USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 7
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On the 24th of July, 1876, Mr. Knaul was united in marriage at Clinton to Miss Maggie Au, who was born in New York city, July 28, 1854, a daughter of Julius and Maggie Au. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, and the mother in Bavaria. He was a harness and trunk maker. He and his wife both died in Lyons, Iowa. There were six children in their family: Charles, Will- iam, George, Emma, Maggie, and a son who died in infancy. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Knaul, namely: Mamie, who married M. E. Lies, of Waterville, Washington, and has one child, Margaret; and Alys, an artist, who does beautiful work on china and is living at home.
Politically, Mr. Knaul is an earnest supporter of the republican party, with whose principles he has been in accord ever since he cast his first ballot in 1871. He early observed the beneficial effects of education and for twenty-five years has been a member of the school board of Denison, in the course of which time he has greatly assisted in advancing the cause of education in the community. An intelligent, progressive and capable citizen, he has been successful in business and has gained a host of warm friends in this city.
L. H. PETERSEN.
Of German birth, Mr. Petersen came to this country when a boy and has made an enviable record for himself as a farmer of Denison township, Craw- ford county. He was born in Schleswig, Germany, March 24, 1876, a son of John and Mary (Thompson) Petersen, both of. whom were also natives of Schleswig, where they were married. The father came to the United States with his second youngest son in the spring of 1885, the mother and remaining children arriving in the fall of that year. He located at Irvin, Shelby county, Iowa, where he was employed on a railroad until death ended his labors in 1890. He is survived by his wife, who resides at Buck Grove, Iowa. To them were born eight children, as follows: John, who makes his home in Denison; L. H .:
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Thomas, who lives at Buck Grove; Dudlief, who is a farmer residing near Buck Grove; Lena, who is the wife of Bennett Trueper and lives in the vicinity of Buck Grove; Ira, who lives in Dakota; Dora and Johannah, deceased.
The public schools of Germany afforded L. H. Petersen his early mental training and when not pursuing his studies he occupied his spare time by working in the fields until 1885, when he emigrated to the United States. Com- ing to Iowa he spent four years in Shelby county, and later engaged in opera- ting rented land in Crawford county for two years, making his first purchase of real estate in 1907, which consisted of eighty acres. By careful management he was enabled from time to time to add to his holdings until they now aggre- gate one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land. Mr. Petersen gives his attention principally to general farming and stock-raising but is also in- terested in the raising of poultry, making a specialty of fancy breeds, among which are the Partridge Wyandottes.
The marriage of Mr. Petersen occurred in 1901, when he was united to Miss Augusta Trueper, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, a daughter of Will- iam and Louisa (Eisenhauer) Trueper, in whose family were three children, namely : William, who lives in Denison ; Bernhardt, residing in Buck Grove; and Augusta. Mr. Trueper's death occurred in Germany and Mrs. Trueper married again, her second husband being Carl Remen, a resident of Denison, by whom she had four children, Anne, Carl and Louis, residing in South Dakota; and Gertrude, who makes her home in Denison. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen are the parents of four children, but only Arnold and Alma are now living. Eldon, who was born August 5, 1906, died January 3, 1911, and was buried in the Lutheran church cemetery.
In politics Mr. Petersen is a republican and although he has never desired nor sought public office he has always given his loyal support to the party of his choice. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is a worthy example of the German-American citizen who after arriving in this country becomes imbued with the American spirit, and he has contributed to the best interests of the community in which he resides.
T. J. GARRISON.
Among the most responsible and successful citizens of Denison is T. J. Garrison, whose life stands as a monument of well directed energy, prudent foresight and ability. Mr. Garrison has never had a thirst for office or that hankering for publicity which often besets men otherwise successful and which many times leads to broken hearts and disappointed hopes. He has been con- tent to be known as a man of honor and probity, to surround himself with com- fort and luxuries, to enjoy the palatial home which he has built for himself, and to help his children grow to successful maturity. The comparative affluence which he now enjoys has not been the result of fortune's whim but the result of downright hard work, self-denial, and sheer ability.
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Mr. Garrison was born in Jones county, Iowa, August 22, 1849, a son of Solomon and Harriet ( Simpson) Garrison. His father was born in Ohio, Feb- ruary 13, 1816, and removed to lowa immediately after his marriage on Jan- uary 27, 1841, settling in Jones county near the present town of Olin. Twelve years later, in 1853, he removed with his family to Onion Grove, near Clar- ence, Iowa, where he resided for fifteen years and then returned to Pleasant Hill, Jones county. Three of their children having located in Nebraska, in 1883 the parents removed to that state, making their home at Reynolds. There the father died March 2, 1891, the mother afterward making her home with her youngest daughter, Mrs. A. D. Hunt, at Mount Vernon, Iowa, where she passed away December 9, 1903. To Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Garrison were born eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Cyrena, born October 13, 1843, now the wife of John Ashby, of Coggon, Iowa; W. S., born Septem- ber 5, 1846, who was married to Miss Emma J. De Camp and now lives at Wyoming, Iowa; T. J., the subject of this review ; G. R., born May 8, 1854, who married Sarah E. Robinson, January 20, 1876, and is now a resident of Cali- fornia ; L. L., born February 28, 1858, now an insurance agent in Lincoln, Nebraska ; and Dema E., born March 25, 1861, now the wife of A. D. Hunt, of Mount Vernon, Iowa.
Mr. Garrison was but a very small lad when his father removed to Clar- ence, Cedar county, Iowa. He attended the public schools of that place, pass- ing through the different grades until he entered Cornell College at Mount Ver- non. His college career was not long, however, as at the age of seventeen he re- turned to Clarence and engaged in the hardware and lumber business with J. W. Simpson. Later a Mr. Martin was taken in as a partner and the firm became Simpson, Garrison & Martin. Mr. Garrison continued in that business until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he began to read law. His energy and determination are well illustrated by the fact that he decided upon this course after having passed his early youth and that he pursued his studies alone. purchasing his own books from his earnings and instructing himself so rapidly that in the fall of 1879 he was admitted to the bar in Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa. In 1880 Mr. Garrison came to Denison, forming a partnership with I. T. Roberts and succeeding to the law practice of Tabor & Tabor. This part- nership continued for several years until the withdrawal of Mr. Roberts from the firm, after which Mr. Garrison conducted his extensive business alone until the last few years, when he withdrew from practice to enjoy the fruits of years of toil. As a lawyer Mr. Garrison enjoyed the reputation as one of the wisest and safest of counselors. He always avoided litigation if possible and his work was that of an adviser and a peacemaker rather than an advocate. For many years he was the local attorney for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway and the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, and in this capacity he enjoyed the confidence and personal friendship of the highest officials of the two roads. He conducted the delicate details concerned with the purchase of the right of way for the Milwaukee and also for the double tracking of the Chicago & North- western Railroad through the county, and he succeeded in doing this with no dissatisfaction on the part of the railroad or of the people. Wise and far- sighted investment added to his income as an attorney until, as we have stated,
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he has been enabled to retire from business, surrounded with a goodly portion of life's enjoyments.
On the 17th of February, 1870, Mr. Garrison was united in marriage to Miss Emma Carothers. To them were born four children: Lillian A., whose gift of music and whose lovable disposition have been an added blessing to the home ; Edgar S., who has through a series of well earned promotions been appointed to the important position of judge of the Canal zone; Ray D., who married Miss Hattie Weeks, of this city, and who is in the fruit-raising business at Grand Junction, Colorado; and Earling R., who is the life and joy of the home and who bids fair to duplicate his father's business sagacity.
In Mr. Garrison we have the picture of a forceful, self-made man, of kindly disposition, loyal to his friends, and who has earned for himself the respect and consideration of the community.
JAMES SCOTT.
One of the well kept and highly cultivated farms of Paradise township is the property of James Scott, who has been a resident of Crawford county for more than forty years. He is a native of Canada but is of Irish extraction, his grandparents having come from Counties Carlow and Kilkenny, Ireland. His paternal grandfather, John Scott, crossed the ocean in 1822, and his maternal grandfather, William Garland, in 1815, and both located in Canada. The eldest child of William and Mary Ann (Garland) Scott, also natives of Canada, our subject, was born near Ottawa on the 28th of April, 1858. The parents mi- grated from Canada, where the father had followed farming, and located on a farm in Union township, this county, in December, 1869, and for thirty years Mr. Scott engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He had been married previously, his first wife being Emily Davis, also a Canadian, and they became the parents of the following children: Mary Jane, the wife of A. P. Hardy, of Mitchell, South Dakota; John, deceased; and Sarah, who married Edgar Palm- er, of Lexington, Oregon. There were six children of the second marriage beside the son James, and they are as follows: Barbara Ann, living in St. Anthony, Idaho; William Garland, a resident of Lexington, Idaho; Matilda, who became the wife of P. J. Hallowell, of Paradise township, this county ; Ellen Sophia, who is teaching in St. Anthony, Idaho; Jonathan Albert, a black- smith of Dow City, Iowa; and Henry Griffth, a farmer of Paradise township. The father passed away in 1899 and the mother died in 1895.
James Scott acquired his education in the common schools of Canada and Crawford county, Iowa, and when old enough to lay aside his text-books and assume the heavier responsibilities of life he decided to become an agriculturist. He remained at home until his marriage. During that time he had acquired the means which enabled him to buy eighty acres of land in Union township, and this he cultivated for about two years and then removed to his present place. Here he has resided for twenty-six years, during which time he has made many and great improvements and his is one of the best farming prop-
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erties in Paradise township. The buildings are all substantial and in good con- dition ; he keeps a superior grade of stock; and his fields are given the care and supervision which results in large harvests and good prices. He now owns eighty acres in Union and one hundred acres in Paradise township.
It was on the 27th of December, 1882, that Mr. Scott was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Amelia Hallowell, a daughter of Joseph and Marcia (Adams) Hallowell, the father being a native of New York and the mother of Ohio. They migrated from Ohio to Illinois and came to Iowa in 1853 but did not locate in Crawford county until 1867. Here they both passed away, the father in 1880 and the mother in 1897. Mrs. Scott is the youngest of the five children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hallowell, the others being as follows: George, who is now dead; Ophelia, also deceased; John, a farmer of Crawford county; and Peter J., also a farmer of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have become the parents of six children: Mary Ellen, Anna Laura, Thomas Garland, Rosella Beatrice and James Hallowell, all of whom are at home, while the fourth child died in infancy.
Mr. Scott is of the Episcopalian faith and is fraternally identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, his local affiliation with these two orders being with the Dow City lodges. His eldest daughter, Mary, is identified with the Rebekahs, the ladies auxiliary of the Odd Fellows. Mr. Scott has always remained free from party dictation in political matters, never having voted a straight ticket but once and that was a republican, nor would he ever accept an office. He is one of the progressive and highly esteemed citizens of his community, where his sound principles and keen sense of honor have won the respect they are always accorded.
LEWIS L. OSTERLUND.
The foreign born citizens of Crawford county have done much to advance the agricultural possibilities of Iowa and prominent among these may be men- tioned Lewis L. Osterlund, a farmer and stock-raiser of Milford township. He was born near Stockholm, Sweden, August 9, 1851, a son of August and Chris- tina C. Osterlund, who were farmers in their native country, where they both died when Lewis L. was quite young. The latter obtained his education in the public schools of Sweden and then followed farming until twenty-one years old. Hearing of the greater advantages offered to young men in the United States. he decided to better his condition and in 1872 emigrated to this country. He first located in Illinois but remained there but a few months and then removed to Clinton, Iowa, where his first occupation was logging on the Mississippi river and working in the lumberyards of the Clinton Lumber Company. There he remained for seven years, living economically, and by saving his earnings he was enabled to buy eighty acres of land in Milford township, Crawford county, upon which in 1879 he began practical farming. Owing to his former experience in the old country he was successful from the beginning, erected a modern house and made other needed improvements upon his land, which was located on sec-
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tion 23. This he sold in 1892 and purchased one hundred and twenty acres on section I, later buying three hundred and twenty additional acres on section 2, making a total of four hundred and forty acres, which today ranks among the finest improved land in Crawford county and where he carries on general farm- ing and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of shorthorn Durham cattle and feeds both cattle and hogs for the market.
In August, 1876, Mr. Osterlund married Miss Nellie Olson, of Clinton, Iowa. Her parents Nels and Hannah Olson, were natives of Sweden and came to this country in 1873, taking up their residence in South Dakota, where the father died in 1906, being still survived by the mother. To Mr. and Mrs. Osterlund have been born the following eleven children: Laura, now Mrs. Rob- ert Hawley, of Crawford county ; Rose, the widow of Charles Maynard; Charles, who was born December 2, 1880, and is now residing in Nevada; Olga, now Mrs. Patrick Gallagher; Arthur, born June 15, 1885, now living in Cotton- wood, South Dakota; Lewis, Jr., born August 16, 1888, also living in South Dakota; Roy, born April 4, 1890; Myrtle; Walter, born June 18, 1894; Lily and Carrie. The younger members of the family are still at home.
Mr. Osterlund has always upheld the principles of the republican party and has efficiently filled the office of township trustee for two terms. He has also served for several years as school director and was twice appointed by Gov- ernor Shaw to the farmers convention, once at Boston and once at Colorado Springs. Fraternally he is a worthy member of Vail Lodge, No. 422, A. F. & A. M. and Chapter No. 89, R. A. M., of Dunlap, Iowa. Religiously he is a consistent member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Osterlund is a worthy example of all that goes to make an exemplary citizen of the country of his adoption, and his abilities as an agriculturist as well as his personal characteristics have won for him recognition and the approbation of the community wherein he resides.
CHARLES W. MERRILL.
Charles W. Merrill, who stands today as one of the representative and pro- gressive business men of Denison, was born July 7, 1855, in Ohio, a son of John W. and Julia (Heaton) Merrill, both of whom were natives of New York state. In 1869 they removed to Linn county, Iowa, where the father rented one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he resided until 1882 and then took up his residence in Montezuma, Iowa, remaining there during the rest of his life. Seven children were born to this couple, of whom but two survive, namely : Harriet, who became the wife of R. C. Ring and lives in Linn county ; and Charles W. Those deceased are James, Quincy, Rufus, William C. and Lucy.
After passing through the public schools Mr. Merrill served an apprentice- ship to the wagonmaker's trade and has since continued to successfully follow this branch of industry. His first employment was obtained at Center Point, Linn county, where he remained about five years and then moved to Thorn-
,
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burg, Iowa, where he spent fifteen years. He next lived in Greene, Iowa, there engaging in the same occupation for two and a half years. He then came to Denison, opened up a carriage and wagon shop and by unremitting industry, and his unquestioned ability in this line of work has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative business.
On December 28, 1879, Mr. Merrill was united in marriage to Miss Addie L., a daughter of J. M. and Eliza J. (Torrence) Potter, who were the parents of seven children, four of whom, including Mrs. Merrill, survive, the others being : Ella MI., who became the wife of H. C. Printy and lives in Center Point. Linn county ; Franklin, who is a farmer near Columbia Falls, Montana; Artie Mabel, who married George W. Lee and resides in Sac City, Iowa. Mr. Potter is a native of Indiana and followed farming in that state and in lowa until he retired and came to reside with his daughter, Mrs. Merrill. At the age of eighty-four he is enjoying a serene old age. His wife departed this life in 1907 in her seventy-fourth year. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill are the parents of four children, two of whom are living, namely: Clifford C., who resides in Omaha, Nebraska; and Mabel J., who became the wife of A. L. Moeller and lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Mrs. Merrill is president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, of which she was also for a short time district president. Mr. Merrill casts his vote for the republican party and although he takes an abiding interest in all local affairs that tend to improve his town he has never sought political prefer- ment. In religion he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In his business career he has made an excellent record and has not only become favorably and well known but has gained a gratifying measure of prosperity, while personally he is a man whose worth and high principles are well appre- ciated by his many friends.
FRANK H. DOWNS.
Frank H. Downs, a well known farmer and stock-raiser of Crawford county. was born in Gloucester county, New Jersey, June 5. 1867, a son of Edward J. and Lucinda (Graham) Downs, the former of whom was born May 7, 1834, in New Jersey where he grew to manhood, and there his marriage took place No- vember 20, 1856. He was a farmer and charcoal burner, marketing his products in Philadelphia, and he followed those occupations until he was forty-two years of age, when he came west, locating in Menard county, Illinois. He was a son of Thomas and Maria Jane Downs. His widow is a native of Ireland and makes her home in Denison, Iowa. They were the parents of ten children, of whom all but one survive, namely: Hudson, who lives in Arion, Iowa; Maria Jane, who married Charles Gaines and resides in Menard county, Illinois; John F., who is a farmer near North Platte, Nebraska; Elmer Ellsworth, who is lo- cated in Dawson county, Nebraska; Franklin H .; Sarah Elizabeth, who became the wife of Morris McHenry, Jr., and resides in Dow City; Ed J., Jr., who is on a farm near Overton, Nebraska; Lucinda, who married Isaac Howorth, of
F. H. DOWNS
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Goodrich township; and Emma, who is the wife of Ed R. Green and lives in Overton, Nebraska.
The initial education of Frank Downs was obtained in the common schools of Menard county, Illinois, supplemented by a course in the Indian Point graded schools. With the object of taking up agriculture as his life vocation he began active work on a rented farm in Shelby county, where he remained three years and then came to Crawford county. Here he was engaged in the livery busi- ness for seven years, his stables being located at Arion. Deciding to once more embark in agricultural pursuits, he rented a farm, which he cultivated for two years and then bought one hundred and sixty acres in Boyer township, com- prising what is called the McMartin farm. Here he resided for five years and then moved to his present location, his farm here consisting of two hundred and five acres. Besides this he owns real estate in the town of Arion. He is an extensive dealer in live stock, making a specialty of English Berkshire hogs and polled Durham cattle and also handles a high grade of Shropshire sheep.
The marriage of Mr. Downs took place April 8, 1898, when he was united to Mrs. Nellie (Acker) Wall, who was born in Ogle county, Illinois, a daughter of John and Nellie (Harrington) Acker, the former of whom was born in Ogle county, April 5, 1835, and the latter in Otsego county, New York, October 10, 1839. During the Civil war Mr. Acker enlisted in the Union army at Chicago in 1861, becoming a member of an independent company known as Sturgas Rifles, named for the man who fitted them out .. This company was sent out as General McClellan's bodyguard and participated in the seven days' battle of the Wilderness, remaining in the service until McClellan was removed. As it was an independent company it could not be sent anywhere without the consent of its members and they were mustered out and returned home in 1862. In 1863, however, Mr. Acker joined Company M, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, and was commissioned first lieutenant but during his service was on special duty most of the time, being stationed at Jefferson Barracks and later at Alton, Illinois, where he guarded three hundred prisoners. His wife was with him most of the time until he was ordered to the front in pursuit of General Price of Missouri. He served as aid-de-camp on General McNeal's staff, assisting in guarding about fifteen hundred prisoners at Alton all one summer. When they went into winter quarters his wife joined him, but when there was any danger of fighting she was sent home. He was mustered out in 1865 at the close of the war. Mr. Acker moved to Boone, Iowa, in 1865 and lived there for three years, after which he went to Avoca, Iowa, and engaged in the hard- ware business for eighteen years, going from there to Hand county, South Da- kota, where for the following thirteen years he followed farming and then removed to Everett, Washington, which is at present the home of himself and wife. They are the parents of five children, of whom the following are living: Nellie; Tessora V., who is the wife of George Dulitz and lives in Washington state; and Alice May, who became the wife of Homer Brown and resides in Oregon. On the maternal side Mrs. Downs comes of good Revolutionary stock, her great-grandfather Harrington, having served as a private in the Continental army. He died shortly after the close of the war from the effects of the hard-
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ships suffered during his service. When at the front his brave wife was left with a family of small children to care for on a little farm, her stock consisting of one horse and a few sheep. She cultivated her land, doing all the work herself, sheared her sheep, carded the wool and spun and wove the material for the clothes of her family. She also knitted socks, dried meat and melted her pewter ware into bullets, which she took on horseback, a distance of a hundred miles, through the woods to her husband, although she was surrounded on all sides by the English troops. Her friends feared for her safety but she trusted implicitly in God and was brought safely home.
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