USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 6
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HIRAM SHOEMAKER.
Hiram Shoemaker, a prominent and well known citizen of Council Bluffs, was born in Mentor, Ohio, on the 10th of June, 1836. His parents were Dr. Alexander and Elizabeth (Harmon) Shoemaker, the former born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. June 10, 1801, and the latter at New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1808. They were married in New Baltimore, Ohio, in 1825, and the father practiced medicine in Portage and Mahoning counties, Ohio. previous to his arrival in Council Bluffs on the 10th of May, 1854. He came here on a steamboat which he purchased at Wellsville, Ohio. in partnership with Wil- liam McClelland. They went down the Mississippi river to St. Louis and thence came to Council Bluffs by the Missouri river. This boat was afterward used as a ferry on the latter stream, plying between Florence, Nebraska, and a point opposite in Iowa seven miles above Council Bluffs. Dr. Alexander Shoemaker was engaged in the practice of his profession in Council Bluffs un-
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til the time of his death, which occurred on the 22d of August, 1867. He had gained a wide and favorable reputation as a medical practitioner of skill and ability and his death was therefore deeply deplored throughout the community. His wife survived him for a number of years, passing away here on the 21st of May, 1884, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Dr. Shoemaker had also been a member. A brother of our subject, Judge W. S. Shoemaker, is a prominent attorney of Omaha.
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Hiram Shoemaker acquired a common-school education in his native state, where he remained until 1855, coming thence to Council Bluffs, where he clerked for a time in the general mercantile store of Babbitt & Ross. He then engaged in the real-estate business and entered some land in Harrison county, Iowa, which he farmed for several years, making his home, however, in Council Bluffs. From 1859 until 1863 he conducted the City Hotel, which stood on the northeast corner of Park avenue and Broadway, where the Ogden Hotel is now located. He was next engaged in the drug trade for a short time, was subsequently identified with the meat business for a few years and later conducted a confectionery store. At intervals, however, and up to the present time he has been engaged in the real-estate business, though failing health does not permit him to devote as much time to it as he formerly did. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Council Bluffs than Mr. Shoemaker. He has been an important factor in business cir- cles and his prosperity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteris- tics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He is public-spirited, giving his co-operation to every movement which tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community. At the time the Civil war broke out he helped to recruit Company A, Twenty- ninth Iowa Infantry, and Company D, First Nebraska Infantry, thus proving his loyalty to the Union cause.
On the 14th of November, 1860, Mr. Shoemaker was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Gardner, who was born in Worcestershire, England, on the 14th of November, 1842, and during her girlhood came to America with her parents, being reared, educated and married in Iowa. She is a daughter of James and Sylvia Gardner, who came to this country from England in 1853, entering land adjoining the city of Council Bluffs. The father departed this life in the year 1884 and his wife survived him for only a short period. Unto our subject and his wife were born the following named: Ada Belle, whose birth occurred October 6, 1861, passed away at the age of two and one-half years. George W., who was born September 7, 1863, is engaged in the rail- road business. He makes his home in Council Bluffs and by his marriage to Anna Throop has one child, Laura. James A., who was born September 30, 1865, died two years later. Frank G., whose birth occurred November 5, 1867, makes his home in Council Bluffs. Charles H., born December 24, 1869, resides at Wall Lake, Iowa, where he is engaged in the lumber business. By his marriage to Sana Sherwood he has two children, Charlie and Mary. Horace G., who was born March 19, 1872, left here in 1891 on a trip west and has not been heard of since. Wilson C., whose natal day was September 19, 1874, makes his home in Council Bluffs. He is traveling salesman for the
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wholesale firm of Paxton & Gallagher, and by his marriage to Bessie Delosh has one child, May. Elizabeth May, whose birth occurred on the 1st of March, 1877, has passed away. Fred H., born June 25, 1879, lives in this city and is connected with the Independent Telephone Company. He married Miss Minnie Faust and they have two children, Frederick and Howard. Ed- mund G., who was born December 20, 1881, makes his home with his parents and is traveling salesman for the Missouri Valley Milling Company. In February, 1906, he was united in marriage to Miss Buddie Morgan, who passed away two monthslater. All of the children of Mr. Shoemaker were born and educated in Council Bluffs.
In his political views our subject is a republican and is a worker in the local ranks of his party. He served for several years as councilman from the first ward, and was city assessor for nine years, as well as township trustec. During his term of service in the latter office he had authority to check on the county funds to pay expenses of the poor and those needing help from the county. His accounts were always found to be correctly kept, and the able and efficient manner in which he discharged all his duties made him a valuable incumbent in any public office to which he was elected. Among other official positions, he held that of city weighmaster. While not a member of any church, he attends the services of the Methodist denomination and has always been a very liberal contributor to the various churches of Council Bluffs. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker live in a beautiful home at No. 232 Harrison street. which he erected in 1906, and in addition he owns several other properties in this city, from which he derives a very desirable income. He is a man of broad sympathies and the poor and needy have found in him a friend. The difficulties which he had to encounter in his own business carcer have made him ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who try to aid themselves. In whatever relation of life we find him-in political circles, in business or in social relations-he is always the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth well merits the high regard which is uniformly given him.
TRUMAN GOODWATER.
Truman Goodwater, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and eighty acres on section 7, Pleasant township, was born in Huron county, Ver- mont, on the 2d of June, 1833, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary Louise (Caurier) Goodwater, the former a native of Paris, France, and the latter of Quebec, Canada. Both the father and mother passed away in Winneshiek county, Iowa, whither they had removed. In their family were fifteen children but only three are now living, namely: Truman, of this review; Mary, who be- came the wife of Barnhardt Spinner and lives in Iowa; and Andrew, who makes his home in Nebraska.
Truman Goodwater acquired his education in the common schools and re- mained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-two years. He then took up a homestead claim in Minnesota, on which he lived
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for two years, and while there he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jane Murphy, a native of New York. They became the parents of two children : George Edward, now a resident of Minnesota; and Benjamin, who has passed away. The wife and mother died in 1864 and her death was deeply deplored by many friends as well as her immediate family.
As before stated Mr. Goodwater remained in Minnesota but two years and then sold his homestead and removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres and erected thereon a log house of one room. In 1864, his patriotism being aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he joined Company F, Forty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving for one hundred days. After being mustered out at Daven- port, Iowa, he returned to Winneshiek county, where he remained until 1872, when he came to Pottawattamie county and purchased sixty acres of land where he now lives, only ten acres of which had been broken. He erected a little shanty, twelve by sixteen feet, in which he lived for seven years, and then built his present comfortable residence in the same yard. He has added to his original tract until he is now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres on section 7, Pleasant township, on which he has placed all modern improvements and accessories. His buildings are all in an excellent state of repair and the success which has come to him in his farming operations is entirely the result of his own labors and capable business management.
After his return from the war Mr. Goodwater was married a second time, in Winneshiek county, to Miss Gertrude Friedrich, who was born in Ger- many, September 11, 1847, a daughter of Joseph and Anna Mary (Theobalt) Friedrich. She accompanied her parents on their removal to America in 1853, the family home being established in Freeport, Illinois, where the father en- gaged in teaching school. In 1857 he removed to Jackson county, Iowa, where he remained for four years, and then went to Winneshiek county. He came to Pottawattamie county in the year 1872, and here he and his wife passed away, leaving four children to mourn their loss, while two others had previously died.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodwater have become the parents of eight children, as follows: Charles W., who lives in Washington; Eugene, also a resident of that state; Anna Matilda, who was a school teacher and is now the wife of Manuel Simas, of Spokane Falls, Washington ; Amelia, who was also engaged in school teaching and married William Zimmerman, now making her home in this state; Eva Lavona, deceased; Frances Josephine, at home, who is a gradu- ate of the Shelby high school and taught for three years in Pottawattamie county and for two years in Washington; Gertrude Viola, the wife of Frank J. Kessler, of Pottawattamie county ; and Frederick B., who is at home and is also a graduate of the Shelby high school.
Mr. Goodwater is a member of Dick Yates post, No. 364, G. A. R., of Shelby. He gives his political support to the republican party and has served as school director and as supervisor. Both he and his wife were reared in the Catholic faith but their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. For more than a third of a century Mr. Goodwater has successfully carried on agricultural pursuits in Pottawattamie county and is widely rec-
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ognized as one of the county's enterprising and representative citizens and business men. The family are well known in the community and the hos- pitality of their pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
FIDE FLOERCHINGER.
Fide Floerchinger, a practical and progressive farmer living on section 1, Neola township, is numbered among the early residents of Pottawattamie county, where he has made his home since 1882. He has for four decades been a resident of Iowa and during an active business career he has worked his way steadily upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence, being now the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and twenty-four acres.
A native of Germany, he was born in Bavaria, July 2, 1856. His father, Casper Floerchinger, was also born in that country, where he was reared and married, following the occupation of farming there until his emigration to the new world in 1867. He did not pause on the Atlantic coast but continued his journey westward to Iowa, settling in Johnson county, where he purchased a tract of wild prairie land and opened up a farm with the aid of his sons. His time and energies were devoted to general agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death. His wife passed away some years previous to the demise of her husband.
Fide Floerchinger was a lad of eleven years when brought to the United States, so that he was largely reared in Johnson county, Iowa, there becom- ing familiar with the experiences and hardships of pioneer life. He also assissted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, remaining with his father until he had attained his majority. Coming to Pottawattamie county in 1880 when a young man, he here purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and then returned to his old home in Johnson county. In the spring of 1882 he took up his permanent abode here. He had hired fifty acres of the land broken before he located on the place and with characteristic energy he began the further development and improvement of the farm, extending its boundaries from time to time as he has seen opportunity for judicious investment until he is now the owner of an excel- lent property of two hundred and twenty-four acres. Upon this place he has a large residence and good barns and sheds for the shelter of grain and stock. He has also set out an orchard, has planted shade and evergreen trees until around his home the place presents the appearance of the beauti- ful forest. In fact he has made the farm what it is today-one of the valuable and productive properties of this locality.
On the 26th of February, 1889, in Neola township, Mr. Floerchinger was married to Miss Margaret Gorman, a native of Johnson county, who came with her parents to Neola, when one year old. Her father, Michael Gorman, was a pioneer of that county and later a resident of Pottawattamie county. Mr. and Mrs. Floerchinger have five children: John William,
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Leo M., Francis J., Paul J. and Joseph. They have adopted two daughters, Anna and Marie Gorman, nieces of Mrs. Floerchinger. The latter was born in Elreno, Oklahoma, the mother dying when she was but three days old, and Mrs. Floerchinger went south, returning to her home with the baby, Marie. The adoption of these two daughters indicates in unmistakable man- ner the kindly spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Floerchinger. They were reared in the Catholic faith and are members of the church at Neola.
Politically Mr. Floerchinger has always been a democrat and has fre- quently served as a delegate to county conventions. He has been a member of the school board but otherwise has never sought nor held office, feeling that his time and attention are fully occupied by his business interests which, being carefully conducted, have brought to him a gratifying measure of success.
WILLIAM ORR.
William Orr is one of the leading stock raisers and dealers of Pottawatta- mie county. He is now the owner of five hundred and seventy-five acres of rich and valuable land known as the Hardindale Stock Farm, a property well improved for the purposes to which it is put. It is located on section 5, Keg Creek township, and Mr. Orr is extensively engaged in feeding, buying and selling stock there. He is a native of Harrison county, Iowa, and of Irish lineage.
His father, William Orr, Sr., was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch- Irish parentage, and died January 27, 1899, at the age of seventy-two years, upon the farm which is now the property of his son William. The mother, Mrs. Margaret Orr, died in 1889, at the age of sixty-two years. In their family were eleven children, of whom the following still survive: Mrs. Margaret Frank, a resident of Council Bluffs; Mrs. Elizabeth J. Knowles, also of that city ; Lemont, who makes his home with his brother whose name introduces this review ; William ; and Mrs. Emma Cleary, of Weston, Iowa.
The father first came to America in 1843 when but sixteen years of age. However, he afterward returned to Ireland and made several trips between the two countries prior to 1850, when, at the age of twenty-three years, he married and made a permanent location in the new world. He first settled in Pennsyl- vania, where he worked on a farm and at stock-raising, thus gaining his first knowledge and practical experience concerning the live-stock business, which he afterward continued to follow. In 1855 he sought a home in the middle west and for a short time was engaged in the stock business at Florence, Ne- braska. He then removed to Harrison county, where he bought land and fol- lowed farming and stock-raising until 1871. He then sold that property and came to Keg Creek township, investing in four hundred and eighty acres of prairie land on section 5. He improved this place. built a fine residence and added to his original holdings until at the time of his death his landed posses- sions aggregated eight hundred acres. He carefully managed his business af-
William
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fairs and his enterprise and labor made him one of the prosperous agricultur- ists of the community. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, loyal to its teachings, and his good qualities of heart and mind made him a valued citizen of the community. In politics he was a democrat.
William Orr was reared under the parental roof in the usual manner of farm lads, and the public schools afforded him his educational advantages. He early became familiar with the stock business, as he assisted in the care of the stock on the old home place, and at his father's death he inherited four hundred and eighty acres of land, to which he has since added a tract of ninety- five acres. The entire farm is in grass, affording excellent pasturage for the stock and is known as the Hardindale Stock Farm. Mr. Orr follows in the business footsteps of his father and is now extensively engaged with live-stock interests, feeding about five hundred head of cattle and between six and seven hundred head of hogs annually. His business interests are thus large and his careful control thereof makes his labors profitable. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum of Council Bluffs, and is a democrat in politics.
CHARLES H. STEPHAN.
Charles H. Stephan, deceased, was engaged in the plumbing business in Council Bluffs for many years and was a representative of a pioneer family of the city. His birth here occurred April 27, 1857, his parents being Charles H. and Henrietta (Fischer) Stephan, both natives of Germany. They came to America in early life, landing in New York city, where they resided for a short time and then removed to Buffalo. From that city they journeyed westward by wagon, arriving in Council Bluffs in 1855. They found here a city of small dimensions but with a good future before it, and choosing it as a favorable location the father established a brewery here, which he conducted for many years or until he retired permanently from active busi- ness. While on a trip to New York city a few years ago, he passed away. His widow, however, still resides in Council Bluffs, making her home with her children at No. 709 Madison avenue, and she is now seventy-two years of age.
In the family of Charles and Henrietta Stephan were seven children : Amelia, who resides with her mother and brothers at No. 709 Madison avenue and is the widow of William A. McMillan, at one time a prominent contractor here; Charles H., of this review; August, an optician of Chicago; Walter F., who is engaged in the plumbing business at No. 529 West Broad- way and also residing with his mother; Ernest, deceased; Mrs. Louise Hamil, of Council Bluffs, who has likewise passed away; and Ernestine, the wife of Maurice Woolman, a retired jeweler at No. 116 Fourth street in Council Bluffs.
The children were provided with good educational privileges. Charles H. Stephan, like the other members of the family, was a pupil in the public schools of the city. In his youth he became familiar with the brewery
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business, working with his father for a few years, after which he joined an uncle in the establishment of a bottling business, which they carried on with success for several years. He then joined his brother Walter F. in a partnership under the firm style of Stephan Brothers and they began in the plumbing business and steam and hot water heating at No. 529 West Broad- way, where the brother is still located. They were not long in securing a very liberal patronage and employed several men. Charles H. Stephan con- tinued in this line throughout his remaining days and became widely recog- nized as a leading representative of industrial circles in Council Bluffs.
Mr. Stephan was married in this city to Miss Ellen Hickey, a native of Lincoln, Illinois, and a daughter of John Hickey, who came from Illinois to Pottawattamie county at an early day and purchased a farm near Armour, this county. There he engaged in general agricultural pursuits through- out his remaining days. There were two children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Stephan, Louise Henrietta and Margaret, both with their mother. The former is a graduate of the public schools of this city.
The death of the husband and father occurred on the 4th of July, 1905, when he was forty-eight years of age. Fraternally he was connected with the Eagles, and in politics he was independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. When the first fire department of the city was organized he became one of its volunteer members and so continued for several years. His mother, Mrs. Henrietta Stephan, owns the old home at No. 709 Madison avenue, where the Stephan family have resided for more than a third of a century and where she and some of her children now make their home. Mrs. Ellen Stephan owns a nice residence adjoining the old homestead, where she and her children reside. Mr. Stephan was a man of genial nature, cordial disposition and kindly spirit, which qualities made him popular with a large circle of friends. His best traits of character, however, were reserved for his family, and in his own home he was a devoted husband and father.
JOHN ESPLIEN ANDERSON.
John Esplien Anderson, who for many years was connected with railroad service in this state and in Illinois, is now living retired in the enjoyment of the competence which he gained by reason of his well directed enterprise and industry in former years. He was born in Forfar, Forfarshire, Scotland. March 19, 1836, a son of John Anderson, whose birth also occurred there about 1800. The father was married in 1830 to Miss Jean Esplien, who was born in Forfar, Scotland, about 1802, her father being an agriculturist. John Anderson was a weaver by occupation and departed this life in Scotland in January, 1854. He had a family of six children.
John Esplien Anderson was deprived of the advantages of an education but through experience, reading and observation in later years has become a well informed man. He followed the weaver's trade in his native land until nineteen years of age, and then crossed the Atlantic to America in company
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with his brother, David Anderson, who is now living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our subject took up his abode in Chicago, where he entered the employ of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company, now the Chicago & North- western, in the car-repairing department. After a year there passed he went to Fulton, Illinois, where he was engaged in a similar manner for two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Boone, Iowa, being employed as foreman of the car-repairing department for six months, after which he was transferred to Marshalltown, Iowa, and there remined for a short time.
On the 30th of October, 1867, Mr. Anderson located in Council Bluffs, and was here employed by the Northwestern Railroad in the car-repairing department until the fall of 1881. He then left that company in order to accept a position with the Union Pacific Railroad in the capacity of car inspector, being thus engaged for eight years, and served as air inspector for the same company for the long period of fifteen years. He was then retired on a good pension and is now enabled to live comfortably without recourse to further labor. His long continuance in the service of one com- pany is proof of the able and efficient manner in which he discharged his duties, and therefore the rest which he is now enjoying is well merited.
On the 18th of January, 1861, John E. Anderson was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Taylor, the wedding ceremony being celebrated in Fulton, Illinois. She was a daughter of William and Barbara (Key) Taylor and came to America with her father in 1857, the mother having previously passed away in Scotland. The death of William Taylor, however, occurred in Coun- cil Bluffs in September, 1869. Mrs. Anderson was educated in the schools of Forfar, Scotland, which was also the place of her nativity. She was always a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband, and her death, which occurred on the 14th of November, 1906, came as a deep bereavement to him, as well as to many friends. She had been a faithful member of the Congregational church and was also connected with the Rebekahs.
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