USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 39
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HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
of his business methods has been straightforward and reliable, so that he enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence and good will of his fellowmen.
In 1878 Mr. Metcalf was married to Miss Ada Tolley, who was born in Wiseonsin and died in 1886 at the age of thirty years. Their two children were: Clarett Adelia, a teacher of instrumental music in Storm Lake; and Roy Harold, who is traveling salesman for a dry-goods house of Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Metcalf chose for his second wife Miss Carrie Mabel Butler, who was born in Wisconsin. They had two children: Florence Mabel, at home ; and John Robert. who died in 1896 in infancy. Mrs. Metcalf is a mem- ber of the Universalist church. Mr. Metcalf is a stalwart republican in his political views but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to devote his attention to his business affairs. Ile is a man of determination in all trade transactions and in his farm work has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. His judgment is rarely, if ever, at fault concerning the value of property and his judieions investments make him one of the substantial resi- dents of the county.
HI. J. POULSON.
H. J. Poulson deserves mention in this volume from the fact that he is numbered among Buena Vista county's old settlers. for he has made his home here since the spring of 1874. covering a period of more than three deeades. He was formerly actively engaged in farming pursuits and although he still owns valuable farm property covering three hundred and twenty acres, he is now living retired in a comfortable home in Alta.
Mr. Poulson was born in Denmark. June 15, 1845, and was there reared and educated. Hearing favorable reports concerning the advantages to be enjoyed in the new world, when a young man of twenty years he decided to emigrate to this country and accordingly, in 1865, made his way to the United States. He located first in Chicago, Illinois, where he learned the carpenter's trade and subsequently did contracting and building, and he was also engaged in railroading for a time in that city. It was during his residence there that he was married, the date being June 24. 1871, and the lady of his choiee, Miss Marie C. Peterson, who was likewise a native of Denmark, where she was reared.
Following their marriage the young couple remained in Chicago during the succeeding three years, or until the spring of 1874. when they made their way to Buena Vista county, Iowa, where Mr. Poulson had previously made a trip and purchased land. Taking up his abode thercon. Mr. Poulson at once began to clear and develop his traet and in due course of time had opened up a good farm. He likewise built a good residence, barn and ontbuildings and from his traet of one hundred and sixty acres anunally gathered rich harvests. After a residence of four years on his farm he removed to Alta, where he erected a modern residence. He there engaged in buying and shipping stock
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and as he prospered in his undertakings, he accumulated a competenee that enabled him to invest in more land. becoming owner of two farms in Nokomis township, one comprising two hundred and fifty aeres and a second of one hun- dred and sixty aeres. He still retains possession of this land from which he derives a good rental. He has been an active factor in the advancement of Alta, having built and operated the flouring-mill at this place for several years. He has also recently completed a fine modern home for himself. He has led a very busy and active life and well deserves the rest which he is now enjoying.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Poulson has been blessed with seven chil- dren, but one daughter, Emma, died at the age of two years and a son died in infancy. The living members are: William. who is engaged in business in Colorado; Ames, a farmer of Nokomis township; Emma, the wife of A. B. Converse, who is connected with the First National Bank in Sioux City, lowa ; Bertha, the wife of Julius Bold, a business man of Story City, this state; and Alice, a young lady at home.
Where state and national questions are involved Mr. Poulson gives his political support to the men and measures of democracy, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has filled some publie offices, having served on the village council for eighteen years and has been president of the school board at Alta for a number of years. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Poulson was formerly a Master Mason but has demit- ted from that order. Ile takes a just pride in the progress which his home town has made in the past few years and in every movement and measure that is calculated to benefit his community he takes a deep interest. He has made good use of the opportunities that have come to him since he first located in America and by his indomitable perseverance and energy has worked his way upward until he is now classed with the well-to-do citizens of Buena Vista county.
JOHN RUSSELL HOWE.
John Russell Howe is numbered among the prominent pioneer farmers of Buena Vista county, owning a large amount of land here and making his home on a valuable traet in Poland township. He was born in Lorain county, Ohio, August 20, 1847, a son of William and Elizabeth (Russell) Howe, natives of England. They were married in the old country and there remained until three children were added to the household. In 1836 the father emigrated with his family to America and for one year engaged in farming in New Jersey. He then made his way to Lorain county, Ohio, where he made his home until his removal to Fayette county, lowa, in 1855. Later he came to Buena Vista county and spent his last days with our subjeet, his death occurring in 1897, when he had reached an advanced age. The mother of our subject preceded him to the home beyond, her death occurring in 1878. Their family numbered ten children, as follows: Susan, who became the wife of Thomas Tomlinson, and died in 1878; William, who wedded Mary O. Gifford but is now deceased ; James, who served in the Civil war and died in 1862; John R., of this review;
J. R. HOWE AND FAMILY
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Charles, who departed this life about 1878; Anna, who died in 1861; Betsey, who became the wife of Charles Barnes and died in 1875; George who was mar- ried and departed this life in 1907; Mary, who died in infaney ; and Jane, who died in 1875.
John Russell Howe, the fourth in order of birth in the father's family and the only member of the family now living, remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He was a little lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from the Bnekeye state to Fayette county. lowa. At the age of twenty-one years he became apprenticed to a Mr. Brainard to learn the blacksmith's trade and remained with him for about a year and a half. He then came to Buena Vista county, where he worked on a farm for Mr. Brainard during the summer of 1869. and the following winter was employed in a blacksmith shop at Sioux City for a time. Later he went to Nebraska, where he ent cord wood for steamboats, and next secured employ- ment in a hotel as chore boy.
The second year after his arrival in Buena Vista county, Mr. Howe worked as a farm hand at Peterson and then located on a quarter seetion of land which he had entered as a homestead. In order to improve the property he purchased a team of oxen for one hundred and fifty dollars, paying sixty dol- lars down and giving his note for the remainder. In the fall, after his erops were harvested, he tried to sell the oxen in order to pay the ninety dollar note but failed. He feels deeply indebted to Stephen Olney, Sr., now the oldest man in the county, being ninety years of age, who kindly extended the note for him. allowing Mr. Howe to pay the same by chopping wood, hauling hay and in many other ways. Ile went to Sioux City to assist a man in proving up his elaim and on his return to Sioux Rapids demanded his pay for this service but received nothing. Ile then tried to purchase fifty pounds of flour on credit but was refused. He next resorted to the expedient of carrying his friend Brainard's grist home from the mill with the motive of borrowing some flour. The next day he took a yearling steer to Sioux Rapids and by selling this was able to purchase his winter's supplies. These ineidents show the hardships many were forced to endure in making homes in a new settlement. In those early days Mr. Howe used hay for fuel, cutting the tall slough grass, which he twisted into bundles and corded up as we do fire wood. At that time his nearest postoffice was twenty-five miles away. He continued to operate his homestead until 1883. when he removed to another tract and there remained until 1894, when he returned to his original farm in Poland township. He has here one hundred and seventy-five aeres of land on section 22 and in addition owns much other valuable property, his possessions including about two thousand arres. His success is well merited for it has come to him only through the most persistent and determined effort. When coming here in pioneer times he had to endure many hardships and privations but as the years passed and the country became more thickly settled, the land became more valuable and Mr. ITowe is now in possession of a handsome competeney, derived from his landed holdings consisting of two thousand acres. He is still actively engaged in gen- eral farming and is numbered among the substantial and honored citizens of this section of lowa.
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Mr. Howe was married in 1875, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Elizabeth Shutt, a daughter of John and Ruth A. (Carroll) Shutt, who were natives of Pennsylvania and eame to Iowa in the fall of 1868, their home being established in Fayette county, where Mr. Shutt passed away at the compara- tively early age of forty-five years. The mother, however, still survives and makes her home in Marathon. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Howe have been born seven children : Minnie, the wife of Enoeh Erieson, who resides near Marathon; Charles R., who wedded Miss Emma Anderson and lives in Speneer, Towa; William MI., who wedded Pearl Bettsworth and lives in Terril, Iowa; Susie, the wife of Dr. E. A. Russ, of Webb, Iowa; Rush, who died April 7, 1905, at the age of sixteen years; Pearl, at home; and Cassins. also under the parental roof.
Mr. Ilowe gives stalwart support to the republiean party and in religious faith is a Methodist, his daily actions being in harmony with his professions. He is well known as a pioneer of the county and as a most industrious and use- ful man, whose probity is an unquestioned element in his career. Ilis energy is often at the service of his community and he has the love and respect of all among whom he lives. In daily life he is genial and affable. In the highest and best sense of the term he is over and essentially a gentleman, of which faet his friends bear witness.
WILLIAM DOUGLAS RUST.
William Donglass Rust is a well known real-estate dealer of Newell, also interested in general mercantile pursuits, and a life of intense and well directed activity is bringing to him a gratifying sneecss. One of Illinois' native sons he was born in Bloomington, May 29, 1859. His paternal grandfather, William Rust, was a native of Tennesse and became a pioneer of MeLean county, Illi- nois, where he followed the occupation of farming. He also worked at the shoemaker's trade, making shoes for his children and his neighbors in addition to his labors in the fields, having a shoe shop on his farm. That was before Bloomington had an existence. He married Naney MeKee, who was of Scotch descent, while he was of English lineage, being descended from one of four children who came from England during the early colonization of the new world and settled in Pennsylvania. William Rust served his country as a sol- dier in the war of 1812 and died at the venerable age of eighty-three years.
llis son, John F. Rust, was born in Tennessee and was reared as a farmer boy in Mebean county, Illinois, devoting his entire life to the tilling of the soil. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings, adding to his possessions until at one time he owned about seven hundred acres of land, and to all of his children he gave a good farm. While he enjoyed prosperity in his later life, however, his early years were a period of earnest toil, in which he was deprived of many of the opportunities and advantages enjoyed by others. So limited were his financial resources in youth and early manhood that he mauled rails in order to earn money with which to buy the cloth to make his wedding suit
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and his bride wove the eloth. After his marriage he built a small log eabin and therein the young couple began their domestic life, their furniture being made of slabs eut from logs, while wooden pins, placed through holes bored in the slabs, held together the various pieces that constitute an article of furni- ture.
llis wife baked their bread on a board and they lived in true pioneer style, sharing in all of the hardships and privations of those early days. John F. Rust was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane Lindlay, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of William Lindlay, who was likewise born in that state. Removing to Illinois, he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of MeLean county, where he followed the oceupation of farming. Both he and his wife reached an advanced age and in MeLean eounty they reared their family. The death of John F. Rust occurred in 1894 at the age of eighty years. His widow still sur- vives him at the age of eighty-eight years. For twenty-two years she was an invalid, her ill health being caused by the fact that she twiee broke her hip, but she is now enjoying quite good health. This worthy couple became the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of whom eight are now living: George W., a resident of Aurora, Illinois; Andrew J., deceased; Thomas Jefferson and John Lee, who are living in Bloomington, Illinois; Elizabeth J., the wife of Martin L. Bishop, of Carrollton, Missouri; Ruth Alice, the wife of John Kelley, who resides near Bloomington, Illinois; William Harvey, who died in infaney; William Douglas; Maggie, who died at the age of six years ; Minnie, the wife of John Fitzpatrick, of Bloomington, Illinois; and Benjamin Franklin.
William D. Rust was reared on his father's farm in MeLean county, Illi- nois, where he attended the district schools. the "little temple of learning" being a log structure. The methods of instruction, too, were quite primitive as compared with the methods of teaching at the present day. He worked in the fields when not busy with his text-books and continued at home until he had attained his majority. He then began renting land and thus continued to cul- tivate the soil for two or three years after his marriage. In 1883 he came to Iowa and bought eighty acres of land in Greene county, his father assisting him in paying for the property. Ilis wife's health failed there, however, and he therefore sold the farm and removed to Rippey, lowa, where he engaged in gen- eral merchandising for several years. Ile afterward took np his abode in Webster City, Iowa, where he lived for seven years, during which time he was also connected with merchandising.
He next traded his stock for a farm of five hundred and sixty aeres in Buena Vista county about four miles northeast of Newell in Newell township, paying twenty-seven dollars and a half an aere for this property, which he sold a few years later for sixty dollars an acre. He now owns a farm of two hun- dred and forty acres east of the town and another of eighty acres west of the town, both finely improved properties. He likewise has a good home in Newell and other property elsewhere, together with two hundred and sixty aeres of land in Missouri. Ilis success has come as the direct result of his perseveranee and unremitted diligenee. He has been a large breeder of short- horned cattle and still has both farms stocked with registered shorthorns. Ile has done much toward improving the grade of fine cattle raised in the county
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and his labors have been attended with a measure of success, which shows his thorough familiarity with the business and that he has followed the best meth- ods in accomplishing results. On the 1st of March, 1908, he removed to Newell, where he is now conducting a real-estate and loan office.
On the 24th of March. 1881. Mr. Rust was married to Miss Martha J. Hartson, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Noble) Hartson. Mrs. Rust was born in MeLean county, Illinois, her parents also being natives of that state. The mother died when Mrs. Rust was only a little girl. but the father still sur- vives and now makes his home in Bloomington. They had a family of five children : Martha Jane; William, who is located in Bloomington; Annie, the wife of Joseph Clark, of Danville, Illinois; Thomas J., whose home is in Geor- gia ; and Sallie, who died unmarried. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rust have been born two sons and two daughters: Emery Andrew, who married Susie Howe and is a practicing physician, of Webb. Iowa; Stella, who died in infancy ; Ethel C., the wife of Clarence Mason, a resident of Anthon, lowa, by whom she has one son, Keith Donglass; and William David, who is operating his father's farm west of Newell. He married Ruby Conklin. Mrs. Rust and her children are members of the Congregational church, while Mr. Rust belongs to the Christian church. He also affiliates with Newell Lodge. No. 232. I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs and has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America for fourteen years. His political support is given to the democracy and he has held the office of township assessor for four years. In community affairs he is deeply interested and gives loyal and earnest support to every movement for the publie good. His life has been one of well directed thrift and industry, and he has long been accounted one of the most successful and prominent raisers of thoroughbred cattle in this part of the state. Ilis busi- ness affairs have all been carefully conducted and his good management is indi- cated in the excellent snecess which has attended his labors.
AUGUST G. HOCH.
Angust G. Hoch is proprietor of the largest jewelry store in northwestern lowa. He has conducted business in this line at Storm Lake since the fall of 1893 and is meeting with well merited success in his undertakings. He fol- lows modern commercial methods and carries on his business affairs along lines that neither seek nor require disguise. Iowa munbers him among her native sons and he belongs to that class of citizens who uphold its political and legal status and stand as the advocates of its progress in all commendable lines. He was born in Dubuque county. August 1, 1876, and is of German lin- eage in both paternal and maternal lines.
John Hoch, the Father, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1836, and is now living at Galena, Ilinois. He came to the United States when a lad of fourteen years in company with his mother, his father having previously died. The family home was established at Galena, Ilinois, and there John Hoch learned and followed the shoemaker's trade. He afterward removed to
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Dubuque county. Jowa, where he lived until after the close of the Civil war. He worked for a few months at his trade in Dubuque county following the ces- sation of hostilities between the north and the south and then returned to Galena, where he now makes his home. In his business affairs he has been prosperous, for his diligence and energy have enabled him to overthhow vari- ous difficulties and obstacles in his path. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and to the Odd Fellows society, while in his political views he has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He proved his loyalty to his adopted country by his active service in the Civil war, enlisting at Rockford. Ilinois, in the summer of 1861, as a member of Company A. Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Hle thus served until the war ended and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, July 4. 1865. Since that time he has never enjoyed good health, owing to the rigors and hardships of war. He participated in various hotly contested bat- tles, including the engagements at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Chat- tanooga, Murfreesboro and Atlanta. after which the troops returned to Vicksburg and thence came to the north. He is now an interested member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
In early manhood John Hoch married Katherine Briegel, who was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1844. She came with her father and two sisters to the United States, her mother having passed away ere the emigration of the family. The father settled in Galena and there she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. lloch on the 17th of March. 1869. Like her husband she is a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and their upright lives have gained for them the esteem and good will of all with whom they have been associated. They became the parents of seven children : Edwin B., who is associated with his brother-in-law, II. W. Krause, in Storm Lake; Julia F .. the wife of II. W. Krause, of Storm Lake; JJohn W., who is manager of the gas plant at Storm Lake; Angust G., of this review ; Alfred IL., who is a carpenter and makes his home at Schaller, lowa; Lillian G., the wife of R. S. Schaefer, a farmer of Schaller; and Arthur O., who is with his brother August.
Angust G. Hoch attended the common schools of Galena, Ilinois, and clerked in a book store when his education was completed. He was employed in a building at one time occupied by General Grant. In the fall of 1893 he came to Storm Lake and has sinee been identified with the jewelry business here, at first seenring a clerkship in the employ of Frank Witter, with whom he remained as salesman until 1899. In that year he became an equal partner in the business under the firm style of Witter & Hoch, and for eight years they successfully condueted the store, at the end of which time Mr. Witter sold out, on the 1st of April. 1907, leaving Mr. Hoch sole proprietor of the largest jew- elry store in this section of the state outside of Sioux City or Fort Dodge. He now carries a large and well selected line of goods and has an extensive patron- age, while his store is a credit to the city and would prove a valuable addition to many a town of larger size. Mr. Hoch has recently purchased a traet of land of forty-eight acres within the city limits of the west border of the lake. known as the old Benson place. On this he has creeted a beautiful, modern residence which he now occupies.
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On the 16th of July, 1903, Mr. Hoch was married to Miss Florence C. Schulz, who was born in Colesburg, lowa, December 7, 1879, and is a daughter of Christoph and Katherine Schulz, the former a minister of the German Methodist church and at one time presiding elder of the upper Jowa distriet. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Iloch have been born two children : Katherine, born July 2. 1904; and Winton, July 31, 1905. The parents hold membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church and take a most active and helpful part in its work. Mr. Hoch is a member of the choir and for twelve years has been treasurer of the Sunday school. Ile is also president of the local Young Men's Christian Association, and for three years was treasurer and director of the Young Men's Commercial Club of Storm Lake. In politics he is a republican and aside from political connections is interested in all that pertains to the wel- fare and substantial progress of this part of the state. In him are embraced the characteristics of unbending energy, unfaltering integrity and industry that never flags, and he commands in large measure the trust and respect of his fellowmen who know him as a courteous, genial gentleman and straightforward merchant.
JAMES E. ALLISON.
James E. Allison, who sinee March, 1901. has acted as cashier of the First National Bank at Marathon, Iowa, is a wide-awake, alert and enterprising citizen, interested not only in the welfare of the concern with which he is con- nected but with the general interests of the village and county at large. Mr. Allison was born in Pennsylvania. September 29, 1862, a son of James and Mary (Mason) Allison, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state and there lived and died. The father departed this life March 30, 1877, at the age of fifty-seven years, while the mother, surviving for a long period. passed away in April, 1893, when seventy years old.
James E. Allison was accorded good educational advantages. He first attended the public schools of his native state and completed the high-school course, subsequent to which time he attended the Twelfth District Normal. Completing his education at the age of twenty-two years, or in 1884, he began teaching school and was thus engaged for a time. Ile then made his way to the west, believing that he might enjoy better business opportunities than in the east. His first location was at Atkinson, Nebraska, where he was employed as bookkeeper in the Citizen's Bank at that place. Ile was thus employed for about five years and in 1892 was elected cashier of the Exchange Bank of that city. After a few years he came to Buena Vista county, lowa, and spent two years as assistant cashier in the bank of Havelock. this state, while for a year he acted in a similar capacity in the bank at Peterson, lowa. In March. 1901, he was elected to the position of cashier of the First National Bank at Mara- thon, Iowa, since which time he has filled the position in a most able manner. He is negleetful of no detail of his business and is regarded in high esteem by his business associates.
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