USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 14
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On January 17, 1907, Mr. Duval was united in marriage to Miss Lena Klepper, a native of Ludlow township, this county, who was born December 9, 1886. Her parents are Fred and Johanna ( Bollhafer) Klepper, both natives of Germany. The father was reared to and always followed agricultural pursuits and upon coming to this country in the early 'Sos acquired land in Post township, which he later sold to our subject, buying subsequently a farm near Frankville in Winneshiek county, where he now lives, still actively engaged in the cultiva- tion of his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Klepper have six children, of whom Mrs. Duval is the oldest. Mr. and Mrs. Duval are the parents of two children: Clarence, born March 21, 1908; and Viola, born August 19, 1910. Mr. Duval is a member of the German Reformed church at Ludlow. Enterprising and progressive, he has in a few years builded a success which might well be envied him, for there are many who in a lifetime do not accomplish as much as he has done. He has become a valuable factor in his locality and, while he is careful of his own inter- ests, he ever finds time to promote worthy public enterprises and gladly bears his share of time and money in promoting the welfare and advancement of his district.
FRED RISER.
Upon the list of Allamakee county's honored pioneers appears the name of Fred Riser, whose residence in this section dates from 1851 and whose active career has been closely identified with its growth and development. He has borne an honorable and worthy part in the work which has transformed the region from a wilderness into a populous and wealthy community and he is today one of the most prominent and popular men of Lansing township, where he is living retired. He was born in Berne, Switzerland, June 14, 1834, and is a son of John and Barbara (Orli) Riser, natives of that country, who emigrated to America about 1843 and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Madison county, Illinois. In 1851 they sold the farm and moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, after the father and his son John had made two trips to this state and to Minnesota looking for a suitable location. Having finally determined upon Lansing township John Riser purchased three hundred and twenty acres of school land, unimproved, and while he was engaged in building a stable upon
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this property he and his family lived in a rude shanty on the Andrew T. Sandry property. They made their home in the stable for some time after it was com- pleted and then moved into a frame and log dwelling which they had erected and which still stands with the additions that have since been made. Both parents have passed away, the mother dying in Madison county, Illinois, and the father in Lansing township when he was seventy-nine years of age. He was a member of the Reformed church in Switzerland and in America a devout adherent of the German Methodist Episcopal religion. In his family were five children besides the subject of this review : Anna and Elizabeth, who passed away in Illinois; Christ, a retired farmer living in Lansing township; John, who passed away in 1907 ; and Peter, who died in 1902.
Fred Riser was nine years of age when he was brought to the United States, his ninth birthday having been spent on the Atlantic ocean. The family landed in New York, July 4, 1843, after fifty-two days. on a sailing vessel, and from there they pushed onward to Madison county, Illinois, where the subject of this review remained until he was seventeen years of age and where he acquired such education as could be gained during a few months attendance at a country school. He came to Allamakee county with his father and assisted with the work of the homestead until after the latter's death, when the land was divided, Mr. Riser receiving as his share one hundred and sixty acres, including the build- ings upon the farm. He made further improvements, erecting one of the largest barns in the township, and he steadily carried forward the work of development through the years, becoming one of the prosperous and substantial agriculturists of this vicinity and winning a competence sufficient to enable him to retire from active life. He sold his farm to his son Otto, with whom he continues to reside.
Mr. Riser has been twice married. His first union occurred July 10, 1854, when he wedded Miss Barbara Marti, a native of Switzerland, who passed away in 1862, leaving five children: John, deceased, who was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church; Kate, the wife of John Sharff, of St. Paul, Min- nesota ; Fred, a practicing physician residing near Denver, Colorado: Henry William, who formerly engaged in the practice of dentistry and who resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota ; and Jacob, a dentist of Spokane, Washington. On the Ioth of March, 1864, Mr. Riser was again married, his second wife being Miss Eva Margaret Swartz, who has also passed away. She became the mother of thirteen children : George, deceased ; Wesley, who resides in California ; Matilda, also deceased, who was married and had two children, Fred and Theodore Fisher, the latter of whom makes his home with his grandfather, the subject of this review; Edward, who has passed away; Lidia, the wife of Albert Ross, of Washington ; Julia, who married Fred Sharff and makes her home with her father : Otto, who recently purchased his father's farm; Ida, who married John Long, of Montana ; Benjamin; Selma, the widow of John Wild; Gertrude, who married Philip Rogensack, of North La Crosse; Manda, who married Ben Feuerhelm, of Lansing township; and Adeline, who makes her home in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin.
Mr. Riser is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal chirch and helped in the erection of the church building. He was for many years in his early life a democrat in his political beliefs but of late has affiliated with the republican party. He was for some time a member of the board of school directors and
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served ably and efficiently for one term as township assessor. At the age of seventy-nine he enjoys remarkable health considering his life of hard and unre- mitting work and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime-a straightforward, honorable and progressive citizen, thoroughly alive to the best interests of the community he has aided so greatly in upbuilding.
HENRY GRAMLICH.
Henry Gramlich, one of the progressive and representative farmers of Alla- makee county, residing on a well improved property of two hundred acres on sections 18 and 19, Lansing township, was born upon this farm September 27, 1859. He is a son of Ernst F. Gramlich, one of the pioneers in Iowa, his resi- dence in this state dating from 1856. He was born in Baden, Germany, February 22, 1826, and as a young man emigrated to America, where he first located in Ohio. He learned there the blacksmith's trade and worked at it successfully until he came to Iowa, purchasing in 1856 eighty acres of unimproved land in Allamakee county. He steadily carried forward the work of developing this property, building upon it a log house, in which he and his family lived for many years and which is still standing upon the homestead. Later Mr. Gramlich built a comfortable frame residence and in this made his home until he retired from active life about twenty-five years ago. The declining years of his life were spent at the home of his daughter Mrs. Frank Goettle, of Lansing town- ship, and he there died December 16, 1905. He was a man of exemplary char- acter and sterling worth, holding membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church, helping in the organization of the congregation and in the erection of the house of worship. He married in Ohio Miss Mary Kutcher, a native of Germany, born May 1, 1826. She passed away in Allamakee county in 1907. They became the parents of six children : George, who was born in Ohio and who passed away when he was still a child; John, a native of Allamakee county, also deceased ; Mary, the wife of Henry Lenz, of Center township; Henry, of this review; Katie, who died at the age of eighteen; and Emma, who married Frank Goettle, of Lansing township.
Henry Gramlich acquired his education in the district schools of Lansing township and his childhood was similar to that of most farmers' sons in those days, his time being divided between his studies and work upon the homestead. After his father died he purchased the interests of the other heirs and assumed entire control of the farm, which is his today and which by practical and well directed labor he has made one of the finest properties in this vicinity. The land lies on sections 18 and 19 and comprises two hundred acres, upon which he engages in general farming.
Mr. Gramlich married, in Allamakee county, May 22, 1888, Miss Christina Kumpf, a daughter of Fred and Dorothea Kumpf, natives of Germany. The parents were married in Dubuque, Iowa, and came to Allamakee county at an early day, and the father here engaged in farming until his death. His wife has also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Gramlich became the parents of four children : Flora Emma, the wife of Ed Wessel, of Clayton county, Iowa; and Ella Jean-
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nette, Ed Frederick and Henry Dewey, all of whom live at home. The parents are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Gramlich is a stanch republican in his political views and has held some responsible official positions, serving for twenty years as secretary of the school board and for twelve years as school director. In 1912 he was elected township trustee and is still serving, discharging his duties in an able and conscientious way. A resident of Allamakee county since his birth, he is well known here and by a life upright and honorable in all its relations has won the favorable regard of his neighbors. His success in the conduct of his farm places him in the front ranks of progressive agriculturists and he is undoubtedly a native son of whom the county has every reason to be proud.
IRA E. SMITH.
Ira E. Smith, a worthy native son and representative agriculturist of Alla- makee county, is the owner of an excellent farm of three hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Post township. He was born in that township, near his present farm, on the 5th of December, 1871, his parents being David and Marena (Barham) Smith, natives of Cole county, Indiana. Throughout his active busi- ness career the father followed general agricultural pursuits. When a boy he came to Iowa with his father, who built the old stone house and also erected the first sawmill in this vicinity. This was as early as 1838. David Smith grew to manhood here and experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, in later years recounting many tales of frontier existence in a district which was but thinly settled and was still the habitat of wild animals. Much arduous toil was necessary before the land was ready for the plow. Mr. Smith devoted his attention to the work of grubbing and clearing and in the fall seasons operated a threshing machine. When about twenty years of age he became a landowner and during the remainder of his active life was busily engaged in the work of the fields. In 1900 he took up his abode in Frankville and there died in March of the following year. The period of his residence in this part of the state covered about six decades and in his passing the community lost one of its honored pioneers and esteemed citizens. His widow still survives and makes her home at Frankville. They were the parents of two children: Ida, who lives with her mother ; and Ira E., of this review.
In the acquirement of an education Ira E. Smith attended school at Myron in Post township. When twenty years of age he secured employment as a farm hand and about a year later purchased one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land and started out as an agriculturist on his own account. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, when he was married and took up his abode on his farm, residing thereon for seven years. On the expiration of that period he bought the old homestead property and subsequently lived thereon for eight years or until March, 1911, when he purchased an addi- tional tract of one hundred and twenty acres on section 9, Post township, where he has remained to the present time. He has disposed of some of his original holdings but still owns three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land and cul-
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IRA E. SMITH AND FAMILY
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tivates all of it with the assistance of tenants. He raises both grain and stock and keeps high-grade horses, cattle and hogs, at times dealing in stock to a considerable extent. His work is conducted along practical and progressive fines and he is systematic in all he does, so that there is no loss of labor or material, and the fields annually pay tribute to his efforts in rich and bounteous crops.
On the 19th of November, 1895, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Smith, whose birth occurred in Post township on the 9th of July, 1875, her parents being John N. and Susan (Lee) Smith, born in the years of 1828 and 1838 respectively. The father, a native of New York, was a stage owner in early manhood, driving from Decorah to McGregor until twenty-five or twenty- six years of age. At that time he located on a farm in the eastern part of Post township, continuing to reside thereon until called to his final rest in July, 1895. His widow makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Ira Smith. The latter was the youngest in their family of eight children, of whom but two are now living, namely : Ida, the wife of Samson A. Harris, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; and Mrs. Smith, the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Ira E. Smith have four children, as follows: Lester D., whose natal day was December 18, 1897; Pearl R., whose birth occurred February 28, 1901 ; Clinton E., born June 20, 1905; and Ethelyn L., who was born on the 14th of March, 1909.
Mr. Smith is a republican in his political views and held the office of trustee for one term but declined to serve loriger. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church at Bethel, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Brotherhood and the Woodmen. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have an extensive acquaintance in the county where they have always resided, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present this record of their lives to our readers.
DAVID W. DOUGLASS.
The real builders and promoters of Allamakee county have largely been the men who came into this region when it was an unimproved tract and utilized its natural resources, transforming the wild prairie land into rich and productive fields, the products of which constitute the chief source of the county's wealth. David W. Douglass, now residing in Waukon, is one of those who have contrib- uted in substantial measure to the country's development and advancement, for he opened up and improved a number of new farms, which he developed in accordance with modern agricultural methods. He is further entitled to a place among the honored men of this section as a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. Douglass has been a resident of Iowa for sixty years but was born in Ayr- shire, Scotland, September 3, 1838, and is a son of David and Catherine Douglass, also natives of Scotland. The father crossed the Atlantic to America about the year 1849 and located in Lake county, Illinois, where he was joined by his wife and son in 1851. Two years later they moved to Iowa and located in Ludlow
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township. Allamakee county, where the father purchased an eighty acre tract of land, which he cultivated and improved until his death.
David W. Douglass was a lad of fifteen when he came with his parents to Iowa. He grew up on his father's farm and in his childhood broke the raw soil with ox teams and aided in the development and improvement of the property. On the 11th of April, 1862, he joined the Union army, enlisting in Company B. Sixteenth Regular United States Infantry, Second Battalion, and with his com- pany was sent to Columbus, where a camp of instruction was maintained. The regiment remained there only a short time and was then ordered to the front. where it participated in fourteen important engagements, including that of Stone River, where it went into battle one thousand strong and came out with one hun- dred survivors, the others having been killed, wounded or taken prisoner. He took part in the battles of Chickamauga, the first and second engagements at Buzzards Roost, the engagement at Resaca, Georgia, at New Hope church, at Kenesaw Mountain, Rough Station, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and Atlanta. At Stone River Mr. Douglass received a gunshot wound in the breast but was not disabled, continuing his active service until the close of the war. He was mustered out, above the clouds on the top of Lookout Mountain, April 11, 1865, two days after Lee's surrender, having gained promotion from the ranks to the position of corporal in December. 1864. He later served on detached duty at brigade head- quarters, acting for the First Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps.
After his discharge Mr. Douglass returned to Iowa and made his home upon his father's farm. In the following year he fitted out a breaking outfit, consist- ing of a large breaking plow and a five-yoke team of oxen, and with this he engaged in breaking the prairie soil for one season. He married in 1867 and in the same year purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, of which he broke eighty, selling the other half of his property. He farmed upon this tract of land for ten years, disposed of it at the end of that time at a profit and moved to Worth county, Iowa, where he rented land and farmed for one year. Returning to Allamakee county, he purchased eighty acres in the vicinity of Waukon and spent ten years upon the property, bringing it to a high state of development. He eventually sold this farm also and for two years thereafter rented land, buying at the end of that time another traet near Waukon. This was already improved to some extent but Mr. Douglass carried forward the work of development along modern lines and when he disposed of it received fifty dollars per acre. At that time he moved into Waukon and purchased a home but afterward sold it and went to Oklahoma, where he again turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he held for a time and later sold at a handsome profit. Since taking up his residence permanently in this city he has bought and sold a great deal of residence property and also bought and sold another farm. His unre- mitting diligence has brought him success, which enables him to put aside further business cares, and he is now living retired, having earned leisure and rest by many years of well directed labor.
In 1867 Mr. Douglass was united in marriage to Miss Adaline D. Ewing, who was born in Perry county, Indiana. She is a daughter of James B. Ewing, a native of Ohio, who grew to manhood in that state and there married Elizabeth French, of Kentucky. Mr. Ewing moved into Iowa in 1853 and was one of the
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early settlers in Franklin township, Allamakee county. He became well known as the tallest man in this part of the state, being six feet, eight inches in height, and he was universally known as Uncle Jim Ewing. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass became the parents of three sons and four daughters. James I., makes his home in South Dakota. Mary is the wife of George Ralston, of Jefferson township, Allamakee county. Alexander W. acted for some time as superintendent and manager of an eighteen hundred acre grain farm in North Dakota, near James- town. He was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, serving first as corporal and later as lieutenant of militia. He now resides at home. William W. is a farmer in Allamakee county. Anna became the wife of Charles Welch, of Beulah Station. Jessie married Robert Adams, of Lincoln, Nebraska. Agnes grew to maturity and was for some time a stenographer in Chicago. She died February 2, 1907, at the age of twenty years.
Mr. Douglass has been affiliated with the republican party since its organiza- tion and is one of its most loyal and earnest supporters. He is a member of John J. Stillman Post, G. A. R., and for years has served as officer of the day at all functions and parades of the organization. Few men in Allamakee county are more widely and favorably known than Mr. Douglass, who has made his home here since he was a lad of fifteen and who in the sixty years which have since intervened has opened up and developed several new farms, his labors constituting an important element in the general agricultural advance- ment. Now, that he has passed the seventy-fourth mile-stone on life's journey. he is enjoying a well earned rest, which is the natural reward of his former life of toil. His fellow townsmen honor and respect him and wherever he is known he has an extensive circle of friends.
WILLIAM MCLAUGHLIN.
Although thirty years have elapsed since William MeLaughlin passed away on his farm in Hanover township, there are many in this vicinity who still remember his sterling qualities of character and his business progressiveness and who respect the substantial contributions which he made to the agricultural development of this part of the state. He was one of the pioneers in Allamakee county, coming here in 1856, and in the work of progress and expansion he bore an active and honorable part through the years, becoming known as one of the substantial and representative farmers of his township.
William McLaughlin was born in Ireland in 1820 and he spent his youth and early manhood in his native country. In 1852 he came to America, and settling in New York, followed railroad contracting for a few years. In 1856 he came to lowa and made his home in Allamakee county in pioneer times. After a year he bought land on Bear creek, Hanover township, and from that time until his death continued to engage in farming, success coming as a natural result of his energy, ability and enterprise. Pioneer conditions prevailed throughout the county at the time of his location here, but the hardships and privations of this life were met with confidence and courage. From time to time he bought more land, his last purchase being a fine tract on the Iowa river upon which he
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continued to reside until his death. He passed away on the 14th of May, 1883, and since that time his wife and one of his sons have operated the homestead which comprises four hundred and twenty acres lying on sections 4, 3 and 9. They have ably carried forward the work which Mr. McLaughlin began in pioneer times and have today a productive, well improved and well equipped farm, evi- dencing everywhere the many years of care and labor which have been spent upon it. Mrs. McLaughlin and her son operate this as a stock farm, making a specialty of raising and selling high-grade cattle, horses and hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin became the parents of seven children. William makes his home in Ryder, North Dakota. Margaret is teaching school. Katherine is a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota. John is engaged in farming in Hanover township. He married Miss Mary O'Meara, a native of Allamakee county, and they have seven children : Donald, born in 1900; Mary Bernice, born in 1905; John Bertrand and Dorothy Marie, twins, born in 1907; James Melvin, 1909: Ralph Edmond, 1911; and Genevieve J., 1913. Thomas, the fifth child born to Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin, lives upon the homestead. Josephine resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Celia, the youngest, became the wife of William Collins of this county.
Mr. Mclaughlin was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and was a democrat in his political beliefs, taking an active interest in public affairs. He served for two terms as assessor of his township and proved able, conscien- tious and reliable in the discharge of his duties. He was a man of many sterling traits of character, trustworthy in business, progressive in citizenship and faith- ful to all ties and obligations of life-and thus it was that in his passing Alla- makee county lost one of her most valued and useful citizens.
HENRY MARTI.
Henry Marti has been in an influential way for many years connected with farming interests of Lansing township and his labors have contributed much toward the agricultural development of the community. He owns four hundred and eighty acres lying on section 31, a well improved and valuable property, reflecting in its neat and attractive appearance the careful supervision and prac- tical methods of the owner.
Mr. Marti was born on what is known as the old Jacob Marti farm in Makee township, September 23, 1863, and is a son of Jacob Marti, of whom further men- tion appears elsewhere in this volume. He acquired his education in the district schools of his native section and after laying aside his books remained upon the homestead until he was twenty-seven years of age, at which time he went to Le Mars, where for two years he engaged in business. Returning to Allamakee county at the end of that time, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, buying the Roth farm of two hundred and thirty-six acres in Lansing township. Since that time he has engaged in farming and stock-raising and success has steadily attended his well directed activities. In 1913 he purchased the Keffler farm, this transaction making him the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of good land, upon which there are two complete sets of improvements. His
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