USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 42
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On the 15th of April, 1908, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Tressa Shirk, who was residing in Monmouth, where the couple continue to make their home. Politically Mr. Miller supports the republican party. He does
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not seek nor desire office, however, and yet is never remiss in the duties of citi- zenship and is a cooperant factor in many measures for public good. He attends and supports the local church, while fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Wyoming, the Modern Woodmen camp at Monmouth and the Mystic Workers of this village, and in these societies, as well as in business and social circles, he has won the high regard of his associates.
GEORGE SCHLECHT.
George Schlecht is one of the prosperous farmers of Jackson county, owning one hundred and two acres on section 22, Washington township, which is a neat and well improved property. He has other business interests in the township and has taken some part in the public affairs so that he may well be classed among the representative citizens of the community.
He was born in Bellevue, Iowa, June 22, 1870, his parents being Joseph and Frances (Menger) Schlecht. The father was born in Germany and came to America as a lad of nine years with his parents. They located in Bellevue, Iowa, and as soon as he was old enough Joseph Schlecht began work as a farm hand, being thus employed at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Union army, serving until the close of hostilities-a period of four years. When the nation no longer needed his aid he returned to Jackson county, Iowa, and again engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was almost forty years of age, how- ever, before he was in a position to buy land, his first purchase being one hun- dred and sixty acres in Washington township which he cultivated successfully until 1898. In that year he sold all but forty acres to one of his sons and re- moved to an adjoining farm of one hundred and two acres, which he had bought in the meantime. After operating it for a year he sold it to his son, George, and for five years thereafter lived in retirement in Bellevue, going thence to Crawford, Oklahoma, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, it re- maining his place of residence to the present. He has now reached the ripe old age of seventy years and yet is active in supervising his various interests. His wife, who was Frances Menger in her maidenhood, was likewise a native of Germany and came to Iowa as a child. She died some years ago at the com- paratively early age of forty-nine years.
Eight children were born to Joseph Schlecht and wife, seven of whom are living, as follows: Frank, a farmer of Washington township; Sophia, the wife of Henry Eggers, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in that township; Anna, who is living in Bellevue; Clara, the widow of a Mr. Knowles, formerly of Sabula; Lena, who is the wife of Benjamin Daggets, of Bellevue; Mary, the wife of William Schmidt, of the same city; George, the subject of this sketch; and Katherine, who died at the age of twelve years.
George Schlecht, who was the seventh in order of birth in this family, at- tended the district schools of Washington township in pursuit of an education in the winter months and through the summer season worked upon his father's farm. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he
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started to make his way in the world independently. For two years he worked as a farm hand and then secured employment as a member of a section gang on the railroad for four years. In 1896 he returned to agricultural pursuits, renting a tract of one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, which he operated in partner- ship with another for two years. At the end of that time he bought from his father the farm of one hundred and two acres where he now lives. When he purchased the place there was only a dwelling upon it, and he has since built a large barn and other outbuildings and a new windmill, the character of his improvements indicating; his good management and progressive spirit. The greater part of his land is under cultivation, some being reserved for pasturage for stock, however, and by reason of his unwearied industry and perseverance he has gained a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural in- terests. He holds stock in the Washington Township Farmers Mutual Telephone Company and is connected with other enterprises which look toward advancing the welfare of the community.
On the 8th of February, 1899, Mr. Schlecht was married in Sabula, to Miss Katherine Pogeman, a daughter of Herman and Anna (Gerlach) Pogeman, both natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Schlecht have become the parents of two daughters : Anna Irene, born April 19, 1901, and Mary Alverta, born March 28, 1908. The parents are members of the Catholic church of Green Island and are recognized as persons of genuine worth. Mr. Schlecht is a democrat in his political views, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his ability, have called him to the office of township trustee. Although still a young man he has gained a large measure of success in his business, and this may be regarded as indicative of the good fortune which he will win in the future.
AUGUST L. AND JOHN SCHOCKER.
Two of the native sons of Jackson county who are winning large returns from the cultivation of their extensive farm in Maquoketa township are August L. and John Schocker, sons of Henry Schocker. The father was born in Schles- wig-Holstein, Germany, in 1845, and in 1852 came with his father, also Henry Schocker, to Jackson county, Iowa. The elder man secured one hundred and sixty acres of arable land in Fairfield township, on which he lived until his death in 1897. At the age of twenty-one Henry Schocker, Jr., left home and bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Fairfield township, on which he lived for about twelve years. He then sold it, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in another part of the township. That remained his home until 1886, when he disposed of it and went to the state of Washington, where he stayed only a short time, however, locating in North Platte, Nebraska, upon his return east. Al- though he had bought a tract of land there he sold it after one year's experience, finally returning to Jackson county. At present he is living in South Fork town- ship on a farm of one hundred and ninety-seven acres. He is a man who knows how to make success come as a result of his labors and is confident that the best opportunities for advancement are to be found in this state.
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August L. Schocker, whose birth occurred May 16, 1867, spent his boyhood in Fairfield township, attending the district schools near his home. In 1883 he entered as a pupil the high school at Maquoketa, but the next year went to Ful- ton, Illinois, where he was enrolled as a student of the Northern Illinois College. He remained there until 1886, when he went west with his father, accompanying him also on his removal to Nebraska and later on his return to Jackson county. Here for a few years he engaged in teaching and then, from 1890 to 1893, worked upon a farm in Lincoln county, Minnesota. Thereafter he assisted his father in the operation of his farm in Jackson county until 1896, when he came to Ma- quoketa township. He remained here only a year and a half, however, when he went to Calamus, Clinton county, engaging in business there for the next seven years. In 1905 he returned to Jackson county, for two years renting a farm and then buying the place on which he now lives. It is a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, lying on section 13, Maquoketa township, and during the past two years has proved a valuable possession, for it is rich and fertile, well adapted to general farming. He has tried many localities and several different occupa- tions, but he has finally decided that he can achieve the greatest success in the section of the state he has now chosen for his place of residence.
In 1896 August L. Schocker wedded Miss Cora Edna White, a daughter of Alfred E. White, who during his active life was engaged in farming in Macon county, Illinois. He retired some years before his death, which occurred in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Schocker have three children, namely: Edna Grace, born September 30, 1898; Beulah Bernice, September 16, 1903; and Fern Arlene, December 29, 1908. In regard to national issues Mr. Schocker invariably votes the democratic ticket but in local matters he gives his support to the man or measure most likely to advance the welfare of the community in which he lives.
John Schocker was born in Fairfield township, this county, April 9, 1872, and upon his father's farm was reared, while he attended the district schools near his home. In 1886 he accompanied his father when he went west and returned with him to Jackson county, assisting him in his agricultural pursuits. In 1897 he married and the next year removed to Davenport, where he secured employ- ment in the Bettendorf Car Works. A few months later he returned to this county, and in June, 1903, purchased the place on which he is now living. It is a fine tract embracing one hundred and sixty acres, excellently adapted to gen- eral farming, which he pursues, while it also affords ample pasturage for the cattle he raises. His stock is of good grade, of the black poled strain, and finds a ready market in the larger cities to which it is shipped. As he has spared no effort to promote his interests, has been industrious and farsighted, each year his fields have yielded him bountiful harvests and his stock has added considerably to his income.
In February, 1897, John Schocker was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Murray, a daughter of John Murray. Two children have been born to them: Earl, who was born November 14, 1897; and Blanche, whose birth occurred in April, 1903. Mr. Schocker is a democrat in his political views and as a member of the school board of district No. 4, has participated in the public life of his community.
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Both August L. and John Schocker have throughout their lives given proof to their right to be numbered among the successful farmers of Maquoketa town- ship. They have prospered in their affairs by honorable means, and their good fortune in turn redounds to the credit of their fellow citizens who extend to them well deserved respect.
WILLIAM L. CARTER.
William L. Carter is a well known and worthy representative of the farming and stock-raising interests of Iowa township and derives his income from a fine property on sections 18 and 19, of which he is joint owner with his brother Frank Carter. He was born on the place which is now his home, March 24, 1859, and is a son of David H. and Rebecca (Killinger) Carter, natives of New York state and Wyandot county, Ohio, respectively. In 1837 they came to Jack- son county, Iowa, which remained their home until their deaths, both being per- mitted to witness the great change that transformed the character of the country from the unbounded prairies of the time of their arrival to he prosperous farm- ing district of today. The demise of the mother occurred September 27, 1889, and that of the father June 13, 1901. In their family were eight children, as fol- lows: Levi, who is deceased; Mary E., who is the wife of Palmer Collins and now lives in Pasadena, California; William L., the subject of this review ; Frank ; George G., of Elgin, Nebraska; Maurice, of Orchard, Nebraska; Charles C .; and David H., who is deceased.
William L. Carter was reared upon the home farm, and although many of the hardships of pioneer life had passed away before his boyhood days were over, the stories of the struggles of earlier years were very vivid. He obtained his education in the district schools of Iowa township and then took a course in a business college, so that this training, united with the practical experience he had gained while assisting his father with the farm work, amply fitted him for the responsibilities of later life. When he reached man's estate he left his home, and, after working as a laborer for a number of years, he went to Dawes county, Nebraska, where he entered a homestead claim, on which he lived for about seven years. At the end of that period he sold his property and returned to Jackson county, Iowa. In 1902 he and his brother Frank bought the paternal farm, a tract of two hundred and twenty acres on sections 18 and 19, Iowa township, which has since been Mr. Carter's home. The fields indicate his care- ful supervision and practical methods and bring forth rich crops, which are a merited reward for his labor. He has also engaged extensively in raising and feeding stock, and as he keeps on hand good grades he readily finds a market for his animals. Both branches of his business bring him a gratifying financial return annually, and the success he now enjoys, which is the result of his own well directed efforts and enterprise, places him among the substantial and pro- gressive citizens of the community.
On the 29th of November, 1894, Mr. Carter led to the marriage altar Miss Nancy Colman, who was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, November 11, 1869, and
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is a daughter of William and Rachel (Gaston) Colman, natives of Belfast, Ireland. In March, 1858, they came to America, locating first in Rhode Island, whence they removed to Michigan. In 1864 they took up their residence in Indiana, remaining in that state until 1878, when they removed to Creighton, Nebraska. The father passed away in Nebraska in 1903, and his widow is still living in that state at the advanced age of seventy years. Of their union thirteen children were born, eight of whom now survive. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have one son, David H., who was born December 15, 1895.
Mr. Carter has always given consistent allegiance to the democratic party, since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he has served two terms as township assessor, also rendering the community efficient service in the years he was school director. Fraternally he enjoys pleasant relations with the Odd Fellows society, being an active member of lodge No. 572, in which he has filled all the chairs, and with the Modern Woodmen of America, having likewise filled all the offices in Miles Camp, No. 1026. With his wife he belongs to Re- bekah Lodge, No. 204, at Miles, and she is a member of the Congregational church of the village. The life of Mr. Carter has been one of continued activity, in which due recognition has been accorded to labor, and today he is counted as one of the substantial agriculturists of Jackson county.
CORNELIUS C. DAUGHERTY.
Cornelius C. Daugherty, who is now deceased, was for many years actively connected with agricultural pursuits, and as a result of well directed energy and enterprise his labors were crowned with a most gratifying measure of success. He was born in Richland township, this county, August 10, 1850, a son of Cor- nelius and Catherine (Campbell) Daugherty, who were numbered among the pioneer settlers of this section of the state. The father was a native of Ireland and came to Iowa in his youth. He secured a tract of land in Richland town- ship, Jackson county, and surmounting the many hardships of pioneer life, be- came one of the well to do and highly respected citizens of his locality, for he was recognized as a man of honorable and upright life. Politically he was a dem- ocrat, although at local elections he invariably gave his support to measures rather than to men. He has passed away, as have all but one of his children, but his wife is still living at a very advanced age. She was a native of Scotland, was reared in Canada, but since reaching years of maturity has lived in Jackson county. Sarah, the only surviving child, is a resident of Richland township.
Cornelius C. Daugherty spent his boyhood and youth in the manner of most sons of pioneer farmers, and as soon as he was able assisted his father in break- ing the land of the homestead farm and putting it under a good state of cul- tivation. He pursued his studies first in the district school of his native town- ship and subsequently attended St. John's college, at Prairie du Chien for three terms. His education completed, he engaged in teaching, being thus employed until 1876. when he went west, spending the next six years in Colorado. In 188I he returned and in 1885 he purchased a tract of two hundred and thirty
CORNELIUS C. DAUGHERTY
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acres on sections 13 and 14, Bellevue township, whereon he spent the rest of his life. He was a man of abundant energy and ambition, and with a skill and knowledge acquired in his youth he soon had his fields under a high state of cul- tivation, so that he reaped from them annually bountiful harvests that netted him a handsome profit. With the same thoroughness that distinguished all his under- takings he engaged in bee culture, which proved a lucrative adjunct to his other interests. Since his death fifteen acres have been added to the place, which now embraces two hundred and forty-five acres of rich and fertile land, and its neat and attractive appearance, its many and commodious buildings, are an evidence of the industry and good management of its late owner and the ability of those who have so capably carried on his work during the last fifteen years.
On the 28th of September, 1885, Mr. Daugherty was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Conlan, who was born in Trenton, Ontario, Canada, April 27, 1863, a daughter of Bernard and Ann (Anderson) Conlan, natives of Ireland and Scotland, respectively. As children they went to Canada, where they grew to maturity and were married, and about 1870 they settled in Dubuque, Iowa, where they are still residing. In their family were seven children. Mrs. Daugh- erty was about six years of age when she left Canada and spent the next few years in Titusville, Pennsylvania, and Rochester, New York, with an aunt. At the age of twelve she returned to her parents, who were then living in Dubuque, Iowa, but later went back to Rochester, New York, where she lived until she was married. Unto her and her husband were born three sons: Cornelius Vincent, James Clement and John Louis, all of whom are at home.
In his political views Mr. Daugherty was a democrat, and although not an office seeker he rendered acceptable service as assessor of Richland township for two years and as a member of the school board of his district. His religious al- legiance was given to the Catholic church, of which he was a faithful communi- cant. In his work he was persevering, in his business transactions honorable and reliable, and in his death, which occurred April 9, 1895, the township lost one of its leading citizens. His was an exemplary character, and he left to his family not only a handsome competency as the result of his well directed activity, but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
JAMES M. FONDA.
James M. Fonda, an efficient and capable railway mail clerk for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, living at Bellevue, is a native of New York, his birth having occurred in the village of Ohio, Herkimer county, September 13, 1840. His parents were William and Henrietta (Mitchell) Fonda, natives of New York, the former born in Montgomery county in 1790 and the latter in Fulton county in 1796. The father engaged in draying and contracting at Troy, New York, until a short time before the birth of our subject, when he removed to Herkimer county, locating upon a farm. There he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1847. His wife survived him many years, passing away at the age of seventy-seven years. In their family were twelve children, ten of whom
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lived to reach mature years, the subject of this sketch being the youngest in order of birth.
James M. Fonda spent the period of youth in the county of his nativity and, losing his father when only seven years of age, it was necessary for him thus early in life to assist in the support of the family. As the years passed and his strength increased, he aided more and more largely in the work of the home farm, and remained upon the place in Herkimer county, New York, until fifteen years of age, when, in company with his widowed mother and the other members of the family he came west to Iowa, locating in Monona, Clayton county, in 1855.
There Mr. Fonda remained until, actuated by a spirit of patriotism, he responded to his country's call for troops and enlisted in July, 1862, as a member of Company E, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which became a part of the Army of the West under Captain Drips. Going to the front he participated in all of the engagements of his regiment, taking part in the Red River expedition. He was under fire at Little Rock when that place was captured and was present at the battle of Nashville, from which place he was ordered to Mobile. He assisted in the capture of Spanish Fort and of Fort Blakeley, and later marched to Mont- gomery, Alabama, where he was stationed at the close of the war. It was during that march that news reached him of the surrender of Lee and he heard of the assassination of Lincoln. Upon the organization of his company he was elected fourth sergeant and was promoted to orderly sergeant during the last year of his service, with which rank he was mustered out on the 8th of August, 1865, at Clin- . ton, Iowa, after three years of service, which were characterized by many deeds of bravery and the utmost loyalty to the old flag and the cause which it represented.
When the country no longer needed his services Mr. Fonda returned to Clay- ton county and resumed agricultural pursuits, remaining with his mother until 1868, when the family removed to Mitchell county and there for about twelve years he engaged in farming on his own account. At the expiration of that period he returned to Monona, where he remained for about two years and then, in 1882, came to Bellevue, Jackson county. Upon his arrival in this city he entered the railway mail service as mail clerk for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, the only narrow gauge line in the state, running from Bellevue to Cascade. He has since remained in that position with the exception of about eleven months dur- ing the administration of Grover Cleveland, and his long continuance in the of- fice is proof of the able and efficient manner in which he performs the duties which devolve upon him in connection therewith.
Mr. Fonda laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own in his mar- riage in 1865 to Miss Mary J. Slitor, a native of Yates county, New York, where her birth occurred in 1847. In 1854 she came to Iowa with her parents, Truman G. and Jane Slitor, settlement being made in Monona, Clayton county, where she continued to reside until her marriage. Her parents, who were natives of New York, have been dead for several years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Fonda now consists of four children, namely : Ida, still at home; Laura S., residing in Col- orado; Fred S., of St. Paul; and Mildred E., the wife of Ralph D. Jesmer, of Weldon, Colorado. They lost three children in early life.
A stalwart republican in politics, Mr. Fonda has given stanch allegiance to the principles of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise,
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and while he has no desire for preferment along political lines he yet keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Congregational church, while he keeps up pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, be- longing to Iuka Post, No. 131, at Bellevue. He is now serving as soldiers' relief commissioner of Bellevue, and, public-spirited in his citizenship, he has ever re- mained as loyal to American interests and institutions as when following the old flag on southern battlefields. His honorable and upright life, too, has won him the respect and good will of his fellowmen, and he today ranks among the represen- tative and valued citizens of Bellevue.
J. D. POOL.
J. D. Pool, who has been a resident of Monmouth township since 1872 and was identified with its best agricultural interests for many years, is now living re- tired in Monmouth, enjoying a well earned rest and the comforts which belong rightly to the later years of a man's life. He was born in Wythe county, Vir- ginia, November 12, 1840, and the span of his life embraces the period of the Civil war, many of the hardships of which he experienced. His father, Hermus Pool, was in all probability also a native of the old Dominion, as was his wife, who was Miss Rebecca Eastwood in her maidenhood, and both spent their entire lives in that state, the former dying in June, 1862. In their family were seven children, as follows: Lavina, deceased; Nancy, the wife of James Myrick, of Monticello, Iowa; Martha, who is unmarried and lives in Wythe county, Vir- ginia; one whose whereabouts are unknown; J. D., the subject of this sketch ; James Newell, of Monticello, Iowa; and Stephen, who is the youngest.
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