USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 63
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JULIUS JOHNSON.
A resident of Stockholm township for more than forty years and one of its successful farmers. Julius Johnson clearly deserves a place in a record devoted to the citizens of Crawford county. He has demonstrated in his life the possi- bilities under American institutions for any deserving young man who aspires to a competency so that he and his family may enjoy the advantages of a com- fortable home. Mr. Johnson started at the very foot of the ladder financially and has now reached a position of independence. He is a native of Sweden, born December 23, 1845. the son of John and Kathrina Johnson, both of whom passed their entire lives in the old country.
Julius Johnson was reared under the parental roof and received his educa- tion in the common schools, continuing at home until twenty-three years of age. Believing that he could make better progress in the new world, he crossed the Ocean to America and arrived in Crawford county, Iowa, on the 15th of June, 18600). He found work on a railroad at Denison and continued for five years as a railroad laborer, after which he spent one summer in Chicago. However, he was not satisfied with the city and he returned to this county, having decided to establish here his permanent home. In 1876 he bought eighty acres of land on section 20, Stockholm township, and later acquired eighty acres more on the
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same section, making a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has im- proved and brought to a high state of productiveness. He engaged in general farming and has made his place one of the most valuable of its size in this part of the county.
In 1877 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Benson, who was born in Sweden, November 14, 1848, a daughter of Bent and Bertha ( Pearson) Benson, both of whom were natives of Sweden.
Mr. Johnson started as a common laborer and by diligence and economy attained the enviable position he now occupies. He has been most ably assisted by his wife, who attended faithfully to the duties of the household, while her husband worked in the fields. They reared their children to habits of industry, thus making them useful and honorable members of society. Mr. Johnson gives his support to the prohibition party, and he and his wife take an active interest in the affairs of the neighborhood and are greatly esteemed by many friends and acquaintances.
AUGUST NEHLS.
As a resident of Denison township for the past fifteen years August Nehls has gained the reputation of being one of the most industrious as well as pro- gressive agriculturists in that section of the county. Born in Clayton county, Iowa, January 5, 1863, he is a son of Daniel and Mary (Cords) Nehls, both of them being natives of Germany, from which country the father came to the United States in 1853, while he was still quite young, and subsequently began to work on a farm in Clayton county, where in the course of time he bought one hundred acres of land. In 1857 he married Miss Cords, who had come with her parents to this country in 1854. He sold his farm in 1866 and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in the same county, which he brought to a high state of improvement and continued to cultivate until 1878, when he disposed of it and bought eight hundred and ninety-two acres in Crawford county. This he improved and continued to follow general farming until his death, which occurred October 10, 1900. After this event the family removed to Denison, where the mother still resides, a well preserved lady, hale and hearty, at the age of seventy-four years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nehls were born thirteen chil- dren, of whom three survive, namely: Martin, who resides on the home farm; John, who is at home with his brother and mother in Denison; and August, of this review. Those deceased are: Charles, Minnie, Rosina, Mary, Lizzie, Daniel, Tillie, Mahlie, and two sons who died in infancy.
The elementary education of August Nehls was obtained in the common schools and he assisted his father on the farm until eighteen years old, when he decided to branch out for himself and went to Nevada and later to Utah, earning his way both as a miner and upon a farm. After an absence of five years he returned to Crawford county and, in partnership with his brother, rented a half section from his father and for the following ten years engaged in general farming. At the end of that period the advancing age of his mother
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called him to her side and he took up his residence with her in Denison, which he has since made his home.
In his political affiliations Mr. Nehls has always been a stalwart democrat and although he has never sought nor desired public office he takes a keen in- terest in any movement that tends to improve the local conditions of his com- munity. In religion he is a consistent member of the Lutheran church. He is a man of undoubted integrity, broad-minded in his views, a stanch friend, faithful to his home ties, and commands the respect of all who know him.
GEORGE HESTER.
Germany has contributed many capable and successful farmers to Crawford county, among whom is George Hester, who resides on sections 17 and 18, Washington township, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising. His birth occurred in Baden on the 4th of February, 1839, where his parents, Jacob and Madeline ( Shaffer) Hester were born and married. The parents emi- grated to the United States in 1850, first locating in Chicago, which at that time bore little resemblance to the cities of the fatherland as not even the streets were paved. They remained in the city one year and at the end of that period bought a farm twenty miles northwest of there, where they resided for three or four years and then rented a place in Du Page county, Illinois. They spent nine years in that county, living on two different places during that time, and then removed to Geneva, Illinois, where they lived the remainder of their days, the mother passing away first. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hester were born the following chil- dren: Ursula, deceased; George, our subject; Mary, who is living in Aurora, Illinois ; Ellen, deceased; Carrie, a resident of Geneva, Illinois; Sophia, living in Elgin, Illinois; and three who died in infancy.
George Hester never had the opportunity of going to school, such education as he acquired being obtained through his own efforts and the assistance occa- sionally rendered by others. He remained at home, assisting in the cultivation of the farm, until he was twenty-nine years of age, at which time he began work- ing for himself. Going to Geneva, Illinois, he engaged in draying for twelve years and then rented a farm in Geneva township but the chinch bugs destroyed his crops and he gave up the place at the end of the year. He rented another farm, however, and during the seven years he lived there met with most gratify- ing success. In 1882 he removed to Crawford county, Iowa, and bought his homestead, containing one hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he has made extensive and substantial improvements during the period of his occupancy. He makes a specialty of breeding and raising thoroughbred Durham cattle and is meeting with success in his undertakings.
Mr. Hester was united in marriage in 1867 to Miss Augusta Polzien, who was born in Prussia in 1848 and is a daughter of August and Caroline (Winke) Polzien. Her parents emigrated to the United States in 1856 and located in Batavia, Illinois, where they continued to live during the remainder of their days. They were the parents of twelve children, those surviving being Augusta
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and William, living in Aurora, Illinois. The ten who have passed away were as follows : Emma, Fred, Minnie, Julius, August, Herman, John, Charles, Henriette and Caroline. Seven children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hester : George and Edward, both deceased; May, the wife of Robert Pazmore, of Des Moines ; Cora, who married Dr. Windette, of Aurora, Illinois; Harry, living in the same place; Albert, who lives on the farm adjoining his father; and Edna, who is the wife of John Cole, Buck Grove, Iowa.
The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hester is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted and gone to the front with Com- pany C, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1862. He was in the service for three years, during which time he engaged in some important battles, among others that of Chickamauga. While in Georgia his company was attacked by the guerrillas who took everything they had, but a few days later they captured the same band, many of whom were shot during the action. Mr. Hester knew General Sherman personally and went with him as far as Savannah on his famous march.
Ever since acquiring the right of suffrage Mr. Hester has voted for the republican party. His first ballot was cast for John Fremont and he voted for Lincoln both times. Although he has never aspired to public office he served as road supervisor one term, the duties of which position he discharged satisfac- torily.
GEORGE BROTHERSON.
Among the young men who are making substantial progress as farmers in Crawford county is George Brotherson, of Jackson township. He is a native of that township, born June 19, 1884, and is a son of Detlief and Adelia (Nissen) Brotherson. The parents were both born in Germany and came to America about 1870, locating in Crawford county, Iowa. The father became identified with agricultural interests and he and his wife still live upon the homestead in this county. There were eight children in their family: Thomas, now residing in South Dakota; Lena, deceased; Dora, who married George Sheldorf, of South Dakota; Emma, the wife of Loge Sherwood, of South Dakota; Christ, who is living at home; George, the subject of this review; Arthur, of Crawford county ; and Gertrude, the wife of William Pfancuch, of Crawford county.
George Brotherson was reared under the parental roof and received his early education in the district schools of Jackson township. He continued at home assisting his father until twenty-five years of age and since that time has conducted business upon his own account. He engages in general agriculture but makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, and as he is a good judge of animals and delivers them to the market in fine condition, he receives a fair price for everything he has for sale and is today upon the high road to prosperity.
In March, 1909, Mr. Brotherson was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Wears, who was born in Crawford county, February 25, 1886, a daughter of George M. and Jennie (Duncan ) Wears. The parents were both born in Germany and
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came to the United States in 1879. They located in Crawford county and in 1880 Mr. Wears purchased a farm of eighty acres in Jackson township, upon which he has ever since made his home. There were three children in his family, only one of whom, Jessie, the wife of George Brotherson, is now living. Mrs. Wears passed away February 10, 1910. One child, Harold, has come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brotherson, his natal day being October 4, 1910.
Mr. Brotherson was early made acquainted with the various duties pertain- ing to agriculture and stock-raising and has shown an interest in his vocation that yields very gratifying returns. He is an industrious and intelligent citizen and a willing worker for all causes that tend to promote the welfare of the neighborhood. He and his estimable wife are earnest members of the Presby- terian church and ever since reaching manhood he has given his support to the republican party.
CLAUS J. KROHNKE.
One of the many worthy citizens which Germany has contributed to Iowa is Claus J. Krohnke, who for a period of more than twenty years was success- fully identified with the agricultural development of Crawford county. The eldest son of Hans and Annie (Bergman) Krohnke, his birth occurred in the fatherland on the 9th of November, 1843. The other children born to them were : Jurgen and Henry, who reside in Schleswig; Maggie, the wife of John Petersen, of Aberdeen, South Dakota; and Sophia, who has passed away.
The early years of Claus J. Krohnke's life were spent in the land of his nativity, in the common schools of which he obtained his education. Being an industrious and ambitious young man he became dissatisfied with conditions as he found them in Europe, and, feeling convinced that better advantages must be afforded in America, in 1869, accompanied by his brother Henry, he sailed for the United States. Upon his arrival in this country he immediately made his way westward, thinking he could find better opportunities in the more sparsely settled communities of the younger states. Coming to Iowa, he located near Davenport, where he obtained employment upon a farm, his first duty being to plow the unbroken prairie, a most novel undertaking for the young German, whose experience had been confined to the cultivation of the well tilled fields of the old country. Following this he worked in a stone quarry, always carefully putting away a portion of his earnings each month, whatever his employment or wages, in order that he might later buy a farm of his own. After spending ten years near Davenport he accumulated the requisite capital to invest in land, so coming to Crawford county he bought an eighty acre tract, upon which he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. By means of close application, tireless energy and careful management he was able to add to his holdings from time to time until he acquired four hundred and forty acres of excellent land. Hle improved and carefully cultivated that farm for twenty-three years, at the expiration of which period he had acquired a competence which enabled him to buy a pleasant home in Schleswig, where he is now living retired.
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In Cedar county on the 27th of October, 1870, Mr. Krohnke was united in marriage to Miss Mary Heech, a daughter of Stephen and Annie (Martins) Heech. Mrs. Krohnke is the second in order of birth and the eldest surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Heech, Peter, the first born, having passed away. The others are: Claus, who is residing in Crawford county; and Catherine, the wife of Andrew Tiel, of Iowa. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Krohnke: Adam, of Linn county; Julius, living in Crawford county ; Edward, who is still at home; Annie, the wife of John Harman, of this county ; Bertha, who married Herman Peterson, of Otter Creek township; and Embria, who became the wife of August Kastner, also of Otter Creek township. The fourth and fifth in order of birth passed away in infancy.
The family is identified with the Lutheran church, in the faith of which denomination the parents were reared. An advocate of the principles of gov- ernment as promulgated by the democratic party Mr. Krohnke always accords his political support to the candidates of that organization. He takes an active interest in public affairs and has served his township in the capacity of school trustee, justice of the peace and secretary of the school board, the duties of which offices he discharged in a highly creditable manner. Coming to the United States with a limited capital but an inexhaustible fund of energy and perseverance, Claus J. Krohnke has added another chapter to the history of America's self- made men, the study of which must ever prove profitable as well as beneficial to the young men of the coming generations.
GEORGE L. NOVOTNE.
George L. Novotne, who owns a valuable farm of eighty acres on section 9, West Side township, is a native son of Iowa and is a descendant of worthy Bohemian ancestry. He was born in Sac county, July 19, 1879, his parents being Jacob and Petronnell (Vosta) Novotne, both of whom were born in Bohemia They came to America and first lived in Johnson county, Iowa, later residing in Carroll and Sac counties but finally taking up their home in Crawford county, where Mr. Novotne became closely identified with agricultural interests. He died in 1896, his wife passing away six years later. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are now living.
George L. Novotne came to Crawford county with his parents and acquired his early education in the public schools. He assisted his father upon the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when he began farming upon his own account on rented land. Later, having accumulated the necessary capital, he purchased eighty acres on section 9, West Side township, upon which he has ever since resided. He has made many improvements upon his place and has a commodious residence which is well furnished and supplied with conveniences of a pleasant home. The general appearance of the farm indicates good judg- ment on the part of its owner and it also has an air of prosperity which is verv creditable to Mr. Novotne.
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On the 220 of May, 1902, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ahren- kiel, who was born at Vail, November 7. 1882, a daughter of Hans and Marie ( Hanson ) Ahrenkiel. Her parents were natives of Denmark and came to this country, settling in lowa. The father died in 1904, but the mother is still living and makes her home at Vail. There were nine children in their family. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Novotne has been blessed by the birth of four children, namely : George .A., who was born August 6, 1904; Mary A., born August 23, 1900: Leonard F., who was born February 11, 1909, and died February 23, 1909; and Leroy A., born October 31, 1910.
Mr. Novotne is a member of Camp No. 3057, M. W. A., of Vail. Ever since he arrived at manhood he has given his adherence to the democratic party, and the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his friends and neighbors was shown by his election as township trustee, a position which he now fills. He and his estimable wife are devout members of the Catholic church. Through his habits of industry and his sound business management he has acquired a competency which gives promise of steady increase as the years pass. As has been demonstrated by his life, he never shirks any responsibility and is ever willing to assume his share of the work which falls upon the shoulders of pro- gressive men in any community.
B. F. LESHER.
One of those who has been actively connected with the commercial develop- ment of Denison for a period of more than thirty years is B. F. Lesher, who is now engaged in the ice business. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Cumberland county on the 3d of August, 1854, his parents being David and Eliza ( Strickler ) Lesher, also natives of the Keystone state but of Dutch extrac- tion. Seven children were born unto them, as follows: Jeremiah, of Odebolt, lowa; B. F., our subject; Christian, who passed away in Pennsylvania at the age of eleven years ; Alice, the wife of David Cramer, of Ohio; Ida, who mar- ried Elsworth Lesher, of Kansas; Mary, who became the wife of James Lebel, of Odebolt ; and Naomi, the wife of Charles Starr, of Canada. The father passed away in 1889. at the age of seventy-two years, but the mother still sur- vives, although she has passed the eighty-fourth anniversary of her birth and makes her home in Odebolt.
The boyhood and youth of B. F. Lesher were spent in his native land, in the public schools of which he acquired his education. At the age of twenty years he started westward, locating in Crawford county, Iowa, on the 3d of May, 1874. where he worked at the carpenter's trade. He continued to be identified with that occupation until the first of the following January, at which time he opened a grocery and confectionery store in Denison. He successfully con- ducted this for eight years, at the end of which period he disposed of his inter- ests and went into the ice business, in which he continues to be engaged, his being the only natural ice company in the town. Mr. Lesher, being an enterpris- ing and progressive business man, has met with more than average success in
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his ventures and as a result owns several residence lots in Denison and a section of land in North Dakota.
His religious affiliation is with the Baptist church, while his political support is given the candidates of the republican party. Never having aspired to public honors, however, he takes little more than a passing interest in civic affairs, but always fulfills the requirements of good citizenship by casting a ballot on elec- tion day.
GEORGE HUTCHINSON.
An extensive and prosperous stock-raiser and farmer who has contributed his quota to the agricultural development of Milford township is George Hutch- inson, who was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, February 21, 1859, a son of Thomas and Susan (Ramsey) Hutchinson, both of whom were natives of the north of Ireland. They came to this country in 1846, taking passage on a sailing vessel and arriving in New Orleans, whence they journeyed up the Mississippi river to St. Louis and later to Rock Island. After working for some time on a farm the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land ten miles south of Rock Island and added to this gradually until his possessions amounted to five hundred acres. Ten children were born to him and his wife, of whom the following six survive: George; William, residing on the old home- stead in Rock Island county ; Thomas, living in Crawford county, Iowa; Anna, the wife of W. W. Long, of Rock Island; James and Samuel, also of Rock Island county. The father was one of the pioneers of that county and when he first arrived there he had to contend with the rough and unbroken soil. He built a log cabin on his land and there the elder children were born. He acquired a comfortable fortune and retired from active life several years before his death, which occurred in 1903 when he was eighty-two years old, his wife surviving him until January, 1904, when she too passed away at the age of seventy-two years.
George Hutchinson attended the public schools of Rock Island county up to his eighteenth year and assisted his father on the farm until 1883, when he and his brother Robert removed to Hanover township, Crawford county, Iowa, and bought three hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which they farmed in partnership for one year. Robert subsequently died in this county. George purchased a two hundred and eighty-five acre farm on sections 15 and 16, Mil- ford township, to which he has added a great many modern improvements and today has one of the most up-to-date farm properties in the township. Here he has continued to successfully engage in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs for the market.
The marriage of Mr. Hutchinson took place January 31, 1883, when he was united to Miss Alice Johnson, of Mercer county, Illinois, a daughter of Robert and Alice (Lipton) Johnson, who were natives of the north of Ireland. They were pioneer settlers of Mercer county, arriving there about the year 1846, and there the father became the owner of valuable coal lands. He died in 1878, his
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wife departing this life in 1906 at the age of sixty-eight years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson, namely: George Marion, who was born in 1885: Florence S., who is a teacher in the district schools; and Thomas Clarence, whose birth occurred in August 1889. Mrs. Hutchinson has a brother. Robert Johnson, who is a merchant in Oklahoma City, and three sisters, as follows: Mary, now Mrs. K. Dawson, of Oklahoma City; Emma Celia, of the same place ; and Belle, who is now Mrs. Otis Whan and resides in Mercer county, Illinois.
Mr. Hutchinson has taken an active part in politics, having always given his support to the republican party, was for two years township trustee and is at present holding the office of justice of the peace, besides which he is a mem- ber of the school board. In his fraternal relations he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his family are faithful attendants of the Methodist church. Mr. Hutchinson is one of the substantial men of the township in which he resides, being honest and upright in all his business deal- ings, a loyal and stanch friend, ever willing to give his assistance to any under- taking that stands for public improvement and rightly deserves the success he has won.
CHARLES BULLOCK.
A resident of Denison since 1867, Charles Bullock is one of its best known and most respected citizens. He is also a successful business man who by his industry, wise management and public spirit has gained the confidence of the entire community. He was born at Macomb, McDonough county, Illinois, March 8, 1838, a son of Thomas and Agnes ( McCabe) Bullock, the former of whom was a native of County Down, Ireland, and the latter of Dauphin county, Penn- sylvania. The father emigrated to America in 1818 and engaged in the furni- ture business at Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, making chairs, spinning wheels, etc. He was captain of the Hummelstown Volunteers, the oldest military com- pany whose organization is still maintained in the state of Pennsylvania. He was the last man to join the company, but being a fine tactician he was unani- mously elected captain and was in command when La Fayette came to America in 1824. the company serving as a body-guard to the distinguished visitor. He continued in command until 1836, when he came west with James G. Blaine, who was a second cousin of Mr. Bullock's wife. He settled in Macomb, Illinois, and engaged in the furniture business and as a millwright, continuing there during the remainder of his life, with the exception of five years. He passed away in 1881, at the age of eighty-seven years, his wife dying the same year and at the same age as himself. They were both members of the Presbyterian church. Hle was originally an old line whig, but becoming a personal friend of Stephen A. Douglas, joined the democratic party. He was a man of prominence in the community and served as justice of the peace for a number of years, also as judge of the county court. Ezekiel Bullock, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of County Down, Ireland. The Bullocks were a military
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