USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 33
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CAPTAIN J. C. R. HUNTER
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Brandon, Mississippi, July 19, 1863, and at Brownsville, Mississippi, October 16. and 17, 1863. In June, 1864, he was placed in command of a military post at the mouth of White river in Arkansas, having two companies of soldiers in his garrison. While stationed here he performed distinguished military service, of which the following is a brief account :
After the breaking up of the famous Banks expedition, a large force of Confederates passed north, their object being to take the state of Missouri. These troops passed near the White river post and a small detachment from them attacked some negro wood choppers, who were under the protection of the garrison, killing several of them. This attack and the presence of so many Confederates in the neighborhood was a warning, and Hunter took prompt measures for defense. All of his force and all of the negroes under his protection were immediately pressed into service and logs were cut and a heavy stockade erected. It was scarcely completed when, just at daybreak, on the morning of June 22,. 1864, Hunter's garrison was attacked by a Confederate regiment from General Marmaduke's command. The attack was planned as a surprise. The Confederates advanced on two sides of the stockade, but Hunter's men, though called to arms so suddenly that they had no time to dress, met the enemy with such a destructive fire that they were forced to retreat. The Confederates re-formed and made another attempt, this time concentrating the at- tack on one side of the stockade. They were again repulsed with such heavy loss that they fled, leaving their dead and mortally wounded on the field. Captain Hunter lost five men. The Confederate's loss was equal to the entire force under Hunter's command. The Confederate wounded were taken care of by the Union soldiers. Some time later General Marmaduke was captured and placed in charge of the lieu- tenant colonel of Hunter's regiment, and from him was learned the true extent of the Confederate loss and also that the Confederates judged from the vigor of the defense that the stockade had been heavily reinforced. They had no idea that they were opposed by but two small companies commanded by a mere boy. Captain Hunter re- ported this engagement to General Buford, in command of the Dis- trict of Helena, who at once came to his assistance with heavy rein- forcements. When he left the post, Captain Hunter was placed in charge of three companies. After this incident Captain Hunter and his command joined an expedition to drive the Confederates out of Missouri. The march was one of most distressing hardship. At one time, one hundred and ten men in the Twelfth Regiment were
Vol. II-22
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without shoes, and among the number was the captain of Company A. At another time they were seventeen days without government ra- tions and were forced to live "on the country." Our subject was mustered out on the Ist of December, 1864, by reason of the expira- tion of his term of service, and at that time was senior captain of his regiment.
In 1869 Captain Hunter was married to Hannah Luella Phillips, of Mahaska county, Iowa, and to them were born four children : Mary, William Garl, Sadie Elmira and Josephine. Mary is now the wife of Charles Segar and resides in Cass township. William G. re- sides in Montana, while Sadie and Josephine reside with their parents in Webster City.
Captain Hunter came to Webster City in 1882 and engaged in farming in Cass township. In 1890 he was elected county recorder of Hamilton county and was reelected in 1892. At the close of his second term as recorder he retired from active business and is now living quietly and modestly at No. 917 Elm street, Webster City, Iowa. Politically Captain Hunter is a republican. Fraternally he affiliates with the Masons, Modern Woodmen of America and the Grand Army of the Republic.
HENRY F. REINHARDT.
Henry F. Reinhardt engages in general farming and stock-raising in Independence township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved and well cultivated land located on section 4. He is one of Hamilton county's enterprising native sons, his birth hav- ing occurred on the 24th of September, 1877. He is the third in or- der of birth of six children born to Fred and Theresa Reinhardt, who were born and reared in Germany. There they likewise passed the early period of their married life, emigrating to the United States in 1866. They first settled in Illinois, which remained their place of residence until 1874, when they came to Hamilton county. Here the father purchased a quarter section of partially improved land in Cass township, to the further improvement and cultivation of which he de- voted his energies during the remainder of his active life, adding to his holdings as his means permitted. Both parents are now deceased, the father having passed away in 1901 and the mother in 1894, and are buried in Graceland cemetery at Webster City. At the time of
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his death the father owned two hundred and seventy acres of land, aside from valuable town property in Webster City.
The boyhood and youth of Henry F. Reinhardt did not differ par- ticularly from those of other lads who were reared in the rural sec- tions of Iowa at that period. He was given the advantages of a common-school education, and while still in his early youth began assisting his father and brothers with the work about the home place. By the time he had attained maturity he was thoroughly familiar with the duties and work of an agriculturist and when he was twenty-two he left the parental roof and began farming for himself as a renter. In 1903 he returned to the old homestead-comprised of two hun- dred and seventy acres located on sections 35 and 36 of Cass and Independence townships-one-half of which belonged to him-and there continued his agricultural pursuits for seven years. At the ex- piration of that time he sold his interest in the property to his brother Frank, who still owns a portion of it, and purchased a quarter of sec- tion 4, Independence township. His entire tract is fenced hog tight and under cultivation, and his fields, which are tiled and in a high state of productiveness, annually produce abundant harvests, his prin- cipal crops being corn, oats and hay. He also owns one-half interest in eighty acres located in Boone township. In connection with gen- eral farming he raises shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Per- cheron horses, being the owner of a valuable Percheron stallion, and he also buys and feeds cattle for the market. During the period of his ownership of his present place, Mr. Reinhardt has made various improvements, including the erection of three cattle sheds and a corn crib; he also remodeled his barn, its present dimensions being forty- eight by fifty feet.
On the 5th of October, 1898, Mr. Reinhardt was married to Miss Anna Jones, whose birth occurred on December 31, 1881. She is the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven and is a daughter of Christ and Caroline Jones. The parents were born, reared and mar- ried in Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States with their family in 1885, locating in Webster City. There the mother passed away in 1895, but the father is still living and continues to make his home in Webster City. Mr. and Mrs. Reinhardt have two daughters, Caroline and Bertha, both of whom are attending school.
William Reinhardt, a brother of our subject, met death suddenly on Independence Day, of 1912, when he with his brother-in-law were on their way to Webster City. While crossing Bank street he was shot by a stray bullet in the side and expired within thirty minutes.
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He had made his home on an adjoining farm in Hamilton county and left behind him a daughter, Grace, who found a home in the house- hold of Mr. and Mrs. Reinhardt, where she receives loving and tender care.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church. His political allegiance Mr. Reinhardt gives to the democratic party and is now serving his third year as school director. His unabating en- ergy, perseverance and intelligently directed activities have been duly rewarded and he is meeting with the prosperity he highly merits by reason of persistent effort.
BARNEY N. THOMPSON.
Barney N. Thompson, who owns and operates one hundred acres of fertile land on section 7, Cass township, was born in Norway on the 22d of April, 1865, and is a son of Torkel and Bertha Thompson, who passed their entire lives in the old country.
In 1887, at the age of twenty-two years, Barney N. Thompson emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Webster City. His first employment was with a construction crew on the Crooked Creek Railroad, but later he worked as a farm hand. In 1889, he wended his way westward to Colorado, where he filed on a homestead, which he cultivated for two years. At the expiration of that time he sold his claim and returned to Hamilton county, and worked as a farm hand. Having ultimately accumulated enough money to engage in farming for himself, he rented in 1893 a tract of land which he culti- vated until 1904. In the latter year he bought forty acres in the southwestern part of the county, where he continued agricultural pur- suits until 1910, when he purchased his present farm in Cass town- ship. He has been residing on this place for two years and during that time has effected many improvements. His land is fenced with barbed wire and tiled, seventy-five acres of it being devoted to gen- eral farming. In connection with the cultivation of his fields, which annually yield abundant harvests, Mr. Thompson is engaged in stock- raising and is finding in both lines of business ample remuneration.
In 1906, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Rebecca Larson, a daughter of Lars and Bertha Larson, and a native of Norway, her natal day being the 24th of January, 1881. Her parents emigrated to the United States in 1889, locating in Hamilton county, where they
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still reside, the father owning and operating the farm adjoining that of our subject. Mrs. Thompson is the eldest of the seven children and the mother of four daughters, Ruth, Bertha, Bessie and Esther ..
The family attend the United Brethren church and the political support of Mr. Thompson is accorded the republican party. He is a man of sterling worth and integrity, whose success must be at- tributed to thrift and unceasing diligence as he came to this country empty-handed and has through his own unaided effort attained the position he now holds.
EMIL H. SCHWEPPE.
Emil H. Schweppe is actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Independence township, where he owns eighty acres of highly cultivated land located on section 16. He is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Dane county, October 10, 1852, and is a son of Herman and Mary (Stork) Schweppe. The parents were both natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States in early life, subsequently locating in Wisconsin. There the father died in 1866, but the mother was living in Hamilton county at the time of her death, which occurred in 1876.
Emil H. Schweppe, who is the fifth child in order of birth in a family of seven, was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools of his native state. In common with all farmer lads he was early trained to the work of the fields and care of the crops and has devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1893, with his wife and family, he removed to Hamilton county, which has since been his place of residence. For two years thereafter he farmed as a renter, but at the expiration of that time he went to digging wells, devoting his energies to that occupation until 1897, when he bought his present farm, the further cultivation and improvement of which have since engaged his entire time and atten- tion. During the period of his ownership Mr. Schweppe has wrought extensive improvements in his place, including the erection of a fine large barn, fifty by fifty-two feet, in 1902, and of an eight-room resi- dence in 1909. His entire tract is fenced hog tight, while his fields are tiled and have been brought to a high state of productiveness. In connection with his general farming Mr. Schweppe breeds and raises
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shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and is meeting with fair suc- cess in his undertakings.
In Wisconsin, in 1875, Mr. Schweppe was married to Miss Emma Kirchner, a daughter of Emil and Amelia Kirchner, natives of Ger- many, but long residents of Wisconsin, in which state they both passed away. Mrs. Schweppe, whose birth occurred in New York state, May 27, 1856, is the second in order of birth in a family of four children, and is the mother of seven children, all but two of whom died in infancy. Louis C., the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Schweppe, is now an engineer. He married Grace Schopp of Spokane, Washing- ton, and is there employed in the service of the city. The other son, Emil T., married Annie Dodge, of Kossuth county, this state, and they reside in Webster City, where he follows the carpenter's trade.
Mr. and Mrs. Schweppe were reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church, and his political support he gives to the republican party. He is a man of upright principles and earnest purpose, who has led an active life, utilizing to the best of his advantage every op- portunity that was presented to him.
JULIUS J. MILLER.
Diversified farming and stock-raising engage the energies of Ju- lius J. Miller, who owns and operates a one hundred and twenty acre tract of land located on sections 6 and 16, Ellsworth township. He is a native of Hamilton county, his birth having occurred on the farm where he now resides, on the 22d of September, 1882, and a member of an honored pioneer family of Ellsworth township. His father, An- drew Miller, was born in Denmark on the 24th of May, 1843, and there passed the early years of his life. In 1869, he emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Hamilton county, and as the railroad had not then been extended beyond Nevada he was compelled to walk from that point to his destination. As he possessed an abun- dance of energy and was a strong, vigorous young man he readily found employment as a farm hand and for some years thereafter worked for C. P. Christianson. He continued to follow that occu- pation in Story and Hamilton counties for about seven years. At the expiration of that time he went back to Denmark on a visit and soon after his return, in 1877, he purchased forty acres of land in Ellsworth township and began farming for himself. He applied
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himself to the development of his place with characteristic Danish energy, and met with well deserved success in his undertakings. As his circumstances permitted he extended the boundaries of his place until he acquired four hundred and eighty acres of choice land, on which he erected two sets of improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Miller had four children, our subject being the third in order of birth. The others are as follows: Mrs. Annie Knudson, who is a resident of Ellsworth township; Hans E., who was born on the IIth of January, 1880, and is residing on a portion of the old home farm in Ellsworth township; and Carl P., cashier of the Bank of Jewell. The father has now withdrawn from active life and he and the mother are residing in Randall, enjoying the comfort and ease made possible by reason of their long years of arduous toil and thrifty management.
Julius J. Miller has passed his entire life on the farm where he now resides, his early years being passed in very much the same man- ner as those of other lads who are reared in the country. He was given the advantages of a common-school education and while en- gaged in the mastery of the elementary branches of English learning began qualifying for his present vocation by assisting his father with the lighter duties about the farm. As his strength and sense of re- sponsibility developed with the passing years his duties were in- creased, and by the time he had attained his maturity he was a skilled agriculturist. In addition to the one hundred and twenty acres com- prised in his own holdings Mr. Miller leases an adjoining eighty acres which he also cultivates. His chief occupation is general farming but he engages in connection with this in the breeding and raising of high-grade stock, and is meeting with a good measure of success in both lines. He has also done some threshing and ditching, utiliz- ing his time and opportunities to the best possible advantage in his ef- forts to forward his interests.
Ellsworth township was the scene of Mr. Miller's marriage in January, 1906, to Miss Anna Melinda Larson, who was likewise born and reared here, her natal day being the 28th of July. 1880. She is a daughter of Oliver J. and Martha (Anderson) Larson, natives of Norway. The father's parents located in Kendall county, Illinois, during the pioneer days, coming from there to Scott township, Ham- ilton county, in 1859, being among the very first settlers in this sec- tion of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are still living and now reside on one of the valuable farms of Ellsworth township. To them have been born five sons and five daughters, in the following order: John.
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who is residing northeast of Jewell; Andrew, who is living in Ells- worth township; Mrs. Miller; Mrs. Martha Green, who is deceased; and Lewis, Henry, Elizabeth, Emil, Alydia and Olive, all of whom are at home. They were all born and reared on the home farm in Ellsworth township. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had five children : Myrtle Amy, whose birth occurred on the 28th of October, 1906; Harvey Merle, whose natal day was the 6th of March, 1908; Law- rence Castner, who was born November 30, 1909; and on the 5th of February, 1912, twin daughters, one of whom died soon after birth. The other has been named Martha.
Mr. Miller is not affiliated with any religious organization but Mrs. Miller was confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran church. His political support he accords to the republican party, but has never held any public office save that of school director. He is one of the successful agriculturists and respected citizens of Ellsworth town- ship, where he is widely acquainted and has many friends.
ALBERT W. SWANSON.
A man who is well known in business circles of Webster City, Iowa, by reason of his success as contractor and builder in that city is Albert W. Swanson. He has been active in this line for many years and has built up an increasingly successful business in cement work, specializing in the building of bridges. His enterprise is conducted along progressive and modern lines of expansion and he is well known in Webster City as an individual force in its municipal progress. He was born in Sweden in 1866 and is a son of Sven Johan and Ellen (Parson) Swanson. The father lived and died in his native country but the mother has been a resident of Webster City since she left Sweden in 1888.
Albert W. Swanson has not had the advantage of an extended education. He went to school for a short time in Sweden but upon coming to America was prevented by the need of earning a livelihood from pursuing his studies to any great degree. He left his native country when he was seventeen years of age, in 1883, and established his residence immediately in Webster City. With his brother he opened a stone quarry near this city and was active in its operation for several years. By a natural business evolution he soon became interested in the stone mason line and achieved success in this line
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in a short time. He gradually expanded his business and from a general activity in stone masonry has now become known as an ex- pert in the building of cement bridges. Most of the rivers in Hamil- ton and Hardin counties are spanned by bridges which are the result of Mr. Swanson's activity and many of the ornamental bridges in the parks and public properties of those districts also owe their beauty to his artistic skill. His field of activity extends beyond Webster City into the state of Iowa and his name is well known in the mid- dle west.
On March 3, 1892, Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss Mary H. Greenwood, a daughter of William and Anna (Alton) Greenwood, of Hamilton county. The father pursued the occupation of agriculture for many years in this section and died in 1910. He had long survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1900. To Mr. and Mrs. Swanson have been born four children: Reckard Edgar, whose birth occurred February 11, 1893; Edna Louise, born April 28, 1899; William Dean, born December 17, 1904; and Margaret Gwendolyn, born January 15, 1911. The family is well known and widely popu- lar in Webster City and their home is located at No. 119 Des Moines street.
Mr. Swanson is prominent in fraternal circles of the city, be- longing to Bankers Union, No. 109, of the Fraternal Bankers Re- lief Society, and is a member of Flaws Castle, No. 330, of the Royal Highlanders. He also holds membership in the Fraternal Union of America. He has always devoted his attention aside from his affiliations with these brotherhoods to the expansion of his business and this has reacted in no small measure upon the general prosperity of his community.
GEORGE NOURSE WELCH.
George Nourse Welch, who owns and operates a farm of two hundred and forty acres located on section 13, Cass township, is a native of York county, Maine, his birth occurring on the 5th of De- cember, 1854. His parents, Nehemiah and Margaret C. (Nourse) Welch, were likewise natives of New England and resided in Maine. until January, 1868, when they came to Iowa. Here the father bought a quarter section of land, all but twenty acres of which was raw prai- rie, and diligently applied himself to its cultivation and improvement
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until his death in 1876. He is buried in Graceland cemetery, Webster City. Mr. Welch was an alert and enterprising farmer. During the period of his residence on his farm he erected a comfortable house, barns and outbuildings and fenced his fields and put them under cul- tivation. In politics he was a democrat and served for several years as school director. The mother is still living at the venerable age of seventy-nine years and continues to reside on the old homestead.
The second in order of birth of the seven children born to his par- ents, George Nourse Welch was reared at home and received his edu- cation in the common schools of his native state and those of Iowa. In common with the majority of country youths he was early trained to the duties and responsibilities of the agriculturist, and has always followed this vocation. He remained at home until his marriage, and then removed to the place where he is now living. He has made all of the improvements on his farm, which is one of the attractive and valuable properties of the township. The greater part of his land is under cultivation and is devoted to diversified farming, his fields annually netting him large returns.
In 1891 Mr. Welch was married to Miss Iola May Welch, who was born in Maine on the 17th of April, 1871, and is the youngest of five children born to Barzillai and Dorcas Ann (Murray) Welch, who passed their entire lives in Maine. The family of Mr. and Mrs. George N. Welch numbers four: Florence, the wife of Fred Drae- ger, of Kamrar, this county, by whom she has had one daughter; and Pearl, Wallace and Helen Dorcas, all of whom are living at home.
The family affiliate with the Christian church and in his political views Mr. Welch is a democrat and has served for four years as as- sessor and at the present time is a member of the board of school di- rectors. He has led a life of diligence and enterprise and is num- bered among the representative farmers of his community.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON EVERMAN.
Alexander Hamilton Everman is one of the well known citizens of Williams, Hamilton county, Iowa. He owns and operates a highly developed farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres located on sec- tion 20, Williams township. He was born in Powell county, Ken- tucky, May 28, 1866, and is a son of Gibson and Mary (Bettershell) Everman, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, where they cele-
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brated their marriage and continued to live during the remaining years of their lives. The father died March 1, 1903, at the age of eighty years, and the mother July 15, 1905, at the age of sixty-eight. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Mrs. Sarah Post-Groves, who is a resident of Hancock county, Iowa; Mrs. Amanda Anderson, who makes her home in Kentucky; Mary Eliza- beth, who passed away in Kentucky; Alexander H., of this review; Martha, who is deceased; Georgiana, who died in infancy; Joel, de- . ceased ; and Holt, living in Kentucky. All the above named were born in Kentucky.
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