USA > Iowa > Sac County > History of Sac County, Iowa > Part 51
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 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
JAMES D. ROBINSON.
Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Sac county, Iowa, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than the gentleman whose career is delineated in this sketch. He has long been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county and the years of his residence here have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men owing to the honorable life he has led and the worthy example he has set the younger generation, consequently the publishers of this bio- graphical compendium are glad to give such a worthy character representa- tion in this work.
James D. Robinson, one of the largest landowners of Sac county, Iowa,
531
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
and now a retired resident of Schaller, was born November 17, 1858, in Winona county, Minnesota. His parents were James and Elizabeth ( Braith- waite ) Robinson, who came from New York state to Winona county, Min- nesota, in 1856. They were among the first pioneers of that county and grew to a position of influence and prominence in that county. Mr. Robinson, Sr., died in 1899, and was one of the large landowners of his section of the state.
James D. Robinson was educated in the schools of Winona county, Min- nesota, and worked on the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age. In 1880 he came to Sac county, this state, and located on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Cook township, and here he remained until 1905. Be- ing a man of keen business ability, as well as more than ordinary agricultural capacity, he began buying, and selling land shortly after coming to this county, and has continued to deal largely in land up to the present time. He left his farm and moved to Schaller in 1905, and is still making large deals in land in this county and also in other states. He is now the owner of more than one thousand acres of land in Sac county alone, besides two hundred and forty acres in Minnesota, and one hundred and sixty in Nebraska.
Mr. Robinson was married first in 1880 to Isabella French, who died in 1891, leaving him three children, Mrs. Emma Belle Hixon, of Nebraska; Gilman D'Loss, of Cook township, this county, and Guy D., of Eureka town- ship. Mr. Robinson was married a second time on November 1, 1898, to Mrs. Mary ( Bailey ) Nelson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. S. Bailey, old residents of Cook township. Mrs. Robinson was born in Moretown, Ver- mont, and came west with her parents to this state when she was three years of age, settling in Grinnell, Iowa, and seven years later located in Cook town- shipship, this county. Her mother, Lucy ( Patrell) Bailey, was a native of Vermont and died in this state in 1905, her father dying in 1900. Mrs. Rob- inson had one child by her first marriage, Vivian Nelson, who is still at home. To Mr. Robinson's second marriage have been born six children : Leslie M., born October 19, 1899: Marshall, born August 13. 1903: Luella, born July 21, 1905 ; James, born February 4, 1911 : Elizabeth, born March 7. 1912, and Woodrow, born August 25, 1913.
The political affiliations of Mr. Robinson have always been with the Democratic party, and as the candidate of his party he has been elected as- sessor and trustee of Cook township, this county. positions which he filled to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Mrs. Robinson is a faithful and earnest member of the Presbyterian church, and while Mr. Robinson does not actively identify himself with any one church, yet he believes in the great value of church work and subscribes liberally to all churches in his
532
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
community. Mr. Robinson has been a man of many interests since locating in this county, and yet he has never lost sight of his duty to the body politic and has never refused to bear his share of the burden in the various public enterprises which engage the attention of his township. He is one of the representative men of his county and his career makes him eminently worthy of a place in this volume.
AUGUST E. DANNENBERG.
The history of a county is the history which deals with the lives and activities of its people, especially of those who contribute to the advance- ment of their respective communities. There are always men in every community who are leaders in their profession. They are the men who make the real history of the county. Practically all of Sac county history has been made within the past forty years, and it is the purpose of this volume to set forth what this county has accomplished within this period of two score years. It is safe to say that no other citizens of the county have (one more for the material, moral and intellectual advancement of the county than have the Germans who have chosen this county for their home.
August E. Dannenberg, a prosperous farmer of Richland township, in this county, was born July 10, 1878, in the township where he has spent his whole life. He is the son of August and Katharine ( Buehler ) Dannenberg, natives of Germany.
August Dannenberg was born in Germany in January, 1841, and came to America when twenty-seven years of age. He first settled in Lake county, Indiana, and later came to Sac county and purchased land in Richland township in 1874. Starting in life with practically nothing. he has become one of the largest land owners in the county, now owning four hundred acres in Richland township and two hundred and twenty-one acres in Clinton township. A few years ago he and his wife retired to Odebolt where they are now living. They are the parents of six children : Mrs. Sophie Meader, of Des Moines; August E., whose history is presented in this connection ; Mrs. Mary Buehler, of Richland township; Mrs. Rosina Stanzel, the wife of H. R. Stanzel, of Odebolt; Fred. a traveling salesman, of Chicago. and Edward, who is farming on the old home farm in Richland township.
August E. Dannenberg was educated in the district school of his home neighborhood, which has the classical name of "Willow Tree College." At
533
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
the age of twenty-five he began farming for himself on his father's farm and remained there for six years. In 1909 he bought one hundred and fifteen acres at one hundred and twenty-seven and a half dollars an acre. In the fall of 1913 he sold forty acres of his farm for one hundred and sixty-six dollars an acre. He raises a number of horses annually for the market and has been successful along this line. In 1913 he had twenty-one acres of popcorn which yielded fifty-five thousand pounds. His farm is very productive and he raises other crops in proportion.
Mr. Dannenberg was married January 27, 1909, to Matilda Frevort, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frevort, of Odebolt. To this marriage have been born two children, Melvin, born January 4. 1910, and Lawrence, born July 5. 19II.
The Progressive party has claimed Mr. Dannenberg's support since its organization in the summer of 1912. He and his wife are zealous members of the German Methodist Episcopal church and are interested in the various activities of that denomination. Mr. Dannenberg takes a considerable in- terest in the public affairs of his community and personally gives his earnest support to such movements as he feels will upbuild his community and ad- vance the welfare of his fellow citizens.
ROBERT S. ROBINSON.
An honored and substantial citizen whose successful career designates in a positive way the strength of a strong and loyal nature is R. S. Robinson, of Schaller. Iowa. To him is accorded unqualified confidence and regard. in- dicating popular appreciation of his worthy life and worthy deeds.
Mr. Robinson was born in the state of New York, June 15, 1856, the son of James and Elizabeth ( Braithwaite ) Robinson. The parents removed to Winona county, Minnesota, when R. S. was an infant, and there the father died in 1808, the mother now residing at St. Charles, Minnesota. They reared eleven children, four daughters and seven sons, named as follows : John, who lives in Louisiana; R. S., the immediate subject of this sketch ; J. D., of Schaller, Iowa ; Eli died at the age of five years; S. H., of Idaho; George, who lives near Minot, North Dakota; Mrs. Margaret Ann Rahmich, of South Dakota: Emma, who is deceased: Charlotte lives in Minnesota ; Mrs. Pet Henry, of Winona, Minnesota.
R. S. Robinson came to Sac county, Jowa, in 1878. His father had pur-
534
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
chased in 1876 six hundred and forty acres of land in Cook township, and R. S. farmed and operated this land for a period of nineteen years. In 1897 he removed to Sac City and resided there for two years. He then re- moved to Nebraska, where he resided for two years on a farm that he had purchased. In 1901 he came to Schaller and has made his permanent home here since. He has been very successful in his business affairs, and is the owner of seven hundred acres of valuable and productive land in Sac and Cherokee counties. His large material success has been gained through his own good judgment and able management.
Mr. Robinson was married in 1878 to Hattie E. Whitney, of Minnesota, who is a native of New York state. Three children have been born of this marriage: James H. Robinson was killed by lightning in Nebraska in 1901, at the age of twenty-one years. Mrs. Annie E. Currie lives in Eureka town- ship. Sac county. Opal W. is still a member of the home circle, and is now attending Rockford Academy, at Rockford, Illinois.
Politically, Mr. Robinson is a stanch and progressive Democrat, giving his unwavering support to the administrative policies of President Wilson. Fraternally, he holds membership with the Masons. He is a progressive. wide-awake citizen of the community, who willingly aids every cause for the moral and material advancement of the locality. He is a man whose years of straightforward and honest dealing have gained for him the regard of his neighbors and made him a man of distinct influence in the town and county honored by his residence.
ARTHUR 11. MONTGOMERY.
Diligence in every effort ; faithfulness in the discharge of public duties ; bravery and patriotism displayed in the service on the battlefields of the na- tion-these elements make for a combination of true American citizenship which can not be excelled. There are no more striking nor more venerable figures in the different communities of today than the retired Civil War vet- erans. The nation and posterity owe these noble heroes a debt which can never be fully paid. We can only seek to do them honor while they are yet among us. The survivors of this glorious race of fighting men who are with ns yet are composed of the strongest and sturdiest of the vast armies which saved the Union from destruction. Many of them have won renown in civic life in addition to the emoluments which are theirs by right of fearless facing of death and injury on the battlefields. Of this class is Lieut. Arthur H. Montgomery, of Schaller, a native of the state of New York and an early settler of the town in which he resides.
535
SAC COUNTY, TOWA
Mr. Montgomery was born January 8, 1842, in St. Lawrence county, New York, and is the son of Hugh and Elizabeth ( Elliot ) Montgomery, na- tives of Scotland and North Ireland respectively. The mother was born and partly reared in North Ireland, the daughter of Scotch parents who first emigrated to Ireland and thenee to America when she was a young lady in her teens. Hugh Montgomery was born in 1800, came to America and settled in New York state in 1822. He was a man noted for his educational attain- ments, having been educated for the practice of law. After settling in St. Lawrence county, New York, he followed the profession of teaching for a number of years, dying in 1858. His death orphaned three children: Ar- thur H. ; Elliott, a resident of Canada : Mrs. Isabella Briggs, deceased.
Arthur H. received his education in the common schools of his native village, and when yet a youth of twenty he hearkened to the call of President Lincoln for troops to serve in defense of the Union. He enlisted July 25, 1862. in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-Second Volunteer Infantry Regiment of New York. He served until June 7. 1865. in the department of Virginia. He participated in many hard-fought engagements and was several times wounded in hand-to-hand conflicts. The principal battles in which this brave soldier was engaged were: Suffolk, Virginia; West Point. Virginia; Morris Island, South Carolina; Drury's Bluff, Virginia. He was wounded three times during the battle of Drury's Bluff, in the left arm, left shoulder and in the left side, and was incapacitated for some time after the battle. He was forced to lie in the hospital until the latter part of Septem- ber. 1864. He received a saber wound in the left hand at the battle of Suf- folk. Other battles in which he took an active part were Chapin's Farm, fought September 29, 1864, in which he was under fire continuously during the engagement, until October 27, 1864, when the second battle of Chapin's Farm was fought. He continued in service with the Army of the James until December, 1864. when he was sent to make an attack upon Fort Fisher. North Carolina. December 25, 1864. He also participated in the second at- tack and subsequent capture of Fort Fisher, January 16, 1865. He fought in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina. in March, 1865. He was hon- orably discharged at Raleigh, North Carolina, June 7. 1865. Mr. Mont- gomery first enlisted as a private in the ranks; was soon promoted to a ser- geantcy, then was made first sergeant of his company and was commissioned first lieutenant by Gov. R. E. Fenton of New York, February 17. 1865, as a fitting reward for exceptional bravery and faithfulness in the discharge of his soldier's duties. After the war he farmed in St. Lawrence county until 1881, and then came to Sac county in December of that year and settled in Eureka township. His occupation was primarily that of mechanic and ar-
536
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
tisan, with especial skill as a wagonwright. He saw an opportunity to exer- cise his skill in this avocation and established a wagon repair and manufac- turing shop in Schaller, operating the same until 1896. It was only natural that the people should recognize his attainments in an exceptional manner. and in 1896 he was elected to the office of auditor of Sac county. He was again elected two years later and served in all four years. At the close of his term of office he returned to his home in Schaller, where he has lived a retired life, though frequently being called upon to serve the people of the community in various capacities, among them being the superintendency of the installation of the water works and sewerage systems in the city.
Mr. Montgomery has always been allied with the Republican party and has filled several civic offices in the town. He is a member of the Methodist church. and is fraternally associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Grand Army of the Republic ( Price Post ), and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Montgomery's first marriage occurred February 11. 1869, to Jen- nie E. Hall, of Lisbon, New York, and who was his faithful wife until death intervened in 1886, leaving two children motherless, Mrs. Laura E. Jones. of Sioux City, and Richard L., who died in 1888. His second marriage was with Mattie C. Craven, of Des Moines. in 1892. Mrs. Montgomery is a native of Iowa, born at What Cheer, the daughter of Samuel and Lydia Fleming Craven, natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively. Samuel Craven died in Adams county. The mother and daughter came to Sac county, where Mrs. Montgomery taught school in Sac City from 1887 to 1891. She is well educated and a cultured and refined woman and a fitting companion for many of Mr. Montgomery's attainments and is greatly interested in church work.
JOHN G. BRILL.
Possessing a genius for execution and management, John G. Brill, of Cedar township, has proven himself to be one of the ablest agriculturists of Sac county, having that quality of personality which, accompanied by unflag- ging determination, is bound to win, no matter what the environment of cir- cumstances. That he is a man of sterling characteristics is shown by the fact that he came to a strange country, of strange customs, language and institu- tions and, starting with no capital and without the influence of friends, climbed to a commanding eminence among his fellows, winning not only ma- terial success but also the esteem of all who have known him.
JOHN G. BRILL AND FAMILY
537
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
John G. Brill, one of the most popular and substantial farmers of Cedar township, Sac county, Iowa, was born in Germany July 4, 1856, and is the son of John G. and Fredericka Bertha Brill. The family came over to America in 1874. and first settled at Streator. Illinois, but a few years later located on a farm eight miles south of Streator. near Cornell. in Reading township. Livingston county, where the father bought a farm, which is now owned by his son, August, a resident of Streator. John G., Sr .. died in 1904. and his widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. John G. Brill. Sr., were the parents of a large family: Caroline, deceased in October, 1890; Augusta died in 1912 in Germany: William now lives near Streator, Illinois; Mrs. Minnie Keppleman. of South Dakota: John G .: Mrs. Paulina Riss, who lives near Streator, Illinois: Mrs Ernestina Wheeler, of Ancona. Illinois; Bertha. de- ceased; August, a farmer of Streator, Illinois: Mrs. Louise Beiddige, for- merly of LaGrange, Illinois, now of Oregon.
John G. Brill was educated in Germany and lived on a farm in his native land before coming to this country. After coming to Illinois with his parents. he began to work on a farm, and since 1883 has been farming on his own account. In 1887 he bought a farm in Illinois, near Earlville. LaSalle county, which he sold in 1880: then bought another, sold it, and came to Sac county and located in Cedar township in March. 1901, and purchased his present farm for fifty dollars an acre. although at that time there was nothing on it but an old house. Since taking charge of the farm in this county, he has spent over sixteen thousand dollars for buildings, drainage and various other improvements. The barn cost twenty-eight hundred dollars, the house four thousand. while his drainage alone amounted to over five thousand dollars. A modern, up-to-date corn crib which he constructed cost him six hundred dollars, while his fencing and windmills, of which he has two, brings the total up to over sixteen thousand dollars. His farm of three hundred and twenty acres is all of fine, rich soil. In 1913 he had out one hundred and ten acres of corn and the rest of his farm in various other crops with the excep- tion of forty acres, which he rented out. He had fifteen horses, fifteen cattle and other live stock in proportion. In 1912 he lost one hundred and forty head of hogs of cholera.
Mr. Brill has been twice married, his first marriage in 1883 being to Eliza Klein, who died in 1884. There were no children by this first marriage. March 16, 1886, Mr. Brill was married to Lena Blecher, a native of Germany. born January 6. 1867. but then residing in Illinois. She was the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Blecher, who first settled in Chicago and then in Plano, Illinois, where the father died and the mother resides in Chicago. To
538
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
this second marriage of Mr. Brill have been born three children: Leopold, born September 3. 1888; Paul, born July 19. 1890, and Gertrude, born March 28, 1893.
Mr. Brill is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics, he is independent, preferring to cast his ballot for the best man, irrespective of what his politics may be. Religiously, he and wife are members of the German Lutheran church, but since there is no church of that denomination in their vicinity, they attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Sac City, of which the sons are members. Mr. Brill is an alert, friendly and obliging gen- tleman, who makes friends easily, and although he has been in this county but a comparatively short time, yet he has identified himself with the various in- terests of the community in such way as to gain a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
WILLIAM J. HOWARD.
It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real his- tory of a community, and his influence as a potential factor of the body pol- itic is difficult to properly estimate. The example which such men furnish of patient and forceful purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is within the power of each to accomplish, and there is always full measure of satisfaction in adverting even in a casual way to their achieve- ments and the lending of their influence in giving strength and solidity to the institutions which tell so much for the prosperity of the community. The well-known business man of whom the biographer writes in this connection has achieved distinctive success in the different spheres of effort to which his talents have been devoted, and as a citizen, interested in all that concerns the advancement of his county and the development of its resources, he deserves a deservedly conspicuous place in the esteem and confidence of the public. William J. Howard is a native of Illinois, born April 23. 1858, on a farm in La Salle county. His parents were William and Hannah ( Daley ) How- ard, who were born, reared and married in Ireland and emigrated to America in 1851, settling on a farm in La Salle county, Illinois. William Howard died in the month of September, 1858. and the rearing of a family of four children devolved upon his widow. The children of this union were: Ed- ward, who was killed on the railroad about the year 1877; Mrs. James W. Douglas, of Schaller, lowa: and Mrs. Mary Knepper, of St. Louis, Missouri. The mother was married the second time and bore five children whom she reared.
539
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
W. J. Howard attended the district schools in the neighborhood in which he was reared and resided in La Salle county until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1881 he came to Sac county, equipped only with a strong consti- tution and an ambition to succeed and prosper with the country's growth. He located on a farm five miles southwest of the town of Schaller, in Ida county, on which he resided for one and one-half years. He them came to the new and growing town of Schaller and became a component and active part of its citizenship. He learned the art of telegraphy, but conceived a dis- like to this occupation, then sought and obtained employment in the imple- ment concern conducted by Searles & Bevelhymer. Within a few months after entering their employ, he purchased the interest of Mr. Searles, and one and one-half years later he bought out Mr. Bevelhymer, thus becoming the sole owner of what he has since developed into a thriving and prosperous business. He has been continuously engaged in the hardware and implement business in Schaller, with the exception of short periods when he disposed of the business to others, and again eventually repurchasing it. The mercantile establishment of Mr. Howard occupies a large building. fifty-six by eighty feet in dimension, and consisting of two floors on the main street of the city.
Mr. Howard's activities have been varied and of a very useful order during his residence in Schaller. Besides conducting his agricultural im- plement establishment, he has twice been engaged in the hardware business. He was one of the original promoters of the Schaller Savings Bank and owned the controlling interest for some years, which he traded eventually for land. In the fall of 1898 he assisted in the reorganization of the State Bank of Schaller, of which concern he had been a director and of which he has served as president since 1908. He also assisted in the organization of the Schaller Opera House Company, which erected the local opera house. This was a venture which has resulted in supplying the citizens with a place of amusement, but has resulted in practically no revenue for the builders, who were actuated by a patriotic desire to provide such a place for the benefit of the town rather than as a speculative undertaking. He was also one of the promoters of the Schaller Gas Light and Fuel Company. He is a Progressive Republican, with advanced ideas along the lines of popular government. Mr. Howard has served one term as school director and has been a member of the city council for a long period of sixteen years. He is keenly interested in the development and growth of his adopted city and readily lends moral and financial support to every undertaking calculated to assist in making the town a better and more comfortable place of abode for its residents.
Mr. Howard is prominently identified with several leading fraternal
540
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
societies and ranks high in the councils of the Free and Accepted Masons, Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the local blue lodge. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights Templar and the Mystic Shriners at Des Moines, being a stockholder in the handsome Shriner building in Des Moines. Mr. Howard has filled all the official chairs in the Knights of Pythias lodge and is a member of the state grand lodge of Pyth- ians, as well as being like connected with the grand lodge of Masons. He is also a member of the grand lodge of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Eastern Star auxiliary of the Masonic fraternity.
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.