USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 15
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
Mr. Craven was born in this county and township, on the farm where he now has the good fortune to reside, for it is indeed a pleasure and a privilege to be able to spend one's life on the homestead. His birth occurred here on July 10, 1869. He is the son of David P. and Julia E. (Bennett) Craven, the father born at Ontario, Wayne county, New York, on October 17, 1841, and the latter in the same state on June 15, 1844. There they grew to maturity, received such education in the public schools as the times afforded and upon reaching maturity were married. They emigrated to Jasper county, Iowa, from their native state in 1864, believing that the newer country of the middle West would afford them better opportunities for home building, and they accordingly established themselves in Mariposa township, the father later buying forty acres of the government at two dollars and twenty-five cents per acre. He subsequently purchased one hundred and sixty acres, and, prosper- ing through years of hard endeavor and good management, he finally be- came the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Hickory Grove and Mariposa townships. He became one of the leading farmers and influential citizens of his community and served his township as assessor, trustee and clerk in a most acceptable manner. He was loyal to Democratic principles. He played no inconspicuous part in the upbuilding of this locality, both in a material and civic manner and he was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
To David P. Craven and wife five sons and three daughters were born, named as follows: James E .; David H., of this review; John R. is living in Kellogg, this county ; Thurman P., Galen G., Mrs. Beatrice G. Pratt and Mrs. Mary Parmar, all live in the state of New York; Mrs. Martha McCarthy lives in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
899
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
David H. Craven of this review began driving a team when ten years of age. Being the son of a pioneer, his boyhood days saw much hard work and little play. He found time, however, in the brief winter months to attend the Barrett district school. When twenty-one years of age he began renting the home place and here he has been engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing ever since, having subsequently purchased four hundred and twenty-five acres of the same. He is also the owner of three hundred and thirty-six acres south of the home farm. He has placed all this land under excellent improvements and keeps his fields well cultivated. using up-to-date machinery. He has long been a large stock raiser, feeder and general stock man, turning large numbers of cattle and hogs from his feed lots annually, no small part of his income being derived from this source. He has a substantial and con- venient home and large, well-arranged outbuildings; in fact. everything about his place denotes good management, thrift and prosperity.
Mr. Craven's father moved back to the state of New York in the year 1892 and he owns three valuable farms there, but is now living retired in the city of Ontario. Politically, Mr. Craven is a Democrat and he has served as township clerk.
Mr. Craven was married on January 10. 1906, to Jennie Nichols, a native of Scotland, the daughter of Robert Nichols and wife, and to this union three children have been born. Helen G., Grace Edna and Mary Evelyn.
EDWARD C. ALTEMEIER.
In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship Edward C. Altemeier, farmer, of Mariposa township, Jasper county, is one of the con- spicuous examples among our young native men and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community. His career has been char- acterized by duty faithfully done and by industry, thrift and wisely directed efforts he has acquired a valuable farm and is receiving his just share of this world's goods, besides earning a reputation which he has never clouded by the commission of a single unworthy act so far as his neighbors and those who have been closely associated with him have discovered. He is known to be a man of good judgment and pronounced views and while keeping himself informed upon current events and taking a lively interest in all public affairs of his township and county he has never expressed so much as the faintest desire to exchange the quiet and content life on the cozy farm for the distrac- tions and cares which usually come to the man who fills official positions and
900
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
aspires to some exalted station among their fellow men. He is to be com- mended in this attitude, for such as he constitute our best citizens.
Mr. Altemeier was born in Mariposa township. Jasper county, on March 21, 1881. He is the son of Adolph and Wilhelmina (Klopping) Altemeier, the father born in the town of Horn, province of Lippe, Germany, on Decen- ber 24, 1837, and the mother was born in the town of Detmold, province of Lippe, Germany. There the father grew up and as a boy engaged in farm work. In 1855 he came to Freeport, Illinois, where his brother Simon and sister Louise had previously located, they having emigrated from Germany to New Jersey in 1852, coming to Illinois the following year. Simon Altemeier is now living in Mariposa township. Jasper county, Iowa. It was in 1857 that Adolph Altemeier, Sr., came to Newton, Iowa, and there he worked for some time in a brick yard, then began renting land five miles east of Newton. He then went to Spirit Lake, this state, and took up a claim in that wild, un- settled country and at the Indian uprising he was compelled to give up his land and return to Jasper county. In 1860 he bought forty acres in Malaka township. Selling this a few years later, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Mariposa township, this county, and here he prospered, adding to his farm until he became the owner of five hundred acres of valuable land. He farmed on a large scale and became one of the substantial and well known men of this community. He served his township as trustee and assessor, also serving on the township board. He and his wife were members of the Ger- man Evangelical church. His death occurred on October 10, 1886, after a successful and well spent life. The mother of the subject of this sketch came to America when she was nine years of age, in 1850, locating at Freeport. Illinois, where she spent four or five years with neighbors who had settled there from her old locality in Germany. Her parents died when she was a small child. She came to Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, about 1856 and worked in the home of Colonel Curzad for several years, then married Mr. Altemeier. Since his death she has lived principally in Newton.
To Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Altemeier were born nine children, named as follows: Adolph G., Jr .; Mary, deceased; Mrs. Lottie Rathelson, deceased ; William J. is farming in Mariposa township: Mrs. Minnie Werman, Mrs. Anna Wiesman, Louis, Edward C., of this review, and Fred.
Edward C. Altemeier spent his boyhood on the farm and assisted with the general work there, attending the district schools between crop seasons. When he was twenty-one years of age he began farming, renting land of his mother, the father having previously died, when the subject was five years of age. It was in 1906 that the subject began renting the farm of one hundred
901
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
and sixty acres where he now lives, this land having belonged to his mother. He has met with success as a general farmer and stock raiser, paying special attention to raising Hereford cattle. In 1910 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres just southeast of where he now lives. Politically, he is a Demo- crat, but is not, as already intimated, a public man.
On December 6, 1905, was solemnized the marriage of Edward C. Alte- meier and Sarah Davis Banghart, who was born in Mariposa township, this county, December 27, 1883, and here she grew to womanhood and was edu- cated. She is the daughter of Thomas Banghart, a highly respected citizen. Two children have been born to the subject and wife. Leroy Edward and Virgil.
ANDREW D. JENSMA
No class of emigrants who reach our shores from the kingdoms and republics of Europe show a greater aptitude in adapting themselves to our peculiar institutions than those who come from Holland, and while they find many things different from what they had been accustomed to, they. in due course of time, become familiar with our political methods and customs and appreciate the advantages which are offered by our laws. The result is that they are at once contented and straightway proceed to make the most of their new surroundings. After their home is established and they have attained some degree of comfort, they look around and soon take a hearty and intelli- gent interest in our form of government and prevailing institutions. One of the best known and most successful of the colony of Hollanders who have favored Jasper county by casting their lots with us is Andrew D. Jensma, a progressive young farmer of Mound Prairie township.
Mr. Jensma was born in Holland on July 2, 1880, and he is the son of Johannas and Sarah (Bierma) Jensma, both born in Holland, and there they grew up and were married and there the father operated a large farm, which he rented. His death occurred in 1888. His family consisted of five sons and two daughters, namely : James, John. Levi, Andrew D .. Peter, Anna and Sarah.
All these children and their mother emigrated to America after the father's death and settled in Marion county, Iowa, near Monroe. The year following their arrival there they rented a farm in Fairview township, Jasper county, and here they became very comfortably fixed.
Andrew D. Jensma attended school both in Holland and in America, and, applying himself very carefully, made rapid progress. He remained with his
902
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
mother until he was of legal age, then started in life for himself by renting land. He saved his earnings and in 1909 bought an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres, known as the old D. C. Gifford farm, known at pres- ent as the "Bear Grove Stock Farm." Here he is making a pronounced suc- cess as a general farmer and stock raiser, and he feeds a large number of cattle and hogs annually. He is gradually bringing his place up to a high standard of improvement and cultivation, and he has a pleasant dwelling and substantial outbuildings.
Politically, Mr. Jensma is a Republican, but has not sought public recog- nition, merely exercising his rights of citizenship in a manner which appeals to him as being right under approved and established standards.
On April 12, 1905, Mr. Jensma was united in marriage with Maud Rob- erts. daughter of W. Edward Roberts, an early settler in Jasper county and a highly respected citizen. Two interesting children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jensma. Edward and Freddie.
WILLIAM O. LIVINGSTON.
An enumeration of those men who have won honor and public recogni- tion for themselves and at the same time have honored the locality where they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of the progressive and public spirited citizen whose name forms the caption of this sketch. A life of earnest and persistent endeavor has placed Mr. Livingston in comfortable circumstances and his career has been so ordered as to win the earnest esteem of all who know him.
William O. Livingston, one of Jasper county's extensive land owners and able public officials, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, May 1, 1851, and he is the son of Charles M. and Nancy D. (Bruce) Livingston, his father being a native of the state of New York and his mother of Virginia, there being hardy Scotch ancestors on both sides of the house, and many of their strong characteristics have outcropped in the subject. The father was a farmer and carpenter of the old school. He was one of those men, rarely seen nowadays, who could go into the woods, with an adze, broad-axe and a few simple tools familiar to the pioneers, and hew out and build a house complete. He was an all-around mechanic. He was married in Ohio, to which state the parents of himself and wife had emigrated from their respective states in an early day, and there Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Livingston made their
903
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
home for twenty-three years. In 1856 the father of the subject and his parents came to Iowa, settling on two hundred and sixteen acres of fine land near Monroe, in the edge of Marion county. Here they established a good home, became influential among the pioneer element, and as they prospered the father added to his original holdings until he had a farm of three hundred and thirty-six acres. But this family had been preceded here by Thomas and John Livingston, brothers of Charles M., who located in Jasper county.
William O. Livingston is one of a family of six children, two of whom are deceased; Thomas died when a child in Ohio; Anna E. married Judge Prouty, and died in Pella; Mrs. G. W. Hill lives at Long Beach, California ; Mrs. Edward J. Currier lives in Grand Junction, Colorado; Charles B. lives on the home farm near Monroe, Iowa; William O. of this review. The father of these children died in 1892 as a result of a runaway accident, being then seventy-seven years of age. He was preceded to the grave by his wife some three years, she being seventy-two years old. They were both teachers in early life, and all through life took an abiding interest in all educational matters; they were high-minded, hospitable, obliging and good people in every respect.
When twenty-one years of age, the son, William O., began working for himself, remaining on the home farm until he was twenty-eight years old. Then he left the homestead and moved over into Jasper county, buying a place near Monroe, and he moved thereto in 1882 and has resided here ever since, with the exception of considerable time spent on western trips. This farm originally consisted of one hundred and sixty acres. It was a fine farm and very productive, and, under Mr. Livingston's able management, brought ample rewards for the labor expended upon it. By exceptionally good man- agement, close application and honest effort Mr. Livingston has added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of eight hundred and sixty-nine acres of as valuable and desirable land as this locality affords. In addition to his extensive farming interests he has long engaged extensively in stock raising, being an excellent judge of all kinds of live stock, and no small part of his annual income has been derived from this source. He has kept his land well improved and well tilled. He has a beautiful, modern and neatly kept home and many substantial and convenient outbuildings. He is a stock- holder in the First National Bank of Monroe, and he has been very successful in a financial way. For the past five years he has led a more or less retired life.
On May 25, 1876, Mr. Livingston was united in marriage with Mary J. Elrod, who was born in Pennsylvania, June 21, 1856, the daughter of William
904
JASPER COUNTY, 10W.A.
and Catherine Elrod, a splendid old family of the Keystone state, of which they are both natives. They grew up, were educated and married there, and in 1868 emigrated to Monroe, Jasper county, Iowa. They are both now deceased.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Livingston, namely : Two died in infancy; William, the youngest of the number, died when eighteen months old: E. Clyde lives on one of his father's farms; Mamie D. is the wife of Albert Lust and they live on one of the farms: Catherine M. married Beal Lewis and they live on the home farm; Charles B. is at home.
While Mr. Livingston has always taken a keen interest in political affairs and whatever tended to promote the interests of his locality, he has never aspired to public positions, and the fact that he is holding a county office at this writing is a case of the office seeking the man. He is now serving his second term as county supervisor, and he has handled its affairs in such a manner as to reflect much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, irrespective of political creeds. The new court house has been constructed during his term of office, and he is a member of the first board that has convened in the splendid new building. He was formerly chairman of the board for a year. He is a worthy member of the Baptist church at Monroe, of which he is a deacon.
GEORGE F. MARSHALL.
One of the successful farmers and stock men of Jasper county who is eminently deserving of the success he has achieved and also of the high esteem in which he is universally held is George F. Marshall. of Fairview township. who hails from the faraway banks and braes of bonnie Scotland, and those who know him best will acquiesce in the statement that he has many of the sterling traits of character of those rugged people, who have done so much for the general good of our new republic. His life has been consistent both in motive and action and while he has labored for his own advancement he has not neglected his general duties as a neighbor and citizen.
Mr. Marshall was born ten miles east of Glasgow, Scotland, on June 15. 1858. He is the son of Robert and Mary ( Forsyth ) Marshall. the father born in the same vicinity as was the subject on November 10. 1831. and the mother was born in Ayreshire. Scotland, on October 17. 1837 They grew up. were educated and married in Scotland, and there the elder Marshall worked in the
OH marshall
.
905
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
coal and iron mines. He went to New Zealand in 1863 where he prospected for gold, and was very successful, finding a fortune in nuggets, but unfortu- nately it was stolen from him, and he was then compelled to work a year in order to get money enough to pay his expenses home He returned to Scot- land in 1866 and in June of that year he emigrated with his family to Monroe, Iowa, and bought forty acres in Fairview township, Jasper county, and eight years later he bought two hundred acres farther east and there he and his son George F. operated a coal mine for fifteen years, often employing twenty men. They enjoyed a good income from this source, but later Mr. Marshall turned his attention to his farm. He raised large numbers of Poland China hogs. He was a union labor man and politically a Democrat later in life. He was a member of the Methodist church. Accumulating a competency, he retired from active life in 1906 and moved to a commodious home in Monroe where he still resides. His family consisted of six children. namely : Maggie, Mrs. Robena Nolin, Mrs. Betsy DeMass and Mrs. Mary Smith; William J., of Fairview township, this county; and George F., of this sketch. Only the sons and Robena live in this township
George F. Marshall being the eldest of the family, he had to work hard when a boy assisting in developing the mine and farm, but he found time to attend the Enterprise district school and the Monroe high school. He remained under his parental roof-tree until he was twenty-three years of age. Then he rented his father's place for three years, then bought sixty acres in Elk Creek township in 1885. Selling this, he bought sixty acres in Fairview township and moved thereto and here he still resides He has added to his original purchase until he now has one hundred and ten acres. He has kept his place well improved and under a high state of cultivation, and in connec- tion with general farming he has raised thoroughbred Poland China hogs for the past thirty years. He won the grand sweepstakes silver loving cup for best hogs, open to all breeders, at the Iowa state fair in 1899 and 1900. Win- ning two years in succession entitled him to keep the cup. No one else has been able to do this. He has bred Poland China hogs longer than any other man in Jasper county and he is one of the largest breeders of this famous blood in Iowa. Some of the blood of his herds has entered nearly every herd in Iowa of Poland China stock and he ships to every state in the corn belt. He raises about one hundred and fifty stock hogs annually. Owing to the superior quality of his hogs they always find a very ready market whenever offered for sale. No small part of his competency has been earned thereby, and he is today one of the substantial men of his locality.
906
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
Politically, Mr. Marshall was a Republican, then a People's party sup- porter, and now he votes with the Democrats. He is a member of the Metho- dist church.
Mr. Marshall was married on March 3. 1883. to Ulissia A. Tool, who was born September 21, 1864, in this township, the daughter of James A. Tool, a native of Virginia, who came to this section in pioneer days with his father, Adam Tool, one of the first three white settlers in Jasper county, this being in March, 1843. The father of Mrs. Marshall died on October 15. 1910. A full history of the Tool family is to be found on another page of this work.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, namely : Florence; Mrs. Beatrice Balmer, of Fairview township; Ada R., deceased ; Winifred: James R. is at home ; Frances, Geneva and Hubert.
MELVIN RUSH.
In Melvin Rush Fairview township. Jasper county, has a farmer who believes in doing well whatever is worth doing at all. and although he leads a quiet life, tending to his own business, he never withholds his help from worthy public enterprises and he believes in each individual asserting his rights.
Mr. Rush was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1854. He is the son of Jefferson and Elizabeth (McClintock) Rush, both natives of the same locality in which the subject was born, the father's birth occurring in 1823. There they grew up, were educated in the pioneer schools and there they were married, and they farmed on his father's place, the grain raised on this farm being used to make corn whisky in the distillery of Peter Rush, grandfather of the subject. In the spring of 1855 Jefferson Rush.and family moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, and there purchased a small farm. Sell- ing this in 1866, the family moved to Fairview township. Jasper county, and here bought eighty acres. The father was first a Whig and later a Republican, and he belonged to the Baptist church. His death occurred in 1904, his wife having died in 1902. They were the parents of four children, named as fol- lows: Marshall, deceased; Melvin. of this review: Mrs. Rebecca Walker; Mrs. Lydia Montgomery.
Melvin Rush grew up on the home farm and when but a boy he knew the meaning of hard work. He attended the Capital Prairie district school. He has spent nearly all his life on the farm here. His father not being robust.
907
JASPER COUNTY, IOW.1.
the son tended the place after he reached maturity and he is now the owner of the same, and has kept it under a good state of improvement and cultivation. When thirty years of age the subject took a claim in Sheridan county, Nebraska, and lived there two years, but finally lost the claim through the trickery of others.
Politically, Mr. Rush is a Republican, but he has never manifested a desire to be a public man. He was married on January 22, 1889, to Rachael Ogg, who was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of George Ogg, who came to Jasper county in 1866. To this union two children have been born, William M. and Byrdie Eva.
ARCH LIVINGSTON.
Successful business talent is composed of a combination of high mental and moral attributes; although these are essential, there must be breadth of capacity, sound judgment, quickness of thought, firmness and justice. Arch Livingston, well known young merchant of Fairmount, Iowa, affords a good example of this talent.
Mr. Livingston was born in Fairview township, Jasper county, lowa. December 19. 1875. He is the son of John R. and Eliza (Murphy) Liv- ingston, the father born in Ohio in 1837, and the mother born in Tennessee. The father grew up in Ohio and when twenty-five years of age he came to Jasper county, lowa, with his parents and family, making the overland trip with wagon and team. He finally bought a farm in Fairview township and here he worked hard and became well established. Politically, he was a Demo- crat and took an active interest in local affairs. For some time he served as justice of the peace. His family consisted of four children, named as fol- lows: Mrs. Minnie Ross, Mrs. Hettie French; Arch of this sketch : Carl W. is living on a farm recently purchased by Arch, three and one-third miles southwest from Fairmount.
Arch Livingston grew up on the home farm and worked in the fields when a small boy, attended the district schools during the winter months. also attended school at Reasnor. He began life in a business way by clerk- ing in a general store for George Volk, at Fairmount, a part of two years, and in the winter he attended college at Newton, Iowa. After leaving college he worked for Henshaw & Pollock at Reasnor for a year; then he ran the huckster wagon for J. W. Edwards at Reasnor for two summers, then he and Mr. Edwards went into partnership in the hardware business, and soon built up an extensive retail trade at Reasnor, but in December. 1898, six months
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.