USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
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It was on the 20th of February, 1890, that Mr. Yepsen was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Blair, a daughter of J. B. Blair, who is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Yepsen have been born eight children, seven sons and one daughter, as follows: George R., Earle E., Frank J., John Burns, Ralph, Harold, Dorothy and Lewis.
In his political views Mr. Yepsen is a republican and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill a number of public offices. For four years he served as assessor of Ehn Grove township, while for a similar period he filled the office of township clerk. He has likewise served on the city council and for twelve years was a member of the school board but is not now the incumbent in any public office. He is prominent in the Masonic order, belonging to Auburn Lodge, No. 201. A. F. & A. M., at Auburn; Cypress Chapter, No. 99, R. A. M. at Lake City and to the Knight Templar Commandery at Sac City. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is classed among the substantial business men of Yetter, where he has made his home for the past quarter of a century and is held in the highest regard by all with whom he is brought in contact.
FRED BOLDES.
Fred Boldes, who is successfully engaged in the clothing business in Lake City, was born in the town of Guhrau, Germany. His par- ents were Aaron and Bertha Boldes, the former one of a family of eleven children, all of whom save he emigrated to America in early life. His grandparents also came to the United States and they died in San Francisco when it was only a small village. Our subjects's
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grandfather on the maternal side came to the United States and for some time resided in Fort Madison, Iowa, but returned to Germany and died there.
Fred Boldes received his education in his native land and was graduated from the high school in 1883. He was educated for a musical career but drifted into mercantile pursuits, in which he has met with gratifying success. He emigrated to America in 1883 and in 1885 located in Marshalltown, Iowa, entering the employ of Pappe Brothers, dealers in clothing, who started a branch store in Lake City in 1896. Mr. Boldes established this store for his employers and in 1902 bought them out, becoming the sole owner of the business. He carries a full and well selected stock and spares no effort in meeting the wishes of his customers. He has gained a large and representa- tive patronage and is recognized as an able business man.
On the 10th of January, 1900, Mr. Boldes was married in Atlantic, Iowa, to Miss Bertha Block, a daughter of Charles Block. Mr. and Mrs. Boldes have become the parents of two sons: Louis, thirteen years of age; and Alfred, seven years old.
Mr. Boldes supports the democratic party at the polls but is not a narrow partisan, believing that political organizations have both their good and bad points. He has served as school director and takes a keen interest in the welfare of the public schools. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and in the latter order has held the office of chancellor commander. Since coming to Lake City he has won a creditable place in its business circles and has gained the confidence and respect of all who have been associated with him.
SCOTT H. MCCLURE.
Scott H. McClure is proprietor of the Herald at Pomeroy and in this connection is meeting with well merited success, his paper being one of the best edited sheets in Calhoun county. He was born in Wyoming, Iowa, June 18, 1880, a son of William II. and Kate H. (Holmes) MeClure, the former a native of Elgin, Illinois, and a son of William McClure, who was born in New York and removed to Wyoming, Iowa, when that locality was new and sparsely settled. He there engaged in farming and lived to an advanced age. His son, William H., who became the father of our subject, was but a boy when the family home was established in this state. In early life he
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learned the printer's trade and throughout his business eareer has been identified with that line of work in one eapaeity or another, now pub- lishing the Observer at Fontanelle. this state. The mother, who was a native of Jones county, lowa, is a daughter of W. HI. Holmes, who located at Wyoming at a very early day and was there a practicing lawyer. He died in Neligh, Nebraska, at the age of sixty-four years, but his widow, who bore the maiden name of Eleeta Brainard. is still living and now makes her home in Sioux City, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. William H. MeClure are members of the Presbyterian church.
Seott II. MeChire spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and acquired his preliminary education in the pub- lie sehools of Audubon and Fontanelle. while later he supplemented this by a two years' course in Tabor College. He practically grew up in the printing office of his father and it was there that he gained his first knowledge of the printer's trade. Following in the footsteps of his father. in 1903. when twenty-three years of age. he purchased a half interest in the Opinion at Glenwood, Iowa, and published that paper for about five years. In September. 1908. he disposed of the plant and purchased the Herald at Pomeroy, which he has sinee most suecessfully published. Since his early youth his career has been a constant progression toward the wished for end. He is ever alive to the interests of his community and is editing a bright, newsy sheet, in which the people of Pomeroy and vicinity feel a just pride.
Mr. MeClure was married June 28. 1904, to Miss Bertha Warner, of Fontanelle. Iowa, and this union has been blessed with three ehil- dren. William C .. Kenneth E. and Bertha Maurine. Mr. MeClure is a republican and advocates its principles through the columns of his paper. He belongs to Solar Lodge. No. 475. A. F. & A. M .. and to the Modern Woodmen. while both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. They are popular in the social circles of Pomeroy and number their friends by the seore.
CAPTAIN RICHARD A. SMITH.
Captain Richard A. Smith is entitled to honor and esteem as one of those brave men who, when the Union was assailed, offered their services and if need be their lives in its defense. He has resided for many years in Lake City and has been identified with both business and official circles here, winning a ereditable record in both connee-
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tions, and all who have been brought in contact with him hold him in the highest respeet.
Captain Smith is a native of Chenango county, New York, born in the town of German, May 10, 1828. His grandfather, John Smith, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and his grandmother lived to be more than one hundred years of age. Ilis father, who also bore the name of John Smith, was born in Vermont, November 14, 1782, and participated in the War of 1812. He was called to his final rest on the 15th of December, 1843. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Sawtell, and whose brother Richard was a Revolutionary soldier, was born in Massachusetts, June 19, 1792, and passed away October 11. 1848. Their marriage was solemnized in Massachusetts on the 10th of October, 1819, and at an early date they became resi- dents of Chenango county, New York. To their union were born seven children: Albert V. L. and Charles O., both of whom are deeeased: Susan B., who married Isaae Gandy, of Wheeling, Mis- souri, but who has passed away, as has her husband; Philander, who is also deceased: Richard A .: Paleman J., who is deceased; and Mary L., the widow of Luther Wood, of Franklin Grove, Illinois.
Captain Smith obtained his early education in the schools of his native town and when fourteen years of age was bound out to thus serve until he should attain his majority. When the Mexican war broke out he desired to enlist and twice he ran away and attempted to join the army but on account of his youth his mother succeeded in obtaining his release each time, much to his disappointment. In 1848 he began learning the stone-cutter's and mason's trades, which he followed for three years. In 1852, however, he engaged in farming and following his removal to Cortland, Illinois, in 1856, he turned his attention to buying grain. His patriotism aroused by the first attack upon the Union, he immediately put aside all personal inter- ests and on the 18th of April. 1861. offered his serviees to the gov- ernment, being mustered in on the 24th of May as a member of Com- pany F, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for a term of three months. When it became evident that the war would not be over within that period, as was at first thought, the entire regiment re-enlisted for three years. In June, 1861, the command left Dixon. Illinois, under Captain Mayo and Colonel J. B. Wyman and joined the army in Missouri under General Fremont. Mr. Smith partiei- pated in the battles of West Glaze, Pea Ridge and Salem and marehed from Raleigh, Missouri, to Helena, Arkansas. In Deeem- ber, 1862, he participated in the fighting about Vieksburg under General Sherman and there lost his right arm, which was shattered
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by a musket ball. He was also wounded in the leg and his serious injuries occasioned his discharge in August, 1863. On the Ist of June, 1861, he had been commissioned second lieutenant of Company F. and on the 8th of August, of that year, was promoted first lien- tenant, while on the 20th of October, 1862, he was made captain in recognition of meritorious service at Pea Ridge. He was also offered the position of major in a Missouri regiment but refused the promo- tion. Twice he was detailed to act as judge advocate of court mar- tials, once in Helena, Arkansas, and once in Raleigh, Missouri. He held the respect and goodwill of the men in his command, who reeog- nized that his repeated promotions were but the reward of ability and courage.
Having been obliged to return home because of injuries sustained at the front, Captain Smith resumed the pursuits of eivil life. In the fall of 1863 he was elected county treasurer of De Kalb county and served in that office for eight consecutive years, thrice winning the election. In the Winter of 1863-4 he took up his residence in Syca- more and there engaged in the furniture business for three years, subsequent to his service as county treasurer. During that time he served as mayor of the town for two years and made an excellent record in that connection. He next gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he followed successfully in Illinois until 1884. He then eame to Calhoun county, Iowa, and purchased a farm, which he rented, establishing his residence in Lake City. For some time he confined his attention to the insurance business, in which he was very successful. From 1887 until February 15, 1890, he served as justice of the peace and was then appointed postmaster by President Harri- son, holding that office for four years. Later he was county super- visor for six years, his repeated election to offices of trust and responsi- bility proving the high esteem in which he has been held wherever he has resided. In discharging his official duties he has invariably sought the public good and neither his ability nor integrity have ever been called into question.
Captain Smith was married May 1, 1851, to Miss Roxanna A. Gault, who was born June 1, 1830, a daughter of Thomas and Maria (Andrews) Gault, natives respectively of Vermont and Massachu- setts. They became early settlers of Chenango county, New York. and were highly esteemed in their community. Two of their sons are still living: Edward A., who resides in Chenango county: and John Nelson, a resident of Chicago. Another son, Carlton Gault, died while serving in the Union army at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To Captain and Mrs. Smith were born three children. Charles P., who
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was born in Chenango county, New York, February 27, 1852, was for twenty years employed in the auditor's office of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company at Chicago. He passed away January 22. 1903, in Chicago. Richard S., whose birth occurred in Cortland, Illinois, June 3, 1856, died on the 12th of September, 1881. Carl G., whose birth occurred in Syeamore, Illinois, on the 19th of February, 1872, is now engaged in the jewelry business in Binghamton, Broome county, New York. The wife and mother passed to her reward on the 22d of March, 1914. During the sixty- three years of her happy married life she proved at all times a devoted and helpful wife and all that is best and noblest in motherhood was exemplified in her. Both she and her husband beeame members of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1857 and from that time until her demise she lived a life of such singular Christian graee that many were attracted to the cause of Christ through her example. For fifty years she was a teacher in the Sunday school and her influence in that connection cannot be overestimated. She was active in all branches of church work and was a member of the Woman's Foreign Mis- sionary Society from the time of its organization. She was likewise an active worker in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and was honored by eleetion as department president of that organization. She was also identified with the Woman's Relief Corps, in which she held all of the offices, serving for two years as president. The breadth of her interests is indicated in the faet that she was also a eharter member of the Monday Club of Lake City. Her demise was deeply regretted not only by her family and intimate friends but by many who had learned to know and love her through her identifica- tion with church and organization work.
Captain Smith is a loyal and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in all relations of life he has measured up to high standards of manhood. He is a leading member of the Grand Army of the Republie and has served as representative to the national eneampments. While living at Syeamore, Illinois, he was affiliated with Potter Post, No. 11, and held all of the offices therein, and since removing to Lake City he has become a member of Lander Post, No. 156, of which he has served as commander for three years. He has also been identified with the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, to which only commissioned officers are eligible, and to the Maimed Soldiers' League of Washington. He is likewise a non-affiliated Mason. In polities he has supported the republican party since the Civil war and he takes the interest of a good citizen in everything relating to the public welfare. Through the many years that he has Vol. II-9
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resided in Lake City he has gained the sincere respect of all who have come in contact with him, whether in business, personal or official relations, and he has also won the warm regard of many.
REV. EDWARD J. NEPPL.
Rev. Father Edward J. Neppl, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church at Pomeroy, is a native of Carroll county, lowa, born on a farm near Roselle, a son of John and Walburga (Geiger) Neppl, both of whom were natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father, who was a miller by trade, emigrated to the United States in 1874, locating in Westside, Crawford county, Iowa, where he continued work at his ehosen occupation for about a year. He then took up his abode upon an eighty aere tract of land near Roselle in Carroll county, where he spent his remaining years, passing away on the 13th of July, 1912, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a faithful member of the Catholic church. The mother came to the new world in the spring of 1875 and was here married a few weeks later. She still survives and now makes her home with her son John J. at Mallard, Iowa. She is the mother of seven children: Mary, the wife of Charles Loxtereamp, of Carroll county; John J., who is the pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church in Mallard, Iowa; Emily, who is with her brother John J .; Edward J., of this review; Otillia, the wife of Antony Hoffman, of Remsen, lowa; Otto, who is engaged in farming at Templeton, Car- roll county; and Joseph M., a student in St. Mary's Academy at Bal- timore. Maryland, where he is studying for the priesthood and will graduate with the elass of 1916.
Father Neppl spent the period of his boyhood and youth to the age of twelve and a half years under the parental roof in Carroll county. IIe was then sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he entered Josephinum Pontifical College, spending twelve years in that institution. He was ordained to the priesthood June 10, 1904, by Bishop James J. Hart- ley, after which he became assistant pastor at Willey, Iowa, remain- ing there four years. He then spent one year in Onawa, having charge of four missions, one in Onawa, one in Bleneoe, and those at Horniek and Whiting. The year 1909 witnessed his arrival in Pomeroy, at which time he took charge of St. Mary's parish here, and he also at- tends St. Joseph's church at Palmer. Sinee he has taken charge of St. Mary's many improvements have been made. The church has been moved to a different location and has been remodeled. A par-
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sonage has been erected, and in the spring of 1915 a modern school building was erected at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. The parish now has a valuable property, the three buildings covering a half block of ground.
A gentleman of culture and a fine scholar, Father Neppl has ever used practical methods in working toward the ideal, which have found their proof in his effective work in connection with the church in Pomeroy. He has many friends among not only his own parishioners but among the members of the other denominations as well.
HENRY CHARLES REAMAN.
Since the organization of the town of Yetter in 1899, Henry Charles Reaman has been an active factor in its business life. At that time he here engaged in general merchandising, to which he has sinee added a line of jewelry, while for the past four years he has also han- dled automobiles, accessories and supplies, being agent for the Buick, Detroit and Pullman cars. Mr. Reaman is of foreign birth, the place of his nativity being Mecklenburg, Germany, and his natal day, June 13, 1870. In the spring of 1873, when a little lad of three years, he was brought by his parents, William and Anna (Otto) Reaman, from Germany to the United States, the family home being established in Raeine county, Wisconsin. At the end of six years the father re- moved with his family to Calhoun county, and located on a farm on section 20, Elm Grove township, where he still resides. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Reaman are three children: John F., a resi- dent farmer of Elm Grove township; Henry C., of this review; and Vena, the wife of Harry Oestereich, of Lytton, Iowa.
Henry Charles Reaman was a little lad of about nine years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Wisconsin to Cal- houn county, so that practically his entire life has here been passed. He acquired his education in the common sehools and assisted his father in the work of the home farm from the time that he was able to handle a plow. When he reached mature years he decided to quit the farm and enter the business world, and to that end bought a mer- cantile establishment at Elm Grove Center from Kent Sterling. Five years later, or in 1899, when Yetter sprang into existence, believing that here was an opportunity to conduct a growing and profitable business, he moved his establishment to this place and has since been identified with its substantial and progressive business men. He car-
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ries a full line of general merchandise and draws his trade not only from the town of Yetter but from the outlying districts. He is also agent for automobiles and in this connection, too, he has built up a good trade. In addition to condueting a well appointed garage he has put in a vuleanizing outfit, probably the best in Calhoun county. Aside from his other interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers Grain Company and the State Savings Bank at Yetter, and until recently owned stock in the Farmers Grain Company at Alma, Iowa. His success is well merited for he has ever followed the most honorable methods in carrying on his business and discharges his obligations to the satisfaction of all with whom he has dealings.
It was on the 18th of January, 1901, that Mr. Reaman established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Hattie Lytle, a daughter of Charles and Alice (Haney) Lytle, but the former is deceased, his death having occurred in 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Reaman have been born two children, Alice and Charles. In his political views Mr. Rea- man is a democrat and while a resident of Elm Grove Center served as postmaster until the office was discontinued in 1899. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, while his fraternal relations con- neet him with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is numbered among the pioneers in business in Yetter and is known as a most indus- trious and useful man, whose probity is an unquestioned element in his career.
JAMES OSCAR SMITH.
James Oscar Smith has the distinction of being the oldest living settler of Calhoun county and is a son of the second settler in the county. He has also the satisfaction of knowing that he has con- tributed to the development of the county along agricultural lines and also along the lines of civic and moral progress.
Hle was born on a farm in Cass county, Michigan, on the 23d of September, 1851, a son of Peter and Sarah A. (Bosley) Smith. The father was born in Clark county, Ohio, April 4, 1826, and the mother was born on the 4th of October. 1824. Their marriage occurred De- cember 28, 1845, in Cass county, Michigan, whither Peter Smith had removed with his parents at the age of fourteen years. The parents of our subject continued to reside in Michigan, where the father fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until 1853. when, in company with his brother Christian, he removed with his family by wagon to Trullin-
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ger's Grove, a point near the present site of Mitchellville, Iowa. However, they only remained there a short time and then returned to Michigan. The following summer he and his brother with their fami- lies, together with several other families, drove through to Iowa, and the greater part of the party located in Polk county, where there were already a number of settlers, because they feared Indian outbreaks in the newer distriets, but the Smiths came to what is now Calhoun county and were its first permanent settlers. Peter Smith entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, a part of which is now within the limits of Lake City. He arrived in time to cut and cure hay before the fall frosts and as soon as that work was done crected a log cabin cighteen by twenty-four feet and a log barn for the shelter of his stock. A few years later a farm house was erected of lumber from logs chopped and sawed upon the premises by horse power. During the first six months of their residence in this county the Smiths were the only residents in the county, with the exception of the first settler, Ebe- nezer Comstock, but the following spring a number of families arrived and took up their residence on and near the present site of Lake City. The winter of 1855-56 was a very hard one and the heavy crust formed on the snow prevented the deer and elk from getting the grasses which formed their food and as a result they became thin and weak. A num- ber of them were caught by the settlers and used to stock a park in Manistee, Michigan. The Indians were still numerous but as Cal- houn county seemed to be a part of a recognized neutral area the set- tlers were not molested. In those early days the nearest postoffice, gristmill and market was at Des Moines and it was necessary for many settlers to go to Iowa City as Des Moines was still a small settlement. Mail was brought to those living on the present site of Lake City whenever one of their number happened to be in Des Moines. The fruits native to this region grew in abundance and game such as clk, deer, prairie chiekens. swan, brant, geese and ducks were plentiful. Although there were some hardships and inconveniences to be faced which are inevitable in pioneer life, the Smith family and others at Lake City were never called upon to suffer as great privations as many pioneer settlers, for they were well-to-do and were able to pro- eure the necessary supplies. In other parts of the county the settlers were sometimes in dire need and the men at Lake City more than once gave them help which enabled them to survive the hard winters. One peril by which all of the settlers in the county were endangered was the prairie fire and the flames more than onee swept down upon them with great destructive force. When Mr. Smith first settled in Cal- houn eounty it was still a part of Greene county. After the county
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