USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 8
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In 1878 Mr. Gardner was was married to Miss Emily Kearney, who was born in the state of New York in 1854. They have six children: Frank. who resides in Council Bluffs; Gerald T., residing in Wyoming; Chester A., of Council Bluffs; Mark, on the home farm; Irene, a teacher; and Harry, at home. They also lost one son in infancy, James L.
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The parents are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Gard- ner is a member of William Layton post, of which he is a past commander. His political support is given to the republican party and he has four times served as mayor of Oakland. This is a record of which he has every reason to be proud, for it indicates his regard of duty, his business integrity and tangible interest in the public welfare. In business he is ever reliable and trustworthy. In citizenship he has a most excellent record and is today as true and loyal to his country in time of peace as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields.
RUDOLPH TOLLER.
The name of Rudolph Toller was well known for many years in con- nection with the commercial interests of Council Bluffs. He arrived in this city in 1869 and continued to make his home within its borders until his demise. He was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 19th of March, 1840, his parents being Henry and Adelede Toller. The mother died in Hanover, after which the father came to the United States, leaving his two children there. He settled in Baltimore, Maryland, but was not long per- mitted to enjoy his new home, for he died of yellow fever two years later.
Rudolph Toller was thus left an orphan and was reared by relatives and friends in Hanover, Germany. He attended the common schools there and acquired a good education. After putting aside his text-books he began
to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed in his native town until he was twenty-eight years of age. Attracted by the opportunities of the new world he then sailed for America, and when he landed in this country made his way direct to Lafayette, Indiana. After a brief residence there he removed to Council Bluffs, reaching this city in October, 1869. Here he began work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a few months, and in the spring of 1870 he accepted a position with the Kansas City Rail- · way Company as car inspector. He was thus employed for several years and in the meantime lived frugally and economically, thereby being enabled to save from his earnings a sum sufficient to purchase a small stock of groceries. He then went in business on his own account on Main street and conducted his store for three years, when he sold out. On the expira- tion of that period he returned to his old position with the railroad com- pany, serving as car inspector altogether for about fourteen years. In 1892, however, he again returned to commercial lines, purchasing the store which he had previously owned. Here he soon built up a large business, more than doubling his stock in order to meet the growing demand of his trade. He continued in the business throughout his remaining days, organizing the Rudolph Toller Company, which was incorporated in 1902. His patronage grew to extensive proportions and the business became a very profitable one. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Toller also operated in real estate and owned much valuable property in Council Bluffs,
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making judicious investments from time to time and deriving therefrom a gratifying income.
In 1872 Mr. Toller was married in Council Bluffs to Miss Anna Weber, who was born in the state of New York, April 4, 1852, and is a daughter of John and Anna Weber, who were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1850 and resided for a few years in New York and Connecticut prior to their removal to the middle west. On coming to Iowa they settled in Dubuque, where they made their home until 1858, when they removed to Pottawattamie county. For many years Mr. Weber was engaged in farming in Pottawattamie and Mills counties and then went to · the far west, settling at Seattle, Washington, where he and his wife made their home throughout their remaining days, the father passing away at the age of eighty years and the mother at the age of eighty-three. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Toller were born seven children, all of whom are residing in Council Bluffs. The record is as follows: John R., who wedded Mary Nammers and is now the vice president and manager of the Rudolph Toller Company ; Henry M., who wedded Carrie Lower and is manager of the dry-goods department of the Richard Toller Company; Herman J., who is working for the company and resides with his mother; Frank L., who wedded Naomi Groves and is secretary for the Rudolph Toller Company; Anna E., who is treasurer of the company and resides at home; Elizabeth A. and Mamie F., who are still under the parental roof.
As the years passed Mr. Toller developed an extensive business and widened its scope by the addition of other lines. The Rudolph Toller Com- pany became' one of the best known commercial firms of the city and the conservative and reliable business methods established by its founder have always been maintained. Possessing keen discrimination and sound judg- ment, Mr. Toller also displayed splendid executive ability and excellent management, which brought to the concern with which he was connected a large degree of success.
In his political views Mr. Toller was a stalwart democrat, and frater- nally he was connected with the Catholic Knights of America, and both he and his wife were communicants of St. Peter's Catholic church and he took much interest in its work and growth, serving as trustee for fifteen years. His life was ever honest and upright in all of its relations, and his business career demonstrated what can be accomplished by energy, per- severance and capable management. His business probity was ever above question and he enjoyed to the fullest extent the confidence and trust of his business associates. When he passed away, May 23, 1902, Council Bluffs felt that it had lost one of its most valuable citizens. He was ever loyal to the interests and welfare of the city, held friendship inviolable, and regarded home ties as most sacred.
Mrs. Toller owns a beautiful home at No. 616 Bluff street, where she and her children reside, and she also has other valuable city property. After the death of her husband, in September, 1902, the business was in- corporated under the name of Rudolph Toller Company, of which Mrs. Toller is the president; John R. Toller, vice president and manager: Frank
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L. Toller, the secretary; and Anna E. Toller, the treasurer. They own one of the largest general stores in the southern part of the city, having a dry-goods department at No. 919 South Main street and a grocery depart- ment at No. 1001 South Main street. The name of Toller in this city is synonymous with business enterprise and commercial integrity and the establishments which are still being conducted by the family are a monu- ment to the thrift, industry and perseverance of their founder, Rudolph Toller.
FERDINAND MEYERS.
Ferdinand Meyers, deceased, became a resident of Council Bluffs in 1866 and was here engaged in cabinet-making, carpentering and other lines of business for many years, being thus closely associated with the in- dustrial interests of the city. A native of Germany, he was born in the fatherland on the 20th of October. 1839. His parents there spent their entire lives, passing away, however, during the carly manhood of their son Ferdinand. The father was particularly well educated and was an influen- tial resident of his community. Realizing the value of intellectual train- ing and mental discipline, he gave to his son Ferdinand good educational privileges.
The latter was just twenty years of age when he sailed for America. Attractive stories had reached him concerning the opportunities of the new world and, ambitious to secure advancement in business life, he determined to seek a home and fortune on this side the Atlantic. After arriving at New York city he made his way to Lafayette, Indiana, where he continued for but a short time, when the Civil war broke out and he espoused the cause of his adopted country to defend the old flag of the Union. It was in 1861 that he enlisted as a private of the Tenth Indiana Battery, with which he served until the close of the war, having in the meantime re-en- listed as a veteran. He took part in many of the important engagements which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms and when hostilities had ceased he was honorably discharged in 1865. He had been promoted from private to sergeant, second and first lieutenant and was com- missioned as captain in the Tenth Indiana Battery by Governor Oliver P. Morton.
Soon after his return home from the war Mr. Meyers was married. in Lafayette, Indiana, to Miss Emma S. Fuss, a native of Germany and a daughter of John Henry and Clara (Schmidt) Fuss, who came to America in 1849, settling near Detroit, Michigan, where the father engaged in farm- ing for several years. He and his wife spent their last years at the home of their son-in-law, Mr. Meyers of this review.
Fifteen children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Meyers, twelve of whom are yet living, namely: Clara, who is residing with her mother and is the principal of the Twentieth Avenue school in Council Bluffs; Ida, the wife
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of J. W. Smith, of this city; Emma, who is employed as a bookkeeper here and lives with her mother; Laura, the wife of Clarence Judson, whose home is in Seattle, Washington; Katherine, a teacher in the public schools of Oak Park, Illinois; Adele, the wife of Frank J. Capell, a prominent attor- ney of Council Bluffs; Ferdinand T., who is engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Seattle; George J., a lieutenant in the navy, who was graduated at Annapolis with the class of 1902 and who married Elizabeth Claggett; Nina, Virginia and Maud, all at home; and James, who also lives at home and is connected with the Carpenter Paper Company of Omaha. The chil- dren of the family now deceased are Albert, Julia and Arthur.
Following his marriage of Mr. Meyers resided for a short time in La- fayette, Indiana, and then came to Council Bluffs in 1866. Here he began cabinet-making, which he followed for several years, and subsequently he engaged in carpenter work for some time. In connection with his brother- in-law, Mr. Fuss, he was afterward connected with a number of different kinds of business in the city until he decided to give up all hard work. He then entered the employ of the government and for several years was a letter carrier in Council Bluffs. He died February 23, 1898, and his death was a matter of sincere regret to many friends. He held membership in the Grand Army post and he gave his political support to the republican party but was never an office seeker. His interest in public affairs, how- ever, was deep and sincere and led to his active co-operation in many move- ments for the public good. In fact he was at all times as loyal to his country and her welfare as when he followed the old flag upon the southern battlefields. Mrs. Meyers and her children are all members of the First Presbyterian church here. She owns a nice residence "on the hill" at No. 401 Park avenue, where the family reside.
FRED JOHNK.
Fred Johnk, today numbered among the leading agriculturists and stock-raisers of Lincoln township although he arrived in Iowa with a cash capital of but eight dollars and fifty cents, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. November 16. 1848, his parents being Wulf and Lena (Moore) Johnk. The parents, leaving their native land, came to America in 1875, and both died in this county. Of their family of five children four are now living: Fred: Hanning, of Nebraska; Matilda, the wife of John Mil- ler, of this state; and August, who is living in Lincoln township.
Fred Johnk spent the first twenty years of his life in the country of his nativity and then bade adieu to friends and home prepara- tory to coming to the new world. The voyage across the briny deep being completed, he made his way into the interior of the country and for one year worked by the month as a farm hand in the vicinity of Davenport, Iowa. He then removed to Mercer country, Illinois, where he worked at farm labor for seven years. In 1878 he arrived in Pottawatta-
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mie county, and that he had been frugal as well as industrious was proven by the fact that he was now able to purchase a farm of eighty acres, which he located in Lincoln township. With this as a nucleus he has added to his possessions from time to time until his holdings now aggregate six hun- dred and sixty acres all on sections 30 and 31, Lincoln township, except one hundred and six acres in Valley township. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and cattle and his live-stock interests are now an important and lucrative branch of his business.
Mr. Johnk was married April 29, 1902, to Mrs. Mary (Peterson) Sneider, a widow and a daughter of Albert Peterson, who is now living in Pottawattamie county. Unto them have been born two children: Lena and Theodore R.
Mr. Johnk is a stalwart republican, having great admiration for the president, and to the party he always gives his stanch support. For sev- eral terms he has served as school director and the cause of education bene- fits by his efforts to secure good teachers and introduce progressive methods of public instruction. He has been very successful in his business life, making judicious investments and accumulating a handsome fortune. Ar- riving in Iowa almost empty handed, he has worked his way gradually up- ward and his merit and ability have been the basis of his present desirable success.
WILLIAM H. KUHN.
William H. Kuhn, deceased, was for many years a respected and worthy representative of agricultural interests in this county. He was born October 20, 1832, in Frederick county, Maryland, and was one of a family of seven chil- dren whose parents were Joseph and Sarah (Ovelman) Kuhn, both of whom died in Maryland. Only two of their children are still living: Rev. David Kuhn, a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Captain Leander Kuhn, a vet- eran of the Civil war, now living in Maryland. Another brother, Cyrus, came to Pottawattamie county and died in Council Bluffs.
William H. Kuhn obtained his education in the common schools of his native state and when seventeen years of age began preparation for life's prac- tical and responsible duties by learning the millwright's trade. He became identified with Pottawattamie county during the pioneer epoch in its history, arriving here in 1857, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade in the employ of Captain Williams of Council Bluffs. In August of the same year, however, he made his way to Garner township and entered the employ of Wil- liam Garner, an honored early settler and extensive farmer, whose daughter he afterward married. He was employed by Mr. Garner to aid in the construc- tion of a gristmill and after its completion he assisted in its operation for some time. In 1858, however, he went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, attracted by the gold discoveries there and remained for a year. He then returned and operated the mill for Mr. Garner until 1864. He next made his way to the mining
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regions of the northwest, driving an ox-team to Montana, where he spent about a year and a half, his wife, however, remaining in Garner township during that period.
After his return to Pottawattamie county Mr. Kuhn built a woolen mill for his father-in-law, which he conducted until 1868, when with his family he removed on to the farm on seetion 3, Garner township, where his widow and son now reside. This property had been given to Mrs. Kuhn by her father and comprised two hundred acres of wild land. Mr. Kuhn built the present residence, barn and other out-buildings, fenced the farm and improved the land, converting the raw tract into productive fields. Year by year he planted the seed and harvested good crops, carefully carrying on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his demise. He also added four hundred acres of wild land to the two hundred acre traet which his wife had received. Most of this is now used for pasture. no buildings having been erected upon it. It is, however, rich pasture land and gives good opportunity for stock-raising inter- ests, which are carried on by his son. The buildings are all in good condition and the residence is one of the attractive farm homes of Garner township.
It was on the 13th of November, 1861, that Mr. Kuhn was united in mar- riage to Miss Julia Garner, a daughter of William Garner, of whom extensive mention is made elsewhere in this volume. They became the parents of five children : Frank, now of Council Bluffs; Sarah, the wife of Albert Downs, of the same city ; Margaret, who died in 1879; Brick, of Chicago; and William H., who is living with his mother and conducting the old homestead.
Mr. Kuhn was one of the reliable citizens of the county and assisted in many ways to develop and improve Garner township. In polities he was a democrat and served his township as assessor for several years. He was also a member of the school board for many years and was interested in all that per- tained to the intellectual, political and material progress of his community. He died very suddenly on the 18th of May, 1906, and many friends as well as his immediate family greatly mourned his loss, for he had ever commanded the respect and confidence of those who knew him and had gained their warm personal regard. Mrs. Kuhn still lives upon the home farm with her youngest son and is well known as a representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of the county.
4
SMITH W. BELLINGER, M. D.
That Dr. Smith W. Bellinger is a capable physician is indicated by the fact that he is a member in good standing of various medical societies and has a gratifying practice in Council Bluffs, where he has been located since 1904. He is one of the younger representatives of the profession but his years seem no bar to his ability nor his progress. -
He was born in Ogdensburg, New York, on the 8th of August, 1876, and there resided until ten years of age, when the family home was estab- lished at Greenfield, Massachusetts. The succeeding seven years were there
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passed, during which period he attended the public schools. Later he re- turned to Ogdensburg, New York, where he resided until 1899, when he came to Council Bluffs. His desire to become an active member of the medical fraternity led him to pursue a course of study in the University of Nebraska, from which he was graduated in the class of 1904. He then opened an office in Council Bluffs and during the three years which have' since come and gone he has gained a liberal patronage which is proof not only of his scientific knowledge but also of his skill in applying this to the needs of his patients. The results which attend his labors are satisfac- tory and he is continually advancing in professional power through his membership in the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society, the Pottawattamie County Medical Society, the Council Bluffs Medi- cal Society and the Medical Society of the Missouri Valley.
Pleasantly located in his home life, Dr. Bellinger on the 29th of April, 1907, was married at Brockville, Canada, to Miss Edythe McCallum. In Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree and is in hearty sympathy with the teachings and tenets of the craft. His political support is given the democracy.
COLONEL WILLIAM FLETCHER SAPP.
It is imperative in this connection that mention be made of Colonel William Fletcher Sapp, whose life history has reflected credit and honor upon the people and the city that honored him. He was for many years a distinguished resident of Council Bluffs and was recognized as a man remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom, in his indomitable perseverance and his strong individuality, while in his entire life there was not one esoteric phase.
Colonel Sapp was born at Danville, Knox county, Ohio, on the 20th of November, 1824, and departed this life on the 22d of November, 1890. His grandfather, Daniel Sapp, was born and reared near Frostburg, Maryland, whence he removed to the eastern part of Knox county, Ohio, settling near the town of Danville, which was named in his honor. Before leaving Maryland he wedded Mary Robinson, and reared a large family amid the pioneer surroundings and environments of Knox county, Ohio. He took an active part in the development and progress of that locality, served as supervisor and also filled the office of justice of the peace for many years but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. He and three older brothers served their country as soldiers in the war of 1812.
John Sapp, the father of Colonel Sapp and the eldest child of Daniel Sapp, was born in Knox county, Ohio, where he spent his entire life, pass- ing away there in December, 1833. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Meyers, was a native of Cumberland, Maryland, but at an early age accompanied her parents on their removal to Knox county, Ohio. Mr. Sapp was a prosperous man of his locality. Prior to his death he had con-
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verted his property into cash and made arrangements for the removal of his family to St. Louis, Missouri, but was taken ill and while on his death- bed he purchased a farm adjoining Danville, Ohio, to which his widow re- moved following his demise, thereon rearing her family of three children.
William Fletcher Sapp, the only son, was a little lad of but nine years at the time of his father's death. He continued to live with his mother and sisters, working on the farm in the summer months, while in the win- ter seasons he attended the public schools. He was much interested in de- bating societies and lyceums of that period and won local note by his ability in debate. At the age of fifteen he began devoting much of his time in the summer months to reading and to such studies as he could master with- out a tutor, still continuing to attend the public schools in the winter seasons. At the age of eighteen he became a student in Martinsburg Academy in his native county, and when he had sufficiently qualified for teaching he took up that work. He, however, continued his studies in the summer sessions of the academy until he began reading law in the spring of 1847, in the office of Hon. Columbus Delano and the Hon. William R. Sapp, his uncle, at Mount Vernon, Ohio. Already his ability in the debate was well known and he had scarcely entered upon the study of law until his services were sought in the justice courts, bringing him a sufficient revenue to provide for his own support, while studying law and enabling him to purchase a small library of law books when he began practice. He sprang almost imme- diately into a large and successful practice in the courts of Knox county, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar on the 27th of June, 1850, and formed a partnership with Hon. Walter H. Smith, then a young man, who had read law in the same office with Mr. Sapp. He was engaged in the trial of a number of important civil and criminal cases during the first year after his admission and his ability in their conduct led his whig friends to make him a candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney in the fall of 1850. At that time the normal democratic majority in Knox county was nearly nine hundred and the party nominated for prosecuting attorney General George W. Morgan, who had recently returned with an enviable reputation from the Mexican war. When the votes were counted it was ascertained that General Morgan had but thirty-two majority over Mr. Sapp, who was then a mere boy.
In 1854 Mr. Sapp became actively connected with the work of organiz- ing a new republican party, became its candidate for prosecuting attorney and was elected over the democratic nominee by a very flattering majority. In 1856 he was again elected and in that year another important event in his life occurred-his marriage to Miss Mary C. Brown, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, a daughter of Captain Richard M. Brown, who had commanded a company during the war of 1812. The wedding ceremony was performed on the 29th of December of that year.
Colonel Sapp continued in the practice of law in Ohio from 1850 until 1860 but the strenuous campaign work which he did in 1856 in support of the republican party undermined his health and in the fall of 1859 he started out in search of a new location. This led to his removal to Omaha,
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Nebraska, in the spring of 1860, and there he opened a law office, soon win- ning recognition of his ability in a large clientage. In the summer of 1861 he was appointed adjutant general of the territory of Nebraska and in the fall of that year he was nominated a member of the territorial legislative committee by the republicans of Douglas county to fill a vacancy, the nom- ination being followed by an election which brought him to an office that found in him a most worthy and capable incumbent.
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