USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 44
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last year he handled one hundred head of horses and mules. He does all of his own shipping and is thus able to ship his stock direct to the markets with the minimum expenditure of time and money, for some time ago he secured a ship- ping point on the lowa Central Railroad at Pratts Siding. He applied personally to the railroad company who, in recognition of the large amount of stock which he ships annually, supplied him with the side tracks which he desired.
On the 9th of February, 1888, Mr. McCormick was united in marriage to Miss Ida Blakely, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, on the 22d of April, 1865. She is a daughter of Thomas and Anna (McRoberts) Blakely, with whom she came to lowa in 1868, the family home being located in this county about four miles east of Montezuma. Her mother has passed away but her father survives, making his home in Montezuma. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have one child, James Blakely McCormick, who was born on the 16th of Feb- ruary, 1890, and is yet at home.
Mr. McCormick is a loyal and substantial supporter of the Methodist Epis- copal church and assisted in the building of the church edifice at Ewart, Iowa. He is a republican in politics and is active and public-spirited in his citizenship, his efforts being potent factors in community affairs. At this point it would be almost tautological to enter into any series of statements as showing Mr. Mc- Cormick to be a man of unfaltering enterprise, keen business sagacity and un- questioned integrity, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. It is sufficient to say that he has recognized his opportunities and has utilized them to the best advantage so that today he has reached a position of affluence in the business world, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit have won a foremost place for him among the valued and represen- tative citizens of Poweshiek county.
PETER ALBERT HANSSEN.
Among the thrifty and highly successful agriculturists of Poweshiek county must be numbered Peter Albert Hanssen, who is actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Sheridan township.
Although of German extraction, as his name would indicate. Mr. Hanssen was born in Davenport, Iowa, on the 20th of December, 1867, a son of Peter Jacob and Wiebka (Stoldt) Hanssen, natives of Schleswig-Holstein. The father, who was a farmer, emigrated to the United States in 1865, locating at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he lived for one year, when he removed to Daven- port. During the first two years of his residence in the latter place he was employed in a sawmill and warehouse. At the expiration of that period, how- ever, he rented eighty acres of land seven miles west of Davenport, in the cultivation of which he engaged for sixteen years. In 1885 Mr. Hanssen came to Poweshiek county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land a mile and a half northeast of the village of Malcom. Here he resided, engaging in general farming for ten years. He then retired to a small place a quarter of a mile north of his old homestead, where he and Mrs. Hanssen continue to
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make their home. They are both hale and hearty and the income of their farm and the competence he acquired provides them with the ease and com- fort they were denied during their hard-working youth.
Being reared in the country Peter Albert Hanssen, of this review, obtained his education in the district schools of his native county, following the com- pletion of which he assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead. He remained at home working for his parents until he had reached the age of thirty-one years, at which time he started out for himself. Being of a thrifty nature he had always saved the greater portion of his earnings and when he left the parental roof had sufficient capital to enable him to become a property owner, and so purchased two hundred acres of land on section 33, Sheridan township, of which he took possession on the Ist of April, 1899. For twelve years he has continued to reside here, engaging in general farming and stock- raising, besides which he makes a specialty of feeding hogs for the market. . He has met with most gratifying success in his various undertakings, and now owns one of the best farms in the township, which is well stocked and in a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Hanssen was married on the 15th of March, 1899, to Miss Nettie Dos- dall, a daughter of William and Ida ( Plaeger) Dosdall, natives of Germany, who migrated to this country in the early '60s. They located upon a farm in Sheridan township, where Mrs. Hanssen was born, residing there for many years and then retired to the village of Malcom, where they purchased a very pleasant and comfortable home, which they still occupy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hanssen have been born two children: Arthur, who was born on the 12th of December, 1899; and Walter, who was born on the 5th of August, 1906. The ekdlest son is attending district No. 8 school in Sheridan township.
The family always attend the services of the German Lutheran church in Malcom township, of which denomination Mrs. Hanssen is a very active mem- ber. Ever since acquiring the full rights of citizenship Mr. Hanssen has given his political support to the men and measures of the democratic party. He takes an active interest in all township matters and is now acting as secretary of the school board of district No. 8.
CHARLES FORD.
Among the foreign born residents of Malcom township whose efforts along agricultural lines are meeting with substantial and well merited success is num- bered Charles Ford. A native of Manchester, England, he was born on the 2Ist of January, 1864, a son of William and Hannah (Weaver) Ford, who were both born in England, where the father's entire life was spent. Through- out most of his career he was identified with mercantile interests as foreman of a wholesale dry goods establishment and passed away in 1883. His wife now makes her home in Malcom. Of their family of eleven children two be- sides our subject came to the United States.
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Charles Ford spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native country and is indebted to the common school system of England for the edu- cational advantages which he enjoyed. He was a young man of eighteen years when, in 1882. he came alone to the United States seeking the opportunities which were here open to youth and ambition. He made his way direct to Grin- nell after arriving in this country and was identified with the wholesale dry goods business most of the time until coming to Malcom township. Here he spent one year working on the farm of Uncle William Briggs, after which he spent two years in the employ of C. A. Hamor, who later became his father- in-law. During the following year he worked at the creamery at Grinnell and then, in 1885. he was married, after which he was again employed by Mr. Hamor for one year.
By that time through diligence, perseverance and thrift he had been able to accumulate a goodly sum, with which he purchased a home of his own. For several years he was identified with railroad work in Grinnell, at the expiration of which time he went to the gulf region of Texas and there invested in farm land, but after a few months sold his interests there and went to Riverside. California, where he maintained his home for two years. He then returned to Poweshiek county, Iowa, and for the past three years has owned and operated a farm which he purchased from his father-in-law, comprising a quarter of section 30, Malcom township. This farm is in a well improved condition with substantial and commodious barns and outbuildings, and in 1909 Mr. Ford erected an attractive ten-room dwelling, modern in every particular, which greatly enhances the value of the property. He carries on general farming. practices rotation of crops, closely studies soil and climate conditions and is progressive and business-like in the management of his affairs, with the result that his efforts are meeting with a gratifying degree of prosperity.
In July, 1885. Mr. Ford was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sarah Hamor, who was born on the farm which is now her home on the 17th of Jan- uary, 1860. Her father, who was born in Downington, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of May. 1834, learned the marble cutter's trade near Philadelphia, but early in life came to Iowa, arriving in Scott county in 1858. He became a citizen of Poweshiek county in 1866. taking up his abode on a farm near Mal- com, and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits here until he was fifty- five years of age, when he practically retired from business life. For a year following he made his home in California, after which he returned to Iowa and resided in Grinnell until 1898, when he removed to his farm a mile east of the fair grounds, there remaining until his death. Ile is said to have been descended from ancestors who came to America with William Penn. When thirty-one years of age he was married, in Mifflin, Wisconsin, to Miss Calista Goodrich, who now makes her home in Grinnell township. He is also survived by four of the six children, namely: Mrs. Charles Ford; Mrs. J. F. Rivers: Mrs. Wm. Spooner; and Jesse A. Hamor. He was highly respected by all who knew him for his high quality of citizenship, and of him one of the local papers said at the time of his demise: "A quiet, reserved man, whose industry was rewarded with competence, and whose integrity won the confidence of all who knew him, has fallen by the way. His neighbors and his family have lost
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one whom they loved and honored-a good friend." Mr. and Mrs. Ford are the parents of four children, namely : Francis A., who married Edna Grahn and lias one child, Lois G. ; and Ruth May, Helen Mary and Louis Hamor, all still at home.
Mr. Ford holds membership in the Episcopal church and also belongs to Lodge No. 273. A. F. & A. M., at Grinnell. He takes a deep interest in politics, giving his support at the polls to the democratic party, and although in no sense a politician he can always be depended upon to do all in his power to advance the welfare of his community.
C. F. PAULSEN.
Among Germany's contribution to the citizenship of Iowa is numbered C. F. Paulsen, who was born in Holstein, that country, on the 5th of February. 1836, a son of Franz and Wiebke ( Bendtschneider ) Paulsen, whose entire lives were passed in the fatherland, where the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Of their family of five children C. F. Paulsen is the youngest and the only surviving member. A brother. John Christian, came to the United States in the year following the arrival of our subject, and served in the Civil was as a member of a Minnesota regiment for about a year. His death oc- curred in New Ulm, Minnesota.
In the land of his nativity C. F. Paulsen passed the period of his boyhood and youth and upon attaining his majority determined to try his fortune in the new world-the land of opportunity. Consequently, in 1857, he crossed the Atlantic and after landing in the United States made his way direct to Min- nesota, which had not yet been admitted to the Union as a state. Compar- atively pioneer conditions existed in the territory at the time of the arrival of Mr. Paulsen, there being no railroads in Minnesota at that period. In fact. there was but one railroad west of the Mississippi river and that was a short line in lowa, running from Davenport to Iowa City. He remained in the ter- ritory of Minnesota for about four months, engaging in farming during that time, and then made his way to Davenport, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand until April 26, 1861.
At that time he enlisted for service in the Union army, becoming a member of Company G, First lowa Volunteer Infantry, responding to the first call for seventy-five thousand men. He took part in the battle of Wilson Creek on the Ioth of August, 1861, and on the 20th of that month was discharged. On the 9th of August. 1862, he reenlisted, becoming a member of Company I, One Hun- dred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with that com- mand until honorably discharged in 1865. He took part in all of the engage- ments of his regiment and was mustered out at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on the 12th of July with the rank of corporal.
After the cessation of hostilities Mr. Paulsen came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, arriving here in 1866, and located in Madison township on a farm which he purchased, about eight miles northwest of Brooklyn. There he carried on
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general farming for twenty-three years and during that period so managed his affairs that a most gratifying degree of success awarded his efforts. In 1889, however, ill health compelled him to sell his property there and come to Brook- lyn, where for a time he resided on a tract of eight acres. About two years ago he removed to his present attractive home, where he is passing his days in well earned retirement.
Mr. Paulsen was united in marriage on the 25th of October, 1870, to Miss Sophia Fritz, who was born in Pomerania, Germany, on the 30th of October, 1845, and in 1868 came to the United States. Her father passed away in the fatherland and her mother married again and came to this country. No chil- dren came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Paulsen, but they have an adopted (laughter, Margaret Fram, who became the wife of T. F. Buchanan, of Brook- lyn.
For nine years Mr. Paulsen has been a trustee of the Lutheran church, of which he is a member, and since its organization has been identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. A republican in politics he has held about all of the minor township and town offices, and in every relation has proved him- self a most loyal and public-spirited citizen, doing all in his power to further the best interests of the community. He has already passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, but is nevertheless still deeply in- terested in the vital questions and issues of the day and is numbered among Brooklyn's representative and respected citizens.
CHARLES A. DRAKE.
The ranks of the Civil war veterans are fast becoming decimated, but there still survive, here and there, those who loyally went to the front in defense of the Union in the darkest hour of her history. This number includes Charles .A. Drake. A native of Ohio, Mr. Drake was born in Wood county on the 3d of April, 1842, a son of Isaac and Nancy (Swaney) Drake. His parents were also born in Ohio, the father in Fairfield county on the 12th of January, 1816, and the mother in Richland county. April 28, 1818. They were married, however, in Hancock county and came to Iowa in 1854, driving the entire dis- tance. They located first in Warren township, Poweshiek county, the father entering one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 30 and . 31. Only a very few families were living in this district at the time of the arrival of Isaac Drake. and these for the most part built their homes in the midst of heavy timber as a protection against the red men. Mr. Drake, however, braving the dangers of Indian interference, sought a location in the open and established his home farther out upon the prairie than any other family had thus far dared to venture. He became a prominent factor in community life and in 1855 was appointed one of the judges of election at the time of the organiza- tion of Warren township. A stanch champion of the cause of education, he filled the office of school trustee for many years and was trustee of the second school built in Warren township. This he helped to erect out of logs obtained
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MR. AND MRS. C. A. DRAKE
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from his farm. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Methodist Protestant church and in their home many meetings of that denomination were held. He was closely identified with the interests of Warren township until 1864, when he left the farm and moved to Brooklyn. He passed away in Oska- loosa. April 9. 1888, but his wife survived until the 27th of March, 1894, her death occurring in that city.
They were the parents of five children. John T., the eldest, enlisted on the LIth of August, 1862, as a member of Company H, Twenty-eighth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry, and on the 24th of August, that year, was united in marriage to Miss A. M. Cunning. He then accompanied his regiment to Helena, Arkansas, where he passed away January 14, 1863. Prior to the Civil war he had been a student at lowa College and would have graduated with the first class had he not entered the army. John T. Drake Post, No. 321, G. A. R., of Brooklyn, was named in his honor. Sarah Jane Drake became the wife of John P. Plum- mer, who also became a member of Company H, Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and died at Champions Hill, Mississippi, June 6, 1863. Mrs, Plum- mer's death occurred in Brooklyn in May, 1869. Charles A. Drake, of this review. is the third in order of birth. Isaac N., the fourth, was married in March. 1871. to Miss S. A. Thomas, and resided at Long Beach, California, but died April 1. 1911. Cyrus C. Drake, the youngest, who also made his home in Long Beach, California, died February 26, 1911. He was married in 1872, to Miss C. Myers.
Charles A. Drake spent the first twelve years of his life in the state of his nativity and in 1854 accompanied Ris parents on their removal to Poweshiek county, Iowa. He continued to make his home with them until the period of the Civil war, when, with his elder brother" John T., he became a member of Com- pany H, Twenty-eighth lowa Volunteer Infantry, enlisting on the 11th of Au- gust, 1862. For three years, or throughout the remainder of the war, he served with that regiment and took part in every engagement in which it participated with the exception of Sabine Crossroads, the battle of Champions Hill and the siege of Vicksburg, his absence therefrom being caused by a severe wound received in the head by a minie-ball, the injury causing his detention in the hospital for two months. He was present at the engagement of Port Gibson and took part in three important battles of the Shenandoah valley campaign. and only when victory at last crowned the Union arms was he mustered out with his regiment, returning home with a most creditable military record.
In the fall following the close of the war Mr. Drake was married and at once began the occupation of farming on his own account, operating his father's farm in Warren township for one year. He then purchased a farm in Bear Creek township, north of Brooklyn, which remained his home for seven years, after which he sokl out and invested in property in Madison township, five miles north of Brooklyn. This farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of good land. is still in his possession, under the management of his son. To its cultivation and improvement he devoted his undivided time and atten- tion for a number of years and by careful supervision developed it into a val- uable property. Industry, energy, perseverance, close application and wise man- agement figured as potent forces in the conduct of his affairs and in 1900, as a
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result of his well directed efforts, he was able to withdraw from active busi- ness and removed to Brooklyn, where he is now living retired.
It was on the 23d of November. 1865. that Mr. Drake was united in mar- riage to Miss Eliza H. Cunning, who was born near New Philadelphia, Ohio. March 21, 1846, and in 1862 came to Iowa with her parents, Richard and Nancy (Swagler) Cunning. The father of Mrs. Drake was born in Delaware on the 7th of October. 1801, and the mother in Maryland, February 19, 1802. Both passed away in Poweshiek county, the former departing this life December 13. 1868, and the later December 9. 1881. Their daughter Eliza H. was the young- est of ten children and by her marriage with Mr. Drake became the mother of six children who are still living. Nettie, the eldest, is now the wife of Wesley Crawford, of Madison township. Arthur Drake is mentioned at length below. Florence I. is a graduate of Highland Park College and is now engaged in teaching school at Charter Oak. Katharine, who also graduated from High- land Park College. is a teacher at Seranton, Iowa. Lili E. is the wife of Homer Hall and they make their home at Huron, South Dakota. Fred C. Drake, who completes the family. is a railroad conductor in the employ of the Rock Island system at Brooklyn. He married Bessie Bailey. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Drake were born four children who are now deceased: Eugene passing away at the age of four and a half years : Ernest, at the age of two and a half years : Guy. when two years of age ; and Elbert, who died in infancy. Mrs. Charles A. Drake attended the first normal institute ever held in Brooklyn and for two years. 1864 and 1865, taught school in Jefferson township, a daughter and son having also taught in the same school.
Politically Mr. Drake gives his support to the principles of the republican party and has filled several township offices, including that of school director. in which he served for many years. Since their marriage he and his wife have been devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they are deeply and helpfully interested, and Mr. Drake maintains pleas- ant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. Fraternally he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which body he joined in 1865, being now the oldest member of Brooklyn Lodge, No. 114. His has ever been a well spent life, governed by honorable dealings in every relation, whether private or public, and his upright manhood and sterling qualities have gained for him the unqualified respect. confidence and good-will of all with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN ARTHUR DRAKE.
John Arthur Drake, the eldest son of Charles A. and Eliza H. (Cunning) Drake, was born in Bear Creek township, near Brooklyn, on the 2d of Jan- uary. 1871. and mastered the branches taught in the common schools near his father's home. Later he attended Highland Park College at Des Moines. On the 25th of May. 1898. at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, he be- came a member of the Fifty-second Iowa Regiment band, with which he served
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until he was mustered out in October, 1898, at Des Moines. He now has the distinction of being the only Spanish-American war veteran in Madison town- ship, and there is also only one Civil war veteran in that township.
After the close of hostilities Mr. Drake at once returned home and since that time has been continuously engaged in the operation of his father's farm in Madison township. In his undertakings he has been signally successful for he has brought to bear in the conduct of his affairs a spirit of progress and enter- prise combined with a capacity for hard work and careful supervision-resultant forces in the accomplishment of any undertaking.
On the 28th of October, 1903, Mr. Drake was united in marriage to Miss Eva M. Fritz, and they have become the parents of three children, Margaret, Charles and Mary. In his fraternal relations Mr. Drake is a Mason, while his religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. After careful and thoughtful consideration of the political situation he has given his allegiance to the republican party, deeming its platform and principles best adapted to con- serve the public welfare. He has been called to public office, serving as town- ship assessor for four years, and is now filling the office of trustee, which he has occupied for five years. Having spent his entire life within the borders of Poweshiek county he has become well known here, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. His personal traits of character are those which inspire confidence in his fellowmen and speak for upright manhood and desirable citizenship.
ASHLEY H. READ.
Success has come to Ashley H. Read through industry and economy and today, as the owner of a valuable farm property of two hundred and forty acres, he occupies a prominent position among the agriculturists of Bear Creek township. Poweshiek county. He was born in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1859, a son of Thomas and Jane Read, well known residents of that county.
Ashley H. Read was reared and educated in the Keystone state, and until he attained his majority he gave his father the benefit of his services. At that period in his life he continued to work with his father, but operated the land on shares. He also operated a threshing machine during the summer seasons. In 1887, seeking the broader opportunities of the west, he came to lowa and for two years rented land in Tama county. He then moved to Bear Creek township, Poweshiek county, where he rented land for a similar period and then took up his abode in Madison township, this county, where for nine years he operated rented land. He then returned to Bear Creek township and pur- chased his present farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 5. As time passed and his financial resources increased he added an additional tract of eighty acres, making in all two hundred and forty acres. This land is all under a good state of cultivation, with the exception of a few acres which are low and flat. There are good improvements on the place
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