USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 52
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WILLIAM SCHEELHAASE.
Muscatine county finds a worthy and enterprising representative of its agricul- tural interests in William Scheelhaase, who devotes his time and energies to the operation of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 23. Fulton township. His birth occurred in Germany on the 29th of January, 1878, his parents being Nicholas and Eliza (Peterson) Scheelhaase, who were likewise natives of that country. The father there passed away in 1892 but the mother still survives. Unto them were born nine children, two of whom are de- ceased and five of whom still reside in the fatherland. The two who emigrated to this country are Frederick and William, both of Muscatine county, Iowa.
William Scheelhaase spent the first twenty-six years of his life in his na- tive land and crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1904. He was mar- ried in 1908 and since that time has owned and operated one of the best improved farms in Fulton township, the property lying in section 23. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is tiled and under a high state of cultivation. In the careful conduct of his agricultural interests Mr. Scheelhaase
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is meeting with success, annually gathering rich crops which find a ready sale on the market.
On the 21st of January, 1908, Mr. Scheelhaase was united in marriage to Mrs. Emma Lange, the widow of Herman Lange, who passed away on the 25th of March, 1901, leaving four children, namely: Freda, who was born December 8, 1896; Ella C., whose natal day was February 3, 1898; Edna A., who was born May 19, 1899, and died May 1, 1900; and Margaret M., whose birth occurred on the 20th of May, 1901. The parents of Mrs. Scheelhaase, Charles A. and Margaret (Stapp) Fredrich, were both natives of Germany and came to this country in early life. They were married in Illinois and soon afterward came to Iowa, locating in Muscatine county, where the father was engaged in the cultivation of rented land for a few years. He then purchased the farm which is now in possession of our subject, being successfully engaged in its operation until called to his final rest on the 11th of March, 1907. His wife passed away in 1893. Their remains were interred in the Blue Grass cemetery. Their children were eight in number, as follows: August J .; Mrs. Scheelhaase; William G .; Clara L., who died at the age of twenty-one years; John, who died in infancy; Charles H. P., who passed away when twenty-five years of age; Anna M. D .; Elizabeth, who died when but eighteen months old. Mr. and Mrs. Scheelhaase are devoted and consistent members of the Lutheran church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives.
ANDREW F. KOEPPE.
Andrew F. Koeppe, an enterprising and successful agriculturist of Fulton township, is numbered among the worthy native sons of Muscatine county and has spent his entire life within its borders. His birth occurred on the 29th of January, 1872, his parents being Charles and Rosa (Koschnople) Koeppe, who are natives of Germany and Bohemia respectively. They were married in this county and began their domestic life on a farm of eighty acres in Fulton town- ship, to the further cultivation and improvement of which Mr. Koeppe has since devoted his time and energies. As his finnacial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land. Both he and his wife enjoy a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the community, having won the regard and esteem of all with whom they have come in contact. Unto them were born fourteen children, nine of whom are yet living, namely: Kate, Car- rie, Therese, Annie, Emma, Ida, Sadie, Otto and Andrew F.
The last named remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age assisting his father in the operation of the home farm and thus gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On starting out as an agriculturist on his own account he rented a tract of land and has since been actively engaged in the work of the field, now ope- rating a farm near Stockton in Fulton township. His thrift and industry are manifest in the neat and attractive appearance of the place and the well tilled
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fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
In 1900 Mr. Koeppe was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lamp, who was born on the farm which our subject now operates, her natal day being August 20, 1878. Her parents are Hans and Louisa ( Plambeck) Lamp, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Illinois. They were married in Iowa and took up their abode on a rented farm in Fulton township, Muscatine county, Mr. Lamp being busily engaged in its operation until 1887. In that year he purchased land and successfully carried on his agricultural interests until 1900, since which time he has lived in honorable retirement near Stockton. He still owns one hundred and seventy-three acres of well improved and productive land. Mr. and Mrs. Koeppe are the parents of four children, as follows : Louis, whose birth occurred on the 7th of July, 1901 ; Florence, whose natal day was December 6, 1903; Estella, born April 27, 1907; and Luella, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 28th of June, 1910.
Mr. Koeppe belongs to Walcott Camp, No. 2479, M. W. A., and is also iden- tified with the Modern Brotherhood of America, being a member of the lodge at Stockton. He and his wife are well known socially here and have a large circle of warm friends who esteem them for their many excellent traits of character as well as for their hospitality and kindly spirit.
JOHANNES BROCKMANN.
Johannes Brockmann, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Muscatine county, is the owner of seven hundred and forty acres of valuable land in the state of Iowa and also has property in other parts of the country. His birth oc- curred in Holstein, Germany, on the 7th of August, 1856, his parents being Claus H. and Anna (Sindt) Brockmann, who were likewise natives of that country. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1881, settling on a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Scott county, Iowa, which the father operated successfully until called to his final rest on the 20th of July, 1898. The mother still lives on the old homestead in Scott county. Their children were seven in number, as follows : Wilhelmina, who is a resident of Grinnell, Iowa; Jo- hannes, of this review; Henry, living in Scott county ; Adolph, who makes his home in Colorado; Emil, residing on the old homestead place; William, who passed away at the age of twenty-one years; and one who died in infancy.
Johannes Brockmann spent the first twenty-six years of his life under the parental roof and then began the operation of a part of his father-in-law's farm, which he has cultivated to the present time. He and his wife are now in pos- session of the entire homestead place of two hundred acres and have added to their holdings by purchase until at the present day they own seven hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land in the state of Iowa. In connection with the tilling of the soil Mr. Brockmann has made a specialty of handling good grades of stock and feeds hogs for the market on an extensive scale. His property holdings include three hundred and twenty acres of land in Minnesota
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and likewise a tract of one hundred and sixty aeres in Osceola county, lowa, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and improvement.
On the 26th of January, 1881, Mr. Brockmann was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Stoltenberg, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 26th of January, 1857, her parents being Henry and Katrina (Lamp) Stoltenberg, na- tives of Germany. The father crossed the Atlantic to America in 1846, while the mother came to the new world a few years later. They were married in Scott county, Iowa, where Henry Stoltenberg purchased land and became identified with general agricultural pursuits, operating the same farm until the time of his retirement. He spent the last fifteen years of his life in Davenport, there pass- ing away on the 28th of April, 1893. His remains were interred in the Oak cemetery of Davenport, as were also those of his wife, who was called to her final rest December 4, 1899. They were the parents of five children, namely : Mrs. Amelia Stahl, who is a resident of Davenport, Iowa; Mrs. Brockmann; Adolph H., living in Davenport; and Agnes and Henry, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Brockmann have four children, as follows: Harry A., whose birth occurred April 23, 1884, and who pursued a course in agriculture at the Ames (łowa) State College; Malinda, whose natal day was July 23, 1887, and who at- tended the Catholic academy at Davenport for two years; Louis, born June 20, 1890, who is a graduate of the Davenport Business College; and Hulda E., born November 1, 1893, who is a student in the high school at Davenport.
In politics Mr. Brockmann is a republican but his aspirations have not been in the line of office holding. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Lodge No. 312 at Walcott. He and his family belong to the Lutheran church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. Coming to the new world when a young man of twenty-five years, he has since worked his way steadily upward to a position among the most substantial and respected citizens of his community.
TONY T. BRUS.
Tony T. Brus, a well known and enterprising agriculturist of Fulton township, was born on the farm where lie now resides, his natal day being September 5, 1871. The property is on section 24 and gives every evidence of his careful su- pervision. His parents, John and Minnie (Westerfield) Brus, are both natives of Germany. The father came to America with his parents in an early day and eventually took up his abode in Iowa. It was in Scott county that he wedded Miss Minnie Westerfield, by whom he had five children, namely : Joseph ; Clara; Tony T., of this review ; Henry, who died at the age of one and a half years ; and Harry, who was but three years old at the time of his death. John Brus devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits for many years, thus winning the competence that in 1900 enabled him to put aside active business cares. For the past ten years he and his wife have lived in honorable retirement at Davenport, Iowa.
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After mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools Tony T. Brus pursued a course of study in the Wilton Business College. After putting aside his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the fields until twenty- nine years of age, when he started out as an agriculturist on his own account. Since that time he has successfully managed the old homestead farm in Fulton township, annually gathering and marketing good crops.
On the 2d of October, 1900, Mr. Brus was united in marriage to Miss Nora Beh, a native of Muscatine county and a daughter of Henry and Mary (Stecher) Beh, who were of German parentage and still reside on a farm in this county. They had six children, as follows: Frank; Mary; Barbara; Mrs. Brus, and two who are deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brus have been born three children : Clarence, whose natal day was May 7, 1902; Henry A., whose birth occurred on the 21st of September, 1904; and Ella, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 3d of December, 1908.
Mr. Brus is a democrat in politics and has ably served in the capacity of town- ship trustee for two years. He has likewise acted as treasurer of the school board. Both he and his wife are faithful communicants of the Catholic church and enjoy an extensive acquaintance throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives.
HANS ANDERSON.
Among the old residents of Stockton must be named Hans Anderson, who has been living in Muscatine county, Iowa, for more than a quarter of a century. He was born in Denmark on the 25th of December, 1857, and is the son of Anders and Ellen Christina (Ulucksen) Christensen, also natives of Denmark. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are still living and three came to the United States: Christ, a resident of Moline, Illinois; Hans, our subject ; and Frederick, deceased. The parents spent their entire lives in Denmark, the father dying at the age of eighty-five years and the mother at eighty-one years of age.
Hans Anderson spent the earlier years of his life in his native land, where he acquired his education, but while still little more than a youth he felt strongly impelled to come to the United States in order to satisfy himself regarding the wonderful stories he had heard about the opportunities that were here afforded to young men of limited resources. So crossing the Atlantic he arrived in the land of opportunity on the 6th of October, 1879. and went to Moline, Illinois, where he engaged in blacksmithing. He worked in a factory for a short time and then accepted a position in a shop at Durant, Iowa, but two years later he bought the blacksmith shop he now carries on in Stockton and in addition to this he also owns a general repair and wagon shop, doing a very large business as this is the only shop in the village.
On the 4th of August, 1882, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Frederick Bierkamp, who was born in Germany in 1863 and is a daughter of August and Johannah Bierkamp, both natives of the fatherland, in which country
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they lived up to the time of their death. They were the parents of nine children who were as follows: Louisa, a resident of Minnesota; William, living in Du- rant, Iowa; Charley, also residing in Durant; Dora, the wife of Henry Steffen, of Durant ; Fredericka, wife of Hans Anderson ; August, of Sunbury, Iowa ; John, a resident of Durant, Iowa; Augusta, who married Henry Brant, of Reinbeck, Iowa; Minnie, the widow of Henry Fitzer, of Hartley, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have become the parents of six children : Christ, who is twenty-five years old, a graduate of the high school and a rural route mail car- rier in Muscatine county; August, twenty-three years of age, who resides in Des Moines, Iowa ; Minnie, twenty-one years of age, living at home ; Hilda and Harry, twins nineteen years of age, the latter now deceased and the former the wife of Gus Jost ; and Walter, living at home.
The family attend the Lutheran church in which the parents hold member- ship. Ever since acquiring the right of suffrage Mr. Anderson has voted the democratic ticket. He takes a very active interest in local politics and is now a member of the city council of Stockton and has also served on the school board for three years. He is fraternally connected with the Modern Brotherhood of America, his local affiliation being with Lodge No. 40 of Stockton, Iowa, in which he has served as treasurer and chaplain. Ile is also a member of the Stockton Sick and Relief Society and of the Walcott Sick and Relief Society, being at one time banner carrier in the Sick and Relief Society of Stockton. His chief asset when he arrived in the United States was an abundance of courage, which was ever sustained by his unfailing belief in his own ability to accomplish his purpose, and never at any time has he regretted becoming a citizen of the new world.
DAVID PAGE KELLEY.
The farming interests of Muscatine county are ably represented by David Page Kelley, of Sweetland township, who ever since his earliest recollection has been intimately identified with agriculture and stock-raising. By natural talent and by training he is specially adapted to the pursuit which is his life work and few men of his age in the county have been more successful.
Born in this county, September 11, 1870, he is a son of Samuel C. and Frances (Eastman) Kelley. The father was a native of Maine, born in 1826, and be- came a resident of Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1861, locating on section 36, Sweetland township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. He prospered as a farmer and became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of as rich land as is to be found in the township. While he devoted close attention to his farming interests, he was also prominent in public life and held a number of responsible offices in his township. He was called from earthly scenes in 1902, at the age of seventy-six years. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Kelley, all of whom are now living : C. B., of Texas; George E., of Vinita, Oklahoma; Fred L., also of Vinita; Fannie, who married Douglas Terry, of Rockford, Illinois; Nettie, now Mrs. Harry Dickerman ; and David P., our subject.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Reared upon the home farm, David P. Kelley received his preliminary edu- cation in the district schools of Sweetland township, later attending Norton Academy at Wilton Junction. After laying his books aside he returned home and in 1895 became a partner of his father on the home farm. He is now the owner of four hundred acres of land in Sweetland township, his farm being one of the best developed properties in the locality. The improvements include a commodious residence, barns, etc., and a complete outfit of modern machinery to facilitate the work in the fields. Under good management the place has be- come highly profitable.
In 1895 Mr. Kelley was married to Miss Minnie Shilling, a daughter of Henry Shilling and to this union four children have been born : Paul David, Ber- nice, Hildegarde and Doris Elizabeth. Mr. Kelley has always taken a deep in- terest in his work and is ever on the lookout for improved methods and better facilities. He is in charge of a farm of which any man might justly be proud. His life has largely been directed toward advancing the happiness of those with whom he has associated and he is justly regarded as one of the useful and pro- gressive members of society.
OTTO FITCHNER.
The agricultural interests of Muscatine county are represented by many of its most substantial citizens among whom may be named Otto Fitchner, the owner of a farm of three hundred and seventeen acres which he has developed into one of the valuable landed possessions of Montpelier and Sweetland town- ships. A native of Steubenville, Ohio, he was born October 13, 1851, a son of John C. and Lavinia (McCarty) Fitchner, the former of whom was born at Wittenberg, Germany, June 6, 1819, and the latter in Washington county, Penn- sylvania. The father was a cigar-maker by trade and came to the United States about 1838, living for several years in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade. Later he removed to Steubenville, where he continued for twelve years, and then, believing that more favorable opportunities were presented west of the Mississippi river, came to Muscatine, Iowa, April 9, 1855. After working at his trade in town for a year he engaged in farming for a year at Letts and then purchased forty acres of land in Montpelier township, where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1904.
Otto Fitchner received his education in the public schools and as a boy was taught by his father the importance and value of labor. At twenty-one years of age he began working on his own account upon a farm in Cedar county, Iowa, and four years later returned to Muscatine county and purchased forty acres of land. Subsequently, desiring to see more of the country, he traveled for two years, but in 1881 returned to this county and has since made good use of the opportunities here presented, being now the owner of a beautiful farm provided with all modern conveniences, so that it produces a handsome yearly income. He engages in general farming and appears to be highly successful in every de- partment of the business which he undertakes. His judgment is seldom ques-
MR. AND MRS. OTTO FITCHNER
TAS DE W YORK FULL LIC LIBRARY
ASTE I-NOX AND
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
tioned in matters pertaining to agriculture or the raising or marketing of live stock.
In 1882 Mr. Fitchner was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louise Staffel- bach, a native of Madison county, Illinois, and a daughter of Henry and Re- becca Staffelbach, now of St. Louis. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fitchner: Henry C., of Sweetland township, who married Annie Junge and has one child, John C .; Archie E., deceased; William O., at home; and Freddie Stuart, also deceased.
Mr. Fitchner became a resident of Iowa fifty-five years ago and has been closely connected with the state during an important period in its growth from the pioneer stage to a position as one of the leading commonwealths of the union. He belongs to that reliable and progressive citizenship which has as- sisted so materially in introducing the conveniences and comforts of modern life and in establishing the farm upon a substantial and permanent basis as the foundation from which the wealth of the country flows. Although now retired from active labor Mr. Fitchner's interest in the work to which he has devoted so many years of his life is as keen as ever. His judgment and ability are rec- ognized by his neighbors and he is now most acceptably serving as assessor of the township. Politically he gives his adherence to the republican party. He is not a member of any secret or-fraternal society, but has many warm friends irrespective of party organization, who recognize in him those qualities that are most desirable for the advancement of the interests of society.
LEONARD SCHLAPKOHL.
The business interests of Stockton find a worthy representative in Leonard Schlapkohl, who is conducting a successful mercantile enterprise, and since 1900 he has also served as the efficient postmaster of this city. He is a native of Scott county, Iowa, born on the Ist of October, 1880, and is a son of Joachim and Eliza- beth (Deitz) Schlapkohl, both natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to the new world in the early '50s and located in Pennsylvania. They spent but one year in the Keystone state and then removed to Scott county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming throughout his remaining years, his death there occurring in 1884. The mother is still living at the age of sixty- eight and now makes her home with her son Leonard. By her marriage she be- came the mother of nine children, of whom seven still survive.
Leonard Schlapkohl was reared on the home farm in Scott county and the training which he there received has served as a splendid foundation for the prac- tical duties of life. He received his preliminary education in the common schools and later pursued a course in a business college. When he attained his majority, about 1902, he came to Stockton and opened a mercantile establishment, handling a general line of goods. He has built up an extensive patronage, for he studies the demands of the public and is thus able to meet their needs, and this, combined with his modern methods, push and square dealing, has constituted the basis of his success. In addition to his other interests he is also serving as postmaster of
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the city, having received appointment in 1900. He is a most courteous and obliging official and discharges his duties in a satisfactory manner to the general public.
In 1902 Mr. Schlapkohl was married to Miss Clara Moeller, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, January 23, 1882, a daughter of Ernest E. and Laura ( Wiese) Moeller, who were likewise natives of Scott county, but the mother is now de- ceased. The father still survives and makes his home in Stockton. Mrs. Schlap- kolıl is one of a family of nine children, all still living, and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children, Leroy L., Erwin V. and Verna L.
Mr. Schlapkohl gives his political support to the democratic party and on that ticket was elected to the mayorality of Stockton, which position he filled for four years, while for eight years he served as secretary of the school board. His fra- ternal relations are with Walcott Lodge, No. 312, K. P., and also with Stockton Lodge, No. 40, Modern Brotherhood of America. His success in all his under- takings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world and investigation into his history shows that he has based his business prin- ciples and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern economy, in- dustry and unswerving integrity. He is a typical American in every sense of the word and by constant exertion and good judgment has raised himself to a position which classes him with the successful men of his section of Muscatine county.
HENRY T. SPRINGMEIER.
Henry T. Springmeier, who is busily engaged in the operation of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Fulton township, finds agricultural pur- suits both profitable and congenial. His birth occurred in Scott county, Iowa, on the 21st of November. 1862, his parents being J. H. and Katherine ( Heckle) Springmeier, both of whom are natives of Germany. They were married in Scott county, this state, and took up their abode in the town of Buffalo, where Mr. Springmeier worked at the cobbler's trade for a few years. He then turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, purchasing the farm of ninety acres in Scott county which has remained his place of residence continuously since. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of the farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and ten acres of highly im- proved and valuable land. He has attained the age of eighty years and is spend- ing the evening of life in well earned ease. His wife is sixty-nine years old. They reared a family of eight children, as follows: Henry T., of this review ; Laura, Bertha, Sophia, Mary and Caroline, all of whom are residents of Scott county ; Edward, who makes his home in Minnesota; and Victoria, living in Scott county.
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