USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 60
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
Mr. Beutler has been twice married. He was married first in October, 1874. to Miss Anna Egger, who was also born in Berne, Switzerland, June 10, 1851, and to their union six children were born: John F., who resides in Wyoming, where he is engaged in farming; Anna, the wife of Charles Carney, a farmer residing at Waukon Junction ; Bertha, who married John Atall, who is engaged in clam fishing and in work at the blacksmith's trade at Waukon Junction ; Alfred, who follows the trade of a bridge carpenter and also engages in clam fishing on an island near Waukon Junction; Rosa, who married Charles Albright, a farmer in Fairview township; and Emma, the wife of Alexander Overlee, who
583
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
is employed in a mill in Waukon. Mrs. Beutler passed away February 24, 1903, and on the 5th of April three years later Mr. Beutler was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Emily Reed, widow of George Reed and a daughter of George Gentz. She was born in McGregor, Iowa, July 26, 1865, and her first husband was a native of Galena, Illinois, and a representative of a very promi- nent family. Mr. Reed's father was a close friend of General Grant, having been his neighbor and quartermaster under him during the Civil war. Having met with financial reverses he left home and took up his residence upon a farm near Cresco, Iowa, but not understanding practical agriculture met with diffi- culties and was obliged to dispose of his holdings. Some time later, when Grant became president of the United States, Mr. Reed's father wrote him a letter explaining the situation and was appointed to a position in the postoffice in Chicago, where he made his home until his death. Mr. Reed's mother died at an early age and the father afterward married again. Mr. Reed continued to make his home in Chicago until he was about eighteen years of age. He wished to enlist in the Union army but was prevented by his father's objections and became a railroad worker, being employed as newsboy on a train running from Chicago to North McGregor. He later secured a position in the yards as switch- man and rose from that office to be yardmaster at McGregor, whence he was transferred to Calmar and then to Sanborn. He afterward returned to North McGregor, where he was killed while making a coupling on March 12, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were the parents of two children: Melitta, who married Alfred Beutler, a son of the subject of this review by his first wife; and Crystal, who lives at home and engages in teaching. Both are graduates of the Mc- Gregor high school; Crystal a member of the class of 1909, and Melitta, of the class of 1908. The former taught for three years in the district schools of Clay- ton county and since that time has been connected with the schools of Allamakee county. Mr. and Mrs. Beutler are the parents of a son, George Frederick Wal- ter, born May 1, 1908.
Mr. Beutler attends the Presbyterian church and in general votes the republi- can ticket although he casts an independent ballot when he feels that the best interests of the community require such action. For the vast majority of people the term good citizenship does not mean the faithful performance of official duty but rather industry and reliability in business with a spirit more or less active in measures which are calculated to uphold the social and political status of the community. Mr. Beutler is generously endowed with all the qualifications which the term good citizenship implies and he holds therefore the respect and high esteem of his neighbors and friends.
GUSTAV CARL STRELOW.
Among the successful young agriculturists of Allamakee county is Gustav Carl Strelow, a native of Germany, who now owns a valuable farm of one hun- dred and fifty-six acres in Linton township. He was born in Hinter Pommern, Germany, January 24, 1870, a son of August and Augusta Strelow, both natives of the same province. The father was born in April, 1832, and the mother
584
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
March 7, 1839. August Strelow passed away in 1899 but the mother survives and now makes her home in Berlin, the capital of the empire.
Gustav C. Strelow acquired his education in Germany, beginning his inde- pendent career at the age of seventeen as a day laborer, and he was thus engaged until he came to America in 1891. Before leaving his native country, however, he served his regular term in the army. Coming directly to Allamakee county, Iowa, he located in Franklin township, where for one year he worked by the day, and then bought a farm, going in debt for the entire property, comprising forty acres. He resided thereon three years, giving his whole attention to the cultivation of his fields, and then sold his holdings and bought eighty acres in the same township. After ten years he was enabled to add another forty acres thereto but later sold an equal amount and still owns eighty acres of this farm. In 1907 he bought his present property, comprising a fraction over one hundred and fifty-six acres. He engages in general farming, giving considerable atten- tion to stock-raising, and has made many valuable improvements and has erected substantial and suitable buildings. The prosperity that has come to him is the result of his judicious investments and his incessant and well applied labor. Mr. Strelow is connected with the Monona Creamery Company and also is a stockholder in the Shipping Association at that place.
The marriage of Mr. Strelow to Miss Bertha Folska took place on the 10th of June, 1893. She also is a native of Hinter Pommern, where her birth occurred on August 2, 1870, her parents being Albert and Mine (Buda) Folska, natives of the same province. The father was born June 24, 1842, and the mother November 27, 1849. The former served his term in the regular armny and has subsequently worked along various lines in the employ of others until his death in 1890. Afterward the mother came to this country and she now lives in Monona. Mr. and Mrs. Strelow are the parents of four children: Otto, born March 13, 1895; Frederick, March 18, 1897; Frank, October 4, 1899; and Paul, January 31, 1912.
Mr. and Mrs. Strelow are members of the Lutheran church but at present attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Volney. He gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never aspired to public office. He is deeply inter- ested in all that pertains to advancement and growth and is closely allied with the agricultural development of this section, having largely contributed thereto through his labors. He enjoys the highest respect of all who know him and who appreciate the fact that he has made his way from the bottom of the ladder to a position of prosperity and honor.
JAMES PATRICK CONWAY.
James Patrick Conway was born at Portage, Wyoming county, New York, on January 3, 1861, within sling shot range of the then highest railroad bridge in the world, which spanned the Genesee river near the first of its triple preci- pices, which tumble over three falls, the first ninety feet, the second sixty feet, and the third one hundred feet. The wooden bridge was two hundred and thirty- four feet high above the first cataract and is described in volume 4, on page
JAMES P. CONWAY
587
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
328, Encyclopedia Britannica. Though young when last the sound of the rush- ing waters echoed in his ears, he still loves the sound of dashing waters and the wildest rushing of the waves, undoubtedly inherited from the surround- ings of his birthplace. In October, 1862, he moved with his parents to Mead- ville, Pennsylvania, and in September, 1864, to Lansing, Iowa, where his father, Neal Cornelius Conway, and his mother, Ellen Conway ( whose maiden name was not changed by marriage) lived the remainder of their lives. Both of his parents were born near Bangor, County Mayo, Ireland, his father on May 1, 1810, and his mother on September 29, 1821. When famine and pestilence swept Ireland in 1847, the landlord's iron-clad leases to secure the erop payment of each tenant in a barony, who was compelled to guarantee the payment of all the tenants in the barony, robbed his grandmother, or mother's mother, then a widow with twelve children, out of a snug fortune to pay the rents, not against any of her holdings but that of her neighbors. The tailoring trade being out of commission, his father purchased tickets for the family to America. They went to Liverpool and for weeks waited for the vessel to be put in readiness for the voyage. In the meantime his mother's mother became afflicted with typhoid and had to remain and run through the siege of twenty odd days. The vessel when ready left port for Halifax. His mother and her two children remained to take care of her mother. Two pennies were all that was left ; these she invested and reinvested and on her return to her mother's home had a few pounds of meal and twenty-one pennies. Two years later she and a number of relatives left for America by way of New Orleans to see a brother who was then located there. They were thirteen weeks and three days at sea, during which time they encountered a three days severe wind and thunder storm before the Christmas holidays. The captain, officers and crew, except one man, abandoned the ship and took refuge in its hold. The upper deck and masts were swept into the sea. Still this man, who was the dethroned captain of the vessel, the Argo, and lost his job by reason of running his vessel on its former trip too fast to America, stuck to the helm and begged his "sixty brave sailors" to come to his aid, and the sound of his voice through the hatchway rang in the ears of all his hcarers until the date of their death. Mrs. Mary Ryder, wife of P. F. Ryder, recorder of Allamakee county, Iowa, in the '6os, never forgot the sound of his voice although she was but a little child when she heard it. No sailor responded. On Christmas evening this brave soul dropped dead at the helm, and when the storm abated the cowardly captain and his crew sneaked from under the berths and heaved him overboard as a sacrifice to the mad Atlantic. The vessel then in mid ocean had been driven below the equator, and after some repairs slowly sailed northward, landing at Jamaica, Cuba, and finally reached New Orleans at a time when the scourge of cholera was then raging. On reaching the home of their brother they found that he had died the night before of cholera and was then being buried. The cholera struck the Conways and their relatives and out of forty-seven only six survived. These after many trials and hardships reached their relatives and enjoyed long and useful lives. His father and mother celebrated their golden wedding aniversary October 28, 1889, when all the family assembled-their last meeting. They would have celebrated their sixtieth anniversary but for the illness of his father. His father died December 8, 1899, at the age of eighty-nine years. His mother died March 6, 1905, at the age of eighty-four years. They
588
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
raised a family of twelve children, five of whom survived them. A daughter, Mrs. Ryder, who thereafter with her two sons moved to a claim near Chinook, Montana, was murdered in daylight by being shot through a window in her home by a vagabond trapper on May 8, 1912. Another daughter is Mrs. Ellen Marvin, of Zumbrota, Minnesota. J. W. Conway is editor of the Champion, of Norton, Kansas. D. M. Conway is of the same place and J. P. Conway, of Lansing, Iowa.
J. P. Conway attributes his education to his mother, who taught him his letters from their old stove, No. 8, manufactured by George Francis Filly, of St. Louis, Missouri, which practically contained all the letters of the alphabet. During the winter months he attended the rural school of his district and in summer operated the farm, and later attended Professor Laurens Seminary at Waukon, Iowa, and at the age of seventeen commenced teaching school at Barber's Mills, Minnesota. In the winter thereafter he continued teaching at the Four Mile House, Eitzen, Minnesota ; Van Cooley, Village Creek, Lansing, Calhoun, and as principal of the New Albin schools until 1891, when he entered the law department of the University of the State of Wisconsin at Madison, where he graduated in June, 1893, as Bachelor of Laws. The latter part of June, 1893, after visiting the World's Fair at Chicago, he arrived home and before he could salute his parents was employed and engaged in a law suit at the city hall, and he says from that moment he has had plenty of legal work to do. He was city solicitor for eight years, and at the last city election on March 31, 1913, was without opposition elected mayor of the city of Lansing, Iowa. When the Peoples State Bank was organized in 1911 he could have had any office he desired, but would not accept anything except that of director. He has been a lifelong democrat, tolerant in his views with the good of every party, and tells the good deeds and acts which they and their leaders have done, and scathes with scorn and derision the evils which some have inflicted upon the people. He says he has no political ambi- tions, but he has told a few of his close friends that when his financial condition will permit him and he has the time to spare, that no office from the president down will be too great or small for him to fill if he can do any good for the people and his country. Jim was born and raised a Catholic. He tells us that he was baptized "three times." Only one counted, of course, and which one he does not remember. When born, Dr. Ray, then a post-graduate. from Paris, France, pronounced him dead and Mrs. Rattican-the untrained nurse-a good old neighbor-was on duty. While the mother lay unconscious after the twelve- pounder, the nurse assisted by the father went through the formalities of bap- tising. When the mother aroused and felt for the child-not finding it she wanted to know what had become of it. On looking over the foot of the bed she spied the white garments around the child whom they told her was dead. She sprang from her bed, took the infant from its shrouds-told the doctor it was not dead - blew in its ears and mouth, attempting respiration, rubbed and bathed it in liquor, and in about one-half hour the first pulse was noticed by a quiver of the lips and opening of the mouth. His mother baptized him, and after that Father Dolan baptized him. All three are now dead, and Jim says that the three stuck and did not wash off.
J. P. Conway was married to Ellen McCafferty, at Lansing, on May 20, 1890. She was the youngest daughter of Anthony and Mary McCafferty, ( whose maiden
589
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
name was not changed by her marriage) both born in County Donegal, Ireland, who for many years lived at the "Four Mile House," where many a weary traveler found rest, refreshment and shelter in the early 'Gos, when grain was hauled to Lansing from Decorah, Waukon, Prosper, Spring Grove and Caledonia. Her mother died May 27, 1882, and her father died May 27, 1886, leaving four daughters: Mrs. Conway ; Miss Rosa McCafferty ; Mrs. Eunice Fleming, now of Laurel, Nebraska ; and Mary McCafferty, now Sister Seraphia, of La Crosse, Wisconsin; and one son, Anthony J. McCafferty, who died while mayor of the city of Lansing, on September 2, 1909.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Conway, a daughter on August 4, 1891, who, after a few months of life passed out through the veil of eternity to join the numberless in the Great Beyond; and a son, William James, who was born October 25, 1896.
PETER G. HAGEN.
Peter G. Hagen, carrying on general farming on the old Hagen homestead on sections 8 and 9, Paint Creek township, whereon he has resided since his childhood, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1854. He is a son of Gilbert and Agnette (Coldor) Hagen, natives of Norway, where their marriage occurred. In 1854 they came to the United States and after spending a short time in Chi- cago came west to lowa, settling in Lansing, Allamakee county. For three years thereafter the father worked as a farm laborer in that vicinity and at the end of that time bought forty acres of land on the east side of Paint Creek town- ship, which he developed and improved for three or four years. Eventually he purchased the farm upon which his son now resides, buying first one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, to which he added from time to time until the farm reached its present proportions. The first house was built of logs and is still standing, although in 1883 a modern stone dwelling was erected. When the father bought the homestead he was very poor, not having enough money to pay for having the papers made out, but with characteristic energy he applied himself to the work of its development and at his death, which occurred when he was fifty-six years of age, was a man of prominence and importance in this region. He was a member of the Lutheran church and a stanch republican in his political beliefs and in his passing Allamakee county lost one of the most deservedly successful of her pioneer citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hagen were the parents of ten children: Martha, the wife of T. Leikvold, of Paint Creek township; Peter G., of this review ; Chris- tina, who married Otto Sorenson, of Paint Creek township; Hannah, now Mrs. John Fossom, of the same township; Halver, who is engaged in farming in Makee township; Lena, who married L. A. Wellman, of Monona, Clayton county ; Edward, who spent nine years in the army and who is now a resident of Paint Creek township: Otto, a railroad clerk in Livingston, Montana; Albert, a farmer in this township; and Melvin, who is a clerk in the Agricultural Depart- ment, resides in Bismarck, North Dakota.
590
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
Peter G. Hagen was still an infant when his parents settled upon the Hagen homestead and he has never left this property, which he has today in an excel- lent condition. After his father's death he purchased the interests of the other heirs and is now the proprietor of two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 8 and 9, upon which he carries on general farming, his success coming as a natural result of his practical and unremitting labors.
On the 18th of June, 1881, Mr. Hagen was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Paulson, a daughter of Peter Paulson, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. To this union were born six children: Gilman ; Selma ; Eddie ; Martha ; Luella; and Edward, who has passed away.
Mr. Hagen gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. He rendered the township excellent service for many years as a member of the school board and is now doing creditable and able work as township trustee. He is interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and growth of the section where practically his entire life has been spent and by his labors in the operation of his fine farm has made substantial contributions to its agricultural development.
FERDINAND KUESTER.
A native of Pomerania, Germany, Ferdinand Kuester came to this country about thirty-five years ago and now has for many years resided on his valuable farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres in Linton township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He was born in 1858 and is a son of Ferdinand and Albertina (Kuester) Kuester, both natives of Pomerania. A brother, Charles Frederick, also resides in Linton township. The parents came to this township in 1882 and here bought a farm upon which they resided until their deaths, the mother passing away in 1893 and the father in 1906.
Ferdinand Kuester attended the schools of the fatherland but when twenty years of age gave vent to his desire to cross the ocean. He came to America, making his way to Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for about eight years. He then resided with his father for some time, the latter having arrived in this county four years after the arrival of our subject. At the end of that time he purchased his father's farm and has resided thereon ever since. He now operates one hundred and thirty-three acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, returning to Mr. Kuester a gratifying annual income.
On November 29, 1900, Mr. Kuester was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Schlitter, who was born in the province of Pomerania, Germany. To this union were born five children: Emma, whose natal day was December 3, 1901 ; Clara, born June 3, 1903; Ida, December 29, 1905; Ruben, September 13, 1908; and Mary, October 9, 1911. The stepfather of Mrs. Kuester is August Schlitter, who was born in Pomerania, Germany, November 23, 1847. He married the mother of Mrs. Kuester, Minnie Timenich, who passed away in 1879.
Mr. Kuester is a member of the Lutheran church at Watson. Politically he is a republican, stanchly upholding the principles and candidates of that party. Although he is interested in all matters of public questions he has never aspired
591
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
to office, preferring to devote his whole time to his private interests. He enjoys in a large measure the esteem and regard of his neighbors for what he has accomplished and those qualities of his mind and character which have made possible his success.
H. O. MOE.
H. O. Moe, who died upon his farm in Paint Creek township on the 5th of January, 1903, after many years of active connection with agricultural inter- ests of this vicinity, was born in Norway, September 4, 1852, and spent his early life in his native country. He emigrated to America when he was seventeen years of age and came immediately to Allamakee county, Iowa. On his arrival here he had only eight cents and his first employment was on the railroad but he later obtained work as a farm laborer. By the exercise of economy and fru- gality he gradually accumulated enough money to purchase land and he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Paint Creek township. With char- acteristic energy he set about improving and developing this property and in the course of time his well directed labors were rewarded by success, the farm becoming a productive and valuable property. For many years Mr. Moe con- tinued to develop his land, and his death, which occurred January 5, 1903, brought to a close a career of genuine usefulness and one which had an impor- tant effect upon the agricultural advancement of this county.
Mr. Moe married Miss Sophia Larson, who was born in Allamakee county, a daughter of Ole Larson. Mr. and Mrs. Moe became the parents of six chil- dren, Oscar Arnold, Simon Herbert, Clemons Elias, Olvin Julius, Alice and Hattie, all of whom live at home. Mrs. Moe survives her husband and she and her sons operate the homestead. They are well known throughout Paint Creek township, where they have long resided, and they hold the respect and esteem of all who come in contact with them.
J. M. ANDERSON.
J. M. Anderson, one of the most progressive, energetic and successful farmers of Paint Creek township, is operating on section 4 one hundred and twenty acres of the farm upon which he has resided since he was three years of age. He was born in Jefferson township, Allamakee county, on the 24th of November, 1866, and is a son of Martin Anderson, who was born in Nordre Land, Norway, on the 11th of January, 1836, and as a young man came to the United States, set- tling in Allamakee county, Iowa, June 24, 1857. He was entirely penniless and still owed the money for his passage across the ocean, but with characteristic energy he set himself to improve and develop the tract of sixty acres of wild land in Jefferson township which he took up. There he made his home for seven years, after which, in 1869, he moved to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 4, Paint Creek township, to which he later added eighty acres
592
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
adjoining and another eighty acres in Center township. This property he made in the course of years one of the finest in this part of Iowa and upon it he made his home for many years. He wedded Miss Anna Christoferson, who was born in Norway, September 29, 1837, and died September 3, 1898. In their family were eleven children: Mrs. H. J. Busness, of Paint Creek township; Christina, deceased ; Mrs. S. T. Rickensrud, of Fosston, Minnesota; Albert M., of Paint Creek township; J. M., of this review; Anton, who has passed away; Olaf, of Center township; Mrs. Edward Busness, also of Paint Creek township; Nellie, who is a nurse in a hospital at La Crosse, Wisconsin; Laura, of Sioux City, Iowa ; and Mrs. E. T. Rickensrud, of Jefferson township. After the death of his first wife Martin Anderson sold his land to his sons and took a trip to Norway, where he was again married. He and his wife now reside in Alla- makee county, in a house on the farm belonging to his son Olaf.
J. M. Anderson was three years of age when his parents moved to Paint Creek township and upon the homestead he grew to manhood, aiding in its operation and acquiring his education in the district schools. When he began his independent career he already understood farming in principle and detail, having been reared to that occupation, and he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of the old homestead, which he has since cultivated and developed. Upon this property he has made substantial improvements, erecting barns and outbuildings, all modern and in good repair, and installing the necessary labor- saving machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He has met with excellent success in his farming and stock-raising, both branches of his business proving under his able management important and profitable.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.