USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
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gene, who located in South Dakota; Harriet, who married Frank Wagner, of Boone, Iowa; Lily, who became the wife of James Roxborough and resides in Council Bluffs ; Georgia, the wife of Herman Mum, of Bellingham, Washington.
Politically Mr. Dewey has always been a stanch republican and in religion he was reared in the faith of the Universalist church. He is now enjoying a well earned rest after a long period of intense activity, his energy and perseverance making possible the success which now enables him to live in ease and comfort.
WILLIAM BERTRAM.
Another of the many sons of Germany who have contributed largely to the development of the natural resources of Crawford county is William Bertram, who owns an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Washington township. He was born in Oldenburg on the 20th of October, 1858, and is a son of John and Sophia (Thompson) Bertram. The parents were also natives of the same place and there the father died in 1869, the mother having passed away some time previously. Unto them were born the following children : Antoinette, still living in Germany; Johanna, who passed away in 1909; John, deceased; Hendrica, also living in the fatherland; William, our sub- ject ; Wilhelmina, residing in New York city; George, who died in 1908; and Sophia, who lives in Germany.
William Bertram acquired his education in the common schools of his native land and after laying aside his text-books he assisted his father in the cultiva- tion of the home farm, remaining under the paternal roof until he had passed the twenty-fifth anniversary of his birth. At that time, however, he felt con- vinced that conditions in the United States must be much more favorable for an ambitious young man than in Europe so took passage for America. He landed in Baltimore, where he remained for three weeks, and then went to New- ark, New Jersey. After a residence of eight months in the latter city he started westward, his destination being Macon county, Illinois, at which place he ob- tained employment for two months. At the end of that time he went to Smith Center, Kansas, and after living there for two years he came to Crawford county, Iowa, first locating at Denison. The first year he was here he worked as a farm hand but on the expiration of that period his accumulated savings enabled him to begin farming for himself. He cultivated rented land for seven years and then bought his present place. Then, as now, he possessed those qualities of thrift, energy and determination, which always make for success in any vocation, and consequently he added to his original tract from time to time until now his realty holdings aggregate two hundred and forty acres, one hundred and sixty of which are on section 20, Washington township, and the remaining eighty on section 29.
On the Ist of March, 1889, Mr. Bertram married Miss Marie Louisa Kunz, who is also a native of Germany, born in Abenrade, Schleswig-Holstein, Oc- tober 31, 1866. Her parents were Andreas and Augusta (Lorenzen) Kunz, who spent their early life in the fatherland and came to the United States in 1881,
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locating in Denison, Iowa. Here the father passed away on the 28th of April, 1907, at the age of seventy-eight years, but the mother is still living in Denison, at the age of seventy-six. Mrs. Bertram has three sisters and one brother, namely: Amelia, the wife of William Schiernbeck, of Davenport; Nicolina, the wife of William Vondohlen, of Denison; Augusta, the wife of John Schnoor, also of Denison; and Andreas, a resident of Granite, Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Bertram have ten children: Augusta, the wife of William Barkhoff, of Logan, Iowa; Emma, who lives in Oklahoma ; and William, John, Sophia, Bertha, Min- nie, George, Henry and Mary, all at home.
The family attend the services of the Lutheran church, of which denomina- tion the parents are communicants. Ever since acquiring the rights of franchise through naturalization, Mr. Bertram has given his political allegiance to the republican party, as the principles of that organization most nearly conform to his ideas of a government best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority. He takes an active interest in all local political matters and at present is serving as township trustee. He is one of the many young men who have come to the United States and, unfamiliar with either the language or customs, by his in- dustry, resolution and persistence has won a position which makes him worthy of the esteem and respect of the community where he is residing.
W. A. GARNER, M. D.
Although in practice at Kiron only four years, Dr. W. A. Garner has gained in a remarkable degree the confidence of the people and it is doubtful whether any other young physician in country practice in Iowa has made greater head- way in an equal length of time. His success may be ascribed to his devotion to his profession and the close and conscientious attention he gives to his patients. He possessed excellent advantages of education and training which have proved of very great value in the difficult vocation to which he is devoting the best energies of his life.
He was born in Cedar county, Iowa, July 2, 1877, a son of Pearl and Mary (Cory) Garner. The father is a native of Maryland and the mother of New York state. They came to Iowa about the '50s, and are now living in Ida county. There were six children in their family, namely: J. E., of Ida county ; Grace, the wife of Clyde Barrett; Ralph; Eva; Dwight; and W. A., the subject of this review.
After receiving his preliminary education in the public schools, Dr. Garner graduated from the Academy of Sac City and later entered Des Moines Col- lege at Des Moines, graduating with the degree of B. S. Having decided upon a professional career, he went to Chicago, where he was graduated in medicine in 1905, attaining such a high standing in his class that he was given the ad- vantages of interneship and was able to make practical application of the prin- ciples in which he had been instructed by a number of the leading physicians and surgeons of America. Since 1907 he has engaged in active practice at Kiron
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and has attained a reputation as one of the highly successful physicians in this part of the county.
Dr. Garner still enjoys the freedom of bachelorhood. Politically he is in sympathy with the republican party but has no desire for the honors and emolu- ments of public office, preferring to devote his entire attention to his profession. Fraternally he is connected with Wheeler Lodge, No. 398, A. F. & A. M., and the lodge of the Yeomen of the World at Odebolt. Young, ambitious to gain an honored place in his calling and endowed with a fair share of confidence in himself, there is no reason why he should not attain high rank in the medical world. It is men of this stamp that reach the front and become leaders not only in the professions but in business, politics and all the honorable employments of modern civilization.
F. W. LUETH.
Thrift and energy have been the prominent factors in the success of F. W. Lueth, who has acquired four hundred and twenty acres of land in Nishnabotny township. He is a native of the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, his natal day being the 19th of January, 1844. His parents were Frederick and Dorothea (Doss) Lueth, also natives of Germany, in which country the mother passed away, but in 1881 the father emigrated to the United States, making his home with his two sons, F. W. and Henry, until his demise. They were the parents of six children: Deitlief, who is a resident of Germany; Dorothea, de- ceased; F. W., our subject; Anna, of Germany; Henry, who is living in Ne- braska ; and Maggie, also a resident of Germany.
F. W. Lueth was reared in the parental home, acquiring his education in the common schools of his native land, of which he continued to be a resident until he had attained his twenty-fifth year. Having become dissatisfied with the lim- ited possibilities of the old world, in March, 1869, he took passage for the United States, feeling confident that he should find here the opportunities for which he was seeking. Making his way westward he first located in Clinton county, Iowa, where he continued to reside for six years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Carroll county, remaining there until 1883, at which time he came to Crawford county. Three years before settling here he had pur- chased eighty acres of prairie, which formed the nucleus of his present home- stead. He immediately broke the land and placed it under cultivation and had begun to erect a house and outbuildings before leaving Carroll county. General farming and the breeding of graded stock has claimed his attention, but he is also an extensive feeder of cattle and hogs. He has met with success in his various ventures and as a result has added forty acres to his homestead, in addition to which he also owns eighty acres on section 25, Nishnabotny town- ship, and a fourth of section 36. All of the necessary improvements have been made upon the latter place, which is now occupied by his son.
Mr. Lueth's plans for a home of his own had their culmination in his mar- riage in 1875 to Miss Augusta Wensel, a native of Germany, and they have be-
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come the parents of seven children: William, who is a resident of Nishnabotny township; Emma; Emmiel; Richard; Delilah, who is the wife of William Haynes, of Denison; Hulda; and John. All of the children with the exception of the eldest son and Mrs. Haynes are living at home.
Although he was confirmed in the Lutheran church when a boy in Germany, Mr. Lueth is not now identified with any denomination. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and he is also a member of the Germania Society at Manilla. Ever since naturalization conferred upon him the right of suffrage, he has given his political support to the candidates of the democratic party until within the last two years, when he transferred his allegiance to the republican party. He has always taken an active interest in civic affairs, having served as road supervisor for six or eight years. Mr. Lueth came to America with a very limited capital and although there have been difficulties and ob- stacles in his path, he has resolutely overcome them, carrying to a successful issue everything he has ever undertaken, and as a result he is rated as one of the substantial agriculturists of the county.
FERDINAND FREDERICK RANNIGER.
Among the capable dairymen of Crawford county must be mentioned Ferdi- nand Frederick Ranniger, who resides on an eighty-acre tract in Denison town- ship. He was born in Clinton county, Iowa, on the 2d of December, 1879, a son of Frederick and Augusta (Grage) Ranniger. In their family were three children, but two of whom attained maturity. Ferdinand Frederick, our subject and Anna, who became the wife of W. H. Rule of Crawford county. The eldest child died in infancy.
The boyhood and youth of Ferdinand Frederick Ranniger were spent in the paternal home and were largely devoted to the acquirement of an education. After completing the course of the common schools he engaged in teaching, fol- lowing that occupation for five years. At the expiration of that period he bought eiglity acres of land in Denison township, where he continues to reside, en- gaging in dairying and raising thoroughbred hogs.
On the 4th of April, 1906, Mr. Ranniger was united in marriage to Miss Merle Merab Smith, a daughter of M. N. and Loretta G. (Higley) Smith, of Denison. Her parents were among the early settlers of Iowa and removed from the eastern part of the state to Crawford county with an ox team in 1873. They were en route to Kansas, but one of their sons having the misfortune to break his leg they were forced to stop at Arcadia until he recovered, during which period they decided to become permanent residents of this county and so located upon a forty-acre farm, which they bought in the northeastern part of Denison township. They cultivated this property until 1887, at which time the town of Manilla began to boom, and on disposing of their farm they removed there. While residing in Manilla they lost two of their children with typhoid fever, following which they removed to Denison, where they continued to re- side until Mrs. Smith passed away in 1907, at the age of sixty-eight. Mr. Smith
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subsequently went to Wisconsin and he continues to reside at Wautoma, that state. Seven children were born unto them, but the two eldest, Bird V. and Vinnie, are deceased. The others are: May V,, the wife of A. G. Bagge, of Fonda, Iowa; Hope, who married Professor G. N. Knight, of Salina. Kansas, and is now deceased ; Iva H., who is connected with the Crawford County State Bank of Denison; Glen H., deceased; and Merle, the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Ranniger have become the parents of two children : Clifford Earl, born on the 10th of May, 1907; and Howard, whose birth occurred on the 14th of July, 1910.
The religious views of Mr. and Mrs. Ranniger conform to those of the Methodist Episcopal denomination in which they hold membership. Being an advocate of the principles of republicanism, Mr. Ranniger gives his support to the men and measures of that party, but not caring for public honors or the emoluments of office he never actively participates in affairs of a governmental nature.
ADAM BOHLANDER.
A residence of sixteen years has been sufficient to cause Adam Bohlander, who owns three hundred acres of land on section 24. Nishnabotny township, to be recognized as one of the representative farmers of Crawford county. He was born in Cook county, Illinois. on the 18th of December, 1850, and is a son of John G. and Catherine (Gloss) Bohlander. The parents were natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States in 1832. They were among the pioneer settlers of Cook county, having located there im- mediately upon their arrival in this country, continuing to make it their home until about 1855 or 1856, at which time they removed to Du Page county, Illi- nois. The mother passed away in 1852 and the father in 1861. Seven children were born to them, the son Adam being the youngest. The others are : John G., Sr .. a resident of Hinsdale, Illinois ; Peter, who is living in the same place : Mary. the wife of Rudolph Pfister. of Brookfield, Missouri; Margaret, deceased ; and Phillip, who was a veteran of the Civil war; and Henry. also deceased.
Adam Bohlander remained in Cook county, Illinois, until he was twelve years old, acquiring his education in the common schools. He saw both Chicago fires and relates many interesting reminiscences of the great fire of 1871, the light from which was so brilliant that it was possible to read a newspaper with per- fect ease at his home. Before this he had moved to Du Page county, where he continued to reside until 1877 or 1878, when he went to Creston, Illinois, where he remained for a year, and then went to Pottawattamie county, Iowa. After spending three years in the latter place he removed to Shelby county, Iowa, coming from there to Crawford county in 1893, where he has lived continuously since. When Mr. Bohlander took up his residence in this county he first located upon a farm a mile and a half north of Manilla, where he resided until five years ago, when he removed to town. During the entire period of his active life he has been identified with agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with
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success, having acquired a fine farm of three hundred acres on section 24, Nish- nabotny township, and a very pleasant residence in Manilla, and he is now able to live retired enjoying the mental and physical ease assured by a comfort- able income.
In 1874 in Du Page county, Illinois, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bohlander and Miss Dora A. Niemann, and unto them have been born five chil- dren : Alfred, who is a resident of Norfolk, Nebraska; Lewis, of Nishnabotny township; Frank, of the same place; Bertha, the wife of Gustave Lapel, living north of Manilla; and Emma, who is at home and is engaged in teaching school.
His political support Mr. Bohlander always accorded the democratic party until the adoption of the "sixteen to one" platform, following which he trans- ferred his allegiance to the republican party. Although he takes an interest in civic affairs, he has never held any official position save that of school director. Left an orphan at the age of twelve years, Mr. Bohlander is entirely a self- made man, having attained the position he holds today through his own unaided efforts. He has a very high sense of integrity and justice and takes great pride in being able to say that he has never either been under arrest nor sued.
FRED JESCHKE.
Fred Jeschke, who owns one hundred and eighty-one acres of highly cultivated land on section 4, Hanover township, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 13th of July, 1871, and is a son of Gustave and Mary (Ebert) Jeschke. The parents were born in Germany but emigrated to the United States with their respective parents when children and located in Chicago, where they met and were married. In 1878 they removed to Crawford county, Iowa, and settled on a farm, a por- tion of which is now included in the homestead of their son Fred. The father operated his land until his retirement in 1900. When he withdrew from active farming he removed to Ricketts, Iowa, where he continued to make his home until his demise in 1908. His widow is still living at the age of fifty-nine years and now resides in Chicago. They were the parents of two children besides our subject. The eldest, Albert, died at the age of three years, and the whereabouts of the other son, R. C., are unknown.
Fred Jeschke was only seven years of age when his parents located in Craw- ford county and his education was acquired in the district schools of Iowa. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age and then began work- ing for himself. He had already decided to follow the vocation of farming, feeling that it offered better opportunities, while it was the occupation to which he was best adapted by training, so he rented land which he cultivated for two years. At the end of that period he took charge of the old homestead for his father and has ever since continued to reside there. During the period of his occupancy he has added to his original tract and improved it and his is now one of the valuable properties of the township. Besides his general farming Mr. Jeschke feeds stock, in fact he consumes all of the grain he raises in that manner.
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In 1895 Mr. Jeschke and Miss Amelia John were united in marriage. Mrs. Jeschke is also a native of Chicago, having been born in that city in 1879, a daughter of Carl and Bertha (Kruse) John, who were also natives of Germany. They located in Chicago when they first came to the United States, and in 1878 they removed to Crawford county, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Charter Oak, where they lived until their retirement. In 1908 they took up their resi- dence in Charter Oak, where they are still living, the father having passed the seventy-third milestone in life's journey. They are the parents of the following children : Amelia, the wife of Fred Jeschke; Lizzie, who married Carl Kutschin- ski, of Crawford county; Charles, who is a resident of the same county ; Ida, the wife of George Fogle, also of the same county; Bertha, the wife of Fred Messenbrink, of Crawford county; Annie, who is at home; Lena, the wife of Albert Stressel, residing in this county; Otto, who lives in Charter Oak; and Minnie, Matilda and Bernhard, all three of whom are living at home.
Seven children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jeschke, as follows: Gus- tave, who was born on the 27th of February, 1896; Bernhard, born on the 5th of August, 1898; Otto, born on the 20th of December, 1899; Carl, born on the 14th of May, 1902; Edna, born on the 20th of May, 1905; William, born on the 26th of August, 1906; and Herman, born on the 24th of August, 1908.
The family attend the Lutheran church, with which the parents are identi- fied by membership. Ever since attaining his majority Mr. Jeschke has always supported the candidates of the democratic party. He takes an active interest in all local politics and has been elected to various offices, the duties of which he has faithfully and competently discharged. He was constable for four years and justice of the peace eight, and at the present time he is serving as township trustee. He is one of the progressive citizens of his community and has many friends by whom he is highly regarded.
PETER FREDERICK JEPSEN.
Thirty-six years ago Peter Frederick Jepsen came to Crawford county. He was then a young man of twenty-eight years and by education and experience well qualified to note the agricultural possibilities of this county. He applied him- self diligently to his chosen occupation and today is one of the large landowners of the county and one of its most respected citizens. Born in Schleswig-Hol- stein, Germany, January 13, 1847, he is the son of John and Elsobao (Peter- sen) Jepsen. The father was a weaver by trade and followed that occupation in early life but later engaged in farming. Seeking to improve his condition he emigrated to the new world in 1869 and spent six years in Clinton county, Iowa. In the spring of 1875 he came to Crawford county and bought a section of land in Goodrich township, upon which he took up his residence, becoming one of the well known farmers of that section. He died in 1878 at the age of sixty-two years. The mother of our subject departed this life in 1865, being then forty-eight years of age. She and her husband were both members of the
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Lutheran church. He was greatly respected by his neighbors and friends and was mayor of the village of Jagel in Germany.
John Jepsen, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a weaver and small farmer and devoted his attention to teaching during the winter seasons. He married Margaretta Jepsen and there were four children in their family : Jurgen, John, Claus and Margaretta. The maternal grandfather was Peter Pet- ersen, a farmer in the fatherland, whose wife was Obel Petersen. He died in middle life but Mrs. Petersen lived to be about eighty years of age. There were seven children in their family, namely: Henry, Claus, Detloff, Peter, Elizabeth, Elsobao and Kathrina. Seven sons came to bless the union of John and Elsobao Jepsen : John, now living in this county; Peter Frederick, the subject of this review; Henry and Hans, both deceased; Frederick, of Goodrich township; August, deceased ; and Jurgen.
Peter Frederick Jepsen was reared upon a farm in Germany and early became acquainted with the business to which he has devoted a large part of his life. He received his education in his native land, and, being an ambitious young man, he decided at twenty years of age to seek his fortune in America. Accordingly, in 1867, he crossed the ocean and settled in Clinton county, Iowa, but later spent one year on a farm in Dakota. In the fall of 1875 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Goodrich township, Crawford county, which he im- proved to good advantage, making it one of the valuable farms of the township. As years passed he showed remarkable ability in the acquisition of land and he now owns nine hundred and sixty acres in Goodrich township, also one hundred and twenty acres in Milford township, one hundred and seventy-eight acres in East Boyer township, and six hundred and forty acres in Hayes township. He has sold a farm of one hundred and twenty acres and in addition to land here- tofore designated he owns one hundred and ninety-one acres near Dunlop in Harrison county. He now has all told two thousand and ninety nine acres. In 1904 he removed to Denison, where he has since lived retired.
On the 10th of October, 1867, Mr. Jepsen was united in marriage to Miss Anna Laumbach, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, October 10, 1842, a daughter of Henry and Wiepke (Utermann) Laumbach, her parents being also natives of Germany. The father died in 1857 and the mother in 1864, aged forty-two and forty-eight years respectively. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Jepsen was Hans Utermann, and his wife before her marriage was Mar- garetta Herringsen. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Jepsen has been blessed by the birth of nine children, five sons and four daughters, as follows: Anna married William Gehring of Hanover township and has three children, William, Edward and Otilla. Johan, a farmer of Goodrich township, married Maria Nath and has two children, Peter and Anna. Peter, also a farmer of Goodrich township, mar- ried Margaretta Schroeder, by whom he had three children, Emma, Peter and Walter and Hilda. Carolina married Martin Saggan and has seven children, to this union, Elizabeth and Edna. Elsobao married Joannas Saggan and they have five sons, Henry, Hogel, Martin, Edward and Harry. Henry, a farmer of East Boyer township, married Marie Hallender and they have two children, Walter and Hilda. Carolina married Martin Saggan and has seven children, Emma, Anna, Carolina, Joannas, Bernhard, Marie and Martin. Jurgen, of Good-
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