History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 86

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990

USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 86
USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

B. A. Brown, merchant and postmaster at Rock Falls, was born at Hampden, Geauga Co., Ohio, June 27, 1845. When he was an infant of six months, his par- ents emigrated to Wisconsin and located at East Troy, Walworth county. They

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

again changed their residence, when he was eight years of age, to Lake Co., Ill., where they remained until 1860. In that year they settled at Rock Falls, Iowa. In 1866 Mr. Brown fixed upon the calling of stone mason and plasterer as a vocation, which he pursued fourteen years. In 1880 he turned his attention to mercantile operations, in which he is still engaged. In 1882 he connected the Rock Fal's creamery with his other business. He was married Dec. 8, 1870, to Mary A. Smith. From this marriage are two children- Richard and Maggie E. Brown.

George O. Morse is a native of the Em- pire State. He was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, Nov. 24, 1826. He was a farmer's son and trained to the pursuit of his father, receiving also a fair educa- tion. At the age of seventeen he entered upon his contest with the world, engaging first with a farmer at $5.50 per month. He came west in 1855 for the purpose of establishing himself in life, and entered land in Cerro Gordo county, township 97 north, and 19 west, on sections 26 and 27. He stayed a night with Elijah Wiltfong, and after securing the entry of his land, went to Illinois, rented land, bought a considerable flock of sheep, and pur- sued farming there until 1860, when he came back to Iowa and settled on his land. He built a log house, in which he lived two years, when he bought a farm of Elijah Wiltfong, on section 21, to which he transferred his residence. In 1865 he built another log house on the place, which he occupied until 1871, when he erected the frame house which is his pres- ent abode. He is one of the most ex- tensive land-holders in the township, hav-

ing 800 acres. Mr. Morse was married in 1858 to Eliza A. Williams, a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y. The record of the children of Mrs. and Mrs. Morse is as fol- lows-Ella, born April 9, 1859, died Oct. 12, 1880; Emma F., born Ang. 5, 1857, died in April, 1882. The other children are George F., Burt and Oscar. The parents are members of the M. E. Church.

Francis Joseph Langschadl is a Bohe- mian by birth. He attended school in the celebrated city of Kuttenberg until thir- teen years old, when he entered upon a course of instruction as a dyer, which call- ing he pursued until 1852. He labored as a farmer six years, and in 1858 left his native country for America. His first loca- tion was in Mahoning Co., Ohio, where he worked in a tannery three years, and then went back to the land of his birth, where he owned property. He spent nearly a year there, and on selling his farm came back to the United States. In 1863 he bought land in Cerro Gordo county, this State, on sections 4 and 5. He lived twelve years in the log house he built, and then constructed the stone residence in which he now lives. He was married in 1869 to Miss Fitzł, also a native of Bohemia. They have two children-Francis and Syl- via. Mr. Langschadł was born in 1830.

During 1865 the following located in the township : Truman Hill, Conrad Gild- ner, Valentine Claus and William C. Graves.

Truman S. Hill was born Oct. 4, 1840, in Boone Co., Ill., where he passed the early years of his life in the pursuits com- mon to the sons of farmers' and as a student. In 1865 he came to Cerro Gordo county and was employed two months as

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

assistant in a blacksmith's shop. He then came to Plymouth and worked as a car- penter. In 1870 he opened a wagon shop in the new town of Plymouth, the first business of the kind established there. In 1879 he formed a partnership with T. A. Barnes, which relation still exists. The firm connected cabinet work with wagon making, which they still pursue, and also operate as carpenters and builders. Mr. Hill was married June 16, 1868, to Ann A. Redington, a popular teacher in the public schools of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Hill rejoice in the possession of two promising sons-James M. and Truman H.

Conrad Gildner is a native of Germany, born Feb. 27, 1842. When he was four years old his parents bade good bye to the Fatherland, and emigrated to America, settling in Canada, where the son was brought up to agricultural pursuits. In 1865 he came to the States and selected Iowa as his destined home. He came to Falls township, and bought wild land on section 25, breaking some of it to the plow the same year. The second year he harvested the first crop, and built a log house. He rented land on section 35, on which he lived until 1869, when he took possession of his own property, inhabit- ing the log house mentioned until 1872; in which year he built a frame house to which he made a large addition in 1882. His place is now in first class condition, being finely improved and set with forest and fruit trees in convenient and appro- priate places. Mr. Gildner was married in 1861 to Julia Schnarr, who died March 11, 1870, leaving three children-Henry, Annie and Nettie. His second marriage took place in the fall of 1870. His wife,

Mary Schnarr, is sister to the lady he first married. From the last union there have been five children born, four of whom are now living-John N., Lydia, Albert and Eda. Maggie died when four years old. Mr. Gildner is a member of the German Baptist Church.

Valentine Claus was born at Rhein- hessen, Germany, July 20, 1845, where he went to school until fifteen years old. He came to America in 1865, remaining with friends in New York about six weeks, when he made his way to his brother's in Falls township. He was an inmate of his family until 1871, when he built a house and moved on a tract of eighty acres of land he had previously bought on section 18. Two years after he bought eighty acres on another section, whither he re- moved. He has made fine improvements on his farm and it is well stocked with every modern convenience for the prose- cution of successful farming. Mr. Claus is a member of the German M. E. Church. He was married in 1872 to Katie Gildner, and is made happy by the possession of the following named children-Maggie, Mary, Clara and Wesley.

William C. Graves, second son of Dr. Charles and Sarah ( Cleveland ) Graves, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1841, where he passed his youth in school and on a farm. He enlisted as a soldier in the civil war, Aug. 28, 1862, serving in company J,81st New York Volunteer Infan- try, and received honorable discharge Nov. 17, 1864. He took part in a number of engagements and was dangerously wound- ed June 3, 1864, at the battle of Cold Harbor. He was shot in the right shoulder and was taken to the hospital at

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

Washington, where he remained until October, when he obtained a furlough of thirty days and went home. On his return to Washington he was discharged. In 1864 he came to Iowa with his parents and remained with them until 1870, in which year he was married to Elizabeth Holden, of Wisconsin. In 1873 Mr. Graves located on the farm on section 5, where he now lives. He has filled several offices of trust in his township and is a member of the present board of trustees. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have children as fol- lows-Asa, Cassius, George, Edwin and Carrie.

Charles Farington, one of the settlers of 1866, is a son of the Empire State, born at Poughkeepsie, Duchess county, Aug. 21, 1817. There he was educated and reared to the occupation of a farmer. At the age of twenty-two he went to Chen- ango county and bought a farm in the town of Greene, where he remained until 1856, when he disposed of his property and went to Sauk Co., Wis. In 1866 he made another change to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, where he purchased land on sec- tions 26 and 35. He built his house on the latter in a natural grove near the Shell Rock river, the site of his present resi- dence. He was married in September, 1835, to Ellen Hoffman, of Duchess Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Farington rejoice in the possession of six promising children- Elmira, Melissa, Charles W., Catharine M., Theodore and Commodore. The two last named are twins.

Henry Gildner, senior, is a native of Germany, and was married there to Anna Moke. In 1846 they emigrated to America and settled in Canada, where they resided

until 1866. In that year they came to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, and located in Falls township, where Mr. Gildner pur- chased a farm on section 14, Falls town- ship, which is still their home. They have five children-Conrad, Catharine, Henry, Elizabeth and Warner. Mr. and Mrs. Gildner belong to the German Bap- tist Church. Henry Gildner, second son of Mr. Gildner, was born in the county of Perth, Canada, Nov. 11, 1853, where he resided with his parents, accompanying them to Iowa in 1866. Feb. 19, 1876, he was married to Mary Ann Brunner, also a native of Perth Co., Canada. He had previously, in 1873, purchased a farm on section 13, and on his marriage he settled upon it. Hle did the first breaking in 1874 and raised his first crop the following year. Ile has made the usual improve- ments, set out numerous forest and fruit trees and built his residence. He has a farm of 160 acres, one half of which is situated in Mitchell county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gildner are-William E., John H. and Edward E. Mr. and Mrs. Gildner are members of the German Baptist Church.

James McAdam, a farmer, settled in Falls township in 1867, when he at once became a land-holder on section 27, where he improved his farm according to the best known methods, and built the house in which he now lives. He was married in 1853 to Maria Fox. She was born in Beaver Kill, Sullivan Co., N. Y. They have six children-Elizabeth, William, George, Vettie, Rozana and Albert. Mr. MeAdam was born Oct. 18, 1831, in Delaware Co., N. Y. At the age of fourteen he began to work as carpenter with his father, who

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

was a master builder and millwright. When twenty-three years of age, he went to Ogle Co., Ill., and settled In the new town of Polo, where he pursued his trade until 1867, the date of his removal to Iowa.

George Helm came to the township in 1868. He is a native of LaFayette Co., Wis. He was born Nov. 25, 1843, and passed the years of his early life altern- ately on the farm and at school. He re- mained at home until 1868, when he went to Illinois and spent the summer of that year, returning to his native State the en- suing fall, and after a brief visit, pro- ceeded to Iowa where he bought wild land on section 3, of Falls township. He put up buildings as he improved his farm, and had a good frame house and barn which were destroyed by a heavy gale of wind in June, 1882. He rebuilt his house from the ruins, made an addition and again occupied it. Mr. Helm has his land under good cultivation, has set out fruit and shade trees and has an attractive home. In March, 1867, he became the husband of Lucretia Lewis, of Coles Co., Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Helm have a son and a daughter-Lewis C. and Lilian E. Helm.

Conrad Krug settled in the township in 1865. He was born in Germany, June 18, 1833. He was raised to agricultural labor, attending school until he was fourteen years old. In 1856 he left his native land for America, first settling in Canada, where he spent his time in farming and chopping wood. In 1865 he came to Iowa, and in 1866 located on section 36, in Falls township. He built a house and stable in the fall of that year, and his stable, with a pair of horses, together with his farming

tools were destroyed by fire. He then sold the land and went to Portland town- ship where he rented land. In 1868 he bought forty acres of land, which, three years later, he sold and purchased 160 on sections 14 and 15 of Falls township. In 1883 he had 180 acres of land under good state of cultivation. Mr. Krug was mar- ried in 1855. They have five children- Henry, Peter, William, Mary E. and Katie. He is a member of the German Methodist Church. Mr. Krug takes much interest in educational matters and has held several township offices.

Christian L. Berlin was born in Ger- 'many, March 13, 1837. At the age of fourteen years, he left school to learn the cooper's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years, after which he worked as a journeyman eighteen months where he learned the details of his chosen calling. He traveled in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, working at his trade at intervals during six years, when he made his way back to Germany. In 1863 he came to the United States. He landed at New York and spent a year there and in Hobo- ken, when he went to Cattaraugus county and engaged in farming four years. . In 1868 he settled at Rock Falls, Iowa, where he found employment at his trade. In 1872 he bought a tract of land on section 23, of which, however, he did not enter into possession until three years later. He made extensive improvements and constructed substantial buildings. He has now 295 acres of land. Mr. Berlin was married in 1863 to Sophia Steinhagen. Their living children are-Lottie, Ru- dolph, Lizzie, Angusta, Charlie and Sophia.

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

Reuben Kinney was born on the sea shore in New Jersey. His parents were from Scotland, of which country they were natives. They settled in New Jersey, where Mr. Kinney, of this sketch, grew to manhood. He obtained a fair education at the common schools, supplemented by two terms at the high school. At nine- teen he decided to become a mechanic and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed in and around Newark, N. J., until 1869, when he came to Iowa. The first six months after his arrival he lived in the south part of Worth county, when he proceeded to Cerro Gordo county and bought a village lot at Rock Falls. He built a fine frame house, laid out his place to the best possible advantage and set out fruit trees and shrubbery. His home is attractive and valuable. Since his location here, he has worked at his trade. In 1871 he purchased a tract of land on section 20, which is tenanted. Ile was married in 1856 to Julia Spangen- burg, born in the State of Maine. Mrs. Kinney became the mother of twelve chil- dren, ten of whom are yet living-Sarah A., Margaret, William II., Amanda, Ro- sella, John, Rachel, Emma, Charles F. and May. The mother died in 1880, and Mr. Kinney married, in September of that year, Elizabeth Lee. By this Union there is one child-Serena.

Simon Calvert was born in Yorkshire, England, Oct. 27, 1836. When he was three years old, his parents emigrated to America and took up their residence in La Fayette Co., Wis. He became a miner when only fourteen years old, which pursuit he followed until 1859 in Wiseon- sin, and in that year he went to Pike's

Peak, where he operated in the mines about one year, going thence to Mexico. He passed a few months there in the sil- ver mines, and proceeded to California, remaining there until 1862, when he went to Nevada and engaged in mining eigh- teen months near Virginia City. He pro- ceeded to Oregon and Vancouver's Island, going thence up the Frazier river where he passed a summer, returning to New York via Panama. His next remove ter- minated at Mineral Point, Wis., where he settled on a farm he had previously pur- chased. Mr. Calvert was married March 29, 1864, to Martha A. Vickerman, of York- shire, England. In 1866 the family moved to Avoca, Iowa county, where they kept a hotel one and a half years. Mr. Calvert sold his property and entered mercantile business in Grant county, where he con- tinued to operate until 1869. July 4, of that year, he came to Mason City, Cerro Gordo county, and soon after purchased a farm on sections 23 and 26, in Falls town- ship, where he now resides and is engaged in stock raising. He owns 370 acres of land. In the Calvert household are four children-Clydie C., Wilbur B., Osmer T. and Charles L.

Henry Calvert, a trustee of Falls town- ship, was born May 26, 1841, in Iowa Co., Wis. He was a farmer's son, and in the early years of his life, his time was passed similarly to other boys. He obtained alib- eral education at the district schools. He resided with his parents until 1861, when he went to Nevada He mined for gold two years in Nevada, and then went to California, where he was for a time inter- ested in mining, and then engaged as superintendent of a stock farm. In 1869

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

he retraced his steps to Wisconsin, mak- ing a brief stay and then came to Iowa. He located in Falls township, where he bought will, unimproved land on section 24. In 1871 he erected a fine frame build- ing, which was destroyed by fire only a few months after its completion, and again in 1878 he had his entire crops of grain, his stables, threshing machine, horses and other stock burned up. These circum- stances, which would have discouraged most men, only excited him to more stren- uous exertions, which have surmounted all difficulties, and placed him as one of the solid men of the county, and won for him the respect and confidence of all his neighbors. He was married in September, 1871, to Mary A. Short, who was born in Philadelphia, but reared and educated in Ann Arbor, Mich., and was at that time a most successful and popular school teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Calvert have had four chil- dren, and but two of these are still living. Mr. Calvert has his farm under admirable cultivation, and is well supplied with shade aud fruit trees, and it is probable that his assortment of fruit is as large and as fine as any in the county, including apples, cherries and plums, and a great variety of small fruit.

George Daney, a sett er of 1865, was born near the celebrated Honorlaw Heath, Middelrie county, England, Dec. 1, 1831. When three years of age his father re- moved with his family to no less noted town than that of Richmond, Surry county. When he was ten years of age his father died, and two years later his mother died, and he was then left on his own responsi- bilities for a livelihood. At the age of thirteen he went to London, and served

three years as waiter boy in a hotel, when he returned to Richmond and was engaged by Col. Sir John Burgoyne, of the Queen's Guards, and served with him a short time, and receiving from him papers of influ- ence, he endeavored to enlist in the fa- mous Light Brigade, which was soon after cut to pieces in Balaklava, but being one- fourth of an inch too short, he was re- jected. After two attempts to enlist he sailed from Liverpool in the year 1848 for the States, landing at New York. He went to Montreal and acted as bar tender for his uncle a brief period, when he re- turned to New York and engaged in vari- ous capacities. His first fixed employ- ment was with a baker with whom he contracted to learn the trade. March 28, 1852, he set out for Panama, where he joined the construction force on the rail- road across the Isthmus. He remained six months, and, becoming ill, he went back to New York. His broken health precluded his laboring for nearly a year. On recovery he found a situation at New- ark, N. J .. to work at his trade. He came west to Leavenworth, Kan., in 1855, and soon after engaged with an Indian trader at Sioux City, with whom he remained two years, trading with the Indians on the plains. His next move was to Omaha, where he spent a season as woodsman, and afterwards served as hand in a saw mill near Council Bluffs. A year later he rented a farm on the Missouri bottoms and left it to operate a bakery at New Carlisle, Ind. At the expiration of a year he went to Buchanan, Mich., where he worked at his trade. He then contracted to clear a lot of timbered land and next rented land and engaged at farming. His crops failed

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

through dry weather and frost and he went to Wisconsin, where he found employ- ment in a saw mill on the Yellow river. In about a year he built a boat and set out with his family for Illinois, intending to make the route by water. At Belle- vue, Iowa, he sold his boat and took pas- sage on a steamboat for Rock Island. Here he worked a year at his trade when he came to Plymouth. Mr. Daney is a gen- ins, adapting himself to all sorts of labor and ready to grapple with any demand that presents itself. He was married Nov. 3, 1859, to Mary E. Slater, of Michigan. They have had eight children-Sarah E., William, Hattie, Jennie, Florence, Blanche, Pearl (died in infancy) and Ernest. Mr. Daney has been identified with re- ligious work in Plymouth since his settle- ment there. He has been deacon of the Congregational Society for ten years and now belongs to the M. E. Church. He has been superintendent of the Union Sunday school eight years.

Joseph Cotey, general merchant, was born in St. James Parish, province of Quebec, Canada, Nov. 4, 1831. (The name was originally Cote, pronounced as now spelled). His parents moved to Montreal when he was ten years old, when he was sent to the friars' school for four years. At the age of fifteen he was bound out as a clerk in a dry goods store Ilis principal failed a year after, and he then apprenticed himself to a shoemaker. In 1847 he moved to Rochester, N. Y., where he finished learning his trade in 1851. Hle went to Dundee and there at twenty years old commenced going to public schools. The following year he attended the academy, paying his tuition by teach-

ing French. In 1855 he went to Columbus, Wis., and opened a shoe shop in company with Samuel Elliott, brother of John A. Elliott. He was married in Otsego, Wis., to Hannah M. Tompkins, of Dundee, Yates Co, N. Y. He prosecuted his business in Columbus eleven years, adding general merchandise during the last six months. He then removed to Mitchell Co., Iowa, in 1866, and opened a general store at West Mitchell. In 1870 he established the first store in the new town of Plymouth, occu- pying a building now used as a hotel, and known as the Plymouth House. The next year he put up a building, 20x64 feet, which he afterward extended to 48x80 feet. This was destroyed by fire in 1881 when he moved to his present quarters on the south side of main street. Ilis stock is large and varied, including staple and faney dry goods, boots, shoes, hardware, clothing, groceries, drugs, school books, stationery and trunks, valises and yankee notions. He also has a tin shop connected with his establishment. Mr. Cotey has built sev- eral structures in the town and devoted his energies largely to its advancement His oldest son, Clinton D., is engaged in the store; his second son, Charles J., is a student at Ames' college. His only daugh- ter, Emelie Adelle, died in 1871, aged eight years.

John Gootlieb, blacksmith, was born in Germany, Aug. 19, 1846. At the age of fourteen, he left school to learn his trade. After his apprenticeship he worked as journeyman until 1865 when he came to America. He landed at New York and went at once to Maysville, Wis., where he remained but a short time, going thence to Oshkosh, where he worked at his trade

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

for one man three and a half years except- ing four months. In 1868 he opened a shop on his own account. Two years later he sold his business and. removed to Iowa. After a brief stay in Calmar he went to Mason City, where he worked eleven months for Samuel Waukel. He then came to Plymouth and opened the shop where he still prosecutes his business. He was married Nov. 13, 1869, to Clara Iring, a native of Madison, Wis. Six children have been born to them-John- nie, Frank, Katie, Della A., Mary, and Bertress D. In 1872 Mr. Gootlieb built the house in which he now resides.

George Ward, railroad contractor, is a native of Kent Co., England. While yet a boy he became interested in railroading, and at fourteen years of age was em- ployed on one of the railroads of his own country. He was married in 1859 to Mary Chambers, of Kent county, and the same year proceeded to the United States. He went from New York to Port Jervis, Orange county, and labored as a woods- man for a short period, and again engaged in his former capacity. He went to New Jersey in 1861 and operated a toll gate on the Colesville and Deckertown turnpike. He then bought teams and gave his atten- tion to teaming one year. In 1865 he came to Waterloo, Iowa, and acted as superintendent for Elwell, Couch, Glass & Co., in excavating for the foundations of their great mill. On the completion of this he took a contract from the Bur. lington Railroad Company, whose line was in process of building between Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. Following this he engaged to construct a portion of the road between Charles City and Calmar, and

afterward between Mason City and Al- gona. In 1870 he took a contract to build a part of the road between Mason City and Lyle. On the laying out of the town of Plymouth, he bought lots and erected the first building. In 1874 he purchased the interest of the railroad company in the town plat, and has erected several buildings. In 1881 he built his present residence. Mr. Ward was born July 16, 1831.

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History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 86

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company Number of Pages: 990

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990