USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
Mr. Ghean was married in January, 1901, to Miss Atha Bowers, a native of Riley county, Kansas, and a daughter of William H. Bowers. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ghean has been blessed with two little sons, W. T., Jr., and Everett Eugene.
Mr. Ghean gives his political support to the democratic party. Enter- prising and progressive, his efforts meet with the approval of the com- munity in which he lives and he is highly respected as a man and a citizen.
FRED J. STEEVE.
Fred J. Steeve, who owns and cultivates a good farm in Harlan town- ship and makes stock-raising a special feature of his business, was born in Henry county, Illinois, March 20, 1864. He is the son of Henry and Mary Steeve, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in con- nection with their son. Under the parental roof Fred J. Steeve spent his youthful days, pursuing his education in the public schools and early ac- quainting himself with the best methods of tilling the soil and carrying on the work of the farm. He continued with his father until twenty-six years of age, when he started out in life on his own account by renting a farm in Knox county, Nebraska, where he lived for a year. His father then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Madison, Ne- braska, and he removed to that place, where he lived for three years, after which he came to Page county and for four years carried on general farming on the old homestead. He then sold the farm in Nebraska and purchased the property upon which he now resides, becoming the owner at that time of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. With characteristic energy he began its further development and improvement and as his financial re- sources increased he made additional purchases until his place now com- prises two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land in Harlan town- ship. While he raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he makes
191
· HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
a specialty of raising stock and has some good grades of hogs and cattle upon his place. From this branch of his business he derives a substantial income for his keen discernment enables him to make judicious investments and profitable sales.
On the 15th of November, 1891, Mr. Steeve was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Ruechel and unto them have been born three children: Cor- delia, Aibert and Adolph, all at home. In his political views Mr. Steeve is a republican but has never sought or desired office. He served as school treasurer but otherwise has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and their capable management has brought to him the suc- cess which makes him one of the representative agriculturists of this com- munity.
HARVEY F. McCOWEN.
The business enterprises which contribute to the growth and development of Clarinda are on the whole conducted by men of energy, keen sagacity and determination. Among this class is numbered Harvey F. McCowen, who displays marked capacity for the successful conduct of affairs of breadthı. He is today a partner in one of the most successful and exten- sive mercantile houses of the city, being a member of the firm of McCowen & Son, composed of himself and his father, Noah McCowen. They carry a large line of furniture, carpets and undertakers' supplies and their trade is constantly increasing.
Noah McCowen, the senior partner, removed westward from Darke county, Ohio, to Page county, Iowa. He was the son of a farmer, and he and his brothers entered land on the removal of the family to the west. They came here in pioneer times when the settlers were but few and far be- tween, while the work of general improvement seemed scarcely begun. Like his brothers, Noah McCowen took up farin work as a life occupation and is today the owner of three hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land in Page county, to the development and cultivation of which he still devotes his energies. In all of his work along agricultural lines he has dis- played a thorough understanding of modern methods and has capably used the best means at hand to render his fields more productive and his labors more profitable. In community affairs he has taken an active and helpful interest and while he has never sought political office he has served as school director. His worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged and his business enterprise is no less pronounced than his business integrity.
Noah McCowen was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Amanda Stone and they now have three sons: Harvey F., Jesse W. and James T. The last named is engaged in farming on the old homestead, while Jesse WV., who married Nannie Herren, is also a resident farmer of Page county.
The eldest, Harvey F. McCowen, entered the public schools at the usual age and when not busy with his text-books assisted in the work of the fields. He continued in close identification with agricultural interests
192
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY .
until 1901, when he removed to Clarinda and on the 28th of January opened the present store, in which his father is financially interested. He is now the active manager of an important business conducted under the firm name of Noah & Harvey F. McCowen. They carry a well selected line of furni- ture, carpets and undertakers' supplies and have a large and growing trade, their patronage having increased continuously from the beginning. Their trade is now gratifying and the business has been built up by reason of the enterprise of the manager, who has made a close study of the demands of the trade and has put forth earnest effort to please his patrons. His stock of goods occupies three floors in a building, twenty-four by one hundred and thirty feet.
On the 25th of February, 1901, Harvey F. McCowen was united in marriage to Miss Nellie D. Goudie, of Clarinda, a daughter of James B. Goudie, a real-estate dealer living at Twin Falls, Idaho. Mr. McCowen belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen camp and is also affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. He is truly a self- made man, for while the financial condition of his father did not force him to enter the struggle for subsistence at an unusually carly age, he has gradually worked his way upward until he has gained that success which is ever the sure reward of diligence, perseverance and industry. As a busi- ness man and as a private citizen he enjoys the good will and high esteem of all with whom he is brought in contact.
REV. HENRY GUENTHER.
Rev. Henry Guenther is a local minister of the United Brethren church and also a well known farmer of Harlan township, living on section 35, where he owns ninety aeres of good land. He has developed this place from the brush, made all of the improvements upon it and is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil, while his son Alfred has the active manage- ment of the farm. Mr. Guenther is a native of Alsace, France, now Ger- many, his birth having there occurred on the ist of March, 1837. His parents were Henry and Lizzie (Walter) Guenther, who were also natives of that locality and spent their entire lives there, the father devoting his time and energies to the occupation of farming.
Rev. Henry Guenther was an only child and in the acquirement of his education entered the Strassburg University, but when his mother died he put aside his text-books for the father was the owner of only a small farm and was not able to pay his way longer. In his early manhood Mr. Guen- ther served in the French army for seven years and during that period participated in the French and Austrian wars when France and Italy were allies, continuing in the service from 1857 until 1863 inclusive. On receiv- ing an honorable discharge he returned to his home. In the same year- on the 2d of July, 1863-Mr. Guenther was married to Madaline Shank, a native of Alsace, France, born May 2, 1842. On the death of his father
MR. AND MRS. HENRY GUENTHER
I'M FORT PI 1
YPCUNDALIONE
L
195
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
Mr. Guenther decided to join his brother-in-law, Peter Shank, who had previously come to America, and with his wife and three children he bade adien to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, making his home at Woodstock, McHenry county, Illinois, in 1866.
As his financial resources were very limited and necessity rendered it imperative that he secure immediate employment, he worked as a farm hand for three years and then gained his start in life in this country. In 1871 he removed to Page county, where he has since resided. Here he was employed as a laborer and was also a local preacher of the United Brethren church for twelve years, receiving his license to preach after coming to this county. In 1879 he bought his present home farm, becom- ing owner of one hundred and thirty acres, but he has since disposed of forty acres to his son. He still owns ninety acres, constituting a valuable and productive tract. When he obtained possession thereof, however, it was covered with brush, but this he cleared away and placed the land under cultivation. From time to time he made modern improvements and as the years passed met with creditable success in his undertakings. His son Alfred now operates the farm, while the father is living practically retired, enjoying well earned and well merited rest.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Guenther have been born eight children: Lena, the wife of Fred Prigga, a farmer residing in Nodaway township, this county; Lizzie, the wife of William Frosbrink, of Clarinda ; William Henry, who is located in Colorado; Peter, a resident of Jefferson, Iowa ; George, who is living in this township; Maggie, the wife of Louis Frosbrink, of Hiawatha, Kansas ; Alfred, who is cultivating the home farm ; and Clarence, living in Harlan township. The three eldest were born in France, the next two in Illinois and the others in Page county.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Guenther has given stalwart allegiance to the republican party and has done active campaign work in its behalf for he believes that its platform contains the best prin- ciples of good government. He has been a school director for twenty years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is yet actively interested in the work of the church, and high and honorable principles have characterized his entire life, winning for him a creditable position in the regard of his fellowmen. His example, too, is one well worthy of emulation, showing the force and value of an untarnished name and the worth of unfaltering diligence. whereby success can always be obtained.
WILLIAM PETERS HEPBURN.
William Peters Hepburn, for twenty-two years a representative in con- gress from the eighth congressional district of Iowa and for fourteen years chairman of the committee on interstate and foreign commerce, was born in Wellsville, Ohio, on the 4th of November, 1833. His father was Lieutenant James S. Hepburn of the First United States Artillery, who was graduated
196
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
with the first class after the reorganization of the military academy in 1819. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Ann Fairfax Catlet, was a daugh- ter of Surgeon Hanson Catlet of the United States Army and a grand- daughter of Mathew Lyon, who represented the state of Vermont and Ken- tucky and the territory of Arkansas in the house of representatives. She was also a great-granddaughter of Governor Chittenden, who for nineteen years was the chief executive officer of the commonwealth of Vermont.
In his youthful days William Peter Hepburn became a resident of the territory of Iowa, his parents removing westward from Ohio and taking up their abode on a farm eight miles north of Iowa City in 1841. Today the state has the most perfect system of public education in the country but at that time its opportunities in educational lines were very limited and Mr. Hepburn received only such instruction as could be received in inferior pri- vate schools of Iowa City. His experience in a printing office also proved educative in a way for in the year 1849 he entered a printing office, where he remained for nearly four years. He then took up the study of law and it was in the path of that profession that he won distinction and honor, win- ning fame both as a lawyer and lawmaker.
In October, 1855, Mr. Hepburn was united in marriage to Miss Melvina A. Morsman, the eldest daughter of Dr. M. J. Morsman, and unto them were born five children. In February, 1856, Mr. Hepburn removed with his family to Marshalltown, Iowa, and there entered upon his public career, be- ing elected chief clerk of the Iowa house of representatives in January, 1858. In the fall of the same year he was chosen district attorney of the eleventh judicial district, then comprising twelve counties. In 1800 he was a delegate to the national republican convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln in Chicago and throughout that year he watched with the keenest interest the progress of events in the south, noting the threatening attitude of the states which later organized as the Southern Confederacy. A few months after the outbreak of hostilities, when it was seen that the war was to be no mere holiday event but a long and severe struggle for supremacy, Mr. Hepburn enlisted in August, 1861, being mustered into the volunteer service of the United States as captain of Company B, Second Iowa Cav- alry. He was promoted later to the rank of major and afterward to lieuten- ant colonel and he also served upon the staff of Colonel and Brigadier Gen :- eral Philip H. Sheridan and of Major General Rosencrans.
After the war Colonel Hepburn remained in Memphis until June, 1867, when he returned to Iowa and located in Clarinda. Here he engaged in the publication of a newspaper and in the practice of law and from that time forward has been a leading factor in the public life of the state, leaving the impress of his individuality as well upon the legislative history of the nation. In 1880 he was elected a representative from the eighth district and in 1886 he was defeated for the office. In April, 1889, he was appointed by President Harrison solicitor of the treasury, in which position he remained until he became a member of the fifty-third congress. He served continu- ously in congress for sixteen years, all the time a member of the committee on interstate and foreign commerce and for fourteen years was its chairman.
197
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
During his chairmanship the Nicaragua-Panama canal, the national quar- antine laws, pure food laws, the safety appliance laws, the sixteen hour law, Hepburn bill, interstate railway regulation laws, the act creating the de- partment of commerce and labor with its dominating bureau of corpora- tions, the laws promoting the revenue cutter service, the laws making prom- inent and effective the marine hospital and public health service, were enacted, improved or made more effective. Mr. Hepburn retired from congress with the sixtieth.
In commenting upon his official record the Afton ( Iowa) Star-Enter- prise said: "If we look at Mr. Hepburn's record it will be found that upon a great many of the questions pending before the congresses of which he has been a member, beginning with the first, he has participated in the discussions, doing his best to get what he considered legislation of benefit and value to the country and the people.
"He has introduced many bills of a public nature, in addition to those private ones interesting peculiarly some of his constituents. The bills re- lating to or creating national quarantine; the board of health; the investi- gation of particular diseases, many of them he introduced and all of them he aided in perfecting; the various safety appliance acts ; the law fixing the hours of labor on railroads; the act creating the department of commerce and labor, have all had his support in committee and in the house by vote and voice.
"He is the author of the original act as it passed the house providing for the Isthmian canal; the pure food law is his-that is, he framed the bill and was diligent in advocating this legislation. The railroad rate law he introduced and gave very vigorous support in committee and on the floor, and the appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars to enable the attor- ney-general to investigate and prosecute the trusts and combinations, was made by an amendment drawn by Mr. Hepburn.
"In the forty-ninth congress he aided in the passage of the law creating the interstate commerce commission, and from time to time he has sup- ported amendments to that law to strengthen it and make the statute more effective.
"The records show that during the time Mr. Hepburn has been a member of congress he has introduced one hundred and sixteen public bills. Thirty of them have become laws. He has introduced a great many private bills granting or increasing the pension of veterans of the Civil war. More than fifty of them have passed both houses and become laws.
"In the United States there are now about six hundred buildings owned by the general government, less than one and a half on an average to each of the three hundred and ninety-ore congressional districts. Mr. Hepburn has secured three of these six hundred public buildings and an appropriation for two others. When the appropriation for the government building at Council Bluffs was made, Pottawattamie county was in the eighth district. Mr. Hepburn secured that building very early in his congressional career.
"He next secured a building for Creston; and a division of the federal court of that city ; then an appropriation for a buliding at Centerville, next
198
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
an appropriation for his home town, Clarinda, and an appropriation for one at Shenandoah. Evidently he has been industrious along this line, other- wise he could not have been able to get five public bulidings when the average is less than one and a half to the district. The people of these towns will no doubt say that Mr. Hepburn has done something for his district and the fifty or more old soldiers whose pensions have been in- creased by special legislation owing to their congressman's efforts will say that he has done something for them.
"In the matter of installation and extension of the rural mail service in his district, Mr. Hepburn certainly has been industrious. In this he has been able to do as much for his people, for the farmers and their fami- lies as any member of congress, and a great deal more than the majority of congressmen. The eighth Iowa district ranks among the first of all the districts of the United States. In the number of rural routes our people have better service than most communities. This district now has in success- ful operation two hundred and forty-four rural mail routes, an average of a little more than twenty-two to each of the eleven counties. A number of the counties have complete county service and there are comparatively few farmers in this whole congressional district who do not have advantage of a daily mail brought to their homes by a carrier in the postal service. Without doubt farmers of this district will not charge Mr. Hepburn with neglecting their interest in this work; on the contrary they are generally convinced that he has been diligent and active in securing for them this service."
MARTIN H. STEEVE.
Martin II. Steeve, who owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres situated on section 22, Douglas township, is devoting his time and energies to general farming and stock-raising. He was born on the farm upon which he now resides on the 6th of October, 1880, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Bente) Steeve, natives of Germany. The parents came to America at an early date and located upon the farm now in possession of their son, which they improved and upon which they both passed away, the father's death occurring in 1893 and the mother's two years later. In their family were thirteen children, of whom nine are yet living.
Martin H. Steeve was reared to farm life and obtained his education in the common schools of Douglas township. He was left an orphan at the age of fifteen years and since that time has been entirely dependent upon his own resources. Wisely taking up the occupation to which he had been reared as a life work, he has been engaged continuously in agricultural pursuits and has met with a gratifying measure of success. He now owns the old homestead farm of two hundred acres located on section 22, Douglas township, and through his untiring industry and his well directed efforts he has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and the farm is one of the well improved and valuable ones of this township. He also
199
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
gives considerable attention to raising and feeding hogs, and this branch of his business is proving a very profitable source of revenue to him.
On the 4th of January, 1905. Mr. Steeve was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Goecker, a native of Nodaway township and a daughter of John and Mary Goecker, mention of whom is made on another page in this vol- ume. Mr. and Mrs. Steeve have become the parents of one son, Guy J., who is the light and life of the home. The parents are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church and are held in high esteem throughout the com- munity for their many excellent traits of heart and mind. Mr. Steeve is independent in politics, casting his ballot at the polls for the men and measures which in his estimation will best conserve the general welfare. The honors and cmoluments of office. however, have no attraction for him, as he prefers to devote his entire time and thought to the conduct of his private affiairs. Ile is a man whose career has been inspired by laudable ambition and whose enterprise and aggressiveness have stood him well in the battle of life, won him the prosperity which he now enjoys and placed him in the foremost rank as a representative citizen in the community where his entire life has been spent.
U. G. REININGER.
One of the leading industrial plants of Shenandoah is that of the Iowa Wagon Company, of which U. G. Reininger is general manager. He has sought success along well defined lines of trade and what he has accom- plished is a result of the fit utilization of the innate talents and powers which are his. He was born in Boone county, Iowa, January 24, 1869, a son of Joseph L. and Jane ( Hyde) Reininger, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The mother was of Scotch and English extraction, while the father was of German lineage. He came to Iowa as a young man di- rectly after the Civil war and located in Boone county, where he remained for a number of years. The lady whom he wedded had come to this state in her girlhood days with her parents, who established their home in Clay- ton county.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Reininger began their do- mestic life in Boone county, where they lived for four years, and about 1871 removed to DeKalb county, Missouri, where Mr. Reininger purchased a farm, continuing its cultivation through the succeeding decade. He then returned to Iowa and located at College Springs, Page county, that he might give his children the advantage of a college education. His wife died during the period of their residence there and about 1895 the father came to Shenandoah, where he continued to make his home until his de- mise, on the 28thi of June, 1908. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. In antebellum days lie was an unfaltering opponent of the system of slavery, fearlessly advocating his views at a time when to do so
200
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
was to win the epithet of a "black abolitionist." His mother was a cousin of Peter Cartwright, a great evangelist, and it is possible that through this branch of the family came Mr. Reininger's firm purpose and unfaltering devotion to what he believed to be right. Mrs. Reininger, the mother of our subject, had five brothers who were in the Civil war. One was killed at Lookout Mountain ; one spent twenty-three months in Andersonville and Libby prisons ; one died in Andersonville : and two returned home. Our subject has one sister living, Mrs. J. W. Perry, of Kansas City, whose hus- band is president of the Bank of Commerce of that place, which is the larg- est bank west of the Mississippi. They have two daughters, Pauline and Virginia, both at home and attending school.
U. G. Reininger was reared at home, acquiring his education in the pub- lie schools and at Amity College, College Springs, lowa, where he attended for six years. During that period he became interested in newspaper work and after leaving college he established a country paper called the Current Press at College Springs. Three years later he sold his interest there and went to Blanchard, purchasing a newspaper plant and publishing the Photo. He remained there for only a year when he disposed of the plant and came to Shenandoah to accept the position of manager and assistant editor of the Sentinel. Nine years he continued in that position and under his con- trol the circulation of the paper was built up, being increased from seventeen hundred to over forty-five hundred, the Sentinel becoming recognized as the best and most influential country newspaper published in the state of Iowa and one of the best in the United States.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.