USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 52
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Mrs. Deatsch's father, Francis Xavier Rummelhart, was born in Alsace, Germany, March 26, 1827, a son of Joseph and Catherine Rummelhart, also natives of Alsace. His mother was born in 1796 and died November 9, 1864, and his father was born October 28, 1792 and died November 28, 1858. Bothi are buried in St. Stanislaus cemetery. Joseph Rummelhart fought under the great Napoleon. He and his wife came to America when their son Francis D. was only one year old, spending sixty-four days in an old sailing vessel and landing at New York City. They went to Albany by steamer and thence to Ohio. They located at Massillon, Stark county, and there the father followed his trade of mason. That was a pioneer region at the time and he also cleared his farm, which he later entered. He erected a round log house and there several chil- dren were born to him and his wife. He subsequently put up a hewed log house, where the remainder of the children were born.
With his wife and seven children, Joseph Rummelhart ar- rived in Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa, in November, 1852,
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having acquaintances in Liberty township. In the spring of that year he and his son Francis had made a trip to that com- munity to look over the land, and had paid eight hundred dol- lars for the claim of George Fessler. Returning to Ohio, they sold their farm there and in November returned to the place which became the permanent family home, and where Francis still remains. The place contained an old hewed log house with a rough, unfinished floor, which Mr. Rummelhart and his son remodelled, at the same time erecting an addition to it. But a few acres had been put under cultivation and they set about to make needed improvements. Both became original members of St. Stanislaus church. They added to the extent of the farm and made it productive and valuable. Part of it has been divided among the children.
Francis D. Rummelhart, like other farmers of the day and locality, carried on operations with a single shovel plow, used a cradle and scythe to harvest his grain, and has lived to see a wonderful evolution in farm implements, to the day of the modern farm machinery. He has served as trustee of the township, road supervisor, and in other local offices, and is held in high regard. He gave up active life in 1893 and his land has been divided among his children, although he still resides on it.
On October 23, 1849, Francis Rummelhart married Catherine Beizler, daughter of John and Mary Ann (Newsbaum) Beizler, whose father died in Ohio and her mother in Alsace, Germany. They were married at Harrisburg, Ohio, and lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Rummelhart died August 21, 1907, having borne thirteen children, ten of whom survive, as follows : Catherine, Mrs. John Deatsch ; Josephine, wife of George Birrer; Frank and August, twins, the former of Washington county; Mary, wife of John Plough, of Iowa City; Flora, wife of John Knebel, county supervisor; Joseph (2) married Irene Wombacher and had nine children, seven of whom survive, and they live on the home place ; Ella is the wife of Rina Schnoebelin and they live at Riverside; John is un- married; Louis (2) married Mary Wombacher and resides at Riverside; Frank died in infancy ; Joseph died young and the first Louis died in childhood. There are fifty-one grandchil-
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dren and forty-four great-grandchildren in the family, all bap- tized Catholics except two.
When the Rummelharts first settled in Liberty township there were no houses between their farm and Riverside, three miles distant, and their nearest neighbor was Squire Gregory Gross, one of the very early settlers of the region. They at- tend St. Mary's church at Riverside. Mr. Rummelhart is a democrat in politics and has attended several county conven- tions as delegate. Their present brick dwelling was erected in 1883 and the old log house torn down in 1893. A fine barn was erected in 1898.
JOHN KALIBAN
John Kaliban is one of the best known farmers of Jefferson township, Johnson county, where he has resided since 1852, with the exception of one year spent in Cedar Rapids. He is a substantial and upright citizen, has been active in local affairs and has made many warm friends. He was born in Bohemia March 25, 1850, son of John and Mary (Bys) Kaliban, also natives of that country, and their only child. The parents were reared and married in Bohemia, and when their son was about one year old they came to America, locating first at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. One year later they came to the farm in Jefferson township which is now the property of the son. They carried on this place until the death of the father in 1895. His widow survived him two years and also passed away on the home farm. They had made many improvements and had done much to develop a good and productive farm.
Mr. Kaliban was reared and educated in his native township and when old enough engaged in the business of farming, which he continued on the old homestead until 1906, then retired from active life and moved to Cedar Rapids. He occupied a hand- some residence there and remained there one year, but was not satisfied with city life, so returned to the home farm, where he remained until March, 1912, when he returned again to Cedar Rapids. He still owns city property, however, but is better pleased with conditions and surroundings that are familiar from many years' residence among them. He was married
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January 16, 1872, to Miss Annie Kopesky, a native of Bohemia, who came to America with her parents when ten years old and located with them in Big Grove township. Her father lived on a farm there the remainder of his life and passed away in 1905, and the mother lives with Mrs. Kaliban, being now eighty-three years of age. There were ten children in the Kopesky fam- ily, of whom four now survive: Mrs. Kaliban; Wesley, of Weston; Mrs. Katie Barta, of Linn county; and Mrs. Rose Kladivo, of Tama county.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN KALIBAN
Mr. and Mrs. Kaliban have seven children, two sons and five daughters: John and Anton, living in Linn county, the form- er of whom is married; Annie, wife of John Krace, also of Linn county ; Emma, Mrs. Joseph Konasek, of Monroe town- ship; Rose, Mrs. Otto Konosek, of Monroe township; Tillie, Mrs. Joseph Phillipsky, of Cedar Rapids; Stella lives at home. Mr. Kaliban is a member of the Catholic church and in politics is a democrat. He has been township trustee three years and has served with satisfaction to all.
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FREDERICK J. BECKER, M. D.
Dr. Frederick J. Becker is a physician of the Homeopathic school, who has achieved distinction in the state of his birth and education. Born in Fayette county, Iowa, in 1865, he graduated from the Clermont high school in the class of 1883 and from the Homeopathic Medical Department of the State University of Iowa in 1886. This he supplemented by a course at Hahnemann in Philadelphia in 1886-87, receiving the degree of M. D. In 1901-02 he took a post graduate course at Berlin University, Germany. For nearly eight years he has been professor of Obstetrics and Gyneocology in the Homeopathic Medical Department of the S. U. I. He began practice at Cler- mont in connection with his father, Frederick Becker, M. D., continuing there for about two years, when he removed to Iowa City. His entire length of practice in Iowa has been abou. twelve years, several years having been spent at the Hahne- mann American Institute of Homeopathy and at the Homeo- pathie Surgical and Obstetrical Institute. His period of prac- tice in different parts of the United States approximates about twenty-four years, one and one-half years having been spent abroad. He is president of the Alumni Association of the Homeopathic Department, S. U. I.
Dr. Becker had a worthy and able predecessor in the person of his father, Frederick Becker, M. D., who was born at Yudens- burg, Germany, January 22, 1838. The elder Becker was edu- cated in Germany and the United States. First he studied with a preceptor for the medical profession, and after practic- ing for a few years, took a course of lectures at and graduated from the Homeopathic Medical Institute of St. Louis. He was among the pioneer physicians of his school in Iowa, and en- dured the hardships and privations of the early day practition- er, horseback journeys over muddy roads and swollen streams, etc.
Frederick Becker was one of the early members of the Hahnemann Medical Association and one of the select few who helped to initiate and execute its plans. His early education caused him to revere all state institutions, and he therefore realized the dignity and permaneney which association with the State University would give Homeopathy in Iowa, and he
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directed all his influence towards securing the desired affilia- tion. In pursuance of this effort he was a member of the first University Committee, and so well was his work done that it is admitted that to him in great measure is due the existence of three of the five chairs now operative in the College of Homeo- pathic Medicine, S. U. I. After the death of Professor Dick- inson and the refusal of Professor Triem, who was acting pro- fessor for one year, to continue the work, Dr. Becker was asked to accept the chair of Theory and Practice and Clinical Medi- cine. This was at time when he had virtually retired from practice and the activities of life, and he at first refused to accept the call ; but the college needed a man of wide experience and acquaintance throughout Iowa, and this being pressed up- on him, he finally undertook the work. His lectures were in- tensely practical, and his clinics, being demonstrated from his long years of practice of the old type, were greatly valued by the students. He retired from the chair in June, 1902, and left his associate, Benjamin R. Johnston, a younger man, to suc- ceed him.
The practice of medicine seems to be inherent in the Becker family of Iowa. A nephew of our subject, Boyle, son of Carl F. Becker, a graduate of 1910, is now in the Rochester, New York, Homeopathic Hospital, and gives promise of achieving great proficiency in the profession.
Frederick J. Becker, M. D., resides at No. 6 Bloom Terrace, Iowa City. He is an active member of the Knights of Pythias and the B. P. O. E.
W. H. YOUNKIN
William Henry Younkin, enterprising business man of Lone Tree and editor of the Lone Tree Reporter, has exerted a wide- felt influence in the affairs of the county. He has helped build up various successful local enterprises and is one of the most successful editors in his part of the state. He has made his own way in the world since he was fifteen years of age and is a fine example of a self-made man. Mr. Younkin is a native of Washington county, Iowa, born February 2, 1872, son of Wil- liam R. and Mary Adaline (Bray) Younkin. The father was a harness maker and conducted shops at Ainsworth, Yatton, and
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Riverside. He was born in Ohio, November 23, 1834, and died at Riverside, Iowa, January 12, 1876. The mother was born in Washington county, Iowa, April 6, 1846, and died in Lone Tree, Iowa, April 3, 1905. They were parents of four children.
Mr. Younkin spent his boyhood on a farm in Washington county and helped with the work from the time he was old enough. He attended the common schools until he was fifteen, but his education has been gained mainly in the "college of hard knocks," where he developed into a man of strong pur- pose and high ambition. He early learned the lessons of life and believes he has gained most of his friends by dealing fairly in business and by extending a ready sympathy and friendship.
RESIDENCE OF W. H. YOUNKIN
After leaving the farm he engaged, for a short time, as clerk in a hardware store, then spent a year or so as commercial salesman, after which he engaged in newspaper business, which he has followed for the past twenty years, having achieved financial success in this venture as well as in his previous un- dertakings.
Mr. Younkin has always been much interested in public af- fairs and has taken an active part in movements for the general good, but has not cared for public office. He is a democrat in politics, served as councilman of Lone Tree and performed his duties in a most satisfactory manner. For many years he
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served as a member of the board of education for the Inde- pendent District of Lone Tree, and he has refused nominations to other offices of honor and trust. He owns a farm in Fre- mont township and several pieces of property in Lone Tree. He was one of the original stockholders of the Farmers & Mer- chants Savings Bank of Lone Tree, also one of the original stockholders of the Lone Tree Telephone Company and the Lone Tree Live Stock Sale Pavilion Company.
On September 10, 1895, Mr. Younkin was united in marriage with Miss Mary Underwood, daughter of Addis Emmet and Catherine C. (Jayne) Underwood. Mr. Underwood and his wife came to lowa in 1865. Hle was born in Broome county, New York, seventy-seven years ago and she was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and is eighty years of age. Two chil- dreu have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Younkin, Howard Wil- liam, aged sixteen and Helen M., fourteen years.
Mr. Younkin belongs to the following societies: Lone Tree lodge No. 304, K. of P .; Red Rose Temple, No. 126, Pythian Sis- ters; Abner Lodge No. 535, A. F. & A. M .; Omega Lodge No. 728, I. O. O. F., and Lone Tree Camp No. 2505, M. W. of A. Mr. Younkin is popular with old and young and is one of the best known men in his county.
JACOB RICKER
Many of the pioneers of Johnson county made the trip from eastern states with teams and wagons and brought with them to the new home as many of the tools and furnishings of their former homes as they were able to bring. The journey was an interesting event in the lives of the immigrants and its inci- dents were never forgotten by those who planned and passed through the same. Among those who were natives of Ohio and became important factors in the life of the county men- tioned above, Jacob Ricker takes a leading place. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 17, 1830, and was reared on a farm and educated in his native county. He was a son of Henry and Ruth Ann (Kimircan) Ricker, the former of whom lived to the age of eighty-three years, dying in Iowa. Henry Ricker became a pioneer resident of Johnson county, but in
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later years removed to Pottawatomie county, where his re- maining life was spent.
Jacob Ricker was the only son of his parents, and after reaching his majority married and brought his bride to John- son county. They came in a covered wagon and were several weeks on the road, crossing the Indiana swamps by means of corduroy bridge roads, and enduring such inconveniences and hardships as were incidental to such journeys. The first farm they reached on the journey was at Danville, Illinois, and there they were advised to go on to Bloomington. Upon their ar- rival at the latter place they found the nearest market would
THE JACOB RICKER RESIDENCE
be forty miles away, and continued on their way as far as Pe- oria, in order to be near a market. Upon reaching Peoria Mr. Jacob Rieker entered the employ of U. H. Phelps and remained with him during the winter. In that year the right-of-way for a railroad had been surveyed between Peoria and Burlington, and in the spring of 1852 Mr. Phelps laid out the town of Elm- wood, asking Mr. Ricker to remain in the village, but the latter had come west with the idea of engaging in farming, and de- clined to do so. He looked for a place to rent, and for five years rented a farm north of Winfield, Peoria county. Dur- ing this time a number of towns were springing up in the vicinity, as a result of the railroad, one of which, Geneseo, was
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a center for Scandinavians. About 1854 Mr. Ricker went to Johnson county, where his lifelong friend, Elias Howell, father of Judge R. P. Howell, had located.
Upon his arrival Mr. Ricker set about erecting a house on a quarter section of land he had purchased from the person who made the entry from the government, the price paid being some five dollars per acre. He brought Southern money with him and this was refused by a lumber dealer in Iowa City. It was cashed by James Gowey, a pioneer, of Iowa City, doing business as a broker, a discount of twenty-five per cent being charged for this process. This reduced Mr. Ricker's wealth considerably, and after his lumber was paid for he had nothing left to live on. His good friend, William Patterson, hearing of his predicament, took him to that grand old pioneer, Sol- omon Coldren, who was then keeping a store, and the latter trusted Mr. Ricker for what he wanted. The following spring he was able to pay his indebtedness and purchase a breaking team to bring the remainder of his land under cultivation, this work being done with oxen. In 1856 he returned to Illinois for his wife and children. He sold some cattle to Samuel Fry, who paid for only part, and that in Florence money. Having in- curred some indebtedness at the harness store kept by Mr. Daniels, Mr. Ricker took some of this money to pay his bill, but Mr. Daniels at first sight refused to take it. He decided to do so, however, and the following May Mr. Fry paid the bal- ance of money due on the cattle in twenty-dollar gold pieces, so no further trouble was had on that score.
While in Illinois Mr. Ricker met the Amish on their way to Iowa, and when he settled in Washington township the greet- ing he received was very cordial. He lived among them for a period of thirty years, and in 1884 was able to dispose of his farm at a price of fifty dollars per acre. He then moved to Iowa City to give his children better educational advantages and located on Bowery street. In 1885 he purchased another farm nearer to Iowa City, which he occupied twenty years. This farm, which comprised 167 acres, was located in Scott township, and in 1905 he sold it at a price of one hundred dol- lars per acre. His good wife, whose maiden name was Eliza- beth Ann Benjamin, was a native of Ohio, daughter of Chris- topher and Ann Benjamin. She died on the farm January 29,
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1891, sincerely mourned by all who knew her. She bore four children : Henry, born in Peoria county, Illinois, married Mary Ann Bender; Mrs. Clarinda Jane Hamilton is the mother of Ed, Minnie M. and Willis E. Hamilton; A. W. Ricker, of Kan- sas, was born in Johnson county, and married Jessie Williams ; James married Lucy Bruhn, of Washington township, where he was born, and they have four children - Mand, Pearl, Ida, and Maurice. Maud is the wife of Sam Moore, a farmer of Union township, and they have two daughters; Pearl is the wife of Emil Ochwalt, of Muscatine, and they have one son. Jacob Ricker thus has six grandchildren and two great-grand- children.
In 1907 Mr. Ricker had a beautiful farm residence erected on the upper Muscatine road, east of the street railway, and his daughter, Mrs. Hamilton, is his housekeeper. He is spending his declining years in peace and quietness, surrounded with an the comforts and conveniences procurable, in his pleasant and well located home. He has always taken an active part in lo- cal matters. While living in Washington township he held the office of assessor several times, was trustee of that township, and served on the school board in Scott township. He was a juryman on the famous Boyd Wilkinson case, which implicated so many of the pioneers, and has also served on the jury during the trial of many other notable cases. In politics he is a re- publican. He is a member of the Christian church. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance in all things, and has never been known to enter a saloon or to taste intoxicants. This has been one of the reasons why he is so hale and vigor- ous at the age of eighty-one years. He has witnessed wonder- ful changes in the region since he first came to Johnson county and was closely identified with much of its earlier history. He is highly respected by all and the early settlers have many pleasant memories of his friendship and companionship dur- ing early days. His account of those days is both interesting and instructive, and his memory is most retentive.
[Since the above was written Mr. Ricker has passed away, his death occurring on the morning of June 2, 1913.]
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ELIZABETH GESBERG
Mrs. Elizabeth Gesberg, widow of Bernard Gesberg and daughter of Philip and Ann Elizabeth Weber, is a well-known and familiar figure in Iowa City, where the most of her life has been spent. She belongs to a family long identified with the business and social life of that place and is herself well known for her interest in the work of the German Methodist church. She was born in Germany, in 1849, and was an infant when brought to the United States on a sailing vessel, which took several weeks to cross the ocean. Philip Weber was born in Germany in 1826 and died in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1891, at the age of sixty-five years. He learned the blacksmith trade in early life and came to America in the 'fifties. He began work- ing at his trade and in 1865 purchased a shop in Iowa City. This shop is located on Iowa avenne between South Clinton and South Dubuque streets, and is one of the old landmarks of the city. Mr. Weber conducted a blacksmith and general busi- ness there until a few months before his death, since which time the business has been continued by his two sons, William and Ed, who have a good patronage. This enterprise has, therefore, continued in the family for a period of forty-six years, and is one of the oldest in the city. The present pro- prietors are able and representative business men, popular and reliable in every way. The shop is located on a valuable piece of land, one of the most desirable spots on Iowa avenne, and an extensive business has been carried on there since the place was opened for trade. The father worked in the time when everything was done by hand, the horseshoes and even the nails being hammered out on the anvil. The two sons learned the trade under their father's direction and have followed his policy of turning out only the best of work. They are prom- inent and public-spirited citizens. Philip Weber erected a cozy home on South Governor street and there his death oc- curred. .
Mrs. Weber was born in Germany in 1827, and died in Iowa City September 20, 1907, leaving sixteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her maiden name was Anna Eliza- beth Nichol and she and her husband became parents of the following children: Elizabeth, Mrs. Gesberg; Mary Louise
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married Wesley Sisney, of Marcus, Iowa; Catherine, who was born in Iowa City, married Mose Moshier and they live at Ly- ons, Kansas; William is married and living in Iowa City; Emma is the wife of B. A. Wiekham, a prominent citizen of Iowa City; Ed is married and lives in Iowa City.
Elizabeth Weber was educated in the public schools of Iowa City and, being of a studious nature, made the most of her op- portunities for improvement. She has always been very fond of reading and has passed many pleasant hours in this recrea- tion. She is quiet in her tastes and has always been fond of home. She remained with her parents until her marriage,
RESIDENCE OF MRS. ELIZABETHI GESBERG
after which she and her husband spent several years in a home on South Governor street, but some years since she came to her present very comfortable home on Garden avenue. Ber- nard Gesberg was born in Germany July 27, 1827, and was married to Miss Weber in 1866. He was for some years a member of the well-known firm of Schieets, Gesberg & Company, and was a successful contractor. He was a good business man and an enterprising citizen, interested in anything affecting the welfare or progress of his community. With G. W. Mar- quard and another man to help him, he organized the German Methodist church at Iowa City, which he served several years as local preacher. He died about 1885, widely mourned and
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missed in many cireles where he had been active and useful. He left three children, namely : Miss Emma Elizabeth, a grad- uate of the Iowa City High school and Elizabeth Irish Business College, is a stenographer in the employ of the Puritan Mami- facting Company, and resides with her mother; Clara Lasetta married Jerome Lorenz, who is in the employ of the Des Moines Water Works department, and they have two children - Mary Lucille and Jerome, Jr .; Hattie Amelia married Gardner Appleton Huntoon, M. D., who is a successful physi- cian of Des Moines, and they have three children - Eloise, Royal George, and Genevieve. Mrs. Elizabeth Gesberg has a number of friends in Iowa City, where she is held in high re- gard, and is interested in the city's progress along various lines. She has witnessed remarkable changes in conditions since first coming to Johnson county and has been pleased to noJe advancement along all lines as it has taken place, feeling a certain satisfaction in being identified with the city that showed so much promise for future development. She is prond of the part played by her father and husband in the life of the city, as she has every reason to be.
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