USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 50
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It was during his early infancy that Gust J. Schultz was brought by his parents to Poweshiek county, and consequently almost his entire life has been passed within its borders. No event of especial importance came to vary the routine of life for him during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was passed on his father's farm in Sheridan township, and upon attaining his majority he wisely chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared, engaging in agricultural pursuits in that township for a number of years. He was progressive in his ideas, utilized practical and modern methods in the condttet of his interests, and so managed his affairs that he soon became ranked among the substantial and progressive agriculturists of the township. He became the owner of a large farm of four hundred and ten acres in Sher- idan township. all well improved, with two sets of good buildings, and thereon he engaged extensively in cattle-breeding, which branch of his activity proved most successful. At the time of his retirement from active life, about two years ago. he took up his abode in Malcom where he is now enjoying the comforts afforded by a goodly competence.
Mr. Schultz was united in marriage, in 1880, to Miss Mary Eisele, who was born in Princeton, Illinois, on the 21st of November, 1860, and when
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eight years of age came to Poweshiek county with her parents. She is a daughter of Andrew and Philippina (Wentzel) Eisele, both natives of Germany. Her father, who was born in Baden, Germany, on the 11th of October, 1830, and left the fatherland on the 17th of December, 1851, arrived at Philadel- phia on the 17th of February, 1852. From that city he made his way to Bucks county, where he resided until the year 1856, on the 29th of November of which year he was married. On December 25th, following, he left the Keystone state and moved to Bureau county, Illinois, where he maintained his home until November, 1868, which date witnessed his arrival in Poweshiek county. Here he located on a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout the re- mainder of his life. He was industrious and enterprising in the conduct of his business affairs and in private life was described as being "an excellent man, loved and respected by his neighbors. friends, and all who knew him. He was honest and strong in his convictions, kind, lovable and charitable. Kind-hearted and generous, he was never known to turn his back upon a person when in need." His death occurred in 1896, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years, nine months, and his wife has also passed away. In their family were seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schultz was born one son, Frank C., who now resides upon and operates his father's farm in Sheridan township. He married Miss Leah Henshaw and they now have one daughter, Esther. Mr. Schultz and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, in which they are interested and helpful workers, while in politics Mr. Schultz is a democrat. He has filled the office of township trustee for many years, has acted as assessor for four years, and for twenty years has served as school director. Public-spirited in citizen- ship, his influence is ever upon the side of progress, improvement, reform and advancement, and the principles which have governed his entire career are such as make him a most desirable and valuable citizen-a worthy son of an honored father.
SAMUEL A. TISH.
Poweshiek county can claim many worthy citizens who have ably contributed their share toward the promotion of the permanent interests of this section of the state, but it is doubtful whether any man now living in the county has more con- scientiously performed his work than Samuel A. Tish. He is a successful farmer of Washington township and was for many years a school teacher, and won an enviable reputation on account of the interest he took in his calling and the ex- cellent results of his efforts.
He is a native of Fayette county, Illinois, and was born October 17. 1860, a son of Samuel R. and Alice Catherine (Shafer) Tish. The father was born in Pennsylvania April 10, 1819, and the mother in Williams county, Ohio, June 6, 1827. They were married February 2, 1851, in Williams county, Ohio. Mr. Tish learned the trade of cabinet-maker but later took up farming in Poweshiek county where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in 1855. To this he afterward added ninety-five acres, making his total holdings two hundred and
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SAMUEL A. TISH AND FAMILY
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fifteen acres, and was for nearly fifty years actively connected with agricultural and stock-raising interests in this county. He retired several years before his deatlı, which occurred April 15, 1905. The mother was called away December 8, 1897. Mr. Tish gave his adherence to the democratic party but was never an aspirant for public office. His wife was a consistent member of the Christian church. In their family were eight children, namely: Jasper, who is deceased; Emma C., the wife of W. C. Benson, of Searsboro; Samuel A., of this review ; Mary Frances, deceased; Sarah E., the wife of J. R. Rivers, of Pleasant town- ship : Charles, of Washington township: William P., of Union township; and John, of Sugar Creek.
Samuel A. Tish was reared on his father's farm and acquired his early edu- cation in the district schools, applying himself so creditably that he became a teacher and for twenty-five terms devoted his attention to the work of instruct- ing the young. He was prominently known in this capacity at Sugar Creek, Washington and Pleasant townships, and among his best friends today are his former pupils who, as boys and girls, gained from him their introduction to an education which in a number of instances has led to highly beneficial results. However, he never gave up his interest in farming. He rented a farm in Sugar Creek township, also renting one in Pleasant township for two years, and in 1893 purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township to which he added eighty acres, thus making it one of the attractive properties of the township. He follows general farming and as he thoroughly understands the business he is highly successful. He, is a stockholder and was formerly a di- rector in the butter factory at Jacobs.
On the 24th of July, 1890, Mr. Tish was married to Miss Margaret F. Mor- gan, a daugliter of Milo and Susan G. (Robertson) Morgan. Her father was born January 1, 1831, in Springfield, Illinois, and the mother was a native of New York but was reared in Ohio. The parents were married in Lincoln town- ship, Poweshiek county, Iowa, July 31, 1856, and became well known residents of this county where the mother departed this life February 20, 1911. Mrs. Tish, their daughter, was educated in the district schools and in the high school at Grinnell. She became a successful teacher, following the profession for eight terms before her marriage and for one term thereafter. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Tish has been blessed with six children : Sylva A., who was born july 21, 1891, and after attending the high school is now a student of the normal school, preparing herself for the profession of teaching: Vella Elona, who was born June 11, 1894, and is now a high school student ; Cressie Leone, born May 16, 1897 : Lela Margaret, born May 14, 1899; Reuel Elvin, born January 17, 1903 ; and Hazel Loree, born July 29, 1904.
Mr. Tish is not identified with either of the leading political parties. Having observed the suffering caused by the saloon, he became a prohibitionist and is an earnest advocate of temperance principles. He has served as township road supervisor and most efficiently as a member and secretary of the school board. In 1888 he was nominated for county superintendent of schools on the demo- cratic ticket, entirely without his solicitation, and because of the fact that his party is in the minority in this county he was defeated. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tish are consistent members of and active workers in the Christian church and also
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in the Sunday school. For seven years Mr. Tish was superintendent of the Sunday school at district No. I, Washington township, and for two years during that period acted as Sunday school superintendent at Ewart. Most of this time he was also a teacher in the Sunday school. His wife is, now acting as super- intendent of the local Sunday school and is township president of the County Sunday School Association, while Mr. Tish is township secretary of the County Sunday School Association. In 1887 Mrs. Tish visited California for the winter and was an active teacher in the Sunday school there. Mr. Tish was elected elder of the Christian church at Ewart, which position he filled during his resi- (lence there. Both he and his wife take an active and helpful part in every movement tending to benefit the community and produce a better social and moral atmosphere. His entire life has been characterized by an upward ten- deney and by precept and example he has been a teacher of others. He justly occupies a position as one of the honored residents of Poweshiek county.
JAMES C. REAMS.
An excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sheridan township, Poweshiek county, pays tribute to the agricultural skill of James C. Reams, who was actively engaged in its cultivation for over thirty years.
Mr. Reams was born in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of July, 1839, being a son of Abraham and Martha (Cloyd) Reams. The father, who was of German descent, was a native of Center county, Pennsylvania, while the mother, who passed away in 1843, was born in Clearfield county. Mr. Reams was a farmer, being identified with agricultural pursuits up to the time of his demise in 1860.
James C. Reams acquired his education in the district schools of his native state, remaining a member of the paternal household until he attained his ma- jority. After completing his education he assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead until the latter's demise. When the call came for volunteers in 1861 Mr. Reams responded by enlisting in Company K, Eighty-fourth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served for eighteen months. He saw much active service and participated in some of the most notable battles of the war, among them being those of Winchester, and Port Republic, and he was with General Pope in that disastrous campaign on the Rappahannock and in the second battle of Bull Run. He received his discharge at Alexandria, Virginia, on the 12th of February, 1863.
Returning to his old home Mr. Reams remained there for a brief period, then decided to come west, first locating in Scott county, Iowa, where he re- sided for a year. Going back to Pennsylvania in 1864 he engaged in the lum- ber business for a year and then returned to lowa, spending a brief period in Tama county. In 1865 he removed to Poweshiek county, farming as a renter in Madison township for several years, during which time he bought one hun- dred and sixty acres from M. E. Cutts in Sheridan township at four dollars per acre, and on the 7th day of June, 1867. he broke the first land in the north half
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of this township. Mr. Reams took up his residence on this place on the 18th of March, 1868, and has continuously resided there ever since. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a success of both ventures, and acquired a competence which enabled him to rent his property eight years ago and enjoy the ease and comfort rewarded him for his early toil. Although he still continues to reside upon his farm he is no longer actively engaged in its cultivation.
On the 4th of December, 1864, Mr. Reams was united in marriage to Miss Lucy J. Graham, a daughter of William and Mollie (Saileth) Graham, the mother of German and the father of Scotch extraction. Mr. Graham's an- cestors first located in Virginia on coming to the United States, later re- moving to Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in York county, that state. on the 12th of August, 1793. Mrs. Graham was a native of Lancaster city, her natal clay being the 24th of January, 1799. Mr. Graham passed away on his farm in Clearfield county, on the 22d of September, 1863, his wife having died several years previously. Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Reams: A. A., who is a resident of Des Moines; Tillie, the wife of Howard Wilkinson, of Buhl, Idaho; Vina M., who married Carl Coulson, of Chelsea, Iowa: James W., who resides on a farm adjoining that of his father : Grace, living at home ; and Weaver, who was a law student at State College of Iowa City, from which he was graduated in June, 1911. Four of the ten are deceased: Sophia A., who passed away at the age of twenty-seven years ; Martha L., aged two years ; and twins, one of whom died in infancy and the other, William Gurley, at the age of five years. The family attend the services of the Latter Day Saints, of which denomination the parents are members.
His political support Mr. Reams now accords the democratic party, al- though his first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. He was a strong advocate of the principles of the republican platform until after the election of Ruth- erford B. Hayes, for whom he cast his last republican ballot. Following that he voted the greenback ticket so long as that party was in existence and has lived to see many of its principles put into practice. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in all local affairs, having served as justice of the peace for two terms, while for many years he was a member of the school board of district No. 1, Sheridan township. Mr. Reams is one of the highly regarded and substantial farmers of Sheridan township and is now enjoying the fruits of his early toil. Four years ago, accompanied by Mrs. Reams and their daughter Grace, he made a tour of California, spending four months on the western coast.
ALFRED BURROUGHS.
Meeting all the requirements of the successful lawyer in his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, his ability to accurately apply its principles and his devotion to the interests of his clients, Alfred Burroughs is now well established as a member of the firm of Norris & Burroughs, con-
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ducting a law and loan office. He makes his home in Grinnell, where he has a wide and favorable acquaintance. He was born at Moores Hill, Indiana, September 16, 1858, in a little story and a half log house which was built by his father, William Burroughs. The latter was born near Baltimore, Maryland, in 1809, and when a mere boy the care and support of his mother, brothers and sisters largely devolved upon him, owing to the death of the husband and father. He became a pioneer settler both of Indiana and of Iowa, removing to the latter state with his family in 1865. He secured a homestead claim at Hickory Grove, ten miles northwest of Grinnell, and with earnest, persistent purpose began the development of his farm, which he converted into a good property. He married Priscilla Breeden, who was born in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia in 1829, and is now living in Grinnell. Although she is now eighty-two years of age she has only fairly begun to turn gray and is also well preserved in other ways. Her life has always been a potent force for moral and religious development and her influence has had marked effect upon the lives of her children.
Alfred Burroughs attended the public schools of Grinnell and also Iowa College. His early years were spent upon the home farm, passing many hours in the saddle in herding and rounding up the cattle and horses, which then roamed over the prairies unchecked by fences. Here and there a tract of land had been converted into fields for the growing of crops and there were just enough of such fields to make a boy's life in keeping the cattle and horses away from the grain too strenuous for comfort.
In 1876 Mr. Burroughs came to Grinnell to attend the public schools and later became a student in the academy of this city, remaining here until the time of the memorable cyclone in 1882. He afterward spent two seasons teaching in the country schools and the remainder of the time was devoted to aiding in the care and cultivation of the home farm in Hickory Grove until February, 1889, when he found opportunity for carrying out his wish to pre- pare for the bar. At that time he began work for Norris & Preston in their law and loan office in Grinnell as bookkeeper, and has ever since been connected with this office. Mr. Preston withdrew from the partnership soon after Mr. Burroughs entered the office and the latter became associated with David W. Norris, and later with Norris & Norris, until the death of the father in May, 1907. About the Ist of June of that year he formed a partnership with the son and the firm of Norris & Burroughs has since engaged in the practice of law, having high standing as a representative firm at Grinnell.
On the 31st of December, 1890, at the home of the bride on High street, Mr. Burroughs was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louisa Hedges, the ceremony being performed by Professor S. A. Barnes, of Iowa College. Her father. Dr. T. M. Hedges, is one of the pioneer physicians of Grinnell, having located here soon after the close of the Civil war. During the long term of successful practice Dr. Hedges has also conducted a drug store, either in a partnership relation or as sole owner, so that his business relations with Grin- nell were close and constant until March, 1909, when he removed to California, where two of his daughters are engaged in the drug business. Mrs. Bur- roughs was born and educated in Grinnell and spent much of her time before
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her marriage in her father's drug store. She has since presided graciously over her own home and has made it an attractive resort to their many friends.
In early life Mr. Burroughs joined the United Brethren church, to which his people belonged and for which they had a liberal share in providing and main- taining a house of worship near the old homestead at Hickory Grove. Alfred Burroughs has held a number of offices in the church, doing any service that was needed. Following his removal to Grinnell he became a member of the Congregational church, to which his wife and older children also belong, and at the same time he assists in the maintenance of worship at the church of his youth. He is now serving as deacon in the Congregational church and has had much to do with Sunday school work in the township, city and county, including his labors in connection with a mission school of Grinnell for three years. Modest and unassuming, free from ostentation and display, his good qualities are nevertheless recognized by his fellow townsmen, who appreciate his worth and the ability that has led him to make steady advancement since he started out in business on his own account.
BALZER KRIEGEL.
Another of Poweshiek county's agriculturists who has ably demonstrated that energy and perseverance when capably directed assure success in America is Balzer Kriegel, who owns three hundred and thirty acres of land in Madi- son township which he is cultivating. Mr. Kriegel' was born in Alsace-Lor- raine, which at that time was a province of France, on the 5th of March, 1857. His parents, who were Nicholas and Mary (Coling) Kriegel, were also natives of Alsace, in which country the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his demise in 1891. The mother passed away in 1870.
Balzer Kriegel continued to reside in his native country until he was nearly nineteen years of age, devoting his boyhood and youth to the acquirement of an education, which he obtained in the common schools, and the work of the farm. Ever loyal to France, although then a subject of Germany, he resented the idea of entering the army of the latter government, and so decided to join his brother, who had emigrated to the United States six year's previously. He took passage for America in 1875, and upon his arrival in New York imme- diately made his way westward to join his brother John, who at that time was living in Champaign county, Illinois. With the latter's assistance he readily found employment as a farm hand, with which occupation he continued to be identified there for two years.
At the expiration of that period he again started westward, locating in Madison township, Poweshiek county, in 1877, where he continued to do farm work. By means of thrift and industry he had acquired sufficient capital by 1891 to enable him to engage in business for himself, so he purchased a livery stable in Tama, Iowa. He conducted this for ten years, then disposed of his interest and, returning to Madison township bought two hundred and ten acres of land on section 14 upon which he settled. In 1908 he extended the boundary
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of his homestead by purchasing one hundred and twenty acres on section 15, which adjoined him on the west, making the aggregate of his holdings three hundred and thrity acres. The land, which is well drained and thoroughly cul- tivated, is most fertile and yields abundant harvests, the greater portion of which is consumed in the feeding of cattle and hogs for the market. Mr. Kriegel has a fine orchard, covering two acres, and this year has increased it by planting one hundred and fifty more trees. The improvements upon his place are good and well kept up, as are also the grounds, which greatly im- proves the appearance of his property and which is justly considered to be one of the valuable farms of the township. In addition to the cultivation of his extensive fields Mr. Kriegel also raises cattle and hogs, making quite large consignments of both to the stock market annually.
On the 12th of June, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kriegel and Miss Mary Brimmer, a daughter of George and Catherine ( MeClelland) Brim- mer. The father at that time was one of the well known farmers of Jefferson township, but later he and his family removed to Madison township, where Mrs. Brimmer and the children still reside. Mr. Brimmer, however, spends the greater portion of his time in Dakota, where he has extensive interests. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kriegel have been born eight children, as follows: Fred, who is sixteen years of age; Roy, aged fifteen years; Walter. eleven, Marian, ten; Marie, nine; Josephine, seven ; Floyd, five; and Balzer, three years of age. All save the oklest and youngest sons are now attending school in district No. 6.
Mr. Kriegel is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, being affiliated with the camp at Tama, while his political support he gives to the candidates of the democratic party. Although he is public-spirited and takes much interest in township affairs he has never been identified with any official position save that of school director in his district, in which capacity he has now been serving for six years. The success which has been awarded the capably directed efforts of Mr. Kriegel is all the more gratifying in considera- tion of the fact that it is almost entirely attributable to his own independent ex- ertions, and is generally recognized among his fellow citizens to be justly and well merited.
JOHN DOUGLASS.
All the strong qualities of his sturdy Scotch forebears have had a part in mak- ing John Douglass one of the affluent men of Poweshiek county and one of the farmers of inequivocal success in Malcom township. He was born in Glasgow. Scotland, on the 15th of July, 1836, a son of William and Ellen ( Perden ) Doug- lass, both natives of Scotland, who came to the United States in 1848, locating first in Peacham, Vermont. In 1854 they took up their abode at Neponset, B11- reau county. Illinois, and there the father passed away at the age of fifty-eight years. The mother, however, spent her remaining days in Poweshiek county in the home of her son, John, there passing away at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of four children, of whom John Douglass, of this review, was the second in order of birth. The others are: William, who served
JOHN DOUGLASS
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for three years as a soldier of Company B, Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and is now residing at the Soldiers' Home at Quincy, Illinois ; Jane, the widow of Thomas Scott, of Brooklyn, who is mentioned elsewhere in this vol- ume ; and Andrew, now residing in Mitchell, Nebraska, who served for about a year as a soldier in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try. While all of her brothers were fighting in behalf of the Union at the front the only daughter of the family cared for her parents at home and kept the brothers well posted as to local affairs.
John Douglass spent his boyhood days in his native country and at the age of twelve years left the land of hills and heather to accompany his parents on their trip across the Atlantic, and his education, which had begun in Scot- land, was completed in the schools of New England, For about three years after the establishment of the family home in Illinois he remained with his parents and then, in 1857. went west, locating in Kansas, where for a time he drove a stage between Leavenworth and Lawrence. Later he became a teamster in the Utah expedition that followed closely upon the settlement in that state of the Mormons under the leadership of Brigham Young. He also drove a team for the government troops between Leavenworth and Salt Lake City, and then, in 1858, as a member of the Second Dragoons, took part in the Indian warfare in that locality. In the winter of that year he returned to Leavenworth and in March, 1859, purchased a team which he drove to Pike's Peak at the time of the gold excitement in that region. At that time but five rude shanties marked the site of the present beautiful city of Denver and pioneer conditions existed throughout that district.
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