USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 19
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On the 25th of March, 1876, Mr. Wiese was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Wiese, of Schoenberg, Holstein, Germany, having returned to his native country for his bride. In 1882 he again took a trip with three of his children to the fatherland, and in 1899 he traveled through Old Mexico, while in 1901, in company with his daughter Meta, he traveled quite exten- sively through the principal countries of Europe. Unto him and his wife were born six children: Edward W., who is engaged in the wholesale lumber business at Seattle, Washington; Gustav H., a member of the American Tim- ber Company, operating at Coos Bay, Oregon; Meta, who was a student in Monticello Seminary, at Godfrey, Illinois; William W., who is employed by his brother Edward in Seattle, Washington; Otto, who is attending the Wis- consin State University, at Madison, Wisconsin ; and Hertha, who is a student in Monticello Seminary, at Godfrey, Illinois. All four of the sons attended Military College at Upper Alton, Illinois, and Blees Military College, at Macon, Missouri.
Mr. Wiese votes with the republican party where national questions are involved but is liberal in his views and at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has never been an office seeker but has served as a member of the town council and has been on the board of township trustees. Events of public importance claim his interest and co-operation and since becoming an American citizen he has been most loyal to the welfare of the community in which he has lived. Throughout his life he has directed his efforts along those lines where mature judgment and keen discrimination lead the way, and in all things he has manifested an aptitude for successful management, readily solving intricate business problems, utilizing his opportunities to the best advantage and creating them where none have existed.
HARRY G. McGEE.
Harry G. McGee, to whose enterprise and executive ability the beautiful suburb of Morningside owes its existence, is engaged in the real-estate and loan business in Council Bluffs, and in this connection has contributed in large measure to the substantial upbuilding and improvement of the city.
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His life record began in Taylor county, Virginia, in 1858. His father, Manasseh McGee, came to Council Bluffs in 1855, entering from the govern- ment a large amount of land, which has since become very valuable. He did not make a permanent residence here, and having made his investments returned to the east, where he resided until his death. His family, however, removed to Council Bluffs in 1874, having in the meantime, however, resided in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for eight years.
During that period Harry G. McGee was a student in the schools of Pittsburg and he afterward attended the Western University at that place for two years. In 1874 he came with his mother and the other members of the family to Council Bluffs, being then a youth of sixteen years. Soon afterward he entered upon his business career as a clerk in a hardware store, filling the position of salesman for five years, while for a similar period he was proprietor of the establishment. He carried on business under the firm name of Cooper & McGee and thus continued until 1887, when he began dealing in real estate, opening an office for this purpose. He has thoroughly informed himself concerning realty values, knows almost every piece of prop- erty that is on sale in the city, the possibilities for purchase and the opportu- nities for development. Although he conducts a general real-estate business he devotes his attention principally to the platting and improving of residence property and has platted several of the finest residence additions to the city, including Morningside, the most beautiful and attractive suburb, the loca- tion of some of the finest homes of Council Bluffs.
Mr. McGee is pleasantly situated in his home life. He was married in Council Bluffs, in 1893, to Miss Margaret Green, and unto them have been born three children. Mr. McGee has held some local offices and gives loyal support to the principles of the republican party, in which he is a firm believer. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church and fraternally is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Royal Arcanum. His genial manner renders him a social favorite, while his unfail- ing courtesy and cordiality are an element in his business success, which is also based upon sound judgment, keen discrimination and strong executive ability.
GEORGE GRONEWEG.
George Groneweg, who for fourteen years has been one of the active and successful business men of Minden, is one of the native sons of Pottawattamie county, having been born in Council Bluffs, December 31, 1865. His father, the Hon. William Groneweg, is a native of Germany, became an early settler of Council Bluffs and is still one of the prominent and influential business men of that city. His life work has touched various interests bearing upon the public welfare and his labors have been at times an essential factor in the promotion of movements and measures for the public good. In fact he has left the impress of his character and his individuality upon the welfare of
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the state, discharging his duties in public office with a singleness of purpose and a fidelty to principle that has been above question. He has been mayor of Council Bluffs and has represented his district in the state senate. Still active in business, he is regarded in his home locality as a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence, carving his name deeply on the record of the political and commercial history of the state, which owes not a little of its advancement to his labors. Further mention of him is made on another page of this work.
George Groneweg was reared in the city of his nativity and is indebted to the excellent school system of Council Bluffs for the educational privileges he enjoyed. At a comparatively carly age he entered his father's, store and received a thorough, practical business training. In 1893 he came to Minden, where he engaged in business, bringing with him a stock of new goods and establishing a store here. Since 1894 he has erected a brick business block and has a neat, well lighted and well arranged store, in which he carries a carefully selected line of general merchandise. He is one of the wide-awake and public-spirited business men of the county, recognizing and improving his opportunities. At all times in his business career he has wrought along modern lines and in addition to displaying an aptitude for successful manage- ment he has proven that his business principles are in strict conformity with a high standard of commercial ethics.
Mr. Groneweg was married in Council Bluffs, in May, 1891, to Miss Clarissa Green, a daughter of John Green, also one of the pioneers of Pot- tawattamie county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Groneweg have been born two chil- dren, Ernest and Esther, who are students in the Minden school.
Politically Mr. Groneweg is a democrat and while never a politician in the sense of office seeking he was elected and is now serving as city treasurer of Minden. He has also been a delegate to state and county conventions and is deeply interested in those issues which affect the national welfare. He and his wife are members of the Minden Methodist Episcopal church and give their endorsement to every movement calculated to prove of public benefit. Minden has profited by his co-operation in her behalf. while his diligence and enterprise have advanced its commercial prosperity, at the same time bringing to Mr. Groneweg a very gratifying financial return for his labors.
MATTHEW EARL O'KEEFE, M. D.
Among the younger but none the less successful physicians of Council Bluffs is numbered Dr. Matthew Earl O'Keefe, who was born at Waterloo, Iowa, February 22, 1879. In both the paternal and maternal lines he is of Irish lineage. His father, Timothy O'Keefe, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1837 and has been in America for a half century. He is now living retired in Waterloo. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Bridget Howe, was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1843, and also survives. In their family were eleven children, of whom nine are still living.
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Entering school at the usual age, Dr. O'Keefe passed through successive grades until he was graduated from the high school at Waterloo as a member of the class of 1898. In 1900 he entered the collegiate department of Drake University at Des Moines, there pursuing his more specifically literary edu- cation by the completion of a three years' course. In 1903 he took up the study of medicine in the same institution and continued his reading for two years. He afterward spent a similar period in the medical department of Creighton University, and thus well equipped for active practice he entered the field of professional labor. Coming to Council Bluffs in May, 1906, he was appointed house surgeon of Mercy Hospital. This position he filled for fifteen months, when he resigned to devote all of his time to general practice, in which he is now engaged. He has offices at 500 Broadway and enjoys a very lucrative practice, his skill and ability being thus acknowledged by the general public. Dr. O'Keefe is thoroughly interested in everything pertaining to his profession and keeps abreast with the trend of modern progress along this line. He is now serving on the house staff of Mercy Hospital and is a member of the Missouri Valley Medical Society.
In his fraternal relations Dr. O'Keefe is connected with the Phi Beta Pi, with the Knights of Columbus and the Elks. His political allegiance is given to the democracy but the honors and emoluments of office have no attrac- tion for him and he prefers to give undivided attention to his professional duties, which he performs with a sense of conscientious obligation and with due regard to a high standard of professional ethics.
HARRY W. BINDER.
The growth of a city and the character of its substantial development depend largely upon those who control its real-estate interests, and in this connection Harry W. Binder is well known. being successfully engaged in the real-estate, loan and fire insurance business. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of June, 1864, and spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native city, acquiring his education in its public schools. In 1881 he went to Blue Hill, Maine, where he engaged in the granite business, his father, Christopher Binder, owning extensive granite quarries. The son was associated with the development and conduct of the enterprise there for eight years, or until 1889, and on the 11th of January, 1890, he came to Council Bluffs. Here he began dealing in real estate and has since continued in this line, covering a period of about eighteen years. On the 1st of July, 1901, he organized the present firm of H. W. Binder & Company, which is one of the strong real-estate firms of the city, handling much valuable prop- erty and doing much to develop Council Bluffs through real-estate negotiations and sales. Mr. Binder possesses strong executive force and keen discern- ment and his laudable ambition to win success has brought him his present desirable place in real-estate circles.
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Mr. Binder is a supporter of the democracy and an advocate of the gold standard. While he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he never seeks nor desires office for himself. He is interested, however, in community affairs to the extent of giving active and helpful co-operation to many movements for the public good. He is a member and president of the library board and a past president of the Commercial Club. He is also well known in fraternal circles, belonging to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while in the Masonic fraternity he has attained the Knight Templar degree and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Episcopal church and in his life has manifested those sterling traits of character which work for activity and integrity in business, for progressiveness in citizenship and for honor in all relations of life.
JOHN F. OWENS.
John F. Owens, filling the position of postmaster at Hancock, is num- bered among the veterans of the Civil war, and in days of peace as in days of strife he has ever been loyal to the best interests and welfare of his country. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, on the 23d of August, 1839, his parents being George B. and Ellen (Brewington) Owens, whose family numbered four children, although only two are now living, the elder brother of our subject being Ira S. Owens, whose home is in Montgomery county, Ohio. The father was a native of Virginia and the mother's birth occurred in Salis- bury, Maryland. While they were children they removed with their respec- tive parents to Greene county, Ohio, where they were reared and married. The father prepared for the ministry, but prior to entering upon the active work of preaching the gospel he engaged in teaching school for a number of years. He then was ordained to the ministry and continued to fill the pulpit up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1862, being a member of the Cincinnati conference of the Methodist Episcopal church for a period of fifteen years. His wife survived him for a number of years, but has now passed away.
John F. Owens was reared under the parental roof and pursued his edu- cation largely in the public schools of Ohio, but afterward attended the Farmers College at College Hill, Ohio, for one year. When about fifteen years of age he entered a harness shop in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and served a regular apprenticeship. He afterward worked at his trade of journeyman for twenty years and in 1872 came to Iowa, settling in Avoca, where he resided for eighteen years. In 1890 he removed to Hancock to take charge of the hardware store of F. G. Hetzel, and for twelve years continued as manager of the business. On the 20th of April, 1906, he was appointed postmaster of Hancock and on the 7th of May assumed the duties of the office, in which he is now serving, giving a capable administration, one which is winning for him many friends. He has also filled other local offices, hav- ing served for several terms as a member of the town council of Hancock,
MR. AND MRS. JOHN F. OWENS.
.1 JE NEW YORK MOGLIC LIBRARY
131 1, LENOX AND FOUNDATIONS.
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including service as a member of the first council. He is now serving for a third term as assessor of the town, and in these different position has dis- charged his duties with promptness and fidelity. His political allegiance is given to the republican party.
At the time of the Civil war, Mr. Owens offered his services to the gov- ernment, enlisting in August, 1861, at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, with which he served for ten months. He was honorably discharged at Corinth, Mississippi, and after returning home he re-enlisted at Springfield, Ohio, in August, 1862, this time becoming a member of the Forty-fourth Ohio Infantry. On the re-enlistment of the troops in 1863 their company was mustered in as part of the Eighth Ohio Cavalry, with which command Mr. Owens served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Clarks- burg, West Virginia, in August, 1865.
In 1867 Mr. Owens was united in marriage to Miss Kate M. Stevenson, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and unto them have been born a daughter and son ; Emma L., now the wife of W. W. Bingham, of Hancock; and William E., who is living in Hastings, Iowa. In his fraternal relations Mr. Owens is connected with Mt. Nebo lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Avoca; Rabonni chapter, No. 85, R. A. M., of Avoca; and U. S. Grant post, G. A. R., at that place. He thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades and takes great delight in the camp-fires, recalling reminiscences and scenes of the tented fields. He is a member of the Congregational church and is a man whose life in all of its purposes has been honorable and upright. He has been diligent in business and straightforward in his dealings, patriotic in citizenship, and faithful to the ties of home and friendship.
JOHN MINICK.
For thrty-five years John Minick has been identified with the farming interests of this county and now owns and cultivates two hundred and eighty acres in Valley township. This period has witnessed remarkable changes in methods of farming and with the march of progress Mr. Minick has always kept pace. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 8th of January, 1838, and is one of a family of ten children, but only two are now living, his brother being William Minick, a resident of Henry county, Missouri. The parents were Michael and Sarah (Weller) Minick. natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Ohio at an early period in the development of the latter state, there remaining until they were called to their final rest.
John Minick spent his boyhood and youth in the place of his nativity and remained with his parents until their deaths. He was educated in the public schools and early trained to the work of the farm as he assisted in the labor of plowing, planting and harvesting. The newer and less thickly settled districts of the west seemed to him to offer favorable opportunities to a man of ambition and energy and accordingly he sought a home in a region of that character, coming to Pottawattamie county in 1872. He set-
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tled in Valley township and has here found the fruition of his hopes. His careful management of his business affairs, his untiring diligence and his perseverance have resulted in making him the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land in Valley township and he also has two hundred and eighty-six acres in Nebraska. His farm in Pottawattamie county has been brought under a high state of cultivation and he is also engaged extensively in raising and feeding hogs, which proves a good source of income.
In 1873, the year following his arrival in this county, Mr. Minick made further arrangements for having a home of his own through his marriage to Miss Rebecca A. Hitesman, with whom he has since traveled life's journey. Mrs. Minick was born in Ohio, and this union has been blessed with three children : Alberta, the wife of A. B. Houghtaling, of this county; Jessie S., also of this county ; and Clara, the wife of Frank Gunda, of Oakland, Iowa.
In his political views Mr. Minick is a republican, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. While he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking he has always rejoiced in his party's victories. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and for several years he served as school director. His attention, however, has been chiefly concen- trated upon his farming and stock-raising interests, and thus he has become one of Valley township's substantial citizens.
CURTIS G. OUREN.
Curtis G. Ouren, treasurer of the Shugart-Ouren Seed Company, and one of the progressive and influential citizens of Council Bluffs, whose friends are many in the community, is a native of Pottawattamie county, born on a farm April 5, 1871. He received his early education in the county schools, working during summer on the farm and receiving practical training in all of the de- tails of agriculture. At the age of seventeen he came to Council Bluffs, where he supplemented his early education by attending the schools of the city. At the age of eighteen he entered the employ of the Weir-Shugart Company, deal- ers in implements, and was an efficient employe of this firm for three and one- half years. At the end of that period he accepted an offer from the Shugart & Frederick Seed Company. After one year, he bought out Mr. Frederick and the firm became known as Shugart & Ouren and in 1905 was incorporated as the Shugart-Ouren Secd Company, with Mr. Ouren as treasurer. He entered upon his duties immediately and he is still holding that position. He is a most capable business man, devoted to the best interests of the firm.
On the 19th of August, 1896, Mr. Ouren was united in marriage to Anna L. Gregory. Three children have blessed this union: Frances, Curtis G. and Katharine. Politically Mr. Ouren is a democrat and takes a deep interest in public affairs, but has never sought its honors or offices, his extensive business operations and personal affairs occupying the whole of his time. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was reared in the faith of
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the Congregational church and has been active in its interests ever since. Though still a young man he is well known in the business circles of this city and his support can always be depended upon in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and its upbuilding, so that the community numbers him among its valued citizens.
MARVIN WHITE.
Marvin White, deceased, became a resident of Council Bluffs in 1870 and was identified with its business interests throughout his remaining days. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1841, his parents being David and Lucy White, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state and resided in Erie county, where the father engaged in farming for many years. He then removed to the west and took up his abode at Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa, where he purchased a tract of land and engaged in general farming throughout the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife died upon the farm property there.
Marvin White was a pupil in the publie schools during his residence in the east, and after coming with his parents to the west he assisted his father in the development and improvement of the home farm at Osage, Iowa, until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He was just twenty-one years of age at the beginning of hostilities, and, offering his services to the government, he joined Company K of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry and served for three years under Captain, now Judge, C. T. Granger. His company was in many engagements and participated in seven of the most important battles of the war, and though often in the thickest of the fight Mr. White was never injured and remained at the front until the expiration of his time of service, being honorably discharged in 1865. Three of his brothers were also soldiers of the Union army.
After the war Mr. White returned to his home in Osage, Iowa, and re- mained with his parents for a brief period. He then continued on his west- ward way until he reached Brownville, Nebraska. There he engaged in driving a stage coach until he came to Council Bluffs in 1870, remaining a resident of this city until his demise. Here he also drove a stage coach, his route extend- ing to the northern part of the state. After being thus employed for several years he turned his attention to the livery business, entering into partnership with Theodore Lund. They purchased what was known as the old Patton barn on North Main street, and there Mr. White engaged in the livery business for several years, after which he sold out. During his last years he was retired from active business, suffering from ill health for some time prior to his death.
On the 20th of November, 1883, Mr. White was united in marriage in Council Bluffs to Miss Elizabeth A. Dykes, a native of this city and a repre- sentative of one of its oldest families. Her parents were William and Polly (Hateh) Dykes, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. The Hatch family settled in Pottawattamie county in 1846 when the
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Mormons were here, and William Dykes came a few years later. Here he turned his attention to merchandising and thus provided for the support of his family during his remaining days. His wife also passed away in Council Bluffs, August 14, 1878. The death of Mr. White occurred June 25, 1899, but he is well remembered by many friends whom he made during the years of his residence here.
In early days Mr. White gave his political support to the republican party and later voted with the democracy, but eventually had no party affiliation and cast his ballot for the candidates whom he regarded as best qualified for office. Both the White and Dykes families were well known to the pioneers of the city and county. Mrs. White still resides in Council Bluffs and is held in high esteem by a large circle of friends. She owns a nice home at No. 820 Avenue A, where she resides, and she also owns other property on West Broad- way, from which she derives a good income.
CHESTER C. SMITH.
Chester C. Smith, who for more than a third of a century has been a resi- dent of the county, was born in the state of New York, January 21, 1831, his parents being Shubal and Urania Smith, both of whom were natives of Ver- mont and are now deceased. Of their family of seven children only two are now living, the younger being S. K. Smith, who resides with his brother Ches- ter C. in James township.
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