USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 34
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
assisted in building the first church in Palestine township about 1856. it being a house of worship for the United Brethren congregation, Rev. Marks acting as the first pastor. The church was started with the idea of making it a United Brethren school but sufficient aid was not received and they converted the building into a church, Mr. Kelley giving twenty-five dollars and his labor toward the work. In 1854 he also helped to lay out the first road from Palestine township to Nevada. It was practically only a trail made by sticking poles in the ground to guide the wagons over the prairie through the tall grasses.
.As the years passed on Mr. Kelley devoted his time and energies closely to the development of the farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, which he converted into a rich and productive property, annually gathering good harvests therefrom. He made his home upon that place until November 27, 1906. when he retired, taking up his abode at his present residence at No. 1302 Kellogg avenue in Ames. He sold the farm about two years ago and since removing to this city has lived retired. en- joying well earned rest, which is the merited reward of his labor.
Mr. Kelley was living in this county at the time of the Civil war and enlisted in August. 1861, as a member of Company A. Tenth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, under Captain McCauley. The command was assigned to the Army of the West and after serving for three and a half years he was honorably discharged in the fall of 1864. He was in the hospital at Camp Dennison, Ohio, for two months, yet took part in all of the engagements with his regiment, including the battles of Island No. 10. Juka, Corinth. Jackson, Champion's Hill, the siege of Vicksburg. Lookout Mountain, the Atlanta campaign and was also with Sherman on the march to the sea and on the campaign through the Carolinas. He was mustered out at Kingston. Georgia, and returned home with a most creditable military record. for he had manifested unfaltering loyalty on the field of battle. He not only had narrow escapes while upon the firing line but again seemed to escape with his life in almost miraculous manner during the cyclone of September. 1882. for on that occasion his buildings, stock and crops were all destroyed. leaving him nothing save the land. Undiscouraged by this condition, how- ever, he resolutely set to work to retrieve his losses and in the course of years gained a substantial competence, now enabling him to live retired.
On the 22d of December. 1870. Mr. Kelley was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Selby, who was born in La Grange county, Indiana. Sep- tember 5. 1841, and in 1868 came to lowa with her parents, Ralph and Catharine Selby, who were natives of Ohio and spent their last days near Des Moines. Their family numbered four children and unto Mr. and Mrs. Kelley four children have been born, namely: Annetta, the wife of Frank Smith, of Dayton, Iowa; Clinton, who died at the age of twenty-one years ; Harry, living in Ames ; and Frank, of Boone county, lowa.
Mr. Kelley is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and thus . keeps in close touch with his old army comrades. He has always been
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loyal and progressive in citizenship, displaying no greater faithfulness to his country and its welfare in times of war than he does in days of peace. He has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and his has been an honorable and creditable record, his life history showing what may be accomplished by determined purpose, close application and unfal- tering energy. He started out empty-handed and is today the possessor of a comfortable competence, supplying him with all of the necessities and many of the comforts of life.
FRANK FREDERICK MENZEL.
Among the well known and prosperous farmers of Warren township, Story county, is Frank Frederick Menzel, who was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1863, and is a son of Carl and Amelia (Richter) Men- zel. The father was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 4th of July, 1832, a son of Frederick and Teresa Menzel, both natives of Prussia, where they spent their entire lives. Frederick Menzel was a farmer and was highly respected in the community where he lived. Of the six children in his family his son Carl was the only one to come to the United States. Mrs. Amelia Menzel was a daughter of John Fred and Rosa Richter, the fourth child in a family of eleven. Her parents spent their entire lives in the fatherland.
Carl Menzel, our subject's father, came to America in 1860, landing in New York on the 5th of July and going to Freeport, Illinois, where he remained until 1871, when he migrated to Warren township, Story county, Iowa, and has since continued to make this his home. He was actively engaged in farming until 1900, at which time he retired and removed to McCallsburg, where he now resides. He was successful in his under- takings and is now able to live comfortably on the revenue derived from his various properties. He owns his residence in McCallsburg and is a stockholder in the McCallsburg State bank. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Menzel, as follows: Albertina M., the wife of J. A. M. Irvine ; Charles H., a resident of Warren township; Frank F., our subject ; Amelia, who married A. L. Dayton; and Emma, the wife of Lars H. Bakka. The mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ever since his naturalization the father has identified himself with the republican party. Both of these worthy people are highly respected and esteemed in their locality, where they have many friends.
Frank F. Menzel was only eight years of age when his parents located in Warren township. He started to school in Illinois but the greater por- tion of his education was acquired in the district schools of Story county. He remained under the paternal roof until he had reached the age of twenty-two years, when he felt he should become independent of his
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father's supervision and start out in life for himself. Ile engaged in farming as a renter for about six years, during that time acquiring suf- ficient capital to enable him to purchase land, which he did in 1891. He settled on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Warren township, where he continues to reside, his property being one of the best in the vicinity. In addition to his country real estate Mr. Menzel owns a business block in McCallsburg, is a stockholder in the Farmers bank of that town and a director of the Farmers Elevator Company of McCallsburg.
Mr. Menzel was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Johnson, who was born in Denmark, in 1867, coming to the United States with her parents in 1868. Six children have been born of this union: Pearl, Ray, Grace, Ruth, Lela and Fred. all of whom are living at home. The wife and mother passed away in 1902 at the age of thirty-five years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Ever since he has been granted the full rights of citizenship Mr. Men- zel has cast his ballot with the republican party, and his party fealty has been rewarded by his election to the office of township trustee and presi- dency of the local school board. He served in the latter capacity for twelve years. He is a man of exceptionally high principles, broad in his views, charitable in his criticisms and just in his opinions. He has been quite successful in his pursuits, acquiring a comfortable competency, but it is the fruit of honest endeavor and close application. His every deed has been above suspicion and as a result he is highly esteemed and honored in the community where the greater part of his life has been passed.
SQUIRE MCCONNELL.
Men of industrious habits and of fidelity to principle are worthy of the sincere respect of their associates. Their life from day to day is a valuable incentive to others and it would be impossible to estimate the good that is done in the world through the simple force of example. Squire McConnell, whose name introduces this sketch, should be classed with those here indi- cated. Born in Indian Creek township, this county, November 17. 1858. he is a son of Alexander and Caroline ( Raimer) McConnell. the former of whom was a native of Hancock county. Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The parents were married in Hancock county, where the mother was living at that time with her parents. About 1855 they came to Story county, Mr. McConnell entering government land in Indian Creek township. He was one of the pioneer settlers of the township and continued upon his farm until late in life, when he removed to Maxwell, being called away in 1896, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was quite successful in his vocation, becoming the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he made
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many improvements. Politically he gave his support to the democratic party and fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order. Mrs. McConnell was a stanch believer in the authority and inspiration of the Bible and a woman of many beautiful traits of character. She departed this life in April, 1882.
Squire McConnell in his early years attended school in a pioneer log schoolhouse and there acquired the rudiments of an education which has been greatly broadened by reading, observation and experience. At the age of twenty-one years he began cultivating rented land on his own account and kept bachelor's hall until his marriage, when he brought his wife to the farm which has since been their home. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land on section 18, Collins township, and, being thrifty and energetic, he has acquired a handsome competence and is now well forti- fied against material want.
On the 4th of August, 1884, Mr. McConnell was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca J. John, a daughter of William Tipton John and a grand- daughter of Bowen W. John, one of the early settlers of Story county, mention of whom is made in the sketch of John W. Jolin. To Mr. and Mrs. McConnell two children have been born : Mabel Belle, deceased ; and Hester A.
Mr. McConnell has been a useful citizen, performing his duties to the best of his ability, and he is ever ready to extend a helping hand to a deserv- ing fellowman. He plainly is entitled to an honorable place among the sub- stantial citizens of Story county. Since arriving at man's estate he has been affiliated with the democratic party but he has never sought public office, pre- fering to devote his attention to his private affairs. Mrs. McConnell has been a most valued assistant to her husband and is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church.
GEORGE W. BALDWIN.
Reared under highly favorable conditions for a successful business career and with practical experience, without which the best training could scarcely avail, George W. Baldwin is now recognized as one of the successful mer- chants of Story county. Energy and firm purpose have constituted the salient elements in his career. He was born in Iowa Center, Story county, April 22, 1874, a son of Frank MI. and Mary ( Maxwell) Baldwin. The father, who was one of the best known business men in central lowa, was born in Onon- daga county, New York, November 10, 1829, a son of Wallace and Mary (Burnett) Baldwin, natives respectively of Connecticut and Vermont. The grandfather was a well known salt manufacturer. Frank M. Baldwin was reared in his native state and received his education in the public schools. In 1849 he came west to Chicago, arriving in that city about the same time that
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Marshall Field, Alexander Revell and others whose names have since become famous in the business world came. Mr. Baldwin, however, remained in Chi- cago only about three years, during which time he was clerk in a dry-goods store. He then came to Story county, lowa, and entered government land in Indian Creek township, but after one season returned to Cook county, Illi- nois and engaged in the mercantile business at a place then known as Dundee Station. In 1855 he returned to Story county and was associated for nine years in business with Young Brothers. In 1864 he became senior member of the mercantile firm of Baldwin & Maxwell, whose business gradually in- creased until its trade extended throughout a large portion of central lowa. The firm did a wholesale business, supplying many smaller tradesmen, and the name of Baldwin & Maxwell became a synonym for fair dealing wher- ever the name was known. At the time the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway was built through Story county the firm established a branch house at Maxwell, of which Mr. Maxwell assumed charge, while the senior member continued at Iowa Center.
Frank M. Baldwin was married in 1859 to Miss Mary Maxwell, a sister of his business partner, and by this union five children were born : Millie A., now deceased : Jennie, Charles G., George W., and Jessie. The father is still living at Maxwell and is one of the most capable business men in lowa.
George W. Baldwin was reared at Iowa Center and educated in the public schools until he arrived at the age of twelve years, when the exigency of business required that he should assist in his father's store. Having once started in the mercantile line he has never found time to continue his school education, but he has greatly broadened his knowledge by reading, observa- tion and contact with the world. Ile continued at lowa Center until his father removed to Maxwell in 1892 and then entered the Maxwell store. with which he was connected until it was disposed of in 1898. After work- ing for others for a short time he visited California and upon returning to Maxwell was employed for one year by R. J. Belt. In 1903 he removed to Collins and for a year was connected with the general mercantile establish- ment of Fred Graef. Retiring from this position he went to Los Animos. Colorado, but his wife was dissatisfied with their surroundings, and, after receiving several letters from Mr. Graef, asking him to return, Mr. Baldwin again came to Collins and assisted Mr. Graef until the latter soll the busi- ness to W. A. Severs, of the Colfax ( lowa ) Mercantile Company. Mr. Bak]- win was placed in charge of the store and closed out most of the stock, the remainder being removed to Colfax. Having purchased fixtures, Mr. Bakl- win then organized the firm of G. W. Baldwin & Company with Clark Cham- bers as partner, and the stock of Mr. Severs being removed from the build- ing January 1, 1907, on January 5th, four days later, the new firm opened for business, selling forty-three dollars worth of goods the first day. From this time onward the business has steadily increased, and the firm of G. W. Baldwin & Company is now one of the substantial and flourishing con- cerns of this section.
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On the 20th of July, 1904. Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Olga E. Serbein. of Maxwell, and one child, John William, born January II, 1909, has blessed this union. Mr. Baldwin is a valued member of Fervent Lodge, No. 513, A. F. & A. M., of Collins ; Social Lodge, No. 436, I. O. O. F., and Jewell Encampment, No. 143, both of Maxwell. Politically, he is iden- tified with the republican party and is a firm believer in its ability to con- duct the affairs of the nation through any troubles that may arise. He takes the interest of a patriotic citizen in public affairs and is now serving his second term as member of the town council. He is thoroughly prac- tical and systematic in anything he undertakes and has fairly earned the success which is the result of patient and wisely applied labor.
W. J. HARTUNG.
W. J. Hartung, proprietor of the Oak Park Farm, is too well known among farmers and stockmen not only of Story county but of this section of the state for it to be necessary to make any explanation as to why his name should appear in the annals of Indian Creek township. He is of German descent, as his name would imply, his parents emigrating to the United States when they were quite young and settling in Polk county, Iowa, where they were later married. William and Mary (Koppf) Hartung were living on a farm in Polk county when their son, W. J. Hartung, was born on the 4th of June, 1874. The father came to this country in company with his brother August, with whom he farmed in partnership as a renter for a time, but being a thrifty man and possessing unusual executive ability he was soon able to purchase the farm which he had been renting and continued to add to his holdings until he possessed three hundred and forty acres. In 1892 he retired and moved to Colfax, being known as one of the wealthy farmers of that vicinity, but in 1899 he and Mrs. Hartung located in Des Moines, where they have ever since resided. They attend the Methodist Protestant church, to which the mother belongs.
W. J. Hartung remained a member of his father's household until he was eighteen years of age and up to that time his life had been spent very sim- ilarly to that of other young people. He obtained his education in the com- mon schools and when not occupied with his text-books assisted his father upon the farm, so that when he had attained manhood he was quite a com- petent young farmer and stockman. In 1892 he decided that he was old enough to assume the heavier responsibilities of life and began farming for himself, renting for this purpose a portion of his father's land. He con- tinued to follow this course for eight years and then in 1901 he came to Story county and bought his present home farm of ninety-two acres located on section 15, Indian Creek township, where he has ever since resided.
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In 1897 he began making a specialty of the breeding and raising of thor- ough bred Duroc Jersey hogs. He has made a particularly careful study of breeds and is one of the best, if not the best, informed man along this line in this section of the state. He has bred some of the best stock in this part of the country, at the same time raising the standard among stockmen gen- erally, many of the heavy breeders obtaining their strain from him. He has probably done more than any other stockman in his immediate vicinity to improve the breed of hogs, and his reputation in this line has spread as he ships stockmen all over the country. He has been exhibiting his stock for years past at the county fairs and for three years has been an exhibitor at the state fair and has never yet failed to win a ribbon.
Mr. Hartung was united in marriage to Miss Eva L. Osborne, on the 10th of March, 1897. She is a daughter of the late John Osborne and Mrs. Sarah Osborne, of Maxwell, both of whom were among the pioneers of Story county.
In his political views Mr. Hartung has always been guided by the policy of the republican party for whose candidates he casts his ballot. Although he has never sought political favor he has, without any solicitation on his part, been twice elected to the office of township assessor and is the present incumbent of that office. He is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community and is ranked as one of the very successful and substantial farmers and stockmen in Story county.
ERNEST EDWARD WHITE, M. D.
Through conscientious application to his profession and by a personal interest in the advancement of the town which he adopted as his home seven years ago, Dr. Ernest Edward White has attained an honored place in the estimation of the people of Huxley, Iowa, and the surrounding re- gion. He was born in Saunders county, Nebraska, September 12, 1872, a son of Edward T. and Rose ( Stocking) White, the former a native of Wahoo, Nebraska, and the latter of Hope. Indiana. They were married in Nebraska, to which state Mrs. White had previously moved with her parents. Her father was the Hon. Moses Stocking, a member of the Ne- braska state legislature and one of the first men to introduce blooded cattle into Saunders county. He was county commissioner, a life member of the state board of agriculture, a director of the State Ilorticultural Society, president of the Wool and Sheep Growers Association, and vice president of the Fine Stock Breeders Association, being also a charter member of the State Historical Society and a member of the committee on awards on wool at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. He also re- ceived an award from this exposition on wool raised from his own farm. He was a fluent writer and a frequent contributor to periodical literature.
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DR. E. E. WHITE
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Politically he gave his support to the republican party and although not a seeker for office, he came very nearly being nominated for governor by his party at the state convention held in Lincoln September 23, 1875. He was an interesting and forcible public speaker and for many years a leader in the state. In the early days of the gold excitement in Colorado he vis- ited the Rocky Mountains and while waiting for spring to appear at the mouth of Cherry creek assisted in founding the city of Denver. Mr. Stocking was indeed a true type of the frontiersmen who paved the way for the settlement of the western country. Our subject's paternal grand- father, Thomas White, was also a man of unusual sagacity. He was a partner of John Deere in the manufacture of plows but severed his con- nection with Mr. Deere and removed to Muscatine, Iowa.
Edward T. White, the father of our subject, enlisted at Muscatine in 1862 in Company G, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, and was one of the valiant soldiers of the Civil war. He was severely wounded at the battle of Middleton, Tennessee, and in January, 1864, was taken prisoner by the Confederates and confined in the Cahaba (Ala.) and Andersonville mili- tary prisons. He received his honorable discharge from service August 19, 1865, and went to Saunders county, Nebraska, where he taught school for several years. Subsequently he located upon government land in Butler county, Nebraska, being one of the old settlers in that section. In 1880 he removed to Portland, Oregon, where he has since resided. His wife died in Portland in 1908.
Ernest Edward White acquired his preliminary education in the com- mon schools of Nebraska and also attended the Plainview Normal school at Plainview, Nebraska, and Elliott's Commercial College of Burlington, Iowa. After leaving school he accepted a position in a bank at Plainview, serving for four years when he took up the study of medicine. He began under Dr. F. H. Nye, of Plainview, and in 1893 entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. He transferred his allegiance in the fall of 1894 to Drake University, graduating from the medical de- partment of that institution in 1896 with the degree of M. D. Immediately after leaving college he began practice at Marysville, Marion county, Iowa, where he continued for three years, and then in 1899 removed to Pleasant Plain, Jefferson county, Iowa, where he gained a liberal patronage. In 1904 he located at Huxley and has since built up a practice which extends over a wide territory in this part of the state. Professionally he is identi- fied with the Story County Medical Society. the Iowa State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association. He is in high favor with his brother practitioners as well as with all who have had reason to make use of his professional services.
On the 14th of October, 1896, Dr. White was united in marriage at Plainview, Nebraska, to Miss Minnie Stafford, and one child, Gertrude S., has blessed this union. Politically the Doctor is allied with the republican party and although he has not sought public office, he has served most ac-
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ceptably as a member of the school board. being one of the active factors in the erection of the new school building. In every relation of life he has attempted to perform his duty, and as he is a man of genial manner and generous disposition, he has gained many friends who have the most im- plicit confidence in his integrity and ability.
GEORGE CLINTON WHITE.
George C. White, recently established in the practice of law at Nevada, Iowa, is a native of Illinois, born in McLean county, December 6, 1865. He comes of English lineage on the paternal side, the progenitors of the family in America having arrived on the western shores of the Atlantic during the colonial period. His great grandfather, Nathaniel White, served in the Revo- lutionary war from New York. The father of our subject. William H. White, was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1835 and removed with his parents to Illinois in 1850. He was one of the successful farmers of that state, where he died in 1905, at the age of seventy years. Politically he gave his support to the republican party. The mother of our subject, who was Martha Ann Donovan before her marriage, was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1840, and survived her husband five years, passing away in July, 1910. She removed with her parents to Washington county, Iowa, in 1849. Our subject has one sister, Anna, who was born in McLean county, Illinois, in 1869, and is now the wife of E. W. Sutherland, a lawyer of Bloomington, Illinois.
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