USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
991
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
acres of land. Here he has since resided and is one of the representative resi- dents of the village.
In politics Mr. Lyman has been a life-long republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party. On the 6th of October, 1906, he was appointed post- master of Carson and he has also held various township offices, serving as clerk of Grove township for six years, while for eight terms of two years each he has been a justice of the peace, rendering decisions which are strictly fair and im- partial. He has always based his opinions upon the law and the equity in the case and has discharged the duties of the office in a manner entirely free from personal prejudice. He has labored earnestly for the welfare and success of his party, for he believes its principles are most conducive to good government.
In 1877 Mr. Lyman was married to Miss Laura Woodmansee, a daughter of L. D. Woodmansee, with whom Mr. Lyman was formerly associated in merchandising. Mrs. Lyman is a native of Lincoln, Illinois, and by her mar- riage has become the mother of five children: Erma, the wife of A. F. Osler, of Macedonia; L. Dow, at home; Edna, the wife of John Wood, of Macedonia; Edith. the wife of Carl Wood, of Woodbine; Iowa; and Evelyn, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman are well known in the community and their genuine worth has gained for them many friends. Mr. Lyman has led a life of activity and in all relations has commanded the respect and good will of those with whom he has been associated.
EUGENE W. PETERSON.
Eugene W. Peterson, manager at Council Bluffs for R. G. Dun & Com- pany, is a native of Galesburg, Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 26th of August, 1857. His father, Lewis M. Peterson, was born in Sweden, in 1831, and came to America when about ten or eleven years of age. the family home being established in Andover, Illinois. A few years later a removal was made to Galesburg, where Lewis Peterson was engaged in the drug business for about two or three years prior to joining the army in 1861. In response to the country's call for aid he enlisted in defense of the Union and was assigned to the quartermaster's department at Jefferson barracks, near St. Louis, where he remained all through the war. He continued a resident of St. Louis, where he was engaged in the grocery business, conducting a store for a year or more. He then sold out and in 1866 sent his family back to Galesburg, Illinois, where Eugene W. Peterson completed his education about 1871. The family then returned to St. Louis, where the father had remained through these years and where he continued until his death in 1874. It was twenty years prior to this time. in 1854, that he had been married in Galesburg, Illinois, to Miss Caroline Armstrong, and unto them were born three children: Frank A., who is a teller in the Bank of Commerce, at St. Louis, Missouri; Eugene W .; and Al- bert W., who died in Chicago in 1871. The mother is still living and is now the wife of a Mr. Stenbeck, of Chicago.
992
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Eugene W. Peterson was a lad of six years when his parents removed to St. Louis, Missouri, but as stated, he returned to Galesburg, Illinois, to complete his education. He then again became a resident of St. Louis in 1871 and about a year later he entered the employ of R. G. Dun & Company, acting as man- ager at that place. He remained in the St. Louis house until 1885, at which time he was traveling reporter. In that year he was given ch'rge of the office of the company in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he continued for two years. after which he spent six months in freedom from connection with business interests in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1880 he took charge of the office of R. G. Dun & Company, at Council Bluffs, where he has since remained. Throughout his entire business career he has been connected with this company-a fact which stands in indisputable proof of his fidelity and his capability in their service. His unfailing courtesy and his ready understanding of men, combined with his executive force and keen perception, well qualify him for the duties that de- volve upon him in this connection.
In 1879 was celebrated the marriage of Eugene W. Peterson and Miss Car- rie F. Kerr, of St. Louis, and they now have three children, Eugene W., Wini- fred Margaret and Stuart Kerr. The family belong to the Plymouth Brethren church and in Council Bluffs, where they have now lived for almost two dec- ades, they have gained many warm friends.
JOHN HARDING.
John Harding, who carries on general farming on section 32, Grove township, is a son of John and Isabelle (Hewer) Harding, natives of Wilt- shire, England. The mother died at the age of sixty-two years. The family numbered seven children, of whom John Harding is the third in order of birth and the only one that ever came to the new world. He was born in Wiltshire, December 28, 1820, and resided in England for about forty-five years, his life being there passed as a farmer and dairyman. He engaged in the manufac- ture of cheese and butter, milking about thirty-five cows. He was only eight years of age at the time of his father's death and the mother, with an older brother of our subject and an uncle, conducted a farm, which they rented for twelve or fourteen years. They then removed to another farm, upon which John Harding remained until he left his native land to seek his fortune in the new world.
In 1866 he came to his present farm and has resided on this place since the 29th of September of that year. He had made the journey across the At- lantic with his wife and seven children and about two weeks after their arrival twins were added to the family. Mrs. Harding bore the maiden name of Louisa Trotman and was also a native of Wiltshire. She proved a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband on the journey of life for many years but died about six years ago at the age of seventy-eight. Their living children are: Helen Wagner, who is acting as her father's housekeeper; Maude, of Boulder, Colorado; Mrs. Finnetta Wilson, of Nebraska; Robert I., who is liv-
-
JOIN HARDING.
THE NEW YOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
995
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
ing on a farm near his father's place; and Thomas W., of Nebraska. One daughter, Elizabeth, became the wife of John Osler, but both are now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Harding also lost a number of children in infancy.
Upon coming to this county Mr. Harding secured ninety acres of land, for which he paid seven dollars per acre. About ten aeres had been broken but with this exception the farm was in its primitive condition and all of the improvements have been made thereon by Mr. Harding, who has erected good buildings, has set out a grove and fruit trees and has devoted his place to the raising of grain and stock. As his financial resources have increased he has also extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises two hundred acres. This is an excellent property and he yet gives personal supervision to its management. He brought with him a little money when he came from England but as he arrived in this country soon after the close of hostilities be- tween the north and south he paid war prices for everything and had quite a struggle to make a living in the early days. As the years passed, however, he prospered and became enabled to enjoy many of life's comforts and luxuries. His political views are in accord with the principles of democracy and he has held some of the township offices but has largely given undivided attention to his business affairs. He has now reached the age of eighty-seven years and is one of the respected as well as venerable citizens of the county.
HENRY A. SMITHI.
Henry A. Smith, now living in the village of Macedonia, has for a long period been connected with the farming and stock-raising interests of the county and is now engaged to some extent in carpentering and building. His birth occurred in this township, October 13, 1857, his parents being Stephen and Mary (Frain) Smith, who are now residing in Grove township, this county, where the father follows farming, to which pursuit his entire life has been devoted. In their family were four sons and a daughter: George M .. who is now living practically retired in Tabor. Iowa; Willard E., whose home is in Macedonia township: Clara V., the wife of C. E. Bogue, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; and Arthur J., at home.
The other member of the family is Henry 1. Smith, who was reared to the occupation of farming and has always resided in this county. He was a pupil in the public schools and when he had mastered the common branches of Eng- lish learning, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits as a life work. He has prospered in his undertakings, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. and through his practical and progressive methods of tilling the soil has secured good crops, which have brought a very satisfactory price on the market. He is now the owner of two excellent farms in Macedonia town- ship, one comprising one hundred and twenty acres of land and the other con- taining eighty acres. He now leaves the active work of the farm to others. but still gives personal supervision to his places. In 1901 he removed to the village of Macedonia and erected a residence, which he has since occupied. For five
996
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
years he was engaged in the hardware business but has now retired from com- mercial pursuits. He is, however, engaged to some extent in carpentering and building and is thus identified with the improvement of the town.
Mr. Smith was married, in Grove township, in 1883, to Miss Ella Travis, a native of Jefferson county, Iowa, and unto them have been born three chil- dren : Grace, Fae and Harry, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Smith is a republican and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to position of political preferment, so that he has filled all the township offices. He has been trustee, township clerk and in Grove township is now serving as a member of the council. His duties have been discharged with promptness and fidelity and his worth as a public-spirited citizen is widely acknowledged. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Macedonia, and he and all his family are members of the Christian church of Grove township. In the community they are much es- teemed and their circle of warm friends is an extensive one.
ANDREW LISCHER.
Fifteen years have come and gone since Andrew Lischer established his home in Pottawattamie county, where he has since carried on farming, owning and cultivating eighty acres on section 3, Waveland township. He was born in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. September 13, 1845, his parents being Paul and Sophia (Miller) Lischer, in whose family of three children only two are yet living, the elder brother being George J. Lischer, now a resident of Co- lumbus City, Iowa. The father, a native of Baden, Germany, was born in 1804, and his life record covered the span of ninety-three years, his death oc- curring in 1897. On coming to the United States in 1840 he settled at Balti- more. He was a wheelwright by trade and worked at the wagonmaker's trade in Baltimore until his removal westward to Iowa in 1867. Settling in Colum- bus City, he there lived a retired life.
Andrew Lischer was reared in Baltimore and pursued his education in the grammar schools of that city. Coming to Iowa with the family in 1867, he worked at the shoemaker's trade, which he had previously learned in Balti- more. For twenty-five years he continued a resident of Columbus City and for four years of that time served as its postmaster, filling the position by appoint- ment of Grover Cleveland. His removal to Pottawattamie county in 1892 was followed by the purchase of eighty acres of land on section 3, Waveland town- ship, and here he has since carried on general agricultural pursuits, having to- day a well developed farm.
Mr. Lischer was married to Miss Catherine Leffler, of Baltimore, Mary- land, and they had two sons and three daughters: Ed P., living in Dubuque ; Melvina, the wife of Emery Morrison, of Albia, Iowa; Florence, the wife of Ora Book, of Waveland township; Catharine, the wife of Hugh Winterstein, of Wright township; and John, who resides in Idaho. The wife and mother died in 1885 and Mr. Lischer has since wedded Mrs. James Wooley, a widow,
997
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
who in her maidenhood was Miss Mary Frances Riley. There are six children by this marriage: Fred. George, Mary Elizabeth, Inez May, Martha Lillian and Rosa Pearl, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Lischer votes with the democracy and has been prominent in political circles in the different localities in which he has resided. Aside from serving as postmaster he was a member of the town council and of the school board for many years during his residence in Columbus City and he has also been officially connected with the schools for several years during his residence in Pottawattamie county. He affiliates with the Knights of Pythias lodge and at- tends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the family are members. He has become one of the well known residents of Waveland town- ship, living a life of activity and business enterprise.
A. H. IVES.
A. H. Ives, carrying on general farming on section 10, Grove township, is a native of Bolton Centre in the province of Quebec, Canada, where his birth occurred March 4, 1840. He was one of a large family of thirteen children whose parents were Titus and Hannah (Genna) Ives, the former a representa- tive of an old Philadelphia family, while the latter was a member of one of the old families of Vermont. When two years of age A. H. Ives went to live with an unele and remained a member of his household until he had attained his majority. He remained a resident of Vermont until 1857, when he aceom- panied his uncle, Avery Ives, to Dewitt county, Illinois, continuing with him until he had reached the age of twenty-one. While living there he enlisted in September, 1861, as a member of Company L, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, under Colonel Dickey. He was engaged in active duty along the Mississippi river most of the time, participating in the battles of Fort Donel- son, Shiloh, Vicksburg and various minor engagements. He served for a little more than three years and in November, 1864, was mustered out.
Returning to his home. Mr. Ives resumed the pursuits of civil life and was engaged in farming in Dewitt county, Illinois, until 1882, when he removed to Platte county, Nebraska. There he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cultivated until 1902. when he sold that property and bought his present farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Grove township, Pottawattamie county, Iowa. He has always engaged in the occu- pation of farming and the practical experience which he gained in early life enabled him to carefully direct his labors when he started out on his own account.
In October. 1867. occurred the marriage of A. H. Ives and Alice Butter- worth, who was born in England in 1836. She could just remember the voyage to America with her parents. being very young when they crossed the Atlantic. For thirty-six years Mr. and Mrs. Ives traveled life's journey happily together but were separated by the death of the wife October 22, 1903. They had three children: Richmond L .. who resides west of Oakland and is married and has
998
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
six children ; Bertus B., who operates the home farm for his father and who married Florence Nay, by whom he has one child. Alice C .; and Rose A., the wife of Charles Comstock. of Carson, by whom she has three children.
Mr. Ives exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party until his removal to Nebraska. He afterward became a popuhst and is now a liberal democrat. He held several township offices in Nebraska but has never been a politician in the sense of office seek- ing. Hle belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Carson and affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America and with Carson post, G. A. R., being today as true and loyal to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the starry bbanner upon the battle-fields of the south.
SILAS C. STRONG.
Silas C. Strong is numbered among the county's pioneer citizens, having resided within its borders since 1864. During the past two years he has made his home in Oakland, having retired from active business life as a farmer. He had lived in Center township from 1864 until 1905 and as the years passed by had engaged in the tilling of the soil, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation.
His life record began in Meigs county. Ohio. October 13, 1837, his parents being James M. and Melissa (Barker) Strong. The father was born in New England and in his infaney was taken to Ohio, where he was reared and mar- ried. In 1846 he brought his family to Iowa, settling in Jefferson county in the year in which the state was admitted to the Union.
It was in that county that Silas C. Strong was reared amid the wild seenes and environments of pioneer life, the family sharing in all of the hardships and privations incident to the settlement of the frontier. Many portions of the state had not been surveyed and the land was still in possession of the gov- ernment. It was mostly wild and windswept prairie with timber at intervals along the streams, and many believed that civilization would never extend so far into the west, but the Strong family, having faith in the future of the country, were among those who early aided in reclaiming the region for the purposes of civilization. Silas C. Strong remained upon the home farm in Jefferson county until twenty-one years of age. He was then married to Miss Lucy Clover, who was born near Deerfield. Ohio, and who was ten years of age when she became a resident of Jefferson county, Iowa, in company with her parents, James and Emily (Smillen) Clover.
In the year 1864 Silas C. Strong and his young wife came to Pottawatta- mie county and in the same year his parents also removed here, residing upon a farm until 1889, when they became residents of Oakland, where their re- maining days were passed. The father died in 1895 at the advanced age of eighty-four years, while the mother survived him until 1902. passing away at the age of eighty-six years.
999
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Strong were among the pioneer residents of Pottawattamie county and at an early day secured three hundred and forty acres of wild land. As the years passed he converted this into rich and productive fields and at a later date he distributed much of it among his children. still retain- ing, however. a tract of eighty acres. They have a daughter and four sons: Alice, the wife of 1. E. Wert, whose home is in Granite City, Illinois; W. Fred, who is in Council Bluffs with the Me Atee grocery firm; James and C. C., who are farmers on section 3. Center township; and Thomas R., who fol- lows farming on section 5 of the same township.
Mr. and Mrs. Strong have now traveled life's journey together for almost forty-nine years and they expect to celebrate their golden wedding in Decem- ber, 1908. They are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are worthy Christian people. highly esteemed by all who know them. Mr. Strong has served in various township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity and he well deserves mention in a record devoted to those who have been the real upbuilders and promoters of the county's present greatness and prosperity. for from pioneer times he has labored for its welfare and has been identified with its interests.
WILLIAM LEWIS.
William Lewis, of Macedonia, dates his residence in this county since 1870 and therefore for nearly four decades has been a witness of its growth and development. Although he is now largely living retired, in former years he was extensively engaged in the live-stock business, which proved profitable owing to his capable mangement and labor intelligently directed.
His birth occurred in La Salle county, Illinois, about eight miles from a railroad, September 21, 1848. He is of Norwegian ancestry, his paternal grandparents being Ola and Annie (Hayes) Lewis, who were natives of Nor- way and came to Illinois in 1839. Their remaining days were spent in La Salle county, where they were numbered among the worthy pioneer settlers. They had a family of nine children, most of whom were born in Norway, including Charles Lewis, the father of our subject, who first opened his eyes to the light in the land of the midnight sun, October 26, 1826. He was thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in La Salle county, Illi- Dois, where he lived until called to his final rest. He was always greatly interested in horses and largely engaged in buying and selling live-stock. He died in 1861 and was long survived by his wife, who passed away in La Salle county, August 8. 1890. She bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Hougas and was a daughter of Goodman and Julia (Madlin) Hougas, natives of Norway. They came to the United States about 1822, settling in Rochester, New York, where their daughter Elizabeth was born. The journey across the Atlantic was made in a sailing vessel, which was the first ship that ever brought Norwegian emi- grants to the United States and Mrs. Lewis was the first Norwegian child
1000
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
born in this country whose parents came direct from Norway. After living in Rochester, New York, for some time they removed westward to Illinois in 1830 and were identified with the pioneer development of La Salle county. Their daughter Elizabeth was born in Rochester about 1825 and by her mar- riage became the mother of seven children: Julia, who died in childhood; William; Christian, who died at the age of twenty years; Edward, now of Nebraska; Thomas, who died in childhood; Hannah, who passed away at the age of twenty years; and Charles, who died when only a year old. A. J. Anderson of Macedonia is a representative of the first Norwegian family in this locality. His mother was an aunt of Mrs. Lewis' mother and came here in 1848, settling at Wheelers Grove. The family still own large tracts of land which were entered from the government and from an early day the family have been prominent in this part of Pottawattamie county.
William Lewis, whose name introduces this record. was reared at the place of his nativity to the age of twenty-two years, residing upon the old homestead until 1870. He had lost his father in 1861 and being the eldest son of the family the management of the home farm, comprising a half sec- tion of land, devolved upon him. Although the burden was a heavy one for young shoulders he manfully took up the duties which came to him and capably controlled the farming interests. In 1870 he came alone to Potta- wattamie county, arriving in the fall of that year. and for a year he lived at Wheelers Grove. In 1873 he located in Macedonia township, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie. This he improved and cultivated, residing upon the farm for ten years, and it is still a part of his property. When the first decade had passed he bought a farm in Grove township of two hundred acres, on which he also lived for ten years, when he traded that property for a farm of two hundred and thirty acres east of Carson. Removing to Macedonia, he has since lived in the town, deriving his income from good investments. He still owns the farm of two hundred and thirty acres east of Carson and altogether has six hundred acres of rich and productive land in this county. He has bought and sold consider- able land in the county and in the west and he has been extensively engaged in buying, feeding and shipping stock of all kinds. At one time he was one of the largest stock dealers in this section but he turned the business over to his sons and son-in-law, although he still feeds stock to some extent but not so extensively as formerly. Business of this character has been his real oc- cupation in life and because he is an excellent judge of stock he has been enabled to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. He now has a fine home in Macedonia and lives well.
In 1873 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Richards, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, February 10, 1844, and is a daughter of James and Elvina (Fisher) Schenck, natives of Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been born four children: Anna, now the wife of Grant Pilling, of Macedonia; Arthur, who is extensively engaged in farming and in feeding stock in Macedonia township; Laura I., the wife of W. C. Miller, a druggist of Macedonia; and Charles Marvin, also of this city.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.