USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 36
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
Arthur L. Preston spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his father's home and after attending the public schools of Grinnell, continued his educa- tion in Iowa College, of that place, being graduated from that institution with
342
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1883, while in 1886 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. His preparation for his profession was begun in the winter of 1882-3. when he attended the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, pursuing a six months' course, after which he returned to Iowa College and was graduated with his class. In the spring of 1884 he was graduated from the law depart- inent of the University of Michigan, and soon afterward entered into partner- ship with D. W. Norris for the practice of law in Grinnell, this connection. being maintained until 1890. Mr. Preston afterward practiced alone until 1893, where he removed from Grinnell to Avoca, where he formed a law partnership with Fremont Benjamin, with whom he was associated until September, 1899. He has since been alone and a liberal clientage has been accorded him, he being most devoted to the interests thereof. He does not slight the laborious work of the office which must always precede that of the courtroom and in the presentation of his cause he is clear and logical in his deduetion and sound in his reasoning. IIe is recognized as one of the county's able barristers. He has been the attorney for the Avoca State Bank since 1899 and in 1906 was elected a director of that institution. Ile is also local attorney for the Rock Island Railroad Company and for various business enter- prises of Avoca. In addition to his practice he derives his income from two good farms, one in Knox township of eighty acres and one in James township of one hundred and seventy-three acres. These are valuable properties.
On the 21st of October. 1884, Mr. Preston was married to Miss Cyrilla B. Smith, of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, and unto them were born three chil- dren, but only one is now living: Gertrude, who is now a pupil in the Avoca high school.
Politically Mr. Preston is a republican and although never an aspirant for otlice he is interested in community affairs and is now serving as president of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with Avoca Camp, No. 165, M. W. A., in which he has passed all the chairs, but while his varied interests make his a well rounded character he concentrates his attention and time chiefly upon his professional duties, his devotion to his elients' interests being proverbial.
THOMAS J. BEATTY.
Thomas J. Beatty is prominent among the agriculturists of James town- ship, owning and controlling four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land. Ilis life record may well serve as a source of inspiration to others, showing what may be accomplished by determined and energetie purpose, for when he located upon this place he was not only empty-handed but also considerably in debt. Long ago his financial obligation has been discharged and he has added to his original holdings. Moreover, his success has been won through straight- forward, honorable methods, being due to his perseverance and close applica- tion to business.
I
austin Beatthe
lelarissa Voiatty. 1
Thomas &Beauty
I PUBLIC LID 1
AS' C
1
Z
VATIONS.
345
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Mr. Beatty was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of September, 1845, his parents being William and Charlotte Beatty, natives of the Keystone state and of Virginia respectively. Removing to the middle west, they located in Pottawattamie county, where their last days were passed. Of their family of nine children only four are yet living: William, a resident of Avoca; George, who is living in Cass county, Iowa; Samuel, whose home is in Nebraska; and Thomas J., of this review.
The last named spent his boyhood and youth in his father's home and during that period acquired a common-school education. He came to Potta- wattamie county in 1874 and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he at once began to cultivate, living thereon for a year. He next sold out and removed to Shelby county, Iowa, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he lived for a year and a half. He then sold that prop- erty and again came to Pottawattamie county, making investment in eighty acres of land, on which he lived for a year. On the expiration of that period he traded his farm for two hundred acres in James township and subsequently he added another two hundred-acre tract, upon which he resided until 1894. Disposing of that farm, he established his home in the town of Hancock, where he turned his attention to the creamery business, conducting it for a year. The venture, however, proved financially disastrous and he lost eight thousand dollars. He then began buying grain and feeding cattle and hogs and was so engaged for four years. In the meantime he purchased four hun- dred acres of land at forty-six dollars per acre-a tract which is today valued at one hundred and ten dollars per acre. In 1899 he took up his abode upon this farm, which has since been his place of residence. At that time he had an indebtedness of eight thousand dollars but with strong and determined purpose he set to work to clear this away and has not only discharged his entire financial obligation but has extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase of eighty acres, giving him four hundred and eighty acres of as fine land as can be found in Pottawattamie county. He also bought eighty acres of ex- cellent land in Woodbury county, Iowa, and he owns two fine residences in the village of Hancock. In addition to tilling the soil and producing the crops best adapted to climatic conditions here found he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stoek quite extensively and both branches of his business are prov- ing profitable. He possesses strong purpose and unfaltering determination that enables him to overcome many difficulties and obstacles and by careful manage- ment he has worked his way upward to success.
On the 20th of August, 1885, Mr. Beatty was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Brown, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, November 23, 1856, a daughter of A. P. and Nancy (Ricker) Brown, who were natives of Ohio. Their family numbered five children. The mother departed this life in 1906 but the father still makes his home in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beatty were born five children but they lost one son, George Austin, who was born March 23, 1886, and was attending college at Des Moines when he died Sep- tember 10. 1904. The others are: Anna E., born December 26, 1887; Alvin T., born March 9, 1891; Mary M., born December 22, 1894; and James W., born February 26, 1899. All are at home.
346
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Mrs. Beatty is a member of the Christian church at Oakland and a most estimable lady, possessing many sterling traits of heart and mind. Mr. Beatty is a valued representative of the Odd Fellows lodge at Hancock, which he joined upon its organization. In politics he is an earnest democrat and for five years he served as school treasurer. His life record should serve as a source of en- couragement and inspiration to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do. His business affairs have been capably conducted. Tireless energy and honesty of purpose, joined to every-day com- mon sense, are his chief characteristics and have been the salient factors in his prosperity. Both he and his wife have a wide acquaintance and are held in the warmest regard by all who know them in this part of the state.
EDWARD D. BURKE.
The reader in search of the sensational chapter would find nothing of interest in the history of Edward D. Burke, but the student of human nature who places a true value on life and its opportunities would learn in the perusal of this record that it has been through close application and the exercise of his native talents that Edward D. Burke has attained his present enviable and responsible position as cashier and general manager of the Citizens Bank of Walnut.
He was born in Durant, Iowa, November 29, 1866, his parents being Patrick and Mary ( Murphy) Burke, both natives of Ireland, the former born in County Tipperary. in 1832, and the latter in County Cork, in 1837. They came to the United States when young people and each settled on Staten Island, New York, where they were married. Afterward they re- moved to Pottsville, Schuylkill county. Pennsylvania, where the father en- gaged in mining, but the west attracted him, thinking that he might have bet- ter business opportunities and advantages in a district less thickly settled. In 1854 he accordingly joined the band of pioneers who were reclaiming Cedar county, Iowa. for the uses of civilization, and located in Durant, where he was engaged in various lines of business until 1873. Ile then removed to Walnut, purchased a tract of land north of the town and engaged in farming for five or six years, bringing his fields into a state of rich fertility. He then retired from active agricultural life and took up his abode in the village of Walnut, where he lived until 1906, when he removed to Rocky Ford, Colorado, where he is now making his home with his son, Charles M. Burke. He lives with his children and has retired from active business. He has long survived his wife, who died in 1882, in the faith of the Catholic church, of which he is still a communicant. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are yet living, namely: William F., a resident of Walnut; John P., whose home is in Los Angeles, California; Charles M., living at Rocky Ford, Colorado: and Elizabeth M., the wife of Albert M. Brassy, of San Jose, California.
347
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
The other member of the family is Edward D. Burke who, while spend- ing his boyhood days under the parental roof, acquired his education in the public schools of Walnut, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the various tasks which were assigned him at home. From his eighteenth year he worked in the store of his brother, W. F. Burke, at Walnut, until 1888, when he accepted the position of assistant cashier in the Exchange Bank. In 1890 the bank was reorganized into the Exchange State Bank, and Mr. Burke continued to act as assistant cashier until 1895. In that year he joined his brothers, William F., John P. and Charles M. Burke, in organizing and establishing the Citizens Bank of Walnut, and became the cashier and general manager of this new financial institution. Under his capable control the bank soon became recognized as one of the strong and reliable financial institutions of Pottawattamie county and a liberal patronage has been accorded it. The firm of Burke Brothers do an extensive real-estate business and are largely interested in farming and in the live-stock business, while their banking interests are second to no bank in this section of the county.
On the 10th of October, 1894, Edward D. Burke was married to Miss Florence L. Simpson, a daughter of Jeremiah Simpson, of Fowler, Indiana, and now a resident of Iowa Falls, Iowa. Unto this marriage one child has been born, Simpson, whose natal day was August 5, 1895.
Mr. Burke is independent in politics but is much interested in the sub- ject of good government and opposed to misrule in public offices. He believes that the same honesty, integrity and ability should be brought to bear in the discharge of official duties as in the conduct of private business interests, and such was his demonstration, when for some years he served as town treasurer. He stands for advancement, reform and improvement along all lines affecting the general interests of society and his own career proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
MATTHIAS P. MERGEN.
Matthias P. Mergen, junior partner of the firm of Neumayer & Mergen, proprietors of the Neumayer Hotel, of Council Bluffs, was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1872. His father, Philip Mergen, now living in Omaha, was a native of Germany, who is now living retired from business, having for many years been an active factor in business circles wherein he won the competence that now enables him to enjoy his present ease. He married Walburg Tisch, and they had four children: Matthias P .; John P .; Mary, the wife of Antone Schmitz; and Louisa.
Matthias P. Mergen remained a resident of his native city until 1883, after which he spent six years in different parts of the west prior to locating in Council Bluffs in 1889. Here he entered business life, being employed in different ways until 1903, when he formed his present partnership with Mr. Neumayer. They are conducting the Neumayer Hotel, and have a
348
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
large and growing business, drawing an extensive patronage from the country people who visit the city. They conduct a first class hostelry and their prosperity is well merited.
Mr. Mergen was married in 1903 to Miss Theresa Neumayer, and they have two children, Eleanor L. and Frances A. Mr. Mergen is independent in politics. He belongs to the Catholic church and is well known in the city, where for eighteen years he has made his home, or since he attained the age of sixteen. He is yet a young man, energetic, alert and enterpris- ing, and in the conduct of his present business has not only become well known but has also gained a gratifying measure of prosperity.
ADOLPH KAY.
Adolph Kay has for thirty-one years lived upon his present farm on section 14. York township, where he owns four hundred acres of productive and valuable land. He also has four hundred and eighty aeres in Minden township, so that he is one of the large landowners and prominent represent- atives of the agricultural interests of the county, being engaged extensively in stoek-raising in addition to the production of grain. A fact of which due recognition is not usually accorded in connection with the agricultural history of the west is that to no foreign element is due a greater amount of credit for the advancement of this character than to those who have had their nativity in or trace their lineage to the great empire of Germany. Among those who left the fatherland to identify themselves with American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and who are a credit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption is the Kay family.
He whose name introduces this review was born in Holstein, Germany, April 20, 1861, his parents being Detlef and AAnna Kay, farming people of Germany, whence they came to America in 1870. They did not tarry in the east but made their way at once across the country to Pottawattamie county. Adolph was the youngest of their seven children and was at that time nine years of age. The father farmed for one year just south of Council Bluffs and then removed to Mills county, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land. This he improved, living there for five years, when he sold that property and in 1876 returned to Pottawattamie county. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in York township, making his home thereon up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1891. when he was seventy-three years of age. His widow is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-four years and makes her home with a daughter in Mineola, Mills county, Iowa.
Adolph Kay was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of agricultural life for him in his boyhood and youth, save the emigration from the fatherland to the new world. In Iowa he assisted in the arduous task
.349
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
of developing a new farm as his age and strength permitted and he gave to his father the benefit of his services until after he had attained his majority.
On the 21st of March, 1889, Mr. Kay was married to Miss Anna Rohlfs, a native of Germany, and a daughter of John Rohlfs, of Minden township. Following his marriage he took charge of his father's estate and built thereon a good two-story residence, also adding substantial barns, eribs and other outbuildings as they were needed. He likewise set out the first orchard on the place. From time to time he has been buying land until he now owns four hundred aeres in the old homestead and four hundred and eighty acres in Minden township, so that he is one of the large landholders of the county. He raises good grades of stock, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle and Duroc hogs, and he now feeds two or three carloads of hogs annually. He is an excellent judge of stock, seldom if ever at error in his estimate of the value of any farm animals.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kay were born four children but they lost twins in infancy. The others, Walter and Martha, are still under the parental roof. The parents are members of the Lutheran church at Minden and Mr. Kay gives his political allegiance to the republican party upon questions of state and national importance, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He was road supervisor for one term and then resigned, never caring for office. He has found that private business pursuits make sufficient claim upon his time and attention. His business duties are onerous because of the extent of his realty holdings but his life of intense activity finds compensation in the excellent income which results as a reward for his care and labor. In his business affairs he is found thoroughly reliable and in an analyzation of the character and life of Mr. Kay we note many of the characteristics which have marked the German nation for many centuries-the persever- ance, trustworthiness, energy and an unconquerable determination to pursue a course that has been marked out.
VERNON LAURENCE TREYNOR, M. D.
Dr. Vernon Laurence Treynor, one of the leading physicians and sur- geons of Council Bluffs, was born in this city on the 28th of September, 1866, and is a son of Thomas P. and Mary E. (Smith) Treynor. The father was a native of England, and the son of an officer in the British army. Coming to the United States at the age of sixteen years, he located in Ohio, where he made his home until after his marriage, and in the spring of 1853 came to Iowa, taking up his abode in Council Bluffs. When a young man he engaged in business as a carriage builder but subsequently turned his attention to newspaper work, owning a controlling interest in the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil. As a prominent and influential citizen, he took quite an active part in public affairs and for eight years filled the office of postmaster of Council Bluffs under both administrations of President Grant. On his retire- ment from that office he located on a farm, where he made his home until
350
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
his death in January, 1892. His wife, who was born in Olio of Dutch and English stock, is also deceased. She was a devoted wife and mother and like her husband was held in high regard by all who knew her.
Reared in the city of his nativity, Dr. Treynor is indebted to its public schools for his early educational privileges, and after completing his literary course he took up the study of medicine, graduating from the medical depart- ment of the Iowa State University with the degree of M. D. Since then he has been actively engaged in the practice in Council Bluffs and has met with most gratifying success.
On the 13th of October, 1891, Dr. Treynor was united in marriage to Miss Susie C. Clark, of Iowa City, and to them have been born four sons but only two are now living, namely: Thomas P., born April 29, 1895; and Jack, born September 21, 1897.
In addition to his large private practice the Doctor has served on the staff of the W. C. A. and St. Bernard's Hospital; and as surgeon for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Union Pacific Railroad Companies. For some time he was professor of physiology in the Omaha Medical College and also in the Dental College of that city, is now professor of clinical medicine in the College of Medicine, University of Nebraska; has served as coroner of Pottawattamie county; and for two terms served as city physician of Council Bluffs, during which time he made a strenuous effort to improve the sanitary conditions of the city and enforce the quarantine laws. In 1904 Dr. Treynor was elected by the legislature a member of the board of regents of the Iowa State University but has found little time to devote to outside matters other than refer to his profession. He has. however, taken a very active and prominent part in the work of various medical fraternities, liaving served as president and secretary of the Council Bluffs Medical Society; as secretary of the Iowa State Medieal Society; as president of the Medical Society of the Missouri Valley; and also as president of the South- western Iowa Medical Association. In addition to these societies he is also a member of the Iowa State Association of Railway Surgeons; the Interna- tional Association of Railway Surgeons; and the American Medical Asso- eiation. He is not only prominent in professional circles but is also popular socially and is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity; the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; and the Woodmen of the World.
GEORGE W. SPENCER.
The farming interests of Neola township find a worthy representative in George W. Spencer, who resides on section 27, where he owns an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty acres. He is, morcover. a public-spirited citizen who in community affairs has been active and influential. IIe is now serving for the second term as a member of the county board and exercises his official prerogatives in support of many measures and movements for
351
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
the general good. More than a half century has come and gone since he arrived in Pottawattamie county to become actively identified with its agricultural interests.
He was but an infant when brought to the county in 1852, his birth having occurred in Cook county, Illinois, September 23, 1851. In both the paternal and maternal lines he is of English lineage, his parents, Thomas and Salina (Childsworth) Spencer, being natives of England, where they were reared and married. After crossing the Atlantic they spent about a year in Cook county, Illinois, and in 1852 came to lowa, making a permanent location in Pottawattamie county. For many years the father carried on farming but is now living retired in Neola.
George W. Spencer was reared here amid the wild scenes and environ- ments of pioneer life. He acquired a common-school education and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm, so that he gained practical experience concerning all the duties and labors incident to farm life. On the 28th of February, 1877, Mr. Spencer was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Hunter, who was born and reared in Scot- land. After their marriage they lived upon a rented farm for a year and Mr. Spencer then purchased eighty acres where he now resides. He paid for this in four years and then bought an adjoining tract of eighty acres, which he broke, tiled and fenced, converting the place into productive fields. He has also built a good dwelling, a new barn and granary upon the place and has added to the farm a tract of twenty acres, so that he now owns altogether one hundred and eighty acres in one body. The soil is very rich and pro- ductive, responding readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. He has also planted an orchard and grove, has enclosed his farm with barbed and woven wire fencing and has thus divided it into fields of con- venient size. In connection with the cultivation of grain he raises and feeds stock, and though he started out in life empty-handed he is today numbered among the men of affluence ip his community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have been born a large family of eight sons and six daughters, namely: Charles, who is married and resides in Sacra- mento, California; William, who owns and conducts a bank at Thurston, Nebraska; Frank, with his brother in Sacramento; Donald, who follows farm- ing on his own account in Neola township; Alexander, a graduate of the Neola high school; George, Clayton and Raymond, all at home; Bessie, the wife of Robert Sealock, a railroad man now of Sacramento; Helen and Mamie, who are teachers in this county; Bertha, a student in Neola; Ruth, who is attending the home school; and Gracie, who completes the family.
In his political views Mr. Spencer has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. The first public office to which he was ever called was that of township road supervisor. He has also been identified officially with the schools, having been a member and also president of the school board. He has, likewise been township trustee and in 1903 was elected a member of the board of county supervisors, to which position he was re-elected in 1906, so that he is now serving for the second term. The present board have been putting forth effective efforts to
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.