USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 16
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. The last named acquired his education in the common schools and when six- teen years of age began working as a farm hand, being thus actively identified with agricultural interests for a number of years. In 1895 he bought one hun- dred and five acres of the farm where he now resides and as his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed labor and good management, he grad- ually extended the boundaries of the place by additional purchase until it now comprises two hundred and seventy-five acres on sections 34 and 35, Perry town- ship. The fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them and in addition to the work of tilling the soil he also raises a good grade of stock, meeting with a gratifying and creditable measure of success in both branches of his business.
In 1883 Mr. McCarron was united in marriage to Miss Emma B. Maskrey, who was born in Perry township, this county, on the 23d of September, 1857, her parents being Edward H. and Mandana (Robertson) Maskrey, the former a native of England and the latter of Pennsylvania. They came to Jackson county, Iowa, in the early '50s and here Edward H. Maskrey made his home until called to his final rest on the 18th of October, 1889. He was a miller by trade and erected two mills in this county. His widow, who still survives, is living at Maquoketa, Iowa, and has attained the age of seventy-six years. Of the eight children born unto them, five are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. McCarron have two sons, Glenn W. and Edward M., both at home.
Mr. McCarron gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has capably served as a school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
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lows at Maquoketa, Iowa. He is widely recognized as one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of the community, and both he and his wife have gained an extensive circle of friends during their lifelong residence here.
E. D. HANSEN.
E. D. Hansen, who as a produce merchant has gained a representative place in business circles in Maquoketa, is numbered among the self-made men of Jackson county in that his unaided labors have constituted the source of the success which he now enjoys. He was born in Denmark, April 26, 1854, a son of Hans H. and Marie D. (Jensen) Hansen. The mother died in Denmark and in 1873 the father came to the United States with his son E. D. Hansen, then a young man of about nineteen years. The father continued his journey into the inte- rior of the country until he reached Utah, where he died several years later.
Mr. Hansen was reared at home, acquiring his education in the public schools, and following his arrival in the new world he went to Malta, Dekalb county, Illinois, where he secured a position as section hand on the Northwestern Railway. Later he went to Morrison, Illinois, where he worked for a short time on the railroad and then secured a position with T. R. King, a produce dealer of that place, under whose direction he became acquainted with the business with which he has since been connected. After seven months spent in the service of Mr. King he was sent to Maquoketa to look after a branch house at this point, and for twenty years was Mr. King's local manager in Jackson county, during which time he conducted a business that was prof- itable to his employer and brought to him a good financial return in the shape of a very desirable salary. Desirous, however, that his labors should more directly benefit himself, Mr. Hansen purchased the business in 1895 and has made it one of the leading industries of Maquoketa, his sales amount- ing to about three hundred thousand dollars annually. This indicates careful managament, close application and keen sagacity on the part of the owner, who has justly won a place in the ranks of the leading business men of the town.
Mr. Hansen was married in 1880 to Miss Luella D. Griffin, of Maquoketa, and unto them have been born two children : Buelah M., the wife of Theodore Lyman,. of Mitchell, South Dakota ; and Mary E., who is attending the high school. Mr. Hensen votes with the democratic party and in avenues that have nothing to do with politics he takes an active part in promoting the city's interests and upbuild- ing. He belongs to the Maquoketa Commercial Club, is a member of the library board and also a member of the school board. He is ever prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Helion Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; Bath Kol Temple, No. 94, R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest ; Tancred Commandery, No. 40, K. T., in which he has been honored with the office of eminent commander ; and Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Davenport. He is likewise a representative of Jackson Lodge, No. 33, I. O. O. F., and in the order is a past grand and past chief patriot. He is likewise affiliated with the Wood Camp, No. 161, M. W. A. His wife holds membership in the Congregational
E. D. HANSEN
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church and they are both highly esteemed people, their social qualities making them popular with those whose esteem is worthy to be won. Mr. Hansen is an excellent representative of the class of citizens that Denmark has furnished to this country-young men of ambitious nature who in a land where labor is unhampered by caste or class have won notable, creditable and honorable success.
WARREN S. CLARK.
Warren S. Clark, whose name is on the list of Maquoketa's honored dead. was born in Lawrenceville, New York, November 15, 1827. In the place of his nativity he was reared, and on the 3Ist of January, 1851, was married to Miss Harriet A. Hall, a native of Jay, Orleans county, Vermont, and a daughter of Joseph F. and Miranda (Stoughton) Hall, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state, whence they removed to St. Lawrence county, New York, about 1833, settling on a farm there.
When a young man Warren S. Clark learned the blacksmith's trade and in 1854 came with his wife to Jackson county, Iowa, after spending about three weeks in Janesville, Wisconsin, on their way across the country. Following their arrival here they took up their abode on a farm in Maquoketa township. Mr. Clark purchasing two hundred acres of land, on which he built a shop, carrying on work at his trade in addition to cultivating the fields. He resided on this farm for about eleven years and in 1865 removed to Maquoketa, opening a blacksmith shop on the corner where the Young Men's Christian Association building now stands. He continued there for twenty-four years, having a very extensive patronage. Later he removed to a shop across the street in the yard of his residence, where he conducted business up to the time of his death, on the 30th of September, 1895. He was an expert at laying plows and made a specialty of that class of work. In connection with blacksmithing he carried on a wagon shop and employed several workmen, his business becoming of considerable ex- tent and importance. He was a man of great push and energy and his deter- mination enabled him to win success where other men of less resolute spirit would have failed. As he prospered in his undertakings he made judicious in- vestments and at the time of his death owned four hundred acres of land in Kansas and two hundred and eight acres in Nebraska, together with considerable town property, his real estate holdings returning to him a substantial income.
Mr. Clark not only figured as one of the representative business men of Maquoketa but was also an active factor in the public life of the community and was actuated at all times by an earnest desire to aid and improve the city in which he lived. For nine years he was a member of the city council and proved himself an influential and helpful factor in municipal government. He voted with the republican party and was also a worker in the cause of temperance. He possessed many sterling qualities and his entire life was in harmony with his professions as a member of the Baptist church, to which his widow also belongs.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark was born a daughter, Amelia M., now the wife of Dr. A. B. Bowen, of Maquoketa. Mrs. Clark is an accomplished old lady of
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sweet, lovable manner, and has a circle of friends in Maquoketa coextensive with the circle of her acquaintance. In her sixteenth year she began teaching in the district schools and taught up to and for a short time following her marriage. Later she was not content to sit idly by when her husband was striving to get a start, and she took up the study of music, for which she had natural talent. It was but a short time before she became very proficient in this art and for twenty-four years she was the best known teacher of instrumental music in Jack- son county. She not only taught the children of one generation but also their children of the second generation. Her daughter, Mrs. Bowen, is also an accomplished musician and for years assisted her mother in teaching.
JOHN FRAHM.
John Frahm, one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of Van Buren township, owns and cultivates two hundred and forty acres of excellent land. In his business methods he is practical, and the enterprising spirit he displays enables him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles that usually bar the path to success. One of Jackson county's native sons, his birth here occurred March 5, 1862, his parents being Thomas and Anna Frahm, both natives of Germany. In 1857 they decided to emigrate to America, and having selected Iowa as their future home, they came direct to this state, locating first in Clinton county and later removing to Jackson county, where Mr. Frahm secured a farm. The land was raw prairie at the time, not having known the touch of the plow, and for his dwelling he built a little house of logs, which was roofed with clap- boards, doing the greater part of the construction himself. He derived a fair profit from his farming and remained a resident of this county until his death in 1904. His wife had preceded him to the grave by several years, her demise having occurred in 1896. Unto them had been born three children: John, who is the subject of this sketch; Anna, who is the wife of Theodore Erichson, and lives in Iowa township, this county; and Ernest H., who is also a resident of that township.
Little of interest varied the routine of work upon the farm during the boy- hood and youth of John Frahm. His days were spent in helping in the fields through the summer months and through the winter in acquiring the rudimentary branches of education as a pupil in the district school. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age when he engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his own account, purchasing the land on which he is now living. In the course of years, however, as his diligent labor was well rewarded, he added to the original area of the place until now he owns a fine tract of two hundred and forty acres. There are excellent buildings upon the property, affording adequate shelter and protection for grain and stock, and the whole appearance of the place is one of neatness and attractiveness, indicative of the enterprise and good man- agement of Mr. Frahm. In addition to growing the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has engaged extensively in raising and feeding stock, making a specialty of this phase of his business. He has prospered) greatly in all his
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undertakings, his success being due entirely to his own exertions, and now receives a generous income that places him among the successful and represent- ative farmers of Van Buren township.
It was in 1886 that Mr. Frahm was married to Miss Amelia Struve, a native of Jackson county, and a daughter of Henry and Catherine Struve, who came to America from Germany about the middle of the past century. Both died in this county, the father passing away April 24, 1900, and the mother December 10, 1898. Mrs. Frahm was one of seven children born to her parents, and through her marriage has become the mother of six, namely: Verdis, Lula, Minnie, Alva, Harvey and Marvin. Politically Mr. Frahm is in sympathy with the republicans. His has been the life of the industrious, thrifty and progressive agriculturist, and the success which he has achieved has been gained along the legitimate lines of business and not at the expense of another's misfortune, and hence contains no element of bitterness while it commands the admiration of his fellow citizens.
MICHAEL REGENWETHER.
Michael Regenwether is numbered among Jackson county's officials, filling the position of deputy sheriff. He is prompt and fearless in the discharge of his duties and has the regard not only of others who are holding office in the county but also of the community at large. He was born in Jackson town- ship, this county, January I, 1882, a son of John and Catherine (Entringer) Regenwether, the former a native of Luxemburg, and the latter of Jackson county, Iowa. Her parents, however, came from Luxemburg and settled in this county at an early day. John Regenwether was only eighteen months old when brought by his parents to the new world and they, too, established a home in Jackson township, where they arrived about 1856. John Regen- wether spent his youthful days on the old home farm in Jackson township and following his marriage took up his abode on that place, which later passed into his possession. He had there a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, which he continued to cultivate and improve until about 1892, when he sold the farm and removed to Maquoketa. He then purchased the old Chicago House on Platte street and conducted this well known hostelry up to the time of his death, which occurred in September, 1898, when he was in the forty-fifth year of his age. Two years afterward his widow sold the prop- erty to the present owner, Nicholas Sprank, and purchased a residence in Maquoketa, where she continued to make her home for three or four years. She then bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Fairfield township, to which she removed with her family, save Michael Regenwether, who was the oldest of her nine children and remained in Maquoketa. Since taking up her abode upon that farm Mrs. Regenwether has proved an excellent manager, has been quite successful in the care of her property and has added materially to the estate left by her husband.
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On his mother's disposal of the Chicago House Michael Regenwether remained with the new proprietor, Nicholas Sprank, in the capacity of assist- ant and for eight years had the management of the bar. In June, 1906, he married Catherine Sprank, a daughter of the hotel proprietor and unto them have been born two children, Sylvester Nicholas and Michael Clarence.
On the 30th of December, 1908, Mr. Regenwether terminated his connec- tion with the hotel and on the Ist of January, 1909, began his duties as deputy in the sheriff's office under the present official. He is a genial and pleasant man to meet and has a host of friends in Jackson county. He resides on a small farm a mile and a quarter south of Maquoketa, on which he has been quite extensively engaged in raising chickens. He is a member of the Cath- olic church and socially is connected with the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
LEONARD W. DECKER.
Leonard W. Decker, deceased, was for many years the genial proprietor of the Decker House, and it was through his efforts that this hostelry was developed and made a popular place of public entertainment. He possessed good business qualifications, combined with the kindly and courteous spirit so necessary to the successful hotel proprietor. A native of Troy, New York, he was born April 3, 1839, of the marriage of James and Azubah A. (Betts) Decker, who were also natives of the Empire state. The father was a prom- inent wholesale jeweler of Troy, New York, and it was there that the founda- tion of his fortune was laid. After the birth of his son Leonard he removed with his family to Watertown, New York, and while the family were residing there he came to Jackson county sometime in the early '50s. Investing largely in Maquoketa property and in farm lands near by, he thus became closely identified with the business interests of the community. He died in 1881 and his extensive property holdings passed into the control of his son, Leonard.
The latter was given all the advantages to be derived from liberal educa- tion afforded him by kind and indulgent parents. He early attended the public schools of Troy and subsequently became a pupil in the Denmark academy and later a student in the Genesee Model school at Lima, New York. After finishing his education he was successfully engaged for a time in merchan- dising and later, having fully demonstrated his business ability, he was called home to assist his father in the management of his property, being given the power of attorney to transact business for him in his native state and in Iowa. In 1885 Mr. Decker came to Maquoketa to reside and from that time until his death made his home in the Decker House, giving to that popular hostelry his personal business management. In all matters of business his judgment was sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfaltering, and he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.
In October, 1862, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Decker and Miss Mary H. Reynolds, a native of New York city but at the time of their mar-
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riage a resident of Mamaroneck, Westchester county, New York, where her father, James Reynolds, a wealthy manufacturer of New York city, had a country home. James Reynolds was a man of wonderful executive ability and it is said that it was his brain in which originated the idea of the Atlantic cable, which was later laid by Cyrus W. Field. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Decker were born three children: Leonora, the wife of Thomas Boyd, of Maquoketa, by whom she has one son, T. Decker Boyd; Ada, who wedded J. A. Wherry, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume; and James, who passed away in infancy.
Mr. Decker seemed to have inherited from his father in large measure the wisdom, talent and executive ability that enabled him to build up a large fortune and he handled his father's extensive estate and the property that he had himself accumulated with the utmost skill and business discretion. More- over he was a public-spirited citizen and sought to promote the welfare and interest of Maquoketa in every way. He died April 21, 1900, and his remains were interred in the family lot in the cemetery at Watertown, New York. Some time after his death Mrs. Decker became the wife of James F. Thom, and they now reside in Brooklyn, New York.
ED FARLEY.
One of the successful farmers of Van Buren township who has also played a conspicuous part in local affairs is Ed Farley, who owns a large tract of land, part of which was inherited from his grandfather, Andrew Farley, who came to this state in the early days. His son, Christopher Farley, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1822, and was about fifteen years of age when, in 1837, he accompanied Andrew Farley to Jackson county. The older man pro- cured forty acres just east of where the village of Preston is now situated, which is still in the family. He was killed in the Bellevue war and the support of the family was thrown principally upon Christopher Farley, who was the eldest of nine children. When the rumor of the discovery of gold reached this section of the country the latter went to California, remaining there two years, engaged in mining. Upon his return from the west he again took up farming and in 1853 entered two hundred and forty acres, part of which is now included within the bounds of Preston. This he operated himself until 1894, when he retired from active life, and spent the remaining decade of his span of years in Preston. His death occurred in October, 1904.
Ed Farley was born in the log house his father had built upon his prop- erty, which if now standing would be located at the corner of Mitchell and De Groat streets. His natal day was March 31, 1859. His boyhood was spent with his father on the farm, while he attended the school in that vicinity. Upon completing its prescribed course he went to Mount Vernon, Linn county, Iowa, where he spent the year 1877-8 in further prosecution of his studies. In 1885 he engaged in the hardware business in Preston, continuing in that line for the next two years, when he disposed of his store and bought a livery
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business, conducting that until 1897. In 1899 he took possession of the farm, which he has operated since. In addition to the raising of cereals he makes a specialty of registered Hereford cattle, also raising thoroughbred Poland China hogs.
Although he has been conspicuously successful in his farming interests Mr. Farley has at the same time been prominent in local affairs and in pro- moting such institutions as are calculated to advance the welfare of the com- munity in which he lives. He was one of the organizers of the Preston Sav- ings Bank and was the first president. He is treasurer of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Jackson and Clinton counties, covering over five mil- lion dollars' worth of property, and a dircctor in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery of Preston. From 1885 to 1887 he was township assessor for the first time and has since frequently filled the office, being the present incum- bent. He has also been tax collector for a number of years, was president of the school board for six years and is now a member of that body.
In 1888 Mr. Farley married Miss Lillie Mae Smith, a daughter of D. D. Smith, now deceased, but formerly a farmer of Jackson county. Five chil- dren have been granted to the couple : Melvin, who was born in 1890; Wayne, in 1894; Zelma, in 1900; and Asher and Archie, twins, who were born in 1903. Mr. Farley is a prominent Mason. He belongs to the lodge of Preston and to the consistory of Clinton. He is also fraternally connected with the Mod- ern Woodmen, being a charter member of Preston camp. The democratic party has always found in him a stalwart champion of its interests, but, although he has many times been the people's choice for office, his influence has never been exerted for selfish ends but rather for the good of those who place confidence in him. He has attained a substantial financial position in his community but not without that hard work which is the only thing that makes success of value.
GEORGE O. JOHNSON, M. D.
No history of Maquoketa would be complete without extended reference to Dr. George O. Johnson, who for twenty years was a successful practicing physi- cian of the city and a man whose life of public service was also one of intense usefulness and benefit to the community in which he lived. In the town of La- grange, Lorain county, Ohio, occurred the birth of Dr. Johnson on the 15th of May, 1844. In the spring of 1852 his parents removed with their family to Jones county, Iowa, and the public schools of this state afforded to him his early edu- cational privileges. He afterward continued his studies in Galesburg, Illinois, and subsequently in the University of Michigan, where he entered the medical de- partment, but received his degree from the University of Maryland. He served as county superintendent of Jones county in the early '70s. Well equipped for his chosen profession, he practiced medicine in Wyoming and later in Clinton, Connecticut, where he met with substantial success, but the climate of that dis- trict did not agree with him and in 1879 he returned to Iowa. Settling in Maquo-
ELZA C. JOHNSON
GEORGE JOHNSON
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keta, he practiced medicine in this city for twenty years and was the loved family physician in many households, for his skill and ability were widely recognized and brought to him a liberal patronage. He was very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and accurate in the application of remedial agencies, his labors being attended with results that were most gratifying to the patient and to the physician.
Not only in his professional capacity did Dr. Johnson prove himself a worthy citizen of the community, for in many other ways he labored zealously and effec- tively for the general good. He did excellent service for the public schools as a member of the board of education for a number of years and during Cleveland's administration served as president of the board of pension examiners. The last few years of his life were spent in Oklahoma, where he ranked high in his profes- sion, in Masonry and in politics. He had comprehensive knowledge of the vital political questions of the day and was serving for the second term in the state senate at the time of his death, which was an accidental one, resulting from as- phyxiation from escaping gas from the heating stove in his apartment in the cap- ital city, on the 10th of February, 1909. Thus passed away one who it seemed could scarcely be spared. He was a very capable man, who had wisely, zealously and conscientiously used the talents that had been given him, becoming not only a skilled physician whose service in a professional capacity was of marked value but also a citizen whose worth was widely acknowledged. He left the impress of his individuality upon the public life of the newly created state of Oklahoma as well as upon Jackson county and was active in formulating the policy of the new state, which has taken an advanced position upon many questions of great import, actuated thereto by the earnest efforts and public-spirited citizenship of those who occupy her public offices. Dr. Johnson was among this number and in the senate, where he was serving for the second term, enjoyed the highest regard and esteem of his colleagues and contemporaries.
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