USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 121
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William Alexander, Jr., was born Sep- tember 26, 1845, and came with his par- ents to America, in 1851. While he lived in Chicago, William attended school, and, in 1856, came to York township February 23, 1875, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary A. McBride, by whom he has had four children: Mary E., John E., Elsea G. and Archibald J. William now occupies the farm with his father.
Michael Kupka also came in 1856, and settled on section 30, where he now lives.
Anthony Weaver settled on section 17, in 1856, where he died in 1875. Ilis widow and son John now live on section 7.
Jacob Kuchara came in 1857 and set- tled on section 15, where he now lives. Jacob Struble came this same season and located on the northeast quarter of section 24, where he now lives.
Vinsel Hubel came in 1857 and located on section 20. He now lives in Vining.
John Freeman came from Ohio in 1857 and located on section 26. He enlisted in the Union army and died while in the ser- vice. His family returned to Ohio.
The same year Michael Uleh settled on section 35, and is still living there.
Another of the early settlers of York township, is James B. Van Anken, who came here in 1858. Ile first lived in a log house near Redman for a few weeks, and
then moved to af urm which he had rented on sections 23 and 26. In 1859, he re- moved to another farm which he had rented, on section 30, and there lived until 1862. He then purchased the MeKern farm, of . ighty aeres, on section 10, and moved there with his family. On the 24th of February, 1864, he enlisted in the 28th lowa, Company D, went south and joined the Regiment at Kennerville, near New Orleans. Here he was taken sick and went to Washington with the Regiment, where he entered the hospital, and was soon afterward transferred to the hospital at Keokuk. In February, 1865, he was discharged from the hospital, and going south, joined his Regiment at Moorhead City, North Carolina. He served until the close of the war, being mustered out of service at Savannah in July 1865, when he returned to his home in Iowa. Mr. Van Anken is a native of York State, born in Chemung county, March 15, 1825. His younger days were spent on his father's farm, and in the pioneer schools. In 1849, he went to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in farming, and where he was married in 1850, to Miss Esther McDuffie, a native of that county, and born February 20, 1829. They have been blessed with five children: Joseph, Josephine, Jessie, James L. and John. After his marriage, he bought a farm in Van Etten township, Chemung county, New York, and lived there until 1856, when he sold his land and came to lowa. Mr. Van Anken first purchased a farm of eighty aeres, but has kept adding to it and now owns over 200 acres Mr. Van Anken is a thorough gentleman, and is respected as a neighbor and a citizen. lle has a
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pleasant home and the "lateh-string" al- ways hangs out; any stranger who stops there is always treated in the most hospit- able manner.
Among others who came in later years, and are now prominent citizens of the township, are: Milton II. Pierce, Samuel S. Countryman and John Struve.
Milon II. Pierce was born in Broom county, New York, on the 31st of January, 1834. Ile was raised in that county on a farm on the banks of the Susquehanna river, and received his education in the district schools. When eighteen years of age, he engaged with a carpenter and joiner to learn the trade, serving as an ap- prentice for two years and then as a journeyman. In 1856, he came to Iowa, locating in Linn county, where he re- mained until 1858, then came to Tama county and bought land in York township, on section 3. After making this purchase, he returned to Linn county and continued to work at his trade. On the 20th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 20th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, went south and was with the Regiment until the close of the war. The Regiment participated in many important engagements; among them were Prairie Grove, siege of Vicks- burg, and the siege of Forts Morgan and Blakely. On his return from the war, he lived at Belle Plaine for a short time, then went to Linn county, where he worked in a wagon shop. In 1866, he came to York township and settled on his land, where he has since resided. Ile has built two large cattle and hay barns, as well as comfortable sheds for his stock. Mr. Pierce has been very successful in his farming operations and now has 300 acres
of improved land. Mr. Pierce was mar- ried December 26, 1867, to Miss Unity Sapp, a native of Delaware. They have one child-Roena. Mr. Pierce has been elected to offices of trust in the township, and is, at present, Secretary of the School Board. Mr. Pierce is a genial, warm- hearted gentleman and holds the respect and esteem of his neighbors.
Samuel S. Countryman was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1837. He was reared on a farm and 'at- tended the district schools of his native county. He was married September 8, 1859, to Miss Dina Walker, also a native of Somerset county. They have been blessed with twelve children, eleven of whom are living : Thomas l'., Robert E., N. Frank, William J., Jacob G., George 1I., May E., Oscar J., Millard B., Cary C. and Nellie E. Frederick died in infancy. They lived in Somerset county until 1867, then moved to Illinois and rented land in Lee county, remaining there until 1873, when he came to Iowa and purchased land on section 1, of York township, of Mica- jah Emmons, a Quaker, who had lived there about ten years. On this land is a fine maple grove of twelve acres which was planted by Mr. Emmons. There was also a fine orchard which Mr. Countryman has replenished and enlarged. He has a large variety of fruits and interests hin- self very much in horticulture. In 1882, he erected a very large frame house and now has one of the finest residences in this part of the county.
John Struve is a native of Germany, born in llolstein, November 2, 1845. Be- tween the years of six and fifteen he at- tended school, and then went to sea, visit-
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ing England, Australia, South America, China and Japan. He followed the life of a sailor until he was twenty-one years of age, then came to America and located near Davenport, this State, where he was employed at farming for two years, then rented a farm until 1882. IIe then came to Tama county and purchased an im- proved farm of James Peck, on section 1, York township. Ile has a good set of buildings on his farm and is prepared to do thorough farming. Mr. Struve was married in January, 1876, to Miss Sena Ellis, of Scott county, this State, and they now have four children: Henry, Meta, Al- vina and John.
ORGANIC.
This township assumed its present boundaries and was organized April 7, 1856. The election was held at that time at the house of J. R. Graham, and the fol- lowing officers were elected: J. II. Wilder, Assessor; James R. Graham and Elijah E. Robinson, Justices; Simon Overturf, George W. Selvey and Jeptha Edmunds, Trustees; Z. T. Shugart, Clerk; Reason Overturf and J. S. Emisan, Constables; L. 1I. Shugart, Road Supervisor. At the general election held at Vining, Novem- ber 7, 1882, the following officers were elected: Iliram Loomis and Albert Kuchara, Justices; Frank Benesh, Clerk; A. C. Michall and Joseph Wolf, Consta- bles; R. O. Rogers, Assessor; J. H. Scott, Trustee. John Skrable and Antoine Dudek are the Trustees holding over.
VILLAGE OF WALTHAM.
This place was surveyed and platted, in 1868, by Horace Jacobs, County Surveyor, for Charles Mason. It is located on the west half of the east half of section 3, the
plat containing fifteen acres. G. G. Mason started the first store, in 1867. Another store was started afterward by Frank Kakesh. Hle soon discontinued the busi- ness, but started again, and now keeps the only store in the place. The third store was opened by S. S. Dowret, about 1870, and another by Mr. Pratt, in 1879. The following named persons have been en- gaged in business in this village at dif- ferent times: Alonzo Cady, Emerson Lovejoy, Walter Hines, Phillips Brothers, Walter Bradbrook, Joseph Glover and William Peck.
Benjamin Thompson opened the first blachsmith shop, in 1866. After a few years he sold out. John Wells, from Illi- nois, was foreman in Thompson's shop. It is said, that he was too much married, and hearing that one of the wives was about to visit the village, he took a spear and went fishing at Alexander's ford, on section 10. The spear was afterward found and on the handle was written, "Good bye Benjamin, you will never see me again," and that is the last that is known of him. J. II. Scott bought ont Thomp- son in 1870, he then formed a partner- ship with a man by the name of Kerr, and they built a wagon shop, 20x40 feet, two stories high, where they continued in business a few years. This building has since been converted into a dwelling. The blacksmithing business is now represented by Joseph Van Anken.
A postoffice was established in what is now the village of Waltham, in 1865. Ilenry. L. Smith was the first postmaster, and kept the office in his house, on section 3. The following named have served as postmasters, since that time: George G.
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Mason, A. W. Davies, A. B. Cady, Walter llines, G. Brown, Joseph Glover and Frank Kokesh, the present inemubent, who has the office in his store. Mail is received three times each week, from Elberon; formerly it was received from Belle Plaine, twice a week.
Henry L. Smith, the first postmaster at Waltham, and an early settler of the town- ship, was born in Orange county, New York, October 3, 1815. When he was nine years of age, his parents moved to New York city, where Henry received his education. When he reached the age of eighteen, he engaged with a carpenter to learn the trade. He served three years as an apprentice, and then he and his brother formed a partnership as contractors and builders. Henry was married October 16, 1837, to Miss Jane Lounsbury, who was a native of Geneseo county, New York. When she was but a year old her father died and her mother moved to New York city. In 1856, Mr. Smith came to Iowa and settled in Irving, where he found employment as carpenter and mill- wright for five years, then came to York township and settled on section 3, where he purchased an interest in a grist mill. Ile made this his home until the time of his death, which occurred Ma. 8, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had a family of four children: Daniel O., Joseph H., Mary C. and S. Elizabeth. Daniel O. was born in New York, August 2, 1838; died at Irving, August 6, 1861.
Alfred W. Davies, who was postmaster here for some time, was born in Hereford county, England, November 4, 1832, and when quite young was apprenticed to learn the miller's trade. He served an appren-
ticeship of three years, then worked in the different flouring mills in Worcester and Stafford counties until the breaking out of the war with Russia, in 1853, when he enlisted in the Royal Lancers, joined the Regiment at Bristol and went to Rus- sia, serving until the close of the war. Ile was in the famous battle of Balak- lava, and was one of the Light Brigade, immortalized by Tennyson in his poem:
'1Ialf a league, half a league, lIalf a league onward, All in the valley of death Rode the six hundred.
"Forward the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!" he said,
Into the valley of death, Rode the six hundred. * *
*
* *
*
When can their glory fade? Oh, the wild charge they made! All the world wondered.
llonor the charge they made! llonor the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred. "
Mr. Davies was also in the battle of In- kaman and other minor engagements. At the close of the war, he returned to Eng- land and resumed work at his trade. In 1857, he came to America, arriving at New York city on the 17th day of April, and went from there to Wayne county, where he was engaged at farming for a while, after which he was employed in a saw mill. On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company F, 8th Regiment, New York Volunteer Cavalry, and went to Washington. In 1862, the regiment was ordered to the Shenandoah valley. Mr. Davies partici pated in the battles of Winchester, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Beverly Ford, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg and Culpepper
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 1061
Court House. In the latter engagement, Au- gust 1, 1863, while charging a rebel bat- tery, he was wounded in the left arm near the shoulder. Amputation was performed on the battle field, and he was sent to Doug- lass llospital, at Washington, D. C. He was honorably discharged October 14, 1863, and returned to Wayne county, New York. In July, 1865, he started with a horse and wagon for Iowa, and from Michigan he helped to drive 2,500 sheep to Tama county. In 1866, he went to Michigan and returned to this county with 1,500 sheep. Ile then engaged in herding cattle, and in 1867, bought the mail route between Belle Plaine and Waltham. In 1869, he was appointed postmaster at Waltham, and served one year. In 1870, he returned to New York and was there married to Miss Elizabeth J. Corlett. They returned to Waltham, purchased a residence and now make that their home. They have three children: Benjamin F., Alice J. and Iliram 11.
Since the railroad came through the township, other towns have started and Waltham is not in a very flourishing con- dition. In fact it is almost defunct, the trade being transferred to other towns. After its commencement, for some time it was considered that it would make, a place of some importance, but its projectors seem doomed to disappointment, and other places seem destined to make the important towns of the township.
VILLAGE OF ELBERON.
This place was surveyed at the in- stance of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, in September, 1881. It is located on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 14 and the
northwest quarter of the northwest quar ter of section 13. The first building was a temporary shanty put up by N. L. Brown for a boarding house. The first permanent building in the village was erected by Amos Rogers for a lumber of_ fice. The first store building completed by N. L. Brown; located on the southeast corner of Main and First Streets.
The first store, doing business here, was in a building moved from Waltham where J. Glover & Co. opened a drug and gro- cery store, and yet remain in the trade.
William C. Gotthold opened the first dry goods store in December 1881, and is stil in the business, having a general stock of goods. William C. Gotthold was born in Canton, Ohio, February 11, 1861, and . when he was but eighteen months old, his mother came to Iowa to join her parents who resided on a farm near Chelsea. llis father was in the army at the time and died on his way home. William attend- ed the district school, and also the high school in Irivng, and completed his edu- cation at the business College at Canton Ohio. After completing his education, he engaged as clerk in a store in ('hel- sea, this county, and in December, 1881, came to Elberon and opened the business in whichhe is now engaged. Ile does a good business in the dry goods line.
John Skrable started the first hardware store, in 1882, and remains in the business. lle is a son of Joseph and Magdalina Skrable, and was born in Bohemia, No- vember 10, 1845. He attended the com- mon schools until ten years of age, then went to college for two years. At this time his parents came to America and loca- ted for two years at Iowa City, then
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came to Tama county and settled in York township, in 1857. When John was fifteen years old he went to Belle Plaine and hired as clerk in a hardware and dry goods store for eight years. Then, on account of his health, he returned to York township and engaged in farming, on section 24: He remained on the farm until 1881, at which time he located in Elberon, erected a building and opened a hardware store. Mr. Skrable was mar- ried in 1868 to Miss Barbara Kvidera, who has borne him seven children : Mary, Fannie, Abbie, James, Emil, Joseph and Frank. Mr. Skrable has taken a lively in- terest in affairs of local importance, has held the offices of Constable and Assessor, and has been in some office every year for the past fifteen years. Mr. Skrable is ed- ucated in both Bohemian and English.
The postoffice at Elberon was estab- lished in January, 1882, and N S. Brown was appointed postmaster, with the office in his store. This was a special office at that time, and the mail was received from Belle Plaine twice each week. The mail service was established on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad on the 10th of April, and mail is now regularly received daily. This town was first called Halifax, and was afterward changed to Elberon in honor of the place so intimate- ly connected with the death of President Garfield. The railroad was completed to this point in October, 1881, and there seems to be a prospect for a town here of some importance in the future.
Charles Skrable engaged in the grain trade at Elberon in 1881, and in 1882 built an elevator with a capacity of 10,000 bushels. Mr. Skrable still continues his
business, doing a large trade. He is the youngest son of Josephine and Magda- line Skrable, born October 5, 1835. Ile came to America with his parents and was reared on his father's farm in York town- ship, receiving his education in the district school. Ilis marriage with Miss Mary Ulch, took place February 4, 1876. Mr. Skra- ble was employed at farming until 1881, when he moved to Elberon, built a ware- house and engaged in the grain trade. In 1882, as mentioned above, he erected one of the best elevators in the county and is now doing a large business. Mr. and Mrs. Skrable have one child-Anthony J., born July 4, 1880.
The medical profession was first repre- sented here by Dr. E. E. Holroyd, who came in January, 1882. He removed to Chicago, and is now a professor in a Medi- cal College. The profession is now repre- sented by Dr. Frank S. Smith. See Medi- cal Chapter.
The first livery stable was opened in the spring of 1882, by A. C. Michall. In March, 1883, however, he rented his stable and went to Missouri.
In November, 1881, a saloon was started by Henry Boke, who still continues his business.
VILLAGE OF VINING.
This place was surveyed and laid out in the fall of 1881, by the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and is located on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 20. During the same fall the first building was erected by John Kotas, in which he opened a dry goods and grocery store, early in the winter.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Albert Ulch completed the second build- ing, in which he opened a grocery store in January, 1882.
Frank Benesh put up a building during the winter, and opened a hardware store the following spring, and still continues his business. Mr. Benesh was born in Bohemia, in 1844. Ile received a. liberal education in the schools of his native country, and, in 1859, came to America with his parents, who settled in York township, of this county. In 1865, Mr. Benesh was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Bistricky, and settled on a farm, where he followed farming until 1872, at which time he removed to Belle Plaine and engaged as clerk in the hardware store of C. W. Gore. In 1882, he formed a partnership with Mr. Gore and opened a hardware store in Vining. Mr. Benesh is one of the leading citizens of the town and is at present Township Clerk, elected in November, 1882. Ile converses and reads in both Bohemian and English. Mr. and Mrs. Benesh have eleven children : Frank J., Charley, William, Emil, Theo- dor, Joseph, George, Mary Anna, Blanche, Emilie and Berta.
Frank Simon and his son Joseph came to Vining in 1882, and engaged in the general merchandise business, which they still continue. Mr. Simon was born in Bohemia, in 1832. In 1852, he was mar- ried to Miss Kate Krejsa, who bore him two children : Kate and Joseph. In 1869, they came to America and located at Racine, Wisconsin, where Mr. Simon worked at the tailoring business. He re- mained there but a few months, then came to Tama county and worked on the railroad at Montour for six months. He
next went to Chicago, worked two years at his trade, then returned to this eounty, and after working at tailoring for a few months, opened a general merchandise store, continuing in that business until 1882. He then came to Vining, and in company with his son engaged in his present business. His son Joseph, post- master at Vining, was born on the 22d day of February, 1858, and came to America with his parents, with whom he made his home until 1873. Ile then engaged as clerk for James Briee, for whom he worked until his father opened his store in Chelsea. He then went to work for his father and in 1882, father and son formed a partner- ship to carry on a mercantile business at Vining. Joseph was married, April 7, 1879, to Miss Sofie Macek. Joseph is a young man, full of energy and pluck, and bids fair to be one of the leading business men in the township.
Joseph Michal opened the first saloon, in the fall of 1881, in a building moved here from Vining.
Albert Kuchara opened the first harness shop, in the spring of 1882. The same spring Frank Musle started in the lumber trade in company with J. W. Shaler. Musle now continues the business alone.
The postoffice here was established in the spring of 1882 and Joseph Simon ap- pointed postmaster. He kept the same at his store. The first mail arrived the first day of May.
A warehouse was erected in the fall of 1881 by Joseph Ineck, and he is yet en- gaged here in the grain trade. This young town consists mostly of Bohemians and is in a prosperous condition.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
POSTOFFICES.
Dryden postoffice was established in Oneida township, in 1868, with Miss Net- tie Kenner postmistress, and the office was kept at her home, on section 36. It was moved to York in 1872, when B. A. Peck was commissioned and the office was in his house, on section 1. It was moved from there to Benton county a few years later, and was discontinued in 1881. It was on the route between Belle Plaine and Dysart.
Fox Point postoffice was established in August, 1879, and Miss Laura Fox ap- . pointed postmistress. It was kept at her house, on section 23, and was discontinued when an office was established at Elberon, in 1882. It was also on the route from Belle Plaine to Dysart.
MILLS.
Alvin Clark built a saw mill on Salt creek, in 1855. But little lumber was sawed, when it was converted into a grist mill, with one run of stone. Mr. Clark sold out to Simon Dykeman. in 1857. Dykeman sold a one-half interest to John Allen. Henry L. Smith bought John Allen's interest in 1861, and a few months afterward purchased Dykeman's interest. In 1867, he sold one-half interest to S. A. Lewis. The mill is now owned and run by S. A. and Charles Lewis. They do custom work and manufacture first-class flour. Jacob Yount commenced building a flour mill on Salt creek, on section 22, in 1873, but before completion sold an inter- est in it to his two sons, David and Dan- ieł, with R. O. Rogers, A. Pryne and Ilottel. In 1874, William White bought an interest and the mill was completed that year. In 1876, Adam and Benjamin Bruner purchased the mill. In 1879 Ben-
jamin Bruner sold his one-half interest to John Beal, and they sold a third to Sam- uel Barrett. It now has three run of buhrs and all the necessary machinery for the manufacturing of first-class flour. It is operated at present by Bruner & Bar- rett, both of whom are first-class millers, and are obliged to run the mill to its full- est capacity night and day to meet the de- mand. The success of this mill dates from the time that the Bruner brothers bought it.
Adam Bruner, senior partner of the above named firm, is the fifth son of Christian and Sophia Bruner, born in San- dusky county, Ohio, June 8, 1842. His parents came to lowa when he was but ten years of age. He made his home under the parental roof until in January, 1856, when he was married to Miss Annie M. Fromm and settled in Howard town- ship, where he engaged in farming until 1876. At this time he and his brother Benjamin came to York township and purchased the flour mill with which he is now connected. Mr. and Mrs. Bruner have been blessed with five children: Albert C., Norman C., Agnes T., Clara M. and Howard E. Mr. Bruner is a first- class miller, a man of enterprise and en- joys the trust and respect of his neighbors.
Samuel Barrett, of the above named firm of Bruner & Barrett, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, March. 4, 1834. Ilis parents moved to Knox coun- ty, Ohio, in 1836. Samuel remained at home until sixteen years of age, then with the foolish whim of boyish thought, he ran away. He was fortunate in finding work in Clark county, Pennsylvania, in a saw mill. After two years he returned to
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