USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 10
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he removed to Washington county, Iowa, and rented a part of his father's farm, living thereon for two years. Hle afterward went to What Cheer, Keokuk county, where he engaged in the hardware and implement business, condueting a store for two years. He then sold out and in 1892 came to Calhoun county, where he purchased his present farm, about half of which had been placed under the plow, although there were no improvements upon it in the shape of build- ings. He erected his residence, barns and sheds, set out trees and has continued the work of development until he is today the owner of an attractive and valuable farm property.
On the 24th of January, 1888, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Aller, a native of Museatine county, where she was reared. They have become the parents of twelve children: Anthony J., a resident farmer of this county: Bertha, the wife of Edward Hudeek, who follows farming in Pocahontas county, Iowa; Nora, the wife of William Stein, also of that county; Elmer S., a farmer of Calhoun county: and Bessie, Emma, Elvira, Harley, August, Hal- ford, Florence and Helen, all yet at home.
In his political views Mr. Baker is a demoerat and is recognized as one of the leaders of his party. He has filled the office of super- visor, although he did not seek the position. The distriet in which he lives has a republican majority, but both democrats and republieans rallied to his support, recognizing his fitness for the office, which he filled in 1911, 1912 and 1913. He then refused to serve longer. after which his brother, Joseph H. Baker, was elected as his sneeessor. While in the office Mr. Baker served as chairman of the board, aeting in that capacity when the new courthouse was ereeted. For this pur- pose the sum of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars was voted and the building was completed at a cost of one hundred and six thousand dollars, showing that there was no graft in the under- taking. Mr. Baker belongs to the Masonic lodge at Jolley, Iowa. having been one of its first members. His wife and family are adher- ents of the Catholic faith, in which he was reared, but he is not now identified with any church. He has led a most active life and that his efforts have been intelligently directed is indicated in the fact that he is now the owner of four hundred and seventy aeres in Butler and Twin Lakes townships. for which he paid one hundred and fifty dol- lars and one hundred and ninety dollars per acre. His home place, however. eost him but thirty dollars per aere when he purchased it in 1892 and he has been offered two hundred and twenty-five dollars an aere for it. He has worked hard, recognizing the value of industry and determination, and is regarded as a most reliable, enterprising
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business man and progressive eitizen, his fellow townsmen having high appreciation for his worth and entertaining for him the warmest regard.
GEORGE PARK FROST.
George Park Frost, who passed away in Pomeroy on the 25th of March, 1915, when seventy-three years of age, was long and actively identified with farming and merchandising interests in this part of the state. His birth occurred on the 16th of February, 1842, in Courtland, Ontario, Canada, where he was reared and educated. He remained on the farm of his grandparents until twenty-two years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own, contin- uing farming in Ontario until 1871, when he removed to Wisconsin and took up his abode near Beloit. There he cultivated rented land until 1885, when he came to Calhoun county, lowa, purchasing a traet of one hundred and sixty aeres in Sherman township, three miles southeast of Pomeroy. There was only a small house on the place and he made a number of substantial improvements, operating the farm successfully for several years or until he disposed of the property and embarked in the mercantile business at Pomeroy in 1896. moving to town on the 1st of March, 1897. At the end of three and one-half years he traded his store for a farm at Lakeport, Wood- bury county, Iowa, and there carried on the work of the fields for three and one-half years, on the expiration of which period he sold the place, removing to Washta, Cherokee county, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he operated for nine years. Ile disposed of the property in September, 1911, but con- tinned to reside in Washta until 1914, when he came to Pomeroy to be near his daughter. He won snecess in his undertakings as a mer- chant and farmer and was widely known as a prosperous, enterprising and esteemed citizen.
On the 24th of May. 1864, Mr. Frost was united in marriage to Miss Jennette Ronson, who was born in Norfolk county, Ontario, January 26, 1846, and when twelve years of age accompanied her parents on their removal to Conrtland, Ontario, where her wedding took place. She became the mother of eight children, as follows: William H., an Episcopal minister residing in Fremont, Nebraska; Mary J., who is the wife of George Stewart; George Roger and Arthur J., both of whom are engaged in farming near Arnolds Park,
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lowa: Jennette, who died in infancy; Nettie, who passed away at the age of twenty-six years: Olive, who was killed by a cyclone on the 6th of July, 1893; and Charlie, who is a well known musician.
Mr. Frost gave his political allegiance to the republican party and served as trustee of Sherman township and also in the capacity of justice of the peace, making a creditable record in both connections. llis religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his widow also belongs, both assisting in the erection of the first church and parsonage. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Solar Lodge. No. 475. A. F. & A. M., and both he and his wife became charter mem- bers of the Eastern Star here. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. for his life was ever upright and honorable and he had won many friends during the long period of his residenee in this part of the state. Mrs. Frost, who still survives her husband, is also widely and favorably known in Pomeroy and Calhoun county.
JAMES GOULD.
James Gould. now deceased, was a farmer of Calhoun county for many years and in the latter part of his life lived retired in Rock- well City. An analyzation of his life record shows that he possessed various sterling qualities which endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. He was born near Jacksonville, Illinois, on the 11th of October, 1843, and was only about a year old when the family left that state and came to Iowa, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Johnson county, their home being near Iowa City. There James Gould was reared upon a farm, was married in that locality and continued to reside there until 1889, when he came to Calhoun county and purchased a farm in Center township, which at that time was only partially improved. He continued its further development and cultivation, with the result that a marked change was soon seen in its appearance. His fields brought forth good crops and all mod- ern accessories and conveniences were added to his place. He used the latest improved machinery to facilitate the farm work and as the years passed on he won a gratifying measure of success. His farm embraced one hundred and sixty aeres, which he purchased for ten dollars per acre, but the place is now worth many times that amount. He continued to reside on the farm until October. 1913. when he removed to Rockwell City and retired. After about six
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MR. AND MRS. JAMES COULD
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months, however, he was ealled to his final rest, passing away on the 10th of February, 1914.
Mr. Gould is still survived by his widow, with whom he had trav- eled life's journey happily for forty years. He was married on the 29th of November, 1874, to Miss Mary M. Ewing, who was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, January 7, 184], and was taken by her parents to Indiana when six years of age, the journey being made in a covered wagon, according to the primitive methods of travel at that time. They afterward went to Tazewell county, Illi- nois. and eventually came to Iowa in a covered wagon about the year 1854 or 1855, settling in Johnson county. They were thus identified with pioneer conditions in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gould were born four children, but the two daughters died in infaney. The sons are: Frank A., a resident farmer of this county; and Ira A., who is farming in Montana.
Mr. Gould was entitled to wear the little bronze button of the Grand Army of the Republic, for in 1864, in response to the country's eall for troops, he joined the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry as a private. He served for about ten months, going with Sherman on the men- orable march to the sea, which proved the weakness of the southern confederacy, showing that the troops had been drawn from the inte- rior to protect the border. He also took part in the grand review in Washington at the close of the war, when the victorious Union troops marehed through the streets of the capital where thousands of on- lookers expressed their gratitude by prolonged eheers. Mr. Gould was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, and returned to his home, having escaped without injury or capture. In his politieal views he was a republican but not an active party worker. For a half eentury he was a member of the Methodist church and his religious faith was the guiding principle in his life. He endeavored to eloselv follow the golden rule and lived up to the high standards which are set in Christian teaching, and when he was ealled to the home beyond it could be said of him "Well done, good and faithful servant."
JOHN S. BUTTNER.
John S. Buttner is vice president and general manager of the Calhoun County Abstract Company and has displayed excellent business ability and the power of initiative in directing the affairs of that concern. Ile was born in Benton county, Iowa, a son of Mr. Vol. II- 7
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and Mrs. N. Buttner, but while still a boy removed to Sae county, living successively in Ida, Polk and Palo Alto counties. He received his early education in the common schools and later attended the Iowa Business College and Highland Park College at Des Moines. In 1904 he came to Rockwell City and succeeded E. E. Boss as man- ager of the Calhoun County Abstract Company, which office he has since filled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. The partner- ship of Smith, Jack & Bradt was established in 1868, succeeded later by Bradt & Allison and in 1898 incorporated as the Calhoun County Abstract Company, absorbing several other firms, is one of the oldest here. It has an enviable reputation for promptness, accuracy and reliability and transacts a large amount of business annually. The present officers of the company are George R. Allison, of Long Beach, California: J. H. Bradt, M. W. Frick and J. S. Buttner.
In 1909 Mr. Buttner was married to Miss Nancy L. Stevenson, the oldest daughter of Hon. E. C. Stevenson. In 1910 Mr. Buttner was elected county reeorder, being the first democrat ever elected to that office in this county, and he served efficiently for one term. During the eleven years that he has resided in Rockwell City he has participated in many movements seeking the development and expan- sion of the city and is recognized as an able and publie-spirited man. He holds the respect of all who come in contact with him and there are many who entertain for him warm personal regard.
ROBERT B. MOORE.
Robert B. Moore is the owner of an extensive farm of four hun- dred and seventy-five aeres on section 8, Lake Creek township, and is a representative business man whose well defined plans are always promptly exeented and who by the employment of modern. progress- ive methods is meeting with most ereditable snecess in business. He is a native of the neighboring state of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Williamson county on the 23d of March, 1861, his parents being William and Myra Moore. He attended the publie sehools and divided his time between acquiring an education and working in the fields. Practical training well qualified him for the later responsibilities which he assumed when he began farming on his own account. In 1894 he arrived in this county, settling in Lake Creek township, where he purchased two hundred and ten aeres of land at thirty dollars per acre. Upon that place he continued to reside for
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sixteen years and wrought a marked transformation in its appear- ance. At the end of that period he removed to his present place on section 8, Lake Creek township, where he now has four hundred and seventy-five acres. He has enhanced the productiveness of the place by a careful drainage system, using many rods of tile in this work. He has also divided his farm into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, and everything about the place indicates his careful supervision, for neatness and thrift pervade every department of the farm. In addition to producing the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he raises shorthorns and graded cattle, keeping on hand about sixty head.
In 1905 Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Lena Jenkins. by whom he has a son, Ralph, who was born on the 10th of August, 1905. Politically Mr. Moore is a republican, but he has given no time to seeking office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. His work has brought him a gratifying measure of success, so that he is now numbered among the substantial residents of his community.
ALVA C. NORTON, M. D.
Strict conformity to a high standard of professional ethics has won for Dr. Alva C. Norton the unqualified regard of his fellow practitioners, while the skill and ability which he has displayed has gained him a liberal patronage from the general public. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, February 23, 1872, a son of Luther M. and Theodosia (Robinson) Norton, and in the paternal line is of English deseent. The father, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, was taken to Illinois by his parents during his childhood, the family becoming pioneer settlers of the Prairie state. The maternal grand- father of our subject also became an early settler of Illinois and it was there that the mother was born in 1843, while in 1859 she gave her hand in marriage to Luther M. Norton. Subsequently they took up their abode in Nebraska, where the father bought a farm and spent his remaining days engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a democrat in his political views, while in fraternal relations he was identified with the Masons. He passed away in Nebraska in 1907, at the age of seventy-four years, having for about four years survived his wife, who died in 1903, in the faith of the Presbyterian church. In their family were six children, but only three now survive, the two
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sisters of our subject being: Edith J., the widow of L. G. Tyler, of Dunlap, Iowa; and Clara L., who is engaged in teaching in that place.
Dr. Alva C. Norton was a young lad when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Illinois to Nebraska and it was in the latter state that he received his education, completing the high-school course at Blair in 1889. For a few years thereafter he was employed in a drug store there and this gave him a desire to make a study of medicine and surgery, and to this end he entered Rush Medical Col- lege of Chicago, graduating therefrom with the class of 1895. He at once located in Rockwell City for the practice of his profession and in the intervening years he has met with well deserved success, his patronage now covering a wide area.
In 1898 Dr. Norton was married to Miss Anna Lipp, a native of Logan County, Illinois, and a daughter of John Lipp, who was born in Germany but emigrated to the new world at an early day and worked at the baker's trade for many years in Illinois. To Dr. and Mrs. Norton have been born two sons: Merrill E., a high-school student and a member of the Presbyterian church; and Kenneth A., also in school.
Dr. Norton has great faith in the worth of Calhoun county land, as will be seen by the fact that he has invested in two farms here. HIe is a republican and has served as county coroner and as a member of the school board. Along the line of his profession he is identified with the Calhoun County Medical Society, of which he has served as president, and he likewise holds membership with the Iowa State and American Medical Associations. He is also a Mason. He holds to high ideals not only in his profession, but in citizenship and in social relations, thus commanding the warm esteem and genuine admiration of all with whom he comes in contact.
FRANK JOSEPH HEEBNER.
Frank Joseph Ileebner is not only one of the wealthy farmers of Calhoun county but he has also taken a prominent part in the moral and political life of his community. He owns several excellent farms. aggregating eight hundred and seventy-three acres of fine land, and takes justifiable pride in the fact that his prosperity is due solely to his own well directed labor. He was born in Oberschlesien, Ger- many. on the Ist of February. 1864. a son of Franz and Augusta (Werner) Ileebner. The paternal grandfather, Alois Heebner,
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passed his entire life in Austria and was an influential farmer in his section of the country. The maternal grandfather, Franz Werner, was also a well-to-do agrieulturist. Franz Heebner was born in Ger- many in 1831 and remained in his native land until 1883, when he emigrated to America, making his way to Calhoun county, Iowa, where he purchased land. He still owns eighty acres but is now living retired. His political belief is that of the republican party but he has never desired official preferment. He served for three months in the German army during the war against Austria in 1866 and at the end of that time was discharged as he was found to be too old for military duty. Although he was in a number of engagements during that time he was neither wounded nor captured. To him and his wife were born eight children, namely: Mrs. Joseph Stumpf, further men- tion of whom is made elsewhere in this work; Frank Joseph; Theresa, who married August Kapseh, a farmer of this county; Frederie, de- ceased; Mary, who has also passed away; Franees, now Mrs. Frank Booge: Mrs. Clara Streit, who resides on the home place; and Agues, the wife of Martin Brennan, who lives four miles west of Fort Dodge. All of the family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
Frank J. Heebner received his education in his native land and also gained considerable experience in agricultural work there. In 1884. when a young man of twenty years, he emigrated to America and eame to Calhoun county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for three years. At the end of that time he began breaking the prairie for others, which occupation he followed for two years. He then pur- chased a threshing outfit and threshed practically all of the grain in his community for several years. At the same time he rented land and cultivated enough ground to raise feed for his horses, which he used in hauling his outfit from place to place, as that was before the days of road engines. In 1888 he purchased one hundred and forty- seven aeres of land, making a payment of two hundred and thirty-six dollars on the same. After renting the eighty aeres which is his pres- ent farm for several years he purchased the place in 1890 and not long afterward also bought a quarter section of land, while in 1891 he bought another eighty aere traet south of his previous holdings. His home farm is today known as the Maple Grove Farm and is thor- oughly up-to-date in its equipments. He has purchased additional land, owning in all eight hundred and seventy-three acres, his other farms being known as the Kamp Creek Farm, the Sunnyside Farm and the Broadview Farm. He breeds Aberdeen Angus eattle and Poland China hogs and derives a handsome profit from the sale of his stock. IIe also raises the usual erops and in all that he does follows
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the most approved methods and uses the latest machinery. His build- ings are substantial and well designed and his residence is commodious and attractive. He is a director of the Farmers Savings Bank at Lavinia and is also a director of the Lavinia Elevator Company, a co-operative concern.
In 1889 Mr. Heebner married Miss Emma Elizabeth Gmünder, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Jacob Gmünder, who was born in Switzerland. Her father lived in Illinois for some time after emi- grating to the United States but in 1877 came to Calhoun county, and purchased land, owning at one time almost a section. However, he later disposed of his holdings and returned to Switzerland, where he remained for some time. Eventually he again came to this county and bought another farm. Mr. and Mrs. Heebner have three chil- dren: Sophia M., who married Sidney Burdette, a farmer residing near Spencer: Charles, who lives on a farm near his father; and Clara, the wife of Milett A. Bruce, who resides on land near her father's farm.
Mr. Heebner is a republican and has served as trustee of Twin Lakes township. For four years he was school director and has always taken much interest in the welfare of the public schools. He and his family belong to St. Francis' Roman Catholic church at Rockwell City, of which he has been a director for thirteen years. He is one of the influential men of his community and no movement seeking the general welfare lacks his indorsement and hearty co-operation. When he began his independent career he was without capital but he pos- sessed determination, sound judgment and was not afraid of hard work and as the years have passed he has prospered beyond his ex- pectations. He says that he has achieved his success by using his head as well as his hands, realizing that in farming. as in any other business, foresight. keenness of discrimination and the ability to adapt one's course to conditions are large factors in gaining prosperity.
MATTHIAS J. HOGOBOOM.
Matthias J. Hogoboom was for several years successfully engaged in the flour and feed business in Manson and the surrounding country. His birth occurred in New York on the 18th of November, 1856, and he is a son of Ebenezer B. and Hannah (Batchelor) Hogoboom. also natives of that state, the former born in 1821 and the latter in 1838. His paternal grandfather. Matthias Hogoboom, was born in New
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England, of Holland Dutch descent. The maternal grandfather, Jeremiah Batchelor, was also a native of New England, where he passed his entire life.
Ebenezer B. Hogoboom, who was a carpenter by trade, came to Iowa in 1866 and first located in Jones county, whence he removed successively to Jackson and Calhoun county, arriving here in 1869. He homesteaded eighty acres of land, which he owned until 1881, when he sold it and removed to Manson. He conducted a wagon shop in this city for a number of years and was living here at the tinie of his demise in 1896. During the Civil war he served in Com- pany G, Tenth New York Volunteer Cavalry, and was at the front for three and one-half years. He was a republican in politics and never faltered in his allegiance to the party that stood by the Union in the time of its dire peril. Fraternally he belonged to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. For many years he held membership in the Baptist church but following the demise of his wife, which occurred in 1870, he became a member of the Congregational church. Their marriage was cele- brated in the Empire state and they became the parents of two chil- dren: Sarah, who married Joseph Leggett, a resident of Center June- tion, Jones county, Iowa, and a veteran of the Civil war; and Matthias J. For his second wife the father married Mrs. Sarah J. Post, the widow of Rensselaer Post, a veteran of the Civil war. She is still living and makes her home in Manson. There were two children by the second marriage : Eugene, deceased; and Eva. the wife of William Radley, a mail carrier of Washington, D. C.
Matthias J. Hogoboom received his education in the east and in the publie schools of Calhoun county and after putting aside his text- books devoted his energies to the occupation of farming, which he followed successfully for twenty-four years after his marriage. In 1909 he removed to Manson and in the spring of the following year he entered the flour and feed business, in which he engaged until selling out May 15, 1915. He handled all kinds of feed, was distributor for the famous Gold Metal flour, bought cream and also handled sewer pipe. Mrs. Hogoboom owns eighty aeres of excellent land in this county.
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