History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 58

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Iowa > Humboldt County > History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 58

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).

William E. Sifert was born April 26, 1855, in Vernon Co., Wis. When fifteen years of age he came to Kossuth county, and has lived in different parts of the county working for different men the most of the time since, except in grass- hopper times when he went to Floyd Co., lowa, and engaged in working for A. W. Cook and Capt. Humphrey, returning in the fall to teach. In 1878 he spent the summer in Wright county, breaking land for A. Overbaugh. He has been a suc- cessful farmer and has taught thirteen terms of school in Kossuth county. He was elected assessor of Algona township,

in the fall of 1879, and served one term. He is a firm believer in Christianity, but not associated with any sect. In politics he is a republican.

William Thruceker, son of Dederich and Mary (Shultz) Thruceker, was born in Prussia, Dec. 5, 1847. When ten years of age his parents emigrated to America, locating in Clayton Co., Iowa, where they purchased a farm. In 1871 the sub- ject of this sketch came to Kossuth coun- ty, and engaged in farming. In 1876 he purchased the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter, and the northeast quar- ter of the southwest quarter of section 32, township 95, range 30. He has since bought the northwest quarter of the north- west quarter of section 32. He has a good house 24x34 feet, one and a half stories high. He has a fine grove of six acres and a good bearing orchard. About 100 acres of his land is under cultivation. He has held the office of school director. He was united in marriage July 11, 1870, with Mary Louck Dau, daughter of John and Dora (Louck) Dau, of Clayton county. This union has been blessed with five children-Alvina W. F., Maria W. L., Frederick W. II., Martha M. D. and Wil- helmi M. L. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a republi- can, politically.

Hyman B. Butler, son of Moody and Lydia (Burt) Butler, was born in Green- field, N. H., Jan. 1, 1827. He was reared on a farm, having such educational ad- vantages as the district school afforded, with the opportunity of reciting latin for a time to the village physician. At sev- enteen years of age, he was sent to the Lebanon Liberal Institute at Lebanon, N.

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H., and for the next four years was at school most of the time, either here or at Mount Cæsar Seminary, at Swansey, N. H., with one term at a Military Academy, estab- lished by Gen. Pierce, at Marlow, N. H. When grown to manhood, he was for a time in the paper manufacturing estab- lishment of his brother and brother-in- law, at Bennington, N. H. He was, in the meantime, married to Milliscent K., daughter of Caleb C. and Lydia (Sim- mons) Daggett. Mr. Butler now com- menced studying for the Universalist ministry which he had been for sometime contemplating. In 1852 he began preach- ing as an occasional supply for other cler- gyman, and in April of the next year (1853), became pastor of the Universalist parish at Bernardston, Mass., being or- dained in September of the same year, at a meeting of the Cheshire County Associ- ation at Marlboro, N. H. He was pastor in Bernardston until the fall of 1867, a period of nearly fifteen years, when he removed to Monroe, Wis., and became pastor of the Universalist parish. While residing there, he purchased land in Kos- suth Co., Iowa, and in 1872, sent two of his sons to occupy it and open up a farmi. The next year (1873), he removed his fam- ily to Algona, Kossuth county, organizing and becoming pastor of a Universalist Church at this place. After preaching here four years, he went to Owatonna, Minn., and was pastor of the Universalist Church there for three years, his wife and children remaining on the farm. Becom- ing weary of this separation from his family, he came back to Iowa to live on the farm, where he at present remains with his sons. Their farm comprises section

17, township 94, range 29, Cresco town- ship. They are engaged in stock raising and dairying, chiefly, having the only Holstein cattle in this part of the State- keeping from thirty to forty head of milch cows, and from eighty to 100 head of cattle in all. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have five children-H. W., a railroad conductor; Frank P. and Fred K. (twins), proprietors of "Prairie Stock Farm;" Edgar B., a graduate of the Iowa State University, in the class of 1878, and Minnetta, wife of G. M. Annis. Mr. Butler is a republican, and is now chairman of the board of su- pervisors. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a strong temperance man.

Hermann Strucker is a native of Prussia, Germany, born March 19, 1850. When eight years of age he emigrated with his parents to the United States, settling on a farm near Clayton Center, Clayton Co., Iowa, on which they resided fourteen years. Mr. Strucker then came to Kos- suth county, locating on the southwest quarter of section 17, township 94, range 30, Cresco township. He has 120 acres in general farming, five acres in grove and one-half an acre in orchard. He has thirty-one head of cattle, and good build- ings on his place. Mr. Strucker was mar- ried Nov. £, 1876, to Anna Gayer. They have had six children, four of whom are living. Mr. Strucker is a republican, and is one of the road supervisors of the town- ship. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

Robbins Brown was born May 11, 1818, in Oxford Co., Maine. When seventeen years of age he went to Rome, N. Y., where he spent two years farming and lumbering about eight miles from the

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city. He then moved to Potter Co., Penn., where he was engaged in the blacksmith business, and also in running rafts, for thirty-five years, on the Allegheny and Ohio . rivers. Mr. Brown was married Feb. 14, 1844, to Polly. Curtis, of Frank- linville, Cattarangus Co., N. Y. He now owns 160 acres of land, on Nection 26, township 95, range 29. Eighty acres of his land is in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Brown has been township trustee for three years, and school director for ten years. Hle is a Master Mason, and was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows's lodge, but has never become a member of the lodge in this township. In politics he is a democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have one son-Edgar C., born Nov. 14, 1836, and married in 1875. He has three children-Ethel, Elsie G. and Ralph.

Sherman S. Potter, son of Sheldon and Wealthy (Baldwin) Potter, was born in Erie Co., N. Y. When six years old his parents moved to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where they lived eleven years on a farm. He then went to Knox Co., Ill., remaining twenty-six years, farming all the time ex- cept eight years, when he run a grocery store at Altona. From there he came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, settling on section 30, township 95, range 29, where he owns eighty acres, and also eighty acres on sec- tion 25, township 95, range 30. He now has fifty acres under cultivation, raises stock and grain. He was married Aug. 9, 1854, to Salome A. Fowler, at Knoxville, Knox Co., Ill. They have four children- Celia A., wife of Charles Rist, of Algona; Frank E., who married Ella Johnson, and lives on section 18, Cresco; Martha M. and Will S. Mr. Potter is a republican.

In 1876 he was elected township trustee, has been a justice of the peace four years and is now township assessor.

Robert H. Henderson was born May 6, 1840, in Delaware Co., N. Y. After four years he went with his parents to Orleans Co., N. Y. In 1848 they moved to Trum- bull Co., Ohio, and remained till the fall of 1854, then moved to Jackson Co., Iowa, and lived there till the spring of 1857. He then came to Algona, Kossuth county, and enlisted at Spirit Lake, being mustered in at Sioux City. He served in the army three years. Ile was in Gen. Zellar's ex- pedition in 1863 and 1864, but not wounded. Having been mustered out Nov. 23, 1864, he returned to Kossuth county, remaining at Algona until 1867, when he removed to Story Co., Iowa. From there he went to Nevada, and lived till the spring of 1869, then going to Boone Co., Iowa, he made it his home until Feb. 18, 1878, and again came to Kossuth connty, where he has since lived on his wife's mother's farm on section 11, township 94, range 29, he having married Dec. 26, 1864, Nancy Martin, whose mother lives with them. They have four children-Cora, WilliamII., Emma G. and Mary E. Mrs. Martin is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Henderson is director of district No. 8, and in politics a republican.

Jerome Finnegan was born May 24, 1853, in New York, and went to Winne- shiek Co., Iowa, with his parents when two years of age. He lived there about twenty years, then moved on section 7, Kossuth county, where he owns 160 acres of land, 100 acres of which is under cul- tivation. He has lived here eight years,

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and is a prosperous young farmer. He married Ida Jones, of Kossuth county, and they have two children-Mildred N. and Nellie M. In politics he is a repub- lican.

David Zimmerman, son of John and Sarah (Capp) Zimmerman, was born Dec. 29, 1856, in Woodford Co., Ill. When twenty-three years of age he came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and settled on the northeast quarter of the west half of section 15, which he owns. He was mar- ried Dec. 18, 1879, to Lena Falb, born in Switzerland. They have three children- Della, Lydia and Louisa. He is inde- pendent in politics, and attends the Apostolic Church, though not a member.

Walter W. Raney was born Sept. 6, 1849, in Martin Co., Ind., and went with his parents to Muscatine, Iowa, where they lived two years, then moved three and a half miles south of Algona, and afterwards nine miles south of Algona. After remaining there twenty-two years, he went to California and staid two years, working in the lumber woods in the win- ter and on a farm in summer. He then came back and bought the place where lie now lives, on section 3, township 94, range 29, owning 106 acres, seven acres of which is timber. Mr. Raney pays considerable attention to the raising of live stock. In politics he is a republican, and was elected township trustee in 1879, but went to California before having time to do any service. He was married Feb. 11, 1882, to Cora M. Fisher. They have one child-Hugh.

Marshall Leonard Roth was born in Clarion, Bureau Co., Ill., April 23, 1854. He lived in the home of his birth until

twelve years of age, when he removed to Du Page Co., Ill., living there thirteen years. Thence to Buchanan county for one year; thence to Iowa in 1879. During his early days he followed farming; then learned the tinsmith's trade, which he worked at for several years. It can truly be said that Mr. Roth is one of the best farmers in this part of the State. He was united in marriage Oct. 18, 1874, with Ellen E., daughter of Edwin C. and Ade- line (Kenyon) Fuller. They have one child living-Myrtle. A child was born to them Sept. 5, 1876, and on Feb. 2, 1881, it departed from this earthly sphere and passed away to its home prepared in Heaven, where trouble and sorrow will ne'er be known. Mr. Roth lives on sec- tion 28, township 95, range 29. In poli- tics he is a greenbacker. Mr. Roth's parent's live at Hinsdale, Ill.

Francis E. Roth was born in Bureau Co., Ill., Jan. 22, 1862. He lived in that county until 1865, when he removed to Du Page county. He lived in that county for thirteen years, when he removed to Iowa, locating on section 20, where he owns a quarter section of land. He lias a good house, with pleasant surroundings. He was married June 6, 1883, to Estella, daughter of Sumner and Louise (Kimball) Nelson. Mr. Roth's parents live in Hins- dale, Ill. Politically Mr. Roth favors the greenbackers.

David Porter Roth was born Feb. 5, 1851, in Clarion, Bureau Co., Ill. When fourteen years of age he went to Du Page county and worked ten years on a farm. He then went to Independence, Buchanan Co., Iowa, and lived four years, and in 1879 came to this township and located

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on his father's farm, which comprises the southeast quarter of section 21, where he still lives, farming and stock raising. He was married Dec. 14, 1870, to Cassie Dunroy, of Indiana. They have one child-Charles Eugene. In politics he is a greenbacker.

Alexander Fraser was born Dec. 5, 1827, in Nova Scotia, where he lived till twenty- one years of age, engaged in farming, and working at his trade, carpentering. From there he went to Massachusetts, re- mained two months, then went to Maine and lived two years, and afterwards re- moved to Canada, where he made his home twenty-six years, farming and work- ing at the carpenter's trade. He spent the year 1866 in Minnesota, then returned to Canada, remaining until 1880, when he removed to Livermore, Iowa, and lived four months. He then bought the place where he now lives, being 110 acres on section 7, fifteen acres of which is in tim- ber. While living in Canada, he was a man of some prominence, having been councilman, returning officer for county and town, assessor several times, and school director. He carries a good letter of address from these, was also given a very nice secretary on his departure for his new home. Mr. Fraser was married May 31, 1854, to Ellen R. Anderson, and has seven children-John R., who married Caroline Raney; Henry A., Donald R., Walter, Isabelle, Mary J. and Duncan. In politics, he is a republican. A member of the Episcopal Church.

Alfred Evans was born May 25, 1841, in Chenango Co., N. Y. When he was fourteen years old, lie went to Tazewell Co., Ill., and lived fifteen years. After

this he went to Boonesboro, Boone Co., Iowa, and lived two years, then went to New York. At the end of one year and a half he returned to Boonesboro, Iowa, making it his home eight years, then came to Kossuth county, and settled on section 8, township 94, range 29, and las tilled all but ten acres, which he uses for pasture. He has four acres of nice trees set out on the farm, north of the house, soft maple, ash and willow. Mr. Evansis a wheelwright by trade, which he worked at fifteen years, and is also a blacksmith, but has turned his attention mostly to farming. He married Martha J. Sher- man, of Washington, Tazewell Co., Ill., and they have three children-Lester C., Cora A. and Arthur B. In politics, he is a republican. In August, 1861, Mr. Evans enlisted in company B, 47th Illinois Vol- unteers, and was honorably discharged in January, 1863, on account of disease con- tracted while in the service.

David Gilmore was born twenty miles from Detroit, Mich., in 1833, and went with his parents to Lee Co., Ill., where his father was one of the first settlers. In 1881 he moved to Kossuth county, settling on section 18, township 94, range 29, where he owns all of the section, it being splendid land, and his buildings are worth 82,000, all in good repair, being new and nicely painted. He has been twice married, first in 1855 to Mary Bar- rett of Lee county, who died, leaving four children-Lillie M., Frank J., Edwin J. and Raymond D. Lillie married James Nicol, and is now living in Minneapolis, Minn. Frank married Fannie Foster, and is now living in Kossuth county. Oct. 9, 1877, Mr. Gilmore married Eunice Foster,

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of Mendota, Ill., and they have one child five years old-Mabel A. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Church. In politics, he is a democrat.

J. B. Henderson, a native of Ohio, was born July 27, 1849. In 1852 his parents removed to Jackson Co., Iowa. They re- mained there five years; thence to Algo- na, Kossuth county,and lived there twenty- one years. They then removed to Hum- boldt county, remaining there four years, then came back to Kossuth county, locat- ing on the southeast quarter of section. 7, township 94, range 29. Mr. Henderson was married Sept. 28, 1874, to Lillie Berk- shire, of Muscatine, Iowa. They have three children-Bertram B., Eugene T. and Estella L. Mr. Henderson has always followed farming, with the exception of four years that he carried the mail be- tween Algona and Dakota City. He is a democrat.

Christian Bell, son of John and Dora Bell, was born in Balderbach, Mecklen- burg, Germany, June 22, 1837. When twenty-eight years of age he emigrated to the United States, going first to Buf- falo, N. Y., where he worked six months in a saw-mill. He then went to Elmhurst, Ill., where he lived sixteen years, being a part of the time engaged in farming, and afterward in keeping hotel. In 1882 he came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and settled on section 33, where he owns 240 acres of

land, 200 of which is cultivated. He also owns eighty acres on section 29. Mr. Bell has a new house on his place, 16x32 feet, and a barn, 24x50 feet. He has eleven and a half acres planted in grove, and one-half of an acre in orchard. He deals largely in stock. Mr. Bell was married in Mecklenburg to Maria Bass, daughter of John and Mary Bass. They have had eleven children, ten of whom are living-Christian, Sophia, Charles, Anna, Henry, Minnie, John, Emma, Etta and Mary. William died at Elmhurst, Ill. Mr. Bell is a republican in politics. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

Henry Bell, son of John and Dora (Warkentien) Bell, was born Jan. 18, 1842, in Mecklenburg. When he was twenty-six years old he came to Chicago, settling on a farm sixteen miles west of the city. In the fall of 1882 he came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and bought 248 acres of land on section 5, 140 acres of which is under cultivation, where he raises grain and stock. He has just built a new stock barn, 28x74 feet, and his buildings are all in good repair, looking neat and clean. Lott's creek runs through the farm near the house. He was married Nov. 4, 1868, to Anna Kroger, of Holstein. They have two children-Ferdinand and Ada Wil- helmina Maria. The family all attend the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a republican.

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CHAPTER XVIII.

FENTON TOWNSHIP.

The territory in the western part of the county of Kossuth, comprised in con- gressional township 97 north, range 30 west, is known as Fenton. The surface of the land is of the same general charac- ter as that of Burt, and is watered by the stream known as the Black Cat creek. This stream rises on section 21 and flow- ing through 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35 and 36, makes its exit on the southeast quarter of the latter.

Lyman Hawkins enjoys the credit of having been the pioneer of this township, making a claim on section 23, in the fall of 1868.

Next came John L. Davis who made a claim upon section 22, in the spring of 1869, taking up eighty acres under the homestead law. Here he broke land and put in the first seed and grain in the town- ship, consisting of wheat, oats and corn, and raised a good crop, although the sea- son was very dry. He built the first frame house in the township, hauling the lumber for the same from Mankato, Minn., a distance of 100 miles.

About the same time the Waterhonses settled in this township, on section 26, and took up claims. H. Waterhouse now lives in Algona.

Edward Bailey, together with C. and II. Bailey, located upon section 10, in June,

1869, and were the next pioneers of this section. Edward now lives in Minnesota but the others are still residents of their original claims.

W. E. Ranney and James L. Blunt were also settlers of 1869.

James L. Blant is the son of John L. and Louisa Blunt, natives of New York. He was born Oct. 16, 1850, in Walworth Co., Wis., where he lived with his parents until the spring of 1870, when he came with his family to Kossuth Co., Iowa, and took up a homestead of forty acres, on section 26, township 97, range 30, in Fen- ton township, and has since bought eighty acres on section 25. He has fifty acres under cultivation, and has a good frame honse and barn on the same. Hle makes farming and stock raising his main pur- suit. He was married to Snsie E., daugh- ter of Henry H. and Harriet R. Phoenix. Her father was a native of New York, and her mother of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Blunt was born Nov. 5. 1852, in Wal- worth Co., Wis. They had one child- Harry L., who died Aug. 17, 1879, at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Blunt are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Blant votes the republican ticket.

S. M. Clark settled on section 22, il the summer of 1869, and is still a resi- dent of the township.

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James E. Webster, in March, 1870, took up a claim on the southwest quarter of section 14.

Joachim Holtz settled in this township in November, 1869, and was the pioneer of the German settlement known as the "Holtz." With him came S. Bars and William Dow.

In the spring of 1870 these received ao cessions to their number by the coming of Henry Wilson, Fred Mulso and F. KInse. These are all still residents of their orig- inal claims. Of this knot of farmers, the Upper Des Moines, in 1872, has the following, which is as true of them to-day, as then:

"The 'Holtz Settlement' is located on the head waters of the 'Black Cat' creek, and about the same distance northwest from Algona. The leading man in the commencement of this flourishing colony. was and still is, Joachim Holtz, a thorong! farmer and stock grower, as any one car see by looking over his improvements and examining his fine blooded stock.

"The first settlement was made about three years ago and now numbers over fifty families. Large and well tilled farms are seen in every direction, where three years ago nothing but the bare, unbroken prairie met the eye. The quantity of grain raised in this neighborhood the past sea- son, is enormous. Hundreds of acres of the dark, rich soil have been broken and made to yield bread stuff to feed the laborers in eastern factories. Good schools have been established, the children and many of the older people speak and read the English language with wonderful facility. Pa- pers, both German and English, find a liberal patronage with these people."

Joachim Holtz, one of the oldest set- tlers of Fenton township, was born in Germany on the 19th of March, 1825. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and followed that vocation in Germany until 1858, when he concluded to cast his lot with the citizens of the United States; consequently, he emigrated to this country, locating in McHenry Co., Ill., where he remained until the fall of 1869. At that time he came to Kossuth county and purchased a large tract of land, for he brought with him a colony of his countrymen, and he was instrumental in procuring homes for them. Mr. Holtz is located on section 20, where he has 160 acres of good land, and is quite exten- sively engaged in raising sheep. Mr. Holtz was united in marriage with Wilhelma Vierck, a native of Germany, on the 1st day of March, 1846. They have one child living-Augusta. . Mr. and Mrs. Holtz are members of the Lutheran Church. lle was one of the first township trustees of Fenton, and holds the same position at the present time.

The first marriage occurred in 1876, and was between James L. Marlow and Lina E. Algiers.

The first grain sown was by John L. Davis in the spring of 1869.

The first justice of the peace was L. Hawkins.

The first school was taught by Jose- phine Winters, in the fall of 1870, in the school house on section 11.

The postoffice was established in 1870 and James L. Blunt received the com- mission as postmaster, but he refusing to accept it, it was handed over to W. E. Ranney who kept it for about two years,

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when he was succeeded by J. L. Edmund who, after three years service, was, in turn, succeeded by Frank Pomp, the pres- ent incumbent. This office has always been held at the dwelling of the post- master, and has had no other abiding place.

Fenton township was organized on the 7th of April, 1873, and the first election for township officers was held at the school house on section 12, the October following, when the following were elected: T. M. Clark, M. L. Bush and Joachim Holtz, trustees; F. L. Ranney, clerk.

The present board of trustees is com- posed of the following named: H. Chris- tianson, J. Holtz and S. Wilcox. John E. Webster, is clerk.

What is known as the Webster school house was built, in the fall of 1870, on section 11. This was a sod building, and Josephine Winters was installed the first teacher. This was the pioneer school of the district. The present building stands on section 14, and was erected in the fall of 1873, and is a good, neat structure, 10x26 feet, and cost about $750. The first teacher here was Elmer Canlkins, the present, (fall of 1883) Maggie McArthur.

The Field school house, on section 35, was built in the winter of 1871, and cost $750.

Thomas M. Clark was born Oct. 18, 1828, in Oneida Co., N. Y. His parents, Thomas and Rebecca (Watson ) Clark, were natives of England, coming to this country in 1825, and settling in New York. Thomas was reared in his native county, being there engaged in farming and blacksmithing until 1851. He then

removed to Walworth Co., Wis., being one of the oldest settlers in that county. In 1869 Mr. Clark settled on his present place, and engaged in farming for about six years, then went to Adair county. After remaining there one year he went west, locating near Portland, Oregon, but not being satisfied, he returned to Adair county. In the spring of 1883 he re- moved to his old farm in this county, where he has eighty acres of good land. Mr. Clark was married in October, 1849, to Marietta Orcutt, a native of New York. Two children blessed this union-Esther A. and Edward F. Mrs. Clark died in 1852, and in May, 1866, Mr. Clark mar- ried Harriet Noyes. In 1878 he lost his second wife. In October, 1879, Mr. Clark was again married, to Amelia Noyes.

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History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 58

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company Number of Pages: 898

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 898