History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 57

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 57
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 57
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 57

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1870, George IIollenbeck, from Wis- consin, came here and started a general store, which he run for about five years, and then rented the building, having elosed out the stock to George Soevensky, of Milwaukee, who put in a new stock of goods, and "kept store" for two years. George Hollenbeck again took charge of the business and continued in this line until 1879, when he placed it under the charge of John Waldbillig, of Dubuque, and who managed it for two years longer. Joseph Schreiber came from Dubuque about this time and Mr. Hollenbeck dis- posed of the whole business to him. Schreiber ran it and a saloon in connec- tion with it for about a year when he sold out to Michael Smith, the present owner, who does not run the saloon part, how- ever.

Caspar Waldbillig came to the neigh- borhood of "St. Joe," from Dubuque in 1870, and located on a farm, but in 1878, he came into the village and started a store for the sale of general merchandise. In deference to the eustom among his fel- low countrymen, he has opened a beer hall in connection therewith, and is doing a good business.

The hotel is now kept by Hollenbeck & Waldbillig, who are prospering as such good men must.

O. F. IIale, now the county surveyor, was the first postmaster at this place, but was succeeded by G. Hollenbeck. Cas- par Waldbillig is the present incumbent, and has the office in his store.

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IIISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

The Roman Catholic Church, at this village, grew out of a series of meetings held by Rev. Father Butler, in 1869 and 1870, at the houses of John Mahalle and John Devine. The Church, however, was not organized until 1871, when Rev. Father Lenihan came here from Fort Dodge, as the successor af Father Butler, and at once set about the erection of a church edifice. He obtained the ground and got the subscription under way, and work was commeneed on the church. He only stayed with this congregation one year, but in that time was happy in seeing his labors crowned by the comple- tion of the building. He was succeeded by Rev. Father J. J. Smith, of Emmets- burg, who was the spiritual director of the little flock until 1876. Father Theodore Weyman was the next inenmbent, but held it for only thirteen months, when he gave place to the present pastor, the Rev. Father James B. Zigrang, late of St. Don- atus, Jackson Co., Iowa. " The church is a beautiful building, 24x60 feet, with a belfry 10x10 and forty-six feet high and cost about $1,800. A fine, large, comfort- able parsonage was also built in 1876 at a a cost of about $1,400. The first mem- bers of this Church were: George Hollen- beck, John Devine, Nicholas Brass, John Goedes, Peter Forman, John, Peter and Mi- chael Expelding, Nicholas and Peter Thil- ges, Barney Crowan, Michael Dunfrey, Mi- ehael Melaven, Patrick, Michael and John O'Neill and John Murphy. There are now about fifty or sixty families in the Church, including both nationalities, Irish and German. In 1882 the greater part of the Irish portion of the Church seceded and erected a church of their own at Liver-

more, in the north part of Humboldt county.

Father J. B. Zigrang, son of Henry and Ann Zigrang, was born Oct. 18, 1850, in Luxemberg, Germany. When quite young he came with his parents to America. Landing at New York, they immediately came to Iowa, loeating in Jackson county. In 1867 Mr. Zigrang attended St. Law- rence College, in Cavalry, Wis., remain- ing there until 1872. He next went for one year to St. Francis College in Mil- wankee. After thishe went to Minnesota, and took a two years' course in St. John College in that State. Having now fin- ished his school studies, in 1877, he was ordained as a German Catholic priest. His first charge was the Church organiza- tions at St. Joseph, Algona and the Dor- weiler settlement, in Kossuth county, Livermore and Humboldt, in . Humboldt county, and Mallard in Palo Alto county. Father Zigrang built the Catholic church at Britt, also the one in Liver- more. He is beloved by all the members of his congregation, and hosts of friends greet him wherever he goes. When he came to St. Joseph he found the Church deeply in debt, but by hard work and per- severanee, he has paid off all indebted- ness, enlarged the Church, and has a neat little sum in the treasury.

Just over the line, in Palo Alto county, lies the thriving little town of West Bend, which was laid out on the 16th of Septem- ber, 1881, by the Cedar Rapids & Iowa Falls Northwestern Tewn Lot Company, and contained, originally, forty acres. Since that time an addition of forty acres more has been laid out by William S. Admanson, of Scotland. The streets are

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

laid out to run east and west, and broad beautiful avenues north and south. The the town is located upon the line of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railroad which is interested in the prosper- ity of the beautiful village. They have erected a depot that is architecturally one of the best in northern Iowa.

So close does the town lic to the line of Kossuth county, that many of the dwelling houses are in the latter county, while the business places are in Palo Alto. Thus the interest of West Bend is in common with that of Kossuth county. The town is about eight miles south from Whitte- more, and south west from Algona, eighteen miles, and is surrounded by some of the finest agricultural land in the State. The inhabitants are mostly Americans and are of an enterprising, thrifty class and valu- able citizens. The first store building was erected on the laying out of the town, in 1881, by E. S. Bagley, and in it he opened the pioncer hardware store of the town. He has a large and new stock of all kinds of heavy and shelf hardware, and is the agent for the celebrated Bradley & Nicoulin wagon, made in Algona.

The following business directory will give some idea of the prosperity of this new town, and convey the impression of its importance as a business center.

Amos & Gray, heavy dealers in lum- ber, grain and stock, also handle salt,lime, coal, builders' materials, etc., are live, energetie men, who by their industry and integrity have won the confidence of the community among which they live.

MeFarland & Son are engaged in the general merchandise line and give evi- dence, by their close attention to the wants

of their numerous patrons, that they are thorough business men. They carry a large and complete stock and are doing a large and profitable trade.

H. H. Jacobs is also a heavy dealer in particular lines of dry goods, groceries and provisions, and deals out to his many customers and friends the wares that they are in need of. His pleasant affable man- ner is winning him hosts of friends.

Benjamin Franklin deals in drugs, paints, oils and is the postmaster of the little "burg."

There is also in the town one harness shop, one wagon and paint shop, a livery stable, the latter run by Herbert LeClaire, a barber shop, butcher shop, millinery establishment and two saloons.

Dr. E. W. Bachman, the practicing phy- sician, has a ride of ten miles in every direction and is a very popular man. The doctor was elected county superintendent of schools of Palo Alto county in 1883.

This town will eventually be a rival of no mean pretentions to her sister towns that surround her.

A beautiful new school honse has just been erected at a cost of $1,750, by Amos & Gray, contractors. It is two stories high and surmounted with a neat belfry and makes a most presentable appearance.

Edward S. Bagley was born in London- derry, Vt. When he was two years of age his parents removed to Windham, Vt., and engaged in farming. They remained there one year, then removed to White River Junction, same State. After two years they removed to Lyme, N. H. Re- maining three years in that place, they removed to Palmyra, Wis. They lived in that place two years, thence removed

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTHI COUNTY.

to Whitewater, where they remained nine years. While here the subject of our sketch learned the trade of tinner. Ile then removed to Whittemore, Kossuth county, and engaged in business for eigh- teen months. He then removed to West Bend, where he now resides. He erected a store building here, 18x28 feet, one story in height. He carries a stock of goods valued at about $2,500, and is doing a good business. lle was united in mar- riage July 17, 1881, with Martha Vigren, of Hampton, IH. In politics Mr. Bagley is a republican. Ile is a member of the I. O. O. F.

R. M. J. McFarland, son of John S. and Nancy (Wilson) McFarland, is a native of New York city. When in his twenty- first year he went to Wisconsin, and worked at different occupations three years, then went to Palo Alto Co., Iowa, in 1857. After traveling in Missouri, Wisconsin and Iowa, in the spring of 1859 he returned to Palo Alto, West Bend township, remained till fall of same year, then went back to Wisconsin and lived five years, working in a lumber yard in Avoca, Iowa county. In the fall of 1864 he moved his family on section 28, township 94, range 31, in Palo Alto county, and carried on farming until March 1, 1883, when he commenced busi- ness in West Bend, where he still lives. Ile was married April 17, 1861, to Jane Franklin, of Wyoming, Iowa Co., Wis., and has five children-Benjamin F., Arthur W., R. M. J., Jr., Jennie C. and Sophro- nia N., all living at home. Ile is well liked in Palo Alto, and has been super- visor six years. In politics he is a demo-

crat; also belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows.

William M., son of William and Louise Amos, was born Nov. 20, 1856. When eight years of age he moved with his parents to Beaver Dam, Wis., remaining three years. He then went to Winnebago Co., Wis., where he lived ten years, after which he removed to Algona, Kossuth Co., Iowa, and worked three years for J. J. Wilson in lumber, grain and stock business. Ile then went to Whittemore, where he had control of the same gentle- man's business for four years, after which he opened a general store in Whitte- more and continued in business for him- self at that place for eighteen months. Mr. Amos then moved to West Bend, and, taking Mark Gray into partnership, he opened an extensive lumber yard at this place. They also deal in grain and stock. Mr. Amos was married Feb. 1, 1880, to Cora E. Heathman, daughter of George and Catharine Il. Heathman, now living in Pocahontas Co., Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Amos have two children-William G. and Ethel C. Although Mr. Amos has been in this place but two years, he has won the confidence and esteem of his fel- low citizens. Ile is a republican in politics.

Henry H. Jacobs, son of George and Almira (Warren) Jacobs, was born June 12, 1853, in Dane Co., Wis. When ten years of age his parents went to Palo Alto county and settled on section 22, township 94, range 31, in West Bend town- ship. While in Wisconsin they lived on a farm; were also on a farm in Palo Alto till Jan. 1, 1882, when Henry went to West Bend and built the store which he now occupies for a general stock. The

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IHISTORY OF KOSSUTHI COUNTY.

building is 20x62 feet, and two stories high, the upper part being used as living rooms. Mr. Jacobs is well liked by all who know him. He was married April 31, 1882, to Jennie Brown, of West Bend township. He is now township trustee and school director. In politics he is a republican, and belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows.

Mark Gray, son of Anson and Roxana (Cleveland) Gray, was born Sept. 10, 1832, near Dorset, Bennington Co., Vt. When seventeen years old he went to Milwau- kee, Wis.,and learned the millwright trade, working at it in Milwaukee until 1870, when he went to Colorado. He was one of the diseoverers of what is known as the Smith & Gray mines, they being named for him. He remained there min- ing till 1881, then came to Kossuth county, settling on the north half of section 30, township 94, range 30, Cresco township; he also owns the northwest quarter of the west half of section 29. He has a good house, one and a half stories high, and other buildings, besides being in business in West Bend (having built the first house there), and one of the most prominent citizens. He was married Sept. 4, 1855, to Mehitable Maby, of Stevens' Point, Wis. They have three children-Anson, Byron and Roxie, wife of George L. Smith, of Monarch, Chaffee Co., Col. In politics he is a republican.

William Jones, son of Enos and Mary (Bingham) Jones, was born in Berks Co., Penn., June 20, 1833. In 1851 he went to Du Page Co., Ill., where he learned the mason's trade, and was engaged as a plasterer in that county until 1876. He then removed to Humboldt Co., Iowa,

where he was engaged in farming for four years. In 1883 he came to West Bend, Kossuth county, where he owns a house and lot and works at his trade. In 1861 Mr. Jones enlisted in company E, 8th Illi- nois Cavalry. Ile participated in the bat- tles of Bull Run, Manassas Junction, Yorktown, Williamsburg and Richmond, in 1862 and 1863. He was at Mechanics- ville, and drove to Gaines Mill, thence to James River, Malvern Hill, Harrison's Landing, Fair Oaks Court House, Fred- ericksburg to South Mountain and Boones- boro, thence to Antietam, where he was wounded. On Sept. 15, 1862, he went to the hospital, staid six weeks, then ob- tained a fifteen days furlough home. Ile went into the recruiting service and re- mained home three months, after which he was discharged. He re-enlisted, in 1863, in company C, 12th Illinois Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, taking part in a number of battles. Mr. Jones was married Sept. 5, 1858, to Mary M. Heidman, of Du Page Co., Ill. They have five children-Ella L., Emma A., Dora M., William and Sumner.

Michael Rourke is a native of Ireland. In 1840 he came to America in the sailing vessel, Virginia; the voyage lasting ten weeks and three days. He landed at New York city, went directly to Poughkeepsie, where he remained one winter. He was engaged in railroading in New York State until 1852, when he moved to Manchester, Iowa, where he remained five years. In 1862 he enlisted in company H, 21st Iowa Infantry, being mustered in at Dubuque. Ile participated in the battles of Harts- ville, Mo., Grand Gulf, Vicksburg and Mobile. He served three years and three

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

days, and was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa. Out of 900 in his regiment, he was one of 330 who returned from the war. Mr. Rourke was married Feb. 10, 1866, in Fort Dodge, Webster Co., Iowa, by Father Butler, to Ellen, daughter of David and Ellen O'Brien. They have seven children -Lizzie, Bartholomew, James, Michael, Mary, Edward and Ellen, all living at home. Mr. Rourke's present farm, of 900 acres, is located on sections 2 and 11, township 94, range 29, Cresco township. He has 500 acres under cultivation, the remainder being timber and grass. In

1883 he erceted his present beautiful res- idence, at a cost of $7,000. It has all the modern improvements, and is one of the best houses in the county. Mr. Rourke has 35 mules, 300 head of cattle, 125 hogs and 35 eows. The Des Moines river bounds his entire farm on the west. His entire family are Catholics. In politics he is a republican.

Elhanan Winchester Clark was born in Penobscott Co., Maine, thirty miles north- west of Bangor, Dec. 22, 1822. He was an overscer in the Lancaster gingham factory in Massachusetts, three years. Ile became, as it appeared, a victim to that fell disease, consumption. He traveled in the south for his health, one year, without avail. lle then came to Iowa in 1857, where, in a measure, he regained his health. He pre- empted 1433 acres of land in the then township of Irvington, but has since been set off into Cresco township, Kossuth county. He still lives on the original claim, in a comfortable vine elad cottage, 24x33 feet in size, built largely from tim- ber of his own planting-one tree of which made 250 feet of lumber in fourteen years

growth. He has a good barn; a well dug and bored fifty feet deep, supplying an abundance of water. Mr. Clark purchased eighty aeres more of land in a few years, and Mrs. Clark came into possession of a 135 acre homestead, through her parents, thus making quite a large farm. They have 230 acres under improvement, the remainder being in grass and timber land. He recently set off 100 acres to his son, Elhanan Clesson Clark. Mr. Clark was married March 15, 1846, to Susan C. Tidd. They have five children-Ernest Eugene, Edward Prentiss, Elbanan Clesson, Wil- liam Albert and Charles Ehner. Mr. Clark and family are Universalists in re- ligion, strong republicans and advocates of the Maine liquor law, he being one of its founders.

Henry 11. Patterson was born in Lon- donderry, Windham Co., Vt., May 15, 1840. When two years of age he went with his parents, John M. and Sarah (Calef) Pat- terson, to Rochester, Racine Co., Wis. After residing there four years, they went to Dodge county, where his father was engaged in wagon making and farming. Mr. Patterson then removed to Menomo- nee, (or Indian tract as it was then called) where he was engaged for two years in farming. In May, 1852, Mr. Patterson and family started for California with ox teams. They went as far as Salt Lake, and spent the winter of 1852-3 among the Mormons. They left there in the spring of 1853, took the southern route to Cali- fornia and arrived at San Diego, on the Pacific coast, some time during the month of June, 1853. They remained there two or three months. It being too warm to be agreeable, they went farther north

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY,

to Santa Clara valley, where he was engaged in farming two years. In the fall of 1855 he went on the Yuba river to seek his fortune in the gold mines, remaining there until the fall of 1856, when he returned to San Francisco, where he and family embarked on board the Golden Gate, for New York, where they took passage on the cars for Portage Co., Wis., arriving there in October, 1856. He remained in that place two years, working at his trade. He then went to Columbia county and worked on a farm two years. In the fall of 1860 Mr. Pat- terson removed to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and settled on section 1, township 94, range 29, Cresco township, where he now owns 375 aeres of land. He went into the bor- der warfare in 1862 and was there protect- ing the frontier for fourteen months. IIe then returned to his farm, and there re- mained until Jan. 5, 1864, when he en- listed in company F, 2d Iowa Cavalry, being in the 2d Cavalry corps. He par- ticipated in the engagement of Tupelo, and many others. Mr. Patterson was married April 5, 1877, to Mary C. Burtis, of Irvington township. They have two children-Jewell M. and Pearl P. In polities, Mr. Patterson is a republican. He has served as township trustee, town- ship clerk and school director. He is a Master Mason.

Abel Wooster was born March 8, 1820, in Cheshire Co., N. II. In 1861 he moved to Jones Co., Iowa, remaining four years, and coming to Cresco township in 1866, when he bought 130 acres of land on sec- tion 14, township 94, range 29, and still makes it his home. lle also owns a half section on section 12, same township. IIe

was married Sept. 22, 1845, to Harriet Beels, of Chesterfield, N. II. They have six children-Carrie II., who married An- thony Durant, a druggist in Algona ; Charles HI., Edward B., Lydia A., Law- rence M. and Merton E. Ile and his wife are both Church members. In politics, he is a republican.

Rudolf Berringhauser, son of Gustave and Christian Berringhauser, is a native of Prussia, born Nov. 28, 1843. In 1856 he emigrated to the United States, locat- ing in New York. Ile then removed to Wisconsin. Remaining there a few months, he came to Kossuth county, locat- ing on the northeast quarter of section 8, township 94, range 30, this township. He has eighty acres under cultivation. Ile also has a good orchard and a nice grove. Ile was married Aug. 21, 1881, to Mar- garet Bonnstetter, daughter of Michael and Catharine Bonnstetter. They have two children-Willie B. and Otto. Ile was educated at the Agricultural Insti- tute in Bonn. Mr. Berringhauser belongs to the Lutheran Church. Ilis wife be- longs to the Catholic Church.

George Stewart was born in Scotland, Nov. 8, 1826. He lived there until twenty- two years of age, when he emigrated to Quebec. The trip took eight weeks and eight days. He lived in Quebec twelve years, when he started west. In 1862 he came to Iowa and settled on sections 14 and 23. He has as fine land as there is in the county. He has a grove of five acres of willow, maple and cottonwood. Mr. Stewart has been married twice. First, to Jane Richmond. They had three children-George, Anna and James R. The two oldest children are married.

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IIISTORY OF KOSSUTHI COUNTY.

Ile was married the second time, Jan. 25, 1866, to Mary, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Liversage) Clark. This union has been blessed with five children -- Lizzie O., Robert, Margaret, William C. and Amanda L. Mr. Clark has held the offices of school director and township trustee, the latter for nine years. In polities he is a democrat.

Lafayette Turner was born near Elgin, Kane Co., III., May 27, 1850. When ten years of age he went to Benton Co., Iowa. Ilis father owned a farm ten miles west of Vinton, in that county. He afterwards came to Kossuth Co., lowa, and purchased the north half of the southeast quarter of section 13, township 95, range 30, Cresco township, where he now resides. Mr. Turner cultivates forty acres of land, has four acres in grove and orchard; the re- mainder of his land is unbroken. He also has good buildings on his place. He devotes more time to his trade, that of carpenter, than to farming. Mr. Turner was married Dec. 25, 1879, to Emma Mil- ler, of Cresco township. Her parents reside in Kansas. Two children have blessed this union-Miriam and Honor. In politics Mr. Turner is a republican. His father is deceased. His mother makes her home with him on the farm.

John MeKay, son of George and Janet (Morrison) MeKay, was born in Callais, Washington Co., Maine, Aug. 12, 1814. He remained at the home of his birth until thirty-six years old, when he re- moved to Manitowoc Co., Wis., and en- gaged in farming. In Maine, he worked at lumbering on the St. Croix river and on Grand lake. He was a contractor. On July 27, 1865, he came to Kossuth

county and located in Algona. In the fall or winter he removed to a farm on section 14, remaining there until 1874, when he removed to the southwest quar- ter of the southwest quarter of section 18. Mr. MeKay was married Oct. 26, 1836, to Margaret, daughter of Moses and Eliza ( Hamilton) Taft, of Callais, Washington Co., Maine. The result of this union was three children-William HI., married to Jane Hollenbeck, of Mani- towoc, now living in Algona; George A., married to Christiana Homma, living on section 14, Cresco township, and Mary E., married to P. C. Phillips, of Cresco township. Mr. Mckay is a republican, and has been school director.

William Johnson was born in New Brunswick, June 26, 1815. He received his education in the common schools of New Brunswick, by his own exertions, and taught school there for some time. In 1847 he moved to Canada, where he taught school and engaged in farming. Ile af- terwards moved to Iowa City, thence to Washington county, where he purchased forty acres of land, living on that place three years. In 1866 he came to Kossuth county, and settled on section 18, town- ship 95, range 29, where he owns ninety- six and one-third acres of good land. He has sixty acres under cultivation. Since coming here he has taught school five or six terms. Mr. Johnson was married Jan. 1, 1851, to Ilarriet Shiek, of New Bruns- wick. They have eight children-Ada, wife of Mina Willis of Algona; Augus- tus B., M. C., Ella, wife of Frank Potter, of Cresco township; Bertha, Maggie, Nathaniel and Lizzie. In politics Mr. Johnson is a greenback republican. Ile

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

has been clerk of Cresco township for two years, and is also secretary of the school board.

Samuel B. MeClelan was born in Put- nam Co., Ind., March 26, 1829. In 1844 he removed to Illinois, locating in Henry county. In 1849 he was united in mar- riage with Sarah Rouse, of Clay Co., Ind. lle came to Kossuth Co., Iowa and loea- ted on section 5. He has eighty acres of land on section 5, and forty aeres on see- tion 7, township 94,- range 29. He has sixty acres under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs McClelan have five children-John Wesley, Edward, Dexter, Samuel B. and Amelia E. The three eldest of whom are married. Mr. MeClelan is a republi- ean in politics. In October, 1861, he en- listed in company E, 9th Illinois Cavalry, 16th Army Corps, as blacksmith. He was in the battles of Tupelo and Corinth. He was principally engaged in keeping com- munications open, and was mustered out at Springfield, III., Oet. 27, 1864.

William Robe, son of Dydrich and Martha (Fisher) Robe, was born in Hano- ver, Germany, June 15, 1840. In 1853 he emigrated to Clayton Co., Iowa, and en- gaged in farming near Guttenberg. He remained there about three years, and re- moved to Kossuth county, locating on the northwest quarter of section 15. He now owns 200 acres of good land. He was united in marriage with Augusta, daugh- ter of Charles and Caroline Harsh, who live two miles north of Algona. The re- sult of this union is five children-Anna, John, Minnie, William and Emma. Mr. Robe is a republican.

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History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 57

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950