USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 29
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W. O. BOCK
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dence of his patrons and the public at large by his straightforward and upright dealings throughout the years of his residence here. He has valuable individual holdings, owning a quarter of a section of land in North Dakota, four hundred acres, well improved, in Minnesota and a fourteen hundred acre tract in one of the best agricultural districts of Montana. He owns also a fine home in New Albin and is connected with important business interests here. Having come to the city in the days of its pioneer settlement, he took advantage of the opportunities for investment, and purchased a great deal of property on the town site, being today part owner of all of the vacant lots within the original town limits. His business interests are at all times capably conducted and his success has followed as a natural result of his earnest, straightforward and persistent labor.
In 1881 Mr. Bock was united in marriage to Miss Cora E. Tartt, a native of Allamakee county and a daughter of James and Phoebe Tartt, the former born in Tennessee and the latter in Illinois. They spent the last thirty years of their lives in New Albin, the father dying in this city at the age of seventy- five and the mother passing away at the age of seventy-four. In their family were seven children, of whom three survive, as follows: Walter B., of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin ; Oscar C., also of this city ; and Cora E., the wife of the subject of this review. Among those deceased was Mrs. H. F. Hutter, the former wife of Dr. Hutter, of New Albin. Mr. and Mrs. Bock became the parents of two children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. The other is a son, Forest W. M., who was born in 1892. He is a graduate of the New Albin high school and is now attending college at Mount Vernon, Iowa. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Bock is an active and successful religious worker, having for the past twenty-five years served as Sunday school superintendent and a member of the official board. Fraternally Mr. Bock is connected with the Masonic lodge and his wife is a member of the Eastern Star at Lansing. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and is at all times interested in the growth and develop- ment of Allamakee county, cooperating heartily in movements for the general advancement and expansion. The period of his residence in New Albin covers a quarter of a century and the many sterling traits of his character are, there- fore, well known to his fellow-townsmen, the great majority of whom number him as a friend.
WILLIAM D. BIGGS.
Among the honored and respected residents of Franklin township and among Allamakee county's most progressive and able native sons is numbered William D. Biggs, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land on section 34. He was born in Linton township, December 1, 1865, and is a son of David and Elizabeth ( Fitch ) Biggs, the former born in Holmes county, Ohio, November 4, 1831, and the latter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 18. 1840. In early life the father went to Ohio, and from that state in Jan- uary, 1853, came to lowa, settling in Volney, where he operated a sawmill
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for a number of years. He formed a partnership with his father and a brother and they conducted this enterprise together with excellent results. About the year 1860 he went overland to the Rocky mountains and remained for two months in the vicinity of Pike's Peak. Upon the expiration of that time he returned to lowa and in Linton township purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he continued to improve and develop until 1908, becoming during that time a prosperous and successful farmer. In that year he retired from active life and moved into Rossville, where he and his wife now reside. The paternal branch of this family has been in America since Revolutionary times, William D. Biggs' great-grandfather having come to the colonies as a soldier in the English army to fight in the Revolutionary war. After his ar- rival, however, he and his brother joined General Washington, allying their inter- ests with the Continental cause and serving with ability and credit throughout the war. The great-grandfather later married and had eight children, all sons, each of whom he named after some officer in Washington's army. The father of the subject of this review is well known among the old Iowa pioneers, who delight in telling a story of his connection with the naming of Big Foot school- house and of the entire section known as Big Foot. In early times, while he was on a hunting trip, he noticed in the deep snow which lay over everything tracks made apparently by a man with enormously large feet. There was at that time a famous Indian chief called Old Big Foot, who frequently came to the vicinity and invariably committed some depredation here, being much dreaded by the early settlers. Mr. Biggs' father followed the trail for a short distance and then came upon a hunter who in order to keep out the cold had wrapped his feet in rags, this accounting for the large tracks made in the snow. The inci- dent proved a much appreciated joke in the community and resulted in the naming of the district Big Foot, a title under which it is known today.
William D. Biggs acquired his education in Big Foot school, Linton town- ship, and spent his childhood upon his father's farm, becoming familiar with the best agricultural methods by assisting in the operation of the homestead. When he was twenty-three years of age he built upon the property a small factory, wherein he engaged in the manufacture of rustic chairs, selling these throughout the surrounding states for ten years thereafter and developing a large and im- portant patronage. He was also at this time interested in the real-estate business and was well known and highly respected in business circles. Eventually, how- ever, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, renting in Franklin town- ship the farm owned by D. J. Murphy. He cultivated this for one year and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 34. Franklin township, whereon he has since resided. He engages in general farming and is also ex- tensively interested in stock-raising, keeping high-grade cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. He is a stockholder in the Cooperative Creamery at Monona and is known as a resourceful, far-sighted and progressive business man, who owes his suc- cess in life entirely to his own well directed efforts.
On the Ist of January, 1896, Mr. Biggs was united in marriage to Miss Effie Diamond, who was born in Clayton county, Iowa, near McGregor, in 1874. She is a daughter of John and Ellen ( Barnhouse) Diamond, the former a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, born February 10, 1848, and the latter of Ohio, born May 30, 1848. The parents came to Iowa separately in 1852 and located five
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miles southwest of McGregor, where afterward their marriage occurred. The father became an extensive landowner in that vicinity but later sold his holdings and moved to the vicinity of Summerfield, Kansas, whence after a short time he went to Wisconsin, spending eight months in lowa county. At the end of that time he went to Monona, Iowa, and he has since lived retired in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Biggs have three living children : Carrie Ellen, born October 29, 1897; Dorothy Amelia, born October 14, 1902; and Lois Althea, born March 30, 1907. One, born July 16, 1900, died in infancy.
Mr. Biggs is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party, serving as township trustee and school director. He takes a great interest in public affairs and since the beginning of his independent career has been active in promoting the permanent interests of the community, bearing an honorable and worthy part in the work of upbuilding. His sterling qualities of mind and character have gained him many friends in Franklin township and the high regard in which he is held merits his classifica- tion with the representative and honored citizens of his native county.
ROBERT BOYCE.
Esteem and veneration is due to Robert Boyce not only for what he has achieved along agricultural lines and for the financial successes which have come to him but also for the service which he rendered his country at the time of the Civil war, for he is one of that fast disappearing band of volunteers who willingly offered his life in order to preserve the unity of the nation. A native of Penn- sylvania, Robert Boyce was born in Mckean county, August 23, 1841, a son of Samuel and Betsy Ann (Hall) Boyce. Both parents were natives of County Armagh, Ireland. The father always followed agricultural pursuits and in his early manhood became a resident of Pennsylvania, where he resided about one year before coming to lowa. Here he located at Garnavillo, Clayton county, where he remained only about a year, when he died. The mother subse- quently married again, her second husband being Charles Lord, and they soon thereafter came to Allamakee county and settled near the mission house in Lin- ton township. Later they came to Franklin township and there Mr. and Mrs. Lord resided on the farm which is now a part of our subject's holdings. Both spent their latter lives retired in Monona, where they passed away.
Robert Boyce is the fifth in order of birth of the six living children born to his mother's first marriage. Of the second marriage there were born three chil- dren, all of whom have passed away. Robert Boyce attended school in Clayton county, receiving his lessons in the district school of Reed township, and later continued his lessons in the schools of Franklin township. When eighteen years of age he bought forty acres of his present farm from his father and engaged independently in agricultural pursuits until on February 18, 1862, he enlisted with Company H, First Battallion, Sixteenth United States Regular Regiment, as a private. He valiantly served his country for three years, enduring the hardships of the campaign and the dangers of battle and camp until he was mustered out at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. He was never wounded but contracted sickness,
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spending some time in a hospital at Keokuk, Iowa. After being discharged from the service he returned to the farm and has continued here ever since, having increased his holdings as prosperity has come to him and now owning one hun- dred and eighty acres. His fields are under high cultivation and his buildings kept in good repair. The most modern machinery has been installed upon the' place and his methods have resulted in a gratifying degree of prosperity to him. Mr. Boyce also owns valuable property in Monona. He is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of that place and has other interests.
On September 11, 1866, occurred the marriage of Mr. Boyce to Miss Mary Jane Tapper, who was the first white child born at Fort Atkinson, Iowa, her day of birth being January 16, 1841. She is a daughter of James and Ellen (Irwin) Tapper, the father a native of England and the mother of Ireland. The father was one of the pioneers in this section and for many years was in the employ of the United States government at Fort Atkinson as a carpenter. He was prominent and highly esteemed in his locality, holding several township offices, serving as trustee, justice of the peace and supervisor.
Although Mr. Boyce has never aspired to public office, he has been prevailed upon to serve as trustee of Franklin township and in that capacity discharged his duties with conspicuous ability. His political faith is that of the republican party and he ever upholds its candidates and principles. He keeps in touch with his comrades of the battlefields of the south as a member of Grand Army Post. No. 445. at Monona. The spirit of patriotism which led him to follow the flag at the time of the great civil conflict has never left him and he is today, in times of peace, as much a force for good as he was when he upheld the Union cause in the south. He is ever interested in worthy public enterprises and ever ready to give of his means and influence in the support of the same. Such prosperity as has come to him is but the natural result of well applied labor and there is none who begrudges him his present affluence. On the contrary, he is highly respected for what he has achieved and is venerated and beloved for his sterling traits of character.
WILLIAM WURTZEL.
William Wurtzel, whose residence in Allamakee county covers more than a third of a century, is now numbered among the substantial and representative agriculturists of his community, owning and operating a well improved farm of one hundred and nine acres on section 35, Center township. His birth oc- curred in Brandenburg, Germany, on the 11th of March, 1848, his parents being Carl and Elizabeth ( Beymert) Wurtzel, who came to this county with their son Gustave in 1881. They made their home with him throughout the remainder of their lives, both passing away when seventy-nine years of age. Their family numbered three sons and three daughters, as follows: Caroline and Augusta, both of whom died in the fatherland ; Henrietta, who is deceased, as is also her hus- band, Ernst Kuehn: Carl, who is supposed to be still in Germany : William, of this review ; and Gustave, a successful agriculturist of Center township.
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William Wurtzel spent the first thirty years of his life in his native country, being there reared, educated and married. In 1878, in company with his wife and two children, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, arriving in the new world with a capital of less than one hundred dollars. He here worked by the month as a farm hand for two years and on the expiration of that period purchased a tract of one hundred and nine acres in Center township, Allamakee county, Iowa, which had but poor improvements. The property has since re- mained in his possession and he has remodeled the residence and other buildings thereon and generally improved the place until it is now a neat and model farm. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and annually gathers good crops which find a ready sale on the market. As the years have gone by he has prospered in his undertakings and is now recognized as one of the sub- stantial and esteemed citizens of the community.
While still a resident of the fatherland Mr. Wurtzel was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Schoenbeck, a daughter of Ludwig and Caroline Schoenbeck, both of whom are deceased. having passed away in Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wurtzel have been born five children, as follows: William, a native of Germany, who wedded Miss Clara Hermann and resides on a farm in Center township : Carl, also born in Germany, a resident of this county ; Fred, a native of Allamakee county, Iowa, who passed away in January, 1912, at the age of thirty-two years; Louise, the wife of Gustave Dee, of French Creek township ; and Herman, at home.
Mr. Wurtzel is a republican in his political views but at the last election supported Wilson and Marshall. He and his family are devoted members of the German Reformed church at Waukon. Coming to the new world in early man- hood, he eagerly availed himself of the greater opportunities here afforded and has gradually worked his way upward to a position among the successful and representative residents of Allamakee county.
GEORGE B. RALSTON.
George B. Ralston, serving as township trustee of Jefferson township and numbered among the progressive citizens and successful farmers of that locality, was born in Ludlow township, this county, February 21, 1869. He is a son of John Ralston, who was born in Scotland and who remained in his native country until he was seventeen years of age. He then came to America and resided for three years in New York city, where he became very proficient as a brown-stone setter, working for his uncle. Eventually he moved to Illinois and there worked on a farm for three years, coming about the year 1854 to Allamakee county, Iowa. In Ludlow township he purchased a tract of eighty acres and this he cleared of timber, broke the soil and began the work of development. After he had made it a valuable and productive farm he disposed of the property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity, and this also he substan- tially improved, erecting a fine residence, good barns and outbuildings. He en- gaged in general farming upon that place for some years, but later moved to
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Waukon, where he spent his retired life, dying in that city about 1911. His wife survives him and makes her home with her daughter in Waukon.
George B. Ralston was reared upon his father's farm in Ludlow township and early became acquainted with the best agricultural methods, for he aided in clearing, improving and developing this property. For one year after his mar- riage, which occurred in 1892, he remained upon the homestead, but at the end of that time bought eighty acres of land on section 21, Jefferson township. This was at that time a raw tract, but with characteristic energy Mr. Ralston carried on the work of its improvement, clearing the timber, grubbing up the stumps, breaking the soil and fencing the fields. He later erected a substantial residence, a large basement barn and good outbuildings. He also set out an orchard, planting a number of fine trees, and he has neglected nothing which would add to the attractive appearance or the value of the property. In addi- tion to general farming he is a stock breeder on an extensive scale, keeping high-grade cattle, Poland China hogs and a number of good horses. He was one of the promoters of the Waukon Cooperative Creamery, to which he sells the product of his dairy which he has been operating for a number of years.
In Waukon, on the 14th of February, 1892, Mr. Ralston was united in marriage to Miss Mary Douglas, a daughter of David Douglas, a veteran of the Civil war and for many years a prosperous farmer in Allamakee county. A more extended mention of his career appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston became the parents of nine children : Earl J., who is assisting his father on the farm; John D .; David G .; Ruth; Jessie ; Marie; Florence ; Eugenia ; and Doris.
Mr. Ralston is a republican in his political beliefs and is interested in public affairs, cooperating heartily in movements for the general good. In 1910 he was elected trustee of Jefferson township and has served by reelection since that time, discharging his duties in a way which reflects credit upon his ability and his public spirit. The cause of education finds in him a stanch champion, and he did effective work along this line during the years which he served as president of the school board. He is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has held various official positions in the lodge of that organiza- tion. He and his wife belong to the Rebekahs at Rossville and the entire family attend the Rossville Presbyterian church. Mr. Ralston has won substantial success, but it has come as the result of earnest labor, unfaltering industry, and sincerity and honesty of purpose. No one envies him his prosperity, so worthily has it been won, and he ranks today among the respected and representative citi- zens of Allamakee county.
LARS J. LARSON.
Lars J. Larson, now serving his second term as assessor of Jefferson town- ship and connected with agricultural interests in this locality as the owner of a valuable and well improved farm on section II, has been a resident of Iowa since 1854, his birth having occurred in the vicinity of Christiania, Norway, January 6, 1850. His father, John Larson, was also a native of that country
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and there grew to maturity and married Karen Johnson. Later he and his wife crossed the Atlantic and located in Wisconsin, where the mother passed away in the summer of 1853. In the fall of that year Mr. Larson and his children came to Iowa, making a permanent location in Jefferson township, Allamakee county. He was numbered among the pioneers in this locality and homesteaded an eighty- acre tract of land, upon which he built first a log house in which he resided while the work of improving and developing the farm was carried forward. He mar- ried here in 1857, Miss Anna Bondelie, also a native of Norway, and he con- tinued to make his home upon his farm in Jefferson township until his death in 1866. His wife survived him many years, living to be almost a hundred years of age. By his first wife John Larson had two children : Lars J., of this review ; and M. J., a substantial farmer in Jefferson township.
Lars J. Larson was reared in this vicinity and acquired his education in the district school. His childhood was spent among pioneer conditions and he early became familiar with the best methods of farming and developing raw land. After the father's death the brothers carried on the operation of the home- stead for some time, but later MIr. Larson of this review purchased his brother's and his mother's interests and succeeded to the home place. This he has since greatly improved, having erected a neat and modern residence, a large barn, a granary, corncribs and sheds, and having installed the necessary labor-saving machinery. He engages in general farming and is an extensive stock-raiser, keeping high-grade shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and good horses. He was one of the promoters of the Waterville Cooperative Creamery Association and is still a stockholder in this concern, of which he was one of the first mem- bers of the board of directors. He has also of late years been extensively interested in dairying and his ability and resourcefulness are recognized and respected in business circles.
In April, 1872, in Jefferson township, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Anna P. Osgard, who was born in Norway, and who lived in that country until she was sixteen years of age. She then moved to the United States with her parents and settled in Allamakee county. Mr. and Mrs. Larson became the parents of nine children. The eldest son, Julius, who is married and engages in farming near Stillwater, North Dakota, has three children. Albert, Paul and Ludwig are all known in business circles of Waukon as joint proprietors of the Model Restaurant in that city. Carrie married Ole Albert, a railroad engineer in Minnesota, and they are the parents of a daughter. Annie became the wife of Albert Johnson, who assists Mr. Larson in the operation of his farm. Henry passed away when a young man of thirty-two years. Another son died in infancy, and Carrie passed away at the age of two years.
It is not alone in agricultural circles that Mr. Larson has gained prominence and recognition, for he has always taken an active part in politics and has ren- dered his township excellent service in various positions of trust and responsi- bility. He served for a number of years as township trustee and as justice of the peace and has been a delegate to state, county and congressional conventions. For a number of terms he was on the grand and petit juries. He was elected asses- sor of Jefferson township and after serving one term was reelected in 1912, his return to office indicating the value of his work and its acceptability to the public. His influence is found always on the side of right, reform and progress, and
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his cooperation is never lacking in any movement to promote general advance- ment. In Jefferson township, where he has spent practically his entire life, he is regarded as a conscientious and progressive citizen and one whose record is a credit to a name that has long been an honored one in this community.
HENRY WEBB.
Henry Webb will long be remembered as one of the most successful farmers Allamakee county has known and as a man of remarkable ability whose judg- ment was seldom at fault and whose fidelity to trust and sincerity in anything which he undertook were never questioned. For forty-one years he was a resi- dent of this section of Iowa and here he spent an active, useful and honorable life, terminating in his death on the 27th of March, 1905. He was born in Liv- ingston county, New York, September 26, 1839, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Webb) Webb, of Irish descent, who resided on a farm near Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, for a number of years. In the fall of 1864 they came to Iowa and in this state spent the remainder of their lives. The father was born in 1803 and died in 1870, while the mother was born in 1797 and died in 1887.
Henry Webb acquired his education in the public schools of Wisconsin and there grew to manhood. In the spring of 1864 he came to Iowa, settling near Postville, where he obtained a position in a grain elevator but was later employed at the depot. In the year of his arrival here he was married and he made his home with his wife's parents until the following spring, when he rented a farm one mile east of Postville, upon which he continued to reside for one year. At the end of that time he purchased the property, which comprised one hundred and twenty acres, and upon this he carried forward the work of cultivation for ten years, finally selling the farm and buying another, upon which his widow now resides. Mr. Webb turned his attention with characteristic energy to the improve- ment and development of his land, carrying on the work along progressive and modern lines, success steadily rewarding his well directed labor. The property became a valuable one, equipped with fine buildings and labor-saving machinery and reflecting everywhere the care and supervision of a practical and able agri- culturist. Mr. Webb built his home in the midst of a beautiful evergreen grove and here he resided until his death, which occurred March 27, 1905.
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