USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 24
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It was in 1886, when nineteen years of age, that George S. Yaw came to Franklin county, locating on a farm in Scott township, where he has carried on agricultural pursuits continuously and suc- cessfully since, cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also devoting considerable attention to stock-raising. His prop- erty comprises one hundred and four acres on section 6, Scott town- ship, and is well improved in every particular. On the 10th of December, 1907, Mr. Yaw embarked in business as a butcher of Alexander and has there conducted an establishment of that char- acter to the present time with gratifying and well merited success. His undertakings as an agriculturist and merchant demand his entire time and have been carried forward so diligently and ably that he has long been numbered among the prosperous and esteemed citizens of the community.
On the 31st of January, 1888, Mr. Yaw was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Thomas, who was born in Lafayette county, Wiscon- sin, on the 15th of September, 1871, and was there reared and edu- cated. Her father, James Thomas, spent his entire life in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, being born on the 26th of December, 1843, and passing away in October, 1907. Her mother, Mrs. Ellen (Phillips) Thomas, who was born in that county on the 17th of August, 1845, died in Alexander, Iowa, on the 15th of January, 1911. Five of their children grew to maturity, namely: Mrs. Clara Yaw, who was born on the 11th of October, 1867, and resides in Alexander; Mrs. Nellie Yaw; Mrs. Charles Brown, of Platteville, Wisconsin; Arthur, a resident of Alexander; and Mrs. Eugene Nichols, de- ceased. All were born in Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. George S. Yaw have been born four children, as follows: Mrs. Bertha Rode- meyer, whose birth occurred on the 27th of September, 1891, and who is now a resident of Alexander; Bessie, who was born December
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12, 1894, and resides with her parents; Verne, who has passed away; and Albert, who was born April 5, 1903, and is attending school in Alexander. The children of this family were all born in Scott town- ship.
Mr. Yaw gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served in the capacity of township assessor for eight years, while for seven years he was a member of the town council. He belongs to the Business Men's Association of Des Moines and is identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors of Alexander. He is interested in all that per- tains to general progress and improvement and is a public-spirited citizen and reliable business man, while his friends esteem him for his genuine personal worth.
JOHN THIES.
John Thies, who has been a resident of Franklin county since 1874, is numbered among the progressive and representative farmers of Grant township, where he owns five hundred and sixty acres of improved land. He was born in Ogle county, Illinois, December 18, 1861, and is a son of Fred and Louisa (Deaker) Thies, natives of Germany. The father came to America when he was still a boy and learned the tailor's trade, which he afterwards followed for a number of years, later turning his attention to farming. He died in Illinois in 1865, while his wife, who long survived him, was called to her final rest on the 25th of June, 1902. They became the parents of eight children, of whom three are still living: Fred, of Lyon county, lowa; John, of this review; and Charles, of lowa Falls.
John Thies was a youth of thirteen when in 1874 he came to Franklin county with his widowed mother, who purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Grant township. There he grew to manhood, assisting in the work of the fields until twenty-four years of age, when he purchased eighty acres of his mother's farm, this tract being the nucleus of his later extensive holdings. He pos- sessed a thorough knowledge of farming and by dint of close appli- cation and perseverance won almost immediate success in his undertakings as an agriculturist. Progressive, practical and ambi- tious, he has carried on his farming interest along scientific lines and has achieved a well merited measure of prosperity, being now one of the largest landowners in the vicinity. He has five hundred and
MR. AND MRS. JOHN THIES
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sixty acres of improved land on sections 11, 15, 16, 23 and 21, Grant township, and his farming and stock-raising interests have grown every year more extensive and important.
On the 17th of November, 1885, Mr. Thies married Miss Hen- rietta Haupt, a native of Franklin county and a daughter of Fred Carl and Hedwig (Helmcker) Haupt, both of whom were born in Germany. Emigrating to the United States, they first located in Pennsylvania and in 1860 came to Franklin county, Iowa, and set- tled in Osceola township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of five children, three of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Fred, who resides on the old home- stead; Mary Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Ernest Brocka, of But- ler county, Iowa ; and Mrs. Henrietta Thies.
Mr. and Mrs. Thies have become the parents of nine children, namely: Louise H., the wife of John Lehmann, of Grant township; John F., who in October, 1913, wedded Emma Burmaster and now resides in Grant township; Henry A .; Fred W .; Ernest M .; Henri- etta M. E .; George C .; Lena A. E .; and Frank Theodore, who died on the 15th of January, 1908.
Mr. Thies is an active member of the Emanuel Lutheran church of Grant township and has served as a trustee of the same for thir- teen years. He is also serving as township trustee and the cause of education finds in him a capable and earnest supporter as a school director. During the years of his residence in Grant township he has been carried forward into important relations with agricultural inter- ests and has won for himself an enviable position in both business and social circles. He is now a stockholder of the Bradford Savings Bank of Bradford, Iowa, which he helped to organize in 1906, the bank building being erected the following year.
ALEXANDER D. GIBSON.
Alexander D. Gibson, living retired in Hansell, was born in Pennsylvania, January 27, 1846, a son of Alexander and Jane (Ham- mond) Gibson, both of whom passed away in the Keystone state. Seven children were born to them: Margaret, a resident of Pennsyl- vania; George, deceased; William; Joseph and Maria, who have passed away; Robert, of Rockwell; and Alexander D., of this review.
Alexander D. Gibson was reared in his native state, acquiring a public-school education. On the 20th of October, 1863, he enlisted
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in Battery C, Independent Light Artillery, under the command of Captain Thompson, and he served for two years in the Civil war, taking part in various engagements, including the battle of the Wilderness. He received his honorable discharge June 30, 1865, and returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1869. In that year he moved west to Illinois and in 1872 came to lowa, locat- ing in Ingham township, Franklin county, where he engaged in general farming until 1892. He then located in Hansell and turned his attention to the mercantile business, continuing in this line of work for four years. At the end of that time he retired from active life and has since resided in a comfortable home in the city. He owns in addition two hundred and forty acres in Ingham township.
On the 7th of November, 1867, Mr. Gibson married Miss Cath- erine Hartman, a native of Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of four children : Curtis H., deceased; Joseph E., of Hampton ; Ora May, the wife of C. H. Hansell, of Hastings, Nebraska; and Bert Ray, deceased.
Mr. Gibson is a member of the United Brethren church and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has been school director and has held a number of other township offices, serving creditably and ably in positions of trust and responsibility. He is well known in Hansell as a man of integrity and enterprise and his present period of leisure is well deserved, having been won through a long season of honest and successful labor.
BENJAMIN F. BLAKE.
Benjamin F. Blake, a well known farmer and stock-raiser of Franklin county, was born on the property he now rents, on section 27, Osceola township, March 25, 1877. He is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Parker) Blake, the former a native of Iowa and the lat- ter of Canada. The father engaged in the meat business in Ackley during the early '70s and built up a large and profitable enterprise. He later added to his activities by following general farming and stock-raising upon one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 27, Osceola township. He continued active in the conduct of his interests until his death, which occurred in 1895, his wife surviving him until 1909. To their union were born seven children: Molly, who married Charles M. C. Woodland of Redfield, South Dakota; Gertrude, the wife of W. F. Jacob of Ackley; Benjamin F., of this
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review; James, of Ackley; Richard T., a resident of California; Joseph, of Ackley; and Walter, who resides in Montana.
Benjamin F. Blake was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the district schools of Osceola township and in the Academy at Ackley. He took up his father's work after the latter's death and continued the same until the death of his mother. which occurred in February, 1909. He then worked for the estate for a year. In 1912 he rented the home farm, whereon he has since engaged in general farming and stock-raising, specializing in the breeding of hogs and horses. He has met with excellent success and expects eventually to purchase the homestead. He is today one of the leading representatives of agricultural interests in his locality.
On the 28th of May, 1912, Mr. Blake married Miss Julia Barry, a native of Wright county, this state, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Mary Elizabeth, born June 16, 1913. Mr. Blake is a member of the Catholic church and holds membership in the Knights of Columbus. He is independent in his political views and served with credit and ability in the office of justice of the peace. He is not, however, active as an office seeker, for he prefers to con- centrate his attention upon the conduct of his business interests which, under his able management, are becoming every day more extensive and important.
FRANK C. BEED.
Frank C. Beed, engaging in general farming and stock-raising upon six hundred acres, of which two hundred and sixty acres in Ingham and Mott townships belong to him, is a native of this part of Iowa, born in Hampton, July 2, 1876. He is a son of Charles Beed, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
At the age of twenty Frank C. Beed turned his attention to farm- ing and eventually purchased his present property, one hundred acres of which lie in Ingham township and one hundred and sixty acres in Mott township. Mr. Beed makes a specialty of raising registered Aberdeen Angus cattle and Poland China hogs and he has been very successful in these lines. He does a large business as a shipper and has gained a reputation as an expert judge of stock values, his opinions being regarded as sound and reliable. He was for some time secretary of the Farmers Elevator at Hansell and is a man of recognized business ability.
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On the 21st of December, 1898, Mr. Beed was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Wirt, a native of Franklin county and a daughter of John A. and Minerva Wirt. Her father is a retired farmer living in Hampton. In his family were six children: Florence, the wife of W. W. Shroyer, of Hampton ; Jessie MI., deceased ; Daisy, wife of the subject of this review; John, deceased; James, of Fresno, Cali- fornia; and Elsie, who married J. E. Welker, of Hampton. Mr. and Mrs. Beed have a son, Frank Lyle, who was born March 24, 1905.
Mr. Beed is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias and he and his wife attend the Congregational church. He has lived in this part of Iowa dur- ing his entire life and has become widely and favorably known, for he is honorable in all business dealings and upright and straightfor- ward in all the relations of life.
WILLIAM H. KOELL.
Probably no man is better known throughout Franklin county as a successful fruit grower than William H. Koell of Hampton, who during the entire period of his active life has been connected with this business and is now the owner of one of the finest fruit ranches in this section of the state. He was born in Hampton, May 15, 1876, and is a son of William G. and Catherina Koell, natives of Germany. The parents located in Clayton county after their arrival in America and moved from there to Franklin county in 1875. For thirty-three years the father engaged in fruit growing, becoming one of the leading representatives of this industry in the state. He has now retired from active life, making his home in Hampton. He and his wife became the parents of five children : Minnie, who married Eli Hersey, of Parkersburg, Iowa; William H., of this review; Emma, the wife of J. N. Johnson, of San Antonio, Texas; Christ, of Thompson Falls, Montana; and Anna, deceased. By a former marriage Mrs. Koell had a son, August H. Kruse, now a resident of Portland, Oregon.
William H. Koell was reared in Hampton and acquired his edu- cation in the public schools of the city. At the beginning of his active career he turned his attention to fruit growing and has since been connected with this occupation, his experience and ability being important factors in his present success. He has a large fruit farm
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on South Maple street in Hampton and the extent of his business may be judged from the fact that during the first year he shipped sixteen hundred and forty boxes of assorted fruits and the first crop in the following year amounted to thirty-six hundred and fifty boxes. Mr. Koell raises strawberries, black raspberries, everbearing red raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, grapes, plums, apples and cherries, and in addition to the fruit sells the plants also, doing a large business in this line. He is greatly interested in the cultiva- tion of the Americus everbearing strawberry, which he considers the most satisfactory strawberry grown both for market and home use.
On the 24th of April, 1901, Mr. Koell was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Peterson, and they have become the parents of two children : Everett, born August 2, 1902; and Onalee, born June 14, 1904. Mr. Koell is connected fraternally with the Modern Wood- men of America, is a member of the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is well known in Hampton, where his entire life has been spent and where his honor- able business methods and straightforward character have gained him widespread esteem and confidence.
WILLIAM MENSING.
William Mensing, operating a fine farm of eighty acres on sec- tion 8, Marion township, was born in Du Page county, Illinois, July 15, 1885. His mother was twice married and had two chil- dren by her first union, namely, the subject of this review and his sister, Bertha, now the wife of Henry Norton of Cook county, Illi- nois. The mother afterward wedded Henry Block and had two children by this marriage: Harry, connected with the United States navy; and Edwin, of Cook county, Illinois.
When William Mensing was two years old he was adopted by his aunt, Mrs. Minnie Malvitz, of Du Page county, Illinois, and with her he made his home until he was thirteen years of age. He afterward worked on a farm belonging to his uncle for seven years and then, in 1906, came to Franklin county, Iowa, where he has since been connected with agricultural interests. In 1910 he bought eighty acres of land on section 8, Marion township, and this he has since operated, making it a productive and valuable property. He has risen to a high place in agricultural circles.
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On the 12th of September, 1907, Mr. Mensing was united in marriage to Miss Malinda Schirmer, a native of Franklin county, and they have three children: Louis, who was born July 27, 1908; Hilda, born April 17, 1910; and Herbert, born March 20, 1912.
Mr. Mensing is a member of the Evangelical church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is now serving as township assessor and school director and is interested in every- thing that pertains to the growth and advancement of the com- munity. He is a young man of ambition, energy and enterprise and will undoubtedly be carried forward into important relations with agricultural interests of his locality.
G. EVERETT VAN WERT.
G. Everett Van Wert, a representative of a well known family of Franklin county and now engaged in general farming upon the old Van Wert homestead on section 19, Ingham township, was born in Grundy county, this state, August 13, 1880. He is a son of Justus S. and Elizabeth (Rose) Van Wert, natives of New York, who came to Iowa in 1864 and located in Blackhawk county. From there they moved to Grundy and thence to Franklin county, locat- ing in Mott township in 1888. The father engaged in farming here until his death, which occurred September 6, 1909. His wife sur- vives him and resides upon the homestead. To them were born five children : Rose, the wife of G. C. Borchers, of Nora Springs, Iowa ; Frank, deceased; G. Everett, of this review; Emma, the wife of W. H. Caldwell, of Ingham township; and Jessie, deceased. The Van Wert family has been in America since Revolutionary times and its present representatives are descended from the soldier of that name who was one of a party of three to capture Major Andre.
G. Everett Van Wert was reared at home and acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Mott township and in a seminary at Nora Springs. He has been connected with farming interests since he began his independent career and the results of his practical experience are seen in his intelligent management of the homestead of four hundred acres on section 19, Ingham township. He follows only the most modern and progressive methods in the development of this property, which he has made one of the finest and most pro- ductive in the township.
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On the 25th of December, 1903, Mr. Van Wert was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Hansell, a daughter of Othello V. and Isabel (Stewart) Hansell, natives of Iowa, for whom the town of Hansell was named. Her father is now engaged in farming in South Dakota. In his family were five children: Mabel, wife of the sub- ject of this review; Laura, who married M. A. Tucker of Hansell; George, of South Dakota; a son who died in infancy; and Gladys, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Van Wert have become the parents of five children : Lela, who was born February 21, 1905; Mildred, born May 20, 1907; J. S., born January 2, 1910; and Bernice and Earl, both of whom died in infancy.
Mr. Van Wert is a member of the Church of Christ and he gives his political allegiance to the progressive party. He takes an intelli- gent interest in community advancement and is now serving in a creditable and able way as township assessor. He is one of the suc- cessful and progressive young agriculturists of the locality, and his record is a credit to a name that has long been an honored one in Franklin county.
SHERWOOD A. CLOCK.
Sherwood A. Clock, engaged in the practice of law in Hampton, where he has made his home since 1905, has gained a large and rep- resentative clientage that has connected him with the most important litigation heard in the courts of the district during the past eight years. He was born in Geneva, Franklin county, Iowa, on the 2d of August, 1879, and is a son of Hezekiah C., and Emily J. (Roberts) Clock, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. The mother has passed away, but the father still resides in Geneva. He came to Iowa about 1860, settling at Maysville, where subse- quently he removed to Old Chapin, there remaining until he went to Geneva, where he is now engaged in the merchandising business, being the oldest merchant in the county today. He has contributed largely to the commercial development and as a citizen his worth has never been questioned. He served on Governor Geir's staff and has otherwise been known in public connections, yet has always preferred to live a quiet life, concentrating his energies upon his busi- ness affairs. To him and his wife were born eight children: Claude J., in the auditor's office of the Chicago & Alton Railroad at Bloom- ington, Illinois ; Laura, deceased ; Doris Le Verne, living in Geneva ;
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Earle R., of Grinnell, where he is engaged in manufacturing; Ernest E., of Hampton; Sherwood A .; Oakley J., also a resident of Geneva; and Mabel, who died in infancy.
Sherwood A. Clock spent his youthful days under the parental roof and passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high-school student at Geneva, where he was grad- uated. Later he attended the high school at Bloomington, Illinois, and was graduated therefrom in 1899. Subsequently he entered the University of Illinois at Champaign, where he completed the law course with the class of 1903. He next went to Seattle, Washington, where he remained for two years, and in. 1905 he came to Hampton, where he has since followed his profession. His record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country; for in the county of his nativity Mr. Clock has made continuous progress since starting upon the practice of law here and now has a good clientage.
On the 21st of November, 1902, Mr. Clock was united in mar- riage to Miss Fannie Nobles, a native of this county, and to them have been born two daughters, Helen May and Laura A. In his political views Mr. Clock has ever been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and for two terms he has capably and acceptably filled the office of county attorney. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge which indicates much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. He is prompted by laudable ambition in all that he undertakes in a professional way, and his advancement follows close study, careful preparation of his cases and clearness and logic in the presentation of his cause.
H. A. RUST.
H. A. Rust, one of the successful agriculturists of Franklin county residing on section 19, Ross township, is the owner of four hundred and ten acres of rich and productive land in Ross and Rich- land townships. He is likewise well known in financial circles here as president of the Chapin Savings Bank. His birth occurred in Germany on the 31st of July, 1858, his parents being H. A. and Altye (Lulling) Rust, likewise natives of that country. In 1866 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling near Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois, where H. A. Rust, Sr., devoted his at-
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tention to general agricultural pursuits. In 1885 he came to Frank- lin county, lowa, purchasing and locating on a tract of one hundred and thirty acres on section 19, Ross township, which is now in pos- session of our subject. The small frame dwelling which stood on the place when it came into the father's possession is now used as a hen house. He improved the farm and operated the same with excellent results. His wife passed away thereon January 18, 1891, and he survived her for more than seventeen years, his demise occurring on the 11th of July, 1908. They were devoted and con- sistent members of the German Baptist church. H. A. Rust, Sr., had lived in Franklin county for almost a quarter of a century and had won many friends within its borders. To him and his wife were born eight children, as follows: Minnie, who gave her hand in marriage to George Van Gerpen, of Butler county, Iowa; Flora, who is the widow of Carl Schmidt and resides in Iowa Falls; Rye, who is the widow of Mene Bunger and makes her home in Kansas; Christina, the deceased wife of John Froning, of Richland town- ship; Albert, who follows farming in Richland township; H. A., of this review; Alice, the wife of H. J. Merlien, of Parkersburg, Iowa; and Anna, who is the wife of H. E. Froning, of Chapin, Iowa.
H. A. Rust of this review, was a lad of eight years when he ac- companied his parents on their emigration to the United States and he was reared to manhood in Stephenson county, Illinois. He was a young man of twenty-seven years when he and his wife came to this county, and after the demise of his mother he purchased the old home farm in Ross township. As the years have passed and success has attended his undertakings, he has augmented his hold- ings by additional purchase until he now owns four hundred and ten acres of valuable land in Ross and Richland townships. His property is well improved in every particular, and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the prosperous, enterprising and pro- gressive agriculturists of the county. He was one of the organizers of the Chapin Savings Bank and now serves as the chief executive officer of the institution, ably promoting its growth and success.
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