USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 10
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Mr. Snyder was married on the 24th of November, 19to, to Miss Lulu May Van Horn, who was born in Louisa county on the 4th of March, 1884, a daughter of Launy and Alice ( Coder ) Van Horn. Iler father, who is now serving as postmaster of Letts, is mentioned on another page in this volume. Mrs. Snyder, who is a high school graduate and also had the benefit of a commercial course, is a young woman of many attractive traits of character and is widely known in the social circles of the community in which she resides.
Mr. Snyder gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, but he has never sought nor held public office. He is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Triangular Lodge. No. 245, A. F. & A. M., of Letts ; and Composite Chapter. No. 91, R. A. M., of Columbus Junction. Hle is a young man of strong public spirit, his interests being thoroughly identified with those of the community, and all measures having to do with its growth and improvement find in him a hearty cooperant. He is succeeding in his business venture, and the degree of prosperity which has already attended his efforts augurs well for a bright future.
SAMUEL NATHANIEL WALKER.
A well cultivated homestead containing one hundred and ninety-six and one-half acres on section 21. Morning Sun township, is the well merited reward of the efforts of Samnel N. Walker, one of Louisa county's capable agricul- turists. He was born in Henry county, Iowa, on the 24th of July, 1869, and is a son of C. P. and Ruth E. (Fox) Walker. The father has long been identified
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with the agricultural development of this county, but the mother passed away in December, 1890. They were the parents of the following children : Samttel N., our subject ; Everna, the wife of Eli Frazelle, of Clark county ; Albert, who is deceased ; Thomas, who is at home : Leander, also living in this county ; Flossie, who married John Russell, of Louisa county; James G., living at home and John, who is deceased.
After the completion of his education which was acquired in the district schools, Samuel N. Walker engaged in agricultural pursuits until he attained his majority. He subsequently went to work on the railroad, continuing to be identified with that occupation for thirteen years. At the end of that time he bought one hundred acres of land, whcih he cultivated for five years. Then dis- posing of it he bought his present farm, which is a portion of the old homestead of his father. In addition to the cultivation of his fields Mr. Walker also en- gages in the raising of cattle and hogs, the returns from which undertakings are proving very satisfactory.
The marriage of Mr. Walker and Miss Hattie M. Moyers was celebrated on the 25th of October, 1893. Mrs. Walker is the daughter of George W. and Rebecca (Pena) Moyers, who were the parents of eight children, namely : Lucy, the wife of Gi. W. Dotson, of Newport; Pearl MI., a resident of Des Moines county ; Hattie M., now Mrs. Walker ; Cora, the wife of Frank Hamilton, of Newport ; Burton, who is living in Des Moines county ; Gertie, the twin sister of Burton, and who is deceased ; Edward, a resident of Texas; and Halleck, living in Louisa county. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Walker were born the following children : Elsie E., George P'., Maud M., Albert R., Clifford T., Myrtle Z., Paul Moyers and Samuel Clinton, all of whom reside at home.
The religious affiliation of Mr. Walker is with the Christian denomination, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his local connection being with Oakville Lodge, No. 139. I. O. O. F., and in politics he is a republican. He has never been an office seeker, but is at present serving as a member of the board of school directors. Success is attending the efforts of Mr. Walker, who is rapidly becoming recognized as one of the representative farmers of his township.
BENJAMIN T. TINDALL.
Benjamin T. Tindall, who engages in general farming and stock-raising, is one of Louisa county's native sons, his natal day being the 23d of January, 1853. The parents, John and Sarah ( Marshall) Tindall, were natives of Ohio. In 1849 the father migrated to Iowa, locating in Louisa county, but he soon re- turned to the Buckeye state, where he remained until 1851. At this time he came back to Louisa county and together with his brother preempted two hun- dred and forty acres of land. Here he engaged in general farming and stock-
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raising, adding to his holdings as he was able until, at the time of his demise, he owned one hundred and sixty-four acres of land. Both parents spent their latter years in this county, the mother passing away at the age of fifty-one and the father at seventy-three years. Unto them were born the following children : Benjamin T., our subject ; Mary and Eliza, both of whom are deceased; Nancy, the wife of Laben Saunders, of Poweshiek county; Robert, who is a resident of Louisa county : William, living in Poweshiek county ; and Sadie, who became the wife of Lyman Ogier, of Louisa county.
The district schools of this county provided Benjamin T. Tindall with his education, following which he assisted his father with the work of the home- stead until he was twenty-four years of age. He subsequently began farming as a renter and for thirteen years operated a threshing machine. In 1907 he bought his present homestead, which contains eighty acres, and here he engages in general farming in connection with which he also raises stock. He has greatly added to the value of his property during the period of his ownership by rea- son of the fine improvements he has made thereon, and his fields, which are fertile and well tilled, are amply rewarding his labors.
On the 21st of February, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Tindall and Miss Sarah Marshall, a daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Smith) Mar- shall, who were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Margareta, who is deceased ; Ella, the wife of R. 11. Marshall. of Los Angeles, California ; Sarah, now Mrs. Tindall; Myra, who married T. A. Hamilton, of Winfield, Iowa; Ida, the wife of C. A. Whitaker, of Post Falls, Idaho; Joshua, who is deceased ; Henry and Leander, of Alaska: Frank, of Morning Sun township; Clara, the wife of George Hungate of South Dakota; and Laura, the wife of William Arnold of Morning Sun. Unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Tindall were born eight children : Laura and Leroy, who are deceased; Josie, the wife of Frank Owens of New London, Iowa: Jennie, who is deceased ; Velma, who is at home ; Alice, deceased ; and Nellie and Fred at home.
The family affiliate with the Protestant churches. Mr. Tindall is a repub- liean. He does not actively participate in political affairs, however, preferring to give his undivided attention to the direction of his personal interests.
WILLIAM LIEBERKNECHT.
The best improved farm in Louisa county stan Is as a monument to the energy. enterprise and thrift of William Lieberknecht who, through the ready recogni- tion and wise use of his opportunities, has made for himself a place among the most prominent and prosperous agriculturists and business men of this district.
He was born in Grand View township, Louisa county, on the 20th of May, 1854, a son of Nicholas and Catherine (Raebold) Lieberknecht, natives of Ger- many. The parents were reared and married in the fatherland and in 1841 came to the United States, first locating in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. There they
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CATHERINE (RAEBOLD) LIEBERKNECHT
WILLIAM LIEBERKNECHT AND FAMILY
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remained for ten years, after which they made their way to Louisa county, jour- neying by the water route to Muscatine. Upon arriving in this county the father invested in land, being one of the early settlers in this district, and at once began its development and cultivation. It was an unimproved tract when it came into his possession, containing simply a log-house, which remained the home of the family for several years thereafter. In connection with tilling the soil the father also worked at his trade, having learned cobbling in early life, and by strict economy, unfaltering industry and unfailing perseverance along both branches finally attained a position of independence in the business world, becoming the owner of a highly improved and valuable estate of eight hundred acres. He passed away in 1872, being survived by his wife for many years, her death oc- curring in March, 1901. In their family were nine children, as follows: Jacob and John, both of whom are deceased; Henry; William of this review; Lewis, mentioned on another page of this volume; Benjamin, who has also passed away; Margaret, the deceased wife of Nicholas Lang; Mary, who married Christ Werner and is now deceased; and Mary, who died in infancy.
William Lieberknecht attended the district schools in the acquirement of his education, and when but ten years of age began business upon his own account in a small way earning ten cents as his first money-which he saved, while at various times he also worked for his father, thus continuing until he was twenty- one years old. Upon attaining his majority he bought a tract of land which he operated for a time and then, after selling that tract, purchased another in Wash- ington county, Iowa, upon which he resided for five years. At the end of that time he also disposed of that property and invested in his present farm, con- sisting of four hundred acres in section 8, Grand View township, Louisa county. He also owns ninety acres of timber land in this township.
A man of. progressive ideas and thoroughly up-to-date and modern in his methods, he has introduced upon his home farm every improvement which might contribute to its neatness and fertility, adding all of the conveniences and acces- sories of a model farm of the twentieth century, and today his is the finest im- proved farm in the county. During all of these years he has also devoted con- siderable attention to his live-stock interests, being an extensive buyer, raiser, feeder and shipper. He uses all of the produce raised upon his farm for stock- feeding purposes and also buys a large amount of grain annually. He makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs for market and is a heavy feeder of cattle, his pastures containing many high grade specimens. The high quality of his stock is recognized throughout this and adjoining counties and his efforts have been potent factors in elevating the standard of stock in this district. His name is not unknown in financial circles in Louisa county, for he has been a stockholder in the Citizens Savings Bank of Letts, Iowa, since its inception and for the past ten years has occupied the office of president of that institution. He is also a member of the Muscatine & Louisa County Telephone Company, and is a man of keen sagacity and sound judgment.
Mr. Lieberknecht was married, on the 15th of Jannary, 1891, to Miss Er- minie Pemble, who was born in Wapello, Iowa, on the 27th of August, 1865, Vol. II-6
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a daughter of James and Marian ( Wyman) Pemble, whose biography appears on another page of this volume. The parents, natives of England and Vermont, respectively, were married in Illinois, where they resided upon a farm for a few years, after which they came to Louisa county and located upon a farm here. casting in their lot among the pioneers of this county. Both still survive and make their home upon their place in Jefferson township, owning a section or more of finely improved land. Their family of nine children included the fol- lowing: Charles, of Peoria, Illinois; Frank, residing in Wapello; Fannie, the wife of Fred Kennedy, now operating the old Pemble homestead; Grant, who passed away at the age of two years; Mrs. Lieberknecht and Justin, twins, the latter a resident of Idaho; Ada, who married Charles Johann, of Wapello ; Ray- mond, of Idaho; and Earl, whose death occurred when he was twenty years of age. U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Lieberknecht have been born five children, namely : James Max, who was born January 8, 1892, and William Floyd, born September 15, 1893, both of whom are students of high school and still reside at home ; Marian, born March 30, 1896, now attending high school ; Mildred, born May 23, 1898, at home ; and Dorothy, born June 10, 1900, also under the parental roof.
The family all attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents are members, and politically Mr. Lieberknecht gives his support to the republican party. He has never sought nor desired office for himself, however, as the conduct of his personal business affairs has demanded his entire time and atten- tion. An analyzation of his life work shows that his success is not the result of unusual characteristics, but has come rather from his close application and ready utilization of opportunities such as are met with in the life of almost every individual. He has known when, where and how to put forth his best energies, and the careful directing of his efforts along the lines where mature judgment has led the way has brought to him the success which he now enjoys. He is held in the highest esteem and regard by his fellowmen, not merely for the degree of prosperity which he has attained, but also for the high principles which have ever governed his actions, whether in business or private life.
AUGUST KORN, JR.
The late August Korn, Jr .. who was engaged in the cultivation of his farm of two hundred acres at the time of his demise, was born in Wapello, Iowa, on the 25th of April, 1858, and was a son of August and Katherine Korn, both natives of Germany. They emigrated from the fatherland to the United States, locating in Louisa county during pioneer days. Here the father passed away but the mother still survives at the age of eighty-three and makes her home in Wapello. Eight children were born of this union, all but one of whom are deceased.
August Korn, Jr., was reared to agricultural pursuits, acquiring his educa- tion in the common schools of his native county. After laying aside his text-
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books he devoted his entire attention to his chosen vocation, which he had de- cided should be that of a farmer, and at the time of his death owned two hun- dred acres of well improved and thoroughly cultivated land in section 31, Jef- ferson township.
In Louisa county occurred the marriage of Mr. Korn and Miss Lydia F .. Brendel, also a native of this county. Her parents, J. G. and Christiana Brendel, were born in Germany and emigrated to the United States many years ago, being among the very early settlers of Louisa county, Iowa, where they con- tinued to reside until they passed away.
Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Korn, the order of their birth being as follows: Clara F., who is the wife of Edward Hayes, of Toolsboro, lowa ; Lillie F., who is living on the homestead; Alma M .; John A., who is still at home and assisting his sister Lillie in the management of the home farm ; Charles E., who is attending college at Des Moines; Esther R., attending the high school at Wapello; Anna MI., Freida O., and August and Fannie, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Korn passed away on the 19th of October, 1905. and his wife on the ist of December, 1907. He was a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the German Methodist Episcopal church, to which his family also belong. He was highly regarded in the community where he resided and was known as one of the successful and substantial agriculturists of Jefferson township.
F. H. HESSE.
Few men are more widely known in business circles of this locality than F. HI. Hesse who, as senior partner of the firm of Hesse & Patterson, is connected with one of the most important enterprises of Wapello and the largest concern of its kind in Louisa county. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Butler county on the Ist of November, 1873. His parents, Frank and Lucy ( Hill) Hesse, born in Germany and Wisconsin respectively, are now residents of Eugene, Oregon. Their family of five children include the fol- lowing: F. H., of this review; George F., of Eugene, Oregon; John L., of Clarksville, lowa ; Clyde R., residing at Des Moines ; and Cora E., who died in infancy.
The period of his boyhood and youth was passed by F. H. Hesse in the acquirement of an education, attending the public schools of his native county and passing through consecutive grades until his graduation from high school. Later he had the benefit of a commercial course which he pursued in the Cedar Rapids Business College, after which he entered the business world, his initial step being in connection with the hardware business in Clarksville in part- nership with his father. He was then twenty-one years of age and these rela- tions between father and son continued until 1907, when the latter came to Wapello and with F. L. Patterson purchased the business of the Otto Hard-
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ware Company. They are now conducting this enterprise under the firm style of Hesse & Patterson, and under their direction the business is constantly in- creasing in size and importance. Something of the scope of their trade is in- dicated by the fact that today theirs is the largest enterprise of this kind in the county, their cash sales for 1910 amounting to eighteen thousand dollars. Their store and warehouse is a fine structure, twenty-six by one hundred and fifty feet, and they also conduct a tin shop in connection with their general hardware trade. They carry an excellent line of stoves including the Round Oak, Quick Meals, Fuller-Warren, Cutler-Proctor, Coles Hot Blast, Majestic, Keen-Kutler, Diamond Edge, O. V. B. and Pritzloff, and in fact all of their stock is of standard make, the store purchasing its goods from leading manu- facturers. The safe, conservative policy which the partners have inaugurated commends itself to the judgment of all and has secured to the company a pat- ronage which makes the volume of trade of great importance and magnitude. The prosperity of the company is due, in large measure, to the executive ability and business capacity of its senior member, who has been watchful of all the details of the business and of all indications pointing toward prosperity, and is numbered among the progressive business men of Wapello.
In Clarksville, Iowa, Mr. Hesse was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Dale Patterson, the second in order of birth in a family of three children born unto Francis and Mary ( Wamsley ) Patterson. The others are: Edward, of Greene, Iowa ; and Francis Lloyd, the junior partner of the firm of Hesse & Patterson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hesse have been born two children : Dorothy, eleven years of age; and Robert Francis, who is four years old.
The religious faith of Mr. Hesse is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, while his fraternal relations are with the Masons. He gives his political support to the republican party, although he has never had any desire for public office. He has been careful in business affairs, earnest in his work, loyal to his friends and true to his convictions, and he now oc- cupies a prominent place among the most substantial and representative citizens of Louisa county.
JOHN H. MARTIN.
John H. Martin, an enterprising and energetic young agriculturist of Mar- shall township, devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock- raising with excellent results. He was born in Louisa county, Iowa, on the ist of July, 1882, and is a son of Elizabeth Martin. His youthful days were spent in the home of his grandparents, John T. and Catherine Martin, both of whom are now deceased.
After attaining his majority he purchased a farm of one hundred and six acres in Marshall township and has since brought the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement. He now operates three hundred and
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fifty acres of land in Marshall township and in connection with the tilling of the soil makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle, hogs and horses, this branch of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. His mother still makes her home with him. In politics he is a stanch republican but has not sought office as a reward for his party fealty. Mr. Martin has resided in Louisa county from his birth to the present time and has an exten- sive circle of friends here.
J. H. WILSON.
One of Louisa county's retired agriculturists now living in Morning Sun, is J. H. Wilson, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, on the Ist of January, 1831. His parents, John and Isabella ( McClure) Wilson, were both natives of South Carolina, from which state they removed to Ohio in the pioneer days. They continued to reside there until 1839, when they came to Iowa, locating in Louisa county, where the father entered government land, upon which he erected a log cabin. Here the parents spent the remainder of their days, the father en- gaging in general farming and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the parents of ten children, three of whom are living.
J. H. Wilson was a lad of only eight years when his parents left Ohio, so that the greater portion of his boyhood and youth were spent in Iowa, in whose common schools he acquired his education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one at which time his father presented him with a farm, upon which he immediately located, engaging in its cultivation for nine years. In 1862 he rented his land and, taking an ox team started across the prairies to Oregon, going by way of California, where he stopped for a short time. When he reached the coast he engaged in freighting goods across the mountains, for which purpose he was compelled to use ten yoke of oxen on each wagon, owing to the difficulties encountered in getting over the steep passes with a heavy load. He remained on the Pacific coast for three years, then sold his teams and re- turned to Iowa, once more locating on his farm in Louisa county. For ten years thereafter he engaged in agricultural pursuits, following which he sold his farm and rented a hotel in Muscatine, which he conducted for four years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Morning Sun, where he pur- chased the property he has ever since occupied. He owns seven pieces of resi- dence property in this town, realizing therefrom a very comfortable income.
On the 3d of March, 1869, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Ade- line Mcclurkin, a native of Louisa county and a daughter of Thomas and Julia Ann ( Kline) Mcclurkin, natives of Indiana. They came to Iowa during pio- neer days, locating in this county, where the father passed away in 1889. The mother, however, is still living at the venerable age of ninety-one years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born two children, both of whom died in infancy.
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Mr. Wilson, who is a republican, has served as justice of the peace, in addi- tion to which he has held several of the minor township offices. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson manifest their religious belief through their affiliation with the Presbyterian church, of which they have long been members. In the evening of life they are permitted to enjoy the ease and comfort provided by an in- come which is the result of the capably directed endeavors of their youth.
LEONARD BANTLE.
Leonard Bantle, an enterprising, progressive and prosperous resident of Oak- ville, has built up an extensive trade as a grocery merchant and also conducts a meat market. His birth occurred in Mercer county, Illinois, on the toth of September, 1862, his parents being John and Betty Ann ( Westfall) Bantle, the former a native of Germany and the latter of lowa. John Bantle, who enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil war, lost his life on the field of battle. His wife passed away two years later, when our subject was but seven years of age.
Leonard Bantle was reared to manhood by an uncle, Richard Bantle, of Mercer county, Illinois, where he attended the common schools in the acquire- ment of an education. When twenty-one years of age he came to Iowa and took charge of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Des Moines county. The property had been left him by his father and was located in Huron town- ship, just south of Louisa county. To the operation of that place he devoted his time and energies for about fifteen years and on the expiration of that pe- riod came to Oakville, here embarking in business as the proprietor of a meat market. Subsequently he added a supply of groceries and now deals exten- sively in commodities of that character, also enjoying quite a large trade as a (lealer in meats. Seizing the opportunity for profitable investment, he recently purchased six lots in the new addition to Oakville and on one of them is now erecting a handsome new residence for his family. He well merits the proud American title of a self-made man, his prosperity being directly attributable to his own efforts.
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