USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 40
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On the 4th of March, 1908, Mr. Baak was united in marriage to Miss Clara Wendt, who was born in Morgan township, October 4, 1888, and is a daughter of Adolph and Elizabeth (Mahnke) Wendt, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Chicago. They were married in Charter Oak town- ship, Crawford county, Iowa, and Mr. Wendt purchased a farm in Morgan township, which he cultivated for two years. He then sold his property and
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bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Soldier township, which he managed excellently until his retirement in 1910. He and his wife are now making their home in a pleasant residence at Ute, Iowa, and are enjoying the fruits of many years of labor. There were six children in their family: Clara, now Mrs. William F. Baak; Elsie, Lillie and Willie, all of whom are at home ; and Carl and Catherine, both of whom are deceased. Two children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Baak: Leonard E. R. E., who was born May 20, 1909 ; and Clarence E. A. H., born December 21, 1910.
Mr. Baak and his wife give their hearty support to the German Lutheran church, of which they are members. While not a politician, he performs his duty at the polls by voting for men and measures that he believes to be best adapted to promote the welfare of the country. Although a young man, he is well started as a farmer, and the prosperity he has acquired is the visible evidence of his good judgment and his progressiveness in a work to which he is devoting the best energies of his life.
Z. T. DUNHAM.
A member of one of the well known pioneer families of Crawford county and a highly successful farmer, Z. T. Dunham is recognized as one of the for- tunate citizens of Iowa. He lives on the farm upon which he was reared, it being one of the most beautiful places in this part of the state, widely known as the Pioneer Stock Farm. He was born in Maquoketa, Jackson county, Iowa, December 17, 1849, a son of Cornelius Dunham, Sr., and Margaret Scott ( Miller) Dunham. The father was a native of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and his father was born in England and engaged in fishing on the coast of Cape Cod.
Cornelius Dunham, Sr., was the youngest son in a family of nine children and appears to have been of a roving disposition in his early years. He left home before arriving at manhood and traveled extensively through the eastern states and Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia and the Carolinas, arriving in Iowa carly in the '40s. He began farming near Maquoketa and continued there until 1849, when in company with Franklin Prentice he came to Crawford county in a prairie schooner drawn by oxen, being the first white man to locate in this county. He made his home for two and one-half years in East Boyer township, and then removed to a place on .section 33, Boyer township, which became the family homestead. He shipped the first hogs and cattle to Chicago in 1861 that were sent out of this county. In November of that year he started with about two hundred head of hogs and twenty head of cattle to drive to Marshalltown, the nearest railroad point. Upon loading his animals he found that he had only two carloads of hogs, the others having escaped in the course of the drive, but none of the cattle were missing. At another time he went with a boatload of dressed hogs to St. Louis and while in that city the river froze up so that it became necessary for him to return home overland. He purchased a pony, which he rode on the return journey, sleeping out at night
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in the woods. One day he met a band of Indians, from whom he purchased a pair of moccasins as he was sadly in need of covering for his feet. Shortly afterward, as he continued homeward, a second band of Indians came in sight who proved to be hostile to the tribe which he had left behind a short time pre- viously. They recognized the moccasins as having been made by their enemies and at once gave evidence of great excitement. Understanding the Indian nature from frequent contact with the red men, Mr. Dunham instantly removed his moccasins from his feet and handed them to the Indians. They immediately cut the moccasins to pieces but replaced them with another pair equally as good and the traveler resumed his journey in safety. He became one of the principal men in this section of the state and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1865, he was the owner of thirty-three hundred acres of land, which in his opinion as an extensive traveler was as rich as any that could be found in the United States. He was in full sympathy with the republican party and before the war was an outspoken abolitionist. He also was in sympathy with the Meth- odist church, of which he was a member in his early manhood.
Cornelius Dunham, Sr., was twice married and four children by his first marriage grew to maturity, John A., Louisa, Sophronia and Cornelius Jr., all of whom are now deceased. Five children were born of the union of Cornelius and Margaret Dunham, namely: Margaret, who is now the wife of J. N. Obanion, of Boyer township; Martha, who is now living at Dunlap, Iowa; Samuel, of Braydentown, Florida; Jasper, who died in infancy; and Z. T., of this review. The first husband of Mrs. Dunham was Samuel Miller and five children were born of this union: James, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, George, and one who died in infancy. Mary Jane went away with the Mormons and was married to a member of that organization, nothing more ever having been heard of her until after her death.
Z. T. Dunham received his early education mainly at home under a private tutor. Subsequently he attended a seminary in Illinois. He has always con- tinued upon the old homestead, which is endeared to him by many associations. He is now the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres, most of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has made many improvements upon the farm, including a modern residence provided with all desirable facilities and a large brick barn, which is one of the notable buildings in this part of the county. He has attained an enviable reputation as a breeder of polled Durham cattle and was a charter member of an organization in 1889 whose members devote their attention to this breed.
In 1871 Mr. Dunham was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lane, a native of Illinois, and seven children were born to them: Artz L., now living in Boyer township; Clifford S., who is connected with the musical department of the Colorado State University at Boulder, Colorado; Carrie Widney, of Morrison, Illinois; R. W., at home; C. A., who lives with his brother, Artz L .; Jennie Margaret, who is attending college at Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Frederick, de- ceased.
Mr. Dunham has witnessed the marvelous development in Crawford county -a portion of the state which was largely unoccupied when he was a youth and is now one of the richest sections of Iowa. He has assisted very materially in
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bringing about this great transformation. Politically he gives his support to the republican party, belonging to that branch of the organization known as the "standpatters." He has not sought the honors or emoluments of public life but has served in various township offices. In religious belief he gives his ad- herence to the Methodist Episcopal church and has faithfully served for many years as a member of the board of trustees of the local organization.
JOHN J. McWILLIAMS, M. D.
It would be difficult to designate a name more honored in Crawford county than that of Dr. John J. McWilliams. For twenty-eight years he has been identified with the medical profession in this county and during the last twenty- four years has been a resident of Charter Oak. He was born at Denison, June 5, 1860, a son of Dr. David McWilliams, who practiced in Crawford county for more than forty years, passing away at Denison in 1898 at the age of eighty- one years. He was a native of Belfast, Ireland, and after coming to this coun- try spent several years at Pontiac, Illinois, but removed to Crawford county, Iowa, in 1857, eight years after the first permanent settlement was made in this county. He became one of the most noted physicians in this part of the state. He was twice married, and by his first marriage two children were born: Hugh C., who engaged in farming and is now living retired at Denison ; and David H., a large landowner and druggist who is living retired at Charter Oak. The second wife of Dr. McWilliams was Mary Cleghorn before her marriage. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and became the mother of seven children, namely : Charles, who died at the age of two years; John J., the subject of this review ; Elizabeth J., now the wife of J. S. Nesbit, a farmer of Missouri; Char- ley M., who is in the government service at Denison; Marie A., now the wife of Henry Slater, a farmer of Denison; Emma, the wife of Albert Healey, who is in the furniture business at Oto, Iowa; and Lillian, the wife of Rev. L. C. McCuen, of Kearney, Nebraska.
John J. McWilliams received his preliminary education in the common schools, and, having decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, entered the Keokuk (Iowa) Medical College at the age of nineteen, completing the course available in that institution, after which he matriculated in Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with a degree of M. D. in 1883. Immediately after leaving college he began practice at Denison but four years later removed to Charter Oak, where he has ever since made his home. Of the three physicians now in this place he was the pioneer and he is recog- nized as one of the foremost medical practitioners in the county. He opened the first drug store in Charter Oak, which he maintained for twenty years, dis- posing of it in 1904 in order to devote his entire time to a large and growing practice.
On the 15th of April, 1883, Dr. McWilliams was united in marriage to Miss Ada C. Lyon, who was born at Morrison, Illinois, in 1862, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. J. Lyon, both of whom were natives of Vermont. There were five
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children in their family, namely: Nellie, now the wife of Daniel Fegan, of Clin- ton, Iowa; Julia, who died at the age of fifty-one years; Harley, of Morrison, Illinois; Ada C., now Mrs. John J. McWilliams ; and Frank, also of Morrison. Two children came to bless the union of Dr. and Mrs. McWilliams: Nellie L., who was born July 2, 1884, and is now attending business college; and Homer D., who was born February 1, 1889, and is a graduate of the high school. He is living at home.
Dr. McWilliams and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist church and active workers in its behalf. Politically he has ever since arriving at man- hood given his support to the republican party and his voice has often been heard in its councils. He served for nine years as postmaster of Charter Oak under Presidents Harrison, Cleveland and Mckinley. He has been a member of the city council ever since its organization and is now serving his third term as mayor of the town. He has been from the beginning of his professional career a close student not only of the best books relating to the science and art of healing but also of the best magazines and reviews. He has learned much in the course of an extensive practice that is not to be found in print, and as he is a thinking man of original views he is not closely bound by tradition but often uses his independent judgment to excellent advantage. He possesses the entire confidence of the community and also of the medical profession in Crawford and adjoining counties.
THOMAS E. ABBOTT.
In the magnificent state of Iowa are many men who through their own in- defatigable industry have won deserved recognition as progressive and substan- tial citizens. Of this number is Thomas E. Abbott, who owns a highly improved farm of two hundred acres in Jackson township, Crawford county. He is a na- tive of Lincolnshire, England, born in November, 1851, a son of Thomas Abbott, who was also born in Lincolnshire. The mother before her marriage was Ann Clement, a sister of Thomas B. Clement, who is well known in Crawford county as one of its leading stockmen. The father and mother both died at their old home in England, the former passing away at the age of sixty-eight years. He devoted his attention to farming and was one of the substantial citizens of the community. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian.
Thomas E. Abbott grew to manhood under the paternal roof and received his education in the common schools, assisting when not busy with his books in work upon the home farm. He thus became well acquainted with the details pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. In 1871, being ambitious to take advantage of the best opportunities that could be found anywhere, he crossed the ocean to America and spent a few days in Chicago, Illinois, taking observa- tions on American life and manners just before the great fire. Coming to Clin- ton county, Iowa, he engaged in farm work for six years and in 1878 came to Jackson township, Crawford county, later removing to the western part of the county. In 1886, having acquired the necessary capital, he purchased two hun-
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dred acres in Jackson township from his uncle, Thomas Clement, upon which he established his home. He has engaged during the years that have since passed in general farming and stock-raising. As he has a thorough understanding of his business and uses good judgment, he has met with a marked degree of suc- cess and his farm is one of the most attractive places in the township.
In February, 1879, in Clinton county, Mr. Abbott was united in marriage to Miss Ambrosia Wickware and five children were born of this union, namely, Anna A., James Edward, Robert D., Pearl May and Fay. Pearl May died at the age of seventeen years and nine months. Fay is now eleven years of age. The mother of these children having died, Mr. Abbott was married December 1, 1899, to Mary Voss.
As is indicated in this review, Mr. Abbott has been the architect and builder of his own fortune and he has now attained a position of comparative ease. He is genial and accommodating in disposition and is highly popular in the section in which he has made his home for many years, being esteemed as one of its best farmers. Politically he gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He has held most of the minor township offices and in the discharge of his duties displayed a fairness and efficiency that met the general approbation of the people.
JOHN EHLER.
One of the extensive property owners of Schleswig, who for many years was identified with the agricultural interests of Crawford county, is John Ehler, who is now living on an eighty acre tract in Otter Creek township, which he rents as he is devoting his entire time and energies to the buying and shipping of stock. He is a native of Germany, being the third child of his parents, Matt and Caro- line Ehler. His natal day was the 27th of September, 1867. Of the six children in the family but five reached maturity, Agnes, the youngest, having died in in- fancy. The other four are: Julius, Ludwig, Richard and Matilda, the first three are residents of Ida county, this state, but the latter has never left the father- land. The mother passed away in Germany and in 1893 the father decided to come to the United States. He first settled in Ida county, Iowa, and after living there about seven years he removed to Crawford county, where he resided for three years, and then returned to Ida county, where he continued to live until his death at the age of seventy-seven years.
The boyhood and youth of John Ehler were spent in the land of his nativity, but having decided that America afforded greater opportunities he crossed the Atlantic and transferred his citizenship to the United States. During the first two years of his residence in this country he worked on a farm in Jackson county, and then removed to Ida county but after following the same occupation there for three years came to Crawford county, where he hired out for two years longer. At the end of that time he had acquired the necessary means to buy an eighty acre tract, where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. For ten years he made a specialty of the latter and bought and sold land, owning at various times one thousand acres. He has met with more than moderate success in his
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different ventures and now owns one hundred and sixty acres in Otter Creek township, another quarter section in Ida county, a similar amount in Monroe county and one-half section in Woodbury county, making the aggregation of his holdings in this state nine hundred and sixty acres, all of which he has rented. In addition to his country real estate he owns several business blocks and resi- dences in Schleswig, all of which bring him good rentals. He has always been an energetic, active man and although he is well able to retire, having a com- petence which is sufficiently large to provide him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, he is still engaged in the buying and selling of stock, from which he is realizing profitable returns.
Mr. Ehler was united in marriage to Miss Dora Suckstorf, who is one of the two daughters born unto Henry and Catherine (Hoffelt) Suckstorf. The older daughter, Wilhelmina, became the wife of Laurence Petersen and is now living in Morgan township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Ehler have become the parents of four children but Lurie, the eldest, is deceased, and those surviving are Clara, Eddie and Edna, all of whom are at home.
The family are identified with the Lutheran denomination and fraternally Mr. Ehler is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen. The candidates of the demo- cratic party always receive his support, as he has been identified with that party ever since granted the right of franchise. He is not an office seeker, as his private interests absorb the greater part of his time and thought, but he fulfills the requirements of good citizenship by going to the polls on election day and casting a ballot for the men and measures of his party. He is a man who by his forceful personality and business acumen must needs command the respect of those who come in contact with him, at the same time his fine regard for the rights of others and his fairness in all transactions accords him the esteem of those with whom he has dealings.
JOHN HAGGE.
A successful farmer and a faithful public officer, John Hagge deservedly ranks high in the estimation of the people of Crawford county. He is a native of this county and from his earliest recollection has been closely identified with its agricultural interests, being now the owner of a beautiful farm in Hayes town- ship, of which he has just reason to be proud. He was born June 20, 1869, and is a son of Heinrich and Sophia Magdalena (Grage) Hagge, record of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this work.
John Hagge received the advantages of education in the common schools and from his early boyhood gave evidence of special adaptability to agricultural pur- suits. He continued upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty- two and then began life on his own account by renting two hundred acres in Crawford county, which he cultivated to good advantage for five years. He then bought one hundred and sixty acres in Hayes township, where he has since car- ried on general farming and stock-raising. He makes use of the best facilities
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in his work and no farm in the county can claim much better results. His home is modern and the general appearance of the place gives evidence of marked pros- perity. He is also the owner of valuable property in West Side.
On March 1, 1892, Mr. Hagge was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Thiedeman, a daughter of Claus and Margaretta (Gruenwald) Thiedeman, of Crawford county, and one child, Gertrude, has come to bless this union, her natal day being March 10, 1904.
Mr. Hagge is a man of general intelligence and broad views. His ideas are such as command respect wherever he is known and he always has at heart the best interests of the county. It is owing to men of his energy and character that Crawford county occupies an enviable position among the counties of the state. Politically he has since arriving at manhood given his allegiance to the demo- cratic party. He has been very active in its councils and highly efficient as a worker. His efforts have met with due appreciation by his friends and neigh- bors and he was elected township clerk, in which position he served faithfully for sixteen years. At the present time he is a member of the board of county supervisors and through his good judgment and thorough knowledge of the con- ditions of the county and the wants of the people he has been largely instrumen- tal in promoting the interests of this section. He is a firm believer in the authority of the Old and New Testaments and a valued member of the Lutheran church.
HENRY SUCKSTORF.
Among the young men who are attaining success as farmers in Morgan town- ship Henry Suckstorf occupies an honorable position, being the owner of a val- uable place of one hundred and sixty acres which he is cultivating to excellent advantage. He represents the second generation of the family in the township and was born August 22, 1884, a son of George and Lena (Groth) Suckstorf, both of whom were born in Germany. They were married in America and settled in Iowa, the father acquiring a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Morgan township, Crawford county, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred in 1896. He was twice married, his first wife dying in 1882. She left one child, Emma, who died at the age of twelve years. In 1884 Mr. Suck- storf was married to Miss Lena Groth, a sister of his first wife, and of this union three children were born: Henry, of this review; Maggie, who is now at home; and John, also at home. The mother has remarried and lives in Mor- gan township.
Henry Suckstorf received his preliminary education in the district schools and later attended the Denison Normal School for one term. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age and then began working by the month for neighboring farmers. After three years he was placed in possession of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 15, Morgan township, a part of the family homestead, and is now the owner of this property. He has provided his farm with a good residence, barn and outbuildings and also with all modern acces-
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MR. AND MRS. HENRY SUCKSTORF
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sories and conveniences. The success he is meeting with is due to his capable management and he is recognized as one of the prosperous business men of this part of the county.
On the 5th of February, 1908, Mr. Suckstorf was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Stockfleth, who was born in Germany, March 4, 1886, a daughter of Henry and Henrietta (Lorensen) Stockfleth, both of whom were born in Ger- many and came to America in 1903, settling in Crawford county, Iowa, where they are now living. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stockfleth, namely : Freda, the wife of Hans Jess, of Denison; Anna, the wife of Carl Borgen, of Germany; Henry, of Crawford county; Minnie, who became the wife of Bar- ney Clausen, of Washington; Sophia, now Mrs. Henry Suckstorf; Amanda, the wife of Adolph Jochims, of Crawford county; Laura, the wife of Carl Moltman; Anthony and Julia, both of whom are deceased; and Anthony II, who is living with his parents in this county. One child, Harry, came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Suckstorf, the date of his birth being August 14, 1909.
Mr. Suckstorf and his wife are both identified with the German Lutheran church and are sincere believers in its teachings. Their hospitable home is the favorite gathering place of their many friends and wherever he is known Mr. Suckstorf is respected for his sterling characteristics, and as a business man he justly ranks high in Crawford county. His life has been governed by hon- orable principles and few men of his age in this part of the state can claim a more favorable outlook.
PAUL F. FIENE.
One of the younger business men of Charter Oak, Iowa, who by his efforts in early life has risen to a prominent position in the commercial circles of his home town is Paul F. Fiene, cashier and manager of the First National Bank. He was born in Chicago, April 7, 1875, a son of G. F. and Margaret (Fink) Fiene. His father was born in Rodenwald, Hanover, Germany, December 20, 1842, and came with his parents, Fred and Dorothea (Kruse) Fiene, to this country, settling in Addison, Illinois, in 1846. After securing such education as could be obtained in the public schools he worked at the cabinet-maker's trade and also learned the butchering business, continuing thus employed until 1864, when he removed to Chicago and was there married to Miss Margaret Fink, May 20, 1866. Of this union the following eight children were born: Carl A., who lives in Orange, California; Martha, now the wife of Herman Lorentzen, of Denison ; Anna, who married M. M. Black of Charter Oak; Paul F .; Ernst, who was born February 1, 1879, and is a minister of the Lutheran church at Niagara Falls, New York; Martin, who resides in Aberdeen, South Dakota; Emma and Susanna, who are living at home with their mother.
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