USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 19
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
219
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
He was also occasionally employed as ad man in the composing room of the Chronicle office at Fort Dodge. His entire business career in Fort Dodge, however, was in employment with one or the other of these papers.
In 1865 Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage at Cambridge, Illinois, to Miss Emma Stephenson, a daughter of Richard and Laura (Finch) Stephenson, both of whom were natives of Ken- tucky. The father was a veteran of the Civil war and removed in 1865 from Cambridge to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he established his home and continued to live during the remaining years of his life, which closed in 1894. The mother's death occurred in 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin four children were born. Carrie was born in 1866 and died in 1886. Harry O., born in 1872, was mar- ried June 5, 1895. to Miss Byrd Utley, of Alden, Iowa, and they reside in Fort Dodge. Richard B., born in 1874, was married in October, 1906, to Miss Kate Schneider, of Garner, Iowa, and they now reside in Fort Dodge. Dawn, who completes the family, is the wife of William H. Gaughan, of Phoenix, Arizona. The mother of this family died August 18, 1899.
Mr. Baldwin has been a lifelong republican, and is an honored member of Fort Donelson Post, G. A. R., and is also a member of the Congregational church of his adopted city. He is one of the substantial and highly esteemed men of Fort Dodge and has so lived as to gain and retain the good-will and high regard of the people with whom he has come in contact.
PETER F. FLANAGAN.
The energies of Peter F. Flanagan have for some years been successfuly devoted to mercantile pursuits, in which he has won the advancement achieved by the man of intelligent effort and stalwart purpose. He is a native of Iowa and was born in Clin- ton county on the 11th of April, 1863, his parents being John and Catherine (Green) Flanagan. The parents were both na- tives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the United States in early life. The father first located in Illinois, where he farmed for a time, and then removed to Clinton county, Iowa. There he purchased some land and continued his agricultural pursuits until 1870. In the latter year he disposed of his place
220
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
and removed to Greene county, investing his capital in another farm. The development of this property enlisted his energies until his death, which occurred in 1894. The mother had passed away about two years previously.
Peter F. Flanagan was a lad of seven years when he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Greene county, where he was reared and educated. He assisted with the cultivation of the home farm until he was nineteen years of age when he went to Lolirville to learn the blacksmith's trade. He followed this vocation during the greater part of the succeeding thirteen years, following which he worked at the carpenter's trade for a time. In 1896, he came to Clare and opened a restaurant, but he sub- sequently disposed of this and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness. Despite his inexperience the latter venture thrived, largely owing to his good judgment, close attention to details and gracious and accommodating treatment of patrons. More than average prosperity has rewarded the efforts of Mr. Flanagan who in ad- dition to his store owns his residence and two store buildings and holds some stock in the Clare Mutual Telephone Company.
In January, 1891, Mr. Flanagan was married to Miss Mary Casey, a daughter of Johnt and Susan (Ryan) Casey, natives of Canada, who had moved to Greene county, Iowa, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan have no children of their own but have adopted a son, Martin Casey. They are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and fraternally Mr. Flanagan is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Knights of Columbus and Yeomen. In politics he stanchly supports the republican party. but has never sought or aspired to public office. He is a man of strong determination and much tenacity of purpose, as is evidenced by his career, which has been pursued with the relentless energy of one resolved to succeed.
ALBERT HENRY FREDERICK GUHL.
The power of energy, resourceful ability, determination, and enterprise is well illustrated in the career of Albert Guhl, whose leading position in business circles of Vincent gives little hint of the penniless and friendless condition of the German boy of seventeen, who settled in this section of Iowa twenty-one years
ALBERT GUHL
TUE !- 110005 PUBLIC LIBRARY
AS .. INOX AND TILD N FOUNDATIONS.
223
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
ago. He is today one of the most successful men in Vincent and his prosperity is the more creditable since it lay at the end of a hard road and was reached only after difficulties and early struggles. Mr. Guhl was born in Ganschendorf, province of Pommern, Germany, July 22, 1874, a son of Frederick and Mary (Genson) Guhl, natives of that section. His father is well known in the tailoring business in Ganschendorf and has followed that occupation during his active life. Neither he nor his wife has ever come to America.
After completing his education in the public schools of Ger- many, Albert Gull learned the shoemaking trade and after serv- ing his apprenticeship, worked at this occupation for one year. Becoming dissatisfied with his attainments and prospects he de- termined to seek greater advantages in America, and crossing the Atlantic, settled in Webster county, near Vincent, when he was seventeen years of age. He obtained work as a farm hand in the employ of Henry Bastian and held this position for four years. When he resigned he still made his home with his former employer and remained in that section of Webster county for ten years. At the end of that time he moved to Vincent, where he established a small restaurant which was the nucleus of his present important enterprise. With true German thrift and singleness of purpose, and aided by a determination which is an element in his own individuality he applied himself to making his business expand. Little by little the enterprise grew and as success came Mr. Guhl added to his building until today it is a large and ably conducted restaurant with all the aspects of metropolitan institutions. He has built up a gratifying and con- stantly growing patronage and has become in the course of years wealthy and prosperous. The money which he has made he has invested principally in business property in Vincent, own- ing five large buildings in the busiest section of the village.
On March 27, 1901, Mr. Guhl was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wilson, a daughter of Matthew and Catherina (Hemming) Wilson, natives of Norway. Her father came to America in his early years and settled immediately in Vincent, where for a long time he conducted a dairying business. He died in Eagle Grove, Iowa, November 20, 1899. His wife makes her home in Vincent. Mr. and Mrs. Guhl have five children, Emma Marie, Otto Carl Frederick. Edna Irene, Alice Lillian and Albert Julius. The family belong to the German Lutheran church.
Vol. II-13
224
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
Mr. Guhl affiliates with the progressive party and for four years served as a member of the Vincent town council and did much constructive and organizing work along lines of municipal advancement, bringing to the discharge of his official duties a conscientiousness and an energy and political influence which proved him as capable in a public way as in the management of his private business enterprise.
THOMAS F. GURNETT.
Thomas F. Gurnett has been a resident of Iowa since he was six months old and has spent practically his entire life in this state. He is now engaged in the operation of a general store at Barnum, where he is known as a practical and enterprising busi- ness man. He was born in La Salle, Illinois, in September, 1863, and is a son of Andrew and Ellen (Martin) Gurnett, natives of Ireland. The father came to America in 1850, locating in La Salle, Illinois, where he worked as a brakeman on a railroad for about three years, moving at the end of that time to Linn county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land at six dollars per acre. He operated this farm and made exten- sive improvements, selling it at the end of three years at twelve dollars per acre. He then purchased two hundred and forty acres, paying for this six dollars per acre, to which he added from time to time until he owned five hundred and twenty acres. He followed farming until 1909, when he retired from active life and moved to the vicinity of Fairfax, where he is now making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Frank Cahill. His wife passed away in 1904.
Thomas Gurnett was six months old when he came to Iowa with his parents. He was reared at home and received his early education in the district schools of Linn county, supplementing this by a course at Tilford's Academy at Vinton, Iowa. After he completed his studies he worked for his father upon the farm for a few years, later renting the Rockford Stock farm, where for three years he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He then purchased one hundred and twenty acres in College township, Linn county, which he operated for seven years, disposing of his holdings eventually in order to come to Barnum, where he
225
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
bought a general store, with which he has been identified up to the present time. He met with rapid and well deserved success which was founded upon the systematic and businesslike methods by which he operated his enterprise and upon industry, activity and honesty which are elements in his character. His store was destroyed by fire in 1902 but in the same year Mr. Gurnett erected the fine brick building which he now occupies. He carries a large stock of goods, which is always complete and artistically arranged. He has a large and constantly growing patronage and is ranked among the substantial and prosperous merchants of Barnum. He is a stockholder in the Barnum Telephone Com- pany and has an interest in a large estate in Linn county.
In March, 1891, Mr. Gurnett was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Moran, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Moran, both natives of Ireland. Mrs. Gurnett passed away on November 25, 1911, after a short illness, leaving five children, Lizzie, Willie, Thomas, Esther and Leo.
Fraternally Mr. Gurnett affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Order of Yeomen. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church. In his political views he is a consistent demo- crat and has served as mayor of Barnum for two terms and was a member of the town council for six years. His interest in education is evidenced by his ten years of able service on the school board, of which he was president for nine years, having shown in all the phases of his political life an eagerness in promoting the general welfare and progress of his community, which is true public spirit.
JULIUS ELMER COURTRIGHT.
Julius E. Courtright is one of the most highly respected and esteemed business men in Duncombe, Iowa, where he has lived since 1909. He has been identified with the general merchan- dise and livery business in the city during the three years of his residence and has conducted both his enterprises along modern and progressive lines, gaining thereby a gratifying and well de- served success. He is a native son of Webster county, having been born in Washington township, October 26, 1869. His par- ents were James and Ellen (Stalp) Courtright, the former a native
226
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. His father came to Webster county with his parents in 1856 when he was ten years of age and was reared and educated in this section. He remained with his parents until the outbreak of the Civil war when he enlisted in Company K. Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities. After his discharge he returned home and worked for his father upon the farm for some time, later renting a tract of land which he operated several years. He was eventually able to purchase a quarter section on section 34, Washington township, which he im- proved and cultivated along modern and progressive lines, adding to his holdings from time to time until he finally owned two hundred and twenty acres well improved and intelligently developed. This farm he cultivated until 1909. when he sold his property and moved to Duncombe, where he has since resided. He has reached the age of sixty-six, while his wife is in the sixty-fourth year of her age.
Julius E. Courtright was reared and educated in Webster county and remained with his parents upon the home farm until he had attained his majority. In that year he purchased eighty acres, constituting a portion of the homestead which had belonged to his grandfather, on section 34. Washington township, and spent a number of years operating and improving this tract. When he finally disposed of the property he established himself in the mercantile business at Brushy, and conducted an independent en- terprise of this kind for two years, selling at the end of that time and coming to Duncombe, where he engaged in the livery busi- ness. He was successful in this line of occupation for eight years but finally disposed of his interests and purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres in Washington township, which he improved and operated for two years. When he sold that farm he purchased eighty acres of land on section 2, Webster township, which he has now rented out. He subsequently en- gaged in the general merchandise business in Duncombe and after one year in this line of activity sold his interests and again be- came identified with a livery enterprise which he has operated since that time. On June 2, 1912, his building was destroyed by fire and he has just completed a fine new barn and feed sheds on the corner of the principal street in Duncombe and owns besides his comfortable and modern home. In the village he has a wide acquaintance and many friends who respect him for his business attainments and for his upright life.
227
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
In March, 1890, Mr. Courtright was united in marriage to Miss Anna A. Royster, a daughter of C. W. and Amelia Royster. They became the parents of five children : Ward S., who passed away in 1892; Mildred B .; Delmar R .; Geneva Fern; and Clifford W.
Fraternally Mr. Courtright belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and his wife is a member of the Royal Neighbors. He has been a substitute for the past seven years on the rural mail route and is active in various local enterprises. He is well known in republican politics and served as mayor of Duncombe for two years. He was elected constable of his township and although he did not qualify for the position is acting and fulfilling his duties ably in the absence of a substitute. He is interested in education and is now serving as a member of the school board, bringing to his duties in this capacity the same industry and intelligent activ- ity which have marked his business and political career.
W. C. HAVILAND.
W. C. Haviland has contributed to the agricultural and busi- ness growth of Cooper township, Webster county, Iowa, by his efficient and capable management of one of the most extensive and prosperous fruit orchards in the state. His business is a natural outgrowth of his father's, who in partnership with a brother planted the first apple tree in Cooper township and was prominently identified with the nursery business during his life. Mr. Haviland was born in Princeton, Illinois, on November 15, 1852, and is a son of Andrew Jackson and Mary M. (Colby) Havi- land, the former a native of Dutchess county, New York, and the latter of Manchester, Vermont. Andrew Jackson Haviland was born October 20, 1820, and spent his early life in his native state. In 1842 he went to Chicago and worked at his trade-that of millwright-for a number of years. He came to Princeton, Illi- nois, from Chicago, and followed the same line of occupation. He had learned his trade in the early '30s in New York and was known in the various cities in which he resided as an expert work- man. He later went into the contracting business at Princeton and was successful in that line of work until 1855. He was mar- ried in Elgin, Illinois, and in 1855 established his residence in Iowa, buying one hundred and sixty acres in Webster county. He
228
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
went into the nursery business and in 1860 built a home in Fort Dodge, where he resided and continued in the line of occupation with which he was connected since his coming to the state. He was one of the first settlers north of Fort Dodge and he and his brothers made the first permanent location in this section. He was the pioneer horticulturist and nurseryman in the northwest- ern part of Iowa and carried on an extensive trade in this line in conjunction with one of his brothers. In the fall of 1855 this brother made a trip back to Princeton, Illinois, and purchased and brought to Iowa the first apple trees which were ever set out in the state. He made the journey with ox teams and was the pio- neer in what afterward became a great and flourishing industry. He was one of the prominent fruit growers in this section of the country and for years served as president of the State Horticul- tural Society. His picture now hangs in an honored place in the horticultural room in the state capital. The father of our subject continued in the nursery business at his original location in Fort Dodge until 1872, in which year he sold out his place there and bought the property where the North Floral Company now stands. Here lie operated a small enterprise and continued there until his death, which occurred on March 9, 1888. His wife sur- vived him a number of years, dying on the 9th of March, 1901. Mrs. Haviland was a sister of Myra Bradwell, who was the foun- der of the Chicago Legal News and had the distinction of being the first woman to ask to be admitted to the bar. She was a cul- tured and educated woman and had passed her legal examination but was refused admittance on account of her being married. She educated a young lady, however, and succeeded in gaining the lat- ter's admittance to the bar. W. C. Haviland is one of four chil- dren born to his parents. The others are : Perry A., born in Iowa, who is now a civil engineer and county surveyor of Alameda county, California, where he is working for the government ; Mrs. Mary E. Humphrey, who resides in Sioux City, Iowa; and Mrs. Lucy J. Black, whose home is at Parshall, Colorado.
W. C. Haviland was reared in Iowa and educated in the public schools of Fort Dodge. He supplemented his primary course by a period at the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, and later studied business methods in a commercial college at Des Moines. Upon finishing his education he went to Chicago. where he accepted a position as actuary, examining insurance companies for the state of Illinois. His office was located at 206
229
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
La Salle street and he was prosperous in this line of occupation for one year. At the end of that time he returned to Iowa and went into the general mercantile business at Manson, where he conducted a store with gratifying success for one year. He then came to Fort Dodge and engaged in the buying and selling of grain in partnership with his cousin and uncle. This phase of his activity extended over one year and at the end of that time the three partners went to Colorado, where they operated an exten- sive sheep ranch twenty miles northeast of Colorado Springs. They there remained from 1875 until 1876, returning in the lat- ter year to Fort Dodge. Mr. Haviland then started a notion store, which was located where the Plymouth Clothing Store now stands, and was successful in this line for one year. He eventually sold out and became associated with his father as a traveling salesman. The state of Iowa was at that time still sparsely settled and Mr. Haviland can remember driving for days at a time without seeing a single house. He continued working in the interests of his father until 1879, in which year he asso- ciated himself with H. C. Bradwell, of New York city, in a whole- sale nursery business. They purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which constitutes the farm upon which Mr. Haviland now lives in Cooper township, and set out fruit trees. They were successful from the beginning and soon had extensive interests in orchard property in Iowa. They owned four hundred acres near Humboldt, and their business became more important every year. In the fall of 1885 they shipped out two million apple trees to markets all over the United States. They continued together until 1900, in which year the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Haviland continued in the nursery business alone, operating in a smaller way. He is now engaged entirely in the growing and selling of fruit and owns one of the best orchards in the state. He has one hundred and forty acres of land, planted almost en- tirely in apples. He is known as an expert in anything pertaining to the planting and care of fruits and to his efficient and intelli- gent methods of labor he owes his success. Most of his apples he ships to the Minneapolis markets and in the fall of 1912 sold sixteen carloads in that city.
On March 26, 1884, Mr. Haviland was united in marriage to Miss Mary Martin, a daughter of David E. and Clara (Reeve) Martin, the former of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. David Martin came to Illinois in pioneer times and worked at his
230
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
trade as shoemaker in Princeton. He later engaged in the real- estate business and became prominent in politics, serving with efficiency and ability as sheriff of Bureau county. He lived in Princeton until his death, in April, 1903. His wife survived him for four years, dying in January, 1907. To Mr. Haviland's first marriage was born one child, Andrew J., whose birth occurred on December 16, 1885, and who is now living in Des Moines, Iowa, where he is operating a tree surgery business. The first Mrs. Haviland died on December 16, 1903, after an illness of two years. On September 16, 1906, our subject was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Rowena (Angier) Barber, a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Smith) Angier, natives of New York. Mrs. Haviland's father was among the early settlers of Iowa and located in the western part of the state at Garnavillo, where the wife of our subject was born. He was a carpenter by trade and worked at this line of occupation until 1864, when he moved to Storm Lake, Iowa, and followed the same line until 1893. In that year he went to Tennessee and resided in that state until his death, in February, 1897. His wife passed away in 1890.
In politics Mr. Haviland is republican but has never sought public office. He and his wife affiliate with the Baptist church and are active religious workers. Judged by every standard Mr. Haviland has been a successful man. The work he does he does well, accomplishing his prosperity by a thorough knowledge of every aspect of his business, by personal supervision and atten- tion to its details and by practical and intelligent labor.
G. F. SPRINGER.
G. F. Springer is successfully engaged in the cultivation of one hundred and ten acres of land located on section 34. Roland township, Webster county, Iowa. Ile was born in Stark county, Illinois, July 30, 1860, and is a son of David and Mary Catherine (Chandler) Springer, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry and when a child re- moved to Illinois with his parents who settled in Stark county. In 1875 he came to Iowa, making the journey by wagon and being eleven days on the road. Upon reaching this state he set-
231
HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
tled near Paton, Greene county, on wild land which he improved and where he continued to reside until 1882. He then removed to Webster county and there located on unimproved land on sec- tion 34, Roland township. That .property he improved with good buildings and there he continued to live until the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1909. During his residence in Iowa he acquired a considerable amount of land, but at the time of his death he had disposed of all his real estate except sixty acres, on which property his widow still lives. They were the parents of six children: James H., deceased; Marion, a resident of Roland township; G. F., the subject of this review; Christina Elizabeth, the wife of W. A. Young and residing in Fort Dodge, Iowa: Elmer, who is operating the old homestead; and Martha Luella, deceased.
G. F. Springer was reared at home and received his education in Stark county, Illinois, and Greene county, Iowa. He remained under the parental roof and was engaged in work on his father's farm until he was twenty-six years of age. He then purchased a farm located on section 34 in Roland township. The land at that time was without any improvements and since his residence on the property Mr. Springer has improved it with all necessary buildings and has brought the farm to a high state of cultiva- tion. He now owns one hundred and ten acres and in his farm- ing operations he has met with gratifying success.
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.