USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 9
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Jacob R. Fetterhoff was the second in a family of three sons but his brothers, Hiram and Albert H., are both deceased. Hle resided at the place of his nativity with his widowed mother until after the outbreak of the Civil war when, in September. 1802. he offered his services to the gov- ernment, becoming a private of Company H, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cav- alry. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and served for thirty-two months, being honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was wounded and while at the front suffered from typhoid malaria. Twice he was obliged to go to the hospital but as soon as possible rejoined his regi-
MR. AND MRS. JACOB R. FETTERHOFF
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ment. In February, 1863, he was granted a furlough and for a short time was at home. He took part in over thirty engagements with the Army of the Potomac and made a most creditable military record by his fidelity to duty on all occasions. He did not hesitate to take his place on the lonely. picket line nor stand upon the firing line where the battle raged the thickest.
Following the close of the war Mr. Fetterhoff was married at Franklin Grove, Illinois, in October, 1865, to Miss Melvina Catherine Cook, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1843. In the spring of 1865 she went to Illinois with a sister and was married there. Her parents were Samuel and Mary Ann ( Beaver ) Cook, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where their entire lives were passed. They had a family of five children: Mrs. Isabelle Monn, of Pennsylvania. Henry A., who served in the Civil war; Mrs. Anna R. Southerland, who resides three miles south of Nevada; Mrs. Fetterhoff; and Mrs. Jennie Eiker, of Pennsylvania.
In 1866, the year following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fetterhoff came to Nevada and he remained a resident of Story county until his death, which occurred February 26, 1885. Soon after his arrival here he pur- chased a farm four miles south of the town and his remaining days were largely devoted to the work of the fields and the improvements of the place. He was the owner of one hundred and eighty-three acres and had become a well-to-do citizen at the time of his death. He placed many im- provements upon his farm, added to it all modern accessories and equip- ments and as the years passed by made his place a productive and valuable property. Soon after coming to Story county he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church and his life from that time was guided by the teachings of the church and his efforts were an element in the moral progress of the community. He became an evangelist and engaged in preaching for about four years prior to his death, being in the midst of a meeting when called to his final home.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fetterhoff was blessed with five chil- dren : Anna May, at home; Harvey Grant, who removed to Spokane, Washington, where he died at the age of thirty-four years; Cleo Pearl, at home; Benola Alvin, of Salem, South Dakota, who is married and has three children, Sylva Pearl, Alvin and Ira; and Etta, the wife of Peter Mattison, who resides on the Fetterhoff farm. Mr. and Mrs. Mattison have seven children living: Lola, Ona, Harry, Merle, Clyde, Ivan and Glen. Their eldest son, Orval Guy Mattison, was born January 25, 1894, and died August 7. 1907. All of the children of the Fetterhoff family were born upon the farm in Story county. Eighteen years after the death of her husband Mrs. Fetterhoff removed to Nevada, where she now makes her home but still retains the ownership of the farm.
In his political views Mr. Fetterhoff was a republican and never lightly regarded the duties of citizenship yet did not seek nor desire any public office. He preferred to labor for the upbuilding and welfare of the com-
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munity in other ways and his life became a potent force in the moral prog- ress of the community. lle left to his family not only a comfortable com- petence, but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and a memory that remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.
JAMES H. CLEVERLEY.
That the life history of James II. Cleverley is a record of success is due to the persistent effort and intelligently directed industry which he has displayed through the years of his connection with agricultural interests of Story county. Born in Allamakee county, Iowa, on the 13th of July. 1871, he is a representative of one of the well known and highly honored families of central lowa, his parents being Jonathan and Elizabeth J. (Owen) Cleverley, the former a native of London and the latter of Cov- entry, England. Jonathan Cleverley, whose birth occurred in the world's metropolis on the 12th of April, 1836, is a son of William and Ann ( Lov- ett ) Cleverley. The mother passed away in England and later the father brought his family of four children. a son and three daughters, to the United States. He arrived here in 1847 and took up his abode in Herki- mer county, New York, where he made his home until 1860, in which year he came to lowa and remained with his son until his death in 1878 at the age of seventy-five years.
Jonathan Cleverley, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Cleverley, was eleven years of age when brought to the United States and the year following his arrival he began working in a lumberyard. Later he was engaged in a mill for a while and then began lumbering in the woods. al- together being connected with the lumber business for seven years. In 1854 he came west to lowa, locating in Allamakee county, and was there variously occupied for some time, giving his attention principally, how- ever, to farming. In 1859 he purchased a farm of eighty acres, upon which he made his home until 1876, in which year he removed to Jasper county, there investing in one hundred and sixty acres, which tract is still in his possession. This remained his home until 1006, when he withdrew from active work and became a resident of Collins, where he is now living in well earned retirement. That he was ambitious, industrious and per- severing and possessed good business ability is indicated by the fact that when he first came to this country he began working for one dollar per week, while his father received seventy-five cents per day, the combined sum going for the support of the family. Today he is numbered among the most substantial and well-to-do men of Collins, having acquired a competency which makes it possible for him to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He is one of the prominent and influen- tial men of the community in which he lives and gives stalwart support to
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the republican party although he has never sought nor desired public office. He has, however, been a leader in Masonic circles in Maxwell, being con- sidered the best posted Mason in this section of the state. He is also one of the oldest, having joined the order in Winneshiek county forty-three years ago. He assisted in organizing and was a member of Herald Lodge, No. 455, A. F. & A. M., at Maxwell. He is likewise a charter member of Fervent Lodge, No. 513, A. F. & A. M., at Collins, and was its first mas- ter, serving in that office for five years. He and his wife both hold men- bership in the Order of the Eastern Star. Jonathan Cleverley was married on the 27th of July, 1862, to Miss Jane Elizabeth Owen, who was born in Coventry, England, and came with an uncle to the United States when nineteen years of age, settlement being made in Allamakee county, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cleverley were born eight children but only four now survive, namely : Mary, the wife of William Kimberly, a farmer of Jasper county, Iowa; Maria, who wedded William Clapper, of Oklahoma; James H .; and Frank E., operating the old home farm.
James H. Cleverley whose name introduces this review, was reared in his parents' home, no event of special importance coming to vary the rou- tine of life for him during the period of his boyhood and youth. In the public schools he acquired a good education, passing throughout consecu- tive grades to his graduation from the Collins high school in due course of time. He remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority, when he laid the foundation for a happy home of his own by his mar- riage, on the 4th of November, 1894, to Miss Orlena A. Crabb, of Collins. She is a daughter of Vincent and Hester (Wells) Crabb, who came to Story county from Indiana in 1877. The father was a veteran of the Civil war and passed away in 1879 as a result of disease contracted during his term of service. The mother still survives and makes her home in Collins.
After his marriage James H. Cleverley started out independently in the business world, engaging in farming in Jasper county as a renter for three years. At the end of that period he purchased a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres on section 24. Indian Creek township, known as the old Strickler farm. That remained the scene of his business activity for four years, when he purchased the Andrew J. Marshall place, upon which he now makes his home. When it came into his possession it consisted of one hundred and sixty acres constituting the northwest quarter of section 23, Indian Creek township. He did not dispose of his property on section, 24, however, until three years later. In 1906 he became the owner of eighty acres adjoining his place, so that his farm now consists of two hun- dred and forty acres. Under his direction it has been greatly developed and improved, for he has made a careful study of agriculture, employs the most modern and progressive methods and, moreover, has a capacity for wise management and sound business ability. He receives a good annual
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revenue from his farm and is recognized as one of the substantial agri- culturists of Indian Creek township.
With the passing of the years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cleverley has been blessed with seven children: Ruth 1 ... Flossie M. Willard J. Opal B., Wayne H., Alice and Mildred. the family circle remaining untouched by the hand of death.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Cleverley has been a loyal supporter of republican principles and has been an influential and effective worker in the ranks of that party. He served for four years as assessor of Indian Creek township and is now serving as a member of the township board of trustees. Progressive and public-spirited in his citizenship, he strongly advocates those measures and matters which have for their object the improvement and upbuilding of the community. and his devotion to the general good has ever remained an unquestioned fact. Whether in the discharge of public duties or in the management of private business affairs he has ever been actuated by those qualities which speak for good citizenship and he is held in high regard and esteem by all who have come in contact with him.
WILLIAM J. VENEMAN.
William J. Veneman, who is now living retired on a small tract of land of twenty-three acres adjoining the town of Maxwell, was long and success- fully identified with general agricultural pursuits in Story county and for more than thirty years has been a prominent factor in local politics. His birth occurred in Kosciusko county. Indiana, on the 5th of June. 1844, his parents being Lemuel and Matilda (Cory) Veneman. both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father went to Kosciusko county, Indiana, in carly manhood, while the mother was taken there by her parents. They were married in that county and six years later, in 1849. journeyed westward to Polk county, lowa. Lemuel Veneman entering three hundred acres of gov- ernment land in Elkhart township. He erected a log house on his farm and made his home thereon until he passed away in 1868. His wife was called to her final rest in 1897. Mr. Veneman gave his political allegiance to the republican party and served in various township offices, including those of township trustee, assessor and school director. Both he and his wife were devoted and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
William J. Veneman was reared under the parental roof, receiving such educational advantages as the log schoolhouses of those early days afforded. On the rith of August, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company B. Thirty-ninth lowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command until the cessation of hostilities. He was honorably dis- charged on the 5th of June. 1865 .- his twenty-first birthday-and mustered
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out at Clinton, Iowa, about the Ist of July. He had been captured at Al- toona Pass on the 5th of October, 1864, and was first incarcerated in the Macon (Ga.) prison, while later he was transferred to Milan prison, being confined for fifty-two days. At the end of that time he was paroled and four months later was exchanged. After returning home he attended school for a year and a half longer, recognizing the value of a good educa- tion in the battle of life.
On the 30th of August, 1867, he wedded Miss Margaret Kirby, of Des Moines, a daughter of Jacob and Harriet ( Ferguson) Kirby. The follow- ing winter he became identified with educational interests as teacher of the Hall school, a log schoolhouse in Indian Creek township, Story county. During that season his wife taught the Donohue school in the same town- ship. In the spring Mr. Veneman took up general agricultural pursuits, renting his father's farm in Polk county and operating it for four or five years. During that time he had come into possession of a little more than one hundred acres thereof and continued to reside on that tract until 1873, when he disposed of the property and purchased one hundred acres on sec- tion 14, Indian Creek township. There he successfully carried on his farm- ing interests until 1902, when he put aside the active work of the fields, having lived in honorable retirement for the past nine years. He owns a tract of twenty-three acres adjoining the town of Maxwell and makes his home in a pleasant and commodious residence which he built thereon. His property holdings include one hundred and sixty acres on section 24 and twenty acres on section 14, Indian Creek township, all of which is culti- vated by his son Lemuel. Early realizing that carnest, unremitting labor is the basis of all success, he worked on diligently year by year to provide for his family and to obtain a comfortable competence for old age.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Veneman have been born six children. Roy, the eldest, passed away in 1906 in the thirty-ninth year of his age. He was edu- cated at Ames and followed the profession of teaching at Colo, Story City and Madrid, Iowa. Becoming noted as an educator, he was elected superin- tendent of schools of Boone county and served in that position for four years. Lemuel J., the second son, is an agriculturist by occupation and operates the home farm in Indian Creek township. Nelson J., is engaged in the produce business at Scranton, Iowa. Harriet, who gave her hand in marriage to John Black, makes her home in Scranton, Iowa. Alberta, the wife of Elmer Cole, lives in Winterset, Iowa. Ward W., a stationary en- gineer, makes his home in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mr. Veneman is a republican in politics and has long been an influential worker in the local ranks of his party. For more than thirty years he has remained continuously in public office, serving as township trustee or in one of the other township positions. He represented his district in the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth general assemblies of the state legislature and has repeatedly served as delegate to the state conventions, being one of Story county's most widely known and highly esteemed citizens. Frater-
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nally he is identified with Herald Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Social Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; and James H. Ewing Post, No. 305, G. A. R. For four or more years he served as commander of the post. He acts as steward and Sun- day school superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal church, which num- bers himself and his wife among its valued members. Mr. Veneman has resided in this part of the state for more than six decades and stands fore- most in his community as one of its leading and influential citizens.
S. B. STEVENS.
The owner of a productive farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 33 and 34, New Albany township, S. B. Stevens may justly be re- garded as one of the prosperous citizens of Story county. He was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, December 7. 1847. a son of Henry Adam and Matilda Janes (Smith) Stevens, the latter of whom was born July 3. 1817. The father was a native of Perth, Canada, and was born July 31, 1813. He was of American parentage, the family living temporarily in Canada at the time of his birth. The ancestry on the paternal side has been traced to John Adams, second president of the United States, the father being a nephew of Mr. Adams. On the maternal side the genealogical line has been traced to the Bradfords of Puritan times. Henry Smith, one of the ances- tors, was a prominent man in Canada and served as governor of the prov- ince of Ontario. Our subject's Grandfather Stevens was appointed to a government position by President Adams, with whom he stood in high favor, having served as one of the original Green Mountain Boys under Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga. He spent several years in Canada while in the employ of the government. An uncle of our subject was a classmate of U. S. Grant at West Point and lost his life while crossing the Rio Grande river on his way to Mexico with the invading army in 1847.
Henry Adams Stevens, the father, received unusual advantages of edu- cation in his times and was a graduate of Harvard University, entering the ministry from that celebrated institution. He officiated at Springfield. Illinois, and at Montrose, Iowa, then locating in Van Buren county, where he spent many years. Hle attained a wide reputation as a speaker and elo- quent advocate of the Christian life, and in 1893, at the World's Fair in Chicago, delivered an address upon "When Timothy was made an Apostle." IIe was married to Matikla Janes Smith in 1836 and encountered consid- erable difficulty in conducting his bride from Canada to the United States on account of trouble over the Oregon boundary line, which at that time created ill feeling between the two countries. He passed away near Cam- eron, Missouri, in 1898, his beloved companion having been called from carthly scenes in 1882.
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S. B. Stevens was one of a family of three children. He received a common-school education and although only fifteen years of age at the time of the breaking out of the great rebellion, his services were accepted and for four years and two months he valiantly defended the cause of the Union, participating in many of the most important engagements and move- ments of the war. He marched under General Sherman to the sea and was present at the surrender of Fort McAllister. After being mustered out when then only nineteen years of age, he worked during the winter montlis in a packing house at Farmington, Iowa, and in summer was foreman of a bridge gang on the Des Moines Valley Railroad. Subsequently he entered the employ of James Tuttle as foreman of his farm in Polk county, seven miles from Des Moines. In 1870 he began farming on his own account in Valley township, Polk county, but two years later sold out and moved to Elkhart township, taking up his residence four years later in Union town- ship, Story county. In 1891 he removed to Sherman township and ten years later, having acquired a competence, took up his residence at New Albany. He has been very active and energetic as a farmer and business man and has gained an enviable reputation as a breeder of fine cattle and Chester White hogs. He is now serving as president of the Johnson Grove, Colo & New Albany Telephone Company.
On the 26th of March, 1869, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Dorcas Bullington, of Polk county, who was born at Blakesburg, Wapello county, January 29, 1850. They became the parents of six children, namely: Arthur, who was born December 20, 1870, and is now engaged in the general merchandise business at McCallsburg; A. J. and Alice May, twins, born January 13, 1872, the former of whom is farming in Richland township and the latter the wife of Phil Buffington ; C. W., now a prosperous farmer of Warren township, who was born March 28, 1875, and married Miss Minnie Webb; Hattie, born March 20, 1877, who married W. W. Carver and is now living in Lincoln township; and Dorcas, born August 20, 1879. who married Charles Webb and is living in Sherman township. The mother of these children departed this life September 18, 1879, and Mr. Stevens was married, April 24, 1882, to Miss Emily A. Hanks, a daughter of Jay and Jane Songers Hanks. Eleven children blessed this union, namely: Bradford, born September 1I, 1883, who was graduated from the Cedar Falls Normal School and married Edith Sherer ; S. W., born July 3, 1884, who married Adelia Klein; John Quincy, born July 15, 1885, who is a professional auctioneer ; Edith Belle who was born July 17, 1889, and is one of the popular school teachers of the county ; Janet Blanche, born February 14, 1891; William J., born December 17, 1895; Ethel born August 7 1898; Iver born April 26, 1900; Winifred, born May 7, 1903; Velma, born July 23, 1907 ; and Thelma, born September 6, 1909. Of these children the nine last named are at home.
Mr. Stevens has ever since reaching manhood given his earnest support to the democratic party. He has been active in its local councils and served
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as justice of the peace for a number of years in Polk county, also filling the office of township assessor and for twenty-seven years performed his duty to the cause of education as a member of the school board. Ile is a stanch believer in the Bible, and he and his wife are valued members of the United Brethren church. He has raised a remarkable family, all of whom are performing their share in the duties of life. He has been industrious. economical and persevering and, therefore, successful in his work, at the same time gaining the respect of his neighbors and of the entire community. By honorable methods in business and by an upright character he has main- tained an untarnished name, which to his children is a legacy much more precious than gold or silver.
OLE NIEHLSEN.
Ole Niehlsen, one of the esteemed and successful farmers of Story county, was born in Denmark on the 17th of May. 18441. a son of John and Marie Nichlsen. The parents were both natives of Denmark in which country they spent their entire lives. The mother passed away in 1860 and the father eight years later.
The early years of Mr. Niehlsen's life were spent in his native land, but the many stories he heard of the advantages offered men of limited means in America at last proved irresistible and in 1876 he crossed the At- lantic, landing at Boston. He straightway made his way across the coun- try to Marshall county. Iowa, where his brother had located three years previously. For six years he worked on the railroad at Marshalltown. carefully laying aside a portion of his wages each month, until in 1882 he had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to buy eighty acres of land in Warren township, Story county. For twenty-five years he made this his home and then in 1907 he bought another eighty acres in Richland town- ship, where he continues to reside. Everything about his farm has an air of prosperity : the stock is well housed, the fences kept in repair and the residence has an air of comfort, while the carefully cultivated fields viekl profitable returns.
Mr. Niehlsen married Pauline, the daughter of Nelson and Christine Nelson. She is also a Dane and has become the mother of seven children : Christine; Inga Marie; Anna Dorothy, who became the wife of Luke ('Donnel, of Sherman township; Carrie; Annie Christina ; Jens ; and Peter Nelson.
The family attend the Lutheran church in which the parents hold mem- bership. Before coming to the United States Mr. Niehlsen had served seventeen months in the Danish army and had seen some active service. going to the front with his regiment in the war with Germany in 1864. He is a loyal subject of the United States and has never regretted his deci-
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OLE NIELSEN AND FAMILY
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sion to become a citizen, fceling that the success he has met with here would have been practically impossible in the more thickly settled and conserva- tive country in which he spent the first thirty-five years of his life. His present position can be entirely attributed to his own efforts and the capable assistance at all times rendered him by Mrs. Niehilsen. He is highly re- garded in the community where he resides, his integrity and industry- which are the fundamental principles of good citizenship, winning him the respect of all who have known him in either a business or social way.
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