USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 36
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Mr. Steel had accompanied his parents to this state when a youth of fifteen years and after the war he turned his attention to farming, cultivating a tract of rented land in Des Moines county for two years. In 1867 he removed to Pottawattamie county, settling in Lewis township, where he purchased eighty acres of wild land. There were no buildings upon the place and he camped out while constructing a dwelling. In 1875 he tore away his first home and built the one which he now occupies. He has also added barns and outbuildings to his place and as the years have gone by has carried on the work of the farm. Since 1882 he has largely devoted his time and attention to horticultural pur- suits. In that year he planted an apple orchard of about four acres. About fifteen years ago he set out two acres of grapes-thirty-five hundred vines- and about ten years ago planted an acre and a half to blackberries, while re- cently he has set out three-quarters of an acre to raspberries. In the year 1907 he lias disposed of three hundred cases or seventy-two hundred quarts of black- berries. and he sells annually from fifteen hundred to eighteen hundred baskets of grapes. The fruit is shipped to all parts of the United States and it is from his berries that he derives the greater part of his income. He has set out excellent nursery stock and the fine quality of his fruit enables him to
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command the highest market prices. He is still the owner of seventy acres of his original purchase.
On the 31st of December, 1862. Mr. Steel was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Houx, a daughter of William and Eliza (Purcell) Houx, of Des Moines county, Iowa. Her father went with his parents to Ohio at the time the Indians still lived in that state and in that locality he was married. In the early '50; he removed to Des Moines county, Iowa, where both he and his wife resided until called to their final rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Steel have been born seven children : Lucy, who is the widow of Jasper Robinson and has two chil- dren. Guy and Florence: Clara, the wife of E. L. Gladwin, of Tabor. lowa: James H .. of Mapleton, this state; Hattie, the wife of John Altmanshoffer, of Mapleton ; William, also of Mapleton ; John, of Council Bluffs; and Mabel, the wife of John Thomas, of Mapleton. The eldest daughter, with her two chil- dren, is now living with her father.
Mr. Steel is a member of Lincoln post. G. A. R., of Council Bluffs, but sel- dom attends its meetings. In matters of citizenship, however. he is as true and loyal to his country in days of peace as when he followed the old flag upon the battle-fields of the south. He has worked diligently and persistently to secure the success which he is now enjoying and he is well known in his part of the county as a leading fruit-raiser.
JOSEPH C. DE ILAVEN.
During forty-one years Joseph C. De Haven has figured in commercial circles in Council Bluffs. Business conditions have greatly changed in that time and the city, with its metropolitan interests and opportunities, was then a small town upon the western frontier, rich in its possibilities but with com- paratively little actual development or commercial prominence. Joseph C. De Haven has contributed to the general development here and throughout the years has maintained an enviable position in trade eireles as a druggist.
His life record began in Waterford, Saratoga county, New York, on the 7th of February, 1838. The family is of French extraction and Peter De Haven, the grandfather of our subject, was born. lived and died in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania. His son, Dr. Augustus Atlie De Haven, was born in Philadelphia. in 1804, and died in the state of New York in 1840. Ile mar- ried Ann Courtney, and they had four children: Augusta, the widow of Dr. Bunn, of Philadelphia ; Anna M .; Mary D .: and Joseph C. After losing her first husband Mrs. De Haven became the wife of Abram Williams in Wiscon- sin(and died in that state in 1863, leaving two children: Winfield Scott Wil- liams and Emma. now the deceased wife of Samuel Allen, of Freeport. Illinois.
In 1841 Joseph C. De Haven was taken by his parents to Plattville, Wis- consin, where he was reared and attended school. There he remained until 1856 and on leaving Plattville removed to Chicago, at that time a city of one hundred thousand population. He entered the office of the Tribune as a print- er, having previously learned the trade, and was on that paper for two years,
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after which he went to Albany, Missouri, where he soon afterward purchased the Albany Courier, a weekly democratic paper, which he published until 1861. In that year he sold out and began freighting across the plains from Nebraska City and northern Missouri to Denver and California Gulch, now the site of Leadville. A year was thus passed and in April, 1862, he came to Council Bluffs, where he secured a clerkship in the Johnson Honn drug store on Upper Broadway.
On the 15th of September, 1862, however, Mr. De Haven put aside all business and personal considerations in order to respond to his country's call. On that day he enrolled his name on the list of the members of Company E, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry as a private and served until mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, on the 15th of October, 1865. He was at once made orderly sergeant and was commissioned first lieutenant January 31, 1863, by Governor Kirkwood. The Sixth Regiment spent much time in Dakota and Montana, guarding settlers from the Indians, and had several fights, including the en- gagement at Whitestone Hill and two in the Black Hills.
After the war Mr. De Haven returned to Council Bluffs and organized the firm of Dougherty & De Haven. They opened a stock of drugs and continued together for a year when Mr. De Haven purchased his partner's interest and has since been alone in business. He is one of the oldest merchants of the city in years of continuous connection with commercial interests here and through- out the years he has maintained a place as one of the foremost business men, alert, enterprising and progressive. He has always stood for advancement and has made fair dealing the basis of his success.
On the 24th of February, 1864, Mr. De Haven was married in Albany, Missouri, to Dalia A. Wood, a daughter of Colonel Wood, ex-land commissioner of Missouri. They have two daughters. The elder, M. Eugenia, is the wife of James E. Kelbey, chief law officer of the Nebraska division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and a resident of Omaha, Nebraska. The younger daughter, Charlotte Louise, is at home.
Mr. De Haven gives his political support to the democracy and although he has never sought or desired the emoluments of political office he served on the school board for one term. He belongs to Lincoln post, G. A. R., of Council Bluffs, and thus keeps in touch with his old army comrades, taking great pleas- ure in the campfires. In his citizenship he has always been loyal; in business ever progressive and reliable ; and in every relation of life trustworthy and hon- orable.
E. T. JOHNSTON.
E. T. Johnston, a resident farmer of Crescent township, living on section 25, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, August 25, 1830, his parents being William and Rosanna (Todd) Johnston. The father was born in Maryland and died in Ohio at the age of seventy-cne years, while the mother, whose birth occurred in Washington county, Pennsylvania, reach the very advanced
E. T. JOHNSTON.
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age of ninety years, also passing away in the Buckeye state. She belonged to a family noted for longevity. John Johnston, the paternal grandfather of Mr. Johnston, was a native of Ireland and became a sailor of the British merchant service. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary was he was in Boston harbor and joined the colonial army, his sympathies being with the colonists in their struggle for independence. Ile participated in the battle of Bunker Hill and served throughout the remainder of the war under General Wayne, whose intrepid bravery and fearlessness in the face of danger caused him to be known as "Mad Anthony." The grandfather lived to be one hundred and nine years of age. In the maternal line E. T. Johnston is descended from Hugh Scott, a native of Scotland, who came to America early in the seventeenth century. In the family of William and Rosanna Johnston were twelve children but only three are now living.
Under the parental roof at the family home in Ohio, E. T. Johnston spent the days of his boyhood, remaining with his father until eighteen years of age. He afterward worked for a time at the carpenter's trade in Wheeling, West Virginia, and then proceeded down the Ohio river by steamboat. He found employment as a carpenter on a Mississippi river boat, which on the next trip after Mr. Johnston has left her was blown up. In 1852 he became a resident of Davenport, Iowa, where he worked for a time at the carpenter's trade and later became patternmaker, following that pursuit for thirty years. Removing to Council Bluffs, he was for two years employed in the Ogden Iron Works, on the expiration of which period he determined to retire from mechanical pursuits and devote his time and energies to agricultural inter- ests. Accordingly in 1889 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Crescent township, where he has since made his home. This was an improved farm but he has since made many changes, remodeling the buildings and constructing others, securing the latest improved machinery and keeping everything about his place in a state of good repair. Mr. Johnston does gen- eral farming, making a specialty, however, of dairying and is meeting with good success in his undertaking. He is largely relieved of the active work of the farm by his youngest son but still gives supervision to the place.
In early manhood Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Catherine High, a native of Pennsylvania, who died six years ago at the age of seventy. In their family were six children: Emma, the wife of William Case, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; George, who died ten years ago: Anna, the wife of Lewis Mangold, of Blair, Nebraska; Caroline, the wife of James Case, of North Tonawanda, New York; Mary, at home; and Curtis G., who is an intelli- gent and enterprising farmer, conducting the old home place and displaying in its management excellent business ability combined with practical and progressive ideas.
While living in Davenport Mr. Johnston witnessed the transporting of the first railroad locomotive ever brought this side of the Mississippi river. A track was built to the edge of the water on the Rock Island side and from there the engine was run onto a flat boat. The track was then built in the same way on the Davenport side and the engine steamed off from the boat. The second engine crossed the river on the ice, the wheels being taken off to
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make it as light as possible and the boiler put on skids. He saw the building of the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi river at Davenport, a wooden structure, which, however, has long since been replaced by a fine steel bridge. His long residence in the state has made him largely familiar with its history and with the many events which have shaped its development and marked its progress. He is now seventy-seven years of age but is still a hale and hearty man. He possessed much natural mechanical ability and devoted the greater part of his life to pursuits of that character but now in the evening of his days is living upon the farm, enjoying the freedom of the outdoor life. During his residence in Crescent township he has gained many friends and has the respect of young and old, rich and poor.
ANDREW G. GILBERT.
Andrew G. Gilbert is engaged in the coal and ice business in Council Bluffs-his native city. He was born August 27, 1858, of the marriage of Alexander G. and Ann (McPherson) Gilbert. The father, a native of Liver- pool, England, was born in 1825 and came to America in 1850, spending a few months in St. Louis, Missouri, after which he removed to Council Bluffs, where he was first engaged in the tent and wagon cover business, outfitting emigrants for California. He also engaged in freighting from Council Bluffs to Denver, while later he engaged in the ice business, in which he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1876. He was married in St. Louis to Miss Ann McPherson, a daughter of John McPherson, a sea captain. and unto this marriage there were born three children : Belle, now the widow of W. W. Chapman, a resident of Council Bluffs; Andrew G., of this review ; and Edward J., also of this city. The mother still survives at the age of seventy years and makes her home in Council Bluffs.
The subject of this review was reared in his native city and pursued his education in the public schools to the age of twelve years, when he put aside his text-books and began working for his father, who was engaged in the ice business-the first to deal in that commodity in Council Bluffs. Herc he continued for some time and then for five years was a news agent on the railroads. In the spring of 1876 he returned to Council Bluffs and, his father having died in that year, succeeded him in the ice business, in connection with his brother Edward, the partnership being continued until the latter re- tired from business in 1905. In 1904 the brothers extended their business by adding a coal department and Andrew G. Gilbert continues to deal in coal as well as ice. He has a liberal patronage in both lines and his trade is con- stantly growing because of his honorable methods, his unfaltering diligence and his strong purpose.
In 1900, Mr. Gilbert was married, in Council Bluffs, to Miss Ella Dall and they have one daughter, Eleanor Gilbert. The young couple are promi- nent in social circles and enjoy the hospitality of many homes. In his politi- cal views Mr. Gilbert is a democrat and in 1904-5 served as alderman at large.
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-While a member of the city council he was chairman of the finance com- mittee and served on other important committees, exercising his official pre- rogatives in support of many progressive public measures. Whatever he considers will benefit the community receives his endorsement, whether in office or out of it, and his labors have been of direct benefit to the town. He attends the Presbyterian church and is a man who in every relation of life has been found honorable, upright and trustworthy. The proof of this is found in the fact that many of those who have known him from his boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends. He has always lived in Council Bluffs and thus for almost a half century has been a witness of its develop- ment and upbuilding. He is largely a self-made man from the fact that he left school and started out for himself at the age of twelve years and has since been an active factor in the world's work.
WILLIAM A. STEINKOPF.
William A. Steinkopf, president of the Standard Fuel, Feed & Seed Com- pany of Council Bluffs, his progress being made by successive steps from a humble position in the business world to one of prominence in his community, was born on a farm in Clayton county, Iowa, on the 23d of July, 1860. His father was William Steinkopf, a native of Germany, born in 1817. He came to America in 1852 and established his home in Clayton county, Iowa, whence he removed in 1869 to Council Bluffs. Here he established a grocery store, which he conducted successfully for thirty years, or until his death in 1899. He married Louisa Bock, who departed this life in Council Bluffs in 1896. They were the parents of a daughter, Mary, the wife of Charles Conley, and of two sons, Henry A. and William A.
The latter, coming with his parents to Council Bluffs at the age of nine years, was here reared and in the public schools acquired much of his educa- tion. His training along commercial lines was received in Bryant & Stratton Business College of Davenport, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1882. Returning to Council Bluffs, he entered the employ of Scofield & Cavin, dry- goods merchants, with whom he continued for eight years, when he became an employe of J. C. Hoffmayr, proprietor of the City Roller Mills. He was at first city salesman but later he became traveling salesman and continued with the house for six years, or until 1891. At that date he began traveling for the Crystal mill and remained upon the road for four or five years, after which he became traveling salesman for Groneweg & Schoentgen, wholesale grocers. He was recognized as a popular and able salesman in the trade and so continued until 1903. when he organized the present firm, conducting busi- ness under the name of the Standard Fuel, Fecd & Seed Company, with William A. Steinkopf as president : his brother, H. A. Steinkopf as vice presi- dent; and Mrs. M. C. Conley, treasurer. The business has now had an exist- ence of five years and has become one of the strong commercial enterprises
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of the city, its patronage steadily increasing, while its business methods are such as to insure a continuance of the public support.
Mr. Steinkopf was married on the 25th of May, 1897, in Missouri Val- ley, Iowa, to Miss Carrie Ennes, and they have four children: George E .; Harold A .; and Ruth and Gladys, twins. Mr. Steinkopf belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association. He has a wide acquaintance throughout the state, and in various cities to which his business interests have taken him he has gained many warm friends by reason of a geniality of manner and kindly spirit, which everywhere awaken regard and esteem.
ADOLPH BAUSTIAN.
Adolph Baustian, long connected with the agricultural interests of Pot- tawattamie county and now successfully engaged in the raising of shorthorn cattle, is a self-made man, who received little assistance at the outset of his career. No special family or pecuniary advantages aided him, and on the con- trary he placed his dependence upon the safe, substantial qualities of diligence and determination. Gradually he has worked his way upward until he is now a leading representative of farm life in this part of the state.
He was born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 28th of March, 1857, his parents being John C. and Dora (Nissen) Baustian, who were natives of Mecklenburg, Germany, in which country they were reared and educated. They came to the United States some time in the '40s, locating in Scott county, Iowa, where they were married. There the wife and mother died about 1863. The father, however, long survived her and passed away in Scott county in 1898. He owned four hundred and eighty acres of land, having made judi- cious investment in farm property, which brought to him a good financial return and made him one of the men of affluence in the community. In addition to tilling the soil he raised cattle on quite an extensive scale. His cash capital when he arrived in America consisted of only one dollar and fifty cents, but he realized the fact that diligence and strong purpose constitute a good foundation upon which to build success and he thus became the architect of his own fortunes. In religious faith he was a Lutheran, while in his political views he was a republican. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, but only three of the number are now living, namely: Henry, whose home is in Garrettson, South Dakota; Adolph; and Ida, the wife of William Witt, of Davenport, Iowa.
Adolph Baustian was reared in his native county and at the usual age began his education in the district schools, where he mastered the common branches of learning. He was reared to the occupation of the farm and his labors brought him the practical experience which enabled him to successfully carry on farming on his own account at a later day. He soon became familiar with the work of tilling the soil and caring for the stock and upon his removal to Pottawattamie county in 1882, when he was about twenty-five years of
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age, he purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres of land on section 31, Pleasant township. He began to develop and improve this with characteristic energy and about ten years later he bought one hundred and seventy-five acres more. Later, however, he disposed of the second tract and invested in three hundred and twenty acres in Nebraska, which he continued to own until the fall of 1906, when he sold it at a profit of ten thousand dollars. He then purchased four hundred acres in Harlan county, Nebraska, which he still owns. In early manhood he was given four horses by his father, who also gave him the necessary seed for planting and with that assistance he started out in life on his own account and is today one of the prosperous agriculturists of this part of the state. He owes his success entirely to his own labors and his business worth and enterprise are demonstrated in the prosperity which he is now enjoying. In addition to the tilling of the soil he raises shorthorn cattle, which proves to him a profitable source of income.
Mr. Baustian was married to Miss Anna C. Schmidt, of Scott county, Iowa, and they became the parents of two daughters and two sons: Hilda, Mabel, John and Adolph, all yet at home. The family are well known in the community, occupying an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Baustian is a republican, pronounced in his views on political questions, yet never bitterly aggressive. He served for seven years as township assessor and for the same length of time has been justice of the peace. He likewise belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp of Hancock. He is justly accounted one of the leading and representative farmers of Pleasant township-a position to which he has attained solely through his own labors and capable management.
ROBERT E. ANDERSON.
Robert E. Anderson, conducting business as a druggist of Council Bluffs, was born in Shelbyville, Illinois, on the 2d of August, 1874, and was there reared to the age of eighteen years. His father, Dennis Anderson, a native of Ireland, was born in 1831 and in early manhood came to America, settling first in Shelbyville, Illinois. He was married in New York, in 1854 or 1855, to Miss Mary Curran, and they became the parents of ten children. of whom eight are yet living. Robert E. being the ninth in order of birth. At the time of the Civil war Dennis Anderson espoused the cause of his adopted country and served from 1862 until the close of hostilities as a defender of the Union cause. He remained a resident of Shelbyville, Illinois, until 1889, when he removed to Council Bluffs, where he carried on contracting and building for five or six years, when he retired. His wife is still living in this city.
Robert E. Anderson remained a resident of his native town to the age of eighteen years and at the usual age entered the public schools, passing through successive grades until he had acquired a good education. In 1890 he came to Council Bluffs and entered the drug store of Joseph C. De Haven, with whom he remained for six or seven years. During that period he thor- oughly acquainted himself with the business, after which he secured a position
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in the drug store of F. E. Sellers, with whom he remained for two years. He was afterward upon the road as a traveling salesman for a drug house for about a year and in 1902 he established his present store, which is well equipped with a large line of drugs and sundry goods. He has secured a very desirable patronage, meeting with the success which always follows close application, earnest effort and straightforward business methods.
Mr. Anderson belongs to the Knights of Columbus and is a democrat in his political views but not active in the work of the party. His time and attention are given to his business affairs, which demand the greater part of his attention, leaving him little leisure for outside interests.
GEORGE C. WISE.
George C. Wise, secretary of lodge No. 531, B. P. O. E., at Council Bluffs, was born on a farm in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of October, 1851. Of a family of nine children the parents were Samuel and Eliza (Etter) Wise, both natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they were married about 1830. The father was born in Lancaster county in January, 1808, and in early manhood became a resident of Huntingdon county in the same state. There he spent his remaining days and during the greater part of his life followed the occupation of farming. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, of whom two died in infancy, while seven reached adult age, namely: Adeline E., the deceased wife of John Metz; Mary J .; William H .; Ella, the deceased wife of William Grimison; Anna F., the deceased wife of S. P. B. Myers; Jerome F., living in Council Bluffs; and George C.
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