USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 28
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JOSEPH HAYES.
Through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests in former years Joseph Hayes won the competence that now enables him to live retired on his fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres on section 22, Richland town- ship. His birth occurred in England on the 20th of August, 1839, his parents being James and Catherine Hayes, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Following their marriage they took up their abode in England and in 1840 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, first locating in Jersey City, New Jersey, where they resided for several years. Subsequently they removed to Massachusetts and in 1854 came to Jackson county, Iowa, purchasing and locating upon a tract of land in Richland township, where they made their home until called to their final rest. James Hayes passed away in 1861 and the demise of his wife occurred in 1865. They had a family of nine children, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of our subject.
Joseph Hayes attended the common schools in his youthful days and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then worked at the carpenter's trade for three years, on the expiration of which period he purchased the old homestead farm and has since continued to reside thereon. As the years passed he brought the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement and carried on his farming interests energetically and successfully until the time of his retirement from active life. His place comprises one hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land on sec- tions 22 and 23, Richland township, and he has long been numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
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In February, 1862, Mr. Hayes was united in marriage to Miss Esther Brady, a native of St. Johns, Canada, and a daughter of Michael Brady, who was born in Ireland and emigrated to America in an early day. Both he and his wife have passed away. Mrs. Hayes was one of a family of ten children and by her marriage became the mother of nine, namely: Thomas H., who was born November 7, 1862, and is deceased ; George J., whose birth occurred January I, 1865, and who is now a resident of Dubuque, Iowa ; Ellen E., who is now deceased ; Lucy, whose natal day was May 2, 1869, and who is now the wife of Peter Coppis, of Lamotte, Iowa; John E., who makes his home in Dubuque ; Michael E., born July 15, 1871, who lives in Otter Creek township ; Francis E., whose birth occurred in 1875 and who has passed away; Wales' F., who was born June 14, 1878, and is at home; and Mary C., born in 1879, who gave her hand in marriage to William Manderschide, of Richland township. Mrs. Esther Hayes was called to her final rest on the 4th of November, 1884, and her remains were interred in the Otter Creek cemetery.
Mr. Hayes is in thorough sympathy with democratic principles and has always given stalwart allegiance to the party since the right of franchise was first conferred upon him. He capably served his fellow townsmen as trustee and also acted as president of the school board for several years. In religious faith he is a Catholic. He has lived in Jackson county for fifty-six years and is widely and favorably known within its borders, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
EBENEZER OSBURN.
Ebenezer Osburn, who passed away on the 2d of February, 1906, was accounted one of the well to do and prosperous farmers of Van Buren township. His worldly possessions had been accumulated by the labor of his hands and brain and indicate the industry which he had exercised during the pioneer days of Jackson county. Mr. Osburn was a native of Tioga county, New York, hav- ing been born January 4, 1832. His father, Samuel Osburn, also a native of the. Empire state, started for the west, bringing his family with him, in the summer of 1849, crossing the Mississippi river June 8th of that year. Ebenezer Osburn, the eldest of the family, was then a youth of seventeen years. In coming to the west, the Osburn family embarked on the Erie canal by which they traveled to Buffalo; thence they took a lake steamer to Chicago, which was then an unim- portant village. There the father hired a four-horse team to convey them to Savanna, Illinois, for which he paid the sum of forty-five dollars. He had visited this section three or four years before, traveling on foot, and had chosen Iowa as his future place of residence. From Savanna they crossed the Missis- sippi to Sabula and thence made their way to Van Buren township, this county, where the father entered eighty acres of land and subsequently purchased ninety- five acres from a settler, and the son Ebenezer, three years later, entered the same amount-eighty acres. This is still in the possession and occupied by the widow and son of Ebenezer Osburn.
MR. AND MRS. EBENEZER OSBURN
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The 12th of March, 1856, witnessed the marriage of Ebenezer Osburn to Miss Mary Osburn, who was likewise a native of Tioga county, New York, and came to Iowa with her parents in August, 1839, and settled in Van Buren town- ship, this county. Four children were born to this union but the only one now living is Albert, who resides on the old homestead with his widowed mother. Mrs. Osburn on coming to this county with her parents was a little child of six and one-half years and consequently has passed over seventy years of her life in Jackson county and is truly one of the early pioneers. Mrs. Osburn's natal day was the 8th of November, 1832. There were but three families in the entire township at the time of her arrival here and consequently she is a living wit- ness to the many changes that have taken place in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Osburn have also reared an adopted daughter, Ettie, who is now the wife of W. P. Potter, of Sparta, Illinois, by whom she has two children.
Mrs. Osburn and her son Albert own the old homestead farm of three hun- dred acres in Van Buren township which, being well improved and under a high state of cultivation, returns to them a gratifying annual income. Mrs. Osburn has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey and during the long period of her residence here she has enjoyed the respect and esteem of all with whom she has come in contact, while her good deeds have endeared her to many.
CARL HINKLEMAN.
Carl Hinkleman, who since 1906 has capably served as the secretary and general manager of the Farmers Union Cooperative Creamery Company, is the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres on section 30, South Fork township. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 9th of March, 1872, his parents being Christian and Fredericka (Johnson) Hinkleman. In 1880 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up their abode in Nash- ville, Jackson county, Iowa, where they spent their remaining days, the father passing away in 1905, while the mother was called to her final rest in 1898.
Carl Hinkleman was reared at home and pursued his studies in the com- mon schools. As the family was in straitened financial circumstances and he early found it necessary to earn his own livelihood, his educational advan- tages were somewhat limited; but since putting aside his text-books he has constantly augmented his knowledge through reading, experience and obser- vation and has become a well informed man, having mastered three languages -German, Danish and English. When but twelve years of age he began working as a farm hand for neighboring agriculturists, being thus employed until he had attained his majority. At that time he purchased his present farm of eighty acres on section 30, South Fork township, in the cultivation and improvement of which he has since been actively and successfully en- gaged. Dependent upon his own resources from the early age of twelve, he has worked earnestly and persistently year after year, has sought his success in honorable lines, and as the result of his diligence and integrity now occu- pies an enviable place among the substantial and respected citizens of the
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community. In 1906 he was made secretary and general manager of the Farmers Union Cooperative Creamery Company and in these official connec- tions has capably represented the concern to the present time, his keen dis- cernment and excellent business ability proving important factors in its suc- cessful control.
In 1896 Mr. Hinkleman was united in marriage to Miss Anna Carstensen, of Toronto, Clinton county, Iowa. They are now the parents of a daughter, Hulda.
Politically Mr. Hinkleman is a stanch advocate of republican principles and is now serving as a member of the school board. He has also been an efficient incumbent in the office of township assessor, capably discharging the duties devolving upon him in that connection for a period of six years. Both he and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Christian Science church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. The young couple have an extensive circle of friends throughout the communtiy and the hospi- tality of the best homes is cordially extended to them.
J. M. BRANDT.
The life record of J. M. Brandt is another exemplification of the truth that success awaits the man who has the ability to discern and utilize the opportu- nities that others pass by heedlessly. He is the sole owner of the Iowa Marine Engine & Launch Works, and in this connection is not only obtaining a conspicuous success for himself but is also advancing the business interests of Jackson county and of Bellevue, which is his home.
He was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, November 17, 1871, his parents being Clements and Mary Brandt. The former was born in Prussia, Germany, and came to America with his parents when he was a year old. He was mar- ried in Dubuque, Iowa, and died in this state in 1902, when sixty-two years of age. His wife, who was a native of Bavaria, Germany, died when her son J. M. Brandt was three years old and is survived by three children: Lona, who is the wife of Bruno Teal, of Montana; J. M., the subject of this review ; and Verona, the wife of G. C. Schneuer, of Kansas City, Missouri. There were twelve children, however, by the father's second marriage.
.J. M. Brandt lived in the county of his birth until he was ten years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Dubuque, Iowa, which remained his home until about eleven years ago. The public schools afforded him his educational opportunities, although he did not spend much time in the pursuit of lessons, for at the age of twelve he began to provide for his own support. In 1885 he started to work for C. Z. Pritchard and was employed in his buggy-top factory for four and a half years. Subsequently he obtained a position with A. Y. McDonald, a manufacturer of all kinds of brass goods and pumps, and later was associated with the Excelsior Brass Works for a year, after which he was employed by Schriber & Conchar, hardware manu- facturers, for twenty months and for the next year and a half was connected
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with the Smedley Steam Pump Company. As a result of the experience gained through those years, Mr. Brandt had become a first class mechanic, and he had the distinction of having built the first two cycle marine engines in Du- buque. As an employe, however, the field of his activity was too narrow to satisfy his ambitions or afford wide enough scope for the full exercise of his abilities, and so on the 22d of October, 1898, he came to Bellevue and formed a partnership with Horace N. Brandt, under the firm style of Brandt & Brandt, which association lasted for one year. Since 1899 he has been in business alone and the growth and success which have come to his undertaking are a tribute to his energy, perseverance and far-reaching enterprise. At first he did job work and built an engine occasionally, but now the Iowa Marine Engine & Launch Works, of which he is the sole owner, builds engines and launches exclusively, many of the pleasure boats plying on the Mississippi river coming from his plant. For the past two years he has been giving con- siderable attention to making speed boats, Red Top and Red Top No. 2, being notable examples of his product. The latter is the fastest launch on the river, having a record of thirty-six miles an hour for a single hour. It is owned by W. E. Hughey, is a boat forty feet by four feet, eight inches in size, and has eight engines of two hundred and thirty-one horsepower. All of its parts were manufactured in the Brandt shops. Last year, in addition to other work, Mr. Brandt built three racers. He owns the plant, which includes an adequate number of suitable buildings, as follows: a machine shop on the corner of Second and Chestnut street, twenty-two by seventy-one feet ; a building adjoin- ing on Chestnut street, fifty-one by sixty-six feet, which is used as a boat shop; and a blacksmith shop, twenty-two by twenty feet. Ten men are employed as boat builders and machinists. The business is conducted on sound princi- ples and has proved its right to be numbered among the profitable enterprises of Jackson county.
It was in 1904 that Mr. Brandt was united in marriage to Miss Lena Kamp, a native of Bellevue and a daughter of Antonio Kamp, of that city, and they have one son, Edward. Mr. Brandt belongs to the Bellevue Boat Club, thus keeping in touch with the social interests of the city as well as with its business opportunities. He has been notably successful, due largely no doubt to the fact that he has continued in the line of activity for which as a young man he showed especial skill, winning his advancement by reason of his good work, his perseverance and his honorable business methods.
PETER A. P. BECK.
Peter A. P. Beck, who through hard work has attained to a substantial posi- tion among the agriculturists of Maquoketa township, was born in Jackson county, May 25, 1881. His parents, Jacob P. and Marie (Casperson) Beck, were both natives of Schleswig-Holstein, where the former's birth occurred in 1852 and the latter's in 1861. In 1878 Jacob Beck emigrated to America and the same year « came to Iowa, settling in Clinton county, where he obtained work and later rented
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a farm. The following year he came to Jackson county, purchasing eighty acres of arable land in Maquoketa township. He is still residing upon that farm, al- though he has retired from active participation in the tilling of its soil.
Peter A. P. Beck attended the district schools of Maquoketa township, in which he qualified for the responsibilities of life. At the same time he obtained practical training for his vocation through the assistance he rendered his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He remained with the latter until 1901, when he bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres adjoining the home- stead. Since that time he has cultivated both his own and the paternal farm, a total of two hundred acres. In addition to the raising of general crops, Mr. Beck has engaged largely in stock raising, deriving from this industry large and profitable returns.
In early manhood Mr. Beck was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Carlot, a daughter of Joseph Carlot, of Clinton county, Iowa, and they have one son, Oscar, who was born January 24, 1908. Since he was old enough to exercise his right of franchise Mr. Beck has voted the republican ticket but, though ever an interested spectator of public affairs, he has never aspired to office. A young man of laudable ambitions and progressive ideas, every year he reaps abundant harvests and through the tests of time has proved he is well able to bear the responsibilities that have been placed upon his shoulders.
FREDERICK H. RODEWALD.
Frederick H. Rodewald, one of Preston's substantial merchants, is a na- tive of Hanover, Germany, his natal day being March 8, 1845. Both his father, Frederick E. Rodewald, born about 1818, and his mother, Sophie Heede, born in 1820, were Hanoverian by birth. When he was a lad about five years of age the family determined to seek their fortunes beyond the Atlantic and in 1850 settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained for four years. At this time they were advised to remove to Iowa and came to Sabula. A short time afterward the father took up one hundred acres of government land in Van Buren township, Jackson county, improved and cultivated it, and remained upon it until 1863, when he went on to Wisconsin, where he lived until his demise in 1890. His wife died in Jackson county in 1857.
Frederick H. Rodewald attended the public schools and employed much of his time in assisting his father in the manifold duties to be found upon a farm. In 1863, about the time of the family's removal to Wisconsin, he left the parental abode and for two years worked upon the farm of another. In 1865 he concluded to try town life and went to Sabula, where for some time he held a position as clerk in a general merchandise store. From Sabula he removed to Lyons, where he remained until 1879, in that year going to Pres- ton and taking up his residence in the town which was to prove his permanent home. There he embarked in the mercantile business, his brother being asso- ciated with him for one year and another business man for a space of time,
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but since 1884 Mr. Rodewald has conducted his store alone and has by the exercise of honesty and progressiveness built up a very considerable pat- ronage.
Mr. Rodewald was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Anderson, a daughter of Andrew C. Anderson, of Jackson county. Their union has been blessed by seven children: Bertie E., the wife of Lewis Krumweide, of South Dakota; Irwin J., who resides in Sioux City, Iowa; Arthur A., located at Lake Preston, South Dakota ; Frederick C., at Moselle, Missouri ; Henry A., at Harvey, North Dakota; Werner C., in business in Preston ; and Gordon C., in business with their father.
The republican party has a stanch adherent and supporter in Mr. Rode- wald who enjoys to a high degree the confidence of his fellow townsmen. This they have manifested in unmistakable terms by bestowing upon him several public trusts. For nine years he served as school director, for three terms was council member, and for the past four years has been city treasurer. He and his family are consistent members of the Lutheran church, to whose cam- paign for the uplifting of the community they give their earnest sympathy, and support.
B. F. GRISWOLD.
B. F. Griswold, who has devoted his time and energies to farming and stock raising throughout his entire business career, is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and forty acres on section 10, Richland town- ship. His birth occurred in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 25th of January, 1866, his parents being George and Mary Ann (Garrigus) Griswold, who were natives of New York and Connecticut respectively. Coming to this county in 1848, they entered a tract of land from the government and for several years lived in a log cabin in true pioneer style. They continued to reside here until called to their final rest, the father passing away' on the 25th of October, 1872, while the mother's demise occurred January 17, 1892. Both lie buried in the Lamotte cemetery. They were widely recognized as people of genuine per- sonal worth and will long be remembered among the pioneer settlers whose labors contributed to the early growth and development of this district. Their children were seven in number, namely: Nancy, who is the wife of Henry Frost and now makes her home in California; Mary, who wedded Charles Richardson and resides in Oklahoma; Sarah S., the wife of L. J. Mann, of Jackson county, Iowa; Chauncey and George, both of whom are deceased; Henry C., living in Jones county, Iowa ; and B. F., of this review.
The last named was reared under the parental roof and attended the com- mon schools in the acquirement of an education. On attaining his majority he purchased the old homestead farm and was actively engaged in its opera- tion until 1904, when he disposed of the property and bought his present place of one hundred and forty acres on section 10, Richland township. Here he built one of the finest residences in the township and in fact the property is
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lacking in none of the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. In addition to tilling the soil he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and both branches of his business return to him a gratifying annual income.
On the 6th of November, 1889, Mr. Griswold was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary C. Wiegert, who was born in Germany on the 29th of July, 1870, her parents being Frederick and Eliza (Schope) Wiegert, likewise natives of that country. The father died in Germany in 1885 and the following year the widowed mother crossed the Atlantic to the United States in company with her children, locating in Jackson county, Iowa. Her children were six in number and she is still living in this county with one of her sons. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Griswold have been born four children: Frances Wilhelmina, whose natal day was May 10, 1891, is a graduate of the Lamotte high school, attended the Iowa state normal school for two years and now follows the profession of teaching. Sylvia Viola, whose birth occurred May 7, 1893, is now a student in the Lamotte high school. The next in order of birth died in infancy. Mabel Ellen, the youngest child of our subject, first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 23d of October, 1904.
Politically Mr. Griswold is a stanch republican but the honors and emolu- ments of office have no attraction for him. Both he and his wife belong to the Lutheran church and their lives are in harmony with its teachings. Hav- ing resided in this county from his birth to the present time, Mr. Griswold has a wide and favorable acquaintance. He is energetic and enterprising in his work, and as a result of his labors he has met with a gratifying measure of prosperity, thus being classed with the substantial agriculturists of the community.
MARTIN SKOFF.
Germany has furnished to the state of Iowa many worthy, enterprising men, who have left the fatherland to find employment in this country, where more progressive methods and larger opportunities afford chances of more rapid advancement. Among this number is Martin Skoff, who possesses many of the strong, rugged and persevering characteristics developed by his earlier environment, and in the quarter of a century and more that he has been identified with the agricultural interests of Fairfield township he has acquired a competence and the good will of his associates, for he is recognized as a man of sterling integrity and honesty of purpose. He was born July 4, 1845, and his father, who likewise bore the name of Martin, was also a native of the fatherland. He never came to the United States, but lived and died in the land of his birth.
Martin Skoff, Jr., did not decide to emigrate to America on a mere youthful impulse, for he was a man grown and had had some experience with the world's work in the old country when in 1881 he started upon his ocean voy- age. After landing upon our shores he came also immediately to Jackson county, Iowa, where he bought five acres of land. Small as this place was it
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was his own, and with true German energy he made it a profitable investment, for in 1883, as the result of his labors and the careful economy he practiced, he was able to purchase the eighty acre farm on which he now lives. It is situated in Fairfield township, as neat and attractive a tract as may be seen in its vicinity. Its soil is rich and arable and from it, through careful, sys- tematic cultivation Mr. Martin derives excellent results. He has utilized modern, progressive and scientific methods in his work as the quality as well as the quantity of the crops he harvests testifies.
While still residing in Germany, Mr. Skoff was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Herbert, and they have become the parents of the following children: Anton, who is living in Joliet, Illinois; Barbara, who became the wife of M. Frankovitch, of Joliet; and Joseph, who wedded Mary Rose and is living on the home farm.
The parents are consistent members of the Catholic church, in which faith the children were reared, and both are highly respected as persons of genuine worth and Christian characters. Although he has reached the age when many men relinquish the heavier duties of their occupation, Mr. Skoff continues to participate actively in farm work. He has realized the hope that led him to leave his native land, for he has turned to profitable account all the opportu- nities that were before him and with the energy, perseverance and reliability which have characterized the German nation for so long, he has gained a success which places him among the substantial and respected men of his community.
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