USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 8
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On the 2d of May, 1906, Mr. Olinger was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Sherman, a daughter of Silas and Mary E. (Gamble) Sherman. The father is now deceased but Mrs. Sherman is still living and makes her home in Maxwell. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Olinger, but only one, Paul B., is now living.
Mr. Olinger gives his support to the democratic party but does not devote much attention to politics, as his time is largely taken up with his business affairs. He is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeo- men and is connected with the Commercial Club of Maxwell. being presi- dent of this organization. He and his wife are valued members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Olinger is remarkably active. clear-sighted and efficient in the line to which he has devoted his talents ever since he began the battle with the world, and he has gained a very high standing among the successful promoters of land enterprises as well as in the field of in- surance. Through persistent purpose he has won his way to general recog- nition, presenting one of the most striking examples of the effect of well applied energy that may be met with in the state of Jowa.
FRANK J. OLSAN.
Frank J. Olsan. a well known agriculturist of Story county, was born on the 17th of February, 1859. in Moravia, in which country his ancestors have been engaged in the occupation of horticulture in the same place for a period of four hundred and eighty years. He came to the United States in 1887, first locating in Iowa City, lowa, but the following year removed to Nebraska. In 1891, however, he returned to the Hawkeye state and settled in Story county, where he has since continued to reside. He is en- gaged in the seed, nursery and florist business, in which line he has shown himself to have few equals. At the present time he has six hothouses con- taining fifteen thousand feet of glass, the space which he is utilizing being equal to thirty acres of land. That he is thoroughly conversant with every detail of his work is indicated by the abundance and perfection of his products. Since his residence here he has acquired a much more than lo- cal reputation being known as one of the most capable and competent rep- resentatives of the science of horticulture in the country. He was the first editor of the horticultural department of the Hospodar of Omaha. Ne- braska, the largest Bohemian publication in the world interested in this sub- ject. lle is now associate editor of the same publication, the growing de- mands of his business precluding the possibility of his devoting as much time as formerly to his editorial work.
Mr. Olsan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Danek. also a native of Moravia, and unto them have been born nine children. eight of whom
F. J. OLSAN
OLSANVILLE.
VIEW OF ORSANVILLE
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are still living as follows: Lidia, Milos, Ladic, Charles, Lumer, George, William and Erma.
Mr. Olsan is fraternally identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Homesteaders and Yeomen of America. Ever since he ac- quired the right of suffrage through naturalization he has cast his ballot for the republican party, feeling that the policy of that organization best subserves the interests of the majority by its principle of protection. Dur- ing his period of residence in Story county his life has met all the require- ments of good citizenship, and he is well worthy of the regard awarded him in the community.
ELMER F. BIDDLE.
Elmer F. Biddle, one of the well known stockmen of Story county, who is now serving as clerk of Grant township, was born in McLean county, Illinois, on the 30th of May. 1869, a son of Dorrel F. and Rebecca (Lam- bert) Biddle. His parents were both natives of the Buckeye state. His father was born in 1836 and after he had acquired an education decided to become a farmer. He was very successful in his work, and particularly in his specialty, which was the raising and feeding of stock, accumulating a nice competency and considerable valuable property. He was always iden- tified with the republican party and was very active in politics, holding many of the minor offices in his locality.
Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Biddle were the parents of six children : Melissa, who married William Merna, of Bloomington, Illinois; Maywood, who is also married and is living in South Dakota; Edna, the widow of D. C. Fletcher ; Elmer F., our subject; Pearl J., who is married and is living in Bloomington, Illinois ; and Wilmer O., also a resident of Bloomington. The mother passed away November 3, 1901, and the father survived until the 2Ist of December. 1906.
Elmer F. Biddle received his preliminary education in the common schools of McLean county, Illinois, and later went to Danville for one year for a more advanced course. His early years were quite similar to those of the majority of youths reared in the country. When he had reached the age when it was time for him to lay aside his text-books and assume the more practical duties of life he assisted his father up to the age of twenty-two years. At that time he bought one hundred and thirty- six acres of land in partnership with his brother Maywood and followed cooperative farming for a time. Later he sold his interest to his brother and cultivated rented land for a time. He then bought eighty acres, upon which he lived until he came to Story county in 1898. The first year after his removal here he rented land but very soon after his arrival bought one hundred and sixty acres. He has since added one hundred and sixty acres Vol. II-5
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to his farm and now owns three hundred and twenty acres of good land. Like his father he has always made a specialty of the breeding and raising of stock. He has some good thoroughbred animals on his farm, taking particular pride in his Duroc hogs and Polled Angus cattle, in the breed- ing and raising of which he has been quite successful. He also raises and breeds pure bred Percheron horses, in which he has been equally success- ful, having very much improved the standard of pacing horses in this sec- tion. He has the distinction of having bred a pacer-E. F. B .- who made a 2:20 record after a fifteen days' tryout.
On the 6th of January, 1891, Mr. Biddle was united in wedlock to Miss Sarah Maroney, a native of Woodford county. Illinois, and of this union eight children have been born, seven of whom are living, the order of their birth being as follows: Dorrel. now attending high school; David. who died at the age of nine months; Ethel, Elmer Charles, Jr., Edna and Maud, all of whom are in school; and Wayne and Ralph, who are at home.
Ever since he attained his majority Mr. Biddle has cast his vote with the republican party and has been very active in politics. At present he is filling the office of township clerk. His fraternal relations are entirely confined to membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, his local affiliation being with the Nevada camp. During his residence in Story county Mr. Biddle has proven himself to be a capable and competent busi- ness man and is regarded as one of the successful and prosperous farmers of the community. He is favorably regarded by those with whom he has had business and social relations and is well liked in the district where he resides.
ALFRED J. FAWCETT.
Alfred J. Fawcett, a prominent representative of financial interests in Story county, is the cashier of the People's State Bank at Maxwell, which institution he organized. His birth occurred in New Albany township, this county, on the 23d of October. 1809. He was reared on the home farm and supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the com- mon schools, by a course of study in the Collins high school. Subse- quently he entered what is now known as the Leander Clark College at Toledo, Jowa, pursuing the commercial course and being graduated with the class of 1890.
Desiring to learn telegraphy, he entered the telegraph office at Collins but about two and a half months later was offered and accepted a position in a lumberyard. He took the position, however, with the intention of returning to the telegraph office, for the click of the key possessed a fasci- nation for him. But it seemed that he was destined for some other field of activity. He remained in the lumberyard for about two years and then
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entered the service of the Exchange Bank of Collins, a private institution, acting as bookkeeper and assistant cashier for about ten years. On the expiration of that period the owner died and Mr. Fawcett was made ad- ministrator, continuing to conduct the business of the bank for the estate for about six months. In July, 1902, he reorganized the institution, which be- came known as the Exchange State Bank and of which he was made cashier and manager, serving in the dual capacity for two and a half years, when he sold his interest with the intention of going to California, in which state his parents were residing. Instead, however, he returned to the farm to look after some improvements and remained thereon for two years, abandoning his California trip. He next entered the county treasurer's office at Nevada as deputy and on leaving the office, in April, 1908, organ- ized the People's State Bank of Maxwell, being placed in charge of the in- stitution. A man of excellent executive ability and keen discrimination, he has since contributed in large measure to the success and growth of the bank. In addition to his financial interests he owns a farm in Indian Creek township, this county, and another in South Dakota.
In 1892 Mr. Fawcett was united in marriage to Miss Huldah Hanson, a native of Jasper county, Iowa, by whom he has four children : Genevieve MI., Geraldine M., Helene M. and Alfred H. Mr. Fawcett gives his po- litical allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with Herald Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Sylvan Camp, No. 2417, M. W. A. His business record is one which any man might be proud to possess. Starting at the bottom round of the ladder, he has advanced steadily step by step until he is now occupying a position of prominence and trust. Through his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he has not filled nor incurring obligations that he has not met. He stands today an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business integrity, can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character.
DANIEL MCCARTHY.
Daniel McCarthy, to whose enterprising spirit Ames is largely indebted for its educational and commercial development, was born in Leeds county, Ontario, Canada, on the 11th of January, 1833. He is the son of Florence McCarthy, a native of County Cork, Ireland, who was educated in the city of Cork. The father was a profound student and deep thinker as well as an ardent advocate of the education of the masses and was one of the first propagators of the free school system in Canada. He taught school for thirty-two years, teaching twelve months in succession. After he became a
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resident of Canada he received the appointment of justice of peace from the crown. Mr. McCarthy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Eliza- beth Moore and by this union seven childrn were born, three of whom still survive, the son Daniel being the second in order of birth.
Daniel McCarthy acquired his fundamental education in the district schools of Canada and after laying aside his text-books he apprenticed him- self to the carpenter's trade. When he attained his majority he left the land of his nativity and located in Jefferson county, New York, but after a brief residence there he decided to follow the sea for a while, believing the opportunities so afforded of studying the customs and habits of other nations at first hand would prove a liberal education. He shipped out of Sackets Harbor, New York, as a sailor, but two months of this lite was sufficient and he migrated to Chicago and then removed to the central part of Illinois and obtained a position as fireman on the Illinois Central Rail- road for a few months. In the winter of 1854 he came west to lowa and located in Marshall county, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. He remained there until the ist of April, 1856, when he removed to Fair- view-now Story City, it taking four days to make the journey. After his arrival in Story county he installed a steam plant in a sawmill owned by Mr. llouse. This was the first steam plant operated in this county, and after completing the work he returned to Marshall county but shortly afterward was employed by Nelson House to remove the sawmill to what was at that time called New Philadelphia but is now Ontario. He con- tinued in the service of Mr. House in the sawmill for a time and then bought the mill, which he operated for about two years and then sold it. Ile again engaged in carpenter work for seven years, being dependent upon it for his livelihood, while spending all of his leisure time in the study of law. He made what progress he could, being entirely without assistance during the whole period of his study. However, he was ambitious and determined to win and although it took twelve years to master the prin- ciples of jurisprudence his perseverance won and he was admitted to the bar in 1870, remaining in active practice for nearly forty years, only re- cently retiring. Hle first engaged in practice with John L. Stevens, under the firm name of MeCarthy & Stevens, later G. A. Underwood was ad- mitted as junior partner. After the dissolution of that partnership he be- came a member of the firm of MeCarthy & Conley and later practiced with Mr. Lee, now Judge Lee. More recently he has been identified with Mr. Luke, under the name of McCarthy & Luke, and while this last relation- ship still continues Mr. McCarthy is only a consulting partner, taking no active part in the business of the firm.
When he first located in Story county Mr. MeCarthy bought one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Washington township, upon which he erected the first frame house built in the township, and since that he has at divers times added to his holdings until he now owns four hundred
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acres of valuable farm land. In 1875 he began importing horses and crossed the ocean eighteen times for this purpose. He was at one time manager and director of the Central Iowa Importing Company but they discontinued the business in 1893. He also served as a director of the Union National Bank for thirty years but recently resigned from this.
Mr. McCarthy has always been an ardent supporter of the cause of education and it is largely due to his personal efforts that the Iowa State College, then known as the State Agricultural College, was located at Ames, as with other public-spirited citizens he donated money for that purpose. He drove the first stake, and leveled and staked off the ground for the first two buildings of this college, which is now recognized as one of the foremost institutions of learning of its kind in the United States. His championship of the college was recognized and honored by his being appointed to have entire supervision of the arrangements for the semi- centennial anniversary, which was held on the 4th of July, 1909. It is also very largely due to his efforts that the Northwestern Railroad passed through Ames, as he contributed money toward defraying the expenses of the preliminary survey and did his utmost to convince the more conserva- tive citizens of the advantages which it would be to the community.
On the 25th of April, 1858, Mr. McCarthy was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Ross, a daughter of James and Mary Ross, natives of Vir- ginia and Ohio respectively. Her father was a salt manufacturer in his early days but gave this up later in life and became a farmer. In the family were eight children, Mrs. McCarthy being the seventh in order of birth, three of whom are still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy have been born nine children, eight of whom are living, as follows: William F., a machinist, residing in Ames; Andrew, who died at the age of two and one-half years; Marie, the wife of H. L. Carrol, a member of the Polk county bar, living in Des Moines ; Emma, who married C. G. Lee, of Ames ; Robert H., engaged in the real-estate business in Ames; Elizabeth, the wife of George S. Foster, a civil engineer of Madison, Wisconsin; Harriet, who married Dr. Thomas L. Rice, of Ames; Mary R., who is the wife of Frank W. Linebaugh, superintendent of the electric light and water plant of Ames ; and Justin D., who is engaged in farming.
Mr. McCarthy has always been a stanch adherent of the republican party, is a very public-spirited man and has at all times taken an active interest in municipal politics and has served in various local offices. He was a member of the board of supervisors for many years and recently re- signed because of the arduous duties it involved and has held no public office since that time. He was also a member of the first city council in Ames.
Mr. McCarthy can most truly be termed a self-made man. The son of a poor man, he started out in life determined to make a place for himself and to this end he saw that every step was an advance. When a less de-
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termined man would have become discouraged and have given up. he stuck to his Blackstone and in time was the victor. He is one of the substantial citizens of Ames and is well worthy of the regard and esteem which his fellow townsmen accord him.
ADELBERT J. BROWN.
Adelbert J. Brown, one of the most prominent representatives of mer- cantile interests in Story county, acts as business manager of the depart- ment store of the Lingenfelter Brothers at Maxwell. Ilis birth occurred in lowa Center, this county, on the 13th of September, 1869. his parents being Peter and Catherine (Shoop) Brown, who are natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. They came to lowa as children with their re- spective parents, both the Brown and Shoop families settling in Story county some time in the '40s and forming the vanguard of emigration westward. Both families entered land from the government and built homes. The parents of our subject were married in Story county and have resided within its borders continuously since. Peter Brown was suc- cessfully engaged in farming in Union township until 1892, when he put aside the active work of the fields, having since lived retired in Maxwell. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Herald Lodge, No. 455. Both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth.
Adelbert J. Brown spent his youthful days under the parental roof amid the environment of the average farm boy and was educated in the district schools. When about nineteen years of age he left the home farm to em- bark upon his business career, first going to Cambridge with the intention of learning the drug business. At the end of a year, however, because of the fact that his father had met with an accident, he returned home and for twelve months operated the farm. Coming to Maxwell on the expira- tion of that period. he was engaged in draying for a short time and then entered a general store. With the exception of one year devoted to the restaurant business at Collins he has since been continuously identified with mercantile interests. In 1905 the Lingenfelter Brothers purchased the general stock of Miller & Miller in Maxwell, and Mr. Brown was placed in charge of the store. At that time the business was conducted in a small corner room and there was about nine thousand dollars' worth of stock. Two years later the trade had grown to such an extent that the need arose for more commodious quarters and the stock was removed to the present place of business, where there are two large storerooms and also basement rooms of the same size, affording altogether ten thousand square feet of floor space. In the short period of five years, under the able management of Mr. Brown, the trade has grown to an extent almost unequaled in a town
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the size of Maxwell. From a humble and obscure position he has worked his way steadily upward to one of large responsibility and prominence, be- ing now widely recognized as a leading business man and influential resi- dent of his native county.
In 1892 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia John, of Maxwell, her father being Daniel W. John, a retired agriculturist of Maxwell. Unto our subject and his wife has been born one child, Ava Gladys.
Mr. Brown is a republican in politics, while his religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. Fraternally he is identified with Herald Lodge, No. 455, A. F. & A. M .; Social Lodge, No. 463, 1. O. O. F .; the Knights of Pythias; and Sylvan Camp, No. 2417, M. W. A., acting as clerk of the last named. He has always resided in Story county and his life has been such that the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
JOHN W. LUTZ.
John W. Lutz, who was successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, passed away on his farm in Sherman township on the 31st of October, 1906. His birth occurred in La Salle county, Illinois, on the 31st of October, 1862, his parents being V. G. and Elizabeth (Renz) Lutz, both of whom were natives of Germany. Emigrating to the United States, they were married in the state of Michi- gan more than fifty years ago. V. G. Lutz, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, died in Illinois in December, 1896. His widow still survives, how- ever, and now makes her home with a daughter in Nebraska.
John W. Lutz attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and after putting aside his text-books worked on a farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He lived on a farm near Omaha, Nebraska, before com- ing to this county in the spring of 1899, at which time he took up his abode in Sherman township. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he devoted considerable attention to the breeding of Hereford or white-faced cattle, which branch of his business added materially to his income. He also acted as vice president of the creamery at Zearing and was widely recognized as a substantial and esteemed citizen of the community. His farm of two hundred and sixty-two acres on section 5, Sherman township, is now in possession of his widow and is known as the Fairview Stock Farm.
On the 23d of January, 1889, in La Salle county, Illinois, Mr. Lutz was united in marriage to Miss Emma Gehm, who was born in that county on the 15th of May, 1863, her parents being Nicholas and Margaret (Young) Gehm, who were married in Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the
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United States in the early '50s. locating on a farm in La Salle county, Illi- nois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Gehm passed away in March. 1901, while Mrs. Gehm was called to her final rest in February, 1902. Mrs. Lutz, who attended the grammar and high schools as a girl, is now the mother of five children, the record of whom is as follows. Caro- line A., whose birth occurred in Nebraska on the 18th of December, 1889, and who is still at home with her mother, is a graduate of the Central Busi- ness College at Marshalltown. George J., who was born in Nebraska on the 4th of March, 1891, lives with his mother in Sherman township and attends the Zearing high school. Nettie E., whose birth occurred in Nebraska on the 13th of December, 1892, is pursuing her studies in the common schools. Louis E., who was born in Nebraska on the 10th of May. 1897, likewise at- tends the common schools. Lydia M., whose birth occurred in Sherman township, Story county, on the 9th of March. 1904. is also pursuing her edu- cation in the common schools.
Mr. Lutz gave his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. His life. in all of its various relations, was of such character as to com- mand the respect and esteem of those with whom he was associated. Mrs. Lutz, who still resides on the farm in Sherman township, is a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind and has won a host of warm friends here.
JACOB R. FETTERHOFF.
When death came to Jacob R. Fetterhoff there was closed a record of a life of great usefulness, fraught with good deeds and of marked influence as an element for good in the lives of those with whom he came in con- tact. While the greater part of his attention was given to agricultural pur- suits he was always actuated by a spirit of Christian faith and belief and for about four years prior to his death engaged in evangelistic work. He was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. March 20. 1840. his parents being Jacob and Catherine (Forney) Fetterhoff, both of whom were na- tives of the Keystone state. The father died when his son Jacob was but eight years of age. The mother afterward married again and spent her last days in Maryland.
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