USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 31
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Geiger have been born four children, who are yet under the parental roof, Hugo, Hilda, Alma and Marie. They also lost one son, Harry, who died at the age of one year. The parents are members of the Evangelical church, greatly interested in its work and liberal in its support. Mr. Geiger joined the Odd Fellows lodge at Minden and has filled many of its offices, serving as secretary at the present time. He is also con- nected with the Woodmen of the World and has filled all of the offices in that order.
Politically Mr. Geiger has been a life-long republican but not a politi- cian in the generally accepted sense of desiring office. His fellow towns- men, however, have expressed unmistakable appreciation for his good quali- ties and his public-spirited citizenship in electing him to the office of mayor, in which position he is now serving, giving to the town a public-spirited, business-like and practical administration. He has also been identified with the schools for a number of years, serving on the school board for thirteen years and now acting as its secretary. He was for four years justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. As a delegate to state and county conventions he has formed the acquaintance of many of the leading political leaders of the state. Throughout the various phases of his life he has been found true to the trust reposed in him, cordial in social circles, always courteous, always trustworthy, Minden finding in him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor.
VICTOR JENNINGS.
Victor Jennings, grocer and coal dealer of Council Bluffs, is a native of North Collins, Erie county, New York. He was born in 1853 and his early years were there passed uneventfully to the age of seventeen. He was a pupil in the public schools of his native county until he entered the State Normal School, at Fredonia. Chautauqua county, New York, where he completed his education in 1873.
The year 1874 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Jennings in Council Bluffs -then a young man of twenty-one years-ambitious, energetic and deter- mined. Here he embarked in the grocery business and later he also began dealing in coal. He has continued in these lines to the present time. He now has a well appointed grocery store, which in its neat and tasteful ar- rangement and its reasonable prices affords an attractive trading place to the housewife. He has secured a liberal patronage and has also built up a good business in the coal trade.
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On the 17th of May, 1875, in Fredonia, New York, Mr. Jennings was united in marriage to Miss Anna Graham, and they have two children: Avery Graham and Josephine Alma. The family is well known here and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move. In Masonry Mr. Jennings has attained the Knight Templar degree of the York rite and is a worthy exemplar of the craft, being in thorough sympathy with its teachings and purposes. He is also a director of the Masonic Temple, and in political circles is well known locally as a leader in democratic ranks. He was once alderman-at-large and for two consecutive terms, from 1898 until 1902, was mayor of the city. His administration was public-spirited and progressive, marked by unfalter- ing devotion to municipal interests and opposition to misrule in public life, and he gave a clean, healthful rule, resulting beneficially to Council Bluffs. He is fearless in support of his honest convictions and his position on mat- ters of general importance is never an equivocal one.
JEROME C. SPANGLER.
Jerome C. Spangler, general manager of the Walnut Milling Company, was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1847, a son of Levi S. Spangler, of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of I. T. Spangler on another page of this work. In the county of his nativity he spent the days of his boyhood and youth and was a pupil in the public schools. In August, 1864, answering his country's call for troops, he en- listed at the age of seventeen years as a member of Company C, Two Hundred and First Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served with this command until the close of the war and was honorably discharged on the 20th of June, 1865. When the country no longer needed his aid he put aside the blue uniform for the civilian's dress and resumed the pursuits of peace. After a visit to his old home in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, he went to Philadelphia, where he pursued a course of study in Bryant & Stratton Col- lege, thus qualifying for a commercial life.
Thinking to find better business opportunities in the west. where con- petition was not so great and advancement more quickly secured. he made his way to Iowa City, Iowa, where he arrived on the 10th of September. 1867. For four years he was employed in a clerical capacity in different mercantile establishments and on the 20th of November. 1871, he left Iowa City in company with A. S. Avery and came to Walnut. Here the firm of Avery & Spangler established a business for the sale of lumber, grain and farm implements. In 1873 they were joined by I. T. Spangler. who purchased an interest in the business, and the firm name became Avery. Spangler & Company. Later I. T. Spangler purchased the interests of his partners and for three years thereafter Jerome C. Spangler was not connected with any commercial or industrial enterprise. In 1885 the Walnut Grist Mills were remodeled and he became identified with the milling industry as
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senior member of the firm of Spangler, Eroe & Company. This relation was maintained until 1891, when the business was incorporated under the name of The Walnut Milling Company and Mr. Spangler was made general manager, which has been his business connection to the present time. Under his control this has become one of the leading industries of Pottawattamie county. The mill is equipped with all the modern appliances and machin- ery known to the trade, and its product is second to none. When science, invention or experiment introduce any new and improved process for the manufacture of flour it is immediately installed in this mill, which is thoroughly up-to-date in every particular. For the past ten years the com- pany has done an extensive exporting business, and the mill is producing in its full capacity of one hundred and twenty-five barrels per day. In fact, both the day and night shift are kept busy most of the time. The success of this industry is attributable in large measure to Mr. Spangler, who has displayed most capable management and keen business discrimination in its control.
On the 12th of July, 1875, Mr. Spangler was united in marriage to Miss Kate Williams, a daughter of J. P. Williams, of Council Bluffs. They now have one child, Harriet, a member of the faculty of Drake University at Des Moines.
In his political views Mr. Spangler is an earnest republican and is in- terested in all progressive citizenship or any public movements for the gen- eral good. He belongs to John A. Dix post, No. 408, G. A. R., of Walnut, of which he is a past commander, and he likewise affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is one of the widely known residents of Walnut, where for thirty-six years he has made his home, and throughout this entire period he has been closely associated with the business develop- ment of the town. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods he has followed. By perseverance, deter- mination and honorable effort he has overcome all obstacles which barred his path to success and reached the goal of prosperity.
MILTON W. FERGUSON.
Milton W. Ferguson was born in Wayne county, Indiana, near Conners- ville, March 1, 1821, and died on his farm on section 31, Carson township, Pottawattamie county, Iowa, on the seventy-first anniversary of his birth. The beginning and the end of life to him came on Sunday. His parents were Nimrod and Elizabeth Ferguson, natives of North Carolina and pioneer residents of Indiana. The father made the journey from the Old North state to his new home in the west on horseback and spent his remaining days in Indiana, where all of his children were born and reared. The family num- bered five daughters and six sons.
Milton W. Ferguson spent his boyhood and youth on the old family homestead, sharing with the family in the experiences, hardships and priva-
MILTON W. FERGUSON.
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tions incident to frontier life. He continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits in Indiana until after the discovery of gold in California, when in 1849 he made the trip around Cape Horn and on to San Francisco, spending about two and a half years in the mining regions of the far west. The return trip was made by way of the isthmus and he brought back with him about eighteen thousand dollars in gold. For two years he continued a resident of Indiana and then removed to Champaign county, Illinois, where he engaged in dealing in cattle for two or three years.
On the expiration of that period he went to Mitchellville, Iowa, with Tom Mitchell and was associated with him in the ownership of the town. They built the first hotel in Mitehellville at a cost of about four thousand dollars, it being a good hotel for those days. Mr. Ferguson made extensive invest- ments in land, owning about two thousand acres near Mitchellville at one time. He also owned two thousand aeres in Floyd and Worth counties and five hundred acres in Dallas county, having at one time five thousand acres of as good land as ean be found in all Iowa. He entered much of this from the government and his agricultural interests proved an important element in the material development of the state. On disposing of his interests at Mitchellville he removed to Des Moines and afterward went to Adel, Dallas county, where he owned and cultivated five hundred aeres of land. In the early '70s he removed to Pottawattamie county, settling in Carson township, where he spent his remaining days. He had here altogether three hundred and sixty aeres of land, of which two hundred and forty acres was comprised within the home farm, which he left well improved, it being devoted to the raising of grain and stock. In all of his business affairs he was practical, displaying keen discernment and notable sagacity. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion and he allowed no obstacles to brook his path if they could be overcome by determined and honorable effort.
In 1860 Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Hanley, who was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, near Monticello, April 5, 1840. By way of the water route the family journeyed from Kentucky to Keokuk, Iowa. The parents were George W. and Elizabeth (Philips) Hanley, and her maternal grandfather was Micajah Philips, who was a large slave owner of the south, having about forty slaves at one time on his plantation in Ken- tucky. On the removal of the family to Iowa they went to Des Moines and then settled near Mitchellville, where both the father and mother spent their remaining days. A brother of Mrs. Ferguson, Alfred Hanley, now resides on the old homestead. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were born three children : George, who is now living with his mother ; James, of Custer county, Nebraska, who is married and has one son, Jay; and Ida, who is the widow of George Connard, of Macedonia, and had three children: Grace, the wife of Henry Holcher, of Carson township, by whom she has one son, David Winson Hol- cher; Ruth Rebecca, who is with her mother; and Edward, who was drowned at the age of fourteen years.
In his political views Mr. Ferguson was a democrat and held some minor township offices. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a consistent and faithful member of the Christian church. Five years
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after his death his widow sold the farm and removed to another farm five miles northeast of Oakland, where she purchased one hundred and sixty acres. Later she sold that place to her nieces and a year and a half ago purchased her present farm, comprising one hundred and twenty acres on section 30, Carson township. Here she has built a comfortable residence and otherwise improved the property, which is now well developed, constituting one of the best farms of the locality.
JESSE E. HOLLENBECK.
The germ of success lies in every individual-dormant it is true, but it may be cultivated through industry and in due time will bring forth its fruits. It has been through persevering labor that Jesse E. Hollenbeck has won his present enviable position in industrial circles in Council Bluffs, where he is now well known as president of the Hollenbeck Brothers Com- pany, general contractors and house-movers. He was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, on the Sth of December, 1851, and comes of Holland ancestry, his paternal grandfather having been a native of the land of the dykes, where he was born in the eighteenth century. He became the founder of the family in America and died in New York.
His son, Isaac Hollenbeck, born in Albany, New York, January 20, 1809, was a contractor and millwright all his life. Removing to the middle west he settled in Michigan and at the time of the Civil war became a private in the Second Michigan Cavalry, with which he served for nearly four years. He was never wounded nor captured although he participated in many battles. About 1869 he became a resident of Pottawattamie county, Iowa, and his death occurred in Republic county, Kansas, in 1876. He had been married, in Ithaca, New York, to Miss Charlotte Briggs, who long survived him, passing away in Council Bluffs in 1904. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living: John C., who resides in Berrien, Michigan; Ellen, the wife of S. W. Reynolds, of Council Bluffs; Emma K., the wife of A. W. Barrett, also of Council Bluffs; Charlotte E., the wife of C. M. Kink, of this city; Frank, living in Des Moines, Iowa; Jesse E., of this review; Jacob G., of Council Bluffs; and Mettie E., the wife of R. Watson, of Healdsburg, California.
Quite varied has been the life of Jesse E. Hollenbeck, who when about fifteen years of age left his old home in Michigan, where he had resided up to this time, and came to Pottawattamie county on the 14th of Novem- ber. After a year spent on a farm here he went to the plains, where for years he was variously employed. In 1871 he left Council Bluffs and walked across the plains to the western border of Kansas, where for four years he was engaged in dealing in horses, living the free life of the range. In 1876 he again came to Council Bluffs but afterward made several more trips to the plains, and it was not until 1879 that he made a permanent loca- tion here. In 1881 he began contracting, his father having been a carpen-
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ter and contractor, and for years he has carried on business as a general contractor and house-mover, developing a business which is now conducted under the name of the Hollenbeck Brothers Company, of which he is the president. The business has had a steady and satisfactory growth, con- stantly increasing in volume and importance, and the work being done is of such a nature as to bring a good financial return.
In Council Bluffs, in 1879, Mr. Hollenbeck was united in marriage to Miss Minnie M. Davis, and they have three children, as follows: Madge L., the wife of Frank C. Pinney, of Council Bluffs, who is a government statistician; Faye, who died in 1899, when she was sixteen years of age; and George H., who died February 14, 1907, at the age of twenty-one years.
Mr. Hollenbeck is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Areanum. He has never held office and is independ- ent in politics, voting for men and measures rather than party. Dependent upon his own resources from an early age, learning to value men at their true worth in his life on the plains and to recognize the worth of industry and perseverance, Mr. Hollenbeck, during his business life in Council Bluffs, has made an excellent record as one whose diligence has been the foundation upon which he has builded his success, while strict conformity to a high standard of business ethics has guided him in all trade transactions with his fellowmen.
EDGAR T. ROGERS.
Edgar T. Rogers lives on section 11, James township, where he is en- gaged in the cultivation of grain and stock, making a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs. He was born in Virginia on the 28th of June, 1873, and is a son of Samuel and Evaline Rogers, natives of Virginia and of North Carolina respectively. In the year 1876 they removed to the middle west, settling in Pottawattamie county, where they have since re- sided, now making their home in Hancock. In their family were eight children, seven of whom are yet living: Alice, the wife of T. II. Griver, of this county; William D., of North Dakota: Edgar T .; N. G., of Harrison county. Iowa: Mattie M., the wife of Charlie Celison, of this county; Samuel T. and G. C., both of Hancock. One son, John, the fifth in order of birth, is now deceased.
Edgar T. Rogers remained at home with his parents until he had attained his majority and in his boyhood days was a pupil in the public schools. His training at farm labor was not meager for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields. Starting out in business life on his own account, he was employed as a farm hand and con- tinued to labor in that way for seven years.
In 1902 Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Bertha E. Crouch, who was born in this county and is a daughter of William and E. E. Crouch, who are now living in Oakland. Following his marriage Mr. Rogers rented his
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father-in-law's farm and is now living on section 11, James township, where in addition to tilling the soil he is raising and feeding cattle and hogs. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been born three sons: Floyd C., William S. and James Hall.
In his political views Mr. Rogers is a democrat, while socially he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 2846, at Oakland, and with the Royal Neighbors. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church of Oakland and are highly esteemed people, widely and favorably known in their locality.
GEORGE A. ROBINSON.
George A. Robinson has been a resident of Council Bluffs for ten years and throughout this period has been connected with the Westinghouse Com- pany, being manager at this place. He started out in life on his own ac- count at the age of fifteen years and may justly be termed a self-made man, the strength of his purpose, his indomitable energy and his diligence prov- ing the foundation of his success. He was born on a farm, near Erie in Erie county, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1845, and is of Scotch lineage. His grandfather, Daniel B. Robinson, was born in Scotland in 1790 and came to America in early manhood with his father, settling first in New York, while later he became a resident of Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1851. He was a soldier of the war of 1812.
James B. Robinson, father of our subject, was born in Onondaga county, New York, December 19, 1818, was reared to the occupation of farm- ing, also learning civil engineering and throughout his life followed the two occupations. He died in Ashland, Nebraska, April 14, 1893. He had been married, in Syracuse, New York, in 1844, to Miss Electa Crosby, and unto them were born four children: George A .; Huldah E., who became the wife of Charles A. Kent and died in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1873; Alice C., who became the wife of Charles Avery and died at their home in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1902; and Julia, who died in infancy.
At the usual age George Robinson entered the public schools, where he continued his studies to the age of fourteen years, when he started out in life on his account and has since depended entirely upon his own exer- tions. He took charge of a canal boat on the Erie & Pittsburg canal for D. M. Wood, a merchant of Cranesville, Pennsylvania, and was so employed for nine years, running between Eric and Pittsburg. In 1869 he bought a threshing machine of the Westinghouse Company and operated it for two seasons, after which he entered the employ of the Westinghouse Company, as a salesman in western Pennsylvania. In 1876 he went to Nebraska, locat- ing in Ashland as agent of the company, and there remained until March 17, 1897, when he came to Council Bluffs, where he has since remained, being now manager for the company at this point, in the sale of threshers, engines, sawmills, etc. His connection with the company, dating from 1871, speaks
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for itself and is the best evidence of his fidelity to the interests of the house, his honorable business methods and his success.
On the 30th of May, 1868, Mr. Robinson was married in Edinboro, Eric county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary Corey, a daughter of William Corey, and they have four children, as follows: Nellie B., the wife of John Martin, of Ceresco, Nebraska ; Minnie B., at home; George Earl. of Council Bluffs; and Mary May, the wife of W. H. Dorrance, of Omaha.
Mr. Robinson belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Degree of Honor and the Woodmen of the World. He has the kindly regard of many of his brethren of these fraternities and the warm friendship of those with whom he has become acquainted in other walks of life. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. His school privileges were limited but while on the canal- boat he studied and throughout life has constantly broadened his knowledge by experience, reading and observation. He has learned to utilize his time and opportunities to the best advantage and is numbered with the leading business men of Council Bluffs.
GEORGE GERNER, JR.
George Gerner, Jr., well known in commercial circles in Council Bluffs as manager of the jewelry house of C. B. Jacquemin, was born in this city on the 19th of August, 1875, and through his capability and enterprise has risen to his present enviable position. His father, George Gerner. Sr .. was a native of Baden, Germany, born in 1831. He spent the first nineteen years of his life in that country, and in 1850. bidding adieu to home and friends. he sailed for the new world. He took up his abode in Weston, Missouri, and in 1865 eame to Council Bluffs, where together with C. B. Jacquemin, he established a jewelry store. For many years he was an active factor in com- mercial circles here, condueting his business with suceess until 1903, when he sold out and in 1905 removed to Helena. Montana, where he is now liv- ing. He served in the Missouri State Militia during the time of the Civil war against the guerrillas. In 1861 he was married in Weston, Missouri. to Miss Clara Jacquemin, with whom he traveled life's journey for forty-five years, when they were separated through the death of the wife in Helena, Montana, in December, 1906. Their children were: Angela, the deceased wife of Charles Zimmer; Kate V., who has also passed away: Jeanette, the wife of Frank J. Lange; Sophia, the wife of Charles Zimmer; and George, of this review.
The last named was reared in Council Bluffs and acquired his primary education in its public schools. Later he became a student in Notre Dame University at South Bend, Indiana, from which he was graduated in the class of 1892. He then returned to Council Bluffs, where he entered the jewelry store of C. B. Jacquemin & Company, his father being the silent partner and the founder of the business in the year 1865. In 1903 the sen-
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ior partner purchased the interest of Mr. Gerner, and George Gerner, Jr., was appointed manager, since which time he has been in control of the store. This is one of the best jewelry establishments of the city and in its manage- ment Mr. Gerner displays excellent business ability and executive force. Throughout his entire business life he has been connected with the jewelry trade, is thoroughly familiar with the demands of the public in this regard and his earnest effort to please his patrons, combined with his diligence and progressive spirit, have brought to the concern with which he is associated a large measure of success.
In 1903, in Council Bluffs, Mr. Gerner was united in marriage to Miss Frances Rundlett Bowman, a niece of ex-Congressman Thomas Bowman. Mr. Gerner belongs to the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and to the Catholic church, while his political views are indicated by the splendid endorsement which he gives to the men and measure of the democracy. He has made a creditable name in the control of an important commercial en- terprise of Council Bluffs and as the years go by he is advancing in prom- inence in commercial cireles.
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