USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 52
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
--
JAMES S. NORTON.
James S. Norton, deceased, was for some years a resident of Macedonia township-a man of great integrity who had no enemies and whose influ- ence was always exerted on the side of reform, improvement and righteous- ness. Only delicate health prevented him from becoming a leader in the public life of his community and even as it was his opinions carried weight with many. He was born near Lincoln, Illinois, October 30, 1852, his parents being Alexander and Caroline (Lloyd) Norton, natives of Winches- ter, Indiana, and of North Carolina respectively. They resided in the former state for a short time after their marriage and established their home at Lincoln. Illinois, at an early period in the development of that section of the state.
James S. Norton, the third in a family of five children, was reared at the place of his nativity and pursued his education in the public schools. He was about twenty-nine years of age when he left Lincoln and came to Iowa in 1881, spending his remainings days here, his death occurring on the 10th of March, 1902. He was reared to farm life and attended the common schools until twenty years of age, when he entered the Lincoln University, spending three years in the pursual of a college course. His training in the work of the farm was not meager and in fact be obtained broad practical experience concerning the best methods of tilling the soil and producing crops. He was married on the 22d of March, 1874, and started out in life ou his own account. He removed from Logan county, Illinois, to Champaign county, where he rented a farm for seven years and on the expiration of that period he came to Iowa, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Grove township, Pottawattamie county, about two miles east of Macedonia. With characteristic energy he began the cultivation and development of the fields and as the years went by continued the farm work until about eleven years ago, when he came to Macedonia and was appointed postmaster under the administration of President Mc-
K
JAMES S. NORTON.
THE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY
ISTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
1095
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Kinley. His health failed him and he resigned after about three years' service. He then gave his time to making collections until his health was better, this keeping him out in the open air much of the time. When he had somewhat improved he became a factor in commercial life of the vil- lage as proprietor of a furniture and hardware store in partnership with J. B Denton under the firm name of Norton & Denton. This relation was continued for about two and a half years, when on account of his health Mr. Norton was obliged to sell out. He possessed good ideas concerning business, was methodical and practical in his methods, and showed great determination in carrying forward to successful completion whatever he un- dertook.
As stated, it was on the 22d of March, 1874, that Mr. Norton was mar- ried, the lady of his choice being Miss Olive L. Metcalf, who was born in Lincoln, Illinois, on the 19th of March, 1856, a daughter of R. W. and Phoebe (Lorey) Metcalf, the former born near Atlanta, Illinois, and the latter in Ohio. The mother died when Mrs. Norton was but eleven years of age, leaving four children. Unto our subject and his wife was born one daughter, Grace.
The family life was most pleasant, Mr. Norton being a man of domestic tastes, who found his greatest interest in promoting the welfare and happi- ness of his wife and daughter. In politics he was a life-long republican, and that he was a faithful office holder is indicated by the fact that he served for nine years as assessor of Grove township. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he was active, being in thor- ough sympathy with the high principles of that organization. Integrity, activity and energy were the crowning points of his success and his connec- tion with various business enterprises and interests was of decided advantage to the section in which he lived, promoting its material welfare in no un- certain manner. In those finer traits of character which combine to form that which we term friendship, which endear and attach man to man in bonds which nothing but the stain of dishonor can sever and which triumph and shine brightest in the hour of adversity-in those qualities he was richly endowed, and it was his worth as a citizen and as a man that caused his death to come with a sense of personal bereavement to all who knew him.
REV. HENRY E. HOFF.
Rev. Henry E. Hoff, a minister of the German Lutheran church, which is located on section 11, Keg Creek township, and is known as the German Lutheran church of St. Paul, has throughout the years of his manhood de- voted his life to the holy calling which now claims his attention. He was born in Saxony, Germany, March 13, 1864, his parents being Henry J. and Meta (Gehring) Hoff, who were likewise natives of Germany, where the father died in 1903 when eighty-three years of age, his wife passing away in
1096
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
1898 at the age of fifty-six years. His entire life was devoted to the work of the ministry and he left upon the lives of those with whom he came in contact an indelible impression that time cannot obliterate.
Rev. Henry E. Hoff is the only surviving member of a family of six children. His boyhood days were spent in Germany, where he acquired a common-school education and then, determining to devote his life to preaching the gospel, he studied for the ministry, being graduated from the seminary in Kropp, Schleswig-Holstein. In 1888, when twenty-four years of age, he crossed the Atlantic to America and located in Mendota, Illinois, where he remained for six months. While there he was married on the 29th of November, 1889, to Miss Kate Schneller, who was a native of Mendota and a daughter of Jacob and Appalonia (Eckstein) Schneller, who were likewise natives of Germany. The father died in Mendota in 1906 at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years, while the mother is still living at that place. They were residents of Mendota for a long period, Mr. Schneller there engaging in business as a wagonmaker. In their family were five children, of whom three are yet living: Mrs. Lena Stoltz, whose home is now in Colorado; Mrs. Mary Chick, of Hastings, Nebraska; and Mrs. Hoff.
Following his marriage Rev. Hoff was sent to Iowa in 1889 and had charge of a church in what is known as the Plummer settlement in Mills county. He also preached for the people at the church of which he is now pastor. In 1896 a parsonage was built here and Rev. Hoff has since made his home on section 11, Keg Creek township. The German Lutheran church of St. Paul was organized in 1882 by the Rev. Feistner with a membership of sixteen families. The first pastor was followed by Rev. Blasberg, who was succeeded by Rev. Hoff, and there is now a membership of forty-five families, constituting an earnest congregation who are devoted to their church and its purposes.
The home of Rev. and Mrs. Hoff has been blessed with seven children : Henry; Arthur; Elvira; Winfred and Alfred, twins; Pearl; and Harold. Rev. and Mrs. Hoff have won many warm friends during their residence in Pottawattamie county and their labors are a strong element in the moral development of the community. Mr. Hoff has devoted his entire life to the worthy purpose of uplifting his fellowmen through the proclamation of the gospel and his labors have not been denied a good harvest.
JOHN SIDES.
John Sides, who is in the real-estate and fire insurance business in Carson and is also superintending his farming interests and investments in Pottawattamie county, was born in Gibson county, Indiana, February 15, 1840. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Thomas) Sides, natives of Pennsylvania and Tennessee respectively. The father was a son of John Sides, of Pennsylvania German stock. James Sides was born in 1818 and
1097
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
died in April, 1899, at the age of eighty-one years, passing away in McLean county, Illinois. His wife died on the old home farm in Logan county, Illinois, in 1867. Throughout his entire life Mr. Sides devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits and thus provided a fair living for his family. Unto him and his wife were born six children: Sarah, deceased; John; David, who served for four years in the Civil war as a member of Company H, Seventh Illinois Infantry, veteranizing and continuing with the army of Cumberland, taking part in a number of important engage- ments after which he returned home, spent his last days in Kansas, where he died in 1891; Mrs. Katharine Randolph, a widow, living in Dewitt county, Illinois; Henry Marshall, who died in Dakota in 1900; Andrew Jackson, of Center township, this county.
John Sides spent the first fourteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Logan county, Illinois. After attending the public schools he entered LeRoy Seminary, but when six weeks had passed he returned home and enlisted, in August, 1862, as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. The regiment went to Jackson, Tennessee, and Mr. Sides served much of the time on the detached service. He took part in the entire siege of Vicksburg, went after Price at Little Rock and later was on General Wyes' staff until after the expiration of his term of service, when he was mustered out at Mound City, Illinois.
When the war was over, Mr. Sides located again in Logan county. He made a splendid military record and was offered the commissions of major and of colonel but would not accept, being content to do his duty as a private soldier in defense of the flag for which he has ever had the most sincere affection. Resuming the pursuits of civil life, he entered merchandising at Lincoln, Illinois, and for two and a half years was manager of a store but because of ill health he returned to the farm and found in its outdoor life the remedy which he needed for the upbuilding of his constitution. He con- tinued to engage in agricultural pursuits in that state until 1875, when he removed to Iowa and settled on section 2, Carson township. In addition to this property he bought one hundred and twenty-eight acres of unimproved land and he still owns the original farm. He likewise has a hundred acres on section 26 of the same township but has resided in the village for the past fifteen years. Here he is engaged in the real-estate business, beginning his operations in this line before the town of Carson was founded. He also conducts a fire insurance agency and gives personal supervision to his farm- ing interests. As a real-estate dealer he has negotiated many important property transfers and his labors have brought to him a gratifying measure of success.
In September, 1866, Mr. Sides was married to Miss Mary Chappell, who was born in Springfield, Ohio, in July, 1846, a daughter of Charles and Diana (Lee) Chappell. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sides has been blessed with the following named sons and daughters: William C., who resides upon the home farm in Carson township; L. Ferman, who is a railroad man of Mis- souri ; Charles C .; Emma Luella, the wife of C. F. Miller of Council Bluffs;
1098
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Orlando, also of that city; and John Harry and Arthur Alvin, both de- ceased.
In his political views Mr. Sides is a stalwart republican and has served as a member of the village council for a number of years, in which capacity he has done effective service for the welfare of the town. He is a popular and valued member of Robert Povard post, No. 414, G. A. R., of which he is now serving as commander, and he likewise belongs to the Presbyterian church, associations which indicate much of the character of his life and the principles which guide his conduct. He is greatly esteemed by all who know him, but most of all where he is best known. His residence in the county has covered a long period and in all matters of citizenship he is as truc and loyal to his country today as when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battle-fields of the south.
ROBERT PRENTICE.
Robert Prentice, deceased, who for some years was actively and closely associated with the agricultural interests of Hazel Dell township, was num- bered among the county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Crescent township on the 3d of November, 1864. In both the paternal and maternal lines he comes of Scotch ancestry, his parents being Alexander R. and Agnes (Kirkwood) Prentice, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The father was born December 21, 1829, and the mother on the 20th of August, 1832. They were married in 1852 and after residing for five years in the land of hills and heather emigrated to the United States in 1857. Mr. Prentice set- tled near Crescent in that year and during the early period of his residence here followed the occupation of carpentering but later turned his attention to farming, purchasing a tract of land in Crescent township, which he improved and cultivated until he made it a fine farm. He was prominent in the early history of that locality, contributing in substantial measure to its improve- ment and giving his influence to all the movements and measures calculated to aid the community in any way. Both he and his wife were earnest and consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Prentice was a stalwart republican. He died January 18, 1901, having for a year survived his wife, who passed away January 14, 1900.
The boyhood days of Robert Prentice were quietly passed upon the home farm. He became a common-school student and while pursuing his education devoted the periods of vacation to farm work, thus gaining the practical experience which was of immense value to him in later years. Be- coming a farmer, he improved a two hundred-acre farm in Hazel Dell town- ship. upon which his widow now resides. He brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and his work was seen in the abundant harvests which followed his plowing and cultivating.
1099
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
On the 20th of March, 1889, Mr. Prentice was united in marriage to Miss Susan M. Osborn, a daughter of J. W. Osborn, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of G. H. Os- born. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Prentice were born seven children : Hazel, Arthur, Robert, Ruth, Isabelle, James and George, all of whom are yet under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Prentice was a republican, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles and policy of the party, and for three years he served as township trustee. He was connected with the Modern Wood- men of America at Crescent and enjoyed the friendship of his brethren of that fraternity. He belonged, too, to the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was upright and honorable. To his family he was a devoted husband and father and was ever a faithful friend, while in his business life he was relia- ble and trustworthy. Those who knew him entertained for him warm regard and though he never sought to figure prominently in public life he belonged to that class of citizens who are the real strength of a community, upholding its moral and legal status. Since her husband's death Mrs. Pren- tice has built a neat cottage on the farm, which she occupies, and her land is now rented, bringing to her a fair income. Like Mr. Prentice, she has many friends in the community, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded her.
CHRIS HAMANN.
Chris Hamann, who was born in Germany, died at his home on section 11, Keg Creek township, Pottawattamie county, Iowa, March 13, 1904, at the age of fifty-two years. He came to the United States alone when nine- teen years of age and at once made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Mills county. Iowa, where he worked on a farm. In 1887 he bought eighty acres of land on section 11. Keg Creek township, Pottawat- tamie county, and with characteristic energy began to cultivate and improve this farm, upon which he continued to reside until his death. His labors were practical and good results were therefore achieved. He became the owner. of two hundred and eight acres of valuable land and always carried on gen- eral farming, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation by prac- tical, enterprising methods. He possessed strong purpose and unfaltering perseverance and carried forward to successful completion whatever he under- took.
On the 12th of February, 1879. Mr. Hamann was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lucker, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of Wil- liam and Anna (Bremer) Lucker. The parents came from the fatherland to the new world when their daughter, Mrs. Hamann, was but ten years of age and located in Cedar county. Iowa. The mother died in 1883, and the father, long surviving her, passed away in 1901 at the age of seventy-five years. In their family were four children, of whom three still survive: Mrs.
1100
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Caroline Bollmier, of Pottawattamie county; Henry, who is living in Texas; and Mrs. Hamann. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hamann were born seven children: Emil, who married Lena Strebeck and resides upon and operates a part of the home farm; Otto, who died at the age of three years; Alma, the wife of Harry Holtz, a resident farmer of Keg Creek township; Linda, who died in infancy; Amanda, Arno and Herbert, all at home.
In his farm work Mr. Hamann was very enterprising, diligent and in- dustrious. He kept adding improvements to his place and his labors trans- formed it into a valuable, productive and attractive property, which he left to his family and from which they now derive a good income. For years Mr. Hamann was a devoted and faithful member of the German Lutheran church and his life was at all times honorable and upright. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party in early manhood but in later years he joined the ranks of the republican party and was one of its stanch advocates until his demise. He served as road supervisor and was also post- master of Treynor for two years. In all life's relations he was honorable and trustworthy and he left to his family not only a good property but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
Mrs. Hamann still resides upon the home farm, which is operated by her two sons, Emil and Arno, who carry on general farming and stock- raising. She has a beautiful residence and the farm is all finely improved. She belongs to the German Lutheran church and many good qualities have endeared her to a large number of friends and acquaintances throughout this part of the county.
CORD GATHMANN.
The death of Cord Gathmann, which occurred on the 21st of March, 1904, was the occasion of deep sorrow to the citizens of Keg Creek township, for he was numbered among its most substantial residents-a man of honest purpose and high principle. Mr. Gathmann was born in Germany, March 4, 1849, and was therefore fifty-five years of age at the time of his death. He was one of a family of three children, his brother and sister still living in the fatherland, but the parents are now deceased, having died in Germany.
Mr. Gathmann of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country and for three years served in the army. In 1874, being then a young man of twenty-five years years, he made his way to the new world and settled in Pottawattamie county, Towa, where for three years he was employed at farm labor. Carefully saving his earnings that he might some day become the possessor of a farm, in 1877 his wish was gratified when he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of wild and unimproved land. He at once began the arduous task of breaking this new land and in course of time had his fields under a high state of cultivation, so that each year found his granaries filled with abundant crops. He eventually added to his landed holdings and at the time of his death was the owner of a valu-
1101
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
able farm comprising five hundred and forty acres, two hundred acres of which is in Washington township and is being operated by his eldest son, Albert Gathmann. The home place has been improved with good buildings, including a large barn and other outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock, while on the place stands a beautiful and commodious resi- dence, which is still occupied by his widow and family. In addition to the cultivation of his fields, Mr. Gathmann also engaged to some extent in stock- raising and was very successful in this enterprise, so that he was classed among the substantial and well-to-do agriculturists of his section of the state.
On the 9th of January, 1879, the marriage of Mr. Gathmann and Miss Caroline Rahter was celebrated. She was born in Cedar county, Iowa, a daughter of William and Charlotte (Braumier) Rahter, the latter born in Germany on the 15th of October, 1830. Their family numbered three daughters, of whom Mrs. Gathmann is the youngest, her two sisters being Mrs. Mary Klein, of Keg Creek township; and Mrs. Lydia Vorthman, a widow, also residing in this township. The father died in Cedar county, and the mother was married again, her second union being with William Knief, their marriage being celebrated in 1873. Mr. Knief was born in Hanover, Germany, May 18, 1830, and emigrated to America in 1865, spending the succeeding three years in New York in a brewery. In 1870 he made his way to Iowa, where he was employed by others for one year and in 1871 he located on a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres. This was in an unimproved condition when it came into his possession but it is now a well improved property. Mr. Knief continued to operate that farm throughout many years but for the past twelve years has leased his land and is now spending his days in honorable retirement.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gathmann were born twelve children, as follows: Albert, who wedded Annie Minson, and is now living on his mother's farm in Washington township; Alvena, the wife of Peter Whacker, of Wilton, Iowa; Emma, who resides with her grandmother, Mrs. Knief; Ida, who is engaged in teaching and lives with her mother: Lydia, Hilda, Clara, Mary, Henry, Irena and Helen, all with their mother; and John, who died at the age of three and a half years. Since the death of the husband and father, Mrs. Gathmann has erected a tenant house on her farm and now rents her property, although she still retains her residence thereon. The family are all members of the German Lutheran church, to which Mr. Gathmann also belonged.
Although Mr. Gathmann came to this country a poor man, he availed himself of every opportunity which presented itself and as the years passed he added to his possessions until at the time of his death he owned a valuable farm of five hundred and forty acres, thus leaving his family in very com- fortable financial circumstances. Although somewhat reserved in manner and being little inclined to publicity, he possessed those sterling qualities of heart and mind which everywhere win warm and lasting friendships. His success, too, came as the result of his own well directed energy and capable
1102
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
management, so that those who knew him rejoiced with him in what he accomplished. Mrs. Gathmann is an estimable lady of good business ability, and she and her family are highly esteemed in the community where they now make their home.
W. W. MILLER.
W. W. Miller, one of the heaviest cattle-feeders of Waveland township and this part of the county, owns three hundred and twenty acres of rich land and is classed with the enterprising agriculturists of the community. He was born in Carroll county, Illinois, October 8, 1861, his parents being Isaiah and Belle (Moffatt) Miller. The father, a native of Maryland, was born in 1838 and in his boyhood accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, where he was reared. Following his marriage he settled in Carroll county, that state, where he carried on farming until he came to Iowa about 1867. Here he purchased eighty acres of land in Cedar county and after a year he sold that property and removed to Jasper county. In the fall of 1875 he removed to Montgomery county, purchasing two hundred and forty acres of land in Sherman township, which he cultivated for twenty years. On selling out in 1895 he took up his abode in Red Oak, Iowa, where he has since lived retired. He still owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres northeast of Red Oak, in addition to his residence property in the city, and from the farm derives a good income. Republican in his political views, he has been unfaltering in the support of the principles and the platform of the party. For many years he served as township assessor. He is regarded as a man of influence in the community where he has long made his home, being one of the well known residents of Montgomery county. Unto him and his wife were born ten children: W. W., of this review; Sarah A., the wife of Dr. Andrew Carson, of Des Moines; Frank G., living in Seattle, Washington ; Carrie, at home; Nellie, the wife of Frank Beetle, of Council Bluffs; Emma, the wife of John Van Kirk; Charlie, who is living in Waveland township; Grace, at home; Ina, who is living with her sister, Mrs. Carson, in Des Moines; and one deceased.
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.