USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 22
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
In his political views Mr. Tittsworth has long been a stalwart repub- lican and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge and with the commandery. He is likewise a member of the U. S. Grant post, G. A. R., of Avoca, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army com- rades.
There are few men who can relate from personal experience stories of life in the west so varied and so interesting as can Mr. Tittsworth. In his youth he witnessed events which can never be forgotten and many experi- ences of the west have also left an indelible impression upon his mind. To- day, however, as one sees him amid the quiet surroundings of a beautiful home in Pottawattamie county, it is difficult to realize that his entire life has not been passed in the same way. It is fitting that in his later years he should enjoy the fruits of his former toil. His entire life has been a
787
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
busy one and he is yet actively engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing, having a fine herd of Poland China hogs. He is a careful student of high grade stock and his successful experiments in the raising of hogs are the results of careful study and scientific research. He has also made a specialty of the raising of seed corn. Some years ago he started with but one ear of Reed's Yellow Dent seed corn and since that time he has carefully followed up his experiments in the raising of prize corn until today his seed corn is in demand all over the county. His wife has charge of the poultry and fruit products and has won many premiums at county fairs in the ex- hibits of high-class poultry, fruit, bees and honey. Their home is an at- tractive residence standing in the midst of a beautiful grove of evergreens and forms one of the loveliest pictures to be met with as one travels over Pottawattamie county.
FRED S. ROANE.
Fred S. Roane, one of the younger but none the less active and successful business man of Pottawattamie county. is well known as a prominent agri- culturist, stock raiser and feeder of York township, where he owns and op- erates a half section of valuable and well improved land. He was born in Neola, this county. April 22. 1876, his parents being John and Eliza (Ger- man) Roane. The father, who is one of the county's substantial citizens, is a farmer and banker, whose residence in Iowa dates from 1867, in which year he arrived in Pottawattamie county. He is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, born on the 28th of August, 1838, his parents being James and Hester (Houdd) Roane, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. James Roane and his family became early settlers of MeHenry county, Illinois, and it was there that John Roane was reared, coming to Pottawatta- mie county in 1867. Here he opened up a farm and later engaged in mer- chandizing in Neola, where he is now engaged in the banking business. He was married in York township, on the 1st of February, 1868, to Miss Eliza German, a native of Arkansas and a daughter of George German, an early settler here, who became a prominent farmer of York township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roane were born six children, two sons and four daughters, Fred of this review being the eldest. His brother Reuben is associated with him in the operation of the home farm. The daughters are: Mrs. H. L. Rob- ertson, of Council Bluffs; Mary H., the wife of W. S. Geise, of Underwood; Pearl, the wife of Joe Mitchell, of Neola; and Bessie. who is at home with her parents.
Fred S. Roane, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the home farm and educated in the schools of Neola and Woodbine. He re- mained with his father until he had attained his majority and then began farming two hundred and forty acres of the old home place, which he later purchased. while subsequently he bought eighty acres adjoining, so that he now has three hundred and twenty acres in the one farm. This is a valuable
788
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
property well equipped with modern conveniences and accessories. He uses the latest improved machinery, has good buildings and his fields indicate his careful supervision in the large harvests which are annually gathered. Fol- lowing his marriage he erected an attractive and commodious dwelling on his place and has also put up good barns, corn cribs and other buildings nec- essary for the shelter of grain and stock. He built a stock and hay barn, eighty by sixty feet, with twenty-six foot posts, capable of accommodating one hundred and fifteen tons of hay. He is widely known as a stock-raiser, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle, and he buys and feeds from two to five carloads per year. He also raises good grades of Poland China, Duroc and O. I. C. hogs and feeds for the market. His business affairs are capably managed, indicating his careful supervision and unfaltering diligence and as the years go by he is adding annually to his income.
On the 1st of March, 1898, Mr. Roane was married to Miss Hattie M. Kilmer, a native of Harrison county, Iowa, and a daughter of J. M. Kilmer. They had four children but lost their first-born in infancy. The living are Etta M., Ethel I. and Fred L. The family are prominent in the community where Mr. and Mrs. Roane are widely known. Their circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance and their home is justly celebrated for its warm-hearted and gracious hos- pitality.
In questions of national importance Mr. Roane is a republican but casts an independent local ballot. He has served on the township board for two terms and as road supervisor but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his bus- iness affairs. The lessons of thrift and industry which he learned in youth have borne rich fruit in his later years and through the careful direction of his business interests he has gradually advanced until he is now one of the substantial agriculturists of the community. Moreover, he is one of the prominent citizens of York township, having spent his entire life in this county, where his many sterling traits of character have gained for him the warm regard and good will of those with whom he has come in contact.
THOMAS S. FENLON.
Prominent among the business men of Pottawattamie county, a resident of Neola, and the largest dealer in and feeder and shipper of horses in south- western Iowa. is Thomas S. Fenlon, who has conducted business at his pres- ent place of residence since 1892. He has lived in Pottawattamie county, however, since 1868 and therefore through almost four decades has been closely associated with its interests and its development.
He was born near Rockford, Winnebago county. Illinois, April 28, 1865. and was three years of age when brought to Iowa by his parents, James and Mary (Stapleton) Fenlon. The father was a native of Ireland and when a lad went to Illinois with his parents, being there reared to farm life. He was mar-
789
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
ried in Winnebago county to Miss Mary Stapleton and in 1868 made his way westward to Council Bluffs, where he established an implement business which he conducted for ten years. He then sold out and removed to York township, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land. This he im- proved, making his home thereon, it being his place of residence for fourteen years. In the meantime he carefully conducted his business affairs so that success crowned his efforts and in 1892 he retired from farm life to enjoy the fruits of his former toil, removing to Des Moines, where he is now living at the age of eighty-one years, while his wife is seventy-six years of age. Not content, however, to be engaged in no business, for indolence and idleness are utterly for- eign to his nature, he is now traveling for the Woodmanse Manufacturing Company and is the oldest traveling salesman in the state of Iowa. Unto him and his wife were born thirteen children but only eight reached maturity. Five died in infancy and but five are still living.
Thomas Fenlon was reared on the home farm, where he enjoyed common- school advantages. Later he spent one year in a business college at Atchison, Kansas. He remained with his father and assisted him in the cultivation and development of the old homestead until he had attained his majority, when he went to Keith county, Nebraska, where he secured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres and a tree claim of similar amount. This he also improved, erected a dwelling there and resided upon that place for six years, but he sold out and returned to Neola.
On the 1st of May, 1889, Mr. Fenlon was married in Neola to Miss Catherine Flynn, a native of Pottawattamie county and a daughter of James Flynn, a farmer of Neola, who died in 1894. For three years after their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Fenlon resided on their Nebraska ranch. Later he con- ducted a livery stable in Neola for a few years, but the growth of his business as a dealer and shipper of horses compelled him to dispose of the livery busi- ness and seek more commodious quarters for the conduct of his other interests. This he did by buying forty acres of land in Neola in 1901, and upon no forty-acre tract in Pottawattamie county are found as good improvements-the land and buildings representing an investment of over sixteen thousand dol- lars. The buildings are all modern, commodious and convenient and were erected for the express purpose for which they are now used. Furthermore, Mr. Fenlon has recently completed the finest dwelling in Neola, built in modern style of architecture and equipped with all of the latest conveniences and com- forts, while its furnishings indicate a refined and cultured taste. He began business here in a small way but his interests have been extensively developed and he now ships and feeds between three and five hundred draft horses a year to the eastern markets. In 1906 he fed five hundred and seventeen head. He ranks among the largest dealers and shippers in the state and is known all over the country in this connection.
Mr. and Mrs. Fenlon have no children of their own but have reared two boys and two girls from infancy, of whom Jerome is now of age and makes his home in Des Moines. In politics Mr. Fenlon is a democrat and for several years has been chairman of the democratic committee of Neola. He has fre- quently attended county conventions as a delegate and has also been sent as a
790
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
delegate to state conventions. While interested in political questions and at all times a public-spirited citizen, his time and attention, however, are chiefly given to his business affairs, wherein he has gained most gratifying success. Hle and his wife are members of the Catholic church at Neola and throughout the state and wherever known Mr. Fenlon has a host of warm friends. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and may well be termed a self-made man, for without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the commencement of life he has worked earnestly and ener- getically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both char- acter and fortune. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward and is numbered among the leading business men of Pottawatta- mie county.
FRED MARTI.
Fred Marti, who for a period of twenty-five years was one of the active and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Pottawattamie county, still owns an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Minden township, adjoining the corporation limits of the village of Minden. He is one of Jowa's native sons and throughout his entire life has been imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been a dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west. His birth occurred in Scott county, Novem- ber 8, 1856. His father was Fred Marti, Sr., a native of Switzerland, who spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of the Alps. There he was married and afterward emigrated to the new world, first settling at Davenport, Scott county, Iowa. IIe began farming in that county and there reared his family. His last years were passed in that locality, where his death occurred.
Fred Marti of this review was reared on the old homestead farm in Scott county and when not busy with the work of the fields he pursued his studies in the common schools. From the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the autumn he assisted his father, and remained at home until after he had attained his majority. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Verena Risse, who was a native of Switzerland, but was reared in Scott county, the wedding being celebrated in Davenport in the spring of 1879. Mr. Marti and his bride located upon his present farm in that year. He first purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, a part of which had been broken, while upon the place was a little house. The new home was quite unpretentious, but large possibilities lay before the young couple because of their ambition and determination. Mr. Marti began to cultivate his fields and improve the property and from time to time he added to his original holdings until he became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres. At a later date, however, he sold one hundred and sixty acres, still owning a half section. Upon his place he has erected a large dwelling, sub- stantial barns, and added all the improvements and accessories which are a
MR. AND MRS. FRED MARTI.
THE NEW , K PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
793
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
part of the model farm of the twentieth century. He has planted an orchard and set out a grove, and he continued in the active cultivation and manage- ment of this place until 1904. He also raised and fed stock and both branches of his business proved profitable. In that year he built a good residence in Minden, where he is now living retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marti have been born seven children, who are still living. Fred, Jr., who is a student in the home school, being the only son. The daughters are Emma, the wife of Frank Bloomer, a resident farmer of Minden township; Lizzie, the wife of Henry Bloomer, a brother of Frank, and a farmer of this county; Rosa, the wife of John Langer, who follows agricultural pursuits here; Nellie, at home; Verena, who is engaged in the millinery business in Omaha; and Anna, who is attending school. They also lost two sons-Fred, who died in his third year, and Leslie, who passed away in his fourth year.
Mr. Marti has been a life-long republican, much interested in the party and its growth. He has served as a delegate to county and state conventions, was also township committeeman, and does everything in his power to secure republican victories. He and his wife are members of the German Congre- gational church. His entire life has been spent in this state and his memory goes back to the early days of Iowa's development. He has swung the whip over the backs of ox teams in early life when the farming was done after the primitive method of that time. He has aided in breaking the sod in many an acre and has borne the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier, but he has lived to see all of the evidences of pioneer life replaced by those of a modern civilization and has borne his full share in the work of improvements in agricultural lines. His unremitting diligence and activity in former years brought him a gratifying measure of prosperity and it is thus that he is now enabled to live retired, enjoying many of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
JOHN N. MAGUIRE.
John N. Maguire, identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of Carson township, his home being on section 25, is busily engaged in the cultivation of a good tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, on the 15th of March, 1854. his parents being James and Elizabeth (Plunkett) Maguire, who in 1863 left the Buck- eye state and became residents of Warren county, Illinois. They were farm- ing people, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. They remained residents of Illinois from 1863 until called to their final rest. the father pass- ing away in 1876 and the mother in 1881. There was five years difference in their ages, so that both were sixty-five years at the time of their demise. Their family numbered five sons, of whom four are yet living: William, a resident of Reno county, Kansas; Frank P .. who is living in Hutchinson,
-
794
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Kansas; Michael, who died in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1892, when thirty- eight years of age; John N., of this review; and Edward, whose home is in Danbury, Woodbury county, Iowa.
John N. Maguire spent the first nine years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Warren county, Illinois, where he was reared. The public schools there afforded him his educational privileges and he was trained to habits of industry and economy while assisting his father upon the homestead farm. He entered upon an independent business career in 1878 in Illinois. The following year he removed to Kansas, where he resided for two years, after which he re- turned to Illinois and a year later came to Iowa, arriving in Pottawattamie county in 1882. He first settled in Silver Creek township, where he pur- chased land and developed a farm, making his home there until the spring of 1902, when he sold his property and invested his means in his present farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land on section 25, Carson township. He has improved the place himself and has brought it into a rich state of fertility. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also gives considerable attention to stock- raising and both branches of his business are proving profitable owing to his careful management and indefatigable industry.
While in Kansas Mr. Maguire was married to Miss Addie Daugherty, a native of Fulton county, Illinois, and a daughter of Michael and Sarah Daugherty, who were early residents of that state, locating there about 1854. Both are now deceased, however. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Maguire have been born four children: Agnes, who was born in Warren county, Illinois, in 1880; Florence, born in Pottawattamie county in 1883; Belle, who was born in 1885 and is the wife of Frank Clark, of this county; and Leo, whose birth occurred in 1891. The family circle still remains unbroken by the hand of death.
The parents are communicants of the Catholic church, being connected with the Carson parish. In his fraternal relations Mr. Maguire is a Modern Woodman, holding membership in Oakland camp, while politically he is a democrat. He has served as trustee and in other township offices, discharg- ing his duties in prompt and able manner, whereby he has won the entire confidence of the community. In business affairs, too, he is notably reliable and energetic and his success is that of one who works his way upward by personal effort and unfaltering diligence.
JOHN P. GREENSHIELDS.
Among the business men of Council Bluffs who have achieved prominence as men of marked ability and substantial worth is John P. Greenshields, of the well known real-estate firm of Greenshields & Everest Company, and vice presi- dent of the First National Bank. He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, November 20, 1859, and there spent the first eighteen years of his
795
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
life, his education being acquired in the schools of the province. His parents were John and Margaret (Naiswith) Greenshields, both of whom were natives of Scotland and in childhood removed to Canada with their respective par- ents, the families coming to the new world at the same time.
Believing that the United States furnished better opportunities for an ambitious young man, Mr. Greenshields came to Iowa in 1877, and first located in Essex, Page county, where he obtained a position as clerk in a little general store, remaining there three or four years. At the end of that time he re- turned to Canada and went upon the road as salesman for a Montreal house dealing in hats and furs, in whose employ he remained for about four years. He next went to Chicago and secured employment with a clothing firm, open- ing branch stores in various cities, and so continued for a year. Going to An- thony, Kansas, he there embarked in the real-estate business on his own ac- count and for a time conducted a clothing store at that place. It was in 1886 that he left there and came to Council Bluffs and soon afterward opened a real- estate office in this city. He has since carried on business here along that line with marked success and also gives considerable attention to insurance, writ- ing a large number of policies each year.
Mr. Greenshields was married in Shenandoah, Iowa, August 6, 1885, to Miss Allie A. Armstrong, a daughter of the late John Armstrong, and to them were born four children but Jeanette is the only one now living. The others were: Chester, who died at the age of nine years; Fay, who died in infancy ; and James, who was a twin brother of Jeanette and also died in infancy.
In religious faith Mr. Greenshields is a Presbyterian and in his social re- lations is a member of the Masonic order and the Elks. Politically he is identi- fied with the republican party but does not care for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his busi- ness affairs, in which he has been more than ordinarily successful, though for one term he served as alderman of Council Bluffs. It is through his own un- aided efforts that he has arisen to a place of prominence in the commercial world, for he began his business career as a clerk in a country store, but being energetic, industrious and a man of sound judgment he has steadily prospered as the years have gone by until he is now at the head of a large and lucrative business and is vice president of the First National Bank of Council Bluffs.
HARRY Z. HAAS.
Harry Z. Haas, vice president of the Harle-Haas Drug Company, whole- sale dealers, and bookkeeper for the city waterworks of Council Bluffs, his na- tive city, was born on the 22d of July, 1861. His youth was here passed and at the usual age he entered the public schools where he mastered the elementary branches of learning. His early advantages were later supplemented by study in the college at Nebraska City, Nebraska, and he also attended the Military College at Poughkeepsie, New York, for one year. He next entered Bryant & Stratton Business College, in Chicago, where he also studied for a year, and
796
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
thus equipped by thorough training for the pratical duties of life, he re- turned to Iowa and has since been engaged in various business enterprises, in- cluding that of cattle-raising. In 1902 he became vice president of the Harle- Haas Drug Company, of which his father, Samuel Haas, was president until the time of his death in 1900. Ile has since remained with this company which owns and conducts an extensive wholesale house in Council Bluffs with a large trade that reaches out to various parts of the country.
Mr. Haas is equally well known in social circles. He is a director and commodore of the Council Bluffs Rowing Association, belongs to the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Fraternal Order of Eagles; also to the Council Bluffs Fish & Game Association and to the Commercial Club of Council Bluffs. In his business he has displayed untiring energy and strict integrity. He forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, while his close application to business and his excellent management have bought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his. It is true that he became interested in a business already established, but in controlling and enlarging such an enterprise he has displayed resolute purpose and industry, and has demonstrated the truth of the saying that success is not the result of genius, as held by many, but the outcome of a clear judgment and experience.
JAMES WILSON.
James Wilson, one of the best known breeders of thoroughbred registered polled Durham cattle, having the finest herd in Iowa, has in this connection gained a reputation that has made him known beyond the borders of the state. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, on the 20th of September, 1849, his parents being Thomas and Abigail (Sellers) Wilson, of whose family of three children he is the eldest. His brother John is a resident farmer of Perry county, Ohio. The father was a native of the Buckeye state and was reared in Perry county, where he spent the greater part of his life. In the '40s, however, he made his way westward to Iowa and entered two hundred and forty acres of land from the government in Mahaska county. He remained in this state, however, for but a short time on account of the prevalence of fever and ague and other illnesses to which pioneers are subject. Returning to Perry county, Ohio, he there made his home up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1857.
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.