USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 42
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JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
goddess of husbandry, having charge of crops, especially grains; for they have been known as among the most successful agriculturists of Story and Jasper county, where their operations have been confined since pioneer days.
Isaac M. Dawson was born in Indian Creek township, Story county, lowa, March 21, 1867, and with the exception of two years spent in Dakota, and two in Des Moines, he has always been a resident of Story and Jasper counties. His parents, Cyrus P. and Frances (Bomberger ) Dawson, were natives of Hancock county, Ohio, the father born on August 26, 1834, and the mother on March 31, 1831. There they grew to maturity, received what education they could in the old-time schools and were married, beginning life on the farm. They came to Iowa in 1854 and located here in 1856. The father died in Des Moines on September 4, 1869, and the mother, now ad- vanced in years, is making her home with her son, Isaac M., of this review. Her family consisted of five children, one of whom is deceased, namely : Mrs. Mary M. Cross, born August 27, 1856, lives in Independence township, this county ; Mrs. Martha Lones, born February 27, 1859; Mrs. Jemima Cross, born June 28, 1861, lives in Woonsocket, South Dakota; Mrs. Rebecca E. Cross, born November 9, 1863, lives in Madison county, Iowa; and Isaac M., of this sketch.
Isaac M. Dawson grew up on the home farm and assisted with the gen- eral work about the place during the summer months when he became of proper age, and he received his education in the schools of his home district. On December 25. 1888, he was united in marriage with Lillie F. Parish, who was born at Belvidere, Winnebago county, Illinois, February 7, 1868, and in 1870, when she was two years of age, she came with her parents, Lucian L. and Anna (Francis) Parish, to Iowa and they located in Black Hawk county. The father, who was a native of Connecticut, is now residing in Nebraska, the mother having died in Story county, Iowa, October 23, 1910; she was born in England, emigrating to the United States in early life. The Parishes became well established on a farm in Black Hawk county. This family con- sisted of three sons and six daughters, as follows: Frank L., born September 4. 1856, is residing at Redwood Falls, Minnesota; George was born in 1858 and died in infancy ; Henry L., born December 12 1860, is living in Cascade, South Dakota; Mrs. Hattie Lint, born March 12. 1863, lives at Maxwell, Iowa; Mrs. Nettie M. Cooper, born October 6, 1865, lives at Mitchell, Ne- braska ; Lillie F., wife of Mr. Dawson of this review; Mrs. Anna B. Budrow, born August 1. 1871, died January 14, 1899: Mrs. Mattie E. Kellum, born August 29. 1873. lives at Caldwell, Nebraska ; Grace E., who was born Febru- ary 16. 1877, lives in Pasadena, California.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have been born four sons as follows: Francis M., born in Story county, August 11, 1891, received a good common school education and has devoted his life to farming and his efforts have been crowned with a large measure of success, although he is but now merging into his majority, but he gives much promise of a successful business man, and is assisting his father with the general farming and stock raising on the home place. The other children in this family were named in the following order : Freddie E., born July 14, 1894, died November 24th of that year ; Royal R., born December 17, 1902, died December 14, 1903; Morris, born in Dakota, March 21, 1906.
Isaac M. Dawson brought his family from Dakota to Jasper county in 1906 and purchased one hundred and thirty-nine acres of productive and well located land in Independence township, upon which he has erected modern and substantial improvements, and they are making a success in diversified farm- ing and stock raising. He has a substantial and pleasant home and such out- buildings and up-to-date farming implements as his needs require.
Politically, Mr. Dawson is a Republican and he has been school director and road supervisor. Both he and his son, Francis M., are members of the Yeomen lodge at Baxter. This family has not only secured a competency since locating here, but they have made a host of friends and are highly respected throughout the county.
FRED D. CONNELLY.
One of the wide-awake and enterprising young farmers of Independence township, Jasper county, who is eminently deserving of the esteem in which he is held is Fred D. Connelly, a man of strong convictions, ever ready to maintain the soundness of his opinions on any subject, but is never unreason- able in his views, political or otherwise, according every man the same rights which he claims for himself. He is energetic in all affairs pertaining to the general good of the community.
Mr. Connelly was born in Clear Creek township, Jasper county, Iowa, on November 21, 1876, and here he grew to manhood and received his educa- tion in the common schools ; however, being the son of a pioneer, he did not receive such educational advantages as one might wish, there being only limited opportunities of attending school in the days when he was a boy, though he has since made up for this lack by wide miscellaneous home reading. So he
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grew up inured to the privations of life in an early settlement, and the rigid discipline he received then has doubtless done him a world of good in subse- quent life.
Mr. Connelly is the son of H. C. and Mary C. (Kline) Connelly, the father born in Fulton county, Illinois, and the mother near Hagerstown, Maryland. The former spent his early boyhood in his native state, moving to Marshall county, Iowa, when he was about fifteen years old, thence to Jasper county where he established a good home and spent the balance of his life, dying in Independence township on October 24, 1902. The mother moved with her parents to Iowa when a small girl and grew up in Clear Creek town- ship, where they settled. Her death occurred in Independence township. Jasper county, on January 24, 1904. H. C. Connelly was an honored veteran of the Civil war. having enlisted from Marshall county in the Union army in Company K. Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, and he served faithfully until the close of the war, receiving an honorable dis- charge.
Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Connelly, all born in Clear Creek township; they were named as follows: Cynthia, the eldest, died in infancy; Charles H., who lives on a farm in Independence township; Mary I. Perin, of Independence township; W. W. lives in Des Moines; Hattie A. Logan, of Colfax, Iowa; Fred D., of this review; Cyrus A., of Des Moines ; Rollie .A., of Independence township; Jessie B. died when four years of age : Curtis M. of Independence township; James died in infancy.
Fred D. Connelly assisted with the general work on the home farm when a boy, and he has made farming his life work, now owning twenty acres in Independence township on which he makes a good living.
Mr. Connelly was married on November 1, 1902, to Carrie Perin, who was born in Independence township, Jasper county, Iowa, December 24, 1882. She here grew to womanhood and received her education in the common school. She is the daughter of Henry I. and Almira (Porter) Perin, the father born in Indiana and the mother in Scott county, Iowa. They are re- siding at Baxter, Jasper county, and are mentioned elsewhere in this work. There were five children in the Perin family, all living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Connelly one daughter has been born, Leora Irene, whose birth occurred on January 6. 1905. She is attending the rural schools of her neighborhood, and is a bright and winsome little lassie, the light of the pleasant home of the Connellys and a favorite with all who knew her.
Politically, Mr. Connelly is a Republican, but he has never taken a very active interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Baxter camp of the
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Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Connelly takes a great delight in his home, and while he believes in having the necessities and some of the luxuries of life he does not believe in making dollars the sole aim of life, there being much that is higher.
GUSTAV A. HAGER.
Improvement and progress may well be said to form the keynote of the character of Gustav A. Hager, well known merchant of Baxter and one of Jasper county's representative citizens, and he has not only been interested in the work of advancement of individual affairs, but his influence is felt in the upbuilding of the community which has so long been honored by his citizenship. The prosperity which he enjoys is the result of energy rightly applied and has been won by commendable qualities.
Mr. Hager was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, April 14, 1865. He is the son of Simon Hager, who was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, in 1825, in which locality was also born, on August 18, 1827, the mother of the subject, she being known in her maidenhood as Minnie Dalbameier. There they grew up and were married, coming to the United States in early life and spending their last days in Jasper county, Iowa, the father dying in Independence town- ship in 1876 and the mother on September 21, 1895. There were seven chil- dren in their family as follows: William, born January 23, 1857, is living in Baxter, Iowa ; Lizzie is the wife of H. A. Geise. of Independence township; George T., born September II, 1860, of Baxter ; L. A., born December 4, 1864, died in Santa Barbara, California, September 20, 1909; Gustav A., of this re- view : Helen died in infancy ; Lydia, born in Jasper county on December 2, 1875, lives in Santa Barbara, California.
Gustav A. Hager was educated in the common schools and early in life turned his attention to business and has been very successful, being now a inember of the well known firm of Hager Brothers. dealers in pianos and organs at Baxter, this county. They maintain a neat and well ordered store, carrying a large, up-to-date and carefully selected stock of instruments and enjoy an extensive and constantly growing patronage with the surrounding country. They have long been regarded as among the most progressive mer- chants of this thriving little city and have been among its most successful firms.
Mr. Hager has a modern and well furnished home in Baxter. Politically,
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he is a Republican and a member of the German Reformed church of this township.
Mr. Hager was married on March 13, 1895, to Mary L. Crawford, who was born in Leesburg, Indiana, February 18, 1872, and this union has been graced by the birth of one child, Raymond Gustav Hager, born November 6. 1898. a promising lad, now attending school at Baxter
Mrs. Hager is the daughter of W. J. Crawford, who, after a long and useful life, is now living retired in this county. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, November 2, 1836, the son of Lloyd and Eliza (Culbertson ) Crawford. both natives of Ohio, from which state they moved to Illinois when their son. W. J., was a boy, the family later moving to Indiana and in 1884 came to Jasper county, Iowa, locating at Ira where the father engaged in general merchandising until 1899 when he retired. On July 7. 1871, W. J. Crawford was united in marriage with Mary Armsworth, who was born in Leesburg. Indiana. December 23. 1854, the daughter of Willis and Ann (Clifton) Arms- worth, the father born in Illinois and the mother in Ohio; they came to Iowa later in life, locating in Jasper county, the father dying in 1865 and the mother in 1898. Mrs. Crawford was one of a family of three daughters, the others being. Mrs. Martha Boggess and Mrs. Ann Rippey, both deceased. Three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crawford: Mary L , wife of Mr. Hager of this sketch : Clara, born January 17, 1873. married J. H. Crawford, a resi- dent of Independence township; and Mrs. Anna Bossout, born January II. 1875. and living at Fraser, Iowa.
W. J. Crawford was for years one of our leading business men, having been engaged for the most part in handling lumber, finally investing his sav- ings in bank stocks and other securities and is now enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil, and is one of the honored citizens of the town of Ira.
WILLIAM J. BYAL.
"Agriculture is the oldest of all alchemy," says a distinguished writer, "for it turns earth and even refuse into gold and confers upon its cultivator the additional reward of health." This oldest of human vocations and noblest of them all has been honored by the successful career of William J. Byal, one of the enterprising and public spirited citizens of Clear Creek township. His career contains few mistakes and abounds in much that is honorable and of good report, containing the record of an untarnished name and a character above reproach which is much more to be desired than great riches.
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Mr. Byal was born in Clear Creek township, Jasper county, Iowa, Febru- ary 15, 1870, grew to manhood here, received his education in the local public schools, which he attended during the winter months and assisted with the general work on the farm during the crop season, in fact he has continued to be identified with the agricultural life of the community in which he grew to manhood. He is the son of William Byal, a well known citizen of this local- ity, who is referred to elsewhere in this work in the sketch of Henry Byal.
William J. Byal was married on February 12, 1896, to Mittie A. Miller, who was born in Indiana, February 7, 1872, but most of her life was spent in Jasper county, whither she was brought by her parents when she was five years old, in 1877. She is the daughter of E. J. and Martha (Murphy) Miller, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Pennsylvania. They grew up and were married in the East and emigrated to this county while it was undergoing its first important period of development, established a good home, and they are still living in Clear Creek township.
There were three children in the Miller family, of whom Mrs. Byal is the eldest : the others are, Mrs. Francis J. Rippey, born March 25, 1874, lives in Independence township; and Jesse Pearl, born September 1, 1879, lives in Saco, Montana.
To Mr. and Mrs. Byal four children have been born, all in Clear Creek township, and they were named as follows: Geneva, born October 20, 1897, died March 12, 1905; Wilda, born June 9, 1900; Roscoe, born August 29. 1906; Hugh, born August 24,1910.
Mr. Byal is the owner of one of the choice farms of Clear Creek town- ship, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, which he has kept under an excellent state of improvement and cultivation and which ranks with the best farms in this portion of the county. He keeps an excellent grade of live stock of all kinds, and his home is modern, attractive and well furnished and he has a substantial group of outbuildings. Through good management. persistent effort and honorable dealings with his fellow men he has secured a competency and at the same time won the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Politically, Mr. Byal is a Republican, but he has never taken a very active interest in public matters. His father was for a number of years a member of the board of supervisors of Jasper county. The wife of the subject belongs to the Christian church at Ira, and they both belong to the Rebekahs at Mingo. In addition, Mr. Byal is a member of Mingo Lodge No. 174, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Unity Lodge No. 520. of Baxter.
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JOHN NEWCOMER.
There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunity that came in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out in life before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among the progressive and prominent agriculturists and stock men of Jasper county stands John Newcomer. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his makeup and have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him.
Like many of the leading citizens of Jasper county, Mr. Newcomer hails from the old Keystone state, his birth having occurred in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1846, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Hos- tetter) Newcomer, both natives of Pennsylvania, and their parents were also born in that state, the paternal grandparents, Joseph and Fannie Newcomer, and the maternal grandparents, Jacob and Catherine Hostetter, all having spent practically their lives in that state. The parents of the subject grew up and were married in their home state, where they spent their lives on a farm of ninety acres. Jacob Newcomer was a quiet, home man, and spent his life looking after his individual affairs. His family consisted of six children, five of whom are living. Jacob Newcomer was born in 1809 and his death occurred on March 4, 1861 ; his wife was born in March, 1809, and her death occurred on November 2, 1876. The latter finally came to Jasper county, Towa, and spent her last days with her children here
John Newcomer, of this review, was educated in the common schools of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and reared on the home farm, which he assisted in developing. In 1866, when eighteen years of age, he came to Illinois, but remained there only a year. when he moved to Iowa, and when . he became of legal age he bought a farm, in the summer of 1868, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in Hickory Grove township. It was on the raw prairie and he set to work breaking the tenacious sod and erecting fences, and in a short time had his fields yielding abundantly and a very comfortable home, having put up all the buildings and, prospering by hard work and good management, he added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of choice land in Jasper and Poweshiek coun-
MR. AND MRS. JOHN NEWCOMER
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ties. In connection with general farming, he has been an extensive stock raiser and it has long been his custom to feed a car load or two of cattle an- nually. He is an excellent judge of live stock of all kinds and his farm is al- ways kept in an up-to-date condition.
Politically, Mr. Newcomer is loyal to the Republican party and he has been a leader in local affairs for a quarter of a century. He was constable of his township, first, twenty-five or thirty years ago; then he was township trustee and later discharged the duties of assessor for five years, and he has been school treasurer for twenty-four years. This is certainly evidence enough of his. high standing in the community and of the confidence of his fellow citizens. He has ever looked after the affairs of the township with the same care and tact that has characterized his individual affairs. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church.
On September 2, 1879, Mr. Newcomer was married to Laura Sisco, a native of Illinois, to which state she had come with her parents, Oliver and Relly Sisco, and there the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer, namely: Alma is the wife of Richard Burroughs; Arthur C. married Gertie Chenoweth; Charles O., who married Grace Breeden; Eddie M. married Nellie Burroughs ; Chester J. is single and living at home.
LEVI H. KANNE.
One of the public-spirited citizens of Malaka township, Jasper county, who withholds his co-operation from no movement which is intended to promote public improvement is Levi H. Kanne. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfastness of pur- pose. His advancement to a position of credit and honor in the various circles of his locality is the direct outcome of his own persistent and worthy labors, and it would be hard to find a more congenial gentleman in this vicinity.
Mr. Kanne was born in Malaka township, this county, on February 17. 1868, and here he grew to manhood on the home place, received his education in the public schools and has always been identified with agricultural pursuits in his home community. He is the son of Henry and Louisa (Paul) Kanne, both born in Germany, the father on September 19, 1834, and the mother in the province of Lippe-Detmold, on November 17, 1840. They grew up and
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were married in the fatherland and from there emigrated to the United States, being among the early settlers of Malaka township, Jasper county, Iowa. where, by hard work, economy and honest dealings, they became well estab- lished, owning finally four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in Malaka township, and eighty acres in Independence township, besides ten acres of timber land in Clear Creek township. They placed this land under excellent improvements, there being three sets of buildings. The elder Kanne carried on farming on an extensive scale and became one of the substantial men of this part of the county, all through his individual efforts, with the help and encouragement of his faithful life companion, both being people of superior ability in many ways. They spent the rest of their lives here, the father dying October 14, 1901, and the mother October 17, 191I.
To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kanne eight children were born; they were natives of Malaka township and were reared and educated here: their names are as follows : Mrs. Minnie Alleman, born December 10, 1866; Levi H., of this review ; Fred, born April 24, 1870, lives in Malaka township; Mrs. Louisa Krampe, who is mentioned in another part of this volume; Louis, born Octo- ber 15, 1875. of Malaka township; Mrs. Sophia Saak, of Malaka township: Mrs. Lydia Tinnermier lives in Mariposa township: Mrs. Martha Saak lives in Logan township, Marshall county, Iowa.
Levi H. Kanne, of this sketch, was married on June 24, 1896, to Mattie Harre, who was born in Independence township, Jasper county, Iowa, on April 19, 1875, a member of one of the best families of the county, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education. Mrs. Kanne is the daugh- ter of Fred and Wilhelmina ( Meierkort) Harre, both born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, the father on June 4, 1830, and the mother on October 3, 1848, and there they spent their early years, emigrating to Jasper county, Iowa, when this country was being transformed from the wild prairie and here they be- came very well established and are now living in the town of Baxter. They lived a number of years in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, before coming to Iowa, and there the four elder of their eight children were born, the four younger being born in Independence township, Jasper county, Iowa : they are all still living, and bear the following names: Mrs. Emma Kracht lives in Baxter : Fred is a resident of Pleasanton, Nebraska ; Mrs. Pauline Geise, born October 3, 1864, lives in Malaka township, this county : Otto, born December 2, 1870, lives in Eden township, Marshall county; Albert, born August - 13, 1873, is living at Waverly, Iowa: Mattie, wife of Mr. Kanne, of this sketch : Mrs. Clara Hager. born October 30. 1877, lives in Baxter; William, born August 29, 1879.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Kanne have been born two children, Clarence R., born April 26, 1900, and Aleta, born September 2, 1902, who are attending school in their home community.
The valuable Kanne estate was divided in 1912, and one hundred and sixty acres of choice land with its excellent improvements, elegant modern home and beautiful furnishings canie into possession of the subject and wife, and here they are making a success of general farming and stock raising.
Politically, Mr. Kanne is a Republican and he has been a member of the school board of Independence township. This family are members of the German Reformed church of this township. The Kannes have been among the most provident and successful families of this locality and have always stood high in the various circles in which they moved.
VIRGIL BLACKLEDGE.
Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing qualities and it cannot be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities, and it was only by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they succeeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. Such lives are an inspiration to others who are less courageous. Judging from the record Virgil Blackledge, of Newton, Jasper county, is making, he has carefully laid the foundation for large future success, some of which he has already achieved.
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