USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
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rich township, married Anna Johansen and is the father of three children, Wil- helmina, Albert and Johan. Julius, also of Goodrich township, married Anna Rassow and has three children, Martin, Otilla and Malinda. Emma, now living at Denison, married Henry Nath and is the mother of two children, Henry and Edna.
Mr. and Mrs. Jepsen are consistent members of the Lutheran church and active workers in its behalf. Politically, Mr. Jepsen is in sympathy with the democratic party and gives his earnest support to its principles and candidates. He is a good friend of education and served for five years as member of the school board of Goodrich township and for a number of years as township trus- tee and school treasurer. By an industrious and straightforward life he years ago gained an established reputation for integrity and fidelity to duty and his per- sonal worth is fully demonstrated by the esteem in which he is hield by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Crawford and adjoining counties.
JOHN E. JOHNSTON.
John E. Johnston, deceased, who for more than thirty years was a citizen of Crawford county and died on a farm in this county in 1902, was a native of Sweden. He was reared and educated in the land of his birth and, believing that conditions were more favorable in America for an ambitious young man desirous of securing the best advantages available for himself and family. he crossed the ocean in 1871 and during the remainder of his life was a patriotic and useful citizen of this republic. He settled in Crawford county, Iowa, and by his industry and high character gained recognition as one of its substantial citizens. His memory is revered by all who knew him. Mrs. Johnston is still living and makes her home with her daughter in Otter Creek township. There were six children in their family, three of whom still survive.
His daughter, Hannah Johnston, who is now the owner of a well improved farm in Otter Creek township, was born in Sweden. She came to this country with her parents and grew to womanhood in Crawford county, receiving an excellent education in the public schools, and under her mother became thor- oughly acquainted with the duties of the household. In 1884 she was united in marriage to C. G. Carlson, also a native of Sweden. He came to America in 1881 and located in Crawford county, where he became acquainted with his future wife. There were six children in their family, namely: Alfred B., who was born December 17, 1884, and died December 30, 1888; Selma E., who was born February II, 1887, and is living at home: Walter S., who was born Sep- tember 3, 1888, and is also at home; Agnes E., who was born September 24, 1890, and died August 16, 1896; Edith E., born March 7, 1893, and Esther M., born May 31, 1896, both of whom are at home.
The mother of these children is one of the well known residents of the county, having made her home here for many years. The home farm, which comprises one hundred and fifty-nine acres on section 2. Otter Creek town- ship, has been greatly improved under her direction and is provided with a
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handsome residence and all modern facilities for its cultivation, making it one of the desirable properties in this part of the county. She is a lady of fine in- telligence and strength of character and has many friends and acquaintances who have been attracted by her sterling worth. Religiously she adheres to the Free Mission church, in which she was reared, and is an earnest worker in its behalf. She has given her children liberal advantages of education and has trained them to become useful and honorable members of society, willing at all times to perform their part in forwarding the interests of those with whom they are associated.
A. A. FISHEL.
For the past thirty-one years A. A. Fishel has devoted his energies to the vocation of agriculture in Crawford county and has met with that modicum of success which comes to all who have a purpose in life. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, near Mexico, January 12, 1858, a son of Daniel and Mary J. (Mills) Fishel, both of whom were natives of Ohio, in which state the father spent his entire life. He followed the trade of a millwright until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company A, Sixty-first Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he held the rank of corporal. He served for three years from April, 1861, and participated in many famous battles, among them being Bull Run, Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain, and was wounded in the hand just before reaching Atlanta, in an engagement at Peach Tree Creek, it being the same battle, on the same day and almost at the same hour that Gen- eral McPherson was killed. He was sent home on account of his wounded hand, which remained in a crippled condition during the remainder of his life. After returning to Ohio he engaged in various occupations and during the closing years of his life was deputy postmaster at Upper Sandusky. His family came from Pennsylvania and was of German descent. Of the eight children born to him and his wife the following survive: Susan E., who became the wife of B. L. Trimble and resides in Minnesota; A. A., of this review; Jerusha E., who married J. H. Harmon and lives in Upper Sandusky, Ohio; and William, who is a banker of Dow City. The father's death occurred at Upper Sandusky in 1873, but his wife survived him until March, 1906, and her remains were in- terred in Dow City (Iowa) cemetery.
Mr. Fishel took advantage of the facilities offered by the public schools of Ohio in obtaining his education. He subsequently came to Crawford county, Iowa, and in 1880 entered upon his life work, which he had decided would be the pursuit of agriculture. Such was his industry and business ability that he has been able to become the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 34, Union township, upon which he has made many valuable improve- ments, including modern and up-to-date buildings. Here he has followed farm- ing in all its various branches and is regarded as an authority on all subjects pertaining to the tilling of the soil.
Mr. Fishel has been twice married. His first wife was Lydia, a daughter of G. W. Huntington, of Dow City, the results of this union being two chil-
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dren, namely: Norine E., who married H. Alexander and resides in Dow City; and Robert, who also lives in Dow City. Mrs. Fishel departed this life in 1898, her final resting place being Dow City cemetery. Mr. Fishel's second marriage took place in 1906, when he was united to Mrs. Lydia Click, of Deni- son, Iowa.
The democratic party has always had the support of Mr. Fishel, who has taken an active interest in the political affairs of his community and filled the office of township trustee for one term, at the expiration of which he was re- elected. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. During his long residence in Union township he has made many friends, who recognize in him a man of integrity, whose word is as good as his bond, and they accord him the sincere regard that such qualities so richly de- serve.
JACOB C. PETERSEN.
Living retired from the labors of a long and active career, Jacob C. Petersen is spending his declining days in the midst of case and plenty. He is a man of well balanced mind, who at the beginning of his business life denied himself many comforts in order to acquire a competence. This he has accomplished and he is now one of the highly respected citizens of Crawford county. He was born in Germany, February 7, 1842, a son of Fred and Anna (Keellsen) Peter- sen. The mother died in the old country, but the father came to America in 1884 and made his home with the subject of this review, passing away at the age of eighty-nine years. There were seven children in the family, namely : Annie, who became the wife of Hans Brotherson, of Otter Creek township, and is now deceased; Lizzie, the wife of K. Fredricksen, of Schleswig, Iowa; Ferdi- nand, who died in Germany; Jacob C., of this review; Doris, who married Adolph Berger, of Ida county, Iowa, and is now deceased; Gusta, now the wife of Peter Petersen, of Crawford county; and Friedericka G., who became the wife of Thomas Petersen, of Ida county, and is now deceased.
Jacob C. Petersen was reared in Germany and educated in the public schools of his native land. At the age of twenty-seven years, having decided that more favorable openings were presented in America than could be expected in a thickly settled country, he crossed the ocean and in 1869 came to Davenport, Iowa. In 1873 he removed to Crawford county and purchased eighty acres, which he cultivated to such good advantage that he acquired funds by which he was enabled to increase his farin to two hundred and eighty acres. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and as he paid close attention to his busi- ness and used excellent judgment, lie met with deserved success. In 1903 he retired to Schleswig and is now living in a comfortable residence which was erected under his directions.
On the 2d of December. 1872, Mr. Petersen was united in marriage to Miss Annie Holst, a daughter of John F. and Christina (Lassen) Holst, who were the parents of five children, namely : Annie, now Mrs. Jacob C. Petersen ; Mag-
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gie, the wife of John Haas of Mapleton, Monona county, Iowa; John F., of Denison; Christina, wife of John Witt, of Paradise township; and Marie, who became the wife of John Oeser, of West Side, Iowa, and both of them are de- ceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Petersen seven children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: Agnes, now the wife of E. Wolhman, of Otter Creek township; Christina, the wife of Carl Bell, of Schleswig; Maggie, now Mrs. E. Bielenberg, of Morgan township; Annie, wife of Morris Dellifsen, of Crawford county ; Fred, also of Crawford county; and Hannah, wife of August Rienking, of Ida county.
Politically Mr. Petersen gives his support to the democratic party and is a stanch believer of its principles. He has served in all the minor township offices and also as trustee and justice of the peace. In discharging his duties as a public officer he evinced the same interest and ability that he has exercised in private affairs, thus gaining the confidence of all who know him. His success in his life vocation has been due to his strict probity and sagacity and the system- atic manner in which he conducted his work. He is exceedingly popular with his neighbors who recognize that he possesses many generous and noble quali- ties.
GUSTAV SCHREIBER.
Among the German-American citizens of Crawford county are to be found many of its most prosperous people. In numerous instances they owe their for- tunate condition almost entirely to their own industry and application. Gustav Schreiber, who owns a beautiful farm in Soldier township, is a native of Ger- many and has by the good use of opportunities attained in his adopted state a gratifying measure of success.
He was born February II, 1871, a son of Ferdinand and Louisa (Stroh- feldt ) Schreiber, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to America with their family, arriving in this country, February 22, 1888. After spending eight years in Chicago, Illinois, they removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they lived for one and one-half years, when death visited the household and the beloved mother was called away. The father and one of the sons, Gustav, came to Crawford county, Iowa, and here he lived, making his home with his son until he was called away in 1901. There were four children in the family : Augusta, now the wife of Herman Semlor, of Chicago; Carl, of Crawford county ; Gustav, the subject of this review; and William, who died at the age of twenty-nine years.
Gustav Schreiber crossed the ocean with his parents at the age of seventeen, having previously secured his school education in his native land. At the age of twenty-six he bought eighty acres in Soldier township, Crawford county, which he cultivated to good advantage for eight years, selling it at a price much in advance of its cost. He then purchased land on section 22 of the same town- ship and has shown such good judgment in his work that at the present time he is the owner of two hundred and forty acres, one of the most productive prop- erties of its area in this part of the county.
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On September 16, 1897, Mr. Schreiber was united in marriage to Miss Emma Kroll, who was born in Chicago, December 10, 1878, a daughter of Gustav and Augusta (Scheeve) Kroll, both natives of Germany. They were married in Chicago and lived in that city until 1888, when they came west and settled on a farm in Crawford county, Iowa. The mother died December 24, 1907, the father passing away about three years later, on March 30, 1910. There were six children in their family, namely: Emma, now Mrs. Gustav Schreiber ; Wil- liam, of Woodbury county, Iowa; and Gustav, Emil, George and Clara, all residents of Crawford county. Seven children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schreiber : Walter, who was born October 2, 1898; George, born May 31, 1900; Edwin, born November 18, 1902; Meta, born October 15, 1904; Mahala, born October 27, 1906; Otto, born September 16, 1908; and Gustav, born December 4, 1910.
Mr. Schreiber and his wife were both reared in the Lutheran church and give their earnest support to that organization. Politically he affiliates with the democratic party. From his boyhood he has recognized the value of labor in the accomplishment of any worthy purpose. He early determined to acquire a competency and with this end in view he did not hesitate to practice self-denial when it was necessary in order to get a start. He now enjoys a prosperity which he well deserves and has also assisted materially by his labors in adding to the wealth of the county. His success cannot fail to encourage ambitious young men, as the road to fortune and ease is open to all who will readily apply them- selves during the early years of their business life, thus acquiring a safe foun- dation for permanent prosperity.
CARL SCHELM.
For thirty-six years a resident of Crawford county, Carl Schelm now de- ceased, will be remembered as one of its successful and highly respected citizens, who won recognition through undaunted perseverance and acknowledged busi- ness ability that would have gained for him prominence in almost any com- munity. His death, which occurred April 15, 1907, was the occasion of general regret, as he had made a host of friends and was widely known as an upright and useful citizen who was ever ready to extend a hand of helpfulness to those less fortunate than himself and to assist in promoting the happiness of those with whom he was associated.
He was born in Germany and came to America in 1867, first taking up his residence in Jackson county, Iowa. In 1871 he came to Crawford county and began working on a farm. Later he bought land in Hanover township and as the years passed became the owner of two hundred acres in that township and also a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Brown county, Nebraska. He was a man of good practical judgment in business and as he was thoroughly familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the farmer, his labors met with deserved recompense.
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In 1874 Mr. Schelm was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Sutrow, and by this union four children were born, namely: Minnie, now the wife of Her- man Baak, of Crawford county; Dretta, the wife of Fred Hermsmayer, of Brown county, Nebraska; and William and Albert, both of whom are living in Nebraska. The mother of these children died in 1885, and Mr. Schelm was married one year later to Mrs. Frieda (Fehmerling) Kayser, who was born in Germany, January 23, 1860. By her first marriage she became the mother of two children: Carl and Elizabeth, both of whom are deceased. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schelm: Gustav, whose natal day was October 27, 1888, died at the age of one year; George W., the younger child, was born November 6, 1890, and is now living at home with his mother. He is a promis- ing young man and is a graduate of the Denison high school, being now in at- tendance at the normal school.
Mr. Schelm of this review gave his support to the republican party and served in various township offices. He was a thorough farmer, paying close attention to his work, so that it was productive of highly satisfactory returns. As a citizen he was devoted to his county and state, and as the head of a family, his first thought was always for those he loved. His remains were interred in Hanover cemetery and a suitable monument marks the grave as a testimonial from his wife and son. Mrs. Schelm and her son still own the farms in Iowa and Nebraska and also a handsome residence in Denison, which is the family home. They visited Germany and remained for six months amidst scenes with which she was familiar in her earlier years. She is now permanently located at Denison and has many friends and acquaintances in this city.
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JOHN T. WALSH.
A highly improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres in West Side town- ship is evidence of the energy and ability of John T. Walsh, who is recognized as one of the progressive men of his section. His success has been due to a laudable ambition and an unalterable perseverance which are important elements in his character. He is a native of Livingston county, Illinois, born June 10, 1869, and is a son of James E. and Honora (Breen) Walsh, both of whom were born in Ireland. The father came to America in 1850 and was married in Illi- nois to Miss Honora Breen. Later he came with his family to Crawford county, Iowa, and he and his wife are now living at Vail, the former having reached the age of seventy-six, while the latter is seventy-seven years of age. They are the parents of four children.
John T. Walsh received his early education in the common schools and later had the advantage of attending the high school. He continued at home until arriving at maturity and then, having decided to devote his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, he began farming upon his own account. He has applied himself to such excellent advantage that he now owns one hundred and eighty acres of land on sections 29 and 32, West Side township, all of which is under admirable cultivation and capable of producing large crops. Everything about
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the place is in good order and denotes that he has prospered in his calling and is in comfortable circumstances. Hle raises various grains, but makes a spe- cialty of raising and feeding stock for the market.
On May 21, 1907, Mr. Walsh was united in marriage to Miss Alice Coughlin, who was born in Canada, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Quinn) Coughlin. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Canada. She is now deccased, but Mr. Coughlin is living at Dunlap, Iowa. There were eleven children in their family, eight of whom survive. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Walsh : Maurice Francis Carroll, who was born October 19, 1909; and James P., who was born April 17, 1910, and died July 6 following.
Mr. Walsh may be designated as a self-made man, as he has attained a grati- fying degree of financial prosperity entirely through his own efforts. He is recognized as the possessor of clear judgment and sound business ability, and as he is genial and public-spirited, he enjoys the unqualified respect and esteem of those who know him. Politically he is not identified with any of the great organizations, but votes independently, preferring to be controlled by the con- ditions that prevail at the time of the election. Fraternally he is a valued mem- ber of Lodge No. 780, K. C., of Carroll, and has taken a great interest in the order, having filled all the chairs in the lodge. In religious belief he and his wife are Catholics.
NELS P. LARSON.
Although Nels P. Larson was born in Sweden, he probably knows more about the United States than he does about his native land. He has traveled from New York to San Francisco and has also been in the south, gaining a good knowledge of the country before he finally selected Crawford county, Iowa, as his permanent home. He has seen no cause to regret his choice of a location, as he is now the owner of a beautiful farm which yields abundant annual harvests, making him practically independent financially. He was born in Sweden, February 22, 1852, a son of John and Mary Larson, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.
Nels P. Larson was educated in the common schools of his native land, and in 1868 came to America with his parents, stopping for a while in New York city, where he worked as a teamster. He then went to Brooklyn, where he worked in a brickyard, subsequently being attracted to South Carolina, in which state he spent two years upon a cotton plantation and in a store. He next was identified with railroad construction in Pennsylvania as teamster for a year, and during the next three or four years spent his time largely in the coal mines. Having seen considerable of the east, he turned his face westward and crossed the continent to California, where he worked in a lumberyard for three years. In 1879 he came to Crawford county, Iowa, and began farming, carrying his work forward with such success that he is now the owner of four hundred acres on sections 23, 24 and 25, Otter Creek township. He raises grain and feeds cattle and hogs for the market. He is also a stock buyer and shipper in com-
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pany with N. P. Swanson of Kiron. In addition to other interests Mr. Larson is a stockholder of the Farmers Telephone Company of Kiron. As he is a man of good judgment he is recognized as one of the leading citizens in his part of the county.
On the Ist of January, 1886, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Christina Young, a native of Sweden and a daughter of A. P. Young. Both of her parents are deceased. Mrs. Larson came to this country with them in her infancy and was reared and educated here. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Larson has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Mildred, who is a graduate of music and is now living at home; Elwood L., also at home; and Louise, deceased.
Mr. Larson gives his support to the republican party and takes an active part in affairs of his township, having served as school director and as road superintendent for a number of years. He is a valued member of the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Denison, and the Yeomen of the World at Des Moines. He and his wife were reared in the Lutheran church and are earnest supporters of that denomination. He is a man of great energy and de- termination, and as he possesses good business judgment, he is generally suc- cessful in his undertakings and is justly respected by all who know him.
WILLIAM E. EGGERS.
As a man who has materially assisted in the development and progress of the agricultural and commercial interests of Crawford county, William E. Eg- gers holds a prominent position among the residents of Arion, which owes much to his individual endeavors in the behalf of its welfare. He was born in Jack- son county, Iowa, near Green Island, September 3, 1863, a son of Frederick Eggers. (For ancestral history of the Eggers family, see sketch of P. J. Eggers in this volume.) When the father moved from Jackson county he was the possessor of two wagons, five horses and some cattle, and it fell to the lot of his son William E. to drive and take care of the cattle. Their journey was by way of Cedar Rapids, which was at that time but a mere village, and they forded the river there, although the water was high enough to reach the bottom of the wagon box.
William E. Eggers acquired his early education in the Lyman public school under the tutelage of Ayl Marshall. He remained on the home farm until at- taining his majority, when he rented some land from his father and began the pursuit of agriculture on his own account. He later decided to embark in the live-stock business, purchasing his first carload of cattle from the man who for- merly owned the place whereon he now resides, and from that time he has been an extensive feeder and shipper of high grade stock. His first personal ac- quisition of land was on section 13, Paradise township, comprising one hundred and twenty acres, and in 1895 he bought his present property, consisting of two hundred acres, which has the benefit of all the modern improvements that go to make an up-to-date farm. Aside from these holdings he owns two hun- Vol. II-14
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dred and eighty acres in Knox county, Nebraska. Mr. Eggers has been an im- portant factor in the organization and maintenance of Arion's most prominent public institutions, to which he has contributed liberally of both his time and financial assistance. He is a stockholder in the Denison Hospital, one of the charter members of the Arion State Bank, of which he was a director and bank examiner, at present filling the office of vice president, and he was one of the organizers of the Crawford County Fair Association, in which he is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors and now president.
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