USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 56
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are to be seen on his farm and the well cultivated fields and excellent appearance of everything about the place reflect great credit upon his industry and judgment.
On October 7. 1896, Mr. Hawley was united in marriage to Miss Anna Slegel, a daughter of Carl and Barbara ( Kocum) Slegel. There were seven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Slegel, five of whom survive: Frank and Louis, both of Crawford county; Anna, now Mrs. Ilawley; Mayme, the wife of William Maynard. of Crawford county ; and Carrie, now Mrs. Floyd Chap- man, also of Crawford county. Four children bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hawley: Raymond Ford, Grace Carol, Robert Theodore and Wilbur C., who was born June 23. 1907.
Mir. Hawley gives his allegiance to the republican party, whose principles he regards as essential to the permanent prosperity of the country. Fraternally he is identified with the Royal Neighbors and in religious belief he affiliates with the Presbyterian church. He is a substantial and enterprising man who recognizes his obligations to the community and is ever ready to assist in promoting the general welfare. He enjoys an extensive acquaintance in his section of the county and has fairly earned the respect in which he is held by his neighbors and friends.
JOHN G. MOHR.
General farming and stock-raising have always engaged the attention of John G. Mohr, who is a resident of lowa township, Crawford county. He was born in Jackson county, lowa, on the 8th of October, 1875, and is a son of Frederick C. and Mary ( Kruse) Mohr. The parents were both natives of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, where they were married and where their four eldest children were born. In the early 'zos they emigrated to the United States, settling in Jackson county, Iowa, moving from there to Clinton county, where they resided for a time. In 1892 they again changed their habitation, this time locating on a farm on section 2, Iowa township, Crawford county. After culti- vating this place for nine years they removed one-half mile north, where the father continued to reside until he retired from active labor. He now makes his home with his son George C. Six children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Mohr: Otto, who is a resident of Iowa township, making his home with our subject : Maggie, the wife of Fred Renfeldt, of Manilla, Iowa; Peter, of Ute, lowa: C. D., who is living in lowa township, south of our subject ; John G -; and George C., also of lowa township, living north of his brother, John G. The mother passed away in October, 1903.
John G. Mohr was reared at home, acquiring his education in the district schools and remaining a member of the paternal household until the retirement of his father, when he removed to the place where he has ever since resided. His homestead contains about ninety acres of fertile land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He engages in general farming and the raising of graded stock, in both of which directions his efforts are meeting with very good returns.
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On the 21st of September, 1899, Mr. Mohr was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Lage, a native of Germany, and they have become the parents of three children : Freddie, Lena and Raymond.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Mohr are affiliated with the Lutheran church and in politics he is a democrat. He is an industrious, hard-working man and is con- fining all of his efforts to the development of his property, the returns from which are abundantly rewarding his endeavors.
GEORGE C. MOHR.
The efforts of George C. Mohr are being directed toward the cultivation of a farm of ninety acres in Iowa township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 21st of Sep- tember, 1877, and is the youngest son of Frederick C. and Mary (Kruse) Mohr, natives of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The parents emigrated to this country in the early '70s, locating in this state. The mother passed away in 1903 and the father is now living retired with the subject of this sketch.
The education of George C. Mohr was acquired in the district schools of his native county, and after laying aside his text-books he engaged with his father in the cultivation of the homestead until the latter retired, at which time he located upon the place where he continues to live. He has a very pleasant homestead, upon which he has made all of the improvements, and is being re- warded with very satisfactory returns for his efforts.
Mr. Mohr was married in 1903 to Miss Alfrida Molter, and unto them has been born one child, Nellie. They hold membership in the Lutheran church and politically Mr. Mohr affiliates with the democratic party, but not being an aspirant for office or public honors he does not actively participate in township affairs, devoting his entire attention to his private interests.
PATRICK D. McMAHON.
Patrick D. McMahon, attorney at law and title examiner for the Bank of Denison, has throughout his entire life ably and conscientiously performed the duty nearest at hand and thus has carved out the path of his own advancement. His life record had its beginning in the town of Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland, on the 25th of March, 1863. He is a member of one of the old families of West Clare, Ireland, there represented for many centuries. His parents, Denis and Kate (O'Dea) McMahon, were also natives of the Emerald isle, in which country the paternal grandfather had followed farming. Both he and his wife reached an advanced age. Their family numbered but two children, Denis and Thomas. The former became a soldier in the English army. He was reared in County Clare and after his military service was over became civil bill officer in West Clare. He married Kate O'Dea, a daughter of Michael O'Dea, and one
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of a large family, all now deceased. Mrs. McMahon passed away when only about thirty years of age, while Denis McMahon survived until 1875, reaching the age of forty-eight years. Both were adherents of the Roman Catholic faith. In their family were five children, three sons and two daughters: John; Patrick D .: Andrew, deceased; Mary, the wife of Michael Frawley, of Ennis, Ireland; and Ella, the wife of P. F. Barrett, of Dunlap, Iowa.
Patrick D. McMahon was reared on the Emerald isle and acquired his edu- cation in the Munster Model Agricultural College at Cork. Ireland, after which he became a teacher in the national schools of his native country. He was a young man of about twenty-two years when, in 1885, he came to America, settling first at Ida Grove, lowa, where he lived until April, 1886. He then removed to Crawford county, taking up his abode at Denison, where he entered the employ of Shaw & Kuehnle in their law, loan and abstract office. In October, 1888, however, he removed to Charter Oak, lowa, to take charge of an office for the same firm, and there continued until October, 1905, when he returned to Denison and accepted a position in the farm loan department of the Bank of Denison. Devoting his leisure hours to the mastery of the principles of juris- prudence, he was admitted to the bar in 1893 and has since engaged in the prac- tice of law, also acting as title examiner for the bank. His ability, earnest purpose and close application have enabled him to attain success in his work.
On the 19th of February, 1901, Mr. McMahon was united in marriage to Miss Marie Barrett, a daughter of Martin and Ann ( Hart) Barrett, of Dunlap. Iowa. Mrs. McMahon was born in Monona county, Iowa. Her mother was a native of Canada and her father of Ireland. Her father was only five years of age when brought to the new workl and was reared to manhood in Clinton county, Iowa. For many years he followed general agricultural and mercantile pursuits in Crawford. Monona and Harrison counties, but for over twenty years he and his wife have resided in Dunlap, Iowa. Their family numbers six sons and two daughters. William, Michael L., Peter F., Jacob F., deceased, Martin, John, Helen and Marie. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. McMahon was Patrick Barrett, a native of Ireland, who engaged in merchandising during much of his business life. Unto him and his wife were born three children, Michael, Martin and Mary. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. McMahon were both natives of Ireland but died in Clinton county, Iowa. Their family included Peter, John, Edward, Ann, Rose and Mary.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McMahon has been blessed with two chil- dren. Robert Emmet and Jacob Barrett. The parents are both members of the Catholic church and Mr. McMahon belongs also to the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen camp. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which finds in him a stalwart and active supporter. While a resident of Charter Oak he served as mayor of the city, was justice of the peace for seven years and postmaster for nine years. The duties of those positions he discharged with promptness and fidelity and it is characteristic of him that no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed. He owns a pleasant home in Denison, which he and his family occupy, and aside from this he is much interested in real estate, owning over one thousand acres in Iowa and several houses and lots in Sioux City. His
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realty holdings return to him a gratifying annual income and are constantly increasing in value with the rapid settlement of the districts in which his farms are located and also by reason of the improvements which he places upon his land. In the practice of law, in the conduct of banking interests and in his real-estate operations Mr. McMahon has proved himself a capable business man, far-sighted and sagacious, his enterprise and diligence bringing him gratifying and well merited success.
THOMAS BROWN.
One of the honored and highly esteemed citizens of Denison township, now living retired, is Thomas Brown who was born on Pinchbeck Fen, twenty miles from Great Spolden, in Lincolnshire, England, his natal day being August 25, 1818. His parents, Thomas and Anne (Bauchenburg) Brown, were also natives of Lincolnshire. At the age of twenty-one years the father enlisted in the English service, taking part in the war with France in 1812. At the battle of Moscow he and a comrade, Jack Rehms, had the distinction of holding alternately the young Napoleon III in their arms, the child and his mother having been taken prisoners there. He participated in the battle of Waterloo and for his services received a medal from the English government inscribed as follows : "Victoria San Sebastian St. John Toulouse," and under this was inscribed the names of the three battles in which he engaged: "Bayonne, Toulouse, Water- loo." On the other side of the medal are the emblems, the cross cannon, several flags, the anchor, and the date, 1812. This medal was of silver-hued composition metal, being but slightly larger than our silver dollar but weighing about twice as much. While a resident of Troy, New York, the father's home and all its contents were destroyed by fire, but the medal was finally found in the debris and after being polished looked as well as previously. During his military career Mr. Brown was wounded in the battle of the Isle of Wight.
In 1832, when a boy of fourteen years, our subject left home, and, going to Liverpool, embarked for the United States. The next day his father and mother, with the remainder of their family, also started for Liverpool en route for the new world. Neither knew of the others intention until they met on the out-going boat. They continued their journey together and finally arrived in Troy, New York, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. In the family were twelve children, namely: Susan, who died in England; Mary, also deceased; one who died in infancy ; Elizabeth, still a resident of Troy, New York; Thomas, of this review; Anne, Jeremiah and Sallie, also deceased; and four others who died in infancy.
Mr. Brown of this review is a self-educated man, having but limited oppor- tunities during his boyhood and youth. He remained a resident of Troy, New York, until 1865, in the meantime being employed in a slaughterhouse. He then went to Illinois, first locating near Morris, in Grundy county, where he followed farming until 1867 and then removed to Crawford county, Iowa, locat- ing three miles west of Denison. Upon that place he made his home for three
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years and then located on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Denison township, which he still owns and occupies. Energetic, enterprising and in- dustrious, he made a success of his chosen calling and about five years ago practically retired from active farming. He is still hale and hearty, however, and although ninety-two years of age at times does considerable work upon the farm, and when visited by our representative, December 3, 1910, was found shocking corn. Since the age of five years he has used tobacco, but his outdoor life and activity has kept him in perfect health.
In 1856 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Iler, a native of Germany, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom died in infancy, while Seraphina is also deceased. Thomas P., born in Troy, New York. April 20. 1800, was educated in the schools of Morris, Illinois, and, like his father, followed farming as a life work, also operating a threshing machine for some years. He was a member of the Catholic church by conversion and was a stanch supporter of the republican party. In 1888 he married Miss Mar- garet Hughes, a native of New York city and a daughter of Edward and Jane (Newton ) Hughes, both of whom were born in Ireland. This union was blessed by eight children, namely: Jane E., Thomas M. and Margaret A .; Edward John, deceased; and Mary P., William Francis, Catherine Anna and Emma Cecelia, all at home.
At an early age Mr. Brown united with the Church of the Holy Cross in England and since becoming an American citizen has cast his ballot with the republican party. He is a man of exceptional ability who has usually carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken, and his life has been such as to command the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social life. His is an honored old age and he has countless friends in and around Denison.
CHRIST NISSEN.
Thirty years ago Christ Nissen arrived in the new world, to which he was attracted because of the opportunities it presents for well directed labor. He applied himself with carnestness and zeal and today he is the owner of a valu- able farm of two hundred and thirty acres in Stockholm township, the abundant harvests gathered from this land each year being visible evidence of his energy and enterprise.
Ile was born in Germany, March 7, 1857, a son of Paul and Mary C. (Chris- tiansen ) Nissen. The parents were both natives of the old country and continued there throughout their entire lives. There were eight children in the family, only two of whom are now living. Christ, the subject of this review; and John, also in America.
Christ Nissen received a common school-education and grew to manhood in the parental home, where he early became acquainted with the value of labor. At twenty-four years of age, in 1881. he bade farewell to relatives and friends and crossed the ocean to America, fully determined if possible to make for him-
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self a home under the friendly protection of the republic. He came direct to Crawford county, Iowa, and worked for three years as a farm hand and then began to operate rented land on his own account. He continued as a renter for eighteen years and, being economical and a good manager, acquired the capital necessary to purchase the place on section 13, Stockholm township, upon which he established his permanent home. His farm has been improved by the erection of buildings and fences, the putting in of tile and the setting out of shade and ornamental trees, so that it is one of the pleasing features of the landscape. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs and as he is well ac- quainted with his business, his success has been highly gratifying.
In 1884 Mr. Nissen was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Otto, who was born in Germany, September 7, 1861, a daughter of Christ and Christina (Gotwig) Otto. The family came to this country in 1884 and located in Craw- ford county, Iowa. The mother died September 15, 1906, but the father is still living and makes his home in Denison. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Otto. Eleven children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nissen, all of whom are now living except the oldest, who died in infancy. The others are William, John, Edward, Christina, Anna, Freda, Louise, Elsie, Amanda and Marvin.
Mr. and Mrs. Nissen are thoroughly familiar with the responsibilities of rear- ing a large family, and they have acquitted themselves nobly and have instilled into their children lessons of industry, frugality and perseverance so necessary in laying a permanent foundation for worthy objects in life. Both parents and children are identified with the Lutheran church and active workers in its in- terests. Politically Mr. Nissen gives his support to the democratic party. He is connected with the Odd Fellows, being a member of Lodge No. 993 at Denison and is an earnest advocate of the beautiful fraternal sentiments of that order. As a citizen he is greatly respected by the entire community.
ERNEST JAMES GUNN.
Ernest James Gunn, who has been identified with the farming interests of Crawford county during the past thirty-three years, was born in Coitsville. New Jersey, May 2, 1855, a son of James N. and Elizabeth (Lea) Gunn, both of whom were natives of London, England, where the father was born March 27, 1826. The early education of Ernest J. Gunn was obtained in the public schools of Clinton, Iowa, and for thirteen years he followed the trade of a marble cutter. In the fall of 1878 he came with his brother George T. to Crawford county and subsequently purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson township from his father. On this property he has since continued to follow farming, meeting with that success that comes as a result of earnest endeavor and well applied diligence.
The marriage of Mr. Gunn took place July 4, 1882, when he was united to Miss Helen Stevens, a daughter of Dr. B. F. and Sarah (West) Stevens, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, and the latter in New York. Her parents had thirteen children, of whom the following survive: Frances, who is
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the wife of Mr. Granger and resides in Nebraska; Henry, who lives in Florida; Fred, who is a resident of Sioux City, Iowa; Helen; Andrew, who makes his home in Sac city, Iowa; Catherine, who married Dempster Treadway, of Wall Lake; Frank, who lives in Clay county, Iowa; and John, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri. The deceased members of the family are Jerusha, Mary, Allan, Jane and Emma. Both of the parents have also passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Gunn two children have been born, namely: Letitia, who became the wife of Walter Campbell and makes her home in Sac county; and James F., who is farming in Crawford county.
In politics Mr. Gunn has always given his support to the republican party and in religion gives his allegiance to the Episcopal church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is recognized throughout the community as a man of genuine worth who has made the most of his opportunities.
AUGUST MAACK.
One of the well improved and highly cultivated farms of Crawford county is that of August Maack, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15. Hanover township. He is a native of Germany, his birth occurring on the 17th of October. 1870, just a few weeks before his parents, Ernest and Mary (Sachau ) Maack emigrated for the United States. They first located in Moline, Illinois, and during the first twenty-one years of their residence in this country the father worked out, but in 1891 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hanover township. Crawford county, Iowa, which he operated until his death in 1895. Mrs. Maack is still living at the age of sixty-six years and continues to reside on the homestead. They were the parents of the following children : Henry, who lives on the homestead; August, our subject; Emma, the wife of F. W. Dorale of South Dakota; John, who resides in Hanover township ; Annie, who is the wife of Henry Dorale of Soldier township, this county ; Matilda, who married Andrew Namanny, of South Dakota; Mary, who is still at home; and Christ, who died at the age of seventeen years.
August Maack obtained his education in the common schools, remaining at home until he had attained the age of twenty-six years, during which period by means of thrift and close application he accumulated sufficient capital to buy one hundred and twenty acres of land in Goodrich township. He operated this for nine years and then sold it and bought his present homestead. He has added many improvements to his place during his occupancy ; the buildings are all in good state of repair : the place is well stocked; and the fields are given the care- ful supervision which results in abundant harvests. Everything about his place bespeaks thrift and capable management, while the farm is considered one of the valuable properties of the township.
On the 12th of March, 1896, the union between Mr. Maack and Miss Dora Johannsen, of Clinton, Iowa, was solemnized. Four children were born of this
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MR. AND MRS. AUGUST MAACK
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union and they are as follows: Henry, who was born on the IIth of October, 1896; Lonie, born on the 3d of April, 1899; Edna, born on the 27th of March, 1901 ; and the fourth who died in infancy. Mrs. Maack passed away on the 8th of January, 1904, and on the 3d of March, 1907, Mr. Maack was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Wiebke (Boyens) Thun, who was born in Germany on the 24th of December, 1876. She came to America with her parents when five years of age and they first settled near Denison, Iowa, where the father worked for others for two years and then farmed as a renter for two years. Mr. and Mrs. Boyens possessed the perseverance, diligence and careful management which characterizes their nationality, and the result was at the end of that period he had the neces- sary means to buy the farm in Goodrich township which he cultivated up to the time of his retirement in 1899, at which time he removed to Charter Oak. He passed away on the 19th of September, 1906, but Mrs. Boyens is still living and makes her home with her daughter Mrs. Maack. They were the parents of eight children, who are as follows: Peter F., a resident of Plainview, Nebraska ; Henry, ยท living in Hanover township; Christina, the wife of Clouse Hendricksen; Mary, the wife of Casper Miller, of Charter Oak; Hans, who resides in Goodrich township; Mrs. Maack; and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Maack was first married February 18, 1896, becoming the wife of Johannes Thun, who died October 4, 1905, leaving three children, namely : Hilda, born May 9, 1900; Hans, born August 23, 1902 ; and Annie, born June 29, 1905. All are still living. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Maack: August, born on the 22d of November, 1908; and Martha, born on the 6th of August, 1910.
The family attend the German Lutheran church, with which the parents are affiliated by membership. Ever since age conferred upon him the full rights of citizenship Mr. Maack has given his support to the candidates of the democratic party. He takes an active interest in all local politics and served on the school board for one year and has recently been elected to the office of township as- sessor. He is highly regarded in the community where he resides and is con- sidered one of the substantial agriculturists of the township.
JONATHAN MILLER.
Nearly thirty-five years ago Jonathan Miller came to Crawford county and settled on eighty acres of land which he has transformed into a highly produc- tive farm. Through his thrift and good management he has prospered financially and is known as one of the substantial men of the township. He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1850, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Wagner) Miller. The parents were also natives of the Keystone state and are now deceased. There were eight children in their family: Hiram and Josephus, both of whom are deceased; Allan, who enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty- first Pennsylvania Regiment and lost his life at the battle of Gettysburg; Jona- than, of this review; Elizabeth, the wife of Elias Webber, of Pennsylvania ; Matilda, who married William Moyer, of Pennsylvania; Mahala, also of Penn- sylvania ; and Harriet, deceased.
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