USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 27
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The marriage of Mr. Eggers occurred March 22, 1893, when he was united to Miss Carrie Lanser, a resident of Crawford county, and to them the follow- ing three children were born: Arthur, now sixteen years old; Ellen, fourteen years old; and Sears William, eleven years old.
The democratic party has always had the support of Mr. Eggers and for six years he has held the office of township trustee, and has been reelected for another term. Fraternally he is connected with Arion Lodge, No. 5560, Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is a charter member. In his religious faith he follows the teachings of the Lutheran church. He has always remained a resident of his native state, and his success today is the result of his early am- bition to make a place for himself among his fellow citizens. Broad-minded, possessing a genial and courteous nature, his many friends extend to him the high regard which he so well merits.
CHRISTIAN SCHNOOR.
Christian Schnoor, who for twenty years was closely identified with the agri- cultural interests of Crawford county but is now living in Schleswig, was born in Germany on the 16th of October, 1856. His parents, Jurgen and Doris (Bermaster) Schnoor, were also natives of Germany, and it was there Mrs. Schnoor passed away. The father came to America in 1874 and located in Davenport, where he continued to reside until his demise at the age of about seventy years. Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Schnoor, the son Christian being the youngest. The others are as follows: Henry, who is de- ceased; Christina, who became the wife of Hans Schmidt, of Scott county; and John, who is residing in the same place.
Christian Schnoor was but a youth of seventeen years when he left his na- tive land, in the common schools of which he obtained his education. Upon his arrival in the United States he made his way westward and located in Daven- port, Iowa, where he obtained employment as a farm hand. He continued in that occupation for seven years and during that time, by means of the sterling qualities of thrift, energy and perseverance, which characterize the Teutonic nation, acquired the means necessary to enable him to become a property owner. He therefore bought eighty acres of land on section 3, Morgan township, where he engaged in general farming. During his long years of service he had learned much of agricultural methods as pursued in America, and being an observing
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man, was now able to benefit from the experience of his former employers. He used good judgment and intelligence in the direction of his work and the result was profitable returns from his harvests. He removed to Schleswig in 1901 and is now renting his farm. He owns property in Schleswig and is in- terested in various other things. Although he is enjoying the mental ease and physical comfort always assured by a competence, he is not leading an idle life always being busily engaged in some pursuit.
Mr. Schnoor's fraternal relations are confined to membership in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political allegiance is always given to the republican party, as he considers that its policy is best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority. He does not actively participate in municipal affairs, not being an aspirant for public office, but he always complies with the requirements of good citizenship by casting a ballot at all elections. During the long period of his residence in Crawford county he has made many friends whose esteem he retains.
EMIL PAUTSCH.
Emil Pautsch, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Han- over township, has been closely identified with the agricultural development of Crawford county for more than twenty-five years. He was born in Germany, November 29, 1869, a son of Ferdinand and Wilhelmina (Nass) Pautsch, also natives of the fatherland, who emigrated to the United States in 1870 and lo- cated in Chicago, where they continued to reside for six years. In 1876 they removed to Crawford county, Iowa, and bought a farm which they cultivated until the father's death in 1896. Mrs. Pautsch is still living and makes her home with her children. They were the parents of twelve children, four of whom died in infancy, those who lived to maturity being as follows: Theresa, the wife of Louis Green, of Charter Oak, this county; Emil, our subject ; Robert, who lives in Luverne, Minnesota; George, deceased; Ida, living in Hanover township; Emma, the wife of Otto Heabner, of Hanover township; Carl, who is living on the homestead; and Bernard, also living on the homestead.
Emil Pautsch acquired his education in the common schools of Crawford county, and when he had obtained such knowledge as he deemed essential to pursue his vocation, his text-book gave place to the work of the field and he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he began farming for himself on a portion of his father's land, which was later given to him and forms a part of his present holdings. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of feeding cattle for the market, and in all of his undertakings he met with most gratifying success and as a result he was able to add to his original tract until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of finely improved and highly cultivated land. In addition to his homestead he also owns a half section in Spink county, South Dakota, and one hundred and sixty acres in Rock county, Minnesota. He is devoting the greater
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part of his time to the feeding of cattle and now has five carloads of very fine stock which he is preparing for the market.
Mr. Pautsch was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lill in 1894, a daughter of August and Theresa (Reetz) Lill. She was born in Chicago on the 8th of February, 1874, but is of German extraction, her parents being natives of the fatherland. Mr. and Mrs. Lill removed to Iowa in 1879 and settled on a farm in Crawford county, which they operated until their deaths. They were thrifty, hard-working people and owned two hundred and eight acres of well cultivated land at the time of their demise. Eight children were born unto them, two of whom died in infancy, those living being as follows: John, who lives in Sioux City, this state; Anna, the wife of Emil Pautsch; Laura, who married R. Weed, of Charter Oak township; Minnie, the wife of George Pautsch, of Luverne, Minnesota; Theresa, who is unmarried and lives at Char- ter Oak; and August, who resides on the homestead in Charter Oak township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pautsch have been born eight children, who are as follows : Adelheid, who was born on the 8th of October, 1895; Ferdinand, born on the 2d of February, 1897; August, born on the 19th of July, 1899; Elna, born on the 3d of March, 1900; Ernest, born on the 28th of February, 1903; Alfred, born on the 5th of April, 1908; and Laura and Martin, who died in infancy.
The family attend the Lutheran church, of which denomination the parents are members. Politically Mr. Pautsch has always been identified with the demo- cratic party, and has been elected to the office of constable for several terms, while at the present time he is a member of the board of school directors. He is one of the progressive, public-spirited citizens of his district, who during his long residence here has won the regard and esteem of the community.
JOHN LEE RICHARDSON.
A pioneer, a soldier and a farmer, who is now serving as state oil inspector, John Lee Richardson of Denison has led an active and useful life, in the course of which he has made many friends and materially assisted in promoting the public welfare. He was born in the village of Cassadaga, Stockton township. Chautauqua county, New York, September 6, 1837, a son of Nathan and Asenath (Johnson) Richardson, who were also natives of New York. The father, who was a farmer, was born and reared at Cooperstown, Otsego county, and re- moved to Palmyra, Wayne county, and from there to Chautauqua county. Sub- sequently, he came to lowa and died in Linn county in 1870 at the age of seven- ty-one years. His first wife was Asenath Johnson, who died in Chautauqua county, New York, at the age of forty years. There were five children by that union, namely : Nancy, who married James W. Barber, of Lake county, Ohio, and is now deceased; Reuben, deceased; Jane, the wife of Samuel Whiting of Lake county, Ohio, who died in the Civil war, and she is now also deceased ; John Lee, the subject of this review ; and Martha, who was the wife of H. B. McKean of Linn county, Iowa, and is now deceased. After the death of his first wife the father married Mrs. Morton, by whom he had three daughters: Sarah,
JOHN L. RICHARDSON
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of Huron, South Dakota, who is the widow of Leander Batchelder; Abia, the widow of David Cargill, and Julia, of Polo, Linn county, Iowa, the wife of P. A. Yates. All three of their husbands were soldiers of the Civil war. The father served as teamster in the war of 1812, and he and his first wife were members of the Friends church. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Hill Rich- ardson, a native of Massachusetts. He was a farmer and a soldier of the war of 1812. His wife was Sallie Lee, and they had eight children: Ammi, Nathan, William, Areuna, John, Freeman, Louisa, and Cynthia.
The Richardson family is of Norman origin and its history dates back to the time of William the Conquerer. Many noted names in English history were identified with this family. The first American ancestor Ezekiel Richardson, arrived in this country from England in 1630. He was soon followed by two brothers, Samuel and Thomas, and assisted in founding the town of Woburn, Massachusetts. Edward and Moses Richardson fought side by side in the Revo- lutionary war, and at the laying of the cornerstone of Bunker Hill monument, June 17, 1825, not even Lafayette, who was present, excited more interest than these brothers, who rode together and were the observed of all observers. Moses Richardson, another member of the family, was awakened at midnight, shoul- dered his musket, and at five o'clock in the morning was dead-one of the first to fall at the battle of Lexington. He with three brothers was buried in a trench in the Cambridge cemetery, and in 1870 the city of Cambridge erected a monument to the three men, upon which is inscribed, "O, what a glorious morning is this!" The coolness of Captain Israel Richardson, who was in the Mexican war, won for him the title of "Fighting Dick." The motto of the fam- ily "Trust in God" has ever sustained them, and almost without exception they have been found worthy, whether subjects of the British crown or following the stars and stripes in the land of their adoption.
John Lee Richardson was reared in Chautauqua county, New York, and came west with his parents in 1844. Subsequently, he went to the frontier of Minnesota, where he lived for six years, hunting and trapping. He also drove a government team and carried the mail on foot through a forest of one hundred and sixty miles, only one white man living on the route at Mill Lake, an Indian trader by the name of Fox. He came to visit his parents in Iowa, and while in this state enlisted in Company A, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served with great credit for three years. During the entire period he never received the slightest injury, although he participated in many important battles and never missed a march in which his regiment took part. He was present at the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, the siege of Vicksburg, in the Red River cam- paign under General Banks, at the siege of Fort Morgan, in the Mobile cam- paign, and also participated in the last fight of his regiment at the storming of the works of Fort Blakely, on the 9th of April, 1865. After receiving his hon- orable discharge he came home and worked upon his sister's farm in Linn county, Iowa, for several years, her husband having died in the army. He then removed to northern Missouri, where he continued for five years, but since 1874 has made his home in Crawford county, the first six years being passed upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he purchased in Soldier township.
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He moved to Denison on account of his wife's health, but he still owns the farm, one of the highly improved properties of the neighborhood.
On the 14th of October, 1868, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage to Miss Mary McArthur, a daughter of James McArthur. They are both members of the Baptist church, in which he has for a number of years served as deacon. He is identified with John A. Logan Post, No. 58, G. A. R., and has been its adjutant for many years. Politically, he gives his support to the republican party. He was deputy county treasurer two years and has also served as town- ship assessor and as assessor in Dension. For about eight years he was janitor of the North Side public school, and it is to his credit to say that he has the friendship and good-will of all the children.
Although he has passed the Psalmist's three score years and ten, he is still deeply interested in affairs both public and private and discharges his duties as state oil inspector with a fidelity that meets the general approval. As a soldier he was faithful and true and in the various relations of life he has ever attempted to perform his duty, thus meriting the high esteem in which he is held by all with whom he comes into contact.
GUST SANDERS.
Coming to America twenty-four years ago, Gust Sanders has by his intelli- gent application won a home for himself and family and also an honorable repu- tation as one of the substantial and trustworthy citizens of Crawford county. He was born in Sweden, May 17, 1868, a son of John and Lena Oleson, both of whom spent their entire lives in Sweden. There were two children in their family : Gust, the subject of this review ; and Axel, who is deceased.
Gust Sanders was educated in his native country and after arriving at a suitable age learned the carpenter's trade. Ambitious to see the world and also to take advantage of the opportunities presented under the favoring influences of the American republic, he came to the United States in 1887, spending the first seven years in Chicago, where he found employment at his trade. In 1894 he arrived in Crawford county, Iowa, and continued work at his trade, becoming one of the well known carpenters in this section. In 1908 he became associated with C. S. Johnson under the firm name of Johnson & Sanders and has since been identified with the general mercantile business at Kiron. The firm has attained a recognized standing as one of the reliable and prosperous concerns in Crawford county.
In 1905 Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to Miss Emma Anderson, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Gustave and Lisa Anderson, both of whom are still living in the old country. There were four children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, and two children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders; Elnora, who was born February 26, 1907, and died May 23, 1910; and Lucile, born May 30, 1910.
Mr. Sanders and his wife are upholders of the Christian faith and are valued members of the Mission church of Kiron. He has not devoted much
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attention to politics as his family and his business require his time, but he has observed the effects of the saloon and is an uncompromising advocate of tem- perance, believing this subject of more importance to the welfare of the country than many others that absorb the public mind. He is industrious, reliable and wide-awake and deserves the gratifying success he has achieved in his adopted country.
HENRY KUHLMAN.
Henry Kuhlman has clearly demonstrated by his life what it is possible for an ambitious and determined young man to achieve in the United States. A' German by birth, he was not only practically without means, but was unfamiliar with the customs and language of the country when he arrived in this country, but he was rich in perseverance and industry and today he owns eleven hundred and ten acres of highly cultivated land in Crawford county. He was born on the 30th of May, 1850, and is a son of Frederick and Marie (Keuthan) Kuhl- man, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom, besides our subject, are now living: Marie, the wife of William Ahrens, of Germany; Louisa, who married Henry Hase, of Germany; and George, who is a resident of Charter Oak township, Crawford county.
The first twenty-three years of Henry Kuhlman's life were spent in the old country, but at the end of that period he felt that he possessed the ability to make something of his life were he only able to exercise those powers which he felt must forever lie dormant in the conservative atmosphere of the caste- bound land of his nativity. America seemed to offer the opportunities for which he longed, so crossing the Atlantic, he landed in this country on the 6th of April, 1873, and immediately made his way westward to Crawford county, Iowa. He worked out by the month during the first two years of his residence here, during which time he carefully laid aside a portion of his earnings until in 1875 he had saved sufficient to enable him to buy eighty acres of land, which formed the nucleus of his extensive realty holdings of the present time. His home- stead in Hanover township contains seven hundred and fifty acres, in addition to which he owns three hundred and sixty acres in Paradise township. It is all well improved and highly cultivated, and everything about his homestead gives evidence of the thrift, careful supervision and regard for details which are always active factors in the acquirement of success.
On the 7th of May, 1878, Mr. Kuhlman completed his arrangements for a home of his own by marrying Miss Hetten Martin. She is also a native of Germany and was born on the 29th of September, 1852, a daughter of Michael and Julia Martin. The mother died in the fatherland and the father came to America and made his home with his children until the time of his demise, twenty years later. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Martin, as follows: Gusta, the wife of William Ockelbine, of Kansas; Paulina, who mar- ried Herman Minda, of Sac City, Iowa; Gustave, living in Charter Oak, this
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state; Albert, a resident of Mapleton, Iowa; Hetten, the wife of Henry Kuhl- man; and Amelia, Frederick and Emil, all of whom are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman have become the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are still living: Alwena, who was born in 1881 and became the wife of Carl Teas, of Charter Oak township; Dora, whose birth occurred in 1882, and who married Herman Keipe, of Hanover township; Elizabeth, born in 1884; Henry, born in 1886; Herman, born in 1890; Gustave, born in 1893. George, born in 1895; Marie, born in 1897; two who died in infancy; and Emma and Lena, both deceased. All but the two eldest of those living are still at home.
The family attend the Lutheran church, of which denomination they are members. Ever since naturalization conferred upon him the full rights of citi- zenship, Mr. Kuhlman has supported the candidates and principles of the dem- ocratic party, and although he has never been an office seeker, he has served as a school director for the past two years. He is indeed a self-made man, as his success is entirely due to his unfaltering determination, persistent effort and tireless energy. His has not been a phenomenal record of brilliant achievements but the steady and substantial progress which is ever the reward of well directed effort when sustained by faithful service and incorruptible integrity. He has been a resident of Hanover township for more than three decades and during that period he has made many friends whose regard and respect he retains, and both he and Mrs. Kuhlman are highly esteemed in the community.
LOUIS M. COON, M. D.
Dr. Louis M. Coon, a practicing physician and surgeon of Denison, has gained an enviable reputation as a successful representative of the medical pro- fession in Crawford county. He is also an extensive landowner, having six- teen hundred acres in this state and in South Dakota. His birth occurred near Madison, Wisconsin, on the 20th of August, 1863, his parents being William W. and Mary E. (McHenry) Coon, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Allegany county, New York. Paul M. Coon, the paternal grandfather, was born in Oberlin, Ohio, and sold the first eighty-acre tract of land on the site chosen for Oberlin College. He was a successful agriculturist and quite an extensive landowner and operated both flour and sawmills. He was likewise a stone mason by trade and engaged in business as a contractor and builder. In the early days he went to Wisconsin, later removed to Minnesota and sub- sequently took up his abode among the pioneer settlers of Crawford county, Iowa. He passed away at Arion, where he had resided for some years, living to attain the venerable age of eighty-three. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Thirza Cole, survived him for two years, being eighty-two years old when called to her final rest. They were the parents of three children, two sons and a daughter, as follows: William W .; Paul; and Matilda, who gave her hand in marriage to John Oliver, a farmer and stock-raiser of Winfield, Kansas.
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The maternal grandfather of our subject was a native of New York and fol- lowed farming and stock-raising throughout his active business career.
William W. Coon, the father of Dr. Louis M. Coon, left Ohio as a boy in company with his parents, the family home being established in Huntington, Indiana, where Paul M. Coon owned large flouring and sawmills. Subsequently the family removed to Albion, Dane county, Wisconsin, where William W. Coon attended Albion College. On leaving that town he went to Topeka, Kan- sas, and entered the employ of the government, freighting to Fort Hall, Oregon. When a young man of twenty he had crossed the plains four times. At that early period there was only one house on the present site of Denver, Colorado. After returning to Albion, Wisconsin, he wedded Miss Lucinda M. Warren, who died soon afterward of typhoid fever, Mr. Coon also falling a victim to the disease. For his second wife he chose Mary E. McHenry, with whom he removed to Alden, Minnesota, there purchasing a farm on which he made his home for ten years. On the expiration of that period he came to Iowa and bought a farm on the present site of Arion, continuing to reside thereon until called to his final rest in August, 1909, when he had attained the age of seventy- four years. In religious faith he was a Baptist, as was also his wife, who died on the 20th of May, 1910, when seventy-four years of age. William W. Coon enlisted at Madison, Wisconsin, at the time of the Civil war, but was not al- lowed to serve because of an injury in the shoulder which he had sustained when, as a boy, an Indian pushed him from a high embankment. He held various town offices in Minnesota and in Crawford county, Iowa, acting as school trustee, school director, etc. He was a gentleman of benevolent and charitable disposition and his home was a most hospitable one, always open for the reception of his many friends. Unto him and his wife were born three children, one son and two daughters : Louis M., of this review; Helen, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Jessie, who passed away when twenty-three years old. The last named was the wife of William Schouten and left a little daughter, Helen.
Dr. Louis M. Coon, whose name introduces this review, was a small child when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Freeborn, Minnesota, and a youth of twelve when he came with them to Iowa. He remained on his father's farm until eighteen years of age and obtained his early education in the district schools. Subsequently he pursued a course of study in Milton Col- lege at Milton, Wisconsin, and later attended the State University of Iowa. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Missouri, from which in- stitution he was graduated in 1898. He first located at Arion, but for the past four years has followed his profession in Denison, enjoying a constantly grow- ing and lucrative practice. That he keeps in touch with the fraternity in its advancement, experimentation and experience, is indicated through his mem- bership with the Crawford County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has always been a great speculator and now owns sixteen hundred acres of land in Crawford and Monona counties of Iowa and near Aberdeen, South Dakota, as well as near Sioux City, Iowa.
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