USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 43
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Mr. Wilken was married in Germany in 1879 to Miss Louise Eves and seven children were born to them: Hans, of Crawford county; Otto, who lives in West Side township; Agnes, the wife of Alfred Casperson, of Crawford county ; Elsie, at home, who is a college graduate and is now engaged in teach- ing school; Henry, also at home; Emma, now attending college at Storm Lake ; and Frank. who received a high-school education and is now at home.
Mr. Wilken devotes his attention mainly to his business, which is in a highly flourishing condition, but as a public-spirited citizen he attends to his Vol. II-22
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cluties at the polls and casts his ballot for the republican party, W. in h. opinion can be safely trusted to guide the republic through all the dangers which it may encounter. He is a good friend of education, as is shown by the excellent advantages possessed by his children, and a firm believer in the authority and inspiration of the Bible, he and his wife being earnest members of the Lutheran church.
EMIL SPECHT.
From a position as farm laborer to that of owner of two hundred and eigh acres of good land in Crawford county is a long step, yet it has been ac. plished by Emil Specht, whose name stands at the head of this sketch. It rc- quired years of application and a liberal supply of good judgment to accom- plish the object of his ambition, but all difficulties disappeared before his re- markable energy and he is now in the enjoyment of ease and abundance. He was born in Germany September 8, 1861, a son of Johann and Henrietta (Quiram ) Specht, both of whom spent their entire lives in the old country. In their family were seven children: Gustave, who is now engaged in farming in Germany; Wilhelmina, deceased; William, who is also engaged in farming in Germany: Augusta, deceased ; Frederick, a stationary engineer of Chicago, Illinois ; Ludwig, deceased; and Emil, of this review.
Emil Specht received his early education in the public schools of his native land and as he grew to manhood learned the wagonmaker's trade. In 1882 he crossed the ocean to America and worked for a year with his uncle who owned a tobacco factory in Chicago. He then came to Crawford county and engaged in carpenter work for a year, after which he spent seven years upon a farm in the course of which he became well acquainted with farm management. He then bought eighty acres of unimproved land, which he began diligently to cul- tivate, and as opportunity presented he purchased more land until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres on sections 35 and 36, Charter Oak township. He has greatly improved the place by the erection of substantial buildings, fences, the setting out of trees and by drainage, so that he now has one of the attractive properties of the township which is each year increasing in value.
On the 11th of February, 1890, Mr. Specht was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Benningsdorf, who was born in Germany July 6, 1864. She came to America in 1883 with two of her sisters and her father arrived in this country in 1907. the mother having died in Germany. There were five children in their family : Louisa, who now lives in Howard county, Iowa ; Minnie, of Crawford county : Fritz, of California; William, of Crawford county; and Caroline, now Mrs. Emil Specht. Six children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Specht : Emil A., who was born December 11, 1890, and is living at home ; Annie A., born April 22, 1894; Ida C., April 10, 1896; Emma E., December 21, 1897; Meta. October 9, 1901 ; and George W., January 9, 1905.
The beloved wife and mother was called from earthly scenes in 1908, leav- ing not only her husband and children to mourn her death but many friends
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whom s had attracted by her estimable qualities. She was a consistent mem- ber of the German Lutheran church as is her husband. He continues to reside at the homestead which is endeared to him by many recollections of one who was indeed a loving and helpful companion and is rearing his children to be- come useful citizens. Mr. Specht is an earnest friend of education and has served for six years as a member of the school board, never seeking or desiring any other public office as his principal interest is centered in his farm and his business.
E. E. MCELWAIN.
" E. E. McElwain comes of good stock, as is shown in the history of the family on both sides of the house, and in his battle with the world, although now only thirty-three years of age, he has most creditably acquitted himself. He was born in Oakland, Iowa, May 5, 1878, son of Myron L. and Lydia M. (Muns) McElwain. The father was born in Michigan, May 25, 1843, and ac- companied his parents on their removal to Wisconsin, locating near Lancaster, where Myron L. McElwain lived until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Iron Brigade under General George B. McClellan. In a night action he had his leg broken, the bone protruding through the flesh, which wound made him a cripple for life. He served for two years and after leaving the army spent two years at his old home in Wisconsin and then removed to Minnesota. Two years later he came to Iowa and lived in Pottawattamie county until 1881, when he located in Willow township, Crawford county. For ten years past he and his wife have resided at Denison. He is a veterinarian and has engaged in that profession ever since early manhood. Marshall Mc- Elwain, a brother of Myron L. McElwain, also served in the Union army dur- ing the Civil war. He was wounded and died near St. Louis, Missouri. An- other brother, Marcus, was a soldier during the latter part of the war and passed through uninjured. Our subject's great-grandfather fought during the entire period of the American Revolution. On his mother's side three brothers fought under the stars and stripes. Henry Muns enlisted at the age of sixteen and was killed at the battle of Atlanta.
There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Myron L. Mc- Elwain, namely: Jay B., who is now editor of the Moorehead Times, of Moore- head, Iowa; Ed R., who is engaged in the elevator business at Blencoe, Iowa ; Bert M. and A. L., who live at Kenwood, Iowa; E. E., of this review ; Arthur, of Moorehead; Ora, of Charter Oak; Emma; and Laura, who is engaged in the millinery business at Denison. Edward R. McElwain served for five years in the regular army of the United States in various parts of the country and participated in the Sioux Indian war in the Black Hills, being twice shot through the body. His recovery appeared almost miraculous.
E. E. McElwain was educated in the public schools of Willow township and the graded school at Charter Oak, later attending college at Denison. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age and then began farming on
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rented land in Willow township. He conducted his business to such good ad- vantage that after eight years he was able to purchase land and now owns three hundred and twenty acres, which he has transformed into productive fields. He is a feeder of stock and also an extensive raiser of thoroughbred Hampshire hogs, and the interest and ability he has shown in the various de- partments of his work have resulted in marked success financially.
In 1903 Mr. McElwain was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Haworth, a native of Crawford county, and they have three children, namely : Myron, Loa and Vernon. Politically, Mr. McElwain gives his allegiance to the re- publican party and although he has never aspired to the honors of public life he has held several township offices. He was reared in the faith of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and in his various relations with others he has always aimed to be just and fair, performing his duties conscientiously and ever mind- ful of the welfare of the community. He clearly deserves the reputation he has achieved as a progressive and public-spirited citizen.
PETER T. BRUHN.
Coming to America at the age of sixteen, Peter T. Bruhn has taken ad- vantage of the opportunities presented in this great republic and is the owner of one of the valuable farms of Crawford county, which insures for himself and his family a liberal annual income. He is a native of Germany, born No- vember 4, 1866, a son of Peter C. D. and Anna M. (Jacobs) Bruhn, both of whom passed their entire lives in the old country. The mother died in 1888 and the father was called away nine years later. They were the parents of six children : William, who is still living in Germany; Katrina, who married Ivor Neilsen, of Crawford county, and died in 1892; Herman, who died in Germany ; Frederica, the wife of H. P. Jensen, of Crawford county; Peter T., of this review ; and August, also deceased.
Peter T. Bruhn arrived in America in 1883, coming direct to Crawford county, Iowa, where he began his quest of fortune by working as a farm laborer. He continued in this occupation for five years and then secured em- ployment in a feed barn at Denison. After two years he engaged in the liquor business in this city and four years later became proprietor of a billiard hall, which he conducted for one year. Having acquired sufficient capital, he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Soldier township, and applied himself so industriously to his work that he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres. He raises enough stock to consume all the crops yielded on his farm and each year witnesses an increase in his prosperity.
On the 21st of November, 1891, Mr. Bruhn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Fick, who was born in Germany, August 20, 1871, a daughter of Carl and Louisa (Borchard) Fick, the former of whom died in Germany in 1892. There were twelve children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fick, seven of whom survive, namely: Herman, now living in Germany ; Otto, of Monona county, Iowa ; Mary, now Mrs. Peter T. Bruhn ; Adelina, the wife of Emil Schmidt, of
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Monona county; Carl, of South Dakota; Annie, now Mrs. John Nemitz, of South Dakota; and Frederick, of Crawford county. The mother of these chil- dren came to America in 1895, three years after the death of her husband, and has since made her home with her children.
Ten children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bruhn: Minnie M., who was born May 30, 1892; Bertha L., born July 23, 1894; Rudolph H., born September 19, 1895; Herbert O., born July 30, 1897; Leo A., born November 3, 1899; Walter A., born February 2, 1902; Louis H., born October 9, 1904; Hilda C., born March 3, 1907; Erwin H., born May 16, 1909; and Raymond J., born February 2, 1911. All of the children are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bruhn have a remarkably interesting family and are rearing their children under kindly influences which are so important in the development of a worthy character.
The life of Mr. Bruhn is a striking illustration of the advantages available in the United States to ambitious young men who are actuated by honorable motives, thus representing the best citizenship of the republic. He and his estimable wife are members of the German Lutheran church and are rearing their children as believers in Christianity and as earnest members of the church.
JOHANNES EGGERT.
Johannes Eggert, who is engaged in farming in Hanover township, is promi- nent among the young and enterprising agriculturists of Crawford county. He is a native of this county, born August 24, 1887, and is a son of Adolph and Alvina (Ruberg) Eggert. The father was born in Germany and the mother in Clinton county, Iowa. They were married in Crawford county and Mr. Eggert began farming on rented land, later purchasing one hundred and twenty acres. After five years he sold that farm and bought two hundred acres in Hanover township, which became the family homestead and has been developed into one of the valuable farms of the locality. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eggert, namely: Johannes, the subject of this review; Henry, who died at the age of two years; and Willie and Fred, both of whom are at home.
Johannes Eggert was reared under the parental roof and attended the dis- trict schools, receiving the rudiments of an education which he has now de- veloped by reading and observation. Under his father he became thoroughly acquainted with farm work and he remained at home until 1910, when he began renting land on his own account, being now in charge of one hundred and forty acres, which under his management is highly productive.
On the 23d of March, 1910, Mr. Eggert was united in marriage to Miss Christina Hildebrandt, who was born in Chicago, June 1, 1887, a daughter of John and Sophia (Tegen) Hildebrandt. The parents were both born in Ger- many and were married in their native land. They came to America and lived in Chicago for twenty years. Mr. Hildebrandt worked on a railroad and then rented a farm for sixteen years, at the end of which time he purchased the place now occupied by the subject of this review. In 1910 he removed to his
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present beautiful home in Denison. There were five children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrandt, namely: Mary, now the wife of Hans Fierem, of Crawford county; Emma, the wife of Gustave Detlefsen, also of Crawford county ; Anna, now Mrs. Ernest Moeller, of Chicago; Rosa, the wife of Emil Jaacks, of Crawford county; and Christina, now Mrs. Johannes Eggert.
Mr. and Mrs. Eggert are stanch believers in the authority and inspiration of the Bible and are earnest members of the German Lutheran church. He has possessed all the advantages of education and training necessary for a success- ful start in a business career and his friends confidently prophesy for him an honorable and useful life.
ISAAC PATTERSON.
Although he is now in his seventy-fourth year, Isaac Patterson of West Side township, continues with interest unabated as a farmer, to which he has de- voted the energies of a long and useful life. For over forty years he has been engaged in agriculture and stock-raising in Crawford county and he is now the owner of one of the large and valuable properties of this section. He was born ยท in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1837, a son of Thomas M. and Mar- garet (Large) Patterson. The father was a native of Ireland and came to America at five years of age with his parents. The family lived for a number of years in Pittsburg, moving to Scott county, Iowa, in 1851, where the father died fourteen years later. The mother passed away in Crawford county in 1896 at the advanced age of ninety-two years. They were the parents of six children, the subject of this review being the only survivor.
Isaac Patterson arrived in Iowa with his parents at the age of fourteen. He was educated in the public schools and assisted his father upon the home farm until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In 1862, in response to the call for men to assist in upholding the stars and stripes, he enlisted in Company D, Twentieth Iowa Infantry, and was sent to the front, participating in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, the siege of Vicksburg, and the battles at Fort Morgan and Fort Blakely and Mobile, Alabama, also taking part in many engagements of less importance. He always responded to the call of duty and proved true and faithful to the noble cause which he espoused. After being honorably discharged and mustered out at Mobile, Alabama, at the close of the war he returned to Scott county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. In 1868 he came to Crawford county and purchased land, which he cultivated so in- dustriously that he is now the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres on sections 12 and 11, West Side township. He has engaged in general farming upon a large scale, also handling and feeding cattle and hogs. As he made a careful study of his business and his early training was thorough and comprehensive he has been more than usually successful in his efforts and ranks as one of the leading men of the county.
In 1868 Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Shepler, a native of Pittsburg, and by this union two children were born: Josephine and
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Samuel L., both of whom are deceased, the latter passing away in 1893. 3. The mother of these children died in 1876. In February, 1911, Mr. Patterson was married to Mrs. Maud Haight, who was born in Woodbury county, Iowa, a daughter of George and Margaret Haight. Her father was a native of Illi- nois and the mother of Iowa. They located in Woodbury county early in the '50s. The mother is now deceased and the father is living in Colorado.
Politically Mr. Patterson has ever since arriving at his maturity given his support to the republican party. He has never sought the honors of public office but served most acceptably as road supervisor. As a soldier of the Civil war he is a valued member of the Grand Army post at Carroll. He has always made use of honorable business methods and the prosperity he has achieved is the result of an industry and application which seldom fail to produce good returns. He has gained many friends by his kindly manner, his business ability and those qualities of mind and heart which the world over marks the true gentleman.
JOHN BROGAN.
John Brogan, who for nearly a third of a century has been conspicuous as one of the leading agriculturists of Crawford county, is a native of Ireland, where his birth occurred June 24, 1824, being one of three children born to William and Ann (Coiel) Brogan. The other two, Bridget and Francis, are deceased, the latter having died in Kansas. John Brogan remained in the land of his nativity until attaining his majority and in 1845 emigrated to the United States, first locating in Pennsylvania, where he remained for about five years. He then moved to Clinton county, Iowa, and there took up a quarter section of land, the site of which is now occupied by the city of Lyons, where he con- tinued to reside for the ensuing twenty-five years.
In 1875 Mr. Brogan came to Crawford county and bought two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 6, 7 and 8, Jackson township, to which he added from time to time until his holdings now aggregate four hundred and forty acres of cultivated farm land, upon which he has made all modern improvements, in- cluding residences, outbuildings and fences. Here he carries on general farm- ing but makes a specialty of shorthorn cattle, which he buys and ships on an extensive scale.
On February 9, 1849, Mr. Brogan was married to Miss Jane McClosky, a daughter of John and Ann (Mclaughlin) McClosky, both of whom were na- tives of Ireland, where they spent their entire lives. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brogan have been born eleven children, of whom the following eight survive: Andrew and Thomas, who reside in Crawford county ; Edward, who lives in Sac county ; William, a resident of Nebraska; and Frank, James, Mary and Lizzie, who are living at home. The three deceased are Rosanna, Sarah and one who died un- named.
In politics Mr. Brogan has always given his support to the democratic party and has at different times been called upon to hold various township offices. In
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religion he is a faithful member of the Catholic church. Today, after having passed the eighty-seventh milestone on his life journey, he is enjoying the aftermath of his early endeavors in the possession of a fine farm where he has all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
J. HENRY JOCHIMSEN.
Germany has probably contributed more citizens to the United States, who have been actively identified with the agricultural development of the country than any other nation in Europe. Among the worthy and enterprising farmers of Crawford county who are natives of the fatherland is J. Henry Jochimsen, whose birth occurred in the province of Schleswig-Holstein on the 30th of March, 1866. He is a son of Claus and Anna (Ratje) Jochimsen, his paternal grandfather being Thomas Jochimsen. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1878, taking passage at Hamburg for New York, their destination being Davenport, Iowa, in which city they arrived on the ist of June, 1878. They removed to Denison the next year but after residing there for three weeks rented a farm in East Boyer township, upon which they settled. Four years later they purchased it and for sixteen years it remained the family homestead, it being now owned by Jacob Hessman, however. Mr. Jochimsen engaged in its cultivation until 1887, at which time he rented the land to his sons but con- tinued to reside there until his demise in 1903. He had survived his wife nine years, her death having occurred in 1894. She was laid to rest in the cemetery of Nishnabotny, where her husband is also interred.
J. Henry Jochimsen was a lad of twelve years when his parents emigrated to the United States, so his education was largely acquired in the common schools of his native land but was supplemented later by a course in the public schools of Davenport. He remained at home, assisting his father in the culti- vation of the farm, until he had attained his majority, at which time he and his brother, who was six years his senior, rented the land from their father. This arrangement lasted for six years at the expiration of which period Mr. Jochim- sen removed to Hayes township, where he rented land for three years, sub- sequently buying one hundred and sixty acres on section 19, Nishnabotny town- ship. He has made all of the improvements upon the place during his occu- pancy, having erected a fine residence and outbuildings as well as having planted groves. In 1907 he purchased eighty acres adjoining him on the north and he also owns one hundred and twenty acres opposite on the south, making the aggregate of his holdings three hundred and sixty acres. He follows general farming and stock-raising and is also an extensive feeder. Capable supervision, keen judgment and untiring application have been the secret of the success which has attended the efforts of Mr. Jochimsen, who in every sense of the word is a self-made man, having attained the position he occupies today through his own unaided efforts.
On the 4th of March, 1893. he was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma Niemeier, a native of Germany, from which country she emigrated
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to the United States with her parents when a child of three years. In 1873, im- mediately following their arrival in this country, they located in Vitland, Scott county, Iowa, where they resided for a short time and then removed to Dixon, coming from there to Crawford county. They settled upon a farm on section 32, Otter Creek township, which they cultivated until they retired to Manilla, where they both passed away. Seven children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jochimsen : Freda Emma, Claus, Herman T., Louie H., Lillie C., John P. and Edwin.
The family hold membership in the Lutheran church, while politically Mr. Jochimsen now gives his support to the candidates of the republican party, but prior to Bryan's first campaign he voted the democratic ticket. Although he takes an active interest in public affairs he has never served in an official capacity but twice-once as school director and also as road supervisor for three years. By means of energy and determination Mr. Jochimsen has attained a position which classes him as one of the representative and substantial farmers of the county, whose success is wholly and justly merited.
J. G. NELSON.
Many of the most successful and respected citizens of Iowa came from Sweden and in this state have gained a position of financial prosperity which would have been practically impossible of attainment under the fixed conditions of the old country. Among this number is J. G. Nelson, who owns one hun- dred and twenty acres of good land in Willow township, which under his ex- cellent care has become highly valuable. He was born in Botelsater, Wurmland county, Sweden, September 25, 1859, a son of Nels and Sarah (Kajsa) John- son, both natives of Sweden. The father was a farmer and continued at his old home until his death, which occurred in 1887. Soon afterward the mother came to . America and she has since resided with the subject of this review, having now reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. She is the mother of four children : Mary, now Mrs. Carlson, of Sweden; J. G., of this review ; Hannah, the wife of August Arenson, of Willow township, Crawford county ; and Carl A., who lives in Sioux City, Iowa.
J. G. Nelson was educated in the common schools of his native land and worked on the home farm until after reaching manhood. In 1884 he bade fare- well to his relatives and friends and embarked at Gutenburg for the United States, landing at Castle Garden, New York. He came direct to Iowa and located in Crawford county, working in Willow township for three years. He then rented land for three years after which, having by economy and good man- agement accumulated sufficient capital, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres on section 17, Willow township, which he has since brought to a high state of cultivation. He has erected a complete set of farm buildings and raises a good grade of stock, which he places upon the market in prime condition. A self-made man, he has become through his well directed efforts one of the most prominent factors in the community.
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