USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 26
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
enterprises. being a stockholder in the First National Bank of Council Bluffs and financially connected with other corporate interests. He resides at 823 Third avenue and is popular socially, having many warm friends in the city where for a long period he has made his home. He is perhaps best known as a member of the bar and his comprehensive understanding of the princi- ples of jurisprudence, his careful preparation of cases, his clear presentation of his cause and his cogent reasoning combine to make him one of the strong and able representatives of the legal fraternity in Council Bluffs.
FRANK M. TRUE.
Frank M. True is numbered among the native sons of Pottawattamie county, his birth having occurred in Knox township, on the 5th of Septem- ber, 1859. He is a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families, his parents being Josiah and Abby (Plummer) True, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. He was reared upon the home farm and began his education in the district schools, while later he attended the Avoca high school and subsequently the Davenport Commercial College. After completing his business course he returned to the farm and the greater part of his life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits.
On the 1st of December, 1881, Mr. True was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Coppoek. a daughter of Nathan and Anna (Saustead) Coppock, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. The father was a barber by trade and after his marriage settled in Laporte, Indiana. where his daughter Amanda was born. Later he removed with his family to Varparaiso, Indiana, where his wife died, and in 1877 he came to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, settling in Avoca, where his remaining days were passed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. True have been born three sons: Fred C., who is now at Coos Bay, Oregon; and Merritt B. and Robert H., both at home.
In the spring of 1883 Mr. True removed to Marshall county. South Da- kota, where he entered from the government three quarter sections of land. on which he built a sod house that he occupied until December, 1895. He then started for Pottawattamie county, arriving at his old home in time for dinner on Christmas day. On again locating in this county, Mr. True formed a partnership with his brother Fred and engaged in merchandising in Avoca. They soon secured a liberal patronage and conducted a well ap- pointed store until the fall of 1906. when Frank M. True sold his interest in the business and resumed farming. He is now the owner of one hundred and ten acres of the old homestead property and on this tract he has erected substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, while his residence is one of the finest in Knox township. The latest improved machinery is also used to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the farm is indicative of the spirit of thrift and enterprise which characterizes the owner.
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Mr. True is a democrat in his political views but without aspiration for office, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his business affairs and social interests. He is a member of Mount Nebo lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Raboni chapter, No. 98, R. A. M., and he and his wife are identified with the Eastern Star chapter in Avoca, of which he was the first patron, while Mrs. True was the first matron. She is a member of the Congregational church and is an accomplished and educated woman of natural refinement and culture, who wins friends wherever she goes. Both are prominent socially and enjoy in large measure the trust and confidence of those with whom they have been brought in contact, while their hospitable home is a favorite resort with those who know them.
HENRY STUDE.
The attractive farm residence of Henry Stude is located in Pleasant town- ship in the midst of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres situated on sections 22 and 27. The soil, naturally productive, responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it and as the years have passed his ef- forts have resulted in making this one of the excellent farm properties of the county. Mr. Stude was born in Germany, March 5, 1843, and his parents, Henry and Elsie Dora (Seavogel) Stude, were also natives of that country, whence they came to America in 1853, settling in La Salle county Illinois. After a year there passed they removed to Livingston county, Illinois, where the father purchased a farm, which he cultivated for several years. Subse- quently he returned to La Salle county and took up his abode near Ransom, both he and his wife spending their remaining days in that community. They were the parents of three children, of whom two are yet living, the sister of our subject being Mrs. Elsie Arndt, the widow of August Arndt. She now lives with her brother Henry.
The latter remained at home with his parents until he attained the age of eighteen years, when he started out in life on his own account, working by the month as a farm hand for four years. On the expiration of that period he felt justified in marrying and making a home of his own and in 1865 he wedded Miss Margaret Young, of La Salle county, Illinois, who was one of a family of five children. Following their marriage, Mr. Stude rented a tract of land four miles east of Streator from a Mr. Wagner and there resided for seven years. In the meantime he worked hard to attain success and carefully saved his earnings. He then bought a farm in Ford county, Illinois, on which he located, making it his place of residence until 1885. In that year he sold the farm and removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, settling in Pleasant town- ship, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 22 and 27. Here he has since lived, and his farm is one of the fine agricul- tural properties of the locality. He has improved the place by erecting a sub- stantial and beautiful residence and also built barns, cribs and sheds. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and in fact
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everything about the place is indicative of careful management and a prog- ressive spirit.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stude were born nine children, all of whom are yet living, namely: Chris, a resident of Nebraska; William, of this county; Louise, the wife of Henry Schnackel, of Valley township; Katie, at home; Ed- ward, who is living in Shelby county, Iowa; Henry, at home; Fred, located on his father's farm in Pleasant township; Lydia, the wife of William Nicholi, of Hancock, Iowa; and Anna, the wife of George Brandes of James township. The wife and mother died in 1892 and in 1896 Mr. Stude was again married, his second union being with Miss Minnic Voss, who was born in Germany. Her father's death occurred in his native country, after which the mother came to America and is now living in Avoca. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stude have been born a son and two daughters: John, Margaret and Hattie.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church, and Mr. Stude is a republican of pronounced views but not of bitter partisanship. He has served as school director for several years and is always interested in matters pertaining to the general welfare, withholding his support from no movement he deems of benefit to the public. Although of foreign birth, he has resided in the middle west for more than a half century and has lived in Pottawatta- mie county for twenty-two years, during which time he has ever commanded the respect and trust of his fellow citizens.
JOHN A. BATES.
John A. Bates, who follows farming in Belknap township, was born in Mercer county, Illinois, February 27, 1857, his parents being Ambrose C. and Hannah (Gray) Bates. The father was born in Indiana and is of Ger- man descent, the family having been represented, however, in the Revolu- tionary war. He came to Iowa in the spring of 1862 and settled on section 11, Belknap township, Pottawattamie county, where he is now living at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was formerly the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of productive land and has been a successful farmer and stock-raiser, but is now practically living a retired life. For many years he has voted with the democracy and has filled a number of township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. In 1900 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife who died at the age of seventy-four years. She was born in Tennessee, was of German lincage and is also a representative of ancestors who served in the war for inde- pendence. She held membership with the Dunkard church. By her mar- riage she was the mother of eight children: Mary, now the wife of Jacob Bird, a resident farmer of Kansas; Radocia, the deceased wife of William Kellison ; Diania, deceased; John A .; Edward, who has passed away; Alfred, who is a farmer in Center township; and Charles and Ella, both deceased.
Upon the home farm John. A. Bates spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He was only five years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa,
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
the family home being established in Belknap township, Pottawattamie county. He early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and when twenty-three years of age began farming for himself in James township. Thirteen years later he removed to the old home farm on section 11. Belknap township, where he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land. He also has one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, one hundred and sixty acres on section 2, and two hun- dred acres on section 9, Belknap township, his landed possessions thus aggre- gating six hundred and eighty acres. He breeds black polled Angus cattle for the market and in addition is extensively engaged in cultivating his fields, being one of the leading and prominent farmers of Belknap town- ship. His landholdings are very extensive and his labors are bringing to him a gratifying financial return annually.
In 1879 Mr. Bates was married to Miss Anna Myers, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1861, and is a daughter of Enos and Rebecca Myers. The father was a carpenter and farmer who removed to Burlington, Iowa, in the '60s, and in 1874 came to Pottawattamie county, settling near Macedonia, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits and also worked at the builder's trade. He is now living in Nebraska at the age of seventy-eight years and his wife has attained the same age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bates were born five children: Lennie M., who was born in 1880 and married Charles Jefferson, a resident farmer of South Dakota; Clifford I., born in 1882; Ira O., born in 1884; Enos, in 1887; and one who died in infancy.
The parents hold membership in the Christian church and Mr. Bates gives his political support to the democracy. He has never sought or de- sired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, which are practically managed. He has made judicious investments in property until he is now the owner of very extensive landholdings, and his enterprise and industry constitute the foundation upon which he has builded his success.
WILLIAM GARNER.
So closely is the history of William Garner interwoven with the story of the settlement and development of Pottawattamie county that no record of the county could be complete without extended mention of this honored pioneer, who has now departed this life. He came to the country before the townships were divided or the surveys made and aided in reclaiming the wild land and extending the frontier. He bravely bore all the hardships and faced the dangers incident to settling upon the very borders of civilization, his memory compassing the period when Indians were numerous in this part of the state, while various kinds of wild animals were seen and wild game was to be had in abundance. Years passed and he worked diligently and
IMSTORY OF PO TUSAYPAMIE COUNTY
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WILLIAM GARNER
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
persistently to convert the trackless prairie into productive fields. Few men indeed have done as much for the agricultural development of this portion of the state and he was fittingly honored when Garner township was named for him.
A native of Fayetteville, Cumberland county, North Carolina. he was born January 22, 1817. His father, David Garner, whose birth occurred in the same state, died in Harrison county, Iowa. However, he had made his home for some time previously with his sons, William and Henry,. passing away while visiting in Harrison county. His remains were brought back to Pottawattamie county for interment and he was laid to rest in Garner cemetery. The date of his death was September 3, 1872, and he had attamed the very venerable age of one hundred and four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jennie Stephens, was born in North Carolina and died at the age of ninety-six years when visiting in California in 1868. She had made her home in Pottawattamie county previous to this time and had gone on a trip to the Pacific coast by way of the Isthmus of Panama with her son, George Garner. She was a cousin of Alexander Stephens, vice president of the southern confederacy.
William Garner spent the first seventeen years of his life in North Caro- lina and in 1834 accompanied his parents on their removal to Adams county, Illinois. He was one of a family of eleven children, all of whom came to Pottawattamie county with the exception of the third. Mrs. Nancy Wakefield, who went to California. The others, all now deceased, were George, Phillip. David, John, Mrs. Sarah Wakefield. William. Mrs. Elizabeth Harrison, Mrs. Eliza McCafferty, Henry and Mrs. Miranda Rose. The family remained in Adams county. Illinois, until 1848, when they drove across the country to Florence, Nebraska, where the wife and children lived for two years in a tent. It was about the same time that William Garner enlisted for service in the Mexican war. He proceeded southward to the scene of military action, marching the entire distance on foot-two thousand miles. He participated in an engagement upon Mexican soil and was honorably discharged in San Diego, California, William Garner having done active duty under command of General Kearney.
Following the close of hostilities William Garner worked in California until he could earn a sum sufficient to pay his way home. He then bought pack ponies and traveled as far eastward as Salt Lake, where he spent the winter. He then continued on his way to Florence, Nebraska, where he arrived in the spring of 1848 after an absence of two years. With his family he then came to Garner township. Pottawattamie county, where he resided up to the time of his death on the 29th of March, 1892.
The county was fortunate in securing him for a citizen, as he stood for progress and improvement and contributed in substantial measure to the advancement that was here made along business, political and intellectual lines. At the time of his arrival he found a district largely wild and unde- veloped. The county had not been surveyed nor divided into townships and one could ride for miles over the prairie without coming to a fence or house to impede his progress. Mr. Garner bought land from the government, built
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
a log house and in true pioneer style began life here. He owned at one time between four and five thousand acres of land, cleared and improved a great deal of this and long before his death gave to each of his children a good farm, thus enabling them to start out in life in comfortable circum- stances.
Mr. Garner had been married in Illinois to Miss Sarah Workman, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Grady) Workman, both natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Workman was a second cousin of William Grady, "the silver tongued orator of the south," to whom a monument has been erected in Atlanta, Georgia, by the people of that section of the country. The Work- mans became prominent residents of Adams county, Illinois, bearing the same relation thereto in pioneer times that the Garners did to Pottawattamie county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Workman died in May, 1863, having attained the ages of eighty-eight and seventy-eight years respectively. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Garner were born twelve children: Mrs. Elizabeth Dillon; Mrs. Sarah Jane Price; Mrs. Julia A. Kuhn; Mrs. Ellen Sutton; Adelaide, who died at the age of two years; William; John; Mrs. Rachel Ann Smith; Mrs. Mary Matheson ; Mrs. Coqualla Pilling, who is deceased ; Mrs. Georgiana Trephagan ; and Mrs. Olive Benedict. The wife and mother died in Chicago, Illinois, where she was living with her daughter.
The first home of the family in Pottawattamie county was built of walnut logs-timber which is today very valuable. The claim which Mr. Garner secured was situated in what is today Garner township. The district now comprised within the townships of Garner, Lewis and Kane when first divided as called Lewis and Kane. Later Lewis township was divided, Garner being set off and named in honor of the subject of this review. Not only did Mr. Garner contribute largely to the agricultural development of the county and of western Iowa, owning large tracts of land in Pottawattamie and Harri- son counties, but likewise proved an active factor in its industrial develop- ment. In 1857 he built a gristmill in Garner township, to which people went for many miles with their grists. In 1866 he erected a woolen mill, sold the machinery in the gristmill and used the building for the new enter- prise, which proved a very successful venture from a financial standpoint. He himself kept about seven hundred sheep, using the fleece in the mill and other people brought their wool to the mill from a distance of one hundred miles. In 1868, in connection with John Hammer and Charles Bond he built the Ogden House at Council Bluffs, which at the time of its erection was the largest and best hotel in the city. Some time afterward the hotel was destroyed by fire and Mr. Garner and his partners sold the site before the hotel was rebuilt. At the beginning of the Civil war Mr. Garner sold a horse to General Dodge known as Dan. This horse was shot in an engagement but recovered sufficiently from its wounds to follow the command, which it joined again two days after sustaining the injury. It was so badly crippled, however, that it was unfit for further service.
In his political views Mr. Garner was a stalwart democrat and served on the board of supervisors for several years. He was always loyal to the best interests of the county, withholding his support from no measure or
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
movement that tended to prove of benefit to the public. He was noted for his great kindness of heart and his contributions to the poor of Pottawattamie county would amount to several hundred dollars. His wife, too, was a lady of most generous spirit and helpful disposition and in early days she would go for miles day or night to care for the sick or assist those in trouble. Both Mr. and Mrs. Garner will always be lovingly remembered by the pioneers of Pottawattamie county. Mr. Garner was everywhere known as Uncle Billy -- a term expressive of the affection in which he was uniformly held. Entirely free from ostentation or display, he possessed those sterling traits of character which always warm the heart and win friendship. He was considerate in his opinions of others, courteous in his treatment, kind hearted and generous. He won success not by taking advantage of others in business transactions but by careful investment and able management. His labors at all times proved a benefit to the community as well as a source of individual prosperity and his efforts in behalf of the county's development were far reaching and beneficial. His death, which occurred in 1892, was the occasion of the most deep and wide spread regret but as long as memory remains to those who knew them the names of Mr. and Mrs. William Garner will be honored in Pottawattamie county.
FORREST SMITH.
Forrest Smith, secretary of the Patents Manufacturing Company, has spent almost his entire life in Council Bluffs, whither he was brought by his parents in early childhood. He is a self-made man, his advantages having been gained through his own efforts, while his advancement is the indication of a worth and ability which he has displayed in business life.
Mr. Smith was born in Allegheny City, now Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of January, 1856. and the year 1859 witnessed the removal of his parents to Crescent City, Iowa. whence in less than a year they came to Coun- cil Bluffs. Forrest Smith was therefore reared here and is indebted to the public schools for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He continued his studies to the age of nineteen years, when he was graduated from the high school, after which he went to Lowell, Massachusetts. where he spent two years in a machine shop. He returned to the west, settling at Omaha, where for four years he was employed in the shops of the Union Pacific Railroad Company but ambitious to engage in business on his own account he opened a real-estate and insurance office in Council Bluffs, since which time he has carried on business along this line. He has thoroughly informed himself concerning property values and the possible diminution or advance in prices and has been enabled to assist his clients in making advantageous sales and purchases. In more recent years he has become interested in patent rights, having several patents of his own, and in 1905 he organized the Patents Manufacturing Company, of which he is the secretary. His knowledge of mechanical principles and his skill and ingenuity along mechanical lines
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
have led to his production of several valuable devices, on which he has secured patents. Aside from his interests in Council Bluffs he is the owner of Texas lands, and the good use which he has made of his opportunities has made him a successful business man.
On the 30th of May, 1890, in Omaha, was celebrated the marriage of Forrest Smith and Mrs. Charlotte V. Rothery. There are two children by this marriage, Ingleetta C. and Douglas F. Mr. Smith belongs to no secret societies. He is affiliated with the Presbyterian church and his life, ever honorable and upright, is in harmony with his professions.
DANIEL W. KELLER.
Realizing fully that success must be persistently sought and earnestly won, Daniel W. Keller in his business life has put forth the strenuous effort and stalwart purpose so necessary to achieve advancement in mercantile lines. He is today proprietor of the Iowa Furniture & Carpet Company of Council Bluffs, and although he started out in life at a salary of only a dollar and a half per month, he is now one of the prosperous merchants of his adopted city.
He first opened his eyes to the light of day on a farm near Grindstone Hill, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of May, 1841, and there he lived to the age of thirteen years, when his father died, and the mother removed with her family to the vicinity of Scotland, Pennsylvania. There Mr. Keller remained for four years, completing his education in that local- ity. He attended school during the winter seasons, while in the summer months he worked for a dollar and a half per month. For four years he remained in that place and then went to Columbus, Indiana, where he re- sided until the fall of 1865. In that year he became a resident of Spring- field, Illinois, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1870. His next location was Brookfield, Missouri, where he continued to engage in carpen- tering until the spring of 1874, at which date he arrived in Council Bluffs.
Mr. Keller's connection with the business life of this city began as an employe in his brother's furniture store, where he continued as a clerk and foreman for about fourteen years, occupying the latter position, however, most of the time. In 1890 he was admitted to a share in the business under the firm style of the Council Bluffs Carpet Company and thus figured in the commercial circles of the city until 1898, when he sold his interest. He was then out of business until 1899, when he organized the Iowa Furni- ture & Carpet Company at Council Bluffs. His previous long experience in the trade had made him thoroughly acquainted with it and had given him comprehensive understanding of the demands of the public in this regard. He has built up a good business, having one of the finest stores of the city, in which he carries a large line of furniture and carpets. His rea- sonable prices, his honorable methods and his earnest efforts to please his
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