USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 45
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
In 1885 Judge Snyder was married at Greenburg, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mazie, daughter of Eli MeGlauglin, and they had six children, of whom two sons and a daughter are yet living, namely: Erwin P., Kenneth McGlauglin and Ruth A.
Judge Snyder is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, of which he is now serving as an elder. Strong in his purposes, clear in liis views, determined in his actions, Judge Snyder is recognized as one of the able and honored citizens of Council Bluffs, winning success in his professional career and commanding the confidence and trust of his fellowmen by reason of an irreproachable private life.
HUGH PRITCHARD.
Hugh Pritchard is the owner of the Fairview Stock Farm, having two hundred and forty acres of valuable land on section 24, Knox township, and seventy aeres on section 19, Layton township, and aside from his agricultural interests is known in business circles as one of the directors and stockholders of the Avoca State Bank and a stockholder in the Savings Bank of Avoca. He is likewise financially interested in the Harlem & Avoca Telephone Com- pany, of which he is a director, and his capable management of his business interests makes him a leading and prosperous resident of Pottawattamie county.
His birth occurred in Oneida county, New York, on the 28th of June. 1848, his parents being Daniel and Elizabeth (Hughes) Pritchard, both of whom were natives of Wales. They came to America in 1837, settling in Oneida county, New York, and unto them were born six children but Hugh Pritchard is now the only survivor of the family. The father was a tailor by trade and followed that pursuit for twelve years in the Empire state. In
C
.
NULIC LIBRAI
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
435
IIISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
1849 he removed to Racine, Wisconsin, where he engaged in tailoring and farming until 1864, when he came to Iowa, locating near Iowa City. There his wife died July 2, 1871, and in 1875 he came to Pottawattamie county, making his home with his son Hugh until called to his final rest January 26, 1893, his grave being made by the side of his wife in Iowa City.
Hugh Pritchard was a young child at the time of the removal of the family to Wisconsin. He was graduated from the Racine Seleet School and also attended the Iowa State University. After completing his own education he taught school in Johnson county, Iowa, for four years. He has continuously followed farming since 1874, when he located upon his present farm in Knox township, Pottawattamie county. It is all arable and the fields annually re- turn rich harvests. Mr. Pritchard is likewise extensively engaged in raising and breeding shorthorn Durham cattle and has recently purchased a straight Scotch Durham bull, for which he paid eight hundred and fifty dollars, at West Branch, Iowa. He is now only a senior yearling but weighs sixteen hun- dred pounds. In addition to his fine cattle Mr. Pritchard has a valuable flock of Oxford Down sheep and his stock-raising interests are a very important branch of his business. However, he has extended his efforts into other fields of activity and is prominently known in financial circles, being one of the di- rectors and stockholders of the Avoca State Bank ; a stockholder in the Citizens Savings Bank of Avoca; and one of the heavy stockholders in the Harlem & Avoca Telephone Company. He readily solves intricate business problems and clearly understands complex business situations. His judicious use of his op- portunities have led to his steady advancement in the business world and he is now one of the prosperous citizens of Knox township.
On the 9th of November, 1871, Mr. Pritchard married Miss Laura M. Shaff, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, January 17, 1850, a daughter of H. N. and Angeline (Fry) Shaff, in whose family were ten children. The father, who was a native of Ontario, Canada, died in this state, January 17, 1890, having survived his wife for about six years. She was born in Licking county, Ohio, and died July 13, 1884. The Fry family, to which she belonged, was an old and honored one. Her father, Jacob Fry, was a native of Vir- ginia and of Dutch ancestry. About 1809 he became a resident of Ohio and from that state enlisted in the war of 1812. In the fall of 1839 he brought his family to Iowa and located at what became known as Frytown, where he developed a fine farm, dying there in 1845. His wife, who died at the age of fifty-five years, bore the maiden name of Susanna Breekenbaugh and was a na- tive of Pennsylvania. In their family were nine sons and five daughters.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard have been born six children: Lizzie M., now the wife of W. H. Jackson, a resident of Oakland, Iowa; James N., who wedded Mary C. Ward and is living in North Dakota; Charles D., who mar- ried S. Grace Wood and is engaged in the implement and harness business in Oakland; Nellie, who is a graduate of the Avoca high school and is now the wife of Walter Ward, living in North Dakota; Jennie, at home; and William E., who married Nellie Gerusil and lives on one of his father's farms.
Politically Mr. Pritchard is a republican and for fifteen years has served as secretary and treasurer of the school board, while at the present writing, in
436
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
1907, he is a school trustee. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 154, of Avoca, and he and his family are all members of the Congregational church at that place. They occupy an enviable position in social circles and Mr. Pritchard is likewise prominent in business life, all recognizing the strength of his character and his marked individuality.
IRA PLATNER.
Ira Platner, deceased, was numbered among the pioneers of Council Bluffs, having become a resident of the city in 1850, when the Indians were still numerous in this section of the state. The town, too, was of small pro- portions and of little industrial and commercial importance. With its busi- ness interests he became closely associated as a real-estate dealer and money loaner, and so continued throughout his remaining days. He was born in Cherry Valley, New York, a son of Christopher Platner, who was a native of Germany, whence he came to America in early life, first settling in the Empire state. There he resided for a few years, after which he removed westward to Cedar county, lowa, purchasing a tract of land near Tipton. He then began the development and improvement of that property and was engaged in gen- eral farming there until his death, while his wife also passed away in the same locality.
Ira Platner began his education in the schools of his native state and fur- ther continued his studies in Cedar county, Iowa. He resided there when a young man and was associated with his father in the work of the home farm. After his first marriage, however, he left Cedar county and in 1850 came to Council Bluffs, where he began dealing in real estate, buying and selling city property and also building and making improvements. He thus added much to the attractive appearance of Council Bluffs and to its substantial growth and progress. He was very successful in his real-estate operations and the money that he made on his property he would loan on land to farmers and newcomers, who were then making their way into this section of the country to settle homes. He continued in the real-estate and loan business up to the time of his demise and in all his business operations met with gratifying prosperity.
While living in Cedar county. Iowa. Mr. Platner was married to a Miss Bear, who died in Council Bluffs. There were five children by that marriage: Marshall, who is now residing in Montana, where he is engaged in mining; Adnie Dwight, who makes his home in Monts Ferry, Ohio; E. Adelia. the de- ceased wife of William A. Mynster, a very prominent attorney of Council Bluffs; and two who died in infancy.
After losing his first wife. Mr. Platner was married in this city to Miss Elizabeth -S. Blair, born August 6, 1831. in Bourbon county, Kentucky, and a daughter of James Blair, who removed from the Blue Grass state to Potta- wattamie county in an early day and settled on a farm near Council Bluffs. He engaged in farming here for a short time and then went to the far west, establishing his home in California, where he engaged in farming and fruit-
437
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
raising, becoming very wealthy through his business operations in that place. He resided there throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1899, and his wife passed away in that state in 1906. Unto the second marriage of Mr. Platner there were born two sons, Charles and Clay B. The former died in 1905, leaving a widow, who bore the maiden name of Annie B. Smith. She is now a resident of Council Bluffs and has one daughter, Lizzie Marie. The younger son, Clay B. Platner, is a salesman for the wholesale grocery house of Groneweg & Schoentgen of this city. He was married January 24, 1883, to Miss Carrie Kintz, and they make their home with his mother, together with two of their children. They have three sons: John, at home; Charles, now of Nevada; and Dwight, at home. They also lost a daughter, Ruth C., who died at the age of eighteen months.
The death of Mr. Platner occurred in 1899. He held several minor of- fices in the city but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he had firm faith in its principles. His wife and daughter-in-law are both members of the Presby- terian church. Mrs. Platner owns considerable property here and for many years resided in a brick residence on Broadway but in 1907 sold that property and erected a large and attractive dwelling at No. 111 Glen avenue, where she is now living, together with her son and his family. Mr. Platner was for al- most a half century a well known and prominent business man of the city, his business interests bringing him into close connection with many residents of this part of the state and wherever he was known he was held in high es- teem. In his business career he was watchful of opportunities and through the improvement of the advantages which came to him he was enabled to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances.
WILLIAM L. OVERMAN.
William L. Overman, president of the Oakland Savings Bank since Feb- ruary 1, 1907, was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 8th of May, 1874. His father, Benjamin Overman, also a native of this state, is living at What- cheer, Iowa. Ile was formerly identified with farming but is now engaged in merchandising, and he gives his political support to the republican party. In early manhood he wedded Elizabeth L. Cunningham, who was born in Illi- nois and died in 1890 at the age of thirty-five years. They had six children : William L .; Myrtle, a trained nurse, living in Pasadena, California; Harriet, deceased ; Jesse, a farmer of Atalissa, Iowa; Pearl, a school teacher near Grin- nell, Iowa; and Charles, who follows farming near Atalissa.
William L. Overman was reared to farm life and attended the country schools, after which he continued his studies in the high school at Malcom, Iowa. He afterward filled a clerical position with the Rock Island Railroad Company at Malcom, eventually becoming telegraph operator and subsequently station agent, continuing at that place for seven years. He was afterward transferred to Anita as agent. spending eight years there, on the expiration of
438
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
which period he resigned to enter the banking house of James E. Bruce at Anita. He spent two and a half years in that place, after which he was trans- ferred to a bank owned by Mr. Bruce at Atlantic, Iowa, where he served as cashier for about two years. He came to Oakland on the 1st of February, 1907, when the Spalti Brothers Bank was reorganized and incorporated as the Oak- land Savings Bank, Mr. Overman becoming its president. His experience in the banking business, acquainting him with every detail, well qualified him to take up the onerous duties which now devolved upon him in this connection. He brings to his work keen discernment, sagacity and unfaltering industry- qualities which argue well for a successful future. He is a member of the Iowa Bankers' Association.
In 1896 was celebrated the marriage of William L. Overman and Anna Cady, who was born in Malcom, Iowa, in May, 1873, a daughter of Silas M. and Julia Cady, the former a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Overman have one daughter, Dorothy Louise, born in March, 189S. A member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp, Mr. Overman is loyal to the principles and the purposes of these orders. He is equally faithful in his allegiance to the republican party and while liv- ing in Anita was a member of the city council but he prefers to give undivided time and attention to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with merited success.
FRANKLIN W. MILLER.
Franklin W. Miller, an able practitioner at the bar of Council Bluffs, has been a resident of Iowa since 1881, in which year he settled in Mills county, coming thenee to this city in 1896. He was born in Fulton county, Illinois, his parents being Daniel Y. and Jane (Randolph) Miller, who settled in the Prairie state in 1848 and are still living there.
Mr. Miller's life has been one of intense and well directed activity. His literary education being completed, he engaged in teaching school for five years and during that time devoted his leisure, aside from the duties of the schoolroom, to the mastery of the principles of law. After careful and thor- ough preparation he was admitted to the bar at Springfield, Illinois, in 1880, by the supreme court of that state. The following year he removed to Iowa and settled in Mills county, where he continued in the practice of his profes- sion until his removal to Council Bluffs in 1896. He has for twenty-seven years been a member of the bar, during which time he has given proof of his wide and comprehensive knowledge of law principles and his ability in cor- rectly applying them to the points in litigation. He is engaged in general practice in all the courts, both state and federal, and he was in 1906 honored by the democratic nomination for the office of district judge. The district, however, has a republican majority of eight thousand and although he did not succeed in overcoming this he ran far ahead of his ticket, polling a strong vote. Aside from what he has accomplished in his profession, Mr. Miller is deserving of mention for what he has done in establishing an independent
439
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
telephone system here. He was the organizer of the Independent Telephone Company at Council Bluffs, having been the one who formed the company by selecting the persons composing it and who circulated a petition for its fran- chise, which was carried by a vote of two to one at a special city election held therefor and was also the first signer for stock. The movement was started on the 15th of July, 1904, and the company was organized in the spring of 1905. It now has over three hundred thousand dollars invested, a local exchange of over three thousand and connection with one hundred and seventy thousand phones in Iowa and Nebraska. Mr. Miller deserves great credit for this work. He has never asked nor held office in connection with the company, simply laboring for the good of the community in this direction.
Mrs. Miller bore the maiden name of Belle B. Whitmore and was a resi- dent of Fulton county, Illinois, her parents being HI. J. and Ann Whitmore, the former a farmer by occupation. They have three sons: Earl W., now a student in the state college at Ames, Iowa, where he is pursuing an electrical engineering course ; Carl D., a student at the John A. Creighton Medical Col- lege in Omaha, Nebraska; and Clarence, who is attending the high school at Council Bluffs. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Women's Club and has al- ways taken a very active part in associate charity work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are prominent socially and one of the leading features of their attrac- tive home is its warm hearted hospitality They attend the Congregational church and Mr. Miller is a member of the Elks lodge, the Commercial Club and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In community affairs he is deeply and helpfully interested, his name being a synonym for true American patriotism, which secks the good of the community and not personal aggrand- izement.
ROBERT W. JONES.
Robert W. Jones, chief of the fire department of Council Bluffs, was born in Greene county, Iowa, in 1873, a son of Augustus Jones, who was born in New York in 1826 and died in 1903 at Council Bluffs. The father lived in those days when a man's life was filled with various industries and various in- terests and was not given to a specialty as it is today. As a young man he taught school, that being considered a most dignified position for young men, but it proved to be too tame for him and he took up life as a steward on a merchant ship on the lakes, where he had various interesting experiences. His father had early apprenticed him to a carpenter and he felt that at any time he could return to the trade which he had acquired when a boy. He was also proficient as an agriculturist, having been reared upon a farm. In 1849 he was seized with the gold fever and took a trip overland to California.
Robert W. Jones came to Council Bluffs with his parents at the age of seven, and here he received his education in the public schools. He was a proficient student but, like all boys, was eager to get out in the world and earn his own living. He had from the time he was a child been interested in fire
440.
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
engines and had followed them with enthusiasm on their missions through the streets. At the age of seventeen he left school and entered the fire depart- inent, first as pipeman, then as captain of No. 4, and in April, 1906, was made chief. Unlike his father, who was interested in many lines, Mr. Jones early selected the business that he cared for most and has stuck to it with the per- sistent determination to win the highest position that it offered.
In 1901, Mr. Jones was married, in Council Bluffs, to Mary A. Wilson, a daughter of E. Wilson. He has been a life-long republican and though he has never sought the offices or honors of his party he has always been active in as- sisting those who have done so. On occasions of duty or emergency he has al- ways asserted himself with energy and promptness. He is a devoted husband, an honorable and enterprising citizen, a genial and generous companion, vigi- lant yet kind and humane in all the offices of life. There are hosts of families in this city who feel deeply grateful to Mr. Jones for his efficient work as chief of the fire department. Fraternally he is connected with the Maccabees, the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles and the Woodmen of the World.
PAUL McDONALD.
Paul MeDonald, living in Neola township. his farming interests covering portions of sections 2, 3, 10 and 11, is numbered among the prosperous and progressive agriculturists and stock-raisers of this locality. His place em- braces three hundred and thirty aeres and is well improved with good build- ings and modern and valuable equipments, such as facilitate the work which now claims his attention. His place is pleasantly located within four miles of Neola, so that the conveniences of town life are easily accessible.
Mr. McDonald is a native of Illinois, having been born in La Salle county, October 27, 1857. His father, James MeDonald. was born in Ireland and on coming to the new world in 1844 settled first in St. Louis, Missouri, whence he afterward removed to La Salle county, Ilhnois. He was a pioneer of that lo- cality and opened up and developed a farm there, upon which he reared his family and spent his remaining days. His family numbered three sons and a daughter, of whom Paul McDonald is the eldest. The sister is Bridget, the wife of Dennis Owens. a farmer of Bureau county, Illinois. The brothers are: John J., a substantial agriculturist of Neola township: and William J. McDon- ald, who follows farming in Bureau county, Ilinois.
Paul McDonald was reared upon the old farm homestead in the county of his nativity and acquired his education in the public schools there. He was a young man of twenty-three years when he came westward to lowa, settling in Pottawattamie county in 1880. He soon returned to Illinois, however, but in 1882 located permanently here. On his previous visit he had in connec- tion with his father purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, which is now owned by Paul MeDonald and his brother. John J. In 1880 he began to break the sod and till the fields. Later he built a good dwelling and also sub- stantial barns for the shelter of hay, grain and stock. He likewise planted
441
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
shade and fruit trees, which add much to the value and attractive appearance of the place. His farm. now one of the fine properties of Neola township, has been developed entirely from the raw prairie. He at first owned but one hundred and twenty acres, to which, however, he has added from time to time as his financial resources have permitted until he now has three hundred and twenty acres all in one body. It is a good tract of land, responding readily to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it and in connection with the cultivation of crops best adapted to soil and climate Mr. McDonald raises high grade Hereford cattle, having a herd of one hundred head with two pure blooded registered males at the head of the herd. He makes a business of raising, feeding and fat- tening stock and keeps from fifty to sixty head annually. In the management of his business affairs he displays good judgment which, coupled with his un- faltering industry, has secured his success.
In Neola, in 1885, Mr. MeDonald was married to Miss Rachel Ballard, who was born at Salt Lake City, Utah, a daughter of Mrs. Peter Drury, of Boomer township, where Mrs. McDonald was reared and educated. By her marriage she has become the mother of three daughters: Lizzie, who was edu- cated in Neola and at Island Park, Des Moines, and is now a teacher in this county; Nellie, the wife of Garrett Sehnitker, a farmer of Neola township; and Mary, at home.
Politically Mr. MeDonald is independent, casting his ballot for candi- dates, regardless of party affiliations, considering only their capability and fit- ness for office. He has never desired political preferment himself, as he has always wished to give undivided attention to his business affairs. Ile and his wife are Catholies in religious faith, holding membership with the church in Neola.
C. H. BERKSHIRE.
C. H. Berkshire, living on section 31, Valley township, owns and eulti- vates one hundred and twenty acres of land, which is rich and productive. He was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on the 17th of March, 1837, and has therefore reached the Psalmist's allotted span of three seore years and ten. His parents were Felix and Herlina (Hencely) Berkshire, natives of Kentucky, whence they removed to Indiana in 1836, there residing for three years. In 1836 they became residents of Lawrence county, Illinois, where the family home was maintained until 1856. The mother died in 1851, and five years later the father took his family to Kentucky, where he remained until 1865. He then became a resident of Illinois and later removed to Indiana, where his death occurred. In his family were eight children.
C. H. Berkshire, the only surviving member of the family, was reared to farm life and started out for himself at the early age of fourteen years, work- ing by the month as a farm hand until 1861. He then put aside all business and personal considerations and offered his services to the government, en- listing in the Sixty-second Illinois Infantry. He participated in several hotly
442
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
contested engagements in that sanguinary conflict and served until 1864, when he was honorably discharged in Virginia. With a most creditable military record he returned to his home in Illinois, where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1871. In that year he came to Iowa, settling in Valley township, Pottawattamie county, where he purchased eighty acres of land upon which he is now living. Later he bought forty acres more, making a total of one hundred and twenty acres on section 31, Valley township.
In 1867 Mr. Berkshire was united in marriage to Miss Lavinia Jarett, who was born in Henderson county, Illinois, in 1848. They have become the parents of three children: Mary, at home; Frederick F. and C. C., both in Council Bluffs. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Oakland and Mr. Berkshire belongs to the Masonic lodge, No. 335, at Oakland. Politically he is a democrat and though he has never held political office he has served for sixteen years as school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend, who is always loyal to the welfare of the public schools. His life has been one of untiring industry, crowned with success. Starting out empty-handed when a young boy, he has worked his way upward and is demonstrating the power of efficiency, energy and perseverance as factors in an active business life. Today, at the age of seventy years, he is in possession of a fine farm and goodly com- petence, so that he is now enabled to enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
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.