USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 31
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Walter Crosby Van Ness was reared on his father's farm and received his preliminary education in the district schools of Lake county, later attending a select school, Madison Seminary and Grand River Institute at Austinburg, Ashta- bula county, Ohio. He matriculated in the Western Reserve University, grad- uating from that noted institution in 1883 with a degree of A. B., and three years later took the degree M. A. from the same university. He began teaching in New Lyme Institute at South New Lyme, Ashtabula county, Ohio, immediately after his graduation and continued there for seven years, then becoming principal of the city high school of Ravenna, Ohio, in which position he acquitted himself with high credit. In 1893 he came to Denison and has since been principal of the Denison Normal & Business College, building up the institution until it is now one of the most popular of its kind in this part of the country.
Vol. II-16
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On the 27th of June, 1883, Mr. Van Ness was united in marriage to Miss Ida R. Webb, a native of Lake county, Ohio, and a daughter of Wilford and Wilhelmina (Champion) Webb. Her parents were natives of Schoharie county, New York, and the mother is now living at Perry, Ohio, the father having passed away at the age of seventy years. There were three children in their family : Ida R., Delbert J., and Carrie, deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Van Ness has been brightened by the birth of four children : Grace R., who is a graduate of Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa; Loretta I., who is now a teacher of Denison College; Irene L. and Hubert J., both students in the public schools.
Politically Mr. Van Ness gives his support to the republican party, whose principles of protection and centralization he heartily endorses. Fraternally he is identified with Symbol Lodge, No. 452, A. F. & A. M., of South New Lyme, Ohio ; Doudall Lodge. No. 90. Knights of Pythias, of Denison; and the Wood- men of the World. He and his wife are both members of the Order of the East- ern Star. He has received wide recognition on account of his marked ability as a teacher and school manager. A constant student, he keeps abreast of the times on all subjects pertaining to his calling, and as a public speaker he is in wide demand upon educational topics. He has a host of friends and former students in all the states of the west and has no cause to regret that eighteen years ago he established his home in the beautiful city of Denison.
N. E. LARSON.
Through his well directed industry N. E. Larson has attained a responsible position among the citizens of Crawford county and is the owner of a beautiful farm in Otter Creek township which yields a handsome annual revenue. He was born in Sweden, December 11. 1865, a son of Lars and Mary Larson, both na- tives of Sweden. The father died in 1868 and in 1877 the mother came with her children to America, settling upon a farm in Crawford county. She passed away March 3, 1905. In the family were three children : Anna, now the wife of Robert Anderson, of Kiron; J. G., of Crawford county; and N. E., the subject of this review.
N. E. Larson was educated in the common schools of Sweden and came with his mother to this country when twelve years of age. After arriving in Craw- ford county he worked for three years for his uncle and then was employed by other farmers in the neighborhood for two years. Having arrived at an age when he could begin independently with a good prospect of success and being inspired by a laudable ambition, he started out on his own account by renting land, and in 1892 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on sections 13 and 24, Otter Creek township, upon which he established his home. The place is well improved and has been made one of the highly productive properties of the township. He is a good judge of stock. and being energetic, alert and enter- prising, he is regarded as one of the substantial men of the community. Inde- pendent of his agricultural interests, he is a stockholder in the Farmers Lumber Company of Kiron and a director of the Farmers Telephone Company.
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In September, 1888, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Swanson, who was born in Sweden, a daughter of Nels and Tora (Nelson) Swanson, mention of whom is made in the sketch of N. P. Swanson elsewhere in this work. Seven children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Larson : Hazel C., who was born August 2, 1889, and is now the wife of Enoch Miller, of Sac county, Iowa; Mae Anna Marie, born April 26, 1891, who graduated from rural schools; Ruth E., who was born December 2, 1892, and is living at home; Julia H., born October 11, 1894; Abbie E., born January 28, 1897 ; Ray- mond N., born December 4, 1899; and Esther Matilda, born November 16, 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. Larson are stanch believers in the authority and inspiration of the Bible and are active workers in the Baptist church, in which he is a member of the board of trustees. He gives his support to the republican party, believing that its principles accord with the progress of the age and can best subserve the interests of the republic. He and his wife are at the head of a happy family and they have many friends in this part of the county who enjoy the hospitality of their attractive home.
ANDREW HARRINGTON.
The keynote of the success of Andrew Harrington as a farmer is a practical knowledge of his business and a habit he acquired early in life to perform to the best of his ability anything his hands found to do. As a result his farm is one of the highly productive properties of West Side township and he enjoys a goodly measure of prosperity. He is a native of Cedar county, Iowa, born April 30, 1867, and is a son of John and Hannah Harrington, both of whom were born in County Cork, Ireland. They came to the new world as children with their parents, the two families locating at Fall River, Massachusetts. There they were married and later removed to Richmond, Virginia, from which place they went to Boston, Massachusetts, finally starting westward. They lived for a while in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and then for two years in Cedar county, Iowa, but in 1871 came to Crawford county and settled upon a farm which is now the family homestead. Mr. Harrington was a man of great industry, and he improved his place with a handsome residence and other buildings, all of which indicated good taste and judgment. He was successful as an agriculturist and stock-raiser and his death July 1, 1888, was a distinct loss to the com- munity. The mother continued for seventeen years at the old home and was called from earthly scenes June 24, 1905. There were fourteen children in . their family, six of whom are now living, namely: Mary, who is the widow of Charles Dupont; William, who lives in West Side township; Joseph, of Craw- ford county ; Maggie, who makes her home at Vail; Michael, of South Dakota ; and Andrew, of this review.
Andrew Harrington came with his parents to Crawford county at the age of four years, and in his boyhood and youth attended the public school, devoting his attention to various duties about the house and farm when not occupied with his books. After the death of his father he continued upon the home place, of
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which he is now the owner. It comprises three hundred and twenty acres on section 33, West Side township, and as he gives his best thought to his work and keeps fully abreast of the times in everything pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising, he has met with an abundant measure of success.
In 1891 Mr. Harrington was united in marriage to Miss Rosa O'Connell, who was born at Dubuque, Iowa, a daughter of John and Rose O'Connell, both of whom are now deceased. There were four children in their family. Two children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, namely : Blanch M., and Earl C., both of whom are now attending high school at Vail. Mrs. Harrington, the beloved wife and mother, passed away February 25, 1899, and her remains were interred in the cemetery at Vail. She was a consistent mein- ber of the Catholic church and possessed many estimable traits of mind and character.
Mr. Harrington has met with deserved success in his business. He is an enterprising and broad-minded man, fully awakened as to the opportunities and possibilities of the twentieth century, and he has enhanced the beauty and value of his surroundings. Religiously he is identified with the Catholic church and politically gives his adherence to the democratic party.
JACOB WEISS.
One of the extensive landowners of Crawford county is Jacob Weiss, who is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising on his homestead of two hundred and twenty acres in Denison township. Born in Germany on the 25th of March, 1860, he is a son of George and Madelaine (Feuerbach) Weiss. The mother passed away in the fatherland, but the father emigrated to the United States in 1880, first locating in Chicago, where he resided for fifteen months. Removing to Denison at the end of that period, he continued to reside here until he passed away in 1894 at the age of seventy-six.
The early years of Jacob Weiss were spent in his native land, attending the common schools, where he acquired his education. He was only a youth when he took up his residence in the United States, but being both energetic and thrifty he and his brother accumulated the necessary capital to buy one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township, in the cultivation of which they engaged until our subject's marriage. Subsequently they divided the farm, each taking eighty acres, and by rigid economy and careful management, Mr. Weiss . added one hundred and twenty acres to his tract, which he continued to operate for eighteen years. Disposing of that place in 1901, he removed to Denison township, where he purchased one hundred and forty acres, later adding another eighty and thus making the aggregate two hundred and twenty. Here he is engaged in general farming and stock-feeding, devoting particular attention to the latter, now having seven hundred sheep, one hundred and fifty head of cattle and about two hundred hogs, which he is preparing for the market. A most capable and energetic man. Mr. Weiss has met with marked success in his ventures, which is doubtless due to his unusual foresight and well directed ef-
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fort, which have resulted in his acquiring three hundred acres of land on sec- tions 25 and 16, Willow township, in addition to his excellent homestead. His home farm, which is on section II, Denison township, is well improved and under a high state of cultivation, being considered one of the valuable properties in the locality.
On the 14th of November, 1883, Mr. Weiss' plans for a home had their cul- mination in his marriage to Miss Rosa Bachman. Fifteen children have been born of this union : George; Albert; John; Emily; Matilda; Edward, deceased ; Annie ; Martha ; August, deceased; Ruth ; Clara; Marie; Theodore; Walter ; and Elizabeth.
The religious views of the family accord with those of the Methodist Epis- copal denomination, with which they affiliate. Ever since acquiring the right of franchise Mr. Weiss has given his political support to the men and measures of the republican party, considering that the principles of that organization are best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority. He has been the choice of his party for a number of the township offices, the duties of which he dis- charged most creditably. Mr. Weiss has never regretted the transference of his allegiance to the United States and feels that the conditions existing in this country are such that any young man possessing energy and perseverance can win a place for himself.
W. D. MUNDT.
General farming and stock-raising claim the attention of W. D. Mundt, who during his entire career has been identified with the agricultural development of Crawford county. He is one of those thrifty and enterprising sons of Ger- many, who through the intelligent direction of their activities have become num- bered among the successful landowners of the county. His birth occurred in Hanover on the 12th of February, 1873, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Diedrich and Sophia (Meyer) Mundt. They emigrated to the United States in 1880, first locating in East Boyer township, Crawford county, where the father purchased forty acres of land. On disposing of that place, he pur- chased a farm on section 5, Nishnabotny township, in the cultivation of which lie engaged until his retirement nine years ago. Since 1902 Mr. and Mrs. Died- rich Mundt have been making their home in Denison, having acquired during their residence in this country a competence which provides them with the com- forts of life. They are the parents of three children : W. D., our subject ; Min- nie, who is a resident of California ; and Lena, of Denison. They affiliate with the Lutheran church, and Mr. Mundt gives his political support to the democratic party.
As he was a lad of seven years when his parents settled in the United States, W. D. Mundt has spent practically his entire life not only in the state of Iowa but in Crawford county. His boyhood and youth were quite similar to those of other lads of his circumstances, his education being obtained in the district schools and his vacations largely occupied in assisting his father in the cultiva-
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tion of the homestead. He remained a member of the paternal household until he had attained his twenty-third year, at which time he started out for himself. His energies have always been intelligently directed and as a result he has met with more than moderate success, having acquired six hundred acres of fine farming land. It is all under an excellent state of cultivation and is well stocked with full-blooded hogs and cattle, which he feeds himself.
In 1896 Mr. Mundt's plans for a home of his own had their culmination in his marriage to Miss Anna Lochmiller, a daughter of Herman Lochmiller, of East Boyer township. Three children have been born of this union : Bernhard, Lulela and Reinhard.
The church affiliation of the family is with the Lutheran denomination, while politically Mr. Mundt supports the principles of the democratic party, for whose candidates he always votes. Any man who acquires through his own unaided effort the amount of property owned by Mr. Mundt possesses those qualities which make for success in any vocation in life if wisely applied, namely, energy and determination.
N. P. SWANSON.
The business interests of Crawford county have many worthy representa- tives who have won their way to responsible positions in the community by in- telligent application and a zeal which never yielded to difficulties. Among the men who thus deserve mention is N. P. Swanson, a well known and highly respected citizen of Kiron. He is a native of Sweden, born September 27. 1865, and a son of Nels and Tora Swanson, both of whom were born in Sweden. They came to America in 1871 and located on a farm in Crawford county, Iowa, continuing here during the remainder of their lives. There were eight children in their family, four of whom are now living, namely: Matilda, the wife of N. E. Larson, of Crawford county, a record of whom appears else- where in this work; Celia, now Mrs. Adolph Linberg, of Omaha, Nebraska ; N. P., the subject of this review; and Samuel, of Woodbury county, Iowa.
N. P. Swanson came to Iowa with his parents when six years of age and received his early education in the schools of Crawford county. He assisted his father upon the home farm until he arrived at the age of seventeen and then, desiring to begin farming for himself, rented the homestead which he cul- tivated with a success that gave bright promise as to his future. Subsequently he purchased the farm on which the village of Kiron now stands and as the years passed he prospered greatly in his work, so that he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Crawford county and five hundred and twenty acres in Woodbury county. He engages extensively in buying, sell- ing and shipping stock of all kinds, and as he is a good judge of animals and a man of large experience in the business, he has attained a gratifying measure of success. Aside from his other lines of activity, he is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Telephone Company.
In 1887 Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Olson, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Peter and Anna Olson, both of whom are de-
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ceased. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Swanson, namely : Emma E., the wife of Oscar Larson, of Sioux City, Iowa; and Mabel, Roy, Edna, Judith, Elmer, Leslie, Evelyn and Teddie M., all of whom are at home.
Politically Mr. Swanson votes the republican ticket, and although he has not sought the emoluments of office, he has served most acceptably as a mem- ber of the town council of Kiron. Fraternally he is identified with the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at Schleswig, Iowa. He is a public- spirited man and is ever ready to assist in any movement that sincerely aims to lift the burdens from shoulders unable to bear them. He and his estimable wife are at the head of a large and promising family and they have endeavored to install into their children the principles of industry and self-respect so im- portant in the accomplishment of any worthy object in life.
H. W. LOGSDON.
H. W. Logsdon, who for the past eleven years has devoted his time and energies to the cultivation and improvement of his two hundred acre farm lo- cated on sections 13 and 14, Union township, was born July 24, 1865, near Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, a son of Rev. B. F. and C. J. (Logsdon) Logs- don, both natives of Kentucky, the father's birth taking place near Munford- ville. The mother was of German parentage. Rev. Logsdon came to Iowa when about twenty years of age and located near Newton, where he resided at in- tervals until a few years ago. He followed the calling of ministry for three and a half years in Crawford county during the 'Sos and was attached to the Wesleyan Methodist church in Marshall. His father was born in Ireland and there engaged in farming until he emigrated to the United States. He settled in Kentucky, where his death occurred when his son, B. F., was seven years old. Unto B. F. Logsdon and his wife nine children were born, of whom the following survive: H. W., of this review; F. G., who is a farmer living near Ira, Iowa; Charles, who resides in Rhodes, Iowa; Lulu, who is the wife of W. F. Sissel and lives in Durant, Iowa; Maud, who married Iddo Kinsel and resides near Tama, Iowa.
The public schools of Jasper county afforded H. W. Logsdon his early edu- cation and he remained at home until attaining his majority, when he resolved to start out in life upon his own responsibility. He rented land in Denison township, Crawford county, where he farmed for one year, and then removed to Paradise township, buying a small farm, which he improved and cultivated for twelve years. In 1900 he came to Union township, where he purchased land on sections 13 and 14, to which he has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred acres of highly cultivated farming property, most of the improvements being the result of his personal labors. Here he pursues general farming and his holdings are considered to be among the most valuable in his section of the county.
In 1887 Mr. Logsdon was united in marriage to Miss Deborah Smith, a daughter of T. R. B. and Jane (Graham) Smith, both of whom were born in
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Canada of Irish parents. They came to the United States about thirty-five years ago and located in Denison township, whence they removed to Union township. Six children were born to them, of whom the following survive: Sarah Jane, who lives in Denison; Deborah; R. B., who is a farmer in Union township; and John, who resides in Oakland, California. The father departed this life June 24, 1890, the demise of the mother occurring in 1910.
Mr. and Mrs. Logsdon are the parents of seven children, namely: Gertrude, who, after being graduated from the Dow City high school, pursued a course of musical studies at Simpson College and later taught school for four terms in Crawford county, became the wife of Frank J. Glassburner and resides in Union township. Birl W., Fred H., Bertha J., Herman Leslie, Clarence Russell and Stanley Smith are living under the parental roof. Birl is a graduate of the Dow City high school, and it is the intention of the parents to give the other children the same educational advantages as soon as their years will per- mit.
Politically Mr. Logsdon has always given his support to the republican party and has taken an active interest in the local affairs of the township. He filled the office of justice of the peace with efficiency and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents and served two terms as school director. In religion both he and has wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are well and favorably known throughout the community. He is deeply interested in everything that pertains to the material, intellectual and moral development of the locality in which he lives and is a man of many friends-an honored and respected resident of Union township.
JOHN D. O'HARA.
The young men of Denison find a worthy representative in John D. O'Hara, who is now serving as clerk in the postoffice of this city. Active, ambitious and enterprising, he has made a start which gives bright promise for a life of use- fulness and honor. He comes of Irish ancestry and is a native of Peru, In- diana, born May 23, 1888, and a son of Michael and Nora (Kelley) O'Hara. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Indiana. Michael O'Hara came to America with his parents in his boyhood. He was reared in this country and is still living in Indiana. His wife departed this life in 1890. There were seven children in their family, five of whom survive.
At two years of age, having lost his mother, John D. O'Hara became a member of the family of his uncle, Patrick Burke, of Denison, Iowa, with whom he still makes his home. He was given every desirable advantage of education in school and college and applied himself to his studies with most excellent results. Two years ago he was appointed a clerk in the postoffice by Mr. Myers, in which position he has since continued. Politically he gives his support to the democratic party and fraternally is a valued member of the Improved Order of Redmen, in which he is serving as sachem.
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By his geniality, gentlemanly address and other sterling qualities Mr. O'Hara has made a host of friends and well wishers who are unanimously of the opin- ion that he is one of the most promising young men of the city. His life has been entirely upright and honorable, and in business he has acquitted himself in such a way as to meet the approval of patrons of the postoffice and of all with whom he has come into contact.
HENRY SHIRTCLIFF.
Crawford county owes much to those men who came west of the Mississippi river when their principal fortune consisted of their strong arms and their indomitable will. By undaunted perseverance they carved out for themselves honorable names and a competence, becoming financially independent. Of this class of men is Henry Shirtcliff, now living retired at Denison. He was born in Yorkshire, England, September 6, 1830, a son of Edward and Hannah (Makin) Shirtcliff, both natives of England. The father was educated for the Episcopal ministry, but did not take kindly to that calling, so he began clerking in his father's store and afterward became a successful merchant. He emi- grated to America and settled at Lynnville, Morgan county, Illinois, where he engaged in general merchandising. He made a trip to England at the time of Queen Victoria's coronation and bought a stock of goods there, shipping it to this country. The boat to which it was transferred sank in the Mississippi river, the goods being recovered two weeks later in a badly damaged condition. Mr. Shirtcliff made a fair start in life but died at the beginning of a useful career, in 1840, being then only thirty-six years old. His wife died about 1875, at the age of seventy-three years. She was a faithful member of the Methodist church.
Edward Shirtcliff, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of England. He was also a dry-goods merchant and was the father of three chil- dren: Edward, Sarah and Jane. The maternal grandfather, Richard Makin, was a shoe merchant, and his wife was Catharine Greenwood before her mar- riage. There was one son and several daughters in their family. The son died when a small boy and the daughters were Isabella, Elizabeth, Hannah, Harriet, Ann, and Rebecca. There were four children in the family of Edward and Hannah Shirtcliff, namely: Frederick Edward, who is now living at Kilbourne, Mason county, Illinois; Henry, the subject of this review; Catharine, who be- came the wife of Fred Smithson and is now deceased; and Alfred, also de- ceased.
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