USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 39
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still residents of England; Cheals W., of this review; and Lucy Hannah, who is still living in England.
The youthful days of Cheals W. Payne were passed in his native country and his education was there acquired, but when twenty-three years of age he came to the new world in company with his brother George in the spring of 1870, attracted by the broader opportunities which he had heard might be ob- tained in America. He did not tarry on the eastern coast but made his way at once into the interior of the country, the two brothers settling on a farm which they rented in Clinton county, Iowa. With characteristic energy they took up the task of tilling the fields and raising good crops and for seven years lived upon that place. In the fall of 1877 they removed to Crawford county and purchased the farm upon which Cheals W. Payne now lives. Both brothers recognized the advantages and opportunities here offered and foresaw some- thing of what the future had in store for Crawford county. Believing that the land must necessarily rise in value with the development of the district and the settlement of the county, they began buying and speculating in property and also were among the pioneers in raising, feeding and shipping stock. They con- tinued to purchase land in this county and other parts of the state until at the present time Cheals W. Payne is the owner of several fine and valuable farms in Crawford county, being associated with a partner in the ownership of four- teen thousand acres in this county and in the vicinity of Sioux City, Iowa. They also own forty thousand acres in Nebraska and Mr. Payne owns individually nine thousand acres in Colorado. He has thus become one of the most ex- tensive landowners of Iowa and in his investments has shown keen distrimina- tion and sound judgment. He also owns two business blocks in the village of West Side, together with an elevator and six lots on which it stands. He is the president of the Valley Bank at West Side and has been the promoter of various interests of a public and semi-public character. He and his brother George continued in partnership from 1870 until 1884, when the brother sold out and returned to England with his family.
While Mr. Payne has prospered in the conduct of extensive and important business affairs, his success is to him a matter of gratification because it enables him not only to provide handsomely for his family, but also to do much for educational activities, in which he is particularly interested. He has contributed eighty-seven thousand dollars to the Morningside College near Sioux City, Iowa, and has also been a generous supporter of other educational movements. He is a firm believer in the cause of education as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties and as an element in the development of high and hon- orable character. At the present writing he is serving on the board of trustees of Morningside College.
On the 18th of February, 1885, Mr. Payne was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Dannatt, who was born in Clinton county, Iowa, and is a daughter of John S. and Emily (Evison) Dannatt, both of whom were natives of England, whence they came to the United States with their parents in early childhood. They were first residents of Clinton county, Iowa, where the father of Mrs. Payne passed away. The mother, however, is still living in that county. Mrs. Payne was one of a family of ten children, of whom nine are still living. By
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her marriage she became the mother of two children, but the elder, Ethel M., who was born December 15, 1886, died May 28, 1887. The younger, Arthur C., born March 19, 1896, is still in school.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Payne is one of the trustees, while his wife is one of the stewards. They are interested in all that pertains to the educational and moral as well as the ma- terial progress of the community, and their influence is always on the side of right, progress, reform and truth. In all of his business dealings Mr. Payne has been strictly reliable, never taking advantage of the necessities of a fellow- man, but the years have brought him success by reason of his sound judgment and unfaltering industry.
JOHN A. ERICKSEN.
The rapid progress and development of the state of Iowa, both socially and educationally, can be largely attributed to its agricultural population. Those hard- working, thrifty and self-sacrificing men and women came here and established homes and by means of their loyal citizenship and public spirit have assisted in bringing the state to the position it occupies today. Among these must be numbered John A. Ericksen, who for a period of more than forty years has been identified with the farming interests of Crawford county. He was born in Sweden on the 3d of April, 1836, and is a son of Mangus and Karliesa Ericksen, both of whom passed their entire lives in Sweden. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ericksen, but two sons, John A., who is the eldest of the family, and Peter, who has always lived in Sweden, are the only surviv- ing members.
John A. Ericksen spent the first thirty years of his life in Sweden. At the end of that period he was convinced that he could never realize his ambition- which was to become the owner of landed property-in the land of his birth, so he took passage for America. Upon his arrival in the United States he made his way westward and located in Webster county, Iowa, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. He cultivated this for one year, then sold and removed to Crawford county, where he bought a quarter section, upon which the town of Kiron is now situated. He sold this and purchased elsewhere, grad- ually adding to his holdings as he acquired the means until he now owns one- half section of land in this county. All the hardships and privations which are ever the lot of those brave men and women who form the advance guard in the spreading of civilization fell to the lot of John Ericksen. He had no horses, so hauled his household goods from Webster county with a team of oxen, and he also used them to plow the unbroken prairie of his new farm. There were no improvements upon his land and he not only had to cut the logs necessary for his cabin, but had to raft them across the river. However, he possessed all the needed qualities of the pioneer and despite the many discouragements never once thought of acknowledging defeat, and today is recognized as one of the affluent citizens of the community. He rented his homestead seven years ago and re-
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tired to Kiron, being now able to enjoy the ease and leisure denied him during the early years of his life.
Mr. Ericksen has many interesting reminiscences to relate of the pioneer days, many of them relative to the hardships encountered by the settlers in their efforts to establish homes. Very few of the men owned horses, the majority depending upon oxen, which they used to cultivate the fields and haul their produce to and from the market. Once on a dark, dismal, March day in the '6os Mr. Ericksen took his ox team and went to Boyer to haul logs. He was going to haul five loads up on the prairie a distance of about half a mile, where he could conveniently get them any time when needed during the summer. When he was finishing his third load it began to snow; by the time he was throwing off the last log the flakes were coming thick and fast and the wind was con- stantly rising. Turning his team he started toward home, walking beside his sled and holding on to one of the stakes. The storm had increased in intensity until he could not see the oxen ; his home was five miles away and there were no roads ; prairie all the way with nothing by which he could locate himself even could he see, so tying a sack over his head for protection he trusted his fate to the slow steady beasts who were drawing his sled. At last they came to the creek on his land and when they crossed the bridge he thought the oxen would turn homeward, but, as cattle are prone to do, they went in the path of the storm, drifting out into a cornfield where the Bank of Kiron now stands. Numbed with the cold and almost exhausted, Mr. Ericksen's senses were yet sufficiently alert for him to realize he was lost. Stopping his team, he endeav- ored to locate himself, realizing if he any longer depended upon the oxen his fate would be similar to that of many another settler in those days. At last establishing his position he started homeward. It continued to storm for three days and nights, during which time he and his wife and child were snowed in. He was unable to get out to the barn to feed his stock but twice, and being without a shovel, he used a slab to plow a path from the house to the barn.
In 1875, some years after the preceding incident, Mr. Ericksen started to Denison with a load of corn, which he was going to use to pay a note he had given on a grocery bill. It was fine in the morning when he started, but when he left town it began to snow and blow from the north. He was compelled to let his team walk, but had nearly reached home when the blizzard became so severe he was forced to turn around and return the way he had come. Reaching the homestead of Mr. Newcome he put up his horses and stayed all night, going home the following day. On another occasion, accompanied by his wife, he went to Vail with a load of wheat. Having discharged his business he fed his team, hitched up and started homeward. They had not gone far, however, when it began to storm. Realizing the impossibility of their being able to make the journey that night, he stopped at Mr. De Wolf's, where they remained until the following day. They were not the only guests the De Wolf's had that night, however, as their home also afforded protection for the school children.
Mr. Ericksen completed arrangements for a home by his marriage on the 22d of November, 1868, to Miss Martha Julia Larsen, of Crawford county. The young couple began their domestic life in a sod house, which about four months later had the misfortune to catch fire, thus destroying all of their house-
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hold effects. Undaunted, however, he built another house, equipping it with the absolute necessities, to which he made additions from time to time as his means permitted. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ericksen were born the following chil- dren: Lydia, the wife of George Swartz, of Boyer; Fred, who lives in Stock- holm township; Effie, who became the wife of C. S. Johnson, residing in Boyer ; Levi, who lives in the same place; and Emil and Amanda, both of whom have passed away.
The family are all Christians and hold membership in the Baptist church. Mr. Ericksen gives his political support to the prohibition party, feeling its principles are best adapted to promote the moral welfare of the community. He has never been an office seeker, not aspiring to public honors, but he did serve for a time as a member of the board of school directors. He is one of the self-made men of Crawford county who has attained his ambition through his own unaided effort, without imperiling the interests of others, and during his forty years' residence here he has made many friends whose regard and esteem has been strengthened with the passing of time.
ALBERT R. HILL.
As an energetic and successful business man Albert R. Hill, of Denison, is entitled to a place in a work treating of the substantial citizens of Crawford county. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, August 31, 1869, a son of Rufus L. and Margaret E. Hill, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He came with his parents to Tama, Iowa, at the age of five years and lived there two and one-half years, the family moving to a farm in Harlan county, near Alma, Nebraska, in 1878. He received his education in the district schools and in the public schools of Orleans, Nebraska, later coming to Jefferson, Iowa, where he learned the marble cutter's trade. After acquiring his trade he went to Holdrege, Nebraska, and engaged in business with his father. In 1896 he settled at Denison, Iowa, and he and his father bought out his brother, Walter L., who was at the head of a successful marble business. In June, 1908, the two sons purchased the father's interest and are now carrying on a prosperous marble, granite and monument business, which each year gives gratifying evi- dence of the ability and progressiveness of its managers.
On the 15th of February, 1899, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Birdie Ewall, a native of Denison and daughter of Nils A. and Christine (Starr) Ewall. Her father was born in Sweden and came to America with his parents when he was twelve years of age. He grew to manhood in Crawford county, where his parents died and were buried in Oakland cemetery at Denison. Nils A. Ewall died in 1896 at the age of thirty-eight. his wife having been called away in 1889 at the age of thirty-one years. Mrs. Hill's grandfather. Elias Ewall, was a soldier in Sweden. There were three children in his family: Nils A .; John, now living Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Orlando, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Charles Starr, the maternal grandfather, was also a native of Sweden. He came to America and served as a soldier in the Civil war. He died in
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middle life, but his wife lived to be over eighty years of age. There were four children in their family, namely : Albert, now of Boone county, Iowa ; Mrs. Fred Beck, deceased; Mrs. Charles Erickson, of El Reno, Oklahoma; and Mrs. Peter Nord, also of El Reno. Three children, all of whom are sons, came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hill, namely: Ray Ewall, Howard Bliss and Robert Leon.
Religiously Mr. Hill is identified with the Methodist church, but his wife is a member of the Baptist church. Politically, he gives his support to the democratic party, believing that by so doing he is best advancing the permanent welfare of the nation. By an honorable and upright life he has commanded the good-will of all who know him. He represents a class of men whose records are always interesting-the men who win success by wisely directed effort and whose ambition it is not only to advance their own interests, but the interests of all with whom they are associated.
WILLIAM A. THEOBALD.
One of the successful stock-feeders in Crawford county is William A. Theo- bald, who is living upon a farm of three hundred and twenty-eight acres on section 34, Nishnabotny township, in the cultivation of which he has been engaged for nearly thirty years. He is the eldest son and second child born to Robert and Isabelle (Bernard) Theobald, his birth having occurred in Middleberry, Iowa county, Wisconsin, on the 14th of January, 1854. The father was a native of England but left the mother country when a lad of twelve years, lo- cating on Prince Edward's Island, where he continued to reside until he re- moved to Middleberry in 1848. During his residence on the island Mr. Theo- bald, who was a lumberman, operated an up and down saw in a shipyard, and after going to Wisconsin he sawed all of the lumber which he used in the construction of the barn on his farm. In 1871 he came to Crawford county, Iowa, where he bought two hundred and forty acres of prairie just two miles west of the homestead of his son William A. He engaged in the cultivation of this until he passed away in 1900, being one of the most prominent as well as exten- sive agriculturists in the community. Mr. Theobald was always an active and energetic man and death came to him on his way to work, just in the manner he had desired. He was twice married, his first wife being Sophia Goldsmith, to whom he was united while living on Prince Edward's Island. One child, William, was born to them but he passed away in infancy, and after locating in Wisconsin Mrs. Theobald also died. Some time later Mr. Theobald was again married, his second choice being Isabelle Bernard, a native of Prince Edward's Island, but their marriage was solemnized in Wisconsin. Seven chil- dren were born of this union: Jane, the wife of Ed Pennison, living in the vicinity of Defiance. Iowa ; William A., our subject; Sophia, the wife of Joseph Slagg, who is a resident of North Dakota; Phyllis, who married Addison Mor- gan, of Manilla, Iowa; James, who died in infancy; Delia, the wife of Fletcher
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Dyson, of Boone, Iowa; and Edward, an ex-auditor of Crawford county, of Manilla.
The early years of William A. Theobald were spent upon the family home- stead in Wisconsin, the district schools of which state provided him with an edu- cation. After laying aside his text-books he engaged with his father in the cul- tivation of the farm, remaining a member of the paternal household until he had attained his twenty-eight year, at which time he was married and removed to the place where he continues to reside. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and for the past ten years has been a licavy feeder of stock. Success has rewarded his efforts and he has added to his original tract, now owning three hundred and twenty-eight acres of land on section 34, Nishnabotny township, all of which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has erected two residences and is now living in the second, which is a large, comfortable house, well designed to meet the needs of a permanent country home.
For his wife Mr. Theobald chose Miss Christina McCloud, a native of Nova Scotia, who was teaching in Crawford county at the time of their mar- riage in 1882. Nine children have been born of this union: Maybell Eliza, who is a teacher, living at home; Forester M., Ravina, Herbert Alfred, Margaret, Edward Henry, R. Fred, Blanche, and Beulah, all of whom are at home.
The religious faith of the family is manifested through their connection with the Presbyterian church, while politically Mr. Theobald affiliates with the re- publican party. Although he is a progressive and public-spirited man he does not prominently participate in civic affairs, owing to the heavy demands made upon his time by his extensive personal interests. One of the successful and substantial farmers of Nishnabotny township, Mr. Theobald owes the position he has attained to his ability to ably direct large undertakings, in the development of which he concentrates all of his energy.
JACOB LINCOLN RIGGLEMAN.
Among the citizens of Stockhold township who is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising is Jacob Lincoln Riggleman, who is a native of Pendleton county, West Virginia, his natal day being March 29, 1862. Unto his parents, Jacob and Julia (Borror) Riggleman, were born the following chil- dren : Martha, of Indiana; Mary Ellen, the wife of William Tomlinson, of Illinois ; Emily, deceased, who married John Ours, of West Virginia; George David, deceased; Ann Rebecca, the wife of Levi Reel; Benjamin, deceased ; Henry, a resident of West Virginia; Jacob, the subject of this sketch; John, of West Virginia; and Mahala, the wife of Isaac Judy, of West Virginia. The mother passed away in 1865 but the father survived until 1905.
Jacob Lincoln Riggleman was reared at home, acquiring his education in the common schools of his native state. Arriving in Denison on the 15th of October, 1883, he obtained employment as a farm hand, which vocation he followed for two years. Migrating to Colorado in 1885, he engaged in ranching
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for three years, and on returning to Crawford county at the expiration of that period he rented one hundred and ten acres of land, which he cultivated until 1890. During the first two years he kept house for himself while operating the farm; the third year he boarded; and the fourth he married. His father- in-law presented the couple with a quarter section of land in Stockholm town- ship, on section 32, to which he later added two hundred acres more on sections 5 and 6, Milford township. Mr. Riggleman has effected many improvements in his homestead during his occupancy, the property being considered one of the most valuable in the township. Here he follows general farming, making a specialty, however, of the breeding and raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs, in which he is meeting with more than average success.
On Christmas, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Riggleman and Miss Anna Beatrice Newcom, who was born November 21, 1869, a daughter of John D. and Sarah Ann (Dobson) Newcom. Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Newcom, but the son, James Eli, passed away at the age of five years. Mrs. Newcom, a daughter of Thomas Dobson, has the distinction of being the first white girl born in Crawford county, and Mrs. Riggleman the first white girl born in Stockholm township. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Riggleman : John Randolph, born March 29, 1895; Jesse Austin, who was born on the 10th of January, 1898; Leslie Earl, born on the 4th of March, 1899; Newcom Dale, born on the 5th of August, 1901; and Ruby Margretta, whose birth occurred on the 24th of April, 1903.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Although he is not an aspirant for public honors or the emoluments of office Mr. Riggleman is an ardent advocate of the principles of republicanism, for the candidates of which party he always casts his vote.
CLARK W. WHITE.
Clark W. White, now living on the old family homestead in West Side town- ship, is recognized as one of the leading farmers of Crawford county, the suc- cess he has achieved in his calling being accepted as evidence of his special ability in agriculture and stock-raising. He is a native of McHenry county, Illinois, born May 16, 1858, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Whimble) White. The parents were born in England and came to America in 1856. After living for a number of years in Illinois they arrived in Crawford county in 1872, where the father established himself as a farmer. He was called from earthly scenes in November, 1908, the mother having died five years previously. There were seven children in their family, all of whom are deceased except the sub- ject of this review.
Clark W. White received his preliminary education in the public schools of Illinois and came with his parents to Crawford county when fourteen years of age. He continued with his father upon the home farm until the age of twenty- seven and then took charge of the place upon which he still lives. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of land on section 20, West Side township, and
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as he applies modern methods in his work and keeps thoroughly informed on all matters pertaining to agriculture and stockraising he received generous re- turns for his labors.
On the 23d of February, 1887, Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Ada Tefft, who was born at Richmond, Illinois, December 25, 1867, a daughter of C. H. and Mary (Churchill) Tefft. The father was born in Rhode Island and the mother in New York state. They removed to Illinois, where they continued during the remainder of their lives. There were four children in their family, two of whom survive: Charles, and Ada, now Mrs. Clark W. White. Four children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. White, Beulah B., Howard, Leslie and Evelyn L. Leslie was born May 7, 1898, and died Sep- tember 7 following.
Mr. White is a genial, courteous and obliging gentleman and gains the con- fidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He and his wife affiliate with the Presbyterian church. Politically he gives his allegiance to the republican party and he has served as township trustee and for twenty years as a member of the school board, in the discharge of his official duties displaying a fidelity and zeal meriting the hearty approval of the people. He is a valued member of Lodge No. 422, A. F. & A. M .; Olive Branch Lodge, No. 205, O. E. S .; and Yeomen Lodge No. 659. Mrs. White and her daughter Beulah and son Howard are also members of the Eastern Star lodge and the Yeomen, the former having served most acceptably as matron of Olive Branch Lodge.
WILLIAM F. BAAK.
A highly productive and valuable farm on section 34, Soldier township, is an indication of the business ability of William F. Baak, who carries on general farming and the raising and feeding of stock. He has made his home in Craw- ford county all his life, having been born in Soldier township, November 17, 1883. He is a son of August Baak, a record of whom is given in the sketch of Herman Baak that appears on another page of this work.
William F. Baak was reared on his father's farm and possessed the ad- vantages of education in the district schools. He continued at home until twenty- four years of age and was then married and began farming on his own account on one hundred and fifty acres on section 34, Soldier township. He has a com- fortable residence and convenient barns and outbuildings, and the general ap- pearance of the place indicates careful management and gratifying financial returns. He engages in general farming but makes a specialty of raising and fattening stock for the market.
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