USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 48
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
It was on the 12th of April, 1855, that Mr. Manatt was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa A. Winchester, who was born in New York November 3, 1836. In 1854 she came to Iowa with her parents, Cornelius and Chloe G. Winchester, natives of New York, both of whom passed away in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Manatt have been born seven children, as follows: Robert Francis, of Des Moines, Iowa : Sarah Chloe, the wife of William Sutton, also of that city; Ida A., who married F. P. Shrader, a druggist of Brooklyn: Effie G., the wife of F. E. Stiteley, of Dixon, Illinois ; Laura, residing in Des Moines ; Albertus E., of California ; and Thomas B., who passed away at the age of three years.
Mr. Manatt holds membership in the Presbyterian church, and his political support is given to the republican party. He has held all of the township offices and has ever been a loyal, public-spirited citizen, to whom the public welfare of the community has ever been of deep interest. He has resided within the bord- ers of Poweshiek county for sixty-four years, and during that period has watched its gradual growth and development and at the same time has done his share toward the work of improvement.
He readily remembers when, as a lad of seventeen years, he drove with his father from their home in Ohio to the new home on the Iowa frontier, and re- calls a remark made by his father as they drove through the timberland of this district to the effect that "There is timber enough here for about one hundred families," believing that to be about all this section could then support. They could not then foresee the time when that timber should all be cleared away, the vast prairies be converted into fields of grain and the commonwealth of Iowa should become one of the richest and most productive agricultural states of the Union.
At that time mail was carried twice a week on horseback from Iowa City to Des Moines, and the nearest mill was located at Oskaloosa. It required some time to drive to the mill and when the water was low it often took a week to
502
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
make the trip. But with the westward march of civilization pioneer customs have given way to new and more progressive methods and none has taken a greater interest and pride in the growth of the county and state than has Thomas Manatt, whose own growth has been simultaneous with that of the community and whose career has exemplified the same spirit of progress. The success which has come to him has been well merited and is a matter of gratification because of the comforts he has been able to provide for his family. He has traveled to some extent and spent one winter in Europe for the purpose of visiting his fath- er's birthplace. For the past seven years Mr. Manatt has spent the winter sea- sons in southern California.
CHIARLES EISELE.
Among the many men who have kept pace with the progress of Poweshiek county and whose substantial success is representative of the prosperity of the agricultural community of Malcom township, is Charles Eisele. One of Illinois' native sons, he was born in Bureau county, near Princeton, on the 27th of Feb- ruary, 1859. He is a son of Andrew and Philippina ( Wentzel) Eisele, Germans by birth, who are mentioned at length in connection with the sketch of Mr. Eisele's brother, J. F. Eisele. He was nine years of age when brought by his parents from Illinois to Poweshiek county, and his education, which had been begun in his native state, was completed in the schools of Malcom township.
Reared amid the busy activities of rural life he early learned habits of in- dustry, perseverance and thrift, and under the wise guidance of his parents re- ceived that substantial training for the practical affairs of life which has made possible his latter-day prosperity. He remained at home until the time of his marriage, when he entered the business world on his own account, purchasing his present home farm of one hundred and twenty acres, located on section 11. Malcom township, in 1881. That his knowledge of agricultural pursuits was thorough and comprehensive is indicated by the fact that almost from the be- ginning his success has been continuous and substantial, and as he has prospered he has wisely invested in other property from time to time, being now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land on' section 13, this township, and two hundred acres on section 34, Bear Creek township. All of this land is well im- proved and highly developed, and with the exception of the home place, which is operated by Mr. Eisele, is leased to other farmers, returning to the owner a good annual rental. Although a portion of his revenne is obtained through the cultivation of his fields, he devotes most of his attention to his stock-raising in- terests, finding that his operations in that direction have been well requited. His shipments average about twelve carloads of cattle and seven carloads of hogs annually, and because of the good grade of his stock he receives excellent re- turns on the market. He is a stockholder in the Poweshiek County Central Ag- ricultural Association of Malcom, and is deeply interested in any movement which is calculated to promote progress and advancement along agricultural and kindred lines.
1
CHARLES EISELE AND FAMILY
505
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
On the 15th of March, 1881, Mr. Eisele was united in marriage to Miss Fran- ces Schroder, who was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 17th of July, 1863, and with her widowed mother came to the United States in the' spring of 1868. U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Eisele have been born five children, as follows: Mary, the wife of Ernest Spading, of Bear Creek township: George, of Malcom, who is married and has one son, Earl Walter, who is the first of the fifth generation of the Eisele family in America; Frank Andrew, who passed away at the age of five years : Harry, who is fourteen years old and is yet at home ; and Eli, ten years of age, and also still under the parental roof.
The entire family are members of the German Lutheran church and occupy a high place in the community in which they reside. Mr. Eisele gives his support to the democratic party, but he is not active politically nor is he an aspirant for office. He prefers to concentrate his entire attention upon his business interests which, carefully managed, are proving the source of a very substantial fortune. His private life has ever been such as to command for him the respect and esteem of all who know him, and he stands as a splendid example of the power and force of honorable manhood, of earnest effort and of high principle.
THEODORE H. MITHELMANN.
By means of perseverance and well directed effort Theodore H. Mithelmann acquired the excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sheridan town- ship, in the cultivation of which he is still engaged. He is a native of the prov- ince of Mecklenburg, Germany, his natal day being the 24th of November, 1851, and his parents John Henry and Sophia (Strickoff) Mithelmann, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland where the father was a farmer and day laborer.
Theodore H. Mithelmann attended the common schools of his native land and assisted his father until he was fourteen years of age at which time he be- gan working out by the year. He ran away from home when he attained his majority and came to America, landing in New York, from which city he made his way westward to Indiana, where he obtained employment with a railroad construction gang. Later he went to Illinois, securing a position on a farm near Joliet, where he remained for five years and then came to Iowa, first locating in Kellogg, Jasper county, where he again worked on the railroad. He was ener- getic and thrifty and was striving to save sufficient money to enable him to ac- quire some land, so withdrawing from his position on the railroad he came to Poweshiek county, where he worked on a farm for a time and then bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Sheridan township, where he still con- tinues to live. His property is well improved and drained, the fields readily yielding abundant harvests which net good financial returns in response to the labor and care expended upon them.
While yet a resident of Illinois Mr. Mithelmann was united in marriage to Miss Vilamania Topp on the 4th of December, 1874. Mrs. Mithelmann is a daughter of the late Joe Topp, at that time a farmer of Mokena, Illinois. Fol- lowing the marriage of their daughter, however, Mr. and Mrs. Topp removed to
506
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
Kellogg, where they continued to reside until the death of Mrs. Topp, April, 1891, after which he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Mithelmann, until he passed away on the 21st of March, 1896. Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Mithelmann: William, who was born in 1875 and is a farmer in North Dakota; Herman, who was born in 1878. and is now living on a farm near the old homestead: Rosa, born in 1882, now the wife of Jacob C. Schultz, a farmer of Sheridan township: Fred, born in 1884, also a farmer of Sheridan township: and Ehner and George, who were born in 1890 and 1898 respectively. both of whom are at home. Four are deceased : Louis, who passed away at the age of twelve years : Lizzie, who died at the age of two weeks : and twins, who died three days after birth and before being baptized. The family are all affiliated with the German Lutheran church at Malcom township.
Mr. Mithelmann's political views coincide with those of the republican party, for whose candidates he always casts his ballot, and he is at present and has been for six years a member of the board of school directors of district No. 8, which is the only public office he has ever held. He is one of the enterprising as well . as progressive citizens of his community, and is recognized as one of the sub- stantial agriculturists of Sheridan township.
FRANK C. SCHULTZ.
Frank C. Schultz, a well known and successful agriculturist of Sheridan township, makes his home on section 27. The farm on which he now resides was the place of his birth, his natal day being April 11, 1881. A sketch of his parents, Gust J. and Marie ( Eisele) Schultz, appears on another page of this volume. He was reared to manhood on the home farm, attending the district schools in the winter seasons and assisting his father in the work of the fields during the summer months. In the year 1902 he continued his studies in the Malcom high school. He remained under the parental roof until 1904, when he was married and established a home of his own, renting from his father a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 28 and 23, where he carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits for three years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode on the old homestead farm on section 27, where he has re- sided continuously since. renting and cultivating four hundred and ten acres of land belonging to his father. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and cli- mate and also devotes considerable attention to stock, feeding both cattle and hogs for the market.
On the 29th of March. 1904. Mr. Schultz was united in marriage to Miss Leah Hinshaw, a daughter of Tillman P. and Laura ( Hetherington ) Hinshaw. The father, a native of Pleasant Plain, Jefferson county, lowa, was a railroad conductor, being employed by the Missouri Pacific at the time of his demise, which occurred at Greenleaf. Kansas, in 1886. Mrs. Schultz's mother passed away at Maynard, Fayette county, Iowa, on the 3d of March. 1908. Mrs. Schultz supplemented her preliminary education, obtained in the public schools, by study in the academy at Pleasant Plain, Iowa, and the Iowa Wesleyan University at
507
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
Mount Pleasant. For two years prior to her marriage she followed the profes- sion of teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Schultz now have one daughter, Esther Marie, whose birth occurred on the 13th of October, 1906.
Mr. Schultz gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now serving as president and director of the school board. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also be- longs. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Malcom, while his wife belongs to the Rebekahs. Mr. Schultz has remained a resident of this community from his birth to the present time and enjoys an en- viable reputation as an enterprising agriculturist and representative citizen.
JACOB SOLOMON EGULF.
Very nearly three years have elapsed since the demise of Jacob Solomon Egulf, who was engaged in the cultivation of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 29, Madison township.
He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, on the Ist of February, 1862, and was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Adams) Egulf, natives of the Keystone state but of German extraction. The mother passed away on the 3d of September, 1863, at the age of thirty-five years, four months and two days. Some time thereafter Mr. Egulf, who was a farmer and logging team- ster, was remarried. The latter years of his life he passed in the home of his son, John Egulf, who resided in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and there his demise occurred in 1906.
Jacob Solomon Egulf, who was little more than one year of age when his mother passed away, was reared by an uncle, Andrew Hiner, who was a trades- man and farmer of that vicinity. His education was obtained in the common schools of his native state and after completing his education he went to work in a mill, where he remained until he was twenty years of age. In 1882 he came west to Iowa, locating in Bear Creek township north of Brooklyn, Pow- eshiek county. There he worked for a time on the farm of Billy Kuntz, fol- lowing which he entered the employ of Elliott Shadbold, who is now living in Grinnell, continuing in his employment for four years. At the expiration of that period he accepted a position with Samuel Graham, a farmer of Madison township, in whose service he also remained for four years. He subsequently worked for Joshua Leonard, a resident of the same township, with whom he remained until 1894. In the latter year he rented a farm belonging to Ned Ackley of Madison township, which he cultivated for a year. At the end of that period he removed to the Lang farm, which he operated for three years and the farm of Melrose Carpenter for one. Having finally acquired the nec- essary capital to enable him to become a landowner he in 1899 purchased and removed to one hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Madison township, on section 24. He paid fifty dollars per acre for this land and in 1907 he added to his holdings another thirty-five acres.
50-
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
On the 6th of March, 1895. Mr. Egulf was married to Miss Ellen Simpson, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Mellwrath) Simpson, who at that time were living in Antrim county, Ireland. Mr. Simpson attended the training school at Dublin and after his graduation was for thirty years engaged in teaching in the Carninney National School in Antrim county, Ireland. He is a man of excellent education but is now living retired, engaging in farming on a small scale for a pastime. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson spent two months in the United States about nine years ago visiting their daughter, Mrs. Egulf. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Egulf, the order of their birth being as follows : Alice Irene, aged fourteen years ; Arthur, aged ten years ; and Eliza- beth, who has passed her seventh anniversary. The children all attend the dis- trict No. 4 school in Madison township. Mr. Egulf died on the 4th of De- cember, 1908, after an illness of three days caused by inhaling smoke from a defective flue. Ever since his demise Mrs. Egulf has continued to reside upon the homestead, where she engages in general farming and the raising and feed- ing of stock for the market.
Mr. Egulf was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Madison township, with which his wife is also affiliated. A republican, he gave his political support to the men and measures of that body, although he was never an office seeker. During the period of his residence in Madison township Mlr. Egulf had won and retained the friendship of many people, by whom he was highly regarded.
HENRY SHERMAN.
Henry Sherman, who for more than fifty years past has made his home in Chester township, is of distinguished colonial ancestry. the list of members of the family containing the names of a number of the most noted men that have been known in American history. He is a native of Croydon, New Hampshire, and was born September 10, 1832, a son of William, Jr., and Mahala (Durkee) Sher- man. The father was born in Croydon. December 25, 1801, and was a son of William Sherman, Sr., who was born in Massachusetts. The mother was a granddaughter of Phineas Newton, an early settler of New Hampshire and a veteran of the Revolutionary war. William Sherman, Jr., the father, and his family came to Hancock county, Illinois, in 1849, later spending four years in Clinton county, Iowa, and finally locating in Poweshiek county. In 1855 he pur- chased eight hundred acres of land, in Chester township, from Joseph Cush- man and on this place established his homestead. He died in 1884, having reached the age of eighty-three years. There were five children in his family : Jason, New- ton, Wilson, Henry, of this review, and Cynthia.
As indicated above the Sherman family has given birth to many of the lead- ing men of America. In the list may be named Roger Sherman, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the most distinguished members of the colonies ; General William Tecumseh Sherman, who gained his lanrels as a com- mander in the Civil war: Hon. John Sherman, of Ohio, late secretary of state. who was author of the anti-trust law; James Schoolcraft Sherman, now vice
. 7
HENRY SHERMAN
-
WORK
4
A - R
511
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
president of the United States; Buren R. Sherman, late governor of Iowa; and many others who have assisted nobly in public office or as private citizens in build- ing the nation. The family originated in Germany, but migrated to England sev- eral hundred years ago. One of the prominent English members, Thomas Sher- man, was born in Yaxley, Suffolk county, and moved to Dedham, Essex county. He was the father of Henry, who was the father of Henry, Jr., and the latter was the father of John, Edmund and Samuel, each of whom is worthy of special men- tion. John was the father of Captain John, of Watertown, Massachusetts. Ed- mund was the father of Samuel and Rev. John, the former of whom became a magistrate in Connecticut and was the ancestor of General Sherman and Hon. John Sherman. Samnel Sherman was the father of Philip, of Rhode Island, sec- retary of that colony and a man of large means. Among his descendants may be named Rev. David H. Sherman, the genealogist, Hon. Buren H. Sherman, who became governor of Iowa, and James Schoolcraft Sherman, vice president of the United States. Captain John Sherman was the ancestor of Roger Sherman. Senators Depew and Hoar, Secretary Evarts, Roger Minot Sherman and Roger Sherman Baldwin of Connecticut, Rev. Josiah Sherman and General Sidney Sherman. Captain John was born at Dedham in Essex county, England, in 1613 and came to America in 1634, locating at Watertown, Massachusetts. He mar- ried Martha Palmer, a daughter of William Palmer, who was also his stepfather, and received the title of captain in honor of services rendered in connection with King Philip's war. He served two terms in the general assembly and was steward of Harvard College from 1652 to 166ex :John Shernian, son of Joseph, was one of the ancestors of the subject of this review. He located about 1710 at Marl- boro, Massachusetts, and married Anna BuHlen. "He was also a member of the general assembly, as had been his father and grandfather ; and his son, Ephraim, and nephew, Roger Sherman, later were elected to the same body. Jason, son of Samuel and great-great-grandson of Captain John, was born at Marlboro in 1745 and settled on land near Barre, Worcester county, Massachusetts, the place still being known as the Sherman farm. He was a soldier of the Revolution and held the rank of sergeant. His eldest son, William, was the grandfather of our subject. William moved to Croydon, New Hampshire, in 1799, when he was twenty-one years of age, and became known as an honored and thrifty farmer. He married Polly Stockwell, a daughter of David Stockwell, who was a corporal in the Revolutionary war. It is interesting to note that the Shermans throughout the country are almost invariably descended from some one of the four cousins mentioned above, namely : Captain John, Rev. John, Samuel and Philip.
Mr. Sherman, whose name introduces this sketch, possessed advantages of education in the public schools of Illinois and in a private school of New Hamp- shire. He engaged in teaching for a short time in Clinton county, Iowa, but as a young man was attracted to farming and arrived in Poweshiek county in search of a favorable location in the spring of 1857. There were few settlers in this region previous to the Civil war, as is indicated by the election of 1860, when- Chester township was organized, and the total number of votes cast amounted to fourteen. Mr. Sherman has engaged in farming continuously ever since taking up his residence in this county, and applied himself with such diligence that he became the owner of one hundred and seventy-four acres. upon which he made
512
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
all the improvements. He now owns eighty acres, having given a portion of his farm to his son. He has devoted his attention to general farming, making a specialty of raising and feeding cattle, and his efforts have met with well merited reward.
On March 24. 1857. Mr. Sherman was married to Miss Almira Dudley, a daughter of William Dudley. The ancestry of the Dudley family has been traced back for nearly one thousand years in England, the family centering at Dudley castle, one of the historical structures of the middle ages. Three children were born to MIr. and Mrs. Sherman: Mrs. Fannie H. Rutherford, of Boulder, Colo- rado, whose husband engages in the carpenter's trade and is also a farmer : Elmer H., who died at the age of two years ; and Ralph, who is engaged in farming in Poweshiek county and has served as member of the state legislature. The hus- band and children were called upon to mourn the death of the beloved wife and mother March 7. 1904. She was a woman of many noble traits of character and was greatly esteemed by those who came within the circle of her influence.
In politics Mr. Sherman has voted the national republican ticket ever since the organization of the party. He has held the offices of county supervisor and township trustee, also for many years serving as member of the school board. His religious belief is indicated by membership in the Congregational church. He was a founder of the local branch of the church and is one of its deacons. On account of his long residence in the county and his genial and pleasing character- istics he is widely known and few men in this section are more deeply respected. Always loyal to his chosen state and mindful of the best interests of the community with which he cast his lot. he has ably performed his part and is truly entitled to a permanent place in the record of Poweshick county.
DAVID BYERS.
David Byers, now deceased, was numbered among lowa's honored veterans of the Civil war who, responding to his adopted country's call for aid in the darkest hour of her history, served throughout almost the entire period of hos- tilities.
He is one of Canada's donations to the citizenship of lowa, his birth having occurred in Montreal on the 18th of March, 1840. His parents were David and Mary (Dunbar) Byers, both of whom were born and reared in County Down Ireland. In 1839 they came to this country, locating at Montreal, Canada. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, was engaged in the operation of a farm at that place until 1843, when the opportunities of the United States attracted his attention and, crossing the border line, he made his way to Rock Island, Illi- nois. There he purchased a farm, upon which he resided until 1867, in which year he came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, and here located upon a farm which he bought about eight miles south of Brooklyn. That remained his home for eighteen years, or until his failing health caused his retirement from active life. He then took up his residence in Brooklyn and there remained until his death in
513
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
1899, having survived his wife for three years, her death also occurring in this city.
David Byers was in his third year when brought to the United States and he remained with his parents in the Illinois home until the spring of 1861, when the outbreak of the Civil war awoke a spirit of patriotism within him that prompted his enlistment for service in the Union army. Accordingly he enlisted at Rock Island, Illinois, as a soldier in Company A, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with that command served for four years, ten months and twenty-eight days. He took part in the battle of Pea Ridge and many of the important engagements of the war, being wounded at the battle of Perry Grove, Arkansas. Unlike many who were quick to respond to the country's call, he did not regard his duty over at the close of his first or even his second term of en- listment, but remained at the front until after all Confederate troops had laid down their arms, receiving honorable discharge on May 15, 1866, in Houston, Texas, after an active, brave and efficient service on the battle fields of the south.
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.