USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 12
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given to the Methodist Episcopal church. He passed away in 1863. IFe and his wife were married in New York and to them were born six children, four of whom survive, namely: David C .; Charlotte, who married Barney Morrill, a retired farmer; Hattie, the wife of G. Y. Cook, who is living retired in Manson; and Henry, who is janitor of the library at Fort Dodge.
David C. Wilson received the greater part of his edueation in the common schools of New York but attended school for one winter after the removal of the family to Illinois. He remained at home until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until February 26, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He participated in a num- ber of engagements, including the battles of Fort Donelson and Chickamauga. In 1865 he located in the vicinity of Lake City, Iowa, purchasing eighty acres of school land, which he owned for four years. He then sold that property and entered eighty acres of land from the government, which he sold after farming it for a consider- able time. In 1874 he removed to Manson and for four years engaged in driving a stage from Manson to Rockwell City. He then turned his attention to mereantile interests, condueting a grocery store suc- cessfully for eighteen years. At the end of that time he decided to retire from active life but after six months re-entered business, buy- ing a building in which he established the coal and feed store which he is still conducting. Although he has now passed the three seore years and ten allotted to man he is still energetie and alert and finds it impossible to be content with a life of idleness. He owns other valuable property in Manson and is financially independent, although when he came to Iowa he had a capital of only thirteen dollars.
Mr. Wilson was married in 1858 to Miss Rebecca A. Terbush, of Byron, Illinois, and to their union have been born seven children: Henry E., who is farming in Highmore, South Dakota: Eva A., the widow of Oscar Perrin and a resident of Manson : Mary, the wife of A. A. Hobbs, a ranchman of Glendive, Montana: William B., who is farming in Pocahontas county, this state; Ernest A., who is resid- ing at home and is engaged in earpentering: Earl B., who is employed in the postoffice at Billings, Montana; and Albert W., who is work- ing in a butcher shop in Manson.
Mr. Wilson is a republican and is at present serving in the office of township trustee, a position which he also filled twelve years ago. The teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member, guide his life, and none question the sincerity of his religious faith. He has been commander of the local post of the Grand Army
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of the Republie for several years. This organization formerly num- bered one hundred and fifty-three members but it now has only ten, which brings home the fact that those brave men who preserved the Union are fast answering the last roll call. As a citizen Mr. Wilson has always been willing to place the general welfare above personal aggrandizement: as a business man he has been enterprising and upright : and in the private relations of life he has measured up to the highest standards of manhood. It is therefore but natural that he should have the esteem of his fellowmen and that many should value highly his friendship and good opinion.
HERMAN A. GOOD.
Herman A. Good, a well known retired farmer living in Rock- well City, is a native of Germany. He was born April 5, 1847, a son of Gotfried and Catalina Good, who were also born in Germany but emigrated to the United States in 1882. They first located in South Carolina but at length removed to Illinois, where the father worked in connection with a son. The parents belonged to the Lutheran church and were upright, God fearing people. To then were born five children, three of whom are still living.
Herman A. Good received his edueation in his native land and there grew to manhood. In 1872, when twenty-five years of age, he erossed the Atlantic to the new world and made his way to Cham- paign county, Illinois, where he worked on a railroad for three years. He then rented a farm there and cultivated leased land until 1892, when he came to Calhoun eounty and purchased a farm. He was practical and energetic and as time passed his resources steadily inereased. He now owns four hundred acres of excellent land in this county and, having accumulated a competenee, is now living retired in Rockwell City, enjoying a period of leisure to which he is well entitled.
Mr. Good was married in Germany in 1870 to Miss Julia Clim- meek, whose father was a shepherd by occupation. To Mr. and Mrs. Good have been born five children: Gusta, who is the wife of Gust Schultz, who is now operating Mr. Good's farm; Amelia, who married Charles Browning, a painter of Reinhart, Iowa; Fred, who is farming a part of the home place; Lena, the wife of Adolph Shepka. a farmer; and John, who is also operating part of his father's farm.
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Mr. Good is independent in politics, believing that the qualifica- tions of a candidate are of more importance than his party affilia- tions. For some time he served acceptably upon the school board. Ilis religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. In January, 1909, he purchased a comfortable residence in Rockwell City and he and his wife have since made their home here. They have won many friends in the community and enjoy the respect of all with whom they have come in contact.
OSCAR WALTIMORE LUNDBERG.
Oscar Waltimore Lundberg is the present efficient and public- spirited mayor of Lake City and is also identified with business inter- ests here as he is the owner of the Lake City Marble, Granite and Vault Works. He was born on the 23d of February, 1878, in Stock- holm. Sweden, a son of Peter Albert and Johanna Matilda ( Levine) Lundberg. The father was born in Stockholm on the 4th of March, 1841, and resides in Union county, South Dakota. They came to America in May, 1878, locating on a homestead in Union county, where the mother died March 4, 1892. She was born in Sweden November 6, 1854.
Oscar Waltimore Lundberg was brought to America by his par- ents when but three months old. He attended the country schools of Big Springs township, Union county, South Dakota, and as soon as he was strong enough began assisting his father with the work of the farm. Until twenty years of age he worked on the farm and also with a threshing outfit. On attaining his majority he went to Le Mars, Iowa, and there learned the marble and granite-cutter's trade. later becoming shop foreman, a position which he held for seven years or until 1909. On the 1st of January of that year he came to Lake City and purchased the Lake City Marble and Granite Works, which he still owns. In 1910 he added the manufacture of vaults and the name became the Lake City Marble, Granite and Vault Works. He has the only monument shop in the county and deals in foreign and domestic marble and granite monuments. He carries a large stock of the best marble and granite and does only expert work. All of the lettering, carving and entting are done with pneu- matic tools and his shop is excellently equipped throughout. He is also a manufacturer and wholesaler of burial vaults and represents the Norwalk Vault Company in Calhoun and Sac counties. He is
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also part owner of a monument shop in Hawarden, Iowa, which is conducted by the firm of Lundberg & Kelly. In addition he owns a half interest in the Lake City Concrete Works, which manufactures building blocks of all kinds.
Mr. Lundberg was married on the 4th of March, 1901, to Miss Bertha Fisher, of Big Springs, South Dakota, and they have two sons. namely, Arnold O. and Arthur M., both now in school. Mr. Lundberg gives his political support to the republican party and during 1912 and 1913 served on the city council as alderman at large. In 1914 he was honored by election to the mayoralty and the confi- denee of the people in his ability and integrity has been vindicated as he is giving the municipality a businesslike administration and is working sincerely for the good of the community. Fraternally he is well known. He is the present master of Zerubbabel Lodge, No. 240. A. F. & A. M .: belongs to Cypress Chapter, No. 99, R. A. M .; to the Order of the Eastern Star; to Walnut Camp, No. 387; W. O. W., of which he is consul commander; and the Woodmen Cirele, an auxiliary of the above organization. Ile is also a member of the board of managers of Head Camp R. Jurisdiction of Iowa, W. O. W. He has built up a large business and gained a gratifying measure of financial prosperity but he values even more highly the general goodwill and esteem in which he is held.
JOHN F. GUTZ.
John F. Gutz is the cashier, of the Pomeroy State Bank of Pomeroy and the excellent condition of that institution is due in the main to his able management of its affairs. He was born in Sher- man township, this county, on the 22d of April, 1873, a son of Fred Gutz, a pioneer settler of this county, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Our subject was reared under the parental roof and received his early education in the public schools. When twenty years of age he entered the Northern Indiana Normal school and Business Institute at Valparaiso, Indiana, now known as Valparaiso University, and during the winter of 1893-4 took a business course in that institution. On returning home he accepted a position as messenger boy in the Pomeroy State Bank. At first he received only ten dollars per month. but his ability and application gained him rapid promotion and on the 1st of July, 1897, he was made cashier of the bank, which
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position he has since held. He now owns a controlling interest in the institution and determines its policy. He is not only familiar with the routine of banking but also understands the fundamental principles of finance, upon which banking practice is based, and he stands high in local business circles. The bank has the confidence of the people of the community as the interests of the depositors are carefully safeguarded.
On the 15th of June, 1897, Mr. Gutz was united in marriage to Miss Angie G. Eppler, who was born, reared and educated in Cayuga, Livingston county, Illinois. They are the parents of four children, Phyllis, Eppler P., Loraine and Marcella.
Mr. Gutz is a republican and has taken an active part in local publie affairs, having served on the city council for about eighteen years and having also held the office of school treasurer. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and contributes to the sup- port of its work. He devotes practically his entire time to the bank and the success which he has gained is the merited reward of enter- prise and sound judgment. The name of Gutz has long been con- nected with the development of Calhoun county, and the family is well known and highly esteemed as they have at all times done their share in bringing about the community progress.
DOLSON C. COCHRAN.
Dolson C. Coehran is the proprietor of The Leader, a carom and pocket billiards hall of Manson, and has been very sueeessful in his conduct of the establishment, which he has owned since 1911. He was born in Delaware, Ohio, June 17, 1867, a son of Josiah M. and Sarah ( Boyer) Cochran. The father, who was born in Ohio in 1820, removed to Marion, that state, and conducted the Kerr House there for fifteen years, being very successful as a hotel man. In 1879 he and his family came to Calhoun county, lowa, and settled on a farm which he had purchased seventeen years previously. He was a busi- ness man of unusual ability and before going into the hotel business bought and sokl stock in Ohio, building up a considerable fortune. However, he lost several thousand dollars through the sinking of vessels when shipping stock by way of the lakes to New York. His political belief was that of the republican party and while living in the Buckeye state he was very prominent in local political cireles. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd
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Fellows and the Masons. During the Civil war he served for four and a half years in the Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was regimental quartermaster and captain. His demise, which occurred in 1895. was sincerely mourned by many who had learned to esteem him highly for his ability and undoubted integrity. His wife, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1834, is still living. She removed to Ohio in her girlhood with her parents, the family home being estab- lished in Sunbury, and in that state her marriage occurred. To this union were born four children, three of whom survive: Mary, a resident of Fort Dodge: Mattie, a milliner of that city; and Dolson C.
The last named received his education in the public schools and in the high school of Manson and after putting aside his textbooks engaged in the decorating and painting business for fifteen years. He was then for three years proprietor of a hotel in Manson but in 1911 purchased the billiard hall, which is known as The Leader and which he has since successfully conducted.
In 1894 Mr. Cochran married Miss Hettie E. White, who was born in Des Moines, and they have three children: Dayton, a grad- uate of the high school at Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he is now living; Welker M., who is one of the champion billiard players of the United States and a member of the Champion Billiard Players League; and Altavene, who is in school.
Mr. Cochran is a republican in his political allegiance and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity and for three years was secretary of the local lodge. During the many years that he has resided in Manson he has gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, who recognize his business ability and his many admirable traits of character.
JOHN REAMAN.
John Reaman was for twenty-two years successfully engaged in farming in Elm Grove township and his demise, which occurred in 1900, was sincerely regretted. A native of Germany, he was born in Meeklenburg, August 21, 1848, and remained in his native land until 1873, when he came to America with his mother and brother. In 1871 and 1872 he served in the German army in the Franco-Prus- sian war. On emigrating to the United States he and his mother
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and brother settled in Wisconsin and there he remained for five years. In 1878, however, he came to Elm Grove township. Calhoun county, and purchased a quarter section of land, on which he located and to the cultivation of which he devoted his time and energies throughout the remainder of his life. He was at once practical and progressive in his methods of farming and his labor returned him a good annual income.
On the 13th of December, 1877, Mr. Reaman was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Render, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 21st of September, 1852. To them were born seven children : Adolph H., who is farming in Elm Grove township; William, also farming in that township; Henry, who resides in Yetter; John, at home; Ida, the wife of Herman Arndt; Olga, who married William Bortchert; and Anna, at home.
Mr. Reaman supported the democratic party at the polls and at all times manifested a citizen's interest in public affairs. His life was guided by the teachings of the Lutheran church, of which he was a loyal and consistent member, and those who knew him best were his sineerest friends, a fact which is proof of his genuine worth. Although his demise occurred in December, 1900-fifteen years ago- his memory is still cherished by those who were intimately associated with him.
JOHN LOFTUS DALTON.
John Loftus Dalton was one of the pioneer settlers and promi- nent farmers of Sherman township, Calhoun county, Iowa. His birth occurred in County Mayo, Ireland, and he accompanied his parents to Kenosha, Wisconsin. In 1863 he enlisted in the navy from Randall, Wisconsin, and was assigned to the gunboat Wasta, under command of Captain Zimmerman. After returning from the war he rented a farm of two hundred and twenty-eight acres near Randall, Wisconsin, and devoted his energies to its operation until 1875. In that year he came to Calhoun county, Iowa, and purchased an improved farm of sixty acres, to which he subsequently added one hundred and twenty aeres. For several years he followed general farming and also dealt in cattle quite extensively, but at length. hay- ing accumulated a competence, he sold his land and removed to Pom- eroy, where he was living retired at the time of his death.
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On the 5th of November, 1868, Mr. Dalton was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Boyle, who was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on the 19th of April, 1847. Her girlhood days were spent in Bristol, Wisconsin, where she acquired her education and here her marriage occurred. She became the mother of three children: Alice, the wife of Thomas O'Boyle, who is farming near Fort Dodge; Florence, who married Edward Masterson, an agriculturist residing near Barnesville, Minnesota: and John F., a newspaper man of Manson, Iowa, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Dalton supported the candidates and principles of the repub- lican party and worked loyally for its success at the polls. He was a communieant of the Roman Catholic church, as is his widow. There was never any question as to his honesty and integrity and he held the esteem of all with whom he came in contaet. His demise was sin- eerely mourned and his memory is still cherished by his many friends.
JOSEPH S. STUMPF.
Joseph S. Stumpf has succeeded admirably in his work as a farmer and although he came to this country from Germany without funds he is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of excellent land. He has at times met with reverses but has never become dis- heartened and his perseverance, unremitting industry and thrift have been rewarded by an unusual measure of prosperity, so that he is today one of the men of affluence of Twin Lakes township. His birth occurred in 1857, in Oberschlesien, Germany, and he is a son of Joseph S. Stumpf, likewise a native of Oberschlesien. He was a farmer by occupation and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church. He passed away in the place of his nativity in 1887, when sixty-six years of age, as his birth occurred in 1821.
Joseph S. Stumpf of this review secured but a limited edueation as it was necessary for him to provide for his own support. He began his independent business career when but fourteen years of age and was employed at various occupations in Germany until 1882, when he emigrated to America and made his way to Calhoun county, Iowa. Here he purchased forty aeres of land on seetion 29. Twin Lakes township, and gave his undivided attention and his best efforts to the cultivation and improvement of his land. At that time there were still many evidences of frontier conditions and there were many inconvenienees and often hardships to be endured that the farmers of
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the present day are spared. However, he had determined to win at least a competence in this new country and resolutely surmounted all difficulties. At times he met with misfortune but with the aid of his wife and by indefatigable labor and the careful management of his resources he retrieved his losses and gradually added to his hold- ings until he now owns six hundred and forty aeres of splendid land, which is in a high state of cultivation and improved with excellent buildings. He earries on general farming and stoek-raising and has a detailed and thorough knowledge of everything pertaining to those lines of business.
Mr. Stumpf was married in 1883 to Miss Anna Heebner, a daughter of Frank Heebner, further mention of whom is made else- where in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Stumpf have beeome the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living, namely: Alex, Fred, Anna. Marie, Clara, Josie, Charles, Joseph and Arthur.
Mr. Stumpf is a republican in his political belief but has never had the time nor inclination to seek office. IIe and his family belong to the Catholic church at Roekwell City and are influential in that organization. His fellow citizens have respect for his ability and force of character and his adviee is often sought on matters relative to the development of the community along both material and moral lines.
CHARLES W. GUENTHER.
Charles W. Guenther was a successful business man of Lake City. the grocery firm of Guenther & Son being a factor in its commercial development. He was born in Milton, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1832, a son of Rev. Charles and Margaretta Guenther. The father was a minister of the Lutheran church and his labors were produetive of much good.
Charles W. Guenther attended sehool at Gettysburg, Pennsyl- vania, until 1845 and then removed with the family to Mahoning eounty, Ohio, where he studied under his father. Later he taught school for nineteen terms and while living there also learned the tailor's trade, which he followed for three years. On the 16th of June. 1863, he enlisted in Company A of the Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. For six days his command was in pursuit of General Mor- gan, the noted Confederate leader, and Mr. Guenther was present at that leader's surrender. He also participated in the engagement at
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Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, and was mustered out of service on the 14th of February, 1864. He returned home and resumed teaching, in which he was engaged until 1866. He then turned his attention to farming and followed agricultural pursuits in Mahoning county until 1870, when he removed to Polk county, Iowa. After residing there for nineteen years he became a resident of Webster county, where for four and a half years he cultivated land, and upon leaving that county he came to Lake City, where for eight years he condueted a restaurant. He then engaged in the grocery business, becoming head of the firm of Guenther & Son, which soon gained an enviable reputation in business circles for enterprise and fair dealing. He continued to conduct the grocery store until his demise on the 7th of June, 1907.
Mr. Guenther was married JJune 18, 1855, to Miss Phebe A. Hub- ler and to their marriage have been born six children, four of whom have passed away, those surviving being: Charles W. and John L. C., who are condueting the grocery store established by their father. There are also two grandehildren: Walter, who is employed in the grocery store; and Laura V., the wife of Walter Trotter, a well known agriculturist.
Mr. Guenther was a stalwart supporter of the republican party but never aspired to publie office. He was identified with Lander Post, No. 156, G. A. R., and found much pleasure in association with others who had fought for the preservation of the Union. Early in life he was a member of the Lutheran church but after removing to Lake City became identified with the Presbyterian church, in whose work he took a great interest. He was respected not only for his business ability but also because of the rectitude of his life, and his personal friends, who were many, still cherish his memory.
JASPER YEPSEN.
Jasper Yepsen, who for the past twelve years has filled the office of postmaster at Yetter, has also for a long period been engaged in the hardware business at this place. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, August 20, 1862, a son of George P. and Catherine (Batz) Yepsen. The family removed from Bureau county to Calhoun county, Iowa, in the spring of 1879, the father here buying two hun- dred aeres of land in Elm Grove township, where he engaged exten- sively in agricultural pursuits. In the family were two sons and two daughters, our subject being the eldest of the number. The
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others are: George V., who is living retired in Yetter; Anna, the wife of F. W. Smith, of Lake City; and Catherine, the wife of Frank Burk, of Escanaba, Michigan.
Jasper Yepsen was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the schools of Bureau county, Illinois. He was a youth of seventeen at the time the family removed to Calhoun county and here he worked with his father on the home farm until the time of his marriage in 1890, after which he engaged in the hardware business in Yetter. He has built up a large trade in this line and his success is largely due to his fair dealing and honorable methods in all trade transactions. In addition to his other business interests he is also serving as postmaster of Yetter, having filled the office for the past twelve years.
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