USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 16
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PATRICK DELANEY.
Among Allamakee county's substantial and progressive agriculturists is num- bered Patrick Delaney, who since 1898 has resided upon his fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Hanover township. He was born in 1866 and is a son of James and Margaret Delaney, natives of Ireland, both of whom upon coming to America settled in Indiana, where their marriage occurred. They later removed to lowa and in 1856 the father purchased land in Hanover town- ship, Allamakee county, a property which he operated until his death in 1906. His wife passed away in the same year. To their union were born ten chil- dren, eight of whom survive: Johanna, the wife of William O'Meara, of Minne- sota; Katherine, who married John Fitzgerald, of Tacoma, Washington ; Ter- rence, of Hanover township; Patrick, of this review; Thomas, a merchant in Allamakee county ; Mary E., who married Bryan Mahony, of Allamakee county ; John, who resides in Hanover township; and James, who is operating his father's homestead.
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Patrick Delaney was reared at home and he learned the details of farm operation through practical experience upon his father's property. At the age of twenty-seven he began farming for himself, renting land upon which he operated for five years thereafter. He then purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Hanover township and upon this property has resided since that time, steadily carrying forward the work of improvement and development and gaining recog- nition as one of the substantial and able men of this locality.
Mr. Delaney was married in 1901 to Miss Anastasia Byrnes, a native of Allamakee county and a daughter of Thomas and Katherine Byrnes, natives of Ireland. The parents have passed away, the mother dying in 1908 and the father many years previously. Nine children were born to their union, as fol- lows: Eugene, who resides in North Dakota : Annie, the wife of Thomas Collins, of Allamakee county; Katherine, who married Michael Bresnahan, of Alla- makee county ; Lawrence and Thomas, also of this county; Anastasia, wife of the subject of this review; Ella, who married Michael Burke, of Allamakee county ; Margaret ; and Mary, the deceased wife of William Gavin, of Alla- makee county. Mr. and Mrs. Delaney became the parents of four children : James, born in 1903; Thomas B., who died when he was ten months old; John J., who died in infancy ; and Margaret. The family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Delaney is a stanch democrat and takes an intelligent interest in com- munity affairs, cooperating heartily in all measures for the public good. His life has been one of well directed activity, resulting in the attainment of a fair measure of success, and wherever he is known he is respected and esteemed by reason of his genuine personal worth.
J. P. BECKER.
Probably one of the best known and most popular men in Lansing township is J. P. Becker, familiarly known as "Colonel" Becker to his many friends. For thirty-six years he has been engaged in auctioneering here and now has a most important and extensive business of this kind, being associated with his son under the firm name of J. P. Becker & Son. He occupies a fine home upon a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 34, a well improved and valuable property, reflecting in its neat and attractive appearance the care and skill of the owner. Mr. Becker was born in Luxemburg, Germany, April 3, 1838, and is a son of Henry and Barbara ( Fischer ) Becker, who lived and died in the fatherland. Of their six children the subject of this review is the only one now living. A brother, Henry, came to America and was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
J. P. Becker acquired his education in the German public schools and after laying aside his books came to America, his nineteenth birthday having been passed on the ocean. After landing in New York he made his way westward to Ohio, where he spent three months, going from that state to Dubuque, Iowa, and thence to La Crosse, Wisconsin. After spending a short period in each of those communities he was for two years a rafter on the Mississippi river and
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he afterward spent some time in St. Louis, returning north just before the outbreak of the Civil war. He purchased at this time eighty acres of land in Lansing township and upon this built a frame house which was later destroyed by fire. It was replaced by a second dwelling which still stands upon the prop- erty. In 1893 Mr. Becker disposed of his original homestead and purchased on the same section one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting the home of his wife's parents, upon which they had lived and died and upon which he and his wife now reside. For the past thirty-six or thirty-seven years Mr. Becker has been an auctioneer and is considered one of the most able men engaged in this line of business in Iowa. At one time he cried an auction in which four hundred and twenty-two sales were made during the day and he has often con- ducted large and important sales for three days in succession without apparent fatigue. He conducts his business in partnership with his son under the firm name of J. P. Becker & Son and he has secured a large patronage, for it is known that his business methods are honorable and upright, his integrity unquestioned and his ability of a high order, as is evidenced by the excellent results which have attended his labors.
In Lansing township, on the 17th of December, 1862, Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ilirt, a native of Luxemburg, Germany, born March 24, 1839 .. She is a daughter of l'eter and Elizabeth (Yager) Hirt, who came to America in 1856 and in the same year settled on the farm now occupied by the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Becker became the parents of nine children, of whom four are still living. Three died in infancy. Mary, who has also passed away, was the wife of Joe Duchien. Elizabeth, also deceased, mar- ried James Riley. Those living are: Henry W., who is serving as assessor of Lansing township and who lives on a farm adjoining that of his father ; Barbara C., who lives with her brother Henry; John H., an auctioneer associated with his father in business ; and Louisa C., the wife of Joe Chamberlain, of Chicago, Illinois.
Mr. Becker is affiliated with the democratic party, and is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He has lived for many years in Allamakee county and is widely and favorably known here, his many sterling qualities of mind and character having gained him the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. To his many friends he is known as "Colonel" and he has made the name a synonym for high standards of business honor, for progressive citizen- ship and for unquestioned personal integrity.
JACOB SPIELER.
In a history of the pioneer settlement and agricultural growth, development and upbuilding of Allamakee county it is imperative that mention be made of Jacob Spieler, who is not only one of the oldest men in this section of the state but was also one of the first settlers. That his life history is a record of success is due to the persistent efforts and intelligently directed industry he displayed during the years of his connection with farming interests here, and the retirement
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which he is now enjoying is the natural reward of his energy and determination in the past.
Mr. Spieler was born in Canton Unterwalden, Switzerland, September 8, 1825, and is a son of Frank and Anna Marie (Seibert) Spieler, both of whom lived and died in their native country. There Jacob Spieler remained until he was twenty-seven years of age and then, in 1852, crossed the Atlantic to America, locating first in Illinois and later in Iowa, where he spent some time in Muscatine and Dubuque. He was afterward employed in various capacities in Stillwater, Minnesota, and was then for eight summers cook on a raft on the Mississippi river, going as far south as St. Louis and meeting with many unique and re- markable adventures on that historic stream. He delights in recalling these days and the incidents which made them interesting and he relates many stories of the life and condition of the river men of those times. When he left the Mississippi he came again to Iowa and, settling in Allamakee county, worked for a time as a farm hand, being employed by Albert Hess and Fred Riser for a number of years. He was also for three years engaged as a cheesemaker on the farm belonging to Jacob Marti. An ambitious, energetic and determined man, he steadily worked his way upward to prosperity and saved his money, purchasing land of his own in 1872. At that time he bought one hundred and ten acres, slightly improved, lying on section 1, Makee township, and with char- acteristic energy he began its further development, success steadily attending his well directed labors. He took rank among the substantial, able and progres- sive agriculturists of this section of the state and made his farm one of the finest properties in Allamakee county, neat and attractive in appearance and equipped with all the buildings and accessories found on a model agricultural enterprise. He continued to reside upon this property until 1906, when he pur- chased a house and three acres of land near Lycurgus. Here he and his wife now reside, Mr. Spieler having well earned the leisure and rest he enjoys.
Jacob Spieler has been twice married. In June, 1871, on the day when the first train ran through Lansing after the completion of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad, he wedded Miss Mary Feller, a native of Switzer- land, who came to the United States with her mother and sister. To this union were born five children, three of whom died in infancy. The others are : Jacob J., who makes his home upon the Spieler homestead; and Frances, the wife of Henry Engelhorn, of Lansing township. The mother of these children died March 25, 1879, and on the 9th of October of that year Mr. Spieler was again married, his second wife being Miss Louisa Zimmerman. She was born in Wittenberg, Germany, April 19, 1853, and with her parents crossed the Atlantic in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Spieler became the parents of a son, Carl William, who makes his home with his half-brother, Jacob J.
The homestead is now in charge if Jacob Spieler, Jr., who was born there on March 5, 1874. He acquired his education in the district schools of Makee township and from his early childhood was familiar with the best agricultural methods, having learned farming through practical work upon his father's property. When the older Mr. Spieler retired he purchased the farm and has since carried forward the work of developing and improving it, being numbered today among the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of this vicinity. He married, in September, 1906, Miss Anna Gruber, a daughter of Thomas Gruber;
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of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. They have three children, Katie, Francis and Elsie. The house in which this family reside is one of the old landmarks of Allamakee county, for it was one of the first ยท buildings erected on the ridge and in the early days served as a schoolhouse and church, the first school and the first meeting having been held in the building. It has since been remodeled but the old house forms a part of the new structure. Jacob Spieler, Jr., who has proven himself a worthy son of his father, both being men who have never faltered in the performance of any duty whether of a public or private character, and who have long since proven themselves worthy and valued citizens of Allamakee county, their labors constituting elements in the general progress and improvement.
JOHN A. DECKER.
After a period of loyal and faithful service in the Civil war John A. Decker identified himself with agricultural interests of Allamakee county and for over forty years thereafter developed and improved his property in French Creek township, winning during the time a high place in the regard of his neighbors and finally rest and retirement as a reward for his honorable and well directed labors. He now makes his home with his son in Lansing township and has many friends throughout Allamakee county, to whom he is familiarly known as Adam. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, August 9, 1833, and is a son of George and Mary Decker, natives of that country, who in 1847 came with their family to America. They made the journey on board the sailing vessel Quebec, which started from London, and after a voyage of thirty-five days landed in America, having been delayed by a severe storm. From New York the Decker family pushed west to Ohio, settling near Cleveland, where the father purchased forty acres of land, upon which he engaged in farming for the remainder of his life. He and his wife became the parents of ten children, only one of whom, the subject of this review, survives.
John A. Decker was reared to manhood in Ohio, acquiring his education in the public schools of that state. He came to Allamakee county a few years before the outbreak of the Civil war but almost immediately afterward went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, in search of a location for a farm. The open prairie country not appealing to him, he returned to Lansing and there worked as a fireman and later as an engineer in a sawmill. From that city he enlisted in 1861 in Company B, Twelfth lowa Volunteers, and served as a musician, holding this position in his regiment until he was seized with illness, which obliged him to go to the hospital at Mound City, Illinois. There he was given a position as engineer on a stationary engine and continued to hold it until he was discharged from the hospital. He continued his military service until 1866, in which year he obtained his honorable discharge at Davenport, Iowa.
With this creditable military record Mr. Decker returned to Allamakee county and in French Creek township purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, to which he later added one hundred acres. For many years thereafter he steadily carried forward the work of developing this property, which in time became
MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. DECKER
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one of the best farms in this locality as a result of his practical methods and his untiring industry. Eventually he gave it over to the management of his son John and about the year 1907 sold the homestead and moved with his wife to his son's farm in Lansing township, where he now lives in retirement, spending the evening of his life in well earned rest.
Mr. Decker married, May 15, 1867, Miss Mary Eichhorn, who was born in Germany, May 6, 1846, and who came to America with her brothers and sisters when she was six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Decker became the parents of six children. John A. was born in Lansing township in 1868. He is now one of the prosperous farmers of this township, owning a fine property on section 30. He married in 1894 Miss Lena M. Hirth, and they have a daughter, Edna. With this family Mr. and Mrs. John A. Decker are spending their retired life. Maggie married Joe Martin, of Church, Iowa. George makes his home with his brother Samuel in the same city. Samuel married Annie Bechtel. Ben is a general merchant in Church. Emma became the wife of Charles Hirth, of Lansing township. Mr. and Mrs. Decker are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
For years Mr. Decker affiliated with the republican party but at the election of 1912 he voted the democratic ticket. There are few citizens in Allamakee county more widely and favorably known than he, for he has made his home here for over forty-five years, during all of which period his life has been upright, straightforward and honorable in all its relations. He has gained a comfortable degree of worldly prosperity, while his genial manner and unfailing courtesy have won him the warm and lasting regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
HENRY LENZ.
Henry Lenz owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 4, Center township, a property upon which he was born, and his genuine personal worth and excellent business qualifications entitle him to mention with the representative citizens of the community. Moreover, he is one of the successful stock-raisers in this section of the state and his interests along this line are extensive and important. He was born August 22, 1855, and is a son of Fred Lenz, a native of Prussia, Germany. The father served for three years in the German army, taking part in the revolution of 1848, and afterwards came to America, making his first location in Waverly, Ohio. After three years in that city he came to Allamakee county and purchased from the government one hundred and twenty acres upon which the subject of this review now makes his home. Papers show that this land was filed June 15, 1854. Fred Lenz became a successful and prominent farmer, winning a place among the substantial residents of this section. In the early days he erected log buildings upon his property and some of these are still standing. Ile after- ward added one hundred and sixty acres to his holdings but the farm has now been reduced to its original proportions. He died upon this farm August 18, 1894. He had married at Waverly, Ohio, Miss Barbara Vogler, a native of
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Bavaria, Germany, who passed away April 20, 1911. Both were members of the German Methodist Episcopal church. They became the parents of six children, two of whom are now living, namely: Henry, the subject of this review ; Mrs. Emma Engelhorn, of Spokane, Washington. Those deceased were: Katie, who died at the age of twelve; Mary, who passed away when she was six years of age; John, who died at the age of four; and William, whose death occurred when he was two years of age.
Henry Lenz acquired his education in the district schools of Center town- ship and afterward attended the Methodist Episcopal Church College at Galena, Illinois. He made his home with his parents as long as they lived and after their deaths purchased the old home place, upon which he has resided during his entire life. Upon it he has made substantial improvements and it is today a valuable and productive property, worthy of comparison with the best farms in Allamakee county. For the past twenty years Mr. Lenz has dealt extensively in registered pure-blooded Poland China hogs which he breeds and raises, and it is said that he has done more than any other man to improve the breed of hogs in this locality. He has exhibited at state fairs in Wisconsin and Iowa and has disposed of some fine animals at excellent prices. All of his business interests are capably conducted and his success places him among the men of affluence in this community.
In Allamakee county, in 1876, Mr. Lenz married Miss Mary Gramlich, a daughter of Ernst Gramlich, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Lenz are the parents of eight children: Emma, who married William Parks, of Gillette, Wyoming; William, who resides in Church, Iowa; Nettie, the wife of Charles Yahnke, of Klemme, Iowa; Theo- dore, who is engaged in farming at Eagle Bend, Minnesota; Ed, who is fol- lowing agricultural pursuits at Eagle Bend, Minnesota; Clara, the wife of Fremont Bauman, of Lansing township; and Harry and Edna, who live at home. The parents are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church.
Until the election of 1912 Mr. Lenz gave his political allegiance to the republican party but at that time he allied his interests with the new progressive party. He has always been active and interested in public affairs and has held various responsible official positions, including those of township assessor, school director, and treasurer and secretary of the school board. He is a man of genial nature, broadly educated, well informed and an interesting and fluent talker, and he has gained an enviable place in the favorable regard of his fellow citizens, among whom his entire life has been passed.
FRANK L. MINOR.
As manager and superintendent of the large manufacturing plant operated by the Postville Clay Product Company, Frank L. Minor occupies a prominent place in industrial circles of Postville and the vicinity, a position which he has achieved by reason of especial skill and long training in the line of work to which he is now devoting his attention. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, September 28, 1867, and is a son of Samuel D. and Hannah ( Garlick) Minor,
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the former born in what is now West Virginia, in the Panhandle district, October 28, 1828, and the latter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1840. In early life the father worked as a pilot on boats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers but later became a brick manufacturer, operating a large fire brick factory at Empire, Ohio, for twenty-two years and finally retiring from active life and moving to Wellsville, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the 25th of December, 1912. His wife has also passed away, her death having occurred in the same place, May 7, 1900. The father never sought to figure in any way in public life, never seeking political office and even refusing to accept a first lieutenant's commission offered to him during the Civil war. He preferred to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs and these be- came extensive and profitable, bringing him a comfortable competency and a high place in industrial circles of the city. He and his wife became the par- ents of seven children, the subject of this review being the fourth in the order of birth.
Frank L. Minor acquired his early education in the public schools of Empire and he afterward attended the Ohio State University at Columbus, graduating as a ceramic engineer with the class of 1891. When he became of age he entered his father's factory as manager and superintendent and continued in that posi- tion until his father's retirement, proving an expert in everything relating to his special line of work and also a far-sighted, discriminating and able business man. When Samuel D. Minor sold his factory the son continued in the employ of the purchasing company as manager and superintendent but after four years resigned his position and went to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he became mana- ger for the Pittsburgh Paving Brick Company, being afterward transferred to Fairmont, West Virginia, where he worked in the same capacity for two years. At the end of that time he established himself in business as a ceramic engineer and soon built up a profitable and extensive patronage, erecting brick works at Spokane and Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Oakland, California : and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as well as in l'ort Credit, Canada. After accom- plishing a great deal of important work along this line and winning for him- self a reputation as an expert in every branch of industrial ceramics he aban- doned his independent interests and identified himself with the Postville Clay Product Company as salesman and erecting engineer. He came to Postville in August, 1911, and erected in the city the plant for the company he represented and after its completion remained in charge as manager and superintendent, positions which he has occupied since that time. The Postville Clay Product Company manufactures all kinds of hollow building blocks and fireproof build- ing material and controls an important and growing trade throughout the middle west. To the local branch of the business Mr. Minor devotes his entire time and much of the credit for the continued growth and expansion of the Postville factory is due to his initiative spirit, his modern and practical methods and the skill with which he applies his knowledge of everything pertaining to the busi- ness to the further advancement of his employers' interests. He is today con- sidered one of the most able business men in Postville and the place which he oc- cupies in business circles has been well earned and is richly deserved.
Mr. Minor married, on the 27th of June, 1894, Miss Ida McLean, who was born in Toronto, Ohio, on the 5th of February, 1868. She is a daughter of
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James and Eliza ( Jackman) McLean, the former a native of Scio, Ohio, and the latter of Knoxville, in the same state. In early life James McLean learned the latter's trade but he never followed this occupation, turning his attention to general farming and continuing to engage in it during his active life. He served in the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry for three years during the Civil war and during all of that period was never wounded or confined in a hospital. He and his wife became the parents of twelve children, of whom the wife of the sub- ject of this review is the fifth in the order of birth. Mr. Minor gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic lodge. Although one of the later arrivals in Postville, he is interested in the welfare of the community and has already won for himself a creditable position as a valued citizen and business man.
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