USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 53
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Henry T. Springmeier remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm and thus gain- ing practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Starting out upon an independent career, he purchased eighty acres of land
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in Fulton township, Muscatine county, to the further cultivation and improve- ment of which he has since devoted his attention. His holdings at the present time include one hundred and sixty acres and the well tilled fields annually yield bounteous harvests as a reward for the care and labor which lie bestows upon them. With an aptitude for successful management, he has so directed his affairs that most gratifying results have followed and today lie ranks among the progres- sive agriculturists of Fulton township.
On the 12th of April, 1887, Mr. Springmeier was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Schlapkohl, a native of Scott county and a daughter of James and Eliza- beth (Deitz) Schlapkohl, both of whom were born in Germany. They were mar- ried in Scott county, Iowa, and lived on rented land for a few years. On the ex- piration of that period Mr. Schlapkolil purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, operating the same successfully until called to his final rest in March, 1884. His widow continued to reside on the farm for several years after his death and then went to live with her son at Stockton, where she still makes her home, hav- ing now attained the age of sixty-seven years. She became the mother of nine children, namely : George; Emma; Charles; Mrs. Springmeier ; Lena; John ; Delia; Theodore, who was born in July, 1878, and passed away in September, 1881; and Leonard, living in Stockton. Mr. and Mrs. Springmeier have eight children, as follows: Florence L., whose birth occurred on the 21st of February, 1888; Marie A., who was born August 26, 1889; Warren A., whose natal day was April 3, 1891 ; George H., whose birth occurred April 27, 1893; Adelia E. and Amelia E. twins, who were born on the 28th of June, 1895; Gertrude A., who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 19th of April, 1900; and Helen L., whose birth occurred January 28, 1907.
Mr. Springmeier gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now ably serving as township trustee, having held that office for the past twelve years. The cause of education is benefited by his efforts as a member of the school board, on which he has served for five years. For several terms he likewise did efficient service in the capacity of road supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Walcott, the Modern Brotherhood of America at Stockton and Pleasant Prairie Grange of Fulton township. He and his family are faithful communicants of the Catholic church. In social circles Mr. and Mrs. Springmeier occupy an enviable position by reason of their estimable qualities of mind and heart and also because of their cooperation in every good work and beneficial movement in which the community is interested.
FREDERICK N. BOCKWOLDT.
Frederick N. Bockwoldt, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Fulton township, is widely recognized as one of the substantial agriculturists and worthy native sons of Muscatine county. His birth occurred on the 31st of October, 1866, his parents being Peter M. and Christiana (Schnare) Bockwoldt, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in the '6os, while the mother crossed the Atlantic
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a few years prior to that time. They were married in Scott county, Iowa, and following that important event in their lives purchased forty acres of land and began farming. Peter M. Bockwoldt devoted his attention to the further cul- tivation and improvement of that property throughout the remainder of his active business career, adding to his holdings by purchase from time to time until he owned three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Fulton town- ship, Muscatine county. The last years of his life were spent in honorable retirement at Durant, Cedar county, where he passed away in December, 1905. His wife was called to her final rest in December, 1889. They were the parents of ten children, namely : Dora, the wife of Charles Fritz, of O'Brien county, Iowa; Frederick N., of this review; Bernhard, who is a resident of South Da- kota; Minnie, the wife of Fritz Hermann, of Minnesota; Elizabeth, who gave her hand in marriage to Jacob Ohlsen and makes her home in O'Brien county, Iowa; Amanda, the deceased wife of Henry Biercamp, of Cedar county ; Charles, who lives on a part of the homestead farm: William, of Cedar county, Iowa; Tillie, the wife of Albert Ohlsen, of Scott county, Iowa; and one who died in infancy.
Frederick N. Bockwoldt attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When twenty-six years of age he undertook the entire management of the old homestead and has since operated the farm, coming into possession thereof in 1904. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved and valuable land in Fulton town- ship, which annually yields rich crops and thus provides him with a gratifying annual income.
On the 8th of March, 1893, Mr. Bockwoldt was united in marriage to Miss Lena Ruhser, a native of Scott county, Iowa, and a daughter of Hans and Margaret (Stahl) Ruhser, who were born in Germany. They crossed the At- lantic about 1870 and were married one year after their arrival in the new world. They made their home in Davenport, Iowa, for seven years, Hans Ruhser there working in a sawmill. On the expiration of that period he rented a tract of land and during the remainder of his active business career was identified with farming interests in Scott and other counties. Since the Ist of March, 1910, he has lived retired in Durant, Cedar county, enjoying the fruits of his for- mer toil in well earned ease. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, as follows: Mrs. Bockwoldt; Peter, who is a resident of Cedar county, Iowa; Emma, who died at the age of one and a half years; Bertha, the wife of Fer- dinand Blochs, of Cedar county, this state; John, who died when but nine months old; Henry, living in Cedar county, Iowa; Albert, who makes his home near Round Lake, Minnesota; and Alma, the wife of Jacob Grage, of Cedar county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Bockwoldt had six children, namely : Alfred, whose birth occurred April 18, 1894, and who is now attending high school; Linda, born in November, 1896, also a high school student; Wilma, who was born in June, 1897; Emma, who first opened her eyes to the light of day in July, 1899; and two who died in infancy.
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In politics Mr. Bockwoldt is a democrat, supporting the men and measures 'of that party by his ballot. For a period of eleven years he has served as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Lodge No. 265 at Durant. His entire life has been spent in Muscatine county and that his career has ever been upright and honorable is indicated by the fact that his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
WILLIAM DAVISON CONE, M. D.
Dr. William Davison Cone, whose demise occurred on the ist of December, 1899, was for many years successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Conesville. His birth occurred in Coshocton county, Ohio, on the 17th of March, 1838, his parents being Beebe S. and Lucinda (Davison) Cone. His great-grandfather, Stewart Beebe, served in a Massachusetts regiment during the Revolutionary war. At the time of his death our subject was survived by two brothers, namely : James W., an attorney of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who is the present state senator from Minnehaha county ; and Dr. Jared E. Cone, of Youngstown, Ohio, who died on the 24th of August, 1905.
William D. Cone obtained his education in the public schools of his native county and at West Bedford Academy. In November, 1854, he came to Musca- tine county, Iowa, with his parents who settled on a large tract of land in what is now Orono township. Here he continued to reside, with the exception of sev- eral short intervals, until called to his final rest. Becoming identified with edu- cational interests, the first school over which he presided was a log structure in the Oaks district in Cedar township, where he taught in 1859-60. Subsequently he was engaged in teaching in the Oakland district in Louisa county for two terms-1860-1 and 1862-3. In the fall of 1863 he was elected supervisor from Orono township in order to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Silas Ferry. He served with the board at their meetings in November and December and re- signed in January, 1864. On the Ist of December, 1863, he became a member of Company B, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining in the service of the Union until February, 1866. He joined the regiment at Vicksburg, Missis- sippi, in February or March, 1864, and accompanied Banks on his expedition up the Red river. While working on the dam at Alexandria, Louisiana, he became ill and was taken to the general hospital at Mound City. In July, 1864, he was brought home by his mother, who had gone south for that purpose, and remained in her care until December, when he was ordered to report at the hospital at Keo- kuk, Iowa. There he was assigned to duty in the commissary department and when hostilities had ceased the closing of the hospital was entrusted to him.
Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he studied with Dr. H. T. Cleaver, of Keokuk, and in 1867 was graduated from the medical department of the State University of Iowa. He entered Bellevue Medical College of New York in the fall of 1867 and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1868. Locating for practice at Columbus, Ohio, he there remained until
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May, 1870, when he returned to Muscatine county. He practiced at West Liberty from August, 1870, until March, 1871, and then came to Conesville, this place remaining the scene of his professional labors throughout the remainder of his life. His ability and skill in the line of his chosen calling were constantly mani- fest in the excellent results which attended his efforts for the alleviation of human suffering and the restoration of health.
On the 7th of June, 1870, Dr. Cone was united in marriage to Miss Kate F. Lord, a daughter of Richard Lord. They had two children, namely: Edna Lu- cinda, born March 20, 1871, who is now Mrs. Samuel W. Field, of Kimberly, Minnesota ; and William Lord Cone, born November 7, 1874, who died at Cones- ville on the 6th of August, 1899. The mother, Mrs. Kate L. Cone, still resides in Conesville.
Dr. Cone took an active part in local politics and was a stanch republican, upholding the principles and defending the policies of that party. He was very fond of reading and thus kept well informed on all questions of general interest. His demise, which occurred on the ist of December, 1899, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, his funeral being the largest ever witnessed in the community.
WILLIAM HENDRIX.
William Hendrix first opened his eyes to the light of day in a pioneer home and early became familiar with the experiences that were inseparable from life upon the frontier. He now occupies a beautiful modern country home in Seventy- six township and is one of the highly respected citizens of Muscatine county. He owes his success mainly to his own undaunted perseverance. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, May 21, 1838, and is a son of H. D. and Thediria (Wil- lits) Hendrix, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. In 1838 H. D. Hendrix started out prospecting to find a home for himself and family. He rode westward to Iowa and stopped for a time in Muscatine county, returning to Indiana on the same horse with which he made the outward journey. Bridges were few in those days and roads were in many places almost impassable at cer- tain seasons of the year. However, Mr. Hendrix was greatly pleased with the outlook in Muscatine county, and in 1843 he brought his family to this region and purchased a squatter's claim, later entering three hundred and twenty acres in Seventy-six township, where he built a log cabin, which his family occupied for several years and then moved into a comfortable frame house. The father was born August 27, 1804, and departed this life June 7, 1893. The mother passed away in 1848, five years after her removal to Iowa. There were seven children in the family, four of whom are still living.
William Hendrix was educated in the common schools and reared upon the home farm. After arriving at manhood he began farming on rented land, but just as he was fairly started he felt that his country needed his services and ac- cordingly he enlisted in Company F. Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, to serve in behalf of the Union for a period of three years. His regiment was assigned to
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the Army of the West and he participated in a number of hard fought skirmishes, being finally discharged at Nashville, Tennessee. Laying aside the accoutrements of war he returned to Muscatine county and after his marriage purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres, later buying more land until he now owns three hundred acres on sections 28 and 27, Seventy-six township. He has made many improvements, erecting buildings, setting out fruit and shade trees and thus adding to the attractive appearance of the place. He now has one of the best farms in the township and is making a specialty of raising and feeding stock.
In 1866 Mr. Hendrix was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte R. Willits, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, daughter of Charles G. and Rachel (Thorton) Willits Mr. Willits was born in Ohio, January 12, 1820, and his wife in the same state, May 15, 1820. He went to Mercer county, Illinois, in his boyhood, and there they were married. Later he removed to Henry county, Iowa, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1896. Mrs. Willits departed this life in 1860. There were seven children in their family, six of whom are still living.
Eleven children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix : Charles H., of Cedar township; Norbury T., now a druggist of Columbus Junction, Iowa ; Leslie B., of Louisa county, Iowa; Stella B., the wife of Edgar Robertson, of St. Francis, Kansas; Walter W., a civil engineer of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Edwin C., now in the employ of the Northwestern Railway Company, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Levi D., of Henry county, Iowa; Rachel N., who was born October 31, 1885, and died March 13, 1887; Wilmot C., now assisting his father upon the farm; Ledru H., a student in school at Ames, Iowa; and Rachel Novella, who died in infancy.
Mr. Hendrix, since arriving at man's estate, has been identified with the re- publican party and is a stanch supporter of its candidates and principles. His neighbors and friends recognize his ability and have elected him to several town- ship offices. For seven years he served most acceptably as trustee of the town- ship and for twenty years as member of the school board. He and his wife are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church and are active workers in all movements that aim to promote the welfare of the township or county.
W. H. STEPHENS, M. D.
Dr. W. H. Stephens, who is meeting with well merited success in the practice of his profession at Stockton, was born in Laporte, Indiana, June 13, 1858, and is the only son born of the marriage of S. R. and Clarissa (Church) Stephens, the former likewise a native of Indiana, while the latter claimed the Keystone state as the place of her nativity. The mother was of English descent, but the family has been represented in America since about 1700. In 1868 the father left his native state and removed to Clinton county, Iowa, where he spent one year, after which he removed to Des Moines and there lived during the succeed- ing two years. He then took up his abode in Davenport, but after spending a
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decade in that city removed to Rock Island, Illinois, and there his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in the latter city in 1898. The mother survived for several years, her death occurring in Fresno, California, in 1906.
Dr. W. H. Stephens remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-five, having in the meantime accompanied his parents on their various removals and acquired his education in the schools of the different locali- ties in which they resided. Having decided to enter the field of medicine, to this end he went to Chicago and became a student in the Bennett Medical Col- lege of that city, graduating from that institution in 1883. He then located for practice in Rock Island, Illinois, remaining in that city for three years, while for four years he practiced his profession in Durant, Iowa. In 1892 he came to Stockton and opened an office, practicing here for five years. He then for a time abandoned the profession and traveled on the road for five years. How- ever, he found the practice of medicine more to his liking and at the end of that period once more returned to Stockton, where he has been engaged in prac- tice of his profession to the present time. He ever keeps in touch with the ad- vancement that is being made by the medical fraternity through reading and research and is most successful in the handling of his cases, his practice having now grown to large and profitable proportions.
In 1886 Dr. Stephens was united in marriage to Miss Anna Beck, of Mus- catine, and this union has been blessed with one daughter, Verna. In his politi- cal views the Doctor is a republican, but aside from informing himself on the current events of the day through broad reading, he takes no active interest in public affairs. He holds to high ideals not only in his profession, but in citizen- ship and in social relations, thus commanding the warm esteem and genuine admiration of all with whom he comes in contact.
GEORGE HALLING.
George Halling is a successful farmer of Sweetland township, where he was born May 25, 1863, his parents being William and Frederika (Neimier) Hall- ing. The father was a native of Germany, born in 1813. He was educated in the public schools and after laying his books aside struggled for a number of years with adverse circumstances. Finally deciding to seek his fortune in America he came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1849, and after looking over this region, settled in Sweetland township. At the time of his death, in 1906, he was the owner of one thousand acres of land. He was highly successful as a farmer and being a man of bright mind and many noble characteristics, he was greatly esteemed by a wide circle of friends. He was a faithful member of the German Lutheran church and politically gave his allegiance to the democratic party. Ilis wife was also a native of Germany and they were married in the fatherland, coming together to this country. To them nine children were born : Louis, now a resident of South Dakota; William, of Perry, Iowa; Christian, deceased ; Henry, of Perry, Dallas county, Iowa; Mary, who married Harvey
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GEORGE ILALLING AND FAMILY
THE NEW TORF PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDAT ONS.
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Tunison ; Louisa, who married Frank Gray, of Wilton Junction; George, our subject; Edward August; and Frederick, deceased.
George Halling received his education in the district schools and after laying his books aside continued to assist his father upon the home farm. At the age of twenty-three years he began farming on rented land, and later went to Box Butte county, Nebraska, where he continued for five years. Not finding con- ditions as favorable on the plains as in his native state, he returned to Musca- tine county and engaged in farming upon his father's place until 1905, when he removed to section 14, Sweetland township, where he still lives. He is the owner of three hundred and thirty-three acres of land, and, having inherited much of the ability of his father, he has made a gratifying success of his chosen calling.
On the 13th of September, 1897, Mr. Halling was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Baer, who was born in Montpelier township, this county, and they have become the parents of three children, namely: Irma, now in school ; Vernon G .; and Fred Francis. Mrs. Halling is a daughter of Charles G. and Christina (Funfstuck) Baer, who were born, reared and married in Germany, coming to this country in 1881. They are still residents of Montpelier township, where Mr. Baer owns and operates a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Four children were born to them: Ida, now the deceased wife of Ed Halling, of Sweetland township; Clara A., the wife of our subject; Martha, the widow of Fred Halling ; and Fred, at home.
Mr. Halling gives his adherence to the democratic party and holds member- ship in the German Lutheran church, of which he is an earnest worker and supporter. He is a good friend of education and is a member of the school board of his district, using his influence in securing the best teachers that are available. Genial in manner and pleasing in address, he makes friends readily and is today a leading citizen of the community-a man whose personal influence is always exerted in favor of law and order and whose voice may be counted upon to uphold whatever is right and true.
EMERY E. SISSEL.
Emery E. Sissel, a native son of Muscatine county, was born on the farm where he now lives in Fulton township on the 25th of February, 1870, a son of William and Virginia (Chambless) Sissel. The parents were married in Iowa, but the father was a native of the Buckeye state and the mother of Vir- ginia. In 1855 they located on eighty acres of land which they had bought in Fulton township. It contained no improvements whatever with the exception of a log house, in which the young couple lived for fifteen years and where the older members of the family were born. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren : Frank, who now resides in Nebraska; Eveline, the wife of George Daum, of Kansas; Martin, living in Greenfield, Iowa; Jessie, the wife of William Mc- Garvay, of South Dakota; Nora, a resident of Kansas; John, who lives in Ne- braska; Julia, who married Alec MacDonald and lives in Illinois; William, Vol. II-27
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living in Muscatine county ; Hattie, the wife of William Endicott, of Alabama ; Emery E .; and another son who died at the age of two and one-half years. The father passed away in October, 1878, but the mother survived until the 23d of April, 1909. They were hoth buried in Parr's cemetery, Fulton township.
The early years of Emery E. Sissel were very similar to those of other boys who are reared in the country. He attended the district school, assisted with the work of the farm and in his leisure indulged in the sports and pastimes in which most lads delight. On the 23d of May, 1895, he was united in marriage to Miss Ella Lanz, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 25th of July, 1875. Her mother, also a native of Scott county, was born on the 22d of June, 1853, of English parentage, but her father was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1859 at the age of fourteen years. They were married in Davenport, Iowa, in 1870 and immediately after their marriage located on a farm. At the present time they are living in Jasper county, Iowa. Unto them were born seven children: Rose, born on the 18th of August, 1871, the wife of Joseph Stecher of Jasper county; May, born on the IIth of March, 1873, the wife of August Schuman, of Jasper county; Mrs. E. E. Sissel; Myrtle, born October 3, 1881, who married Charles Haugh of Polk conty, Iowa; Herman, born August 10th, 1885, a resident of Jasper county; Colen, born on the 6th of May, 1886, also a resident of Jasper county ; and Grace, born on the 14th of January, 1890, the wife of George Ellen, of Jasper county. Mr. and Mrs. Sissel have three children: Henry, born April 30, 1896; Herman, born on the 8th of May, 1898; and Earl, born on the 27th of September, 1903. The family attend the Presbyterian church, of which denomination the parents are members
HANS FOHRMANN.
In the long list of the brave boys whom Iowa sent to the front in those dark days in the '6os stands the name of Hans Fohrmann. The son of Hans and Anna (Legers) Fohrmann, both natives of Germany, he was born in the father- land on the 2d of November, 1840. His parents spent their entire lives in the old country, the mother dying at the age of fifty-five years, but the father had passed the eighty-fifth milestone in life's cycle before he died. They had six children, three of whom are living and have become residents of the United States, as follows : Hans, our subject ; John, who resides in Marshalltown, Iowa; and Anna, who has been twice widowed, her first husband being Tice Hanson and her second Henry Worth.
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