USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 21
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Mr. Clark is an ardent democrat and has supported that party since he cast his first presidential ballot for George B. Mcclellan in 1864. IIe has served as trustee for a number of terms, proving an able and conscientious official. For four years he has been an active worker in the ranks of the party organization and has been a delegate to numerous county and state conventions. His wife holds member- ship in the United Brethren church at Yetter. He has gained the esteem and respect of all who have come in contact with him and is recognized as a man of unswerving integrity.
JAMES WILKIE.
James Wilkie, who was called to his final rest on the 21st of No- vember, 1913, when he had attained the age of sixty-two years, had been actively identified with agricultural pursuits in Calhoun county for a quarter of a century and at the time of his demise owned one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on section 28, Jackson township.
Mr. Wilkie was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on the Ist of September, 1851, and spent the first twenty-nine years of his life in that country. In 1880 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was married and made his home for eight years. On the expiration of that period, in 1888. he came to Calhoun county, Iowa, and here spent the remainder of his life, being successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
In March, 1900, he took up his abode on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 28. Jackson township, where he lived until his demise. ITe tiled and fenced his fields and ereeted two good resi- dences on the property, while in connection with the eultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and elimate he devoted considerable atten- tion to live-stock interests, owning the highest grade cattle and hogs.
In September, 1884, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Wilkie was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Watson, whose birth occurred in County Derry, Ireland, in September, 1852, her parents being Robert and Naney ( MeAdoo) Watson, the former a farmer by oeeu- pation. The year 1883 witnessed her emigration to the new world, and by her marriage she became the mother of six children, as follows: Robert, who died in infancy; Martha; Margaret; Rebecca, who is the wife of Roy Madden; Annie; and Matilda.
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Mr. Wilkie gave his political allegiance to the republican party and served in the capacity of school director for a number of years. As above stated, he passed away at his home three miles southwest of Lake City on the 21st of November, 1913, the immediate cause of death being a stroke of paralysis. One of the local papers said: "About six years ago, while attempting to remove a boulder from one of his fields, it fell on him, causing serious injuries from which he never fully recovered. There had been considerable improvement in his con- dition of late, so that his death was unexpected. Mr. Wilkie was an industrious man, a devoted husband, a loving father. He united with the Presbyterian church in Ireland and subsequently conneeted him- self with the church of his faith in Philadelphia, Lohrville and Lake City. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at Cotton- wood church, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Edson M. Bell, attended by a large eoncourse of friends and neighbors and interment was made m the beautiful cemetery adjacent. Among Mr. Wilkie's surviving relatives are two brothers in the old country, William Alexander Wilkie and Robert Wilkie, and a cousin, Mrs. Joseph Robb, also a sister, Mrs. J. F. Kratz, of Lake City." Mrs. Wilkie, who still sur- vives her husband and resides on the home farm in Jackson township, is well and favorably known throughout the community, enjoying the high regard of all with whom she has come in contaet.
MELVIN ROYAL PEEBLES.
Melvin Royal Peebles, a well-to-do and efficient farmer of Jackson township, was born in Greene county, Wisconsin, on the 22d of January, 1865, a son of Royal M. and Sarah (Satterlee) Peebles, an account of whose lives appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and assisted his father with the work of the homestead until 1886. when he began his independent career. He purchased eighty acres of land on section 2, Jackson township, Calhoun county, Iowa. and gave his time to the operation of that farm until 1904, when he purchased eighty aeres on section 10, that township, and in 1913 bought eighty acres on seetion 11, where he now resides. Hc follows general farming and stock-raising and his well directed activ- ity is rewarded by a good ineome from his land. He has made exeel- lent improvements upon his farms and in his desire to secure the latest machinery and fine barns and other outbuildings, he has not
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neglected the residences; on the contrary. in 1913, he erected a fine home, which is provided with modern conveniences. He owns stock in and is a director of the Farmers Elevator Company of Lake City and the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, both of which are in a prosperous condition.
On the 17th of October, 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Peebles and Miss Augusta Binkert, a daughter of Peter Binkert, further mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Peebles have been born two children: Fred A., a farmer of Jackson township, who married Miss Alta B. Bennington, by whom he has a son. Lester H .: and Glenn. who is attending school.
Mr. Peebles is a stanch republican and has taken an active part in local affairs. For three years he was township trustee, for four years township clerk, for seven years he has held the office of town- ship assessor, and he was also for one year school director. Frater- ually he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Lake City and has passed through all of the chairs of that body. He is a representative of a family that has long been honored in this county and has added to the esteem in which the name of Peebles is held.
WILLIAM HENRY HABERMEHL.
Under the business title of "Repairer & Dealer," William Henry Habermehl is doing a good business at Somers, Iowa, in blacksmith- ing, horse shoeing, auto repairing and wagon work, and also handles gas engines, auto supplies, pumps and windmills. He was born on the 13th of October, 1869, at Frishborn, Kreis Lauterbach, in the duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, his parents being Conrad and Amy Habermehl. The father's birth occurred in the same village as his son's, while the mother was born in Wallenrod, in Kreis Lauter- bach. He was a blacksmith by trade and followed that occupation in Germany until 1889, when he came to the United States, making his way to Moline, Illinois, where he resided until 1893. The following year he removed to Muddy, Illinois, where he established a shop, and in 1897 he became a factor in the business circles of Renner, Boone county, Iowa. In the later years of his life, however, he retired and lived with his sons until his death, which occurred in 1914. He was then seventy-six years of age, his birth having occurred in 1838. He
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had long survived his wife, who was born in 1840 and died in Germany in 1883.
William H. Habermehl pursued his education in the schools of the fatherland and afterward learned the blacksmith's trade, having put aside his textbooks when a youth of fourteen. His term of appren- ticeship completed, he began work as a journeyman when eighteen years of age. Coming to the United States, he lived in Moline and in Muddy, Illinois, but on the 22d of February, 1900, removed his house and shop from the latter place to Somers, Iowa, being the first man to locate in the village where he now resides. The Roek Island railroad was then building this way from Gowrie and he believed that there was opportunity here and was aetive in the incorporation of the town, which has enjoyed substantial growth and is now a flour- ishing place, affording him excellent business advantages.
In 1900 Mr. Habermehl was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Parks, a native of New York, who accompanied her parents to Iowa in 1887. They have become the parents of four children: Audrey, Norman. Zona and Venus.
Mr. Habermehl holds membership with two fraternal organiza- tions, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Wood- men of Ameriea, and has been clerk of the local camp. In community affairs he is deeply interested and his eo-operation has been a strengthening element in many movements for the general good. He has served as mayor of the town and is now president of the school board. and his co-operation is a helpful factor in all movements looking to public benefit.
EDWARD L. GREGORY.
Edward L. Gregory, popularly known as "Colonel," was for many years one of the progressive and highly efficient farmers of Elm Grove township, where he still owns two hundred acres of excellent land, but since 1902 he has lived retired in Lake City, hav- ing gained sufficient of this world's goods to provide him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Sinee taking up his residenee here he has become identified with many publie-spirited movements and is one of Lake City's valued citizens.
He was born in New York eity, January 31, 1848, but was only about six years of age when he was taken by his parents to Grant county, Wiseonsin, and there he attended the common sehools in the Vol. II-14
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acquirement of his early education, which was supplemented by study in an academy. In 1864, when he was but sixteen years of age. his patriotism prompted him to enlist in the Union army and on the 16th of August of that year he became a member of Company H, Forty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Tennessee and he participated in a number of skirmishes and in the battles of Johnsonville and Nash- ville. He was at the front until the close of the war and never fal- tered in the performance of duty, proving a loyal and brave soldier. Ile was fortunate in that he was never ill nor wounded. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged in Milwaukee and returned home with a military record of which he had every reason to be proud and doubly so because he was but a youth in years. He continued to reside in Wisconsin until 1873, when he removed to Sac county, Iowa, where he remained for three years. While living there he taught school for two terms. In 1876 he came to Calhoun county and for several years worked by the month as a farm hand. in the meantime carefully saving his money as he was ambitious to own land of his own as soon as possible. In 1881 he purchased eighty acres and at once began the development of his farm, making it one of the well improved places of his locality with the passing of the years. From time to time he purchased additional land and at length held title to one hundred acres of excellent land on section 13, Elm Grove township. Ile made his place more attractive and more valu- able by planting fruit and shade trees, erected substantial barns and outbuildings and in his work used the latest machinery and the most practical methods. He also gave time and thought to improving and beautifying his residence. He carried on general farming and his well directed efforts returned him a good annual income. Since 1902 he has lived retired in Lake City and is recognized as one of the sub- stantial men of his county. He aided in the organization of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, of which he has long been a director, and he has been influential in the management of the affairs of this concern, which has proven of value to the people of this section of the state.
On the 9th of July, 1884, Mr. Gregory was married, in Wiscon- sin, to Miss Maggie Lewis, a native of that state. She is a graduate of the State Normal School and was a competent teacher in Wiscon- sin for a mimber of years, after which she taught successfully in Cal- houn county. She was a woman of fine intelligence and many excel- lent traits of character and her demise, which occurred November 15. 1905, was sincerely mourned by her many friends.
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Mr. Gregory is a republican and has loyally supported the can- didates and principles of that party since he east his first presidential vote for General Grant in 1872. He is an active worker in the party organization and has been a delegate to both county and state con- ventions. aiding in nominating Cummins for governor in 1901. Although he has done much to secure the success of his party in his county he has never desired office as a reward for his loyalty. He has, however, served as a member of the school board and for some time was secretary of that body. Fraternally he is quite prominent as he belongs to Zerubbabel Lodge, No. 240, A. F. & A. M .; Cypress Chapter. No. 99, R. A. M .; St. Croix Commandery, No. 38, K. T., of Sae City : and Za-Ga-Zig Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Des Moines. IIe also belongs to the subordinate lodge of the Odd Fellows, the Encampment and the Patriarchs Militant, and has held all of the offices in these bodies. He owns a lot in the Odd Fellows' Encamp- ment grounds at Clear Lake, Iowa, and is very enthusiastic in the work of the order. In his life is exemplified the principle of frater- nity, which is the basic teaching of both the Masons and the Odd Fellows, and he is popular in both of those organizations. He is also a loyal member of the Lake City Presbyterian church, to which his wife likewise belonged. IIe is widely known throughout the county and is held in high respect and esteem. He has been a factor not only in the agricultural development of the county but also in its advancement along the lines of moral and civie progress, and no movement for the general good lacks his hearty support and co-operation.
MRS. ABBIE EVELINE MARTIN CURTIS.
Mrs. Abbie Eveline Martin Curtis became the first principal in the new high school of Lake City and has so continued for three years. For a much longer period, however, she has been identified with educational interests here and has ever stood for advancement and progress in the field of intellectual development. She was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, on the 18th of December, 1854. Her father. Charles Amaza Martin, was born in Derby, Vermont, Jan- uary 24, 1822, and had attained the age of eighty-three years when death called him on the 8th of February, 1905. Throughout his business career he was connected with commercial pursuits. On the 23d of October, 1849, he wedded Miss Lucinda Shattuck, who was
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born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, January 30, 1822, a daughter of Peter and Ruxbey Shattuck. She was eight years of age when her parents removed to Bridgewater, Vermont, where she continued to reside until her marriage. She had previously engaged in teaching and for some time after her marriage followed that profession, being identified with the schools of Bridgewater, Vermont, and of Lebanon, New Hampshire. While Mr. and Mrs. Martin were living in the latter place their only child, Abbie Eveline, now Mrs. Curtis, was born. In the following year the family removed to Madison, Wis- consin, and while there residing Mr. Martin filled the position of postmaster for fourteen years and was deputy sheriff of Dane county for sixteen years. Following the marriage of their daughter Mr. and Mrs. Martin removed to Paton, Iowa, in 1876, and for eleven years were residents of that place, after which they came to Calhoun county in 1887, residing on the Martin-Curtis farm near Sherwood for two years. On the expiration of that period they became resi- dents of Lake City. In 1875 they both beeame members of the Uni- versalist church at Lodi, Wisconsin, and their lives were ever after, ward in consistent harmony with Christian teachings. For nearly a half century Mr. Martin was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, regularly attending its meetings and taking aetive part in its work. He passed away on the 8th of February, 1905, and he left behind him many warm friends in his old Wiseonsin home and in the different sections of Iowa in which he had lived. His widow survived him until the 16th of April, 1906, when she too was called to her final rest. She was lovingly called Aunty Martin by many. It was no unusual thing for her to take her place at the bedside of the siek and afflicted as friend and nurse and her life was filled with good deeds. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin were at all times actuated by hon- orable purpose in their relations to their fellowmen and they left behind them an untarnished name and a memory which is cherished by many with whom they came in contact.
Their only child, Mrs. Curtis, acquired her early education in the schools of Madison, Wisconsin, where she passed through consecu- tive grades until graduated from the high school with the class of 1870. She devoted one year to further study in the State University and pursued the training course for teachers at Lodi. Columbia county. Wisconsin. She had determined to enter upon the profes- sion of teaching and for six years taught school in Wisconsin, her ability in that direction winning her almost immediate recognition.
On the 10th of June, 1875, Miss Abbie Eveline Martin gave her hand in marriage to Anson C. Curtis, and the following year they
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removed to Paton, lowa. where she engaged in teaching for six years. She then retired from active educational work, devoting her atten- tion to her household and the eare of her young daughter for five years. The death of her only child, Edna, occurred on the 13th of April. 1894. She was then a little sehoolgirl and at her passing one of the loeal papers said: "Edna was a most faithful and earnest little student, ever punctual in attendance and prompt in reeitation. She always seemed actuated by a sense of right, was strong in her friendship and had a sunny greeting for all, seeking especially to make her little playmates happy." In a series of resolutions passed by her school mates it was said: "That in the death of Edna the sehool has sustained the loss of an intelligent and lovable pupil, whose young life gave promise of a bright future." No greater sorrow eould come to the Curtis household than in the passing of this loved and loving little daughter and one feels the fitness of slightly paraphrasing James Whiteomb Riley's beautiful poem, making it read:
I cannot say, and I will not say That she is dead .- She is just away! With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand, She has wandered into an unknown land, And left us dreaming how very fair It needs must be sinee she lingers there. And you-O you, who the wildest yearn For the old-time step and the glad return,- Think of her faring on as dear In the love of There as the love of Here. Think of her still as the same, I say ; She is not dead-she is just away.
In 1889 Mrs. Curtis resumed professional activity in the school- room, becoming identified with the Lake City sehools, where she has continued for sixteen consecutive years, becoming the first principal of the new high school. For twelve years she was in eighth grade work and for three years she has been in the high school. and her efforts were an influencing force in bringing about the erection of the new building. She is a prominent representative of public education in this part of the state and has done much to uphold the high standard and enviable reputation which lowa has always enjoyed in connection with her publie-school system. She is continually thinking out along broadening lines and her work has been most effieacious, as she studies the individual need and has the power to bring out the best in her
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pupils. Mrs. Curtis is also well known in connection with Lake Queen Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and as a member of the Universalist church of Webster City. Her life has even been a radiating force for good and for improvement and wherever she is known she is spoken of in terms of highest respeet and regard.
STEPHEN DOUGLAS PRINCE.
The year 1893 witnessed the arrival of Stephen Douglas Prinee in Calhoun eounty and throughout the intervening period of twenty- two years he has followed farming in Logan township, where he still makes his home. He was born in Wabash county, Indiana, Jan- uary 3, 1864, his parents being John and Susan ( Krustenberger) Prinee. The father, a native of Virginia, died July 28, 1903, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, while the mother, who was born in Germany, passed away at the age of sixty-two years. Mr. Prince was a pioneer settler of both Ohio and Indiana, settling in both plaees in the midst of the forests. He eleared his land and hauled away the logs, performing the ardnous task of converting the timber traet into produetive fields. On removing to Illinois he took up his abode in Champaign county and was always an active, progressive farmer. On leaving that state he established his home in Logan township, Cal- houn eounty, and for eleven years prior to his death lived retired from aetive business in the home of his son Stephen. His politieal allegiance was given to the democratic party and he held some town- ship offices. He was also active as a member of the German Lutheran church.
In his family were twelve children, of whom Stephen Douglas Prince is the tenth in order of birth. He began his edueation in the public schools of Indiana and continued his studies in Illinois, walk- ing two miles to a little log sehoolhouse, which was seated with slab benehes and had desks of equally primitive construction. When twenty-one years of age he began farming in Champaign eounty, Illinois, where he lived until 1893. He then removed to Calhoun county and began farming in Logan township, since which time he has here made his home. His place is on section 5 and is known as one of the leading stoek farms of the county. He has always been a feeder of eattle and is engaged in the breeding and raising of Shire horses. He is likewise interested in the Farmers Elevator Company at Piper, but concentrates his energies upon the improvement of his
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home place, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of good land. He is regarded as one of the chief stock breeders of this sec- tion and he belongs to the American Shire Association.
In 1893 Mr. Prince was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Stephens, a native of La Salle county, Illinois, and a daughter of William C. and Mary (Dowler) Stephens. The father, who was born in New York in 1832, became a sailor in early manhood. In 1861 he enlisted in a Long Island regiment in response to the coun- try's call for troops and served for four years in defense of the Union. He then returned to New York, was married and in 1866 removed to La Salle county, Illinois, where he owned and cultivated a good tract of land. In 1888 he removed to Ford county, Illinois, and was living retired in Gibson City at the time of his death, which occurred Octo- ber 26. 1903. His wife, who was born in the north of Ireland in 1852, died July 3, 1904. Mrs. Prince was the third in their family of six children and by her marriage became the mother of four children, but Thomas D. and Charles E. died in infancy. The others are: Mary Neva, attending the Rockwell City high school; and Lloyd Gaylord, at home.
Mr. Prince is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Rockwell City. and both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekahs. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers. His political support is given the democratic party and he is active in its councils, while in Logan township he has served as trustee. He is also an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Rockwell City, a fact which is indicative of the rules which have governed his condnet and of the standards which he endeavors to follow in all of his life's relations.
JOHN R. NESS.
John R. Ness is a prominent and well known farmer of Green- field township, living on section 26. He is among those of foreign birth who have found in America the land of opportunity. He was born in Norway near Bergen, on the 9th of January, 1864, and is a son of Thomas R. and Ingeborg (Groning) Ness, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun, where they remained until June. 1868, when they came with their family to the United States and made their way to De Kalk county, Illinois, settling on a farm at Shabbona Grove. Mr. Ness there purchased land and spent his
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remaining days upon that plaee, meeting with a fair measure of suc- cess in his undertakings. He died in February, 1912, at the age of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away Deeember 8, 1914, at the age of eighty-eight years. They were members of the Evangelieal Lutheran church.
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