USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 30
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he was sent to Tunnel Hill, where he did garrison duty until February 2, 1865. He then went to Newberne, North Carolina, and then out to Kingston, North Carolina; was in the battle there March 14 and 15, and then back to New- berne, where he was mustered out, having for more than three years done his full duty as a soldier who is ever loyal to the cause he espouses.
When his military experiences were ended Mr. Bushnell returned to Boone, Iowa, and for one season worked at farm labor. He afterward attended school at Mount Vernon, Iowa, for one term, and in 1866 was graduated from Eastman Business College. at Chicago. Being thus equipped for a successful commercial career he again returned to Boone county, and for two years was deputy treasurer there. He then turned his attention to the stationery busi- ness in Boonesboro, Iowa, becoming a member of the firm of Moffatt & Bush- nell, which relation was maintained from 1868 until 1872. In the latter year Mr. Bushnell sold his interest, removed to Council Bluffs and became a partner in the Postoffice Bookstore under the name of Bushnell & Brackett. These gentlemen remained as partners until 1877, when Mr. Bushnell again sold out, spending the succeeding year in the Black Hills, in Colorado and in California. He then went again to Boone, Iowa, where he became inter- ested in the drug business as a partner in the firm of Bushnell & Townsend. A year later he disposed of his share in the business and went to Chicago.
In the last named city Mr. Bushnell was married on the 24th of Decem- ber, 1879. to Miss Sophie W. Hyndshaw and in the spring of 1880 he came back to Council Bluffs, where he bought out the interest in the bookstore in which he had previously been a partner, the firm again becoming Bushnell & Brackett and so continuing until the partnership was dissolved in 1884, Mr. Bushnell taking one of the two stores as his share of the business. Here he is yet engaged in the stationery trade and keeps a complete stock of the leading lines of stationery as put upon the market by the large manufacturers of the country. Everything in the way of stationery can be found in his store, and as his prices are reasonable and his business methods honorable, he has secured a liberal patronage. He belongs to the Elks lodge and is a republican in poli- tics but takes no active part in political affairs, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his commercial interests, in which he is meeting with signal success.
GEORGE KEELINE.
George Kceline was a well-to-do and prominent citizen of Council Bluffs, who dated his residence from 1868 and here made his home until he was called to his final rest. He engaged in the stock business and also in loaning money but lived practically retired while in Pottawattamie county. He was born near Frankfort, Germany, on the 3d of March, 1825, a son of Conrad and Louisa (Gemmer) Keeline, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in 1839, settling at Wheeling, West Virginia.
FORK
MRS. GEORGE KEELNE
George . Decline
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In the common schools of the fatherland George Keeline acquired his edu- cation. He was just fourteen years of age when he came with his parents to America and he resided with his father and mother in Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, until he attained his majority, when he started in business on his own account. Crossing the river from Wheeling, he settled at Bridgeport, Ohio, where he turned his attention to milling pursuits and operating sawmills, plan- ing mills, and wood mills of all kinds. He employed a large number of work- men and engaged in the manufacture of lumber and various kinds of wood work. Their product was all hauled to Ohio, for there were no railroads at that time to provide means of shipment. However, he found a ready sale for all of his products. His business steadily increased, bringing him a gratifying income, his success resulting from his close application, his earnest purpose and the capability which he manifested in placing his output upon the market.
While living in Wheeling, West Virginia, Mr. Keeline was married to Miss Sophia Heneca, also a native of Germany, born May 4, 1827, and a daughter of Albert and Adaline (Hartwig) Heneca, who came from Germany to America in 1830. They, too, took up their abode in Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, where Mr. Heneca engaged in the manufacture of brick during the greater part of his life, he and his wife remaining residents of that city until called to their final home. Mr. and Mrs. Keelinc became the parents of nine children, six of whom are now living: Mrs. Spencer Smith, whose husband is an attorney of Council Bluffs; George A .; Oscar; William S .; and Harry W. All four of the sons are married and reside in Council Bluffs. Cora, the sixth member of the family, is the wife of Corydon L. Felt, manager and one of the stockholders of the Western Steel & Iron Company, of Woodbine, Iowa, with office at No. 5 Everett block in Council Bluffs. Mr. and Mrs. Felt and their two children, Ruth and Dorothy, reside with her mother, Mrs. Keelinc. The members of the Kecline family who are deceased are Louise, Amelia and Frank.
While engaged in the milling business in Bridgeport, Ohio, Mr. Keeline came to western Iowa in 1854 and bought several thousand acres of land in this part of the state, some as low as eighty-six cents per acre. He did not lo- cate in the city, however, until 1868, when he disposed of his sawmills and other business interests at Bridgeport for the purpose of looking after his in- terests here. His family followed in 1869, locating in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Although he established his home in Council Bluffs he began to improve his farm land, which he had previously purchased. He engaged also in loaning money until 1873, for indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature and he could not content himself without some business affairs to occupy his time and attention. In the year mentioned, however, the firm of George Kee- line & Son was organized to conduct a cattle range and stock-growers' business in Colorado. The son, George A. Keeline, had entire charge of the business and in 1877 moved their stock to Wyoming, where he purchased land that had water upon it. This gave them a range of over a million acres and at the time of the father's death they had about twenty-five thousand cattle. In all of his commercial transactions George Keeline displayed sound judgment and keen executive force-a combination of qualities which rarely fails to bring the de-
4
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sired reward in the business world. He was a director and stockholder- in the Council Bluffs Savings Bank. In all of his business affairs he was conservative and never signed a note in his life. He started out without any means but rec- ognized the fact that labor is the basis of success and as the result of his judi- cious investment and energy, intelligently applied, he left an estate valued at about a half million dollars.
Mr. Keeline was never an office seeker nor did he desire political prefer- ment. On the contrary he was perfectly content that others should hold office, yet he was a firm advocate of the political principles which he supported by his ballot. His early allegiance was given to the whig party and later he be- came a stalwart republican, continuing a supporter of the party until his death. He was a prominent member of the Masonic order here and in fact was the first representative of the lodge in Council Bluffs and assisted in organizing the original lodge at this place. He attended the Lutheran church, of which his wife is a member and to its support he contributed liberally. His industry and diligence in business had gained for him a gratifying measure of success until he became a prominent and worthy resident of the city and county, recognized also as one of its leading men. He died here December 15, 1901.
Although quite aged, Mrs. Keeline is yet very active and is in the enjoy- ment of good health and she has her children around her and to her they pay daily visits. She resides in a large brick dwelling at No. 1133 East Pierce street, her daughter, Mrs. Felt, and her family living with the mother. This is the old Keeline homestead and the brick used in the construction of the house was manufactured on the place by Mr. Keeline. Mrs. Keeline selected the home site in 1867 while on a trip here to look at the country. She also owns other valuable property in the city, while the sons are owners of some of the finest residences of Council Bluffs. The family has long been a prominent one here, the name of Keeline standing as a synonym for activity, industry and en- terprise in the business circles in Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie county.
JOHN M. GALVIN.
One of the well known and prominent lawyers of Council Bluffs is John M. Galvin, who has successfully engaged in practice in this city since 1889. His entire life has been spent in Iowa, for he was born in Fairfield, this state, on the 7th of November, 1858, and was there reared and educated, attending Parsons College, Fairfield, from which he was graduated in 1880 with the first class that ever completed the course in that institution. His parents were Thomas and Bridget (Scanlan) Galvin, both natives of County Kerry, Ireland. The father came to the United States in 1849 and the mother a year later. They became residents of Iowa in 1857.
Soon after leaving school John M. Galvin commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar at Fairfield in 1883. Opening an office, he there engaged in general practice until 1889, which year witnessed his arrival in Council Bluffs. It was not long ere his ability in his chosen
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profession was recognized and he has since built up an excellent practice which is constantly increasing. He has made somewhat of a specialty of real-estate litigation and in the trial of cases has met with most excellent suc- cess, so that he is now ranked with the leading representatives of the profes- sion in Council Bluffs.
While a resident of Fairfield, Mr. Galvin served as city solicitor for a part of two terms and is now a member of the library board of Council Bluffs, being chosen its president in July, 1907. He is a republican in politics but votes for the men whom he believes best qualified for office re- gardless of party ties. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of Hiberians and of the Knights of Columbus. His life has been one of use- fulness and the success that has come to him is certainly well merited.
LEWIS S. ALLEN.
Lewis S. Allen, a prominent and influential agriculturist residing in Lay- ton township, where he owns three hundred and forty-eight acres and is also extensively engaged in feeding cattle, is a native of Petersburg, Menard county, Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 19th of March, 1850. His parents were John W. and Melinda J. (Watkins) Allen, and the father, who was a native of Kentucky, removed to Illinois with his parents when twelve years of age, locating in Sangamon county. After his marriage he took up his abode in Menard county, and in 1866 came to Iowa, settling at Eight Mile Grove, Cass county. Eight months after his arrival in this state he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land northwest of Atlantic and subse- quently removed to Nebraska, in which state he spent about five years. He then remained a resident of Florida for a year and on the expiration of that period went to Kansas City, where his demise occurred about 1892. He had a family of nine children, six of whom survive, namely: Samuel W., who makes his home at Two Rivers, Washington; Waterman T., living in Mat- thews, Indiana; George, a resident of British Columbia; Martha B., the wife of George Atkinson, of Denver, Colorado; Dora, who became the wife of J. Huffmann and makes her home in Wichita county, Kansas; and Lewis S., of this review.
Lewis S. Allen acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-two years, when he started out in business life on his own account, operating a tract of rented land at Eight Mile Grove for two years. In the fall of 1875 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm and by reason of his enterprise and well directed business ability he was enabled to eon- tinually add to his place until within its boundaries are now comprised three hundred and forty-eight acres of rich and productive land. When he bought his land in Layton township it was all wild and unimproved and much arduous labor was necessary in order to transform the property from its uncultivated condition into its present high state of development, but Mr. Allen resolutely
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set to work and it is only necessary to see his place in order to know how well he has succeeded. He has erected all of the buildings on the farm and has also planted all of the trees, which add materially to the attractive appear- ance of the property. In addition to his general agricultural interests he has also been quite extensively engaged in feeding cattle for fifteen years, prin- cipally of the Hereford breed. Ile is at present feeding one hundred and twenty-five head of cattle. He is recognized as one of the prosperous and influential farmers of the county and has, moreover, the esteem and respect of his fellowmen by reason of the honorable methods which he has ever pur- sued in the attainment of his success.
On the 19th of March, 1873, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. Trailer, of Cass county, Iowa, and a daughter of William Trailer, who was a prominent agriculturist of that county, but is now deceased. Unto our subject and his wife have been born nine children, eight of whom sur- vive: Ada B., the wife of Shelton Allen, of South Dakota; Sarah, who became the wife of William H. Burkey and resides in Layton township, this county; Lorena, the wife of Fred M. Moon, who lives in Marne, lowa; Eleanor and Effie, who are at home; Ira, who is an agriculturist of Layton township, this county; William, at home; and Avery, who is also yet under the parental roof.
lu his political views Mr. Allen is a stalwart advocate of the democratic party and has served for two terms as township trustee and for several years has also been a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm and helpful friend. Fraternally he is connected with Grove lodge. No. 292, A. F. & A. M., of Marne; Berlin lodge, O. E. S .; and Marne lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Methodist Protestant church, in which he is serving as one of the trustees. He has resided on his present farm for almost a third of a century and certainly deserves much credit for the work which he did in helping to reclaim this district for the uses of civilization, and he is widely and favorably known throughout the community by reason of his long residence here. The success which he has gained is the merited reward of his own labor and indefatigable industry and the business methods which he has ever followed are worthy of emulation and commendation.
FRANK W. DEAN, M. D.
Dr. Frank W. Dean, a well known oculist and aurist of Council Bluffs, was born in Satara, East India, on the 9th of February, 1863, but was only five years old when he accompanied his parents, S. C. and A. E. (Abbott) Dean, on their return to the United States. The father, who was a Congregational mis- sionary, was a native of Massachusetts, but the mother was born in India, her parents being missionaries to that country, At the age of nine years Dr. Dean became a resident of Jefferson county, Nebraska, where he grew to man- hood. He had good educational advantages and was graduated from Doane Col-
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lege at Crete, Nebraska, in 1886. Later he entered the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis, where he pursued a medical course and was graduated in 1890 with the degree of M. D. His theoretical knowledge was then supplemented by practical experience in the hospitals of Minneapolis and St. Paul, where he remained for one year, and for a year and a half was engaged in country prac- tice at Mineola, Iowa. Going abroad, Dr. Dean then studied in Vienna and London, making a specialty of the diseases of eye, ear, nose and throat, and becoming very proficient along those lines. On his return from Europe, he located for practice at Council Bluffs, December 2, 1895, and has since given his attention wholly to his specialties as an oculist and aurist.
That Dr. Dean stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren is indicated by his being chosen to various offices in the medical societies to which he belongs. He has been both president and secretary of the Council Bluffs Medical Society and is now treasurer of the same, and was secretary of the Pottawattamie County Medical Society for several years. He is also a member of the American Medical Association and the Medical Society of the Missouri Valley and is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthal- mology and Oto-Laryngology. Socially the Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Commercial Club and the Council Bluffs Rowing Association. A genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular both in business and social circles and he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.
HENRY SCHNACKEL.
Henry Schnackel, who is extensively engaged in farming, is now living on section 6, Valley township, but in the spring of 1908 intends to take up his abode upon a farm of three hundred and twenty aeres on section 12, James township, which he has recently purchased. A native of Illinois, he was born in Cook county on the 2d of March, 1862, his parents being Joe and Mary (Harder) Schnackel, who were natives of Germany and came to the United States in the early '50s. They located in Cook county, Illinois, where the father engaged in cultivating rented land for eight years He then removed to Effingham county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm, and both he and his wife spent there remaining days in that locality. In their family were five children: Lena, the wife of Henry Burke, of Illinois; John, of this county ; Henry; Fred, who is living in Rogers, Illinois; and Sophia.
Henry Schnackel was a young man of twenty years when he arrived in Pottawattamie county in 1882. He had acquired his education in the public schools of his native state and on seeking a home in western Iowa set- tled near Minden, where he worked as a farm hand for six years. He then rented a farm for twelve years and with the capital which he saved from his earnings purchased a tract of land of one hundred and thirty-two acres on section 6, Valley township. He cultivated this for some time with good suc- cess but has recently sold the property and bought another farm of three hun-
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dred and twenty acres on section 12, James township, to which he intends to remove in the spring of 1908. He is quite extensively engaged in farming.
The pleasant home life of Mr. Schnackel had its beginning in his mar- riage in 1890 to Miss Louisa Study, a daughter of Henry and Margaret Study, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Illinois. The mother is now deceased, while the father makes his home in Pleasant township, Pottawat- tamie county. In their family were nine children, including Mrs. Schnackel. Six children have been born unto our subject and his wife: Ida, Harvey, Melvin and Lloyd, all at home; Joe, deceased; and Clarence, who is also at home. Mr. Schnackel prefers to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with gratifying success. He came to Pottawat- tamie county empty-handed about a quarter of a century ago and is today one of its substantial residents.
ROSE H. RICE, M. D.
Dr. Rose H. Rice, of Council Bluffs, is one of the successful physicians of western Iowa and in her practice has gained the thorough respect and confi- dence not only of the general public but of the profession as well. She was born in Fremont county, this state, near Tabor, and was there reared to the age of eighteen years. Her father, L. K. Hammond, was born near Buffalo, New York, in 1813 and, removing westward, established his home in Mills county, Iowa, in 1855. It was then a pioneer district, in the midst of which he pre-empted two hundred acres of government land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. He resolutely took up the task of breaking the sod and cultivating the new fields and upon that place he lived until his death, which occurred in 1889. Ile was married a second time, in 1864, to Miss Harriett Counsel, a native of Illinois, and unto them were born three children: Dr. Rose II. Rice, of this review; Colfax, who died in infancy ; and Lily H., now the wife of Lewis McDaniel, of Council Bluffs. By a former marriage Mr. Hammond had two sons, who served as soldiers in the Civil war. The Hammond family is of Scotch lineage and was founded in America by John Hammond, the grandfather of Dr. Rice, who was born in Scotland in the eighteenth century. Some years after his arrival in America he removed to Mills county, Iowa, where his last days were passed.
Dr. Rice acquired her literary education in the public schools and at the age of eighteen years secured a license to teach. She followed that profession for cleven years in Mills, Fremont and Pottawattamie counties and proved a capable instructor, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that she had acquired. In the u-ual periods of vacation she pursued sumine. courses at the Western Normal School at Shenandoah, Iowa, and in Tabor College, and when she felt that her more specific literary education was com- pleted she took up the study of medicine and was graduated from Omaha
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Medical College with the class of 1903. She then located for practice in Council Bluffs, where she has since remained, and here she has secured a liberal patronage, being retained as the family physician in many of the best homes of the city. She performs her professional duties with a high sense of conscientious obligation, has always been a close and discriminating stu- dent of the principles of the medical science, and by reading and investigation has kept constantly in touch with the onward march of the profession that has resulted from research and investigation.
JOHN SCHOENTGEN.
After a useful and well spent life John Schoentgen passed away on the 17th of October, 1906, honored and respected by all who knew him. For almost forty years he has been a resident of Council Bluffs and he stood high in business circles, being a member of the well known firm of Groneweg & Schoentgen, conducting one of the largest wholesale grocery houses in the state of Iowa.
Mr. Schoentgen was a native of Belgium, born July 18, 1848, and was a son of Phillip and Margaret (Zimmer) Schoentgen, both of whom were born in Anstria and from that country removed to Luxemburg, Germany. Later the father became foreman of a china factory in L'Alluviers, Belgium, serving in that position throughout the remainder of his life. There he died at a comparatively early age and his wife died in Echternach, Luxem- burg, the family home.
During his boyhood John Schoentgen attended the public schools and pro-gymnasium of Luxemburg and acquired a good education. Hearing favorable reports of the new world, he decided to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic, and in 1865, at the age of seventeen years, he sailed for America, locating first at Weston, Missouri, where he secured a position in a bakery and at the same time attended school. He was afterward employed as bookkeeper at that place until 1868, when he came to Council Bluffs to accept the position of clerk in the jewelry store of his cousin Charles B. Jacquemin, where he remained for a few years. He then formed a partner- ship with John Berwein in the retail grocery business at the corner of Main and Willow street. He soon acquired his partner's interest and conducted the business alone for several years, meeting with excellent success. In Au- gust, 1878, he engaged in the wholesale grocery business as a member of the firm of Groneweg & Schoentgen, William Groneweg being the senior partner. Ycar by year their business steadily increased, until now it is one of the largest and most substantial jobbing concerns on the Missouri river. In 1900 the business was incorporated into the Groneweg & Schoentgen Com- pany, the officers being William Groneweg, president; John Schoentgen, vice president and general manager ; and R. H. Nichols, secretary and treasurer.
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They erected a large building at 821-831 West Broadway, where they still carry on business, employing a large number of men both in the wholesale house and upon the road, and they are in control of the largest trade of any establishment of the kind in this section of the state.
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