History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882, Part 105

Author: Johnson Co., Ia. History. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Iowa City, Iowa.
Number of Pages: 980

USA > Iowa > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882 > Part 105

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

Crozier, daughter of David Crozier, of Penn township; she died in Janu- ary, 1845. They had two children, both dead. In 1847, March 18, he was married to Nancy Epperson, of Scott township. They have seven children, four living: Miriam E., now the widow Wilson, Nellie, Nathaniel W., and Lizzie J. He is engaged in raising fine trotting horses and has fine stock of all kinds.

JOHN B. SCHAEDLER, a cigarmaker, doing business on Washing- ton street, over A. C. Atwater's billiard hall, and proprietor of the Crummy House on Washington street; was born September 12, 1824, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and served four years in the German army, and was in the first battle in the Revolution of 1848. He was married in June, 1849, in Germany to Miss Katie Wagner; they have three boys and four girls: Lizzie, the widow of Ed. Vogt; Rosa, wife of Thomas P. Purcell; Louis, Louisa, wife of R. E. Adams; William, and Flora, wife of Law- rence B. Johnson. He settled in Iowa City, August 13, 1856, and was the first cigarmaker in Iowa City, made the first cigars and opened the first factory, and has operated it ever since. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics and don't care who knows it.

WILLIAM J. SCHELL, a resident of Iowa City, and the junior mem- ber of the firm of Pryce & Schell, doing business on the corner of Wash- ington and Dubuque streets; was born September 27, 1840, in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. He came to Iowa City with his parents when but six months old. He enlisted as a private in company K, 1st regi- ment Iowa volunteer infantry, and August 8, 1862, enlisted in company F, 22d regiment Iowa volunteer infantry, and was made second sergeant, he was promoted to first lieutenant of company F, January 1, 1863, and he resigned March 27, 1864, on account of sickness. He was married November 1, 1870, to Miss Frank Thomas, of Michigan City, Indiana. He became a partner of Captain S. D. Pryce in 1876, and the firm is recognized as one of the most prosperous and substantial business houses in Iowa City. He is a republican in politics.

GEORGE SCHAICH, farmer and stock raiser, post-office, Morse; was [born in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, 1822, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1831, and shortly after went to Butler county, Ohio, and lived there fifteen years, and from there he came to Iowa and settled in Newport township, there he lived ten years, when he came to Graham township. He was married in Linn county, Iowa, to Miss Minnie E. Dureau, of Prussia, in 1856, and has ten children living, three boys and seven girls; four children married, oldest son, John W., married and living in Graham township, Mary L., now Mrs. Luther, of Oxford, and Hanna, now Mrs. Elliott, living in Kansas, Margaret A., now Mrs. Godlip Heiber, of Big Grove township. He is a member of the United Brethren Church.

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HENRY SCHENKEMYER, a resident of Iowa City, on Gilbert street; was born March 14, 1840, in Hanover, Germany. He came to America in 1866; landed in New York City, and came immediately to Iowa City. He was married in September, 1869, to Miss Fredricka Krumacker. They have one child. He is a democrat in politics. He is a member of the German lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 129, Iowa City. He is a bricklayer by trade. He voted against the amendment.

GEORGE SCHLENK, a resident of Iowa City, and a blacksmith doing business on the corner of Dubuque street and Iowa avenue; was born August 15, 1837, in Bavaria; came to America in the fall of 1843; landed in Baltimore; learned his trade in Iowa City. He was married in November, 1858, to Miss Mary Crupp of Iowa City. They have nine children: Lizzie M., Katie, Clara J., George, Caroline, Jacob, Mary, Matilda, and Frank P. The family are members of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. A democrat in politics.

JOSEPH SCHONBORN, farmer and wine-grower, post-office, Oxford; was born in Hungary, March 15, 1826, where he spent his early life and came to America in May, 1857, and came direct to Johnson county, and bought a farm, where he now lives and owns 160 acres of fine land. For the last fifteen years he has been paying considerable attention to wine- growing, and has taken a number of first premiums for the best wines. He has several acres in vineyard, and ships considerable wine. He was married January 25, 1847, to Catharine Bauer, of Shueyville. She dying April, 1865, he was again married October 4, 1869, to Annie M. Grabien, a native of Hanover. He has six children by the first marriage, and three by the last. Mr. Schonborn speaks the Hungarian, German, Ser- vian, Roumanian, and English languages fluently, and broken Bohemian.

H. H. SEELEY, a resident of Iowa City; was born August 2, 1842, in Prince Edward's Island, Nova Scotia; came to Illinois in 1859, and to Iowa City in 1868. He was a faithful soldier in the late civil war, serving in company L, Seventh Illinois cavalry regiment, Col. Pitt Kellogg's regi- ment. He was in the lumber business in Chicago, Illinois, after the war; came to Iowa City in the employ of Pendleton & Co., of Chicago, and since 1869 has been in the employ of John W. Porter. He was mar- ried March 3, 1869, to Miss H. A. Bull, of Weeping Waters, Nebraska. A member of the A. O. U. W. and L. of H. of Iowa City; a republican in politics, and for three successive terms was elected city treasurer of Iowa City.

HENRY C. SEEVOGEL, a resident of Iowa City and a stone mason and brick layer; was born June 28, 1830, in Hanover, Germany. He came to America in the fall of 1866, landed in New York city and came direct to Johnson county, Iowa, the same fall. He was married in June, 1868, to Miss Charlotte Romaez. She died March 10, 1869. He was married

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March 10, 1870, to Miss Katie Sadewack of Iowa City. He is a member of No. 129, I. O. O. F., of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics.

MRS. ELIZABETH G. SEHORN. The subject of this sketch is one of the first settlers in Johnson county, in company with her husband and some friends from Washington county, Tennessee. She came to this county in the spring of 1839, and on the first day of April, took up a permenant residence on Old Man's creek on a claim of 600 acres of land in Union township, for which her husband, James J. Sehorn, paid $225, and after the said lands came into market, he bought from the Govern- ment and paid $1.25 per acre. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, Wesley Chapel, Union township. She was married to James J. Sehorn in 1838. They raised a family of four children: Nancy, the wife of William Smith; Jacob G., Amanda J. and Margaret P. She lost her husband Nov. 3, 1854, and his large estate fell upon her to manage and right well did she perform the duties that rested upon her. She was born June 15, 1805, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and moved with her parents to Washington county, Tennessee, in 1819.

A. SEROVY, merchant, Solon; was born in Austria, May 23, 1860. When six years of age his parents, Joseph and Kristina, emigrated to America and settled in Cedar township, this county, where the subject of this sketch lived until he was fourteen years of age, when he commenced clerking for E. T. Gough at Mt. Vernon, staying with him seven years. In 1880, he started a store of his own in Ely and in March, 1882, came to Solon where he now owns a fine store and is doing a good business. He was married Feb. 14, 1880, to Miss Mary Bulechek, daughter of Frank Bulechek, who came to this county in 1854 and settled in Cedar township. They have one daughter: Effie A. They are members of the Catholic Church.

MILTON SEYDEL, a farmer, residing in Scott township, post-office, Iowa City; was born November 24, 1824, in Columbiana county, Ohio; came to Iowa City in 1847. He was married in Iowa City May 10, 1851, to Miss Nancy Linderman. This union was blessed by the following named children: John, Mora J., Martin, Frank, Anson, Eli, Roxsena, Jessie, Effa D., all living. He enlisted in the Union army in the Sixth cavalry in 1861; was appointed quartermaster sergeant and served about six months and returned home, and enlisted in 47th Iowa Infantry and served about four months and was discharged. He is now engaged in farming.

JACOB N. SEYDEL, a resident of Iowa City, a dealer in stoves and tinware, on South Clinton street; was born January 24, 1828, in Pottsville, Ohio; came to Iowa City, October 1, 1844, and began working at his trade and opened up business for himself in 1850. He was married December 24, 1850, to Miss Rebecca J. Stebbins, of Iowa City. This

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union is blessed with six children: Delia Iowa, wife of C. S. Fogy, of Stuart, Iowa; Henry B., Mary E., wife of John S. Beatty, of Iowa City; Rebecca J., wife of John E. Roper, of Stuart, Iowa; Ruth E. and George E. He is a member of the Universalist Church of Iowa City; a member of the I. O. O. F. society, the A. O. U. W. and Knights of Honor lodges of Iowa City. He is a liberal republican in politics; was deputy sheriff under DeForest from 1851 to 1853; also under S. B. Mulholland from 1853 to 1855. He was a member of the city council from the first ward in 1874.

GEORGE SHAVER; was born August 31, 1790, near Hagerstown, Maryland; died in Washington township, Johnson county, March 29, 1849. He was married December 7, 1813, to Miss Rozana Ankeny, of Somerset county, Pennsylvania; who was born December 22, 1794, and died September 29. 1845. This union was blessed with twelve children: Peter A., born March 24, 1820, killed at Fort Atkinson January 1, 1853; Camela, born November 25, 1814, died in 1864, she married David Wil- liamson April 5, 1833; Eliza, born April 13, 1816, died December 14, 1817; Elizabeth, born July 24, 1818, married June 13, 1837, to John Coheck; Daniel K., born January 3, 1822, married October 25, 1857, to Miss Ada- line Donahy; they have one child, Berney; George W., born January 18, 1828, died May 2, 1857; Joseph N., born October 26, 1826, died June 6, 1833; Mary S., born August 22, 1827, died in 1865; Philip E., born May 6, 1829, married December 13, 1855; Eleanor P., born May 19, 1831, mar- ried July 8, 1852, to C. D. Reinking, of Des Moines; Tevius Henry and Henrietta, born July 25, 1833; Henry, died July 1, 1872; Henrietta, mar- ried July 16, 1857. He came to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1844, and set- tled in Washington township. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church; his wife a member of the Christian Church.

CAPT. P. E. SHAVER, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Wash- ington township; was born May 6, 1829, in Summerset county, Pennsyl- vania; came to Iowa in April, 1844, and settled in Washington township, section 34. He owns a farm of 500 acres of land under good cultivation. He built a fine frame house on section 26 in 1877, and it is considered one of the finest farm houses in Johnson county. He was married December 13, 1855 to Miss Hettie Grimes. They had five children, two are now living: Jennie, wife of George Wagner, and Lincoln G. His wife died May 13, 1880, and Sept 6, 1881, he was married to Mrs. C. Lambert, daughter of Ephraim Patterson, and mother of John and George Wag- ner. Mr. Shaver was a soldier in Capt. James M. Morgan's company of Iowa mounted volunteer dragoons, and served from December, 1847, to September, 1848, during the Mexican war, and was on duty among the Indians. He was also a faithful soldier in the late civil war, in company F., First Iowa cavalry, enlisted as a private July 18, 1861, and shortly 58

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after made second lieutenant September 23, 1861, then first lieutenant October 29, 1861, and finally captain July 1, 1862. He resigned on account of his wife's sickness, and came home late in 1863. In politics he is a republican; was a member of the board of supervisors from January, 1864, for four years, and township clerk for a number of terms. He was the republican candidate for the legislature in 1871, and was defeated by only 117, in a democratic county. He makes a specialty of Short-horn cattle from Kentucky. His farm is on Shaver creek, and is well watered, and plenty of tember. He has a fine orchard. He drove an ox team from his cabin door in Washington township to California, leaving in the spring of 1850, and traveling five months to his place of destination in the mines, came back in the fall of 1853. His experience was worth more than his money for he learned that his Washington township farm was better than a gold mine. His mother died September 25, 1845, and his father died March 25, 1846, on the old homestead in Washington town- ship, where they settled in April, 1844, with their family. Mr. Shaver has always taken a very prominent part in all the public affairs of his township and county.

J. J. SHEPARDSON, a farmer residing on sections 22 and 23, Clear Creek township, post-office address, Tiffin, Iowa; was born June 22, 1824, in Muskingum county, Ohio; came to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled on section 29 in November, 1842. He was married October 24, 1853, to Miss Charlotte Brown, of Penn township. They have five chil- dren: Edward N., Mary E., George W., Jared J., Amanda F., and Mary E., wife of Samuel J. Kindall, of Iowa City. Is a democrat in politics; has been township trustee, and is now one of the constables of Clear Creek township.

WM. C. SHEPPARD, a farmer in Fremont township, post-office, River Junction; was born March 26, 1826, at Georgetown, Kentucky; settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1870. He was married February 28, 1845, to Miss Minnie Kendall, of Tippecanoe county, Indiana. She died September, 1863. They had five children: Samuel W., Annie M., Isa- bella B., Chas. M., and Jessie. February 28, 1865, he was married to Miss Hannah Westfall, ofFremont township; was in the army in company A, Second Iowa cavalry. He is a republican in politics, and voted against the prohibitory amendment; is a member of the Masonic lodge at Colum- bus City.

ANDREW SHIELDS, a resident of Iowa City; was born in Ireland in the year 1838; came to America in 1852; lived in New York City nine years. He was married to Mary Duffy in 1841. They have the follow- ing named children: Katie, Andy, Michael, Ellen, James, Hattie, Bessie, and John.

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HENRY E. SHINN, the present efficient marshal of Iowa City; was born October 1, 1835, in Medford, Burlington county, New Jersey. He settled in Iowa City in January, 1856, and worked at his trade, being a carpenter; he went to Iowa county in 1857. He was married February 14, 1858, to Miss Ellen Murphy, a sister of the Hon. J. H. Murphy, of Davenport, Iowa. This union is blessed with one child, living: Nellie. He settled in Iowa City in 1870, and opened a carpenter shop on Gilbert street, south of Market street, in 1871, and engaged in the business of con- tractor and builder. He is a democrat in politics, and was assessor of Green township, Iowa county, for ten years; he was the democratic can- didate for recorder against M. W. Stover, and was defeated; the county being republican then by a large majority. He was appointed marshal of Iowa City for 1881, and was re-appointed for 1882 by a unanimous vote of the city council. He is a member of the Iowa State Legion of Honor.

C. H. SHIRCLIFF, merchant, post-office, Solon; was born in Fair- field county, Ohio, August 5, 1838, where he spent his boyhood days until he was fifteen, when he emigrated to Solon, Johnson county, with his parents, Lewis and Mary Shircliff in 1853; he has since resided here, and the greater part of the time has been engaged in the mercantile business. In the spring of 1838 he formed a partnership with Henry Fisher, under the firm name of Shircliff & Fisher, and are doing a lucrative business. He is unmarried.

DANIEL SHIRK, farmer, post-office, Oxford; was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1821, and when small moved with his parents to Cumberland county, where they lived five years; then moved to Ohio, where he spent his early life on a farm; about 1851 he went to Illinois, where he lived until 1876, when he came to Oxford, where he now owns a fine farm of 200 acres. He was married December 21, 1848, to Maria Mullen, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and have eight children, viz .: James M., John F., Martha A., Sealey B., Mary E., George W., William H. and Lucy E. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk are members of the M. E. Church at Oxford.

JACOB SHUEY, deceased; was born in Augusta county, Virginia, on the 20th day of June, 1797. He was the youngest of a large family. In 1822, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Lonman of the same county and State. To them were born eight children: William H., Barney L., Margaret M., Bowersox, Caswell B., Jacob A., Jason, Robert and Vir- ginia. In the fall of 1855, he came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, where the town of Shueyville now is. Mr. Shuey was at one time one of the largest land owners in his township, owning about 1,724 acres of land. He died on the 30th day of October, 1867, aged seventy years, four months and ten days. His wife survived him until July 11, 1875, when she was laid by his side, awaiting the resurrection of the just. Mr. Shuey

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was a most useful, active and public spirited citizen. In him society has lost a genial member, and his associates a warm, true friend.

FRANK SIES, hardware dealer, Oxford, Iowa; was born in this county, July 8, 1858, his father, William, was one of the first settlers in this township. In 1876, he went to Rochester, New York, where he learned the tinners' trade and then returned and worked for C. K. Bur- nell until 1879, when he bought Burnells' stock of stoves and tinware. In February, 1882, he took his brother George W., as a partner, they then added a general stock of hardware and carry a stock of about $5,000. He was married Sept. 8, 1880, to Miss Annie Schaffer, daughter of Jonathan Schaffer of this place. They have one child, Jennie S. He is a member of Canopy Lodge No. 290, A. F. & A. M., also a member of the M. E. Church. His father is a native of Germany and came to America in 1847 and to Johnson county in 1857.

FRANCIS JOSEPH SIMEK, was born March 21, 1821, in Castolo- vice, Bohemia. He became an orphan in early life and consequently was compelled to work for a living, and could not get much of a school educa- tion. His mind, however, thirsted for knowledge, and hours which most youths spend in enjoyment were by him devoted to study. He was a typical Bohemian citizen, a man of energy and character; during all his active life was a noted man wherever he appeared, with a massive head and almost gigantic presence. In the days of his strength he was an orator amongst his countrymen and his power of persuasion and the influence of his speech were often felt in their meetings and societies. Early in life he was engaged as a professional horticulturalist, but he afterwards learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed, with short intermissions during his life time. He spent seven years of his life as a journeyman, traveling through Austria and Italy. On his return he settled at Vamberk, in Bohemia, and in 1847, married Maria Theresa Tit, who was two years his senior. By the kindness of some of his friends he was allowed to read excellent books on philosophy, religion, etc., which were at that time prohibited by the Austrian government, and frequently his house was searched by the the gens de armes for contraband volumes. During the stormy revolutionary period of 1848-9, he was actively engaged in the cause of liberty, and consequently suffered persecution with many others. In the fall of 1856 he and his family followed the tide of immi- gration to America, which was then sought as an asylum by thousands of patriotic Bohemians, who had incurred the displeasure of the Austrian government by their efforts for the amelioration of the condition of the Bohemians under the Austrian rule. He settled in Jefferson township, Johnson county, Iowa, and continued the vocation of a farmer, coupled with his trade until June 12, 1866, when he removed to Iowa City, in order that he might more easily procure medical aid for his wife, who was almost worn out by consumption. She died June 20, 1866, and was

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buried in Iowa City cemetery. He married a second time in 1875, but his second wife proved to be a vixen, and he was divorced from her. Domestic trouble so affected him that he was stricken with paralysis in January, 1878. He never arose from his bed for a period of three years, when death released him in 1880. Eight children were born to them, six in Bohemia, and two in America, of whom only two are now living, Mrs. Mary Havlik, the first born, and Bohumil, the youngest. He was very prominent among the Bohemians in America by the efforts which he made in company with others, for the establishment of the first Bohemian news- paper in the United States, in 1860, and for numerous contributions which he made to various Bohemian newspaper. He also possessed rare orator- ical ability, and his voice was often heard in the meetings of his country- men, always on the side of patriotism, truth and honesty. He was reared a Catholic, but he, as well as his first wife, early disavowed all connection with any church, and became free-thinkers.

BOHUMIL SIMEK was born June 25, 1851, in Jefferson township, Johnson county, Iowa. When six years old he was first sent to the public schools in Iowa City. He went to school constantly after that, and in the fall of 1878 entered the State University, taking the civil engineering course. He would have graduated in June, 1882, but sickness compelled him to leave at the close of the winter term. During the last five years of his school life he had to support himself entirely, doing double work, making a living and getting his lessons. For six years he has has devoted himself to the study of natural history, and has done much collecting. He has been engaged in surveying (R. R. and land) and in city engineering. He and his brother William, who died May 19, 1882, were the only child- ren born in America. His sister, Mrs. James Havlik, and Bohumil, are the only members of the family living. He has struggled hard for an education; he is now engaged in surveying for the B., C. R. & N. R. R. He taught a Bohemian school in Iowa City the summer of 1882. He is a democrat in politics.

OWEN SLATER, merchant and postmaster Windham; was born in Ireland Aug. 15, 1840, and came to America in 1852, and remained in New York City five years. He then came to Johnson county and settled in Sharon township, where he lived eighteen years, and followed farming. He enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in Pat Burns' company, and afterward transfered to company M, 6th Iowa cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He came to Hardin township in 1875, and followed farming until Decem- ber, 1881, he bought a general stock of goods, and now is keeping store and post-office at Windham, and also owns 80 acres of land. He was married April 10, 1877, to Ellen Murphy, a native of Illinois; she dying Oct. 24, 1879, leaving one child, Michael W., born Feb. 12, 1878.

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JOHN W. SLATER, a resident of Iowa City, and engaged in the practice of the law. Was born Feb. 9, 1849, in Litchfield, Conn. Came to Iowa City and entered the law department September, 1871, and was admitted March, 1872, at the Johnson county bar to practice law, and formed a law partnership with James Hoxie. He was married Dec. 16, 1876, to Miss Katie Vogt, of Iowa City, daughter of Dr. Vogt. They have two children: Mareih W. and Willie. His wife is a member of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics, and takes a lively interest in all political questions. He is a young man of acknowleged legal ability.

MATHEW G. SLEMMONS, post-office Iowa City; was born in Har- rison county, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1818, was there reared to manhood, a farmer. He is now the owner of 160 acres of land in Scott township, section 32, all under cultivation. He has received a good common school education. When at the age of sixteen, he commenced to learn the blacksmith trade; he followed that for thirty years. He came from Ohio here in 1868, where he has remained up to the present time. He was married twice, first in 1841, to Miss Annie Welch, a native of Ohio. They had four children, all living: John, Jane, wife of James Waldron, Anna A., wife of F. G. Welch, and Mathew. His first wife died March 26, 1857. He was again married June 23, 1858, to Mary J. Lyons, a native of Ohio. He had six children by this wife, four of whom are living. Their names are: Mary A., wife of Edward B. Greer, Martha G., Ida, Agnes, Rich- ard and Charles, the latter two of whom are dead. Charles was killed July 24, 1878, by a runaway team. Mr. Slemmons and family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.

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History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882, Part 105

Author: Johnson Co., Ia. History. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Iowa City, Iowa. Number of Pages: 980

Author: Johnson Co., Ia. History. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Iowa City, Iowa.
Number of Pages: 980