USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 57
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P. H. SCHMALFELDT, SR.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
While he was living in Germany, Mr. Schmalfeldt wedded Miss Mary Vel, and of their union have been born the following children: Christine, who is the wife of John Bohnson, of Wyoming township; Minnie, who is the wife of John Von Spreechen, also of that township; Catherine, who married Herman Ehrich and lives in Cedar county ; Anna, who is the wife of John F. Clousen, a resident of Clinton county ; Mary, who married Herman Errick of Hale; and Peter, who lives at home. Mrs. Schmalfeldt died in 1892, leaving a husband and six chil- dren to mourn her loss, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Wyoming.
When he became a citizen of this republic Mr. Schmalfeldt, looked to the democratic party as his guide in political matters and has since given to it his unswerving allegiance, for he has all confidence in the value of the principles it advocates. In the years that he has been a property holder in this township, he has served as school director and as road supervisor, but aside from having held these offices he has taken no part in local affairs, nor has he sought for recogni- tion of his abilities. He is highly respected, however, for the tenor of his life has been such as to win the good will of those who know him. He owes religious allegiance to the German Lutheran church, that being the faith in which he was reared.
WV. P. COBURN.
W. P. Coburn, who for more than a quarter of a century has tilled the soil of Wyoming township with pronounced success, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, June 27, 1853, and is a son of Robert and Jane (Patterson) Coburn. Both were natives of Ohio but came to Jones county in 1881, after their son had made a trial of the opportunities for advancement here and in Wyoming town- ship passed the remaining years of their lives. They were the parents of seven children: W. P., the subject of this sketch; P. J., who lives in Ohio; Lydia, who is the wife of John Dorrance and lives in Ohio; Ettie, who married Robert Streeper and resides in this county ; Emma, who is the wife of Grant Streeper, of this county ; and two who died in infancy.
W. P. Coburn received from the common schools of his native county the rudiments of instruction in the English branches and in his home and on the farm that training which has made possible the progress of later years. At the age of twenty-four he left his parents, being desirous to make a place for himself in a new locality where he would have to demonstrate by his own efforts his right to the respect of his companions. In 1878 he came to Jones county, Iowa, where for the first year he worked as a farm hand, and then rented land for a year, after which he bought the farm on which he now lives. It embraces one hundred and sixty-seven acres on section 17, Wyoming township, is well improved as the result of Mr. Coburn's labors, and is cultivated by up-to-date methods, for he is a man who is progressive as well as industrious, studying his soil and the question of suitable crops with a view to obtaining the largest re- turns from the land at his disposal. He has also engaged in raising stock of all kinds for markets, a feature of his business which has added considerably to the income he derives from his toil.
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In 1880 Mr. Coburn was united in marriage to Miss Celia McBurney, who was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Her parents, John and Martha McBurney, came to Jones county at an early date and here made their home until their death. One of a family of eight, Mrs. Coburn has through her mar- riage become the mother of five children: Laura Jane, a graduate of the Onslow schools, who is now engaged in teaching; John R., who lives in this county ; Elmer H. and Mary P., who are at home; and Mildred M., deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Coburn are consistent members and supporters of the Presby- terian church at Onslow and are intimately connected with its work. Politically he has always given unswerving support to the republican party, never failing to cast his vote for its candidates when exercising his right of franchise. For himself, however, he has not sought public preferment, though he has acted as school director, and while serving in that capacity has ever exerted his influence for the advancement of educational ideals. Fraternally he enjoys pleasant rela- tions wtih the lodge of the Mystic Workers at Wyoming, among whose members he has made a number of loyal friends.
JOSEPH KULHAVY.
Joseph Kulhavy, one of the representative farmers of Oxford township, whose pronounced success in his vocation is the result of his own labors, was born in Bohemia, July 4, 1854. His parents, Michael and Anna Kulhavy, who were also natives of the same European country as their son, came to America in 1872, locating first in Chicago, where they resided for about two months, then they came to Jones county, Iowa, where the father secured land and died after fifteen years of hard work in this section of the state. His death occurred in 1887, but his widow is still living, having reached the advanced age of eighty- three years. Four children were born to the couple: Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Katie, the wife of Michael Benhart, of Oxford township; Frank, de- ceased ; and Michael, of Oxford Junction.
Joseph Kulhavy was about eighteen years of age when his parents came to this country. He had received a fair public-school education in the land of his birth, and after he arrived in Iowa he assisted his father in making a home for the other members of the family. When he was twenty-five years of age he left the parental roof, obtaining employment as a section foreman on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Twelve years later he bought a farm in Ox- ford township. It consisted of one hundred and seventy-eight acres and was his home for seven years, when he purchased the place on which he is living today. There were but one hundred and six acres when he acquired possession of it, but in addition to making many valuable improvements in the buildings and increasing the productiveness of the soil he has been able to add to its area until now it embraces two hundred and eighty-four acres. This has been tilled in accordance with the most advanced methods, yielding annually good crops, and an income that is gratifying to its possessor and but another indication of the great power of unremitting industry united with thrift and good manage-
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ment. In the husbanding of his resources, Mr. Kulhavy has had the valuable assistance of his wife, who has cheerfully toiled and saved that her children might have the enjoyment of many comforts and advantages.
On the 3d of February, 1879, Mr. Kulhavy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bees, who was born in Bohemia, August 29, 1857. Her parents, Frank and Anna Bees, were also of Bohemian birth, but came to America in 1863, locating in Jackson county, Iowa, where both passed the remainder of their lives. One of six children born to her parents, through her marriage Mrs. Kulhavy has become the mother of an equal number: Anna T., who is the wife of Charles Motcheck, of Guthrie county, Iowa; Mary, who married A. L. Eldred, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Julie, who is a stenographer in Chicago; Joseph, Jr., who married Vinnie Tyrrel and lives in Oxford township; Emma, deceased; and Frank, who is at home and is a graduate of the Oxford Junction high school. All the chil- dren, in fact, received a high-school education and two of the girls were engaged in teaching.
Mr. and Mrs. Kulhavy are devout members of the Catholic church and are regular in their attendance at its services. Politically Mr. Kulhavy is a democrat but he has never sought public office, although he is interested in local affairs and never fails to cast his ballot as a citizen of this republic. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of Oxford Junction Lodge, No. 285, while he keeps in close touch with his brethren across the seas through his affiliation with the Western Brotherhood of Bohemia.
J. F. FISHER.
J. F. Fisher, one of the leading farmers of Rome township, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 15, 1858. His parents were William and Alice (Brogen) Fisher, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. On the 5th of November, 1873, they abandoned their old home in Ohio and came to Iowa to try their fortunes in the county that was rapidly becoming one of the important agricultural centers of the state. Here they lived until the death of the father, which occurred in 1904. The mother, at the advanced age of seventy- five, still survives and enjoys seeing her three children comfortably established in life. J. F., the eldest is the subject of this sketch. Amy has become the wife of S. D. Easterly and lives in Olin. Maggie, the youngest, is the wife of Ed. Jeffries and lives in Onslow, Iowa.
J. F. Fisher was reared at home and from the district schools of his native county received his training in the fundamental branches of English instruction. Until he became of age he worked for his father on the farm, and then on attain- ing his majority, was admitted to a partnership in its management. At the age of twenty-four he married and, being desirous to establish a home of his own, left the paternal roof. In his undertakings he has prospered and he now possesses one hundred and eighty acres of land on sections 25, 27, and 34, Rome township. A hard working man, he has followed the difficult work of the farm with per- sistence and can feel that his labors have not been expended in vain.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
In 1882 Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Mary Saum, a daughter of J. D. and Anna (Flaugher) Saum. She was born in this county where her father is still living and where her mother died some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have become the parents of three children: Harry A., deceased ; Frances ; and Barbara, at home. On the Ist of September, 1901, Mrs. Fisher passed away when only thirty-seven years of age and was sorrowfully laid to rest.
Mr. Fisher is a republican in his political affiliation, takes an active interest in public affairs and has served the township as trustee. He is particularly con- cerned for the welfare of the schools for during eight winters he devoted him- self to teaching and is fully conscious of their shortcomings and anxious to im- prove their standard. He enjoys pleasant fraternal relations with the Masons, has taken many of the degrees and has also been admitted to the order of the Mystic Shrine in which he has occupied several chairs. His life of industry, his public spirit and attractive social qualities have gained him the esteem and warm regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
IV. R. ZIMMERMAN.
W. R. Zimmerman, a native stockman and farmer of Wayne township, was born two miles west of the old home place, January 25, 1867, and is a son of A. G. and Anna (Grumm) Zimmerman. The former was born in Aurich, Hanover, Germany, January 7, 1831, his parents being Gerd and Enke (Hanken) Zimmerman. Gerd Zimmerman died in the fatherland, but his wife passed the last years of her life in this country, whither she had been brought by her son, A. G., who had made a special trip to the land of his birth to get her. A. G. Zimmerman had come to the United States first in 1854 and settled in Illinois. Five years later he removed to Jones county, Iowa, locating upon a farm he had purchased in Wayne township, although he had learned the trade of a shoemaker in his native land and had followed that line of work in this country for a number of years. On locating here he devoted himself exclusively to agri- culture, with what result may be judged from the fact that he owned at one time five hundred and twenty acres of arable land, besides fifteen acres of tim- ber. When he gave up the heavier duties of life and retired to Amber he di- vided this among his children, thereby giving them a start in life. In Amber his long life was brought to a close November 28, 1904. His widow is still residing in that village. She also was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 26th of Feb- ruary, 1837, and at the age of nineteen came to the United States with her parents, R. E. and Margaret (Herren) Grumm. They were also natives of Hanover and passed away in Dixon, Illinois. In that state, in 1857, while Mr. Zimmerman was a resident there, he married Miss Anna Grumm, and ten children were born to them: Maggie, who is the wife of H. A. Toenjes and lives near Mr. Zimmerman; Agnes, who married Johan Burrak, of Castle Grove township: Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Behrends, who lives six miles from Monticello, Iowa, on the Cascade road; Garrett, who died at the age of thirty- two, leaving three children; W. R., the subject of this sketch; John, who is a
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
clothier of Monticello, Iowa; Sophia, who died at the age of tyenty-three years; Matilda, who is the wife of George Mardorf, of Jackson township; and Herman and George, of Wayne township.
W. R. Zimmerman has always resided in Wayne township. From his child- hood days he worked upon the home farm, receiving the rudiments of an Eng- lish education in the district school, which he attended during the few winter months it was in session. Until he married the responsibility of conducting the place rested wholly upon his father, but when he became twenty-two and had the man's natural desire to have a home of his own he assumed the full manage- ment of the land on which he now lives. It embraces one hundred and eighty acres, lying on sections 22 and 26, Wayne township, on which Mr. Zimmerman follows general farming and engages to some extent in the raising of stock and also in dairying, for he has a herd of twenty-four cows. He owns seven acres of timber on section 34, the same township, which is steadily increasing in value as are his arable fields. The latter are maintained under a high state of cul- tivation and the farm is well improved, the character of the buildings evincing the progressive methods of the owner.
In 1889 Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage to Miss Katie Doring, a daughter of Henry and Anna (Helgens) Doring. Her parents were also natives of Hanover, Germany, but Mrs. Zimmerman was born in Castle Grove town- ship, this county, in 1870. Five children have been born to the couple: Anna, Minnie, Hattie, Rena and Freda. The family are consistent members of the Lutheran church, in accordance with whose teachings they try to order their lives, and take an active part in the religious and social work of the big con- gregation. Politically, while Mr. Zimmerman inclines more to the democratic party, he is in reality independent, viewing issues from all sides and casting his vote and influence for what he believes to be for the best interests of his fellow citizens. Of the company organized to promote the advancement of the dairy- men of his township, the Co-operative Creamery Company of Amber, he is a stockholder.
SAMUEL PIEPER.
One of the finest residences in the town of Olin is that occupied by Samuel Pieper, a successful farmer of Rome township. A native of Jones county, he has as a birthright that thrift and industry which are characteristic of the Ger- man race, and which are the first prerequisites in a man's make-up if he is to achieve success as a farmer. His father, Friedrich Pieper, was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America in 1839. He located first in Ohio and then went to Indiana, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Cath- erine Ecker. She was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but had re- moved with her parents to Indiana. In 1854. shortly after their union, Friedrich Pieper came to Jones county, Iowa, buying a farm in Rome township, which he sold and then bought the one which remained his home until his death, in 1870. His widow lived until March 2, 1890, and had the pleasure of seeing her children established in life and the condition of the country much improved.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Samuel Pieper was born in Rome township, August 24, 1856, and was one of a family of eight children. He remained at home through his youth and early manhood, receiving his education in the local schools and obtaining prac- tical experience in meeting the problems of a farmer's life. At the age of twenty-four he started out for himself, buying a farm on sections 31 and 32, Rome township. There he made his home for twenty-one years, improving the land extensively and increasing its value many fold, and then removed to the farm he occupied in the same township until he retired to Olin in 1904. As the years brought him rich compensation for his toils, he has been able to add to his original tract until he now owns three hundred, twenty-two and a half acres, eighty of which lie in Cedar county, the remainder in Rome township. He has pursued general farming but has also made a specialty of raising and feeding hogs, a feature of his business which contributed substantially to his success.
In 1881 Mr. Pieper was united in marriage to Miss Alice Miller, who was born in Rome township. Her parents, L. K. and Mary Ann (Green) Miller, were natives of Ohio, but in 1844 came to this state when the fame of its agri- cultural possibilities was just spreading through the country. They entered into the spirit of the new life and lived to see the changes that the years have wrought, for the mother was not called from this world until May 22, 1902, when she was sixty-nine years of age, and the father is still living at the ad- vanced age of eighty. Mrs. Pieper was one of a family of ten children, eignt of whom are still living.
Mr. Pieper supports the principles of the democratic party, but is not an office seeker and has not given any time to public matters for the cares of his farm have made too great a demand upon his time and energy. He has not shirked hard work, he has spared no effort to raise the standard of his farm and its produce, and his home in Olin, which is modern and comfortable, is a slight but patent witness to the earnestness of his endeavors.
D. H. PIEPER.
D. H. Pieper is one of the well-to-do farmers of Greenfield township whose prosperity is wholly due to his own exertions. He was born in Whitley county, Indiana, February 2, 1851, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Ecker) Pieper. The father was of German birth and was only sixteen years of age when he took passage for this country. He was wholly without funds, even to pay his way across the ocean, so upon landing to defray the cost of the journey he sold his labor to the highest bidder. He was bought by one of the legislators of Pennsylvania, who held him until he had given the value of the money paid. The man was a kind master, however, and Frederick Pieper remained with him four years longer than was required. In 1854, with his family, he came to Iowa. reaching Rome township, Jones county. June 7 of that year. He procured a homestead there and had just become well settled and was beginning to get a good start in the new country, when in 1860 the great Comanche cyclone crossed
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that part of the county afflicting Mr. Pieper most severely. The home, only a log house to be sure, was razed and the father and two daughters, Susan, a girl of twelve years, and Annie, only nine months old, were found about half a mile away. The two girls were dead and had been stripped of their clothes by the wind. Mr. Pieper was severely injured, but had chances of life, while his wife, who was not carried far from the home, had several of her ribs broken. The mother and the two uninjured sons were cared for by neighbors, the father and the daughters were taken to Fayette Smith's home, a log cabin about half a mile north of the scene of the disaster. This house was built in 1852 and is still standing upon a part of D. H. Pieper's farm, as is the granary in which the bodies of his sisters were temporarily laid. Others who suffered in that storm were the Allen family and a man named John Niles, who were living about a mile west of Mr. Pieper's home. They were all killed and are buried, in unmarked graves, in the cemetery at Mechanicsville. All his property was destroyed and himself compelled to lie in a helpless condition for many weeks, Frederick Pieper was all but discouraged by what had happened to him. The kind and cheering words of his friends, however, gave him new heart and with the restoration of his health he again took up the battle of life. With what success he waged it can only be judged by the fact that when his days were over he was comfortably situated as regards personal possessions. Eight chil- dren were born to him and his wife: Susan, who was killed in the cyclone ; D. H., of this sketch; Caroline, deceased; Samuel, residing in Olin; Catherine, who lives in Cedar Rapids ; William, of Olin, Iowa; Annie, who was killed in the cyclone ; and Fred, who is at present on the old homestead in Rome township.
D. H. Pieper was but three years of age when his parents came to this county and can well remember the destruction of the great Comanche cyclone that wrecked his old home. Should his memory fail he has constant reminders in the fact that eighty acres of the old place, the scene of the disaster, are now in his possession, and the little log cabin and the old granary are ever able to re- vive the tale of death and suffering. Upon his father's death the responsibility of the home farm and the guidance of affairs devolved upon him. He met the demands made upon him, the fields were improved, and the rest of the family started well along the road of success. Mr. Pieper has prospered with the passage of the years. His landholdings now amount to two hundred and eighty acres, substantial buildings have been erected and progressive means have been employed to prolong the fertility of the soil, until his farm has come to be considered one of the choicest in Greenfield township.
On the 26th of December, 1875, Mr. Pieper wedded Miss Anna Hempy, who was born May 23, 1851, a daughter of George and Drusella (Miller) Hempy, and one of a family of nine children. The others were Lafayette, of Greenfield township; Mrs. Sophia Stabb, also of that township; Thomas, de- ceased : Marion, who lives in Greenfield township; Jacob, deceased; Mrs. Callie Stearns, of Springville, Iowa; Benjamin, of Lisbon, Iowa; and George, who is living on the old homestead in Greenfield township. Mr. and Mrs. Pieper have had two children : Chauncey D., born April 4, 1882 ; and Haidee C., born August 10, 1891. Both live at home. In addition to rearing his own children, Mr. Pieper has taken for a specified time a boy, Herman Pieper, to whom he is giving
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a home and all its advantages just as if he had adopted him. He takes as much interest in him as in his own son, and accords him all the privileges and the op- portunities for education the latter enjoyed.
In his political views Mr. Pieper is in sympathy with the democratic party, and while not a seeker for official distinction has served as township trustee for two terms, or six years, and as a member of the school board. He and his son Chauncey are Masons belonging to Patmos Lodge, No. 155, A. F. & A. M., of Mechanicsville; and Mechanics Chapter, No. 134, R. A. M .; and he is also a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America of Mechanicsville, of Tip- ton, Iowa. Mr. Pieper belongs to that large class of men who in looking over the prosperity that the years have brought to them can say that it is due entirely to their own efforts. His life again demonstrates the truth of the statement that industry will accomplish many things hard and seemingly impossible.
WILLIAM MCINTYRE.
William McIntyre, deceased, who for years was one of the active farmers of this county, was born in Scotland, in 1825. As a young man be came to the United States, settling first in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he resided until the rumor of the discovery of gold in California reached that state, and inspired him with the desire to seek a fortune in the western mountains. In 1849 he traveled by stage overland across the country, and after reaching California re- mained there until 1864, when he turned his face toward the east and retraced his way as far as Iowa. Two years later he married and then located on a farm in this county, on which he lived until 1884. Then he removed to Mount Vernon, Iowa, that his daughter might enjoy greater educational advantages, and there his death occurred March 4, 1889. His remains were brought to Jones county and interred in Scotch Grove cemetery. For more than three score years he had followed the tortuous road of life, devoting his life to earnest endeavor and finding his greatest satisfaction in the knowledge that his work was well performed, and that he was able to give those whom he held dear many of the comforts and advantages of life. He had experienced many hardships and privations during his years of young manhood, but subjected to severe tests as he had been, he was not found wanting, but surmounted the obstacles he met in his path and by his courage and success inspirited others.
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