USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 51
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The beloved wife and mother passed away December 18, 1908. Together she and her husband traveled life's pathway for twenty-three years. She was a woman of many admirable characteristics, whose principal interest centered in her husband and children. Religiously she was a consistent member of the Catholic church, as is Mr. Leitzen. He also holds membership in the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Charter Oak and as an industrious and suc- cessful farmer ranks among the prominent men of his section. In politics he adheres to the republican party and being an earnest friend of education he has served very acceptably as a member of the school board.
HEINRICH EDMUND KUHL.
One of the energetic and successful young agriculturists of Iowa township is Heinrich Edmund Kuhl, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is the eldest son of Marcus and Anna (Kuhl) Kuhl, his birth occurring in Iowa township on the 14th of February, 1878. The father, who is one of the substantial farmers and extensive landowners of Crawford county, has been a resident of Iowa township for over forty years. He is now operating a farm of eight hundred and ten acres, which he has acquired through his own un- aided efforts. Seven children were born to him and his wife three of whom Ludwig, Ernest and Carl, are deceased. Those surviving are: Heinrich Ed- mund, our subject; Ida Augusta, at home; Emma Matilda, the wife of J. W. Anthony ; and Carl, also at home.
Heinrich Edmund Kuhl was reared upon the family homestead, acquiring his early education in the district schools of his native township, following which he attended the high school in Manning for one year, then entered the college Vol. II-26
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at Denison He remained a member of the paternal household until he was twenty-six years of age, assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm. Under the capable supervision of the latter he acquired a very thorough knowledge of agricultural methods and stock-raising and thus began his career well fitted for the pursint of his chosen vocation, which he had resolved was to be that of an agriculturist. He first located upon a farm which was one mile east of his fre ent homestead, remaining there one year, following which he removed to where he is now living. Here he engages in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of feeding cattle for the market. He is meeting with suc- cess in his undertakings, the proceeds from which he is turning back into his property, upon which he has made all of the improvements.
Mr. Kuhl was married March 23. 1904, to Miss Carolina Jahn, and they have become the parents of three children : Elsie, Herbert and Melvina. They affiliate with the Lutheran denomination and politically Mr. Kuhl gives his sup- port to the candidates of the republican party. Although he has never promi- nently participated in township affairs, not being an office seeker, he takes an active interest in matters of a governmental nature. Forecasting his future by what the past has manifested, Mr. Kuhl seems assured of becoming one of the representative farmers of the county.
GUSTAVE GIRARD.
The late Gustave Girard, who for many years was identified with the agri- cultural interests of Crawford county, was a native of Germany, his natal day being the ist of April. 1843. His parents, Frederick and Dorothea Girard, were also born in Germany but emigrated to the United States and located in Living- ston county, Illinois, where they died and were laid to rest. They were the parents of seven children.
Gustave Girard was fourteen years of age when his parents left the father- land, in the common schools of which he acquired his education. He was always engaged in agricultural pursuits and before his marriage he purchased a farm in Livingston county, Illinois, where he engaged in general farming and stock- raising for six years and then disposed of his property and removed to Craw- ford county, lowa. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of unbroken prairie in Otter Creek township, which he had improved and brought to a high state of cultivation at the time of his demise.
On the 17th of June, 1877. Mr. Girard was married to Miss Eva E. Custis, who was a native of La Salle county, Illinois, her birth having occurred on the 24th of August. 1861. Mrs. Girard was a daughter of Levi and Clara (John- 011 Custis, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Pennsylvania. The parents located in La Salle county, Illinois, in pioneer days and there the father passed away at the age of twenty-six years. Shortly afterward the mother loemtol on a farm in Livingston county and after residing there for a time re- novell th Greene county, Iowa, and she is now living in Dallas county, this state, at the venerable age of seventy-two years. Three children were born to Mr.
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and Mrs. Custis, all of whom survive. Mrs. Custis became the mother of eight sons and daughters by her second marriage and they, too, are all living except Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Girard became the parents of ten children, as follows : Carrie J., who was born on the 18th of September, 1878, and died on the 23d of December, 1878; Lurenia M., who was born on the 21st of March, 1880, and died on the 21st of May, 1880; Jesse U., who was born on the 10th of March, 1881, and died in Oklahoma on the 28th of February, 1906; Frederick, born on the 10th of August, 1884, still at home; Arthur H., born on the 3d of Sep- tember, 1889, who is managing the home farm; Lula E., born on the 25th of September, 1891, who is attending college in Cedar Falls; Francis E., who was born on the 27th of December, 1893, and died on the 21st of July, 1894; Nellie E., who was born on the 6th of October, 1895, and is living at home; and Gladys H., who was born on the 7th of August, 1898, and is also at home. Mrs. Girard still lives on the old homestead in Otter Creek township, where she and her son Arthur make a specialty of breeding and raising Percheron horses and other good stock. She is a member of the Christian church.
The republican party and its candidates always were given the political sup- port of Mr. Girard, and, although he was not an office seeker, he always took an active interest in all local campaigns and fulfilled the requirements of good citizenship by casting a vote on election day. He passed away on the 3d of Oc- tober, 1907, and was laid to rest in the Morgan cemetery. He was an unosten- tatious, hard-working man, who was absorbed in his private interests and de- voted to his family, by whom, as well as the community where he lived, he was greatly mourned.
OTTO J. LARSON.
One of the thrifty sons of Sweden who have assisted in the agricultural de- velopment of Crawford county is Otto J. Larson, a son of Carl J. and Lottie (Varnie) Larson, his natal day being the 24th of May, 1880. His parents emi- grated from their native land in 1882 and on their arrival in the United States made their way directly westward, locating on a farm in Crawford county, Iowa. The father passed away on the 18th of April, 1908, but the mother still survives and makes her home in the village of Kiron. They were the parents of eight children, all but one of whom are living, the order of their births being as follows: Minnie, the wife of Gust J. Larson, residing in Otter Creek town- ship; Charles, who lives in South Dakota; Mary, who became the wife of John Hedstrom, of Sac county, Iowa; John, residing in South Dakota; Clara, de- ceased, the wife of John Engberg, of Kiron; Erick, a resident of Ida county ; Otto J., the subject of this sketch; and Alfred, who lives in Kiron.
Otto J. Larson was but a child of two years when the family came to the United States, so that practically his entire life has been spent in this country. He obtained his education in the common schools of Crawford county and later the text-books gave way to the work of the field. He first assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm but is now engaged in farming for himself.
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On the 18th of December, 1902, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lin lberg, a daughter of Carl and Annie Lindberg. Six children have been born of this union but only five are now living, the eldest having died in infancy. The others are as follows: Howard, Cora, Edgar, Fay and Bernice.
The family attend the services of the Baptist church, the parents holding membership in that denomination. The prohibition party and its candidates are given the support of Mr. Larson as he is thoroughly in sympathy with its prin- cip les and policy. He is not an office seeker but is a man possessing sufficient pul fie spirit to feel that the demands of good citizenship require the casting of a ballot on election day and acts accordingly. He is highly regarded in the com- munity where he lives, the comrades of his boyhood having become the friends of his manhood.
GEORGE T. GUNN.
A well cultivated and highly improved farm of two hundred acres situated on section 3. Jackson township, pays tribute to the careful supervision and ex- cellent management of George T. Gunn, who has resided on his present place for nearly a third of a century. He was born in Elgin, Illinois, March 4, 1857, and is a son of James N. and Elizabeth (Lea) Gunn. The father's birth oc- curred March 27, 1826, in London, England, and the mother was also a native of England. They emigrated to the United States in 1853, first locating in Jersey Heights on a place overlooking the Hudson river. There they remained for two years and then removed to Elgin, Illinois, making part of the journey, from Troy to Buffalo, by canalboat. They arrived at Elgin in December, 1856, and Mr. Gunn obtained employment in the harvest fields, working for fifty cents a day and walking two miles to and from his work. In 1858 he removed his family to Clinton, lowa, where he was employed for the following twenty years, nineteen of which were spent in the machine shops of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. In 1880 he came to Crawford county, having the year previously purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land here. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, of whom the following survive: Ernest J. and George T., who live in Crawford county ; Letitia B. is the widow of W. A. Murdock and lives in Chicago. She is president of the ladies' auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of America, which she organized and of which she has been grand president since its inception. Alice M. is the wife of D. Waldhelm and lives in Primghar, Iowa, Jessie married Albert Wag- goner and resides near Odebolt, lowa. The deceased members of the family are Helen, who was a school teacher in Crawford county for ten years, and one who died in infancy. The parents celebrated their golden wedding in 1903. The father's death occurred February 15, 1904, he being survived by his widow, who passed away on the home farm in Crawford county, March 26, 1911.
George T. Gunn attended the public and high schools of Clinton, Iowa, sup- plementing the knowledge thus obtained by a course in a business college. Dur- ing this time he worked at the marble cutter's trade for one year and for another
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year was employed in the railroad shops, after which he was apprenticed for three years to the carriage and blacksmith trade at Clinton, at which he worked for four years. In the fall of 1878 he drove from Clinton to West Side, Iowa, with his brother and engaged in farming there for one year, subsequently mov- ing on to his father's farm. About ten years later he purchased eighty acres of land, to which he gradually added until he now owns two hundred acres of fine farm land.
On January 3, 1889, Mr. Gunn was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Fother- gill, a daughter of John and Mary (Grundon) Fothergill, both of whom are natives of Yorkshire, England. They emigrated to the United States in 1857 and located in Lyons, Iowa, but they are now living in Missouri, the father being seventy-nine years of age and the mother eighty-one years old. In 1907 they had the pleasure of celebrating their golden wedding. Six children were born to this couple, of whom the following survive: Sadie; Charles, of Kansas; George and Grundon, who reside in Missouri; and Mary, who lives at home. Francis, the other child, is deceased.
In his political affiliation Mr. Gunn has always been a supporter of the re- publican party and in his religious views is a faithful adherent of the Episcopal church. During his long residence in Crawford county, where his time has been well spent and his energies carefully directed, he has aided much in the develop- ment and progress of the agricultural interests and his many excellent traits of character have won for him a host of friends.
SAMUEL BRASEL.
One of the substantial and progressive farmers of Union township, where he has devoted his time and attention to the development of agricultural inter- ests, is Samuel Brasel, who was born in Morgan county, Illinois, November 5, 1862, a son of David and Mary Anne (Lang) Brasel. The father, who is a native of Tennessee, accompanied his parents to Morgan county, where he con- tinued to reside until attaining man's estate, when he was married and subse- quently removed to Cass county, Illinois, when the subject of this review was a small boy. All his life he was employed in tilling the soil and is still living, at the ripe old age of ninety-one years, enjoying the rest that comes after a long span of time spent in honest toil. His wife was born in Morgan county, Illi- nois, where her father was one of the early settlers. Unto this couple were born ten children, of whom all but one survive, as follows: William, Edward, Frank, Smith, and Howard, who are farming in Cass county, Illinois; George, a farmer living near Amboy, Illinois; Clarke, who is a foundryman in Beards- town, Illinois; Charles, who is a telephone owner in Ashland, Illinois; and Samuel, the subject of this review. The mother's death occurred in 1909.
After acquiring such education as could be obtained in the common schools of Cass county, Illinois, Samuel Brasel remained on the home farm until he was twenty-two years old, when he hired out by the month for one year and then farmed for the following five years on his own responsibility. At the end of
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
that period be removed to Crawford county, first locating in Washington town- ship. where he rented a farm of S. H. Peterfish, of Virginia, Illinois, and there for the ensuing sixteen years continued to follow general farming. He then bought the first land purchased on section 24, Union township, it being the south- ast quarter of the section, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he Ha made all the necessary improvements with the exception of the house.
Mr Brasel was married in 1889 to Miss Lavinia Anderson, a daughter of Lee W. and Diana Lefeldt (Coundiff ) Anderson, both of whom were born in Ilmens, They were the parents of ten children, of whom eight are still living, as follows : Lavinia ; George William, who lives in Herbig, Illinois; Frances, ship became the wife of Charles Redshaw and resides in Schuyler county, Illi- not : Charles M., Gilbert, Laura and Ilenry, who also live in Schuyler county ; and Lucy, who is at home with her mother. The death of Mr. Anderson oc- curred in 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Brasel have been born the following ten children : Luther, Edith, Elmer, Leslie, Edna, Zella, Nellie, Earl, Mary and Samuel, all of whom make their home under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Brasel is a stanch republican and fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife hold member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. They are estimable people and enjoy the high regard of a wide circle of friends.
WILLIAM BRETTHAUER.
Judged by the standard of industry, perseverance and sound management, William Bretthauer, of Charter Oak, is one of the fortunate citizens of Craw- ford county. He is also the owner of one of the highly productive farms of the township and is recognized as one of the valuable members of an intelligent community. He owes his present happy condition entirely to his own exertions.
He is a native of Clinton county, lowa, born May 5, 1865, a son of Chris- tian and Mina ( Plough) Bretthauer, both of whom were born in Germany. They were married in America and came to lowa in 1851, spending the first two years in this state in Jackson county. They then removed to Clinton county, where Mr. Bretthauer engaged in farming until his youngest heir became of age. He died in August. 1873. The mother is still living on the old homestead with one of her sons and has now reached the age of seventy-one years. Nine children were born to them, namely: August, now deceased; Henry, of Monona county, Iowa: Emma, the wife of Julia Brodersen, of Huron, South Dakota; Anna, who chied at the age of three years ; Herman, of Clinton county ; William, the subject of this review : Minnie, now the wife of Martin Petersen, of Preston, Iowa ; Louis, who is living on the oldl homestead in Clinton county; and Charley, who diedl at the age of twenty-seven years.
William Bretthauer was reared upon his father's farm and possessed advan- tages of education in the district schools of the neighborhood. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age and then worked for wages for three years In 1800 he purchased eighty acres which constitutes a part of the farm
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that he now owns and has since made further additions until his farm comprises one hundred and eighty acres of well cultivated land. He has followed a wise and judicious system of mixed farming, dividing the risks and profits among varied interests rather than staking it all upon one enterprise. He is a fancier of shorthorn cattle and also feeds cattle and hogs for market, using all his grain in this way. He has shown excellent judgment in business and as his stock meets with a ready sale, his resources each year represent a gratifying increase.
In 1890 Mr. Bretthauer was united in marriage to Miss Emma Fehmerling, who was born in Germany, February 23, 1868, a daughter of Gottlieb and Sophia (Kramer) Fehmerling. They came to America in 1884, first stopping in Chi- cago, and two years later settled in Crawford county, Iowa, where the father operated a brickyard. In 1893 he moved to Hanover township, where he con- tinned until his death, which occurred in 1901, the mother passing away in November, 1906. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fehmerling, namely: Freda, the widow of Charles Schelm, of Denison, Iowa; Emma, now Mrs. William Bretthauer; Gottlieb, of Nebraska; and Dorothea, Johanna, Gus- tave, Wilhelm, Louise, Charles, Henry and Augusta, all of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bretthauer have seven children: Lulu, who was born October II, 1891, and is now attending college at Denison; Edna, who was born October 28, 1893, and will enter college in the fall of 1911; Carl, who was born July 15, 1895, and is now a student of the Charter Oak high school; Martin, who was born September 13, 1896, and is now finishing the German course in school; Anna, born July 29, 1900; Ruth, born March 14, 1904; and Mildred, born April 14, 1907.
Mr. Bretthauer is greatly interested in education, as is also his wife, and they are giving their children the very best advantages available, thus preparing them thoroughly for the great battle of life. Alert, enterprising and efficient, Mr. Bretthauer uses his best energies in everything he undertakes and never allows himself to be cast down by difficulties. This is the secret of his success. He and his wife are consistent members of the German Lutheran church and firm believers in the authority and inspiration of the Bible. Politically he casts his vote in support of the democratic party.
OTTO C. BAAK.
No record of Soldier township would be complete without mention of Otto C. Baak, who as an energetic and capable citizen has won a substantial place in the community. He was born in the township where he now lives, September 12, 1885, a son of Carl and Frederika (Wittkopf) Baak, both of whom were born in Germany. The father was one of a family of six children, of whoni two are still living in Germany. The four who came to America were: August and William, both of whom are deceased; Sophia, of Detroit, Michigan; and Carl. The last named was married in the old country and arrived in America with his wife in 1884, coming to Soldier township, Crawford county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for two years. He then purchased the place which
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became the family homestead and cultivated it to good advantage until 1906, since which ume he and his wife have lived retired at Charter Oak. To them tive children were born : August, of Ricketts, Iowa; William and Herman, both wi South Dakota; Adolphine, who is now the wife of Herman Wieschoff, of Terril, lowa; and Otto C., of this review.
Otto C. Baak received his early education in the district schools of Soldier township and as he grew to manhood applied himself diligently to agriculture ank sick-raising upon the home farm. At the age of twenty he rented land for two years and then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he now owns. It is located on section 33. Soldier township, and is one of the well improved places of the locality. He carries on general farming and also raises good grades of stock. He is diligent and persevering and through legiti- mate channels has attained prosperity.
On the 14th of December. 1904, Mr. Baak was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Maas, who was born in Charter Oak township, April 10, 1883, a daugh- ter of Carl and Christina ( Krueger ) Maas. The parents were born in Germany and came to America in 1870. After living for a while in Chicago, Illinois, they arrived in Crawford county, where Mr. Maas rented land, applying himself so successfully to his work that he is now the owner of a beautiful farm in Charter Oak township. There were thirteen children in the family, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: William, of Crawford county; Martha, now the wife of Fred Kuhlmann, of this county; Augusta, now Mrs. Otto C. Baak; Elizabeth, who lives in Crawford county; Emma, the wife of Edward Meyer, also of this county; Alvina, the wife of Henry Rhode; Herman, of Monona county ; Max, who is still at home; and Carl, Bertha and Louisa, deceased. Two children have come to gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Baak: Meta A. A., who was born October 27. 1905; and Julius H. M. E., born July 18. 1907.
Mr. Baak is now fairly started in his life work and as he possesses in a goodly measure the elements of zeal and persistence in whatever he undertakes there is no doubt as to his continued success. As a native son of Crawford county he is well and favorably known and is held in high regard by his asso- ciates and friends. He and his wife are active members of the German Luth- eran church.
GUS KOESTER.
One of the successful farmers which Schleswig-Holstein has contributed to Crawford county is Gus Koester, who is a resident of Iowa township, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising. He was born on the 6th of Feb- ruary, 1871. and is a son of Jergen and Mary ( Kohl) Koester, also natives of Schleswig-Holstein. The father, who followed the carpenter trade during his active career, emigrated to the United States in 1881, being followed one year later by the mother. He first located near Aspinwall, Crawford county, where He resided for a year, and then removed to Aspinwall, continuing to live there until two years ago, when he went to Carroll, Iowa, where he is now living re-
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tired. The mother makes her home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Jergen Koester became the parents of seven children, as follows: Fred, who is a resi- dent of Vail; Henry, living in South Dakota; John, residing in the same state; Gus, our subject ; Conrad, also of South Dakota; George, who is living in Man- ning, Iowa; and Maggie, the wife of Hans Voss, of California.
The education of Gus Koester was acquired in the common schools of his native country, which he attended until he emigrated to the United States at the age of ten. He remained a member of the paternal household, with the exception of one year, until he attained his majority, at which time he left in order to begin his business career. For two years thereafter he worked as a farm hand, during which time he acquired the capital which enabled him to settle upon the place on section 10, Iowa township, where he continues to reside. He has made many improvements on the place during the period of his occu- pancy, having repaired the barn and erected substantial outbuildings and a pleas- ant residence, all of which are painted white, giving a most attractive appear- ance to the farm, while he has also constructed good fences about the entire property.
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