USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 50
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ADOLPH GEISE.
From an early period in the development and improvement of Potta- wattamie county Adolph Geise has resided within its borders and has not only been a witness of its growth and development but has also aided in its upbuilding, assisting in laying the foundation upon which has been reared the superstructure of its present prosperity and progress. As the years have passed he has conducted all business matters capably and with fairness to others and has prospered in his undertakings until he now owns five farms, all well improved, in Norwalk township, his home place being on section 18.
He has lived in this county since 1863, arriving here when a young man of twenty-two years. His birth occurred in Prussia, Germany, March 22, 1844, and there the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. He is largely a self-educated as well as a self-made man, his knowledge of the Eng- lish tongue being acquired after he came to the new world. The favorable reports which he heard concerning America and its business opportunities led him to determine to seek his fortune in this country. Accordingly he bade adieu to friends and native land and in 1866 sailed for New York. He then worked on a farm and in a brewery in Pennsylvania for about two years and in 1868 came west to Pottawattamie county. Here he was first em- ployed by the month in a brickyard at Council Bluffs, spending two years in that way.
MR. AND MRS. ADOLPH GEISE.
THE NEW YOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
ACTOR, LENOX AND T D. N FOUNDATIONS.
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By careful expenditure he saved considerable of his earnings and bought eighty acres of raw prairie land, whereon he now resides. As the year's passed he improved this farm, converting the wild tract into productive fields. The boundaries of the place he extended by additional purchase from time to time and he also invested in other tracts of land in Norwalk township until he is now one of the most extensive landowners of the county, having here nearly one thousand acres, in addition to which he owns a sec- iton of land in Alberta, Canada. IIe improved most of his farm himself and on the home place has built a fine residence and substantial barns. He raises and feeds stock, shipping annually from two to five carloads of fat cattle and also some hogs. In all that he has undertaken he has been prac- tical, showing an aptitude for successful management combined with keen discernment and sound judgment in making investments.
Mr. Geise was married in this county in 1872, to Miss Margaret Young, a native of Iowa and of German parentage. They became the parents of ten children who are still living. William G., of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume; Fritz, who assists in carrying on the home farm; August, a high school student; Ernest, Carl and Otto, all at home; Mena, the wife of Fred Klopping; Mary, the wife of Henry Bonnes; Louisa, the wife Philip Geise, and Margaret, at home. They also lost two children, Adolph and Martha, the former dying at the age of ten years and the latter in in- fancy.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church at Underwood and are most highly esteemed people, their lives being in harmony with their pro- fessions. Mr. Geise for more than a third of a century has lived the life of an active, energetic farmer, making good use of his business opportunities and carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He indeed deserves much credit for his splendid record, whereby he has ad- vanced from a humble position in the business world to a place among the most prominent and prosperous agriculturists of Pottawattamie county.
THOMAS BURKE.
Thomas Burke has since 1903 resided upon his excellent farm of two hun- dred and thirty acres situated just outside the corporation limits of Avoca on sections 8 and 17, Knox township. Here he is making a specialty of the rais- ing and feeding of shorthorn cattle and hogs, and his stock-raising interests are an important branch of his business. He was born in Ireland on the 5th of December, 1846, a son of Edmund and Abby (Murphy) Burke, who were also natives of Ireland and passed away in that country. They were the parents of three sons, as follows: James, who resides in Massachusetts; John, living in California; and Thomas, of this review.
Thomas Burke acquired his education in the schools of Ireland and lived in the land of his nativity until nineteen years of age, when he determined to establish his home in the new world. Accordingly he set sail for America and
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on the 1st of June, 1865, landed at Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked on a farm for two years. He then learned the trade of a leather finisher, with which he was identified for six years. In 1873, however, he came west, locat- ing in Marshall county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for four months. At the end of that time he removed to Cass county, Iowa, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he farmed for one year, when he moved to the town of Anita. Here he secured employment as a section hand with the Rock Island Railroad and was engaged in that work for eight years, at the end of which time he was promoted to the position of section boss and sent to Avoca, Iowa, being there employed in that capacity for twenty years. On the expiration of that period he bought a farm of two hundred and thirty acres on sections 8 and 17, Knox township, Pottawattamie county, just outside the corporation limits of Avoca, and took up his abode thereon in the fall of 1903. This is one of the most valuable farms in the county and in addition to the cultivation of the fields, he makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs, having now a herd of more than one hundred head of cattle and one hundred and fifty hogs. In all his business interests Mr. Burke displays an aptitude for successful management, and both as a farmer and stock-raiser has met with an unusual degree of prosperity, being widely recog- nized as one of the prominent and representative agriculturists of the county. His present fine home was erected in 1903, and he has made many other im- provements on his farm.
Mr. Burke has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Ellen Murrey, a native of Ireland, and they became the parents of two children: Edmund, who resides at Omaha, Nebraska. and is a railroad conductor; and Kate, who died in infancy. Our subject was married a second time, in 1884, to Miss Margaret O'Neil, who was born in Ireland in 1866 and was one of a family of six children. She is now the mother of five children, as follows: Daniel, John, Thomas, Margaret and Joseph.
Mr. Burke gives his political support to the democratic party, and he and his wife and family are members of the Catholic church. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of la- bor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. He has found in this country the opportunities which he sought, and his pros- perity is entirely the result of his own perseverance and industry.
OTTO RONNA.
Otto Ronna, cashier of the German Bank of Walnut, is one of Pottawatta- mie county's native sons, his birth having occurred on the old family home- stead in Lincoln township, on the 19th of December, 1874. He is the oldest of four surviving members of the family of five children whose parents were Jurgen F. and Catharina (Dierks) Ronna. He was only five years of age at the time of the removal of his father from the farm to Walnut and in this town he was reared to manhood, acquiring his education largely in the public
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schools. He pursued a special course and afterward became a pupil in the Valparaiso (Indiana) Business College. After completing his course he re- turned to Walnut and entered his father's store, where he was employed until the 1st of July, 1893.
The German Savings Bank of Walnut was organized at that time and Otto Ronna was offered and accepted, the position of assistant cashier. A year later, this institution was consolidated with, and merged into, the Exchange State Bank, and Mr. Ronna went to Clinton, Iowa, where he secured a position in a mercantile establishment, where he was employed for four months. In No- vember, 1894, he returned to Walnut and accepted the position of assistant cashier in the Exchange State Bank. In July, 1901, he resigned that position and for four months traveled through the west, looking for a favorable loca- tion in which to engage in the banking business. Finding nothing to suit him, he returned to Walnut in November of the same year, and in partnership with his father purchased the German Bank of Walnut, with which he has since been identified as junior partner of the firm of J. F. & Otto Ronna. This has become a strong moneyed concern, having secured a liberal patronage in the general banking business, and a large clientage in the loan, insurance and realty business.
On the 4th of April, 1900, Otto Ronna was married to Miss Mabel Bruce, a daughter of O. M. Bruce, a prominent business man and one of the old set- tlers of Walnut. This marriage has been blessed with a daughter, Maxine. Mr. and Mrs. Ronna are prominent socially, having the warm regard of many friends, while the hospitality of the best homes of the locality is freely ac- corded them.
Mr. Ronna is well known in fraternal circles, belonging to Morro lodge, No. 559, A. F. & A. M., of Walnut, of which he has served as master for four years. He likewise belongs to Raboni chapter, No. 85, R. A. M., of Avoca; Kedron commandery, No. 42, K. T., of Atlantic, Iowa; Za-Ga-Zig Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Des Moines; Diamond lodge, No. 374, K. P .; Dramatic Or- der of the Knights of Khorasan of Council Bluffs; Walnut lodge, No. 294, A. O. U. W .; and Excelsior camp, No. 6986, M. W. A., of Walnut. Mr. Ronna belongs to the Lutheran church, and his political allegiance is given to the re- publican party. While never an aspirant for political preferment, he is an in- fluential factor in his party's counsels and has always been foremost in any movement for the advancement of the town of Walnut, being a leading and representative citizen of this thriving little village.
HENRY W. ROTHERT.
The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Cincinnati, September 11, 1840. His father, John H. Rothert, and mother, Margaret Rothert, were early pioneers of the Queen city, having settled there in 1832. After his high school and college education Mr. Rothert engaged in commercial pursuits, be- coming a member of the firm of J. H. Rothert & Sons, doing a large hard-
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ware, iron and stove business. Recognizing the western tendency of the star of empire, the business was extended by establishing a branch house in the city of Keokuk, Iowa. The firm by the retirement of the senior member and founder was changed to Rothert Brothers, and in 1863 Henry W. Rothert as- sumed entire control of the Iowa branch, managing its extended interests in a large territory comprised of western counties of Illinois, northern counties of Missouri and one-half of Iowa.
Mr. Rothert was married in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 12, 1862, to Miss Eliza Tebbe, 'of that city, who at his side now enjoys the happy reflec- tions of a well spent life. The union has been blessed with two sons: Edwin H. Rothert, engaged in railroad business in Omaha, Nebraska; and Waldo H. Rothert, following agricultural pursuits near Carthage, Missouri. The former was married in Des Moines, Iowa, to Miss Mary Francis, of that city, and the. latter at Carthage, Missouri, to Miss Florence Phelps.
Mr. Rothert's residence in Iowa was soon marked by the preference of his neighbors and his public-spirited interests were soon called into active service. His first entrance into public life was as one of the county commissioners of Lee county. He was elected alderman for three successive terms, followed by large majorities for mayor of the city for two terms. His deep interest in edu- cational matters was recognized by retaining him as a member of the board of education for nine years, the latter part of which he acted as president, and severed his connection by resignation, owing to a change of residence. Mr. Rothert was elected as senator from the first senatorial district and served for eight years, thus establishing his popularity inasmuch as the district returned overwhelming democratic majorities but recognized Mr. Rothert on the repub- lican ticket. During his last term he was selected as president pro tem of the senate and became lieutenant governor of the state by succession, the incum- bent, Lieutenant Governor Newbold, filling the vacancy of governor created by the resignation of Governor Kirkwood, who took his scat as United States senator.
Mr. Rothert, having retired from business, was appointed by President Arthur and confirmed by the United States senate as register of the land office for Wyoming. After a residence of nearly four years at Cheyenne, lie resigned as an "offensive partisan" at the commencement of President Cleveland's ad- ministration.
He was then called by the board of directors of the Union Pacific Rail- road to investigate and report on the entire land system of said railroad, which having accomplished, he was offered and accepted the position of superintendent of the Iowa School for the Deaf at Council Bluffs, which he has held for twenty years. Mr. Rothert is by family relationship especially interested in the cause of the education of the deaf and considers the position lie has held so long as a mission of life.
At his former home. Keokuk, Mr. Rothert was not less prominent in social and business circles. He was president of a loan and building association, chairman of local board of underwriters and vice president of the Commercial Bank. Ile was the executive head of a social organization and noble grand of the Odd Fellows He was master of his lodge twelve years and eminent
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commander of his commandery six years. He was grand treasurer of the grand lodge and the grand chapter, was elected as grand master of Masons of Iowa and unanimously re-elected for the second term. He was elected as grand commander of the Knights Templar and led the pilgrimage to San Francisco at the session of the grand encampment, at which he served as chairman of one of the prominent committees. Mr. Rothert enjoys the friend- ship of prominent men of the state and nation but prefers the retirement of his chosen work to the glare of further public prominence.
WILLIAM FREDERICK RICHARD.
Among the citizens of foreign birth residing in this county is numbered William Frederick Richard, whose home is on section 27. Lewis township. He was born at Sernerta, Prussia, Germany, on the 4th of February, 1837, a son of John and Sophia (Wholrabe) Richard, who were likewise natives of Germany. In 1844 the parents with their family emigrated to the United States, settling in Wayne county, Michigan, near Detroit, where the father bought timber land which he cleared and improved. He also made potash. His death occurred in the year 1855 and his wife, who long survived him, passed away in 1878. Their son William was the fourth of five children, two of whom are now living, his sister Ricca being the wife of Henry Scheorader.
William F. Richard was about seven years of age when he accompanied his parents on the voyage to the new world and in the common schools of Michigan he acquired his education, while in the work of the home farm he received ample training. In 1859, attracted by the discovery of gold, he started overland for Pike's Peak and at St. Joseph, Missouri, purchased an ox-team, which he drove across the country. On the way it was decided that the party should go to California instead of to Colorado, which they did. Mr. Richard lost one of his oxen on the way and at Salt Lake bought a yoke of steers. For some time he was engaged in mining in California and at one time he had the opportunity of trading his ox-team and wagon for a part of what has since been known as the famous Comstock mine, but not realizing its worth he refused to make the bargain. In his search for precious metal, however, he was fairly successful and in 1867 he again engaged in mining-this time in Montana. In 1868 he rode across the country to Iowa on horseback and then went to Michigan, where he spent the winter. The following spring he returned to Pottawattamie county and bought forty acrose of land upon which his residence now stands. Immediately he crected a frame dwelling, which is now a part of his present home and as his financial resources have increased and opportunity has offered he has added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of a valuable farming property of two hundred and twenty acres. In addition to tilling the soil Mr. Richard has a fine apiary and annually sells large quantities of honey. He also keeps a trotting stallion, Willard, eligible to registry. It is of the Morgan Hamble- tonian breed. IIe has twenty horses, all of which are of high grade, and he
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also keeps some cattle. Another important branch of his business is his fruit-raising, having an orchard of two thousand trees, including plums, peaches and apples. He likewise raises grapes, from which he makes wine, and he also manufactures considerable cider. He has a tunnel extending into the side of the bluff to a distance of about one hundred and forty feet, which he uses for a cellar. It is always cool, even during the hottest days of August, and is really a remarkable excavation, of which he has every rea- son to be proud. In all branches of his business he is successful because he is systematic in his methods and practical in everything that he undertakes.
On the 6th of January, 1871, Mr. Richard was married to Miss Katherine Jones, a daughter of Hugh and Hannah Jones, of Mills county, Iowa. They traveled life's journey together for eleven years, at the end of which time Mrs. Richard passed away, in 1882. They were parents of five children: Walter; Ina, the wife of Christopher Tryer; Edward; Katie, the wife of Hugh Jenkins; and Willie, who died in infancy. Edward resides with his father, the two keeping house together. Their home is pleasantly situated at the foot of the bluff, looking outward toward the river, which presents a pleasant picture. When Mr. Richard came to this place there were only a few houses in the neighborhood, there being but four dwellings between his home and Council Bluffs. He holds membership with the Lutheran church, of which his wife was also a member, and in his political views he is a stalwart democrat. For several years he has served as school director and for twenty years has been justice of the peace. He is still the incumbent in that office and has ever discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, his opinions being strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case.
LYSANDER WAYLAND TULLEYS.
It is a pleasure to know a gentleman who has almost reached his seventy- third year but is still alert and interested in the progress going on around him and is actively engaged in his business pursuits, as is Mr. Tulleys, a well known real-estate dealer of Council Bluffs. He was born in Frankfort, Ross county, Ohio, June 1, 1835, and is the son of Erasmus Tulleys, a soldier in the Tenth Ohio Battery in the Civil war, who was engaged in the fight at Pittsburg Landing.
Lysander W. Tulleys was educated in the public schools of his native county and in 1854 went to Yellow Springs. Ohio, where he attended Antioch College for four years. He supplemented this education by a course at Union College, Schenectady, New York, from which he was graduated in 1860 with the degree of A. B. With these educational advantages to aid him, he took charge of the Yellow Springs (Ohio) high school. In this line he met with marked success and the pupils today remember Mr. Tulleys as a teacher who always inspired them to noble ideals. Genial and good natured. the students under his charge learned without knowing that they were doing hard work. for he made their study a pleasure at all times.
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When the Civil war broke out Mr. Tulleys' patriotism was so aroused that he dismissed school and enlisted in Company F, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private. This was on April 17, 1861, and he served for three months, participating in the battle of Bull Run. He was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, on the 21st of July of the same year, having been honored with promotion to the rank of first sergeant, a title which he held when mustered out. In the fall of the same year he raised a company and was commissioned captain, September 5, 1861, his company being known as Company D of the Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On October 31, 1863, he was mustered out to accept the promotion as lieutenant colonel of the Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his commission dating from April 9, 1863, and he so served until mustered out January 30, 1864, at Camp Denison, Ohio. While in the Second Ohio Infantry he took part in the battle of Bull Run and during his service in the Forty-fourth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry he was engaged in the fight at Lewisburg, West Virginia. The regiment was subsequently sent to Frankfort, Kentucky, and while there served in a very interesting incident. The convention met in the state house in 1862 and was expected to pass secession resolutions which would take Ken- tucky out of the Union. Colonel Tulleys was placed in charge of a body of soldiers who were to surround the state house, allowing all to enter but none to come out. When the assembly was called to order Colonel S. A. Gilbert, the colonel of the Forty-fourth, addressed the convention, "advising" them to disperse to their homes, which they did under penalty of arrest, and thus Kentucky was saved to the Union. The regiment in which Mr. Tulleys was serving was made mounted infantry while in Kentucky and served there until they were sent to East Tennessee with General Burnside. Colonel Tul- leys had command of an outpost at London, Kentucky, with several com- panies for many months. His first fight was at the siege of Knoxville and he was later engaged at Strawberry Plains. He was slightly wounded at Lewisburg, West Virginia, but never allowed it to interfere with his duties. Colonel Tulleys can relate many very interesting incidents that occurred while in the service of his country and well may he feel proud of his record in the war.
After receiving his honorable discharge in 1864, Colonel Tulleys went direct to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he took a course in the law school, sup- plementing his legal education with a later course at Cleveland, Ohio. Thus equipped he located at Champaign, Illinois, where he began the practice of law and built up a large and successful business. At the end of three years he added the business of farm loans to his legal profession and did an exten- sive business in this line. In 1874 he removed to Iowa, locating in July, 1875, at Council Bluffs. So large and successful had proved his last addition to his business that he practically gave up the duties of lawyer and after com- ing to this city engaged solely in farm loans, adding his real-estate business in 1897.
On October 10, 1868, Mr. Tulleys was married, in Xenia, Ohio, to Sarah Ellen Gowdy, a daughter of John Gowdy. This union has been blessed with four children : Paul A., Mary, Julia and Charles W.
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Mr. Tulleys votes with the prohibition party, but has never desired or held political office. The cause of education has always found in him a warm friend and he served for several years as a member of the school board of Champaign, Illinois. His special interest in advancing the welfare of the schools was manifest at all times and it was due to his suggestion that many advantageous changes were made. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge, and was reared as a Methodist but is now a de- voted member of the Christian Science church. He has learned the secret of happiness and success and though now seventy-two years of age is hale and hearty and still actively engaged in business. He has the unusual ability of accomplishing a great deal and yet never being hurried. This has given him marked power in his business and in his influence over people. Hc always has time to greet his friends cordially and to aid any who may desire his help. It is on account of these characteristics that he has won a wide circle of friends in Council Bluffs, who hold him in the very highest csteem.
JOSEPH E. O'NEILL.
Joseplı E. O'Neill, who carries on general farming in James township, is numbered among the leading sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Council Bluffs, January 5, 1862. ITis parents were James and Bridget (Cody) O'Neill, natives of Ireland, and in their family were ten children, eight now living. The fatlier came to America at an carly date and estab- lished his home in Council Bluffs. He is now the owner of several fine farms
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