USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 25
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gives active co-operation to various measures for the public good. His fraternal relations connect him with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the beneficent spirit of these organiza- tions finds exemplification in his life.
WALTER KRUEGER.
The path of life which Walter Krueger has trod has not been without its obstacles but with perseverance and strong determination he has overcome all the difficulties that he has encountered and has steadily advanced toward the goal of prosperity, being now one of the substantial agriculturists of Lin- coln township. He was born on the 17th of January. 1862, in Prussia, Ger- many, of the marriage of Henry and Elizabeth (Weise) Krueger, whose family numbered seven children, although only two are now living, the elder brother being William Krueger, a resident of Underwood, this county. Both parents were natives of Prussia and in that country the father learned the weaver's trade, which he followed in Germany until 1882, when he brought his family to the new world, settling in Minden, Pottawattamie county, where he made his home with his children until his death, which occurred in 1895.
Walter Krueger was a young man of twenty years when the family emigrated to the new world. For two years after his arrival he was employed at farm labor in this county and then associated himself with his brother, Frank Krueger, now deceased, in the cultivation of a rented farm. They remained partners in this enterprise for three years, after which Walter Kueger farmed for one year as a renter by himself. In the meantime he eare- fully saved his earnings and at length his labor brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty aeres of land in 1889. This tract was situated in York township near Minden, where he started out upon an independent business venture as a landowner. He later added to this farm a tract of forty acres and afterward twenty aeres, making his place altogether two hundred and twenty acres. To its development and improvement he gave his time and energies until 1905, when he sold out and purchased his present property of three hundred and twenty aeres lying on sections 19 and 20, Lin- coln township. This is today a well improved farm, equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories and its well kept appearance indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods.
In 1888 Mr. Krueger was married to Miss Alvina Grobe, a daughter of Christof Grobe, who came to the United States from Braunschwich, Germany, in 1870, settling in La Salle county, Illinois, where his daughter Alvina was born. On the 17th of January, 1871, he removed with his family to Minden, Iowa, where his death occurred a year later. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Krueger have been born six children : Walter, Arthur, Ida, Henry, Alvina and Albert. The family circle still remains unbroken by the hand of death and all are still un- der the parental roof. The parents and children hold membership in the
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Lutheran church and are interested in its work and the extension of its in- fluence.
In politics Mr. Krueger is a republican and is most loyal in his attach- ment to the stars and stripes. He started out in life in Pottawattamie county as a young man of very limited financial circumstances but full of energy and resolute purpose. His strong perseverance has enabled him to make steady progress in the business world and his life record shows what may be accom- plished in a land where labor is unhampered by caste or class.
PETER JOHNSON.
Peter Johnson is one of the few remaining old soldiers of Pottawattamie county and also a pioneer settler. He came to Iowa in 1862 and thus for forty-five years has lived within its borders, his home being on his present farm on section 8, Norwalk township, since 1881. Here he owns and culti- vates a good property of one hundred and twenty acres. He was born in Denmark, May 7, 1842, his parents being John and Elizabeth Johnson, who were also natives of Denmark. His boyhood days were spent on a farm in that country but, possessing laudable ambition, he desired to benefit his condi- tion and did so by coming to America when twenty years of age. That he made no mistake in this course is indicated by the fact that his has been a successful career here. Crossing the Atlantic to New York he went at once to Wisconsin, where he spent one year, and in 1863 he came to Council Bluffs. The Civil war being in progress, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting at once as a member of Company G, Ninth Iowa Infantry, joining the army at Nashville. He assisted in driving Hood from Tennessee and was then with the part of Sherman's army which was sent to reinforce General Thomas. He afterward participated in the celebrated march to the sea under General Sherman and was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, after three years of active connection with the war, being honorably discharged with a creditable military record.
Returning to Council Bluffs, Mr. Johnson worked by the month for two years at farm labor and then rented land, following farming in that way for ten years. In 1881 he purchased land upon which he now lives, securing one hundred and twenty acres, formerly owned by the railroad. Upon this farm he has since resided but the place bears little resemblance to that which came into his possession twenty-six years ago. He has carried forward the work of improvement along practical lines and has good buildings, including a comfortable residence, substantial outbuildings and cribs for the shelter of grain and stock. The orchard upon his place was set out by him and in fact every tree upon the farm was planted by Mr. Johnson. He also broke the prairie, turning the sod upon many an acre, and as the years passed he converted this into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathers good harvests. He has also made stock-raising a feature of his place and for twelve years has devoted much attention to the raising of polled
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Angus cattle, owning a fine registered bull. He also raises and feeds Poland China hogs and annually ships from one to two carloads of stock.
In the fall of 1869, in Crescent City, Iowa, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Carrie Benson, and unto them have been born eight children, of whom the following are now living: Julia, the wife of Louis Anderson, a resident farmer of Rockford township; William M., a carpenter at Missouri Valley, Iowa; George, who is a machinist of Missouri Valley, and married Lillie Steadman; and Clara, the wife of John McGrew, of Omaha. In the fall of 1884 Mr. Johnson was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. He was again married on the 16th of March, 1885, his second union being with Maud Miller, a native of Denmark. They had nine children, of whom seven are now living: Sophronia, the wife of William Gittens, a farmer of Harrison county, Iowa; Eva, who is in Omaha with a sister; Frank H., at home; John H .; Edward; Lulu; and Mabel. A daughter, Lilly, died in the spring of 1907, at the age of eight years. She was a twin of Lulu.
Mr. Johnson cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln and has since supported each candidate at the head of the ticket, but locally is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. His fellow townsmen have called him to several local offices, including that of town- ship trustee, road supervisor and president of the school board. He has served in the latter capacity for several years and all his official duties have been discharged with promptness and fidelity, for he has deep and abiding interest in the welfare of his community, desiring to aid in every possible way in promoting its progress and advancing its interests. He mantains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army post at Council Bluffs. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church of Boomer township and are most highly esteemed people. Time tests the merit of all things and it has proven that Mr. John- son's decision concerning his emigration to America was a wise one. He has lived in the county for forty-five years and during this period has not only witnessed the remarkable changes that have occurred but has also aided in its substantial growth and its development, especially along agricultural lines. What he now enjoys is due to his own labor and perseverance. Never depending upon friends to aid him, he has carefully conducted his business affairs, working systematically year after year in the conduct of his farm, so that he is now one of the substantial agriculturists of his community.
LUCIUS WELLS.
The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its com- mercial activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations, and therefore among the builders of a town are those who stand at the head of the business enterprises. For over a quarter of a century Lucius Wells has been promi- nently identified with the business interests of Council Bluffs and while advancing his own welfare has done much for the prosperity of the city.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
A native of Illinois, he was born on a farm in Rock Island county, Feb- ruary 9, 1845, and lived there until he had attained the age of twenty-seven. In the meantime he secured a good practical education which has well fitted him for life's duties, pursuing his studies in the country schools of his native county and later attending Lombard University at Galesburg, Illinois. On leaving college in 1867 he accepted a position with Deere & Company, plow manufacturers at Moline, Illinois, and he worked in their factory for some years, starting at the very bottom of the ladder and making his way upward until he occupied a very responsible position. In 1881 he came to Council Bluffs and started in the agricultural implement business on his own account as a member of the firm of Deere, Wells & Company. This connection con- tinued for eighteen years, during which time the business steadily prospered, and in 1899 Mr. Wells sold his interest, since which time he has carried on operations under his own name as a dealer in agricultural implements, car- riages and gasoline engines.
In 1868, in Dixon, Illinois, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wells and Miss Martha A. Wadsworth, a daughter of Christopher Wadsworth, and two children bless this union : Eunice M., wife of A. W. Casady, of Council Bluffs; and Cherrie Wells. Mr. Wells holds membership in the Elks lodge but takes no very active part in fraternal organizations or political affairs, his time and attention being wholly taken up by his business interests. As a public-spirited citizen, however, he does all in his power to promote the moral or social welfare of the city, and efficiently served on the school board for several years. In business circles he has made for himself an honored name as a man thoroughly honorable in all his deal- ings, and he is held in high regard wherever knowD
J. H. GREGG.
J. H. Gregg occupies one of the finest country homes in the county and his landed possessions aggregate seven hundred acres in Hazel Dell and Garner townships. His home is on section 33 in the former township and the land, which is now in a high state of cultivation, was largely wild and unimproved when it came into his possession. The splendid appearance of his farm is the visible evidence of his life of well directed activity and enterprise. He first arrived in the county in 1855, making the journey by stage after the primitive manner of travel of the times, and the following year he took up his abode upon his purchase and for more than a half century has continued in the county, not only as a witness of its development but also as a participant in its improvement and unbuilding.
Mr. Gregg is one of the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to Pot- tawattamie county. His birth occurred in Belmont county of the Buckeye state, December 19, 1831, his parents being H. H. and Amy (Hoge) Gregg, who were natives of London and Fauquier counties, Virginia, respectively. They were married in the Old Dominion and on removing to Ohio settled
MPS. J. H. GREGG
J. H. GREGG
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDA IO' S.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
in Belmont county during the pioneer epoch in its history, there residing until called to their final rest. The father, who was born February 4. 1803. passed away June 30, 1861. He was a farmer and merchant and engaged in. buying and packing tobacco. His wife was born October 7. 1807. and died January 7, 1874.
In their family were ten children, including J. H. Gregg, who was reared to farm life and remained at home until twenty-five years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. On the 22d of October. 1856, in Grundy county, Illinois, he wedded Miss Amy G. Hoge, who was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, July 24, 1830. her parents being William and Rachel (Boles) Hoge. who were natives of Virginia and were of Scotch and German descent. They removed to Illinois when their daugh- ter Amy was a small child.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gregg came to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, arriving at Council Bluffs on the 18th of November, 1855. The year before Mr. Gregg had purchased four hundred and thirty-two acres in Hazel Dell township, nearly all of which was in its primitive condition, for which he paid four dollars and seventy-five cents per acre. Upon the place was a log cabin containing one room, and about fifteen or twenty acres of the land had been broken. He was accompanied on the journey by his cousin. Robert Gregg. Having secured the land at a low figure he resolved to meet the hardships and privations of pioneer life in order to secure a home of his own. All around him was a wild and windswept prairie, but few settlements having been made, although the land was rich in its natural resources and possibilities. With characteristic energy Mr. Gregg began to till the soil and in course of time it brought forth rich crops. As the years have passed he has prospered in his undertakings and is now the owner of seven hundred acres of valuable land in Hazel Dell and Garner townships, from which he annually reaps golden harvests. His home is commodious and is accounted one of the finest dwellings in the county. There are also large barns and other substantial outbuildings on the place and the land is devoted to gen- eral farming and stock-raising. Well kept fences divide the place into fields of convenient size and everything about the place indicates the careful super- vision of the owner, whose labors have been the resultant factor in winning him the gratifying prosperity he now enjoys. Mr. Gregg also owns nine hundred and forty-eight acres, all in James township except one hundred and twenty acres in Belknap township devoted to stock. Mrs. Gregg owns two hundred and twenty-eight acres in Belknap and one hundred and sixty acres in Hazel Dell township, so that they have an aggregate of over two thousand acres all in this county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gregg were born ten children but only three are now living, as follows: Amanda, at home; Amy E., the wife of Jefferson D. Harris, of Oakland. Iowa; and Adelaide, the wife of W. D. St. Clair, of Oakland, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gregg are in excellent health, although he has now passed the age of seventy-five years. In politics he has been a stalwart republican since the organization of the party and for over thirty years has served as school commissioner in his township but otherwise has
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
held no office, as he has found his time and attention fully occupied with business cares. In all of his dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and his genuine personal worth has gained for him the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, so that he is now regarded as one of the representative citi- zens of his community.
The county today bears little resemblance to the district in which Mr. and Mrs. Gregg arrived more than a half century ago. There were many hardships to be borne and obstacles to be overcome and owing to the remote- ness of markets and the conveniences of the older east the mode of living of the pioneers was very different than that of the inhabitants east of the Mississippi. The winter of 1856-7 was the most severe that Mr. Gregg has ever experienced here. The snow fell to a great depth and the weather was very cold. For his first crop he received forty cents per bushel but at different times prices were lower and at one time he obtained but twelve and a half cents per bushel for the yield of the fields. Dressed hogs sold for two and three cents per pound and other prices were proportionately low, but as the county has become settled and prosperous prices have been advanced and the success that has attended Mr. Gregg is indicated in his large land holdings. In the early times Indians often visited the county and much wild game was to be seen, but while there were many difficulties to be met incident to life on the frontier, a spirit of hospitality characterized the entire community and the neighbors did what they could to assist each other. Anyone who journeyed along the road always had a pleasant greeting for those whom he chanced to meet, and although quarters were often cramped, hospitality was not the less genuine or sincere. Not only has Mr. Gregg seen Pottawattamie county grow from a wild country with only a few white inhabitants to a rich agri- cultural district containing thousands of good homes and growing towns inhabited by an industrieus, prosperous, enlightened and progressive people, but he has participated in and assisted the slow, persistent work of develop- ment which was necessary to produce a change that is so complete as to seem almost phenomenal.
HENRY SPERLING.
Henry Sperling, treasurer of the Peterson & Schoening Company, dealers in furniture, hardware and rugs, is well known in commercial circles, although one of the more recent additions to the business life of Council Bluffs. He lo- cated in this city in 1902, and his strength of purpose, ready dispatch of busi- ness and his unfaltering determination have gained him recognition as a valu- able factor in mercantile life here.
He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred on a farm in Mills county, on the 4th of November, 1868. He came with his parents to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, in 1870, and remained upon the home farm until 1881, during which period he was a student in the country schools near his home. In 1881 his parents removed to Council Bluffs and he was placed
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
in school here. He afterward spent a year in Toensfeldt Institute in St. Louis, and upon putting aside his text-books he returned to Council Bluffs to receive a more direct business training in the Western Iowa Business College. He afterward put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test as an employe in the china store of W. A. Mauer, with whom he remained for a year. He next spent a year in newspaper work in connection with the Nonpareil, and was afterward for a year in the office of the county auditor of Pottawattamie county.
Attracted by the far west, he went to Seattle, Washington, in October, 1888, and for six years remained upon the Pacific coast, spending one year in a furniture factory and five years in a furniture store in that city. He was also serving as a member of a volunteer fire department at the time of the great disastrous fire, which occurred in Seattle on the 6th of June, 1889. In 1894 he returned to Council Bluffs but soon afterward took up his abode upon a farm in Hardin township, Pottawattamie county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for eight years. He then disposed of his property inter- ests and in 1902 once more came to Council Bluffs, purchasing an interest in the Peterson & Schoening Company, of which he was chosen treasurer in 1904. This company does an extensive business in furniture, hardware and rugs, having a well appointed establishment and drawing its trade from among the best class of citizens in Council Bluffs and the surrounding country.
Mr. Sperling was married in Seattle, Washington, on the 27th of July, 1890, to Miss Matilda N. Beck, and they have two children, Amelia S. and Frederick H. The family home is about two miles from the city, where Mr. Sperling owns and operates a fruit and dairy farm. He thus enjoys the ad- vantages of rural life, at the same time being in close touch with the city and its interests. While in Seattle he became a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he also holds membership relations with the Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Sons of Hermann at Council Bluffs. The family attend the Episcopal church. Mr. Sperling's life has been somewhat varied in its interests but each change he has made has brought him broader opportunities and he has gradually worked by way upward until he has valu- able interests. Moreover, the methods he has followed are such as commend him to the trust and confidence of the business world, for they have ever been such as neither seek or require disguise.
GEORGE HERBERT MAYNE.
George Herbert Mayne is well known as a member of the bar of Council Bluffs, being the junior partner of the firm of Hazelton & Mayne. His birth occurred at Keosauqua, Van Buren county, Iowa, September 18, 1869. His father, Winfield Scott Mayne. born in Ohio, October 5, 1833, attended the public schools of Iowa and was graduated from the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1860. He then took up the study of law, quali- fied for the bar and after practicing at Red Oak, Iowa, for a few years came to Council Bluffs in 1875. Here he opened an office and was not long in
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
securing a good clientage, continuing actively in the practice of his profes- sion until 1898, when he was appointed referee in bankruptcy by the United States court and is now filling that position. He is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity and is serving on the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds membership. In early manhood he married Miss Ruth Ellen Mangum at Keosauqua, in 1862. Her parents were A. W. and Ruth Ellen (McCrary) Mangum and Mrs. Mayne was the first white child born in Van Buren county. Judge Mayne was a son of Captain Emanuel and Grace Magruder Mayne, and the former was killed at the bat- tle of Kirksville, Missouri, in the Civil war while serving as a soldier in the Union army. George H. Mayne is a brother of County Surveyor J. H. Mayne, and a brother of the late Karl W. Mayne, former cashier of E. E. Hart's private bank, who accidentally shot and killed himself while hunt- ing on the 19th of June, 1903. The two sisters of the family are Mrs. W. S. Rigdon, of Council Bluffs, and Mrs. W. A. Longnecker, the wife of a Methodist minister at Letts, Iowa.
At the usual age George Herbert Mayne entered the public schools of Council Bluffs and passed through successive grades until he was graduated from the high school of the class of 1885. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he pursued a full course in the law department of the Iowa State University and was graduated in the class of 1889. He then be- gan practice as a member of the firm of Mayne & Hazelton. When his fath- er was appointed referee in bankruptcy he withdrew from the firm, the pres- ent partners being A. S. Hazelton, now postmaster of Council Bluffs, and George H. Mayne. Because of the official position of his partner the greater part of the business of the firm devolves upon Mr. Mayne. They have an exten- sive practice, their clientage being of an important character, and their de- votion to the interests of their clients is proverbial. They are located at No. 237-40 Merriam block.
On the 31st of October, 1905, in Council Bluffs, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Mayne and Miss Zoe Hill, a daughter of the late Fred Hill formerly a member and secretary and treasurer of the firm of Empkie, Shu- gart & Hill. He died February 14, 1907. The mother was a daughter of Judge Knapp, of Keosauqua, Iowa, a well known pioneer lawyer who served on the bench in the district court of Van Buren county. He died several years ago but left the impress of his individuality upon the early judicial history of the state. The daughter, Mrs. Mayne, is a graduate of the high school of this city and also of the La Salle (Massachusetts) Seminary of the class of 1902. She is a prominent member of several clubs and is recognized as a leader in social circles.
Mr. Mayne holds membership with the Elks and the Royal Arcanum. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has taken an active interest in its growth and the attainment of its successes. In all mat- ters relating to progressive citizenship he is deeply interested and his co- operation has been a valued factor in promoting the public welfare. Aside from his profession he is interested in several manufacturing and business
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