USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 29
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The union of Mr. and Mrs. Foster has been blessed with eight children : Myrtle, who was born on the toth of August, 1891, a graduate of the Cones- ville high school, and a teacher for a year ; Jesse MI., born on the 7th of June, 1893, also a graduate of the high school; Audrey E., who was born on the 15th of February, 1805, and is still attending high school; Sylvia C., born October 27, 1897, attending school; Cecil 11., whose birth occurred on the 9th of Novem- ber, 1808; Fern I., who was born on the 30th of July, 1900; Herald W., whose birth occurred on the 14th of June, 1906; and Carl E., who was born August 28, 1908.
The family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Foster is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America, being identified with the lodge at Conesville. He votes with the prohibition party, thus voicing his views
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on the temperance question. During the period of his residence in Einmet county he served as a trustee for five years and at present he is a member of the school board. He has never taken a very active part in political affairs, always having preferred to concentrate his energies upon the development of his personal interests in the administration of which he is meeting with success.
ROBERT F. NEWELL.
Robert F. Newell, who passed away in Louisa county on the 14th of May. 1898, was long and successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits here, owning four hundred acres of valuable land at the time of his demise. His birth occurred in Wayne county, Ohio, on the 20th of February, 1818, his parents being Thomas and Harriet D. ( Flaherty ) Newell, who were born, reared and married in the Buckeye state. The father there followed farming until 1839, when he came west to Louisa county, Iowa, here entering and improving a tract of land and making his home in a log cabin for a number of years. He was called to his final rest when seventy-six years of age, while his wife passed away when fifty-seven years old. Unto them were born six children, four sons and two daughters, as follows: James, who died in Iowa at the age of seventy years; Mary, who passed away in this county and who was the wife of William Paulins: Samuel, whose demise occurred in Black Hawk county, Iowa; Mar- garet. who died in Louisa county and who was the wife of Alexander Finley; Thomas, who passed away in Iowa; and Robert F., of this review.
On the 3Ist of December, 1843, on the banks of the Des Moines river, at Eddyville, Iowa, Mr. Newell was united in marriage to Miss Christina Newell, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth ( McNay ) Newell. They were born in Kentucky and celebrated their marriage in Ohio on the 9th of September, 1809. having gone to the Buckeye state in 1808. They came to this county in 1839 and settled in Concord township, Mr. Newell devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits until he passed away in 1858. His wife was called to her final rest in 1868. Unto them were born ten children, namely: Malinda, now deceased, who gave her hand in marriage to Walter Clement ; Jane, also deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Ginn ; Robert, who has passed away; Mrs. Newell; Lucinda, deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Fuston ; James, who has also been called to the home beyond ; Mary, who gave her hand in marriage to Levi Hayes and who has likewise passed away; John, who is deceased; Amanda, who is the widow of Jacob Kiser and resides in Ohio; and Hugh, who makes his home in Logan county, Ohio. Unto Robert F. and Christina Newell were born nine children, as follows: Elizabeth, who is the widow of Dr. Henry Cushman and resides in Tacoma, Washington ; Thomas, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Caroline, the wife of Louis A. Riley, of Wapello; Hugh, who died in infancy; Mary, the wife of E. S. Curtis, of Concord township. this county; John and William, both
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of whom are residents of Scotts Bluff county, Nebraska; Robert M., living at Fredonia, Iowa ; and Harriet, who is the wife of B. F. Sidman, of Norton, Kansas.
Following his marriage Robert F. Newell devoted his attention to the opera- tion of a rented farm for eleven years, on the expiration of which period he purchased a homestead in Concord township, this county. The further cultiva- tion and improvement of that property claimed his time and energies throughout the remainder of his life, his demise occurring on the 14th of May, 1898. He prospered in his undertakings and accumulated four hundred acres of valuable land, becoming widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative agriculturists of the community. His widow, who has attained the age of ninety- three years, resides at Fredonia, lowa, with her son, Robert M. Newell. Our subject gave his political allegiance to the democracy and held various town- ship positions, ever discharging his official duties in a most prompt and capable manner. Fraternally he was identified with the Masons, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Universalist church. His memory is yet cherished by those who knew him, and most of all by her with whom he traveled life's journey so happily for many years.
DAVID FOX.
An extensive landowner and agriculturist of Louisa county is David Fox, who is now living retired in Columbus Junction, enjoying in the latter years of his life the ease and comfort attained through the industry and application of his early manhood. His birth occurred in southern Canada, on the 22d of Decem- ber. 1846, his parents being Charles and Hannah ( Lefler ) Fox, who removed to Illinois with their family in 1857, locating in Rock Island county, where he passed away in 1866. The mother. however, survived until 1879. Of their union there were born eleven children, in the following order: Mary; John, who was a mem- ber of the Ninety-third Illinois Infantry and was killed at the Battle of Cham- pion's Hill; Simon E., who is deceased; Sophie and William, who died in in- fancy : Samuel B., a resident of Illinois; Frank, a veteran of the Civil war, now living in Texas; Charles, who lives in lowa ; George and Fannie, both deceased ; and David.
The last named, who was eleven years of age when his parents came to the United States, began his education in the schools of Canada. This was later sup- plemented by a course in the public schools of Illinois. After the completion of his education he remained at home assisting his father in operating the farm until the latter passed away. He then began working for himself by farming as a renter for sixteen years. In 1882 he came to Louisa county, where he bought one hundred and forty acres of land, which he cultivated for five years. At the expiration of that period he rented two hundred and forty acres for two years and then purchased four hundred and fifty-two and a half acres in Union town- ship. After operating this for ten years he disposed of it and purchased two
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hundred and ninety acres elsewhere in the same township. He also sold out again after ten years and retired to Columbus Junction, where he owns a fine residence and four building lots. While residing in the country, although engaging in gen- eral farming, he devoted much attention to the raising of stock.
Mr. Fox's plans for a home had their culmination in his marriage on the Ist of January, 1867, to Miss Martha Hahn. a daughter of John and Serena ( Alead- ows ) Hahn. Her father was a native of Germany and the mother of Missouri, but both are now deceased. Unto them were born thirteen children: Jerry, who is a resident of Davenport ; Thomas, who is deceased; Anna, the wife of Colman Brayton, of Illinois City ; Martha, now Mrs. Fox; Peter, who is deceased ; John and William, residents of Illinois City ; Robert, a resident of Polk county, Iowa; Hiram, who lives in Columbus function ; Rebecca ; Adam ; and two others who died in infancy. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Fox was blessed with seven children : Belle and Serena, both of whom are deceased; James, who is living in Canada ; Leonard. of Columbus Junction ; Della, the wife of Frank Duncan, of Columbus Junction ; Elmer, who is living in Canada ; and Virgie, who is at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Fox are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he votes with the republican party. While residing in the country he always took an active interest in township affairs and held some of the minor offices. Mr. Fox is one of the highly regarded citizens of Columbus Junction who well merits the success which has rewarded his well directed efforts, as he started out in life at the age of twenty practically empty-handed.
LEVI METZGER.
One of the excellent farms of Elm Grove township is the four hundred and . forty acre homestead of Levi Metzger, who was born on the place where he now resides, on the 3d of October, 1878. His parents, Nathan and Sarah A. ( Felenser ) Metzger, migrated from Munson, Pennsylvania, where they were born and reared. to lowa, settling in Louisa county in March, 1868. The father was one of the successful agriculturists of the township and at the time of his retirement in 1903 owned the farm now in possession of his son Levi. When he withdrew from active farming Mr. Metzger removed to Winfield. Iowa, and there he passed away on the 27th of January, 1910. The mother, however, is still surviving. Nine children were born unto them, those beside the subject of our sketch being : Lona, the wife of Edward B. Gipple; Matilda, who is deceased; Ella, the wife of Frank Chamberlain, of Louisa county ; Jacob, Simon, David and Edward, all residents of this county ; and one who passed away in infancy.
In the acquirement of his education Levi Metzger attended the common schools until he had obtained such knowledge as he deemed essential to enable him to pursue his life work which he had decided should be that of agricul- ture. As is usual with the majority of farm boys he early began to assist in the work of the fields and when he left school was well able to assume much of the
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responsibility connected with the cultivation of the homestead. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age following which he farmed as a renter for two years. At the expiration of that time he purchased the old home- stead located on section 34. Elm Grove township. He has wrought quite extensive improvements in the place during his ownership and now has one of the valuable properties of the county. Ile makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock which he finds quite profitable.
On the rith of April. 1901. Mr. Metzger was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Pierson, who is a native of Delta, Iowa, and a daughter of Simon and Margaret A. ( Root ) Pierson, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a blacksmith. He and his wife became early settlers of Louisa county and afterwards removed to Delta, Iowa, where Mrs. Pierson passed away in 1880. He lived until six months later when he also departed this life. Ile was a republican in politics. He held membership in the Methodist church and served as superintendent of the Sunday school, while his wife held membership in the Evangelical church. Nine children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Pierson, two of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Metzger have two sons and two daughters, as follows: Russell Lee; Nathan Ronald; Verda Matilda; and l'auline Margaret, who was born on the 17th of March, 1900, and died on the 10th of the following December. His political allegiance Mr. Metzger gives to the republican party and both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church.
DANIEL A. WEHMEYER.
Daniel A. Wehmeyer, who owns a fine farm property of two hundred, twenty- two and one-half acres in Oakland township, Louisa county, was born in this county on the 28th of February, 1860. He is a son of August and Wilhelmina ( Bottomeller ) Wehmeyer, both of whom were born in Germany. They were married in Missouri and shortly thereafter they came to Louisa county, settling on a farm which the father cultivated until his retirement two years prior to his death in October, 1908. The mother, who is still living, now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Albert Ilank. In the family were the following children : Mary, who is deceased ; Henry, a resident of Wapello township; Frederick, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Henry Webber, of Wapello; John, who is living in the same town ; Amelia, who married Ulrich Windmeyer, of Nebraska : Emma, the wife of Henry Otto, of Wapello: Daniel A., our subject ; Lena, who is now Mrs. Peter Bretz, of Columbus Junction; Katie, who married William Brauns, of Wapello: Matilda, who died when she was two and a half years of age ; Christina, now Mrs. Schmeirser, of Wapello; and Clara, who married Albert llank, of Columbus Junction.
The common schools provided Daniel A. Wehmeyer with a good understanding of the common branches and later he turned his attention to the work of the fields. Born and reared on a farm, he early became familiar with the practical methods
ASTIR LEVOX 4ªD TIES DATIONS K L
MR. AND MRS. JAMES BRADLEY
MR. AND MRS. AUGUST WEIIMEYER
Want
DANIEL A. WEHMEYER AND FAMILY
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of farming and at the age of twenty-five began farming for himself by renting land which he operated for four years. At the expiration of that period he bought a farm in Wapello township, which he cultivated for a year. Disposing of that he bought two hundred and forty acres in Union township, where he continued to reside until 1911, when he again sold and purchased his present homestead of two hundred and twenty-two acres in Oakland township. This property is improved with substantially constructed buildings and one hundred acres of the land is under a high state of cultivation. In addition to his excellent homestead Mr. Wehmeyer owns a quarter section of unimproved and uncultivated land in South Dakota.
Mr. Wehmeyer was married on the 27th of December, 1893, to Miss Ruth MI. Bradley, who was born near Monmouth in Henderson county, Illinois, on the ist of August, 1874, a daughter of James and Lucinda ( Speck ) Bradley. The father was a native of Ohio, while the mother was born in North Carolina. They were married in Illinois, where they resided until 1887, in which year they settled in Louisa county, where the father farmed until a few years prior to his demise, which occurred in 1889. Mrs. Bradley is still living at the age of seventy-five and makes her home with her children. There were seven children in the family : Dora, who is still at home ; Rena, who is unmarried and living in Arizona; Ida, a resident of Columbus City, Iowa ; Ruth M. and Orpha, twins, the former now Mrs. Wehmeyer and the latter the wife of George Kerr, of Columbus City ; Laura, who is living in Letts; and Frank, who is at home.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wehmeyer have been born eight children: Walter August, born on the 4th of August, 1894: Daniel Carl, born on the 17th of July, 1895; Marie Orpha, born on the 20th of October, 1897; Emma Elizabeth, born on the 17th of March. 1900: Florence Amelia, born on the 2d of February, 1902; Pearl Alta, born on the 28th of November, 1903; Merritt Orlan, born on the 4th of November, 1907: and August, whose birth occurred on the 17th of January, IQI0.
His political allegiance Mr. Wehmeyer gives to the candidates of the democ- racy and for one term he has served as road supervisor in his township. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America, being affiliated with the lodges at Wapello. Both Mr. Wehmeyer and his wife are well known and favorably regarded in the community where they reside and they have many friends.
CHARLES B. SHELLABARGER.
Charles B. Shellabarger, who has won a gratifying measure of prosperity in his undertakings as an agriculturist, is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, Concord township. His birth occurred in Grand View township. Louisa county, Iowa, on the 24th of April, 1855, his parents being Thomas B. and Matilda M. (Browning) Shellabarger. The father was born in Vol. II-16
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Clark county, Ohio. April 25, 1815, and the mother in Gloucester county, New Jersey, November 25, 1827. Their marriage was celebrated in Iowa. The paternal grandparents of our subject resided in Ohio until 1837, when they came to Louisa county, settling in Concord township. The grandfather here erected a log cabin and resided therein for a few years, coming into possession of several tracts of land in the locality. In the early 'Jos he returned to Ohio to settle up his business interests in that state and passed away there. Thomas B. Shellabarger, the father of Mr. Shellabarger of this review, finally located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Grand View township, operating the place for a number of years. Subsequently he spent three years in the town of Grand View and then traded his farm for a tract of land three miles west of Grand View, cultivating the same until called to his final rest May 7, 1808. His wife passed away May 31, 1908. Their union was blessed with seven children, as follows: Matilda, J., who died when eighteen years of age; Jacob L., who is a resident of Louisa county ; Charles B., of this review ; Thomas B., who passed away at the age of forty-five years ; William B., living in this county ; Kossuth, a landowner and agriculturist of Plainview, Texas, who wedded Mary Walker, a daughter of George Walker of this county ; and Harvey M., a barber residing in Washing- ton, Iowa, who married Miss Louisa Cross of this county.
Charles B. Shellabarger attended the common schools in pursuit of an educa- tion and on attaining his majority started out as an agriculturist on his own account, devoting his attention to the cultivation of rented land for two years. At the end of that period he came into possession of forty acres by purchase and inheritance and since that time has added to that amount one hundred and twenty acres, which has since remained in his possession. The property is highly improved in every particular and is a part of section 26, Concord township. Mr. Shellabarger is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and each year gathers rich crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
On the 13th of September, 1877, Mr. Shellabarger was united in marriage to Miss Izula A. Whistler of Concord township, her parents being Elder Isaac and Elizabeth ( Garrettson ) Whistler. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, June 1.4. 1816, and her mother in Ohio, May 22, 1818. They were married March 21, 1847, in Ohio and afterward came to Louisa county, Iowa, Mr. Whistler here being engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away March 17, 1889. at the age of seventy-three years, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 21st of October, 1869. Unto them were born four children, as follows: John, who died on the 7th of August, 1877, when twenty-nine years of age : Mary C., whose demise occurred July 3, 1895; Eveline, the wife of F. P. McNamar, of Waukon Junction, Iowa; and Mrs. Shellabarger. The last named became the mother of six childien. Harry A., whose birth occurred on the 13th of July, 1878, passed away on the 3d of May, 1901. Egbert, whose natal day was August 21, 1879, wedded Miss Lena Blankenhorn, a native of Louisa county and a daughter of Charles and Rosa Blankenhorn of this county. Their union was blessed with three children, namely : Charles, who was born on the 3d of
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August, 1903: Viola, whose birth occurred February 7, 1905: and Violet, whose natal day was May 4, 1907. Charles B. Shellabarger, who was born on the 7th of July. 1884. died on the 23d of July, 1886. Lela F., whose natal day was An- gust 20, 1886, is the wife of William E. Whicher, a native of Aurora, South Dakota. They now have two children: Harry Leo, who was born on the 24th of July, 1905; and Paulina E., whose birth occurred on the ist of March. 1909. Edna M. Shellabarger, who was born on the 17th of July. 1889, is a graduate of the Columbus Junction high school and a student at the State University of Iowa at lowa City. She has taught school for two years. Rosa Estella, whose birth occurred on the fith of March, 1896. is enjoying the advantages of a high school education.
In politics Mr. Shellabarger is independent, supporting men and ineasures rather than party. He is a faithful member of The Church of God ( unde- nominational ). to which his wife and children also belong. His career has been one of continuous activity, in which he has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his native county.
PETER MÜLLER.
One of those who have been successfully identified with the mercantile interests of Grand View for some years past is Peter Müller, whose birth occurred in the Rhine Province. Germany, on the 3d of November, 1856. His parents, Peter and Caroline Müller, were also born in the fatherland and there Mr. Müller, passed away on the 4th of July, 1897, at the age of sixty-eight years, but his wife still survives and continues to reside in the land of her nativity. Four children were born of this union of whom the son Peter is the second in order of birth, the others being : Carl, who is a resident of Bowling Green, Ohio; Julius, who lives in Germany ; and Philip, who passed away in the old country in 1888, at the age of twenty-five years.
Peter Müller was only a youth of seventeen years of age when he took pass- age for America, where he expected to make his fortune. He landed in the United States on the 17th of September, 1873, first locating in Danville, Kentucky, where for ten months thereafter he followed the baker's trade. At the expiration of that period he migrated to Springfield, Ohio, where he continued to follow his trade for a few months, going from there to Columbus. From the latter city he went to Cincinnati and after a short sojourn there took up his residence for a time in New Orleans. Returning to the north again he located in Chicago where he remained until he came to Iowa. He first settled in Postville, this state, where for twelve years he operated a bakery. Disposing of his business at the expira- tion of that period he returned to Germany for a visit.
When he came back to this country he located in Nashua, Chickasaw county, Iowa, where he opened a bakery which he ran for five years. Selling his business, for two years thereafter he lived retired. following which he went to Montana
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where he visited relatives for a short time. Subsequently he engaged in business in Victor, lowa, but he sold his establishment at the end of sixteen months and came to Grand View. Ilaving decided to become identified with some other line of activity he bought the mercantile business of R. C. Vibber, which for three years thereafter he conducted alone. At the end of that time he sold a half interest to T. E. Johnston and they have ever since been associated in the management of the business. They have a large and well selected stock of goods and enjoy an excellent patronage.
While residing in Postville Mr. Muller was married to Miss Albertina Kam- mine, their union being solemnized on the 12th of October, 1879. Mrs. Müller is also a native of Germany, her natal day having been the 28th of October, 1859. and her parents Henry and Louise Kammine. Her parents emigrated to the United States in 1873 and located on a farm in Allamakee county. There the father passed away in July, 1900, but the mother survived until the 27th of March, 1911, her demise occurring on the old homestead. Of the three children born of their union Mrs. Muller is the eldest; the others are: Amelia, the wife of Fred Duebel. of Allamakee county ; and Tillie, who married Paul Topel, also a resident of Allamakee county. Having no children of their own Mr. and Mrs. Müller have adopted two, Lemma and May A.
In religion Mr. and Mrs. Müller are of the German Lutheran faith and in politics he is a republican. Although he has never been an office seeker at the present time he is serving as a member of the city council. He is one of those enterprising, thrifty and industrious sons of the fatherland who came to America practically empty-handed, but with an inexhaustible supply of perseverance and determination of purpose by means of which he hewed his way to success.
SAMUEL II. DUNCAN.
Samuel 11. Duncan, who for nearly fifty years has been identified with the agricultural development of Louisa county, was born in Tennessee on the 28th of October, 1838, his parents being J. K. and Margaret (Johnson ) Duncan. In the early 'Jos they removed westward, being among the pioneer settlers of Iowa, where they passed the latter days of their lives. Unto them were born six children as follows: Catherine E. ; Samuel H. ; Sarah J. ; R. F., who is a resident of Columbus Junction ; Isabel ; and J. J., who is also living in Columbus Junction.
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