USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 45
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William F. Kahl was reared until fifteen years of age in his native land and received his education in the common schools. On March 1I, 1890, he landed in Vol. II-23
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America and for the next eight years devoted his energies to working upon a farm. He then operated rented land until 1910, when he purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres on section 34, Hanover township, which he is developing into one of the highly productive farms of the county.
On the 14th of December, 1900, Mr. Kahl was united in marriage to Miss Dora Schneider, who was born in Germany, January 28, 1883. She came to this country with her parents, arriving March 15, 1896. The family settled on a farm in Crawford county, where the parents are now living, having retired from active labor in 1906. The father is sixty-five years of age and the mother four years his senior. They were the parents of six children, namely: William H., of Crawford county; Mary, now the wife of August Lochmiller, of Crawford county ; Maggie, now Mrs. Fred Mundt, of California; John C., of Langford, North Dakota; Dora, now Mrs. William F. Kahl; and Catharina, the wife of Herman Finn, of Crawford county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kahl has been brightened by the birth of two children: Walter C., who was born September 12, 1901; and Albert William, who was born September 7, 1903, and died De- cember 21, 1903.
Mr. Kahl early learned the great lessons of self-denial and willingness to labor and under the genial skies of Iowa he has realized many of his fondest expec- tations. His wife has been to him a true assistant and a constant inspiration, and while he labors in the fields she performs her part in the house, setting an ex- ample of fidelity to duty well worthy of imitation. They have many friends and their home is one of the welcome gathering places in the township.
CLAUS MINSTER.
Claus Minster, who owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Charter Oak township, is a native of Iowa, born in Clinton county, January 8, 1871. He is a son of Claus H. and Annie ( Petersen) Minster, both of whom were born in Germany. They arrived in America in 1866 and came to De Witt, Clinton county, Iowa, where Mr. Minster engaged in farming. In 1892 he was attracted to Crawford county and bought one hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated until his retirement, when he sold it to one of his sons. He is now living with one of his children in this county. His wife died April 28, 1905. There were seven children in their family, namely: John, who died when young ; Peter, also deceased; Thomas, of Ricketts; Christian, deceased ; Claus, of this review ; Kate, also deceased; and Theodore, of Crawford county.
Claus Minster received his education in the district schools and continued at home until twenty-one years of age, when he began working on a farm for two hundred dollars per year. At the end of two years he rented land, which he cul- tivated successfully for nine years, and then bought two hundred acres in Char- ter Oak township. He sold his farm after having it in his possession for one year and rented land for a year in Soldier township and for two years in Morgan township. He then bought three hundred and twenty acres in Jackson town- ship and eighty acres in Stockholm township, but a year later disposed of three
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hundred and twenty acres and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Stockholm township, then owning two hundred and forty acres. Fourteen months after dis- posing of his former farm he sold all of his land and took charge of a pool hall at Ricketts. However, he soon became dissatisfied with that business and closed out, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land in Hand county, South Dakota, which he has since sold. In 1910 he bought the farm on section 35, Charter Oak township, of which he is now the owner, and he is developing it into a valuable property.
On the 22d of November, 1893, Mr. Minster was married to Miss Caroline Jorgensen, who was born in Clinton county, Iowa, a daughter of Soren and Bertha Roden Jorgensen. The father was born in Denmark and the mother in Scott county, Iowa. They were married in this state. The mother died March 15, 1887, but Mr. Jorgensen is now living in Clinton county, Iowa. They had seven children : Caroline, now Mrs. Claus Minster, Amanda, Albert, and Laura and Lawrence, twins, all of whom are living in Clinton county and Harvey and Otto, who died in infancy. Five children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Minster, namely: Edna T., who was born October 5, 1894; Bertha V., born January 12, 1897; Alta A., born January 24, 1899; Elmer H., born January 25, 1901 ; and Laura A., born April 3, 1903.
Mr. Minster, his wife and family are members of the German Lutheran church. He is a man of large experience in business and is especially success- ful in handling lands. Having been identified with agricultural pursuits from his earliest recollections he is well acquainted with farming and stock-raising. In all his dealings he is known as entirely reliable, and he has a wide acquaintance in Crawford county, having begun in business as a young man in this county.
ROBERT CHARLES HAWLEY, JR.
Robert Charles Hawley, Jr., an easterner by birth, has found in the rich farm lands of the middle west an ample field for advancement along agricultural lines. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on the 12th of October, 1861, he is a son of Robert Charles and Sarah (Bears) Hawley, both natives of that state. The parents left the east in 1878, making their way to Crawford county, Iowa, and here the father passed away at the age of eighty-one years, being numbered among the substantial and highly esteemed residents of the community in which he made his home. In his family were six children, who are as follows: Ella, a resident of Crawford county ; Edward, deceased; Frank, also of this county ; Robert Charles, of this review; Wilbur, a resident of Milford township, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume; and Sarah, who wedded Avery E. Ford, of New Haven, Connecticut.
Robert Charles Hawley, whose name introduces this review, is indebted to the public-school system of his native city for the educational advantages which he enjoyed. When seventeen years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, and for a number of years he made his home in Milford
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township, Crawford county. About ten years ago, however, he came to Hayes township, locating on the farm which is now his home. He is the owner of two hundred acres on section 18, upon which he has placed good improve- ments, and in the cultivation of this tract is meeting with most gratifying re- sults. By experience he has learned the value of industry, perseverance and thrift in obtaining appreciable returns in his vocation and the capacity for in- dustry united with the good judgment he displays in the management of his affairs has won him a measure of success that is gratifying indeed.
On the 6th of March, 1901, Mr. Hawley was united in marriage to Miss Laura Osterlund, who was born in Clinton, Iowa, a daughter of Lewis and Nellie (Nelson) Osterlund. Her parents were both natives of Sweden, the father's birth having occurred in Stockholm and the mother's in the vicinity of that city. They now make their home in Milford township, Crawford county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hawley have been born three children but one son born August 16, 1902, lived but one day, and a daughter, Nellie Irene, born July 24, 1903, died May 22, 1907, from diphtheria. Alice Marie is the only one now living. Al- though reared in the faith of the Methodist church, of which his mother was a member, Mr. Hawley now attends the Congregational church of Vail. In poli- tics he originally gave his support to the republican party but now casts an in- dependent vote, giving his influence to the best men and most desirable measures regardless of party ties. For three years he served as trustee of his township, but aside from that has never held nor sought public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his private interests. He is well known in fraternal cir- cles of Vail, holding membership in the Masonic lodge and also in the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, while he and his wife are both identified with the Order of the Eastern Star. An easterner by birth and training, he has readily entered into the more progressive spirit of the middle west, and there are com- bined in his nature many of the best elements of both sections, so that he is today numbered among the valued and desirable citizens of his adopted state.
JOHN D. SCHELDORF.
Since sixteen years of age John D. Scheldorf has resided in Crawford county and he still lives on the old homestead in West Side township. He is a native of Iowa, born in Clinton county, March 24, 1872, and is a son of Detlef and Mar- garet (Suhr) Scheldorf, both of whom were born in Germany. The parents came to America in 1871 and lived for four years in Clinton county, Iowa, when they removed to Sac county, and five years later took up their residence in Carroll county. The mother passed away in 1880 and eight years later the father came with his children to Crawford county, where he continued until his death, which occurred in September, 1909. There were six children in the family, two of whom are now living: John D., the subject of this review; and Hannah, the wife of Theodore Thompson, of Clinton county, Iowa.
John D. Scheldorf received his education in the district schools and at the age of sixteen came with his father to this county, continuing at home until after
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reaching his maturity. He early showed an inclination for agricultural pursuits and under his father gained a practical knowledge of farm work. He began business upon his own account by renting the old homestead, which he purchased six years later and has since managed under his own name. It consists of one hundred and sixty acres of good land and is located on section II, West Side township. He is a general farmer and also engages in feeding and shipping stock, his labors having been abundantly rewarded. He has made many improve- ments upon the place, thus keeping abreast of the times and adding materially to the value of the property.
In 1900 Mr. Scheldorf was united in marriage to Miss Emma M. Ohde, who was born in Hayes township, November 10, 1880, a daughter of George and Anna (Everhardt) Ohde. The parents were born in Germany and came to America, making their home in Clinton county, Iowa, but later establishing themselves upon a farm in Crawford county. They are now living at Manning, Carroll county. There were eight children in their family. Five children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Scheldorf : Marvel W., who was born February 15, 1902; Viola M., born May 30, 1903; Ranald D., born March 17, 1905; Rufert George, born January 15, 1907; and Wilbur John, born February 20, 1909.
Mr. Scheldorf deserves great credit for the excellent work he has done upon his farm and for his energy and enterprise. In everything he has undertaken he has always been true to every trust and well merits the esteem in which he is held by his friends and neighbors. Politically he is affiliated with the repub- lican party and has taken an active interest in local politics. He was elected as road superintendent and also served faithfully as a member of the school board. Few men have the good-will of their fellowmen in a higher degree.
CHARLES HENRY RICHARDSON.
Charles Henry Richardson, who owns one hundred and nineteen acres of rich and productive land in Crawford county is one of Iowa's native sons, hav- ing been born in Clinton county, March 7, 1872. His parents, James and Eliza- beth (Lee) Richardson, emigrated from England and first located in Clinton county, Iowa, later removing to Carroll county, where at present they reside. Unto them were born twelve children, of whom the following survive: Ida, who married Thomas Dixon, of Crawford county ; Charles H., of this review ; John, who resides in Crawford county ; Clara, the wife of Lester Fortsen, of Crawford county ; Ada, who became the wife of Emil Novotne, of this county ; Gertrude, who is the wife of George Braske, of Denison ; Nellie, who married John Clau- son, of Carroll county ; Maud, who married Gus Anderson, of Carroll county ; and James, who lives in Carroll county. The deceased members of the family are Etta, Frank and one other who died in infancy.
Charles H. Richardson obtained his education in the public schools and has devoted his entire life to the pursuit of agriculture, early becoming familiar
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with the duties and labors of the farm, and he has thus acquired a knowledge that has enabled him to make a success of his chosen vocation. In 1903 he bought one hundred and nineteen acres of land in Crawford county, upon which he has made modern improvements of various kinds, including fences, barns and other outbuildings, aside from which he has erected a handsome residence. While he carries on general farming, he makes a specialty of raising white face cattle and hogs of a high grade, which he feeds for the market.
On September 20, 1901, occurred the marriage of Mr. Richardson and Miss Carrie Miller, a daughter of Jonathan and Ella (Thomas) Miller, the father being a native of Pennsylvania, while the mother's birth took place in Jackson county, lowa. They were the parents of three children, namely: Grace, who married N. W. Inghram, of Crawford county; Carrie; and Horace, who resides in Milford township. To Mr. and Mrs. Richardson has been born one child. Clifford Lee, whose birth occurred June 30, 1904.
Politically Mr. Richardson is a republican but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, although he has been interested in community af- fairs to the extent of giving active cooperation to many progressive movements for the public good. In his religious views he is a faithful adherent of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He is recognized as a man of broad integrity and worth in every relation of life and is classed with the well known and pros- perous farmers of Crawford county, by whom he is regarded with merited confidence and esteem.
THE SAUNDERS FAMILY.
Early visitors "on the Nishna" never refused an invitation to the Saunders home and a visit there was always an inspiration and a delight. The hospitality was so cordial and whole-hearted, the atmosphere of sturdy, vigorous family life was so energizing, the spirit of kindliness and brotherly love so inspiring that few have forgotten those old time glimpses of the Saunders home.
Both Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Saunders, the founders of the Crawford county family, were natives of old England. Mr. Saunders was a square chinned, clear eyed, well built man and these physical characteristics, together with the traits which they imply, he transmitted to his progeny. The Saunders family of to- day traces its ancestry with pride and affection to the kindly grandfather who was one of the bold fishermen of the tight little isle but who came to America with his family and settled at Westmoreland, New York, when G. W. Saunders was but a lad of fourteen. The grandfather worked in a smelting plant and lead a useful, industrious life until his death in his fifty-fifth year, his widow surviving him until in her ninetieth year. To them were born six children, Her- bert, William, Alfred. Henry, George W. and Fanny. The maternal grand- father was Thomas E. Walker, also a native of England. In 1835 he emi- grated to America, settling near Westmoreland, New York, and engaged in farming. He passed away in 1898 at the age of eighty, his wife having died many years previously. There were five children in their family, Mary, Hannah,
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Hattie, Sarah and Aaron C. Mr. Walker was married a second time and had three children by this union, namely, Thomas A., Robert and Fletcher.
George W. Saunders, the founder of the Crawford county family, passed his boyhood days in England and grew to manhood and was married in West- moreland, New York. He received the beginning of his education in the pub- lic schools, but he was one of those whose education continued uninterruptedly throughout life. He worked on the farm and in the smelter and then became smitten with the western fever. His first employment in Iowa was with the Rock Island Railway at Iowa City, and here he was foreman of a gang of men who took up the old chain iron and laid the first steel rails for that railroad west of Rock Island. About 1877 Mr. Saunders located in Crawford county, first settling in Hayes township, about four miles south of Vail. A few years later he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Nishnabotny township, and it was this farm, together with one hundred and sixty acres pur- chased later, which became the family homestead and which was the old home with which he will aways be identified in the memory of Crawford county peo- ple. He was a successful farmer, being a man of sound judgment and un- flagging industry. It was in the environs of such a home that he reared his family of eight splendid children. They were: Charles G., a member of the Iowa state senate and one of the most prominent lawyers of Council Bluffs, a man of more than state-wide reputation; Martha E., the wife of John Swanson, of Garfield, Washington; Henry A., of Wenatchee, Washington; David P., of Deer Lodge, Montana; Jennie P., the widow of Gazaway Farver, of Des Moines, Iowa; Frank J., who was killed by a railroad train at Council Bluffs, Iowa, in July, 1893; Herbert C., of Prosser, Washington; and Roscoe C., of Manilla, who alone of all the children maintains the name and fame of the Saunders family in Crawford county.
G. W. Saunders remained on the old home until 1892, when he retired from active labor and made his home at Manilla until his death, which occurred in 1896 in his fifty-sixth year. The mother of the family survived, surrounded by love and most tender care, until in 1905 she rejoined her husband in the Great Beyond. Father Saunders was a zealous republican, and both he and his wife were active and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They left an indelible impress upon the community.
Roscoe C. Saunders, the sole representative of this numerous family in Craw- ford county, is still a young man, but one who has made his mark as one of the strong men of southern Crawford. He was born in this county, in Nishnabotny township, and removed with his parents when fourteen to the town of Manilla, where he continued the education commenced in the rural schools. The death of his father threw much responsibility upon his shoulders and ended the care- less days of school life. He was busied with the settlement of the estate and then entered the drug business, with which he was identified for three years, after which he was connected with W. B. Barstow in the hardware and implement business for an equal length of time. In 1905 he was appointed postmaster of Manilla on the recommendation of Congressman J. P. Conner. At the con- clusion of his first term he was reappointed to this office and he continues to serve to the eminent satisfaction of the postal department and of the patrons
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of the office. He was the organizer of the Manilla Telephone Company in 1900, and he has been its manager from the first, having built up an exchange which is the envy of all who are conversant with the telephone business.
On the 21st of October, 1903, Mr. Saunders was united in marriage with Miss Mae E. Breckenridge, who is a beautiful and accomplished young matron and who makes the Saunders home one of the most attractive and best beloved in Manilla. Mrs. Saunders is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Brecken- ridge, who have lived in Manilla for twenty-five years and who have reared a family of eight children, namely, Claude L., Mae E., Nellie, wife of George R. Hird, Ray. Fred, Ida, Bessie and Clemma, all living in Manilla. Grandfather Breckenridge was a soldier in the Union army and is still living in his ninetieth year. John L. Breckenridge was born in Knox county, Ohio, and Mrs. Brecken- ridge was a native of Kentucky, as were her parents. Mr. Breckenridge came to Benton county, Iowa, with his parents in 1864. and Mrs. Breckenridge came to the same locality in 1865. The marriage of these two took place in 1878.
It is a pleasure to pay a tribute to these two old families so happily united in the younger generation. Roscoe C. Saunders is one of the most active of Manilla's young business men. He has great faith in the future of the city and is on the permanent "boosting" committee of the town. He seems to have inherited in full the square chinned determination, the clear-eyed loyalty and the well built energy which made his beloved father, George W. Saunders, one of the strongest, ablest and most highly esteemed of the pioneers of Nishnabotny.
CARL GUSTAFSON.
Carl Gustafson, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on two hundred and eighty acres of land in Stockholm township, is a native of Swe- den, his natal day being the 6th of February, 1875. He is the eldest child of John and Johanna (Axelson) Gustafson. The mother passed away in her na- tive land and in 1910 the father came to the United States, now making his home with his son in his sixty-seventh year. They were the parents of six other children, who are as follows: Albin, living in Ida county, Iowa; Enard, a resident of the same county ; Charlotta and Alma, both deceased; Alma, living in Ida county ; and Axel, deceased.
Carl Gustafson was but a youth of sixteen years when he took passage for the United States. He first located in Sac county, Iowa, where he engaged in farm work for sixteen years. At the end of that period he had accumulated the necessary capital to become a property owner, and, coming to Crawford county, he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Stockholm township. He has since leased a quarter section, which he cultivates in connection with his own land. He is meeting with more than average success and is making extensive im- provements on his place, which is rapidly becoming one of the valuable prop- erties of that section of the county.
Mr. Gustafson was united in marriage on the 24th of February, 1900, to Miss Amanda Lundberg, a daughter of Axel and Matilda (Lindblud) Lund-
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berg. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lundberg, but the first four, Phebian, Charles, Annie and Ida have passed away. Those surviving are: Hilda, the wife of John Turen, of Ida county; Nellie, who became the wife of Everett Warren, 'of Calhoun county; Hilder, who lives in the same place; Amanda, the wife of Carl Gustafson; Annie, who became the wife of C. Clau- sen, of Kiron; Alice, who married Nels Wickel, of Nebraska; and Mamie, of Sac county. Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson have become the parents of four chil- dren : Mamie, who is nine years of age; Ernest, now in his seventh year; Ver- nal, who has passed her fourth birthday; and Florence, who is just entering her second year. The family attend the Lutheran church. Mr. Gustafson is highly regarded in the community where he resides and has made many friends during the four years he has been living there.
CHARLES WALTER TABOR.
When this sketch was written Charles W. Tabor was on the continent of Europe, enjoying the many marvels of the old world. This has left us free to say of him those things which our people know to be true, but which would doubtless be blue penciled by Mr. Tabor's modesty had he the opportunity to re- vise. Charles W. Tabor is undoubtedly one of the best beloved men Deni- son has ever known. During the thirty-eight years of his residence he has maintained a reputation of spotless integrity and purity of character. In busi- ness he has received the confidence of many hundreds of our people, and no such confidence has been betrayed. He has held in his hands the financial wel- fare of a large portion of the community but at no time has he inflicted hard- ship or stood as other than a friend and helpful adviser. His charities have been innumerable. Scores of young men and women who are successful today, owe to him that assistance which enabled them to obtain an education. Many others have by him been relieved from distress and poverty. He has been munifi- cent both to the worthy and to the unworthy, it being his purpose to lighten the burdens of others where he could and when he could, and afterward to examine into the causes and help with advice. It is not alone the struggling youths, the poor, the distressed, the needy, who are Mr. Tabor's debtors, there are in this county today many people in moderate and in affluent circumstances who owe their success very largely to the confidence which Mr. Tabor had in them, en- abling them, through the use of the capital at his command, to make those in- vestments which have meant good fortune. During all these years he could have had any office within the gift of the people of this county, but though at all times intensely interested in public questions and in politics, he has persistently refused the notoriety of public life. Since his coming to Denison there has never been a movement for the welfare of the city in which he has not done his full share, both financially and through well directed and enthusiastic effort. He is a scholarly, well read man, who enjoys not only his old friends-his books -but all the current literature of the day. His home is a book lover's paradise and conversation with him is always a pleasure and delight. His four most
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