USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 65
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Mr. Armstrong was married in Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois, April 28, 1874. to Miss Emma Eiffert, who was born in Henderson county, Illinois, November 25, 1849. To them were born nine children, namely: Cora E., the wife of Frank Kruse, a resident of Tilton; Ada J., the wife of L. W. Jones, a railroad man residing in Long Beach, California, and prior to her marriage a teacher in Colorado for eight years ; Laura I., at home; Harry E., who follows farming in Deep River township; Margaret, the wife of Henry Fish, of Deep River ; Maude, who died at the age of eighteen years; Luther, still under the parental roof ; Edna, the wife of Judson Cleland, of Gibson, Iowa; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Armstrong is a democrat in his political views and on his party ticket was twice a candidate for office but was defeated as the party is not a strong one in this section of the state. He is a Mason, belonging to Golden Rod Lodge, No. 512, at Deep River. Inheriting the sterling characteristics of a long line of sturdy Scotch ancestry and endowed by nature with a good constitution. he early developed all the attributes which make the successful man. He has ever taken a deep interest in the progress and advancement of his home locality, feeling a just pride in what has been accomplished in the way of placing this section on a par with the older sections of the east.
HARVEY P. JOHNSON.
While a resident of Montezuma Harvey P. Johnson is nevertheless actively interested in farming and stock-raising, being extensively engaged in the live- stock business since 1882. He was born in Greene county, Ohio. April 22, 1840, and was only six months old when brought to Poweshiek county by his parents. Virgil H. and Mary V. (Wilson) Johnson, who were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father, who was born in Highland county. September 16. 1813. died on the 5th of April. 1893. spending his last days upon the farm in Union township where he located upon his arrival in this county. He was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, a half of
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which he entered from the government, while the remaining eighty acres he purchased. It came into his possession a wild and uncultivated tract but he left it well improved, its excellent condition and attractive appearance indicating liis useful and well spent life. Both he and his wife were faithful Christian people, holding membership in the Baptist church. Mrs. Johnson, who was born in 1816, passed away in Union township in 1898. Their family consisted of six children, namely : Lorenzo D., of Union township; Carrie, who passed away at the age of two years; Harvey P., of this review; Joseph A., of Mary- land; William P., also residing in Union township; and Angeline, the widow of Oscar McNeil and a resident of Union township, making her home on her father's farm.
Upon the old homestead in Union township Harvey P. Johnson was reared and from an early age assisted in the development and improvement of the farm. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and his time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the play- ground and the work of the fields. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation of the farm until thirty years of age, when he started for Kansas, traveling over that state and Colorado in search of a favorable location. How- ever, he became convinced that there was no better farming country any place than in Iowa, and in December, 1879, he took up his abode upon a farm in Union township. For a time he lived in the timber regions, chopping and haul- ing timber, and in this way he saved the capital that enabled him to purchase a small tract of timber land. This he cleared and placed under cultivation and in time it brought to him profitable returns. As the years have passed on he has kept adding to his place until he is today one of the most extensive land- owners of the county, having about nineteen hundred acres in Union, Jackson and Pleasant townships. In addition he has made judicious investment in town property, owning in Montezuma a good business block and three dwellings in addition to his own home. He was busily engaged in farming until he took up his abode in Montezuma nine years ago. Even now he gives considerable time and attention to the operation of his farm near the city, having, however, a man employed to carry on the work of the place. He is the owner of seventy- five head of draft horses, and when on the farm he fed about three hundred head of cattle each year. He has been extensively engaged in the live-stock business since 1882, and his splendid success indicates his superior business abil- ity, his sound judgment and his unfaltering enterprise. He has a beautiful residence on West Main street near the business section of the city, and his success enables him to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In December, 1879, occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Martha E. Blaine, a native of Illinois, where her birth occurred in 1864. In early life she was brought to Poweshiek county by her parents, Josiah and Martha C. Blaine, both of whom are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born four children: Charles C., who was born February 24. 1881, and on the 22d of April, 1900, was killed by a horse; Ray, who married Gussie Stevens, by whom he has a son, Cannon, and now resides on one of his father's farms north of Montezuma; Cliff, who also operates one of his father's farms north
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of the city, and who married Maggie McClure, by whom he has three chil- dren, Fred, Virgil and Grace; and Verna, who resides at home and is now at- tending school.
Mr. Johnson belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah degree. He has every reason to be proud of what he has accomplished. He had no financial aid or assistance when he started out in life for himself. He realized, however, that industry and determination are a substantial basis for success, and he pinned his faith to those elements. He was careful in making investments and his sound judg- ment found its proof in the increasing value of the property which came into his possession. He is honored and respected by all for what he has accom- plished and also for the straightforward and creditable business principles which he has always utilized in the attainment of his prosperity.
EZRA FAHRNEY.
Ezra Fahrney may truly be termed a pioneer of Deep River township and Poweshiek county, and he is still residing on the land which he entered from the government-the only man in the township who can lay claim to that distinc- tion. His farm today, however, bears little resemblance to the tract on which he located fifty-eight years ago, for at that time the land was still in its wild state and few settlers had ventured into this district to take up their abode. Now this region is thickly settled, while in its midst towns and villages have sprung up and the entire countryside gives evidence of the thrift and industry of the people.
Mr. Fahrney was born in Washington county, Maryland, April 24, 1831, and in the paternal line comes of German ancestry. His grandfather. Dr. Peter Fahrney, was a native of Germany, whence he emigrated with two brothers to the United States, the brothers locating in Pennsylvania, while he settled in Washington county. Maryland. He was a tanner by trade and conducted a tannery on his farm, but later practiced medicine for many years. A grand- son, who bears his name, is practicing medicine in Chicago. In his family were four sons and six daughters and it was his son Samuel who became the father of our subject. Samuel Fahrney was born in Washington county, Maryland. and was reared on his father's farm in that state. After reaching mature years he wedded Miss Barbara Gantz, who was likewise a native of Washington county, their entire lives being spent on a farm there. They had a family num- bering fourteen children, eleven sons and three daughters. all of whom lived to be more than twenty-one years of age.
Ezra Fahrney, the tenth in order of birth. was reared on the home farm to the age of nineteen years, at which time he made his way to the north, locating in Ogle county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for three years. while for a similar period he worked in a machine shop. In the fall of 1853 he came to Poweshiek county and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 14. Deep River township, where he still resides. He then returned
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to Illinois and in the spring of 1856 came to Iowa once more, bringing with him his family. The following winter was one of hardships and privation. During the first summer in Iowa he worked at the carpenter's trade and also succeeded in getting twenty acres of his land broken and his first crop planted. The crop. however, was destroyed by the heavy rains, which left him with little or no money. The nearest trading point at that time was Montezuma and many other inconveniences had to be borne in establishing his home on the frontier. Mr. Fahrney was a hard worker, however, and in course of time broke all his land and eventually raised good crops. He also made all the improvements on his farm, for to some extent he understood the carpenter's trade, and he is a natural mechanic, inheriting this tendency from his father, who possessed con- siderable mechanical genius and secured a number of patents on his inventions. Mr. Falirney has also made several inventions and has secured five patents, one of his inventions being the reel on a reaper, which was later patented by Mc- Cormick. His genius in this direction proved of value to him in his early life when making improvements on his farm and also in building machinery with which to prosecute his labors. As time passed and he prospered in his work, Mr. Fahrney added to his land holdings from time to time until his possessions now embrace two hundred and ninety-one acres on section 15. Deep River town- ship. He has two complete sets of buildings and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition. He is still actively engaged in work about the farm, having always enjoyed the best of health, and having never required the services of a physician but twice in his life.
Mr. Fahrney has been married twice. In Ogle county, Illinois, in 1855, he wedded Miss Catharine Hopwood, who was born in Washington county, Mary- land. She died in 1873 at the early age of thirty-five years, leaving eight chil- dren : Ella, now the widow of George Fisher and a resident of Idaho: Emma. the wife of Montaville Cook, residing in Kansas; Eva, the wife of Noah Myerly. living near Burr Oak, Kansas; Theodore, a resident of Deep River township; California, who is an attorney of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Ada, the wife of Salem Icenbice ; and Almetta and Julia, who died in infancy. In 1875 Mr. Fahrney was again married, his second union being with Elizabeth Decker, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, January 30, 1855, and came to Poweshiek county in the fall of that year, with her parents, Elisha and Mary Decker. By the second union there are nine children: May, the wife of Archie Inman, a resident of Missouri; Ed, who makes his home in Deep River township; Ida. the wife of Charles Middlekauff, of Iowa county, Iowa; William, a resident of Deep River township; Bessie, the wife of Harry Armstrong, of Deep River township : Clinton, at home ; Earl, also of Deep River township ; and Bernice and Cloyd, still under the parental roof.
The Fahrneys have always been whigs and republicans and Mr. Fahrney of this review has followed in the political footsteps of his forefathers. He has never been active, however, in political affairs, for his time has always been fully occupied with his private business affairs. He is a member of the Ger- man Baptist Brethren church. He is today a well informed man but is prac- tically self-educated, for he never attended school but four months in his youth. and the knowledge that he has acquired has been through private study and
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reading. It was a long strenuous task which presented itself to the pioneers of those earliest times but they met it with a steady, unwavering resolution. They did not see in advance the full dimensions and importance of the work there were accomplishing. From a wilderness traversed by only the deeply beaten path of the savage they converted these broad plains into gardens. They adorned them not only with the beauty of waving fields of grain but with com- modious and pleasant homes, surrounded with many evidences of taste and re- finement, with schoolhouses where their children were trained and taught for future honor and usefulness, with churches where they might be trained in the higher, holier ways of living. By their patience and energy, by their wise fore- sight, they organized and built up a community here which in its general pros- perity, in its orderly society, in the pleasantness of its homes, in the intelligence and moral tone of its people, in all that goes to make up a desirable civilization is nowhere excelled. In all this work Mr. Fahrney has taken an active and helpful part and no more desirable place for a quiet home can be found than here in this community which he helped to establish. He has now passed the eightieth milestone on the journey of life and on the 24th of April, 1911, cele- brated that anniversary of his birth by inviting fifty of his friends to dinner. He is still hale and hearty and his friends wish for him many more years of usefulness and activity among them.
GOTTLIEB BRENIMAN.
Gottlieb Breniman, now living retired in Brooklyn, is a representative of the well known family of that name which was established in Poweshiek county at an early day. Switzerland claims him among her native sons, his birth occurring near the city of Berne, February 25, 1846. He is a son of Christian and Barbara (Durig) Breniman, natives of Switzerland, and was a little lad of six years when brought by them to the United States. They first located in Ohio and later, in 1855, took up their abode in Poweshiek county, Iowa, within whose borders the son has since continued to make his home. He was the sixth in order of birth in a family of ten children and is a brother of Christian D. Breniman, mention of whom is made on another page of this volume.
On a farm in Warren township, about four miles southeast of Brooklyn, Gottlieb Breniman spent the period between the years 1855 and 1863, and in the latter year, during the Civil war, removal was made to Lincoln township, where he continued to make his home with his parents until his marriage. He then started out independently and for almost thirty years was engaged in the operation of a farm in Lincoln township. His efforts along agricultural lines were unusually successful and it was not long before he became recognized as one of the most progressive and prosperous farmers of his district. The success which came to him made it possible for him, in 1899, to withdraw from active labor and seek the comforts of city life. Accordingly he sold his farm, which, consisting of over four hundred acres, constituted one of the finest and most valuable properties in that section of Poweshiek county, and came to Brook-
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lyn, where he owns and occupies a most comfortable and attractive residence. He also possesses three other good dwellings in this city and also three-quarters of a section of land in the Panhandle of Texas.
It was on the ist of September, 1870, that Mr. Breniman was united in mar- riage to Miss Barbara Strasser, who was born in Kenton, Ohio, May 22, 1850, and when about two years of age was brought by her parents to Iowa, locating in Keokuk county. She is a daughter of Henry and Barbara ( Craybill) Strass- er, natives of Ohio and Switzerland respectively. They were numbered among the early settlers of Keokuk county, entering land there from the government when wild game was still very plentiful, and there the father passed his re- maining days, his demise occurring in 1873. His wife, however, still survives and now makes her home in Thornburg, Iowa, at the age of ninety-three years. With the passing years seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Breniman, namely : George Francis, of Fort Collins, Colorado; Florence E., the wife of Charles Connell, of Nara Visa, New Mexico; Alice, who passed away at the age of sixteen years; Clara T., a student at Capital City Commercial College, Des Moines ; Ernest C .. a successful farmer, who married Frances Gaumer and resides three miles southeast of Brooklyn; Mabel, who died when two years of age; and Ethel, also a student at Capital City Commercial College, Des Moines.
The religious faith of Mr. Breniman is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In politics he supports the democratic party and on that ticket was elected to the office of assessor of Lincoln township, in which he served for five years. Mr. Breniman's success in life has been most substantial and his income has been very wisely used. He has traveled considerably in the old world, visiting Switzerland in 1900 and also attending the Paris Exposition. He made a thorough tour of the British islands and also has seen much of his adopted country, while for one winter he resided in California. Thus he has gained that broad experience which comes from travel and contact with many men. which lends color and interest to the more or less uneventful course of everyday life.
FRANCIS M. COOPER, M. D.
The prosperity of Iowa and its commercial wealth as compared with that of other states of the Union are largely due to the wisely directed efforts of early settlers from the East and their descendants. This is true as applied to agricultural and business interests and also to the professions. Dr. Francis M. Cooper, of Grinnell, a native of Pennsylvania, came to lowa when thirteen years of age and has ever since made his home in this state. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1851, a son of John Y. and Saralı (Van Kirk) Cooper, also natives of the Keystone state. They were married there and removed to Ohio in 1852, making their home in Licking county for twelve years. In 1864 the family came to Iowa, locating on a farm in
DR. F. M. COOPER
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Jasper county, where the mother died the year following. The father sur- vived her for forty-five years and passed away March 1, 1910. Had he lived four days longer he would have reached the advanced age of ninety-two years.
Francis M. Cooper grew to manhood under the parental roof, and acquired his preliminary education at the district schools, later attending Hlazel Dell Academy at Newton, and graduating at the Eastern Iowa Normal School. He also became a student at Drake University and pursued a medical course in the lowa State University. He taught school at various times while securing his education, being for about five years successfully engaged in that vocation. After completing his medical education he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession. For twenty years he was a resident of Searsboro, where lie built up an extensive practice, becoming known as one of the leading practitioners of that part of the state. For twelve years he was a member of the school board of the independent district of Searsboro, being president of the same for nine years, and he devoted considerable attention to the advance- ment of educational affairs. His health became greatly impaired owing to his large country practice, and in 1905, much against the will of the citizens of Searsboro he removed to Grinnell, and so far as his health will permit he has since engaged in active practice here. He is identified with the Poweshiek County Medical and the Iowa State Medical Societies. He has been quite successful financially. and owns a valuable farm in Sugar Creek and Union townships, this county.
In 1888 Dr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Ella D. Scarbrough, a native of Jasper county, Iowa, and to them have been born two children : Nellie M., who is now attending Grinnell: College, and Clara B., who died in 1900, at the age of nine years. They have also reared Mabel Scarbrough, a niece of Mrs. Cooper, who has since been regarded as a member of the family and is now the wife of Charles Bechly, of Newaygo, Michigan.
Dr. Cooper and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. It is through persistent application, extending over a long period of years, that he has attained the high standing which is accorded him in his profession. He is a close student and observer and his well selected library contains many of the best books and reviews pertaining to the practice of medicine and surgery.
B. S. HANAWALT.
B. S. Hanawalt is numbered among the progressive farmers and business men of Deep River township, for here he is cultivating two hundred and twelve acres of rich and arable land on section 4, and he is also acting as president of the Deep River Cooperative Creamery Company. Mr. Hanawalt was born in Wisconsin. October 15, 1855, a son of William B. and Sarah ( Colville ) Hlana- walt, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1825, and the latter in Ohio in 1835. They were married in the latter state and in Iowa the father passed away at the age of seventy-four years. The mother still survives and now makes her home with our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hanawalt were born three sons Vol. II-"*
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and two daughters, as follows: William, who died when only two years of age ; B. S., of this review; George Howey, a resident of New Sharon, Iowa; Clara, the wife of O. E. Wasser, of Ames, Iowa; and Anna MI., the widow of J. C. Scovel, and a resident of Ames.
B. S. Hanawalt was but two years of age when his parents left his native state and removed to the southern part of Illinois. He was there reared to the age of fourteen, when they removed to the eastern part of Iowa. while in 1878 they made a location in Deep River township, Poweshiek county, and here Mr. Hanawalt has lived to the present time. He has made farming his life work and today owns a valuable tract of two hundred and twelve acres, located on section 4, Deep River township. He has erected all of the buildings on the place, including a good country residence and substantial outbuildings which fur- nish ample shelter for grain and stock. He has been identified with the Deep River Cooperative Creamery Company since its organization and is now acting as its president, while he is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Illinois. Although his farming interests occupy much of his time and attention, he yet finds time for cooperation in public move- ments which he deems of benefit to the locality.
Mr. Hanawalt was married in 1883 to Miss Josie E. Sargent, who was born in Deep River township, August 16, 1859, a daughter of D. K. and Clara G. Sargent, the former deceased and the latter a resident of Poweshiek county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hanawalt have been born four children: Iva L., Eola A., Blanche C. and B. S., Jr.
Mr. Hanawalt is a democrat in his political views and for nine years has served as school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Deep River, while his fraternal relations connect him with Golden Rod Lodge, No. 512, A. F. & A. M., May Flower Lodge, No. 244, Order of the Eastern Star, and with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Brotherhood of America, all of Deep River. The confidence and trust which his fellow townsmen place in Mr. Hanawalt is evi- denced by the many public positions he has been called upon to fill. He is a man of exemplary habits and strict integrity, and the success which he today enjoys is well merited for it has come to him through his persistent efforts and his sound business judgment.
CHARLES R. CLARK.
Successful in the educational field as well as in the practice of law, the life work of Charles R. Clark has been of signal usefulness to his fellowmen and Montezuma honors him as one of her progressive and valued citizens. He was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and is descended from one of the old New England families, his ancestry being distinctively American in both its lineal and collateral lines through many generations. In colonial days the family was founded in Massachusetts, whence the great-grandfather of Charles R. Clark removed to New Hampshire, settling in Windham. It was there that Robert Clark, the grandfather, was born and reared and later he became a
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