
Herman Frahm, the father of our subject, was born in Schleswig, while the mother's birth occurred in Holstein, Germany. He followed the vocation of farming in his native country until 1874, in which year he came to the United
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States, living in Chicago for awhile, but subsequently removing to Carroll county, lowa, where he resided for twenty years. He then, in 1893, moved to Crawford county and took up his residence in the city of Denison, where he is still living. Mr. Frahm having attained the ripe age of eighty-seven years and his wife that of eighty-three. They enjoy the distinction of being one of the oldest couples in the county. Mr. Frahm is still the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Carroll county. To them were born ten children, as fol- lows : Maggie, Katie and John, all three deceased; Tina, wife of N. A. Miller, residing in Milford, Iowa; Peter, a farmer living near Mason City, Iowa; Her- man, who lives at Stratton, Colorado; Maggie and Lizzie, both deceased; H. H., the subject of this sketch; and George, who is in the draying business at Denison.
C. M. DUGAN.
Among the citizens of Crawford county who have been successful in agri- culture and stock-raising and are now enjoying the fruits of many years of labor is C. M. Dugan, of West Side township. He is a native of Michigan, born April 1, 1859, a son of Martin and Mary (Ryan) Dugan, both of whom were born in Ireland. They emigrated to America and lived for a number of years in Michigan. The family came to Linn county, Iowa, about 1859, and in 1871 arrived in Crawford county. The father devoted his attention to farming, in which he continued until his death, May 25, 1899. The mother passed away five years later, on March 18, 1904. There were eight children in their family, seven of whom are now living.
C. M. Dugan attended the public schools in his boyhood and remained with his parents until thirty years of age assisting in the work of the home farm. He then removed to a farm on section 7, West Side township, which he cultivated to good advantage for ten years, and at the end of that time he took up his resi- dence in Vail, where he continued for five years. In 1906 he removed to a place of one hundred and forty-five acres on section 30, West Side township, which he now owns. The air of neatness and order that prevails throughout his farm indicates the thoughtful attention which he bestows upon his work and is also proof of generous financial returns. In addition to his agricultural interests he is vice president of the Farmers State Bank at Vail. He is a man of marked influence in the community whose opinion commands respect wherever he is known.
In 1892 Mr. Dugan was united in marriage to Miss Anna Kelly, who was born at Peoria, Illinois, November 25, 1871, a daughter of M. and Mary (Con- way) Kelly. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Massachusetts. Mrs. Kelly died August 1. 1882, in Illinois, and subsequently Mr. Kelly came to Crawford county, Iowa, where he is now living. There were seven children in his family, five of whom survive. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dugan, Mabel, Martin, Nellie, Edward, Carl M. and Lucile. The three older children are in attendance at the high school at Vail.
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Mr. Dugan has always been a man of sound common sense. He is honorable and upright in his dealings and generous in his estimate of others, standing among the representative and progressive citizens of the county. In the de- velopment of this section he has borne his share and it may be said to his credit that he has never sought to advance his interests to the injury of others. Politically he gives his support to the democratic party. He has served as a member of the board of county supervisors and as township trustee and school director. In religious belief he and his wife are sincere adherents of the Cath- olic church.
CARL HOPP.
The life of Carl Hopp is an illustration of success achieved in the face of difficulties that to an ordinary man would have appeared insurmountable. How- ever, he courageously pressed forward and today he is the owner of a valuable and productive farm in Soldier township, which he acquired through his own perseverance and energy. He was born in Germany, September 1, 1863, a son of John and Sophia (Peters) Hopp, both of whom were natives of the old country. The father died in 1904, but the mother is still living and is sixty- nine years of age. There were six children in their family, namely: William, Sophia, Friedericki, Minnie, Hattie and Carl, all of whom are still living in Germany except the subject of this review.
Carl Hopp was reared and educated in his native land and continued there until twenty-five years of age. Believing that he could advance more rapidly under the favoring conditions of the new world he came to America in 1888 and for three years worked by the month in Crawford county, Iowa. He then rented land for one year, after which he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Charter Oak township, which he greatly improved, increasing its value so that in 1907 he was able to trade his farm for land on section 27, Soldier township, thus acquiring three hundred and twenty acres, upon which he has placed many improvements. He raises and feeds stock and as he gives careful attention to his work he has been highly successful and is regarded as one of the most pros- perous farmers in this section.
On the Ist of September, 1890, Mr. Hopp was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Wittkopp, who was born in Germany and came to America with her father in 1888, the mother having previously died. Mr. Wittkopp settled in Crawford county, Iowa, and continued here until his death, which occurred in 1904. Six children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hopp, namely : Ella, who was born April 3, 1891, and is the wife of Theodore Mesick of Craw- ford county ; Emil, who was born September 24, 1893; Leo, born June 1, 1894; Martin, born July 24, 1898; Olga, born December 7, 1900; and Paul, born Jan- uary 1, 1902. The mother of these children passed away March 1, 1902, and Mr. Hopp was married to Mrs. Amelia (Lentz) Schreiber. She was a native of Germany and came to this country with her parents, who settled on a farm in Crawford county. After acquiring a competency they retired to Denison,
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where her father died in 1902, and the mother six years later. They reared a family of twelve children, all of whom are now living. Mrs. Hopp had two chil- dren by her former marriage, namely: Albert, who was born February 14, 1899; and William, born December 14, 1903.
Mr. Hopp gives his allegiance to the democratic party, and he and his wife are both identified with the Lutheran church. He came to America twenty- three years ago and under the friendly protection of the stars and stripes has accomplished what would have been practically impossible in his native Iand. He has met with deserved reward for his labors and is known as a patriotic and liberty-loving citizen, who has set a worthy example for his children, train- ing them to become active and useful members of society. He has many friends who admire him because of his upright and manly character.
EVERETT W. PIERCE.
It is doubtful whether any other man in Denison stands higher in the respect of the community than Everett W. Pierce whose name introduces this review. For twenty years he has been identified with the First National Bank of this city, of which he is bookkeeper, and previous to that time he gained an honor- able position both as a school teacher and as a business man.
He was born at Sterling, Illinois, December 10, 1853, a son of Ezekiel and Hannah (Mills) Pierce, the former of whom was a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. The father was a carpenter in early manhood but later became a farmer. He removed to Sterling in 1845 and later to a farm near Fulton, but passed away at Morrison, Illinois, in 1907, at the age of eighty- five years. The mother is still living and is seventy-eight years of age. She is a Universalist in religious faith, as was also her husband.
Perry Pierce, the paternal grandfather of our subject, learned the carpen- ter's trade, but later devoted his attention to farming. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was twice married, being the father of two children, Ezekiel and Mary, by his first marriage, and five by his second, Lucy, Gordon, Elvira, David and Diana. Stacy Mills, the grandfather on the maternal side, was of English Quaker stock and was born in New Jersey. He was a weaver by trade and his father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and also of the French and Indian war. He died at the age of fifty-four years and was the father of three children, Peter, Hannah and Elizabeth.
There were ten children in the family of Ezekiel and Hannah Pierce, eight of whom grew to maturity, namely: William H., now of Butte, Montana ; Ever- ett W., the subject of this review ; Anna L., now the widow of Anson Baker, of Morrison, Illinois; Fred and Frank, twins, the former of whom is deceased, while the latter makes his home near Spokane, Washington; Mary, deceased ; Clarence, who is living near Fulton, Illinois, on the old homestead; and Carrie, who passed away soon after reaching womanhood.
Everett W. Pierce was reared under the favoring conditions of country life and received his preliminary education in the district schools, later attending
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college at Fulton for five terms, the institution then being known as the North- ern Illinois College. He began his business career as a school teacher and was. engaged for two terms in the locality where he was reared and for three years in Crawford county, Iowa, also becoming principal of the Dow City public schools, which position he filled most creditably for two years. However, he came to the conclusion that business life offered more favorable inducements than the schoolroom and he entered the hardware business at Dow City, in which he continued for twelve years and attained a gratifying measure of success. Since 1890 he has been connected with the First National Bank of this city and, possessing natural ability, discernment and practical experience, he has shown himself to be eminently qualified for the position he occupies.
On the 17th of July, 1878, Mr. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Gibson, who was born in Huron county, Ontario, Canada, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Shillington) Gibson, the former of whom was born in Canada and the latter in the north of Ireland, being a member of a Protestant family. They came to Crawford county, Iowa, and took up their residence near Dow City, where the mother passed away in 1878. The father survived his faithful companion for thirty-one years, departing this life in 1909. There were three children in their family : Robert H .; Margaret, the wife of Frank McHenry ; and Lydia. Two children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce: Faith E., who married William Rhodenbaugh and died March 26, 1904; and Foster H., who married Annie M. Reynolds and is now a veterinary surgeon and state deputy at Faulkton, South Dakota.
Mr. Pierce is a man of genial traits and pleasing personality and in the dis- charge of his business responsibilities has shown a fidelity that meets the hearty approval of the officers and patrons of the bank. As a citizen he is patriotic and ever willing to lend a hand in forwarding any worthy object. He and his. estimable wife are both active workers in the Methodist church, of which he is steward and class leader.
OTTO E. CLAUSON.
Among the young business men of Crawford county who are every year ad- vancing to greater responsibilities is Otto E. Clauson of Kiron. He has from the beginning of his business career shown an ability and interest in his work which gives bright promise as to the future. He was born in Stockholm town- ship, August 9, 1876, son of C. F. and Kathrine (Johnson) Clauson, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Edward Clauson, elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Clauson of this review grew to manhood under the paternal roof and at- tended the district schools, where he secured the foundation of an education that has assisted him very materially in his contact with the world. At eighteen years of age he began farming on his own account by renting part of his father's land, which he cultivated industriously for seven years. He then purchased twenty acres in Stockholm township and also a house and lot in Kiron. In 1904 he took up his residence in town and entered into partnership with his brother in the
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furniture and undertaking business. They also handle real estate, and as they are active and efficient and pay close attention to the needs of their patrons, they have attained a gratifying measure of prosperity.
In 1901 Mr. Clauson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lundberg, who was born in Sweden, a daughter of John and Anna Lundberg. The parents came to this country and located in Sac county, Iowa, where the father is now living, the beloved mother having passed away in 1910. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clauson, namely : Leslie Myron, and Eveline and Emma, both of whom are deceased. In 1904 the mother of these children was called from earthly scenes and in 1905 Mr. Clauson was married to Miss Alfena Lillie- holm, who was born in Rockford, Illinois, and is a daughter of A. F. Lillieholm.
Politically, Mr. Clauson ever since reaching manhood has given his support to the republican party. He has taken quite an active and influential part in pub- lic affairs, serving as assistant postmaster of Kiron for six years and as mail carrier for three years. He has also held the office of justice of the peace and school director of Stockholm township and was a member of the town council of Kiron for six years. He is not connected with any religious denomination but his wife is a valued member of the Free Mission church. He readily makes friends as he has a genial address and pleasing manner and possesses in a high degree the warm regard of all with whom he associates.
HENRY KROHNKE.
Henry Krohnke, a well-to-do and influential agriculturist of Crawford county, where he owns five hundred and sixty acres of land and engages in gen- eral farming and stock-raising, was born in Germany, February 26, 1851, a son of Hans and Annie (Bergman) Krohnke, the other surviving members of the family being Claus and Jurgen, both of whom reside in Schleswig; and Maggie, who married John Petersen and lives in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Sophia is deceased. Both of the parents lived and died in the fatherland.
Henry Krohnke emigrated to the United States in 1869, when he was seven- teen years old, and located on a farm near Davenport, Iowa, where he worked until attaining his majority, when he rented sixty acres of land and cultivated it for two years. He then bought a threshing machine, running it for one year, and in 1875 he removed to Crawford county, where he divided his time between operating a thresher and breaking wild land. He broke the prairie land upon which the county poor farm was formerly situated. In 1888 he purchased eighty acres of land, to which he subsequently added other lands until his holding now amounts to five hundred and sixty acres.
On November 2, 1876, Mr. Krohnke was united in marriage to Annie Suckstorf, a daughter of Henry and Maggie (Krueger) Suckstorf, who were the parents of ten children, of whom the following survive: Henry, residing in Schleswig : Dora, the wife of Adolph Rickers, of Crawford county ; August and John, of Bloomfield, Nebraska ; and Annie. The deceased members of the fam- ily are Nicholas and George, besides three who died in infancy. The union of
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Mr. and Mrs. Krohnke has been blessed with four children, namely: Augusta, who became the wife of William Bumann and resides in Bloomfield, Nebraska ; John, who lives in Crawford county; Mattie, the wife of William Bielenberg, of Crawford county; and Amelia, who lives at home with her parents.
Mr. Krohnke has taken an active interest in politics, giving his support to the democratic party, and he has held a number of township offices. He at- tends the Lutheran church, to which he is a liberal contributor. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Sons of Harmony. He has resided on his present farm for nearly a quarter of a century and deserves much credit for the part he took in helping to reclaim this district for the uses of civilization. He is widely and favorably known throughout the community by reason of his long residence here, and the success he has gained is the merited reward of his own labor and indefatigable industry.
EDWARD DEWEY.
At the venerable age of eighty-five years Edward Dewey is now living re- tired at his home in West Side, Crawford county, Iowa, where he is enjoying the income derived from his former investments in agricultural lands. He was born November 11, 1826, in Deerfield, Oneida county, New York, a son of Zelolas and Mehitable (Roberts) Dewey, in whose family were seven children, namely : Albert and Leander, both deceased; Edward, of this review; Truman, a resident of Buffalo, New York, who died in 1911; Maria, the deceased wife of James O'Brien, of Oneida county ; Mary, who wedded James Rawley and made her home in Chicago, but is now deceased; and Charles, also deceased. Both parents died in New York.
When twenty-two years old Edward Dewey rented a part of the old home- stead, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in Oneida county, New York, which he continued to cultivate until the death of his parents when, their prop- erty being divided among the children, he sold his share and moved to Huntley, Illinois. There he bought eighty acres of land, upon which he lived for several years, and then, in 1876, he came to Crawford county, Iowa, and purchased two hundred and sixty acres, where he continued to be actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising until his retirement in 1904. In that year he sold his farm and came to West Side, where he purchased a lot and erected the comfortable home in which he now resides.
Mr. Dewey has been twice married, his first wife being Roxanna Coffin, a native of Herkimer county, New York, to whom he was united March 4, 1847. By this union three children were born, two of whom survive, namely: Maurice, who lives in West Side, Iowa; and Clifford, who makes his home in Florida. Roxanna, the third in order of birth, is deceased. In March, 1859, Mr. Dewey was married to Miss Mary Smith, of Huntley, Illinois, who was second in order of birth in a family of four children, the others being Henry, a resident of Illi- nois; Caleb, deceased; and Adeline, who married Henry Transue, of Dundee, Illinois. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dewey, namely: Eu- Vol. II-13
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