USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 46
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
When the time came for the selection of that finance committee, the labors which Senator Lambert had expended in making investigations and in devising the plan now happily placed in operation, pointed inevitably to him as its demo- cratic member. The appointment was made, and he is now devoting himself with unsparing zeal and energy to the furtherance of what is already generally recognized as a great reform.
In the benevolent and social organizations of his community, Mr. Lambert became an Odd Fellow soon after attaining his majority, and, taking an active interest in the work, soon "passed the chairs," and holds the honors of a past grand of Lafayette Lodge, No. 39. He has been for a good many years a member of Kennedy Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, of Sabula, and has represented the local body in state and in national gatherings.
It is in Masonry, however, that his highest honors have been garnered. He was raised a Master Mason in Resurgam Lodge, No. 169, of Sabula, October 2, 1882, and at once became proficient in the noble ritual of that ancient institu- tion. He was elected worshipful master while still a young Mason, and held that office for several years' continuous service.
He began attending the Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Iowa, as soon as he became entitled to membership therein, and has probably not missed one of its annual convocations since.
After service on important committees at different times, he was appointed in 1894 chairman of the committee on chartered lodges, and he found necessary work to do whose magnitude had appalled previous occupants of that important post. He gave up days to the task that he could illy spare, and at the next ses- sion of the grand lodge was able to report that unsettled accounts with the lodges, some of which had existed for half a century, were all cleared up. Recognition of efficiency secured his election in 1896 as senior grand warden, and the crowning honor came when at its session in June, 1899, he was elected grand master for the jurisdiction of Iowa. The writer has heard him say with the ring of sincerity in his voice, that no other honor that ever came to him has been half so grateful to his feelings as this mark of confidence by his breth- ren of the mystic tie. In December, 1900, after his term as grand master had ended, he was appointed to fill a vacancy as one of the trustees of the grand lodge charity fund, and this office by successive elections in grand lodge he continues to hold. In what are generally known as the "higher bodies" of Ma- sonry he is a member of De Molay Consistory, No. I, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, of Clinton, Iowa.
On August 8, 1883, occurred the marriage of Thomas Lambert and Miss Jennie Cotton, daughter of Charles W. and Mrs. Elizabeth (Hayes) Cotton, pioneers of Sabula. Their union, which is a happy one, has been blessed with one daughter, Miss Hazel C., now a modest and beauteous young damsel just completing her school career.
It were idle, perhaps, and unnecessary to dwell on the obvious fact that no man in this land of free suffrage could have obtained from his fellows such honors as have come to Senator Lambert, unless he was known to have been guided by the principles of strict probity and manly honor. He is a man of enterprise, and believes that the laborer is worthy of his hire, but he believes
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that a man must be a laborer before the hire is due, and the present writer having watched his career from boyhood, takes pride in the assertion that no unearned dollar ever stained the palm of Thomas Lambert.
CHARLES F. KUKKUCK.
Charles F. Kukkuck, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stock raiser of Van Buren township, is numbered among Jackson county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Fairfield township on the 7th of December, 1863. His parents, Henry and Mary (Storm) Kukkuck, were born in Germany, where they were reared, but were married in Clinton county, Iowa. The father, who was a stone mason by trade, came to the new world in 1853 and followed that occupa- tion for some time after his arrival in this country but later purchased land, devoting his time and energies to agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred in 1904. His wife survives and makes her home in Fairfield township with her youngest son.
During the period of his boyhood and youth Charles F. Kukkuck attended the common schools near his home in the acquirement of a good education, and while not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the cultivation of the fields, in the school of experience early learning lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance. He soon became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad, and as his years and strength increased he aided more and more largely in the work of the home farm. Deciding upon the occupation to which he had been reared as a life work, he has always been identified with agri- cultural pursuits, and that his early training was broad and comprehensive is indicated by the fact that since entering upon an independent business career he has prospered, his efforts being crowned with most gratifying results.
Mr. Kukkuck continued his residence under the parental roof until twenty- eight years of age, when he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Mary Koch, a native of Jackson county and a daughter of Detleff and Dora Koch, who were born in Germany. The father is now deceased, while the mother is still living and makes her home in Iowa township. She was one of ten children born unto her parents.
After his marriage Mr. Kukkuck was engaged in farming in the capacity of renter for one year, after which he purchased his present property, upon which he has since made his home. It consists of two hundred and ten acres located on section 30, Van Buren township, and through the wise management of its owner has been brought under a high state of cultivation. He has placed many improve- ments upon the place, erected a fine modern residence and the farm, fully equipped with all conveniences and accessories for facilitating farm labor, stands today as one of the most valuable and desirable properties of the township. He carries on general farming and also devotes considerable attention to stock raising of all kinds, both branches of his business, the raising of grain and the raising of stock, proving sources of gratifying remuneration. Careful supervision of his affairs, close application and unfaltering energy and perseverance, have been
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salient elements in his present success, and he is today ranked among the sub- stantial agriculturists of the community.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kukkuck was blessed with two children, Louise and Henry, both of whom are still at home. The parents affiliate with the Luth- eran church and are active and helpful in its various branches of work, while fraternally Mr. Kukkuck is a thirty-second degree Mason, holding his membership at Preston, Iowa. His political views are in accord with the principles of the democratic party, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. He is now serving as township trustee, which office he has filled for the past five years in a most efficient and satisfactory manner. He has never, however, been an aspirant for public office as a reward for party fealty, but prefers to devote his energies and time to the conduct of his personal affairs which, capably managed, are bring- ing to him well deserved success.
JOHN OTTEN.
John Otten, who owns a valuable tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres in Fairfield township, is one of the worthy sons that Germany has furnished to the United States, his birth having occurred in Hanover on the 24th of June, 1859. His parents, Henry and Annie (Politz) Otten, spent their entire lives in the fatherland. In 1881, when a young man of twenty-two years, John Otten crossed the ocean to the new world, being desirous of testing the truth of the favorable reports which he had heard regarding the excellent business oppor- tunities which were here offered. After landing on American shores he remained for two years in New York city, working at various occupations. In 1886 he came to this state and for six years worked as a farm hand for Sylvestor Hunter in Clinton county near the Jackson county line. In 1891 he purchased a tract of land comprising eighty acres on section 9, Fairfield township, where he resided until 1899, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm and in 1908 extended its boundaries by an additional purchase of a quarter section, so that it now embraces three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Fairfield township. He has brought the fields into a state of rich fertility, so that he annually harvests good crops, and in addition to his farming interests also makes a specialty of the raising of thoroughbred hogs. He is likewise a stock- holder in the Preston Telephone Company and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous, progressive and representative citizens of the community.
In 1891 Mr. Otten was united in marriage to Miss Annie Yohum, a daughter of Phillip Yohum, of Fairfield township. Their children are four in number, namely: Annie, Herman, John and Fred, all at home.
When exercising his right of franchise Mr. Otten casts an independent ballot, supporting the candidate whom he believes best qualified without regard to party affiliation. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and he has ably served as a school director. He and his family are consistent members of the Lutheran church and take an active interest in its work. The
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hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought,-which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man,-and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward.
PHILIP FABLINGER.
Philip Fablinger is one of the representative citizens of Bellevue township, whose well spent life, devoted to his farming interests and his family, has been rewarded with substantial success and the respect of a host of friends. He is a man of high character, true to every trust reposed in him, and in mat- ters of citizenship is as loyal to his country in days of peace as when he fol- lowed the old flag upon southern battlefields.
Mr. Fablinger was born in Cumberland, Maryland, December 25, 1839, his parents being George and Margaret (Pope) Fablinger, natives of Berne, Switz- erland. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in young manhood and womanhood and, settling in Maryland, were there married about three years after their arrival. In 1847 they removed to the middle west and after spend- ing a year in Galena, Illinois, preempted a farm in Hanover township, Jo Daviess county, that state, where they remained until called to their final rest. The mother passed away in 1861, when forty-five years of age, while the father lived until January 18, 1904, his death occurring when he was almost ninety-one years of age, for the 28th of May, 1813, was his natal day. Twelve children were born unto him and his wife and four of their sons served in the Civil war. John enlisted in Company I, Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry, and at the battle of Chickamauga was wounded in the left shoulder. He lay on the battlefield for eleven days, when he was found by a company of men who were drilling. Recovering from his wounds, he continued in the service, doing light guard duty. Two other sons, Nicholas and Louis, attempted to enlist at the opening of the war but they were too young to be accepted and it was not until toward the close of hostilities that they became members of the Union army, serving in the same company as Philip Fablinger for about a year.
When a lad of eight years Philip Fablinger accompanied his parents to Illinois, and after spending two years in Galena, that state, went to Indianapo- lis, Indiana, where he learned the machinist's trade. A year and a half later he was placed in charge of a railroad engine on the run to Chicago and was thus engaged until the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south. In June, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Illinois Battery and for a year was on active duty with the Army of the Tennessee. He then reenlisted as a mem- ber of Company F, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained until peace was declared. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, in the siege of Vicksburg, in the engagements at Fort Donelson, Lookout Moun- tain, Missionary Ridge, Nashville, the Atlanta campaign and in other engage- ments in which the regiment took part. He was four times wounded, being
PHILIP FABLINGER
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shot once in the head, while at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, the fingers of his left hand were so injured as to render him permanently crippled. He was promoted to the rank of corporal, served as sergeant for a time and was honorably discharged at Camp Harper, Nashville, Tennessee, June II, 1865. He had previously been sent to Chicago, where he remained six weeks before he was mustered out.
At the close of the war Mr. Fablinger returned to his home and for two years thereafter was employed as a laborer, while four years were spent as a farm hand. In 1871 he came to Bellevue and after filling the office of city marshal for a short period, was elected highway commissioner, in which posi- tion he rendered capable service for four or five years. At the same time he also operated a threshing machine and later he purchased a farm, which he sold ten years afterward. He then returned to Bellevue and, entering the em- ploy of the Champion Company, was engaged in building farm machinery for a year. In 1892 he once more invested in farm property, becoming the owner of two hundred acres of land on section 25, Bellevue township, which remains his home to the present time. The soil is rich and fertile and as the result of his careful cultivation, he has annually gathered abundant crops. From the raising of stock, in which he is extensively engaged, he also derives a gratifying income and his farm in all its equipments and accessories constitutes a model property.
On the 23d of October, 1873, Mr. Fablinger was married to Miss Hannah Efferding, who was born in Tete des Morts township, December 27, 1852, and has always resided in Jackson county. Her parents, Louis and Hannah (Hart- wig) Efferding, were natives of Hesse-Darmstadt and Hanover, Germany, re- spectively, but were married in this country. For some time they resided in Galena, Illinois, and later took up their abode in Tete des Morts township, which at that time contained only two other settlers. The homestead which they se- cured as a claim from the government remained their place of residence until they were called to their final rest, the father passing away in 1875, when sev- enty-nine years of age, while the mother died in 1894, at the age of seventy- eight years. They had eleven children, sixty-nine grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren and the record of their descendants is one which does credit to an untarnished family name.
Mr. and Mrs. Fablinger have five children: Kate Margaret, the wife of Chris Keil, of Bellevue township; Carrie Theresa, who is clerking in N. C. Bisdorf's store in Bellevue; Philip Charles and Louis James, at home; and Elda Justina, who is a pupil in the Cedar Rapid Business College. In politics Mr. Fablinger is a pronounced republican but not a politician in the sense of seeking office. He has served on the school board for a number of years and his efficient service indicates his strong and helpful interest in the cause of education. His religious support is given to the Lutheran church and fra- ternally he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. He commenced life without other resources than a willing heart and strong purpose and has gained substantial success as the years have gone by, his untiring and persistent labor, capable management and keen business discernment winning him a com- fortable competence. In matters of citizenship he is progressive and helpful,
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manifesting at all times a spirit of loyalty and patriotism. Widely known in Jackson county, he has many friends here and enjoys in large measure the es- teem of all with whom he has come in contact.
ERNEST HERMANN TOEDT.
The success which is the result of unceasing hard work, thrift and excellent management rewarded the efforts of Ernest Hermann Toedt, who is now living retired in Miles. He was for a long period identified with the farming inter- ests of Clinton county, this state, and the prosperity he gained entitled him to be numbered among the representative citizens of this section of the state. Although born across the water, he is thoroughly American in all of his ideas, has been loyal in every respect to the country of his adoption and the funda- mental traits of his character, those which are prime qualities of the German race, have been salient features in his success, and have also advanced the interests of Iowa.
In the province of Holstein, Germany, April 9, 1843, Ernest Hermann Toedt was born. His«parents, John and Christina (Ruge) Toedt, who were also na- tives of the same country, emigrated to America in 1852 and on reaching our shores came direct to Iowa. In Deep Creek township, Clinton county, near the Jackson county line, Mr. Toedt bought one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land, which he prepared for cultivation and on which he lived for more than twenty years. At the end of that period he removed to Yankton county, South Dakota, where he resided until his death in 1885.
Ernest Hermann Toedt was about nine years of age when he accompanied his parents on their journey to America and has since lived in Iowa. He re- ceived his rudimentary education in the schools of Clinton county, while at the same time he obtained practical training for the responsibilities of life through the assistance he rendered his father in cultivating the home farm. He re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age, when, desiring to start out for himself, he purchased eighty acres of land from his father. Upon the death of the latter he inherited some more land, to which he added through the purchase of his brothers' interests in the estate. He carried on the work of tilling the fields year after year, gathering rich harvests as the result of his unwearied labor until 1894, when he left his farm and removed to Miles, where he has since resided. Throughout the period of his activity his business affairs were conducted with such good judgment that now, in his retirement he is able to enjoy many of the luxuries of life, while the knowl- edge that in achieving this success he has retained the respect and good will of those who know him is an additional gratification.
In 1868 Mr. Toedt was married to Miss Caroline Fricke, a daughter of Ephraim Fricke, of Clinton county, Iowa. There were five children born of this union, four of whom are living, as follows: Ella, now the wife of Clyde Baker, of Lyons; Clara, the wife of George Wolf, of Lyons; Minnie, deceased; Louise, the wife of John Spellman, of Colorado; and Charles, who is residing
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in Lyons. Mrs. Toedt died in 1878, and for his second wife Mr. Toedt mar- ried Miss Caroline Menneke, a daughter of Henry Menneke, of Clinton county. Four children have been born of this union, namely: Irma, the wife of Roy Denick, of Miles; Irene, the wife of Marvin Tompkins, of Van Buren town- ship, this county ; and Avelda and Raymond, who are at home.
Mr. Toedt has always been a republican in his political views, and that he is held in high regard by his associates is evident in the fact that while he was a resident of Clinton county, he was elected supervisor of his township. His support has ever been given to those measures calculated to advance the public welfare, for he is interested in matters of general concern, although he is not an aspirant for office, and the record of his life, well and honorably spent, is a credit both to the country of his birth and to that of his adoption, which has been his home since boyhood.
ROBERT E. WALKER.
Robert E. Walker, who is now living retired in Miles, where he has made his home for the past nine years, was formerly identified with the farming in- terests of Clinton county, and the ability and energy he displayed in carrying on his business affairs now enable him to live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Columbia county, New York, March 30, 1836, a son of the Rev. John and Eliza (Hoffman) Walker, natives of Ireland and the Empire state, respectively. The father emigrated to Amer- ica as a young man and came to Iowa in 1843. He was a Methodist minister and, following his calling after he came westward, was one of the first to preach the gospel in the territory. Until 1853 he and his family lived in differ- ent sections of Iowa and then he purchased a farm, which he operated for sev- eral years. He had intended returning to ministerial work, however, but death overtook him in 1858. His wife has also passed away.
Robert E. Walker was about seventeen years of age when his father pur- chased the farm and for almost half a century gave all his attention and energy to agricultural pursuits. He had early learned the value of unremitting in- dustry and economy and in 1866, as the result of his thrift and good manage- ment, he was able to purchase his first farm-in Elk River township, Clinton county. It remained his home throughout his active career, and as he was diligent and persistent in all of his business undertakings, he met with substan- tial success as is evidenced in the fact that his land holdings embrace two hun- dred and eighty-eight acres, all in one body. As the years passed by he har- vested large crops, for he had brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, through the use of careful, scientific and progressive methods, and had made upon the farm every improvement necessary for the care and protection of grain and stock. He was ever alert to see and grasp an opportunity for ad- vancement and in consequence enjoys a handsome competence. He still retains possession of the farm which was his home for such a long period.
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It was in 1862 that Mr. Walker wedded Miss Susan K. Green, a native of Jackson county, Iowa, and a daughter of George F. Green, who had come to this county in 1839 from Connecticut, although his birth had occurred in Rhode Island, August 15, 1809. His widow, Mrs. Sarah A. Green, nee Kimball, was born in New London, Connecticut, August 14, 1808, and is still living, making her home with Mrs. Walker. Mr. Green passed away January 12, 1894. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walker have been born seven children: Charles, who is deceased ; Sybil, who is the wife of E. C. Forest, of Clinton county, Iowa; Katie, who is deceased; Clarence D., who is living in Jackson county; Robert E., Jr., of Sabula, Jackson county; Gertrude, who is the wife of W. S. Kellogg, Jr., of Portland, Oregon; and Sallie J., who is the wife of R. W. Crawford, of Parker, South Dakota.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Walker have for long years been devoted members of the Congregational church, while politically he has always been a stalwart cham- pion of republican principles. He has not sought official preferment, however, although he has served as school director and has always taken an active in- terest in everything relative to the public good. He has now passed the seventy- fourth milestone on life's journey and the long record of the past holds nothing of which he may be ashamed, for although he has gained a conspicuous suc- cess, it has been through his own efforts and not through the misfortunes of others. Therefore he is well deserving of the prosperity he now enjoys and the general respect and esteem in which he is held by those who have come in contact with him.
CHARLES W. MILLER, M. D.
Dr. Charles W. Miller, prominent among the medical fraternity in Preston, is by birth an Ohioan, having been born in Baltic, Tuscarawas county, that state, September 23, 1859. He is of German origin, his father, Philip Miller, having been a native of Baden, Germany. In 1835 he came to America and for some time lived in Cleveland, Ohio, afterward making his home in Baltic.
In the latter place Dr. Miller spent his boyhood and availed himself of such educational advantages as a town of its size afforded. He was possessed of a wholesome desire for education and in 1877, when he was about eighteen years of age he left home and went to Valparaiso, Indiana, for the purpose of attending college. To help pay his tuition and other college expenses, Dr. Miller taught in the Indiana country schools, and he was graduated in 1883 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. After his graduation he came to Preston, Iowa, and secured the position of principal of the public schools. He continued in that capacity for two years and then in pursuance of an ambition of long standing he went into the office of Dr. Bowen of Maquoketa. After acquiring a great deal of useful in- formation there, he enrolled as a student in Iowa State University and March 3, 1887, was graduated with the degree of M. D. Then returning to Maquoketa he again became associated with Dr. Bowen and remained with him until October I,
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