USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 47
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Mr. Dorfler of this review came to America with his parents when ten years of age. He was educated in Germany and in the public schools of Iowa, apply- ing himself with a diligence that proved a true phophecy of the sturdy char- acter which later in life became more clearly manifest. He devoted his ener- gies to agriculture and stock-raising, and as opportunity presented invested his earnings in land, becoming the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres in Soldier township, a large part of which he developed until it was under excel- lent cultivation. He was a man of clear business judgment and ranked as one of the leaders in his part of the county.
On the 12th of November, 1868, Mr. Dorfler was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Stegemann, who was born in Germany, October 31, 1846, a daugh-
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ter of Edward and Caroline ( Rolidy ) Stegemann. The parents came to the United States in 1868 and spent eight years in Muscatine county, then removing to Crawford county, where Mr. Stegemann successfully engaged in farming until his retirement in 1892. He died at Denison, May 1, 1898, his wife being called away March 27, 1905. Eleven children were born to them, namely : Augusta, now the widow of John B. Dorfler: William, Minnie and Ernest, all of Crawford county; Otille, the widow of John Reimers of Crawford county; Albertina, the wife of Andrew P. Hollander, of Crawford county ; Otto H., also of Crawford county; Gustav D., of North Platte, Nebraska; Albert, of Craw- ford county ; and Annie and Herman, both of whom died when young.
Six children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dorfler, namely : John, who was born May 24, 1871, and is now engaged in farming in Craw- ford county ; Anna, born February 19, 1872; George, born January 6, 1874; Frank, born December 2, 1876; William, born November 24, 1879; and Eliza- beth, born September 8, 1882. The five last named are all living at home.
Mr. Dorfler departed this life on the 5th of October, 1898, and the many ex- pressions of regret throughout the community gave unqualified testimony as to his personal worth. Politically he was a supporter of the democratic party. He was not an office seeker but he served most creditably as road supervisor for three years and as member of the school board for seven years. Religiously he adhered to the Lutheran church, in whose doctrines he was an earnest believer. Mrs. Dorfler still lives upon the home farm, which now comprises four hundred and forty acres and is in charge of five of her children. She has an extensive acquaintance in the county and on account of her kindly disposition is greatly respected.
WILLIAM ISEMINGER, M. D.
The demands made upon the medical profession are many. It has been said that if the lawyer is cross and crabbed it is considered a mark of genius; if the minister is cold and reserved it is because he is occupied in the contemplation of things beyond our ken. The physician, however, must possess unfailing courtesy and cheeriness bordering on to optimism, in addition to a compre- hensive understanding of the scientific principles which underlie the practice of medicine and surgery. In all of these acquirements Dr. William Iseminger is well equipped and in his practice has made steady progress since first tak- ing up the active work of the physician and surgeon.
He was born near Westville, in Laporte county, Indiana, July 10, 1836, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Graybeal) Iseminger, natives of Ohio and Vir- ginia, respectively. The paternal grandfather, George Iseminger, was born in Pennsylvania and was of German parentage. He was a wheelwright by trade and a natural mechanic and it was said could make anything in wood. Unto him and his wife were born several children, including Daniel, George, Jacob, Chris- tina and Julia Ann. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Iseminger was John Graybeal, a native of Virginia, who lived to old age. He was twice married and had a good sized family, including Holbert, Jacob, Peter and Elizabeth.
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Jacob Iseminger, father of Dr. Iseminger, was a farmer by occupation through the greater part of his life, although in early manhood he and his brother operated a mill in Monroe county, Indiana. He lived a busy and use- ful life and died on the old home farm in 1879, lacking but three months of being eighty years of age. He was twice married, his first union being with a Miss Rogers, by whom he had three children, Martha, Elizabeth and George Washington. After the death of his first wife, Jacob Iseminger wedded Eliza- beth Graybeal, who passed away in 1874, when more than seventy years of age. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Christian church. Their family numbered seven children, as follows: John, deceased; William, of this review; Hiram, who lost his life while serving in the Civil war; Holbert G., now living in Tappen, North Dakota; Peter R., who lives on the old home farm in Laporte county, Indiana; Margaret Jane, the wife of John Bone, of Marysville, Kansas; and Rachel, deceased.
Dr. Iseminger spent his youthful days upon his father's farm near Westville, Indiana, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He also attended the district schools and later entered De Pauw University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1862. He won the Bachelor of Arts degree there and after completing his course engaged in teaching school for a time but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor and took up the study of medicine as a student in the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, completing a course in the medical depart- ment with the graduating class of 1865. Thus well equipped for the onerous and responsible duties of the profession he began practicing in Denison in 1868 and has remained here continuously since. Forty-three years have since come and gone, during which period Dr. Iseminger has ever maintained a prominent position as an able and successful practitioner, conscientiously discharging his duties, his labors being attended with excellent results.
On the 10th of September, 1868, Dr. Iseminger wedded Miss Nancy J. Cavett, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ca- vett, who were likewise born in the Keystone state but became early settlers of Jasper county, Iowa. For several years they lived in Denison and then re- turned to Vandalia, Jasper county. The father died when well advanced in age and the mother passed away at the home of Dr. Iseminger in Denison, at the age of seventy-one. Their children were as follows: Robert J., Orlando, John, Norville, Mark, J. Sylvester and Nancy J. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Iseminger were born two daughters: Flora E., a stenographer, who for twenty years has been employed in the bank at Denison; and Mertie, who is the wife of Frank C. Evans, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has two children, Donald and Franklin.
In 1893, Dr. Iseminger was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 30th of May of that year, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was a consistent member. Dr. Iseminger belongs to the Christian church and his life is in harmony with his professions. Politically he is a re- publican and has been called to serve in several offices. He was county coroner for several terms, was a member of the city council and has also been a mem- ber of the school board. He was likewise a member of the board of pension examiners for a number of years. He belongs to the County and State Medi-
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cal Societies and is the oldest physician in the county in years of residence and length of practice here. He has ever kept abreast with the progress of the times, study and research constantly adding to his knowledge and promoting his effi- ciency. He has never hesitated to adopt new ideas or methods which his judg- ment sanctions as of value in practice but has never hastily discarded the old and time-tried methods, the worth of which have been proven. His record is indeed creditable and commendable and although he is now living retired, save when old friends and patrons demand his professional service, he has for many years stood in advance of the medical profession and as a man and citizen has also commanded and enjoyed the high regard and confidence of his fellow townsmen.
E. F. GRAINGER.
E. F. Grainger, a well known and prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Paradise township, is one of Canada's contributions to the citizenship of Iowa, his birth having occurred on Amhurst island, near Kingston, on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1871. His parents, P. K. and Amanda (Wemp) Grainger, were na- tives of Ireland and Canada respectively, the father having come to the new world on the 10th of May, 1832. In Kingston, Canada, he was engaged in teaching school for several years and was also identified with farming inter- ests until 1881, or the year of his arrival in Iowa, when he located upon a farm in Crawford county and here gave his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the 24th of June, 1908. His wife survived until the 24th of February, 1910. Their family consisted of eight children, as fol- lows: Mary, the wife of Marion Cole, who is engaged in the feed business in Dow City, lowa; Anna, who married J. C. Grandy, a telegraph operator of Warsaw, Indiana; Lucretia, who has passed away; A. P., engaged in farming in Paradise township, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; James Allen, associated with his brother A. P. Grainger in agricultural pursuits; E. F., of this review; Charles, who carries on farming near Hancock, Nebraska; and Rachel, the widow of John Clary, residing at Denison, Iowa.
F. F. Grainger was a lad of ten years when brought by his parents to Iowa, and his education, which had been begun in the schools of Canada, was com- pleted in the Hawkeye state. Reared amid the busy activity of rural life he was at the same time thoroughly trained in the work of the farm, assisting his father when not busy with his text-books by performing such tasks as usually fall to the lot of the country boy. After leaving school he turned his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits and remained at home with his parents until 1906, when he rented one of his father's farms and became an independent farmer. Later he purchased that property and it has since remained his home. He has erected good buildings upon the place, has introduced many modern conveniences and accessories and the farm, which consists of eighty acres, is now a highly improved and valuable property. He engages in general farming and also devotes much time to stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding fine
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Duroc Jersey hogs. A spirit of enterprise and progress characterizes his ef- forts and his practical methods and businesslike management of his interests are elements in the attainment of a success which is at once substantial and gratifying.
Mr. Grainger laid the foundation for a happy home life in 1906 by his mar- riage to Miss Mabel Pollock, a daughter of W. C. Pollock, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Grainger holds membership in the Presby- terian church, while Mr. Grainger is a communicant of the Catholic church. He gives his political support to the republican party and has served as school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He has also served his township in the capacity of road boss and his public-spirited citizenship prompts his interest in and advocacy of all measures and move- ments which have for their object the permanent upbuilding and development of the community in which he resides. Spending the greater part of his life within the boundaries of Paradise township, E. F. Grainger has a wide ac- quaintance in this section of the state, and the fact that many who have known him longest are numbered among his warmest friends is indicative of a life that has ever been guided by honorable principles.
ANDREW P. HOLLANDER.
Andrew P. Hollander, who is now living retired in Schleswig after being engaged in farming and stock-raising for more than twenty-five years in Craw- ford county, is a native of Germany, his birth occurring on the 5th of May, 1855. His parents were Rasmus and Maran (Neissen) Hollander. The father died in the land of his nativity but the mother emigrated to America where she passed away on the 22d of April, 1890. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hollander were born the following children : Peter, deceased; Christina, who lives in Germany ; Laurence, a resident of Schleswig; Thomas, living in Ida county; Ebbe, also residing in Schleswig; Andrew P., the subject of this sketch; Maria, the wife of John Moeler, of Otter Creek township; Asmus, deceased and Ingurerd, liv- ing in Otter Creek township.
The boyhood and youth of Andrew P. Hollander were spent in the father- land but when he attained his majority decided to become a subject of the United States, so left the parental home and took passage for America, arriving here in the month of October, 1876. He remained on the Atlantic coast but a short time and then started westward, his destination being Clinton, Iowa. There he obtained employment as a farm hand, with which occupation he was identified four years, when he removed to Crawford county, where he con- tinned in the same work for another two years. He possessed the thrifty, ener- getic nature which characterizes the Teutonic nation and during this period had accumulated the capital necessary to buy land. In 1882 he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres where he immediately engaged in general farming, devot- ing a great deal of attention, however, to the breeding and raising of Hereford cattle. During the next twenty-five years he tirelessly applied himself to ac- quiring a competence which would enable him to live retired in the latter years
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of his life, and toward this end concentrated all of his energies with most grati- fying success. He sold his farm in 1907 and moved to Schleswig, where he enjoys the society of his old friends and the comforts awarded him as the re- sult of his earlier self-denial.
Mr. Hollander's preparations for a home had their culmination in his mar- riage on the 3d of September, 1882, to Miss Albertina Stegemann. Eleven children were born unto her parents, Edward and Caroline ( Rohdy) Stegemann, their order of birth being as follows: Augusta, the widow of John B. Dor- fler, of Crawford county; William, living in Otter Creek township; Wilhelmina, who resides in Schleswig; Ernest, also living in this county ; Otillie, who became the wife of John Reimers, of Otter Creek township; Albertina, the wife of Andrew P. Hollander ; Otto, living in Otter Creek township; Gustav, a resident of North Platte, Nebraska; Albert, who lives in Schleswig; and the two young- est, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hollander became the parents of six children but only four are now living. Mary, the eldest, and the sixth, an in- fant, having died. The others are as follows: Otto, Laura, Caroline, and Min- nie. The last named is now the wife of Henry A. Klotz.
Their faith is that of the Lutheran denomination, with which they are iden- tified by membership. Mr. Hollander ever since acquiring the rights of fran- chise through naturalization has most ardently supported the candidates and principles of the democratic party. He always takes an active interest in all local political issues and has served in many of the minor township offices. He has met with more than average success in his various pursuits since becom- ing a citizen of the United States, and has never felt cause to regret the trans- ference of his governmental allegiance.
HENRY SCHOESSLER.
Twenty-five years ago Henry Schoessler arrived in Crawford county and since his boyhood he has been actively connected with agricultural pursuits in this county. He is now the owner of a valuable farm in West Side township which yields rich harvests and under his skillful management is each year in- creasing in value. Like many other prosperous farmers of lowa, he is a native of Germany, born March 18, 1872, a son of Conrad and Dora (Simon) Schoessler. The family emigrated to America in 1885 and located in Craw- ford county, Iowa, The father, who was a farmer, passed away June 6, 1905, but the beloved mother is still living and makes her home at West Side. There were eight children in their family, five of whom survive.
! Ienry Schoessler received his early education in the excellent public schools of Germany and came with his parents to Crawford county at the age of thir- teen. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and in 1903 purchased the place which he now owns on section 23, West Side township. It comprises two hundred and forty acres and being a man of industrious habits and also a good business manager Mr. Schoessler has brought his farm to an excellent state of cultivation and has one of the valuable properties of the township. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock for the market.
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In 1900 Mr. Schoessler was united in marriage to Miss Anna Bornhoft, who was born in Germany, April 21, 1881, and is a daughter of John and Bertha Bornhoft. She came to America with her parents, who are now living in this county. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schoessler : Walter H., who was born July 7, 1901 ; Hattie A., born July 28, 1903; Arthur C., born November 24, 1904; and Leonard, born May 16, 1906.
Mr. Schoessler is blessed with genial social qualities and has made many friends in Crawford county, where he has lived for more than twenty-five years. He is at the head of a hospitable home and is in the enjoyment of an abundance which is the direct result of his unswerving industry and perseverance. Politi- cally he is allied with the democratic party and is an earnest supporter of that organization. Fraternally he holds membership in Lodge No. 2991, M. W. A., and is now serving as escort in that order. He is also a member of the Masonic lodge at West Side and he and his wife are valued members of the Lutheran church.
CHARLES KOLLS.
Through well directed energy Charles Kolls has become the owner of a pro- ductive farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Hanover township, which yields a handsome revenue each year. Everything about the place gives evidence of thoughtful attention and Mr. Kolls justly ranks as one of the most thorough farmers of the township. He was born at Clinton, Iowa, January I, 1875, a son of Rudolph and Elizabeth Kolls, both of whom were natives of Germany. The parents were married in their native land and came to America in the latter part of the '6os. The father worked in a sawmill in Clinton county, Iowa, for six years and then moved to Crawford county and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Goodrich township, later adding forty acres, which he culti- vated thoroughly, developing it into one of the valuable properties of the town- ship. In 1903 he retired to Denison and there continued until his death, which occurred November 28, 1908, his wife passing away May 17, 1893. There were nine children in their family, namely: Elizabeth, now the wife of John Brown, of Denison ; Annie, the wife of Julius Jensen, of South Dakota ; Henry, of Craw- ford county ; Charles, the subject of this review; Edward, also of Crawford county ; Rudolph, of South Dakota; and Anna, Margaret and Charley, all of whom are deceased.
Charles Kolls was reared upon the home farm and educated in the district schools, continuing under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he began farming on his own account by renting land and conducted his affairs so successfully that after six years he purchased the farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 35, Hanover township, which he has since owned. He raises the various cereals and also raises stock, using his entire crop in this way. His farm is highly improved and under his skillful care is each year be- coming more valuable.
On the 29th of December, 1897, Mr. Kolls was united in marriage to Miss Anna Blunk, who was born in Germany, April 22, 1880, a daughter of John and
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Anna ( Moeller) Blunk. Her parents came to America in 1882 and for five years the father worked out in Crawford county. He has since farmed upon rented land. The family consisted of eleven children, eight of whom are now living, namely: Minnie, the wife of Herman Berk, of Crawford county ; Anna, now Mrs. Charles Kolls; Charley, also of Crawford county; John, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Dora, the wife of Max Quandt, of Crawford county ; Mary, now Mrs. John Vogt, of this county ; Emma, Huldah and Willie, who are living at home; and Elizabeth and George, both of whom are deceased. Four children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kolls: Malinda, who was born July 30, 1898; Hattie, born September 6, 1900; Bennie, May 6, 1906; and Carl. November 16, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Kolls are valued members of the German Lutheran church and are active and efficient workers in all causes which seek to promote the welfare of this section. He gives his support to the democratic party but has never sought political honors, preferring to devote his time and energies to his busi- ness interests and to his family. He is still a young man and the gratifying suc- cess he has attained in a comparatively few years in his chosen calling may be regarded as a bright prophecy of further achievement in the years to come.
FRED R. SHIRTCLIFF.
Of the various states that have contributed to the growth and development of Iowa it is probable that Illinois occupies the most prominent position. Thou- sands of bright young men and women from Illinois have sought homes west of the Mississippi and are to be met with today in every county of Iowa. Among this number should be named Fred R. Shirtcliff, of Crawford county, who was born near Lynnville, in Morgan county, Illinois, April 12, 1856, a son of Henry Shirtcliff, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Shirtcliff removed with his parents from Illinois to Minnesota in 1865 and came to Iowa in 1873, being then seventeen years of age. He received his education in the common schools and continued upon the home farm until after reaching his majority. He then began earning money on his own account by breaking prairie and also engaged in the threshing business for four or five years. Having decided to devote his attention to agriculture and stock-raising, he engaged in farming in Otter Creek township and two years later removed to Goodrich township, where he made his home for six years. In 1890 he estab- lished himself on his present place in Willow township and after breaking the land he planted it in flax with very satisfactory results. He has made all the improvements upon his farm and is now the manager of two hundred acres of good land, which is owned by his father. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and being a good judge of stock he handles nothing but high grades.
In 1880 Mr. Shirtcliff was united in marriage to Miss Hattie A. Cady, and they have two children : Frances Almira, born in 1881, who married B. F. Cole- man, of Paradise township, and has three children. Alice, Percy and Frederick Roy : and Frederick Samuel, who was born in 1894 and is now living at home.
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Mr. Shirtcliff is a man of large practical experience, genial in disposition, pleasing in address and the possessor of excellent judgment and discretion in business affairs. In politics he supports the republican party and is an earnest advocate of it platforms. He has been prominent in the councils of the party in his part of the county and has held several offices of trust and responsibility. He was road superintendent of Milford township while living in Goodrich town- ship and was the first officer in the county under the one township plan to hold that position for three years. He has served as township clerk for nine years and justice of the peace for two years and also as a member of the school board, and he has filled very acceptably the office of sexton of the township cemetery. He is an intelligent man of genial manner who has the faculty of making friends and retaining them. Religiously he is not affiliated with any denomination, but attends all the local churches.
JULIUS C. THIEDEMAN.
Prominent among the representatives of agricultural pursuits who claim Hayes township as the place of their nativity is Julius C. Thiedeman, whose birth occurred on the 17th of March, 1878. His parents, Claus and Margaret (Gruenwaldt) Thiedeman, were both born in Germany, where they were reared and married. They came to the United States in 1871 or 1872, locating in Scott county, Iowa, where they remained for two years, and then took up their abode in Crawford county, establishing the family home near West Side. The father was a farmer by occupation, engaging in that pursuit until seven years ago, when he retired from active life. The mother still survives. In their family of six children J. C. of this review is the third in order of birth, the others be- ing : Anna, the wife of John Hogge, of West Side; Dora, who married Herman Hogge, of South Dakota; Louis and Charles, operating the home farm; and Ella, the wife of Henry Barnhoff, of West Side.
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