USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 56
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
a fine brick house on Third street, where he has since resided, enjoying the com- fortable income which rewarded his earnest labor.
On the 18th of April, 1863, Mr. Glade wedded Miss Minnie Etting, who was born in Tete des Morts township, this county, July 30, 1844. Her parents, Fred- erick and Christina Etting, were natives of Germany, but on coming to this county settled in the township just mentioned and there passed away. Through her mar- riage Mrs. Glade became the mother of ten children, namely: Christina, who died at the age of six months ; F. E., of this sketch; Catharine, who is the wife of A. N. Phillips, and they live with her father; Sarah, the wife of Charles Sisler, of An- drew, Perry township, this county; Henry, who died at the age of thirty-nine years and is survived by his widow ; George, who is living upon one of his father's farms in Richland township; Albert, a farmer of Perry township; Minnie, the wife of N. C. Bisdorf, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume; Jo- seph, who is residing in Perry township; and Elda, the wife of Lee Yager, of Bellevue. On the 3d of May, 1899, the wife and mother was called to her final rest, her death being deeply regretted by the large circle of friends she had made here.
Mr. Glade is a member of the Lutheran church and has been loyal to its teach- ings. Not only has he witnessed the great change which has transformed the ap- pearance of the county since he came here, but he has participated in it, for as a boy of thirteen or fourteen years he drove five or six yoke of oxen to break the prairie land, where now prosperous farms are to be seen. When he came here no railroads had reached this state. He persevered despite the hardships that con- fronted him and is now well entitled to the comforts he may command.
F. E. Glade has spent the greater part of his life in this county. He grew to manhood upon his father's farm, enjoying the educational privileges afforded by the district school near his home, while he obtained practical preparation for later responsibilities when assisting his father in his work. In the spring of 1888 he engaged in business for himself, leasing one of his father's farms in Jackson township, which he operated as a renter for the next fourteen years. In addition to cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate he engaged in raising stock, giving more and more time to that branch of his business until about thir- teen years ago he decided to concentrate his energies upon it. He then formed a partnership with Sam Campbell, which lasted for twelve years, and has since been connected with Thomas Sweeney. They buy and ship a large amount of cattle and are making a reputation for themselves as up-to-date, energetic and reliable stockmen. In 1900 Mr. Glade came to Bellevue and has since resided here, but he retains an active interest in agricultural affairs through his large landholdings, for he owns a farm of ninety-two acres in Bellevue township, an- other of one hundred and forty acres about a mile west of the town, sold a half section in Kansas. He also owns, in conjunction with his brother-in-law, A. N. Phillips, half a section near Crookston, Minnesota. This property is the patent evidence of his life of thrift, industry and careful management, while the record of his life proves that it has been acquired by wholly honorable means, which have brought him the respect and good will of those who know him.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
It was in 1891 that Mr. Glade was united in marriage to Maude E. Smith, who was born in Richland township, November 5, 1868, and is a daughter of William H. and Marcia (Cotton) Smith, both now deceased. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Glade, namely : Helen Maude and Ruth Lucille.
Mr. Glade is a member of the Lutheran church, while fraternally he is identi- fied with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political endorsement is unfal- teringly given to the republican party and his devotion to the public good has been manifest in the acceptable service he rendered as county supervisor, an of- fice he held for two terms or six years. He is a man whom to know is to esteem and honor, his sterling qualities winning him the friendship and regard of a large circle of acquaintances.
GEORGE F. SCHENK.
The Valley View Stock Farm, which is owned by George F. Schenk, is one of the valuable properties of eastern Iowa, and is a tract of two hundred and forty- four acres, located on sections 14, 15 and 23, Bellevue township. Mr. Schenk is a native son of Jackson county, born on a farm in Tete des Morts township on the 13th of April, 1873, his parents being Jurden and Katharine (Schroeder) Schenk, who were natives of Germany, where they were also married. . There four chil- dren were born to them, and the father, having but limited means, believed that he might better provide for the support of himself and family in the new world, which offered better opportunities and advantages. He located in Jackson county and here through hard work and economy accumulated a good farming property of one hundred and ninety acres in Richland township, seven miles west of Bellevue. Six more children were added to the family circle after the arrival of the parents in Jackson county, the record being as follows: William, who makes his home in Nebraska ; Henry and Fred, who died within a week's time, the former at the age of twenty-one and the latter when nineteen years of age; Ernest, a resident of Andrew, Jackson county; Mary, the wife of Adolph Rommert, their home being near that village; George F., of this review ; Carl and John, who live near Andrew ; and Godfrey, who met death in a cyclone in 1906, when he was a young man of twenty-four years. The parents are also deceased, the father dying at the age of seventy-one years, while the mother was sixty-four at the time of her demise. They had lived in Jackson county for a number of years and were numbered among its highly respected German-American citizens.
George F. Schenk acquired his education in the district schools and during the period of his boyhood and youth accompanied his parents on their various re- movals, which, however, were made within the confines of Jackson county. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority and then went to Elgin, Illinois, and for eight months was employed in the watch factory of that city. He next entered the employ of G. H. Rolling, a jeweler of Bellevue, with whom he remained for two years. He then engaged in business on his own ac- count, opening a jewelry store in Swea City, Iowa, and conducting the establish- ment for three years. At the end of that time he came to Bellevue and opened a
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
similar store and from that time until about a year ago he gave his time and at- tention to that business, when he purchased his present farm of two hundred and forty-four acres, located on sections 14, 15 and 23, Bellevue township, his home being known as the Valley View Stock Farm. On the place stands a fine stone house and a large barn, eighty by forty-eight feet, which was erected by Mr. Schenk in 1910. He carries on general farming but it is his intention to stock the place and give the greater part of his attention to the stock business. In addi- tion to his farm Mr. Schenk also owns a two-story brick store building, twenty- four by seventy feet, at No. 51 Front street in Bellevue, where his jewelry busi- ness was formerly located but he now rents the building.
On the 16th of December, 1897, occurred the marriage of Mr. Schenk and Miss Josephine Schiltz, who was born in Bellevue, May 25, 1876, a daughter of Matthew and Mary (Latch) Schiltz, both of whom were born in Germany but now reside in Bellevue. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schenk has been born George Har- old, whose birth occurred November 27, 1898, and John Dwight, born January II, 1910.
Mr. Schenk is a member of the Lutheran church in Bellevue and his life has been in harmony with its principles and teachings. Capably managing his busi- ness interests, his success has followed and today he is in possession of a valuable farming property. His enterprising and progressive spirit have made him a typical American in every sense of the word, and he has the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.
MICHAEL REGAN.
Michael Regan is the owner of one of the fine farms of Jackson county, his place comprising three hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land in Rich- land township near Lamotte. His birth occurred in Limerick, Ireland, Septem- ber 15, 1846, and he was not yet nine years of age when on the 12th of July, 1855, he landed in New York. The greater part of his life thereafter has been spent on the American continent and no native-born son is more loyal to the in- terests of this country. He remained in Litchfield county, Connecticut, there at- tending school until June, 1862. In that year a removal was made to Marquette county, Michigan, where for three years he engaged in mining. The year 1865 witnessed his arrival in Dubuque, Iowa, and on the 4th of March of that year he came to Richland township, Jackson county, where he has since resided. He has long been closely identified with the agricultural interests of this locality and as the years have gone by success has attended his efforts. Making judicious in- vestments in property, he has become the owner of three hundred and twenty-five acres of the rich farming land of Jackson county and in its cultivation and im- provement has made one of the valuable farms of the county, equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences.
On the 3d of February, 1874, Mr. Regan was united in marriage to Miss Jane Ryan at St. Theresa's church in Prairie Springs township. Mrs. Regan was born and reared at Garry Owen, Iowa, and by her marriage has become the mother of eight children : Elizabeth, who was born March 4, 1875; Jennie, born January 19,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
1878; Thomas, whose birth occurred November 18, 1879; Nora, who was born in 1882 and died in infancy; Mamie, born October 18, 1885; Michael, who was born September 21, 1887; Edmond, born May 5, 1891; and John, whose birth occurred on the IIth of July, 1892.
The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, holding mem- bership in Holy Rosary church at Lamotte. In his political views Mr. Regan is a democrat but while firm in support of the party and its principles, he does not hold nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business af- fairs, in which he has met with signal success. Dependent upon his own resources from an early age, he has steadily worked his way upward in the business world, utilizing the opportunities and advantages that have come to him and in the course of years gaining a place among Jackson county's men of affluence.
HENRY KRABBENHOFT.
Henry Krabbenhoft, who is carrying on agricultural pursuits with great suc- cess on sections 5 and 6, Iowa township, is one of those energetic and enterpris- ing sons of the fatherland who have done so much toward promoting the de- velopment of the state of Iowa. He was born in the province of Schleswig, Jan- uary 23, 1841, his parents being Christopher and Hedwig (Greve) Krabbenhoft, who were also natives of Germany and never came to America.
Reared in the country of his birth, Henry Krabbenhoft attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education that would fit him for the practical and responsible duties of life, and at the age of twenty-seven decided to try the opportunities said to be found in the new world for a young man with the deter- mination and perseverance to seek them. Accordingly in 1868, he sailed for the United States and came to Jackson county, Iowa, soon after landing upon our shores. For four years he worked by the day in this county, and then, as the result of his diligence and economy he was able to buy forty acres of land on sections 5 and 6, Iowa township. He made his home thereon for the next fifteen years, during which time he managed his business so well that he was able to pur- chase seventy-five additional acres on the same sections. Subsequently he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 6, on which he took up his residence and his since made his home. He has devoted all his attention to farming, and his close application to business, his energy, perseverance and his ability to manage his af- fairs capably have been potent elements in winning for him the gratifying success which is now his, and of which there is visible evidence in the fact that he now owns two hundred and thirty-five acres of fine arable land.
On the 16th of April, 1865, Mr. Krabbenhoft was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Brugmann, a native of Schleswig, Germany, and a daughter of Fritz Brugmann, who came to Jackson county, Iowa, after Mr. and Mrs. Krabbenhoft located here. He lived in this section of the state until his death, which occurred June 8, 1894. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Krabbenhoft were born sixteen children, seven of whom are living, as follows: Henry B., who is engaged in farming near his father ; Hermann, of Washington township; Lena, the wife of J. Miller, of Iowa
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
township; Fritz, who is on the farm adjoining his father; Louis, a resident of Clinton county, Iowa; and Bertha and Ernest, who are at home. A grandchild, Alvin Krumwieda also lives with Mr. Krabbenhoft.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church, in which faith the children were reared, while since he has become a citizen of the United States Mr. Krab- benhoft has given unfaltering support to the republican party. He has not as- pired to official preferment, feeling that his business cares demand all of his time. He was not disappointed in the hope that brought him to America, for having found the opportunities he sought, through industry and perseverance he has gained a large measure of success, which places him among the enterprising and representative citizens of Iowa township.
WILLIAM J. SCHMADEKE.
The history of agricultural interests in Fairfield township would be incom- plete without mention of William J. Schmadeke, who for about a quarter of a century has carried on general farming and stock raising on sections 26 and 35, where he owns a tract of three hundred and fifty acres. In the operation of his land and in the management of his business interests he always displays practi- cal and effective methods, which produce good results, as seen in the abundant harvests he annually gathers and in the success he has made of feeding stock.
A native of this county, Mr. Schmadeke was born on the farm on which he now lives August 30, 1867, a son of Fredrick and Sophia (Storm) Schmadeke. The parents were born in Hanover, Germany, and emigrated to America in the early '50s, settling in Jackson county, Iowa, where Fredrick Schmadeke bought a part of the land now owned by his son. He became actively identified with farming interests here, was successful in his business and lived to enjoy the results of his labors, for his death occurred March 24, 1892, about forty years after he had established his home here. His widow survived him but little more than two years, for she was called to her final rest August 12, 1894. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Mary, who is deceased; John, who is living in Crawford county, Iowa; Anna, who is the wife of Edward Hachmeister, of Dupage county, Illinois ; H. Fredrick, who is deceased; Henry, who is residing in Crawford county, Iowa; and William J., the subject of this review. The last two are twins.
Reared under the wise guidance of his parents, William J. Schmadeke obtained a good preparation for the responsibilities of later life as a pupil in the district school near his home, and at the same time he learned the value of in- dustry and the best means of tilling the soil while he worked with his father in the fields, for he was assigned his particular duties as soon as he was able to handle the lighter farm implements or give help to those who worked. When he attained his majority he was entrusted with the operation of the homestead and he has since devoted to it his entire energies. His labors were well repaid in the course of the years and when he saw opporunity he added one hundred and twenty acres to his landholdings and now owns three hundred and fifty acres.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY'
He raises the crops best adapted to soil and climate and in addition raises and feeds a quantity of stock, and as he has pursued careful and systematic methods in all that he has undertaken he has found that his labor and industry have brought him a gratifying success. He has not been blind, however, to other opportunities for increasing his good fortune and at the same time benefiting his fellow citizens, for he is one of the stockholders in the Preston Savings Bank and is treasurer of the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Preston, the success of the latter concern being in no small degree due to Mr. Schmadeke's able management.
On the 28th of June, 1893, Mr. Schmadeke wedded Miss Anna Stoecken, who was born in this county, February 21, 1875, and they are now the parents of five children, namely: Dora M., who is a graduate of the German school; Ena M., deceased; and Ada W., Fredrick H. and Laura B.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmadeke are members of the Lutheran church, and in poli- tics he gives unfailing support to the democratic party. He has not been an office seeker, however, although he has served most acceptably as school treas- urer. Indeed, the fact that he has held that position for the greater part of twenty-four years is an indication of the general confidence which is placed in his integrity and ability, for he is a man who has been true to the obligations and responsibilities which have devolved upon him in every relation of life. For this reason and because of the gratifying measure of prosperity he has won in the conduct of his own interests, he deserves to be numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of his township.
JOHN H. KRUMVIEDA.
John H. Krumvieda is cultivating a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Van Buren township and is an agriculturist whose well directed energy and keen foresight are bringing to him a creditable measure of prosperity. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Jackson county, his birth having occurred in Van Buren township on the 13th of August, 1873. His father, John Krumvieda, who is likewise a native of this county, now makes his home on a farm near Spragueville.
In his youthful days John H. Krumvieda attended school at Spragueville and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm. When a young man of twenty-three he rented the home place from his father and was thus actively engaged in its operation for three years. Subsequently he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, Otto Meyer, for one year and in 1900 purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Van Buren township. Here he has since resided with the exception of a period of two years spent with his brother-in-law, whose farm he conducted together with his own. He is practical in his methods and as the result of his work in the fields he yearly harvests good crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.
In 1896 Mr. Krumvieda was united in marriage to Miss Dora Meyer, a daugh- ter of Conrad Meyer, of Jackson county. Three children have been born unto
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
them, namely : Florence and Bernita, who are thirteen and eight years of age re- spectively ; and Omar, who died in infancy.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Krumvieda has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend and he is now serving as secre- tary of the school board. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county in which he has always resided and has gained the warm esteem of all with whom he has come in contact because of his upright and honorable life.
CHARLES FRANKLIN SHAFFER.
One of the most enterprising of the younger farmers of Washington township is Charles Franklin Shaffer, who owns and operates a tract of four hundred and twenty acres of land on section 15 and is also extensively engaged as a dealer in stock and grain, controlling the greater part of the business in these lines in his locality. He was born on the old homestead in Washington township, July 26, 1870, and is a son of Charles Shaffer. Through the winter months he attended the district schools of his township until he was eighteen years of age, thus ac- quiring a substantial training in the elementary branches of English education. Later he spent about two years at college in Valparaiso, Indiana, subsequently pursuing a teacher's course there through four summer sessions.
Thus well qualified to instruct others, Mr. Shaffer taught in the district schools of Van Buren and Washington townships for four years and then in 1895 re- turned to the homestead, engaging in agricultural pursuits, to which he has since devoted his time and energies. He owns a tract of four hundred and twenty acres and in addition to the raising of cereals makes a specialty of raising Hereford cat- tle and other stock. He is also engaged in buying and selling stock and grain and is the most extensive dealer in these lines in his locality. He annually handles about one thousand head of cattle, about two thousand hogs, from two hundred and fifty to three hundred sheep, this number constituting almost the entire amount raised in the locality, and from thirty to thirty-five colts. He has shown marked ability in managing his business, is energetic, enterprising and aggressive, and at the same time has always manifested an unswerving adherence to honorable methods, so that his representations are reliable. He has won a notable success in what he has undertaken, and this with the fair name he has made for himself entitles him to mention among the prosperous and representative citizens of Jack- son county.
In his political views Mr. Shaffer is a democrat where national issues are in- volved, but is strictly non-partisan in local affairs. He has held the office of town- ship clerk for six years and in 1897 was nominated for county clerk but was de- feated by a small majority on account of the saloon element. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Green Island and with the blue lodge of Masons at Bellevue, while his religious faith is manifest in his mem- bership in the Congregational church of Green Island. He is at all times public spirited and progressive, and as a business man he has gained a notable place by
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reason of his keen discernment, his unremitting energy and untiring industry. His place in the business world is a prominent one, and his record should serve to en- courage and inspire others, showing as it does what may be accomplished by hon- orable and continuous effort.
WILLIAM ROYAL OAKE.
William Royal Oake, one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil war, is a well known, influential and respected citizen of Sabula, where he is now liv- ing retired. His birth occurred in Cambridgeshire, England, on the 26th of February, 1844, his parents being William and Mary (Riches) Oake, who were likewise natives of that country, the former born in 1813 and the latter on the 24th of May, 1814. Their marriage was celebrated on the 23d of November, 1837. In 1852, having determined to establish their home in the new world, they set sail for the United States and after landing on American shores made their way direct to Sabula, Jackson county, Iowa. While living in England, William Oake had been engaged in clerical work but after coming to this county he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, devoting his time and energies to the operation of a rented farm for three years. On the expiration of that period he entered eighty acres of land from the government, which he improved and to which he later added another tract of similar size, so that his farm comprised one hundred and sixty acres. The work of the fields claimed his attention until 1876, when he retired from active life and spent his remaining days in well earned ease at Sabula, there passing away on the 30th of April, 1903. He was devoted to the welfare of his wife and children and led a quiet and industrious life. The period of his residence in this county covered more than a half cen- tury and for eleven years he had survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1892.
William Royal Oake, who is the only surviving member of a family of eight children, was a lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He remained at home until eighteen years of age and then enlisted for service in the Union army, becoming a private of Company A, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain S. R. Williams and Colonel Milo Smith of Clinton, Iowa. He participated in the battles of Vicks- burg, Arkansas Post, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ringgold, Georgia, the principal engagements of the Atlanta campaign in 1864 and also marched with Sherman to the sea. On the 9th of April, 1863, while on a scouting expedi- tion with Lieutenant Mason and nine other men, he and his comrades were cap- tured and confined in Libby prison for six months. At the end of that time they were exchanged and Mr. Oake rejoined his regiment in October. At the battle of Lookout Mountain he was struck in the shoulder by a rifle ball but as he was partially protected by a roll of blankets which he carried, his wound was only slight and he was soon able to once more report for duty. He was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., on the 6th of June, 1865, and returned home with a most creditable military record. His regiment left Clinton for the front
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