USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
John Schnoor lived in his native country until fourteen years of age and re- ceived his early education in the common schools. In 1883 he came to America with his mother and they located on a farm in Crawford county, where he con- tinued until the fall of 1887. In the meantime he assisted in building the rail- road yards at Manilla, Iowa. In November, 1887, he went to work at Denison under Claus Sievers, the pioneer harnessmaker of Crawford county, now de- ceased. After four years with Mr. Sievers, the subject of this review removed to Amherst, Nebraska, and there followed his trade. In 1894 he went to Man- ning, Iowa, where he remained for four years, and then took up his residence at Denison and for seven years successfully conducted a harness-making establish- ment in this city. He sold out to the Semmann Manufacturing Company and next entered the employ of his brother-in-law, C. J. Salomon, in the furniture business, and after the latter's death became manager of the concern, in which position he has since continued.
On the 27th of December, 1889, Mr. Schnoor was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Kunz, who was born at Appenrade, Schleswig, Germany, a daugh- ter of Andreas and Augusta (Lorenzen) Kunz. Her parents came to America first in 1880 but made three trips back and forth across the ocean, finally set- tling in Denison in 1883. The father is now deceased but the mother is living in this city. Of their children Andrew, Amalia, Nicolina, Marie and Augusta are now living. A daughter, Brigita, and a son are deceased. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schnoor, namely: Amanda, Edna, Hilda and Esther.
Mr. Schnoor and his wife are both members of the German Methodist church and their children are also connected with that denomination. Politically, he gives his support to the democratic party. He was elected justice of the peace at Manning but did not qualify as he moved away soon after his election. He served for two years as member of the city council of Illinois. Fraternally, he is identified with Sylvan Lodge. No. 507. A. F. & A. M., and the Eastern Star. He also belongs to Denison Lodge, No. 626, I. O. O. F., the Encampment, the
87
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Rebekahs and the Modern Woodmen of America. A man of unquestioned in- tegrity and high ideals, he has made practical application in business and private life of the beautiful teachings of the orders to which he belongs and is greatly respected by a wide circle of warm personal friends in Denison.
A. H. RUDD.
A. H. Rudd, the proprietor and editor of The Enterprise, the local paper of Dow City, is a native of Crawford county, his birth occurring on section 9, Union township, on the 18th of November, 1856. He is the oldest surviving child of John R. and Serelda (Jordan) Rudd, the father a native of Pennsyl- vania and the mother of Keokuk, Iowa. John R. Rudd came to Iowa from Pennsylvania in the early '50s, first locating in Shelby county, where he resided for a brief period and then removed to Crawford county, settling on section 9, Union township, where he continued to reside until 1902. His farm was un- broken prairie when it came into his possession, and after erecting a log cabin he began cultivating the soil and for more than forty years engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Nine years ago he left the farm and is now living retired in Dow City, where he enjoys the ease and comfort awarded him as the result of the close application and self-denial of his youth. Mr. Rudd has always given his political support to the men and measures of the democratic party, while his religious affiliation is with the Latter Day Saints. His wife is a daughter of William and Mary Jordan, who were among the pioneers of Craw- ford county, where they spent the last years of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Rudd are the parents of eleven children, as follows: Hiram, deceased; A. H., our sub- ject ; Alvin, a minister of the Latter Day Saints at Wilberton, Oklahoma ; John, a painter and decorator of Dow City; Mary, the wife of Clair Butterworth of Dow City ; D. M., living in Orlando, Florida; Ellen, the wife of J. D. 'Antrim, of Redfield, Iowa; Emma, the deceased wife of J. R. Griffin ; S. E., a linotype operator, of Norfolk, Nebraska; Fannie, the wife of John A. Hearst, a farmer of Union township; and the eldest, who died in infancy.
A. H. Rudd acquired his education in the common schools of Dow City and his first business venture was the editing of the newspaper he now owns. He traded a team of horses for the Boyer Valley Clipper, which three months later became known as The Enterprise, under which name it has ever since been issued. During the twenty years of his proprietorship it has developed into a clean, popular and wide-awake local newspaper with a good circulation. In addition to the editing of this, Mr. Rudd conducts a job office, in which he is meeting with marked success, as his books show an output of over two and one- half million blanks for the year just ended. He owns the building where his office is located as well as his residence.
In 1887 Mr. Rudd and Miss May Dobson, of this county, were united in marriage, and they have become the parents of the following children: H. R., a graduate of the Dow City high school and the electrical engineering depart- ment of the Iowa State College at Ames, now located at North Yakima, Wash-
88
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
ington ; Vinnie, also a graduate of the high school and the musical department of Graceland College, living at home; Sunshine, who is attending the high school; and Gladys, at home.
The family attend the church of the Latter Day Saints, in which denomina- tion Mr. and Mrs. Rudd are very active workers, he being the priest of the local branch and superintendent of the Sunday school, while Mrs. Rudd has been a teacher of the Sunday school for over twenty years. Politically Mr. Rudd has always affiliated with the democratic party and takes an active part in local gov- ernmental matters, having served as township clerk and assessor, while he was also city treasurer for nine years and county supervisor for three. He is one of the progressive as well as public-spirited citizens of the town and through the columns of his paper has urged the adoption of many measures which have been for the improvement and betterment of the community.
BENJAMIN SMITH.
The dairy interests of Crawford county find a worthy representative in Ben- jamin Smith, who resides on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Denison township. Mr. Smith was born in Peekskill, New York, on the 20th of July, 1863, his parents being Benjamin and Catharine (Ellis) Smith, also natives of the Empire state, but whose latter days were spent in Kansas. Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith, as follows: Ida, the wife of Gilbert Lan- caster, of Garrison, New York; Byron, residing in Golden, Colorado; Lois, who married Albert Cooper, of Portland, Oregon; Annie, the wife of Richard Hun- ter, of Abilene, Kansas; Benjamin, our subject; Adelia, also of Abilene ; Frank- lin, a resident of Joplin, Missouri; Susan, the wife of Alexander Wilson, of Abilene, Kansas; Phoebe, who died in infancy; and Charles, of Oklahoma.
The early years of Benjamin Smith's life were spent in New York and Kansas, in the common schools of which states he acquired his education. Com- ing to Iowa with his parents in 1887 he located in Harlan, where his father had bought two hundred acres of land, in the cultivation of which he assisted, re- maining at home until he was married. Subsequent to this event he worked as a farm hand for more than three years, at the end of which period he returned to Kansas, where his father owned eight hundred acres of land, one-half of which our subject rented. After cultivating this for three years Mr. Smith came back to Iowa, locating upon one hundred and eighty acres of land which he rented in Shelby county. He operated this for three years and then rented one hundred and sixty acres elsewhere, upon which he resided for two years. At the end of that period he leased a four hundred-acre tract, which he culti- vated for three years. During the time of his residence in the Hawkeye state he had accumulated the capital necessary to buy land, so moving to Crawford county in 1902, he purchased two hundred and eighty acres, in the cultivation of which he was engaged for seven years. Disposing of his interests in 1909 he bought a quarter section in the northeastern part of Denison township, where he is now conducting an extensive dairy business, the majority of his cattle
89
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
being shorthorns. This is one of the oldest farms in Denison township, as upon it was built the first frame house in Crawford county, which Mr. Smith has torn down during his residence here. The house was erected about 1856 and was entirely constructed of oak and walnut. Two years ago, while digging a cistern upon his homestead, Mr. Smith found two Indian skulls and a horse- shoe, which he presented to the Rev. Mr. Frazee.
At Harlan, Iowa, on the 25th of March, 1888, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Annie Lorenzen, a daughter of Fred and Anna (Johnson) Lorenzen, natives of the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Migrating to Iowa many years ago Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzen first located in Davenport but are now residing in Pottawattamie county. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom Mrs. Smith is the eldest, the others being: Peter, a resident of Pottawattamie county, Ella, the wife of Henry Gertz, of Luverne, Rock county, Minnesota; Henry, who died in infancy; Herman, living in Shelby county, Iowa; George, a resident of the same county ; Edward, also a resident of Shelby county ; Laura, the wife of Earnest Bachman, of Pottawattamie county ; and Ernest and Rudolph, deceased; and Mollie, also living in Pottawattamie county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have become the parents of five children: Alma, the wife of Thomas Meade, of Portland, Oregon; Clarence Walter, also of Portland; and Harold, Ralph and Ruby, who is seven years of age, the last three all at home.
The family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally Mr. Smith is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. In matters politic Mr. Smith gives his support to the candidates of the democratic party. Not being an office seeker, however, he does not actively participate in civic af- fairs, preferring to devote his attention to the advancement of his personal in- terests.
PETER J. HALLOWELL.
Peter J. Hallowell, who engages in general farming and stock-raising on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Paradise township, Crawford county, is a native of this state, having been born in Fayette county, on the 16th of October, 1855. He is the youngest son of the late Joseph and Marcia (Adams) Hallowell, who were among the early residents of this county. He acquired his education in the district schools of Fayette and Crawford counties, remaining a member of his father's household until he had reached the age of twenty-nine years. In 1882 he began working as a farm hand, continuing in this occupation for three years, and at the end of that period he located on the quarter section where he continues to live.
In 1882 Mr. Hallowell was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Scott, a daughter of William and Mary Ann (Garland) Scott, who were also early residents of this county, migrating here from Canada. Four children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hallowell, who are as follows: Ada E., the wife of J. G. Rule, of Red Oak, Iowa; Inez A., the house secretary of the Young
90
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Women's Christian Association of Des Moines; Joseph E., who married Daisy Glassburner and lives at home; and Jennie E., who is also at home.
Fraternally Mr. Hallowell is identified with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, his local affiliation being with the lodge at Dow City. He has always been a strong advocate of the principles of republicanism and gives his support to the candidates of that party. Although he has never taken a particularly active part in local politics he served for two years as trustee of his township. He is considered one of the successful and substantial agriculturists of the community, his being one of the valuable homesteads in the township.
JAMES P. JONES.
A self-made man who started upon his business career without a dollar and has won his way to fortune, James P. Jones, of Denison, is justly held in high regard by all who know him. He was born in Clinton county, Iowa, May 15, 1860, a son of John and Honora (Carlon) Jones, both of whom were natives of County Clare, Ireland, when they were married. The father was reared a farmer and learned the stone-mason's trade in Ireland. He came to America early in the '50s and after stopping for a while in New York state took up his residence in La Salle county, Illinois, working at stone-masonry and house- building. He was employed on the first bridge built across the Mississippi river at Davenport and lived on the island and in Rock Island. He subsequently bought a farm in Clinton county, which he cultivated to good advantage. He died in the northern part of Iowa in 1891, at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Jones, who was born at Mount Shannon, Ireland, in 1823, came to Crawford county in 1879 after her husband's death and lived on a farm in Washington township with her children. She died Sunday, January 8, 1905, at the age of eighty-two years, and was in many respects a remarkable woman. She and her husband were earnest members of the Catholic church.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Rogers Jones, was a farmer and spent his entire life in Ireland. Among his children were William, Rogers, James, John, Maria and others. The maternal grandfather was also a farmer in Ireland. Of his children Honora, Julia and Kate came to America. Honora is the mother of our subject, and Julia, now deceased, formerly lived in Deni- son. Patrick, one of his sons, died in Ireland. There were ten children in the family of John and Honora Jones, three of whom are now living, namely : Julia, a resident of Denison ; James P., the subject of this review ; and John H., also of Denison.
James P. Jones was reared on the old homestead in Clinton county and re- ceived his early education in the district schools. He was graduated from the Davenport Business College and subsequently came to Denison and started in the live-stock and real-estate business, with which he has ever since been connected. Being a man of energy and good judgment, he has been highly suc- cessful in his affairs. He is the owner of six hundred and forty acres in Craw- ford county and about three sections of land in Sanborn, Spink, Faulk and
91
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Potter counties, South Dakota. On coming to Crawford county, he gathered corn at fifty cents a day and chopped wood for seventy-five cents a cord, work- ing industriously at any honorable employment that he could find. By un- daunted perseverance he overcame every obstacle and is now financially inde- pendent.
On the 18th of June, 1892, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Isabel C. Blakely, a daughter of David D. Blakely .. She was born in New York, her parents being natives of Ireland. Her father came from County Antrim, near Belfast, and her mother from County Galway. They were early settlers of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, her father being identified with a packing house in that city, where he and his wife are still living. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, six of whom survive, namely : Kate, David, John, Isabel C., Elizabeth and Grace. Mrs. Jones grew to womanhood in Cedar Rapids and received a fine education, being a graduate of a convent and the Conservatory of Music at Cedar Rapids. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones: David B., who died in infancy; William B .; and James D.
Mr. Jones and his estimable wife were reared in the Catholic faith and are sincere followers of the church. They have resided in Denison many years, and their pleasant home is a favorite gathering place for friends who are al- ways assured of a cordial greeting. Mr. Jones gives his support politically to the republican party. He has served in various township offices but never as- pired to larger political honors as his interest has been concentrated upon his family and his business.
CHRIST P. VOLLERSEN.
Another enterprising German, who, through his own well directed effort, is now numbered among the affluent citizens of Crawford county, is Christ P. Vollersen, engaged in the grain and live-stock business in Dow City. A native of the province of Schleswig-Holstein, he was born on the 10th of January, 1867, a son of Christ and Christina (Inguersen) Vollersen, who spent their entire lives in the land of their birth, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. In their family were the following children: Samuel, living in Ger- many; Mary, a resident of Duluth, Minnesota; Nicholas, of Ricketts, Iowa; Christ P., our subject; Ingburg, residing in Chicago; Paul, of Germany; and Christina, living in Mineola, this state.
Christ P. Vollersen lived at home and attended the common schools of his native land until the death of his parents, which occurred when he was fourteen years of age. For three years thereafter he resided with an uncle and then came to America to seek his fortune. He was only a youth of seventeen years when he arrived in the United States, unfamiliar with the language and customs but possessing a rich heritage of thrift, energy and determination, qualities which characterize his countrymen. Making his way westward to Iowa, he first located in Clinton, where he obtained employment in a sawmill and on the rail- road until the following autumn, when he went to Dixon, Scott county. In
92
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
the latter place he secured work as a farm hand, continuing in that occupation for three years, when he removed to Crawford county, where he followed the same employment for a year. He then rented land in Soldier township, which he cultivated for three years, and at the expiration of that period his tireless energy, economy and capable management made it possible for him to become a property owner and he bought a place in Willow township, upon which he continued to reside for sixteen years. Disposing of the latter place he bought land in Paradise township, which he cultivated for three years, and then came to Dow City and bought the grain and live-stock business of Joseph McCole, including the plants, elevator and yards. Mr. Vollersen has met with most grati- fying success in all of his undertakings and as a result now owns two hundred and forty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land in Paradise town- ship besides his business and residence in town.
Nineteen years ago was solemnized the union of Mr. Vollersen and Miss Eliza Peterson, also a native of the province of Schleswig-Holstein, and unto them have been born the following children : Christina, Emma, Minnie, Henry, and Mary, all of whom are at home.
The family attend the services of the German Lutheran church, with which denomination the parents are identified by membership. Ever since his naturali- zation Mr. Vollersen has given his political support to the democratic party. Although he has never been an aspirant to public honors or the emoluments of office, he at one time served as a school director. He is a quiet, unobtrusive man, whose good judgment, sound principles and honorable business transac- tions have won the respect of all who come in contact with him.
EDWIN A. FINK.
The state of New York is represented in almost every county of the west by sons or daughters who sought under favorable circumstances to establish a home among strangers. In numberless instances their efforts have met with success and today many of the most honored people of the great west are from the Empire state. Edwin A. Fink, now living retired at Denison at the ven- erable age of eighty-two years, was born at Prattsville, Green county, New York, August 9, 1829.
His parents were Harry and Lucinda (Beers) Fink, also natives of Greene county, New York. They were descendants of old Holland Dutch families that were among the first settlers in that county. The father was reared as a farmer and devoted his life to that occupation. He came to Iowa in 1879 and died November I following, being then seventy-one years of age. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Deloit, Crawford county. His wife departed this life May 28, 1855, at the age of forty-nine years. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church but she was a devout Methodist. Adam Fink, the paternal grandfather. married Katrina Hummell and died from the. effects of the kick of a colt. There were eight children in their family, namely: Peter, Harry, John, Martin, Eli, Margaret, Jane and Polly. The maternal grandfather
--
EDWIN A. FINK
95
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
was Cornelius D. Beers, who was a native of New Jersey and engaged in farm- ing. He died when a young man from the effects of a bayonet wound which he accidentally received. His wife was Weighty Disbro and in their family were six children : Seth, Betsy, Lucinda, Harry, Clara and Silas. Eleven children were born to Harry and Lucinda Fink, seven of whom grew to maturity: Cor- nelius K .; Edwin A., the subject of this review; Cordelia and Cornelia, twins; Willis T., now living in Cherry county, Nebraska; Martha ; and Ann Augusta.
Edwin A. Fink was reared in his native county until nineteen years of age and as his parents were poor he had in his boyhood but limited opportunities of education. At eleven years of age he went to live with a widow who gave him his board and clothes and sent him to school. He remained in her home for five years and made himself useful by taking care of about forty head of cattle. After leaving the friendly shelter afforded by this kind-hearted woman, he went to Red Falls and worked in a sawmill and at various other occupations for three years, never receiving during this time more than eight dollars per month.
After a visit at home he started out in 1849, being then not quite twenty years of age, to seek his fortune in the world. He followed the Erie Railroad to Hornellsville, New York, and spent three or four years in Steuben county, at the end of which time he went to Sheboygan, Michigan, in company with about sixty men, to work in the woods and in the sawmills. After a short stay he started southward and at Detroit got off the boat and out of curiosity visited the shops of the Michigan Central Railroad. The businesslike air that prevailed about this establishment attracted his fancy and the next morning he went to work for the company and for nearly two years ran a switch engine in the yards at night. He next found himself in charge of an engine on the construction of a railroad and became so enamored of railroading that he was identified with that line of industry for twenty-five years. In 1866 he came to Clinton, Iowa, and for twelve years followed railway engineering and the machinist's trade.
Mr. Fink arrived in Denison in 1878 on the same train that carried Hon. Leslie M. Shaw and his wife to this city. Later he traded a farm in Clinton county for land in Otter Creek township, Crawford county, upon which he lived for five years. He began with one hundred and sixty acres, to which he later added eighty acres. Subsequently he bought land in Goodrich township and owned at one time four hundred and seventy acres in the township and two hundred and forty acres in Otter Creek township, being one of the leading farmers in that part of the county. He lived in Goodrich township until 1899, when he retired to Denison. He still owns two hundred and twenty acres of land in this county, for which he has refused one hundred and seventy-five dol- lars per acre. He has been remarkably industrious and enterprising and well merits the prosperity that resulted from his labors.
On the 24th of May, 1855, Mr. Fink was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Amadon, a daughter of Smith Amadon. She passed away on the 12th of Jan- uary, 1893, at the age of fifty-eight years. There were eleven children in the family, seven of whom grew to maturity, namely: Isabel, who married Dorr Comfort, of Pender, Nebraska, and has become the mother of two children ; Hannibal, now owning three-eighths of the old homestead, who married Nellie Comstock and has five children; Nora, who lives on a farm near Laurel, Ne-
96
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
braska, and married Eli Johnson, by whom she has three children; Edwin, Jr., living eighty miles south of Dallas, Texas, who married Rhoda Swinson, of Minnesota, and is the father of three children; Oliver, of Wills Point, Van Zandt county, Texas, who married Florence Brogdon and has two cihldren ; Harry, now deceased, who married Ida Conquest and had two children; and Eliza, now living at Onawa, Iowa, who married Lewis C. Albright, and is the mother of three children.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.