USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 39
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Ever since attaining his majority his political support Mr. Watson has al- ways accorded the candidates of the democratic party, but he has not been an office seeker. Enterprising and progressive in his methods of pursuing his vo- cation Mr. Watson is meeting with increasing success in his undertakings, and is recognized as one of the prosperous agriculturists of his township.
JOHN EICHHORN.
John Eichhorn is a progressive and enterprising farmer of Poweshiek county, owning three hundred and fourteen acres in Pleasant township, one hundred and sixty acres of which are in the home place on section 12. He is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was born June 26, 1862, a son of Martin and Louise ( Ploom) Eichhorn, both natives of Germany. They came to the United States in early life, their marriage being celebrated in Philadelphia. In 1866 the father removed westward with his family, locating in Johnson county, Iowa, where the mother died in 1875. Two years later, in 1877, the father came with his family to Poweshiek county, and located north of Malcom, where lie was engaged in farming for four years. 1Ie then located near Grinnell, where he passed away in 1887, at the age of sixty-five years. Their family numbered ten children but only five of the number are now living, three having died in infancy, while the other two reached years of maturity.
John Eichhorn spent his boyhood and youth in the home of his parents, accompanying them on their various removals until the time of his marriage. He has worked earnestly and persistently since starting out in business on his own account and the result of his labor is seen in the fact that he today owns three hundred and fourteen acres of valuable lowa land, located in Pleasant township, this being divided into two farms. Ilis home farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 12. Mr. Eichhorn in 1904 erected a modern twelve-room house thereon, supplied with all conveniences and ac- cessories of a city property. He also erected good farm buildings, while an
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ample supply of water is conducted through pipes for farm and household use. He raises stock on quite an extensive scale, shipping four and five car- loads annually. In addition to his farm property he is a stockholder in the Malcom Savings Bank and is also serving as a director in that institution. He is also a stockholder in the Poweshiek County Central Agricultural Association and the Malcom Garage Company, and is president of the latter. It will thus be seen that he finds time to give to various public interests that have proved beneficial to the community.
Mr. Eichhorn was married January 1, 1884, to Miss Julia A. Goodrich, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, February 3, 1867, a daughter of O. D. Good- rich, who makes his home with our subject and his wife. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eichhorn have been born four children : Lilly Bell, who died in infancy: H. D .. a resident of Pleasant township; and G. L. and G. E., at home.
Mr. Eichhorn gives his political support to the republican party and since January 1, 1911, has served as trustee of his township. In 1888 he joined Lodge No. 369, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Malcom, and is likewise a mem- ber of the Rebekah lodge. His success in life is well merited for he has ever followed honorable methods in carrying on his business and is as well loyal to his obligations as a citizen.
EMANUEL A. KING.
Through the improvement of the opportunities which lowa offers in agri- cultural lines Emanuel A. King has become one of the substantial citizens of Poweshiek county. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio. December 25, 1869. a son of Philip and Mary ( Cromwell) King. His father, who is descended from Irish lineage, was born in county Limerick, and was but six months old when brought from Ireland to this country by his parents, who first located in Ohio and later took up their abode in Marengo, lowa. Upon attaining man's estate he took up farming as a life work and was thus engaged until the time of his death, which occurred at Marengo in the winter of 1910, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, who was born in Ohio, of Eng- lish parentage, still survives him and makes her home with her two sons, Joseph and John King, extensive farmers of South Dakota, where they are engaged in operating rented farmis.
In the public schools of Marengo, Iowa, Emanuel A. King acquired a good practical education, passing through the consecutive grades until his gradua- tion from the high school. He remained under the parental roof until at- taining his majority, after which he crossed the threshold of the business world as a farm hand, being employed by the month for three years. He was then married, immediately after which he began farming independently on a rented farm of eighty acres three miles north of Victor. There he remained for one year, next removing to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres six miles south of Victor, in Lincoln township, Iowa county, which he also operated for a time as renter. He next purchased a hundred and twenty acre tract in Benton
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county, lowa, upon which he resided for three years. Disposing of this he later bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, located on section 20, Bear Creek township, Poweshiek county, which has remained his home for the past seven years. This farm, consisting of rich rolling land, has been highly developed since coming into his possession, its value being greatly enhanced by the many modern improvements which have been introduced by Mr. King. He is an extensive producer of grain, and annually his fields yield abundant harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them.
On the 26th of September. 1893. Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Ada J. Bower, a daughter of Jabez and Mary (Springer) Bower. The father was born in Canada, of English parentage, while the mother is American born, her birth occurring in Iowa. They now reside on a farm south of Watkins, in Benton county, Iowa, where Mr. Bowers is now living retired, receiving good rental for his farm lands. Unto Mr. and Mrs. King have been born three children, but only one is now living. William Albert, the eldest, passed away when three months old: Leo, the youngest, died at the age of three months : the daughter, Florence Esther, aged sixteen years, is now attending the high school at Malcom and makes her home with her parents.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church of Blairstown, Iowa, and Mr. King is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in the Knights of Pythias lodge of Malcom, the Modern Woodmen of America, also at Malcom, and with the Bankers' Life Association of Des Moines, Iowa. Early in life he became interested in the politics of the country, and, forming his own opinions and rules of conduct, has given his support to the republican party. He has ever been a worker for the best interests of Bear Creek town- ship. Since he came to Poweshiek county his acquaintance has continually broadened. Those who meet him in business and social relations find him a man whose friendship is worthy to be cherished and whose business integrity and enterprise call for emulation.
FRANCIS ASBURY KILBURN.
Francis Asbury Kilburn was one of the most prominent and successful mer- chants of the county in his time. He was born in Gilsum, New Hampshire. Feb- ruary 21. 1820, and there received a part of his education. He was the second son of Iddo and Abigail Kilburn. The father died in Gilsum, New Hampshire, at the age of eighty and the mother in Vermont at the age of ninety-two. When nineteen years of age our subject went to Vermont and attended school for a time. after which he engaged in teaching and farming. This he continued until October, 1851, when he came to Montezuma, then a village of six log houses, the frame of a house being built and a courthouse (a frame structure ) on the southeast corner of the square, one room below and three offices above. The court room was the only available place, so for a time that was their home. Later a frame house was completed on the north side of the square, into which they moved. In February. 1852, Mr. Kilburn drove to Keokuk, that being the nearest
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F. A. KILBURN
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railroad point or place where goods could be bought, and purchased merchandise. On the way home he sold a part of the load. With what was left his wife "set up storekeeping" in one corner of the court room, which served as a living room, kitchen, bedroom and store, partitioned with curtains. He returned for another load and sold what he could on the way home, leaving more goods at home each trip until as the town and business increased he was needed in the work at home. But the four or six horse wagon was a familiar sight for a good many years or until the Grinnell & Montezuma Railroad reached here in 1875. From this beginning he and his wife built up a successful business. He was also a landowner and bought and sold hogs and other live stock.
Mr. Kilburn was twice married. On the 14th of June, 1841, in Hartford, Vermont, he wedded Miss Sarah Chandler, who was an estimable woman, one loved and respected by all. She was a good mother, a consistent Christian and a splendid business woman. She was always ready to help those who needed help and seemed to know just the best way to do those things. She died February 25, 1870, leaving three children. Mary H., whose birth occurred on the Ist of May, 1842, gave her hand in marriage to W. A. Moody and had three children : Frank, Elmer and Charles. Abigail S., whose natal day was November 22. 1846, wedded Dr. J. C. Tribbet, by whom she had two children: one who died in infancy; and Nellie F., living in Montezuma, who is the wife of Dr. D. B. High and the mother of two children, Helen F. and Harlan T. Sarah, who was born on the 9th of October, 1850, married Hon- Judge L. C. Blanchard and passed away on the 19th of February. 1878, leaving two children, Rose and Claude. Rose Blanchard became the wife of Dr. B. 'O. Jerrel, of Oskaloosa, by whom she now has two children, Louise and Burton. On the 2d of February, 1871, Mr. Kilburn was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary F. Ferry, by whom he had one child, Lillian. F., whose birth occurred on the 2d of June, 1873.
On account of ill health Mr. Kilburn retired from active business in 1884, his home being yet in Montezuma. When he was well he often called Monte- zuma the "garden spot of the world." His demise occurred on the 16th of May, 1896. He donated the ground where now stands the Methodist Episcopal church and parsonage. For many years his home, store and warehouses occupied the ground where the church now stands. The buildings were destroyed by fire a few years after he moved from them.
J. W. FRIZZELL.
Bear Creek township, Poweshiek county, numbers among its native sons many substantial and progressive farmers and stock-raisers who through their own efforts and industry are meeting with gratifying success.
This number includes J. W. Frizzell, whose birth occurred on the 19th of January, 1865. The family which he represents were numbered among the early settlers of this district, his grandparents, Absalom and Harriett ( Merri- man) Frizzeli, being pioneers of Poweshiek county. Absalom Frizzell was born, Vol. II-20
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reared and married in Maryland, later removing to Ohio, and thence came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, when this was yet a frontier district. In 1851 he purchased school land from the state, consisting of a half of section 16 and eighty acres of section 14, Bear Creek township, and in the fall of the following year took up his abode on that property, there residing throughout the remain- der of his life. He passed away in 1885, at the venerable age of eighty-four years, his birth having occurred in the year 1801. In his family were four daughters and three sons, the daughters being Rachel, Ann, Elizabeth and Martha, all of whom lived to maturity and were married, the two eldest being now (leceased. The sons are: Thomas, the father of our subject: James, of Washington : and John, of Boone, Iowa.
Thomas Frizzell was born in Maryland on the 15th of November, 1835, and when sixteen years of age came with his parents to l'oweshiek county, where his remaining years were spent. He was a farmer by occupation and his ef- forts in that direction were most successful, becoming the owner of nine hun- dred acres of land in Poweshiek county, two hundred acres in Calhoun county. Iowa, and tracts in Dakota and Colorado. He engaged extensively in horse- raising, making a specialty of draft horses, and had many excellent specimens of that variety on his place. In the early days before the advent of the railroad he and his father had both earned their living by driving teams between Daven- port and Omaha. He went to Rockford, Illinois, to buy his first breaking plow and helped to move the stock for the first store in Brooklyn. He married Miss Margaret Buchanan, who was born in Ohio in September. 1833. and came to Poweshiek county with her parents in the latter part of the '50s. She was a daughter of William and Isabelle Buchanan, both of whom passed away in this county. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1880 at the age of eighty-two years. Thomas Frizzell passed away in May, 1905. having long survived his wife, whose death occurred on the 17th of February, 1894. In their family were four children, of whom J. W., of this review, is the eldest. The others are as follows: Harriett, the wife of G. S. Maguire, of Calhoun county : Ada, who married G. W. Murrison, of Brooklyn: and Ella, the wife of J. W. Silcott, also of Brooklyn.
J. W. Frizzell has spent his entire life within the borders of Bear Creek township and here acquired his education. He took up agricultural pursuits as a life work upon attaining his majority, and the wisdom of his choice has since been manifest in the gratifying success which has come to him. His pres- ent farm, which consists of two hundred and forty acres of land on section 16, is a portion of the land purchased by his grandfather upon his arrival in Poweshiek county. It lies along the river and river road, about two miles west of Brooklyn, and is a valuable property, all of the improvements thereon having been introduced by Mr. Frizzell. Aside from general farming pursuits he engages in stock-raising. being a breeder of Shire horses, shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs. He now has on his place about fifty head of cattle. fifteen head of horses and one hundred head of hogs, all of high grade, and his efforts both as a farmer and stock-raiser have been most resultant.
Mr. Frizzell was married, in 1892, to Miss June Sleggle, who was born in Bear Creek township on the 3d of February, 1871, a daughter of D. C. Sleggle.
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Unto this union have been born four children, as follows: Wayne, Lee, Helen, and Ruth. Mr. Frizzell is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed through all of the chairs, and in politics is a stalwart democrat. He is now serving his second term as township trustce and in this respect the public has had little need to regret their choice of a repre- sentative, for he has ever been guided by the highest and most public-spirited motives, seeking at all times the good of the community at large.
WILLIAM E. HAKEMAN.
For many years William E. Hakeman was actively engaged in farming in Poweshiek county. His former labor has brought him the success that now enables him to live retired in Hartwick, his income being derived from his in- vested interests.
He was born in Cayuga county, New York, May 26, 1849, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Thompson) Hakeman, whose family numbered five children. The parents were both natives of England and in that country the father was a truck farmer but in the latter 'Jos he emigrated to America, settling in New York, where he engaged in general farming. He later journeyed toward the west, settling on a farm in Ashtabula county. Ohio, where he remained until 1855, and on the 28th of May of that year removed to Cedar county, lowa. He re- mained in that section of the state until 1867. when he again made a change in his location, this time coming to Poweshiek county, which continued to be his home until the time of his death in 1877. His wife preceded him to the grave, her death having occurred here in 1869. Mr. Hakeman was a republican in his political views and in religious faith was a Methodist. Three of his sons enlisted in 1862 for service in the Civil war, becoming members of Company C. Twenty- fourth lowa Infantry, which they joined at Tipton, in Cedar county. James was wounded in the battle of Champion's Hill and was taken to a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where his death occurred. He had served three years and three months in defense of the Union cause.
William E. Hakeman, whose name introduces this review, accompanied his parents on their various removals and was a youth of eighteen years of age at the time of the family removal to Poweshiek county. He was but twenty years of age when, in 1869, he began farming on his own account, operating a tract of eighty acres, located in Jefferson township. For many years he worked earnestly and persistently in the hope that he might some day become a pros- perous man, and that his hope was fully realized is indicated in the fact that by adding to his possessions from time to time he became the owner of eight hun- dred acres of land, all in Poweshiek county. He has since sold off much of this, however, but still retains possession of three hundred and twenty acres, and from this he derives an income that has enabled him to put aside active business cares, for he is now living retired in the village of Hartwick. Since the Bank of Hartwick was organized. in 1902. he has been a stockholder and director of that institution, and he has likewise been interested in the Farmers
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Savings Bank of Victor for the past twenty years. He possesses sound business judgment and is ever alert for opportunities that tend toward advancement and in this manner he has made his way to the front rank, being today classed among the well-to-do citizens of this section of the state.
Mr. Hakeman was married October 30, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Holden, a daughter of Sanford Holden, who was a farmer by occupation but is now de- ceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hakeman have been born seven daughters and two sons, namely : Oscar, who is in Hartwick: Edgar, who has been engaged in the lumber business in Hartwick for many years: Eva, the wife of C. Warrick, a farmer of Minnesota, by whom she has three children: Nellie, the wife of James O'Halloran, who operates her father's place, and by whom she has three children : Stella, the wife of Tennie Mellrath, a farmer of Poweshiek county. and the mother of four children: Amy. the wife of Charles Sherwood, who follows farming in Minnesota, and the mother of four children: Jennie, the wife of B. W. Grier. by whom she has one child : Clara, the wife of Thomas Barber. of Carnforth, Iowa, by whom she has one child: and Alma, still under the parental roof.
Mr. Hakeman is a republican in his political views and from 18So to 1883 served as assessor, while he has also filled the offices of township trustee and school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Meth- odist church. It is fitting that sketches of the distinguished citizens of the county should find a place in this volume, in which connection Mr. Hakeman by the consensus of public opinion is rated. He stands today as a high type of American manhood, who has won success in a useful field of business and gained the respect and honor of his fellowmen by his public service and his private life. He and his estimable wife are living contented and happy lives in a pleasant home in Hartwick, enjoying in retirement the accumulations of profitable and successful careers.
JOHN KRIEGEL.
One of the highly successful agriculturists which France has contributed to Poweshiek county is John Kriegel, who owns five hundred and sixty acres of land in Madison township. He is a native of Alsace-Lorraine, which was a province of France at the time of his birth, which occurred on the IIth of November. 1849. His parents were Nicholas and Mary (Coling) Kriegel. also natives of Alsace and of French descent. The father was a farmer, con- tinuing to be identified with that vocation until his demise, which occurred in 1801. The mother, however, had passed away twenty-one years previously.
The education of John Kriegel was acquired in the common schools of his native land, after which he assisted his father in the cultivation of their little farm until he had attained his majority. He enlisted in the French army at the age of twenty years as a substitute, for a consideration of seventeen hundred francs, but before he was able to join his regiment the Germans had entered the country. Not knowing what to do Mr. Kriegel appealed to the commander
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of the garrison nearby for advice and was told to return home and remain until ordered to the front to join his company. This he did but never received the summons, and, not desiring to live under German rule, after the close of the war he took passage for America. He believed with his seventeen hundred francs he could make his fortune in the United States, where he had heard that wonderful opportunities awaited energetic and persevering young men.
On the 22d of June, 1871, Mr. Kriegel landed in New York city and after spending two months in that state migrated to Jennings county, Indiana, where he worked on a farm for six months. At the expiration of that period he again set his face westward, this time locating in Champaign county, Illinois, where he remained for six years engaged in farm work. He subsequently came to Poweshiek county, obtaining employment on what is now the Thompson Miller farm in Madison township. At the end of two years he decided to be- gin for himself and so rented eighty acres, in the cultivation of which he was engaged for a similar period. Soon after his marriage he rented a farm of Jacob Webber, in Madison township, upon which he resided contintiously for nine years. In 1893 Mr. Kriegel had acquired sufficient capital to buy two hundred and forty acres on sections 17 and 18 in Madison township, which formed the nucleus of his present homestead. Later he added to his tract an- other eighty acres located on section 17, and in the spring of 1910 he purchased the John Bard farm, consisting of two hundred and forty acres on section 9, upon which his son Joseph is now residing.
By means of diligence and thrift Mr. Kriegel has become one of the ex- tensive property owners of the township. He has placed good improvements upon his land, every acre of which is fenced and under cultivation, and his homestead has the neat and well-kept appearance which is always associated with thrift and success. Stock-raising has always engrossed a great deal of his attention, and he is an extensive feeder of cattle and hogs, which he ships to the Chicago market, realizing lucrative returns from this venture.
Mr. Kriegel was married on the 6th of January, 1882, to Miss Lizzie Sie- wert, a daughter of George and Lena (Hoffman) Siewert, both natives of Germany. They emigrated from their native land to America locating in Will- iamsport, New York, removing from there to Champaign county, Illinois. The father was a farmer, but while residing in New York he worked in the grist inills. Both he and his wife passed away on the homestead, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Champaign county, Illinois. Eleven chil- dren were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Kriegel but only nine attained maturity : George, a farmer in Madison township, this county, who married Miss Mary Mayer and who have two children, Josephine and Margaret; Lizzie, who be- came the wife of Adam Hauersperger, a farmer of Madison township at that time but now a resident of Jennings county, Indiana, and who have three chil- dren. Edward, Margaret and Henry; Joseph, a farmer of Madison township, who married Miss Sadie Clark and who have one son, Leonard: Henry, who is at home assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm; Nicholas, living on his father's farm on section 9, and who married Miss Josephine Roth ; the next four, Margaret, John, Annie and Albert, are all at home. Those deceased are as follows: Johnnie, who passed away at the age of two months ; and Catharine,
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who died on the 15th of April, 1901, at the age of nine months and fifteen days. The wife and mother succumbed to dropsy following the birth of her youngest child, on the 4th of July. 1901.
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