USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 58
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Kahler are active members of the Presbyterian church. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and Improved Order of Red Men, and politically he gives his earnest support to the republican party. Although a young man and in practice only seven years, he has demonstrated an adaptability to his calling and a success in the conduct of important cases that are highly gratifying to his clients and friends. He is a fluent speaker and a clear thinker, a good judge of human nature, and, as he most thoroughly searches out the law in every cause entrusted to his care, he is an opponent who is respected even by the most experienced lawyers. It is scarcely necessary to add that he ranks high in the profession in Crawford and adjoining counties.
MARION A. CUE.
Among the successful farmers of Willow township is Marion A. Cue, who was born in the township where he now lives, September 15, 1872, a son of Joseph and Susan ( Arrowsmith) Cue. The father was born in Wiltshire, Eng- land. June 16, 1834. the mother being also of English parentage. The paternal grandfather, William Cue, was a farmer in England. His son Joseph came to the United States at the age of eighteen and lived at Woodford county, Illinois, and also at Danville, that state, subsequent to taking up his residence in Kansas for one year. Returning to Illinois, he enlisted in 1862 in Company C, Sixty- fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he continued until the close of the war, serving part of the time as corporal of his company. He was taken prisoner by the Confederates at Harpers Ferry but was exchanged and participated in the battles of Knoxville, Atlanta and Nashville, being in the thickest of the fight in the last named battle. During the war he returned to Illinois on a furlough and was married. After receiving his honorable discharge he again took up his residence in that state, where he engaged in farming for five or six years. In 1871 he came with his family to Crawford county, Iowa, and located upon raw land in Willow township, which he improved until it became very valuable. He acquired about three hundred and twenty acres but gave a part of his land to his sons and still retains one hundred and sixty acres. In 1903 he retired from active labor and is now living at Wichita, Kansas. In the old country he was a member of the Church of England but since coming to America he has never affiliated with any religious denomination. Mrs. Cue, the mother of our subject, was a native of New York state and a woman of many estimable traits of character. She passed away May 18, 1901.
There were nine children in the family: Frank E., who is deceased; Alfred M .. now living in Nebraska; Eliza, deceased; Marion A., of this review ; Arthur and Oscar, both of whom are deceased; Augusta, who married William Nutter, a farmer of Willow township; Bessie ; and Ralph, who is living on the home place.
Marion A. Cue was educated in the common schools of Willow township and as he grew to manhood devoted his attention closely to agriculture and stock- raising upon the home farm. He continued with his parents uutil he reached the age of twenty-three years and then began farming on his own account in
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the immediate neighborhood of the homestead. He is now located on sections 29 and 32, Willow township, and owns one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he has made substantial improvements. He has labored diligently and persistently to provide a comfortable home for his family and has won substantial success.
On the 12th of February, 1896, Mr. Cue was united in marriage to Miss Dora McDole, who is also a native of this county, a daughter of G. H. and Susanna Catherine (Bodenbender) McDole, both of whom were born in Pauld- ing county, Ohio. Her parents were married in the Buckeye state and took up their residence in Crawford county, Iowa, in 1869 but later returned to Ohio. They again came to Crawford county and located in Boyer township. Mrs. McDole died in September, 1909, but the father is still living and makes his home in Dunlap. There were four children in their family: John Francis, of Mapleton, Iowa ; G. H., Jr., who is living near Spokane, Washington ; Dora, now Mrs. Marion A. Cue; and Rosa L., who died in infancy. One child, Lester G., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cue. He is now a promising lad of fourteen years and is attending the public school.
Mr. Cue has spent his entire life in Willow township and it is doubtful whether any other man in the locality is better informed as to the resources of this section. He has from his boyhood been wide-awake, ambitious and enter- prising, and the success he has attained is evidence of his business ability. He is a man of unimpeachable integrity and honor and enjoys in the fullest degree the confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances. In politics he adheres to the republican party and has served for four years with general acceptance as township trustee. His name is not inscribed upon the rolls of any religious denomination but he is friendly toward all churches and especially so toward the Methodist church, being often an attendant at its services.
JOSEPH CLARENCE ROBINSON, D. D. S.
A native of Crawford county, Dr. Joseph Clarence Robinson belongs to a well known family, the name of Robinson being a synonym in Crawford county for highest integrity and honor. For fourteen years past he has been engaged in active practice at Denison and his reputation now extends over a wide terri- tory in this part of the state. He was born in Milford township, August 18, 1873, son of John C. and Allie J. (Snodgrass) Robinson, the former a native of Canada and the latter of West Virginia. The father was reared and educated in Canada and came to Boone, Iowa, about 1868, where he secured employ- ment as a clerk in a store. In 1870 he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Milford township, upon which he established his home. He prospered in his work and added to his possessions until he owned five hundred and eighty acres, becoming one of the best known citizens in this part of the county. He passed away in 1898 at the age of fifty-six years. His wife is now living at Los Angeles, California. She is a member of the Methodist church as was her husband. Our subject's grandfather Robinson was a native of Eng- land. He emigrated to Canada and located on a farm at Lynne. In his family
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were five children: Henry. John C., Joseph, Richard and Mary Ann. The maternal grandfather was Rev. J. W. Snodgrass, a native of West Virginia. He was one of the pioneer preachers and he and the father of United States Senator Doliver traveled the same circuit in the early days. His wife was Mary Dudley. They came to Boone county about 1866 and passed the remainder of their lives there. In their family were four children: Allie J., Asby, Mary and Mattie, the two last named being twins. There were four children born to John C. and Allie Robinson, namely: William, now living at Los Angeles, California ; John R., of Milford township; and Joseph C. and Richard, twins, the former the subject of this review and the latter of Milford township.
Joseph Clarence Robinson was reared upon his father's farm and secured his early education in the district schools, later attending the public schools of Denison and the Denison Normal & Business College. Having decided to de- vote his attention to dentistry, he entered the dental department of the State University at lowa City but later transferred his allegiance to the Northwestern Dental School of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1897 with a degree of D. D. S. He at once began practice at Manning, Iowa, but on August 17, 1807. located in Denison, where he has built up a large and lucrative business. He is a member of the Iowa State Dental Society.
On the Ist of June, 1899, Dr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Emilie Gloe, a native of Clinton, Iowa, and they have one child, Maxine Gloe Josephine. Dr. Robinson owes his success to conscientious application to his profession, having first made thorough preparation by study under some of the most competent instructors in America. He keeps fully informed as to the latest discoveries and methods and is recognized by his brother practitioners as one of the most skilled dentists in the state. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and has taken the thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Masonry, being a member of Sylvan Lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M., and the Des Moines Consistory. He also belongs to Za-Ga-Zig Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and to the Knights of Pythias. Politically, he adheres to the republican party but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of office as he prefers to devote his time and attention to his profession.
JOHN H. KROHNKE.
A native of Crawford county, John H. Krohnke, of Schleswig, was born in Morgan township. April 13. 1879. He is a son of Henry and Annie (Sucks- torf ) Krohnke, both of whom were born in Germany. They were married in lowa and Mr. Krohnke began farming on rented land. Being a man of unusual diligence and good judgment, he acquired a farm of his own in a few years and later became the owner of seven hundred and sixty acres in Morgan township. Ile cultivated his farm until 1904. since which time he has lived at Schleswig. There were four children in his family: Gustie, now the wife of William Bumann, of Bloomfield. Nebraska; John H., the subject of this review; Mattie,
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the wife of William Bielenberg, now residing upon the old homestead in Morgan township; and Amelia, who is still at home.
John H. Krohnke possessed advantages of education in the district schools and remained at home until after reaching his majority. At twenty-three years of age he engaged in farming on his own account but after four years' experi- ence turned his attention to the butcher business at Schleswig. In 1909 he dis- posed of his butcher shop and has since engaged in the saloon business.
On the 25th of February, 1902, Mr. Krohnke was united in marriage to Miss Christina Witt, a native of Otter Creek township and a daughter of Fritz and Johanna (Ohl) Witt. The parents were born in Germany and were married in this state. Mr. Witt engaged successfully in farming until 1902 and has since made his home at Schleswig. In the family were six children: Emma, who married Amos Hollander, of Nebraska, and is now deceased; Louis, who is now living on the old homestead; Christina, now Mrs. John H. Krohnke; Amanda, the wife of William Schmidt, of Schleswig; Benjamin, also of Schleswig; and Ella, the wife of Paul Wilson, of Schleswig. One child, Vernie, now seven years of age, has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Krohnke.
Mr. Krohnke and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and are now members of the German Lutheran church of Schleswig. He takes the interest of a wide-awake citizen in politics but his attention is mainly centered in his business affairs and he has never sought the honors or emoluments of office. He is a man of generous and social characteristics and in business transactions is recognized as entirely reliable.
P. H. CRONIN.
Among the prosperous citizens of Boyer township few have enjoyed the favors of fortune more abundantly in recent years than P. H. Cronin. He was born in Warren county, New York, January 29, 1871, a son of Philip and Julia (Hartnett) Cronin, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father went to England and lived for a time in London, where he worked as a brick mason. He was married in England to Julia Hartnett and soon afterward came with his bride to America. They lived for a while in Warren county, New York, and then decided to locate in Iowa, selecting Clinton county for their home. In 1881 Mr. Cronin removed with his family to Crawford county and per- manently located in Boyer township, where he is still living. His wife passed away in 1896. There were four children in their family: P. H., of this review; Timothy, of Willow township; D. J., who is now a druggist at Platte Center, Nebraska ; and Mary, the wife of William Shannahan, who lives near Ute, Iowa.
P. H. Cronin received his education in the district schools and early engaged in farming, to which he has since devoted his attention. He has applied himself with gratifying results and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of highly productive land. He raises grain and pays special attention to raising and marketing a good grade of horses and cattle.
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Politically he is identified with the democratic party and has served as a member of the school board. In religious belief he adheres to the Catholic church and fraternally he is a valued member of the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Dow City. He is unmarried and has no important interests aside from his farm, his chief attention being concentrated upon his business. This accounts perhaps in a large measure for his success.
ORVILLE M. CRISWELL.
The development of Crawford county for thirty-seven years past is well known to Orville M. Criswell, who makes his home in Denison, as during the entire time he has been a resident of this county and an interested spectator of events. He has always hell positions of trust and responsibility and at the present time is cashier of the Arion State Bank.
Ile was born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1851, a son of Benjamin and Catharine (Edelblute) Criswell, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was reared as a farmer and came to lowa in 1852, locating in Scott county, where he successfully engaged in agriculture and stock- raising for more than fifty years. He died in 1905 at the age of eighty-five years, and the mother of our subject passed away at the age of sixty-five years in 1884. They were both consistent members of the Methodist church. Robert Criswell, our subject's paternal grandfather, was also a native of Pennsylvania. His wife was Mary Ann McElvain, and they were the parents of eight children : Benjamin, John, Robert, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Margaret, Thomas and William. Three children came to bless the home of Benjamin and Catharine Criswell, namely: Orlando B., of Scott county, Iowa; Asbury S., of Charter Oak, Iowa ; and Orville M., the subject of this review.
Orville M. Criswell was brought by his parents to Scott county in his infancy and grew to manhood upon his father's farm. He received his preliminary education in the district schools and subsequently attended Cornell College. After leaving college he taught school for several years, but, having decided to devote his attention to farming, came to Crawford county in 1874 and purchased two hundred and forty acres in Charter Oak township, upon which he lived for twenty-three years, bringing it to a high state of cultivation. He sold a portion of his farm for the town site of Charter Oak. In the fall of 1896 he was elected county recorder of Crawford county and removed to Denison, assuming the office January 1. 1897. He continued in this position for six years, discharging his duties in such a way as to meet the general approval of the people. After retiring from the recorder's office he devoted his attention to the abstract busi- ness but since July, 1910, has served as cashier of the State Bank of Arion, al- though he still retains his residence in Denison. He disposed of his farm and invested in Dakota and Colorado lands, being now the owner of about eight hundred acres in those states.
On the 19th of March, 1873, Mr. Criswell was united in marriage to Miss Flora Belle Hart, a native of Ripley county, Indiana, and a daughter of Hiram and Mary J. ( McGuire) Hart. The father was born in Ohio and the mother
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
in Indiana. Mr. Hart owned mills, dealt in land and operated flatboats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He and his wife came to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1855 and he died there July 4, 1886, at the age of seventy-eight years, his wife passing away May 17, 1902, when seventy-six years old. There were eight children in their family, namely: Abram P .; Flora B., now Mrs. Orville M. Criswell; James W .; Cloe M., who married John W. Smith; Charles R .; Frances M., deceased; John S .; and Mary J., who became the wife of George H. Hol- landsworth. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Criswell was William Hart and his wife was Annabel Piatt. The maternal grandfather was James McGuire, who married Susan Fleck.
Mr. and Mrs. Criswell are members of the Methodist church, of which he is recording steward. Fraternally he is identified with Live Oak Lodge, No. 543, A. F. & A. M., of Charter Oak, and Ark Chapter, R. A. M. He also be- longs to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Politically he gives his adherence to the democratic party. He has held all the minor township offices and was for three years a member of the board of county supervisors, filling the position of chairman of the board for two years. In public and private life he has shown a capability and enterprise that have attracted many friends and few men in the county have assisted more materially in its growth and prosperity. He clearly occupies a place as a representative citizen of this section.
LOUIE KROLL.
Among the citizens who have recently located in Mapleton is Louie Kroll, a member of one of the well known families of Crawford county. Although a young man, he has shown marked ability in agriculture and stock-raising and has attained a reputation as one of the most successful farmers of his age in the county. He is a native of Germany, born July 5, 1880, and a son of William and Amelia (Brockmann) Kroll, both of whom were born in Germany. The father came to America with his family in 1884 and after spending a year in Chicago he came to Crawford county, where he worked for wages for one year. He then rented land for seven years and, having acquired the necessary capital through his thrift and perseverance, he bought two hundred acres of land, which he cultivated for five years and then disposed of. He next invested in four hundred and eighty acres in Willow township and added to his possessions until he had five hundred and twenty acres, comprising three different farms in Craw- ford county. He died November 4, 1910, but the mother is still living and makes her home on one of her farms in Charter Oak township. There were fourteen children in their family, of whom eleven survive, namely: Gustaf, of Monona county, Iowa ; William, of Crawford county ; Herman, of Monona county ; Louie, the subject of this review; Ernest, Henry, Paul and John, all of Crawford county ; Annie, who is the wife of John Fischer, of Monona county; and Eliza- beth and Emma, both of whom are at home.
Louie Kroll attended the public schools and assisted his father upon the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age, gaining a practical knowledge of the various departments of agriculture and stock-raising that assisted him greatly
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after he began business upon his own account. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Charter Oak township, which he sold after five years, and then bought one hundred and forty-four acres on section 30, Soldier township, which he greatly improved. He has managed his business with excellent ability and his farm yields handsome annual returns.
On the 9th of February, 1901, Mr. Kroll was united in marriage to Miss Freda Buenger, a daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Wittecopf ) Buenger, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. On April 1, 1911, he and his wife took up their residence in a handsome home at Mapleton. He is still within convenient distance of his farm and has not given up his agricultural interests. His prosperity has been gained by legitimate means and is the direct result of the application of industry and good judgment. On account of their genial, social qualities and admirable traits of character he and his wife have many friends in Crawford county.
A. F. BOND.
The oldest resident of Denison is Mr. Albert F. Bond. Not only is he the oldest. but he is one of the most respected of our people. Living here for more than half a century, there has been every opportunity to test him in the scales of public opinion and never in that long period of years has he disappointed his friends by any act of dishonesty, of unkindliness, or of bad citizenship.
Mr Bond was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, March 12, 1836. He was a son of Eli B. and Celia Scott (Seagrave) Bond, both of whom were of old Puritan stock. As a boy he worked in the woolen mills of Worcester, where he lived for a number of years before the family moved to Oxbridge, Massachusetts. Later they lived at Springfield and at Milford. Massachusetts, and in 1851 the family migrated to Michigan, living first at Husdon, later at Adrian and then at Petersburg. The father had the contract for cutting wood along the line of the Michigan Central Railway and he followed the railroad, settling first one place and then another.
As a young man of twenty-one Mr. Bond came to Iowa with his uncle, J. D. Seagrave. In the party were also Mrs. Seagrave and Miss Lovina Seagrave, who afterward became Mrs. Franklin Prentice. The party went from Michigan to Dubuque by train, bringing with them their outfit, consisting of horses, wagon and necessary camp utensils. They then crossed the plains in a prairie schooner. They stopped in Delaware county, where Mr. Bond had had an uncle who died there and left a quarter section of land. They stopped and put in a crop of wheat, but growing impatient to reach their final destination they did not wait to harvest it. They reached the little town of Denison, which at that time was hardly more than a name. Mr. Bond was a mason and plasterer by trade and he found immediate employment with Warren Calkens, making the brick of which the first courthouse and residence of J. W. Denison were built. When the brick-making was completed Mr. Bond turned his hand to his old trade and did the mason work on both of these buildings. Later with E. S. Plimpton he
A. F. BOND
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
rented a farm and the two single young men lived together at what was called Bondville. He resided at this point for several years and it was here that he was married on February 9, 1861, to Mrs. Emma King. To them four children were born, three of whom died in infancy ; a daughter, Lina, growing to splen- did womanhood only to pass away at a time when life gave greatest promise.
Mr. Bond removed to Denison in 1862 and during all these years he was busy not only with his farm but with his trade, and there was hardly a residence in the olden times which did not bear the mark of his handiwork. Mr. Bond was one of the first postmasters of Denison, holding the position for several years. He also for a short time was proprietor of the principal hotel of the city. Later he built a brick residence on the corner of Church and Pine streets. In 1875, when Denison was first incorporated, Mr. Bond was elected as the first mayor, receiving a majority of forty-nine votes out of a total of about one hundred and sixty. Mr. Bond was also honored by many other positions of trust. He was constable and township treasurer, township trustee, assessor, ' school director, and for many years was justice of the peace. That Mr. Bond was always close to the masses is shown by the fact that he defeated such notable men as H. C. Laub and W. A. McHenry for the office of mayor and Leslie M. Shaw for the office of justice. Mr. Bond was reelected mayor and was suc- ceeded a year later by W. A. McHenry. The later years of his life he has spent in his modest home overlooking the beautiful Boyer valley, cultivating his little farm and engaging in the manufacture of the delicious Bond ice cream, which for years has been one of the luxuries of Denison. Failing health has caused Mr. Bond to dispose of this business and to content himself with home duties and his work as a market gardener, in which line he is an expert.
Mr. Bond has been a conscientious and consistent Christian and loyal mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and one who has done all that his means would allow to further the cause of his church and of all good things. Better than money, Mr. Bond has given to the community the example of a quiet, kindly, true-hearted man, who never yet has failed a friend and who holds high place in the affectionate esteem of all who know him.
JOHN DOBSON.
John Dobson is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, whose name is inseparably connected with the settlement, growth and development of Deloit. He was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, December 21, 1834, and traces his ancestry back to Roger Dobson, who was born in England in 1683 and died in 1767. He was married in 1756 to Elizabeth Rutherford, who was born August 27, 1725, and their eldest son, Thomas Dobson, was born in the parish of Elsdon. Northumberlandshire, England, August 27, 1757. He came to America in 1784 and was married in 1798 to Catherine Riggius, who was born in Morris River township, Cumberland county, New Jersey, May 18, 1781. His death occurred on the 30th of October, 1828.
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