USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 53
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HENRY STAMP.
Among the farmers of German parentage residing in Crawford county is Henry Stamp, whose home is on section 31, Soldier township. He is a native of Iowa, born in Clinton county, March 20, 1877, and is a son of Hans and Anna (Klinck) Stamp. The parents were both born in Germany and were married in their native land. They came to America in 1868 and being attracted to Iowa took up their home in Clinton county, where the father worked in a sawmill for ten years. He then rented land for three years, after which he removed to Dallas county and continued renting for two years. Believing that Crawford county presented more favorable advantages he located here and after renting land for eight years purchased eighty acres. He cultivated his farm for a year and then disposed of it, buying one hundred and twenty acres in Vol. IT-27
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Soldier township. Here he lived for seven years and then sold his property and retired to Berne, Iowa. He died May 17, 1910, but his wife is still living and makes her home with her children, being now sixty-nine years of age. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stamp, namely: Mary, the wife of John Mordhorst, of Denison; Henry, the subject of this review; Mamie, the wife of Hans Jacobs of Bonhomme county, South Dakota; and Peter, Henry, Hans, Anna and Otto. all of whom died in early childhood.
Henry Stamp attended the public schools in his boyhood. receiving the foundation of an education which he has greatly broadened by contact with the world. He remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age and then began farming on his own account by renting land for one year. At the end of that time he purchased the farm of eighty acres upon which he is now living. The soil is rich and productive and yields bountiful harvests. He raises good grades of cattle and hogs, which he is usually successful in disposing of at a profitable figure.
On the 29th of May, 1901, Mr. Stamp was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Johannsen, who was born in Germany, November 2, 1874, and is a daughter of Hans and Margaret (Klinck) Johannsen. Her parents were married in Germany and came to America in 1888. The father worked for wages for four years at Bryant, Clinton county, Iowa, and then came to Soldier township, Crawford county, where he rented land for eleven years. He is now the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Of eight children in their family two died in infancy, the others being: Jurgen, of South Dakota; Mary, who died at the age of two years; Catherine M., the wife of Hans Boyens. of Goodrich, Crawford county; Maggie, now Mrs. Henry Stamp; Christina, the wife of William Penker, of Crawford county; and Claus, who is living on the family homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Stamp have five children, namely : Ila .A. M., who was born May 31, 1902; Adele Marie, born July 2, 1904; George Henry, March 13, 1906; Helma C .. September 29, 1908; and Esther Margaret, March 12, 1911.
Mr. Stamp has not given much attention to politics but he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church and are greatly interested in the welfare of those with whom they are associated. He has been successful in his business and has a practical knowledge which he uses to good advantage. He is a man of unexceptional character and his financial standing is unquestioned. Such men are a credit to their class and to the community which they adorn.
ROBERT W. LOWNES.
Although at present living a retired life in Denison, Robert W. Lownes was for many years actively connected with the agricultural interests of this section of the state, having been a resident of Crawford county since 1880. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1843, a son of Isaac C. and Ann Elizabeth ( Williamson) Lownes, who were originally from Pennsylvania. The father was a wheelwright by trade and in 1867 came to Iowa, settling near
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Red Oak, where he bought four hundred acres of land and engaged in general farming. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, of whom the follow- ing survive: Margaret, who became the wife of George Traver and lives in Omaha, Nebraska; Robert W .; and Elizabeth, who married Gabriel Pribble and resides in Louisville, Nebraska. The father died in March, 1870, in his sixtieth year, the mother's death occurring in New Jersey at the age of fifty- eight years.
Robert W. Lownes attended the district schools and worked on a farm near Kankakee, Illinois, until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he was among the first to respond to his country's call. He was but eighteen years old at the time he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain Wooster who had organized the company, and for the following three years faithfully performed the duties of a soldier of the rank and file, whether called to the front or assigned to the lonely watches of guard mount. His first en- gagement was the battle of Fort Henry, which lasted three days, and he later participated in the battle of Shiloh and in numerous raids and skirmishes. He was mustered out of service with the rank of corporal. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to Kankakee and once more resumed his daily labors on the farm. There he remained until 1867, when he came to Iowa and located near Red Oak, Montgomery county, purchasing his father's farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres, where he pursued general farming for about one year. He then moved into the town of Red Oak and made that his home until 1873, then went to Kansas, staying there about one year, after which he returned to Red Oak. In the spring of 1880 he came to Denison and lived here for ten years, at the end of which period he rented a farm of two hundred and forty acres near that town, upon which he resided for one year. He next removed to Charter Oak township, where he rented one hundred and sixty acres, and during the ensuing year he rented the entire farm, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, which he worked for nine years. His next move was to a farm near Charter Oak, comprising three hundred and twenty acres, called "The old sheep ranch," where he resided for nine years and then moved three and a half miles from that farm to what was known as the Pete Farley farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres. This he occupied for only one season and then purchased three acres in the town of Denison and here he has since made his home.
On May 26, 1870, Mr. Lownes was united in marriage to Josephine Cure, a daughter of M. W. and Elizabeth (Davis) Cure. To the latter couple were born fifteen children, of whom the following survive: Catherine, who married Clayton Atwood, of Texas; Mary Ann, who became the wife of W. M. Sullivan and resides in Kentucky; Sarah E., who married Robert Saunders and lives in Kentucky; Adelia, who is the wife of Jesse Powers and makes her home in lowa; Martha Jane, who married August Werner and lives in Iowa; Josephine ; Lucy, who is a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; Alice V., who is the wife of Representative P. H. Boland, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Amanda, who became the wife of Miles Mark and resides in Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lownes have been born twelve children, those who survive being as follows: William M., of Woodbine, Iowa; Gertie Elizabeth, the wife of Louis Peters, of Charter
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Oak; Isaac Albert, of Vardel. Nebraska; Josie May, the wife of B. E. Weed, of Charter Oak; Arthur D., of Charter Oak; Robert L., of Florida; Ernest B., of Charter Oak; Ella, the wife of Alvin Jacobensen, of Arion; and Alice, at home with her parents.
Mr. Lownes is a firm adherent of the principles of the prohibition party and takes a commendable interest in whatever pertains to the good of his community. He has filled several minor offices with efficiency and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. In religion he is a faithful follower of the Band of Holiness. All through his busy life he has made good use of his opportunities, ever seeking. by unremitting diligence, a chance for advancement, and he stands today as a high type of American manhood whose success in life has been the result of his early endeavors.
PAUL WILLIAM JAHN.
The possibilities awaiting in America for wide-awake, ambitious and capable young men are clearly illustrated in the success that has attended the efforts of Paul William Jahn in establishing a home in Crawford county. Coming to this state as a boy, he applied himself to farming and is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres, his farm yielding an income which places him and his family far beyond possibility of want. This desirable condition has been brought about through Mr. Jahn's industry and good management.
He is a native of Holstein, Germany, born April 6, 1857, and is a son of John Frederick and Catherina (Groth) Jahn, both of whom were born in Holstein. In the spring of 1872 the family emigrated to the new world and located on raw land on section 12, Hayes township, Crawford county, Iowa. The tract was developed by the father and sons into a productive farm, which is still in possession of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Jahn moved to West Side in 1901 and there he died in 1906, his wife passing away two years later. Their remains were interred in Hayes township cemetery. There were seven children in their family, three sons and four daughters, one of whom died in infancy. The others were: Paul William, of this review; Anna, who is the wife of Claus Anthony, of Carroll county, lowa ; Herman, who is now living on the home place ; Maggie, who married HI. C. Martins, of West Side; Amelia, the wife of George Buck, also of West Side; and Lina, who is deceased.
Paul W. Jahn received his preliminary education in Germany and grew to maturity under the friendly shelter of the stars and stripes. At twenty-two years of age he began farming on his own account and located on eighty acres in Hayes township, which he proceeded industriously to improve. He has made four sets of improvements upon his land and his farm of four hundred and forty acres is one of the valuable properties of the township. He uses dis- crimination in his work and gives his attention largely to raising graded stock, which he feeds for the market. He generally succeeds in securing a handsome return each year for his time and labor.
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At the age of twenty-two Mr. Jahn was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Lemster, who is of German parentage on both sides of the house. Nine children were born to this union: Lina, who married E. H. Kuhl, of Iowa township; William, of Hayes township; Minnie, the wife of Gus Meggers, of Iowa town- ship; Herman, who lives across the road from his parents; Henry, whose home is on section 35, Hayes township; Amanda, the wife of George Pepper, also of Hayes township; and Louis, Adelia and Hugo, all of whom are at home.
Politically Mr. Jahn is in hearty accord with the democratic party. He is an earnest advocate of education and has served as a member of the school board and also as township trustee, filling both offices with recognized ability. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, in which they were reared. Their children were instructed in the same belief and also in principles of in- dustry and economy, thus preparing them to become valued and useful members of society.
LEVI S. ALFRED.
It is through his energy and intelligent application of business principles that Levi S. Alfred, whose name introduces this review, gained a substantial estate as a farmer. Having become well established he persevered in a work, for which he showed special aptitude, and today he is comparatively independent, spending his winters at his home in Manilla. He is a native of Westport, Con- necticut, born June 14, 1857, a son of Lewis and Mary Elizabeth (Scribner) Alfred, both of whom were born in Connecticut. The father removed to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1858 and later lived in Minonk and Odell. In the fall of 1872 he took up his residence at Walnut, Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where for twelve years he engaged in farming. In 1884 he settled at Manilla and was subsequently engaged in the furniture and undertaking business with his son, Ira B. Here he died at the age of eighty-one years. His wife departed this life March 24, 1873, being then forty-three years of age. They were reared in the Congregational church but after coming to Manilla Mr. Alfred united with the Presbyterian church. There were five children in their family, two of whom grew to maturity : Ira B., and Levi S.
Levi S. Alfred lived in Illinois until fifteen years of age and attended the district schools, becoming a student in the graded schools of Walnut after re- moving to Iowa. He grew to manhood in Pottawattamie county and lived at home until twenty-eight years of age. Starting out for himself he purchased eighty acres of land in Nishnabotny township, Crawford county, but later dis- posed of this land and for several years rented a farm in Johnson county. Having acquired the necessary capital he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Vernon county, Missouri, which he cultivated to marked advantage until the spring of 1909, when he sold his place and removed to Manilla. Since taking up his residence in this town, he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Meagher county, Montana, but he still retains his residence in Manilla and spends his winters here.
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On the 21st of February. 1885, Mr. Alfred was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Brown, a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of William and Harriet (Norrison) Brown, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. They were residents of Johnson county, Iowa, subsequent to their removal to Cedar county, where they continued during the remainder of their lives. There were nine children in their family: John, Eleanor E., Mary, Emma, William, George, Clara, Ann and Harriet. Six children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred: Mary Eleanor; William L., Harriet A., Robert L., Paul M. and Ira A.
Mr. Alfred was called upon April 14, 1909, to mourn the death of his beloved wife, who passed from earthly scenes at the age of fifty-five years. They journeyed life's pathway together for twenty-four years, in the course of which she greatly endeared herself not only to her husband and children but to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. She was a woman of many rare qualities, whose greatest pleasure consisted in advancing the comfort and happiness of those with whom she was associated. Mr. Alfred has always been faithful and conscientious in the discharge of his duties and has attained marked success by the most honorable methods, never seeking to advance his personal interests to the detriment of others. His religious faith is expressed by membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged. Fraternally, he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and while he has not devoted much time to politics, he has supported the men and measures that in his opinion represent the best interests of the country.
FRANK FAUL.
Frank Faul, of Denison, clerk of the district court, is a citizen in whom public trust is well placed, for he is ever found loyal and progressive in citizenship, discharging his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation that makes him a valued official. He has long figured prominently in connection with journalism and was widely known as the owner and publisher of Der Demokrat. Indeed, his activities have reached out to various interests, many of which have had bearing upon the general welfare, and in all he has maintained a progressive attitude.
A native of Illinois, Mr. Faul was born in Freeport, May 22, 1860. The family name indicates his German ancestry. His parents, Christian and Eliza- beth ( Shoch) Faul, were both natives of Germany and in early life the father learned the machinist's trade in his native land. He came to America in the '50s, settling first at Buffalo, New York, while later he resided at Chicago be- fore removing to Freeport. Eventually he became a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa. For thirty-five years he was in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company as a machinist and for seven years worked on the Wabash in the line of his trade. He died in Council Bluffs in March, 1910, as the result of an accident, when seventy-seven years old. He was still active in business at that time, a sound. robust and well preserved man. His widow is still a resident
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of Council Bluffs and is a member of the Lutheran church, to which Mr. Faul also belonged. In their family were six children, Frank, Frederick, Martha, Albert, Henry and Kate. Of these Frederick and Martha died in Council Bluffs.
Frank Faul was a lad of nine years when his parents removed from Illinois to Iowa, so that his education was largely acquired in the schools of Council Bluffs, where, passing through consecutive grades, he eventually became a high- school student. He also attended the German day school and in due time was graduated from the high school. He then began to learn the printer's trade, which he followed for many years. In December, 1880, he came to Denison and for seven years worked on the German paper published by Mr. Meyers. In 1887 he joined with several others in forming a stock company for the publica- tion of a German paper called Der Demokrat. Some time later Mr. Faul pur- chased the interests of the others and became sole proprietor of this paper, which is published weekly in the interest of the democratic party. It is an attractive journal, ably edited, and has both a large circulation and advertising patronage. Mr. Faul also conducted a general job printing business, in which the work done was a high expression of the printer's art, but he disposed of the paper January 1, 19II.
On the Ist of December, 1883, occurred the marriage of Frank Faul and Miss Ernestina Brinkmann, who was born in Lunden, Schleswig-Holstein, Ger- many, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Brinkmann. Her father came to America in 1882 with his second wife, having previously lost his first wife in Germany. By his first marriage there were four children: Ernestina, now Mrs. Faul; Carolina, the wife of Christian Otto; Bendix, deceased; and John. After crossing the Atlantic Mr. Brinkmann settled in Crawford county, Iowa, where his second wife died in January, 1910. There were three children by that marriage: Emma and Frieda, who are yet living; and Peter, who died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Faul have been born three sons and three daughters : Otto, who married Eva Cooley, of Wall Lake, and has two children, Evelyn and Gretchen; Elizabeth, a teacher of Crawford county; Henry, who is a printer in his father's office; Frankie E., who is attending the State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Alfred and Ruby, who are now attending the public schools.
Mr. Faul belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Odd Fellows society and the Improved Order of Red Men and is prominent and popular in these different organizations. For fifteen years he has held membership with Sidoni Lodge, No. 393, I. O. O. F., and for a decade has been its secretary. He like- wise belongs to Dowdall Lodge, No. 90, K. P., and Ute Tribe, No. 91, I. O. R. M. He is particularly prominent in the German-American societies of Craw- ford county and since its organization in 1880 has been connected with the Germania Society, of which he is now president. He is also treasurer of the German Brotherhood, with which he has been identified for a quarter of a century. He belongs to the Commercial Club and is deeply interested in its projects of exploiting the advantages of Denison and of upbuilding the city along substantial and progressive lines. For thirty years he has been a member of the fire department, for a quarter of a century secretary of the hook and ladder company, was treasurer of the consolidated fire department and is now its presi-
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dent. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and in 1900 he was elected clerk of the district court, which position he filled for four years. Then, after an interval of two years, he was again elected to the office in 1906 and is still acting in that capacity. Mr. Faul stands as a high type of progressive American manhood and citizenship. He is an advocate of practical reform and progress and has not only cooperated in the movements for the general good but has taken the initiative in introducing many projects, the worth and value of which have been proven by time.
A. A. BARBER.
A resident of Nishnabotny township whose energies have been confined to general farming and stock-raising, in which he has met with lucrative returns is A. A. Barber, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 13th of August, 1857. He is a son of Rockley and Sarah Anne (Tomlinson) Barber, natives of England, from which country they emigrated to the United States during child- hood with their respective parents, who settled in Pennsylvania. In 1849 Mr. Barber migrated to Ohio, going back to the Keystone state the following year to be married, after which, accompanied by his bride, he returned to his western home. The first twenty-one years of their domestic life were spent in Ohio, following which they removed to Iowa and located in Muscatine county, where they resided until 1874. They then bought some prairie land on section II, Nishnabotny township. Crawford county, in the cultivtaion of which Mr. Barber engaged until he passed away in 1903. He was a shoemaker and had always either followed that trade or worked in the woolen mills until he removed to lowa, but thereafter his activities were entirely devoted to agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Barber survived her husband for four years, her demise occurring in 1907. Five children were born unto them: E. W., who is a resident of Manilla, Iowa ; A. A., our subject ; Carrie, the wife of F. A. Brown, of Manilla; Mary, who is the wife of Isaac Hird, of Manilla; and G. E., of Ogden, Utah.
The first thirty-one years of A. A. Barber's life were spent in the paternal home, his education being acquired in the common schools. Subsequent to his marriage he rented a farm of his father-in-law, William Flint, in the operation of which he engaged for three years, and then bought three hundred and twenty acres on sections 11 and 2. Nishnabotny township. The land is highly cultivated and contains two full sets of improvements, all of which are substantially con- structed buildings and are in good condition. Although he engages in general farming he makes a specialty of breeding blooded stock and is meeting with gratifying success in his ventures. In addition to his property interests in Craw- ford county he also owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hyde county, South Dakota.
In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Barber and Miss Addie Flint, a daughter of William Flint, and they have reared two children, one being Maybel Myrtle, who will graduate from the Manilla high school with the class of 1911.
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The religious views of the family coincide with those of the Presbyterian denomination, with which they affiliate, while politically Mr. Barber is identified with the republican party, for whose candidates he always casts his ballot. He takes an active interest in local affairs and served his township as trustee for nine years and has also acted as school director. Both he and his family are well regarded in the community where they reside, and in the social life of which they take a prominent part.
JURGEN JURGENSEN.
A native of Crawford county, where he has spent his life up to the present time, Jurgen Jurgensen was born in Hanover township, January 27, 1882, a son of Edlef and Margaret (Bietz) Jurgensen, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to America when young and were married in Iowa. Sub- sequently the father engaged in farming with such good results that he acquired a place of two hundred and eighty acres in Hanover township, Crawford county, upon which he and his wife are now living. To them eight children were born. namely: Caroline, who married Carl Grill, of Charter Oak township; Jurgen, of this review; Herman, at home; Moritz, who is engaged in farming in Hanover township; and Mary, Edward, Hannah and John, all of whom are living at home.
Jurgen Jurgensen was reared upon his father's farm and secured his early education in the district schools. As he grew up he assisted his father to the extent of his ability and continued at home until twenty-four years of age. He then began farming on his own account on part of the old homestead and as he has been diligent and enterprising in everything he has undertaken, he now en- joys well earned prosperity.
On the 22d of December, 1909, Mr. Jurgensen was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Riemer, who was born in Chicago, June 10, 1891, a daughter of Ludwig and Hannah (Lutz) Riemer. Her parents were born in Germany and married in their native land, coming shortly afterward to this country. After spending several years in Chicago, they came to Crawford county, Iowa, in 1893, and Mr. Riemer bought eighty acres of land, which he cultivated to good advantage until his retirement in 1908. He and his wife are now living in Mondamin, Iowa, where they own a beautiful home. He has disposed of his farm and is now in the enjoyment of the fruits of many years of well directed labor. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Riemer: Augusta, the wife of George Sciford, of Crawford county ; William, also of Crawford county ; George, who is living at home; Theresa, now Mrs. Jurgen Jurgensen ; Anna L., at home ; August, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Gustave, who died at the age of three years ; and George, at home. One child, Irene H. M., has come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jurgensen, her natal day being December 27, 1910.
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