USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 54
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John L. Felderman, the father of Benjamin F. Felderman, spent his entire life in Tete des Morts township, and there his death occurred September 15, 1896. In the years of his activity he was engaged in farming, from which he derived a gratifying and well merited success. On the 25th of February, 1876, he wedded Miss Addie Wickie, who was born in Hanover, Germany, February IO, 1855, and was about two years of age when in the spring of 1857 she was brought to Jackson county, Iowa, by her parents, Diedrich and Bibkie (Bishop) Wickie. They joined the farming community of Bellevue township, which remained their home throughout the remainder of their lives. In their family were three children, as follows: John Henry who is deceased; Fred, a resident of Tete des Morts township; and Addie, who is the widow of John L. Felder- man. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Felderman were born four children, namely: Ben-
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jamin F., who is the subject of this sketch; George C., who is living upon the old homestead in Tete des Morts township; and August W. and William L., who are in business in Lamotte, this county. The parents were devout mem- bers of the German Lutheran church. Since her husband's death Mrs. Fel- derman has made her home in Bellevue.
Benjamin F. Felderman, whose name introduces this review, was reared as a farm boy, early becoming familiar with the duties of the agriculturist. He was educated in the district schools of Tete des Morts township, pursuing his studies during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until about eight years ago, when he bought the place whereon he now lives. It is a fine tract of three hundred and seventy acres, lying on sections 27, 22, and 21, Bellevue township, about four miles west of the village of Bellevue on the Andrew road. To its further cultivation and improvement Mr. Felderman has devoted himself diligently for the past eight years, and he has found his labors well rewarded by a generous income. In addition to raising the crops adapted to soil and climate he has engaged extensively in the live stock business and his interests have been so carefully managed that he well deserves to be num- bered among the successful and representative citizens of this county.
On the 2d of April, 1902, Mr. Felderman wedded Miss May Hinkie, who was born in Bellevue township, September 10, 1877, and is a daughter of J. H. and Christina (Nothdurf) Hinkie. The former was a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Jackson county, Iowa, and both remained residents of this section of the state until their deaths. They were the parents of five children, as follows: John and Henry, who are living in Prairie Spring town- ship; Charles, who is deceased; Anna, who is the wife of John Bush, of Dubuque; and May, who is the wife of Mr. Felderman.
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Felderman have one child, Harold, who was born upon the farm November 16, 1903. There have been no spectacular chapters in the personal history of Mr. Felderman, for as the years have passed he has quietly tilled his fields. Yet he is one of the representative citizens of this town- ship, and his life of earnest endeavor, has won the respect of his fellowmen, while his success, which is the result of his own efforts, has gained for him their admiration. Frugal, industrious and progressive, he stands as the best type of the farmer of today.
JOHN LUNDIN.
John Lundin is one of the worthy citizens Sweden has furnished to Jackson county, and he dates his residence in Bellevue from 1866, since which time as a carpenter and cabinetmaker he has been intimately connected with its development and improvement. He was born in Skofde, Sweden, 'August 23, 1837, a son of Andrew and Sarah (Peterson) Anderson, who spent their entire lives in that country, where the father was engaged in farming as a tenant.
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John Lundin was the only one of the four children born to his parents to cross the ocean and establish a home in America, and he came not on the impulse of youth but after the deliberations of maturity, assured that he might find in this country better advantages for his children. He received his education in the public schools of his native land, where he also learned the trade of a cabinetmaker. It was the custom in those days for a mechanic to assume any name he chose and to take out papers authorizing its use, and accordingly when he completed his ap- prenticeship Mr. Lundin selected his cognomen from the estate of Lund and has borne it ever since, instead of the name of his father. He was busily employed at his trade in Sweden until 1865, when he decided to emigrate to the United States. Landing at New York, he secured work in piano shops in that city, spending one year in the celebrated Steinway factory, and in 1866 came west to Bellevue, Iowa, which has since been his home. With the passing of the years, now num- bering more than two score, he has been faithfully engaged in the work of his trade.
In 1861 Mr. Lundin wedded Miss Wilhelmina Svenson, who was born in the same Swedish province as he was, November 11, 1834, and died November 5, 1907, after a happy married life of forty-six years. Four children were born to them. Gustaf, whose birth occurred in Sweden, is now engaged in farming in Bellevue township. Alfred, born in New York city, is carrying on agricultural pursuits in Michigan, near Vassar. John, who is a native of Bellevue, has a fruit ranch at Paonia, Colorado.
Hilda, the youngest of the family, was born in Bellevue and at the usual age entered school, passing through consecutive grades until she completed the high- school course by graduation in 1886. Subsequently she attended the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, from which she received her degree and diploma in 1889. Thus well qualified for teaching she obtained a position in the school at Hull, Iowa, whence she came to Bellevue, being connected with the schools here for the next eleven years, for three years as a teacher in the grades, and for eight years in the high school. During that time, she took special work during the summer vacations at Chicago, Chautauqua, New York, and Cedar Falls. Then she taught two years in the high school at Hartley and for the same length of time at Algona, and did institute work in Linn and Buchanan counties during several vacations. In November, 1906, she was elected superintendent of schools of Jack- son county on the republican ticket, and she holds the distinction of being not only the first candidate that party ever elected to the position but also the first woman to hold the office. She served acceptably until 1909, when she declined renomina- tion, owing to the press of other duties, and has since been a teacher in the Bellevue high school. She is thoroughly interested in her work, zealous and active in behalf of public instruction, and her efforts in connection with the schools of Jack- son county have been of a most practical character and have been attended with direct and tangible results. She has the high regard of the citizens of Bellevue, where so much of her life has been spent, and the affection of those who as pupils have come under her gracious influence.
Mr. Lundin has now passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey, and as he looks back over the past he has no reason to regret having come to this
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country. Here he found the opportunities he sought and now enjoys many com- forts in the evening of his life, and he secured the advantages he desired for his children, who have availed themselves of them and are leading lives of great usefulness in their respective localities.
CHARLES STOLTZ.
Charles Stoltz owns and cultivates a farm of three hundred and forty- seven acres in Van Buren township and also makes a specialty of buying, rais- ing and feeding stock of all kinds. His birth occurred in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 30th of January, 1863, his parents being Mathias and Margaret (Vogt) Stoltz, both natives of Germany. In 1853 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up their abode in Jackson county, Iowa, the father here purchasing land. They reared a family of four children, namely: August, who is now deceased; Charles, of this review; John, a resident of Montana; and Anna, who is the wife of Joseph Forman and makes her home in Dubuque, Iowa.
The common schools afforded Charles Stoltz his early educational advan- tages and when he had attained his majority he left the parental roof and se- cured employment as a farm hand, thus working for seven years. Subsequently he conducted a store at Bellevue for a period of two years and then purchased a tract of one hundred acres of land near Bellevue, residing thereon for two years. At the end of that time he disposed of the property and for four years rented the farm which is now in his possession. He was afterward engaged in the operation of a rented farm in Cedar county for four years and then pur- chased a tract of two hundred acres in Linn county, but sold the place at the end of two years. Subsequently he came into possession of his present farm of three hundred and forty-seven acres in Van Buren township and has since devoted his time and energies to its further cultivation and development with excellent success, having brought the place under a high state of improvement. The land is rich and arable and the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields result in securing large crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. He is also engaged in buying, raising and feeding stock of all kinds and this branch of his business likewise proves a good source of remuneration to him.
On the 14th of January, 1886, Mr. Stoltz was united in marriage to Miss Emma Meyer, who was born on the farm where she now resides, her natal day being November 20, 1867. Her parents, Conrad and Dora (Ahlers) Meyer, were both natives of Germany. The former, who still survives, is a resident of Jackson county, but the latter was called to her final rest in 1906. They reared a family of four children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stoltz have been born three children, as follows: Albert J., whose birth occurred on the 7th of January, 1887, and who makes his home in this county; Harold H., born February 20, 1900; and Emmet C., who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 2d of May, 1905.
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Politically Mr. Stoltz is a stalwart advocate of the democracy and for the past three years has capably served in the position of township trustee. He has likewise acted as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are consistent and devoted members of the German Lutheran church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial and prosperous citizens of his native county.
ROBERT POWERS.
The farming interests of Van Buren township find a worthy representative in Robert Powers, who owns and cultivates one hundred acres of land on section 19 and has made it a well improved property. His birth occurred in Clinton county, Iowa, on the 17th of February, 1859, his parents being Richard and Mary (Whalen) Powers. He obtained his education in the schools of his native county and remained on the home farm until twenty-nine years of age, assisting his older brother in its operation. After leaving Clinton county he was engaged in breaking prairie in Sac and Lyon counties for about a year, at the end of which time he returned to the home place. When a year had passed he came to Fair- field township, Jackson county, to assist his brother, L. Powers, in the manage- ment of his several farms. During the last six years of his partnership with his brother he was engaged in business as a horse dealer of Preston. He was mar- ried in 1905 and made his home in Preston for a year. It was in the fall of 1905 that he purchased his present farm of one hundred acres on section 19, Van Buren township, where he has since carried on his agricultural interests with ex- cellent success. The fields indicate his careful supervision and practical methods, bringing forth rich crops which are a merited reward for his labor.
In 1905 Mr. Powers was united in marriage to Miss Eva Brinkmann, a na- tive of Clinton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Joseph Brinkmann, an old resident of that county. Politically Mr. Powers is a stanch democrat, having cast his bal- lot in support of its men and measures since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Both he and his wife are faithful communicants of the Catholic church at Preston ,and they well merit the regard and esteem which is uniformly ac- corded them.
FREDERICK SCHMIDT.
In Frederick Schmidt the best stock and farming interests of Jackson county find a worthy representative. He owns a well improved tract of two hundred and twenty acres in Fairfield township, on which he lives, and from its cultiva- tion he gathers every year golden harvests to which are a fitting recompense for his unabating labor. He was born in Clinton county, Iowa, December 21, 1863, and is a son of Carl and Fredericka (Schuhknecht) Schmidt, both natives of Ger-
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many. They came to the United States in 1857 and, making their way to Iowa, located at Lyons, Clinton county, where they resided until 1872. In that year they removed to Jackson county, which remained their home throughout the bal- ance of their lives. The father died in 1887, while the mother survived him about thirteen years, passing away in November, 1900. Of the children born to them nine are still living.
Frederick Schmidt completed the education begun in the schools of Fulton, Illinois, and obtained practical training for the work of later years while he as- sisted his father in operating the farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he went to Minnesota and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Lincoln county. After two years' sojourn there, however, he sold his land and returned to Jackson county, Iowa, which has since been his home. For three years he operated a rented place and then purchased one hundred and forty acres of the farm he now owns. It was only partly improved at the time, but its soil was rich and arable, and, being brought to a high state of cultivation, has made Mr. Schmidt large returns for his labor, so that he has been able to add eighty acres to its area, making a total of two hundred and forty cares of some of the best land in Fairfield township. He has made stock raising his specialty, and as his industry has ever been the measure of his success he deserves to be numbered among the well-to-do farmers of Fairfield township.
Mr. Schmidt has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Mary Kunze in her maidenhood, a native of this county and a daughter of Fred and Mary Kunze. She passed away June 1I, 1900, and is survived by her three children, namely Leroy, Charlotte and Viola. In 1902 Mr. Schmidt married Mrs. Louise (Hagerman) Hoffman, the widow of William Hoffman and a daughter of Henry and Mary (Kunze) Hagerman. Her parents were natives of the fatherland and on coming to this country settled in Jackson county, Iowa, where they are still living. Mrs. Schmidt was born in Van Buren township, this county. There are two children of second union, Harold H. and Lester L., and Mrs. Schmidt has a son by her former marriage, George E. G., who is living with his mother and stepfather. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt are members of the Lutheran church, and their lives are in harmony with its teachings. Politically Mr. Schmidt gives his support to the democratic party, and while not an office seeker he ren- dered the community efficient service during the year he was township clerk and during the three terms he acted as school director. He has lived quietly, but he has realized that true success comes only from industry, perseverance and hon- orable dealings and so the prosperity which he now enjoys is well merited and carries with it the high regard of his friends.
ALBERT L. BARTHOLOMEW.
For more than two score of years, Albert L. Bartholomew has been most active in the affairs of Van Buren township, which owes to him in no small degree the numerous evidences of progress and advancement everywhere dis- cernible. Indeed, he enjoys the distinction of having erected the first house in
A. L. BARTHOLOMEW
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Preston and of having been instrumental in bringing the railroad to that lo- cality, and his interest in the public welfare is manifest in its several financial institutions which are flourishing today. Of New England parentage and birth, he belongs to an old English family, being a descendant of William Bartholo- mew, who came to America in 1620. Albert L. Bartholomew was born in Hartford, Connecticut, June 19, 184I, a son of Eli and Portia (Sherman) Bartholomew. The father removed to Cleveland, Ohio, while his son was still a small boy, and there engaged in business as a broker, although he later en- tered the marble business, with which Albert L. Bartholomew became familiar even while he was prosecuting his studies.
Albert L. Bartholomew spent his early youth in Cleveland, graduating from the Central high school of that city at the age of fourteen. The following year he took a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton Business College, of Cleve- land, after which he accepted a position in the office of Tappan, McKillop & Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1859 he went to Belvidere, Illinois, where his brother Charles was residing, and engaged in the marble business with him for one year. The next two years he spent in New York city in mercantile pursuits, returning to Belvidere in 1862 and buying his brother's marble works. In 1864 he came to Iowa, obtaining employment as a foreman in the marble works of N. Boardman, at Lyons, Clinton county.
From the 25th of February, 1865, Mr. Bartholomew dates his residence in Jackson county, for at that date he settled in what is now Buckeye, Van Buren township, where he established himself in the marble business. After remain- ing there about six years, he came to Preston between Christmas day, 1870, and January 1, 1871, which town was at that time just coming into existence. Here he erected the first home in the village, bringing the lum- ber for it from Bellevue, and immediately he became a prime factor in the development of the place. He was one of the strongest protagonists in per- suading the railroad to come into Preston, and on the 6th of May, 1871, es- tablished the first bank here. It was then known as the Preston Bank and continued to do business under that name until June 6, 1906, when it was re- incorporated as the First National Bank. From the beginning Mr. Bartholo- mew has been its president, while he has occupied the same position with re- gard to the German Savings Bank. As his interests enlarged and he saw wider opportunity for the exercise of his abilities, he began the study of law, being admitted to practice in 1868, to the supreme court of Iowa in 1872, and to the United States district court in 1874. In 1875 he was appointed attorney for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and still fills that position. He has always been keenly alive to progress in all lines and when he saw oppor- tunity, he organized the telephone system of Jackson county, of which com- pany he was the first president. In recognition of his abilities he was elected mayor of Preston, and during the five terms of his administration used his prerogatives as the chief executive in civic affairs not for private advantage but for the development and improvement of Preston. It was largely through the work of Mr. Bartholomew that Preston has its splendid water and lighting systems and he was the first president of both of those public improvements. Ever a masterful worker, he has evinced throughout the period of his residence
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in this section of the state the zeal and energy characteristic of the best type of American citizenship.
While he was living in Belvidere, Illinois, August 17, 1863, Mr. Bartholo- mew was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Beckwith, a daughter of John B. and Susan (Cushing) Beckwith, both natives of Cheshire county, New Hampshire, although at the time Mr. Bartholomew became acquainted with them they were living in Belvidere, Illinois, where Mr. Beckwith was engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew have three children. A sketch of George appears elsewhere in this work. Gertrude became the wife of Dr. Har- land Updegraff, government statistician to the commissioner of education, and lives in Washington, D. C. Eugene A., who was born May 15, 1868, died No- vember 7, 1909, leaving a wife, Mrs. Emma (Kaylor) Bartholomew, and two . children-Maude and Lloyd-to mourn his loss.
Mr. Bartholomew has always been a Mason of high standing. For nineteen consecutive years he was master of Astral Lodge, No. 324, A. F. & A. M .; is a member of Bath Kol Chapter, No. 94, R. A. M .; of Tancred Commandery, No. 40, K. T .; a charter member of De Molay Consistory, thirty-second degree and K. C. C. H .; and of other branches of the order. A good citizen, a good busi- ness man and one identified with all measures that stand for the development of the community in which he lives, he is a representative of the enterprise so con- spicuous of the upbuilding of the west.
GEORGE H. MCCLELLAN.
For the past four years George H. McClellan has been actively engaged in farming in Maquoketa township and has identified himself intimately with the best interests of his locality. He was born in Lauden, Cedar county, Iowa, April 5, 1872, a son of Samuel and Adeline (Hoskins) McClellan, the latter a native of Cedar county, the former of Perth, Canada. In 1851 Samuel McClel- lan and his father went to Cedar county, where the latter secured a tract of land and engaged in farming. This homestead is still in the possession of Mr. McClellan, Sr., although he has retired from its active operation and is living in Clarence, Iowa. He is the father of several children, as follows: Edward and Clarence, who are residents of Cedar county ; Mrs. Charlotte Decker, of Pasadena, California; and George H., the subject of this sketch.
George H. McClellan attended the common schools of Cedar county and in 1890 was a pupil in the business college at Davenport. Upon the completion of his education he went to Clarence, Iowa, where his father was farming, re- maining there for two years. In 1892 he went to Lauden, working with a brother for another two years, and in 1894 married and removed with his wife to Miles City, Montana. There he engaged in the raising of cattle and horses upon a large ranch of eight hundred and twenty acres he owned there. For about nine years he conducted operations in that section of the country but, owing to the ill health of his wife, was obliged to sell his land and return to Iowa. In 1905 he bought the farm he now occupies. It is a tract of one hun-
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dred and seventy-four and a half acres of rich and arable land, well suited to general farming which he has pursued with so much profit. He has been pro- gressive and a good manager, and his industry has been the measure of his success.
It was in 1894 that Mr. McClellan was united in marriage to Miss Emma O'Donnell, a daughter of John O'Donnell, a farmer of Jackson county. They have one child, Lucille. In his political views Mr. McClellan leans toward the republican party and on its ticket was elected to the office of township trustee by a large majority despite the fact that this locality is generally regarded as democratic. In addition to his agricultural interests in this county he is also identified with his brother in the raising of shorthorn cattle in Cedar county. The pronounced success he had attained in the past augurs well for the prosper- ity of the future, for, still a young man, he has the most productive years of his life before him.
MATT PINNELL.
Matt Pinnell, who since the first of January, 1909, has efficiently served as su- pervisor of Jackson county, has in many other ways manifested a public-spirited citizenship, being active in every movement or measure instituted for the good of the community in which he lives. He has always made his home in Jackson county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Bellevue township, about two miles from the city of Bellevue, on the 14th of February, 1865. His parents, John and Mary (Zeimet) Pinnell, were both natives of Luxemburg, Germany, the former born in August, 1829, while the birth of the latter occurred in the year 1832. Both the father and mother emigrated to the new world in the early '50s, the latter accom- panying her parents to Jackson county. The father, however, spent one year in New York, while later he lived for some time in Canada, and then he made a permanent location in Jackson county, Iowa. It was here that the young couple were married and established their home. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Bellevue township and were identified with agricultural interests until twelve years ago, since which time they have lived retired in a comfortable home in Bellevue. Their marriage was blessed with six children but three of the num- ber died in early childhood, while three reached years of maturity but the eldest of these, John J., died in Cascade, Iowa, leaving a widow and four children. The only living brother of our subject is Henry, who makes his home in Cascade.
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