USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 46
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JOHN T. HAZEN.
John T. Hazen, who for many years figured prominently in connection with the official life in Avoca and Pottawattamie county, but is now practi- cally living retired, although to some extent he engages in auctioneering, has by reason of this line of business and by his public service become one of the best known men in this section of the state. He was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, on the 27th of July, 1846, his parents being Isaac and Rebecca (Stewart) Hazen. Although the family was established in the middle west in early pioneer times the father was a native of Pennsylvania, born about 1821, and in the Keystone state was reared. Soon after his twen- tieth year he was married and immediately started with his bride for the frontier, his destination being Dearborn county, Indiana. He was one of the first to engage in farming in that locality and in the midst of the forest he built a log cabin and cleared and developed his farm, which he continued to cultivate until his removal to Iowa in 1854. He again took up the hard- ships and burdens of pioneer life as he located in Washington county, this state, entering a quarter section of land from the government near Ains- worth, where he resided up to the time of his death, about 1893.
When his son, John T. Hazen, was but a boy the father took him in a covered wagon forty-one miles, to Davenport, to see the first railroad engine that was brought to the state. It was taken across the river on the ice and
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pulled up the bank by a eapstan and eable, having been brought to the state in order to haul the timbers and rails for the roadbed which was being built to the capital at Iowa City. The family was closely associated with pioneer conditions and events, bearing their full share in the work of progress and improvement.
The father was a life-long democrat but a man of retiring disposition and never sought or desired office. Having lost his first wife about 1860, he afterward wedded Mrs. Charlotte Allen. By the first marriage there were eight children, of whom four are yet living: Melinda, the widow of George W. Davis, of Plano, Iowa; Minerva, the wife of Ozias Stotts, of River- side, Iowa; Rosetta, the wife of Edwin F. Keys, of Ainsworth, Iowa; and John T. By the second marriage there were three children, of whom two are living: Emma A., whose home is in Ainsworth; and Charlotte, who is married and also resides in Ainsworth.
John T. Hazen was but a young lad of eight years when brought by his parents to Iowa and thus upon the frontier he was reared amid its wild scenes and environments, early becoming familiar with the hardships and diffi- eulties which beset the path of the pioneer. His education was acquired in the graded schools of Ainsworth and in the academy at Washington, Iowa. He received ample training in farm labor as he assisted his father in the development of the fields and later he began cultivating his father's land as a renter. In 1871 he came to Pottawattamie county, buying a farm of eighty aeres six miles southeast of Avoca in Layton township, where he settled down to farming. The land was then unbroken prairie and it required much arduous labor to transform it into cultivated fields. His first wife had died and he was a widower. As there was no house upon the place he lived for a time in a tent until he had opportunity to build a little cabin, in which he kept bachelor's hall for about eighteen months, when he was again married. His second wife's health proved poorly and he left the farm, removing to Avoea, where he has since resided. After loeating here he worked for some years as a day laborer, carrying the hod in the building of the second brick structure erected in the town. He was thus employed during the summer of 1877 and later he worked on a seetion at a dollar and fifteen eents per day. In this position, however, he was singled out by the roadmaster as a man of ability and placed in the freight-house, checking freight. Later he was made baggage master, which position he filled until he resigned in order to give his attention to anetioneering. IIe was able to speak both low and high German and after he took up quetioneering he soon found that his time was fully occupied in this way.
In less than twelve years after coming to Avoca Mr. Hazen was elected sheriff of the county, which position paid him more than six thousand dollars per year. In 1896 he again bought a farm on the corporate limits of the town, where he lived for five years, when he sold that place and invested in three quarter sections in Boyd county, Nebraska, which he still owns. Again taking up his abode in Avoea, he has since made it his place of residence and is yet engaged in auctioneering. He is the leading representative of the busi- ness in Pottawattamie and other counties of this portion of the state and has
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become very popular in that regard. As a crier of sales he is apt and ready and at the same time he displays the keen business judgment which enables him to drive a good bargain.
In 1867 Mr. Hazen was married to Miss Addie Jones, who died a year and a half later, and in September, 1872, he married Mrs. Julia R. Harris, of Avoca, who is a native of Indiana but was reared in Illinois, her father removing to Nauvoo just as the Mormons vacated that town. Mr. and Mrs. Hazen have become the parents of six children, of whom five are yet living: Clara M., the wife of Rev. Alexander F. Irvine, a prominent Congregational divine of New York city and a well known magazine writer; Paul T .; Mabel C., the wife of H. A. McComb, a farmer of the Rosebud agency and a grad- uate of the State University of Nebraska at Lincoln, while Mrs. McComb was formerly matron of the Sante Indian agency; Roy R .; and Edith E., at home. Ray, a twin brother of Roy, died in infancy. Paul is a graduate of the law department of Yale University and is now practicing at Naper, Boyd county, Nebraska. He was a member of the Yale football team and was a contestant in the oratorical contest in the south half of the state, win- ning a gold medal. Roy is a graduate of the law department of the Nebraska State University and a member of a Greek letter fraternity. He is now practicing his profession in Fairfax, South Dakota. He won the second honors in the oratorical contest in the south half of the state two years after his brother Paul had taken the medal, and Paul gained the silver medal or second honors in the state contest, losing by only three-eighths of a point. Both sons are prominent young attorneys.
In his political views Mr. Hazen is a stalwart democrat and was the only man elected on the democratic ticket in 1890, being chosen to the office of sheriff. Two years later he was again elected and for twenty-three years he served in various local position, but has now retired from active connection with political work. He is a member of Avoca camp. W. O. W .; Avoca lodge, No. 220, I. O. O. F., and of the encampment, while his wife and daughters are members of the Rebekah lodge. Mr. Hazen is a self-made man whose ad- vancement and prosperity in life have come to him through his own labors, and his record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when one is energetic and deter- mined and possesses laudable ambition.
EATON BARNES.
On a good farm on section 35, York township, lives Eaton Barnes, who is known in Pottawattamie county as a prosperous and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser. His landed possessions comprise four hundred and fifty acres and the soil is rich and productive, so that good results are obtained from his farm work. He is, moreover, entitled to representation in this volume as one of the early settlers of the county, having lived here for thirty-five years. He has made his home in the state since 1852, at which time he settled
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in Monroe county. The story of its development and progress is therefore largely familiar to him. He has witnessed the many changes which have brought it to its present condition of prosperity and in the localities where he has resided has contributed to its general growth.
Mr. Barnes is a native of Indiana, having been born near Morgantown, February 16, 1849. His father, Jesse Barnes, was a native of Kentucky, where he was reared, removing thence to Indiana. Ile was a wheelwright and gunsmith by trade and followed that business in the Hoosier state up to the time when he sought a home in Iowa, settling in Monroe county. Here he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, owning and occupying a farm in that county up to the time of his death. Ilis wife survives him now at the age of more than four score years and is living with a daughter.
Eaton Barnes was but three years of age at the time of the removal of his parents from Indiana to Iowa and was therefore reared upon the frontier in Monroe county, sharing with the family in the hardships and trials of pioneer life at a time when most of the homes of the locality were log cabins, when much of the land was uncultivated, and when the district was destitute of many of the improvements, advantages and conveniences known to the older east. His privileges were therefore comparatively few but his training at farm labor was not meager and he remained upon the old homestead with his father until he had attained his majority. However, in the meantime, when about fourteen years of age, he worked by the month as a farm hand and con- tinued in the employ of one man for nearly ten years, a fact which is indis- putable proof of his fidelity as well as his industry.
On the 12th of September, 1872, in Monroe county, was celebrated the marriage of Eaton Barnes and Miss Mary C. Roll, a native of Indiana, who was reared, however, in Monroe county, Iowa, where her father, W. L. Roll, settled at a very early date. He was a native of Kentucky and was descended from French parentage, the family having been established in Kentucky dur- ing the pioneer epoch of its development. After his marriage Mr. Barnes rented land in Mills county, Iowa, and engaged in farming for several years. In 1872 he arrived in Pottawattamie county and purchased a tract of raw land of one hundred and sixty acres. This he placed under the plow, continuing the work of further development and improvement as the years passed, while from time to time he has added to his original holdings until he now has four hundred and fifty acres all in one body, although a part of it lies just across the road in Washington township. The improvements upon the farm include a commodious and pleasant residence, a basement barn, large corn cribs and all of the latest machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. From sced that he planted he has raised fine maple, elm and other forest trees, and has put out four orchards, which are all in bearing. He has much fruit of all kinds, including apples, peaches, cherries and berries and has been very successful as a horticulturist. All these years he has also been raising, feeding and fatten- ing stock for the market, shipping annually about two carloads of hogs and from three to five carloads of cattle. Every branch of his business is proving profitable owing to his unfaltering energy and his perseverance that never flags. He has made a study of the best methods to pursue in raising grain,
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fruit and stock, and his knowledge, gained from research and practical ex- perience, largely makes him an authority upon questions connected with agri- cultural life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have been born ten children, of whom eight are yet living: Fremont, a resident farmer of Norwalk township; Eddy, who follows farming in York township; Albert L., who is in business for himself; Charles Fred, at home; Nettie, the wife of D. P. Donnivan, of Harrison county. Iowa; Mary L., the wife of Irving Andres, of Canada; Nealie and Nina, both at home. They lost two children-Fannie, who became the wife of Michael O'Leary and died about a year later, and Vernon, who died at the age of fourteen years.
Mr. Barnes votes with the democratic party but while he has been loyal to its interests he has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his farming and business interests. He has been a resident of the state from very early child- hood, has witnessed almost the entire development of Pottawattamie county and has assisted in many ways in the promotion of those interests which have contributed to its growth and prosperity. Mr. Barnes is well known as a man of striet integrity and sterling worth as well as of business capacity and enter- prise, and he and his estimable wife and their family are much esteemed in the county, while their hospitable home is a favorite resort with many friends.
CHARLES C. PLATNER.
Charles C. Platner, deceased, who resided in Council Bluffs and in Pot- tawattamic county during the greater part of liis life, devoted his time and energies to stock-raising and breeding. He was also the owner of fine race horses and in these connections was well known. For a short time he was on the police force of Council Bluffs-his native city. His birth occurred February 3, 1856, his parents being Ira and Elizabeth S. (Blair) Platner, of whom mention is made on another page of this work. Ilis educational privileges were those afforded by the common schools of this city.
When Mr. Platner became a young man he embarked in business on his own account, purchasing a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Hardin township, Pottawattamie county. IIe turned his attention to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. but made a specialty of stock-raising. Following his marriage he lived upon the farm until 1883, when he removed to the northern part of South Dakota, where he took up a claim, which he entered from the government. There he began the arduous task of developing a new farm and gave his time and energies to its further improvement. He also raised stock there for five years and in that time made a good property of his place. In 1888, however, he sold out there and returned to his farm in Hardin township, this county. Here he took up farming and stock-raising and also engaged in breeding fine stock, becoming an extensive breeder and raiser of horses. He was the owner of several fine race horses and as a
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stock-breeder did much to improve the grade of horses raised in this county. He resided on the farm there for several years and then removed to the city of Council Bluffs but still gave his attention to his agricultural interests and his fine race horses. After he had lived in the city for several years, on account of his size, his friends urged him to become a member of the police force and he accepted this but was not on the force long before he was accidentally shot, the injury proving fatal on the 3d of September, 1905.
While residing on his farm Mr. Platner was married in September, 1881, to Miss Anna B. Smith, a native of Greene county, Illinois, and a daughter of Harvey A. and Eliza (Kestler) Smith, both natives of Greene county, that state, where Mr. Smith engaged in farming until 1880. In that year he arrived in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, and purchased a farm in Hardin township. There he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1896, when he went west to look over the country and finally settled in Los Angeles, California, where he is now living a retired life, while Mrs. Smith, who is seventy-five years of age, makes her home in Council Bluffs with her daughter, Mrs. Platner. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Platner was born one child, Lizzie Marie, who is now the wife of Vietor P. Laustrup. They now reside in Council Bluffs with Mrs. Platner, Mr. Laustrup being a special agent here for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mr. Platner was a stanch democrat in politics, keeping well informed on the issues of the day. Hc was a member of the Eagles and of the Royal Arcanum and was popular in both organizations. Mrs. Platner is residing at No. 515 East Pierce street with her mother, and her daughter and family are making their home with her.
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JOHN F. JACKSON.
The eventful and stirring life of the west during the early mining and ranching days is familiar to John F. Jackson through actual experience. Moreover, he was born across the water, being a native of Glasgow, Scotland, his natal day being December 4. 1835. His parents were William and Mary Jackson, who in the year 1836 started for America. While on the voyage the mother became ill and died, the interment being made at sea. The father landed on the shores of the new world and located in Pennsylvania, where he purchased a small farm, on which he lived until his death. By his first marriage there were born three children. For his second wife he married Ann Stewart, by whom he had six children.
John F. Jackson, the only surviving member of the family, was less than a year old when brought to the United States by his father. His edu- cation was acquired in the public schools of Pennsylvania and he remained at home until twenty-three years of age, when, becoming imbued with a strong desire to see the west and understand its experiences, he made his way to Boone county, Illinois, in 1858. There he worked at farm labor by the month for a year and in 1859 he started for St. Charles, now Denver, Colo- rado, at which time the now populous and beautiful city that lies on the
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eastern border of the Rocky slope was a mere hamlet containing only a few log houses. Mining excitement had drawn settlers to that part of the country and Mr. Jackson hired out to wash gold for two dollars and a half per day. He cut logs with which to build the first house that was erected in Gregorytown, after which he and a cousin began prospecting for gold. They prospected for six weeks without results and then bought a mine for five hundred dollars, making a cash payment of one hundred dollars, and a second mine for fifteen thousand dollars, paying five hundred dollars down. The mines, however, proved to be failures. About this time Mr. Jackson became ill and for several weeks was in Denver unable to do any work. In 1860 he returned to Iowa and during the succeeding year was engaged in farm labor a part of the time.
Going again to Colorado in 1861, Mr. Jackson began freighting on the plains of the west, hauling goods from Omaha to Denver with oxen and mule teams. He followed that work for about seven years, making in all eighteen trips, which were fraught with many hardships and considerable danger, owing to the unsettled condition of the country and the hostility of the Indians. In fact he had one skirmish with the red men but managed to escape capture. In February, 1865, however, the Indians stole seven yoke of his cattle and burned one hundred tons of his hay. In 1867 he returned to Iowa and purchased a herd of cattle with the intention of taking them to Colorado but was prevented on account of the hostility of the Indians. who were upon the warpath. Accordingly he remained in Harrison county. Iowa, with his cattle until 1869, in which year he came to Pottawattamie county and bought a small farm of forty acres on section 13, Knox township. Resolutely he set to work to add to his possessions and as his financial resources increased he made further purchases from time to time until he now owns five hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting what is known as the Oakwood Stock Farm. This is one of the most valuable and productive farms of the county and is far-famed by reason of the high grades of stock here produced. In addition to this property he owns four hundred and eighty acres in North Dakota and a business block and fine residence in Avoca. He has always made a specialty of raising cattle, keeping on hand a herd of from seventy- five to one hundred and fifty head. He continued active in the management and control of his farming interests until 1903, when he left the old home- stead and removed to Avoca, where he is now living.
In his political views Mr. Jackson has always been an earnest republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons, belonging to lodge, No. 297. A. F. & A. M .. in which he has filled all of the chairs, and he likewise affiliates with the chapter.
On the 6th of August, 1857, Mr. Jackson was married to Miss Lydia Bradshaw, who was born in Edgar county, Illinois, September 14. 1839, a daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza Bradshaw, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. They came to Illinois at an early day and in 1846 removed to lowa, settling in Mahaska county, where they reared their family of seven children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born five
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children: Mary A., at home; William H., now in the implement business in Oakland; Lena M., the wife of William Carter, of Chewelah, Washington; Charles H., now on the home farm; and Edwin R., who is county superin- tendent of schools of Pottawattamie county and makes his home in Council Bluffs. He is a graduate of the Avoea high school and also of the State University at Iowa City. The son Charles was born in Knox township, in 1878, and remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when his father sold out and he took possession of the old homestead, which he is still operat- ing. He is also raising full blooded shorthorn cattle and full blooded Duroc Jersey hogs.
Mrs. Jackson and children are all members of the Congregational church and the family is prominent in the community. The life of Mr. Jackson has been fraught with many unusual experiences, which if written in detail would prove the old adage that "truth is stranger than fiction." In early manhood he became familiar with all of the experiences of the west at the time when the miner and the cowboy were the leading figures in the pioneer development of the district. In 1863, in Colorado, he bought a horse which was then seven years old and which he owned for thirty-six years, so that she had reached the astonishing age of forty-three years when she was killed. Mr. Jackson had the strongest attachment for this horse, for she saved his life by crossing the plains owing to her fleetness, which enabled him to out- run the Indians who were in pursuit. After coming to this county Mr. Jackson carefully conducted his farming and stock-raising interests for many years and when his labors had brought to him a handsome competenec, making him one of the men of affluence in western lowa, he retired from business to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well merited rest. Ile has now passed the Psalmist's span of three seore years and ten and as memory brings to his mind many events of the past he relates many interesting reminiscences of pioneer days in Colorado and of the early develop- ment of Pottawattamie county.
DIEDRICH KOHLSCHEEN.
The German-American element in our citizenship has always been ac- counted an important one, and prominent among the sons of the fatherland living in Pottawattamie county is numbered Diedrieh Kohlschcen. He was born in Damlos, Holstein, Germany, on the 11th of February, 1852, his parents being Claus and Lena (Schmutz) Kohlscheen. The father and mother spent their entire lives in their native country and there reared their fam- ily of six children, four of whom are now living, namely: August, a resi- dent of Avoca; Wilhelmina, the wife of John Pruhs, of Damlos, Holstein, Germany; Christiana, the wife of William Kriepke, also of Damlos; and Diedrich.
The last named was reared in his native country and acquired a com- inon-school education. His father was a farmer and he was early trained
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in the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He tills his fields, cul- tivates his crops and eventually gathers good harvests. His interest being awakened by the reports which he heard concerning America and its pos- sibilities, he determined 'to seek a home in the new world, hoping that he might enjoy better opportunities for financial advancement here. Accord- ingly, in 1877, he bade adieu to friends and native country and crossed the Atlantic to the United States, being at that time twenty-five years of age. Ilis brother August had preceded him to the new world and had located in Knox township, Pottawattamie county, so that on reaching the United States Diedrich Kohlscheen also made his way across the country to this county. For three years he worked for his brother and in the meantime, saving his earnings, he then purchased a farm of eighty aeres in Valley township. He afterward began farming on his own account and for nine years cultivated his original tract. In 1890, however, he sold that property and purchased his present home farm of three hundred and twenty aeres on section 10, Pleasant township, whereon he has since lived. It is a splendid property, the fields having been brought into a state of rich fertility and Mr. Kohl- scheen has also been quite extensively engaged in raising cattle, in which he has been very successful. AAlthough he arrived in America with a cash capital of only about fifty dollars he is today one of the wealthy farmers of Pottawattamie county. In 1889 Mr. Kohlscheen was united in marriage to Miss Emma Pruhs, of Avoca, but a native of Koselau, Holstein, Germany, having come to the new world in March prior to her marriage. This union has been blessed with three children, Bertha, Alma and Agnes, all of whom are yet under the parental roof, the family circle still being unbroken by the hand of death.
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