USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
428
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
It was in October, 1852, that Mr. Page was united in marriage to Miss Melinda Webb, of Pennsylvania, and to them were born three children, two of whom are living: Willis, a farmer of Keyapaha county, Nebraska; and Henry, who assists in the operation of the home farm. In 1866 the wife and mother passed away and on the 27th of April, 1867, Mr. Page was again married, his second union being with Miss Electa J. Smith, of Cottonville, Jackson county, whose birth occurred, however, in New York. Her parents were Elisha and Eunice (Gifford) Smith, who came to this county from the Empire state in 1854. By her marriage to Mr. Page she has become the mother of one child, Ada, now the wife of Clifton Smith, of Washta, Cherokee county, Iowa.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Page has given stalwart support to the republican party, and although never an aspirant for public office as a reward for party fealty, he served his county efficiently for many years as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stanch champion. He also filled the office of road supervisor for several years, and in this capacity his efforts were instrumental in securing good high- ways for Jackson county. Dating his residence in this county since 1855, he is numbered among its earliest settlers who, through a period of more than half a century, has not only witnessed the rapid transformation of the country from unbroken prairies into highly cultivated fields, but has also taken his full share in the work of development and improvement. His wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and both stand high in the community, a large circle of friends entertaining for them unqualified respect and esteem.
-
DIEDRICH HINKE.
Diedrich Hinke, formerly identified with agricultural interests in Tete des Mortes township but now living retired in Bellevue, is one of the extensive land- owners of Jackson county, holding eight hundred acres of its rich and arable land. Throughout his business career he displayed good judgment and keen discernment, but the foundation of his success was laid and its superstructure built by his unwearying industry and careful management.
A native of Brunswick, Germany, his birth there occurred January 2, 1837, his parents being Henry and Gusina (Becker) Hinke, who were likewise born in the fatherland. In 1853 the father decided to emigrate to America with his family and after crossing the Atlantic came direct to Jackson county, Iowa. For a time he rented a farm and then purchased one hundred and seventy acres in Tete des Mortes township, where he lived until his death. His wife has also died and both had passed the seventieth milestone on life's journey before they were called to their final rest. Of their seven children, all of whom were born in Germany, three are now living, namely: Diedrich, the subject of this review ; Anna, the wife of J. H. Kohlenberg, of Perry township, Jackson county ; and John, a retired farmer, who is living in Bellevue.
Diedrich Hinke, who was about sixteen years of age when he came to Amer- ica with his parents, has since lived in Jackson county and until 1902, the year
429
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
he retired from active life, he was a resident of Tete des Mortes township. His has been the life of the energetic agriculturist who with care and perseverance tills the fields, utilizing the most progressive methods in cultivating the cereals adapted to the soil and climate, and that it has been profitably spent is indicated by the extensive landholdings he now has. At the death of his father he inher- ited the home farm, to which he added as he saw opportunity until it embraces four hundred and ten acres, and he bought two tracts in Bellevue township, one of one hundred and ninety-two acres, the other of one hundred and ninety- eight. All have been well improved by Mr. Hinke and now, as in the past, are bringing him a large income, in this indicating the good judgment he displayed in buying the property. When he retired he bought the fine stone house at the north end of Third street, and there is enjoying the rest, comforts and luxuries to which his many years of arduous labor so well entitle him.
In 1873, Mr. Hinke married Miss Anna Felderman, who was born in Jack- son county and died in Tete des Mortes township when twenty-two years of age. She was the mother of two children: Henry G., who is operating his father's farm in Bellevue township; and Emma, who is the wife of Henry Hinke, also of Bellevue township. A year after the death of his wife Mr. Hinke married a second time, his bride having been Miss Caroline Nodorf, who was born in Mis- souri and later lived in this county. Of this union there were eight children born, as follows: Anna, who is the wife of Dick Tietjen, of Tete des Mortes township; Fred, who is operating the old homestead; Albert, who is also living in Tete des Mortes township; George, who is living on his father's farm in Bellevue township; John, who is the fifth of the family; Mrs. Mary Yeager, who is deceased; Lena, who is the wife of Fred Yeager, of Bellevue township; and Catherine, who is at home.
Mr. Hinke has given unqualified support to the democratic party, upon the ticket of which he was elected to the office of township trustee. He served acceptably for twelve years and then resigned. He has also been a stanch friend of education and for a long period his influence was effective in promoting the development of the schools of Tete des Morts township. In his religious faith he is a Lutheran, having been a member of the Tete des Morts church and after coming to Bellevue joining the congregation there. He has now passed the seventy-third milestone of life's journey, and as is meet in the evening of life is surrounded with evidences of his substantial success and by the respect and esteem of a large number of friends.
CHARLES WESTPHAL.
Charles Westphal, who owns and operates a well improved farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Maquoketa township, and one hundred and ninety-seven and one half acres in Fairfield township, was born in the city of Hamburg, Germany, January 24, 1869. His father, D. U. Westphal, was a native of the province of Hamburg, his natal day being January II, 1837. In 1882 he emi- grated to America, coming direct to Jackson county and settling in Preston, where
430
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
he still lives. Until 'recently he was engaged in the furniture business there but has now retired from active participation in the mercantile world. His wife, who was Miss Fredericka Specht in her maidenhood, was also born in the province of Hamburg, her birth having occurred December 18, 1840, and she is still living.
Charles Westphal had come to America three years before his father, having made the journey in company with an uncle, Henry Specht. After reaching Iowa he went to Lost Nation, Clinton county, where he found work upon a farm, and then came to Jackson county, where he was similarly employed in the vicinity of Preston. In 1891 he bought eighty acres of his present farm and later, when he felt that his success warranted it, he doubled its area, so that he is now operating a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Maquoketa township and also owns one hundred and ninety-seven and a half acres in Fairfield town- ship. He recently commenced raising shorthorn cattle, in the hope of making this a profitable adjunct to his farming.
It was in December, 1890, that Mr. Westphal and Miss Emma Jebsen, a daughter of Gustav Jebsen, were united in marriage. Nine children have been born to them: Arthur, Carl, Matilda, Amanda, Albert, Leo, Raymond, Arnold and Harold.
Since he was admitted to citizenship in this republic, Mr. Westphal has given his political support to the democratic party, on whose ticket he was elected to the office of school director, fulfilling his duties in that capacity for two years. He has also served as township trustee. He has been very loyal to the country of his adoption, intimately identifying himself with public affairs with a view of advancing the interests of the community in which he lives. He is a member of the Lutheran church, in his daily life making every effort to put in practice its teachings.
LOUIS BITTNER.
Few residents of Bellevue have been more closely or actively connected with its growth and development than he whose name introduces this review. During the period of his residence in this town, which covers almost three decades, he has been the leading contractor and builder, erecting all of the principal buildings erected during the intervening years, while now, in connection with his son, he is successfully engaged as a dealer in building supplies.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Bittner was born in St. Augustine on the 22d of July, 1848, and, as the name indicates, is of German descent, his parents, John L. and Margaret (Carl) Bittner, having been born in the fatherland. The former's birth occurred in Cour Hesse and the latter's in Hesse Darmstadt, and both came to America when about fifteen years of age. Their respective families located in Pennsylvania, where the father followed the carpenter's trade and also engaged to some extent in farming. Both passed away in Clayton county, Iowa, where they had taken up their abode in 1855.
Louis Bittner, who was the sixth in a family of eleven children, was a lad of seven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. Spending
.
LOUIS BITTNER
433
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
the period of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, he attended the coun- try schools of Clayton county in the acquirement of an education, and amid the busy activities of rural life learned lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and integrity-elements which formed a firm foundation upon which he later reared the superstructure of a successful business career. He continued to give his father the benefit of his assistance on the home farm until twenty years of age, when he withdrew from agricultural pursuits to learn the carpenter's trade. He followed that occupation in Clayton county until 1881, when he came to Bellevue and has since engaged in contracting and building in this city. From the start he has been eminently successful, his skillful workmanship, his modern ideas and his progressive and up to date methods winning him a most liberal and gratifying patronage which has increased in volume and importance with the passing of the years. Something of his standing in the community is indicated by the fact that he has been awarded the contracts for all of the principal build- ings erected in Bellevue since his arrival here. He was alone in business until 1908, when he admitted his son to a partnership, since which time they have been extensive dealers in building supplies, doing a large business along that line. He has other sources of revenue as well, being the owner of a large planing mill and also two sections of valuable land in Haskell county, Kansas, from which he re- ceives a gratifying annual rental. His sound business judgment is proving a po- tent force in the successful management of the various interests with which he is associated, and he holds a foremost place among the representative, progressive and substantial business men of Bellevue.
It was in 1876 that Mr. Bittner was united in marriage to Miss Mary G. Niemeyer, a native of Clayton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Henry G. Nie- meyer, whose birth occurred in Germany. Unto this union have been born seven children, namely : Clara, the wife of Thomas Prandy, of Dubuque, Iowa ; Arthur, residing in De Smet, South Dakota; Ella, the wife of George Zintner, of Belle- vue ; Grover, in business with his father ; Vinson, of Dubuque; Chester, at home ; and Rhoma, also under the parental roof. The three eldest children were born in Guttenburg, Clayton county, while the four younger claim Bellevue as the place of their nativity. The family residence, at the corner of Iowa and Park streets, is a comfortable and attractive brick structure erected by the father in 1908.
In spite of the heavy demands made upon his time and energies by the con- duct of a large and important business, Mr. Bittner has yet found time to take an interest in things municipal and has, since his residence in this city, been a most active and helpful worker in the public affairs of the community. A life long democrat, he has done all in his power to further the interests of that party in his section of the country and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to positions of the highest importance and honor in their power to bestow. For three years he served as mayor of Bellevue, was councilman of the city for four years and is now acting as justice of the peace, which office he has filled for the past eight years. He was chairman of the democratic county cen- tral committee for one year and his devotion to the interests of his adopted city has ever remained unquestioned, arising as it does from a sincere desire for her welfare and progress. In public life he has proved brave, conscientious and ef- ficient in the discharge of every duty that has devolved upon him, while in busi-
434
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
ness his energy and wise management have been crowned by a most substantial success which is all the greater because his labors have contributed to the public upbuilding of the city as well as to his individual prosperity. Although he has now passed the sixty-first milestone on life's journey, he is yet active in the world's work, the consensus of public opinion according him high rank among her valued and honored citizens.
MIKE J. MCLAUGHLIN.
Through energy, perseverance and a ready appreciation of the opportunities, whereby success may be obtained through honorable endeavor, Mike J. Mc- Laughlin has progressed steadily toward the goal of prosperity until he now occupies a substantial position in the agricultural community of Butler township. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres and in its cul- tivation, as in other pursuits in which he has engaged, has manifested good bus- iness ability. A native of Butler township, he was born on the place whereon he now lives, March 24, 1874, and is a son, of James and Mary Anne (Noonan) McLaughlin. The father, who was likewise born in Jackson county, spent his entire life in this section of the state, being largely occupied with agricultural pursuits. He also carried on business as a general merchant, and his store is still standing upon the farm. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, as follows: Michael, who died in infancy ; Mike J., of this review; Nellie, the wife of Timothy Horn, of Dubuque, Iowa; John, who is residing in Texas; James, who is a collector and makes his home in St. Paul, Minnesota; Julia, deceased ; Anna, who married Elmer Maloy, of Dubuque county; Clement, deceased ; Mary, who is the wife of Richard Fitzgivens, of Dubuque; and Joseph, who has passed away.
Mike J. Mclaughlin, whose name introduces this review, has spent the greater part of his life in Jackson county. He received a fair education in the public schools of Butler township and early became familiar with the work of the farm, the broad and practical experience he gained while he assisted his father constituting a feature in his successful work as an agriculturist at the present time. He remained at home until he was nineteen years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood. Later he returned to the homestead, which he now owns. It embraces one hundred and sixty acres of arable land, which has been brought under a high state of cultivation and is improved with two sets of buildings. He also owns forty acres in Dubuque county, likewise well improved. In addition to carrying on general farming, Mr. Mclaughlin has engaged in the poultry business and in buying hides and furs, purchasing anything in this line from skins of rabbits to those of larger animals, and his enterprise, industry and perseverance are winning a notable success for him in this connection. To farm- ing, however, he devotes the greater part of his time and his energies, and his annual sale of grains brings him a gratifying return.
It was in 1895 that Mr. Mclaughlin was united in marriage to Miss Mary Burk, a daughter of Joseph Burk, of Butler township. Five children have been
435
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
born to the couple, namely: Lorette, Aloysius, Joseph, Clarence and Mary. Politically Mr. Mclaughlin is an independent republican, casting his ballot for that party's candidates at national elections, but in local matters regarding the ability of men of more importance than political affiliation. Fraternally he is connected with the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at Garry Owen, while with his wife he belongs to St. Patrick's Catholic church of that village. Mr. Mclaughlin is one of the township's most enterprising and aggressive men, and his straightforward dealings, together with his industry, have won for him an excellent reputation and enrolled him among Jackson county's substantial and desirable citizens.
VALENTINE DENICK.
There are few, if any, citizens more widely and favorably known through- out Iowa township than Valentine Denick, who has resided in the village of Miles since 1877. In the intervening years to the present he has followed his trade of a carpenter, and he has also played a prominent part in local affairs, mani- . festing the same loyalty in public service that he displayed when as a soldier in the Union army he faced the bullets of the enemy on the battlefields of the south. He was born in this county, November 5, 1846. His father, also named Valen- tine, was a native of New York state and came to Jackson county, Iowa, first in 1839. After spending a year here he went to Ohio, married Miss Sarah A. Peck, a native of the Buckeye state, and there resided until 1845, when he and his wife removed to Jackson county. Mr. Denick entered land in Union town- ship, broke the soil and cultivated it until 1862, when he removed to Warren, Illinois, which remained his home until his death. His widow survived him a number of years, passing away in 1902 when seventy-nine years of age. Unto them were born eleven children, three of whom are still living.
Mr. Denick, of this review, was reared at home, participating in the strug- gles of the pioneer settlers of Jackson county and remaining with his parents until he was sixteen years of age, when, the Civil war being then in progress, he was eager to join the ranks of those fighting for the preservation of the Union. Accordingly in 1863 he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He was present with his regiment in all of the hard fought battles in which it participated and although he was ever at his post of duty he left the army without being wounded. In New York city, July, 1865, he was given his honorable discharge and then returned to Jackson county, Iowa, where he has since resided with the exception of two years he spent in Illinois. In 1877 he established himself in Miles, where he has since followed the carpenter's trade. He has met with a gratifying measure of success, which was well deserved, for he is an industrious, energetic and conscientious workman, and those who have availed themselves of his services have never regretted the confidence they reposed in his ability, integrity and thoroughness. He now owns a handsome house in the village of Miles, which is regarded generally as one of the finest in the locality.
436
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
In the year in which he took up his residence in Miles, Mr. Denick married Miss Emma Weeds, who was born in this county, in 1856 and is a daughter of William and Sarah (Briggs) Weeds, both of whom have passed away. Their three children, however, are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Denick have had the following children : William A., of Jackson county; Sadie M., the deceased wife of L. L. Bartlett, living in Jackson county; Clara B., who is the wife of John Black, of Freeport, Illinois ; Roy V., who is residing in Miles; Charles J., who is likewise living in that village; Grace E., who has graduated from the Miles high school and lives at home; Beryl, the wife of Fred Menneke of Jackson county ; and one who died in infancy.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the character of their lives bespeaks the practical value of Christian teaching. Politically Mr. Denick is in hearty sympathy with the republican party, and that he is a man of great public spirit is indicated in the admirable manner in which he has ac- quitted himself in the various offices to which he has been called by the people. He is now serving his second term as assessor of Miles, has been justice of the peace for the past four years, and for two decades he was constable. In every capacity he used his influence to further public progress and communal wel- fare, and his record is a most honorable one. He belongs to Lodge No. 752, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs; and to the Grand Army Post, No. 164, and the stanch friends he has in these organizations are but a few of the many who, knowing him well through a long period of years, are as loyal to him as he has been to public trust.
WILLIAM L. MANGLER.
William L. Mangler, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 10 and 15, Richland township, is an agriculturist whose care- fully directed labors are annually rewarded by bounteous harvests. His birth occurred in Washington township, Jackson county, Iowa, on the 17th of Au- gust, 1875, his parents being William J. and Minnie (Lampe) Mangler, both of whom are natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in an early day and are still numbered among the worthy and respected residents of Washington township, this county. They reared a family of twelve chil- dren, eleven of whom yet survive.
William L. Mangler attended the common schools in pursuit of his early education and for one year was a student in the high school at Miles. He re- mained at home until he had attained the age of twenty-five years. He then purchased a farm in Van Buren township, but after residing thereon for three years disposed of the property and bought his present place of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 10 and 15, Richland township, where he has since car- ried on his agricultural interests with excellent success. He has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement through the utiliza- tion of modern and progressive methods of agriculture, and is well entitled to recognition among the prosperous and enterprising farmers of his native county.
437
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
In 1906 Mr. Mangler was united in marriage to Miss Anna Goepfert, a na- tive of Jackson county, Iowa, and a daughter of Conrad and Mary (Felder- man) Goepfert, who are still living in this county. Mrs. Mangler was one of a family of nine children, eight of whom are living, and by her marriage has become the mother of two, Alvin C. and Florence M.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Mangler has given his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy, but he has not sought office as a reward for his party fealty. In religious faith both he and his wife are Lutherans. They are well known throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives and are much esteemed by a large circle of warm friends.
H. R. MILLER.
H. R. Miller, whose success in commercial lines is evidenced in his well appointed drug store, has been numbered among the enterprising business men of Monmouth for more than half a decade. He was born in Manchester, Dela- ware county, Iowa, December 26, 1881, his parents being D. G. and Della (Box) Miller. The family has been connected with the history of this republic since very early days, for the paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Miller was an officer in the Revolutionary army under Washington. D. G. Miller was born in Har- risburg, whence he went to Ohio, coming to Iowa from that state. He located in Delaware county and there engaged in farming with great success, as is man- ifest in the fact that he owned two hundred acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred in 1889. His wife was born in England and passed away in 1882. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Effie, deceased ; Emily, who is the widow of Robert Dunlap and lives in Delaware county, Iowa; David, who is a minister of the Presbyterian church and is now located in Omaha, Nebraska; H. R., the subject of this review; and Lesley, who is en- gaged in farming.
Left an orphan at the age of eight years, H. R. Miller early learned to depend upon himself. His youth was spent upon a farm, while he acquired his first acquaintance with the subjects of English education in the public schools of his native county. Later he spent three years at Hopkinton, Iowa, and was grad- uated in pharmacy at Highland Park College, Des Moines, in 1902. He then clerked in a store for a time and having acquired some experience came to Mon- mouth and engaged in the drug business. His enterprise and determination have been salient features in his success and the store has been profitably conducted. It is well equipped and he not only carries a large line of drugs and physician's remedies, but also sundries and jewelry and does repairing. He gives careful at- tention to the wants of his patrons, and his reasonable prices, fair dealing and en- terprising methods have won him a liberal and growing trade.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.