USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 60
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M. H. FRENCH.
Nature seems to have intended that man shall enjoy a season of rest in the evening of life. In youth, full of vigor, hope and ambition, he starts upon his business career and in later years his labors are guided by the sound judgment that should come through experience and maturer wisdom. If he be energetic in his chosen field of labor and careful in his expenditures the years will bring him capital sufficient to enable him to enjoy the evening of life in well earned ease. Such have been the characteristics of Mr. French, now living retired in Loveland, where for many years he carried on black- smithing and carriage-making.
A native of Dutchess county, New York, he was born October 8, 1837. His parents were Adoniram and Betsey (Tobias) French, both of whom were natives of Connectieut and spent their last days in Dutchess county, New York. The father, who was a shoemaker by trade, died at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife passed away at the age of forty years.
M. H. French was a youth of fourteen when he started out in life on his own account and since that time has been dependent upon his own re- sources, meriting considerable eredit for the success which he has achieved. He began working on a farm for his dinner and six cents per day and was later employed for nine months for thirty-one dollars and fifty cents. He received twenty-five dollars for his first year's work while learning the black- smith's trade and served a three years' apprenticeship in mastering that trade. also spending one year in a wood shop and one year at carriage ironing. In 1866 he came to Loveland, Iowa, and on Thanksgiving day of that year, con- tracted an indebtedness of two hundred dollars for shop and tools. having left the tools which he had formerly owned in New York. He also bought twenty dollars' worth of material at Council Bluffs and that first afternoon made ten dollars from his labor. He continued to follow blacksmithing here for many years and always had a good patronage because he was an expert work- man in his line. He likewise conducted a store and implement house here for a long period but recently turned these over to his daughter, who is now the postmistress at Loveland. In the meantime Mr. French had invested in property and now owns one hundred and nine acres of good and productive farm land nicely improved near the village, together with his residence and store property in the village.
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In 1858 Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Johnson, a native of Ireland who, when twelve years of age, came to the United States with her parents. She was born October 24, 1837, and died on the 4th of December, 1904. In their family were five children: Jennie and Arthur, both of whom died in infancy; Edwin C., who is a carrier on the rural mail route and is at home; Nellie M .. the widow of Frank Haldeman, who is engaged in merchandising and also acts as postmistress at Loveland; and William L., who is an engineer employed by the Northwestern Railroad Company, making his headquarters at Fremont, Nebraska.
Mr. French and his family are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are much interested in its work. In politics he was a democrat until the Bryan campaign, since which time he has been a stalwart supporter of the republican party. He has been prominent in the history of Loveland, contributing largely to its upbuilding and advancement and through his business interests and through his activity in connection with those movements and measures which have for their object the upbuilding of a community. He has now reached the allotted Scriptural age of three score years and ten but in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime although he has retired from business life to enjoy his remaining days without further recourse to labor.
J. M. AXTELL.
J. M. Axtell, without special advantages at the outset of his career, has become one of the well known and substantial agriculturists of Boomer town- ship. He has developed three farms in Pottawattamie county since arriving here in 1867 and he now owns and cultivates eighty acres of land on section 10. He was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of July, 1838, and is a brother of L. S. Axtell, who is mentioned on another page of this work. He was the youngest child in his father's family and remained with his parents until the death of his father, his boyhood and youth being quietly passed, unmarked by any event of special importance.
In 1857 Mr. Axtell was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Franklin, a native of the state of New York. They afterward removed to Sparland, Mar- shall county, Illinois, where Mr. Axtell engaged in farming. While there living he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 19th of February, 1866, leaving four children. On the 6th of June, 1867, he was again married, his second union being with Mary Graham, a native of Pennsylvania, who is still living.
The same year Mr. and Mrs. Axtell removed to Pottawattamie county and from the wild prairie he has developed three farms, thus contributing in substantial measure to the progress and improvement of this part of the state. He now owns eighty acres of land on section 10, Boomer township, constituting a good property. He has one of the best orchards in the town-
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ship and his place is further adorned and beautified by many shade trees which he has set out. His fields, too, bring forth rich crops and everything about the place is kept in good condition, showing his careful supervision and practical, enterprising methods.
By his first marriage Mr. Axtell had five children: Samuel T., who re- sides in Harrison county, Iowa; Albert E., of Danville, Illinois; Leona, the wife of G. W. Howland, formerly of Harrison county, now of Oklahoma; and two who died in infancy. Unto Mr. Axtell and his second wife were born ten children, namely: Milton, who makes his home in Missouri; John, of Oklahoma; Gertrude, who became the wife of John Roberts and resides in Oklahoma; James and Daniel, both residents of Harrison county, Iowa; Mary E., the wife of Fred Swan, also of Harrison county; George, at home; and three who have passed away.
For many years Mr. Axtell has been a faithful representative of the Odd Fellows fraternity. In politics he has always been a republican since age brought to him the right of franchise and for twenty years he has served as justice of the peace. No higher testimonial of his capability could be given than the fact that he has been so long continued in this office, wherein his decisions have been strictly fair and impartial. He has always taken special interest in school matters and has acted as school director for many years. His own educational privileges were limited to the opportunities afforded by the common schools but he has always been a careful observer and wide reader and is today a well informed man upon political questions and all subjects of general interest.
THOMAS J. SMITH.
Thomas J. Smith, conducting a commercial enterprise at Weston, and thus contributing to the commercial advancement of the city as well as to his individual success. has always resided in Pottawattamie county, his birth having occurred in Boomer township, June 24. 1872. His father, A. B. Smith, was born in England and on coming to the United States in 1856 established his home in this county, casting in his lot with the pioneer set- tlers who were reclaiming the region for the purpose of civilization. Hc became one of the carly farmers and is still residing in Boomer township, well known there as a worthy and respected citizen. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, is also living and, like her husband, is a native of England.
Thomas J. Smith was the fifth in order of birth in their family of eight children, and in the common schools he acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in Western Towa College, at Council Bluffs. He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial he entered the field of merchandising on the 1st of Decem- . ber, 1905. through the purchase of a general stock of goods at Weston, from
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Williams & Barnes. He now carries a large and well selected line of general merchandise and deals in agricultural implements as well. His business is continually growing and his extensive patronage now brings to him a good financial return annually. His store is well appointed in its equipments and the tasteful arrangement of his goods adds in no small degree to his success, for the attractive display wins customers, while his reasonable prices and courteous treatment secure a continuance of their trade.
In 1897 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Dora Lowe, a daughter of Henry Lowe, of Rockford township. They had two children but one is now deceased, the other being Viola, who is at home.
Mr. Smith is a democrat in his political views and strongly endorses the principles of the party. While on the farm in Boomer township with his parents, he served for six years in the office of township assessor and for twelve years as secretary of the school board, discharging the duties of both positions in prompt and capable manner. He is always interested in every- thing pertaining to general progress and improvement and in Weston gives support to every measure calculated to prove of general good. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and the Odd Fellows lodge at Crescent and is also connected with the Woodmen of the World at Council Bluffs. The fact that many who have known him from boyhood to the present time are numbered among his stanchest friends, is an indication that his has been an honorable and upright life.
GEORGE OAMEK.
George Oamek follows farming in Crescent township and is a native son of Hazel Dell township, his birth having there occurred November 6, 1869. His father, Christopher Oamek, was a native of Germany and was there married. He afterward emigrated to the United States, establishing his home in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked at the bricklayer's trade. His wife died there, leaving three children, all of whom reside in Oregon. Later Mr. Oamek came to Council Bluffs, where he followed bricklaying until 1868, when he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, purchasing land in Hazel Dell township. He continued the further development and improvement of his farm until his life's labors were ended in death about six years ago. His second marriage was celebrated in Council Bluffs, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Mary Sigea, a widow, whose maiden name was Mary Straub, and who died about thirty years ago. They had five children : Carrie, the wife of A. A. Frost, of Crescent, Iowa; George, of this review; Frank, who is living in Nebraska; Joe, who is upon the home farm in Hazel Dell township; and Edward, of Omaha.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for George Oamek in his boyhood and youth. He remained upon the old homestead place in Hazel Dell township until twenty-two years of age and in the meantime acquired his education in the public schools. On leav -.
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ing home he bought eighty acres of land on section 15. Crescent township. on which slight improvements had been made. He then began the further development of the place, has remodeled and improved the buildings and now has a nice home and substantial farm. He also owns thirty-eight acres on the Missouri river bottoms and is carrying on general agricultural pur- suits.
In 1891 Mr. Oamek was married to Miss Nellie M. Ritchie, a native of Iowa, and they have three children, Robert C., Wallace E. and Doris E .. all at home. They also lost a daughter, Agnes, in infancy. Mr. Oamek votes with the democratic party where state and national questions are involved but at local elections where there is no issue before the people casts an inde pendent ballot. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp of Crescent and enjoys the good will and trust of his brethren of the fraternity and the confi- dence of those with whom he has been associated in business affairs.
OTTO SAAR.
The name of Saar is a well known and honored one in agricultural cir- cles of Pottawattamie county, for throughout more than three decades repre- sentatives of the family have been identified with its farming interests and Otto Saar, whose name introduces this review, is also thus engaged at the present time, his home place comprising five hundred and twenty acres of land situated on section 10. Keg Creek township. Mr. Saar is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred in Mills county, January 10. 1863. He is one of the four surviving members of a family of thirteen children born unto Henry and Sophia (Plummer) Saar, both of whom were natives of Germany, extended mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of Henry F. Saar on another page of this work. His brother. Julius J. Saar. is also represented in this volume.
The boyhood days of Otto Saar were spent on the homestead farm in Mills county, Iowa, where he acquired his early education in the common schools. This was supplemented by five terms' study in Shenandoah Col- lege. so that he was well fitted to assume the duties of a business carcer. After completing his education he again resumed farm labor and in 1896 located on his present place. The greater part of this traet has been placed under cultivation and there is a portion from which he annually cuts a splendid crop of hay. Mr. Saar has improved his place with good buildings, including substantial barns giving ample room for the shelter of grain and stock. while the family occupy a commodious and modern residence, this having been erected since Mr. Saar located here. Mr. Saar follows the most modern methods in prosecuting his labors and uses the latest improved ma- chinery in the cultivation of his fields and the harvesting of his crops, and is today numbered among the substantial residents of Keg Creek township.
In 1898 Mr. Saar was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Schrodt. who was born in Council Bluffs, a daughter of Jacob Schrodt. Her father was an
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early settler of lowa and for a long period engaged in market gardening. He is still living in Council Bluffs but the mother is now deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Saar has been blessed with two interesting daughters, Gertrude and Elsie.
Mr. Saar gives his political support to the men and measures of democ- racy and for several years he has served as township clerk, discharging his duties in prompt and able manner. The family are highly esteemed in the community in which they reside and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
JULIUS J. SAAR.
A finely improved farm of two hundred and eighty acres, situated on section 16, Keg Creek township, is the home of Julius J. Saar, who is a worthy representative of the farming and stock-raising interests of Pottawattamie county. He was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, January 1, 1845, a son of Henry and Sophia (Plummer) Saar, mention of whom is made in connec- tion with the sketch of H. F. Saar on another page of this work.
Julius J. Saar is the oldest of the four surviving children of his father's family. He was a little lad of eight years when the father removed with his family from Missouri to Mills county, this state, and it was on the home farm there that his time and energies were given to the prosecution of the labors of field and meadow. His educational advantages were very meager for at the time the family settled in this state the only opportunities afforded in this direction were those of the subscription school, he being a lad of thirteen years when he attended his first school. However, his training at farm la- bor was not meager, for from an early age he assisted his father in the de- velopment and improvement of the homestead property and shared with the other members of the family in the hardships and privations which had to be endured in what was then a pioneer district.
Desirous that his labors might more directly benefit himself, Mr. Saar began farming on his own account, at which time he established a home of his own on the 16th of January, 1869, by his marriage to Miss Catherine Schoening, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Hans Schoening. She was quite young when her parents emigrated to the United States, the family home being established in Silver Creek township, Pottawattamie county, where the father still lives at the advanced age of eighty years. Of their family of four children but two are living: Theodore, a resident of Coun- cil Bluffs; and Herman, of Silver Creek township. Mrs. Saar passed away September 18, 1885, at the comparatively early age of thirty-one years.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Saar took up their abode on a tract of land which he rented in Mills county. In the spring of 1872 he located on his present farm which was given him by his father and which comprised two hundred and forty acres, situated in Keg Creek township. This was all wild and unimproved when it came into his possession but with
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the energy and perseverance so characteristic of the German race, Mr. Saar at once began to improve his farm, to which he later added an additional forty-acre tract, so that his home place now comprises two hundred and eighty acres. This is supplied with good buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and he also occupies a comfortable dwelling, all these having been erected by Mr. Saar. In addition to tilling the soil he is also engaged to some extent in stock-raising and finds this a profitable source of revenue.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Saar have been born nine children : Rosa, the wife of Rudolph Hopp, a resident of Glenwood, Iowa; Henry, at home; Julia. the wife of Robert Ingram, of Harrison county, Iowa; John W., who wedded Emma Hartge and lives in Keg Creek township; Otto C. and Edward, twins, at home; August F., also under the parental roof; Fred, who died in July 1903, at the age of twenty-one; and Martha. the wife of William Tinn, a resi- dent of MeClellan, Iowa.
A democrat in principle and practice. Mr. Saar is ever found loyal in support of the men and measures of that party. For two terms he served as road supervisor and has also filled some school offices. He is always prompt and reliable in the discharge of his official duties and is a public-spirited citi- zen. commanding the respect and high regard of all with whom business or social relations bring him in contact.
JULIUS MULLER.
Julius Muller is a retired farmer and now makes his home in the village of Crescent, enjoying there a well merited rest from the labor which so long occupied his time and attention. He was born in Colmar. Alsace. then a province of France but since the Franco-Prussian war one of the prov- inces of Germany. His natal day was April 8, 1836, and his parents were William and Madeline (Rebert) Muller, who were likewise natives of France. The father was a bookbinder by trade and in 1851, leaving his family in their native country, he sailed from Havre to New Orleans, where he arrived after a voyage of eight weeks. He then came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where he secured employment at his trade. The following year he sent for his family, who arrived in December. 1852. They became resi- dents of Davenport, Iowa, where they established a business of their own. Julius Muller, who had served an apprenticeship in his native country, re- mained there for a short time. Later the father went to Cassville, Wisconsin. He there entered one hundred and sixty aeres of land, which he began to improve, but soon afterward he sold that property and removed to Rock Island, where he carried on an extensive business until he suffered losses by fire. After the death of his wife in Davenport in 1875 he settled again in Rock Island, where he lived until his death, which occurred when he had reached the very advanced age of ninety-six years. His wife had passed away in Davenport at the age of seventy-two. In the family were four children,
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of whom Julius and his brother William, now of South Dakota, are the only ones living.
Julius Muller was reared in France to the age of sixteen years when with the family he came to America, spending his boyhood and youth in his father's home. He was married on the 2d of October, 1859. to Miss Ann Bird. whose birth occurred near Quebec, Canada, on the 2d of May, 1838. She was of Irish lineage and was taken to Illinois by her parents in 1852, the family removing to Clay county, Iowa, in 1855. Mrs. Muller died upon the home farm near Crescent in 1883.
Soon after their marriage Mr. Muller and his wife came to Pottawattamie county but purchased a farm in Harrison county, which he sold in 1863. In 1864 he had been drafted for service in the Union army, was assigned to duty with Company E of the Thirteenth Iowa Vohmter Infantry and was sent to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was detailed on a scouting expedi- tion through Tennessee. Georgia and Alabama. He afterward went to An- napolis. Maryland. and thence was sent down the coast to Morehead City. North Carolina. Later the command was at Newberne and Kings- ton. North Carolina, where they were engaged in a severe fight, Mr. Muller having a narrow escape from the bullet of a sharpshooter. He afterward joined Sherman's forces on the march to the sea and at Raleigh news was received of the assassination of President Lincoln. Mr. Muller proceeded with his regiment to Washington, D. C., and participated in the grand re- view. the victorious army marching down Pennsylvania avenue, over which swung a banner bearing the device, "The only debt which the country cannot pay is the one which she owes to her soldiers." From Washington the regi- ment proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, where they were mustered out July 21, 1865.
Mr. Muller returned home with a creditable military record, having faithfully discharged every duty that devolved upon him during his expe- riences as a soldier. After the war he went to Denver, Colorado, in search of a location but he did not like the mountainous region and returned to Iowa, settling in Crescent township. Pottawattamie county, a mile north of the village on forty acres of unimproved land. There he made a good farm, erected a fine house and substantial buildings, making the place his home until 1893, when he sold his farm of one hundred and sixty-four aeres and retired from active agricultural life, purchasing a home in Crescent, where he has since lived. He has added to the house here, has planted trees and shrubbery and has developed one of the nicest homes in the village, being now comfortably located in the enjoyments of the fruits of his former toil.
By his first marriage Mr. Muller had five children-Mary, the deceased wife of Thomas Wilding: William, who is residing in Missouri Valley, Iowa : Charles, a resident farmer of Hazel Dell township: Minnie, the wife of Wil- liam Forsyth, of Council Bluffs; and Thomas, who also follows farming in Hazel Dell township. In 1894 Mr. Muller was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Minnie Bostwick, née Frank, the widow of Daniel Bostwick. a member of one of Pottawattamie county's early families.
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Mr. Muller was roared in the Lutheran faith but is not now identified with any church organization. He has always been a republican in his political views but would never accept office. although often solicited to do -0. He has served only a- school director. He is a well posted man. having over been a great reader, and is interested in all questions of general concern. Pleasantly located in a home in Cre-cent. his rest is well inerited for it follows year- of active and earnest toil on the farm.
MAJOR EUGENE 1. CONSIGNY.
The activity, enterprise and success which characterized the life of Major Eugene A. Consigny render it imperative that mention be made of him in this volume, for his labors touched various interests of society, while the honorable methods which he followed commended him to the confidence and trust of all who knew aught of hi- history. Born in Lower Canada on the 15th of May, 1841. he is descended from an old French Catholic family. His paternal grandfather was Loni- de Consigny. who was born on a farm in France and became the founder of the family in the new world. Soon after his marriage, about 1790, he crossed the Atlantic to America and estab- lished his home in what was then known as New France or Lower Canada. He secured an extensive tract of land near Montreal and gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits, which in course of time brought him a handsome competence, enabling him to enjoy all of the comforts and inany of the luxuries of life. Such was his success that at his death he left a con- siderable estate to his descendants. 1 contemporary biographer has said, in connection with the history of Louis de Consigny: "The stock from which he sprang was strong and hardy and from the name and prefix "de" it is infer- able that he was of more genteel blood than that of the common French voyager to America. Be this as it may, good blood is best shown by long life and good deeds and in this respect the Consigny family have always been prominent. Longevity marks the moral- of a family as surely as the sand in the hourglass marks the time. Louis de Consigny lived to the patriarchal age of eighty year-, while his wife reached the advanced age of ninety-eight years." Their son. Antoine P. L. Consigny, was born in 1811. on the old home- stead near Montreal. He and his only brother. Louis, were provided with liberal educational advantages. and showing special aptitude in his studies, Antoine P. L. Consigny had prepared himself for college when but fourteen years of age. He then entered a college at Montreal, acquired a thorough classical education. in addition to becoming a good French. Latin. Greek and English scholar, writing and speaking those languages with care and fluency. Various letters that he has written are still in existence and it is said that his chirography looks like a copper plate engraving, the characters having been formed with such skill and precision. He was a thorough student. becoming an able scholar. and after preparing for the practice of medicine
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