USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
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In addition to his other interests, Mr. Patterson is connected with banking institutions, being a director of the Franklin County State Bank and three other banks in the county.
On the 16th of September, 1908, Mr. Patterson was united in mar- riage to Miss Florence M. Snyder, and unto them were born two daughters: Florence Irene, born July 1, 1909; and Georgia, born July 25, 1913. In politics Mr. Patterson is a republican and has been a member of the city council. He never neglects the duties of citizenship and at all times is ready to cooperate in any movement
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for the general good. Fraternally he is connected with Anchor Lodge, No. 191, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; and with Anchor Chapter No. 69, R. A. M., in which he is now king. He belongs to the Congregational church and at all times has been actively and helpfully interested in the intellectual and moral, as well as the material and political growth of the community.
ISAIAH WAGNER.
Isaiah Wagner, one of the most respected and valued residents of Osceola township, has made his home in Franklin county since 1867. This has covered the period of the county's greatest growth and prog- ress and in the work of general development he has borne his full share as the years have gone by. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 9, Osceola township, and operates also one hundred and eighty acres belonging to his wife. He was born in Ogle county, Illinois, December 11, 1839, and is a son of Henry and Eliza- beth (Hoover) Wagner, natives of Maryland. The father engaged in farming during his entire active life and died in Ogle county. His wife passed away in Franklin county, this state. To their union were born eleven children: Jonathan, Joseph, Snaveley and Caroline, de- ceased; Sarah, the widow of John Donaldson, of Rockford, Illinois; Horatio, of Leaf River, Illinois; Ahymus and Rosella, deceased; Henry, of Alden, lowa; Isaiah, of this review; and Elizabeth, the wife of Theodore Thomas, of Geneva.
Isaiah Wagner was reared in Ogle county, Illinois, acquiring his education in the public schools. On the 7th of September, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years in the Civil war. He received a severe wound during the battle of Shiloh, being shot through the thigh. Following his discharge he returned to Illinois and in 1867 came to Iowa, settling in Franklin county, where he has since resided. For a period of forty-seven years he has been closely connected with agri- cultural interests here and is today one of the prosperous and repre- sentative farmers of his locality. He owns the farm upon which he located in 1867 and operates this in conjunction with one hundred and eighty acres which belong to his wife. The place is well im- proved, being provided with substantial buildings and excellent machinery.
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On the 25th of December, 1866, Mr. Wagner was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah E. Jacobs, a daughter of Enos and Rachel (Barnes) Jacobs, natives of Maryland. The father died in Illinois and the mother in Franklin county, Iowa. In their family were eleven children: Francis T., deceased; Angeline, the wife of H. Hibarger, of Wichita, Kansas; Josephus, of South Dakota ; Sarah E., wife of the subject of this review; Margaret Ann, who married D. Geeting, of South Dakota; Mary Jane, the wife of H. Baker, of Washington ; Barbara Ellen, who married M. Myers, of Beaman, Iowa; Foneticus, residing in Illinois; Emma, who died in childhood; Martha, formerly the widow of William Piper, but now the wife of Andrew Dame, of South Dakota; and John, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Wagner nine children were born: Hattie May, the wife of J. B. Huff, of North Dakota; Enos, deceased; George E., of Faulkner, Iowa; Bessie, the wife of Guy French, of Faulkner; John H. and Hezekiah, residents of Faulkner; Franklin, of Wisconsin; Wava Grace, at home; and one child that died in infancy.
Mr. Wagner attends the Methodist church, is connected frater- nally with the Grand Army of the Republic and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. At the age of seventy-four he is still active in the world's work and seems yet in his prime in spirit and interests. He has ever been a busy man and his active and useful life has won him the confidence and good-will of his fellowmen by reason of the honorable and straightforward policy which he has ever followed.
JOHN S. ALLINSON.
Since 1882 John S. Allinson has been identified with agricul- tural interests of Franklin county as the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 4, Reeve township. He was born in Wisconsin, August 14, 1847, and is a son of Robert and Martha (Coatsworth) Allinson, natives of England. The parents came to America in 1830 and located immediately in Wisconsin, whence they moved to Illinois, where they resided until their deaths. To their union were born eight children: Margaret, the widow of Robert Robson, of Spokane, Washington; Mary and Hannah, deceased; Robert C., who died in the Union army during the Civil war; Thomas R., of Lena, Illinois; John S., of this review; Joseph, a resident of Montana; and James, of Cripple Creek, Colorado.
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John S. Allinson began his independent career at the age of twenty-three, teaching school during the winters and farming in the summer months. In 1882 he came to Franklin county and bought two hundred acres of land on section 4, Reeve township, upon which he has since resided. The years have brought him an enviable degree of success, and his farm is today one of the best improved in the township, equipped with substantial barns and outbuildings and supplied with all the necessary machinery. Mr. Allinson owns in addition a section of land in North Dakota.
On the 24th of December, 1874, Mr. Allinson married Miss Mary Jane Walton, a native of Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and they have become the parents of six children: Cora, the wife of Howard Paul, of North Dakota; Mary and Martha, at home; Wil- liam R., a resident of North Dakota; Charles, of Wyoming; and Nellie, at home.
Mr. Allinson is a member of the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party, taking an intelli- gent interest in community affairs without being active as an office seeker. He is never neglectful of the duties of citizenship, however, and his influence has been a tangible force for good in the community.
CLAUDE F. ROEMER.
One of the important commercial enterprises of Hampton is the implement and automobile business conducted by Roemer & Gibson. Claude F. Roemer, the senior partner is a wide-awake and progressive man who readily recognizes and utilizes oppor- tunities and by his business activity contributes to the material upbuilding of the city in which he makes his home. He was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, February 27, 1871, a son of Conrad and Catherine (Humbert) Roemer. The father was a native of Germany, born in 1832, and at the age of twenty years he came to America, landing in New York in 1852. It was subsequent to that time that he met and married Catherine Humbert, a native of the Empire state. In 1857 they removed westward to Cedar Falls and Mr. Roemer, who was a carpenter, there followed his trade, becoming identified with building opera- tions in that locality. He died in Hampton on the 25th of July, 1898, while his wife survived almost fifteen years, passing away on the 12th of March, 1913. In their family were eleven children: William,
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CLAUDE F. ROEMER AND SON
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who died in infancy; Amelia, the wife of E. C. Keefer of Lady- smith, Wisconsin; Charles C., whose home is in Mahon, Missouri ; Lydia, who became the wife of George Kuyler of Franklin county and died in 1893; George, a farmer now living in Hampton; Julia, the wife of F. D. Smith, a banker of Latimer, Iowa; Edward A., who resides in Creighton, Nebraska; Christina, deceased; Claude F .; Daniel R., a farmer of Hampton; and Harvey, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Manson, Iowa.
Claude F. Roemer attended the district schools and starting out in life for himself at the age of twenty years, came to Hampton, where he established an implement and pump business. The enter- prise was successful from the beginning and the trade has steadily grown so that he is now accorded a liberal patronage that brings a good financial return. He built a fine building with concrete sides and pressed brick front, forty by one hundred and four feet, and three stories in height. In 1912 Mr. Roemer took in Mr. Gibson as a partner and the business is conducted under the name of Roemer & Gibson. The firm is now handling a large line of automobiles, including the Maxwell, the Marion, the Auburn and the Chalmers cars and in addition handles the McCormick Harvesters, the John Deere farm machinery and buggies and vehicles. The firm also owns valuable property including two hundred and eighty-four acres of land near Hampton and one hundred and sixty acres in Minnesota.
On the 8th of November, 1899, Mr. Roemer was united in mar- riage to Miss Hester Crawford of this county. Five children have been born of this marriage: Louis and Louise, born September 9, 1900; Hugh, who was born January 3, 1905, and died September 5, 1911; Claude F .. born April 4, 1910; and Gretchen, born July 20, 1912.
At the time of the Spanish-American war Mr. Roemer enlisted. He was a member of the State National Guards and with his reg- iment left Des Moines on the 26th of April, 1898. The troops proceeded to the camp at Chickamauga, but were never called into action. Mr. Roemer returned with the rank of sergeant. Politi- cally he is a republican, well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as a member of the town council and as school director. He belongs to the Methodist church, in the work of which he takes an active interest, serving at the present time as superintendent of the Sunday school. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and he is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. At a recent convention held at Des Moines, Mr. Roemer was elected
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president of the lowa Implement Dealers Association. He is known as a public-spirited man, ever ready to promote public progress in any possible way. In business, too, he has made continuous advance- ment and is now one of the substantial and prosperous merchants of his adopted city.
JAMES W. BOOTS.
One of the fine homes on Bridge street in Hampton is that occu- pied by James W. Boots, a retired farmer, who for many years has been actively identified with agricultural interests in Franklin county, where he still owns a valuable and productive farm of four hundred and ten acres, on which he is extensively engaged in stock- raising, especially the breeding of fine horses. He was born in Del- aware county, Indiana, March 19, 1851, and is a son of Martin and Rebecca (Jones) Boots, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of West Virginia. The father was a farmer by occupation and in 1855 came to Iowa, settling in Franklin county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years. His wife died upon the home farm June 1, 1892, after which Mr. Boots estab- lished his home in Geneva, where he died in 1906. In their family were eight children: Rhoda, deceased; William, a retired farmer living in Hampton; Martha Jane, the wife of Miles Birkett, of Luverne, Minnesota ; James W. ; Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Simon Long, of Luverne, Minnesota; John M., living in Dumont, lowa; Malena, the wife of James Burlingame, of Luverne; and Simeon J., a retired farmer residing in Hampton.
James W. Boots was but four years of age when brought to Iowa by his parents, where he spent his youthful days. He is indebted to the public school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He remained upon the home farm until he had attained his majority and then started out in life for himself, choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. He now has four hundred and ten acres in Franklin county and also an attrac- tive residence on Bridge street in Hampton. His land is naturally rich and productive, and his farm is one of the well developed prop- erties of the district, producing splendid crops of corn and other cereals. Mr. Boots takes great interest in blooded horses and has an imported registered coach, Constant, ten years old. He also has an interest in a Chelperie percheron. He makes a specialty of breed-
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ing and raising fine horses and is regarded as one of the leading stock- men of the county. His business has assumed large proportions, and his financial returns make him one of the substantial citizens of this part of the state.
On the 14th of April, 1887, Mr. Boots was united in marriage to Miss Helen Lower and they became the parents of three children : Vivian Mozelle, a teacher in the public schools, living at home; Mildred Clare, who died in childhood; and James Milford, a high- school pupil.
Politically Mr. Boots is a republican, well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day and thus able to support his position by intelligent argument. He has been township trustee for twenty years and has capably filled other township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Practi- cally a life-long resident of this county, he possesses the spirit of enter- prise and progress characteristic of the middle west and throughout his entire life has brooked no obstacles that could be overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable effort, and thus it is that he has worked his way steadily upward to success.
A. W. BEED.
A. W. Beed not only occupies a prominent position in financial circles as president of the Franklin County State Bank, but also has the distinction of being the first boy born in Hampton. His natal day was November 11, 1858, his parents being George and Marinda (Dennan) Beed, who came to this county in the year 1856, settling on a farm near Hampton. Their remaining days were spent in this county, and with the pioneer development the father was actively identified. The son was reared upon the frontier with the usual experiences and environments of pioneer life. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and he has learned 'life's lessons well. He was eighteen years of age when he entered the Citi- zens' Bank, of which his father had been president for a number of years. After a period of identification with the bank in which he was thoroughly mastering the business, he removed to Florida, where he remained for a few years, but in 1902 returned to Hampton and has since been an active factor in the management and control of the bank of which he is now the president. The institution has made an
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excellent showing and is one of the strong financial concerns of this part of the state.
In 1881 Mr. Beed was united in marriage to Miss Alveretta J. Osborne, who was born in Wisconsin, but for some years prior to her marriage lived in Franklin county, Iowa. They have become the parents of three children : Gail, Edith and George. Theirs is a hos- pitable home whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Beed belongs to the Masonic lodge and chapter and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. His political support is given to the republican party, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, although he does not seek nor desire office. Through the long period of his residence in this county he has become widely and favorably known. He has been an inter- ested witness of all the changes which have occurred as the work of development and improvement has been carried forward and has been a cooperant factor in many movements which have worked for civic betterment and municipal advancement.
FRANKLIN COUNTY STATE BANK.
The Franklin County State Bank is one of the oldest of the finan- cial institutions of Hampton and this part of the state. It was organ- ized in 1872 as a private bank by the firm of Latimer and Kellam. It was twenty years later when Mr. Beed became cashier of the insti- tution, at which time it was the property of the firm of Benson, Hays & Parks. It was made a state bank in 1905 with a capital stock of seventy-five thousand dollars fully paid in. The bank was incor- porated at that time with Mr. Beed as president; H. L. Harrison, cashier, and G. F. Beed, vice president. At this writing in 1913, its officers are A. W. Beed, president; Dr. J. C. Powers, vice president ; N. A. Inglis, cashier; and F. H. Ridgeway, assistant cashier. The directors of the bank in addition to the officers are: G. F. Beed, F. J. Scantlebury, B. D. Hunt, George D. Patterson, Jacob Pohl, C. F. Showalter, F. D. Smith and A. W. Wolf. This bank offers to depos- itors every facility which their balances, business and responsibility warrant. The condensed statement of the condition of the Franklin County State Bank shows loans and discounts amounting to six hun- dred and eighteen thousand, three hundred and ten dollars and thirty- three cents. Cash on hand and due from banks one hundred and sixty-two thousand, seven hundred and fifty-four dollars and eighty
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cents with real estate and personal property amounting to fifteen thou- sand dollars. The bank is capitalized for seventy-five thousand dol- lars has a surplus of twenty-five thousand dollars, and undivided profits of more than twenty-three thousand dollars, with deposits of more than six hundred and seventy-two thousand dollars. All this indicates the excellent standing of the bank and the capability of the management.
JOHN SAILER. .
John Sailer, a progressive farmer and extensive landowner of Franklin county, operating four hundred and ten acres of valuable land in Osceola township, was born in Germany, March 3, 1867. He is a son of John Jacob and Louisa Amelia (Off) Sailer, also natives of the fatherland. The parents came to America in 1885 and took up their residence in Osceola township, this county, where both passed away. The father died September 14, 1913, and the mother December 25, 1910. In their family were eleven children, seven of whom survive, as follows: Jacob J., a farmer of Franklin county ; Caroline, the wife of Thomas Sessler, of Osceola township; Charles, a resident of Germany ; Fred, of Osceola township; Louisa, the widow of G. Hoofmeister; John, of this review; and Paulina, who married Christ Sailer, of Osceola.
John Sailer remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age, accompanying them to America in 1885. When he began his independent career he bought one hundred and twenty- four acres in Osceola township, this county, and he has since steadily increased his holdings until they comprise today four hundred and ten acres. In addition to general farming he engages also in stock- raising and has important interests along this line. His farm is well equipped with substantial buildings and modern machinery and is a valuable property in every respect, reflecting the intelligent care and management of its owner, who is a progressive and practical agriculturist.
On the 4th of April, 1894, Mr. Sailer married Miss Mary Ricks- meier, a daughter of Henry and Sophia (Eichmeier) Ricksmeier, natives of Germany. The father came to America when he was eighteen years of age and located in Illinois, whence he moved in 1882 to Franklin county, Iowa. He located on section 13, Osceola township, and operated a farm there until his death, which occurred
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February 4, 1911. His wife died October 27, 1909. To their union were born five children: Henry, who is operating the old home- stead; Alvina, the wife of Andrew Sessler, of Hardin county, Iowa; Mary, the wife of the subject of this review; Minnie, who married Christ Raisch, of Hardin county; and Lydia, who married L. War- neke, of Geneva township. Mr. and Mrs. Sailer became the par- ents of four children: Sophia, who is attending Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls; and Lydia, Matilda and Paul, all at home. Mr. Sailer is a member of the Evangelical church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. His energy and industry have carried him forward into important relations with agricultural inter- ests, and he has won for himself a most creditable reputation by his enterprise and reliability in every connection in which he has been found.
JOHN M. HEMINGWAY.
John M. Hemingway, a member of the Hampton bar, careful and thorough in the preparation of his cases and clear and cogent in the presentation of his arguments, has won for himself a creditable position among the lawyers practicing in Franklin county. He was born December 4, 1848, in Hadley, Lapeer county, Michigan, a son of John M. and Sarah (Dexter) Hemingway, both of whom were natives of New York. The father was a farmer by occupation and died upon the home farm in Michigan. The family numbered five children, but two died in early life, leaving as the surviving members of the family: John M., Dexter and Ruth Delia, the latter the widow of Judge J. W. Mckenzie.
Spending his youthful days in the state of his nativity, John M. Hemingway supplemented his public-school course by study in the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was graduated in 1873 on the completion of the classical course. In preparation for a professional career he entered the State University at Iowa City and was graduated with the law class of 1875. On the Ist of July of the same year he located in Hampton for the practice of his pro- fession and formed a partenership with Judge J. W. McKenzie, with whom he was associated until Mr. Mckenzie was elevated to the bench. Afterward he was a partner of T. C. Mckenzie until the latter's death, and then was alone for a time. Subsequently he spent a year in partnership with D. W. Henley and in 1887 and 1888 was
JOHN M. HEMINGWAY
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in Kansas City, Missouri. He then returned to Hampton, however, and has since practised his profession alone, winning for himself a prominent position as a representative of the Franklin county bar. He is strong in argument, clear in his reasoning and logical in his deductions, and he seldom fails to win the verdict desired.
On the 3d of September, 1877, Mr. Hemingway was united in marriage to Miss Natalia Zimmerman, of Hampton, and unto them have been born five children: Irma, now Mrs. F. A. Harriman ; Madge, who died in infancy; John D., a practicing dentist of Waverly, Iowa; Max M., an attorney at Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Natalia, who is a graduate of the literary department of the Iowa State University of the class of 1913, and is employed by the United States government as a teacher in Porto Rico. Mr. Hemingway is a progressive republican in politics. He was one of the three char- ter members of Windsor Lodge, K. P., and is now in active connec- tion therewith. He is affiliated with the Congregational church. He finds rest and recreation in the management of a farm known as Aldenheim. Before the automobile came into such common use he was well known as a breeder of fast trotting horses, having owned several well known trotters, including Sarcenat with a 2:1614 record. His farm has ever been to him a source of recreation and interest, and he is now engaged in the raising of thoroughbred cattle and hogs, giving personal supervision to the work that is carried on in connec- tion with the farm. His life has ever been upright and honorable and many good traits of character, as well as his professional ability, have established him high in public regard.
JOSEPH R. SANTEE.
Joseph R. Santee, engaged in general farming and stock-raising upon one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 36, Lee town- ship, was born in Pennsylvania, September 6, 1874. He is a son of Robert C. and Martha M. (Kelly) Santee, also natives of the Key- stone state. The parents moved to Iowa in 1876 and located in Mus- catine county, whence after four years they moved to Hardin county. There they remained until 1900 and then came to Franklin county, taking up their residence on a farm on section 36, Lee township. Robert C. Santee died March 25, 1909, while the mother resides in Iowa Falls. To their union were born seven children: George L., a resident of Corpus Christi, Texas; Bertha, the widow of Thomas
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G. Watkins, of New Albany, Kansas; Joseph R., of this review; Elsie G., residing in lowa Falls; James K., of Dows; Maud, the wife of M. W. Hensley, of Dows; and Mary, who married J. F. Gilbert, of Atlantic, Iowa.
Joseph R. Santee was two years of age when his parents came to Iowa, and he acquired his education in the public schools of Mus- catine and Hardin counties. Following the completion of his studies he taught for two years in Hardin county and then turned his atten- tion to farming. He is now operating the family homestead of one hundred and twenty acres on section 36, Lee township and has made this property productive and valuable in the highest degree. In addition to general farming he also raises and feeds stock, and his interests along this line are of growing importance.
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