USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
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On the 2d of January, 1905. Mr. Clawson married Miss Lydia Baurer, a native of Franklin county, and to this union have been born two children: Elizabeth, whose birth occurred December 12, 1906; and Pearl, born August 20, 1911. Mr. Clawson is a member of the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a man of high moral character, industrious and enter- prising, and his honesty and integrity have always merited him the confidence and respect of his neighbors.
WILLIAM KEEFE.
William Keefe, who passed away on the 17th of August, 1904, was for many years actively and successfully identified with agricul- tural pursuits in Franklin county and at the time of his death owned four hundred and forty-four acres of valuable land. He was born in Canada and is a son of John and Catherine ( Mulroney) Keefe, natives of Ireland. He came to Franklin county in 1872 and bought forty acres of land, to which he steadily added until he had accumu- lated four hundred and forty-four acres. Upon this fine property he carried on general farming and stock-raising until his death, which occurred August 17, 1904. He followed the most modern methods of agriculture and was widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
Mr. Keefe married Miss Rose McCaffrey, a native of Canada, and they became the parents of nine children: John and Jennie, at home : Dell, the wife of Ed Mahoney, of San Francisco, California;
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Sylvester, a traveling salesman ; James, Anna, Josephine and Adeline, at home; and Frank, who has passed away. Mr. Keefe was a mem- ber of the Roman Catholic church and gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, he won the esteem of those with whom he came in contact, and his death was deeply mourned by a large circle of friends.
WILLIAM WOLF.
William Wolf, who since 1874 has been closely connected with agricultural interests of Franklin county and who is known today as one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Mott township, was born in Germany, September 5, 1845. He is a son of Michael and Margaret (Magley) Wolf, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1846 and located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the mother passed away. The father afterward moved to Madison, Wis- consin, and there followed the baker's trade and also engaged in farming. He died in 1871. He and his wife were the parents of six children: Abraham, a resident of Bismarck, North Dakota; Wil- liam, of this review; Caroline, who married William Uphoff, of Chicago, Illinois; George, who died at the age of one year; and two other children, who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife the father married MIrs. Rosina (Lasse) Klonsia, and to this union were born six children: John, of Kimball, South Dakota; George, of Mount Vernon, Washington; Rosa, the wife of Frank Smith, of Platte, South Dakota; David, of Kimball, South Dakota; and Adolph and Dora, also of Kimball.
William Wolf acquired his education in the public schools of Wisconsin and was obliged to walk three miles to reach the school- house. When he was between sixteen and seventeen years of age he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Cavalry. While he was with an advance guard of about one hundred and fifty men at Langee Ferry. Arkansas, they were surrounded by a force of rebels over six hundred strong and would have been captured had not the regiment to which they belonged come to their assistance in time. During the skirmish many were killed and our subject was wounded seven times and still carries a rifle ball in his leg and part of the buckshot received then in the head and neck. He received his honorable discharge after one year's service at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and returned thence to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1874. In that year he came to
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Franklin county, Iowa, and immediately turned his attention to farm- ing, buying eighty acres of land in Mott township. He has since added to this property until it now comprises four hundred and forty acres, and he owns, besides, a half interest in two hundred and eighty acres in Ingham township. Upon the first farm he has erected a modern two story home, substantial barns and outbuildings and has provided the place with all modern equipment. He is also a stockholder in the State Savings Bank. Success has rewarded his well directed efforts, and he is today in control of a valuable prop- erty, which reflects everywhere the care and supervision he bestows upon it.
On the Ist of January, 1874, Mr. Wolf was united in marriage to Miss Cecelia Shockely, and they became the parents of six chil- dren: Katie, who married Simon Wolf, of Mott township; Edith A., the wife of Theodore Wolf, of Mott township; Charles F., also of Mott township; Mary H., who lives at home ; George MI., a farmer in Mott township; and Reuben G., at home. Mr. Wolf is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and belongs to the Christian church. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served efficiently and conscientiously as township trustee. He has been for thirty-nine years numbered among the progressive and active farmers and stock-raisers of Franklin county, and his suc- cess is well merited, as it has come to him as a reward of labor.
L. CLARENCE MOORE.
L. Clarence Moore, a well known business man of Hampton con- nected with commercial interests as the proprietor of a large livery, was born in Audrain county, Missouri, March 16, 1881. He is a son of Leander and Florence Jennie (Warren) Moore, natives of Kentucky. The father engaged in farming during the entire period of his active life and is now living retired. In his family were five children : Ollie, the wife of H. Utterback, of Clayton, New Mexico; Effie, who married F. M. Brashears, of Laddonia, Missouri ; Arthur, a resident of San Francisco, California; L. Clarence, of this review ; and Hubert, of Franklin county.
When L. Clarence Moore was twenty years of age he came to Franklin county, Iowa, and turned his attention to farming, following this occupation for four years. At the end of that time he moved to Missouri but after two years returned to Franklin county, where
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he lived upon a farm belonging to his father-in-law for three years. He then moved into Hampton and established himself in the livery business, with which he has since been connected. He is ambitious, enterprising and energetic and has built up a large and profitable patronage, for his prices are reasonable and his service prompt.
On November 23, 1903, Mr. Moore married Miss Bessie Eber- hart, a native of Illinois, and they became the parents of two chil- dren : Helen, who died in infancy; and Orville, born May 23, 1910. Mr. Moore is a member of the Christian church and gives his polit- ical allegiance to the republican party. He is an active, intelligent and progressive business man and one of the valued and representa- tive citizens of Hampton.
JOHN H. SHERER.
John H. Sherer, who since 1891 has owned and operated a fine property of one hundred and twenty acres on section 8, Reeve town- ship, was born in Ulster county, New York, May 17, 1863. He is a son of Jacob and Lena (Hilt) Sherer, natives of Germany. The father was a stone mason and carpenter by trade and followed these occupations in New York state until his death. His wife has also passed away. Six children were born to their union: Jacob, of Cohoes, New York; Henry, of Wisconsin; Frank, a resident of Iowa Falls, Iowa; John H., of this review; W. M., of Watertown, South Dakota; and Lena, deceased.
John H. Sherer was eight years of age when his mother died and he was taken to Iowa, where he entered the home of Richard Horner near Geneva. There he remained until he was seventeen years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood, engaging in teaming and in the general merchandise business in Hampton. In 1891 he bought one hundred and twenty acres of excellent land on section 8, Reeve township, and this he has developed and improved since that time, carrying on general farming and stock-raising. He has met with a gratifying degree of success, for he gives his farm careful personal supervision and follows always the best and most modern agricultural methods.
On the 27th of September, 1886, Mr. Sherer married Miss Hattie Kibbe, a native of Wisconsin, who has lived in Franklin county since she was three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Sherer have become the parents of seven children: Mabel, the wife of Ed Christensen, of
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Marion township; Maud, who married Ray Hobson, living three miles east of Hampton; Flo; Roy; Nellie; Lottie; and William.
Mr. Sherer is a member of the Christian church and is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and was for nineteen years secretary of the school board, of which he is now president. He stands for progress at all times and seeks his own success and the advancement of the community along lines which will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
EVAN ENGEBRETSON.
Evan Engebretson, living in retirement in a comfortable home on Maple street, in Hampton, was born in Norway, March 5, 1851. He is a son of Ole and Agnes (Peterson) Engebretson, also natives of Norway, who came to America in 1857, locating in Wisconsin, where the father engaged in farming. They afterward came by wagon to Butler county, Iowa, and thence to Blackhawk county, where they remained until 1868. In that year they came to Frank- lin county and located in Richland township, where the father died February 3, 1905, having survived his wife since December 20, 1898. To their union were born five children: Evan, of this review; Peter, of Thornton, Iowa; Martin, a resident of Sheffield; Ella, the wife of W. H. Rowe; and Gina, of Thornton.
Evan Engebretson remained with his father until he was twenty- one years of age and then began farming upon rented land, continu- ing thus until 1880. In that year he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Richland township and to this added from time to time. owning today a half section in Richland township and one hundred and sixty acres in West Fork township. Mr. Engebretson developed and improved this property for twenty-two years, bringing it to a high state of cultivation and winning for himself a place among the representative and substantial agriculturists of the community. In 1902 he retired from active life and moved into Hampton, where he owns a comfortable and modern home on Maple street.
On the 10th of November, 1873, Mr. Engebretson married Miss Mattie Johnson and they have become the parents of four children : Annie, the wife of James Skinner, of Thornton; Oscar, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Hampton, and who married Lillian Gottrell; Edwin, of Hampton; and Arthur, of Hampton.
EVAN ENGEBRETSON
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MRS. EVAN ENGEBRETSON
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Mr. Engebretson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the prohibition party, serving at the present time as school director. During his active career he con- tributed substantially to the agricultural development of his locality and his present retirement is well deserved, rewarding many years of earnest and faithful labor.
G. W. CRAWFORD.
G. W. Crawford, one of the venerable and respected citizens of Chapin, where he has lived retired for the past six years, was one of the earliest settlers of Ross. township and has been a resident of Franklin county for the past forty-eight years. During his active busi- ness career he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits and merchandising and also conducted a lumberyard at one time. His birth occurred in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of February, 1838, his parents being J. V. and Melinda (McGee) Crawford, likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father was a blacksmith by trade.
G. W. Crawford learned the milling trade and worked at that occupation in Pennsylvania until twenty-one years of age, removing to Illinois in 1859. He spent a year at Mount Carroll and in 1860 went to Pike's Peak in search of gold, remaining there during one summer. Returning to Illinois, he continued in that state for another year and then came to lowa, working at the cooper's trade in Cedar Falls, Blackhawk county, until 1865. In that year he made his way to Franklin county and located on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he had purchased in the previous year. General agri- cultural pursuits claimed his attention for many years, and he like- wise conducted a mercantile establishment in Chapin for several years, as well as a lumberyard. Subsequently he returned to his farm and in 1907 took up his abode in the village of Chapin, where he has since lived in honorable retirement. His undertakings both as an agriculturist and as a merchant were attended with a gratifying meas- ure of success, and he has long been numbered among the prosper- ous and esteemed citizens of his community.
In 1862 Mr. Crawford was united in marriage to Miss Celia E. Willis, a native of New York state, by whom he had eleven children, nine of whom still survive, as follows: Charles A., and Edward V., both still at home; Sidney H., who conducts a lumberyard at Swale- Vol. IT-8
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dale, Iowa; Garfield, living on a claim in Wyoming; Annie M., who is the wife of N. E. Thomas, of Franklin county, lowa; Gertrude, who gave her hand in marriage to E. S. Leech, of Dexter, Minne- sota; Florence, the wife of M. R. Dickson, of Marmarth, North Dakota; Clara, who is the wife of D. E. Kenyon, cashier of the Cha- pin Savings Bank; and Paul, assistant cashier of the Chapin Savings Bank, who wedded Sabina Sullivan.
In politics Mr. Crawford is an old-line republican. He has held a number of minor township offices and has ever discharged his pub- lic duties in a creditable and efficient manner. Formerly he was identified with the Masonic fraternity. He has for several years been afflicted with asthma and has suffered much therefrom. Mr. Crawford has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
FRED KAPPEN.
A fine property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 13. Lee township, known as the East Lee View Farm, is the property of Fred Kappen, and its excellent condition is the visible evidence of the care and labor he has bestowed upon it since it came into his possession in 1893. Mr. Kappen is a native of Germany, born November 5th, 1858, a son of Ludwig and Hannah (Welletz) Kappen, also natives of that country, the former of whom died in Germany. To their union were born five children: Fred, of this review; Minnie, the wife of F. Sharving, of Germany; Sophie, who married John Shock- necht, a resident of Illinois; and Mary and Caroline, deceased.
Fred Kappen came to America in 1882 and located in Illinois, where he remained until 1890. He then moved to Franklin county, Iowa, and in 1893 bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Lee township. This is known as the East Lee View Farm and has become, under Mr. Kappen's able management, one of the finest agricultural properties in his locality. It is equipped with substan- tial buildings and modern machinery and nothing has been neglected which would add to its appearance or value.
Mr. Kappen has been twice married. He wedded first Miss Car- oline Matzenburg, and they became the parents of three children: Carl, a resident of Illinois; Bertha, the wife of George Diercks, of
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South Dakota; and Ida, who married F. Powers, of Hampton. Mrs. Kappen died in 1884. On the 6th of November, 1886, Mr. Kappen married Miss Wilhemena Matzenburg, a sister of his former wife. In this family were six children : Mary, the wife of William Chris- tian, of Illinois; Christ and Caroline, who have passed away; Fred- ericka, the wife of William Westfall, of Illinois; Sophia, deceased ; and Wilhemena, the wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Kappen have three children: Emma, the wife of Herman Meyer, of Grant township; and Elmer and Fred, at home.
EDWARD A. BEEMER.
Edward A. Beemer, who in an influential way has been for over thirty years identified with farming interests of Franklin county and whose enterprise has contributed much toward the financial better- ment of the community, was born in Warren county, Ohio, June 6, 1 848. He is a son of William and Evaline ( Rhutan) Beemer, natives of New Jersey. They went to Wisconsin in 1850 and moved from that state to Illinois, where the father died May 12, 1881. He had survived his wife since 1874. To their union were born nine chil- dren : Martha, who married H. J. Millard, of Hampton; Julia Ann, who has passed away; Hannah E. and Rosella deceased; Margaret Elnora, the widow of N. E. Judd, of Rockford, Illinois; Edward A., of this review; two sons, who died in infancy; and Mary, the wife of O. B. Bates, of Hampton.
When Edward A. Beemer was twenty-one years of age he took charge of his father's farm in Illinois, and this property he operated for about six years. At the end of that time he moved to Cherokee county, Iowa, and in 1882 came to Franklin county, where he rented land for one year. At the end of that time he bought eighty acres on section 17, Reeve township, to which he afterward added forty- four acres. This property he still owns and it is in a high state of cultivation and provided with all the requisites for the successful operation of the farm. Mr. Beemer specializes in breeding high- grade, shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs.
On the 22d of September, 1869, Mr. Beemer was united in mar- riage to Miss Ellen A. Bates, who died July 27, 1904, leaving two children: Willis E., of Reeve township; and William A., of West Fork township. On the 8th of October, 1907, Mr. Beemer was again married, his second union being with Miss Jennie E. Johnston, a
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daughter of James J. Johnston, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Beemer gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man whose industry, honesty and success have made him influential in the affairs of the township, and he commands the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.
N. B. MCCLINTOCK.
N. B. McClintock, a successful and enterprising agriculturist of Franklin county, owns and operates a well improved farm of eighty acres on section 32, Ross township, and for several years has been making a specialty of the raising of registered Poland China hogs. He has resided in this county continuously for a period of thirty-five years and has improved two farms. His birth occurred in Pennsyl- vania on the 7th of July, 1850, his parents being Francis M. and Susan (Baird) McClintock, the former born in Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Scotland. Their marriage was celebrated in the Keystone state. In 1851 they came to Iowa, set- tling in Clinton county, where they spent the remainder of their lives on a farm.
N. B. McClintock spent his boyhood on the home farm in Clinton county, Iowa, and attended the common schools in the acquirement of his early education, while subsequently he pursued a course of study in Cornell College of Mount Vernon. He then took up the profession of school teaching and taught in Clinton and Franklin counties for thirty terms, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. It was in the spring of 1878 that he came to this county. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of raw land in Richland township and began the arduous task of improving the property. There he successfully carried on farming until 1900 and then disposed of the place, purchasing an unimproved tract of land comprising eighty acres on section 32, Ross township. He has developed the property until it is now valuable and pro- ductive and has erected thereon a set of commodious and substantial buildings. For several years past he has made a specialty of reg- istered Poland China hogs, raising an average of fifty head annually, which he sells for breeding purposes. He is a well educated man of untiring energy and keen intellect who has always worked hard and
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been wise in his expenditures. He has been enabled to provide his children with excellent educational advantages and has every reason to be proud of them.
In Clinton county Mr. McClintock was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth E. Pray, a native of Illinois, by whom he has four children. Francis N., a graduate of the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls, is engaged in the profession of teaching at Coulter, Iowa. Alice L., who likewise attended the lowa State Teachers' College and taught for a time, is now employed as operator and sta- tion agent at Chapin by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- way. Gordon B. is in the service of the Northern Pacific Railway at Seattle, Washington. Stanley H. McClintock is farming in part- nership with his father.
In his political views Mr. McClintock is independent, support- ing men and measures rather than party. He has held a township office of one kind or another during the entire period of his residence here and has ever discharged his public duties in a prompt and capa- ble manner. He has served as clerk in both Richland and Ross town- ships and is now a justice of the peace in the latter. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church at Chapin, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful interest. In matters of citizenship he is intensely loyal and public- spirited and gives his unqualified indorsement and cooperation to every movement inaugurated that will promote the welfare of the community along the various lines of human activity.
MARTIN L. SHROYER.
Martin L. Shroyer, a native son of Reeve township and today one of the most prosperous and successful farmers of that locality was born November 6, 1862, and is a son of Lewis and Johannah F. (Jones) Shroyer, the former a native of Virginia who went to Indi- ana in his younger days and moved from that state to Franklin county, Iowa, in 1855. He located in Reeve township and for some time operated a sawmill there, after which he turned his attention to farm- ing. He also worked at the carpenter's trade and helped to erect some of the first buildings in Reeve township. He died here October 23, 1905, and is survived by his wife, who makes her home with the subject of this review. To their union were born five children: a son, who died in infancy; Dennis Walter, of Reeve township; Clara,
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who married James A. Green of Alexander, Iowa; Martin L., of this review ; and Victor E., of Geneva.
Martin L. Shrover was reared in Reeve township and acquired his education in the district schools. In 1891 he bought one hundred acres of land on section 16 and to this he has since added sixty acres, bringing the farm to its present proportions. General farming and stock-raising command his attention, and by intelligent management and constant supervision he has been very successful along both lines.
On the 24th of March, 1897, Mr. Shroyer married Miss Mabel Showalter and to this union has been born a daughter, Doris Mar- guerite, who lives at home. Mr. Shroyer is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. His worth is widely acknowledged, his enterprise having gained him a prominent place in agricultural circles, and his integrity and standing are unquestioned facts in his life record.
ABRAHAM J. HOBSON, M. D.
Dr. Abraham J. Hobson is engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery in Hampton. Success in considerable measure has attended his efforts, for his knowledge of the principles of med- icine is wide and comprehensive, and he performs all of his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation productive of excellent results. Dr. Hobson was born in Poweshiek county, Iowa, Septem- ber 27, 1859, and is a son of William and Mary (Colwell) Hob- son, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Ireland. The father went to Poweshiek county from Lee county, Iowa, in 1854 and thence to Franklin county in 1865, engaging in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred September 6, 1891. His wife sur- vived him a number of years, dying in September, 1902. To their union were born nine children: J. C., a farmer and fruit raiser in Missouri; Rebecca, the wife of L. S. Sayre, of Minnesota; Eliza. who married David Cogswell, of Nebraska; Joseph, of the same state; Benjamin F. and John W., deceased ; Dr. Abraham J., of this review ; William, who passed away in infancy; and Dr. Thomas A., a physician in Parkersburg, Iowa.
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