USA > Iowa > Sac County > History of Sac County, Iowa > Part 43
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Mr. Mock left Polk county in the spring of 1890 and came to Sac county, locating in Cedar township, where he purchased eighty acres of prairie land at a cost of sixteen dollars an acre. He improved this farm and resided thereon until 1899, and then sold his land for forty dollars an acre. He then bought one hundred and twenty acres at a cost of forty dollars an acre in Jackson township, which he sold three years later for sixty-five dollars an acre. He made his residence in Sac City from this time on and continued investing in land. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres southwest of Sac City for sixty-five dollars an acre, rented it to a tenant, and later sold it for eighty-three dollars an acre. In partnership with a real estate man, he bought two hundred acres of land northwest of Sac City in 1910 at a cost of seventy-five dollars an acre and sold it recently for one hundred and thirty-five dollars an acre. Another recent investment or speculation was in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clay county,
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which cost eighty dollars per acre and was sold for one hundred and ten dollars per acre.
In politics Mr. Mock is a stanch Democrat and is a pronounced admirer of President Wilson and his policies. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both subordinate lodge and encampment, the Rebekahs and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was married February 9, 1880, to Mary Jane Doke and is the father of three children : Mrs. Nettie Shoemaker, of Los Angeles, California: Alfred, of Montana ; Wayne, aged sixteen years, at home.
BERTON B. BUIHNER.
Among the many German families who have made Sac county their home, the Buihner family occupies a conspicuous place. It seems to be a national characteristic of the German people to be frugal and saving. The county which is fortunate to attract German emigrants is always sure to advance in material prosperity. Wherever these people settle, they at once begin to make homes for themselves, and, while they are interested in their own advancement, they never neglect to take their full share of the burden of citizenship.
The first member of the Buihner family to come to America was John Buihner, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany, March 30, 1824, and died in Wall Lake, Sac county, Iowa. September 19. 1903. He was reared and married in Germany. His wife, Ursula Jennewine, was born in Wittenberg. May 10, 1822, and died at Garwin, Iowa, March 6. 1901. They came to America in 1854 and settled at Oswego, Illinois, where they lived until 1868, when they moved to Tama county, Iowa, and in 1891 moved to Garwin, this state, where the wife and mother died. They were the parents of seven children : Mrs. Annie Sherwood, of Sioux, Nebraska; John, Jr., the father of Bert B., whose history is portrayed in this sketch; Mrs. Margaret Long, of Morningside, Sioux City, Iowa; Jacob and George, of Tama county, this state, and Mrs. Eva Conant, deceased.
The second child of John and Ursula Buihner was John Buihner, Jr .. who was born March 4, 1852, in Wittenberg, Germany. As has been men- tioned above, he came to America with his parents in 1854, and of course came with them again when they made their change to Tama county, lowa. in 1868. In this county he was married, on December 16, 1875, to Alpha
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Yetley, the daughter of Jacob and Catherine Yetley, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Alpha Yetley was born December 27, 1859, in Tama county, her parents being among the early settlers of that county. They came from Pennsylvania and first settled in Freeport, Illinois, and came to Tama county, lowa, in 1856. The first wife of Jacob Yetley died in 1874. and to this first union were born the following children : Mrs. Mary Hamm, Irwin J., Mrs. Alpha Buihner and Mrs. Lucy Pifer. Jacob Yetley's second marriage was to Mary E. Hamm, and to his second union were born five children, Grant, Charley, Emma, Lottie and Della. To John Buihner, Jr., and wife were born three children : William Gilbert, born October 5. 1877, and died December 4, 1892; Laura May was born March 28, 1879, and died April 24, 1887; Berton Bodene, whose history is the theme of the present nar- rative. In 1891 John Buihner, Jr., and his family moved to Sac county, where the husband and father died on October 29, 1909. He was a great worker in the Evangelical church and was Sunday school superintendent of the Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal church for seven years, and superin- tendent of another Sunday school for twelve years. He was an active worker in the Epworth League and in all the organizations of the church. For two years he was president of the Clinton Township Sunday School Association.
Berton B. Buihner, the third in direct descent from the first of the family who came to America, was born April 24, 1888, in Marshall county. Iowa, and was educated in the district schools and upon his father's death in 1900 took active charge of his father's farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He is a young man who has a promising future before him. He is greatly interested in church work, as was his father before him. At the present time he is an active member of the Young Men's Literary Society.
CONRAD MEYER.
A man of sterling worth and exemplary character is Conrad Meyer, one of the German citizens of Odebolt, Sac county, Iowa. Before coming to this country he served six years in the German army, and the splendid training and discipline which was acquired during those six years has been no small factor in making him the successful man that he has become since settling in this township. Not only has he been of material benefit to the progress of his county, but in all public enterprises he has taken such a part as ranks him as a loyal citizen of his adopted country.
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Conrad Meyer was born July 1, 1840, in Bayern, Kolembaugh, Ger- many. His parents, George and Barbara Meyer, lived all their days in the land of their birth. George Meyer was a farmer in Germany, and when Conrad Meyer was twenty-two years of age he enlisted in the regular Ger- man army and served his allotted six years. Upon the expiration of his enlistment he came to America and landed in New York city. Shortly after- ward he went to Lee county, Illinois, and worked on a farm in that county for two years. He then married and rented a farm, remaining in Lee county, Illinois, until October. 1873, at which time he came to Clinton town- ship, Sac county, lowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land for five dollars an acre. He only had one hundred dollars to pay down on the land, but, with the thrift which characterizes his countrymen. he went to work with a will and soon had this land paid for. He then bought four hundred acres in section 28, Clinton township, and after making his second purchase of land Mr. Meyer began to deal in real estate throughout the county, and has made considerable money by buying and selling land, al- ways buying his land for cash, and has never lost by any of his numerous transactions. Before he divided his land among his children, he was the owner of ten hundred and twenty-nine acres, as follows: One hundred and sixty acres in Clinton township, three hundred and forty-nine acres in Levey township, one hundred and twenty in Wall Lake township and six hundred and forty in Spink county, South Dakota.
Mr. Meyer was married in 1872 to AAnna Katrina Engle, who died in 1907, leaving six children: Mrs. Mary Schulte, of Wall Lake township. who has four children, Andrew, George, Susie and Mary; Mrs. Anna Mar- tha Souder, deceased, whose five children, Caroline, Annie, John. George and Mary, were reared by their grandfather: George, a farmer of Clinton township; Mrs. Katharine Kolbe, of Clinton township: John and Henry, farmers of Clinton township.
Mr. Meyer was married the second time on May 22. 1908, to Mrs. Marie ( Halling) Pritchard. a native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and who was born on July 9. 1853. the daughter of H. P. and Marie Halling. The Halling family came to America in 1865, and first settled in Clinton county, Iowa, where they remained for three years. They then moved to Clarke county, Iowa, and in 1900 came to Sac county. Mr. and Mrs. Hall- ing were the parents of five children: H. P. and John. farmers of Cook township, this county : Cyrus, of Adair county, this state; Mrs. Lena Mollm. who lives in South Dakota, and Mrs. Meyer. Marie Halling was married in 1878 to James Pritchard, who died at Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1907.
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Mr. Meyer cast his first vote for James A. Garfield, and has called him- self an independent voter since that time, preferring to cast his ballot on election days for the best men, irrespective of their politics. Accordingly, in 1912. he voted for Woodrow Wilson, believing that he was the best man for the presidency. He is a member of the Lutheran church, to which he contributes liberally of his substance. In 1909 Mr. Meyer moved to Ode- bolt, where he is now living a life of ease and comfort and enjoying the fruits of his long years of hard labor. The life of this typical German emigrant, who came to this county with practically nothing. affords a strik- ing example of the man who makes a comfortable living for his declining years by the sweat of his brow. In no other country in the world can this be accomplished so easily as in the United States, and every state in the Union is glad to welcome such men as Conrad Meyer.
JOSEPH P. GOREHAM.
Forty years of residence in Sac county and living to see the county develop from a vast prairie country into a populous and cultivated garden spot, with beautiful towns and cities rearing their spires heavenward, should be honor and glory enough for one man, but when he and his faithful helpmeet are so blessed as to have been enabled to celebrate their golden wed- ding anniversary in addition, it seems truly that Providence has especially singled out a most worthy couple for great favors. However. Joseph P. and Charlotte Goreham, with whom this resume is concerned, are deserv- ing of all the good fortune and every blessing which has befallen them in a long, happy and useful life.
Joseph P. Goreham was born March 4, 1840, in Stockholm, St. Lawrence county. New York. He is the son of Philo and Maria ( Bard ) Goreham, natives of Vermont, and who moved to Canada in 1845. and resid- ed there until the spring of 1861. They then moved to Clinton county. lowa. where the father died in the year 1888. There were nine children in the Goreham family, as follows: Betsey, Warren, Harriet, Miranda. Susannah, Reuben and William, all deceased: Joseph P., and Mrs Mary Wade, of Allen, Nebraska.
In the fall of 1861 Joseph P. Goreham left his Canadian home and came to Clinton county, Iowa, and was there married. January 20, 1864, to Charlotte Hill, who was born May 8, 1844, in Yorkshire, England. She
MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH P. GOREHAM
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is the daughter of John and Susannah Hill, who emigrated to America in 1851 and first settled at Rockford, Illinois. They reared a family of four- teen children. The Hill family located in Clinton county, Iowa, in 1854, and were substantial pioneer settlers of this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Goreham resided on their farm in Clinton county until the fall of 1874 when they removed to Sac county and purchased the north half of section 2 in Wheeler township. At this time there were no roads and few settlers in their vicinity. In the spring of 1875 they built a house and began developing the farm. About this time they also bought the southeast quarter of section 36 at a cost of five dollars and fifey cents an acre on ten years' time. So industrious and frugal were this excellent couple that it was only a very short time until they were free from debt and added more land to their holdings. They were able to give forty acres to each of their sons out- right and yet have four hundred acres of fine land, including one hun- dred and twenty acres in Woodbury county, Iowa. In 1894 they left the farm and removed to Odebolt where they have a comfortable residence in the southeastern part of the city.
Politically. Mr. Goreham is a Progressive and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is the father of eight children, as follows : One died in infancy : George, who died at the age of three years ; Mrs. Mary Coy, of Highlands, California: Horace, of Moville, Iowa, and who is the father of one child, Aubrey: Leonard. residing on the old homestead and who has three children, Clarence, Irene and Laura; Edson, located on the west quarter section of the old homestead and who has five daughters, Doris and Dorothy (twins), Charlotte, Mildred and Gertrude: Mrs. Grace Gunderson, who lives on the southeast quarter section of the home farm in Wheeler town- ship and is the mother of seven children, Hazel, Vernon, Pierce, Paul. Cyril. Eva, Edward; Mrs. Mabel Irwin. of Odebolt : Wilbur, deceased in 1878.
Mr. Goreham has the distinction of having been the first township clerk in Wheeler township and assisted in the organization of the township when it was set off from Levey township. He also had charge of the first election ever held in the township and was a prominent factor in Republican politics during his many years of residence in the township. After serving as clerk he was four times elected township trustee and also served as secretary of the school board.
On January 20, 1914, this pioneer couple celebrated their fiftieth wed- ding anniversary. Concerning this important affair the Odebolt Chronicle had the following to say :
"The half century mile post of wedded life stretches away off in the dis-
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tance and but few attain it. Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Goreham, pioneer residents of this community, were privileged to reach the goal, however, and cele- brated their golden wedding at their Odebolt home on Tuesday, January 20th, in a way that befitted the importance of the event. They reached the goal in good health, blessed with a happy home and the possessors of an army of friends.
"For a good many years the couple had looked forward to the date of January 20, 1914, which would round out their fifty years of married life. Provided they reached the goal in good health, they had long ago decided the event should be celebrated as it should be.
"It was their privilege to do so and accordingly the event was cele- brated as it should be. With all of their children about them, except one, Mrs. P. F. Coy, of Highlands. California, they kept open house from two to five P. M., and between those hours over one hundred of their friends called to pay their respects, to visit awhile and to wish for the venerable pair continuance of good health and longevity.
"The home was beautifully decorated for the affair. All of the rooms were a perfect bower of roses, jonquils and carnations. Smilax, sent all the way from California, added to the beauty of the rooms. Many of the flowers were the gifts of friends. The guests were received in the spacious living room and after extending congratulations filtered through the rooms to make themselves comfortable and to enjoy the hospitality that was theirs to enjoy. A two-course luncheon was served to all, a total of one hun- dred and twenty being served.
"They were married in Lost Nation. Clinton county, lowa, fifty years ago. Forty years ago they came to Sac county and bought the farm known as the north half of section 2 of Wheeler township. Coming at that early date they have a right to be classed as pioneer residents. They saw the country in its newest state and its subsequent development and have never been sorry that they cast their lot in good old Sac county. Until nearly twenty years ago they made their home on the old farm, where they reared their family and met with success in a financial way. Something over nine- teen years ago they bought the place in town and turned the farm over to the sons. When in a reminiscent mood they can recount some interesting ex- periences of the early days and know what pioneering in its most rugged sense is. They still have the handle of their first broom in their possession and Mrs. Goreham still uses it as a clothes stick on washdays. Cake was served to the guests from a platter that has been in the possession of the couple since the day of their marriage.
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"Numerous presents were received by the couple Tuesday. The list is as follows: Parlor suite in golden oak, leather upholstered; gold bowl sugar shell; two gold bowl spoons, gold bowl berry spoon, two gold handled umbrellas, gold headed cane for Mr. Goreham, gold thimble for Mrs. Gore- ham, hand painted teapot, gold trimmed: set gold cuff bottons, gold brooch and many gift cards.
"The out-of-town relatives and friends present were Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Gorehan and son. Audrey; Mr. and Mrs. R. M. McCarter, Mr. and Mrs. William Barto, Mrs. W. E. Hall, all of Moville; George Cressey and daughter, Mrs. Robert Stewardson, Arthur: Mrs. Ernest McMillan. Ruth- ven; Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Irwin, Pleasant Hill.
"An original poem by R. M. Stavely, a cousin of the couple, who re- sides in California, was read." It is the heartfelt wish of their many friends that they may live to celebrate their diamond jubilee.
AUGUST LUNDELL.
Sac county, Iowa, has been signally favored by so many natives of Sweden becoming her citizens and thus bringing into the moral, material and educational phases of her community life the high standards for which that country is known. No country of the world can boast of better char- acteristics in its natives than can the country above mentioned ; no people of the world are more frugal, energetic, honest or worthily ambitious and the workings of these same traits in the rapidly growing section chosen by many Swedes as their home, have had a tendency to raise high the standard of correct living. Among the many natives of Sweden who have won success for themselves in Sac county and at the same time have conferred honor on their locality none is more widely and favorably known than August Lun- dell, the recognized leader among his nationality in this section.
Mr. Lundell was born on August 26, 1848, on a farm in Sweden, be- ing the son of Andrew, who followed August to America some years later and resided on a farm in Wheeler township, this county. The mother was Anna Lundell, who joined the father in his enngration to America, and both finished their lives in Wheeler township, where they lie buried. There were four children in the family, those beside the immediate subject of this sketch being, P. G., who resides in Wheeler township, Mrs. Lundskorg, and John, who died in the country some time since.
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August Lundell came to America in the spring of 1869 and first lo- cated near some of his nationality in Illinois, where he worked at farm la- bor for five years. In the spring of 1875 he first came to Sac county, Iowa, where the year previous he had purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid five dollars and sixty cents per acre, purchasing on time. In 1873. while living in Illinois, he had been united in marriage with Mary Walter, also a native of Sweden, born in October of 1848. Imme- diately after arriving in this county they began the erection of a home, and lived in Crawford county pending the completion of this residence. Mr. Lundell was getting things well under way when the grasshopper pest first came in 1876, and returned in 1877, doing considerable damage and work- ing a terrible hardship upon the farmers for a few years. However, Mr. Lundell persisted in his labors, and after the passing of the pest commenced to see his way clear to greater achievements. For many years Mr. Lundell has kept a diary and upon referring to this under date of February 3, 1877. a notation is found stating that the weather was so mild that he had at that date begun his spring work. This was near the close of the famous mild winter of 1876-1877, but, on account of a freeze early in March, no crops were planted until the 29th of that month.
In 1880 Mr. Lundell purchased eighty additional acres, adjoining his first tract, paying ten dollars per acre for this later purchase, and in 1890 he bought one hundred and sixty acres more, which latter tract, however, has been divided and a portion sold. At the present time he owns three hundred acres of excellent rolling land, located in section 30, Wheeler town- ship. This farm is one of the most attractive places in the county, amply attesting the unusual business ability and tireless energy of the owner. There are two fine residences on the farm, in one of which his sons Richard and Alvin, who now operate the farm, reside. This is a fine, modern struc- ture, recently erected. There is also an unusually large and complete barn, size sixty-four by one hundred feet, as well as all other necessary farm buildings which are constructed in a most approved manner. The business of this farm is considerable and much attention is given to breeding live stock. The Polled Angus cattle are the favored breed and there are now on the farm sixty-odd head. Fully one hundred and fifty hogs are marketed annually, and in addition to the time and attention given to the stock, there is also much time and labor expended upon producing crops. Mr. Lundell is regarded as one of the most thorough and systematic farmers of the county and the products of his farm uphold this reputation.
In addition to the large demands made upon his time and energies by
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his business and the rearing of his family, Mr. Lundell has found time to keep well posted on current events and to take an active part in the life of the community. Upon coming to this country he aligned himself with the Republican party, to which he adhered strictly until the birth of the Pro- gressive party, when he endorsed the principles of that party as laid down by the convention at Chicago. He has served Wheeler township both as trustee and clerk and was also secretary and president of the school board at various times, and in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him in these various offices he has met only with the highest approval of all. He also was a member of the Sac county board of supervisors for the years 1896 to 1002, inclusive, and in every respect fully demonstrated his ability to adequately fill that chair. He is at present the candidate of his party for the state senatorship from his district. Mr. Lundell, who is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, is also active in religious circles and was one of the organizers of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church, which so- ciety was formed in 1875 and the church built about three years later. To the accomplishment of this labor, Mr. Lundell gave generously both of his time and means and is regarded as one of the leaders of that faith.
Mr. Lundell had a family of eight children, namely: Albert, who was born in 1874 and died in December of 1882; Richard, who was born in 1875 and. with Alvin, is now operating the farm; Anna O., who was born in 1877 and is now Mrs. C. W. Nilson, residing in Hays township, Ida county, this state. She is the mother of three children, Gladys, Royal and Golden, who are the only grandchildren of Mr. Lundell. Emil was born in 1878 and is a farmer in Ida county. Minnie Josephine and Lydia Christina are twins, born in 1870. The latter is deceased and Minnie is a stenographer. Alvin, who was born in 1884, remains at home, and the youngest of the family was Ernest, born in 1891 and who died in December of 1897. Mr. Lundell is a man of marked domestic traits, who takes much pride and pleasure in his family and realizes the responsibility of training his children in the right way of living. He is a man who in every relation of life en- deavors to measure up to the full stature of manhood and any man who is sincerely possessed of this ambition is sure to rise high in the respect of his fellow men. The success which Mr. Lundell has won is the result of these correct principles of life, combined with many striking traits of character which mark him as a man above the average ability, of broad views, judi- cious in his judgment and in every respect entirely worthy of the high es- teem in which he is held by all who know him.
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JOHN WESLEY YOUNIE.
John Wesley Younie, one of the pioneer settlers of Sac county, was born in Montreal, Canada, on July 15, 1849. He has been connected with the history of this county since 1873, and has been closely identified with the history of the county in every way for the forty odd years in which he has lived in it. He has taken a prominent part in various activi ses and has always been interested in everything which concerned the welfare of his country.
John Wesley Younie came from Scotch parentage, his father and mother, Louis and Jane ( Maxwell) Younie, being born near Edinburgh and Glas- gow, Scotland, respectively. His parents left Canada in 1861, after selling their farm near Montreal, and located in Delaware county, near Manches- ter, Iowa. In 1886 the Younie family moved to Hawarden, Iowa, where Louis Younie died in 1892, and his wife in 1903. Louis Younie and wife were the parents of twelve children : Maggie, born in May, 1848, died Decem- ber 24, 1863; John Wesley; Mrs. Ellen Alby, born January 16, 1851, and died November 7, 1913: Mrs. Jeanette Bruce, born October 24, 1852. now living in Oklahoma: William, born February 5. 1854: Louis, born Novem- ber 20, 1855: Mrs. Ann Churchyard, born October 5. 1857, now living at Green Acres, Washington; Alexander, born July . 16, 1859; James, born October 26, 1861: David, born December 25, 1863; Richard and Jane, twins. born November 6, 1865. Louis, Alexander, James and Richard are all now living at Hawarden, Sioux county, lowa. The father of these chil - dren was born December 15, 1815, and died in May, 1892; the mother was born February 28. 1828, and died in July, 1903. Their marriage occurred October 14. 1847.
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