USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 5
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The following is an excerpt from an obituary appearing in one of the local papers at the time of his death. "The extensive business which he conducted brought him in contact with almost every person in the county and it is safe to say that he enjoyed as wide and favorable an acquaintance as any other busi- ness man living here during all this time. Mr. Romans was a man whose coun- sel and advice were sought at all times by those who were interested in the development of Denison and the county. No meeting was ever called to con- sider improvements of a public nature that Mr. Romans was not present and his advice eagerly sought. He always stood ready to contribute his share, in a financial way, in support of any improvement of a public character.
"He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his labors and influence were a tower of strength in building up and maintaining the church. He was for many years, and until his death, one of the trustees and a member of the board of stewards of the church and frequently attended the Des Moines annual conference as a delegate from the church here. He was also prominent in the work of raising the money for building the normal college here and one of the best friends of the school after it was established. From the beginning
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he was a member of the board of directors of the institution. For several years he was a member of the board of trustees of the public schools of Denison and always diligent in the discharge of his official duties.
"Politically, until 1896, he was a supporter of the republican party and prominent in its councils, locally and in the state at large. He was not satisfied to simply be a republican but was an enthusiastic worker in aiding in carrying the party forward to victory. Each year he joined other speakers in making a canvass of the county, his voice having been heard in the schoolhouses and other places of meeting here. He was chairman of the republican county cen- tral committee up to and including the year 1895. In 1896 he was won over, as were many other republicans, to Mr. Bryan and free silver and became what was then known as a 'free silver republican.' He was nominated by the democrats and free silver republicans in that year for congress in this district and made the race against Hon. J. P. Dolliver but failed in the election. After the election . of President Mckinley as president that year, Mr. Romans gradually drifted into the democratic party and for several years he was easily the leader of the party in this county, being not only prominent in county politics but a potent factor in the management of the party in the state. Of late years Mr. Romans has been practically out of business and out of politics."
Mr. Romans' first wife passed away on the 9th of July, 1900, her death being the result of the explosion of a gasoline stove. She was a woman of superior ambition and energy and a leader in all movements looking toward the uplift of her sex. By her marriage she became the mother of four children, namely : Harry, who is deceased; Lydia Maude; Ione, now Mrs. Lane H. Good- man, of Sioux City, Iowa ; and Junia, now Mrs. M. J. McAhren, of Denison.
On the 29th of December, 1901, Mr. Romans was united in marriage to Mrs. Christine Snyder, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and a daughter of C. C. and Anna (Whittaker) Mason, both of whom were born in Leeds, Eng- land. The father, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, emi- grated to America at an early day, settling first in the New England states. In 1860 he removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and his demise occurred at Racine, that state, in 1864. Five years later his wife was called to her final rest. They were the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Romans is now the only survivor. At the early age of fifteen years she had lost both of her parents and, being thus thrown upon her own resources, began teaching school. In 1870, in Janesville, Wisconsin, she gave her hand in marriage to Benjamin Snyder, who was a native of Dutchess county, New York. Their union was blessed with two sons : Albert, who is now engaged in business at Creston, Iowa; and Harry, who is also a resident of Creston. Mr. Snyder died in September, 1889, and was buried at Creston, Iowa.
Mrs. Romans now owns a third interest in the estate of John B. Romans, which is valued at over one hundred thousand dollars. She has a beautiful residence in the city of Denison. In Eastern Star Lodge, No. 207, she has filled all of the chairs from matron down and she also belongs to several clubs at Denison. She is possessed of unusual ability and tact and has filled numerous positions of responsibility to the credit of herself and friends. She held the
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position of state president of the Women's Relief Corps and was urged to make the race for national president but declined. Her many excellent traits of heart and mind have endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact and therefore she has a host of warm friends.
T. J. RULE.
T. J. Rule, a well known and representative agriculturist of Paradise town- ship, was born in Spring Rock township, Clinton county, Iowa, on the 14th of February, 1860, his parents being George and Ellen Lucretia (Columbus) Rule. The father, a native of Scotland, emigrated to Canada when twelve or fifteen years old and subsequently took up his abode in Coldwater, Michigan. In 1854 he assisted his father in erecting a mill in Spring Rock township, Clinton county, Iowa, and afterward removed to Alden, Hardin county, Iowa, where he pur- chased a mill. In 1875 he went to De Witt, lowa, and in the fall of 1876 came to Crawford county, locating in Dow City. He bought the old hotel site and a half interest in a mill and made his home in Dow City until 1879, when he removed to the farm on which our subject now resides in Paradise township. He erected commodious and substantial buildings and lived thereon until called to his final rest in 1892. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and in 1872 he represented Clinton county in the state legislature. He also held a number of minor offices, ever discharging his public duties in a most prompt and capable manner. In religious faith he was a Baptist, while fra- ternally he was identified with the Masons, belonging to the Shrine and being probably one of the best known representatives of the craft in this part of the state. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
It was while a resident of Canada that George Rule wedded Miss Ellen L. Columbus, who was a native of that country. Mrs. Rule continued on the farm until 1893, when she took up her abode in Dow City, remaining there for two years. On the expiration of that period she returned to the old home place but in 1905 once more removed to Dow City, where she has resided continuously since. She was the mother of nine children, as follows: William, who is en- gaged in the milling business at Rutland, Iowa; Agnes, the wife of E. V. God- dard, of Dow City, Iowa ; John, who is a resident of St. Anthony, Idaho ; George, living in Lake View, Iowa; T. J., of this review; Ellen Mary, who makes her home in Dow City, Iowa; A. L., who is engaged in the hardware business at Red Oak, Iowa: Lincoln, a resident of Boone, lowa, who is employed as con- ductor by the Northwestern Railroad Company; and Anna, who is deceased.
T. J. Rule was reared under the parental roof and obtained his education in the schools of his native county. Since his father's demise he has operated the old homestead farm of two hundred and forty-five acres in Paradise town- ship and also owns and cultivates an additional tract of forty-five acres. Under his careful supervision the property has been brought to a high state of culti- vation and improvement and the well tilled fields annually yield bounteous har- vests which find a ready sale on the market.
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On the 20th of December, 1892, Mr. Rule was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Davie, by whom he had seven children, namely : Herbert; Robert; Vera, who is deceased; Warren; Jesse; Margaret; and Thomas.
In politics Mr. Rule is a republican, while fraternially he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Dow City, Iowa. His life has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social circles.
REV. JOHN JAMES DE PREE.
Rev. John James De Pree, a well known and highly respected resident of Denison, has been pastor of the First Presbyterian church here since 1907. His birth occurred at Spring Lake, Michigan, on the 29th of February, 1876, his parents being Rev. James and Johanna ( Bolks) De Pree, natives of the Nether- lands. His paternal grandfather was John De Pree, also a native of the Neth- erlands, who was a carpenter by trade. He emigrated to the United States in 1847, settling at Zeeland, Michigan, where he worked at carpentering. He acted as an elder during the entire period of his residence there and has given to the church two sons and six grandsons and granddaughters as ministers and missionaries. His demise occurred when he had attained the age of eighty-one years, while his wife was about seventy-five when called to her final rest. They had seven children who grew to maturity, namely: Dena, Peter, Dirk, Lena, John, James and Jane.
Rev. Seine Bolks, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was likewise a native of the Netherlands and in his youth was employed as a shepherd. He came to the United States in 1849, settling in Michigan and living principally in the vicinity of Holland, that state. He was the pioneer preacher there, being the first pastor at Overisel, Michigan, while subsequently he had charges in Chicago, South Chicago and Milwaukee. He was also the first pastor of the Dutch Reformed church in Sioux county, Iowa, at Orange City, where he passed away at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Gertrude Brower and was likewise born in the Netherlands, was sixty- seven years old at the time of her demise. They were the parents of four chil- dren who reached mature years, namely: Albert, Garrett, Johanna and Simon.
Rev. James De Pree, the father of the gentleman whose name introduces this review, was reared as a farm boy in Michigan and later taught school in order to defray the expenses of an advanced education. He graduated from Hope College of Holland, Michigan, in 1867 and in 1870 completed the course in the Western Theological Seminary at that place. First he served as pastor in the Spring Lake Dutch Reformed church and then removed to Sioux Center, Iowa, where he preached in the Dutch Reformed church for exactly thirty years. At the present time he is pastor of the Dutch Reformed church at North Ya- kinia, Washington. Unto him and his wife were born the following children : Lena, now the wife of G. Boeyink, of Sioux Center, Iowa; Dr. Seine de Pree, of Sioux Center; John James, of this review; Gertrude, the wife of Henry
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Evenhuis, of North Yakima, Washington; Neal, who is a resident of Sioux Center; and Albert, living in North Yakima, Washington.
Rev. John James De Pree, who was a little lad of four years when taken by his parents to Sioux county, Iowa, grew to manhood in Sioux Center and ob- tained his early education in the country schools. He completed the course in the Northwestern Classical Academy at Orange City, Iowa, in 1895, graduated from Hope College of Holland, Michigan, with the class of 1899 and in 1903 finished his studies in Princeton Seminary. His first pastorate was at Alta, Iowa, where he remained from 1903 until 1907, which year witnessed his arrival in Denison. For the past four years he has been pastor of the First Presby- terian church here and his labors have proven a potent element in the moral de- velopment of the community.
On the 9th of September, 1903, Rev. De Pree was joined in wedlock to Miss Marie K. Boer, a native of Albany, New York, and a daughter of Rev. H. K. and Mary (Kroon) Boer, the former a native of the Netherlands and the latter of Michigan. They are now residents of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and are the parents of four daughters who grew to maturity: Jeanette, Antoinette. Marie and Charlotte. Rev. De Pree and his wife have two sons, Donald and Wilbur Henry.
A. J. BOND.
A. J. Bond, commonly known as "Juddy" Bond, is successfully engaged in business as the proprietor of an undertaking establishment at Denison and also handles pianos and organs. His birth occurred in Springfield, Massachusetts, on the 15th of October, 1846, his parents being Eli Daniel and Selah (Sea- grave) Bond, who were likewise natives of that state. His paternal grand- father, who was also born in Massachusetts, came of English origin. He participated in the war of 1812. Unto him and his wife were born four chil- dren, namely : Elias, Daniel, Benjamin and Edwin. The maternal grandfather of our subject was likewise a native of Massachusetts and came of English ancestry.
Eli Daniel Bond, the father of A. J. Bond, was a stone and brick mason and also worked at plastering. He removed to Michigan about 1851, settling in Petersburgh, Monroe county, where his demise occurred in 1861, when he had attained the age of fifty-three years. His wife was called to her final rest in March, 1863, at the age of forty-eight years. Both were Baptists in religious faith. They were the parents of four sons and a daughter, as follows: Albert F .; Selina J., the wife of E. S. Plimpton, now deceased ; A. J., of this review ; Edwin E., who died when about thirteen years of age; and George W. S., who is a resident of Eureka, California.
A. J. Bond, whose name introduces this review, accompanied his parents on their removal to Michigan and resided there until March, 1863, arriving in Denison, Iowa, April 4, 1863, when sixteen years of age. He entered the employ of H. C. Laub and when a call was made for eight volunteers from
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Crawford county enlisted in Company I, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, being mustered in at Fort Dodge, Iowa. With that command he served until the close of hostilities between the north and the south, returning home in May, 1866. He participated in the battle of Fort De Rusa and was under fire during the greater part of the time consumed in going up the Red River. He next went to Lake Charcott in Arkansas and thence followed General Price on his raid through Missouri. Being then ordered to Nashville, he took part in the two days' fight there, next went across to Eastport and thence to New Orleans. On leaving that city he went to Mobile and participated in the en- gagements at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. He served as a private during the entire period of his enlistment and participated in many skirmishes, proving at all times a brave and loyal soldier. When the war had ended he returned home and worked as a plasterer in association with his brother until 1871. He then secured a position as clerk with Samuel Sprecher and a year later, owing to Mr. Sprecher's death, took charge of the store as manager. He purchased the building and subsequently admitted M. H. Hendricks to a partnership, con- ducting a grocery establishment under the style of Bond & Hendricks for about two years. On the expiration of that period he sold out to Mr. Hendricks and entered the employ of E. S. Plimpton as a clerk, holding that position for eleven years. While thus engaged he also devoted some attention to undertaking and while in Mr. Plimpton's service embarked in the furniture and undertaking business on his own account, being associated with his brother George under the firm style of Bond Brothers. After disposing of his interest to his brother he purchased the jewelry and music store of S. H. Clawson, conducting it for ten or eleven years. At the end of that time he sold his stock to E. C. Cham- berlin with the exception of the pianos and organs, which instruments he still handles. On the retirement of his brother George he again entered the un- dertaking business and has since conducted an enterprise of that character with excellent success.
On the 18th of April, 1872, Mr. Bond was united in marriage to Miss Lucy G. Harris, who was born in Monroe county, Michigan, on the 16th of Novem- ber, 1849, and who was an old schoolmate of his. Her parents, Henry and Betsy B. (Bedient) Harris, were both natives of New York. They took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Monroe county, Michigan, Mr. Harris entering land from the government. His demise there occurred in 1871 when he was more than eighty years of age. His widow came to Denison, Iowa, and here passed away at the age of seventy-six. One of her brothers was more than one hundred years old at the time of his demise. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bond were born two children, namely: Elva Dell, who is a kindergarten teacher in the public schools of Denison; and Edward H., who died on the 27th of May, 1906, when thirty-two years of age. Miss Elva Dell Bond is a Daughter of the American Revolution, her ancestors having participated in the war for in- dependence.
Mr. Bond is a republican in politics, being a stanch supporter of the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He served as township clerk for a period of twenty years and also acted as assessor for many years or until he resigned. He is a member of John A. Logan Post,
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No. 58, G. A. R., and also belongs to Dowdall Lodge, No. 90, Knights of Pythias. In religious faith both he and his wife are Methodists. The period of his resi- dence in Denison covers almost a half century and he enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance here.
HON. RUDOLPH C. H. LEHFELDT.
The history of Crawford county would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make prominent reference to the Hon. Rudolph Carl Henry Lehfeldt, whom his fellow townsmen have honored with election to the office of state senator. His record as a business man is at the same time worthy of earnest consideration as showing what may be accomplished by determination and energy when guided by sound, practical judgment and characterized by in- tegrity.
Mr. Lehfeldt is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Curan by Lubeck, December 28, 1840. His grandparents in the paternal line were Joachim and Helena (Schroeder ) Lehfeldt, farming people of Germany, and there reared a family of three children : John, Henry and Anna. Of these John Lehfeldt was the father of R. C. H. Lehfeldt and was born in Holstein, Ger- many, where he learned the distiller's trade. He married Mary Stehn, also a native of Holstein and a daughter of John Stehn, a sheep man of Germany, who spent his entire life there. The death of John Lehfeldt occurred in 1846, when he was sixty-one years of age, while his wife passed away in 1844 at the age of fifty-two years. They were both Lutherans in religious faith. Their family numbered eight children, six sons and two daughters: Henry, deceased; Wilhelm, of Holstein, Germany; Fritz, of Denison, Iowa; Louis, who passed away in Germany; Herman, who also lives in the fatherland; Emma, the wife of Carl Hansen, of Los Angeles, California; Anna, the deceased wife of Herman Braun ; and Rudolph C. H., of this review.
The last named was reared in the land of his nativity, attended the public schools and afterward became connected with the sheep industry. In 1870 he came to America, settling near Denison, where he purchased two hundred and thirteen acres of land. For fifteen years he was connected with general agricul- tural pursuits in this county and in 1885 removed to Montana, residing in the vicinity of Billings until 1890. He then again came to Denison and lived upon the old home farm for a year, after which he purchased the Lafe Goodrich farm of three hundred and ninety-two acres. On this he engaged extensively in feed- ing sheep until 1901, when he left the farm and erected a beautiful home in Denison, which he still occupies. He yet owns both of his farms and from his property derives a substantial income, but he has sold the sheep business to his sons.
On the 2d of November, 1864, Mr. Lehfeldt was married to Miss Mary Witt, who died in 1873, leaving four children. Ludwig lives in Billings, Mon- tana, and has the following children : Clara, Hilda, Rudolph and Herbert. Her- man married Otilla Nerdenenberg, by whom he has five children: Hedwig,
R. C. H. LEHFELDT
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Martha, Victor, Otilla and Hertha. Olga is the wife of John Schroeder, of Billings, by whom she has three children: Amanda, Walter and Herman. Al- vina married Rudolph Molt, also of Billings, and their family consists of three children : Emma, Bertha and Alma. In 1880 Mr. Lehfeldt was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Schroeder, by whom he had one son, William, who wedded Edna Marie Eicker and is now living near Billings, Mon- tana. On the 5th of January, 1894, Mr. Lehfeldt married for his third wife, Miss Sophia Leptien, a daughter of Detleff and Helena (Braach) Leptien. Mrs. Lehfeldt was born in Marengo, Iowa, in the vicinity of which her parents settled at a very early day on coming to this country from Holstein, Germany. They now live in Redlands, California. They were the parents of five children : Fred, Louis, Sophia, Mary and Charlotte. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lehfeldt has also been blessed with five children, as follows: Hertha, Eldor, Martha, Erma and Carl.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Lehfeldt is a republican, well versed on the questions of the day and active in the work of the party. In 1894 he was elected state senator and represented his district during the four succeeding years when the general assembly was in session. He is a self-made man and his is a creditable record, showing what may be accom- plished when one has the will to dare and to do. He has never taken advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen but has conducted business interests along progressive lines and prosperity has been the reward. Both he and his wife have a wide acquaintance in the county and their friends are many.
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JOSEPH H. MAHONEY. .
Joseph H. Mahoney, who holds the responsible position of freight inspector of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, with headquarters in the superin- tendent's office at Boone, Iowa, was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, May 24, 1866, a son of Timothy and Mary (Hickey) Mahoney. The parents are natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated at an early age and upon arriving in this coun- try located in Wisconsin, where they continued to reside until the spring of 1867. when they came to Iowa and the father followed farming on a quarter section of land in Boone county. Subsequently they removed into Boone city and for the past thirty years have lived in retirement, passing the evening of their lives in peace and contentment and in the enjoyment of the fruits of their early labors. They are both hale and hearty, although the father has passed the eightieth mile- stone on life's journey, while the mother is but five years his junior. Mr. Mahoney still retains possession of his farm in Boone county.
To this worthy couple have been born ten children, the following of whom are still living: William, who lives in Casper, Wyoming, and is employed as an engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad; Frank, who is connected with the Union Pacific Railroad and resides in Denver, Colorado; Edward, who makes his home in Boone, Iowa; Joseph H., of this review; Dora, who became the wife of P. M. Reilly and lives in Hastings, Nebraska; Mary, who resides
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
with her parents; Timothy, who is a partner in the law firm of Goodykoontz & Mahoney, located in Boone. The members of the family who are deceased are James, George and John.
The early education of Joseph H. Mahoney was obtained in the district schools and, being a bright scholar as well as an ambitious youth, when but six- teen years old he secured a position as teacher in one of the county schools, working on the farm during the summer months. After being three years thus employed he attended the Iowa State College for one year and then secured a clerkship in the postoffice at Boone, which position he occupied one year. On November 15, 1887, he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- road, serving in various minor capacities at the Boone station for seven years and on December 5, 1894, was promoted to the office of station agent at Deni- son, representing the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, serving in this capacity during the following fifteen years. On December 15, 1909, he was again pro- moted, this time to the position of freight inspector, with headquarters at Boone, having jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the handling of freight in the territory from Des Moines to Omaha, including the branches of the Sioux City division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He maintains his resi- dence in Denison, where he owns a comfortable home.
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