USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
During his boyhood Chester C. Smith remained in the east and in 1844 accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, locating in McHenry county, where the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government and at once began to clear, develop and improve that prop- erty. Our subject remained under the parental roof until 1855, when he went to Wisconsin and located on a traet of government land which his brother had previously purchased, remaining there until 1861. He then went to Cali- fornia, traveling overland with horse teams, and spent one year in San Fran- cisco. He was next engaged in prospecting in Idaho for one summer, after which he returned to San Francisco and followed teaming. In the summer of 1863 he went to Nevada, prospecting and mining in Humboldt county until the spring of 1865, when he returned to Idaho, spending one year in mining in Owyhee county. During the following two years he was connected with a sawmill and in the fall of 1868 came to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, but in the spring of 1869 again went to Wisconsin, making his home there until 1873.
It was in that year that Mr. Smith located permanently in Pottawattamie county. He bought land on section 1, James township, where he and his brother, S. K. Smith, are now living retired, each owning one hundred and sixty acres of land on which they have made all of the improvements. Since coming to this county our subject has been continuously connected with agri- cultural interests and whatever success he has enjoyed is attributable to his own
765
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
labors, as he has worked persistently and earnestly to win advancement. He completed his education in the high school at Rockford, Illinois, and during his boyhood became thoroughly familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the farmer. His brother served as a soldier in the Civil war, being a member of the Illinois cavalry, with which he continued for ten months.
In 1870 Chester C. Smith married Miss Amy A. Smith, who was born in Michigan and is one of a family of eight children. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son, Jay, also a native of Michigan, who is now en- gaged in the newspaper business in Council Bluffs.
Politically Mr. Smith is a republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party as most conducive to good government. His fellow townsmen, recog- nizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to office, and he has served as assessor and township clerk and in other local positions, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 439, at Hancock, and is well known not only in the order but throughout the county, where he has lived for so long a period.
VICTOR E. BENDER.
Victor E. Bender is manager of the Daily Nonpareil of Council Bluffs and owns a controlling interest in the paper. The greater part of his life has been devoted to journalism and he has made the Nonpareil one of the leading daily papers of the west. His birth occurred in Granville, Illinois, September 1, 1861, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bender, were both natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to America in the carly '30s.
In the public schools of his native town Victor E. Bender acquired his early education and afterward engaged in teaching for two years in a Ger- man settlement, giving instruction in both the English and German lan- guages. At the age of twenty years he entered Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, and was graduated with the class of 1885. During his college course he did more or less newspaper work in Galesburg and was also asso- ciate editor of the college paper. After completing his college course he engaged in teaching for two years at Abingdon, Illinois, being principal of what was known as the North school. In 1887 he returned to his alma mater as teacher of oratory and in 1888 went to Omaha and took up his chosen profession, for he had determined to devote his life to newspaper work. He became reporter on the Omaha Dispatch and later its editor and when the Dispatch was purchased by the Republican he was made city editor of the latter. In 1889 he bought a half interest in the Omaha Mer- cury, a legal newspaper, and after six months became sole proprietor by purchasing his partner's interest. He conducted this paper successfully until the fall of 1894, when he sold out and with a number of business men of Omaha and Council Bluffs he organized a company that bought the Daily Nonpareil. Since that time he has been its manager and at the present writing he owns a controlling interest in the paper.
766
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
On the 11th of June, 1889, Mr. Bender was married to Miss Alma B. Colville, the wedding being celebrated at the bride's home in Galesburg, Illinois. They now have two children, Robert and Victoria, aged respect- ively sixteen and nine years.
Mr. Bender is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is a past exalted ruler. In politics he is a republican and champions the principles of the party through the columns of the Nonpareil. His in- terest in municipal affairs in Council Bluffs is that of a public-spirited citizen and his co-operation has been of decided advantage to many move- ments that have been instituted for the benefit of the city. At present he is a member of the board of trustees of the free public library and he was also the first president of the Council Bluffs Commercial Club. At all times he is actuated by a sincere interest in the city and her welfare and the Nonpareil is ever found as a stalwart supporter of plans and movements for the public good. America owes much of her progress and advancement to a position foremost among the nations of the world to her newspapers, and in no line has the incidental broadening out of the sphere of usefulness been more marked than in this same line of journalism. Council Bluffs has en- listed in its newspaper field men of broad mental grasp, cosmopolitan ideas and honorable business sagacity, and of this type Mr. Bender is an excel- lent representative.
JOEL HARLAN MAYNE.
Joel Harlan Mayne, surveyor of Pottawattamie county, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Keosauqua, Van Buren county, on the 2d of March, 1865. He was but seven years of age, when, in 1872, he accompanied his parents to Red Oak, where he lived for four years, or until May, 1876. That date witnessed his arrival in Council Bluffs. He had at- tended school at Red Oak for about four years and from 1876 until 1882 was a student in the schools of this city. His education was further ac- quired in the Iowa Agricultural College, at Ames, where he remained for three years. Following his return home he became assistant city engineer of Council Bluffs, filling the position for about six months, after which he did general engineering for a year. In 1886 he removed to a farm near Cres- cent, in Pottawattamie county, and for the next fourteen years was actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and gathering good crops as the reward of his labors. In 1900 he again took up his abode in the city, where he was engaged in the live-stock business and later he again turned his attention to engineering. In September, 1905, he was appointed county surveyor, filling a vacancy caused by the death of the former incumbent, and in November, 1906, he was elected to the office for the full term of two years. He is well qualified by training for this position and his skill and ability are manifest in his
767
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
work, while the public confidence is proven by his election to the office after more than a year's incumbency therein.
On the 9th of March, 1887, at Ransom, Illinois, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Mayne and Miss Frances Verner, and unto them have been born three sons, as follows: Winfield V., Arthur H. and George H.
Mr. Mayne is not unknown in military circles. He was second lieu- tenant in the Iowa National Guard during the administration of Governor Buren F. Sherman, and was formerly a member of the Council Bluffs Light Guard, which was organized by Colonel D. B. Dailey. Mr. Mayne belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and to the Council Bluffs Rowing Association. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and by his daily life, which is in harmony with his professions. In politics he is a republican and while he is stanch in support of the party he has none of the bitter partisanship which antagonizes. In all life's relations he makes it his aim to be just and is a man liberal in his opinions and broad in his views.
HENRY E. FOOTE.
Henry E. Foote, who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits on sec- tion 14, James township, was born in the state of New York, January 28, 1856. His father, E. W. Foote, was a native of Tioga county, New York, and having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Miss Jane Hines, whose birth occurred in Massachusetts and who is now deceased. In their family were five children, of whom three are now living: E. R., a resident of Stanton county, Nebraska; Sarah, the wife of James M. Hoaglen, of Tomp- kins county, New York; and Henry E., of this review.
In the days of his boyhood and youth Henry E. Foote remained under the parental roof and the public schools afforded him his educational privi- leges. When not busy with his text-books he worked upon the home farm and thus assisted his father until twenty-two years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. The year 1878 witnessed his arrival in Iowa and in 1879 he went to South Dakota, where he remained for one summer. He then again came to this state, settling in Pottawattamie county, where he worked by the month as a farm hand for one year. Hc afterward went to Buchanan county, Iowa, where he spent the succeeding year and then again came to Pottawattamie county, where he rented a tract of land and engaged in farming. Later he purchased a farm in James township, upon which he lived until 1893, when he sold out and removed to Nebraska. There he con- tinued for twelve years, devoting a part of the time to farming and the remainder to carpentering. In 1905 he returned to Pottawattamie county and for a year resided at Hancock, after which he took up his abode upon the farm which is now his home on section 14, James township. His ener- gies are now devoted to general agricultural pursuits, and he has brought
768
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
his fields into a state of rich fertility, so that he annually gathers therefrom rich and abundant harvests.
In 1887 Mr. Foote was united in marriage to Miss Laura L. Crouch, who was born in Clinton county, Iowa, in 1867, a daughter of William and Esther Crouch, in whose family were four children. The parents are still living at Oakland, this county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Foote has been blessed with seven children, of whom six are yet living: Amy E., W. B., Ida A., Henry E., Laura A. and Wesley C., all yet with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Foote attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church at Hancock. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and for several years he has served as school director but has never sought nor desired political preferment. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 439, at Hancock, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and is popular and prominent in the organization, Whatever success he has achieved in life is attributable to his own labors and perseverance, for he had no special family or pecuniary advantages at the outset of his career, placing his de- pendence upon the safe and substantial qualities of energy, determination and perseverance.
JOHANN HEESCH, SR.
The German-American element in our citizenship is one which has always been accorded recognition because of its value in promoting civilization and advancing that progress which is the basis of business activity and success. To this class belongs Johann Heesch, Sr., a native of the fatherland, born on the 22d of September, 1843. His parents were Hans and Anna (Temm) Heesch, who were likewise natives of Germany and both died in that country. In their family were four sons and a daughter: Hans, living in Germany ; Johann, of this review; George, a resident of Pottawattamie county ; Marquis, yet in Germany ; and Catharine, of the same country.
Mr. Heesch obtained his education in accordance with the laws of his native land, spending his early youth in school. He came to America in 1865, when twenty-two years of age, attracted by the broader business oppor- tunities and greater commercial advantages of the new world. He first located in Scott county, Iowa, where he worked by the month at farm labor at eighteen dollars per month, for three years and for two years was employed in a stone quarry. Desiring that his efforts should more directly benefit him- self, he then began the operation of a rented farm, on which he lived for three years. In 1873 he came to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, settling in Pleasant township, where he invested the capital that he had saved from his earnings in one hundred and sixty acres of land on the northwest quarter of section 35. This was raw prairie, entirely destitute of improvements, but he commenced tilling the soil and developing his property through the erection of good build- ings. He erected a story and a half frame house, sixteen by twenty-four fect. Additional purchases were made from time to time until he now owns four
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LFAX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
δΈ€
-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
773
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
hundred and eighty acres of fine land, all of which has been brought into a state of rich fertility. The improvements on this place are modern and attrac- tive and in addition to the homestead here he owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in Wadena county, Minnesota, for which he paid twenty-nine dollars per acre. He also owns a block in Avoca, on which stands a fine residence and he and his wife are now living a retired life in this beautiful home, having left the farm in 1898. While living in Pleasant township he made a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs and his live-stock interests were an important branch of his business, bringing to him a large profit annually.
In the year 1869, Mr. Heesch was married to Miss Wilhelmina Fresa, who was born in Germany, April 23, 1849. Her parents were also natives of that country and the father died there but the mother passed away in Iowa. Their family numbered three children, while unto Mr. and Mrs. Heesch six children have been born: Anna, the wife of Herman Udermarck, of Minnesota; Louisa, the wife of Charles Ronford, of this county; Catharine, the wife of August Detlef, also of Pottawattamie county; John W., who is operating his father's farm; Wilhelmina, the wife of Julius Rock, of Pot- tawattamie county; and Frederick W., of this county.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Heesch has voted with the democracy and has held the offices of school director and supervisor for several years each. He is a self-made man, owing his prosperity entirely to his own labors and the assistance of his estimable wife, who has indeed been a helpmate to him on life's journey. As the years have gone by he has accumulated a handsome fortune, so that they are now enabled to enjoy many of life's comforts and luxuries in their pleasant and attractive home in the village of Avoca. While having a deep love for the land of his birth, he is ever loyal to the land of his adoption and its interests and though the Ger- man traits of steadfast perseverance and diligence are strong within him, he has, too, that progressive spirit which has been the dominant factor in bring- ing America to its present position in agricultural and commercial life.
EDWARD CANNING.
Edward Canning, the well known sheriff of Pottawattamie county, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, February 4, 1862. He there received his cdu- cation but left school at the age of seventeen and decided to learn the ma- chinist's trade. As a lad he was always interested in machinery and could take apart most any piece and put it together again with careful accuracy. So enamored was he with this trade that he worked at it successfully for fif- teen years and became proficient in its every detail.
The stir and whirl of politics attracted his attention and in 1894 Mr. Canning consented to run as city marshal of Council Bluffs and was elected by a large majority, serving in that office for four years. At the end of that time he was at a loss to know what was best to undertake and for a year
774
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
was engaged in the stock business. But his early occupation as a machinist once more attracted him and he returned to its duties, entering the Union Pacific shops at Council Bluffs. It is said that a man once in politics never again gets far away from this interest and in 1900 Mr. Canning was ap- pointed deputy sheriff of Pottawattamie county and for four years he served the county in that capacity. In the fall of 1903 he was elected sheriff and so effectively did he fulfill the duties of this position that in 1906 he was re-elected for two years.
In 1885 Mr. Canning was married, in Denver, Colorado, to Lenora Shew. Their union has been blessed with four children: Walter E., Flor- ence M., Helen M. and Richard H. Mr. Canning is a member of the Episcopal church and is in the vestry of St. Paul's church. He is a member of the Elks lodge, the Masons, the Modern Woodmen, the Eagles and the Maccabees, who have all worked earnestly and willingly for his re-election to his various offices and are proud of Mr. Canning as a representative of their organizations. His political affiliation has always been with the repub- lican party and he has served on county and city committees and been a delegate to several conventions, county, congressional and state. He is suc- cessful in politics because he is a man among men. He is whole-souled and genial and when he shakes you by the hand you are sure he is glad to see you. His plan has aimed to advance the principles of his party and the efficiency of its office holders, and to this end he has bent his efforts. Justice has ever been maintained in his relations to his constituents and he has never been slow to assist and encourage those who have sought his help or his support in any walk of life. He has been watchful of all the details of his office and has in consequence filled them with honor.
SAMUEL KEAST.
Samuel Keast is the owner of the southwest quarter of section 28, Car- son township. He was born in Cornwall, England, June 12, 1869, his parents being Thomas and Eliza (Oliver) Keast, both of whom were natives of England. The father died in Macedonia township in 1895 at the age of fifty years and nine months, but the mother is still living on the old home place in this county.
Samuel Keast, the second in order of birth in a family of seven chil- dren, was only nine months old when his parents crossed the Atlantic to the new world and located at Rockford, Illinois. About eight years were there passed, after which they came to this county in 1877, establishing their home on a farm in Macedonia township, where Samuel Keast lived until twenty-one years of age. Leaving home, he then went to Hall county, Nebraska, where he spent two years, and for five years was a resident of Wayne county, that state. Upon the western frontier he engaged in break- ing prairie and in operating a threshing machine most of the time. Follow- ing his return to this county he lived with his mother on the home farm for
775
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
three years and then began an independent farming venture. He took up his abode five years ago upon his present farm, which comprises a quarter section of land that is rich and arable and responds freely to the care and labor he bestows upon it. He now raises both grain and stock and has a well improved property.
Mr. Keast has been married twice. In January, 1900, he wedded Miss Tessie Bolyard, a native of Warren county, Iowa, and they had two children, Thomas Earl and Tessie Evelyn. On the 16th of August, 1905, Mr. Keast was again married, his second union being with Ruby Coons, a native of Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, and a daughter of David and Miranda (Ruby) Coons, natives of Ohio and Iowa respectively. They have one son, Leland David, born September 28, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Keast have a wide acquaintance in their locality and are greatly esteemed by many friends, who recognize and appreciate their gen- uine personal worth. Mr. Keast votes with the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have little attraction for him, as he prefers to give his attention to his business affairs, which are now bringing him a success that he justly merits.
JOHN J. HESS.
John J. Hess, county attorney of Pottawattamie county, who since 1895 has been a member of the bar of Council Bluffs, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of December, 1872. He was but six years of age when his parents removed to Iowa, settling on a farm in Pottawattamie county in the fall of 1878. Here John J. Hess was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist, while in the country schools he acquired a knowledge of the ele- mentary branches of English learning. At the age of eighteen years he attended a business college in Council Bluffs and he also spent one year as a student in Iowa College, at Grinnell, Iowa, and one year at Highland Park College, in Des Moines. Having acquired a good literary education to serve as a foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowl- edge, he entered the law department of the State University of Iowa, and was graduated in the class of 1895.
At the same time Mr. Hess was admitted to the bar in Council Bluffs, where he has since remained. Here he has enjoyed a good clientage and has been connected with much important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He is ever careful and thorough in the preparation of his cases, is painstaking and watchful in the presentation of his cause and in his argu- ments his deductions follow in logical sequence. He has been called to a number of public offices, is a republican in politics and has been a delegate to various county, congressional and state conventions. Indeed he is recognized as one of the strong and able republicans of this part of Iowa, and since 1902 has been continuously in public office, having in that
776
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
year been appointed assistant county attorney of Pottawattamie county. He served for two years and was then elected to the office of county attorney in 1904, to which position he was re-elected in 1906, so that he is the present incumbent.
In the year 1897 Mr. Hess was joined in wedlock to Miss Belle Snyder, a daughter of J. R. Snyder, now of Omaha but then of Council Bluffs. They have two daughters, Geraldine and Gretchen. Mr. Hess belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and also holds membership relations with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Modern Woodmen. He has resided almost continuously in Pottawattamie county for thirty years and is well known here as a citizen of progressive ideas, which he executes in practical manner, so that desirable results follow. His reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor, and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability.
HENRY V. ROCK.
Henry V. Rock, successfully owning and operating a farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 29, Knox township, was born in Wal- deck, Germany, on the 17th of July, 1863, a son of Frederick and Louisa Rock, of whom more extended mention is made in the sketch of William V. Rock on another page of this volume.
Henry V. Rock acquired his education in the schools of his native land, but in 1881, at the age of eighteen years, he decided to come to the new world. After landing on the shores of America he made his way to Clinton county, Iowa, where he worked on a farm by the month for five years. On the expiration of that period he went to Scott county, Iowa, where he was also employed as a farm hand for three years. He then came to Potta- wattamie county, this state, and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Pleasant township, on which he lived for eleven years, when he sold that tract and bought three hundred and twenty acres two miles south of Avoca, on sec- tion 29, Knox township, where he has since made his home. He has met with a large measure of success in his farming operations, his prosperity having been acquired entirely through his own well directed energies, inde- fatigable industry and capable business management.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.