USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 51
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. in Pottawattamie county, having prospered in his undertakings.
Joseph E. O'Neill remained under the parental roof until he had at- tained his majority and in the meantime acquired his education in the public schools. After he had reached adult age he began farming on his own ac- count and for twenty-two years he has been cultivating a part of his father's land. He has recently. however, purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres, on scetion 7, Valley township, and expeets to locate there in the spring of 1908. In his farming pursuits he has always made a specialty of raising full-blooded shorthorn cattle and Duroe Jersey hogs. He is an excellent judge of stock and has thus been enabled to make judicious purchases and profit- able sales. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a stalwart advocate of the democracy and supports its candidates at the polls, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to give undivided attention to his business interests.
Mr. O'Neill has been married twice. In 1886 he wedded Miss Helen Gross, of this county, and unto them have been born five children : James J., George F .. John L., Mary and Patrick E. The wife and mother died in 1896 and in 1897 Mr. O'Neill was again married, his second union being with Miss Kate Sinnett, a daughter of Patrick and Mary Sinnett, who were natives of Ireland, but are now deceased. In their family were five children. while unto Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill have been born the same number: Anna,
J. E. O'NEILL.
"THE NEW YOR' S BLIC L BPL
AS 72, LEA. N TOUNL
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Bernard and Agnes, all at home; Thomas, deceased, and IIugh, who completes the family. The parents are members of the Catholic church of Avoca. Mr. O'Neill has spent his entire life in this county and has always been associated with farming interests, being now recognized as a leading representative of agricultural pursuits here.
MILLARD F. ROHRER.
Millard F. Rohrer, who is spoken of as one of the best mayors Council Bluffs has ever had, has devoted much of his life to the public service since the days when, as a boy of twelve years, he did duty in nursing the sick and wounded Federal troops who were stationed near his home. His early boyhood days were spent in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry. His birth occurred in Rohrersville, Washington county, Maryland, on the old farm homestead, Au- gust 30, 1850. His ancestors went to Maryland from Pennsylvania and were of German descent. In his youth he was a student in private and public schools of Boonsboro and Keedysville, Maryland.
His parents, Judge George C. and Sophia E. (Deaner) Rohrer, were na- tives of Washington county, Maryland, but in 1871 located on a farm near Avalon, Livingston county, Missouri, where the mother died on the 19th of May, 1889, at the age of sixty-two years. The family numbered twelve chil- dren, of whom Winfield Scott, Susan Marie, Emma Alice and Laura Ellen, died in infancy or early childhood, while Ilarry Crytzman died August 30, 1889, at the age of twenty-seven years. The other members of the family are: Ida Florence, the wife of Irwin F. Robinson, of Illinois; Samuel Deaner, of Chillicothe, Missouri; Luella Dinah; Christian Franklin, of Norway, Ne- braska; Julia Elizabeth, wife of Frank M. Westlake; and Millard F. A half- sister, the only child of the father's first marriage, is the wife of Noah W. Cronise, who resides at Rohrersville, Maryland.
The boyhood days of Millard F. Rohrer passed uneventfully until he was about nine years of age, when there occurred an event which created intense excitement in the locality and indeed throughout the country-the visit of John Brown to Harper's Ferry, which was only twelve miles distant from the Rohrer home. The farmstead, too, was near the battle-field of Antietam, the engagement there occurring on the 18th of September, 1862, when Mr. Rohrer was a lad of twelve years. Even at this age he was pressed into service as a nurse, as his father's house, barn and woodhouse were utilized as hospitals, the family rendering all possible aid to the wounded soldiers of the Union army.
Mr. Rohrer continued a resident of Maryland until 1870, when he left home to enter business life as a traveling salesman for a wholesale glove house of Chicago. He remained in that position until the fall, when he went to Avalon, Livingston county, Missouri, where he engaged in teaching school. In the spring he selected in that county a farm of two hundred and eighty acres. which became the family homestead, and upon the arrival of his father,
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mother, brothers and sisters he assisted in putting in the spring crops, but it was not his intention to make agriculture his life work, and in July, 1871, he arrived in Council Bluffs to introduce a fall wheat brand of flour, manufac- tured by Snively & Hedges, of Wathena, Kansas. After three months had passed he was sent to Texas to introduce the same flour there but he had become so interested in Council Bluffs and so well pleased with its business outlook that he resigned his position in order to make this city his home. Accepting the position of clerk in the Biggs House, one of the leading hotels of the city, he there remained until he secured a position in the postoffice bookstore of Brack- ett & Goulden. He left that clerkship in order to become deputy sheriff under George Doughty. His duties took him to all parts of the county- and as fully one-half of the land was uncultivated at that time he could ride over the prairies that now constitute many of the most valuable farms in this part of the state. After his retirement from the office of deputy sheriff Mr. Rohrer assisted J. M. Palmer in opening the first frame hotel and depot on the site now occupied by the Union passenger station. He was afterward appointed agent of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska and bill clerk of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in Council Bluffs, remaining in that service until 1875, when he entered upon an independent business venture as a partner of IIon. Thomas Bowman in the conduct of a fire insur- ance agency. Three months later Mr. Bowman was elected county treasurer, and after the 1st of January, 1878, Mr. Rohrer conducted the business alone. In 1881 he became a member of the commercial storage and agricultural im- plement firm composed of Thomas Bowman, George F. Wright and himself, conducting the business under the style of Bowman, Rohrer & Company. This partnership had a continuous existence until the 1st of January, 1885, when they sold out, and about that time Mr. Rohrer was appointed general agent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York for the state of Iowa. He has since continued in the life insurance business and as a real-estate dealer is also well known. He is likewise a stockholder in the Council Bluffs Savings Bank, one of the largest commercial savings and general banking houses in western Iowa. His real-estate interests are extensive, embracing much property in Council Bluffs and also in other localities.
On the 31st of December, 1887, Mr. Rohrer was elected by the city council to the office of mayor of Council Bluffs to fill out the unexpired term of Wil- liam Groneweg, who had been elected state senator. In March, 1888, Mr. Rolirer was again elected on the democratic ticket and received a very flatter- ing majority. He filled the office until the 17th of March, 1900, and in speak- ing of his service a contemporary biographer has said: "During his continu- ous term of twenty-six and one-half months as mayor of the city, Council Bluffs made more substantial progress as a city than during any previous term, namely: the paving with cedar blocks of Broadway from Twelfth street to Omaha, a distance of three miles, connecting with the (second) great iron and steel bridge over the Missouri river, uniting the cities of Council Bluffs, Omaha and South Omaha by the first electric street railway introduced in the great west; opening up the Lake Manawa steam street railway ; opening up the Council Bluffs and Omaha Chautauqua grounds, etc., etc. During his term of
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office eight miles of streets were paved with cedar blocks and brick, and other public and private improvements were made in keeping with the same. In his final message to the city of Council Bluffs on March 17, 1890, he made the following valuable recommendations in reference to that portion of the city which is now apparently (to the eye) in Omaha: 'My attention has been but recently called to some facts to which in this parting message I deem it my duty to call your attention. I am informed by able lawyers and also by offi- cials who are in a position to know that the long neglected body of land known as "Cut-off Island," and sometimes slightingly referred to as "No Man's Land," is within the corporate limits of the city of Council Bluffs, and it seems that in five or six suits which have been had concerning this land it has been conceded on all hands, by lawyers and judges that such is the case. Hereto- fore this land has been almost of no consequence but the marvelous growth of our city and its sister across the river has attracted the attention of capitalists to this tract of land which is in Iowa but contiguous to Omaha. This point settled, important consequences ensue therefrom. The Union Pacific Railway Company has built its tracks on this island, bridges are being built, streets opened up; arrangements are being made to fill up the unoccupied ground with factories, warehouses and busy industrics. I have only recently learned these facts but should consider myself derelict in duty were I to fail to call your at- tention to the same upon this particular occasion. The island in extent em- braces nearly two thousand acres of valuable land; and if I understand the matter aright, this is all subject to taxation by the council of the city of Coun- cil Bluffs and the trackage of the railroads as well. This should be looked into and attended to. We, in turn, aiming to give to the public as good govern- ment as possible, and watchful of the interests of all within our jurisdiction, should see to it that the right of franchise so dear to the American heart should be accorded to the residents of that district, who are in fact citizens of Council Bluffs. The children of these parents have a right to attend our public schools. The census taker must not omit to include this population in our list. The importance of the right to tax this large body of land is liable to be under- estimated, as, in my opinion, but very few years will pass before a large reve- nue will be derived therefrom and steps should be taken at the next real estate assessment in the spring of 1891, to get the same property upon the books.' His recommendations were acted upon promptly by the present city adminis- tration, and at this writing the exact boundary lines between the cities of Coun- cil Bluffs and Omaha, in the vicinity of this valuable tract of ground consti- tutes a case in the supreme court of the United States." This was later decided in favor of city of Council Bluffs.
On the 11th of September, 1877, Mr. Rohrer was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Beach Beers, the only child of John B. and Eliza (Beers) Crawford. Her parents were among the early settlers of Council Bluffs, where her father engaged in the wholesale grocery business and also became an extensive dealer in real estate in western Iowa, in Omaha, and in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Two sub-divisions of this city bear his name and through their development he contributed to the substantial upbuilding of Council Bluffs. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rohrer have been born three children: John Beach Beers, who died
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February 8, 1880, at the age of thirteen months; Isaac Beers; and Caroline Test, wife of Robert E. Theinhardt.
Mr. Rohrer is a vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Council Bluffs and his wife is also an active member of said church, also taking great interest in the Woman's Christian Association Hospital, now the Jennie Ed- mundson Memorial Hospital. Mr. Rohrer is a charter member of the Elks lodge in Conneil Bluffs and is identified with Bluff City lodge, No. 71, A. F. & A. M .; Star chapter, No. 47, R. A. M .; and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He has since 1888 been a trustee of the Council Bluffs free public li- brary, during which time (or during 1904-5) the present magnificent library building was erected, and he is much interested in all matters of citizenship, withholding his co-operation and aid from no movement that he deems will prove of public benefit. His entire life has been actuated by a devotion to the general good that has been one of his marked characteristics and his worth as a citizen is widely recognized.
ADOLPH L. KLOPPING.
The name of Klopping is not unknown in this county. On the contrary it has figured in connection with the business and agricultural development of this portion of the state through many years, and he whose name intro- duces this review now ranks with the prosperous and wide-awake farmers of Norwalk township, his home being on scetion 2, where he has a valuable farm of two hundred and twenty-four acres.
His birth occurred in Council Bluffs, March 25, 1868, his father being August Klopping, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The removal of the family to a farm enabled him to spend his days amid rural surround- ings, while in the schools of Underwood he acquired his education, his time being divided between the work of tilling the soil and mastering the common branches of English learning. Through the summer months he rendered his father valuable assistance in the work of developing the fields and re- mained at home upon the farm up to the time of his marriage, which occurred in Underwood on the 25th of February, 1892, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Fisher, who was born in this county and is a daughter of H. G. Fisher, also one of the well known early settlers here.
The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Boomer township, where they lived for a year and in 1893 removed to their present place of residence, Mr. Klopping taking up the active work of tilling and developing this place, which gives visible proof of his energy and activity in the excellent appearance which it now presents. His home is a commodious and pleasant residence which he erected and he has also built good barns for the shelter of hay and the stock. Other necessary outbuildings have also been erected and well kept fences divide the farm into fields of convenient size. Fruit has been planted and various cereals adapted to soil and climate are raised, good crops being gathered annually. About the house is a neat
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and well kept lawn and altogether the farm presents a most attractive appear- ance. In the pastures are found high grades of stock, for Mr. Klopping is both raising and feeding stock, fattening from sixty to ninety head of cattle and shipping from four to five carloads annually and also about one carload of hogs. He is now making a specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle, having a pure blooded registered male at the head of his herd and also some pure blooded cows. His stock-raising interests constitute an important ele- ment in his success, while in the cultivation of grain he has also prospered.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Klopping have been born three children: May Leta, Zella Vera and Ray Adolph. Mrs. Klopping belong to the Church of the Latter Day Saints at Underwood. Mr. Klopping has been a life-long demo- crat but his business interests have precluded his active participation in political affairs even had he desired to put forth any effort in that direction. He has worked along lines that have produced good results in business and now derives his income from a valuable farm property.
ESTY P. WOODRING.
Esty P. Woodring, one of the most enterprising business men of Council Bluffs, who is now the owner of the undertaking business formerly carried on by Charles Lunkley, was born in Laketon, Wabash county, Indiana, December 22, 1869. He received his early education in the public schools of his native county, supplementing these advantages by a term at the State Normal at Terre Haute, Indiana. Having completed the term he returned to his native county and began work on his brother's farm, where he received a practical training in all the details of agriculture.
In April, 1894, Mr. Woodring came to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he entered the undertaking business with his brother-in-law. Hc subsequently removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he remained for about five years, being engaged in the undertaking business all of this time. Desirous of enlarging his busi- ness opportunities, he removed to Boone, Iowa, where he conducted an under- taking and furniture business until August, 1900, when he removed to Council Bluffs and entered the employ of Charles Lunkley, the well known under- taker. Upon the death of this gentleman, April 15, 1905, Mr. Woodring succeeded to the business. He has added many improvements and is building up a large and prosperous business, which in every way is a credit to him and to the town in which it is conducted. In all the progressive under- takings of this city he is always foremost, realizing that it is upon the busi- ness men of a community that a city must rely for this work. His generosity in this respect has indirectly added to his own success by increasing the business in which he is engaged.
On December 16, 1906, Mr. Woodring was married, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to Lillian Jackson, a daughter of George W. Jackson, deceased. Mr. Wood- ring is a firm believer in fraternal organizations and is a member of the following secret orders: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of
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Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees, Modern Woodmen of America, Daughters of Rebekah and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He belongs to the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church, but has never been intensely inter- ested in politics nor has he ever sought any office, preferring to devote his energies to his business. When these duties are finished he finds his greatest happiness among his friends and with his family, and is held in the highest respect and esteem by all those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Honorable and honest in all his dealings, they feel that he can always be relied upon. He is always ready to aid those who need his help and to say an encouraging word to those who are discouraged.
JOHN J. MYRTUE.
Prominent among the business men of Council Bluffs is the firm of Myrtue Brothers, contracting partners. In this connection John J. Myrtue has made a creditable record. A young man, possessing the enterprising spirit of the west, he became a factor in industrial circles and, brooking no obstacle that honest effort can overcome, he has steadily worked his way upward until, having long since left the ranks of the many, he stands today among the successful few.
He was born in Denmark, on the 2d of May, 1864, and landed in New York city on the twentieth anniversary of his birth. He had been educated in the public schools of his native country, and the favorable reports which he heard concerning America and its business opportunities led him to seek his fortune in the new world. He did not tarry in the east but made his way at once into the interior of the country, stopping at Harlan, Shelby county, Iowa. He had previously learned the carpenter's trade in Denmark and on reaching his destination he made a change of his avocation, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. Two years were thus passed and in 1886 he came to Council Bluffs, where he resumed work at his trade, being in the employ of others until 1890, when he began business on his own account. In that year his brother, Soren J. Myrtue, came to the United States and entered his employ and in 1897 the present partnership of Myrtue Brothers was formed. Since he began general contracting Mr. Myrtue has enjoyed a constantly increasing patronage, as lic has demonstrated his ability as a builder and his fidelity in executing the terms of a contract. His close application to business and his excellent management have brought him a degree of prosperity which is today his and at all times his business record has been characterized by an unbending integrity, unabating energy and unfal- tering industry.
Mr. Myrtue was married in Council Bluffs, in 1898, to Miss Julia A. Mickelson, a daughter of Nels Mickelson, and they now have two daughters, Marie J. and Doris II. Mr. Myrtue belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Dannebo Society and Danish Social Club. He votes independently at local elections and where national
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issues are involved casts his ballot for the men and measures of democracy. In an analyzation of the character and life work of Mr. Myrtue we note many of the characteristics which have marked the Danish nation for many cen- turies-the perseverance, reliability, energy and unconquerable determination to pursue a course that has been marked out. It is these sterling qualities which have gained him success in life and made him one of the valuable and substantial citizens of Council Bluffs.
H. J. GIESE.
A life of activity well directed by sound judgment never fails to produce good results in the business world. It is particularly true that the basis of success in agricultural life is unremitting diligence and it has been upon this foundation that H. J. Giese has builded his present prosperity. His farm property comprises one hundred and twenty acres on section 17, York town- ship, upon which are found modern improvements and many indications of the progressive spirit of the owner.
Mr. Giese is a native of York township, born October 13, 1872, and is of German lineage. His father, August Giese, was born in Germany and when a young man emigrated to the new world. He did not tarry in the eastern part of the country but came at once to Iowa, his destination being Dewitt, Clinton county, Iowa. Near that town he began farming, cultivating rented land for a few years, after which he came to Pottawattamie county. Here he opened up a new farm, becoming owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he placed substantial improvements. The soil was made fertile through the rotation of crops, the judicious use of fertilizers and by careful cultivation, and thus good harvests were annually gathered. In Clinton county he had married Frederica Balte, also a native of Germany, who proved to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey for many years. Her death, however, occurred in Neola in April, 1905, and was deeply regretted by many friends. In their family were four sons, of whom H. J. Giese is the second. The others are: William, a veterinary of Neola; Gus; and A. K. Giese.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for H. J. Giese in his boyhood days. He worked in the fields through the summer months and was educated in the district schools and in the Neola high school. While not busy with his text-books his time was largely occupied with the labor of the home farm and he continued to assist his father up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in Neola on the 18th of March, 1896, Miss Nellie Maxfield becoming his wife. She was born and reared in Norwalk township and was educated in the district schools and in Neola, while for three years prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching. This union has been blessed with one daughter, Avadna Ruth.
Mr. and Mrs. Giese commenced their domestic life on the farm where they yet reside, having here one hundred and twenty acres of land. With
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the added stimulus of having to provide for his own home, Mr. Giese resolutely set to work to improve the property and enhance its value and productiveness. He built a neat dwelling and substantial outbuildings and in early spring planted the crops which in the summer and autumn bore rich harvests. Year after year he has carried on the work of tilling the fields and he also raises, feeds and fattens stock, in which branch of his business he has met with good profit, selling annually about a carload of steers and two carloads of hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. Giese attend the services of the Presbyterian church in Bentley. Mrs. Giese takes much interest in church and Sunday school work, has served as assistant superintendent of the latter and has also been a mem- ber and secretary of the Ladies' Aid Society. Mr. Giese belongs to the Masonic lodge at Neola and in his life exemplifies its beneficent spirit. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the democracy and on that ticket has been elected to publie office, serving for two years as assessor, also as township trustee, as road supervisor and as township clerk, the duties of which offices have been discharged with a promptness and fidelity that have won him high encomiums. He is well known in Neola and Council Bluffs as a man of tried integrity and worth, reliable in his business affairs and progressive in his citizenship.
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