USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
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On the 15th of January, 1907, Mr. Arthur married Miss Alta M. Elphic, a native of Nebraska, and to their union have been born three children: Doris M., whose natal day was August 26, 1908; Harry G., Jr., born March 22, 1910; and Chester Edward, born Jan- uary 28, 1912. Mr. Arthur is a member of the Methodist church, is connected fraternally with the Elks, the Masons, in which order he has attained the thirty-second degree, and the Knights of Pythias, and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is rec- ognized as a young man of progressive ideas and laudable ambition and will undoubtedly reach a high place in commercial circles of Hampton.
JAMES H. VAN NUYS.
James H. Van Nuys, a well known farmer of Mott township, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, November 6, 1843. When he was fourteen years of age he carried mail on horseback from Kokomo, Indiana, to Marion and from Kokomo to Camden, Indiana, remain- ing in that state until 1858, when with his mother and two sisters he removed to Iowa, locating in Mott township. For many years thereafter he engaged in farming. He owns two hundred and thirty acres of excellent land, equipped with modern buildings and labor- saving machinery, and is today one of the leading agriculturists in this section of the state.
On the 9th of January, 1870, Mr. Van Nuys was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucy A. Carbaugh, who was born August 22, 1846, in Fostoria, Ohio, and came with her parents, Samuel and Mary Carbaugh, to Iowa in 1855, settling first on a farm in Geneva town- ship, this county. In 1870 the family moved to Hampton, where her father for a number of years conducted a store. Mrs. Van Nuys and her daughter Lou met a tragic death by drowning in Beed's lake August 18, 1913. In the family were three children : Walter J., who Vol. IT-9
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is mentioned below; Lou Emma, who previous to her death was a private nurse in the family of E. P. Ripley, of Chicago; and Flor- ence, the wife of F. J. Scantlebury.
Mr. Van Nuys is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belongs to the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party, being now in the tenth year of his able serv- ice as overseer of the port.
WALTER JAMES VAN NUYS.
Walter James Van Nuys was born in Mott township, this county, September 21, 1873, and is a son of James H. Van Nuys, whose sketch appears above. He was reared at home and acquired his education in the Hampton grammar and high schools. Following the comple- tion of his studies he turned his attention to the mercantile business and has for some time been connected with the Cooney Grocery Company.
On the 7th of September, 1898, Mr. Van Nuys was united in mar- riage to Miss Clara Jane McNeil, a native of Franklin county, and to their union have been born three children : Donald, Dorothea Lucy and James C. Mr. Van Nuys is a member of the Masonic lodge and belongs to the Methodist church. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and from 1905 to 1909 served as clerk of the court.
WILLIAM BRUCE GRANT.
William Bruce Grant, one of the progressive and prosperous agri- culturists of Grant township, engaged in general farming and stock- raising upon a fine farm, part of which he owns and part of which he rents from his father, is a native son of this county, born August 2, 1875. His parents are A. B. and Louisa (Blake) Grant, the for- mer a native of Scotland and the latter of Illinois. The father came to America at the age of twenty and settled immediately in Ackley, Iowa, where he remained for about five years. Later he turned his attention to farming in Grant township and still owns a quarter of section 20. He and his wife make their home in Hardin county, Iowa. They became the parents of eight children : William Bruce.
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of this review; Nellie, a resident of Hardin county; Richard B., of Ackley; Norman A., of Hardin county; Jessie, the wife of M. E. Peck, of Seattle, Washington; Jane, who married William Law, of Iowa Falls; Bessie, deceased ; and Eva, at home.
William B. Grant was reared at home and acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Grant township. When he began his independent career he turned his attention to railroad work and later secured a position in the oil fields of Louisiana, retaining this until 1905. He then began farming, buying eighty acres of land in Grant township, and this tract he still operates in connection with a quar- ter section which he rents from his father. In addition to general farming he engages also in stock-raising and has extensive interests along both lines.
On the 28th of December, 1904, Mr. Grant was united in mar- riage to Miss Clara E. Meyer, a native of Franklin county, and they became the parents of two children, Edna Belle and William Law- rence. Mr. Grant is a member of the Masonic lodge, chapter and commandery and is connected also with the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is at present school director. He is interested in the welfare of the county and has won for himself a creditable position as a valued citizen and business man.
FRED W. ALERT.
Fred W. Alert, who owns two hundred and forty-five acres of excellent land on sections 30 and 19, Reeve township, was born in Germany, September 17, 1858. He is a son of Carl and Mary (Yeager) Alert, also natives of Germany, where the father followed the blacksmith's trade until his death. His wife has also passed away. To their union were born four children : Carl, deceased; Fred W., of this review; and William and Henry, who have passed away.
Fred W. Alert began his independent career when he was eight- een years of age, becoming connected with the brewery business in Germany and continuing thus for about eleven years. In 1886 he came to Hampton, Franklin county, Iowa, and turned his attention to railroad work, following this for seven years. At the end of that time he bought one hundred acres of land in West Fork township but sold this at the end of four years, resuming his farming upon rented land. He afterward purchased two hundred and forty-five
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acres on sections 30 and 19, Reeve township, where he has since made his home. Upon this property he has made excellent improvements in building and equipment, and he engages in general farming and stock-raising with gratifying and well deserved success.
Mr. Alert married Miss Marie Heins, a native of Germany and they have become the parents of six children: Freda, the wife of Fred Witte, of Marion township; Minnie and Fred at home; Dora, who married William Gabaver, of Hampton; and William and Marie, at home.
Mr. Alert is a member of the Lutheran church and is connected politically with the republican party. He is interested in school affairs and has served as school director and president of the board of education, holding this latter position for nine years. He is not only industrious and enterprising, but is also a man of high moral character, greatly esteemed both as a farmer and a business man throughout the township.
FRED MENSING.
Fred Mensing, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon one hundred and one acres of excellent land on section 19, Mott township, was born in Germany, November 5, 1875. He is a son of Dietrich and Wilhelmina (Dohrman) Mensing, also natives of Ger- many, who came to America in April, 1888, and located on a farm near Chicago, Illinois. From there they moved to Franklin county, Iowa, in 1891, and the father engaged in farming upon property north of Latimer until his death, which occurred September 6, 1901. He had survived his wife since April 27, 1893. To their union were born four children: Dietrich, who is operating the old homestead ; Fred, of this review; Henry, a Lutheran minister of Australia; and Louise, who married John Schnabel, of Marion township.
Fred Mensing remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, aiding in the operation of his father's farm. He then pur- chased one hundred and one acres of land on section 19, Mott town- ship, and here he has since resided, giving his attention to general farming and stock-raising. Under his able management his farm has become a productive and valuable property, and his success places him among the representative and prominent agriculturists of this vicinity.
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On the 22d of February, 1900, Mr. Mensing was united in mar- riage to Miss Charlotte Hoffmeier, a native of Cedar county, Iowa, and they have become the parents of five children: Wilma, born December 26, 1903; Julia, born November 3, 1905; Paul G., who was born September 11, 1908; and Gerhardt and Gertrude, twins, born February 17, 1912. Mr. Mensing is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He occupies an enviable position in the esteem of his neighbors and friends and is widely known throughout the community.
HOMER T. PAGE.
One of the progressive and active business men of Geneva is Homer T. Page, connected with the firm of H. T. Page & Company, proprietors of a large grain elevator. Mr. Page is a native of Frank- lin county, born in Geneva township, January 9, 1872, a son of John H. and Mary M. (Meeker) Page, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Illinois. The parents came to lowa in 1868 and located in Geneva township, Franklin county, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in March, 1910. His wife survives him and makes her home in Geneva. Seven chil- dren were born to their union: Charles E., of Denver, Colorado; Julia M., the wife of K. L. Clock, of Fort Lupton, Colorado; Arthur L., of Creston, Iowa; Homer T., of this review; Cora E., deceased ; Fred E., of Des Moines; and Nellie, the wife of E. A. Luke, of Reeve township.
Homer T. Page was reared in Geneva township, acquiring his education in the district schools, beginning farming at sixteen years of age. He remained connected with agricultural interests until 1910, when he formed a partnership with H. W. Iblings, of Minne- apolis, forming the firm of H. T. Page & Company. This concern now owns an elevator in Geneva and controls a large and growing patronage.
Mr. Page married Miss Mary Bell, a native of Wisconsin, and they have become the parents of three children : John C., born March 26, 1901; Stewart A., born June 1, 1903; and Ella M., born March 16, 1906. Mr. Page is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Mystic Workers of the World. His political support is given to the republican party, and he has been township trustee and
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school director, serving with credit and ability in both positions. He is a man of exceptional enterprise and keen business insight, and his progressive spirit will undoubtedly win for him an enviable posi- tion in commercial circles of the community.
ANDREW JACKSON COLE.
One of the finest and most modern farms in Franklin county is that owned by Andrew Jackson Cole. It is a tract of two hundred and twenty acres on sections 4, 5 and 8, Osceola township, and in its excellent condition reflects the intelligent care and labor which its owner has bestowed upon it. Mr. Cole was born in Troy, New York, November 19, 1855, and is a son of Reuben and Bridget (O'Brien) Cole, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ireland. They came to Franklin county in 1856 and located on a farm in Geneva township, the father engaging in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred May 25, 1889. He had survived his wife only a short time, her death having occurred in February, 1887. To their union were born five children: Andrew Jackson, of this review; Mary Jane, the wife of John Ray, of Waterloo, Iowa; Jef- ferson, deceased; Clarence, of Geneva; and Helea, of Des Moines.
Andrew J. Cole was but one year old when his parents came to Franklin county, and in this locality he was reared and educated. He remained upon his father's farm until he was twenty-four years of age and then rented an eighty acre tract, whereon he resided for one year. He then rented one hundred and twenty acres and after- ward another eighty acre tract. One year later he made his first purchase of land, buying one hundred and twenty acres on section 4, Osceola township. To this he has since added one hundred acres lying on sections 5 and 8 and upon this fine property he engages in general farming and stock-raising with richly merited success. His farm is completely equipped with modern machinery and is pro- vided with substantial barns and outbuildings as well as a fine fif- teen-room brick house lighted with gas and complete in every detail.
On the 9th of March, 1881, Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Martha Childs, a native of New York, and to their union were born four children: Henry, at home; Cora, a music teacher in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mabel, who is attending Ellsworth Col- lege at Iowa Falls; and Nellie, the wife of Peter Thompson, of Dike,
ANDREW J. COLE
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Iowa. On the 5th of June, 1912, Mr. Cole started on a trip around the world, going from New York to Germany and thence to Eng- land, Ireland and Scotland, traveling afterward through France, Italy, Spain, the island of Ceylon, the Malay peninsula, Egypt, Africa, China, Japan, Honolulu and thence back to America, the entire trip taking over six months. Mrs. Cole is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Mr. Cole gives his political alle- giance to the republican party. His business success is well merited, for he is capable in management and displays untiring industry in carrying forward his interests.
ALBERT L. ROBERTS.
Albert L. Roberts, who has valuable agricultural interests in Franklin county, owning and operating one hundred and thirty-seven acres of land on section 2, Reeve township, was born in Hampton, Iowa, January 2, 1873. He is a son of Cyrus and Mary Jane (Trip- lett) Roberts, the former a native of England and the latter of Wis- consin. The father settled in that state after his arrival in America and from there moved to Franklin county, Iowa, in 1869. He took up his residence in Hampton and turned his attention to the shoe- maker's trade. He and his wife became the parents of five children : Emma, who married Arthur Whitcomb, of Hampton; Albert L., of this review; Edna, who married J. C. Hand, of Hampton; Flora, at home; and a son, who died in infancy.
Albert L. Roberts began his independent career as a farmer and is still identified with that line of work. He owns one hundred and thirty-seven acres on section 2, Reeve township, a property upon which he engages successfully in general farming and stock-raising. For a number of years he was interested in real estate in Hampton, owning a city block, three houses and five vacant lots, which he still holds. He was the proprietor of an ice business there for five years and is known in commercial circles as a man of force, ability and enterprise. He has also a homestead claim in New Mexico.
On the 16th of June, 1909, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Lura Church, a native of Franklin county, and they have become the parents of two children, Eugene Sylvester and Mary Sibyl.
Mr. Roberts is a member of the Methodist church, is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of
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Pythias and the Masonic lodge and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is numbered among the most successful and representative agriculturists of Franklin county and enjoys the warm and sincere regard of all with whom he comes in contact.
JACOB NEUBERGER.
Since 1892 Jacob Neuberger has owned and operated a hne farm of two hundred acres on section 25, Osceola township, and in the conduct of his interests has won that success which always follows earnest and persistent labor. He was born in Germany, May 19, 1852, and is a son of John and Lena Neuberger, natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1869 and located in Freeport, Illi- nois, where he passed away at the age of eighty-two, having long sur- vived his wife who died when thirty-nine years of age. To their union were born seven children: John, a resident of South Dakota; Katherine, the widow of J. Groshans, of Germany; Eva, who mar- ried A. Eichhorn, of Freeport, Illinois; Jacob, of this review; Kate, the widow of Mike Sessler, of South Dakota; Peter, also a resident of South Dakota; and Mike, of Illinois.
Jacob Neuberger emigrated to America at the age of seventeen and settled in Illinois, where he remained for about a year and a half. At the end of that time he moved to lowa and there spent the years 1870 and 1871. Afterward he returned to Illinois and at the end of seven years came again to Iowa. He settled in Ackley and in 1892 purchased two hundred acres of land on section 25, Osceola township, a property upon which he has since resided. He engages in general farming and also raises and feeds stock, this proving a profitable branch of his business. In all of his work he is energetic and determined, brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by per- sistent and honorable effort, and his farm is today a visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift.
On the 10th of February, 1880, Mr. Neuberger married Miss Sophie Siemers, a native of Germany, and they have become the par- ents of eight children : Amelia, the wife of E. Eder, of Freeport, Illi- nois ; Lena, at home ; Harmon, a resident of Butler county; John, of Osceola township; Charles, also residing in Butler county; and Nettie, George and Elmer, all at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Neuberger are members of the Presbyterian church, and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party.
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He has served in the office of school director for eleven years and was road supervisor for three years, proving a capable and con- scientious public official. He is accounted one of the active workers and progressive farmers of Osceola township and has the unqualified confidence and esteem of the entire community.
GIDEON A. MARKEN.
Gideon A. Marken, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Reeve township, owning and operating two hundred and five acres of land on sections 16, 17 and 20, was born in Peru, Indiana, January 5, 1877, a son of Gideon and Sarah (Silvious) Marken, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. The father engaged in farming dur- ing the entire period of his active life and is now living retired in Peru, Indiana. The mother passed away February 3, 1887. To their union were born fourteen children: John W., of Apache, Arizona; Jacob, a resident of Toledo, Iowa; Joseph, deceased; Rebecca, the wife of D. M. Butt, of Peru, Indiana; Matilda, who married A. L. Meyers, of Moravia, California; Milo, Eli, Jane, the widow of Wil- liam Butt, of Peru, Indiana, and Lydia, all of whom have passed away; Laura, the wife of Edward J. Miller, of Apache, Arizona; Daniel, of Sand Point, Idaho; Gideon A., of this review; Edith, deceased ; and Edward, of Lane, South Dakota. After the death of his first wife the father of the subject of this review married Miss Amanda Daniels, and they became the parents of three children: Pearl, the wife of Charles Fost, of Peru, Indiana; Aaron, deceased ; and Raymond, also of Peru.
When Gideon A. Marken was sixteen years of age he left home and began his independent career. In 1895 he came to Hampton, Iowa, and two years later turned his attention to farming, renting one hundred and sixty acres of land in Reeve township. At the end of six years he rented another farm of two hundred and five acres on sections 16, 17 and 20 and two years later bought this property, which he has since operated along practical lines, making it today one of the finest farms in his locality.
On July 1, 1897, Mr. Marken was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Doidge, a daughter of Thomas and Caroline (Jolly) Doidge, natives of England, who came to America in 1868, locating in Warren, Illinois. In 1887 they moved to Franklin county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred
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October 1, 1904. His wife survives him and makes her home in Hampton. To their union were born ten children: Arthur and William, deceased ; Arthur, second of the name, a resident of Cor- inth, Iowa; Frederick, of Hampton; Harry, who makes his home in Dumont; Hattie, the wife of A. B. Atkinson, of Hampton; Ida, deceased ; Mary E., wife of the subject of this review; Willis, deceased ; and Albert, of Hampton. Mr. and Mrs. Marken have become the parents of three children: Esther E., who was born Sep- tember 22, 1900; Ralph W., born January 8, 1904; and A. J., born January 8, 191 1.
Mr. Marken is a member of the Christian church and is connected fraternally with the Modern Brotherhood of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is at present town- ship trustee, serving in a capable and public-spirited manner. He is a man of force, ambition and enterprise, and he holds the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has official, social or business rela- tions.
CHARLES BEED.
Charles Beed is proprietor of the oldest hardware establishment of Hampton, but is now leaving the management of the business to his son, while he has practically retired, although he still gives su- pervision to his farm of seven hundred acres in Franklin county.
Mr. Beed was born in Devonshire, England, June 20, 1843, and is a son of Thomas and Anne (George) Beed, both of whom were natives of England. They had ten children. At different times members of the family made the voyage to the new world until all were located on this side the Atlantic. The first to come to America was John, the fifth son, who left London in 1853 and took up his abode at Batavia, Illinois. In 1854 Thomas Beed, the third son, arrived in the United States. He was a sailor and had made a num- ber of voyages to the West Indies and to South America. After coming to this country he sailed for a time on the Great Lakes. In 1855 John, the first arrival in America, persuaded his father and mother to emigrate to the new world and on the trip they were accom- panied by their only daughter, Mary Sarah Anne, and their youngest son, Bishop C. The eldest brother, William, was at that time in business in England and Charles Beed, subject of this review, and
CHARLES BEED AND FAMILY
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his younger brother Walter, ten years of age, were left at school in England. The parents with the two children mentioned sailed for America, being almost six weeks on shipboard. During the voy- age the father had the misfortune to fall down the hatchway of the vessel and broke several of his ribs. For some time his life was des- paired of, but he improved and after resting for a week in New York was able to renew the journey to Batavia, Illinois, where he joined his son John. About a year later George, the second son of the family, followed the others to Batavia and a few months afterward James, the fourth son, came to America and also went to Batavia. He was a sailor, as was his brother Thomas, although they sailed in different parts of the world. James made his last voyage to Bombay, East Indies, before leaving his native country of England to come to the new world.
Some time in 1856 the father with his sons George, Thomas, John and James came to Iowa to look up a location and made choice of the land now known as the Henry Wolf farm, about three and a half miles northeast of Hampton. In September of the same year George Beed went to Dubuque with a covered wagon to bring the others of the family to the home that the father and his sons were preparing near Hampton. Dubuque was at that time the terminus of the railroad. On the 4th of July, 1857, Charles Beed started for America and on the Ist of May, 1858, William G. Beed, the eldest son of the family, together with his wife and Walter Beed, the eighth son of the family, left the old country, arriving in New York on the 16th of May. They were the only ones of the family who came from England on a steamship, the others making the voyage in sailing vessels. On its next trip the vessel on which Wil- liam G. and Walter Beed sailed was burned at sea and out of seven hundred passengers aboard only seventy-five escaped, some being burned to death and others drowned. The one other son of the family, Henry, who was the sixth, went to Australia in 1850 and worked there as a cowboy and afterward engaged in merchandising. He came to Hampton with his family some time in the early '8os, but after remaining in this country for a few years he returned to Australia with his family. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Beed, the parents, have now passed away, as have their children William G., George, Thomas, John and Henry, leaving as the surviving members : James, who is now living in Waverly, Iowa; Mary S. A., a resident of Charlotte, Michigan; Charles, who is the only one now living in Hampton; Walter, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Bishop C., of Kansas City, Missouri.
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