USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 52
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Lucius T. Kimball was born in Preston, Connecticut, January 6, 1823, and is a son of Elijah and Lucy (Lathrop) Kimball, who were natives of the same state. The father passed away in Connecticut, when his son Lucius was six years
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of age, but the mother long survived him and accompanied some of her family when they came to Iowa. They were the parents of eight children.
There was little occurred in the boyhod of Lucius T. Kimball to vary the routine of farm duties, his days passing rapidly and the months being almost evenly divided between school and work in the fields. In 1840, accompanied by his mother, two brothers and a brother-in-law, he came to Jackson county, Iowa, locating in Iowa township, where they secured two hundred acres of land from the government, the place being known today, as in the past, as Kimball Hollow. Mr. Kimball immediately undertook the cultivation of this extensive tract and as the years passed added improvements of value until he had one of the modern, at- tractive and productive farms of this county. In response to his care and wise supervision the fields brought forth large harvests which repaid him well for his diligence. In 1890, having reached an advanced age and possessing an income more than sufficient for his needs, he decided to put aside the heavier of his re- sponsibilities and accordingly removed to Miles, where he has since lived in retirement. Although the snows of eighty-seven winters have whitened his hair he is still active and takes a keen interest in the life about him, frequently con- trasting the present with the comforts of an advanced civilization with the hard- ships of pioneer days, for incidents which are facts of history to others come within his own memory, and experiences today that sound like fiction were parts of his observation.
In 1849 Mr. Kimball wedded Miss Catherine Canfield, a native of Canada, who came to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1838. She was one of a family of eight children, and by her marriage she became the mother of five, all of whom are living, namely: Arden, who is living on the old homestead ; Elmer, who is a resi- dent of Colorado; Minnie, the wife of Fred Knox, of Miles; Ella, the wife of Julius Ericson, of Slater, Iowa; and Addie, who married Charles Bartlett, a retired farmer living in Miles.
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The parents are members of the Methodist church, of which Mr. Kimball has been a stanch supporter throughout his life. His acts have ever been directed by its teachings and reflect their practical value. His political support has been con- sistently given to the republican party, and, aside from serving as school director for a long period, he has taken little part in public affairs. In the duties of citizen- ship he is never remiss. His energy never flagged when it was a question of re- deeming the wild prairies, and surmounting all the hardships of the early settle- ment of this locality, and he is widely and favorably known throughout the county, with whose interests he has been identified for seventy years.
MATHIAS GOETZ.
Among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Jackson county must be numbered the Goetz brothers, John and Gottfried, who are carrying on the ex- cellent work begun by their father, Mathias Goetz, and by reason of their energy, perseverance and reliability, are winning a prosperity that entitles them to be numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of Bellevue town-
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ship. Two large tracts pay tribute to their earnest labor, and they also own an island of sixty-five acres in the Mississippi river.
Mathias Goetz was one of the sons of the fatherland, who coming to this country in search of opportunities, pushed his way steadily to the front, his record being a credit to both the land of his birth and that of his adoption. He was born in Baden, Germany, December 27, 1826, one of a family of ten chil- dren, three of whom came to America, namely: Andy, who is now deceased; Bartlet, also deceased; and Anna, who is the wife of Gotleib Lehmann, of Mer- rill, Iowa. As the eldest son he learned his father's trade, that of a miller, which he followed until he was eighteen, when he decided to emigrate to America. On crossing the Atlantic in 1854, he came direct to Bellevue, Jack- son county, Iowa. Later he rented a mill on Spruce creek, Tete des Morts town- ship, which he operated for five years, then bought one in Richland township, which he sold two and a half years later, and again rented the first mentioned, which he conducted profitably until 1868, when he turned his attention to farm- ing. For two years he farmed in Tete des Morts township and then in 1870 came to the place in Bellevue township that his sons now hold, which he had purchased in 1866. It is a tract of two hundred acres, comprising the southwest quarter of section 32, Bellevue township, and forty acres in Washington township, the home being in the former. He prepared the soil for cultivation and put up all the good buildings now to be seen, so that his was one of the well improved farms of the township, and the substantial income he derived from his labors brought him recognition as one of the prosperous men of his community. It remained his home throughout his life and there his death occurred June 5, 1899. In 1856 Mr. Goetz was married to Miss Christina Rapp, who was born in Baden, Germany, May 12, 1828, and came to this county in 1856, accom- panied by her widowed mother and half-brother, Jacob. For almost forty years the couple traversed the highroad of life together, their companionship being broken by the death of Mrs. Goetz, which occurred July 30, 1894. Twelve children were born to them, as follows: Christina, the deceased wife of John Goepfert; Lena, who passed away at the age of five years; John, who operates ยท the home place in conjunction with his brother; Mathias, who died November 23, 1893; Frederick, a farmer of Bellevue township; Jacob, who is also engaged in agriculture in this township; Wilhelmina, the deceased wife of Henry Reich- wein ; Charlotte, who is at home; Catherine, the wife of Henry Keil, of Bellevue township; Gottfried, who assists in operating the home place; George, who died at the age of one year ; and Matilda, who is at home. Mr. Goetz was a mem- ber of the Lutheran church, in which faith he reared his family, and his life was always in perfect harmony with its teachings-helpful, upright and honorable.
John and Gottfried Goetz, who, as the Goetz brothers, operate the home place, are also deserving a place among the enterprising farmers of Bellevue township, for in addition to the land they inherited from their father they own two hundred and twenty-three acres on section 29, Bellevue township, and an island in the river, also within the jurisdiction of this township, comprising sixty-five acres. While the extent of their property is a most telling evidence of the ability with which they have managed their affairs, a further indication of their progressive spirit and their determination to let no opportunity pass
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by unheeded is found in the fact that they own and run a threshing machine and operate a sawmill, both having considerable skill in handling machinery of all kinds. They devote their energies for the most part to stock raising and feeding, the character of their land making that business more practicable than agriculture, and they have found it a profitable investment for their thought and labor.
In politics John Goetz affiliates with the democratic party and Gottfried with the republican, while both are consistent members of the Lutheran church. In the township where their entire lives have been spent, both are known as young men of sterling integrity and strong character, whose salient traits are such as have won them not only material prosperity but also the unqualified regard and esteem of an extensive circle of friends.
ROBERT FRATUS.
In the death of Robert Fratus Jackson county lost one of its most honored pioneer citizens, for at his demise in 1897 he had rounded out a half century's residence in this section of the state and was therefore well known to the majority of our readers. Mr. Fratus was born in Portugal, on the island of St. Michael, in May, 1821. He was left an orphan at an early age and when but twelve years old became a cabin boy on a whaling vessel that plied American seas. Eventually he became a sailor on a freighting vessel, following the sea altogether for two decades. In June, 1847, he came to Jackson county, only a year after the state had been admitted to the Union, and here entered two hundred acres of land, located on section 19, Bellevue township. He at once began to develop and im- prove the land and in course of years made it a valuable property. Mr. Fratus further established a home of his own by his marriage in 1850 to Miss Sarah Camp- bell, who was born near the cities of Glasgow and Paisley, in Scotland, her natal day being June 21, 1833. She was but seven years of age when she was brought to America by her parents, Patrick and Rosanna (Daugherty) Campbell, the fam- ily first settling in Providence, Rhode Island, where they remained for a few years. However, when the daughter was about fifteen years of age they sought a home in the middle west and coming to Jackson county. established a permanent home in this section of Iowa. They reared a family of twelve children but only three are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell ,spent their remaining years in Jackson county and both passed away here.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fratus began their domestic life upon the farm which he had a few years before entered from the government. They then began life in earnest and through their united efforts accumulated a goodly competency. Mr. Fratus worked diligently in carrying on his farm work, which he continued to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1897, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years.
As the years passed six children were added to the household of Mr. and Mrs. Fratus but only three still survive, these being: John, a resident of Bellevue town- ship; Robert L., who is with his mother on the home farm, which he manages ;
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and Mary, the wife of John McKillip, a resident of Bellevue. The three daughters who are deceased are: Rosanna, who died at the age of nine years ; Katherine, who died when only eleven years of age; and Mrs. Sarah Jane Mosel, who died at the age of twenty years, leaving a little daughter, who is now deceased. The mother of this family still survives at the age of seventy-seven and she is still active in the work of the household.
Mr. Fratus was a democrat in his political views and affiliations and at one time served as road supervisor and as school director. He was a communicant of the Catholic church, in the faith of which he died. Integrity and uprightness were numbered among his strongest characteristics and he left to his family not only a valuable property but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. He had many friends and acquaintances not only among the oldest settlers of this section of the state who with him had braved the hardships and privations incident to a pioneer existence, but also numbered his friends among the later arrivals in this part of the county, all of whom had for him the utmost regard.
HENRY MILDENSTEIN.
Henry Mildenstein, in whose death Jackson county lost a valuable citizen, was for many years connected with general agricultural pursuits in Iowa town- ship, and the salient qualities of his character were such as commended him to the confidence, good will and high regard of those who knew him. He achieved an unusual success in his business undertakings and few if any of his associates were able to obtain as large or good results either in the cultivation of grains or in the raising of stock. He was born on the German island of Fehmarn, June 16, 1838, and the period of his life covered the intervening years until September 6, 1902. His parents, Hans and Margaret (Schmalfeld) Mildenstein were also natives of the same part of the fatherland, and they had eight children.
Henry Mildenstein was reared and educated in the land of his birth and was there identified with agricultural pursuits until he was nineteen years of age, when the call of the new world was no longer to be resisted, and he em- barked upon his journey to America. On landing, in 1857, he came direct to Iowa, locating in Iowa township, Jackson county, where he resided until his death. His farm proved a most profitable investment, and every year Mr. Mil- denstein gathered and marketed bountiful crops, which brought him a large income. Indeed, it is said that no other knew so well how to obtain the best results from the soil, and his was accounted one of the finest farms in Jackson county. Aside from general agricultural pursuits Mr. Mildenstein devoted con- siderable time to raising and feeding stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs, shorthorn cattle, and graded draft horses; and this branch of his busi- ness proved a source of gratifying profit to him. Industry, persistence and good management were salient factors in his success, and in all of his dealings with others he was found to be honorable and upright, a man who never took advantage of another for the sake of personal gain.
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On the 17th of April, 1881, Mr. Mildenstein wedded Miss Dora M. Macke- prang, who was born in the village of Heringsdorf, Holstein, Germany, and came to America with a sister in 1874. She lived for a time in Chicago, Illi- nois, whence she came to Jackson county, Iowa. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mildenstein. The son died at the age of five months, but the daughters are still living. They are: Emma, who is the wife of Robert Bolen, of Miles; and Maggie and Laura C. W., who are living with their mother in Miles, the family having removed to the village in November, 1893. Mrs. Mil- denstein rents the farm property. There is much in the history of the husband and father that is worthy of emulation, for while he gained a conspicuous suc- cess in his undertakings, his life won for him the respect of his fellowmen, as in every relation he was found true to high ideals and the rules which govern upright and honorable manhood.
HENRY DICKINSON.
A deep feeling of sadness was felt in Iowa township when it was learned that Henry Dickinson had passed from this life, but while those who knew him remain his memory will be cherished because of his helpfulness, his good cheer and his labor for the good of his fellowmen. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 27, 1832, and was a son of William and Elizabeth Dickin- son. They were also natives of England and emigrated to America in 1842, coming direct to Jackson county, Iowa, after landing upon the shores of this continent. In Iowa township they entered a claim of government land and thereon lived during the remainder of their lives. Four of the six children born to them still survive.
Henry Dickinson was about ten years of age when his parents established their home in this county. He had received a few years' schooling in the land of his birth and after arriving in Iowa attended school, then being taught in one of the neighbors' houses for a time, as there were no district schools at that time, but it was a meager education he obtained, for in those pioneer days many things were of more vital importance than daily lessons. Practical training of real value, however, was not wanting, for in breaking the ground, tilling the fields and meeting bravely the hardships of early days, he learned the value of industry and perseverance and gained that sturdiness of character that distin- guished him throughout life. He was thus well fitted to cope with the many problems that confront the agriculturist when at the age of twenty-seven he engaged in farming on his own account. His father gave him one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he added continually as his earnest efforts were richly rewarded until he owned over nine hundred acres. This large property was the visible evidence of his unwearying industry, his good management and the business sagacity that made him realize that the agricultural lands of Iowa are the best investment for surplus funds. Few if any men of his locality could show so notable a success as the result of their labors, and none had a more honorable or upright record, for he sought his advancement along legitimate
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MR. AND MRS. HENRY DICKINSON
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lines of activity and not through devious methods that bring an aftermath of bitterness.
At the age of twenty-seven years Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage to Miss Jane E. Chafer, who was born in England and was about ten years of age when her parents, Joseph and Harriett (Marshall) Chafer, emigrated to America in 1850. They settled first in Kentucky, where they lived for about six years, and then came to Jackson county, Iowa, which remained their home until their deaths. Their family numbered seven children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson were born nine children, six of whom are living. They are Herbert W., who is now living in Oklahoma; Joseph H., deceased; Charles W., who is on the old homestead and is now serving as township trustee; John W., a resi- dent of Iowa township; Harriet, who is the wife of W. G. Newsome, of this county ; Eva, who is the wife of W. P. Hughes and lives at Council Bluffs ; Bessie, deceased; Alfred R., who is at home; and Lucy, who has passed away. The husband and father died November 17, 1909, and was laid to rest in the Evergreen cemetery. Mrs. Dickinson and two of her sons still live upon the home farm.
Mr. Dickinson belonged to the Masonic lodge at Sabula and was in hearty sympathy with the fraternity whose basic element and belief is found in the ideal of universal brotherhood. He never figured in the public eye but was of a nature so kindly and genial that he won not only regard but that deeper feel- ing, which, call it friendship or love, binds men in close relation to their fellow- men. He died honored and respected in a community which is the better for his having lived in its midst.
JAMES McKITTERICK.
James McKitterick, now deceased, was for many years connected with the best agricultural interests of Clinton county and passed the last years of his life in Miles. He won a conspicuous success in the conduct of his business and also gained the respect and good will of his associates, for in all his undertakings he displayed the enterprise and versatility characteristic of the Irish race, and yet, while promoting his individual advancement, he evinced a keen devotion to the public welfare. A native of County Down, Ireland, he was born October 2, 1830, his parents being William and Fannie McKitterick, and was the fourth in a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters.
James McKitterick spent the early years of his life in Scotland and Ireland, and, owing to the poor character of the public schools at that period, he received but a limited education. When he reached the age of twenty-four years he was no longer able to resist the call of the new world and accordingly in April, 1854, he emigrated to America. Settling in Middlesex county, Connecticut, he remained there two years, and then removed to Philadelphia, where he lived a short time. In 1856 he came west to Iowa and bought a farm in Clinton county, which was his home for the next fifty-two years. Throughout that period he was busily engaged in developing and cultivating the land, bringing it to a high state of pro-
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ductiveness so that it yielded him abundant crops. The even tenor of his life was interrupted for a short time during the Civil war, for he served one year as a member of Company G, Sixteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which was in- cluded in Crocker's brigade. He participated in many important engagements and received an honorable discharge at the close of hostilities. He then returned to his Iowa home and was successfully engaged in farming until 1898, when hav- ing reached a ripe age and having gained a comfortable competence he retired from active life and took up his residence in Miles, where he lived until his death, November 19, 1909.
On the 4th of October, 1854, Mr. McKitterick married Miss Sarah Jane Wilson, who was also a native of County Down, Ireland. Her parents, James and Susanna Wilson, were born on the Emerald isle and emigrated to America July 4, 1855, coming to Iowa almost immediately after landing. Mr. Wilson, however, did not long enjoy his new home, for he passed away in 1856. Unto him and his wife were born three sons and two daughters, and three of the family are now living, namely: Henry, a farmer living in Clinton county, Iowa; James, a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas; and Mrs. McKitterick. Mr. and Mrs. McKitterick had eight children, but six died in infancy, and one son, Henry, passed away August 25, 1905. A daughter, Lizzie, still survives. She is the wife of Wallace Shadduck. Mrs. McKitterick is also living and makes her home in Miles.
The life of Mr. McKitterick was passed quietly and unostentatiously, but it was ever in accord with ideals of honorable manhood, and when death called him, it was realized that a worthy man had been taken away. His demise brought a distinct feeling of loss to his family and those who knew him intimately, but the memory of his upright life as a citizen, a soldier and a business man is cherished, thus bringing a feeling of consolation.
J. P. WAGNER.
A well improved property of Bellevue township is that known as Pleasant View Stock Farm, a tract of two hundred acres, lying on sections 30 and 31, about seven and a half miles southwest of the village of Bellevue. Everything about the place indicates that its owner, J. P. Wagner, is industrious and progres- sive and keeps in touch with the spirit of advancement which is manifest in agri- cultural lines. A native of this county he was born in Prairie Spring township, August 24, 1865, his parents being J. H. and Anna (Dosberg) Wagner. Both were of German birth and came to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1852. J. H. Wagner was about seventeen years of age when he reached this state, and throughout his active life was engaged in agricultural pursuits. About nine years ago he retired to Bellevue and there lived in the enjoyment of a well deserved rest until his death, which occurred on the 28th of December, 1905, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His widow still survives, and makes her home in the village. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Mary, the wife of John N. Manderscheid, of Bellevue, who is represented upon another page of this volume ; J. P .; Katherine,
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the wife of Matt Pinnell, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work; Annie, who married John Weis, of Alton, Iowa; Henry, a resident of Perry township; and Michael, of Bellevue.
J. P. Wagner was two years of age when he was brought by his parents to Bellevue township where he has since resided with the exception of one year which he spent in Richland township. From the age of twelve years he has lived upon the farm which is now his home. His youth was passed in a manner similar to that of the majority of country boys, his time being divided between work in the fields, lessons at school and the pleasures of the playground. About nine years ago he bought the old homestead from his father and has since operated it successfully as a stock farm. He has raised polled Angus cattle in the past but now has changed to shorthorn cattle, believing that dairying will prove more profitable than stock feeding. He also raises hogs and a few horses, and as his business is conducted carefully and systematically he annually derives a large in- come from his labors. His farm is especially well improved, the buildings being large and substantial, and in every detail the place indicates that Mr. Wagner has spared no effort to secure the best results in his undertakings.
On the 27th of January, 1891, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Clausen, who was born in Bellevue township May 9, 1868, and is a daugh- ter of John and Antoinette (Portz) C. Clausen. Her parents were natives of Germany, but were long numbered among the respected farming people of Jack- son county and are now living in Bellevue. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have been born seven children, as follows : Earl H., Edward J., Genevieve L., Viola C., Amanda Marie, Carl C. and Benjamin Peter.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Wagner has been a - stanch champion of the principles of the democratic party, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his ability, have called him to several offices. He is now serving his second term as township trustee, was road supervisor for a number of years and for eight years was a school director. In these various capacities he evinced a commendable public spirit, which won the confidence and respect of his friends and neighbors. His religious faith is manifest in his membership in St. Joseph's Catholic church of Bellevue, and his life, which is in harmony with his professions and has been spent in useful endeavor, has in itself been a valuable service to the community and proves him worthy of the regard of those who know him.
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