USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
Mr. Orcutt is a member of the Masonic lodge at Lynnville, Jasper county, and in politics is a stalwart republican, now serving as a member of the town council. He is progressive and public-spirited in citizenship and a strong ad- vocate of advancement and improvement in connection with local affairs. Al- though numbered among the younger generation of business men in Sugar Creek township he has, however, attained an enviable position in commercial circles, and his keen business insight, exceptional enterprise and his progressive spirit will undoubtedly win for him continued success in the future.
HENRY J. SCHMIDT.
A representative of a well known family of Poweshick county, Henry J. Schmidt has most creditably upheld the name and is one of the prosperous farmers of Washington township. He has, from his boyhood, been actuated by a laudable ambition to excel in whatever he undertook, and there are few farmers of his age in central Iowa who can truly claim a more practical knowl- edge of agriculture and stock-raising.
He is a native of Washington township and was born on the old family homestead, June 21. 1873, being a son of Peter and Eliza (Saunders) Schmidt, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Pennsylvania. The father emigrated to America and lived for several years in Pennsylvania, after
102
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
which he took up his residence on a farm in Washington township, Poweshick county, lowa. He was highly successful in his vocation, becoming one of the leading farmers of the county, and he and his wife are now living retired. They are both members of the Catholic church and in politics he gives his support to the democratic party. In their family were ten children, as follows: Will- iam, who is now living in Washington township; Sarah, who is the wife of Herman Selle, also of Washington township; Samuel, who lives in Jasper county, Iowa ; Frank, who is deceased ; Henry J., of this review ; Mary, now the wife of William Whalen, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Rosie, the wife of August Greagor, of Napoleon, North Dakota; Peter, who is living at home: Elizabeth, the wife of Guy Ford, of Howard, North Dakota; and Francis, who lives at home.
Henry J. Schmidt attended the district schools of Washington township and assisted his father upon the home farm until reaching the age of twenty-one years. He then began business upon his own account by renting land, which he cultivated for five years, after which he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township as his home farm. He devotes his attention es- pecially to raising horses and cattle and, being a good judge of animals and thoroughly interested in his calling, he is meeting with a gratifying measure of success. He is energetic and progressive and always keeps thoroughly informed as to the markets and the best methods in agriculture and stock-raising. He has for years past been a steadily growing influence in the community.
On the 13th of October, 1898, Mr. Schmidt was married to Miss Mary E. Schmitz, a daughter of John Schmitz, of Grinnell township, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church, in which they were reared, and he is a liberal contributor toward its maintenance. In political faith he adheres to the democratic party, but he does not seek public office, as his time and energies are devoted to his farm. He is a man of unexceptionable character and it may be said of him that he is most honored where he is best known.
JOHN H. STONE.
Among the natives of the Keystone state who have attained marked success as farmers in Poweshiek county is John H. Stone, the owner of a valuable farm in Grinnell township, which he acquired through his industry and practical knowledge of his calling. He was born in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1858, a son of Linza and Priscilla (Turner) Stone, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Pennsylvania. The mother died in 1860, and six years later the father came west with his family to Tama county, lowa, and subsequently established his home in Madison township, Poweshiek county. He died in Tama county in 1895.
John H. Stone changed his residence several times, living in Sheridan town- ship for sixteen years, after which he settled in Grinnell township where he now lives. He received his education in the common schools, but being the pos-
P
JOIN H. STONE AND FAMILY
105
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
sessor of good faculties of observation and reflection, he has in the course of his life acquired considerable knowledge not found in books. His well im- proved farm of three hundred and twenty acres is under a highi state of culti- vation and produces gratifying annual returns. He makes a specialty of raising cattle and hogs for the market and is more than ordinarily successful, as he has mastered the business in all its details and devoted to it his best energies.
In July, 1885, Mr. Stone was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Shadel, who was born in Illinois and is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Stacey) Shadel. Her father was born in Germany and the mother in Switzerland. They came to this country and were married in Illinois, and later removed to Sheridan township, Poweshiek county, Iowa, becoming closely identified with the agri- cultural interests of the county. They are now living at Tama. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of six children, namely: Henry E., Fred T., Nellie E., George A., Louis C. and Mary Vivian.
Mr. Stone has been a resident of Iowa since his childhood, and few men in the state have a more comprehensive knowledge of its agricultural resources and possibilities. He has demonstrated the beneficial results of systematic application to agriculture and stock-raising and ranks among the substantial and enterprising men of the county. Politically he adheres to no party, pre- ferring to cast his vote independently and be governed by the conditions prevailing at the time of the election, rather than by any party platform. Fra- ternally he is a valued member of Sheridan Lodge, No. 303, M. W. A.
ALFRED J. EWART.
Alfred J. Ewart, who is a progressive and enterprising farmer and stock- dealer, owns a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 21, Pleasant township, and is also a representative of one of the old and well known families of this section of the state. Mr. Ewart was born in the little village of Ewart in Pleasant township, January 25, 1867, a son of Robert and Euphemia (Burns) Ewart, who are now deceased. The parents were both natives of Morrow county, Ohio, and were there reared and married, coming to Poweshiek county about the year 1862. Here the father engaged in agricultural pursuits and became an extensive landowner, the village of Ewart being built on land which was once in his possession. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ewart were born six children: Sarah, the wife of M. E. Sturgeon, of Saskatchewan, Canada ; T. E., who makes his home in Chicago: Alfred J., of this review; Mattie, the wife of F. C. Rayburn, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work ; James S., a resident of Ewart ; and Mamie, who became the wife of Charles Smith but is now deceased. The father departed this life in 1905, and the mother, sur- viving for only a year, passed away in 1906. Thus the community mourned the loss of two of its most prominent and highly esteemed residents.
Alfred J. Ewart was reared on the home farm in Pleasant township and was early trained to the duties that fall to the farmer boy, and the instruction
106
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
which he received in his youth and early manhood proved a valuable asset in after life. When he reached mature years he began business on his own ac- count and is today the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land on section 21, Pleasant township, this property adjoining the village of Ewart on the east. In addition to carrying on general farming, Mr. Ewart also buys and ships stock on quite an extensive scale and this branch of his business is proving profitable to him.
Mr. Ewart chose as a companion and helpmate on the journey of life, Miss Anna Powell, their marriage being celebrated on the 22d of December, 1888. She was born in Searsboro, Poweshiek county, in 1866, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Powell. By her marriage she has become the mother of three daughters and three sons, namely: Leta, Alfred R., Nellie, Ruth, Kenneth and Robert.
In politics Mr. Ewart is independent, voting for the men and measures which he deems will prove most beneficial to the community. He is serving as as- sessor of his township and for three terms filled the office of township trustee. In his fraternal relations he is a Knight of Pythias. He is ever alert and pro- gressive, and his advancement in life is the result of honorable business prin- ciples coupled with sound judgment. He is well known in the community in which he lives and labors, and the high reputation which his honored father always bore is also enjoyed by the son.
ERNEST HEYWOOD SPAULDING.
Ernest Heywood Spaulding, engaged in the manufacture of vehicles and in the sale of automobiles, having the agency for some of the best known makers of motor cars, was born in Grinnell, October 12, 1881, a son of Henry W. and Merriam Jane (Lull) Spaulding. He pursued his education in the schools of this city, supplementing his public school course by study in the Iowa Col- lege Academy and College, during which time he gave special attention to politi- cal science and history. In the same year in which he won his degree he became an active factor in the business circles of Grinnell by forming a partnership with H. W. and F. E. Spaulding in the manufacture of vehicles. The same year he took the agency of one of the few motor cars then manufactured, and a little later built the first garage for motor cars in the county. In this con- nection he has developed a good business and has had the satisfaction of in- troducing many well manufactured cars to the trade in Poweshiek county. He not only engages in the sale of automobiles, but also conducts a repair depart- ment and, in fact. has a splendidly equipped garage.
On the 17th of August, 1904, at Des Moines, lowa, Mr. Spaulding was united in marriage to Miss Irma Towne, who was graduated from Iowa Col- lege in the class of 1903. They now have one daughter, Merriam Jane. in his political views Mr. Spaulding is a republican who firmly believes in the principles of the party, but does not seek nor desire office. He holds member- ship with the Masonic lodge, the University Club of Chicago and the Poweshiek
107
HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
Club of Grinnell. In his native city he is regarded as a popular resident, his geniality and unaffected cordiality winning him many friends, while the sterling traits of his character have commended him to the confidence and good will of the general public. In business he has made steady advancement, and the spirit of progress which he manifested in establishing the first garage in the county has characterized him in all of his business activity and brought him substantial success.
W. F. VOGEL.
Few men are better known in the commercial circles of Malcom than W. F. Vogel. proprietor of an extensive hardware business here. He is numbered among Germany's contribution to the citizenship of lowa, his birth having oc- curred in Dehausen, Waldeck, Germany, September 14, 1859. His parents, Ludwig and Carolina Vogel, were also natives of the fatherland, where the former, a farmer by occupation, passed away when the son was but six years old. The mother later came to the United States to visit her children and here her death occurred in 1902. In their family were four children, namely: Wil- helmina, who died in Wisconsin: Ludwig, whose death occurred on the old home place in Germany: Christina, who passed away in Scott county, Iowa ; and W. F., of this review.
The last named remained a resident of the fatherland until he was sixteen years of age and then, accompanied by his sister Christina, he sought a home and fortune in the new world, arriving in Davenport, Iowa, in 1874. He at- tended school in that city for two years and then engaged in clerking in a gro- cery store for a similar period. Upon the expiration of that time he went to Walcott, Scott county, Iowa, where he was employed in a general store for about five years, and on the 29th of September, 1883, arrived in Malcom. On the 4th of October of that year he opened a general store here. He was en- gaged in that business until 1890, when he sold out and established his present hardware business, which has since become one of the most successful and prominent enterprises of the town. Mr. Vogel now owns his own building, a two-story brick structure, twenty-two by eighty-four feet, and also a warehouse, one story in height, twenty-two by forty feet. The entire space is occupied by the business, which now has one of the most extensive stocks of general hard- ware in Poweshiek county. The progressive condition of the house is due in large measure to the excellent business policy inaugurated by its owner, which from the first has been such as to win the confidence of the general public. He has ever employed modern and progressive methods and his dealings in every instance have been honorable and straightforward. Moreover he has recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and, carefully studying the wishes of his customers, has sought to satisfactorily meet the demands of every class of trade. His success ranks him among the substantial and pros- perous business men of the city. He is interested in Texas land lying along the
108
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
gulf coast, and six years ago purchased his present attractive home on the north side of the square.
In 1883 Mr. Vogel was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Schwarting, who was born in Ichtershausen, Germany, on the 3d of February, 1864, a daughter of Bernhardt and Dorothea Schwarting. both of whom passed away in Scott county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vogel were born four children: Irma C., Edna T., Walter B. and Stella M. Mr. Vogel was reared in the faith of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he is a member, and he also belongs to the Royal Arch Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Although the develop- ment of his business interests has made heavy demands upon his time and at- tention, he has nevertheless taken an active interest in the public affairs of the community and his fellow citizens, recognizing his personal worth and ability. have called him to fill various offices. He is a stanch supporter of the demo- cratic party and on that ticket was nominated for county treasurer in 1906. From 1893 until 1897 he served as postmaster of Malcom, under President Cleveland's administration, and for twenty-five consecutive years served as township trustee. For the past five years he has been a member of the board of education and is the present treasurer of Malcom. He has ever discharged his duties with marked ability and fairness, for he is a most loyal, public-spirited citizen, and as a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates, not only for his success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods.
BERNARD JOSEPH CARNEY.
In the course of an active business career Bernard Joseph Carney estab- lished many business enterprises of magnitude which he carried forward to successful completion, and in his life record demonstrated the power of deter- mination, perseverance, integrity and intelligently directed effort as factors in the attainment of notable and desirable success. While he prospered in the management of important business affairs he also belonged to that class of citi- zens who while promoting individual interests also advance the general pros- perity.
Mr. Carney was born at Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland, in June, 1852, and after spending nine years in his native land came with his parents to the new world, the family settling in Chicago, where his father engaged in business. The family numbered eleven children but five are yet living: W. J. and T. J. Carney, Mrs. G. W. Kelly and Misses Nora and Mary Carney, of Chicago.
Bernard Joseph Carney attended the public schools of Chicago and after- ward had the benefit of instruction in Bryant & Stratton Business College, then the leading commercial school of the city. He made his initial step in the business world as a bookkeeper, occupying that position for several years, but the desire to engage in business on his own account and thus enjoy the direct profit of his labors led him to leave the metropolis and come to Iowa. He ar- rived in Grinnell in 1880 and purchased a half interest in a lumber business then owned by Stephen Goss, who had had dealings with Mr. Carney's brother. W.
109
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
[. Carney, who was a lumber merchant of Chicago. From that point in his career his prosperity and advancement were assured. He recognized opportunity and employed it to the best advantage. He never seemed to make a false move or take a backward step and he won his advancement by doing daily the duty that lay nearest his hand. After a year and a half connection with the lumber trade of Grinnell he and his brother, W. J. Carney, purchased the interest of Mr. Goss in the lumber business which was then conducted under the firm style of Carney Brothers until 1902, when the firm of Carney, Brande & Clark was formed, his associates being E. B. Brande and E. W. Clark, Jr. This re- lation was maintained until 1907 when Mr. Carney and Mr. Brande sold out to Mr. Clark and J. L. Fellows. They then organized the firm of B. J. Carney & Company and conducted a wholesale business in poles. Mr. Carney was a re- sourceful business man, always looking beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities and possibilities of the future. He found real pleasure in business in the solution of involved and intricate problems and in the master ful handling of complex interests. From time to time he extended his opportunities into other fields. He became one of the organizers of the Carney Coal Com- pany, of Carneyville, Wyoming, and was its vice president. He also held the same official relations to the Saylor Coal Mines of Des Moines, was president of the Coaldale Fuel Company of Des Moines and a director of the Scandia Coal Company of Madrid. He was also president of the Mitchellville Tele- phone Exchange and for many years was associated with W. F. Hammond in the ownership of the electric light plant at Grinnell.
In 1888 Mr. Carney was united in marriage to Miss E. M. Tibbits, of Ply- mouth, Indiana, and to them were born five children : Cyril, who was graduated from the Iowa College of Grinnell with the class of 1910 and is now attending Columbia College; Kriegh, now a senior in Iowa College; Bernard, a junior of the same institution ; and Kathleen and Aileen, who are students in the high school. The relations of his home life were largely ideal. He was to his fam- ily the personification of care and goodness and it was a joy to see him in his home life. No interest of childhood was too unimportant to claim his attention if it aroused the interest of his children and to them he was companion and friend as well as father.
Mr. Carney was long a devoted member of the Catholic church and also of the leading social organizations of the city. He gave generously to the vari- ous branches of the church work and was a liberal supporter of many public movements which he regarded as beneficial to Grinnell. The Grinnell Herald at the time of his death wrote: "Mr. Carney was more than a business man- more even than a very broad business man ; he was a student, both of books and of human nature. In spite of the large business duties which called for constant attention he found time to read and he read the best literature. Few men in Grinnell were so well informed and on such a wide range of topics as he. His versatility, as it showed itself even in chance conversations, was re- markable. A few years ago he became interested in German and attended evening classes enough to acquire a speaking knowledge of it. Shortly after- wards he wrote and read a paper before a lumbermen's association in Minne- sota in German. It was with difficulty that he proceeded for the idea of an
110
HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
Irishman with so rich a brogue as Mr. Carney's reading German took the con- vention by storm. Another of Mr. Carney's chief characteristics was his rare sense of humor. He fairly sparkled with good nature and many a one, we im- agine, like the writer, will always remember him pleasantly, with his eyes twink- ling and his conversation fairly scintillating with the bright things that came as naturally as the smile to his lips. To meet him and talk to him was a tonic for the jaded spirit and refreshment for the mind. It was the writer's custom to have a chat with him on every possible occasion and such a chat always left him indebted to Mr. Carney. He was by nature one of the brightest and most pleasant men it has ever been our good fortune to know. He was strict with him- self in all his habits, though liberal in his views towards others. He was ab- stemious to a degree and lived cleanly and circumspectly. He was a public- spirited man, especially in the latter years of his life. Said a Grinnell banker yesterday : 'There is no man to whom I would have gone sooner or from whom I would have received help more readily than from Mr. Carney.' Especially in more recent years he has taken an interest in public movements, being loyal to his town and its institutions. A close business associate testifies to the fact that in the time he has known Mr. Carney he never knew him to fail to support any movement looking towards public improvement. He was deeply interested and well informed on the latest developments in politics, science and art, but never held a public office excepting that of councilman. During the twenty- eight years he lived here Mr. Carney grew in public esteem and in importance until he was without question one of Grinnell's leading citizens. Whenever any public enterprise is started, whenever the Fortnightly Club meets, whenever men have occasion to do business with the firm of which he was a member, when- ever there are social gatherings of his friends and whenever the Catholic church needs support in the coming years, B. J. Carney will be missed. But most of all will he be missed in the beautiful home by his wife and children and other relatives who were bound to him by every tie of affection which a kind and clean life can form with those nearest to it."
PAUL G. NORRIS.
Paul G. Norris, who for about nine years has been engaged in the practice of law in Grinnell, his course reflecting credit and honor upon a name that has long been prominently connected with the legal profession in this city, was here born on the 5th of January, 1878, his parents being David W. and Lizzie S. (Gifford ) Norris, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Illinois.
The father came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, with his parents in 1863, the family home being established upon a farm four miles north of Chester. David Norris was then fourteen years of age. He was reared to manhood upon the farmi. aiding in the arduous task of developing the land and of cultivating the fields year by year. He pursued his more specifically literary education in Towa College at Grinnell, from which he was graduated with the class of 1872. Ile then took up the profession of teaching and for some years was principal
THE NE . PK
PUBL." 'ARY
ASTES - L' AND I CEN FICADA ONS.
PAUL G. NORRIS
DAVID W. NORRIS
DEVIL STARY
ART ?. TOEN TO_ Y AI 5
115
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
of the schools of Tama City, Iowa, and also of the Marshalltown schools, but, thinking to find more congenial and profitable labor in the field of law, he began preparation for the bar in Chicago and was admitted to practice in Montezuma on the 23d of April, 1878. Following his admission he was employed for a time by C. W. H. Beyer, a mortgage banker, and later formed a partnership with J. E. Dodge, now judge of the supreme court of Wisconsin. They opened law offices in Grinnell under the firm style of Norris & Dodge, but were asso- ciated in practice for only a short time when Mr. Dodge removed to Milwaukee, after which Mr. Norris remained in the profession alone for a time. From 1885 until 1890 he was identified with A. L. Preston under the firm name of Norris & Preston. He continued alone until 1902, when he was joined by his son Pant G. Norris under the firm style of Norris & Norris, a relation that was maintained until the death of the father on the 22d of May, 1907, when he was in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He had long been accounted one of the prominent attorneys of Poweshiek county and his place at the bar of this section of the state was a conspicuous and enviable one. In early life he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party but in 1896, when the republican party declared for sound money and the democratic party for a currency which regarded as unstable, he affiliated with the former and indorsed its principles until his death. He served for ten years as a member of the town council of Grinnell and for many years was identified with the board of education here, being very active in educational work. He. was also a valued member of the Masonic lodge and also of the KnightsMdf. Pythia's.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.