USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 51
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Mr. Ilowell and his wife attend the Meth- (dist church. The former was made a Mason in 1876, having then joined Toleration Lodge, No. 236. of Fremont, lowa. Politically, he is a Republican.
m RS. JANE GARDNER, who super- intends the work upon her farm in Columbia township. Wapello coun- ty, lowa, is the widow of Joseph Gardner. She has a very pleasant home, and. being a good manager, has made a success of farming.
Joseph Gardner, who was a native of Ire- land. when fifteen years of age came to America with his parents in 1834. Hle landed at New York, worked about the docks there for some time, and in 1844 came to lowa. Ile settled in Columbia township, where he purchased a farm, a part of which is now owned by his son. William B. He was thrice married. his first union being with Clarissa Nogle, by whom he had the following children: Elizabeth : James ; John; and Lydia. He was next married to Eliza Black, and they had one child, William
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B. He was then married to Mrs. Jane Johnson, Politically. he was a Democrat, and a strong the subject of this sketch; no children were supporter of party principles. born to them.
Mrs. Gardner has been twice married, her first union having been with Joseph Johnson, deceased, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Wapello county, lowa, having located in Eddyville in 1854. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, and was a son of John and Nancy And Johnson, both natives of Ireland. where they always lived. Joseph Johnson came to the United States, landing at Philadelphia, and soon afterward located in Ohio, where he lived about five years. He there met and mar- ried Jane Conley, daughter of John and Mary ( Robison ) Conley. He engaged in quarrying. and was foreman of a stone quarry in Ohio. He left that state, stopped at Oskaloosa, lowa. for three weeks, and then proceeded with his wife and baby to Eddyville, where he remained for nine years. During this time he was en- gaged in the stone business, and afterward rent- ed a farm now owned by Mr. Gordon, on which he lived for three years. He then purchased the farm which is now owned by his widow. It contained 53 acres, and he added an adjoin- ing 86 acres. There was an old log shanty on the property, into which, after repairing it, he moved with his family, and there they lived for nine years. He died in 1877. at the age of forty seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson became the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to maturity and are now living, as follows : John ; Ilugh : Mary : James ; Nancy . A. : Joseph; and Ella J. Mr. Johnson was a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Gardner well remembers her first visit to Ottumwa, at a time when there were but two leg houses where how is located a beautiful and prosperous city. After the death of her first husband, she was united in marriage with Joseph Gardner, who lived but three years after their marriage. She built her present five-room house in 1888. a very comfortable dwelling, with a large porch which adds greatly to the general appearance of the place. She is an in- telligent woman, with a good understanding of business principles, and, as before mentioned, has met with success in conducting the affairs of her farm. She has a large number of friends in the community in which she has lived for so many years. Religiously, she is an Episeo- palian.
TTO BREMHORST, the oldest gro- cer of Ottumwa, Wapello county. lowa, first located here in 1871. He was born in Prussia, Germany, March 11, 1846.
He was reared in his native country until he reached the age of eighteen years. He has been engaged in the grocery business since he was thirteen years old, when his father died. His mother died in 1880, having given birth to six children, of whom Otto was the only one to come to this country. In company with a party of six young men he came to this coun- try and located in St. Louis, Missouri, where he spent a couple of years as a grocery clerk.
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BENIAH DIMMITT.
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Having distant relatives in Lee county, lowa, he moved thither and engaged in the grocery business in the town of St. Paul. His employer also owned a farin, and Mr. Bremhorst divided his time in working on it and in the store, and thus recovered his health. He came to Ottumwa, Iowa, December 11, 1871, entered the employ of 11. C. Grube in the grocery busi- ness, and continued with him for a period of fourteen years. He then engaged in business for himself, and since November 19, 1888, has occupied his present quarters at No. 101 South Court street, the building being owned by Mr. Grube. He carries a complete line of staple and fancy groceries, flour, etc., and up to 1897 handled a large amount of feed. He ships flour by the carload, and has an excellent pat- ronage in this line, making a specialty of the "Gold Coin" and "Owatonna" brands. The building is 120 feet deep, and he has added to it in the rear, to secure sufficient room for the business. Seven people are employed in the store,-four of them being members of his family,-and two or three delivery wagons are kept busy all the time. Ile is a very progressive man and an excellent manager, and the sum total of business transacted in 1900 exceeded that of 1899 by over $5,000.
Mr. Bremhorst was united in marriage, at Ottumwa, with Catherine Ostdick, and they are the parents of eight children, as follows : Catherine, wife of Henry Stoessel, residing in Minnesota ; Herman, who is head man in his father's store: Henry, who is also employed in the store; Lena; Amelia; Mary; and Leo, who drives one of the delivery wagons used
in his father's business. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Democrat. In religious be- lief, he is a Catholic. For the past twenty-six years his residence has been at No. 1005 North Court street.
B ENLAAHI DIMMITT, a gentleman of high educational attainments, is su- perintendent of schools of Wapello county, lowa, and is serving as such in the most efficient manner. He has great na- tural ability as an instructor and received train- ing in high class institutions for educational work. Ile was born in Highland township, Wapello county, Iowa, in 1864, and is a son of the late Beniah Dimmitt, Sr.
Beniah Dimmitt, Sr., settled in Highland township, in 1844, having come from Indiana. Ile was a prominent farmer and stock-raiser. and lived here until his death in 1875. He was married here to Elizabeth Padgett, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1827, and is now liv- ing in Ottumwa, at the age of seventy-four years. This union resulted in the following off- spring: Austin; Laura; Olive ; Lincoln : Ben- iah; Samuel ; Tolbert, and Lada. Austin died in 1884, at the age of about thirty years. Laura resides at Ottumwa with her mother. Olive died in 1886, having been married, in 1885, to George Phillips, who was formerly county su- perintendent of schools and is now located at Ottumwa, in the employ of the C. B. & Q. Railroad Company. Lincoln resides in Dahl- onega township, Wapello county. Samuel re-
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sides with his wife on the old family homestead in Highland township. Tolbert is employed in the main office of the Western Union Telegraph Company, at Chicago, Illinois. Lada is de- ceased.
Beniah Dimmitt was reared in this county and attended Mrs. Peck's Normal School, where he completed a four-year course in 1885. He then followed the profession of teaching four or five years in Wapello county, after which he was superintendent of schools at Rich- land, Keokuk county, for three years. He re- signed to attend the Iowa State Normal School at Cedar Falls, from which institution he was graduated in 1894. In that year he went to Hopkins, Missouri, where he served as princi- pal of schools for five and a half years. In 1899 he was elected superintendent of schools of Wapello county, lowa, succeeding Joseph Parks, and this office he has since filled in a most creditable manner. In the summer of 1896 he spent some months in psychological work in Clark University at Worcester, Massachusetts, and has also held positions as instructor in vari- ous institutes during the summer. He stands very high in his profession, and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Ottumwa. Ile resides with his mother and sisters at No. 318 West Maple avenue, Ottumwa.
In politics Mr. Dimmitt is a Democrat, al- though his family is mainly Republican. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; a Mason, belonging to the Commandery, K. T., at Ottumwa, and to Moila Temple, A. . A. O. N. M. S., of St. Jo-
seph, Missouri. He is a member of the State Teacher's Association. A portrait of Mr. Dim- mitt accompanies this mention of his life.
OHN S. KRIEGH. This gentleman was born in Knox county, Illinois, January 11, 1854, and is a son of John and Margaret ( Ilayes) Krieglı. Hle is living in section 23, township 72, range 12, Pleasant township, Wapello county, Iowa, and is actively engaged in the tilling of the soil.
John Kriegh was born in Washington county, Maryland, January 5, 1822, and his death occurred in Knox county, Illinois, at the advanced age of seventy-six years. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Margaret Hayes, who was born in 1823. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Mary; John S., the subject of this sketch; William; Maggie; Ida : David; and Alice. In 1854 Mr. Kriegh moved to Knox county, Illinois, and settled on the farm which was his home for forty-three years. He was brought up in the Lutheran faith, and was a Christian in the truest sense of the word. His death was sincerely mourned in Knoxville and that vicinity, where he was known for his many amiable traits of char- acter and his kindness to all. A man of re- tiring disposition, gentle and hospitable, he won for himself many lifelong friends.
John S. Kriegh married Eva Allen, Sep- tember 6, 1878. She was a daughter of John and Lydia ( Epperson) Allen. Her union with
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Mr. Kriegh was blessed by the birth of eight children, namely: Frank; Harley: Fred; Mary; Alice ; Harry ; James ; and John. Mrs. Kriegh died June 26, 1897, and was laid to rest in the Carter cemetery, west of Bladensburg. On December 25. 1899. Mr. Kriegh married Elizabeth Swank, and in less than a year her death occurred.
Mr. Kriegh is now living with his children on his farm of 150 acres. His two eldest daughters act as housekeepers, and the house is well managed by them. Mr. Kriegh is en- gaged in general farming. He is a conscien- tious man, of upright, honest principles, and is held in high esteem by the citizens of Wapello county. Hle belongs to the lodges of the Wood- men. Odd Fellows, and Royal Neighbors. In politics, Mr. Kriegh is a Democrat. He has served as township trustee, road supervisor and school director.
RS. MARY ANN RENFEW, wid- ow of the late John Renfew. re- sides on a farm of 160 acres of land in Green township, Wapello county, lowa, in section 18, township 71. range 14. She was born in Maryland. and is a daughter of William and Catherine Graves. William Graves was an Englishman, and came to this country early in life, following the trade of a bookbinder. He worked in New York City some time, and then removed to Maryland, where the subject of this sketch was born. Shortly after removing to Maryland his wife
died of the cholera, and his death occurred shortly afterward. Mary Ann Graves, the sub- ject hereof, was left an orphan at the age of nine years. Until the time of her marriage she was obliged to work out in order to support herself. She married John Renfew in 1843. John Renfew was born in 1819. in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Isaac Renfew. The grandfather of John Renfew was a native of Ireland, and taught school dur- ing the winter months, working at his trade the rest of the year. His son Isaac was a weaver by trade, and he, too, was a native of Ireland. In 1850 John Renfew settled in Jones county, lowa, where he remained for a period of three years. He then returned to Pennsyl- vania, but, not finding the place to his liking, remained there only a short time and then came back to lowa. He settled in Eddyville, where he made shingles and followed the trade of a carpenter until 1858. He then bought 40 acres of land in Green township, on which he lived for twelve years. He sold this land and bought the homestead on which his wife now resides. Mr. Renfew died in 1883. and his death was sincerely mourned in the community. Hle was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Christian church.
A V. TINSLEY. the genial proprietor of a large hotel and livery stable in Blakesburg. Wapello county, lowa. was bern en a farm and is one of eleven children. He was born in 1829, and is
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a son of F. M. Tinsley, who is a native of Ken- tucky. F. M. Tinsley followed farming for a number of years, and is now living in Blakes- burg, where he bought a home, having settled in Wapello county in 1849.
.A. V. Tinsley, the subject of this sketch, was reared in the district schools of his native county. His father's family was large, and his father was obliged to give the children only a limited education, because he needed their as- sistance on the farm. Mr. Tinsley was always a conscientious boy, and by paying strict atten- tion to business he gained a practical knowledge which has always been of great benefit to him. In 1880), after leaving the farm, he built a livery stable in Blakesburg. This was the first busi- ness of the kind established in the village. The building is 42 by 92 feet in size, and is stocked with all kinds of carriages, buggies and hacks, necessary to run such a business. In 1899 Mr. Tinsley built a large two-story hotel. 42 by 32 feet in dimensions, which is a very popular re- sort for the traveling public. Mr. Tinsley has also increased his work by engaging in the ma- chine business with his son Charles, and in this they have been very successful. Mr. Tinsley is one of the best business men of Blakesburg. and his opinion is often sought on affairs that pertain to the advancement of the village and its surroundings.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Julia Rowe in 1873. She is a daughter of John Rowe, who is a carpenter. Four children have resulted from this union. and their names are: Fannie, born December 20, 1876; Maggie, born March 19, 1878;
Paulina, born September 1, 1879, who is the wife of lloward Woodford, of Blakesburg; and Charles Il., born August 1, 1881. In poli- ties, Mr. Tinsley is a Democrat, and has held the office of constable for fourteen years. He attends the Methodist church.
ANDREW J. HICKS, JR .. a prosperous farmer of Green township. Wapello county, Jowa, who lives on a farm of 80 acres in section 8, township 71. range 14, is a native of Green township. He was born October ;. 1865, and is a son of . A. J. and Mary ( Luther ) Hicks.
.A. J. Hicks, Sr., is a native of Indiana. There he received his mental training, near Lafayette, and in 1861 removed to Jowa. lle purchased a farm in Green township, and from time to time has added to this land until he now OWns 213 acres. This land is in a high state of cultivation, and constitutes one of the finest farms in the township. Mr. Hicks carries on general farming and stock raising. He mar- ried Mary Luther, who was born in Indiana. They reared the following children: Joseph ; Marilla : Margaret : and .A. J. Politically, Mr. licks is a Democrat, and has held several township offices.
.A. J. Hicks, Jr., the subject of this brief biography, received his early instruction in the common schools of Green township. His was the lot of the average farmer boy, as he re- mained under the parental roof until he reached his majority. With the exception of two years
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J. F. BIZER.
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spent in Nebraska, he has lived in Wapello county all his life. From the time he started out to make his own way in the world until 1800 be rented farms in Green township. In 1899 he bought 40 acres of land, which, in connection with 40 acres owned by his wife, makes up his present farm. His success has been the result of his own exertion, as he left his father's home without a dollar in his pos- session. He is now considered one of the most progressive farmers in the township.
Mr. Hicks was united in marriage with Maria Reed, a daughter of Benjamin and De- lilah Reed, pioneer settlers of Wapello county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have been born three children .- Estella, Benjamin and an infant, deceased. Mr. Ilicks casts his vote with the Democratic party, and has been honored by re- ceiving the votes of his fellow citizens which clected him to several of the township offices. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
F. BIZER. a prosperous and pro- gressive farmer of Wapello county, Jowa, operates an excellent farm in sections 4 and 9, township 72, range 14. Center township. He has one of the best and most modern farm houses in the vicinity ; it is two stories high and 32 by 56 feet, in dimen- sions, and the barns and other outbuildings are in keeping with it.
(. P. Bizer. father of J. F., was born in Ohio, and died in Wapello county, Iowa, at the age of seventy-three years. He followed farm-
ing nearly all his life, although he worked on a steamboat on the Ohio River for some time, running from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and then up the river, to St. Joseph. He followed this work for five seasons and in 1850 moved to lowa, and settled on a farm in Center town- ship, Wapello county. This be cultivated until 1800. when he purchased the farm now oper- ated by his son, one mile west of the former. lle was a man of high standing in the commun- ity, and his advice in matters of public interest was highly valued. He was county supervisor at the time the court house was built, and served on the building committee, of which he was made chairman. Being a man of great public spirit and fine personality, his death was mourned by his neighbors and fellow citizens as a loss to the community. He married Margaret Booth, whose grandfather belonged to the no- bility of England, but came to this country to escape an unpleasant matrimonial alliance, fos- tered by his parents. He showed his sterling qualities by carving out an honorable place for himself in this country.
J. F. Bizer was born in October, 1856, and came with his parents to this farm in 186g. It was then very little improved. There was a log house upon the property, which was re- placed in 1875 by a fine, modern home,-one of the best farm houses in the county. In 1895 O. P. Bizer built a two-story barn. 42 by 52 feet in size, with a basement running under the whole of it. Hle set out many small trees,- which he has seen grow to magnificent propor- tiens,-and prided himself on the tine appear- ance of his farm. He also set out a good or-
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chard of various kinds of fruit, which bears heavily. He had good outbuildings, and his entire farm was well fenced.
J. F. Bizer has had this farm rented for the past twenty-four years. He is engaged in gen- eral farming and dairying, and has an elegant herd of about 50 head of thoroughbred Hol- stein cattle. He was united in marriage, in 1881. with Flora M. Farmer, and they are the parents of three children, namely : Edna, born March 12, 1883; O. P., born August 19. 1885: and Joseph, who was born August 10, 1888. and died at the age of three years. The subject of this sketch has always been a Democrat, but is liberal in his views. His portrait accom- panies this sketch.
OSEPH FRANKLIN HILL, a well- known farmer of Green township. Wa- pello county, Iowa, living on a farm of So acres in section 21. township 71. range 14. was born in 1838, in Clermont coun- ty, Ohio, six miles from the place where Gen- eral Grant was born. His father, John Hill. who was a native of Pennsylvania, died in Iowa, at the age of sixty-two years. Mr. Hill's ancestors came from Germany and settled in this country in the early colonial days. They were tillers of the soil.
Joseph Franklin Hill attended the common schools of his native state. In 1864 he enlisted in the 184th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., at Camp Chase. His regiment was sent south to do duty. After the war was over Mr. Ilill returned to
Clermont county, Ohio, and in 1873 moved to Wapollo county, lowa, settling on the farm which he now owns, in Green township. Ile at once began clearing the land and improving it generally. It has now reached a high state of cultivation, and he has one of the most com- fortable homes in the county. Mr. Hill built a house and a number of outbuildings on the place, and everything about the property pre- sents a neat and attractive appearance. Mr. Hill has an old horse, twenty-nine years of age, which he keeps and cares for just because it helped him to make his farm what it is. This is but one instance of Mr. Hill's kindly character, and many similar ones might be mentioned.
In 1858 Mr. Ilill married the daughter of Thomas S. Donley. She was born in Ohio August 20, 1840. Thomas S. Donley was born in Kentucky, and when a boy moved to Ohio, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. He married Mary Patterson, a native of Ohio, who also reached the age of eighty-four years. She was a daughter of John P. Patterson, and her grandmother. a highly educated woman, was a famous physician of her day. Mr. and Mrs. Will have five children, as follows: Susan Frances, wife of Newton Wilson, who resides in South Ottumwa: Mary Louisa, wife of E. G. Harsch, of Green township: Dora C., wife of Alvin Kendall, of Ottumwa : Josie Elizabeth, wife of Alfred Marts : and Sarah Ethel, who is at home.
Mr. Hill has been reelected clerk of Green township, an office he has filled in an able man- ner for a number of terms. For nine years he
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acted as secretary of the school board, and In- der his administration one of the best school- houses in the township was erected, and the term was lengthened to a duration of seven months. Politically. Mr. Ilill is a Democrat.
OHIN PARKS, a pioneer settler of Rich- land township. Wapello county, lowa. whose home is now in Kirkville, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1832. Ile is a son of Thomas and Elsie ( Burley) Parks.
Thomas Parks was born in Pennsylvania, and at the age of thirty years moved to Ohio, where he farmed. In 1839 he located in Van Buren county, lowa, and in 1845 settled in Richland township, this county, where he pur- chased a farm. Politically, he was a Whig. and later in life a Republican. He died at the age of eighty years on his home farm in Rich- land township. He was one of the pioneer set- tlers of the county, and did much to assist in the progress and development of the communi- ty. lle married Elsie Burley, and they reared the following children: Nancy, Mary, Joseph, Ellen. Clinton, and Stewart, all deceased : Em- ily: Jo shua and Agnes, both deceased: John ; and James.
John Parks, whose name heads this sketch. was six years oldl when his parents located in lowa. He received his mental training in the country schools, and assisted his father on the farm. He followed that occupation until a few years ago, when he retired from active life and took up his residence in Kirkville, where he
now lives. Mr. Parks married Lydia Witten- myer, who was born in Vermilion county, Indi- ana, in 1835. The record of their children is as follows : Mary, deceased : Sarah An, who mar- ried C. Brown, and now lives in Richland town- ship: Jonathan: N. S .; Jane: William; and Rose.
Mr. and Mrs. Parks are members of the Metho dist church of Kirkville. Politically, the fermer is a Republican. Hle is widely known in Wapello county, and is deserving of the confi- dence repesed in him by all.
ILLIAM HIRST. a highly respected farmer of Richland township, Wa- pello county, Iowa, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1819. and is a son of Thomas and Phoebe ( Greenroyd ) Hirst.
Thomas first was born in Yorkshire. Eng- land. in 1777, and was a son of John and Mary ( Pearson ) Hirst. Hotl: natives of England. He was a weaver by trade, but later in life engaged in farming, which he followed until his death. in 1868. Hlis union with Phoebe Greenroyd. who was born in Yorkshire, England, resulted in the birth of the following children: John : Ann: William: Joseph: James; Benjamin: Mary: Sarah: Alice: Louisa; and George. James came to the United States and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived until his death. in 1807. He was a machinist, and was the in- venter of the First motor, of which he was also the manufacturer.
William Hfirst came to the United States
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in 1847, at the age of twenty-four years, and landed at the port of New York. Hle then lo cated in Ohio and lived there until 1850. when he came west to lewa, locating in Burlington. Up to that time his work had been that of a shoemaker. He moved to Wapello county. lowa, in 1851, and was located at Eddyville until the fall of that year, when he settled on his farm in section 21. Richland township. where he now owns 100 acres of valuable land. lle lived on this place until 1892. when he moved with his wife to his present home in Kirkville, where he lives a retired life. having rented his farm. He is a Republican in politics, although he cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce. He also voted for John C. Fremont. He has served as a director of the school board in his district for a mimber of years.
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