USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
322
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
last part of his life in Crawford county, Iowa. Seven children in the family of Michael and Mary Ainsworth grew to maturity, namely: Joseph O. and Edwin M., both of whom are now deceased; Charlotte H., now Mrs. E. O. Thien, of Denison ; Ancil D., of Ute, Iowa; George E., of Canton, Illinois; John L., the subject of this review; and Adelle, now the wife of J. C. Phillips, of Virgil, South Dakota.
John L. Ainsworth came to Crawford county with his parents when seven years of age and has ever since been a resident of this county. He was reared under the favoring influences of a country home and as a member of a family in which each was expected to perform his duty, either in the house or in the fields. He early gained practical lessons of application and self-denial that have been of inestimable value to him in later life. In the district schools he gained his preparatory education, later becoming a student of the Denison Nor- mal & Business College. After preparing himself for such a responsibility, he began teaching in Crawford county in 1881, continuing without interruption to the present time, and becoming recognized years ago as one of the thoroughly qualified educators of this section.
On the 2d of April, 1890, Mr. Ainsworth was united in marriage to Miss Edith Shirtcliff, a daughter of Henry and Frances (Colley) Shirtcliff, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Ainsworth is a member of the Episcopal church, but her husband is not identified with any religious denomi- nation. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, and politically he supports the candidates and principles of the republican party as those best adapted in his opinion for the preservation of the liberties of the republic. As a professional teacher he is a constant student of the world's progress and being a man of unusual intelligence and of wide observation his opinions com- mand respect wherever he is known. He is conscientious in the discharge of his duties and hundreds of young men and women who have been under his care as pupils regard him as a friend and counselor whose greatest desire is to promote the welfare and happiness of others.
FRANK F. LARSON.
Many of the most prosperous and public-spirited citizens of Iowa are natives of Sweden or descendants of Swedish ancestry. . The traits of frugality, in- dustry and self-reliance so prominent in the people of the mother country have been exemplified by their representatives in the new world, and it is seldom we meet with a Swede in America who is not self-supporting or financially in- dependent. Frank F. Larson, who owns a valuable farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Crawford county, is a striking example of success in agricultural pursuits accomplished by one who was born in Sweden and sought a home in this republic. His eyes first opened to the light of day November 22, 1862. He is a son of John and Mary (Anderson) Larson, a record of whom appears in the sketch of Andrew Larson, which may be found elsewhere in this work.
323
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Frank F. Larson came to this country with his parents and remained at home until arriving at maturity. He worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania and subsequently engaged in farming in Crawford county, Iowa, prosecuting his work with such ability that he now owns one of the most beautiful farms in Otter Creek township. He has made many improvements thereon, erecting buildings and fences, and putting in drainage, etc., and as he is very energetic and enterprising he meets with a goodly measure of prosperity. He specializes in the raising and feeding of stock, which he handles to excellent advantage, being thoroughly acquainted with this line of business.
In March, 1896, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Meyers, who was born in Sweden, March 7, 1873, and came to America when she was seventeen years of age. She is a daughter of Charles and Martha (Falk) Meyers, both of whom were born in Sweden. The mother died in 1887, but the father is still living in the old country. There were six children in their family. Four children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Larson, namely : Rudolph, Edith, Erma and Ray C.
Mr. Larson and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and are rear- ing their children in the same faith. Politically, he gives his support to the republican party, believing that in so doing he is advancing the permanent in- terests of the nation. In business affairs he is prompt and reliable, and in all the relations of life he aims to perform his duty to the best of his ability and has thus gained a reputation as one of the substantial men of this section.
WILLIAM GOTTSCH.
Citizens of foreign birth have performed an important part in the develop- ment of Crawford county and in the list of those who are now prominent in agricultural circles stands the name of William Gottsch, a native of Germany. His eyes first opened to the light of day in the province of Holstein, August 16, 1868, his parents being Peter and Elsie Gottsch, who were also natives of that province. The family came to America in 1881 and located in Carroll county, Iowa, where the parents are still living. Five children were born to them, three of whom survive.
William Gottsch came to the new world with his parents when he was thir- teen years of age and received his education in Germany and in the district schools of Iowa. He continued at home until he reached manhood and then took up his residence on the farm where he now lives on section 15, West Side township. This place comprises three hundred and twenty acres, on which he has erected substantial buildings and made other improvements, developing the farm into one of the most desirable properties of the township. He also has charge of three hundred and twenty acres which belongs to his father and en- gages quite extensively in raising and feeding stock for the market. He is a thorough business man and is regarded as one of the substantial and progres- sive farmers of the county.
324
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
In 1896 Mr. Gottsch was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kruse, who was born in Hayes township, Crawford county, December 29, 1873, a daughter of Otto and Metha Kruse. Her parents were born in Germany and came to 'Amer- ica in 1856, locating in Crawford county, Iowa, where they still live. There were six children in their family, four of whom survive. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gottsch has been blessed by four children, namely: Alfred P., who was born August 8, 1897; Hilda Anna, born December 26, 1899; Rudolph C., born August 30, 1904; and Gilmer Otto, born December 30, 1905.
Mr. Gottsch has attained his present honorable position in the community through a practical knowledge of his business and an innate ambition which has ever urged him to the accomplishment of worthy objects. He is known as one of the reliable and energetic men of his township who never falters in the dis- charge of any obligation and is generally capable of carrying to a successful conclusion whatever he undertakes. Politically he gives his support to the re- publican party and fraternally he is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias. He and his estimable wife hold membership in the Lutheran church and are active workers in its behalf.
FREDERICK BERNARD WILLIAM GREIF.
Frederick Bernard William Greif, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Washington township, is a native of Germany, having been born in Langwarden, Oldenburg, on the 6th of November, 1857. His parents, Diet- rick and Sophia Vocke, spent their entire lives in the fatherland, where the father was a farmer. In the family were seven children, but only four survive : William, now a farmer in Floresville, Texas; Frederick B. W., our subject ; Mary. the wife of William Bruins, of Shiner, Texas; and Minnie, the wife of Bernard Meentzen, of Germany.
Mr. Greif of this review had his last name changed from Vocke to Greif after coming to this country by the court at Denison. He acquired his educa- tion in his native country, after which he engaged in farming there until 1887, when he decided to become a citizen of the United States. Upon his arrival in America he first located at Defiance, Shelby county, this state, where he worked as a farm hand for two years, after which he farmed as a renter and later came to Crawford county. He bought eighty acres of land in Denison township, upon which he resided for five years, and then sold and moved to one hundred and sixty acres on section 31 of the same township. After selling the latter place he bought eighty acres in Washington township, which he cultivated for two years. On disposing of it, he bought one hundred and twenty acres on sections 10 and II, Washington township, where he is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
In 1882, five years before emigrating to the United States, Mr. Greif was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Janssen, also a native of Oldenburg, and they have become the parents of one child. Deitrich, who has never married and lives on a farm one mile north of the homestead. They also have adopted a child, Hattie May Steward, who is now attending school.
325
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Both Mr. and Mrs. Greif are of the Lutheran faith, while politically he affiliates with the republican party. Although he has never aspired to public honors or the emoluments of office, Mr. Greif served two years as road super- visor. He is a thrifty, hard-working man, and by means of his energy and close application has met with a fair degree of success during his residence in this country.
KARL AUGUST SCHREIBER.
Charter Oak township is largely made up of citizens either of German birth or ancestry, and to the former class belongs Karl August Schreiber, for his birth occurred in the fatherland on the 17th of June, 1860. His parents, Ferdinand and Louisa (Strohfeld) Schreiber, were likewise natives of Germany and there they lived until 1888, which year witnessed their arrival in the new world. Upon reaching American shores the father made his way with his family to Chicago, residing in that metropolis for eight years. He then removed to Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, where he spent two years and it was while living in that city that the death of the wife and mother occurred in June, 1896. Subse- quently the father came to Crawford county, Iowa, and made his home with his children throughout his remaining years, his death here occurring in October, 1903, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Schreiber were born nine children, as follows: Augusta W., the wife of Herman Semlor, a resident of Chicago; Karl A., whose name introduces this review ; Herman, deceased; Gustav, a resident of Crawford county; Fred W., Amelia A., William and Ferdinand, all of whom have departed this life; and one who died in infancy.
Karl August Schreiber spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his na- tive country and upon attaining his majority he emigrated to the new world, be- lieving that in the United States he might enjoy better advantages in the busi- ness world. He at first located in Maryland but only spent a brief period in that state, going thence to Chicago, where for fifteen years he worked at the car- penter's trade. He then continued his westward journey and also changed his occupation, for upon his arrival in Crawford county, Iowa, he engaged in farm- ing, having previously purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land here. For six years he developed and cultivated his place and then sold the same. He in- vested his money in his present property, comprising two hundred and forty acres, located near Charter Oak in Charter Oak township. In 1909 bought two hundred and forty acres in Paradise township and now owns four hundred and eighty acres. He has made many improvements on his farm, has placed the fields under a high state of cultivation and his place is now one of the finely improved properties of his section of the county. He is engaged in raising various cereals which are adapted to Iowa soil and each year gathers abundant harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
Mr. Schreiber has been married twice. He was first married October 31, 1887. to Miss Augusta Dumke, who was born in Germany and was brought by her
326
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
parents to America when only a year old. To this union were born two daugh- ters and one son, namely: Martha, who was born March 29, 1889, and now resides in Chicago; Clara, who was born March 2, 1894, and is now at home ; and Carl, who was born July 9, 1900, and is also at home. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in April, 1901, and on the IIth of July, 1905. Mr. Schreiber wedded Mrs. Emma Goerner, the widow of Frank Goerner, who passed away in 1902. Mrs. Schreiber was born in November, 1869. and is a daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmina Lipsky, both of whom died in Germany. She is the eldest in a family of eight children, of whom four still survive, these being : Adolph, who resides in Germany; Fred, of Crawford county ; Max, also of Crawford county; and Mrs. Schreiber. The four who are deceased passed away in their native land. By his second marriage Mr. Schreiber has two sons and one daughter: Herman, whose birth occurred on the IIth of May, 1906; Adolph, born March 17, 1908; and Marie M., born June 7, 1910. By her former marriage Mrs. Schreiber has five children, as follows: Fritz, who was born in Chicago, November 13, 1894; Gertrude, born April 28, 1896; Alma, born April 8, 1898; Ida, born November 20, 1899; and Martha, who was born October 3, 1902.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and in this faith are rearing their children. It is astonishing to witness the success of young men who have emigrated to America without capital and from a position of comparative obscurity have worked their way upward in the business world. The readiness with which they adapt themselves to circumstances and take ad- vantage of opportunities offered brings to them success and wins them a place among the leading men of the community in which they reside. To this class belongs Karl A. Schreiber, who is today one of the successful and well known farmers of Charter Oak township and Crawford county.
R. BENSON SMITH.
That success in this life is not dependent upon either influence or inherited wealth is fully demonstrated by the career of R. Benson Smith, who by his own unaided efforts has acquired sufficient property to yield him an adequate competence for the remainder of his life, although he has not yet reached the turning point ordinarily termed "middle age." Born in the western part of Canada, May 16, 1873, he is a son of Thomas and Jane (Graham) Smith, both of whom were natives of Canada but of Irish . parentage. They came across the border line in 1875 and located in Denison township, Crawford county, Iowa, where they resided for fourteen years and then removed to Paradise township, the father having always followed the vocation of farming. Unto them six children were born, of whom four are living, as follows: Sarah, who married Howard Cole and lives in Denison; R. Benson ; Deborah, who be- came the wife of H. W. Logsdon; John W., who holds a government position in Oakland, California. Anna E. married W. E. Cole and died in Denison in 1907; and Melissa married Theodore McCramer and is also deceased. They
327
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
were the two oldest. The father died in the spring of 1894 and was interred in the Denison cemetery. The mother's demise occurred in 1910.
R. Benson Smith was but two years old when he was brought to Crawford county by his parents and his initial education was obtained in the public schools, one year being spent in the Dow City school. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age he decided to take up farming as his life work, his first ven- ture being on a rented farm in Paradise township. Eventually he purchased eighty acres of land in Union township and by unabating thrift and industry he has been enabled to increase his holdings gradually until at the present time he owns two hundred and eighty acres of highly improved farm land, which he devotes to general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of stock- feeding.
Mr. Smith has been twice married, his first wife having been Miss Lily E. Morris, a native of Crawford county, by whom he had one child, Ethel, who is now living on the home farm. Mrs. Smith passed away in 1900. In 1907 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Sherman, who was born in Car- roll county, and they are the parents of three children, one of whom survive, Robert and Mabel, twins, who are deceased; and Hope, who was born Decem- ber 26, 1910.
The political allegiance of Mr. Smith is given to the republican party, but he has never sought nor desired public office. He takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to local affairs and is one of the directors of the school board. In religion he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and is one of its ardent and earnest workers. His present prosperity is due entirely to his own labor and perseverance and he therefore deserves commendation as a self- made and successful business man who holds the respect and kindly considera- tion of everyone in his section of the county.
H. H. DERNER.
One of the most attractive farms of Iowa township is the homestead of H. H. Derner, who owns two hundred and forty acres of land on section 36, in the cultivation of which he has been engaged since 1898. Mr. Derner is a native of Schleswig-Holstein, his birth having occurred on the 18th of October, 1866. He knows little of his parentage, as he left home when a very small lad, emigrating to the United States when a youth of about fifteen years.
In his early manhood Mr. Derner migrated to Iowa, first locating in Carroll county, farming as a renter near Manning until about 1898, at which time he removed to Crawford county. Upon his arrival here he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land on section 36, Iowa township, upon which he has ever since continued to reside. He has wrought marvelous improvements in. the property during his residence, having erected a large, commodious residence of ten rooms and substantial barns and outbuildings. The buildings upon the place are all painted white, the grounds well cared for and the entire farm has an ap- pearance of neatness and thrift which makes it most attractive. Although he en-
328
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
gages in general farming and stock-raising Mr. Derner makes a specialty of feeding stock. He possesses the qualities essential to success in any vocation, -- energy, perseverance and system-and the result is that his various ventures have all rewarded him with lucrative returns. His buildings are kept in repair, his stock well housed and his fields given the careful supervision which results in abundant harvests, which command good prices in the market.
Mr. Derner established a home for himself in 1887, at which time he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Stein. Nine children have been born of this union : Lillie, who is the wife of George Boock, of South Dakota; Laura, who is a resident of Clinton, lowa; and Herman, Louisa, John, Selma, Malinda, Nettie and Ilazel, all of whom are at home.
The religious faith of the family is manifested through their affiliation with the Lutheran denomination, while fraternally Mr. Derner is identified with the Modern Woodmen of Amerca, his membership being in the Manilla Camp, and he also holds life insurance in two of the old line companies. Politically his views coincide with those of the democratic party, for whose candidates he always casts his ballot. He takes an active and helpful interest in civic affairs and is now serving as school treasurer of the township, while for the past three years he has been township trustee. In addition to his extensive realty hold- ings Mr. Derner is a stockholder of the Mutual Insurance Company of Craw- ford and Carroll counties, of which organization he has been treasurer for eight years. He is one of Crawford county's self-made men, having been thrown upon his own resources when a very small lad and by means of his own well directed and capably executed plans has achieved the success which has rewarded his efforts.
JUDGE JAMES PERRY CONNER.
Carlisle has said that "biography is the most interesting as well as the most profitable reading," and there is in the life record of one to whom success has come as the reward of earnest and honorable effort something that arouses the ambition and stimulates the labors of others. There is much in the history of Judge James Perry Conner that can be set down with profit, for throughout his life he has held to high standards of manhood and citizenship and in public service has maintained a stainless record, exciting little of the envy and unfair criticism which are so often heaped upon an official by those who hold differing political opinions. Men of all parties speak of him in terms of confidence and high respect.
He was born in Morristown (now Parker), Randolph county, Indiana, Jan- uary 27, 1851, his parents being Dr. William L. and Maria A. (Stiffler) Conner, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Pennsylvania. Dr. Conner, after his graduation from a medical college, located for practice in Morristown, Indiana, where he remained an active and valued member of the profession until his death, which occurred in 1854, when he was but thirty- three years of age. His wife survived him and married again, her second hus-
J. P. CONNER
331
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
band being Carey Bradfield. In 1856 they removed to Iowa, settling in Spring Creek township, Black Hawk county, where Mrs. Bradfield passed away at the age of fifty-seven years. Her husband reached the age of sixty-five. They were the parents of three children, of whom but one is now living-Ellsworth Bradfield, of Minnesota. The Conner family to which the father belonged was noted for its many sons, all stalwart men, over six feet in height. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Conner there were born four children: Martha, the wife of W. R. Bradfield, of La Porte City, Black Hawk county, Iowa; Calvin, who died at the age of twenty-six years, after having been admitted to the bar; James P .; and one who died in infancy.
James Perry Conner was reared upon the old home farm and acquired his early education in the district schools. At the age of sixteen he went away to school, attending the Upper Iowa University. He had come to this state in 1856, with his mother, and has, therefore, been almost a lifelong resident of Iowa. After attending the Upper Iowa University he returned home and en- gagd in teaching in the school in which his early education had been acquired. Later he turned his attention to the study of law, which he pursued in the State University at Iowa City, and following his graduation in June, 1873, he was admitted to the bar and on the 15th of November, 1873, settled at Denison for the practice of his profession. He was not long in demonstrating his power as an advocate before the courts and also gave proof of his ability and judgment as a counselor. In 1880 he was elected district attorney of the thirteenth judicial district, which position he acceptably filled for four years. In 1884 he was elected judge of the circuit court of the thirteenth judicial district of Iowa and in 1886 was elected district judge of the sixteenth judicial district, having the support of both the republican and democratic parties, a fact indicative of the impartial service which he had rendered when previously upon the bench. He has long been recognized as a leading member of the republican party in Crawford county and in 1892 was a delegate to the republican national convention at Minne- apolis. On the 26th of September, 1900, he was nominated by the republican convention of the tenth Iowa district as its candidate for the fifty-sixth congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Hon. John J. P. Dolliver, recently deceased. Judge Conner was elected to the office and by reelection served also in the fifty-seventh, fifty-eighth, fifty-ninth and sixtieth congresses. At his last election he received twenty-six thousand and seventeen votes against fifteen thousand, three hundred and seventeen cast for J. B. Butler, the demo- cratic candidate; six hundred and twenty-nine for N. S. Sheffield, the socialist candidate ; and seven hundred and sixty-one for William Beckett, the prohibi- tion candidate. His work in congress has shown that he has a statesman's grasp of affairs, that he has given careful consideration to questions coming up for settlement and that he stands firmly in support of what he believes to be right. The integrity of his position is never questioned, and even those opposed to him politically entertain for him high respect because of his loyalty to his honest convictions.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.