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 33
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His birth occurred in Iowa township, this county, on the 2d of April, 1862, his parents being Frederick and Rachel (Hagen) Krebs, both of whom were natives of Germany. In the '50; they crossed the Atlantic to the new world, locating in the state of New York, where the father secured employ- ment as a farm hand. Subsequently they removed to Massachusetts and later came to Washington county, Iowa, here purchasing a tract of land of forty acres. As the years passed and his financial resources increased through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests, Frederick Krebs extended the boundaries of his farm by the additional purchase of land and continued to reside on that place until called to his final rest on the 27th of March,
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1904. His wife still survives at the age of seventy-three years and now makes her home in Riverside, Iowa. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, namely: Mary, who is deceased; Louise, the wife of Jacob Franks, of Iowa township ; Jane, who is the wife of Jacob Lawser and resides in Kalona, Iowa; Rachel, the wife of Charles Gerot, of Riverside, Iowa; Henry, of this review ; Frederick and John, living in Iowa township ; William ; and Charles and Gottlieb, who are likewise residents of Iowa township.
Henry Krebs received only limited educational advantages in youth but through reading, experience and observation in later years has become a well informed man. He remained at home until he had attained the age of twenty- three years and then started out in life on his own account, renting the farm in Iowa township upon which he now resides. At the end of sixteen years. " by dint of close economy and careful expenditure, he had accumulated suffi- cient capital to enable him to purchase the property. After it came into his possession he erected a commodious and attractive residence, as well as all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and now has one of the finest and most highly improved farms in the township. In addition to his agricultural interests he makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs and the gratifying measure of success which has attended his efforts in these directions entitles him to recognition among the substan- tial, enterprising and representative citizens of the community.
In November, 1889, Mr. Krebs was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Kodym, a native of Jackson township, Washington county, who was one of a family of thirteen children. Both her father and mother are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Krebs have been born five children: Anna J., Joseph. George H., Clara M. and one who died in infancy. Mr. Krebs gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy and has served in the positions of school director and road boss. Both he and his wife are well known and highly esteemed throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives and are in every way worthy of the trust and confi- dence which is uniformly accorded them.
S. SCHNOEBELEN.
S. Schnoebelen, now living retired on his excellent farm of three hundred acres in Iowa township, was formerly actively and successfully identified with the agricultural and stock-raising interests of Washington county. His birth occurred in Alsace, Germany, on the 27th of April, 1835, his parents being Joseph and Elizabeth (Bricket) Schnoebelen, who were also natives of that place. In 1836 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Ohio, where they made their home unttil 1844, which year witnessed their arrival in Washington county, Iowa. They entered land in Iowa township as soon as it was put upon the market and continued to reside thereon until called to their final rest, becoming well known throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth. They became the parents of nine chil-
MR. AND MRS. S. SCHNOEBELEN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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dren, three of whom still survive, namely: Nicholas, a resident of Riverside, Iowa; S., of this review; and Gregory, of Iowa City.
S. Schnoebelen acquired a good practical education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-seven years. He then purchased the farm in Iowa township upon which he now resides and was engaged in its cultivation and improvement until the time of his retirement front active business life. In addition to carrying on general agricultural pursuits he also engaged quite extensively in raising and feeding stock and, owing to his well directed and unremitting labor, met with a creditable measure of prosperity in both undertakings. His farm of three hundred acres is now being operated by his son Oscar and he enjoys in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil.
In 1861 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schnoebelen and Miss Josephine Smidel, a native of Bohemia. Unto them were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Frances, the wife of John T. Bulger ; L. H. : Albert ; Vic- tor ; Agnes, the wife of Charles Strabley, of Johnson county, Iowa ; Matilda, who is the wife of August Grathe and makes her home in this county ; and Oscar, who, as before stated, is engaged in the operation of his father's farm. The wife and mother passed away in January, 1902, in the faith of the Catholic church, her remains being interred in St. Vincent's cemetery.
Politically Mr. Schnoebelen is a stalwart democrat and has capably served his fellow townsmen in the positions of school director and treasurer for several years. He is also a faithful communicant of the Catholic church and his upright, honorable and useful career has won him the warm regard and esteem of all who know him. Having been a resident of this county for almost two-thirds of a century, he has been an interested witness of its growth and development as it has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken on all the evidences of a modern civilization. For many years he figured as one of the prominent agriculturists of the community and by his untiring energy and capable management gained the prosperity that now enables him to spend his remaining days amid all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
SAMUEL MANATT.
Samuel Manatt, among the highly respected citizens of Washington county, is a retired farmer who makes his home in English River township. He was long associated with general agricultural pursuits and in his busi- ness affairs displayed keen discernment and unfaltering enterprise which enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and grad- ually advance toward the present position of prosperity which he now occu- pies. Moreover, he is one of the oldest residents of the county, having been a witness of its growth and progress from pioneer times down to the present. In the work of general improvement he has borne his full share and his name
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has become a synonym for progressiveness in citizenship and for activity and reliability in business.
A native of Holmes county, Ohio, Mr. Manatt was born July 17, 1833, and comes of Irish ancestry. His grandfather. Robert Manatt, a native of Ireland, established his home in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on crossing the Atlantic, and there engaged in farming throughout his remaining days. He married Susanna Baine and she lived to old age. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters: James, Elizabeth, Margaret, Robert and William.
The last named was born in Ireland and in his childhood days was brought by his parents to the United States, his youth being passed in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He afterward removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Martha Sumney, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of German extraction. Her parents, Samuel and Catherine (Frye) Sumney. were both natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. For some years they lived in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, but afterward removed to Holmes county, Ohio, where they passed away at an advanced age. Their family numbered three sons and five daughters: Isaac, John, Samuel, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, Hannah and Susan. As stated Martha Sumney became the wife of William Manatt in Wayne county, Ohio, and sub- sequently they removed to Holmes county, Ohio, whence in 1846 they came to Iowa, traveling with two two-horse teams and a buggy. Locating in Washington county they lived for two years on what is known as the old Alex Young farm. Mr. Manatt entered four forty-acre tracts of land in this county and four in Johnson county, and he also purchased forty acres adjoining his Washington county property. Sod had been broken on both sides the county line and some buildings had been erected in Washing- ton county on the property which he secured. With characteristic energy he took up the task of further developing and improving his land and upon his farm reared his younger children. He was recognized as one of the substantial agriculturists and valued citizens of this part of the state and his labors were an element in general progress as well as a source of individual profit. He died in Lime Creek township in 1876 at the age of seventy-nine years, while his wife passed away in 1879 when about seventy-nine years of age. Their religions faith was that of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches respectively. and they were both earnest Christian people who en- joyed in large measure the warm regard of those with whom they came in contact. Mr. Manatt was called to fill various township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. Unto him and his wife were born three sons and four daughters : Robert, deceased : Susanna, the deceased wife of Lewis Pattison ; Catharine, who married W. N. Rogers and has also passed away : Mary, the wife of James William Pattison, of St. Clair county, Missouri : Samuel: William S .. who has departed this life ; and Eliza, the deceased wife of J. W. McCormick.
Samuel Manatt, residing in Holmes county until thirteen years of age. then accompanied his parents on their westward removal to Washington county, Iowa, in 1846 and has made his home here practically all the time to
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the present. He was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of frontier life for the work of improvement had scarcely been begun when the family arrived. He pursued his education in the district schools of Ohio and Iowa and earned his first money by teaching. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age but in the meantime owned a team and worked for himself at threshing. He afterward traded a fine horse for three forty-acre tracts of land, which were unimproved. He soon broke one forty, which he fenced, and upon it raised a crop of wheat, which he threshed and hauled to the Wassonville mill, where he received one dollar per bushel for it in gold. Of the money thus secured he loaned two hundred dollars and never recov- ered a part of it. For three seasons he engaged in threshing and in culti- vating his forty-acre tract of land. Seeing the opportunity for successful real-estate operations he bought and sold a number of farms and at one time owned over a thousand acres in the county. He became a large stock- raiser and feeder and after starting out in life gave his attention to general farming and stock raising until he retired. In later years he gave much of his land to his children and also sold a number of tracts. However, he still owns an entire section in Sherman county, Texas. In all of his business affairs he displayed keen business discernment and unfaltering energy and his good management is evident in the excellent results which he obtained.
On the 31st of October, 1858, Mr. Manatt was married to Miss Mary Jane Britton, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, October 28, 1841, and is a daughter of W. S. and Margaret (Robison) Britton, natives of Ohio and Illinois, respectively. Their family numbered two daughters and three sons: Mary Jane, Thaddeus D., Sarah Ellen, William Scott and Vernon Douglas. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Manatt was William Britton, a native of Pennsylvania, and the maternal grandfather was John Robison.
The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with eleven children, seven sons and four daughters: Tillie A. is the wife of E. A. Car- penter, resides near Lyons, Kansas, and they have three children-Carlos, Pansy and Eria. Scott E., who is cashier of a bank in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, married Eva J. Morgan and has three children-Fay M., Hazel F. and Samuel Clifford. Clement V., who is practicing law in Fairfax, South Dakota, wedded Gretchen Spring, and they have four children-Thomas, Collie, Samuel and Edward. Florence E. is the wife of Lewis Worrel, of Washington, D. C., and they have one child, Everil. William B. married Dorothy Shillig and died leaving his widow and three children-Ruth, Naomi and Hilda. Margaret L. is the wife of Charles O. Griffith, of San Diego, California, and they have two children. Samuel is engaged in operat- ing the home farm. Mary Orphie is a stenographer in San Diego, Cali- fornia. Guy E., who is a United States mail clerk on the Rock Island Rail- road and lives in Washington, married Laura Wilson and has one child, Walter. Odin L., who farms with his brother Samuel, married Frederica Hesselschwert and they have two children-William and Mary. Roswell V., who is in the United States mail service and lives at Burlington, wedded Ollie Edmundson and has one son, Samuel Logan. The mother of this large
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family, Mrs. Mary Jane Manatt, died in San Diego, California, February 2. 1908, at the age of sixty-six years and four months, and her death was deeply regretted by her many friends as well as by her immediate family for her sterling traits of character had won her warm regard.
Politically Mr. Manatt is a democrat, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He filled the office of town- ship assessor in English River township for two terms, has been township trustee and has served in other local offices. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and he served as school treasurer and as president of the school board. During his incumbency in the former office he conducted the financial affairs with the lowest rate of taxes recorded in the history of the county. Throughout his entire life he has been in- terested in every movement calculated to benefit the community and promote its material, intellectual and moral progress. He stands as a high type of citizenship and for more than six decades has figured in the life of the com- munity, his influence always being on the side of improvement. Great changes have occurred in the appearance of the county since he arrived in 1846 to find all about him a wild prairie on which few improvements had been made. He has borne his full share in the work of development in agricultural lines and through his carefully directed business affairs has won substantial success, enabling him now to live retired. In recent years he has spent considerable time in travel, making many trips to California, Texas and other sections of the country.
J. W. NICHOLS.
In taking up the personal history of J. W. Nichols we present to our readers the life record of one who had a most wide and favorable acquaintance in Washington county. He was long associated with its agricultural interests and was also prominent in public affairs, doing not a little to mold public thought and action. His birth occurred in Franklin county, Indiana, on the 27th of March, 1832, his parents being Richard and Mary ( Pinkston) Nichols. The father was a native of Delaware and was of English descent, while the mother was born in Tennessee and of Welsh lineage. Both are now deceased, however. Richard Nichols departed this life in Illinois, while the mother died previously in Indiana. Their family numbered eleven children.
J. W. Nichols, whose name introduces this review, came to Washington county with his family in 1855. He was reared upon a farm and after he attained his majority continued in that occupation. He was a young man of twenty-three years when he came to this state, driving across the country from Indiana with a team. Reaching his destination, he located on a farm in Oregon township, and with characteristic energy began the cultivation and development of the fields. As the years passed his labors brought good results, as seen in the abundant harvests which he gathered and during the
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last few years of his life he gave his attention to the raising of fine stock. He also bought and shipped stock for fifteen years and this branch of his busi- ness proved to him a profitable source of income.
J. W. Nichols was married in Dearborn county, Indiana, in 1852, when twenty-one years of age, to Miss Margaret Stone, a native of that county, whose birth occurred in 1835. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the following are living: Alvin L., Emerson E., Clarence E., Myra L. and Charles P. The last named, to whom we are indebted for the his- tory of his parents, is now a liveryman and well known real-estate dealer of Ainsworth, whose name is an honored one in business and financial circles.
Mr. Nichols was a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Methodist Episcopal church and the teachings of those organizations con- stituted the guiding spirit in his life. In politics he was an earnest republican and a leader in the councils of his party in Washington county. He was honored by his fellow citizens with almost all of the township offices, includ- ing that of township assessor, in which capacity he served for four years. He also served as a member of the board for four years, was justice of the peace for two years and was notary public for six years. He likewise served for several years as township clerk and came within two votes of securing the nomination as a candidate for the state legislature. In discharging his official duties he ever gave careful consideration to the questions which came up for settlement and his record was indeed a commendable one, being characterized by loyalty and patriotism in all his relations to the public wel- fare and by integrity and enterprise in all of the private affairs of life.
J. E. GARDNER.
J. E. Gardner, residing on his farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres on sections 7 and 8, Cedar township, was born in this township on the 6th of November, 1860, his parents being James and Eliza (Martin) Gardner. The father, whose birth occurred in Franklin county, Ohio, March 15, 1819, was a son of James and Susanna (Beaver) Gardner, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1775 and the latter in 1790. In 1812 the grandparents of J. E. Gardner made their way to Franklin county, Ohio, where they contin- ued to reside until called to their final rest. They had the following children : Michael, James, Mary, Susanna, Villinda, Nancy and Joseph, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of James, the father of our subject.
James Gardner obtained his education in a little log cabin characteristic of those early times and remained at home until he had attained the age of twenty-three years. He then operated a part of his father's farm as a renter for eleven years and in 1853 removed to Fulton county, Illinois, where he bought a farm and resided for four years, when he disposed of the prop- erty. In 1857 he came to Washington county, Iowa, purchasing the farm which has continued his place of residence to the present time. He paid less than ten dollars an acre for the land but as the years have gone by he has
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brought the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement, transforming it into a rich, productive and valuable tract. In connection with the work of the fields he has also raised stock and for more than a half century has now been numbered among the substantial, representative and respected citizens of the county.
On the 6th of October, 1842, James Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Ann Martin, whose birth occurred in West Virginia in 1820, her parents being William and Ann (Conway) Martin. William Martin was eighty-five years of age when he passed away in Washington county, Iowa, and the death of his wife occurred in Ohio. Their family numbered eight children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James Gardner were born eleven children, namely : Charles, who is deceased ; Margaret A., the wife of John Eyestone, of Mount Vernon, lowa ; Zerrilda, who has also passed away; F. M., who is a resident of Guthrie county, Iowa ; Joseph, of Wellman, Iowa ; Winfield, who is a minister residing at Mount Pleasant; William, living in Chicago, Illinois ; Lewis, at home; Ezra, who is engaged in farming; Samuel, of Indianola, Iowa ; and Mary, deceased.
In his political views Mr. Gardner has always been a stanch republican and cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840. He capably served as township trustee and also as a member of the school board for a number of years and was identified with the Good Templars. For the past forty-two years both he and his wife have been devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking an active and helpful interest in its work. They have now attained the venerable age of ninety years and enjoy the warm friendship and regard of all with whom they have been associated dur- ing the long years of their residence in Washington county.
J. E. Gardner, whose name initiates this review, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until he was married at the age of twenty-eight years. Throughout his active business career he has been identified with agricultural pursuits, now owning one hundred and sixty-five acres of land on sections 7 and 8, Cedar township. He also makes a specialty of feeding cattle, sheep and hogs and owing to his untiring industry and capable business management, has met with a well merited degree of prosperity in his undertakings.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Gardner chose Miss Viola Ashby, whose birth occurred in Washington county, September II, 1862, her parents being E. W. H. and Elizabeth ( Ihrig ) Ashby, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. The year 1862 witnessed the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Ashby in this county and they are still numbered among the well known and respected residents here. Mrs. Gardner, who was one of a family of seven children, has become the mother of four children, namely: Edna M., who was born in July, 1890, and is now attending the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, Iowa ; Wade A., born September 20, 1893; Violet, whose birth occurred April 20, 1896; and James H., who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 27th of October, 1901.
Mr. Gardner exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has been township clerk for four years
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and also school director for several years. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America at Wellman, Iowa. Both he and his wife have a wide acquaintance throughout the county in which their entire lives have been spent, having ever displayed those ster- ling traits of character which command esteem and regard.
PETER EITERMILLER.
On the honor roll of Washington county's citizens appears the name of Peter Eitermiller, who for a long period was a representative, respected and honored agriculturist of this part of the state. He was born in Germany, May 17, 1833, a son of Conrad Eitermiller who lived and died in Germany. His family numbered three children, two of whom still reside in the father- land.
In his youthful days Peter Eitermiller bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States, locating first in New York, where he remained for two years. He then left that state and removed westward to Chicago where he resided for a short time, after which he came to Wash- ington county, Iowa, in 1854. Settling in Lime Creek township, he worked as a farm hand until his labors had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm and begin in business in that way on his own account. In 1865 he purchased the tract of land on which his widow still resides and with characteristic energy began improving and developing this property. He wrought a marked transformation in its appearance, erecting thereon a fine residence together with all of the outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. He was a shoemaker by trade but, following his man- riage, gave his entire attention to general agricultural pursuits and at the time of his death was the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land, which is still in possession of his widow. He also had a timber tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Lime Creek township. He was practical in all that he did, utilizing his opportunities to the best ad- vantage, and as the years went by he gained a place among the men of afflu- ence in his part of the county. In all of his business affairs, too, he was thoroughly reliable and his entire life was in harmony with his professions as a member of the Lutheran church. He was upright and honorable in all things, holding close to high ideals of living, and his many good qualities won him high regard.
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