USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 10
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JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
CHRISTIAN WILLIAM BUHROW.
Jasper county has few settlers from our sister country of the fir and hemlock, the land of the "Lady of the. Snows," but those who have taken up their abode among us have shown themselves to be men of indomitable cour- age and thrift and this is truly a characteristic of Christian William Buhrow, farmer of Mariposa township.
Mr. Buhrow was born in Bruce county, Ontario, Canada, on March 14, 1863. He is the son of Carl William and Charlotta (Kroll) Buhrow, both born in Prussia, Germany, the father on March 10, 1823, and the mother on October 3, 1826. There they grew up and were married, the father hav- ing been a shepherd for German lords of lands from the age of fourteen until 1854, when tiring of the oppression and lack of opportunity in the father- land, he emigrated to Ontario, Canada. The voyage was made on a slow sailing vessel, the trip requiring eighteen weeks. Upon reaching Ontario Mr. Buhrow bought a small farm and lived there for a period of twelve years. Selling out in 1866, he came to Grinnell, Iowa, and there worked on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad for three years, assisting in con- structing the same from Grinnell to Omaha, Nebraska. In 1869 he bought one hundred and thirty-seven acres in Mariposa township, Jasper county, and, having prospered here, he later added the next fractional quarter section of one hundred and thirty-seven acres and he lived on the home place, where his son, Christian W., of this sketch, now resides, until 1889, when, having accumulated a competency, he moved to Laurel, Iowa, and lived there, prac- tically retired from active life, until his death on May 23, 1905. His wife died on April 3, 1900. These parents joined the Evangelical church upon coming to America and remained true to that faith until the end. The father of the subject spent seven years in the Germany army, having proved to be a very faithful soldier.
The family of Carl W. Buhrow and wife consisted of two sons and seven daughters, named as follows: Mrs. Mary Haak; Mrs. Augusta Reimansnider, who lives in California; Carl, the oldest, died aboard ship and was buried at sea : Mrs. Emma Sash is deceased ; Mrs. Bertha Bulfer is also deceased; Mrs. Leah Bulfer, Mrs. Minnie Maytag, Christian W., 'of this review ; Minne died in infancy ; Mrs. Lyda Weisanbuger.
Christian W. Buhrow, of this sketch, attended the No. I district school in Mariposa township, this county, and he lived at home 'until he was twenty- seven years of age, then the father moved to I wrel and the subject rented
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the home place, and soon had a good start. In 1903 he purchased one hun- dred and thirty-seven acres of the original home farm and here he has been i very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of Poland China hogs.
Politically, Mr. Buhrow is a Republican and, with his wife and children, .. belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Laurel.
Mr. Buhrow was married on November 28, 1889, to Lyda : Schneider, · who was born and reared in Humboldt county, Iowa, her birth occurring on .April 20, 1866. She grew up near the home of Frank Gotch, the world's champion wrestler, and knows him well. She was educated in the common schools there. She is the daughter of Christian and Teresa Schneider, who were natives of Germany, where they grew up and were married, and they emigrated from that country to the United States in 1863. The following "children have been born to the subject and wife: Earl, born September 13, . 1890'; Edward, born January 26, 1892, and Winona, born December 4, 1893. :
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WILLIAM PAUL.
Very often it is greatly to the advantage of the farmer's boy that, in- stead of rushing off to some town to become a poor grocery clerk or employe of a dirty machine shop, he remains in the country where he was brought up and where he knows what is necessary to make an honest living. He knows when and how to seed and harvest his crops, and knows what is neces- sary to insure success in the rearing and sale of live stock. If he leaves for the town he must learn another business and enter into competition with men who have grown up to the business which he must acquire. He is thus, as a rule, at a great disadvantage. This is said for the benefit of boys. who have a start in farm business, who, in nine cases out of ten, had better remain right where they are if they want insured to them a happy, healthy, respect- able old age. One of the progressive farmers of Hickory Grove township, Jasper county, who was contented to remain in his native community and devote himself to the line of endeavor with which he was most familiar is William Paul, and one would judge from his excellent farm and pleasant home that he has been wise in following this course.
Mr. Paul was born in Scott county, Iowa, June 19, 1868, and he is the son of Andrew and Jennie (Spence) Paul, both natives of county Antrim, Ireland, where they grew up, were educated and married and there began life
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on a farm. Believing that greater opportunities existed in the republic across the "big sea water" to the west, they emigrated to our shores in the spring of 1865 and located in Scott county, where the elder Paul worked seven years as a section hand on the Rock Island railroad. He saved his money and was thereby enabled to get a start. In 1873 he came to Hickory Grove township, Jasper county, and bought eighty acres. He set to work with a will, managed well and closely devoted himself to his farm, and as he prospered he added to his original holdings until he owned five hundred and sixty acres of valuable and desirable land which he placed under high grade improvements and a high state of cultivation, carrying on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and laid by a competency, becoming one of the influential and substantial men of his township. When he first came to the farm there was only a rude shack on it, in fact, all the improve- ments were poor, but in due course of time he erected substantial and con- venient buildings and added such other improvements as his needs required. Had he not been cut down in the prime of life he would no doubt have become one of the wealthy men of the county. He died March 22, 1887, at the age of forty-eight years. He and his family belonged to the Presbyterian church.
William Paul, of this review, was the fifth child in a family of seven children, the others being, James S., Mrs. Matilda McCosh, E. A., Mrs. Margaret Madill, Andrew L. and Joseph. The last named is living with his mother on the home place.
William Paul attended the public schools in Hickory Grove township, this county, where he grew up on the home farm which he was compelled to work the major part of his time when he became of proper age, consequently his schooling was not extensive. However, he later became well informed by general reading and actual contact with the world. As a boy he spent most of his time herding cattle on the open prairie near his home, which necessitated his being out in all kinds of weather. At that time not a fence could be seen from his home, except that around the house; and there were no regularly laid out roads ; they wound around the hills and along the valleys. There was considerable wild game here in those days.
After his marriage the subject moved into a house across the road and a little farther west, and he is successfully managing the home place for his mother, who is now advanced in years. Politically, he is a Democrat and has served his township as trustee for two terms in a most acceptable manner. He handles a high grade of Percheron horses, which find a ready market. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
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the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
On December 16, 1892, Mr. Paul was united in marriage with Dora Green, who was born in Hickory Grove township, this county, the daughter of William A. and Emily Catherine (Taylor) Green, who were early settlers of Jasper county, the father having come here with Joseph Green, grand- father of Mrs. Paul, in 1867, and purchased section II of Hickory Grove township and there they settled and became well fixed and were highly re- spected.
The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul : Mabel E., Edith Emily, Joseph William, Margaret Lucile, Lewis Wilbur and Andrew.
FRANK K. DEBRUYN.
Both paternally and maternally, Frank K. DeBruyn, one of the up-to- date farmers of Richland township, Jasper county, is descended from Hol- lander ancestry, who, like many people from the old world, were lured to this country by the prospect of obtaining lands, which was practically an impos- sible thing to do in their native country by reason of the high price of real estate and its entailment to the wealthy. They became very comfortably established in our free republic and it seems that their aim has always been to do the right and it is to such as they that our country is indebted for the stability of its institutions and for the large measure of prosperity which it enjoys. The immediate subject of this review seems to have inherited many of the sterling characteristics of his worthy forebears.
Mr. DeBruyn was born in Marion county, Iowa, October 12, 1867, the son of Kryn and Mattie (VanVark) DeBruyn, both born in Holland, the latter having been brought to America when but a few days old, her father leaving his native land in order to escape military service in the regular army, so the mother of the subject grew to womanhood and was educated in Amer- ica, and here also the father of Frank K. DeBruyn spent most of his life and received practically all his education, having been fifteen years of age when he landed on our shores in 1853, making the voyage with a half-sister and her husband, the grandparents at the time being deceased.
Kryn DeBruyn settled near Pella, Iowa, and there worked out in order to get a start. When the Civil war came on he showed that he was in sympathy with the Federal government by enlisting in Company G, Thirty-
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third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served gallantly for three years .: He was taken prisoner and held for ten months in Andersonville. After the war he returned to Iowa and married and for some time he worked in the brickyards at Howell, then called Amsterdam, then he rented land in the vicinity of Pella for a few years. In 1887 he moved to Jasper county where he lived until his death in 1905, having established a good home and made a good living for his family, which consisted of the folowing children: Mag- gie, Mary, Minnie, Anna, Emma, Jennie, Berdie, Mayme, Will, Arrie, Neil, Johnnie (deceased).
Frank K. DeBruyn, of this review, was the oldest of the family. He attended the public schools in Marion county and remained on the home place until he was twenty-one years of age. He being the eldest child, considerable work and responsibility devolved upon him, but the training was of much subsequent value. He then worked out by the month, and after his marriage he rented land. In 1899, having gotten a good start through close applica- tion and economy, he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of good land in Richland township which he developed into an excellent farm where he has carried on general farming and stock raising. He feeds several loads of cattle each season and has had uniform good luck in this line. He has recent- ly built a large, modern and attractive dwelling, fitted with up-to-date equip- ment and conveniences. Politically, he is a Republican.
Mr. DeBruyn was married on November 20, 1890, to Nellie DePenning, who was born in Marion county, Iowa, the daughter of Jacob DePenning, an early settler in Marion county, and to this union the following children have been born: Mattie, Jemmie, Carl and Goldie. The subject is a man of fine physique, jovial, hospitable and pleasant ; he enjoys hard work, for which he has an unusual capacity.
WILLIAM HENRY GEARHART.
In this country of ours it is necessary that some people should follow the occupation of farming, some store-keeping, some milling, some medicine, etc. All are necessary to each other and form parts and parcels of the great body of society. There was a time when each family was also wholly self-sustain- ing, when the mother made the garments and the father produced the food, but this older order of affairs has been done away with by advanced methods more in accord with our progress and institutions. The farmer cannot get along. without the small store-keeper at the cross-roads under the new order
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of things. The country merchant likewise cannot get along without the farmer to buy his goods. The dependence is mutual and each is required to fill his position. One of the families of Jasper county who has lived to pass through the various gradations' of things can witness the fact that "the old order changeth" is Gearharts, for when they came here over a half century ago they settled on the wild prairies where there were no store-keepers within a considerable radius and at a time when they were compelled to be self-sustain- ing for the most part and to undergo, like all pioneers, many hardships and inconveniences. But they were made of such mettle that there was no back- ing out or even much complaining and they, in due course of time, became well situated.
From such a period has come down to us of the present generation William Henry Gearhart, of Sherman township, who was born in Danville, Montour county, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1849. He was the son of Jacob and Julia (Reeder) Gearhart, the father born in France in 1821 and when four years of age he came to America and settled in Pennsylvania. The mother was born in that state in 1818, and there they both grew to maturity and were married. Jacob Gearhart worked in the Pennsylvania rolling mills and steel plants for a period of thirteen years, and in 1855 he brought his fam- ily to Michigan and in 1857 drove with two teams and a wagon from that state to Jasper county, Iowa. He traded one team of horses and the wagon to a Mr. Watts for eighty acres in Sherman township. . Here he went to work, with a will and cleaned up and developed the land, establishing a good home. and, prospering through his efforts and good management, he added to his original purchase from time to time until he became the owner of four hun- dred acres of valuable and desirable land. He was known as one of the most: extensive and leading farmers of his day. In his old age he moved to Colfax where he lived in retirement until his death. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company D, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and he saw some hard. service, being wounded in the side in one battle. He spent three years in the army. He was a member of the Christian church, a man of intelligence and upright principles. His family consisted of the following children: Mrs. Sarah E. Harter ; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Fullington is deceased ; Mrs. Ella An- netta Swihart is also deceased; William Henry, of this sketch ; Herley G. and Charles L. are living in Sherman township, this county; Napoleon Bonaparte is a practicing physician in South Dakota.
William H. Gearhart, of this review, was eight years old when his par- ents brought him to Jasper county and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the district schools, working on the home place during the
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crop seasons. When eighteen years of age, having received what text-book training he could in the poorly equipped school in his neighborhood in Sher- man township, he started in life for himself by working out by the month. After his marriage he rented land of his father for two years, then bought eighty acres, which he later sold and bought another eighty in Sherman town- ship where he still resides and where he has a very good home and a produc- tive farm.
Mr. Gearhart was married on August 3, 1870, to Sarah Ellen Harter, who was born in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of William Harter, an early settler in Jasper county, whither he cast his lot in 1854. To Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart three sons have been born, Frank, Fred and Charlie.
Mr. Gearhart believes in leading his own life and abstaining from inter- fering in the affairs of others. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World.
ALFRED LISTER.
One of the most enterprising and public spirited men in Jasper county is Alfred Lister, who was born in Yorkshire, England, July 11, 1861, coming to this country in 1865. Affable and kindly of manner, it is a pleasure to talk with him, for his life is rich in that romance of genuine "heart" interest which appeals at once to us all. Mr. Lister recalls that the vessel he came over in was held for a considerable time in New York harbor and his landing upon the new shore was delayed on account of the assassination of President Lincoln. When he and his family did land, the father and mother secured employment in the woolen mills of Philadelphia. Here his parents, hardy English people, worked for four years, coming to Jasper county, Iowa, in 187I.
Prior to moving to Jasper county the father had visited the region and purchased the farm upon which Mr. Lister now lives. Here the family lived until St mber, 1896, when the father and mother died within a few da . each other, · 'uble funeral being held.
The father's name was William Lister and the mother's name was Hannah (Brown) Lister. They were both natives of England and of that hardy stock which has furnished so much bone and sinew for this continent. Mr. Lister, the subject of this sketch, is one of seven living brothers, as follows: James Lister, residing in Providence, Rhode Island; Joseph Lister,
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ALFRED LISTER
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residing in Sinterdale, Rhode Island; John Lister, residing in Cloud county, Kansas; Samuel, Arthur and Thomas H., residing in Jasper county. All are well-to-do, prosperous people. Since the death of his father in 1896, Mr. Lister has purchased the interests of his several brothers and now owns individually the old homestead. It lies but a short distance south of the city of Newton and consists of one hundred and sixty acres. It is one of the good farms of the county. Besides owning this farm, Mr. Lister owns a three-sevenths interest in the opera house block in the city of Newton and is generally prominent in business and financial circles. Besides farming, he pays considerable attention to stock raising and operates a coal bank upon his farm.
Mr. Lister has never married, but lives alone in the great house on his domain. But his dwelling thus has in no manner soured him, for he is a genial, broad minded gentleman, respected and liked by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. While he is not a member of any church, he prefers the Congregational. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Lister recalls that when he came to Jasper county, land was very cheap and much stock roved free over the plains. He says that since coming to the county, many changes have taken place, especially in the country itself. in its lands, buildings and roadways.
GEORGE W. MILLER.
We rarely find two persons in every-day life who attribute their success in their different spheres to similar qualities. Hard work and plodding in- dustry paved the way for one, good judgment and a keen sense of values for another, intuition and a well balanced mind for a third. An admixture of some of the qualities above named, emphasized by hard work and plodding industry, has been responsible for the success of George W. Miller, one of the best known and highly honored citizens of Mound Prairie township, Jasper county, where he owns a valuable and attractive farmstead, having been . known for many decades as one of the substantial and leading farmers and stock men of the county.
Mr. Miller was born in New York state, December 19, 1835. He is the son of John Miller, Sr., and Maria (DeGaw) Miller, natives of the state of New York, the father of Albany county. They grew up and were mar- ried in their native state, and they began farming for a livelihood, finally own-
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ing a good farm in Fulton county, New York. In 1845 they moved to Ken- dall county, Illinois, coming by boat over the Great Lakes, and they bought two hundred acres in that county, making their home in that county until the father's death in 1852. John Miller, Sr., was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a man of sterling qualities, a typical frontiersman, hardy, brave and yet gentle in disposition. In the year 1853 the mother of the subject brought her children, George W., John and Sarah, to Jasper county, Iowa, settling in Sherman township. Here the two sons bought two hundred and twelve acres in partnership, and they lived there until 1865 when George W., of. this sketch, sold out and bought eighty acres in Mound Prairie township. Here he prospered from the first through his close application and good man-, agement, and he added to his original purchase until he now owns six hundred acres, all in Mound Prairie township. When he first came to this place he found a wild country, there being only two houses within a radius of four miles, the raw prairie stretching beyond the sight in all directions. He set out trees, built bridges, erected buildings and fences and in due course of time had a model farm. He has succeeded beyond the average person as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has a commodious and pleasant home and everything about his place denotes thrift and good management. He is still active and hale for one of his age, the result of wholesome living and right thinking.
Politically, Mr. Miller is a Republican, but he has never sought to be a public man. He was married on January 20, 1857, to Emily Helphrey, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Israel Helphrey, who settled in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1854.
To Mr. and Mrs. Miller nine children have been born, named as follows: Stephen, deceased; Melville T. lives in Metz, Iowa; Mrs. Clara Brock; Clar- ence ; Mary is deceased ; Mrs. Sadie Hardinbrook ; Ora May is deceased ; Mrs. Berta Baker is deceased; Mrs. Georgia Emmack, of Mound Prairie township.
JERVIS C. JOHNSON.
It is the pride of the citizens of this country that there is no limit to which natural ability, industry and honesty may not aspire. A boy born in ignorance and poverty and reared under the most adverse surroundings may nevertheless break from his fetters and rise to the highest station in the land. And the qualities do not have to be of transcendent character to enable him to
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accomplish this result. It is more the way he does it and his skill in grasping opportunities which are presented to him than to any remarkable qualities which he may possess. One of the enterprising and successful young agricul -; turists of this section of Iowa is Jervis C. Johnson, of Linn Grove township. He seems to belong to that Argus-eyed, sound-minded class of men who are able to grasp a situation quickly and make the most of it, for while yet young in years, he has, with little outside assistance, become one of the most exten- sive farmers of Jasper county and one of her most progressive citizens.
Mr. Johnson was born in Poweshiek county, Iowa, on February 6, 1879. He is the son of Henry and Melissa (Charles) Johnson, both natives of Indiana, the father born in 1848 and the mother in 1849. Henry Johnson was four years old when his parents brought him to Iowa, making the over- land trip with a wagon and team. They settled in Linn Grove township, Jas- per county, when this section was new and practically unsettled, and here they began life as pioneers, but in time were very comfortably situated. The grand- father of the subject took up a half section of land from the government. He also entered a great deal of land for other people and was an important factor in helping settle up the country. He took up as much as six thousand acres of land and was one of the best known men in the county in the early days. The father of the subject bought eighty acres in Washington township, Poweshiek county, when a young man, and he now owns about a section of land there. He retired from active life in 1910 and moved to Grinnell, Iowa. He is a member of the Friends church. His family consists of the following children : Charlotte, Olivia, Jervis C., of this review ; Warren lives in Hardin county, Iowa; Mrs. Beulah Renaud also lives in that county ; DeVerne lives in Montana; Leland and Lelah, twins, live in Grinnell, Iowa.
Jervis C. Johnson went to school in Lynnville, and after leaving the high school there he spent two years in Penn College. Returning home, he re- mained on the homestead, assisting with the work there until he was twenty- four years of age, then came to his present farm in Linn Grove township. Jasper county, the place which has been in the Johnson family so long. He now operates seventeen hundred acres, five hundred of which he owns in part- nership with his uncle, Albert Johnson, the latter owning the rest of the land in question. The subject farms the greatest acreage of any one man in Linn Grove township. He is a young man of unusual enterprise, foresight, energy and sound judgment and he accomplishes a maximum amount of work with a minimum outlay of labor. · He is an advocate of modern, scientific farming and it is a pleasure to glance over his broad acres and note how everything is operated under a splendid system, with what ease he carries on general
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