History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 111

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 111

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Claus Il. Meyer was born on a farm near Holstein, Germany, Oct. 20, 1831. When he was 24 years of age he left his native

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

country and came to the United States; landed at New York and came direct to Iowa. He worked for different persons until his marriage to Katrina M. H. Lehupuhl, Aug. 21, 1860. Shewas born in Germany and was the mother of two children, viz. : Henry and Anna. Mrs. Meyer died in April, 1866. Mr. Meyer then mar- ried Gretchen Panstian, September, 1871. She was of German na- tivity, and the mother of six children, three living, viz. : Albert, Louisa and Adelia. After Mr. and Mrs. Meyer were married he bought 166 acres of land in this township, to which he has since added land, until he now owns 246 acres, worth $75 an acre, and finely cultivated. Mr. Meyer's wealth is all due to his own exertions, as he came to the country a poor boy, and has worked hard for what he has. His parents were Henry and Ester (Stelk) Meyer, natives of Germany, at which place the former died in 1863. Mrs. Meyer came to the United States and lived with her son until her death, which occurred in May, 1880: she was the mother of seven ehil- dren, four living, viz. : The subject of this sketeh, Henry, Anna and Lena. Mr. Meyer is a Republican. He has seen Seott County develop from an uncultivated county to one of the greatest grain growing counties in the West, and has been identified with the township 25 years.

Chus. Miller was born on a farm in Davenport Township. June 8, 1848. His parents were Henry and Anna (Snekloth) Miller, both of German nativity. Henry Miller was a farmer, and im- migrated to the United States in 1846, landing in New Orleans. After several changes of residence he located in Davenport Town- ship, in 1847. He died in October, 1872; his wife in 1861. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four are living, viz .: William, who married Dora Faige, and resides on the old home- stead in this township; Ferdinand, married Mary Arbreg; Henry, married Mary Datilsf; and the subject of this memoir. Charles lived on the farm with his father until he was 21 years of age; he then worked for different farmers, until his marriage to Dora A. Evoldt, March 5, 1876. She was a native of Holstein, Ger- many, and came to this country when 18 years of age. She was a daughter of Frederic and Kate (Schrader) Evoldt, who were the parents of six children, and are now deceased. After Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Miller were married, he purchased his present farm of 120 aeres in seetion 16, valued at $60 an aere. In poli- ties he is a Republican. He was the recipient of a good educa- tion, and is elassed with the enterprising farmers of his township. Mrs. Miller is a member of the German Lutheran church.

Claus HI. Moeller was born in Holstein, Germany, Nov. 29, 1845. He is a son of Hans and Anna (Weise) Moeller, who re- side on a farm in this township. They had a family of five ehil- dren, four living, viz .: Silke, Claus S., Henry and Anna. When Claus H. was quite young, his parents came to America, and located in Lincoln Township. He remained with his father until his marriage, Feb. 8, 1873, to Anna Stoltenberg, a native of

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Holstein, Germany. Her parents were Henry and Wiebke (Weise) Stoltenberg, who came to this country in 1857; he died Sept. S. 1857, on his way to America, and was buried in the briny deep. They were the parents of five children. After Mr. and Mrs. Claus Moeller were married, he rented a farm of 160 acres, where he now resides. They are the parents of the following named children, viz. : Anna L., Ilenry J. and Kate M .; one de- ceased. Mr. Moeller is classed among the early settlers of Scott County, having seen it change from a wild, nncultivated country to one of the finest grain-growing counties in the United States. In polities he is a Republican.

Henry S. Moeller, a native of Holstein, Germany, was born June 21, 1809. lIe was married at this place to Anna Weise, Dec. 30, 1842; she was born in Germany, Dec. 15, 1815. Mr. Moeller and family immigrated to this country in 1847, landed at New Orleans, and came up the Mississippi River to Davenport. Ile entered a farm of 80 acres. in Davenport Township, where he resided 10 years; he then purchased his present farm of 320 acres in Lincoln Township. He and wife have had a family of five children, four living. viz .: Silke, born in Germany, and married Hans A. Sneckloth; they have seven children, and reside in Lin- coln Township: Claus HI., born also in Germany, married Anna Stoltenberg: they have three children; Henry, who married Alvine Schuman and has one child; Anna, who married Nicholas Van Dohren, and has four children. Henry Moeller was a son of Claus and Silke (Weise) Moeller. They were the parents of four children, of whom Hans is the only surviving one.

T. II. Mohr, farmer, section 19, Lincoln Township, was born in Holstein. Germany, Dec. 27,1828. His parents, Paul and Catherina Mohr, had seven children. T. II. Mohr was their youngest son; he attended school until he was 16 years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1853, when he came alone to the United States. Ile landed in New Orleans, and then came direct to Davenport, Iowa, and worked at the carpenter's trade seven years, then purchased a farm in Lincoln Township, where he has followed farming ever since. He married Miss Catherina Daw, Sept. 10. 1853. She was born in Germany. Her father was Detlef Daw. Mr. and Mrs. Mohr have had 10 children, viz .: Amelia, Henry, Anna, Gustave, Wilhelm, Adolph, Katy, Emma, Emiel and Herman. Mr. Mohr owns a farm of 110 acres in Sheri- dan, six acres of timber land in Butler Township, and 166 acres of land in Lincoln Township, where he and family reside. He grows grain and stock for the market, and is one of the representative farmers of Scott County, and in polities a Republican.

William B. Murray was born in Summerhill, Cambria Co., Pa., Meli. 30, 1834, where he attended school, and worked in his father's mercantile store; was also time-keeper and paymaster on the Pan Ilandle Road while it was being built. In March, 1855, he came to Iowa, and settled in Lincoln Township, and worked on his 68

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brother's farm until Oct. 30, 1862, when he married Clara Criswell, who was born in Juniata Co., Pa., and was a daughter of James and Jane (McNatt) Criswell, Pennsylvanians by birth. They had three children. Mrs. Jane Criswell died in 1841. William B. Murray is a son of George and Esther (Croyle) Murray. George Murray was born in Scotland, and came to the United States when 18 years of age, and after following the mercantile and canal con- tracting business in Pennsylvania some years, he came to Scott Co., Ia., where he has since resided. He is a large land-owner, and has retired from active business. Mr. and Mrs. George Murray had a family of 10 children, three living, viz .: James C., Mrs. Mary E. Higland and William B. After Mr. and Mrs. William Murray were married, they moved on the farm where he now resides; it contains 146 acres, allennder improvement, and valued at $75 an acre. They are the parents of seven children, three living, viz .: George C., James E. and Albert. Mr. Murray has held several offices of trust in his township; has been supervisor two terms, assessor, justice of the peace, township trustee, school director. and overseer of the poor four and one-half years. Politi- cally he is Democratic.

Fritz Petersen was born near Segebery, Holstein, Germany, Dec. 19, 1849. He is a son of Henry and Magdalena (Snman) Petersen, natives of Germany, where the latter died in 1856, having been the mother of six children. Henry Petersen came to the United States in 1873, and now resides in Chicago. The subject of this sketch came to the United States when 19 years of age. Ile came to Davenport, and worked for Christian Vogt, in Sheridan Township, until his marriage to Amelia Moore, Jan. 7, 1878. She was born in Davenport, and was a daughter of John and Katrina Moore, nee Dua, of German nativity. They came to the United States in 1851, and now reside on a farm in Lincoln Township. They are the parents of 10 children. After Mr. and Mrs. Petersen were married he bought a farm of 80 acres in Lincoln Township, which is his present home. He has his farm well improved. They are the parents of two children, viz .: Charles and Katy. In politics Mr. Petersen is a Republican, and will vote that ticket as soon as he receives his naturalization papers.

Isaac N. Port was born on a farm near Huntingdon, Pa., Nov. 9, 1831. He lived there until 22 years of age when he came to this State. He worked for different parties in Lincoln and Le Claire Townships until his marriage to Catharine N. Hoover, Jan. 5, 1858. She was born in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of John D. and Margaret (Hanson) Hoover, also natives of the Key- stone State. They had a family of 12 children. Mrs. Hoover died Feb. 17, 1880; he is still living in Nebraska. The parents of Isaac Port were John Port, Sr., and Martha (Fox) Port, natives of Penn- sylvania, and the parents of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Port resided in Le Claire Township until March, 1877, when they moved on his father's farm in Lincoln Township, where they now

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reside. They have had eight children, six living, viz .: John C., Emma J., Martha A., Frank H., Sarah A. and Elsie L. Mrs. Port is a member of the Le Claire Christian church.

John Port, Jr., was born near Huntingdon, Pa., Nov. 7, 1835. He is one of 10 children of John and Martha (Fox) Port, natives of Huntingdon Co., Pa., and now residents of Davenport. In March, 1856, Jolin Port, Jr., came with his parents to this county and settled on a farm in Lincoln Township; subsequently moved to Le Claire Township. Aug. 14, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 20th Iowa Inf. Vols. He was at the siege of Vicksburg and other bat- tles; was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., July 8, 1865. IIe thien returned to the old homestead in Lineo'n Township, and was mar- ried here to Susan A. Royer, March 24, 1867; she was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., and was a daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Zim- merman) Royer, who were the parents of six children. After his marriage, Mr. Port rented land until January, 1872, when he purchased the farm of 80 acres where he now resides. He has his farm well stocked and highly cultivated. He is elassed with the well-to-do, enterprising farmers of his township, and has been identified with this county since 1856. Ile was elected supervisor two terms, and holds the office at present; has also been school director. He and wife are the parents of four children, viz. : Evalena, Laurena, Ulysses G. and Fannie M. In polities he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.

Mathias Proudfoot was born in Cambria Co., Pa., May 24, 1834; worked there on the farm and learned the carpenter's trade. He came to Iowa with his father, May 16, 1861, and located in Lincoln Township, on the farm where he now resides. He was married here to Eliza Walker. May 22, 1873; she was born in Blair Co., Pa., and was a daughter of William and Maria (Kin- cade) Walker, natives of Pennsylvania. Mathias Proudfoot's father. Richard J. Proudfoot, was born in London, England, Ang. 26, 1798. 1Ie came to the United States with his parents and set- tled in Philadelphia. He was married in Cambria Co., Pa., to Rebecca Hoover. In the spring of 1861 he came to Iowa and set- tled on a farm in Lincoln Township, where he died Nov. 25, 1853. They were the parents of 10 children, five living, viz. : Richard, Mrs. Jane Osborne, Mathias, Eliza (now Mrs. Douglas) and Emma. After Mr. Mathias Proudfoot was married he settled on the farm where he now lives. He lost his wife Oct. 22, 1877; she was laid to rest in the Summit Cemetery. He has his farm of 120 acres in Lincoln Township and one of 120 acres in Le Claire Township, all under cultivation. He is one of the leading stock- raisers of Seott County. He is a member of Lodge No. 182, A. O. U. W., and at present is Master Workman of this lodge. His father. R. J. Proudfoot, was a member of the Pennsylvania Legis- lature and was auditor of Cambria Co .. Pa. In polities Mr. M. Proudfoot is Republican and cast his first vote for John C. Fre- mont.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

William C. Schutter was born in Rock Island, Ill., Oct. 8, 1854. His parents were Henry and Louisa (Creik) Schntter, natives of Germany. They settled in Iowa about 1856, and now reside in Valley City, Pleasant Valley Township, where they moved when our subject was two years old. William C. was married to Rachel Winroe Feb. 26, 1879; she was born in Pleasant Valley Township, and is a dangliter of Henry; and Catherine? (Donaldson) Winroc, residents of Pleasant Valley Township. Mr. Schutter has his farm of 120 acres in section 35, Lincoln Township, well improved and stocked. He is known as one of Scott] County's most ener- getie and enterprising farmers. He and wife have one child, Lonisa Schutter. In polities he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant.

Hans A. Shnekloth, son of Henry and Margaret (Lage) Shnek- loth, of German nativity, was born near Keil, Holstein, Germany, Dec. 19, 1836. In 1851 his parents emigrated to the United States in the ship "Gutenberg," landing in New Orleans; from there came to Davenport. Previous to coming to this country his mother died, in 1842, and his father was again married, to Silke Gotsh, in 1844. Hans A. is one of four children, all of whom are living, viz. : Abel, Hans, Joehin and Thomas. Upon coming to Davenport Hans was employed as a farm laborer by Peter Lage; afterward worked for Henry Veitz. He was married to Silke Moeller, March 17, 1864. She is a native of Germany, and is a daughter of Hans and Anna (Weise) Moeller. After his marriage Mr. Shnekloth bought a farm of SO acres in Lincoln Township, to which he has since added 80 acres, making a farm of 160 acres, all well improved and valued at $50 an aere. Mr. and Mrs. Shnekloth are the parents of nine children, seven living, viz .: Anna M., Louisa A .. Emma E., Her- menie S., Henry J., Clara T. and IIngo W. In politics Mr. Shnek- loth is a Republican.

Lemuel C. Stanley was born near Freeport Township, Pa., Ang. 20, 1842. When eight years of age he came with his parents to Iowa, and after several months located on the farm where Lemuel C. now resides, on section S. His father was born in Pennsylvania, where he was married to Rebecca MeAllister, a native also of the Keystone State. She was the mother of seven children, three living, viz. : Lemuel C., Amelia (now Mrs B. F. Berkey) and Har- riet N. Edward M. enlisted in Company K, 20th lowa Infantry Volunteers, and died at Rolla, Mo., April 23, 1863, of disease con- traeted in the army. Lemuel C. Stanley participated in the late Rebellion, having enlisted in Company A, 16th lowa Infantry Volunteers, Jan. 28, 1862, at Davenport; was in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and Iuka, where he was taken prisoner; was paroled and exchanged in January, 1863; returned to his company and was in the seige of Vicksburg and other battles; re-enlisted at Vieksburg, Jan. 27, 1864, and remained in the service until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 19, 1865. He then returned to his home in Lincoln Township. He

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has his farm of 80 acres, well cultivated, and valned at $75 an aere. He has held the offices of seeretary of the township School Board township trustee, constable, supervisor and school direetor.

Valentine Vogt, farmer, seetion 15, Lincoln Township, was born in the city of Strassburg, Germany (at that time Strassburg France), Jan. 1, 1526. His parents were Valentine and Magda lena (Fox) Vogt. They had seven children. The subject of this sketch, Valentine Vogt, Jr., was the second son. He attended school until 14, when he learned the carriage-maker's trade; worked in Strassburg until 1848, and in Paris, France, until 1850, when he emigrated alone to the United States; was 43 days at sea; landed in New York City, Mareh 4, 1850. He worked at his trade in Rochester, N. Y., 18 months, then at Cincinnati, O., until August, 1853, when he worked in St. Louis, Mo., 18 months, then came to Davenport, Ia. He worked for Woeber Bros., carriage-makers, seven months, when Mr. Vogt opened a carriage manufactory in East Davenport, where he remained two years; then made a trip to France, and visited the home of his boyhood three months; then returned to Davenport and bought a farm in Lincoln Township, where he has followed farming ever since. Ile married Miss Eliza- beth Klafeldt, May 25, 1853, at Cincinnati, Ohio. The fruit of this marriage is four children-Louisa (wife of Cirus Shepler, re- siding on their farm in Davenport Township), Charles, Miss Caro- line and John, residing on the old homestead with their parents. Mr. Valentine Vogt is one of the representative farmers of Seott County. He owns a fine farm of 340 aeres, which is under a high state of eultivation and well stocked. Mr. Vogt has lived in Seott County sinee 1857. In polities he is a Democrat.

James C. Walker, a descendant of Irish and English ancestry, was born in Petersburg, Pa., Dec. 1, 1830. When he was about eight years old his parents moved on a farm at Blair's Gap, at the base of the Alleghany Mountains. He attended school at Hollidays- burg. He became self-supporting at 17 years of age and went to work in the Colerain Iron Works, as time-keeper. In the spring of 1852 he came to Davenport Township, where he followed farm- ing two years; then went to Chieago and was employed in the pro- vision store of O. A. Crary & Co .; remained there until October, 1858, when he returned to Davenport. He was married Feb. 14, 1860, to Sarah Hixson, who was born in Washington Co., Pa., and was a danghter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Gray) Ilixson na- tives of New Jersey, and the parents of 11 children; the latter died July 3, 1876. After Mr. and Mrs. Walker were married, they lived on a farm in Davenport Township until March, 1876; then moved on the farm of 160 aeres, where they now reside. They are members ot the Presbyterian ehnreh, and have two children, viz .: Albert B. and Jesse A. The father of James C. Walker is William Walker, born in Pennsylvania, and now re- sides with his son Charles, in Davenport Township; his wife, Eliza Crawford, died Oet. 5, 1837. She was the mother of five chil-

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dren. Mr. James Walker has been identified with this county since March 22, 1852, and has seen the various changes which it has undergone, springing from an uncultivated state to one of the finest counties in the great grain-producing State of Iowa. He has held various offices of trust in his township; was elected town- ship clerk, a position he still retains. He is a member of A. O. U. W. Lodge at Le Claire.

Henry Wellendorf, a native of Holstein, Germany, was born June 20, 1830. He was a son of Henry and Margaret (Stelk) Wellendorf, of German nativity, and the parents of five children, four living, viz .: Henry, Ida, HIans and Bertha. The subject of this biography came to the United States when he was 22 years old; landed in New Orleans with but five dollars in li pocket. He came to Davenport and here learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed some five years. During this time was married to Abel Shnekloth, Oet. 9, 1853. She was born in Holstein, Germany, and is a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Lage) Shnekloth, natives of Germany. Mr. Wellendorf worked at his trade four years after his marriage, then rented a farm for five years, at the expiration ot which time he rented the farm where he now lives, and which he owns. It contains 160 acres of land, highly enltivated. Mr. Wellendorf, like many other pioneers of those early days, deserves great credit for his perseverance and industry, as he came here poor and unknown and is now one of the representative farmers of his township. Mr. and Mrs. Wel- lendorf's married life has been blessed with 11 children, four of whom are living, viz .: Gustave, Julins, Emma and Ferdinand. In politics Mr. Wellendorf is a Republican, and has held the offices of supervisor, township trustee, commissioner of highways and school director of his township.

Daniel Wertz was born on a farm in Holmes Co., Ohio, Dec. 6, 1837. When he was 12 years of age his parents moved to Iowa and settled on a farm in Winfield Township. They remained there until 1863, when they purchased a farm of 160 aeres in Lincoln Township, where they both died, and where Daniel now resides. His father, Jacob P. Wertz, was born in Virginia, and when a young man went to Ohio, where he married Catherine Wertz, a native of Pennsylvania. They had a family of 13 children, nine surviving. Jacob Wertz was one of the early settlers of this State; he died in April, 1865. His wife died in June, 1879. Daniel Wertz received a good education, having attended school in Ohio, and at Mount Joy, in this county. In politics he is a Democrat, and east his first vote for Douglas.

James H. Wilson, son of William and Sarah (Sharlow) Wilson, native of Ireland, was born in Le Claire Township, Iowa, Sept. 22, 1842. Aug. 15, 1862, lie enlisted in Company K, 20th Iowa Infantry Volunteers; he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, Fort Morgan, Fort Blakely, and other engagements. He remained in the service until July 8, 1865, when he was mustered out at

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Mobile, Ala. Ile then returned to the old homestead in Le Claire Township, and remained there until his marriage to Mary J. Cal- derwood, Feb. 15. 1871. She was born in Fulton Co., N. Y., and was a daughter of John and Jane (Bickett) Calderwood, of Scoteli nativity. The latter died July 22, 1873; the former is still living on his farm in Le Claire Township. Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson's married life has been blessed with six children, three living, viz. : William A., Jennie and David T. They reside on their farm of 160 aeres in Lincoln Township, which is under a high state of cul- tivation, and valued at $75 an acre. Mr. Wilson has been identi- fied with this county since 1842, and is classed among its most extensive stock-raisers and grain-growers. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for A. Lincoln. He and his wife are mem- bers of the U. P. church.

William Yocum, a descendant of Irish and German ancestry, was born in Huntingdon. Pa .. Feb. 21, 1810. He attended school at this place until he was 16 years of age, when his parents moved to Woodcock Valley, Pa., and settled on a farm at that place. He was married here to Sarah Dopp, on Feb. 11, 1834. She was born near Huntingdon. Pa. IIer father, John Dopp, was a native of Germany; he died in 1849; his wife, Rachel (Swisher) Dopp, was born in Virginia, and died in 1872, at the advanced age of 91 years. Jolın Yocum, father of William, was born near Philadelphia, Pa .; he was 17 years of age the day of the battle of Bunker Hill; he was plowing some miles away, and could hear the firing of the cannon; he died in 1847. llis wife, Sarah Dowler, was born in Chester Co .. Pa. Her father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war under Washington. Mr. and Mrs. William Yocum came to Iowa, arriving in Scott County April 13, 1854, and settled on their present farm in Lincoln Township; it contains 181 acres of well-improved land. They are both members of the Presbyterian church, and the parents of seven children-four living. viz .: Mrs. Mary Jane Kipe. Mrs. Sarah A. Walker (wife of John Walker, who resides in Lincoln Township), Amy E. (wife of Samuel McDowel), and Isaiah C. Mr. William Yocum was elected jus- tice of the peace in his township, but never had any occasion to exercise his authority in that capacity.

James Yocum. of Scotch and German descent, was born in Huntingdon. Pa., in 1816. When he was 18 years of age he went to Alexandria, Pa .. to learn the blacksmith's trade. He was mar- ried here March 16, 1543, to Mary J., daughter of Jesse and Char- lotte (Crisswell) Ash, born Sept. 26. 1820. Jesse Ash was a minister of the Baptist church: he died in April. 1858. After his marriage Mr. James Yocum worked at his trade in Alexandria until May, 1855, when he came to lowa and bought a farm of 80 acres in Lincoln Township. In November, 1855, he brought his wife and family here, and they still reside on this farm, which is now under a high state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Yocum have had three children, two living, viz. : C. Dallas and David A., who

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married C. Virginia McCausland, and resides in Butler Township, this county; they have three children. The parents of the subject of this sketch were John and Sarah (Dowler) Yocum, natives of Pennsylvania; they had a family of eight children. Mr. James Yocum received a common-school education. He is one of the rep resentative farmers of Scott County.

PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP.

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 111

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280