USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
On the 23d of September, 1891. Mr. Becker was united in mar- riage to Miss Amanda D. Holtorf. a native of Germany and a daughter of Carson C. Holtorf, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work. Mrs. Becker was still but an infant when her parents established their home in Butler township, this county, and her education was acquired in the district and Ger- man schools here. By her marriage she has become the mother of ten children, namely: William C. and Henry J., who are engaged in the operation of a rented farm in Butler township; Barthold, Otto F., Fred W., Carson W., Hulda M .. Theodore Roosevelt, August F. and Julius C., all at home. When the eighth child was born, his maternal grandfather wrote to President Roosevelt asking that he become its godfather and the latter replied and consented.
15
PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Mr. Becker supports the democracy when national questions and issues are involved but easts an independent loeal ballot, voting for men and measures that he deems will best conserve the general wel- fare. He served for several years as a member of the school board, ably furthering the interests of education. His religions faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. His life has been above reproach in all relations and he has long been numbered among the prosperous agrieulturists and enterprising citizens of Calhoun county.
HENRY HIERMAN FEIGE.
For nearly a quarter of a century Henry Herman Feige has been successfully engaged in business as a jeweler of Lake City and he is also an optometrist of recognized ability. His birth occurred in Des Moines, Iowa, on the 8th of January, 1866, his parents being George and Gertrude (Meister) Feige, both of whom were born near Frank- fort-on-the-Main, Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in 1833 and was actively engaged in business as a carpenter and contractor of Des Moines for forty-five years.
Henry H. Feige acquired his education in the common schools of Des Moines and after putting aside his textbooks worked for his father for several years. At the age of eighteen he became an appren- tiee of Henry Hobbs, a jeweler of Des Moines, with whom he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Attica, Kansas, and there embarked in business on his own account, condueting a jewelry store for four years or until 1891, when he came to Lake City, Iowa. Here he has been successfully engaged in the jewelry business to the present time, having built up an extensive and profitable enterprise of this character by reason of his honorable dealing, courtesy and good judgment. He is, moreover, an opto- metrist of ability and wide reputation.
On the 20th of November, 1888, Mr. Feige was joined in wedloek to Miss Mary Brewer, who was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, April 20, 1868. Hle gives his political allegianee to the republican party and has served on the school board for seven years, acting as its presi- dent for three years. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonie order. belonging to Zerubbabel Lodge No. 240, A. F. & A. M .. and he was likewise one of the first members of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Lake City, in which he has passed through all of
-
16
PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
the chairs. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, of which he has been treasurer for fifteen years. He has many friends in the community who have been attraeted by his manly attributes of sincerity and fidelity in the discharge of every responsibility.
JAMES F. LAVENDER.
James F. Lavender is the present efficient county attorney of Cal- houn eounty and in the private practice of law has gained a gratifying clientage. A native of Rochester, New Hampshire, he was born on the 24th of March, 1851, a son of Robert and Ann ( Mellwrath) Lav- ender. The paternal grandfather, Robert Lavender, passed his entire life in Ireland. He was a linen draper and also dealt in horses and other live stock. The maternal grandfather, Hugh Mellwrath, was also a lifelong resident of Ireland and by oeeupation was a farmer. The parents of our subject were both born on the Emerald isle in the year 1820 and their marriage was there solemnized in 1842. In 1848 they emigrated to America and located in Rochester, New Hampshire, where the father followed the miller's trade for some time. Subsequently he became a manufacturer of woolen goods, and his good judgment and energy enabled him to become a leader in industrial circles of his locality. In 1863 he removed to Iowa and from that time until his demise, which oeeurred in 1892, gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. His farm comprised a quarter seetion of excellent land and was well stocked and well equipped. He began his independent career as a day laborer and the snecess which he achieved was due entirely to his determination and business ability. He was a republican in polities and held a mumm- ber of minor offiees such as school treasurer and school director. His religious belief was that of the Presbyterian church. He was well educated and well informed and was a man of influence in his com- munity. His wife passed away in 1895.
To them were born eight children: W. J., who gave his life in defense of the Union and who is buried in the National cemetery at Rock Island, Illinois; R. F., a retired Congregational minister resid- ing in Newton, Iowa: Mrs. Elizabeth Booth, a widow residing with her son upon a farm near Perry: James F .; Hannah, the wife of William Parker, a retired farmer living in Canada: Mrs. Martha Sowerwine, a widow residing with her children in Brooklyn, Iowa;
17
PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Alex. a lumber manufacturer who is living in Humboldt, California ; and Thomas, a manager of a lumber yard at Mason City, Iowa.
James F. Lavender received his early education in the public schools and was later a student in the Iowa State College at Amnes and the Griswold College at Des Moines. For ten years he followed the profession of sehool teaching and for the last five years of that period was superintendent of the schools of Le Claire, Iowa, and Cordova, Illinois. In the meantime he devoted his leisure moments to the study of law and later continued his preparation for the bar in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was admitted to practice in 1880. After following his profession in that eity for a time he removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he remained for about a year, after which he eame to Roekwell City, loeating here in 1881. He has since devoted his energies to the work of the legal profession, with the exception of four years, when he held the office of county super- intendent of schools. It was not long before his ability as an attorney was recognized and he has built up a representative and lucrative practice and has also gained the full confidence and respect of his colleagues. He is at present the incumbent in the office of county attorney and is vigilant and aggressive in safeguarding the interests entrusted to him. He owns valuable farm land in the Dakotas and is also a stockholder in the Second State Bank of Roekwell City.
Mr. Lavender was married in 1876 to Miss Mary L. Davisson, a daughter of A. N. Davisson, of West Virginia. To this union have been born six children. Franees was for two years a student in Cor- nell College and later graduated from the State Normal School, after which she took a course in the Thomas Musie Training School of Detroit, Michigan. She is now superintendent of musie and draw- ing in the North Dakota State Normal Sehool located at Mayville, that state. Fabius C., who was compelled to abandon his eollege course in his junior year because of ill health, is now building up a cattle ranch in South Dakota. Robert A. graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and is now an ensign in the United States navy. James B. is taking a veterinary course in Kansas City. Mary is the wife of W. S. Robinson, a banker of Bloomington, South Dakota. Aliee E. died in infaney.
Mr. Lavender is a republican in polities and has taken an active part in public affairs. For four years he was county superintendent of schools and for one term he served as mayor of Rockwell City, while, as before stated, he is now county attorney. Moreover, for two terms he represented his distriet in the state legislature, during which time he did much effective work in securing beneficial legisla-
18
PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
tion. He is well known in local fraternal circles, belonging to the Masonic blue lodge, the Royal Arch chapter, the Knights Templar commandery, the Mystic Shrine, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Knights of Pythias, the A. O. U. W., the Modern Wood- men and the Mystic Workers. He is a valued citizen of Rockwell City and in the third of a century that he has resided here has done much to further the community welfare along many lines of progress.
W. E. DONAKER.
W. E. Donaker is prominently known as the proprietor of a general store in Jolley, where he has been thus continuonsly engaged in business during the past nineteen years. His birth occurred on the 16th of July, 1854, his parents being Jacob and Margaret ( Hard- stey) Donaker, the former born in Ohio in 1831. They came to Iowa in the fall of 1855, settling in Millersburg, Iowa county, where Jacob Donaker followed his trade of harness making until 1881. In that year he took up his abode in Rockwell City, Calhoun county, continuing work at his trade and later becoming proprietor of the Rockwell Hotel. In 1888 he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Butler township, near Jolley, in the operation of which he was actively engaged until 1892. when he moved into the town of Jolley and there lived retired until called to his final rest on the 7th of February, 1906. He has been a resident of this county for a quarter of a century and in his passing the community lost one of its most esteemed and substantial citizens. His political views were in accord with the principles of the republican party.
W. E. Donaker was brought to this state in his infancy and was reared and educated in Millersburg. He secured employment in a store there after putting aside his textbooks when a lad of sixteen years, and several years later made his way to Rockwell City, where he embarked in the hotel business, conducting a popular hostelry there until 1893. During the following three years he operated a res- taurant and then came to Jolley, where he purchased a general store which he has conducted continuously to the present time. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods at reasonable prices and is accorded an extensive patronage in recognition of his reliable busi- ness methods and honorable, straightforward dealings.
On the 16th of December. 1874, Mr. Donaker was united in mar- riage to Miss Hattie M. Stackhouse, who was born in Millersburg,
19
PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Iowa, in 1857, a daughter of John Stackhouse. They are the parents of two children, namely: Glenn, who wedded Miss May Willison and resides in Jolley, Iowa; and Goldie, who gave her hand in marriage to Charles Taylor, of Jolley.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Donaker has supported the men and measures of the republican party and he has ably served as a member of the city council and also in the capacity of school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Camp No. 2540 at Jolley. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, while his wife is affiliated with the Christian church. His life, in all of its various relations, has been of such a character as to command the respect and esteem of those with whom he has been associated.
CHARLES E. BALE.
Charles E. Bale, the well known and popular cashier of the Cal- houn County State Bank of Manson, was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on the 10th of January, 1869. His parents, Edward E. and Levaneia (Richards) Bale, were born respectively in London, England, August 9, 1844, and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1848. They were married in Dubuque in July, 1867. The paternal grandfather, John Bale, emigrated to the United States from England with his family in 1854. He was a plumber by oeeupation and passed away in Dubuque when more than eighty years of age. His wife, who in her maiden- hood was Miss Mary De Galliford, reached the venerable age of ninety-six years. Charles J. Richards, the maternal grandfather of our subjeet, was born in Cooperstown, New York, in 1812 but removed successively to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and to Dubuque, Iowa. While living in the latter city he engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business.
Edward E. Bale located in Dubuque. Iowa, after emigrating to this country in 1854 and there followed the plumber's trade. At length he went to Streator, Illinois, where he was living at the time of his demise. During the Civil war he served in the First Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was at the front for four years and ten months. He enlisted as a private but rose by his daring and ability to the rank of first lieutenant. During his term of service he was home for six weeks on a furlough on account of illness. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and was commander of Vol. II-2
20
PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
his post. He supported the candidates and measures of the republican party at the polls and held the office of sheriff of La Salle county, Illinois. Fraternally he was a member of the Masons and the Odd Fellows. He passed away in 1888. To him and his wife were born two children, Charles E .; and Ella L., the wife of W. K. Seelve, an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist of Seattle, Washington.
Charles E. Bale was graduated from the high school at Streator, Illinois, on the 16th of June. 1886. In the following July he eame to Manson and entered the employ of the Calhoun County State Bank as assistant bookkeeper and general utility man. He was pro- moted successively to assistant cashier and cashier and has served in the latter position since 1892. He is thoroughly familiar with bank- ing routine and also understands the fundamental principles of finance and eurrency upon which the banking system is based. The Calhoun County State Bank is one of the prosperous and reliable moneyed institutions of this seetion of the state and has the confidenee of its community. It is capitalized for sixty thousand dollars, has a surplus of ten thousand dollars; undivided profits of sixty-five hun- dred; and its average deposits aggregate three hundred and thirty thousand dollars. Our subject has gained the commendation of the direetors of the institution for the able manner in which he manages its affairs, and his efficieney has also won him the goodwill of the general publie.
In 1897 Mr. Bale was married to Miss Aimee Glass, of Manson, a daughter of R. C. Glass, a Methodist Episcopal minister. She passed away in 1900 in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal ehureh, leaving a son, Carl R., who is now attending sehool in Seattle.
Mr. Bale is a republiean but has never taken an active part in politics as his duties as cashier demand his entire time. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge, the Royal Areh chapter, the Knights Templar commandery and the Mystie Shrine. He is a valued citizen of Manson and has many warm friends.
WILLIAM WALLACE CLARK.
William Wallace Clark, who is extensively engaged in farming in Elm Grove township, owning five hundred and twenty aeres of land lying ou sections 28 and 29, was born in New York, Deeember 14, 1853, and lost his father when quite young. His mother, Clarissa ( Kinney) Clark, afterward married again, becoming the wife of
21
PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Harmon Lott, and they removed to Illinois, where Mr. Lott was engaged in farming for a time, after which he removed to Fayette county. Iowa.
William Wallace Clark accompanied his mother on her various removals and was reared to farm life, while his education was acquired in the common schools. When a young man of twenty-two years he came to Calhoun county and engaged in cultivating rented land in Elm Grove township. He worked earnestly and persistently, practicing economy, in the hope that some day he might become the owner of land. His first purchase consisted of forty aeres, for which he paid six dollars and a quarter per acre, and this formed the nucleus of his present large holdings, for from time to time he has sinee added to his acreage until he now owns five hundred and twenty acres, lying on sections 28 and 29, Elm Grove township. His place is improved with good buildings and in his farming methods he follows advaneed ideas and uses the latest improved machinery to carry on his work. IIe therefore harvests good erops each year which add materially to his income. In addition to his farm property Mr. Clark also owns stock in the Farmers Grain Company at Yetter.
It was on the 14th of February, 1875, that Mr. Clark established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Osta Desart. Her father, David Desart, was born in Illinois and came to Fayette county, Iowa, in 1854. In March, 1856, he married Miss Mary Jane Conner and they continued to reside in Fayette county until 1875, when they removed to Calhoun county, locating in Elm Grove township. Later Mr. Desart retired from farming and made his home in Jolley, this county, for ten years but at the end of that time removed to Lavinia, where he now resides. He has reached the age of eighty-two years and his wife is seventy-nine years of age. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born nine children, of whom two are deceased. Those who survive are: Edward, who wedded Anna Shima and follows farming in Emmet county. this state; Vira, the wife of George Hueka, a resident of Jackson township, Calhoun county: Myrtle, the wife of Dick Yetter, of Emmet county; Elmer, who wedded Mae Hawthorne and makes his home in Elm Grove township; and Channey, Floyd and Lela, all still under the parental roof. Mrs. Clark and the children are mem- bers of the United Brethren ehureh.
In politics Mr. Clark is a republican and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill public offiee. For several terms he has served as trustee of Elm Grove township, while for many years he has filled the office of school director, in which capacity he is serving at the
22 PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
present time. He belongs to that class of representative men who rapidly discern opportunities of improvement and who are rapidly forging to the front. He started out in a humble capacity without capital but he has brooked no obstaele that could be overcome by honorable and determined effort and today he is well known in agri- cultural eireles because of his progressive and advanced methods along agricultural lines.
JOHN FEATHERSTONE.
John Featherstone is a prominent pioneer agriculturist of Sher- man township, where he has resided continuously sinee early child- hood, or for a period of forty-six years, and where he now owns four hundred and sixty aeres of valuable land. His birth oeeurred in Yorkshire, England, on the 19th of September, 1866, his parents being William and Mary ( Bramley) Featherstone, who were born, reared and married there. The father emigrated to the United States in May, 1866, making his way direet to Sherman township, Calhoun county, lowa, and entering a tract of land on section 28, on the shore of North Twin Lake, where he was the third settler. He erected a sod house and began improving his property but found it difficult to raise nich grain because of the mimerous gophers and birds. He also trapped muskrats and mink. In May, 1869, he was joined by his wife and two children and they took up their abode in a small frame honse which he had built. As the years passed and his finaneial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he augmented his holdings by additional pur- chase until at the time of his retirement he owned six hundred aeres of valuable land, the management of which he turned over to our subject. In 1904 he took up his abode in Manson, this eounty, and there lived in well earned ease until called to his final rest on the 1st of January, 1913, when he had attained the age of eighty-one years. He was a republican in polities but never sought nor desired office, being rather of a retiring disposition, reserved and quiet in manner. William Featherstone was a devoted member of the Methodist church, and in his passing the community lost one of its esteemed, substantial citizens and true pioneers. His wife died on the 26th of May, 1915, when seventy-six years of age, also passing away in the faith of the Methodist church.
23
PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
To them were born six children, as follows: Edith, who lives in Hull. England; Mary, who is the wife of G. R. Frost, of Arnolds Park, Iowa; John, of this review; Blanch, who gave her hand in marriage to George Lory, of Rockwell City; Emma, the wife of- Bert Griffeth, of Rockwell City, Iowa; and Lillie, who married Oren Spangler and is a resident of Manson.
John Featherstone, who was not quite three years of age when he came to this country with his mother, spent the period of his boy- hood and youth on the home farm in Calhoun county and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. Being the only son of the family, he found much work to do and was busily engaged as his father's assistant in the cultivation of the fields. Following his marriage he rented the homestead property and also operated an adjoining tract of eighty acres which he had purchased. He inherited one hundred acres of land when his father died but has acquired extensive holdings through his own efforts and now owns four hun- dred and sixty acres of rich and productive land in Sherman town- ship. In connection with the cultivation of cereals he devotes con- siderable attention to stockraising and in both branches of his busi- ness is meeting with gratifying and well merited success.
On the 4th of November, 1903, Mr. Featherstone was united in marriage to Miss Pearl G. Taylor, a native of Earlham, Madison county, Iowa, and a daughter of Henry Taylor. To them have been born four children, namely: Eva Clarice, Gladys Marine, Beulah Gale and Eric Gordon.
Mr. Featherstone gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. By a life of practical industry he has won a good name which is more to be preferred than riches and at the same time has demonstrated that high character and success in business may go hand in hand.
DANIEL HARVEY.
Daniel Harvey, who owns and operates an excellent farm of 133 acres on section 3, Garfield township, has been a resident of this county during the past four decades and has long enjoyed an envi- able reputation as one of its substantial agriculturists and estecmed citizens. His birth occurred in Nova Scotia on the 23d of December,
24
PAST AND PRESENT OF CALHOUN COUNTY
1833, his parents being Archibald and Elizabeth (Dinsmore) Har- vey. The father, born in that province on the 20th of July, 1783, followed farming successfully throughout his entire business career and passed away November 10, 1856.
Daniel Harvey came to Calhoun county, Iowa, on the 14th of May, 1875, and here seeured employment on a farm. Subsequently he came into possession of a tract of one hundred and thirty-three acres on section 3, Garfield township, broke the land, made substan- tial improvements and has since cultivated the same with excellent results. He carries on his farming interests in accord with the most practical and progressive methods of agriculture and derives there- from a gratifying annual income.
On the 17th of April, 1882, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage to Miss HIavila Jackson, who was born in King's county, Nova Scotia, January 19, 1852, a daughter of George and Navina (New- comb) Jackson. They have one son, Edward E., who is still at home.
Mr. Harvey gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as justice of the peace for two terms, making a most ereditable record in that capacity. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Solar Lodge, A. F. & A. M., while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Chris- tian church, with which his wife is also affiliated. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey and his career has ever been such that he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
WILLIAM O. HIGGINS.
During the past fifteen years William O. Higgins has been a factor in the industrial activity of Lake City as manager of the J. H. Queal Lumber Company. His birth occurred at Kendall Bridge, Carroll county, Iowa, in 1869, his parents being George W. and S. E. (Buttrick) Higgins, the former a native of Cass eounty, Michigan, and the latter of Missouri. Enos Buttrick, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was the first settler of Carroll county, this state.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.