USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 31
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 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
Frank K. White was born in Green county, Wisconsin, July 8, 1846, the son of Vacher T. and Sarah A. (Fickey) White, both natives of Pennsyl- vania and married at Washington, in that state. His maternal grandfather gave his property to assist widows of soldiers of the war of 1812 and died en route to or from France to help settle government affairs after the war of 1812. His parents came in 1845 to Monroe, Wisconsin, by water and wagon. His father took up a farm there and established a pioneer blacksmith shop. In 1848 he moved to Magnolia, Rock county, Wisconsin, and there set up another shop. In 1855 they moved to Jacksonville, Chickasaw county, Iowa, being the second family to settle there, and there Mr. White rented a shop and worked in it that winter. In 1856 he went to a farm nearby and there conducted a shop. In 1867 he removed to Hamilton county and continued his trade there. Here his wife died and he remarried and later went to Kansas, where he died. He was the father of ten children and had two sons in the Civil war, E. C., in Company I, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and Zachariah, in the Sixteenth Iowa, killed in the Stone River charge at Mur- freesboro, the first victim of the war from their township. During the war
1015
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
the White home was a general stopping place for soldiers and others and Mrs. White dressed many wounds for the boys.
F. K. White is self educated save for a limited schooling in Magnolia, Wisconsin. He farmed with his father for a time, then became a merchant, and later took up the insurance business, in which he is still interested. He came to Clermont in 1889, and has been justice of the peace for eighteen years, giving general satisfaction. He is the owner of a farm of one hundred fifty acres near Clermont, and one hundred and twenty acres near Luana. In the town he finds opportunity to raise some fine specimens of Poland- China hogs.
On September 4, 1870, Mr. White married Mary Shepherd, and three children were born to them : J. E., an electrician of Chicago; Guy C., an attor- ney of San Diego, California; and Pearl, who died in February, 1899. On November 17, 1889, Mr. White married Mary Frisbee, and they have five children : Harry B., Ruth E., Laura R., Ora R. and Margaret F. Mrs. White's father, H. B. Frisbee, was a pioneer of the county, the founder of the express line between West Union and Clermont, later extended to Mc- Gregor. He came from New York to Clayton county in 1857, moved to Clermont in 1866, and lived there until his death. He conducted large land holdings in various parts of the state.
Mr. White is a Mason, a Mystic Toiler, and a Democrat. He is one of Clermont's worthiest citizens.
GEORGE J. KOEHLER.
In writing of the well known citizens of Windsor township, Fayette county, the name of George J. Koehler should not be overlooked. He was born on the farm on which he now resides, on October 2, 1859, the son of Nicholas and Catherine (Reithel) Koehler, the former born in Bavaria, February 16, 1823, the mother also coming from the same province of Ger- many, where her birth occurred on January 8, 1832. They came to America when young and were married in Kendall county, Illinois, in 1849, having resided in that state about three years. They came to Fayette county, Iowa, in 1855 and entered, from the government, the farm on which George J. Koehler lives, the place consisting at first of one hundred and eighty-five acres. The parents were honest and hard working and they were the first members of the local Zion Lutheran church. But one member of the Reithel family, John, is now living. Nicholas Koehler was a Republican politically
1016
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
and he held some of the township offices, including school director. He was a good and honest man, and when his death occurred, in 1897, he was greatly missed. He had been preceded to the grave by his wife, who died when thirty-nine years of age.
When George J. Koehler was about ten years of age his mother died and he and a sister, then twelve years old, reared the family, the sister becoming housekeeper. Late in life their father, Nicholas Koehler, married again, his second wife being Mrs. Margaret Slagle, who is now living in Hawkeye. His last years were spent with his youngest daughter. Nicholas Koehler's family consisted of four children, namely : Charlotte, wife of Conrad Daum, of Albert Lea, Minnesota; George J., of this review; Annie, who married Charley Bruehler, of Hawkeye; Lizzie married Mr. Gyer, living in Bethel township.
Nicholas Koehler had nothing when he came to Bethel township. He erected a slab shanty and hired out to his neighbors in order to get a start, and by working hard and saving his money he was soon well established. He had been a weaver in the old country.
George W. Koehler has always lived on the home farm, having taken charge of the same years before his father's death and finally bought it from his father. He has continued to improve and repair it until it is now in good condition and he carries on general farming and stock raising very success- fully. He has a substantial dwelling and outbuildings, surrounded by an in- viting grove, most of which was set out by himself when a lad.
Mr. Koehler was married on November 11, 1880, to Johanna Krueger, a native of Washington county, Wisconsin, and this union has resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Albert J., who married Edith L. Gray, is farming in Smithfield township; Edwin H. and Lula L. are living at home.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Koehler are members of the Zion Lutheran church, Mr. Koehler being the second deacon and is also serving as secretary of the church. They are both active in church affairs and liberal supporters of the local congregation.
ABRAHAM L. EVANS.
The life of Abraham L. Evans, well known farmer of Smithfield town- ship, Fayette county, has been an earnest one, fraught with much that tends to benefit his kind, and his career in the humble sphere of private citizenship has added to the character and stability of the community in which he lives.
ABRAHAM L. EVANS.
+.
-
MRS. LILLIE EVANS.
1017
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
His conduct among his fellow men has ever been above criticism, for he has always aimed to keep his name and reputation unspotted, as did his fore- fathers.
Mr. Evans was born in Clayton county, Iowa, February II, 1864, but the major part of his life has been spent in Harlan township, Fayette county, where he received his education in the public schools and in Upper Iowa University at Fayette, from which institution he was graduated in 1890, having made a splendid record there for scholarship. He is the son of Elias and Julia Evans, the father a native of England, from which country he came to America about 1852 and located in Clayton county, Iowa, where he bought a farm of the government and made his home, until his death, on the place which he developed into a very valuable farm and established a comfortable home. His death occurred about 1866, his wife surviving him until 1876. They were the parents of six children, of whom Abraham L., of this review, was the youngest in order of birth. When he was three years of age he was taken to raise by L. D. Talcott, a friend of the Evans family, living in Harlan township, this county, and he made his home with his bene- factor until he reached the age of twenty-one years, consequently he never learned very much concerning his parents or their family. Young Evans worked on the farm of Mr. Talcott during the summer months and attended school in the winter time. About 1885 he began teaching, attending school the following term, thus alternating for some time until his graduation in 1890. In 1891 he was principal of the schools at Henderson, Nebraska, and from 1892 to 1895, inclusive, he was principal of the school at Maynard, this county. He was very successful as a teacher, being well equipped from a text-book standpoint and was naturally endowed for this work, being both an entertainer and an instructor in the school-room, so that he wvon hearty commendation in his work both by pupil and patron. His services as principal were of especial value, he being a good organizer and master of details. so that his services were in great demand, and had he desired to continue in this line of endeavor he would doubtless have become one of the leading educators of upper Iowa; but, tiring of the school-room, he sought the more independent and withal desirable life of the husbandman, and in the spring of 1895 bought a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 18, Smithfield township, Fayette county. Prospering by reason of close applica- tion to his individual affairs and being a good manager, he in time added eighty acres to his original purchase, and he has continued to devote his at- tention to agricultural pursuits in its various phases since that time, and the
1018
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
neat and thrifty condition of his farm will readily attest that his labors have been abundantly crowned with success. He has some good livestock, and his home is a pleasant one. He takes an active part in the business life of his home town, being a leading stockholder and director of the Maynard Sav- ings Bank.
Politically, Mr. Evans is a Republican and he has held a number of minor offices in his township, being township trustee at present. He takes an abiding interest in local affairs and is always ready to assist in furthering anything calculated to be for the general good. Fraternally, he is a Mason, holding membership in Lodge No. 510 at Maynard, and, together with his wife, he is a member of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. 103, of Maynard. Mr. Evans, his wife and children are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church and faithful in the discharge of their duties in the local congregation.
On June 1, 1893. Mr. Evans was united in mariage with Lillie M. Beckner, who was born in Smithfield township, this county, on April 2, 1872, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Metcalf) Beckner, a highly honored family of this locality. Mr. Beckner was born in LaPorte, Indiana, Novem- ber, 1842, and his wife was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in April, 1843. Mr. Beckner came to Delaware county, Iowa, with his parents when young. The parents of Mary Metcalf located in Minnesota when they came West and there she married Mr. Beckner, about four years later moving to Fay- ette county, Iowa, locating in section 18, Smithfield township, where they lived until 1906 when they moved to Maynard where they still reside. Mrs. Evans was educated in the public schools of Smithfield township, afterwards attending the Upper Iowa University, where she graduated in music in 1891. She is a pleasant lady and highly accomplished. She is an artist of merit and her home is beautifully decorated with a number of her paintings.
To Mr. and Mrs. Evans five children have been born, named as follows : Carleton F., born July 8, 1894; Ruth M., born October 2, 1896; Frank R., born December 1, 1898; Viola F., born August 20, 1906, died January 2. 1908; Robert L., born February 4, 1908.
BENJAMIN SHEPHARD BEMIS.
It is eminently proper that attention be called to the achievements of Benjamin Shephard Bemis, one of Windsor township's most successful agriculturists, and that due credit be accorded to his worth as an enterprising
1019
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
citizen. He was born at Windham, Vermont, April 12, 1861, the son of Shephard Benjamin and Mary (Lewis) Bemis, both natives of Vermont, each, like the families from which they came, being sterling New Englanders. Their son, Benjamin Shephard, grew up on the farm and when nineteen years of age, desiring to get away from a rough, rocky country, he came to Fayette county, Iowa, locating near West Union. He worked for George Blent for a period of six years, saved his money and was enabled to buy the farm which he now owns, paying only nine dollars and fifty cents per acre for land which is now worth a handsome figure; this land was formerly owned by his employer. His farm consists of two hundred acres and lies two miles southeast of Hawkeye. He rented his land out and on September 23, 1888, he moved to the place, which he has since occupied continuously, pay- ing fifty dollars per acre for the last forty acres he purchased. His farm is intersected by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, two miles south- east of Hawkeye. He has one of the finest farms in this locality and very successfully carries on general farming and dairying, also devotes consider- able attention to cattle feeding, two or three car loads of cattle at a time, buying large numbers of cattle to feed or sell at a time. He breeds some ex- cellent stock, most of which is high grade in every respect, and, well under- standing the "ins and outs" of the stock business, he is well repaid for his efforts in this direction. He has always been very successful as a general farmer and stockman.
Mr. Bemis has erected an attractive and commodious dwelling, recently completed, which is inviting and nicely furnished. He also has a substantial bank-barn, located on a fine knoll from which an excellent view of the coun- ' try may be had. Everything about his place indicates good management and good taste.
Mr. Bemis is a Republican politically, bue he does not find time to de- vote any special attention to political matters, though he is deeply interested in whatever tends to promote the general interests of his county and state. whether political or otherwise.
Mr. Bemis was married on September 23, 1888, in Westfield township, this county, to Jane Smith, daughter of Chauncy and Susan (Bishop) Smith, the father of Vermont and the mother a native of Kentucky, and a highly respected and influential family, who came to Fayette county, locating in Westfield township before the Civil war, and they both lived here the rest of their lives. Mrs. Jane Bemis was born in Westfield township and there grew to maturity.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bemis, namely : Luella, living at home, attended the Hawkeye high school; Arthur C. attended the
1020
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
business college at Austin, Minnesota, and is now living at home; the other children who form members of the family circle are Edith Maud, Homer Benjamin and Viola.
Mr. Bemis enjoys hunting and he is also a devotee of the rod, being both a successful huntsman and fisherman. He has made several trips to Lake Itaska, Minnesota, where much wild game is to be found and where he never fails to get his full share of the game, deer, ducks, etc. He has many fine trophies of the chase to show for his skill as a marksman. He is a stockholder in the Hawkeye Creamery, the success of which is due not a little to his judicious counsel. He has visited his old home in Vermont two or three times since coming here. 'His brother, Charles, also came to Windsor township two years after Benjamin S. located here, but he is now living in California, having lived here ten years. Several young men have come from Vermont to Fayette county, Iowa, as a result of the successful venture of Mr. Bemis and they have all become well-to-do and prominent citizens. Personally, Mr. Bemis is a very likable man, being jovial, kind- hearted and straightforward in his dealings with his fellow men.
JOSEPH SCALLAN.
Notwithstanding the fact that Ireland is one of the smallest countries of Europe, it has sent more people to the United States perhaps than any other nation of the Eastern continent with the possible exception of Germany. The inhabitants of the beautiful and historic isle, appreciating the blessings of libertv. of which they have been so long deprived, have not been slow in rec- ognizing the possibilities that opened out in splendid perspective for all who ventured across the Atlantic and settled down to the pursuit of a competence under the influence of institutions that make for man's greatest happiness and success. . They have here become among the most intelligent. patriotic. industrious and upright of our great cosmopolitan population and are to be found in every line of industry, also as leaders of thought and moulders of opinion in those avenues of life upon which depend the safety and welfare of the republic. Among the leading representatives of this sturdy nationality in Fayette county, Iowa, was Joseph Scallan, a man of sterling worth who came to this part of Iowa when the country was new and filled well the meas- ure of his duties and responsibilities during the pioneer period and left the impress of his individuality deeply stamped upon the community which he helped to found and in which so many years of his life were spent.
1
MRS. ANN SCALLAN.
JOSEPH SCALLAN.
IO2I
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
Mr. Scallan was born in county Wexford, Ireland, about 1820 and when a young lad he ran away from home to go to sea and, making his way to Liverpool, secured a place on the "Agitator," a sailing vessel from Belfast which had for a figure-head the carved image of Daniel O'Connell. the great Irish orator and statesman. At that time the boy was ignorant of the ship's destination and only learned it on meeting another vessel whose captain's hail was answered with the information that the vessel was the "Agitator" bound for Charleston, Prince Edward Island, on the coast of British America. Arriving at that port, young Scallan was more anxious to remain on shore than to spend his life before the mast, accordingly he took advantage of an opportunity to escape, in due time succeeded in reaching the town of Chatham, where he settled down to learn the trade of shoemaking. After spending two years at that place and becoming a proficient workman, he went to Quebec, where he followed his trade for some time, going thence to Rochester, New York, where he also operated a shop with gratifying success.
While at the latter city Mr. Scallan sent money to Ireland to defray the expenses of his brother James and sisters Mary and Sarah to America, also a brother-in-law by the name of Buldger, all of whom arrived in due time, the brother and sisters marrying shortly thereafter and establishing themselves in Rochester. About that time Mr. Scallan contracted a matrimonial alliance, choosing for his wife and helpmeet Ann Murray, who came to America the same year as himself. By reading various papers Mr. Scallan learned of the opportunities in the West for the men of moderate means and after perusing an article by Bishop Toris of Dubuque in the Boston Pilot describing the ad- vantages of Iowa, as a place for securing cheap lands, he decided to seek his fortunes in the latter state. Accordingly, he wound up his business in Rochester and shortly thereafter started on his journey to the West with Fayette county as his objective point. Arriving at his destination, he found certain of his countrymen living at various places throughout the county, among whom were two gentlemen by the name of Brennan, known in the neighborhood as "King" and "Pope" Brennan, who were among the first permanent settlers, the former locating about one and a half miles west of the site of Waucoma, the latter entering land across the line in the county of Winneshiek. Mr. Scallan was directed to "King" Brennan as the man best calculated to give him information regarding the country, and his confidence in that gentleman was by no means misplaced, for in due time he was directed where to find the best and most desirable lands and otherwise assisted to settle and get a start. "King" Brennan was a man of intelligence and excellent judgment and took a leading part in the early settlement of this part of the
1022
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
state and the development of its resources. He had sons, John, Owen, Philip, Larry and Thomas K., all of whom became men of prominence and influence in the community, the last named being the present owner of the original Brennan homestead. There were also three daughters, Mary Ann, who married a Mr. Finnigan; Bridget, the wife of James Shekelbor, and Ann, who married Patrick Lyons, these sons-in-law locating farms at no great dis- tance from each other and becoming substantial citizens of their respective communities. There were several of the Brennan brothers who settled in Fayette county, also Michael and Patrick Kieron, the latter locating in what is now Eden township, being the second only to the Brennans in this part of the county. To Mr. Scallan belongs the credit of being the third per- manent settler of Eden township, and a little later he was joined by the Heathertons, Thomas, William and Luke, the first named still living on the old place, which was purchased from the government. In 1853 Mr. Scallan secured his land and at once began improving the same. His first home was a rude shanty, which, ere completed, let water through the roof like a sieve until there was not a dry spot in the room where the family took shelter. but later it answered fairly well the purpose for which intended until replaced by the present substantial stone edifice. At odd times during the development of his farm Mr. Scallan worked at his trade, but the rain ruining what leather he had on hand interfered very materially with the business, as he had no money with which to replenish the stock, having loaned all of his available means to certain friends who failed to meet their obligations when due .. Dur- ing the first few years his experiences were trying indeed, losing in addition to the money referred to considerable of his grain and hay, so that at one time he had not sufficient feed for the single cow upon which the family depended for milk and butter. In due time, however, matters improved and in the course of a few years he had his farm in excellent condition and well stocked.
Mr. Scallan was among the first farmers in Fayette county to use reap- ing machines in the cutting of grain, his first reaper being operated by an ox-team. With the passing years he purchased other machinery and imple- ments, always kept pace with the times in the matter of improvement and his labors were finally rewarded with one of the finest farms in his section of the country, to say nothing of the ample competence which he laid up to insure a prosperous and comfortable old age. During the late Civil war he was a firm and uncompromising Union man and at the close of the war became a stanch Republican, which party he ever afterwards supported and to the success of which he rendered worthy service.
I023
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
Mr. Scallan was born a Catholic and throughout a long life remained loyal to the Holy Mother church, and brought up his family under the teach- ings and influence of the same. He was among the early members of the St. Rose parish and contributed liberally to the erection of the present house of worship, besides assisting the society in many other ways, always proving one of its most earnest and devout communicants. All enterprises for the benefit of the community found in him a zealous and liberal advocate and his benevolence and hospitality were such that no worthy person or project ever appealed to him in vain and he was never known to turn a deaf ear to the needy or distressed. In all of his relations with his neighbors and fellow citizens he was actuated by the purest motives, his word was as sacred as his bond, and he measured up to a high standard of excellence, which won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came into contact and made him one of the notable men of his day and generation in the township of his resi- dence. The death of this good man occurred on March 7, 1910.
Ann Murray, who, on June 20, 1853, became the wife of Joseph Scallan, was born in county Antrim, Ireland, and spent her girlhood days in her native land. When about twenty years old she emigrated to America, going direct to Quebec, Canada, removing thence to Kingston, where she spent the three ensuing years. At the expiration of the period indicated she went to Roches- ter, New York, where her marriage took place, as already stated. In Decem- ber, 1854, she accompanied her husband to Dubuque, Iowa, where they lived until their removal to Fayette county the following spring. She shared with Mr. Scallan the vicissitudes and hardships of pioneer life, nobly assisted him in his efforts to establish a home and acquire a competency and to her judi- cious counsel and advice not a little of his success was due. For fifty-two years this estimable couple trod life's pathway hand in hand, ever willing to help each other and doing all within their power to promote their mutual inter- ests and provide comfortably for those dependent upon them. Their golden wedding anniversary was celebrated on June 20, 1903. A long and beautiful life ceased when her spirit returned to its Maker, which sad event occurred at her home, one mile west of Waucoma, on Friday morning, September 20, 1907. Thus passed from the community, where she had been so long and so favorably known, a loving wife, a devoted mother, a generous neighbor, ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. A true friend, her friendship was real, serviceable, unostentatious and in the largest sense helpful. Pa- tience and cheerfulness like golden threads run through her life, and, ever trusting in God for light and guidance, for courage and comfort, her influence like heaven's benediction made better all with whom she was wont to mingle.
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.