USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 59
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Vol. UJ -30
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
The latter's only son was Benjamin Dobson, the father of our subject. He was born in New Jersey, November 5. 1799, and was married on the Ist of January, 1818, to Keziah Wolf, who was also a native of that state, her birth occurring December 29, 1802. To them were born the following children, Thomas, Katherine, Nancy, Elizabeth, Michael, Margaret, Benjamin, Jr., John, Joseph, William and Elihu. As far as known, our subject is now the only sur- viving member of this family. His brother Thomas Dobson was born in Han- ever township. Butler county, Ohio, February 8, 1819, and was married October 20. 1843, to Sarah Taylor, whose birth occurred in Warren county, Kentucky, August 24. 1823. In 1846 he came to Iowa and settled at Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, but subsequently became a resident of Crawford county and served as the first county superintendent of schools. He took a prominent part in public affairs and held other important offices at Denison, serving as recorder of deeds and as a member of the board of supervisors. He died at Deloit, July 28, 1878, and is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Ellen Horr, who resides in this county and at one time was postmistress of Deloit.
In 1804 Benjamin Dobson, the father of our subject, accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and was married. In 1818, the year that Illinois was admitted to the Union, he removed to that state, be- coming one of the pioneer settlers of Tazewell county, where he entered three hundred and twenty acres of timber and prairie land, which he broke and im- proved, crecting thereon a log cabin, in which the subject of this sketch was born. During the long journey of the family from Ohio to their new home in Illinois they endured many hardships incident to such a trip in those early days. Deer and other wild game were then very plentiful and furnished them with much of their meat. After fourteen years' residence in the Prairie state the father removed to Racine county, Wisconsin, where he made his home for four years, and in 1850 settled in Harrison county, Iowa. In the spring of 1852, however, he came to Crawford county and located in Milford township, a part of his farm being now the town site of Deloit, to which he gave its name. His was the second family to locate in the village. He built the first sawmill on Boyer river, which was subsequently converted into a flour and grist mill, and he carried on business there for eighteen years, from 1852 until 1870. His death occurred November 17, 1876, and his wife passed away February 17, 1863
The carly mental training of John Dobson was obtained under difficulties, as in those days educational facilities were exceedingly limited. However, he managed to attend a subscription school in Illinois, the first term being in 1839, and he continued his studies until old enough to commence work in the fields on his father's farm. He assisted in breaking the land with an ox team on the site now occupied by the town of Deloit and among his earliest recollections are many trips to Council Bluffs, hauling lumber and other merchandise with ox teams, as that city and Des Moines were their nearest trading points. He continued to follow farming as a vocation until 1900, when he embarked in the hotel business in Deloit, and has since met with merited success in that venture.
Mr. Dobson was married, February 18. 1855. to Miss Lucy Jane Winans, of Deloit, who was born near Warren, in Trumbull county, Ohio, May 22, 1836.
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Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed with his family to Illinois in 184I and came to Iowa in 1854. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dobson were born the following children : Merinda, who became the wife of Jesse Mason and had three daughters and one son ; Julia Ann and Mary Jane, twins, the latter of whom died February 27, 1890; Clinton M., who was born January 9, 1859, and now resides in the state of Washington ; Franklin C., born May 4, 1862; Julian Elihu and Junius Elias, twins, who were born April 9, 1864, and now live in Idaho; Cora, the wife of Graham Wanless; Edith C .; and two deceased. They also liave twenty-three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Dobson has always upheld the tenets of the republican party, although he has never taken a very active part in local politics, and for many years served as school director in his township. Religiously he is a faithful follower of the Latter Day Saints and both he and his wife are members of the Crawford County Old Settlers Association. It is such men as Mr. Dobson who form the bulwark of American civilization, whose early labors, many privations and hardships only served to spur them on to the goal which they sought, and, undaunted by all difficulties, they continued to go forward with the indomitable spirit that has characterized the hardy pioneer. He can look back over an honorable and useful life and well deserves the respect and esteem accorded him.
PETER J. EGGERS.
Although comparatively a young man and engaged only a few years in the breeding of horses, Peter J. Eggers has gained an enviable reputation and bids fair to become one of the leading horse breeders of the west. He was born in Jackson county, Iowa, February 25, 1872, a son of Fred and Anna (Dietz) Eggers, both of whom were born in Germany. The father is a farmer and veterinarian, and he and his wife are now living in Denison. He is a member of the Lutheran church, while she gives her allegiance to the Catholic church. Our subject's grandfather Eggers was a cobbler in Germany and his maternal grandfather, Frank Dietz, was also of German birth and participated in the Revolution in 1848. There were thirteen children in the family of Fred and Anna Eggers, ten of whom are now living, namely: William, of Denison town- ship; Sophia, wife of William Marr, of Arion, Iowa; Rika, now Mrs. John Brandfas, of Crofton, Nebraska; Anna, the wife of Al Conrad, of Arion; Matilda, the wife of Thomas Ransom of Denison; Emma, now Mrs. Ralph Jackson, of Denison; Peter J., the subject of this review; Albert, of Crofton, Nebraska; John, of Paradise township, this county; and Chris, of Laurel, Ne- braska.
Peter J. Eggers came with his parents to Crawford county at the age of six years and grew to manhood in Paradise township, where his father is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land. He received his preliminary educa- tion in the district schools and as a young man gave evidence of industrious and enterprising habits which have since been his prominent characteristics. On starting out in life for himself he had charge of a horse-power threshing ma-
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chine, which he operated for fourteen years, his patrons being among the most prosperous farmers of the county. He then embarked in the livery business at Denison, with which he was connected for five years. From his youth he has been a lover of horses, and his father being a veterinarian the son gained a knowledge of animals not possessed by the ordinary boy. He knew of the demand for horses of a better grade in this country, and he decided to devote his attention to horse breeding, an industry for which he was well qualified by education and experience. He breeds Percheron and Norman horses and his patronage has grown to such dimensions that in 1909 he imported eleven care- fully selected head from Europe.
On the 26th of December, 1896, Mr. Eggers was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Sheridan, who was born in Dunlap, Iowa, June II, 1875, a daughter of James and Bridget Sheridan. The parents were born in Ireland and came to this country when quite young with their respective parents who lived near Dixon. Illinois, later removing to Harrison county, Iowa. The father passed away March 11, 1906, at the age of sixty-five years, but the mother still survives. There were eleven children in their family, two of whom are now living: Mary, the wife of William Coan, of Denison, and Sarah. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eggers: Glen, Vern and Grace, all of whom are living at home.
In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Eggers are both Catholics. Politically he gives his support to the democratic party. He is a man of large public spirit and for the past five years has served most acceptably as member of the city council. He has accomplished much good for the farmers of Iowa and the west by importing the finest Percheron and coach horses that can be found and he well deserves the success that has attended his efforts to introduce high grade horses into this country. Personally he is a genial and companionable gentle- man and has many friends in Iowa and other states who have been attracted to him by his pleasing qualities.
MICHAEL COPPS.
Michael Copps, the owner of a well equipped livery at Charter Oak, is one of the progressive citizens of the community. Through close application and a thorough acquaintance with his chosen calling he has gained a splendid reputation as a business manager and he is also known as one of the most public-spirited men in the community.
He was born in Canada, January 20, 1873. a son of Patrick and Ann (Dolan) Copps. The parents were both of Irish descent and were born in Canada. The father worked in the pineries until 1876 and then came with his family to Iowa and began farming in Shelby county. After three years he removed to Crawford county and continued upon a farm until his retirement in 1889. He lived at Charter Oak until recently but now makes his home with his children, having reached the age of sixty-nine years. The beloved wife and mother died in 1895. There were thirteen children in the family, twelve of whom are now living:
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Mary, the wife of Thomas Fairweathers, of Massachusetts; Edward, of Sioux City, Iowa; Michael, of this review; Martha, the wife of Anthony Carroll, of Maxbass, North Dakota; Daniel, of Burke, South Dakota; Anna, who married Antoine Topf, of Dallas, South Dakota; B. Ellen, the wife of Peter Smith, of Plainview, Nebraska ; Sarah, who lives in Sioux City, Iowa; Patrick, of Spencer, Nebraska; John, of Charter Oak; Elizabeth, of Kansas; and Thomas, also of Spencer.
Michael Copps came to Iowa with his parents and received his preliminary education in the public schools, all the children of the family having good edu- cational advantages. At sixteen years of age he began working in the livery establishment at Charter Oak, which he now owns. He worked for wages for seven years and then purchased the place, since which time he has developed it into the most important business of the kind in Charter Oak.
In April, 1900, Mr. Copps was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Hopper, who was born in Chicago in 1877, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Hopper. The parents were married in Chicago and the family came west about 1877, settling in Crawford county. Mr. Hopper engaged in farming until 1905, when he removed to Denison, where he died one year later. The mother passed away in 1902. Of their family of six children five survive, namely: Margaret, the widow of Lawrence Winans, now living in Charter Oak; Nellie, now Mrs. Michael Copps; Thomas, of South Dakota; Elizabeth, of Charter Oak ; and John P., of Sloan, Iowa. Two children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Copps, Marie Inez, who was born September 9, 1904; and Helen Clara, born April 5, 1908.
Mrs. Copps is a high-school graduate and engaged in teaching for nine years with great success. The members of the family are all connected with the Catholic church. Politically Mr. Copps gives his support to the republican party. He served as constable and for four years past has been a member of the city council. He is identified with Lodge No. 1892, M. W. A., of Charter Oak, and is a sincere believer in its principles of brotherhood. He is a man of good taste and everything about his barn indicates that he gives close attention to his busi- ness in all its details. As a result of his efforts to please his patrons their num- ber is increasing until he is at the head of one of the substantial and paying concerns of Charter Oak.
HENRY BULLER.
A large number of the citizens of Stockholm township either trace their lineage to or had their birth in Sweden, and among the latter class is numbered Henry Buller. He was born in that country on the 9th of December, 1856, a son of Hans and Martha (Henderson) Buller. The year 1866 witnessed the arrival of the Buller family in America, settlement being first made in Minnesota, but after a residence there of but two years removal was made to Iowa, the home being established in Boone county. Five years later Hans Buller brought his family to Crawford and took up his abode on the old homestead in Stock-
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holm township, which is now the property of his son Henry, with whom he makes his home. He has now reached the venerable age of eighty-five years, having survived his wife for a long period, her death occurring in 1886. Their family consisted of seven children, as follows: two who passed away in infancy ; Peter, of Sac county, Iowa; Henry, of this review; Hans, a resident of Mon- tana; Martha, deceased; and William, who has also passed away.
Henry Buller was a lad of ten years when brought by his parents to the new world, and his education, which had been begun in Sweden, was completed in the schools of Minnesota and Iowa. The period of his boyhood and youth was spent amid the scenes and activities of rural life, and upon laying aside his text-books he naturally turned his attention to the work of the farm, wisely choosing as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared. The old homestead has remained his place of residence to the present time and to its cultivation he is directing his entire energies. The property, which consists of one hundred and ten acres, is located on section 6, Stockholm township, and is a finely developed place, equipped with substantial buildings and all of the im- provements and accessories of a modern and up-to-date farm. Here he carries on general farming and also engages quite extensively in stock-raising, and the success which he is enjoying speaks strongly for progressive methods, close application and unfaltering energy and determination.
It was on the 14th of February, 1887, that Mr. Buller was united in mar- riage to .Anna Hulnberg, a daughter of Erick and Ericka Hulnberg, and by this union have been born five children, namely: Walter, Reuben, Viola, Randolph and Mattie, all at home.
The parents attend the Free Mission, while politically Mr. Buller gives his support to the republican party. His life has been one of continuous activity, for he early recognized the fact that the foundation of all prosperity must be earnest effort, and the success and position of independence to which he has attained have therefore been well merited.
ROBERT GLOCKZIEN.
America has been called the land of opportunity and to thousands it has proven not only a land of opportunity but a land in which they have conquered fears of poverty and dependence and obtained home and fortune. It would be difficult to find a more striking illustration of this statement than is presented in the career of Robert Glockzien, who is now the owner of one of the finest farms of Crawford county, embracing four hundred and thirty-five acres, all of which he has acquired by his own efforts. He was born in Germany, October 19. 1848, a son of Gottleib and Elbertina (Lentz) Glockzien, both of whom passed their entire lives in the fatherland. The father was a tailor by trade, and the head of a family of three children: Robert, the subject of this review ; Herman and August, both of whom are living in Germany.
Robert Glockzien received the advantages of a common-school education in his native land and grew up under the friendly shelter of the parental roof. In
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1868, being then twenty years of age, he crossed the ocean to America, spending the first eighteen months in New York, at the end of which time he went to California, where he followed the cobbler's trade for twenty years. By patient industry and the application of thorough principles of economy he acquired sufficient capital to start as a farmer and accordingly he came to Crawford county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated for seven years, largely increasing its value. Having disposed of this land he bought one hundred and ninety-five acres, to which he has since added two hundred and forty acres. The farm is one of the most attractive features of the landscape in that part of the county, everything about it indicating thought- ful care and attention. It is located on section 8, Charter Oak township, and section II, Hanover township. Mr. Glockzien devotes his attention to general farming and as he understands his business thoroughly, every year witnesses an increase financially in his favor.
On the 5th of March, 1888, Mr. Glockzien was united in marriage to Miss Ernestine S. Kroll, who was born in Germany, May 10, 1867, a daughter of William C. and Henrietta Kroll, both of whom spent their entire lives in the old country. The wife of our subject was their only child. She came to America in June, 1881, and made her home for seven years in Chicago, being married in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Glockzien are the parents of three children: Eich- mann, who was born November 15, 1888, and received a common-school educa- tion ; Louisa, born December 22, 1890; and Robert, born April 10, 1893. These children can all fluently read, write and speak the English and German languages, and all give promise of useful lives.
Mr. Glockzien began in a humble capacity but by overcoming obstacles gathered strength, so that he is today independent financially and a highly re- spected citizen of one of the largest counties of Iowa. Politically he is allied with the democratic party but has never sought to mingle in public affairs as his interests are centered upon his family and his farm. In religious belief he and his wife are identified with the German Lutheran church, of which they are earnest supporters.
JOHN A. KULLBERG.
John A. Kullberg, deceased, was for twenty-eight years prominently identi- fied with the agricultural interests of Crawford county, where he served as an admirable example of what may be accomplished by industry and application. Born in Kalmarlan, Sweden, May 6, 1855, he was a son of Andrew Kullberg, the other surviving members of the family being as follows: Carrie, who mai- ried Alfred Thorngren and lives in Sioux City, Iowa; Louisa, who became the wife of Nels Larson of Sweden; Christina, the wife of Alfred Norman of Pennsylvania ; Emma, who married Swan Benson, of Odebolt, Iowa; Selma, who became the wife of Alfred Anderson and lives in Sweden; Charles, who resides in Sioux City, Iowa; and Andrew P. E., of Lake View. Two other children are deceased.
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John .\. Kullberg remained in his native land until he was twenty-five years old, when he became convinced that he would find broader fields for business opportunities in the new world and accordingly in 1880 he came to the United States, making his way to Sac county, where he remained for two years. In 1882 he moved to Crawford county and rented a section of land, which he con- tinued to cultivate for about six years, at the expiration of which period he bought four hundred and forty acres, which he cleared and fenced and upon which he erected good buildings. He sold forty acres of this and also disposed oi more land to the railroad when it was built through the locality, leaving him three hundred and seventy-four acres, which his three sons took charge of in March, 1911, and where they will continue to follow general farming on the scale outlined by their father.
The marriage of Mr. Kullberg occurred February 5, 1885, when he was united to Miss Christina Freeman, of Harcourt, Iowa, a daughter of Samuel and Ann ( Johnson ) Freeman. Unto them were born ten children, of whom the following survive: Carl A., John E., Ernest M., Alice A. and Annie S., all of whom are residing under the parental roof. The other five children died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Kullberg was always a republican and fraternally was affiliated with the Masonic order. He passed away August 17, 1910, and in his death the community realized that it had lost a useful and valuable citi- zen-one who had always led an upright and honorable life in all his relations with his fellowmen. He was what may be termed a self-made man, for he began his business career without capital or influential friends to aid him and his success was due entirely to his unaided efforts and sound judgment in busi- ness affairs. His many friends held him in the highest regard and to his family he was a loving husband and father.
JOHN W. HIGGINS.
A productive farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Willow township yields gratifying returns for the labor of John W. Higgins. He was born on the place where he now lives, January 5, 1884, a son of John and Mary (Gaynor) Higgins. The father was born in Ireland and came to the United States at the age of eighteen. He spent nine years in Chicago and then, having decided to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits, located in Crawford county, Iowa, upon a tract of eighty acres on section 26, Willow township. He improved his farm and then disposed of it, purchasing one hundred and sixty .acres on section 18, where he lived for twenty-eight years. He cultivated the soil, planted trees and made the farm one of the most attractive properties in the locality. In 1908 he removed to Ute, lowa, where he now lives retired. The mother of our sub- ject also was born in Ireland and was married to Mr. Higgins at Chicago. She now enjoys with him the fruits of many years of labor. There were seven chil- dren in the family, six of whom are now living, namely: Mary, who is at home ; Margaret, the wife of Dan Hartigan, who lives near Ute; Johannah, who married
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Patrick Devin and is now living on part of the home farm; Anna and Lizzie, both of whom are at home; and John W., of this review.
Educated in the district schools of Willow township John W. Higgins early displayed a power of application to his studies which gave good evidence of his mental ability and his desire to make the most of opportunities in life. He con- tinued at home until twenty years of age and then went to Chicago, where he became connected with the wholesale department of Carson, Pirie, Scott & Company. However, he yielded to an irresistible desire to return to agricultural pursuits and accordingly came to Crawford county and began farming on his own account on sections 27 and 28, Willow township. After two years he went to Stanley county, South Dakota, and settled upon a homestead but did not prove up on it, lacking from October until the following March. Returning to Craw- ford county, where conditions are much more favorable than he found them in South Dakota, he farmed the Shipley place for one year and then removed to his father's farm, where he has since resided. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, which he has cultivated with marked success.
On the 12th of February, 1907, Mr. Higgins was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Ball, a native of Monona county, Iowa, and they have two children, Daniel and Laverne. Although Mr. Higgins is only twenty-seven years of age he has made an excellent start in business and ranks as one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of his township. His success is due mainly to his interest in his work and an honorable ambition to accomplish what he undertakes regard- less of the time or labor involved. His political allegiance is given to the demo- cratic party, in whose principles he is a firm believer. He is a strong advocate of education and has served as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Ute, and he and his estimable wife are membrs of the Catholic church in whose faith they were reared.
A. PETER BERG.
A. Peter Berg is one of Sweden's contributions to the citizenship of Iowa, and his career has ever been characterized by those sturdy qualities which are the birthright of the Swedish race. He was born on the 9th of July, 1850, a son of Olef and Katherine Berg, both natives of Sweden. The family came to the United States in 1870, locating in Crawford county, Iowa, where the father spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1884. The mother, however, still survives and at the age of ninety years makes her home with the subject of this review, who was the eldest of a family of four children, the others being: Anna and Christina, twins, both of whom are now married; and Maggie.
A. Peter Berg spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native country and there acquired a common-school education. He was a young man of twenty years when, in 1870, the family home was established in the new world, and in the following year, upon attaining his majority, he entered business life inde-
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