USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 63
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JOHN BURR.
John Burr has been identified with the history of the northwest from that picturesque period in which the broad plains were unsettled and gave little evidence of soon becoming a populous and well developed region. The fact that he has been trapper, hunter. scout and soldier will give some evidence of his varied experience and the many interesting incidents of his life which memory enables him to relate to those who have come to this distriet at a later period when its progress and improvement make it like the older settled sections of the country. But few of the pioneers now remain. Only here and there can be found one who can tell the story of life in the west when the Indians far outnumbered the white settlers, when buffalo and bear roamed over the plains and their capture constituted the chief source of trade and profit. Mr. Burr is now more than ninety-two years of age, but save that his hearing is slightly impaired, he is well preserved in mind and body, being still alive and active.
His experience as a soldier of the Civil war began in 1861, when he enlisted as a member of Company G. Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years with that command and the first battle in which he participated was at Holly Springs, Mississippi, from which point he went to Lumkin's Mill. where the troops remained ten days, and then started for Memphis. After a brief period spent at that city they were ordered out to
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Black river, and later returned to Memphis and thence went by boat to Vicksburg. Landing about a mile north of the city they built a corduroy road across the swamp and took their station in the rear of the rebel army. A few days later a rebel gunboat came up the river and sent many shells into the Union eamp so that they were forced to evacuate. Mr. Burr then aecom- panied his regiment by boat to Grand Gulf, from which point the troops were taken to Black river. They were afterwards at Natchez, Mississippi, and subsequently at Fort Beauregard, in Louisiana, returning later to Vicksburg. They remained in the vieinity of the eity for twenty-four days. fighting at that point until the surrender of Pemberton. On the 4th of July they began celebration over the falling of Vicksburg that continued all day and night. At that point new elothing and other supplies were given them, and after being allowed a little sleep-a needed rest after their jubilation -they were ordered to make an attack on the forces under Stonewall Jackson. They marched about twelve miles in the rain. eamping in cornfields and making a meal off of the corn. Early the next morning they started on the march. The day was hot and sultry but eventually they reached Jackson's army and late the next night the Confederate commander learned of the presence of the Union soldiers and retreated. The next morning they went back to Vicksburg and from that point started on a raid to Meridian, Mississippi, from which point they proceeded to Cairo, Illinois, and thence up the Ohio river. after- ward participating in the battle of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. It was in a battle of this campaign that Mr. Burr's hearing beeame impaired from the faet that he was near the heavy guns during the cannonading. When the Union troops reached the place where the bridge had been burned they made their way toward Atlanta, charged through the forest and the corn- field and entered upon a battle which lasted all day and all night. the regiment to which Mr. Burr belonged cutting off lood's army. From that point the Union troops went to Atlanta, and as his three years term of ser- viee had expired, Mr. Burr returned home. He had participated in every march, in every skirmish, and in every battle of his regiment, and his serviees were actuated by a spirit of loyalty that none call into question. Ho saw much hard fighting and took part in many long and difficult marches, but he never faltered in the performance of any duty that devolved upon him.
Mr. Burr, returning northward to Grand Rapids, Michigan, ran a ranch for a time, after which he disposed of his property interests in that city and traveled by team to Des Moines, lowa, and thence to Decorah, Iowa, where he remained for one winter. Afterward. in company with a Mr. Hurd, he came to Buena Vista county and has since been connected with the develop- ment and upbuilding of this portion of the state. Ile arrived at Sioux Rapids in Deeember, 1867, and through the intervening years, covering more than four decades, has contributed to the substantial development and progress of this part of lowa. His early home was a log cabin that is still standing - one of the few remaining evidences of pioneer life. Mr. Burr is known throughout the northwest as the old pioneer hunter and trapper. He has caught deer, elk, wild turkey and all kinds of smaller game, and for years engaged in trapping along the Little Sioux. The last beaver which he vanght
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some years ago weighed forty-four pounds. For a long period he derived his income largely from the sale of furs and pelts, engaging in that work when the country afforded little opportunity for other kinds of business.
Mr. Burr was married in MeHenry county, Illinois, to Miss Elizabeth Snyder. a daughter of Samuel Snyder. and their children are as follows: George and Mary who are living in Sioux Rapids; Elizabeth, a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota; Joe, whose home is in Denver, Colorado; and Traey, living in California.
Mr. Burr is a member of Clough Post, No. 319, G. A. R., of Sioux Rapids. lle votes with the republican party and takes great interest in its success, ever standing loyally by the great party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and has always been an organization of reform and improvement. Mr. Burr relates many interesting incidents of the early days and is a companionable and interesting gentleman. Born dur- ing the third presidential administration, he has practically witnessed the entire development of America under the republican form of government, has lived to see the introduction of the railroad, the telegraph and the telephone, and has watched the growth of the country as the emigration toward the west has transformed the wilderness into thiekly settled distriets containing all of the evidences of advanced and progressive civilization.
GEORGE W. DALE.
George W. Dale started out in life as a farm hand, working for sixteen dollars per month. Today he is the owner of a good property in Newell township from which he derives a substantial annual income. He makes his home, however, in the city of Newell, where he has lived since the spring of 1906. The careful conduet of his farming interests proves the basis of his prosperity and in the course of years brought him a competenee that was most gratifying.
Mr. Dale was born in Jones county, lowa, March 17, 1858, and is a son of Harvey Alexander and Matilda (Baum) Dale, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. The father was a son of Harvey Dale, who was born in Ireland and on coming to the new world settled in Kentucky, casting his lot among its pioneer residents. He there followed the occupation of farming and in that state reared his family. He was eighty-six or eighty- seven years of age at the time of his death but his wife was in early woman- hood when she was called away. They were the parents of three sons : Robert, who was killed in the Civil war; James, a minister of the Christian church ; and Ilarvey. The last named became a millwright and also operated a sawmill. In 1846 he removed westward to lowa, settling in Jones county where he purchased a brush farm of one hundred and twenty aeres which he cleared and improved. There he lived for twenty years, bringing his farm under a high state of cultivation. and on the expiration of that period he re- moved to Tama county, where he also followed farming for a few years. In
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1876 he disposed of his property there and went to the Indian reservation in Nebraska, where he spent one winter. Later he went to Kansas where he conducted a ranch for two years and on the expiration of that period he came to Buena Vista county where he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, three miles south of Newell. For four years he cultivated the place and then removed to Arkansas, buying a fruit farm in Benton county. His next removal took him to Texas county, Missouri, where he died on the 11th of October. 1906, at the age of eighty-two years and seven months. His wife. who through her maternal aneestry. comes of German stoek, still survives and lives with her daughter, Ida. She is a member of the Christian church and is an estimable lady. Mr. Dale had been previously married to a Miss Dougherty and they had three children of whom one is now living, Margaret, the wife of John Simpson, of Kentucky. By the marriage of Henry A. and Matilda Dale, there were born : William, of Lowell, Arkansas; George W .; Edward L., who died at Cripple Creek, Colorado, as the result of an aceident ; John, residing in Rogers, Arkansas; Robert, of the state of Washington; Albert, who is living at Lee Summit, Missouri; Emma, who is married and resides in Kentucky; Mary, who became the wife of Andrew Barr, and died in Washington ; Ida, the wife of Robert Varnell, of Benton county. Arkansas ; and Nellie, who died in Nebraska at the age of three years.
George W. Dale spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, the farm serving as a playground and his training school for life's practical and re- sponsible duties. He received his literary instruction in the district schools and when he started ont in life on his own account he was employed as a farm hand at sixteen dollars per month, working in that way for sixteen or eighteen months. Ile afterward purchased a team and began farming on his own account in Tama county, Iowa. Since 1881 he has lived in Buena Vista county and after renting land for several years he purchased two hundred and forty acres in Newell township which he improved .. Upon that place he lived until the spring of 1906 when he removed to Newell. Ile has since sold eighty acres of his farm but derives a good annual ineome from the remainder.
On the 3d of March. 1880, Mr. Dale was married to Miss Dora Leighton, who was born at Yates City, Ilinois, a daughter of Silas and Adelia (Noble) Leighton, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of New York. They were the parents of two children who reached adult age, the eller daughter being Nettie, the wife of the Rev. Al Emerson, a minister of the Christian church, now at Morrison, Oklahoma. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Dale was Job Noble who married Sarah Hamlin and their children were: Adelia, Amanda and Mary. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dale have been born six children : Clara, Ernest, Walter, Frank. Warren and Clyde. Of this family, Frank married Myrtle Mitchell and they have two children : Darrell and Robert.
In his political views Mr. Dale is an earnest democrat, never faltering in his allegiance to the party and its principles. Ile served for two years as school director but has never sought political office. His wife is a member of the Christian church and both are held in high esteem throughout the com- munity. The life of Mr. Dale has been one of untiring activity and enterprise in which he has depended upon his earnest labor to secure success. Withont
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any special advantages at the outset of his career he has worked steadily and persistently and has gained the confidence which follows indefatigable energy and determination.
LARS A. NELSON.
Lars A. Nelson. a successful and well known agriculturist residing on section 26. Elk township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land. also operates a tract of two hundred and forty acres adjoining. Born in Denmark on the 22d of February, 1853. he was there reared to the age of nineteen years and was afforded good school advantages. Wishing to profit by the broader business opportunities of the new world. he crossed the Atlantic in 1872 and took up his abode in Iroquois county, Illinois. Subse- quently he located in Kankakee county and there carried on farming but later returned to Iroquois county, where he was also connected with agricultural pursuits.
On the 22d of February. 1879, in Kankakee county, he wedded Miss Maggie Lewiston, a native of Denmark, who was called to her final rest in 1883. In that year Mr. Nelson came to Buena Vista county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of his present farm, taking up his abode thereon in 1884. He opened up and improved the property and as the years passed by brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and development. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his place until it now comprises one hundred and sixty acres, and for about thirteen years he has also farmed a traet of two hundred and forty aeres adjoining. In addition to the work of the fields he is also engaged in raising and feeding stock, fattening about three or four carloads of cattle and two carloads of hogs annually. He is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company and in the Co-oper- ative Creamery Company and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and publie-spirited citizens of the county.
In 1885 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Hansen, also a native of Demark, by whom he has three children: Morris, Frank and Walter. The two sons of Mr. Nelson's first marriage are as follows. Nels K., an agriculturist of Elk township, residing at home; and Chris, a student at Sac City and also a teacher in a commercial school there.
Mr. Nelson gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy and is an active worker for the success of the party in his home community. He has served as a member of the school board, has been a dele- gate to the county convention and is now capably filling the office of township clerk. He is an official member of the Danish Baptist church, with which his wife is also identified. The period of his residence here now covers a quarter of a century and he has therefore been a witness of the county's steady devel- opment and growth as it has kept pace with the onward march of civilization. In the summer of 1908 Mr. Nelson took a trip to Europe, visiting the land of his birth and finding inch pleasure in renewing the associations of his boy-
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hood and youth. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, however, for here he has gained the prosperity which is ever the reward of carnest, persistent labor and by his upright. honorable career has won the esteem and regard of all with whom he has come in eontaet.
EDWIN EUGENE SMITHI. M. D.
Dr. Edwin Eugene Smith, one of the capable and successful physicians of Buena Vista county, is practicing his profession in Sioux Rapids and in all of his work displays a sense of conscientious obligation. combined with elose conformity to the highest standard of professional ethics. He was born in Waterloo. Iowa, September 30, 1873, and is a representative of one of the okdl families of the state, his parents being II. D. and Sarah Lauranda ( Rinker) Smith, natives of New York and Indiana. respectively. The maternal grand- father of Dr. Smith is now living in Grand Junction. Colorado, at the venerable age of eighty-three years. 11. D. Smith left his New York home at an early age following the death of his father. The mother afterward married and settled in Adrian, Michigan.
Dependent upon his own resources from early boyhood I. D. Smith developed habits of industry and economy that constituted the basis of his later success. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and joined the army, serving throughout the period of hostilities. Later he was employed in the milling business at Osage, Iowa, and afterward at Cedar Falls. Waterloo and other places. Coming to Sioux Rapids he rebuilt the mill here and had a very large mill elevator and electric light plant, becoming thus closely associated with the industrial life of the
town. 3 This was one of the best equipped milling plants in the northwest and he was enjoying a period of prosperity in his business career when on the 1st of June. 1898, his valuable milling property was entirely destroyed by fire. It was a complete loss for he carried no insurance. Soon after he removed to Grand Junction, Colorado, where he and his wife are now oreupying a comfortable home in quiet retirement. In addition to his residence property there he owns a productive orchard valued at over twelve thousand dollars. His family numbered four children: M. P .. who resides at Grand Junction. Colorado, and is deputy assessor of Mesa county: Edwin Eugene. of this review ; Aura, the wife of Charles JJaquette. of Colorado, by whom she has one son, Fred; and Allia, who died in infancy. The oldest son married Cora Evans, by whom he had a daughter, Ruth, and since the death of his first wife he has married again.
Dr. Smith was educated in the public schools and in the Ames lowa College, from which he was graduated in 1893. He then took up the study of medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he continued his course to graduation with the class of 1898. In May of that year he entered upon active practice in Sionx Rapids where he has since remained and has now established a large
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and increasing business. He has proved his ability to successfully solve many intricate health problems and he keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession through his reading and investigation.
On the 10th of May, 1899, Dr. Smith was married to Miss Georgia Adah Basford. a daughter of Dr. C. F. and Bathesia Basford, who were natives of England and Indiana respectively. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Smith are Eloise Ora, born August 12, 1900; Edwin Eugene, January 5, 1904; and Alden Henry, Angust 10, 1908.
Dr. Smith is a member of Buena Vista Lodge, No. 574, 1. O. O. F., and the Elks Lodge, No. 528, and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party but he never seeks nor desires office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. That he is prompt and capable in the dis- charge of his professional duties is well attested in his growing sueeess. Ile possesses a genial manner and unfailing courtesy and his professional reputa- tion is equaled by the high regard entertained for him personally.
CHRISTIAN CRONE.
Christian Crone, living in Webb, has resided in this part of Iowa since pioneer times and has not only been a witness of the growth and progress that has transformed this into a populous and prosperous region but has borne his full share in the work of general development and improvement. As the years have gone by his unwearied industry has enabled him to make consider- able investment in property and the rise in property vales has made him one of the substantial citizens of this part of the state. He now lives in Webb and from this point superintends his interests. Hle was born in Alsace, France, December 23. 1839, a son of John and Christina (Hartman) Crone, who were also natives of the same country. The mother was a daughter of John and Catherine Hartman, who likewise lived in the same section of France. Both lohn and Christina Crone spent their entire lives in the place of their nativity, the father there passing away in 1868 when sixty-three years of age, while his wife died when her son Christian was but three months old, her death occurring in March, 1840.
In his native province of Alsace, Mr. Crone of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth and at the age of twenty-one years left his home to cross the sea to America. After landing in this country he made his way to Walworth county, Wisconsin, his brother John having located in that state on coming to the new world about seven years before. Seeking employment. Mr. Crone obtained work as a farm band and was thus engaged until 1861, when he enlisted in defense of his adopted country, esponsing the Union cause as a member of Company C. Thirteenth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers. The command was assigned to the Western Army and Mr. Crone, who enlisted at Sharon, Wisconsin, was mustered in at Janesville. The regiment was afterward ordered to Kansas and for two weeks was stationed at Leavenworth, from which point they were ordered to Mexico. When they had proceeded as
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far as Fort Riley the order came for them to cross the plains but later this was countermanded and they were sent instead to Columbus, Kentucky, where they remained for a short time, then went to Moscow and on to Fort Donelson, where they remained for about six months. From that point they were sent to Nashville, Tennessee, and on to Claysville, Alabama, where they remained for several months or until Hood marched against Nashville for the second time. The Thirteenth Wisconsin was then ordered to Stevenson. AAlabama. and after the battle there was sent to Huntsville. Alabama. whence they returned to Claysville, where they continued for some time or until about the close of the war. At that time Mr. Crone was driving a team and was ordered to Texas. This was in the early spring of 1865 and on the 22d of June of the same year he was mustered out. llis first term of service having expired, he had re-enlisted at Nashville and was at the front for four years. Ile made a splendid military record. never faltering in the performance of any duty that was assigned him as he defended the stars and stripes.
After being discharged from the army Mr. Crone returned to his home in Walworth county, Wisconsin, but two weeks later started for Iowa. He worked for a short time in Illinois and then made his way on to Blackhawk county, lowa, where he remained for about six months. On the expiration of that period he went to Marshalltown, Towa, where he also spent about half a year and later made his way to Ackley, where he resided for six months. returning thence to Blackhawk county. It was in that county that Mr. Crone was united in marriage to Miss Jane Knowl, a daughter of Valentine and Elizabeth (Baehman) Knowl, natives of Byron, Germany, and of Pennsylvania respectively. The father came to America when a young man in abont the year 1855 and located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Some years later he removed westward to Dubuque, łowa, and after a short stay there became a resident of Blackhawk county, while eventually he took up his abode in Hamilton county, lowa. where he spent the remainder of his days. In the Knowl family were twelve children: Charles, now living at Griswold. Iowa. where he is engaged in preaching in the Methodist church; Alfred, also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, living at Cambridge, Iowa ; Samuel, a resident of Webster City; John and Andrew, who are farmers of Oklahoma: Mrs. Crone; and six now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crone have been born the following children: Charles Christian, who was born February 23, 1869. wedded Mary Donaldson, by whom he has three children. Rolla, Jennie and Lawrence, and they reside in Webb, lowa. John Valentine. who was born January 16, 1871, and is living at Greeley, Colorado, married Kittie Esgar and has one son. Tinden. Elva Christian, born October 31, 1873. lives near Emmetsburg, lowa, and has six children : Everett, Pearl. Britton. George, Rosa and Blanehe. Ida May, born December 18, 1875. is the wife of Christ Peterson, who resides near Albert City and has two children. Christina and Nina. William Christian, born April 5, 1877, is at home. Emma Jane.
born March 1, 1879, is teaching school at Greeley, Colorado. Lizzie Mary. born September 16. 1881, is the wife of Henry Thieman and is living at Albert City, lowa. Evelyn Susan, born June 5. 1854. is the wife of Frank Scott, living near Marathon, and has one child, Esther. Frank Christian, born
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Angust 31. 1887, is at home. George Harrison, born December 12. 1891, is attending school at Greeley. Colorado.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Crone lived in Blackhawk county for a few months but in 1867 came to Webster City, where Mr. Crone worked in a sawmill with Captain Warner. Ile was thus employed through the winter and then moved on to his land seven miles north of the town. IIe purchased this property for six dollars per acre and remained there through the summer. after which he again worked in the sawmill. In March, 1869, he sold his property in that locality and removed to Clay county. taking up his abode four miles northeast of Peterson, where he secured a homestead elaim. After cultivating the place for two years he sold his land and purchased other property in Buena Vista. there remaining until 1903. in which year he removed to Marathon. After spending a year and a half in that town he came to Webb, where he has since made his home. As the years have passed he has judiciously invested in real estate and his holdings are now large and profit- able, including two hundred and forty acres in Buena Vista county, three hundred and four acres in Palo Alto county, one hundred and forty aeres in Clay county and eighty acres in Barron county, Wisconsin, together with two houses in Marathon and property in Greeley, Colorado. He is a self-made man who, depending upon his own resources, has worked his way upward, proving the force of his character and the extent of his energy and business ability in the splendid success which he has achieved. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought nor desired office. preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with well merited success.
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