USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 21
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On the 17th of November, 1885, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Larson, a native of Norway but reared and educated in lowa and Minne- sota. To their union were born three children: Myrtle, who lives at home ; Ralph, who is a student in the Waukon high school ; and Alden, also pursuing his studies.
Fraternally Mr. Larson is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, with which he has been affiliated since casting his first vote. Aside from the public offices before mentioned he was for five years a member of the common council while a resident of Canby and he is known as an eminently public-spirited and progressive citizen. For many years he has been a force in public affairs in this section and his efficient services in various positions of public trust have had an important effect upon local political conditions. His interests have been thoroughly identified with those of Waukon and Allamakee county and no progressive public project seeks his support in vain. In business and politics he has won success and at the same time has gained the regard and esteem of all who are associated with him.
JULIUS A. KROUSIE.
Julius A. Krousie, who in an influential way has for many years been identi- fied with farming interests in Franklin township and whose enterprise has con- tributed much toward the agricultural development of the community, was born at Lansing, Allamakee county, March 17, 1873, a son of Gotlieb and Julia (Schellschmidt) Krousie, both born near Berlin, Germany. In the latter part of the year 1872 they crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Lansing, where the father passed away the same year. In his native country he had always been a farmer and during the short period of his residence in lowa followed agricul- tural pursuits. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1909, at the age of seventy-nine.
Julius A. Krousie attended the public schools in Lansing and was afterward a student at district school No. I, Ludlow township, supplementing this by three terms at the Waukon Business College. When he was nine years of age he was
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taken into the home of J. E. Nash in Ludlow township and there continued to reside for eleven years thereafter. Eventually he began earning his own live- lihood as a farm hand, but after ten years of work in the employ of others pur- chased land of his own on section 7. Franklin township, upon which he has since resided. He purchased first forty acres of unimproved land and was so successful in its cultivation that he was able to add to his holdings from time to time, owning today one hundred and sixty acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation. He has made substantial improvements here, erecting the necessary buildings and installing the needed equipment, and the condition of his fields and meadows indicates his careful supervision and practical labor. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Store and in the Farmers Tele- phone Company of Postville and in business circles is known as a reliable, far- sighted and discriminating business man.
On the 2d of April, 1902, Mr. Krousie was united in marriage to Miss Julia Swenson, born in Post township, February 12, 1883. She is a daughter of Anton and Anna ( Halverson) Swenson, natives of Norway, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. The father now makes his home in Ludlow township, having survived his wife since 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Krousie became the parents of four children : Violet, who was born September 12, 1904; John, who was born July 10, 1906, and who died in October, 1908; Allen, born June 28, 1909; and one child born June 7. 1911.
Mr. Krousie gives his political allegiance to the republican party but never seeks public office, although he is always ready to further any measure which will in any degree promote community growth and advancement. He is a man of high moral character, industrious and enterprising, and his honesty and integrity have merited for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.
PETER SMITH.
A splendid farm of four hundred acres represents the life work of Peter Smith, who proudly can look back upon his achievements, which were attained by his own efforts and no outside help. A native of the state of New York, he was born March 12, 1853, and is a son of Peter Schmitt, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who was born in that state, May 22, 1822. The father employed the German spelling "Schmitt," but when Peter and his brother grew to maturity they decided to Americanize the name, changing it to its present form. When a young man the father emigrated to the United States and engaged in farming and also did work in a smelter in New York. Later he removed to Ohio and in 1862 came to Allamakee county, where he bought eighty acres of unimproved land in French Creek township near where his son now lives. Diligent and industrious, he settled down to hard work, breaking the land and placing his acres under cultivation, and as he obtained results he increased his holdings until he at one time owned four hundred acres. He died on the old home farm on March 8, 1879. His marriage to Catherine Schiffhauer occurred in New York state on April 25, 1852. The mother, who was a native of Saxony, Germany, was born October
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I, 1829, and has also passed away, her death occurring on the home farm on June 20, 1890. They were the parents of six children : Peter, our subject ; Charles J., deceased; Mary M., who resides in Waukon; Catherine, the wife of John Enders, of Berrien county, Wisconsin: Sophia, deceased, who was the wife of Patrick Donohue ; and John, of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. The parents were devout communicants of the Catholic church.
Peter Smith came with his parents from New York, via Ohio, to Allamakee county, and received his education largely in the district schools near his father's farm. In the spring of 1876 he set out upon his independent career, engaging as a farm hand for neighbors. He married in 1876 and subsequently rented land for a number of years. In 1885 he acquired by purchase one hundred and sixty acres, yet in a wild state, and there he has since resided, increasing his holdings as occasion offered and his means permitted, until he now owns four hundred acres, which are all put to profitable use. Much of his land is under high culti- vation and good improvements can be found upon his farm. His buildings are suitably equipped and substantial and his residence is commodious and com- fortable. He engages in general farming, dividing his time between grain culture and stock-raising.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Melinda Hoffman, a native of Cascade township, Dubuque county, Iowa, where she was born on September 7, 1854, a daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Haas) Hoffman, later residents of French Creek township. Mr. Smith lost his wife on August 27, 1912, when her death ensued on account of a fatal automobile accident. He and his wife had the following children: Melinda, who married C. P. Nierling, a well known agri- culturist of this county ; Mary J., the wife of F. A. Roth, of Brooklyn, Iowa ; C. M., of Zearing, this state: Joseph, of State Center. Iowa; Katie J. who mar- ried C. W. Lane, of French Creek township; John H. of State Center ; Ann, at home; Benjamin J., of State Center ; William, also of that place; and Frank, at home. Mr. Smith and his family are members of the Catholic church and he gives his political adherence to the democratic party. . While he has attained a substantial position among the farmers of his district and has individually become prosperous, he has been a serviceable factor in promoting the growth of his locality and his citizenship has in every way been productive of good results. He enjoys the high esteem and regard of all who know him and has made many friends in the county.
ARTHUR T. STILLMAN. D. D. S.
Dr. Arthur T. Stillman, who for almost a quarter of a century has practiced dentistry in his offices above the Citizens Bank, is one of the earliest residents in Allamakee county and the oldest dentist in active practice in Waukon. He was born in Cortland county, New York, November 13, 1851, and is a son of John Stillman, also a native of Cortland county. The father grew to maturity there and married Miss Mary Nesmith, afterward following general farming for a number of years. Six of his children were born in Cortland county and in 1853 he came with his family to Iowa, making a permanent location in Center town-
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ship, Allamakee county. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, which he cleared and broke, opening up a new farm. In the course of years he placed upon it substantial improvements, erecting a comfortable resi- dence, a good barn and the necessary outbuildings and he became one of the pros- perous and successful agriculturists of this vicinity. He later moved into Waukon, where he spent the last years of his life, serving as justice of the peace for some time. He died in February, 1893, and was survived by his wife for three years. Both are buried in Oakland cemetery. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters. John J. Stillman enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and went south with his regiment, participating in the battle at Fort Donelson, where he was killed. His body was brought home for burial and in his honor the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic was given his name. Linus Stillman also joined the Union army, enlisting in Company F. Sixth lowa Cavalry, and serving through the entire war. He received his hon- orable discharge after Lee's surrender and returned home, later buying the home- stead, which he improved and developed for some years. After he sold the farm he purchased land near Emmetsburg and continued to reside upon it until his death. Of the other children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Stillman only one besides the subject of this review still survives. She is Mrs. Jackson Smith, of Waukon.
Dr. Stillman was reared upon his father's farm in Allamakee county and acquired his primary education in the public schools, supplementing this by a four years' course in the Waukon high school. He later engaged in teaching for four years and was then a clerk in a hardware store in Waukon for some time. Having determined, however, to practice dentistry, he went to the State University and took a course in dental surgery, graduating with the class of 1889. He returned immediately to Waukon, where he secured an office in the Citizens Bank building, where he is still located, having occupied the same rooms for twenty-four years. Although one of the oldest dentists in active practice in the city, Dr. Stillman keeps in touch with the most modern thought of his pro- fession. Throughout the years his patronage has grown steadily. He has a well equipped office, supplied with all the most modern dental appliances, and is numbered among the leaders in his profession in this section of the state.
On the 20th of February, 1878, Dr. Stillman married Miss Anna M. Pottle, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and a daughter of W. R. Pottle, who came as a pioneer to Iowa and became one of the first business men in Waukon. Mrs. Stillman was reared and educated in this city and later spent some time as a teacher of music and art. Mr. and Mrs. Stillman became the parents of a daugh- ter, Hazel, who acquired her education in the public schools of this city and took a four years' course at Cornell College. She is now a teacher of history and English in the Waukon public schools. Mrs. Stillman died August 20, 1909, and was laid to rest in Oakland cemetery. Immediately after his marriage Dr. Still- man purchased a home on Allamakee street, which he rebuilt and remodeled, making it one of the most attractive in the city.
Fraternally Dr. Stillman is connected with the Masonic order, holding mem- bership in the lodge and chapter. He at one time belonged to the Decorah com- mandery but has now demitted. He belongs to Waukon lodge, K. P., and has served through all the chairs of that organization, is now past grand chancellor
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and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge of Iowa. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and served as trustee for a number of years, his wife having been also an active church and Sunday school worker. She served as organist in the Waukon church for thirty years. Always interested in school matters, Dr. Stillman has done able work in the cause of education in Allamakee county, being now in the twenty-first year of his service as a member of the school board and in the eighteenth year of his activity as president of that body. During the many years of his residence in Waukon he has been constant in his support of progressive public measures and his loyalty to the general good is unquestioned. He holds to high ideals in his profession, is conscientious in the performance of his duties and has thoroughly proved that his knowledge of dentistry is of a practical as well as a comprehensive nature.
EUGENE A. READ.
Eugene A. Read owns and cultivates a large farm in Franklin township and by constant application has surrounded himself with an enviable degree of pros- perity. His two hundred acres lying on section 6 constitute the farm upon which he was born on the 27th of May, 1852, his parents being Charles B. and Caroline (Dawson) Read, the former born in Massachusetts in 1823 and the latter in Jef- ferson county, New York, February 23, 1828. The father was a son of Charles Read, born in Massachusetts in 1795, he being the son of Joseph, born in Massachusetts in 1750. Joseph Read was a son of Thomas Read, who was born in England in 1727 and who died in Oxford, Massachusetts, all being descendants of Thomas Read, who passed away in Colchester, England, in 1616. Charles B. Read, father of the subject of this review, was a resident of Illinois. He married Caroline Dawson, of Algonquin, Illinois, in 1850. He was a doctor by profession and enjoyed a good practice until his death, which occurred in 1879. The mother came to Iowa, late in the fall of 1851 with her parents, Alexander and Jane Dawson. The latter preempted three hundred and twenty acres of land in Allamakee county, Franklin township, section 6. Caroline (Dawson) Read taught in the Allamakee county public schools for twenty years. Her death occurred on March 3, 1876.
Eugene A. Read acquired his knowledge of agriculture upon his mother's farm in Franklin township and obtained his education in the district schools. He laid aside his books at the age of twelve and began chopping cordwood on the farm upon which he now resides, hauling it afterward to Postville and selling it in the markets of that city. After he attained his majority he became a land- owner and when his mother died he purchased the homestead, whereon he has since resided. He finished the clearing of this property and has now one of the finest and most highly improved farms in this section of Allamakee county. Of his two hundred acres, one hundred are principally in maple timber, and he oper- ates only part of the remainder, the rest being rented to desirable tenants. The portion whereon he makes his home is beautified with running water and wood- lands and Mr. Read has provided it with a comfortable residence, barns and out- buildings so that his premises are among the most desirable in the community. In
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addition to general farming he specializes in the raising of a fine quality of corn and in the breeding of hogs, making this a very remunerative department of his business.
On the 14th of February, 1891, Mr. Read was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Cutshaw, who was born in Lancaster, Grant county, Wisconsin. She is a daughter of David and Adele (Herrington) Cutshaw, the latter born in New York city, April 27, 1849. The father passed away when Mrs. Read was only one year old and the mother afterward married Albert Carson, now a resi- dent of Austin, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Read have become the parents of four children: Violet C., who was born January 4. 1892, and is now attending the Southern Minnesota Normal College : Rosamond A., born October 2, 1895, who is a pupil in the Waukon high school ; Laverne L., who was born October 28, 1897, and died July 2, 1898; and Opal Adele, whose birth occurred May 5. 19II.
Mr. Read is independent in his political views, voting according to his per- sonal convictions without regard to party lines. Locally he is interested in the betterment of the community and for a number of years rendered the township excellent service as justice of the peace and school director. He is a man of many sterling traits of character-able in business, progressive in citizenship and at all times trustworthy and reliable.
WILLIAM HOWES.
Among the pioneers of Allamakee county is William Howes, who is prom- inent in the agricultural history of this section and now has valuable farming interests in French Creek township. Ile has not only been an interested witness of the changes that have taken place here as primitive conditions have given way to the onward march of civilization but has been an active and cooperant factor in bringing about that transformation and laying the foundation for the civiliza- tion that is enjoyed by the present generation. Born in New York state in 1842, he is a son of Thomas and Phoebe ( Harrington ) Howes, natives of England, who crossed the Atlantic to the United States in the early '30s. The father was a mechanic by trade and worked along that line while moving westward. During his career he lived in Syracuse and Buffalo, New York, coming subsequently to Chicago and Amboy, Illinois, and in 1859 to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he located on four hundred acres of land which he had entered from the govern- ment in 1835. He later bought an additional four hundred acres. On this farm he built the first frame building to be erected in French Creek township, but the management of his farm was soon turned over to his son William, while the father remained actively engaged at his trade. He was highly respected in his locality and passed away at the age of seventy, his wife being eighty years of age at the time of her death. In their family were four sons and two daughters : William, of this review; John, who makes his home with a son-in-law in Union City township, Allamakee county; E. H., of North Dakota; Ruth, who makes her home with her brother. E. H. : and two who died in infancy.
WILLIAM HOWES
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William Howes received his education by attending the public schools in the different places where his parents resided and was seventeen years of age when the family came to Aflamakee county, assuming at that time the manage- ment of the father's farm. He later came into possession of four hundred and sixteen acres of the land and here he has since made his home, engaged in general farming. He has placed substantial buildings upon the land and his residence is comfortable and commodious. The latest machinery can be found upon the place in order to facilitate the labor and improve. the yield of his acres. He has become recognized as one of the foremost agriculturists of his section and his success is the more creditable as it has been largely brought about by his own labors and entirely unaided.
In Waukon, Iowa, Mr. Howes was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Mockley, a native of Elgin, Illinois, who passed away about five years ago. She bore her husband twelve children: William and John, of Makee township; Josie, of Union City township; James and Edward, of Waukon; Margaret, Helen, Albert and Cecilia, at home; Mary, of Winnipeg, Manitoba ; and Catherine and Thomas, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Howes are members of the Catholic church and politically he has long voted the democratic ticket, although he supported the Taft administration at the last election. He has been prominent in public life, having served as township trustee, road supervisor and school director. He enjoys the full confidence and esteem of all who know him and, while he has attained prosperity for himself, has been a serviceable factor in promoting agri- cultural interests and making Allamakee county what it is today-one of the richest farming communities in the state. His career is proof of the fact that success is but ambition's answer and that honesty, industry and energy lead to the goal. He has ever been public-spirited and has given evidence of that char- acteristic while holding official positions, in which capacities he has ever labored for progress and advance. Every worthy enterprise finds in him a champion and the interests of French Creek township and Allamakee county have profited by his labors.
GEORGE WILLIS.
George Willis, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon one hundred and seventy-three acres of land lying partly in Franklin and partly in Jefferson township, was born in Lincolnshire, England, June 9, 1849. He is a son of George and Mary (Copeman) Willis, also natives of that part of England, the father born in 1824. He gave his attention to agricultural pursuits during all of his active life, dying in Lincolnshire in 1868. His widow afterward married again and canie to America, locating in Colorado, in which state she made her home until her death, at the age of sixty-six.
George Willis was reared in his native community and acquired his educa- tion in its public schools. He afterward served an apprenticeship as a locomotive and stationary engineer and at the age of eighteen began working at this occupa- tion, following it successfully until he came to America. He crossed the Atlantic in 1875 and pushed his way westward to Colorado, locating twenty miles north Vol. II-11
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of Denver, where he became' connected with the Union Pacific Railroad as loco- motive engineer on the run between Denver and Boulder. Here he remained for seven years, after which he turned his attention to farming in Colorado, buying a tract of land in that state, and upon it he resided until 1898, when he sold and came to Iowa, buying his present farm. He owns and operates one hundred and seventy-three acres of land, eighty of which lie in Franklin township and ninety-three in Jefferson, and the property is in an excellent state of cultivation, reflecting everywhere his careful supervision and practical methods. Aside from general farming Mr. Willis is also extensively interested in stock-raising and he is very attentive to his interests along this line which under his able management has proven profitable and important.
On the 5th of June, 1873, Mr. Willis was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bowen, who was born in Durham, England, June 16, 1855, a daughter of John and Margaret Bowen, natives of that section. The father followed the carpen- ter's trade for many years, making his home always in England, where he and his wife both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Willis are the parents of five children : Abraham, who married Miss Minnie Dorsey and who is engaged in farming near his father's farm; Mary Anna, the wife of Richard Whaley, who is a butcher in Waterloo: Elizabeth, the wife of Edward Ewing, who is operating a farm near the old homestead; Anna, who married William Ewing. of Jefferson town- ship : and George, who resides at home.
Mr. Willis is a member of the United Brethren church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is one of the successful men of Franklin township and his prominence and prosperity are the more creditable to him since they have been attained through his energy, courage and perseverance. In all of his dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and in matters of citizenship helpful and progressive, giving his aid and influence to many measures for the public good.
JOHN ECKERT.
John Eckert is engaged in general farming in Franklin township, owning and cultivating one hundred and seventy acres of land. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and his piace presents an attractive appearance, constituting one of the pleasing pictures in the landscape. He was born in Clayton county, near Guttenberg, October 7, 1872. a son of Christian and Anna ( Nicolai) Eckert, natives of Germany, the former born in 1821 and the latter in 1824. When he was a young man the father crossed the Atlantic to America and, coming directly to Iowa, located first at Guttenberg and after a time became an extensive landowner, giving his attention to general farming in the vicinity of that city until 1876. In that year he moved to Franklin township, Allamakee county, and purchased a five hundred acre farm, upon which he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1877, less than one year after his arrival here. Fol- lowing his demise the mother operated the farm with the help of her sons for a number of years and later made her home with her children until her death, which occurred on the 8th of December, 1910.
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