USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 96
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Henry Koehler was born in Prussia in 1840. At the age of twenty-six he came to the United States, locating in Wisconsin and remaining there four years. In 1870 he purchased the farm of 150 acres where he still resides, on section 3, Ulster Town- ship, Floyd County, Ia. In 1870, in Wisconsin, he married Miss Louisa Otterstine, also a native of Prussia, being born there in 1848. She came to Wisconsin at the age of eight years. Their family consists of six children-Emma, Emil, Frank, Charles, Bertie and George. Both Mr) and Mrs Koehler are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Koehler has been Super- visor and is now School Director. Politically he is a Republican. In 1862-'63 he was a private in the Prussian army.
Henry Koshlstaedt was born in Germany in 1842, and came to America in 1860. The first four years in this country were spent near Frankfort, Ill., where he worked as a farm hand. One of the strongest inducements his mother had to leave the old country, was to free her sons from the army requirements. But to her , astonishment, all of her three sons enlisted in the war for the Union. Henry Koehlstaedt enlisted Jan. 16, 1864, Company C, Forty -sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country two
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yeurs; held the office of Corporal the last six months; was never wounded, taken prisoner nor in the hospital a day in his life. After his army life he returned to his Illinois home and farmed two years. Purchased eighty acres on section 16, Ulster Township, this county, in August, 1868; moved upon it in October. Has added to his first possessions till now he owns 165 acres of as good land as lies in Floyd County. Puts in a crop of usually twenty acres of wheat, but formerly raised high as sixty and seventy acres ; has forty five in corn and twenty in oats; has thirty-two head of cattle, seventy-fivehogs and five horses. Was married in Illinois in 1866, to Miss Caroline Venneolt, a native of Germany; came to this country with parents when she was one year old. They have seven children-William, Martha, Emil, Ida, Samuel, Henry and Sarah. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a local preacher in the same.
Simon Koerner was born in Germany in 1841; came to America Sept. 4, 1873, locating first in Stephenson County, Ill., where he purchased forty acres of land and firmed two and one-half years, when he sold his farm and came to Floyd County, Ia., and bought the farm of 160 acres where he still resides, in Ulster Township. section 7. In 1878 he built one of the finest houses in Floyd County and built a fine barn in 1881. Has always found stock-raising and farming, run together, the most profitable. Heretofore he has raised usually from fifty to sixty acres of wheat, ten to twelve acres of oats, and sixty to seventy acres of corn. He usually keeps about twelve head of milch cows and about the same num- ber of young cattle, fifty head of hogs and five horses. His motto is that "well-fed stock pays the best." Mr. Koerner was married in Germany in 1869 to Miss Wilhelmina Gelhaus. Their family con- sists of six children-Charles, Emil, William, Edward, Minna, and an infant son not yet named. Both Mr. and Mrs. Koerner are members of the German Methodist church. Their children can all read and speak both the English and German languages. Of Mr. Koerner we are pleased to say he has by industry wrung from the hard hand of toil one of the finest farms and homes of Floyd County. Has held the position of Supervisor. Politically he is a Republican.
Charles A. Lenz was born in Germany in 1822. In 1841 he came to America, locating in Wisconsin, where he remained three years, at the expiration of which time he moved to Floyd County, Iowa. He purchased the farm of sixty acres where he still resides,
H.G. Ihrman.
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in Ulster Township. Built a fine residence in 1874, the year after he moved upon his land. Mr. Lenz was married in Germany, in 1847, to Miss Doratha Koehler. The family consists of six chil- dren-Fred W., Ernest H., Caroline, Amelia, Henry and Augusta. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lenz are members of the Methodist church. Politically he is a Republican. His children all speak and read English.
M. F. Lessin was born in Germany, Oct. 25, 1837; came to this country in 1865, and stopped the first four years in Wisconsin. In the spring of 1869 he came to Floyd County, and worked on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul Railroad during the summer. In the fall he purchased sixty acres in Ulster Township, where he still resides. In the fall of 1875 he purchased fifty-four acres adjoin_ ing his other land. Here he has lived since first coming into the State with the exception of the years 1873.'75. He traveled as preach- er in the German Methodist church; was at Shell Rock, Iowa, and on the Mountain Lake Circuit, Minn .; was a local preacher twelve years. In the year 1865, in Germany, Mr. Lessin and Miss Minna Swartz were united in marriage. She only lived about one year, leaving one child-August Fredric, now fifteen years of age. Mr. Lessin married his second wife in Wisconsin in 1869; her name was Louisa Sette. She was also born in Germany and came to this country with her parents at about the age of thirteen. By this union they have seven children-Augusta, Amelia, Charles, Fredric, John Henry, Emiel Ernest, Bertie, Rosena and Lydia Emma. Both Mr. and Mrs .. Lessin are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically is a Republican.
John Lines was born in Warwickshire, England, May 3, 1834. In the spring of 1852 he came to America, locating first in Ogle County, Ill., where he remained about one year; moved then to De Kalb County, and remained about two years, working as a farm hand all the time. In the month of April, 1855, he became a citizen of Floyd County, working by the mouth the first two years. In the spring of 1855 he pre-empted eighty acres in Ulster Township, bought ten acres of timber in Union Township. In 1857 he commenced improving and farming this place. In 1876 he built upon it a good farm house and other buildings. Has added to his first purchase eighty acres, making one of Floyd Counties best one-quarter section farins. Has always found stock more profitable than farming, keeps about seventeen head of cattle;
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hogs, eighty head, and horses, ten head. In former years he used to put out fifty acres of wheat, but finding it an unprofit- able crop has this year ouly thirteen acres, with corn seventy- tive, oits forty, and fifteen of meadow. In 1859 he and Mrs. Fanny Hillman (widow of James Hillman, deceased) were united in marriage. Their family consists of five children -- John William, Jennie M., Charles Henry, Mary E., and Lizzie D. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lines are members of the Christian church. Politically we find Mr. Lines a sound Republican; aspires to no office, though he does his share of holding township positions in school affairs.
William Lines, Jr., was born in England in 1832; came to America in 1853, locating first in Ogle County, III., where he remained about three years engaged as a farm hand. In 1855 he became citizen of Floyd County, and worked the first three years as a farm hand. In 1859 he bought on time his present farm of eighty acres, situated on section 29, Ulster Township. In 1863 he built a good farm house; in 1880 built a fine barn. He has im - proved this farm and beautified it with nice groves and shade trees till it is numbered among Floyd County's best farms and pleasant homes. Keeps five head of horses, ten head of cuttle and forty-two hogs. Puts out thirty-five acres of corn; oats, twenty ; wheat, ten. On Feb. 13, 1877, he and Miss Mattie Roschen were united in mar- riage. They have two little sons-William H. and Frederic A., ages four and two. Politically he is a Republican.
0. McEwen was born in Ulster County, N. Y., May 18, 1833. At the age of twenty three he came to Iowa, locating on Flood Creek, Ulster Township, section 32, where he had, two years previously, entered 200 acres at Government price, being $1.25 per acre. This he improved and afterward disposed of a portion. At present he owns 200 acres of choice farming land, well improved, and supplied with buildings surpassing many in older counties. Mr. McEwen has principally been engaged in farming. In 1831 he started a creamery, working up the milk of about 500 cows into butter. He expects to add to it a cheese apparatus. Mr. McEwen has not only been a man who could look well after his own business, but has most of the time since coming to the county held some office of trust for the people; viz., Township Clerk, Trustee, etc., besides holding the position of Sunday school Super- intendent for the past twenty years. Nov. 29, 1857, he and Phœbe Crowell were united in marriage. She was also a native
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of New York State, being born in Allegany County in 1836. Their family consists of four children-Elbridge O., Fred H., Rena and Gertie, ages twenty-three, twenty-one, fifteen and six respect- ively. Both Mr. and Mrs. McEwen are members of the Con- gregational church. They not only enjoy the respect of their neighbors, but the love of their children, and a hope in the world to co:re as well as a pleasant home here.
W. L. McEwen was born in Ulster County, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1831. In May, 1856, he, in company with two brothers, came to Iowa. W. L. McEwen located upon a piece of land in Ulster Township which he had entered two years previous, his brother, O. McEwen, securing the Government deed. On this tract of land Mr. Mc- Ewen still resides, being situated on section 32. He received a practical business education in the East, and has most of the time since coming West been engaged in teaching school, which avocation, we are pleased to state, we found him engaged in, assist- ing in laying broad and deep the future history of the West. Nov. 30, 1853, he and Harriet Rhinehart were united in marriage. She was also a native of New York State, being born in Ulster County, July 4, 1832. Their family consists of three sons and one daughter-John Howard, Charles Eugene, Elmer Elsworth and Florence May; ages, twenty-six, twenty-four, twenty-one and thir- teen respectively. Howard is married, and keeps the Putnam House at Rockwell. Engene also married and has been a partner in the firm of Eggert & McEwen, publishers of the Rockford Reveille. The other children are at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. McEwen are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Mc- Ewen was elected Township Clerk at the first election, and has held that position till within the last two years; is at present Town- ship Secretary. He was born with the Republican party:
Jacob Metz was born in Ohio in 1849. He was a son of Mr. John George Metz, who moved with his family to Wisconsin in 1854. Here Jacob Metz made his home till Sept. 28, 1876, when he became a citizen of Floyd County. At this date he purchased forty acres on section 9, Ulster Township; has since purchased twenty- two acres, making in all sixty-two acres. He built a good house in 1877, and has made many improvements, till now he has indeed a good farm and pleasant home. He has about seven acres in wheat, two in oats, eighteen in corn, besides fifteen he farms outside. He was married in Wisconsin in 1869 to Betsy M. Liske, a native of Germany. She came to this country when a child two years of
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
age. They have five children -- Einma M., William G .. Anna M., Martha and Lilly. Both Mr. and Mrs. Metz are members of the Lutheran church. Politically he is a Democrat.
John Moll was born in Mechlenburg-Schwerin, Germany, June 17, 1832. In 1857 he came to America, locating first in Colum- bus, Wis., where he worked by the day and month for about five years. Afterward handled wheat in a warehouse for buyers about four years, then teamed for himself abont five years, which he found quite profitable. In Columbus he built himself a good home, which he sold in 1870, and came to Ulster Township, Floyd County, and purchased 120 acres, where he still resides on section 2%. He commenced improving his land, and soon had it under cultivation and adorned with shade trees, etc. In 1875 he purchased an adjoining eighty acres, on section 27. He used the splendid wheat erop of 1878 to build himself a fine residence and barn. Again, in 1882, he purchased another eighty acres which joined his farm on the north, on section 28. We have had the pleasure of seeing this property, and must say that when the fine house and barn and its beautiful surroundings are considered, together with the beautiful laying land, and under such prime cultivation, with fine looking crops, that it is not only one of the finest farms and homes in the State, but one of the grandest that it has ever been our privilege to behold. He raises about forty acres of wheat, forty-five acres of corn, and thirty-nine of oats, and cuts from fifty to sixty tons of hay. Keeps from thirty to forty head of cattle and abont one hundred head of hogs, and seven head of horses. Was married in Wisconsin, Jan. 10, 1861, to Miss Ustina Spicker, a native of Germany. They have five children-Mary, Henry, Frank, Lena and Benjamin. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moll are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Moll is politically a Republican.
H. H. Myers was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1843, where he made his home till he was twenty-one years of age. At this date he started West to see what it promised; spent the year 1864 in Michigan and Wisconsin. In 1865 he purchased eighty acres on section 32, Ulster Township, where he has since resided. ()f this eighty he sold forty acres, and purchased eighty more on sec- tion 29. In the year 1867, at Rockford, Mr. Myers and Miss Emma J. Piatt were nnited in marriage. She was a native of Otsego County, N. Y .. born there in 1849. They have a family of four children-John G., Nellie A., Mind A. and Jerome P. Both Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Congregational society of
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Ulster Township. He is a good sound Republican, but says he likes farming better than politics.
T. Pippin was born in Shelby, Chittenden County, Vt., in 1845. He is a son of Joseph and Matilda Pippin, both natives of Canada, and emigrated to Vermont about the year 1837 or 1838. Here Mr. Pippin remained till his death, which occurred in 1879, in the month of September. His widow still resides in Chittenden County. At the age of seventeen, T. Pippin, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in Company D, Tenth Vermont Volunteers, July 23, 1862; served his country till July 4, 1865, when he was dis- charged. He was in thirteen general engagements, as follows: Locust Grove, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Tolopatamy Creek, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, Va .; Monocacy, Md .; Opequon Creek, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, capture of Petersburg, and Sailor's Creek, Va. His principal marches were: October, 1863, when Lee drove the army from Culpepper, Va., to Washington; the march through the Wilderness, and the marches of Sheri- dan. The last march was to Appomattox, at the capture of Gen eral Lee. Mr. Pippin was one of the profitable soldiers; he was always on duty with the exception of a week he was in a hospital with typhoid fever; was never taken prisoner nor wounded; was hit with a spent ball from a spherical case, but received no injury. After his return from the army he went to California, remaining one summer, engaging in the dairy business. In the fall he went to Silver City, Nev. Here he remained three years and a half, working in the quartz mills. In April, 1870, he returned to Shelby, Vt., where he remained only about four months, when he went to Columbia County, Wis., where he purchased ninety acres of land, and farmed about two years, when he sold his farm and returned to Silver City, Nev., and worked three years and a half in the quartz mills. Then he went to Iowa in search of a home, and settled in Floyd County, purchasing ninety acres on section 7, Ulster Township; now owns 100 acres. This year he has in corn thirty acres; oats, eight acres. Has in a crop on an adjoining 160 acres belonging to Mrs. Mary Wright, oats, fifty; wheat, twelve, and corn, fifty acres. ¿ His stock consists of eight cows, ten head of young cattle, and four horses. Aug. 15, 1870, in Burlington, Vt., he and Miss Julia Edwards were united in marriage. She is a native of Vermont. Their family consists of two children-Agnes and Florence. Mr. Pippin is a sound Republican, but holds a lively contempt for office.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
B. F. Porter, Jr., was born in New York in 1850. At the age of sixteen ho cimo with his father, B. F. Porter, Sr., to Iowa, and locuted in Floyd County,. St. Charles Township, where he still resides. In the year 1876, B. F. Porter, Jr., purchased the farm of eighty acros, where he still resides, on section 36, Ulster Town - ship. Has made all the improvements, which are many ; has planted fruit and shade trees, and built himself a good house. Mr. Porter was married in 1871 to Miss Joana M. Hunter, a native of New York State. They have three children - Geneva, Nellie and Ralph.
M. Prall was born in Allegany County, N. Y., in 1831 ; made that State his home till thirteen years of age, when he moved with his father, Edward Prall, to Pennsylvania, where he lived eighteen years, when he moved to Wisconsin, where he spent about one year. From here he went to Minnesota, and remained three years, engaged in farming 160 acres which he had purchased. In 1860 he sold this farm and moved to Nebraska, and remained nine months, when he went to Howard County, Ia., and farmed three years. At the expiration of this time he went again to Wisconsin, remained eighteen months and returned to Iowa, locating at Win- neshiek County, where he bought forty acres, and farmed nearly two years. In 1868 he became a citizen of Floyd County, pur- chasing 160 acres on sections 23 and 27, Ulster Township, where he still lives. Of this farm and home we can but say that it is indeed beautifully located and situated, being in full view of the M. & St. P. R. R., five and a half miles from Floyd, and four from Rudd, and only eight from the county seat. Has his farm all under a fine state of cultivation ; has usually in crop about 100 acres. Keeps about fifteen head of cattle and forty-five head of hogs, and seven head of horses. He was married in 1857 to Mary Raymond, a native of Vermont. They have two children - Eliza Jane and Clinton Edward, ages twenty-four and eighteen respectively. Of Mr. Prall we are pleased to say that we find him a very pleasant man, enjoying life, and the owner of one of Floyd County's good farms, as every carly settler deserves.
William Roschen was born in Germany, July 10, 1846; came to America in 1865, stopping in New York City the first six years ; Was engaged at the carpenter's trade five years, working the most of the time in factories. The sixth year he studied veterinary surgery. In 1871 he became a citizen of Floyd County. Since cominghere he has been engaged in buying and improving farms ;
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has owned some eleven farms in all. In 1875 he bought eighty acres on section 28. Built a nice house in 1874, which was destroyed by fire in 1879. He immediately rebuilt, placing a fine house upon the ruins of the old one. Has just completed a splendid barn. Has beautified his surroundings with shade and fruit trees and flowers, till now he has one of the finest farms and pleasantest homes in the county. In the city of NewYork, in 1867, he and Miss Mattie Hanins were united in marriage. They have two children - Rebecca and Martha. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roschen are members of the Lutheran church. At this writing we find Mr. Roschen engaged in the building of a large barn for his neighbor, Zwack. Most of his time is engaged as a car- penter. He is the veterinary doctor of the township.
James Roberts was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., Sans- burg Township, April 15, 1832. Till about twenty-five years of age he made his home with his father, Thomas Roberts, who was engaged in the lumbering business principally. In the year 1857 James Roberts went to Wausau, Wis., where he engaged in the lumber business about two years. At the expiration of this time he went to Ripon, Wis., where he engaged in farming, remaining about six years. At this date he became a citizen of Charles City remaining about one year, engaged in farming. At the expiration of this time he purchased 130 acres for $10 per acre on section 32, Ulster Township, where he still resides; has since added to his farm till he now owns 240 acres, all under good cultivation, and one of the good farms of Floyd County. June 7, 1862, Mr. Roberts and Miss Louisa Shafer were united in marriage They have a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the Methodist church. Politically he is a Republican.
William Schunemann was born in Germany in 1832. In 1862 he came to America stopping five years in Lowell, Wis., where he bought a small farın. Afterward bought a farm near Colum- bus, Wis., and lived six years. In 1873 he became a citizen of Floyd County. Bought a farm of eighty acres where he still re- sides on section 17, Ulster Township. In 1877 he bought eighty acres on section 8, same township. In 1880 he built himself a nice residence, etc. Put out the first year twenty-five acres of wheat, sixty-six acres of corn, twenty-three acres of oats, and twenty of hay; has five horses, twenty-four head of cattle, and fifty- four hogs. In Germany, in 1858, he married Augusta Koehler.
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They have four children living-Augusta, Lizzie, Amelia and Mary; lost two sons, ages seven and four, in 1877-Freddie and Henry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schnnemann are members of the Methodist church.
H. E. Stout was born in Centre County, Penn., in 1836. He is a son of John and Sarah ( Kryder) Stout, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1848 Mr. Stout, in company with his parents, moved to Stephen- son County, Ill., near Freeport, where he purchased a farm and re- sided until his death, which occurred February, 1881. Mrs. Stout still makes the old homestead her home. After going to Illinois HI. E. Stont attended school at Rock River Seminary five terms. After- ward engaged in teaching town and district schools. Mr. Stout has been a teacher more or less for the last thirty years, and now returns to Illinois each winter and teaches school. While in Free- port he engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store; here he remained two years. This avocation he abandoned on account of his health and came to Iowa and located upon a farm in Ulster Township, section 5, which he had bought in 1857, paying $3.75. He has eighty acres with sixty under cultivation, fifteen of it being wheat, thirty corn, and oats fifteen; cuts abont nine acres of hay. In the State of Illi- nois, in the year 1871, he and Miss Louisa M. Lawrence were united in marriage. She was born in Germany, 1851. They have two children-Lilian May and Kittie Genevieve, ages ten and two respectively, both born in Illinois. Politically he is a sound Doug- las Democrat.
A. H. Strong was born in Delaware County, N. Y., in 1829. At about the age of twenty-four he went to Ogle County, Ill., where he remained four years, engaged in a general jobbing business, such as groceries, butchering, etc. At the expiration of this time he went to Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa; here he remained about ten years, engaged in farming principally. At this date he moved to Ulster Township and purchased eighty acres of Floyd County's good land in Ulster Township, section 36, where he still resides, engaged in stock-raising and farming. In 1851 he and Miss Han- nah A. Judson were united in marriage. Their family consists of five children-Charter Adelbert, Fred E., Cora M., Charles Dwight and Otho.
Charles Vietmeier was born in Germany in 1841. In 1868 he came to America, locating first in Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand eleven months. At the expiration of this time he came to Floyd County and purchased eighty acres of land in Ulster Town-
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ship, where he still resides. Has since added to his purchase eighty acres, and ten acres of timber. For the first he paid $7.00, for last $12.50 per acre. He started from the lowest round in the ladder, and has, by his own exertion, wrung from the hard hand of toil one of the finest farms in Iowa, all under first-class cultivation and im- provement. He is to build a fine house the coming year; has always thought mixed farming the most profitable. An item worthy of mention here is, that when he purchased his last eighty he kept a perfect account of its cost, interest and expense of family one year". He raised from it 2,000 bushels of wheat, and came within $20 of paying for itself and paying all expenses. This year he has in corn, seventy acres; rye, twenty ; wheat, eight ; oats, eight- een; timothy, eight; balance, pasture land. Has eight cows, ten young cattle, five horses and two colts, and seventy head of hogs. In 1869 Mr. Vietmeier and Wilhelmena Komer were united in mar- riage. The family consists of six children-Lydia, Anna, Louis, Laura, William and Minnie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vietmeier are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. When Mr. Viet- meier came here, he, in company with some others, organized a Sunday-school of five members, which has now grown to about ninety, and the church, whose number was then only about four or five members, has grown to about 130 or 140. Mr. Vietmeier has frequently held the position of School Director and Supervisor.
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