USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 32
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At the usual age Walter F. Stephan became a public-school pupil and passed through successive grades, mastering the branches of learning therein taught until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he entered upon a more specific business course as a pupil in a commercial college in Omaha. Having finished his studies there, he entered the employ of Casady, Orcutt & French, wholesale and retail dealers in carpets, continuing in that line for two years. He next became an employe in the Adams Shoe Store, the predecessor of the Boston Shoe Store, now out of business. He also spent two years there, when he be-
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came an employe of Joseph E. Bixby, a plumber, under whom he learned the trade, becoming an expert workman in that line during the three years in which he remained in Mr. Bixby's employ. In 1887 he opened a shop of his own, where the Grand Hotel now stands, and several years later he.removed to his present location at No. 529 West Broadway. Here he has a well appointed plumbing establishment and his patronage is extensive, for his work is executed in most able manner, giving general satisfaction. His trade is well merited and he has sceured thereby a gratifying competence.
Mr. Stephan belongs to the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is likewise identified with the Commercial Club and with the Council Bluffs Rowing Association. A friendly spirit, cordial na- ture and deference for the opinions of others, have gained for him warin regard and a constantly increasing circle of friends.
FREDERICK ROHRS.
There are in various communities in this land citizens whose nationality is easily recognized, not by reason of any national trace of face, feature or name, but because of certain strongly marked characteristics in business, among which are a persisteney of purpose and a determination to accom- plish what is undertaken. These qualities plainly indicate the German na- tion and are manifest in Frederick Rohrs, who first opened his eyes to the light of day in Hanover, Germany, on the 25th of June, 1858, his parents being William and Anna (Witte) Rohrs, of whose family of four children but two are now living, the younger brother being Christopher, a resident of Shelby, Iowa. The father, also born in Hanover, was reared and mar- ried there, and in 1870 sailed for the United States, establishing his home in Durant, Cedar county, Iowa. Three years later he removed to Nebraska and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Knox county, but the grasshoppers destroyed all crops produced and after two years he re- turned to Iowa, his possessions at that time consisting of only a yoke of oxen and two head of cattle. Taking up his abode in Pleasant township, Potta- wattamie county, he there lived up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1890. His widow still survives at the age of seventy-five years and makes her home with her son Frederick.
Mr. Rohrs of this review acquired his education in the public schools, while spending the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home. His opportunities in that direction, however, were necessarily limited because it became necessary for him to provide for his own support. He was twelve years of age at the time of the removal of the family from Germany to the United States. He lived at home and assisted his father, ultimately becoming a partner with him in the ownership of two hundred acres of good land on section 2, Pleasant township. In 1885 he and his brother took charge of this farm, which they operated together, and in 1900 they purchased the present home farm of Frederick Rohrs, comprising two hundred and forty
Frederick Rohrs
PUBLIC LI.
ACTO
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acres-the northwest quarter and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 4, Pleasant township. In 1904 the brothers made a division of their property, Frederick Rohrs taking the two hundred and forty acres just mentioned. He is engaged extensively in the raising of Hereford cattle, having thirty head on his place, and in addition he also has one hundred and thirty head of high grade hogs. He is well known as a feeder and feeds not only all the grain which he raises but also buys extensively for this purpose. His business interests keep him constantly engaged and his energy and diligence are well known traits of his eharacter.
In 1898 was celebrated the marriage of Frederiek Rohrs and Miss Ma- tilda Bohlander, of Shelby county, Iowa. Unto them have been born a son and daughter, William and Emma. In his political views Mr. Rohrs is a republican, for he feels that the platform of that party is most conducive to good government. He has served as township elerk for two terms. He belongs to Canopy lodge, No. 401, I. O. O. F., to Shelby encampment and to the German Lutheran church. He is justly regarded as a representative agriculturist and stock-raiser, and though he came to the new world prac- tically empty-handed, he is now one of the prosperous residents of Potta- wattamie county. He feels that he made no mistake in choosing this land as a place of abode, for in its business opportunities he has found the condi- tions he sought and has won the competenee with which fate always crowns the success of men when their persistent efforts are guided by sound judg- ment.
HON. JOHN H. JENKS.
Hon. John H. Jenks, president of the Avoca State Bank and former representative of his district in the legislature, is a man strong in his indi- viduality, never laeking the courage of his convictions, while the sterling integ- rity and honor of his character have naturally gained to him the respeet and confidence of men. In every relation of life-in the government service; in political cireles, in business or in social circles, he has proved a foree in attaining desired results, his abilities well fitting him for leadership.
A native of Massachusetts, Mr. Jenks was born in Hampshire county, on the 26th of September, 1855. his parents being Simeon L. and Sarah (Thomas) Jenks. The father was also born in Hampshire county, Massa- chusetts, on the 5th of October. 1824, and was of Welsh ancestry. The paternal grandfather, however, was Jeremiah Jenks, a native of Massachusetts. Both the grandfather and father were farmers and in 1856 the latter cmigrated to Bureau county, Illinois, while one year later he removed to La Salle county, that state, where he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 20th of March, 1906. He was very successful as a farmer and breeder of eattle and in an active business eareer acquired extensive farm lands, own- ing over one thousand aeres, the greater portion of which he bought at a low price and held till it became very valuable as the years advanced and improve- ments were made upon it. Thus in later years he acquired a fortune. He
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made his way to Illinois with only two thousand dollars, for which he was indebted to his father. His business enterprise and capable management were such, however, that as the years passed he worked his way steadity upward, becoming one of the county's men of affluence. In politics he was a repub- liean and although he was never an aspirant for office he was for several years a member of the city council of Earlville, Illinois, where he was then residing. He was widely recognized as one of the influential men of his district and as the years progressed he left the impress of his individuality upon public thought and action. In his family were two children, the younger being Ida, the wife of E. M. Currier, of Aurora, Illinois.
John H. Jenks was reared upon the home farm in La Salle county, Illinois, and acquired his education in the Earlville schools and in the old Chicago University, where he pursued the work of the freshman and sopho- more years. By reason of an attack of typhoid fever he was compelled to discontinue his studies in 1878. In the following year he came to Avoca, his father and others having purchased nine hundred aeres of land in this locality, and Mr. Jenks eame thither to superintend it. IIere he turned his attention to the stock business, with which he was closely and actively associated until 1902, being a heavy buyer and shipper as well as breeder and feeder of stock. He possesses keen business diseernment and unfaltering energy, combined with an aptitude for successful management, and his salient charac- teristics in commercial lines are such as have brought to him gratifying sue- eess. On the 1st of August, 1873, the Avoca Bank was organized by J. W. and E. W. Davis and Charles N. Voss. In 1887 E. W. Davis withdrew from the bank, at which time J. W. Davis and Mr. Voss each acquired a half inter- est. The bank, however, was reorganized into a state bank in 1885, although the name was not changed until the law required it in 1901. On the 1st of January, 1892, Mr. Jenk- purchased Mr. Voss' interest in the bank and became vice president of the institution, acting in that capacity until 1900, when he was elected to the presidency. Such has been his official connection with the bank since that time. The charter was renewed in 1905 and the Avoca State Bank is now in a most flourishing condition. 1 general banking business is carried on and the institution from the beginning has borne an unassailable reputation for reliability and progressive methods, tempered with a conservatism that renders it safe at all times. In addition to his interests in the bank Mr. Jenks owns a good farm adjoining the town.
While his business interests have made heavy demands upon his time and energies he has yet found opportunity for co-operation in publie move- ments and is a citizen who stands for progress and advancement in all that pertains to the work of general upbuilding. In politics he is a republican and has served as a member of the city council. He was also for eight years a member of the school board and from 1900 until 1902 he was representative from his district to the state legislature, serving in the twenty-eighth and twenty- ninth general assemblies. Ile gave careful consideration to each question which came up for settlement and aided in promoting much effective legisla- tion which was secured during that period. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, becoming a charter member of Avoca lodge, No. 104.
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On the 16th of June, 1881. Mr. Jenks was united in marriage to Miss Anna Heslet, of La Salle county, Illinois, and unto them has been born a daughter, Florence M. Mr. Jenks is a prominent representative of financial interests in Pottawattamie county and is widely and favorably known through- out this part of the state, his abilities well fitting him for leadership in political and social life. By perseverance, determination and honorable effort he has overcome all obstacles which have barred his path to success and reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him a director of public thought and action.
OSCAR F. LODGE.
In a record of the leading and representative men of Pottawattamie county mention should be made of Oscar F. Lodge, who in former years was actively associated with agricultural and with mercantile interests, gaining thereby the measure of success which now enables him to live retired. His life proves conclusively that success may be obtained by earnest effort, for it has been owing to his strong purpose and diligence that he has gained his prosperity. He has now almost reached the age of four score years, his birth having occurred in Greenville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of December, 1827. His parents were Samuel and Jane Lodge, the former a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Mercer county. The father always followed the occupation of farming and at an early day made his way westward to Illinois, settling in Henry county, where his death occurred. After his demise the mother removed to Iowa, where she passed away. In their family were eleven children, five of whom still survive, namely : Oscar F., of this review; Margaret, the widow of V. M. Tabers and a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; George MI., who resides at Long Beach, California; Leander, also living in California; and Ada, the wife of Robert Gilbert, also of California.
Oscar F. Lodge accompanied his parents when they left Pennsylvania and went to Illinois, and in 1851 he came to Iowa. He had acquired his education in the schools of his native state and was early trained to farm labor. On removing to Fowa he first located near Davenport, where he rented a farm, which he cultivated for three years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Cedar county and bought a farm upon which he lived for nine years. In 1871 he came to Pottawattamie county and settled at Walnut, where, abandoning agricultural pursuits, he turned his attention to general merchandising for four years. On selling out he opened a hard- ware store, which he conducted with success until 1890, enjoying a large and constantly growing trade. For the past seventeen years he has now lived retired in the village of Walnut, where he has a magnificent home, except for four years spent in Chicago. He has been enabled to enjoy the comforts and many of the luxuries of life by reason of the fact that in his earlier years he
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carefully managed his business interests, gave close attention to his mercan- tile affairs, and so directed his labors that success resulted.
The only interruption to his continued activity in business up to the time of his retirement was when he served his country as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in August, 1861, as a member of Company D, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, with which he was connected for a year. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, one of the most hotly contested engagements of the war, and was mustered out in 1862, after which he returned to this state. He is now a member of John A. Dix post, No. 408, G. A. R., of Walnut, and in his political views he is a republican. He has served as school director and also as trustee and in every duty of citizenship manifests the same loyalty which he displayed when he followed the old flag on southern battle-fields.
In 1880 Mr. Lodge was married to Miss Jennie Elliot, who was born in Knox county, Illinois, a daughter of Benjamin and Pheba Elliot, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio. Their family numbered seven children. The father died in Illinois, while the mother's death occurred in Independence, Kansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lodge were born six children : Arthur E., who is a graduate of the Morgan Park Academy at Chicago and is now in Wyoming; Walter B., who likewise attended the same academy in Chicago, and is in Wyoming; Oscar L., who graduated from a commercial college and is now employed on the United States steamer Washington ; Harry G., who is now pursuing a course in veterinary surgery in Chicago; Helen, who after graduating from the Walnut high school, studied music for one year at Lincoln, Nebraska, and is again a student there; and Edna S., who is attending the Walnut high school and is with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Lodge hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are people of the highest respectability, enjoying in large measure the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom they have been associated. ITis has been an honorable, upright career, and now in the evening of life Mr. Lodge can look back over the past without regret. He has undoubtedly made some mis- takes, for who is free from them, but it has never been a matter of intention, and throughout his entire carcer he has endeavored to live at peace with his fellowmen, has practiced justice, to speak the truth and be charitable in his opinions of those with whom he has come in contact.
WILLIAM STEWART KEELINE.
William Stewart Keeline, a resident of Council Bluffs, with business interests that connect him with the raising of cattle and fruit in Pottawattamie county, was born in Bridgeport, Belmont county, Ohio, on the 2d of December, 1862. In 1870 his parents took up their abode in Council Bluffs and much of his life has since been passed in this city. He acquired his education in the public schools and in Blum's Academy here, pursuing his studies to the age of seventeen or eighteen years, when he put aside his text-books and went upon his father's cattle ranch in Wyoming, there remaining until 1886.
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during which time he gained a comprehensive knowledge of the cattle busi- ness in all of the work of the ranch and the shipment of stock to market. In the year mentioned he returned to Council Bluffs and in connection with his brother-in-law, C. L. Felt, he embarked in the wholesale hardware business, conducting the store with good success for seven years. In 1893, however, he sold out and has since given his undivided time and attention to the rais- ing of cattle and fruit in Pottawattamie county. In both lines he has prospered and has produced some of the finest stock as well as some of the finest fruit ever seen in this part of the state.
In June, 1887, Mr. Keeline was married, in Council Bluffs, to Miss Julia Dohaney, a daughter of John Dohaney, and unto them have been born six children, namely: Clarence D., Margaret, John Frank, Katherine, Adele and William Stewart Keeline, Jr.
Mr. Keeline holds membership in lodge No. 531, B. P. O. E. IIe is a republican where state and national questions are involved but casts an inde- pendent local ballot. His well directed labors are bringing to him a goodly competence, which is increasing annually as he enlarges the scope of his business.
JOHN MATTHIES.
John Matthies derives a good annual revenue from his landed interests of four hundred and eighty acres, and in addition to general farming he is ex- tensively engaged in raising and feeding stock of good grade. He was born in Holstein, Germany, March 19, 1833, of the marriage of John and Margaret (Morthorst) Matthies, who were likewise natives of Holstein, where they spent their entire lives. The father reached the advanced age of eighty-four years, while the mother died when about fifty years of age. He was a farmer by occu- pation and thus provided for the support of his seven children, four of whom are yet living: Peter and Claus, of Holstein, Germany; John; and Christina, the wife of Peter Petersen, of Monona county, Iowa.
John Matthies was a public-school student during the days of his youth and on reaching early manhood he began providing for his own support as a farm hand, being thus employed while in Germany. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Margaret Hagge, to whom he was married in December, 1866, and who died thirteen months later, leaving a son, John William, now living in Layton township. In 1868 Mr. Matthies came to the United States, landing at New York in the latter part of June, after a voy- age of two weeks. Making his way westward he located in Clinton county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, working by the month for one year, and for six years he cultivated rented land.
Removing to Pottawattamie county in the spring of 1875 Mr. Matthies purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting a part of his pres- ent farm on section 17, Lincoln township, and thus became identified with agricultural interests. The tract was unbroken prairie on which he built a lit- tle frame house, fourteen by twenty-two feet. In this habitation he took up his
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abode with his wife and children, having been married again in Clinton county, and turned his attention to the development of his land. He began breaking prairie and in course of time gathered good erops. He has set out all the trees upon the farm and now has a beautiful place. He prospered and after five or six years he purchased one hundred and sixty acres adjoining his orig- inal tract on the west. To this he has added one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Lincoln township, and two eighty-acre tracts on the same section. Still later he bought three hundred and twenty acres on section 19, but after- ward sold that, while one hundred and sixty acres-the southwest quarter of section 17, has been deeded to his son, Henry F .. leaving his present holdings four hundred and eighty acres. His land is favorably located and is rich and productive. Large erops are annually gathered and in addition to his grain- raising interest he is extensively and successfully engaged in raising and feed- ing cattle, making a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. Ho brought with him to this country a capital of twelve hundred dollars and with this as a foundation he has raised the superstructure of his prosperity.
Mr. Matthies was married for the second time in Clinton county. Iowa, to Miss Margaret Langhorst, a native of Holstein. Germany, and unto them were born six children: Anna, at home; Bertha, the wife of Fred Krambeck, of Cass county, Iowa; Peter, of Jackson county, Missouri; Henry, living in Lin- coln township; Otto and Mary, at home. The wife and mother died on the 29th of October. 1906. She was a consistent member of the Lutheran church and a most estimable lady.
Mr. Matthies is also a member of the Lutheran church and gives his politi- cal support to the democracy. He has served on the school board for a long period and has been its treasurer for six years. He is interested in the cause of education, believing in the employment of competent teachers and the adop- tion of advanced methods of instruction. Although he has now reached the age of seventy-four years he is an active factor in community interests and business affairs, giving personal supervision to all his farming and stock-raising, where- by he is gaining a very desirable annual income.
GEORGE T. PHELPS.
George T. Phelps, assistant postmaster of Council Bluffs and a well known citizen of this place, was born at Chatham Four Corners (now Chatham), New York, July 13, 1842, but his boyhood was largely passed in Springfield, Massa- chusetts. He was left fatherless at the age of ten years and two years later went to live with a sister in Harvard, that state, where he attended school. Later he pursued his studies at East Hampton, Massachusetts, and was a student there when the Civil war broke out.
Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Phelps enlisted on the 13th of August, 1862, as a private in Company G, Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Vohin- teer Infantry. He rose to the rank of quartermaster sergeant, in which ca- pacity he was serving when mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, June 8,
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1865. He participated in the battles of Antietam, South Mountain and Fred- ericksburg; went with Burnsides to the west; and was in the Vicksburg cam- paign from the 17th of June, 1863, until August following. Ilis command then proceeded to Kentucky and on to east Tennessee, and were in the engage- ment at Campbell's Station and the siege of Knoxville, after which they re- joined the Army of the Potomac and took part in the Wilderness campaign, the battle of Spottsylvania, the second battle of Cold Harbor, and were in front of Petersburg from June 17, 1864, until March, 1865. They were also in the final campaign which ended in the surrender of Lee at Appomattox.
When the war was over and the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Phelps returned north and for two years was engaged in business at Springfield. Massachusetts. He then came to Council Bluffs, Iowa, to assist his uncle, Willis Phelps, in the construction of the Council Bluffs & St. Joseph Railroad, now a part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system, but at the end of two years returned to Massachusetts, where he became a sub-contractor in railroad build- ing and was thus employed until 1873.
During that year Mr. Phelps again came to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, and for three years farmed sixteen hundred acres of land, after which he took charge of the Ogden Hotel in Council Bluffs, conducting the same for seven years. He was next engaged in cattle raising in Texas and New Mexico for two years and for a year thereafter turned his attention to the manufacture of char- coal at Durango, Mexico, making one hundred thousand pounds per day and employing seven hundred men. He prospected for gold for several years in Montana, Idaho, California and other western states but was never very success- ful along that line, and finally returned to Council Bluffs, where he now makes his home.
In 1889 Mr. Phelps received an appointment in the postoffice at this place. He rose rapidly and finally in 1890 was made assistant postmaster, which posi- tion he filled until 1893. During the following four years he was out of office but was re-appointed assistant postmaster in 1898 and has since served in that capacity to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has always been found true to every trust reposed in him and is as faithful to the interests of his coun- try in days of peace as in time of war. He is an honored member of the Union Veteran Legion and religiously is connected with the Presbyterian church.
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