USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 62
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1186
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
resides in Weston, lowa; Matie, Perry, Bessie L., Ruth M., Eugene and Howard, all of whom are with their parents.
The family home is on a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which was given to Mrs. Matheson by her father. The fields are well tilled and the farm presents a good appearance. Mrs. Matheson is a rep- resentative of one of the old and prominent families of this county, her father having settled here in early pioneer days and the township of Garner was named in his honor.
L. P. JACOBSON.
L. P. Jacobson has engaged in farming on his present place in Boomer township since 1900. He was born on the 11th of February. 1875, in Den- mark, in which country his parents, Hans Ole and Maren (Christensen) Jacobson, still reside, having spent their entire lives there, the father fol- lowing the carpenter's trade. In their family were six children, of whom five are still living: Jacob C., who makes his home with our subject; Chris, living in Denmark; L. P., of this review: Martin and Mrs. Mary Martensen, who are still residents of Denmark.
In the land of his birth L. P. Jacobson spent the first eighteen years of his life. acquiring a common school education during that period. Attract- ed by the favorable reports which he heard concerning America and her business opportunities he resolved to come to the new world and three years before he attained his majority he bade adieu to friends and family and sailed for the United States. He did not tarry on the eastern coast but came at once to Iowa, securing employment on a farm in the vicinity of Missouri Valley. He worked at farm labor for others for some time and in 1898 began farming on his own account upon rented land in Harrison county. Two years later he removed to his present farm in Boomer town- ship, Pottawattamie county. He has also purchased sixty acres of land in Harrison county and his farming interests are capably conducted.
In 1903 Mr. Jacobson was married to Miss Anna Olsen, who was born in Boomer township, a daughter of Michael and May F. (Heagney) Olsen, who are numbered among the carly settlers of the county. They are still living in Boomer township, having long been identified with farming inter- osts here. In their family were seven children. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson two children have been born. May and Frances. The parents are worthy Christian people, Mr. Jacobson belonging to the Lu- theran church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist church. and in the community where they make their home they are much esteemed.
In his political allegiance he is a republican. keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and upon that ticket he has been elected road supervisor. He is also president of the Danish Brotherhood. ITe has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek his home in
1187
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
America, for here he has found the opportunities he has sought and as the years have passed has gained a place among the substantial farmers of his township.
JOHN FROST.
John Frost, who follows farming on section 27, Hazel Dell township, which is the old homestead property, has here one hundred and twenty-six acres of rich and productive land and has resided thereon continuously since 1896. It was upon this farm that his birth occurred June 28, 1858.
His father, Robert Frost, was born in England, December 21, 1817, and on the 9th of April, 1843, was married to Miss Susanna Roberts, a na- tive of Canada. He had crossed the Atlantic from the mother country to Canada and in 1855 came to Pottawattamie county. Iowa, casting in his lot with its earliest settlers. He made the trip with ox-teams and first took up his abode near Crescent City. In 1857, however, he located upon the farm on section 27, Hazel Dell township, which is now the property of his son John. It was entirely wild and unimproved, not a furrow having been turned, for he secured the land from the government. The original traet comprised eighty acres, which he transformed from wild prairie into productive fields. His first home was a little cabin built of logs and boards with a thatched roof. During the season of 1857-8, which was known as the cold winter, three yoke of his oxen and three of his cows perished in the cold. He car- ried corn on his back-one hundred bushels in all-in order to feed his animals and keep them alive. Many hardships and trials incident to fron- tier life were borne by the family in those early days and the arduous work of developing a new farm was carried on by them. At the beginning of the war Mr. Frost assisted in organizing a company of Home Guards but never went to the front. By trade he was a shoemaker but after his removal to Iowa al- ways carried on general agricultural pursuits and spent his remaining days upon the home farm in Hazel Dell township, which he purchased from the government. As stated, he was married in Canada to Miss Susanna Roberts, whose people were Mormons, her uncle, James Roberts, being a preacher of the Mormon faith.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Frost were eleven children: A. A., who is a blacksmith of Crescent. Towa: William, who died in the army when a young man ; Robert, who was killed by lightning on the 15th of May, 1871 : Eliza, the deceased wife of Patrick McGann of Council Bluffs; two who died in infancy: Mary, who became the wife of David Helvern and now resides at Mammoth Springs, Arkansas; Susanna Lonsboro; a resident of Colorado; Mrs. Emily Cobble, who makes her home in Seattle, Washington: Clara, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; and John. of this review.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for John Frost in his boyhood days. He worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting until erops were harvested in the late
1188
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY"
autumn, then attended school for a few months, after which he again took his place in the fields. He continued to work upon the home farm until twenty-two years of age and then went to the west, where for eleven years he was engaged in mining but his health became impaired during that period and returning to Pottawattamie county, he purchased the old home- stead farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres upon which he has resided since 1896. He has made many substantial modern improvements here and in the tilling of the soil he finds that good crops result from the careful cul- tivation of the fields, the soil being naturally rich and productive.
Mr. Frost was married to Miss Wilhelmina Hank, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and died in Council Bluffs in 1890, leaving three chil- dren: Andrew E., now of South Dakota; Frederick, of Hazel Dell; and Robert G., of Treynor, Iowa. In 1890 Mr. Frost was again married, his second union being with Mary Lowe, a daughter of Henry Lowe, a farmer of Honey Creek township. They have two little sons, Charles and Lorenzo.
Mr. Frost is a democrat in his political views but has held no office other than that of school director. He is interested in the county, its up- building and its welfare, for with the exception of about a decade he has lived here continuously from his birth to the present time. Strongly im- pressed upon his mind are many pictures of the early days when much of the land was unclaimed and uncultivated and one could ride for miles over the prairie without coming to a fence or habitation to impede his progress. There were few conveniences or comforts in those early homes but the labors of the pioneer settlers wrought a decided change in the methods of living, and today Mr. Frost carries on agricultural pursuits in accordance with the most progressive ideas of modern farming.
PAT GILLMORE.
Pat Gillmore, who follows farming on section 10, Crescent township, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on the 2d of February, 1837. He came to the United States at the age of thirty-one years after a period of earnest toil in his native country. He had no educational privileges and the success that he has achieved is all the more remarkable because of his lack of early advantages. He had three brothers who had previously come to the United States-John, Dennis and Charles Gillmore, all of whom were soldiers from Pottawattamie county in the Civil war.
In 1868 Mr. Gillmore of this review crossed the Atlantic to the new world, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities in this country. He worked in a machine shop in New York for a time and in 1872 came to Iowa. He passed through Chicago, which was then being rebuilt after the disastrous fire of 1871. Here he purchased ninety-six acres of land, upon which he still resides. He has added to the original tract, however, and at one time had one hundred and twenty acres but a great washout of the Missouri river decreased his holdings to one hundred and two acres situated on section
1189
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
10, Crescent township. He has been a hard worker and has made all that he possesses through his own labors. Ever diligent and persevering, he has overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path and his prosperity has resulted from his careful business management. His sister, Alice. who came to America in early womanhood, is acting as his housekeeper. Mr. Gillmore is now practically living retired upon his farm, leaving the work largely to others. In politics he is independent, neither seeking nor desir- ing office.
GEORGE F. MILLER.
The farming interests of Crescent township find a worthy representative in George F. Miller, who was born in New York city, July 1, 1867. His parents were Frederick and Elizabeth (Worst) Miller. The father was born in Switzerland and when a young man crossed the Atlantic to America. He was a silk-weaver by trade and when his health failed him about 1870 he set- tled on a farm in Page county, Iowa, thinking to be benefitted by the outdoor life. The change was indeed helpful and for many years he carried on general agricultural pursuits there. In 1893 he removed to Pottawattamie county, locating on the farm which is now the home of his son George. He died about three years ago, having lived to a good old age. His wife, who was born in Alsace-Loraine, then a part of France, is now living at No. 119 South First street in Council Bluffs. They were the parents of six chidren, of whom five are living: Elizabeth, the wife of F. P. Carpenter, of Grable, Iowa; George F .; Lena, who is living with her mother; Henry, a resident farmer of Crescent township; and Clara, the wife of E. W. Stock, of Hazel Dell township. The youngest member of the family was Charles, who died at the age of six years.
George F. Miller spent his boyhood upon the home farm in Page county, Iowa, his time being divided between the work of the schoolroom and of the fields. His educational privileges were those afforded by the public schools, while by his father he was practically trained in the task of tilling the soil. When twenty-two years of age he began farming on his own account and for five years cultivated rented land in Page county. He then went to Mis- souri with his wife's parents and followed farming in that state for three years. Six years ago he came to this county and is now managing his fath- er's estate, carrying on general farming. He is practical in his methods, progressive in what he does and holds advanced ideas concerning agricultural interests.
On the 7th of January. 1891. in Page county, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Friesz, who was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, a. daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Schaubert) Friesz, who are now resid- ing on a farm in Worth county, Missouri. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have
1190
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
been born six children, Royal, Grace. George, Lewis, Rosa and Fred, all yet under the parental roof.
Mr. Miller gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now serving for the first year as township trustee. He is likewise a school director and believes in the employment of competent teachers and the introduction of modern methods of instruction. His fraternal relations connect him with the Masons and the Odd Fellows in Missouri and with the Modern Woodmen camp at Crescent.
B. J. OSLER.
There is no better indication of the attractiveness of Pottawattamie county as a place of residence than the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, enjoying the business, educational and other privileges which she offers to her citizens. Of this class B. J. Osler is a representative. Now living in Wright township, he was born in Grove township, October 22, 1871. his parents being John and Elizabeth (Hard- ing) Osler, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of England. They had a family of eight children: Martha, now the wife of Grant Gault, of Minnesota; B. J .; Berkley, of Nebraska: Almena, the wife of Louis Mor- gan, of Creston, Iowa; Louise, the wife of Orville Taylor, of Macedonia, this state; Lawn, who is living in Pottawattamie county; Sylvester, of Glenwood, Iowa; and Thomas, now deceased. The father came to this state in 1856 and settled in Grove township, where he resided until his life's labors were ended in death in the year 1890. The mother survived him for about five years and passed away in 1895.
Under the parental roof B. J. Osler was reared and as a publie-school student he acquired his education. When not busy with his text-books he was trained in the practical work of the farm and early gained a knowledge concerning the best time to put in his crops and the best methods of caring for the harvest. He started out in business life for himself by renting land and so continued until 1907. Having acquired a considerable capital, he invested in an excellent farm of three hundred and sixteen acres on section 4, Wright township. He has always made a specialty of raising and feed- ing stock and has some good grades upon his place.
On the 19th of April, 1892, Mr. Osler won a companion and helpmate for life's journey through his marriage to Miss Emma Herman, who was born in Germany in 1876, her parents being Ferdinand and Minnie (Felk- ner) Herman. The parents came to America in 1878 and the father is still living in Oregon but the mother is now deceased. They had seven children. Six children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Osler but only three are now living. Ernest, Clarence and Marietta.
Mr. Osler exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has served as road supervisor but has not been a politician in the commonly accepted sense of desiring office as a reward for party fealty. He is interested in all matters of progressive
.
1191
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
citizenship and gives his aid to many movements for the public good. In his business life he has been prompted by laudable ambition to put forth strenuous effort and his labors have resulted in the acquirement of a valu- able property.
WILLIAM KAHL.
William Kahl, one of the worthy sons that the fatherland has fur- nished to this country, is successfully engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing on section 33, Keg Creek township. His birth occurred in Holstein, Ger- many. November 22. 1849, his parents being Louis and Catherine (Miser) Kahl, who passed away in Germany aged respectively eighty and seventy- five years. They had a family of eight children, four of whom survive: Mrs. Annie Hansen, of Keg Creek township; Johanna and Louis, both resi- dents of Germany ; and William, of this review.
William Kahl remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of nineteen years and then, thinking to find better business opportuni- ties in the new world, crossed the Atlantic to America. He made his way at once into the interior of the country, as it was his intention to come to Council Bluffs, Iowa, but he was forced to stop at Davenport in order to replenish his funds, which had become very low. A year's work in that city gained him a sum sufficient to enable him to continue his journey to Council Bluffs, where he was employed in a brickyard for about a year. Subsequently he was engaged in farming for several years and in 1873 made his first purchase of land, comprising eighty aeres now included in his home farm. When he bought this tract it was entirely wild and unimproved but Mr. Kahl resolutely set to work and the result of his untiring labor is seen in the richly cultivated fields and many modern improvements on his place. He has gradually added to his holdings until he is now the owner of two hundred acres of rich farming land, eighty acres of which lies across the line in Mills county. When he first came to Iowa he was much discouraged, for . the country was still largely undeveloped and pioneer conditions prevailed on every hand. If it had not been for his lack of financial resources he would have returned to his native land but, being forced to remain. he en- ergetically set to work and in due time gained the prosperity which is al- ways sure to reward well directed and untiring activity and which enables him now to enjoy many of life's comforts and some of its luxuries. In ad- dition to general farming he is also engaged in stock raising and feeding. this branch of his business also proving a source of profit to him.
In 1873 Mr. Kahl was joined in wedlock to Miss Johanna Low, who was born in Germany and came to the United States alone, being married short- ly afterward. She has two brothers also living in this country: John, of Mineola, Iowa; and Gust. residing in Mills county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kahl have been born seven children: Annie, the wife of Ernest Hartje, of
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Keg Creek township; Bernard, who married Miss Allie Lance and resides in Nebraska; Louis, who married Laura Deitchler and makes his home in Keg Creek township; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Emil Peterson and lives in Mineola, Iowa; Rudolph, who married Mena Jergens and resides in Mills county; and Henry and William, both at home.
Mr. Kahl is independent in his political' views, voting for men and measures rather than party nor has he desired to figure in public life, find- ing that his time and attention are fully occupied by his business interests. The family are members of the German Lutheran church, and during the long period of their residence in this county have gained many warm friends. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. Although he met with obstacles at first, he overcame these by perseverance and indefatigable energy and the prosperity which is today his is the reward of his own efforts and capable business management. In the third of a century which has elapsed since he took up his abode here the county has been transformed from a wild and unde- veloped region into a rich farming district and everywhere are seen the evi- dences of an advanced and modern civilization. Mr. Kahl has borne his full share in the arduous labor which was necessary to bring about this wonderful change and is therefore numbered among the honored pioneers of Potta- wattamie county.
NEILS HANSEN.
Neils Hansen located upon his present farm in 1902. He purchased three hundred and eighty acres on section 14, Rockford township and al- though it had few improvements upon it at the time, it is now regarded as one of the fine farms of the locality. In its midst stands a beautiful residence and no accessory or convenience of the model farm of the twentieth century is here lacking.
Mr. Hansen was a native of Denmark, born November 4, 1857. His parents, Hans and Marie Hansen, both died in Denmark. The subject of this review came to the United States in 1880, then a young man of twenty-three years. He worked at farm labor for Peter Peterson, of Boomer township, for a short time and then began farming on his own account, purchasing land in that township. As stated, he became owner of his present farm property in 1902 and with characteristic energy began its development and improve- ment. There is no finer country residence between Missouri Valley and Council Bluffs. It is built in attractive style of architecture and supplied with all modern conveniences. In fact it would be a credit to any city. Upon the place is a large barn, eribs, sheds and other outbuildings that furnish ample shelter for grain and stock and were placed here by Mr. Hansen, whose la- bors have so transformed the farm that it is now one of the most attractive features of the landscape. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to suc- cessful completion and his ideas, while progressive, are at all times practical.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
In 1882 Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Lena Ackers, who was born in Denmark, October 29, 1855, and came alone to the United States. This union has been blessed with seven children: Bertha, the wife of W. A. Ward, a resident of Boomer township; Otto, John, Christine, Mace, Bryan and Fremont, all of whom are still under the parental roof. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and are interested in its work. Mr. Hansen is independent in politics, never seeking nor desiring office. He is an active Danish-American citizen, of good business capacity, of laudable ambition and marked enterprise. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, and he feels that he made no mistake in determining to establish his home in the new world, for here he has found good business op- portunities and has made substantial advancement in agricultural circles.
HISTORICAL INDEX
Founding of Council Bluffs 5
A. C. Keller Collar Co. .123
Mormons
7
Box & Basket Factory. 123
Early Residents
10
Elevators 123
Council Bluffs Incorporated . 15
Council Bluffs Bedding Co. 123
Schools 17
Waterloo Creamery Co .. 124
First Murder 17
Council Bluffs Carpet Cleaning Co .. .124
Prominent Early Settlers
1S
Independent Telephone Co 125
Kansas-Nebraska Bill
26
CHURCHES 126
Other Settlers
27
HOSPITALS 141
Civil War
45
Iowa School for Deaf .147
Early Affairs
52
Western Iowa College
150
A False Prophet
63
Public Schools
.150
Union Pacific Railway Bridge. 63
Lodges
154
Non-Partisan Election 65
Light Guards
.161
Indian Creek 66
162
City Election of '79
69
Music in The Bluffs
164
Flood of 1881
72
Parks
166
Veterans' Reunion
74
Public Library
168
Courthouse and Jail
78
Pottawattamie County Bar
172
Electric Street Railway
S2
Council Bluffs Commercial Club. 174
Early Characters
84
Cemeteries 175
177
First Automobiles
95
Belknap Township 179
Dr. Donald Macrae
111
Boomer Township
.183
J. F. Wilcox
112
Crescent Township 185
Henry J. Meyer
112
Carson Township 190
191
Herman Brothers
113
Garner Township
192
Grape Growers' Association 113
Grove Township
196
Consolidated Construction Co. 114
Hazel Dell Township
198
E. Children's Manufacturing Co. 117
Hardin Township
200
Monarch Manufacturing Co
117
James Township
202
Kimball Brotners Co
117
Keg Creek Township 202
Sprague Foundry
118
Kane Township .203
Walker Manufacturing Co.
118
Knox Township and Avoca. 204
228
Growers' Canning Co. 120
Rockford Township
.231
Bloomer Ice & Cold Storage. .120
Silver Creek Township
235
John G. Woodward Co. 120
Valley Township and Hancock. .237
M. E. Smith Shirt Factory 121
Wright Township 239
Council Bluffs Brick Co. 121
Washington Township 240
A. Metzger & Co. .122
Waveland Township 244
New Specialty Manufacturing Co. .. 122
York Township
245
Keys Brothers 119
Norwalk Township
Kritchmer Manufacturing Co. 119
Pleasant Township 230
Market Gardening
113
Center Township
Consecutive Events
86
The Press
Fire Department
1195
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Aldridge, H. L. 1167
Brown, O. H .. 1037
Allee, Mary E ..
780
Bruce, O. M. 419
Allen, L. S ..
287
Bruning, Cord 1142
Allensworth, J. P
410
Buell, John 1138
Allingham, G. M.
892
Bunnell, W. E. 1078
Andersen, J. H.
548
Burke, Edward D. 346
Andersen, W. P
919
Burke, Thomas 485
Anderson, J. E. 626
939
Burkey, W. H .. S67
279
Ashley, F. M ..
1116
Atkins, J. B. 387
Camp, John W. 1132
Canning, Edward
773
Capell, Frank J. 337
958
Ayer, C. H ... 1016
Casady, J. N., Jr.
909
Casady, J. P.
927
Cheyne, W. C.
530
Baird, G. G .. 545
Bardsley, C. B ..
418
Barnes, Eaton
446
Barton, Roscoe
1134
Barton. W. C.
669
Bates, J. A ..
829
Battey, H. V.
547
Baustian, Adolph
938
Beatty, Dr. A. S.
654
Consigny, L. G.
428
Beatty, T. J ..
342
Bellinger, Dr. F. E.
845
Bellinger, Dr. F. P.
1103
Bellinger, Dr. M. J.
409
Bellinger, Dr. S. W.
649
Crellin, Ambrose 518
Crossley, G. W.
686
Bennett, John
594
Beno, A. F.
679
Beno, C. A.
680
Beno, John
264
Bergman, A. C.
741
Dammrow, A. F. 357
Davenport, Elizabeth T. 593
Davis, E.
577
Beymer, F. M.
316
Davis, John P.
663
Binder, H. W .. 757
Davis, Joseph W. 567
Dea, John 468
Blank, Frank 550
Dean, Dr. F. W .. 288
Boiler, C. D .. 612
Deetken, Dr. J. C.
340
Bolton, C. E. 980
De Haven, J. C. 931
422
Bonham, A. S.
536
De Vol, Paul C., Jr.
517
Booth, J. O.
918
De Vol, Paul C.
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