USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 55
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Fred J. Lahndorf was a lad of eleven years when brought to the United States by his parents, and his education, commenced in the schools of the fatherland, was completed in Davenport. After arriving in Haynes township he continued to give his father the benefit of his assistance until the latter's death, when he assumed control of the homestead, which he has since continued to operate. He
Vol. II-28
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is now the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of highly cultivated land, upon which are to be found all of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and the success which is attending his efforts clearly indicates the practical and progressive methods which he employs and the close application which he gives to his business affairs.
Mr. Lahndorf was united in marriage, on the 13th of September, 1882, to Miss Cecelia Jetter, who was born in Davenport, Iowa, of German parentage. As the years have passed their home has been blessed with nine children, as follows: Fred J. Jr .; Emma, who married Ora Pipper, of Manilla, Iowa; Edward; Helen K., who married R. C. Bradshaw, but is now deceased ; Henry J., Minnie. Clara and Ferdinand, all yet at home; and William, who passed away in infancy.
Mr. Lahndorf's religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, while frater- nally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at West Side. In politics he supported the democracy for a few years but is now a stalwart republican, supporting the men and measures of that party. For himself, however, he has never sought office, although he has served efficiently as school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He and his wife occupy a high place in the social circles of the community in which they reside because of their many excellent traits of character, and their home is the seat of a warm-hearted and generous hospitality which is freely extended to their many friends.
FRANK SLEGEL.
Frank Slegel, who owns a pleasantly situated home and farm in West Side township, may justly be designated as one of the intelligent and enterprising citizens of Crawford county. He is a native of Jackson county. Wisconsin, born November 23. 1874. a son of Carl and Barbara (Kocum) Slegel. The parents were both born in Bohemia and came to America in 1867, taking up their resi- dence in Wisconsin. In 1880 the family arrived in Crawford county, Iowa, and located on a farm in Milford township, where Mr. Slegel successfully engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. He and his wife are now living retired at Vail in the enjoyment of many years of well directed labor. There were seven children in their family, five of whom are now living: Frank, the subject of this review ; Louis, at home ; Anna, the wife of Wilbur Hawley, of Crawford county. a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Mamie, who married William Maynard, also of Crawford county; and Carrie, who is the wife of Floyd Chapman, of this county.
Frank Slegel came to Crawford county with his parents in his early boyhood and received the advantages of education in the public schools. He assisted his father in work upon the home farm until arriving at manhood and then began in business upon his own account by purchasing a place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 17. West Side township, where he now lives. He has improved his farm, converting it into rich and highly cultivated fields. He has also erected
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good and substantial buildings and planted a grove of evergreen trees, which is one of the highly attractive features of the township. He raises grain but pays special attention to stock-raising, which is a valuable part of his business and returns a generous revenue yearly.
In 1903 Mr. Slegel was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Kastl, who was born in Nebraska, October 10, 1880, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kunes) Kastl. The parents were both born in Bohemia and emigrated to America in 1873, settling in Nebraska. The father passed away in 1890 but the mother is still living. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kastl, Mary being next to the youngest in order of birth.
Mr. Slegel and his estimable wife are members of the Catholic church, in which they were reared and in its work they take a great interest. As active and efficient factors in the community they are held in the highest esteem. Politically Mr. Slegel gives his support to the democratic party. He has never cared for official honors but has served most creditably as school director and also for six years in the responsible position of township assessor. Fraternally he is a valued member of Camp No. 3057, M. W. A., of Vail.
JOHN COOK.
Coming of good English parentage on both sides of the house, John Cook, formerly a member of the board of supervisors of Crawford county, has shown in his life something of the characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon race, also being closely identified with successful and progressive citizenship. He is a native of Jackson county, Iowa, born March 8, 1854, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Cox) Cook, both of whom were natives of Somersetshire, England. The father was reared in the old country but came to America and was one of the early settlers of Jackson county, Iowa. He worked on the steamboats on the Missis- sippi river and also chopped cord wood, at one time having fifteen hundred cords chopped. This took fire and burned up, but he was not a man to yield to dis- couragement and he turned his attention to burning lime and farming. He preempted one hundred and twenty acres of land in Iowa township, Jackson county, which he improved and later disposed of. In 1879 he came to Crawford county and located upon a farm in Jackson township, where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1891, at the age of seventy years. He was one of the highly successful farmers of his locality, owning four hundred acres, and was also one of the successful stock feeders in the township. His wife still survives him but for six years past has been an invalid. She is a member of the Methodist church, as was also her husband. The maternal grandfather of our subject was William Cox, a native of England, who by trade was a shoemaker. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Cook, namely : Elizabeth, who married Thomas Taplin and is now deceased; Sarah, who became the wife of Thomas Bartlett and is also deceased ; John, the subject of this review ; Mary, the wife of John Nelson, of Dundurn, Canada; Matthew, deceased; and Ellen, the wife of S. F. Squires, of Kansas City, Missouri.
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John Cook was reared on his father's farm and received his early education in the district schools, which knowledge he has greatly broadened by study and reading. He began farming on a tract of land owned by his father in Crawford county and later the father gave him eighty acres, which he cultivated to good advantage for many years, also acquiring other farms. In January, 1899, he sold his original homestead and has since been an extensive buyer of land. He now owns four hundred and eighty acres in this county and also a beautiful home in Denison, and his son William owns one hundred and sixty acres in Milford township, which he has greatly improved.
Mr. Cook is recognized as a man of sound business judgment whose integrity is above question. Politically he adheres to the democracy, firmly believing that the principles of his party are essential to the perpetuity of free institutions. He has at various times taken an active part in politics and served for six years as a member of the county board of supervisors, in the course of which he instituted many measures of great practical value to the county and demonstrated an ability in the management of large affairs that was highly gratifying to the people. Socially he is identified with the Masonic order and belongs to Sylvan Lodge, No. 507. A. F. & A. M., and Ark Chapter, No. 89, R. A. M. His name is widely known in this section of the state, where he has spent the principal part of his life. and on account of his genial and generous qualities his friends and well- wishers are numbered by the legion.
A. J. JACOBSON.
A. J. Jacobson, who for a period of about thirty years has been associated with the carpenter's trade in Kiron, is of Scandinavian extraction, his birth oc- curring in Sweden on the 7th of November, 1854. He is the second in order of birth of the four children born to his parents, Jacob and Bettie (Hesselgren ) Swenson, the others being : Peter, who lives with his brother on the farm in Stock- holm township; Charles, a resident of Nebraska; and Lena, also living in Kiron. The parents passed away in Sweden, the father at the age of ninety years and the mother at eighty-two.
.A. J. Jacobson acquired his education in the common schools of his native land and it was there he also learned the carpenter's trade. In 1881 he took passage for the United States, believing that his opportunities of acquiring the means which would assure him ease and comfort without toil in the latter years of his life were better in America than in his own country. Upon his arrival he immediately made his way westward and located in Crawford county, Iowa, de- voting his entire time during the first four years of his residence here to his trade. He was a skillful as well as competent workman and was always employed at good wages, his faithful and capable discharge of his duties being most excellent recommendation. During this period he bought eighty acres of land in Stock- holm township, to which he has added at various times until his farm now con- tains one hundred and twenty acres of well improved and cultivated land. He has placed the greater portion of the improvements upon his property, but its
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cultivation has been left almost entirely to his brother as he still devotes the ma- jor portion of his time to his trade.
Mr. Jacobson gives his political support to the republican party and although he does not aspire to public honors or the emoluments of office he served for one term on the board of school directors. He is one of the well regarded and highly respected men of Kiron, having won and retained the friendship of many of its citizens during the period of his residence here.
JOHN H. KETELSEN.
Of worthy Teutonic parentage and early imbued with true ideas as to the importance of industry, John H. Ketelsen, of Charter Oak township, was given a fair start in life and although he is a young man he has become well estab- lished as a farmer, his place giving evidence of thorough cultivation and gener- ous returns for the time and labor expended upon it.
He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in June, 1884, a son of Peter and Anna (Wamser) Ketelsen, both of whom were natives of Schleswig-Hol- stein. In 1891 the family emigrated to America, sailing from Hamburg and landing in New York city. They came west to Clinton county, Iowa, and the father worked on a farm for one year, after which he took up his residence in Clinton, where he was employed in sawmills until about ten years ago. In 1901 he came to Crawford county and rented a farm near Buck Grove, in Wash- ington township, five years later moving to Charter Oak township, where he and his wife are now living. He has followed farming most of his life, having worked at that occupation in Germany. In politics he adheres to the democratic party and religiously he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church. They are the parents of seven children, namely: Margaret, now the wife of Hans Dirks, of Jackson county, Iowa; John H., of this review; Dora, now Mrs. Fred Kuhlmann, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Mary, Peter, Clara and Albert, all of whom are at home.
John H. Ketelsen came to Iowa with his parents at the age of seven and to Crawford county when he was seventeen. He received his education in the com- mon schools and continued with his parents, assisting in the support of the family, until he was twenty-four years of age. He then began farming on his own account in Washington township, where he rented land for three years, after which he removed to section 3, Charter Oak township, and located upon one hundred and twenty acres. The farm is provided with many improvements, including a good house, barn and outbuildings, and a thorough system of drain- age. His success as a farmer is to be attributed to his untiring industry and good management.
On the 3d of April, 1907, Mr. Ketelsen was united in marriage to Miss Tina. Schroeder, a native of Washington township and a daughter of Charles and Margaret (Ohl) Schroeder, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father is deceased but the mother is now living in Buck Grove. They had five children, four of whom are now living: Albert, who is engaged in farming near
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Buck Grove; Fred, who also lives near Buck Grove; Tina, now Mrs. John H. Ketelsen; and William, who is engaged in farming in Washington township. One child, Laura, has come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ketelsen.
Mr. Ketelsen and his wife are earnest members of the German Lutheran church, in which they were both reared, and they are interested not only in the prosperity of the church but also in promoting the welfare of the entire com- munity. Their cheerful home is the center of genial and generous hospitality. Mr. Ketelsen ever since he cast his first ballot has given his support to the demo- cratic party, believing that its principles are in accord with the best interests of the country. Diligent and enterprising in the calling to which he devotes him- self with untiring zeal, he has attained a fair degree of success and is numbered among the substantial citizens of Crawford county.
JESSE T. DIETER.
Although he is only twenty-four years of age Jesse T. Dieter has charge of a large farm in Jackson township and manages it with an ability that is producing excellent returns. From his carliest recollection he has been connected with agricultural pursuits. He was born in Jackson township, December 21, 1886, a son of John A, and Tillie C. (Pound) Dieter. The father, who was born in Ohio, came to Crawford county and acquired six hundred and forty acres in Jackson township but disposed of three hundred and twenty acres. He also became the owner of six hundred and ninety acres in West Side township and now makes his home in that part of the county. He is a man of unusually clear and sound business judgment and has met in his chosen vocation with well merited success. There were ten children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Dieter, namely: Grace, who now lives in Omaha; Jesse T., of this review; George, Raymond, Leonard. Edward, Lloyd. Ada May and Earl, all of whom are at home; and James, who died in infancy.
Jesse T. Dieter received his education in the district schools and remained at home, assisting his father, until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1907, having decided to begin farming on his own account, he rented two hundred and sixty acres of his father and later the entire three hundred and sixty acres which remains of the old homestead in Jackson township. He has managed his affairs to excellent advantage and carries on general farming and stock-raising, feeding and shipping cattle upon an extensive scale. He keeps a good grade of stock and receives fair prices for what he offers for sale. His prosperity is the result of constant and well directed effort.
On the 20th of May, 1900. Mr. Dieter was united in marriage to Miss May McCalpin, a daughter of William and Catherine (White) McCalpin. Her Parents are natives of St. Louis, Missouri, and are now living in that city. There were twelve children in their family, eight of whom survive, namely: May. now Mrs. Jesse T. Dieter; William, Helen, Robert, Ruth, George, Joseph and Francis, all yet at home. One child. Catherine, has come to bless the union of Mr and Mrs. Dieter, her natal day being September 13, 1910.
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Mr. Dieter inherited characteristics of industry and persistence, which are so necessary in the attainment of any important object, and, today he is recog- nized as a capable man of business, who cannot fail to become a prominent factor in the development of Crawford county. He and his estimable wife are sincere members of the Catholic church. He gives his adherence to the repub- lican party and is a strong believer in its platform. Socially he is a valued mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America.
THOMAS E. PEARSON.
Thomas E. Pearson, who has been successfully engaged in the transfer busi- ness at Denison for the past seventeen years, was born in Kendall county, Illi- nois, on the 7th of August, 1860, his parents being Thomas P. and Sarah M. (Seely) Pearson. The father, whose birth occurred in England in 1823, accom- panied his parents on their emigration to the United States in 1883, the family first locating in Utica, New York. Three years later they removed to Kendall county, Illinois, where the grandfather of our subject entered land and erected a log cabin with clapboard roof and puncheon floor. Thomas P. Pearson there grew to manhood and in 1847 wedded Miss Sarah M. Seely, who was born in New York in 1829. In 1856 he went to Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois, there making his home until 1865, which year witnessed his removal to Cedar Rapids, Linn county, Iowa. In 1876 he took up his àbode in Crawford county, here re- siding until 1895, when he removed to Elmwood, Illinois, where his demise occurred in 1902. His widow, who still survives him, is living in Canton, Illi- nois, and has attained the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Millicent S., who is deceased; F. M., who is a resi- dent of Carney, Oklahoma; Ida M., the wife of Frank Richards, of Kane county, Illinois; Thomas E., of this review ; and Iola B., the wife of George Ainsworth, of Canton, Illinois.
Thomas E. Pearson was educated in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age, when he was married and es- tablished a home of his own. Following that important event in his life he purchased a half interest in the old homestead farm of two hundred and seventy- nine acres on sections 24 and 25, Goodrich township, residing thereon until 1894. In that year he disposed of the property and came to Denison, where he has since made his home, now owning two fine residences, six lots and a transfer barn. During the period of his residence in Denison he has been engaged in the dray and transfer business and has built up an extensive and profitable enterprise in this connection. .
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Pearson chose Miss Eva Adelle Haskin, whose birth occurred in Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 17th of September, 1859, her parents being John W. and Orrel M. (Watter- man) Haskins, the former a native of New York and the latter of Holland, Massachusetts. They removed to Wisconsin with their respective parents and later took up their abode in Richland county, that state, where Mr. Haskin died
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in 1001. His wife passed away in Crawford county, Iowa, in 1910. Mrs. Pear- son was one of a family of eight children, seven of whom are yet living. She taught school for seven years prior to her marriage. She is now the mother of three children. Townsend A., whose natal day was March 18, 1886, is a student in the Northwestern University Dental School of Chicago. Laura Ida, who was born on the 30th of November, 1889, is a graduate of the Denison high school and now attends the Columbia School of Music in Chicago. Margaret, the younger daughter, was born on the 17th of April, 1898.
In politics Mr. Pearson is a republican, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party by his ballot. He has served as a member of the school board and has hkewise acted as a street commissioner. Fraternally he is identi- tied with the Woodmen of the World, belonging to Lodge No. 76 at Denison, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, with which his wife is also affiliated. Mrs. Pearson is the president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the seventeenth district of Iowa and also belongs to the Relief Corps. Mr. Pearson is a progressive, wide-awake business man of known reliability, and the success that has come to him is but the just reward of his own industry and good management.
EMIEL NOVOTNE.
Crawford county can claim many substantial and progressive men who have demonstrated their business ability and integrity and appear to be competent to fill any position to which they may aspire. To this class belongs Emiel Novotne, who occupies a well improved farm in West Side township, which gives evidence of his thoughtful attention and yields annually abundant returns for the time and labor expended upon it. He was born in Carroll county, Iowa, October 7, 1877. a son of Jacob and Petronella (Vosta) Novotne, who were natives of Bohemia. They came to America and after living in Johnson, Carroll and Sac counties, lowa, were attracted to Crawford county, where they established their homestead. Mr. Novotne engaged very successfully in agriculture and stock- raising until his death, which occurred in 1896. The beloved wife and mother passed away in 1002. Their ten children are all now living.
Educated in the public schools, Emiel Novotne continued at home until he reached manhood and then rented the home farm for two years. He managed his affairs so successfully that he was then able to purchase eighty acres on sec- tion o. West Side township, which he has developed into one of the valuable farms of that locality. He devotes his attention to general farming and stock- raising with very satisfactory results.
On the 22d of October. 1902, Mr. Novotne was united in marriage to Miss Ada Richardson, who was born in Jackson township. March 28, 1880, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Richardson, both of whom were born in England. Mention of them is made in the sketch of Charles Richardson, which appears dewhere in this work. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Novotne has been blessed
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by the birth of a son, Francis, whose natal day was November 16, 1904. He is now a highly promising lad.
Mr. Novotne has never allowed his interest to be absorbed by politics to the detriment of his private affairs but as a patriotic citizen he votes for the princi- ples that he considers most essential in the advancement of the permanent welfare of the country. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party and has served with special ability as member of the school board and also for three years as road superintendent. His upright and straightforward life commends him to all with whom he comes into contact. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church, a faith in which they were reared, and by their neighbors and acquaintances are held in high esteem.
WILBUR HAWLEY.
Coming of good New England stock Wilbur Hawley has demonstrated in his life those principles of perseverance, energy and progressiveness which seldom fail to lead to success. He is the owner of a valuable farm in Milford township which under his skillful management produces good crops and yields a handsome annual revenue. He was born in Connecticut, January 12, 1864, a son of R. C. and Sarah (Bears) Hawley, both of whom were natives of Con- necticut. The family came west and settled in Crawford county, the father attaining an enviable position as one of its respected and successful citizens. He passed away at the age of eighty-one. There were six children in the family, namely : Ella, who now lives in Crawford county; Edward, deceased; Frank, of Crawford county ; Robert C., also of Crawford county ; Wilbur, of this review ; and Sarah, now the wife of Avery E. Ford, of New Haven, Connecticut.
Wilbur Hawley received his education in the public schools and early became acquainted with the various details pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. He continued with his father until thirty-two years of age, in the meantime conducting a country grocery store, driving through the country about two days a week buying eggs and giving groceries in exchange for them. He packed the eggs during the summer months and shipped them to the eastern markets during the winter. While engaged in this business he also assisted his father in the work of the home farm and during the winter when his duties were not so arduous he bought poultry, which he dressed and shipped to the eastern markets. In traveling over the country he gained a large circle of friends by his upright and honorable dealings. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land, one hundred and sixty of which formerly belonged to his father, while the eighty acre tract he has purchased since his marriage. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and ships cattle and hogs to the market each year. In 1908 he had the misfortune to lose his home and nearly all its contents by fire. Although he carried no insurance he is not a man to yield to discouragement and he erected a beautiful modern residence of two stories, which is provided with all desirable conveniences. He has made practically all the improvements that
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