USA > Iowa > Washington County > History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 3
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Year by year he labors earnestly and persistently in the further develop- ment of the place and is now one of the substantial agriculturists of the community. His political views are an endorsement of the republican prin- ciples and he has served as school director for several years, but otherwise has never sought nor desired office, for his business affairs make full claim upon his time and attention and in the conduct of his interests he is nearing the goal of prosperity.
CONRAD LINS.
From the fatherland have come many thrifty and enterprising agricul- turists to this state, among them being Conrad Lins, whose birth occurred in Corhessen, Germany, now Prussia, August 16, 1833, a son of John and Elizabeth ( Andreas) Lins. His father remained in his native land, where he followed farming until his death in 1886, and his mother also stayed within the borders of her own country, where she entered into rest. They reared a family of three children : Conrad : Gertrude, who departed this life in her seventh year ; and Margaret Elizabeth, who resides in Germany.
On the farm operated by his father, Conrad Lins was reared, acquiring his education in the government schools during his boyhood, and with his parents he lived until he was twenty years of age. Hearing of the opportuni- ties afforded in the United States along all lines, he then embarked for this country, and after a voyage of forty-six days arrived in New York city. He proceeded at once to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he stayed for a short time and then went to Butler county, Pennsylvania. There he engaged in farming for eleven years and. deciding to come west, he reached Washington county, Iowa, April 6. 1865, and located in Washington town- ship, where he purchased the land upon which he now resides. It contains one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is highly improved, and his premises being provided with substantial buildings and his grounds being well kept and in fine condition, his farm is one of the most desirable in the county. In his early life Mr. Lins dealt in live stock on a large scale and acquired quite a reputation as a breeder of blooded cattle and Percheron horses, but for several years past he has devoted his attention exclusively to producing general crops.
In 1858 Mr. Lins wedded Miss Mary A. Scheidemantel, a native of Germany, born May 19, 1838, who came to the United States in 1848 with her parents, locating in Butler county, Pennsylvania. To this marriage were born ten children, namely : Edward N., who died at the age of seventeen years ; Margaret E., wife of Frank Shanefelt, of Estherville, Iowa : Caroline L., who died at the age of seven years ; Lucy, wife of D. C. Wells, a painter and paper-hanger of Estherville, Iowa ; Mary, who is a trained nurse resid- ing at home; George J., at home : C. W. and Edwin R., both of whom are engaged in farming in Washington township: Leta, wife of Dr. Cadwalla- der. a general practitioner of Millershurg, Iowa : and Lavina. at home.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Mr. Lins gives his support to the republican party, and during his active career, having taken considerable interest in local affairs, he has served as school director and has also held the office of township treasurer of school funds since 1878. He is a charter member of the Iowa Legion of Honor, meeting with the lodge at the town of Washington. At the age of fourteen years he united with the German Reformed church in Germany, and Mrs. Lins united with the German Lutheran church while residing in Pennsylvania, at the age of sixteen, but they now attend the Baptist church, to which he is a liberal contributor. His conduct has always been such as to command the respect and confidence of his neighbors, and in every particular he deserves mention as a substantial farmer and representative citizen of the township.
JOHN CHRISTIAN BAUER.
John Christian Bauer, who is turning his energies to cultivating the soil in Franklin township, Washington county, is a native of Germany, and is possessed of all the admirable quality of industry together with all the char- acteristics conimon to his race and these have enabled him throughout his career here to surround himself with prosperity and establish himself on an excellent farm which, on account of the attention he has given to it, is one of the most desirable tracts of land in the county.
His birth occurred April 19, 1867, and he is a son of John J. and Mary (Genkinger) Bauer, both of whom are natives of Germany and came to the new world about the year 1888, locating in Franklin township, this county, where the father still resides, enjoying a high measure of health and vigor. Here he has devoted his entire time and attention to the pur- suit of agriculture although, while he was still a resident of his native land, being a shoemaker by trade, he followed that occupation. Upon coming to this country. he gave up shoemaking, engaging in it only to the extent of supplying the needs of his immediate family. His wife departed this life here in 1899. To them were born six children, namely: Carolina, the wife of George Hartman, residing in Jefferson county ; John Christian ; Carl, deceased : Ernest Fred, a prosperous agriculturist of Franklin township ; Lou, who operates a large farm in Cedar township; and Mary, the wife of F. H. Ross, who is engaged in farming in Franklin township.
In his native land John Christian Bauer acquired his education and when eighteen years of age, upon learning of the greater opportunities offered in the new world for ambitious young men, he came to the United States in 1885, locating in Washington township, this county, where he remained for a brief period and then went to Franklin township, where he was engaged in farming on monthly wages, in the meantime completing a commercial course in a business college. Having finished his education, he commenced farming in Franklin township in 1892, and has since met with success, now owning one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he has erected a fine
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
dwelling house. His farm is provided with all conveniences with which to carry on his occupation to the best advantage. Desiring to pursue agri- cultural upon modern methods he pays much attention to his soil, making a study of crops and their rotation and as a consequence his harvests are all that could be desired. Aside from engaging in general farming he makes a specialty of stock-feeding, which has become the most lucrative depart- ment of his business.
In 1892 the marriage of Mr. Bauer and Miss Ada Victorine Davis was celebrated. She is a native of Franklin township, and has become the mother of five children: Bessie, whose birth occurred December 10, 1892; Ralph, born April 20, 1895: Margaret, born September 14, 1898; Roy, born July 25, 1900 ; and Carlton, whose birth occurred on January 13, 1907.
While Mr. Bauer is not an aspirant for public office he takes a deep in- terest in political issues and is a loyal supporter of the republican party. Interested in local affairs, he has served four years as township assessor and for two years as township trustee and is a member of the school board. His fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias meeting at West Chester, and in his lodge he is the keeper of the record and seal. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is an estimable citizen, an industrious and enterprising farmer and is accounted among the worthy men of his township.
ISAIAH OLDFIELD.
Isaiah Oldfield is numbered among the native sons of Washington county and his record is one which reflects credit upon the community in which he has long lived. He has never sought to figure prominently in public life, but in business affairs has been reliable and has manifested the spirit of advancement in all things. He was born on the 22d of November, 1858, and is a son of Paul and Rebecca Oldfield. His youthful days were spent in his parents' home, his time being divided between the work of the school- room, the pleasures of the playground and the duties of the fields. He acquired a common school education and after he had attained his majority started out in life on his own account by renting land. He thus carried on farming for himself for five years, on the expiration of which period he pur- chased his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and pro- ductive land on section 5, Cedar township. This he has greatly improved, equipping it with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm. He makes a specialty of raising stock and has good grades of horses, cattle and hogs upon his place.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Oldfield was married in 1887 to Miss Irena Rickey, a daughter of Reuben and Ruth (Ayers) Rickey. This union has been blessed with two children : L. E., who is a graduate of the Wellman high school and is now at home; and C. R., who is a pupil in the Wellman high school. The parents are faithful members of the Methodist
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Episcopal church and cooperate actively in its work and contribute gener- ously to its support. Mr. Oldfield votes with the republican party, thus manifesting his interest in the political questions and issues of the day. He has served as township trustee and as school director for seven or eight years and is interested in all that pertains to public progress. Socially he is con- nected with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 92, at Wellman, and his support is given to the various movements that contribute to the material, intellectual, social and moral welfare of the community. He is now one of the sub- stantial farmers of Cedar township and the salient features in his life are such as commend him to the confidence, trust and good will of his fellowmen.
ORVILLE ELDER.
Orville Elder is the publisher of the Evening Journal of Washington. He was born in Mercer county, Illinois, October 13, 1866, and is a son of David Clark and Samantha Jane (Curry) Elder, natives of Ohio and Iowa respectively. The former was a son of David Elder who was born in Penn- sylvania and was of Scotch and Swiss descent. He devoted his life to the occupation of farming and thus provided for his family. He married Isabel Ray, and died in Alexis, Illinois, at the age of eighty-six years. The children of this family were John J., William, Rebecca, Margaret, David Clark, Alonzo and James.
Reared to the occupation of farming David Clark Elder chose that pur- suit as a life work. At an early day he removed westward to Warren county. Illinois, and in the carly '6os came to Washington, Iowa, and attended the college here. He was married in Washington to Miss Samatha Jane Curry, whose father died in early manhood. Her mother bore the maiden name of Jane Mitchell and by her marriage became the mother of three daughters, the sisters of Mrs. Elder being Margaret and Mary Curry. At the time of the Civil war David Clark Elder attempted to enlist in an Iowa regiment, but being rejected went to Illinois where he joined Company B, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served as a private for three years. During much of the time he was at Fort Donelson, being a prisoner of war a part of that time. When hostilities had ceased he returned to War- ren county, Illinois, where he resided until 1884 and then established his permanent residence in Washington, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1900 when he was sixty-four years of age. His widow still survives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Harry McCall. She is a member of the Presbyterian church to which Mr. Elder also belonged. Unto them were born two sons and four daughters: Helen, the wife of Albert Peterson, of Govan, Saskatchewan; Orville; Arthur A., of Ogden, Utah; Leanna, the wife of Harry McCall, of Washington, Iowa; Grace, who wedded C. C. Lewis of Carlsbad, New Mexico; and Pearl, the wife of John W. Lewis, also of Carlsbad.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Orville Elder acquired his education in Illinois and remained a resident of that state until about eighteen years of age, when he came to Washington where he remained for three years. He next spent a similar period in Denver, Colorado, after which he returned to this city and for six years was engaged in the grocery business. Retiring from commercial lines ne purchased the Evening Journal which he has continuously published to the present time. It is an independent daily paper, having a large local circula- tion. He has a well equipped plant, and in connection with the publication of the paper conducts a general job printing business, employing twelve people. He is likewise one of the directors of the Washington Telephone Company.
On the 4th of April, 1907, Mr. Elder was married to Miss Carolyn L. Rall, a daughter of Rev. Otto and Anna (Steiner) Rall. Her father was a native of Germany, and her mother of Andeer, Switzerland. On coming to America they settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and many years ago arrived in Iowa, where Mr. Rall served pastorates in various Iowa towns. The Rev. Mr. Rall met his death through accident, being struck by a loco- motive when in middle life. He was a minister of the German Evangelical Association and his influence was of no restricted order, his labors proving a potent force in the upbuilding of his denomination. His wife survived him for several years. They were the parents of seven sons and two daughters: Rev. Frank Rall, of Baltimore, Maryland; Fred, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; William A., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Charles R., of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Anna, the wife of William Nuhn, residing in Cedar Falls ; Dr. George Rall, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Professor Edward E. Rall, of Austin, Texas; Carolyn, the wife of Orville Elder ; and Robert, of Pittsburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Elder are widely and prominently known socially and are valued members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Elder belongs to Washing- ton Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M .; Cyrus Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M .; and the Orion Lodge, K. P. Politically he is a republican.
JOHN HORNING.
A good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Seventy-Six township, pays tribute to the care and labor of Mr. Horning, who is num- bered among the representative practical and progressive farmers of this county. He was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, August 30, 1858, and is a son of Martin and Mary ( Blatmer) Horning. The mother was a native of Germany, but in early life became a resident of Iowa. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, removed westward to this state and is still living in Keo- kuk county, Iowa, but his wife passed away November 16, 1902. They were the parents of seven children : Louisa, the wife of A. M. Clingan, a resident of Keokuk county, Iowa ; John, of this review ; William, who makes his home in Seventy-Six township: Henry, who carries on general farming in Cedar township: Christ, also a resident of Washington county : Mary. the wife
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
of Harman Brining, living in Jackson township; and George, who is de- ceased.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for John Horning in his boyhood and youth. He worked at home until he had attained his majority, and in the meantime he acquired his education through the improvement of such opportunities as the public schools afforded. He started out in life on his own account as a farm hand and worked in that way for fourteen years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings and then joined his brother William in the purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Seventy-Six township. They carried on farming in partnership upon that tract until 1895, when John Horning sold his in- terest to his brother and purchased his present farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, of the same township. His fields are well tilled and bring forth rich harvests. The farm presents a most neat and attractive appearance. He also makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and sells a large number annually, so that his yearly income is greatly augmented thereby. He is recognized as a business man of keen discernment and unfaltering energy whose success has come as the direct reward of earnest and persistent labor.
On the 13th of March, 1907. Mr. Horning was united in marriage to Miss Nellie De Long, a native of Cedar township, this county. The marriage has been blessed with an interesting little daughter, Mabel Marie. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Horn- ing gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, but has never aspired to or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He forms his plans readily, is determined in their execution and as the years have passed he has won that prosperity which is the direct and merited reward of earnest, persistent labor.
HON. JOHN ALEXANDER YOUNG.
Hon. John Alexander Young, who since 1843 has resided in Washing- ton county, has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and banking. having for the past thirty years acted as cashier of the Washington National Bank. He has, moreover, been active in public affairs shaping the political history of the state, representing his district in the upper house of the general assem- bly. His salient characteristics are those of honorable manhood and pro- gressive citizenship, combined with an unfaltering allegiance to the duties and obligations which each day brings. He was born in Rush county. In- diana, July 29, 1838.
His grandfather. Alexander Young, was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the early settlers of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, where he was married. Later he removed to Indiana and in 1848 came to Iowa, his last days being spent near Lexingeon, in Washington county, where he died when about seventy-five years of age. On the day of his death he rode on horseback from
John Here Youny
. HE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
his home to the polling place and voted for Abraham Lincoln, passing away on the succeeding evening. He had served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was also a progressive citizen, giving practical aid in the work of general improvement and progress as this county was converted from a frontier district into one of the splendidly developed counties of the commonwealth. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Ricketts, passed away when about eighty-two years of age.
Their son, James N. Young, was born in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, and during boyhood accompanied his parents on their removal to Rush county. Indiana. In early manhood he engaged in clerking and in teaching in the public schools. The remainder of his life was devoted to farming. In Rush county, Indiana, he wedded Sallie Eyestone, a daughter of John Eyestone, who was a native of Ohio and removed to Indiana during the pioneer epoch in its history. In that state he followed merchandising for a number of years and eventually took up his abode in Washington county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Alice ( Armstrong) Eye- stone, lived to an advanced age and reared a large family, including their daughter Sallie, who became the wife of James N. Young. She was a native of Ohio and went to Indiana in her girlhood with her parents and was there married. They became the parents of two children, the younger being Jame. Harvey Young, who was killed in the battle of Shiloh. The wife and mother died in October. 1840, when less than twenty years of age. She was a con- sistent member of the Methodist church and her many excellent traits of heart and mind endeared her to all who knew her. Mr. Young also held membership in the Methodist church. Following the death of his first wife he wedded Martha J. Combs, and there were fifteen children born of that union, of whom nine are yet living: Elizabeth. the wife of II. H. Beaty of Elk county, Kansas ; Samuel P., of Eureka, Kansas; Edward A., of Car- tha ,c, Missouri ; Fletcher, of Elk county, Kansas; Jennie, the wife of Wil- liam Burt, also of Elk county, Kansas ; Riley and Robert, both of Elk county, Kansas : George, of Idaho; and Flournoy, residing in Elk county, Kansas. Ida. deceased, became the wife of a Mr. Haines. The others died in early life
Following his second marriage James N. Young came with his family to Washington county. Iowa. casting in his lot among the pioneer settlers. He located in Cedar township and secured two hundred and sixty-seven acres of government land, of which two hundred acres were prairie on which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He built a hewed log house, in which the family were soon comfortably installed, although there were many hardships and privations incident to pioneer life to be met. Their home was the farthest out on the prairie from the timber. It was not deemed wise at that time to take up prairie land as the value of it was not known, but the years proved the wisdom of the settlers who did so, for in all the country there is no richer soil than the Iowa prairies and no state in a similar area produces as large crops of some of our chief cereals. As time passed and Mr. Young prospered in his undertakings he erected new build- ings, made substantial improvements upon his farm and developed one of the
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
fine properties of the locality, making his home thereon for a little more than thirty years, or until 1873, when he lost heavily by going security for friends. He then removed to Elk county, Kansas, and started anew on the wild prairies, again meeting all of the conditions of pioneer life in the effort to retrieve his lost position. In this he was successful, accumulating a com- petency for old age. and his last years were spent in Howard, Kansas, where he reached the age of eighty-two years, lacking one month. His second wife died a week later. Mr. Young is well remembered by many of the citizens of Washington county as a man who in all of life's relations enjoyed and merited the respect and good will of his fellow citizens. He held various township offices and in the winter of 1854-55 was representative from Wash- ington and Louisa counties in the Iowa legislature, the capital being then at Iowa City. Washington county owes him much for his efforts in her behalf, which were always far-reaching and beneficial.
John A. Young, whose name introduces this record, was reared on his father's farm in Washington county, arriving here in 1843 when a little lad of five years. His early education was obtained in the subscription and dis- trict schools, while later he enjoyed the benefit of three years' instruction in the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. He made good use of his opportunities and when nineteen years of age began teaching school, which profession he followed for four years. He then married and located on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Cedar township, which he improved and made his home until the winter of 1871. As the years passed he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, using the latest improved machin- ery to facilitate his work, and the value of his labor was manifest in the excellent crops which he produced.
Leaving the farm to take up other lines of business activity, Mr. Young removed to Washington on the Ist of December, 1871, having been elected county auditor, in which position he served for two years. On retiring from that office he became assistant cashier of the Washington National Bank on the 27th of January, 1874, and on the Ist of July, 1878, he became cashier, which position he has filled for more than thirty years. He stands as one of the foremost representatives of financial interests in this part of the state, thoroughly acquainted with banking in every particular, ever watchful of the interests of his patrons and at the same time winning success for the institu- tion through his capable management and keen business discernment. His life work has at all times been creditable and in no business transaction has he ever been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen. In fact, he sustains an unassailable reputation for business integrity and is honored and respected wherever known and most of all where best known.
That his fellow citizens have faith in him is indicated by the fact that he was elected to represent the tenth district in the state senate where he served through three sessions, giving to each question which came up for settlement thoughtful and earnest consideration. He was one of the active working members of the upper house and was actuated in all that he did by a sincere desire to promote the interests of the commonwealth. He was also the chairman of the Chattanooga-Iowa monument commission for seven years.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Long before this Mr. Young had given substantial proof of his loyalty to his country, the only interruption to an active business career occurring in 1862 when, on the 19th of August, he responded to the country's call for military aid and enlisted as a private of Company A, Twenty-fifth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry. With this command he served until honorably discharged on the oth of June, 1865, the regiment disbanding on the 15th of the same month. On the organization of the company he was elected second lieu- tenant and in June, 1863, was promoted to first lieutenant, while a year later he was made captain of his company. He was slightly wounded at Arkansas Post in January, 1863, and again sustained slight injuries at Ringgold, Geor- gia, in the same year. At Resaca, on the 15th of May, 1864, he was seriously wounded in the head. During his connection with the army he participated in a number of hotly contested battles, including the engagement at Chick- asaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the entire siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Moun- tain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold and the engagements of the Atlanta cam- paign, followed by the celebrated march under Sherman to the sea and then northward from Savannah, Georgia, through the Carolinas. At Columbia in February, 1865, his company, under his orders, saved the hospital build- ings (the Columbia College buildings which were then used for hospital buildings) from destruction by fire, while the city was burning. The build- ings at the time contained about one hundred and eighty ill and wounded soldiers, most of whom were Confederates. His broad humanitarianism, however, prompted him to do this work, knowing that the inmates were unable to make their escape because of illness or wounds. Captain Young likewise participated in the battle of Bentonville in March, 1865, after which the Union troops followed Johnston's army to a point near Raleigh and there remained until peace was declared, word reaching them at Goldsboro of Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Captain Young was also with the vic- torious army that marched through the streets of the capital city, cheered by countless thousands who thus welcomed the northern troops, while over Pennsylvania avenue was suspended a broad banner, bearing the words : "The only debt which the country owes that she cannot pay is the debt that she owes to her soldiers." When the war was over Captain Young resumed the duties of civil life, although he was not able to engage actively in the work of the farm for hut a few years, owing to the serious consequences of his wounds.
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