USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 39
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Hans Mohr early became familiar with the duties of the home farm and with the trials and hardships incident to the establishment of a home in an un- settled district. He was busily engaged on the farm during the spring and summer months, while during the winter season he pursued his studies in the district schools, but the methods of instruction at that time were quite primitive and vastly different from the opportunities enjoyed by the youth of the present time. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age and then established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Caroline Plow, who was born in Cook county, Illinois, April 17, 1852, a daughter of Ernest and Henrietta (Gerke) Plow, likewise natives of Germany. Emigrating to America in 1847, they established their home in Cook county, Illinois, where they spent seven years, but in 1855 they removed to Jackson county, Iowa, where they lived until their demise. They reared a family numbering six chil- dren.
Subsequent to his marriage, Mr. Mohr purchased from his father his present home place consisting of one hundred and twenty acres in Van Buren town- ship. He has placed the land in a cultivable state, while all the buildings which are here seen have been erected by him. He has always followed practical methods in his farm work and his property is valuable owing to the improve- ments he has made on the place. He is engaged in general farming and an-
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nually gathers good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mohr have been born sixteen children, eight sons and eight daughters, as follows: Alla, the wife of Jacob Wilkin, a resident of Sac county, Iowa; Emma, the wife of Peter Barnes, of South Dakota; Christina, the wife of Edward Brinning, of Jackson county; Dora, the wife of L. Bratt- hauer, a resident of Clinton county, Iowa; Mary and Caroline, twins, the former the wife of William Oecke, of Nebraska, and the latter the wife of Carl Schmidt, of Sac county, this state; Frederick, Henry and August, all residing in Clinton county, Iowa ; Honus, who makes his home in Monona county, Iowa; Henrietta, the wife of John Burmahl, of Jackson county ; Edward, a resident of Nebraska ; and Ernest, Minnie, William and Albert, all of whom are under the parental roof. The parents are members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Mohr gives his political support to the democratic party and for fifteen years served as township trustee, while during the greater part of his life he has served on the school board and is ever deeply interested in the cause of education and in the adoption of improved methods of instruction that his own and the other children of the neighborhood might benefit thereby. In all rela- tions he is found honorable and upright, and, possessing the sturdy characteris- tics of the German race, he has improved his opportunities and worked his way upward to success.
JOHN N. MANDERSCHEID.
John N. Manderscheid is one of the well and favorably known citizens of Bellevue, having been closely identified with its business life for about a decade and as a councilman having played an important part in local affairs. A native of this county, he was born in Cottonville, Richland township, October 29, 1869, a son of John and Susannah (Godert) Manderscheid, of German parent- age and ancestry. The paternal grandfather, Henry Manderscheid, was the son of Henry Manderscheid, Sr., who was a farmer residing near Neudorf, in the province of Luxemburg. The former was born in that German village, where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of a stone-mason and con- tractor. In 1856 he came to Iowa with his family, locating in Tete des Morts township, Jackson county, where he bought one hundred acres. The remainder of his life was devoted to farming, save the last year, which he spent in Le- Mars. There his death occurred in 1877, when he was eighty-two years of age. In politics he was a democrat, while his religious allegiance was given to the Catholic church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Margaret Ausch, was a native of Luxemburg and died in Germany in 1840. She was the mother of four children: Peter and Henry, who died in the old country ; Jacob, who served in the Civil war and died as the result of exposure; and John, the father of our subject, who has also passed away.
The last named was born in Neudorf, Luxemburg, May 12, 1833, and re- ceived a good education in the public schools of his native village, becoming
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proficient in the German and French languages. He also learned the mason's trade there, which he followed until 1855, when he emigrated to America. Locating upon a farm in Tete des Morts township, Jackson county, Iowa, he was engaged in tilling the soil for a year, after which he was employed in con- tracting and building for five years. In 1863 he bought one hundred acres in Richland township, this county, and in the subsequent years met with such success in his agricultural undertakings that he was able to add one hundred and twenty acres to his land holdings. His was one of the highly improved farms of his locality and the quality of the stock he raised brought him a wide reputation. He was also a conspicuous figure in the public life of the town- ship, having held many of the offices of importance, and was a factor in the ranks of the democratic party, on whose ticket he was elected to various county positions. He was sent to the twentieth general assembly of Iowa, serving ac- ceptably from 1884 to 1887, during which time he was active in securing the enactment of several important legislative measures. He was a man of many noble qualities and of incorruptible honor, and the record of his life was one which would bear the closest scrutiny. Nor was his ability as a statesman ever questioned. He was a devout member of the Catholic church and in that faith passed away May 21, 1908.
John Manderscheid was twice married. In Galena, Illinois, in 1859, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Altman, a native of Luxemburg, who died in 1861, leaving a daughter Annie M., who is the wife of A. Dedler, of LeMars. On the 29th of December, 1862, in Bellevue, he was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Godert, who was born in Gurnich, Germany, February 18, 1843. In 1861 her father, Nicholas Godert, with his family, sailed for America and on landing came to Jackson county, Iowa, locating in Prairie Spring township, where he purchased one hundred and thirty acres. He remained a resident of this county until his death, which occurred December 24, 1883, when he was seventy-seven years of age. His widow, who was Mary Siren in her maiden- hood, still survives and lives in Nebraska. There were twelve children of this second union, namely : Annie, who is the wife of Anton Didier, of LeMars ; Mary, who is living with her mother; John N., the subject of this sketch; Susie, the wife of Conrad Ernst of Lamotte; Josephine, the wife of Anton Braig, of Paullina, Iowa; Annie, the wife of Dr. J. C. Miller, of Lamotte, Iowa; Wil- liam, who is on the old homestead in Richland township; Peter, who is also re- siding in Richland township, near his brother; Henry, of Fairfield township; Frank, who makes his home with his mother; Maggie, the wife of Nicholas Conrady, of Prairie Spring township, this county; and B. J., who lives in Washington township. The mother is now residing in Lamotte.
John N. Manderscheid, whose name introduces this review, passed the years of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm and is indebted to the common- school system for the early educational advantages he enjoyed. Little of im- portance occurred to vary the routine of the daily life on the farm, where he assisted his father in the work, and he remained at home until he was about twenty-two years of age. In 1891 he came to Bellevue, which has since been his home. He had previously taken a course in a commercial college of Free- port, and upon completing it secured a position as traveling salesman. He was
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thus employed for about four years and then engaged in the implement busi- ness. He opened a store in Bellevue, and by reason of his unfailing courtesy, his energy and progressive spirit, together with the reputation he early made for honorable dealing he soon enjoyed a wide patronage that made his under- taking a profitable one. However, in the fall of 1908 he sold his business and at present has no active connection with the mercantile world.
It was in 1891 that Mr. Manderscheid married Miss Mary Wagoner, who was born in this county in October, 1869, and is a daughter of J. H. and Anna (Dosberg) Wagoner. They were natives of Germany and came to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1855. The father secured some land in this county and was actively engaged in farming until he retired and took up his residence in Belle- vue, where his death occurred in January, 1907, when he had reached the age of sixty-six years. His widow is still living in Bellevue. Mr. and Mrs. Man- derscheid have a son, John Arthur, who was born October 25, 1891, and is yet at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Manderscheid has voted the ticket of the democratic party, and four years ago received a pal- pable evidence of the regard in which he is generally held in Bellevue by his election to the city council. He has served faithfully, administering his duties with care and scrupulousness, his public record confirming the reputation he had made in his private business, and he commands the respect that is univer- sally paid to success when won in the legitimate avenues of trade.
F. A. BRANDFAS.
F. A. Brandfas, the owner of two hundred and ninety-two acres of rich and productive land in Van Buren and Washington townships, was born on the farm where he now resides, his natal day being July 5, 1863. His parents, Fred C. and Plynia Brandfas, both of whom were natives of Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States at an early day. The former, who was about seventeen years of age at the time of his emigration to the new world, took up his abode near Chicago, Illinois, where he resided for five years. On the expiration of that period he came to Jackson county, Iowa, purchasing and locating on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Van Buren township. Soon afterward he took unto himself a wife. As time passed and his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchase and devoted his attention to its cultivation until he passed away. His widow still survives and resides on the old home farm. Unto this worthy couple were born five children, namely: John D .; Henrietta, the wife of C. Eggers; Emma, who gave her hand in marriage to Frank Wickersham; Alvina, the wife of William Daniels; and F. A., of this review.
The last named attended the common schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and when not busy with his text books he assisted his father in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming acquainted with the best methods of culti- vating and caring for the crops. After attaining his majority he worked as a farm
F. C. BRANDFAS
F. A. BRANDFAS
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
hand for one year and then rented land for a similar period, at the end of which time he was married. During the following three years he continued his identi- fication with agricultural pursuits as a renter, but in 1893 he bought the home farm, which at that time comprised one hundred and sixty-five acres, and has since extended its boundaries by additional purchase until it now embraces two hun- dred and ninety-two acres of valuable land in Van Buren and Washington town- ships. The fields return golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon them and he also makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs, both branches of his business bringing to him a gratifying annual income.
Mr. Brandfas has been married twice. In 1889 he wedded Miss Louise M. Bramlow, a native of Germany, whose demise occurred in 1904. Three years afterward he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Ella Meyer, the widow of F. Meyer. They have become the parents of a son, Emmett Fred.
Mr. Brandfas is a stanch republican in his political views but has no desire for office as a reward for his party fealty, preferring to give his undivided at- tention to his business affairs, in which he has won a well merited and com- mendable degree of prosperity. Throughout the community in which his en- tire life has been. spent he has a wide circle of friends, who hold him in high regard.
G. E. KEGLEY.
Early in life G. E. Kegley became convinced that there was no royal road to wealth and therefore, summoning all his native talents, he set to work to win success through diligent application, untiring industry and a ready use of oppor- tunities. He is now conducting a profitable mercantile business in Monmouth and is one of the oldest men thus engaged in the village.
A native of Monmouth township, Jackson county, Iowa, he was born Sep- tember 9, 1857, a son of James W. and Aletha Anne (Wyrick) Kegley. The father was born in Wythe county, Virginia, and came to Iowa first on horse- back in 1854. Two years later he brought his family to Jackson county, where they lived until 1858, when they removed to Jones county, as Mr. Kegley had preempted land in that section of the state. He was actively engaged in farm- ing for a number of years and passed away February 21, 1904. His widow, who still survives, was also a native of Wythe county, Virginia, and there they were married. She became the mother of the following children: America O., deceased; G. E., the subject of this sketch; Joseph M., deceased; Cephas B., a merchant of Monmouth; Catherine, who is living with her mother; Eva M., the wife of E. O. Cass, a farmer of Monmouth township; E. C., who resides in Monmouth; and four who died in infancy and one in childhood.
G. E. Kegley was reared to agricultural pursuits and in the country schools obtained his acquaintance with the leading branches of English education. He remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age, when, with the desire of starting in business for himself, he came to Monmouth. For a time he clerked for Henry Green and in 1885 formed a partnership with George Sokol, buying Mr. Green's business, which they conducted until 1903, when Mr. Keg-
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ley purchased his partner's interest and has since been alone. He enjoys the distinction of being the oldest merchant in Monmouth and also of having the most extensive line of goods. His store is attractive in its arrangement, and while he has not shunned the popular mediums for bringing his wares before the public, he rightly believes that a satisfied customer is the best advertise- ment, hence his diligence in attending to the wants of all his patrons and his consequent success. While his first concern has always been this business which has been so successful, Mr. Kegley has not been blind to other opportunities for advancement, as is manifest in the fact that he owns his store and other business and residence property in the village, and that he is a director in the Monmouth Savings Bank and a stockholder in the township telephone com- pany.
Mr. Kegley has been twice married. In 1886 he wedded Miss Margaret Felton and they had two children: Edna, who is teaching school; and Howard, who is a student at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa. Mrs. Kegley died in January, 1890, and in February, 1894, Mr. Kegley married Miss Clara Green. Unto them were born nine children but four died in infancy. The others are : Raymond, Junius, Ruth, Alice and Grace, all at home.
Mr. Kegley gives his political support to the republican party at the polls but otherwise he is not active in its ranks. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Bankers Reserve, of Mon- mouth. His religion is manifest in his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and in accordance with whose teachings he has endeavored to order his life. Indeed, in all of his dealings he has held to a high standard of business ethics and his honorable record is a commendable one.
HERMAN THIEDE.
The contribution Herman Thiede has made to the world's work has been along agricultural pursuits, and in cultivating the fine farm he owns on section 27, Fairfield township, he has gained a success that places him among the men of affluence in this section of the state. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, Octo- ber 3, 1866, and is a son of Christ and Fredrica Thiede. The parents were natives of Germany and came to this country in the early '6os, locating in Cook county, Illinois, where Mr. Thiede died eight years after his arrival. Thereafter his widow brought her family to Jackson county, Iowa, where she spent the rest of her life, her death here occurring in March, 1903. Four children were born to her and her husband, namely: Chris, who is deceased; Herman, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Asmos, a widow who is living in Preston ; and Bertha, who is the wife of Henry Smith, of Ida county, Iowa. By a second marriage the mother had a son, Louis Neiman.
Herman Thiede remained at home until twenty-one years of age and ob- tained a good education in the common schools. When he attained his majority he started to make his way in the world and for eight years worked as a hired hand. Later, that he might derive larger results from his labor, he rented a
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farm on which he lived for two years. At the end of that period his financial resources justified his investing in real estate and he bought one hundred and thirty acres on section 27, Fairfield township, on which he has resided since. With plowing, planting and harvesting, the days pass busily for him and a rich soil makes generous returns for his labor, while in the attractive appear- ance of his fields and the many suitable and commodious buildings are addi- tional evidence of his skill, his thrift and his industry.
It was in 1891 that Mr. Thiede was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Busch- man, a native of this county and a daughter of John and Minnie (Schaper) Buschman, who were born in Germany and came to this country as young people with their parents. Her father passed away in 1904, but her mother is now living in Jackson county. Mrs. Thiede is one of a family of nine children and by her marriage has become the mother of seven, as follows: Matilda M., John G., Minnie F. D., Roy C., Meta E., Elsie E. and Louis.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Thiede has been a stalwart champion of the political principles advocated by the democratic party, while in religious matters he affiliates with the Lutheran church, of which his wife is also a member. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, holding membership in camp No. 1019 at Preston. He is a man who has held no false standards of life but aware that earnest and indefatigable labor constitute the basis for real advancement, he has worked diligently to attain the success which he now enjoys.
EDWARD C. WING.
A large and well improved farm in Maquoketa township is the property of Edward C. Wing, who was born in Saratoga county, New York, October 18, 1847, a son of Archibald and Grace (Harris) Wing, both natives of Glens Falls, New York. The father was born in 1813 and in 1866 came to Iowa. In Jack- son county he bought a tract of eighty acres of farm land, on which he spent the remaining forty years of his life. He died in 1906. Besides Edward C., two other sons are living in Jackson county engaged in agricultural pursuits, Richard and William.
Edward C. Wing, attending the common schools in New York state, received substantial training in the principal branches of English education. In 1866 he accompanied his father on his removal to Iowa, remaining with him and assist- ing him in the farm work for the next eight years, or until he was twenty-seven years of age. Then he bought the place on which he now lives, it being a tract of two hundred and sixty-six acres, well improved and highly cultivated. It is well adapted to general farming and each year has rendered generous returns for the hard work that Mr. Wing has spent upon it.
In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wing and Miss Elizabeth Wig- field, a daughter of Alfred Wigfield, of Jackson county. Seven children have been born to the couple. Alfred, born in. this county, October 13, 1878, married Detta P. White, a daughter of Alfred White, of Macon county, Illinois, and is
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now the father of three sons, Gerald L., Cecil and Rex. He is engaged in agri- cultural pursuits on a tract of ninety-six acres, which he purchased in 1900. Asahel is farming in Clinton county, just across the Jackson county line. Archi- bald is at home. Bertha is the wife of Olle Walrod, of Clinton county. Mary, Jennie and Ruby are at home. Mrs. Wing died in February, 1906.
Since he reached his majority Mr. Wing has consistently espoused the cause of the republican party, but has taken little active interest in local affairs. Fra- ternally he enjoys pleasant relations with the Masonic lodge at Delmar, Clinton county, among whose members he has made stanch friends.
WILLIAM LAING.
In the death of William Laing, Jackson county lost one of its valued citizens, who had lived within its boundaries for almost half a century. During the last twenty years of his life he was closely identified with the business interests of Miles as the proprietor of a hotel, and in all his business dealings he mani- fested a loyalty to high ideals of manhood, which won him the respect of his associates.
He was born in Burlington, Canada, April 15, 1840, and was a youth of fifteen when in 1855 he came to Jackson county, Iowa, with his parents. The rest of his life was spent in this section of the state. For a time he was en- gaged in general agricultural pursuits and then, about 1880, he removed to Miles, where he embarked in the hotel business. He met with success in the course of years, for he was industrious and enterprising, possessing in no inconsiderable degree the qualities of an excellent manager, and he made an earnest endeavor to secure the comfort of his patrons, while the straightforwardness of his dealings obtained their respect and confidence.
On Christmas day, 1862, Mr. Laing was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Viall, who was born in Summit county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Burrill and Sarah (Ferguson) Viall. The former was a native of Vermont, the latter of New York state, and both at an early date removed to Ohio, where they lived until 1850. In that year they came in a covered wagon to Jackson county, Iowa, and Mr. Viall entered three hundred and twenty acres of land in Iowa town- ship, which he broke and prepared for cultivation. Thereon he made his home until his death, which occurred December 23, 1862. His wife passed away on the 9th of the January following. In their family were twelve children, only two of whom survive.
Mr. and Mrs. Laing had four children, Charles, May, William B. and Bessie May. The first three are deceased, and Bessie is the wife of Bruce Davis, who is now living in the state of Washington. On the 31st of January, 1900, the husband and father passed away and with his demise the community realized that it had lost a valued and useful citizen. His life had been quietly passed yet he was faithful to his duties of citizenship, supporting loyally every measure for the public good, and he well earned the respect and esteem in which he was generally held.
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Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Laing has found her time largely oc- cupied with looking after the many interests bequeathed to her for she still owns a fine residence in Miles, a livery barn and a cold storage warehouse. In their supervision she has developed a notable business sagacity and the qualities necessary to a good manager. She affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church and is sincerely interested in its work, while her graciousness, her kindliness and her wide charity have secured for her a place in the hearts of her fellow townspeople and the admiration of a host of warm friends.
THOMAS J. LAMBE.
Thomas J. Lambe, the well known and popular cashier of the German Amer- ican Savings Bank at Lamotte, has represented the interests of the bank in this capacity since its organization. His birth occurred in Richland township, Jack- son county, Iowa, on the 19th of April, 1859, his parents being James and Ellen (Callahan) Lambe, both of whom were natives of Ireland. James Lambe took up his abode in this county in 1852, purchasing and locating upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Richland township. In 1857 he wedded Miss Ellen Callahan and they continued residents of this county until called to their final rest, Mr. Lambe passing away on the 9th of February, 1901, when ninety-one years of age. For two decades he had survived his wife, whose demise occurred in 1881. The period of his residence in Jackson county covered almost a half century and he therefore enjoyed a very wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, all of whom still survive.
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