USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 28
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The candidates of the republican party always receive the support of Mr. Hall. For a time he served as deputy revenue collector. His church relation- ship is with the Christian church, and that of his wife is with the Presbyterian. Mr. Hall and his family are highly regarded in Columbus Junction, in the social life of which they take a prominent part.
JOHN COLTON.
John Colton, who for many years has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Union township where he owns two hundred and twenty-seven acres of land, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1839. He is of Irish extraction, his parents, Patrick and Hannah (O'Brien ) Colton, having been born and reared on the Emerald isle, whence they emigrated to the United States. Upon their arrival in this country they first settled in Pennsylvania, where they resided for several years. In 1842 they came to Iowa, settling in Louisa county where they spent their remaining days. Here the father passed away in 1856 but
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the mother survived until 1870. Ten children were born of their union, six of whom are deceased, while those surviving are as follows: James, who is a resi- dent of Columbus Junction ; John ; Frank, who is engaged in the dry-goods busi- ness in Columbus City ; and Thomas, who is also a resident of Louisa county.
He was only a child of three years when his parents settled in lowa, so John Colton received his introduction to the rudiments of the common branches of learning in the district schools of Louisa county. His father died when he was seventeen and in common with the sons of widows the responsibility of cultivat- ing the homestead devolved upon him and his brothers. He was married at the age of thirty-seven and immediately thereafter settled upon a farm which he had previously purchased and in the cultivation of which he has ever since engaged. He has since added to his original tract and now owns two hundred and twenty- seven acres of fertile land. His is one of the attractive and well kept properties of the township; the improvements are all good; and he has brought the land to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Colton attributes much of his success to the fact that in connection with general farining he has engaged in raising and feed- ing stock.
Louisa county was the scene of the marriage, in November, 1876, of Mr. Colton and Miss Julia A. McCarthy, who was born in Boston on the 22d of Feb- ruary, 1851, and passed away in this county on the 3d of October, 1910. Mrs. Colton was a daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Donohue ) McCarthy and came to lowa with her parents in 1862. She held membership in the Roman Catholic church. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Colton there were born two children, both of whom died in infancy.
Mr. Colton has always given his allegiance to the candidates of the denio- cratic party. A residence covering a period of sixty-nine years in this county has served to make Mr. Colton widely known in Union township, the citizens of which entertain for him the regard which is ever accorded to an industrious and energetic man, who conducts his business transactions in an honorable and up- right manner.
HARVEY E. RITTER.
Industry, perseverance and close application have been the salient character- istics in the life record of Harvey E. Ritter, bringing him to the prominent place which he now occupies in the business circles of Grand View township. Born in Louisa county on the 25th of October, 1880, he is a son of Louis B. and Cath- erine (Wagner ) Ritter, natives of Virginia and Louisa county respectively, their marriage taking place in this county. Following his marriage the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, on the 25th of April, 1904. Later the mother was again married, her second union being with C. Utter, a native of New York, now living retired in Letts. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Ritter were born three sons, all of whom are associated in business, namely : John, residing in
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Letts, who married Louise Liebbie, a native of Muscatine county, by whom he has one child, hvert, two years of age; Harvey E., of this review ; and Walter. who is unmarried and resides in Letts.
At the usual age Harvey E. Ritter was sent to the district schools, and after thoroughly mastering the branches of study therein taught was engaged in work about the home farm for several years. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the fields until the latter's death, after which he took up agricultural pursuits independently on a farm of his own, which he personally operated for many years and to the supervision of which he yet gives his attention. He now owns and conducts a feed mill in Letts, in connection with his brothers, who are also associated with him in his farming interests. All are men of good business abil- ity and sound judgment, who closely watch every detail of their affairs, and thus their success is logical and well merited. Something of the prosperity which has come to Mr. Ritter is indicated by the fact that he now not only owns a very fine home in Letts but also eight other lots, all well improved, which are a source of gratifying annual revenue.
It was on the 28th of March, 1900, that Mr. Ritter was united in marriage to Miss Ina M. Wagner, who was born in Louisa county on the ioth of April, 1885. a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Blake) Wagner. The parents were born in Pennsylvania and Iowa respectively, and resided on a farm in Louisa county after their marriage, that remaining their home until their death, the father pass- ing away on the 20th of January, 1911, and the mother January 23, 1903. In their family were four children, but two died in infancy, the surviving brother of Mrs. Ritter being Fred Wagner, a resident of Columbus Junction, lowa, where he is engaged in the merchandise business.
The religious faith of Mr. Ritter is indicated by his membership in the Church of God, to which his wife also belongs, and fraternally he is identified with the Court of Honor at Muscatine. He gives sturdy allegiance to the democratic party but has never sought nor accepted office, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon the conduct of his business affairs. He is one of the most enterprising business men in the vicinity, always ready and willing to do what he can for the general improvement of the township, and is held in high respect as a con- genial neighbor, a loyal friend and a valued and representative citizen.
GEORGE CHOWN.
The time and energies of George Chown are devoted to the cultivation of his farm which contains two hundred and twenty-eight acres of land. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on the 29th of May, 1848, his parents being John and Eliza ( Aplin ) Chown, natives of Devonshire, England. There they were also reared, and immediately following their marriage on the 5th of July, 1843, they emigrated to the United States, first settling in Wheeling, West Vir- ginia. After several years residence in that city they removed to Zanesville, Ohio.
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where they lived for five years, during which time Mr. Chown was engaged in gardening. In 1856 they went to Muscatine county, Iowa, settling on a farm which the father cultivated until his retirement shortly after the demise of his wife in 1874. Thereafter Mr. Chown made his home with his son until within two years of his death when he removed to Columbus Junction where he passed away on the 15th of February, 1904. at 11:30 A. M. Of this union there were born eleven children, among whom were three pairs of twins. Those surviving are as follows: George; Mary, the wife of William 1I. Foster, of Muscatine county ; and Louis, who is a resident of Nichols. Iowa. Of the other eight but two attained maturity-William, who died in the army, and Elizabeth, who was the wife of George Breckenridge. The others all died in infancy.
The education of George Chown was obtained in the common schools of West Virginia and Ohio, following which he devoted his attention to agricultural pur- suits. He began his independent career as a farmer at the age of thirty years at which time he leased his present place, which he cultivated as a renter until 1904. He became the owner of the property in the latter years and now has one hundred and fifty acres, mostly under a high state of cultivation. Here he en- gages in general farming as well as stock-raising, both of which have proven to be very remunerative.
Mr. Chown was united in marriage on the 16th of October, 1878, to Miss Mary Meyers, a native of Muscatine county and a daughter of Henry and Mary ( Meyers ) Meyers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Meyers are natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States, going first to St. Louis and in 1854 to Mus- catine, Iowa. There the father conducted a slaughter-house for several years and subsequently located on a farm in Lake township. He resided upon his home- stead until his retirement after which he made his residence with his son. Mrs. Meyers passed away on the 27th of June, 1895, but the father's demise did not occur until the 17th of September, 1899. They were the parents of nine children : Henry, who is a resident of Louisa county ; William, living in Audubon county, Iowa ; Louis, who resides in North Dakota ; Elizabeth, the wife of L. D. Chown, of Nichols, Iowa ; Jesse, who makes his home in Muscatine county ; Alice, residing in the same county ; Charles and Frank, who died in infancy; and Mary, now Mrs. Chown.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Chown has been blessed with seven children, all but one of whom survive. Ida E., who was born on the 2d of August, 1879, is a graduate of the high school and Iowa State Teachers' College, and has been teaching for twelve years; Minnie L. was born on the 19th of May, 1882; Bessie M., who was born on the 16th of April. 1885, is a graduate of the high school of Columbus Junction : May, born on the 26th of September. 1887. is a high school graduate and taught for a term previous to her marriage on the 31st of December, 1005, to F. Shomberg, a farmer in the vicinity of Columbus Junction; Wil- helmina, who was born on the 20th of September, 1892, died on the 13th of June, 1893; Alice, born on the 6th of June 1894, is attending high school; and Edith A., born on the 9th of May, 1899, is also in school. All of the family are at home with the exception of the one daughter who is married.
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Mr. Chown exercises his political prerogatives in support of the candidates of the republican party but not being an aspirant to public honors or the emolu- ments of office does not prominently participate in local politics. Persevering and industrious he has become recognized as one of the capable and prosperous agriculturists of his community.
GEORGE R. McDILL.
A native son of lowa. George R. McDill was born in Louisa county, where he has passed his entire life. His eyes first opened to the light of day April 20, 1867. his parents being Joseph B. and Martha ( Ronald) McDill, the former of whom was born near Charleston, South Carolina, and the latter in Fayette county, Indiana. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent on the paternal side and of Scotch descent on the maternal side, the early ancestors settling in Vermont. The parents of our subject were married in Louisa county, October 2, 1850, and in 1852 the father began farming in Port Louisa township, where he acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1867 he disposed of his place and pur- chased two hundred acres on sections 11 and 12 of the same township. Even- tually he became the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty-eight acres. He died in August, 1892, but his wife is still living and makes her home with one of her sons, having arrived at the age of eighty-six years. Before his death Mr. MeDill divided his estate among his children, his two daughters re- ceiving their shares in cash. the land being given to his sons. In the family were six children : John, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Mary Belle, the wife of Louis Agnew, of Pawnee City, Nebraska ; William M., of Louisa county ; Chalmers R., of Fort Morgan, Colorado; Florence E., born in 1864, who became the wife of William L. Curtis, of Columbus Junction, and died in 1897; and George R.
The subject of this review possessed the advantage of attendance at the pub- lic schools and continued with his parents until eighteen years of age. He then engaged as clerk in a store, but after two years at this vocation, feeling the im- portance of a wider educational training, he spent six months at school. He then engaged in farm work until after his father's death in 1891, his portion of the homestead being eighty-eight acres. This land he has since cultivated with marked success and he also rents sixty acres of his brother's land, which he cul- tivates in connection with his own. His farm is located on section II, Port Louisa township, and, as it is maintained in excellent order, is one of the most attractive properties in this part of the county.
On the 15th of January, 1902, Mr. McDill was married to Miss Elizabeth Dodder, a daughter of Joseph H. and Margaret (Stineman) Dodder. The father was born in New Jersey and the mother in Ohio, but they were married in Iowa. Mr. Dodder responded to the call of President Lincoln at the time of the Civil war and served valiantly for three years in the Union army. After receiving his
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MR. AND MRS, GEORGE R. M.DILL AND DAUGHTER
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discharge he came to Louisa county, Iowa, and purchased a small farm, which he sold a few years later. He then rented land for four years, after which he bought his father's homestead of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has since increased by the addition of eighty acres, the farm being located in Grand View township. The mother died April 11, 1901, but Mr. Dodder is still living on his homestead. There were five children in their family: Edward H., of Louisa county ; Ella C., the wife of John E. McGrew, of Grand View ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. George R. McDill : Anna M., who is engaged in teaching school and re- sides with our subject ; and Myrtle, who became the wife of Charles E. Rilliet, of Los Angeles, California, an instructor of mechanical engineering in the Polytechnic high school at that place. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McDill, two of whom died in infancy, the other being Margaret Marian. who was born October 14, 1904.
Mr. McDill and his wife are both strong believers in the Christian religion. he being a member of the United Presbyterian church and she being connected with the United Evangelical church. On account of their many estimable quali- ties they are both held in highest regard by all who know them.
LOUIS WIEDERRECHT.
Louis Wiederrecht, engaged in general farming, is a native son of Louisa county, his birth having here occurred in 1857. His parents were George and Salome (Sultzbarger) Wiederrecht, natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States where they were married. They subse- quently located upon a farm in Louisa county where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Wiederrecht met with success in his agricultural pursuits and added to his realty holdings from time to time until he finally acquired two hundred and seventy-one acres of land, all of which was well improved. Six children were born unto him and his wife as follows: George; Salome, the de- ceased wife of Henry Leberknecht; Louis; Elizabeth, who married George Kreimer ; Fred ; and Kate, the wife of Samuel Schafer. They are all residents of Louisa county. The father passed away in April, 1904, the mother's demise having occurred in the preceding autumn.
Louis Wiederrecht obtained his education in the district schools of his native county which he attended until he felt that he was fitted to begin business for himself. He then laid aside his text-books and assisted his father with the cul- tivation of the fields until he was twenty-seven years of age. Subsequent to his marriage he rented the homestead which he operated until the death of his father, after which he purchased one hundred and thirty-two acres of land which he cultivated for a year and then sold to his brother. He next bought one hundred and fifty-one acres in Port Louisa township which constitutes his present homestead. Since first locating here he has added another fifteen
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acres to his holdings, which now aggregate one hundred and sixty-six acres, all of which is well tilled with the exception of fifteen acres of timber on section 18.
On the 20th of April, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wiederrecht and Miss Katie Blauer, a native of Switzerland, from which country she emi- grated with her parents when a child of four years. Upon their arrival in the United States they located in Muscatine, but later they bought land in Louisa county. There the parents resided tintil their retirement from the farm when they removed to Grand View, where they lived with one of their daughters until called from this life, the father surviving for ten years after the mother had passed away. Eleven children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Blauer, six of whom survive: Mrs. Wiederrecht, who is the youngest of those living; Mary, the wife of Charles Pantel: Annie, who married George Walters; and Rosa, who became the wife of Jacob Lieberknecht, all natives of Louisa county ; Christ, who is a resident of North Dakota ; and Maggie, the wife of John Dankert, of Muscatine. Those who have passed away are Fred, John, Elizabeth, Ulrich and Susie. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wiederrecht have been born four children : Vernon, whose birth occurred on the 16th of March, 1887, is a member of the class of 1911 of Cornell College, at Mount Vernon, Iowa : Lola, who was born in 1889, is a grad- uate of Cornell, and is now teaching at Greene, Iowa; Mable, born in 1891, is a graduate of the high school and is now teaching; Inez, born in 1893, will grad- uate with the class of 1912 from the high school at Wapello, Iowa.
The family are all of the Methodist Episcopal faith, while his political sup- port Mr. Wiederrecht accords the candidates of the republican party. Although he has never been an office seeker he served on the school board for two years and as constable for one. Ile is one of the capable and industrious farmers of Port Louisa township and his success is the result of honest and well directed effort.
HENRY E. LANG.
Henry E. Lang is engaged in the cultivation of two hundred and forty acres on section 15. constituting an attractive homestead of Grand View township. He was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 12th of April. 1866, and is a son of Nicholas and Margaret ( Lieberknecht) Lang, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lang's parents emigrated to the United States settling in Muscatine county about 1836, and the Lieberknecht family came from the Keystone state to Louisa county about the same time. Subsequent to their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lang located on a farm in Mus- catine county where, at the venerable age of seventy-four years, he continues to reside, but she passed away in 1908, her demise occurring in the month of May. Of their union there were born eight children: Benjamin, who is living on the old homestead; Henry E .; George, who is residing in Louisa county; William, who is cashier of the Wilton Savings Bank at Wilton Junction ; Louis, who is residing on the old homestead ; Albert, who passed away at the age of twenty-
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one years; Nellie, who married Dr. Miller, of Wilton Junction; and Bertha. the wife of Rolly Herr, living in the vicinity of Wilton Junction.
The early years of Henry E. Lang were very similar in every way to those of other lads of the period who were born and reared in the country. His preliminary education was acquired in the common schools, following which he pursued a business course in a commercial college. lle remained at home until after he had attained his majority, and at the age of thirty he began for him- self. Leasing some land in Grand View township, Louisa county, he cultivated it for fifteen years. This brought him a very good return and at the expiration of that period he had sufficient capital to become a property owner, so he pur- chased his present place. A large portion of the profit netted by his abundant harvests has been turned back into the property in the way of improvements. An ambitious man, he takes great pride in keeping up the appearance of his fields and buildings, which suggest the thrift and prosperity that always accom- pany capable supervision.
Mr. Lang established a home by his marriage, on the 5th of February, 1896, to Miss Margaret A. Gast, whose birth occurred in Grand View township, Louisa county, on the 22d of August. 1873. Mrs. Lang is a daughter of Herman and Saralı ( Stineman ) Gast, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Ohio. They were married in Grand View township and immediately began their domestic life on a farm which they purchased in that township. In 1878 Mr. Gast withdrew from agricultural pursuits and removed to Grand View where for some years he operated a mill, but gave this up in order to engage in car- pentry work and contracting. with which he continues to be identified at the age of sixty-six years. Mrs. Gast passed away on the 15th of April, 1906. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gast four children were born, in the following order : Farrie. who is residing in Louisa county; Margaret A., now Mrs. Lang; Rush, who is living in Grand View ; and Ora, who is keeping house for her father at Grand View. Mrs. Lang was given good educational advantages and is a college graduate.
Mr. and Mrs. Lang hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political support is given to the republican candidates. Although he never prominently participates in political affairs he has served for eight years on the school board and for four as a trustee. Persistence and determination of effort in his case have brought their usual reward and he is now rated as one of the prosperous citizens of Grand View township.
SOLOMON D. FOSTER.
Solomon D. Foster is an enterprising and progressive farmer of Oakland township, whose birth occurred in Concord township, Louisa county, on the 5th of July, 1865. His parents. Harrison and Sarah (Reynolds) Foster, were both natives of Ohio in which state they were also married but shortly thereafter
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came to lowa, being among the pioneer settlers of Louisa county. Here the father engaged in farming until his demise which occurred in 1868, the mother, however, surviving until 1900. Eight children were born unto them as follows: Mary, who is living in the state of Washington; Marion, a resident of Xenia, Wayne county, Illinois; Lydia, who passed away in 1907, the widow of James Henderson; Fannie, who married Samuel Bushong, of Fredonia, Iowa; Jane. the wife of Thomas Cross, of Louisa county ; Henry H., who is living in Cres- ton, lowa; A. Jackson, also a resident of this county ; and Solomon D.
Solomon D. Foster, who was a child of only three years when his father died, was educated in the district schools of his native county. He assisted with the work of the home farm from his early boyhood until he had attained his majority, at which time he rented the property from his mother. For four years thereafter he continued its operation, following which he went to Enmet county where he bought a farm which he cultivated for nine years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Johnson county and two years thereafter he sold his farm in Emmet county. In October, 1001, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Louisa county-the property known as the Squire Davis farm. Four years later he bought an adjoining tract, known as the George Davis property, since which time he has also purchased a timber lot. The ag- gregate of his present holdings is now one hundred and sixty-six acres of land, located on section 24, Oakland township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.
In September, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Foster and Miss Hattie V. Files, who was born in Johnson county, in July, 1869. a daughter of James M. and Mary ( Bowman ) Files. The parents are both natives of Ohio but they were married in Johnson county, where the father engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1899. when he retired to Iowa City, where he has ever since con- tinued to reside. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Files, Mrs. Fos- ter being the eldest, while the others are: Charley, who is a resident of Mason City, Iowa; Estella, who is a dressmaker, living at home ; Myrtle, who is a nurse, also at home; Ray, an attorney of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Wayne, a barber living in Iowa City : Leo, who is a high school graduate, also a resident of lowa City : and Blanche, who passed away at the age of four months.
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