USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 27
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ANDREW HOEVEN.
The prosperity and substantial welfare of a community are in a large measure due to the enterprise and wise foresight of its business men. It is the progressive, wide-awake men of affairs that make the real history of a community, and their influence in shaping and directing its varied in- terests is difficult to estimate. The well-known gentleman of whom the bi- ographer writes in this connection is ranked among the leading business men of O'Brien county, and it is to such enterprising spirits as he that the locality is indebted for its recent substantial growth and for the high posi- tion it occupies as a center of industrial activity and progress.
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Andrew Hoeven was born in Marion county, Iowa, in 1870, the son of Everett and Ella ( Mulder) Hoeven. Everett Hoeven was born in 1832 in Holland and was reared and educated in his native land. His wife also is a native of the Netherlands and before coming to this country they had reared a large family of children. They came to American shores in 1868 and immediately settled in Marion county, Iowa, and three years la- ter they came to Sioux county, where Everett Hoeven now owns eight hun- dred acres of land. Some years ago he retired from the active labor of his farm and moved to Alton, Iowa, where he is now living.
Everett Hoeven and wife are the parents of fourteen children: Ben- jamin, an implement dealer of Lyon county, Iowa; John, deceased and buried at Newkirk, lowa: Mrs. Gertride Oolbekkink, deceased; Gerat, of Olin, Iowa, where he conducts an implement store; Mrs. Hattie DeBruin, of Hospers, Iowa: Joseph, a real estate man at Hull, Iowa: Henry, de- ceased and buried at Newkirk, Iowa; Mrs. Mary DeJong, of Hospers, Iowa ; Mrs. Ella Idma, who is living on the old homestead farm; Mrs. Maggie Braskamp, of Alton, Iowa: Jacob, of Sioux City, this state, who is a pro- prietor of an automobile garage: Isaac, who is living with his parents; Abraham, living at Alton, Iowa, and AAndrew, with whom this narrative deals.
Andrew Hoeven was two years old when the family moved to Sioux county, where he received all of his education. He remained with his par- ents until he was twenty years of age and then rented land in Sioux county for a short time. He then sold out his interests in his farm and engaged in the general mercantile business at Hospers, Iowa, but after a few years he disposed of his store at this place and went to Sioux Center, where he engaged in the implement business for six years, after which he sold his store and moved to Orange City, where he managed an implement store for nine years. While living in Sioux county he was deputy sheriff for four years. In 1911 he came to Sanborn and established a hardware store, putting in a new stock of goods. He now carries four thousand dollars worth of standard hardware goods, such as are carried in hardware stores of this size, and he has a goodly share of the patronage of Sanborn and vicinity.
Mr. Hoeven was married in 1895 to Dora Kits, and to this union have been born seven children: Everett, who is now attending the National Business College at Sioux City, Iowa; William, John, Allison, Katherine, Ella May, Dorothy. The six younger children are still with their parents.
Politically. Mr. Hoeven votes the Democratic ticket and has always
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been a factor in his party wherever he has lived. He and his family are earnest members of the Holland First Reformed church and contribute generously of their means to its support. Mr. Hoeven is an excellent ex- ample of the sturdy business man, and has taken an active interest in every movement which he thinks would be of benefit to his community. He is a man of genial manner and easily wins friends and since living in Sanborn has gained the respect and esteem of all of those with whom he has been associated.
JOHN FRANKLIN GLOVER.
Osceola county is proud to honor John Franklin Glover as one of her citizens. During the course of a long and busy career he has filled many important positions. He has been a soldier in the Civil War, a clerk of the district court. a member of the state Legislature, the mayor of the city, news- paper editor, a lawyer, a public speaker, a gardener and a minister of the Gospel. He was born September 16, 1845, in Hartleton, Union county, Pennsylvania, the son of William and Eliza (Fisher) Glover. In 1846 his parents moved to Stephenson county, Illinois, where they lived until their deaths. The subject, when a day old, moved to Monroe, Wisconsin, and was living there when the Civil War broke out. In 1864 Mr. Glover enlisted in Company D, Thirty-eighth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was later transferred to Company F in the same regiment. During the course of his service he was promoted and made first sergeant and subse- quently commissioned as second lieutenant and was mustered out as sergeant. He served under General Grant in the campaigns in Virginia.
Mr. Glover had not completed his education when he enlisted in the cause of the Union. He had had some schooling in Freeport, Illinois, and Monroe, Wisconsin, but after the war was over he entered Wisconsin University and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1871 and Master of Arts in 1874. The same year he came to Osceola county and shortly afterwards was elected clerk of the court of this county. In the meantime he was study- ing law and in 1878 he was admitted to the practice of all the courts of this state. Rapidly forging to the front as a lawyer and being a man of ability as a public speaker, it is not surprising that he was elected a member of the Legislature of the state. For a number of years he was editor of an Iowa weekly newspaper and while in charge of this paper he made it a source of power for the Republican party in that community. After moving to Sibley
JOHN F. GLOVER
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he was elected mayor and served in that important office for three years. He has also served as justice of the peace in this county, as well as county attorney.
Mr. Glover was married to Mary Frances Upton, who died May 23. 1886, leaving one son, Lyn Fisher Glover, who is now living in Sibley. Mr. Glover has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party and has been one of the leaders in Republican politics in Iowa for many years. He is frequently called into campaigns and has given political and patriotic speeches throughout this section of the state. He is a man of eloquence and has a flow of language which charms his hearers. In 1908 he was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational church, and since that time has served as a supply minister in Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota. He is now living in Sib- ley, where he is engaged as an attorney and public speaker. For many years he was pension attorney, and because of the fact that he served in the war his services were in great demand by the old soldiers who were seeking pensions. He is a man of strong and upright character and an honorable and useful citizen, and a man who has been a power for good in this county. He is also a man of lofty attainment and ripe judgment and has been eminently successful as a lawyer. He is probably wider known over the state of Iowa than any other of the citizens of this county and it may be assumed that he has always so conducted himself as to reflect honor upon his county.
JOHN STEINBECK.
It is the purpose of this volume to preserve as far as possible an authen- tic record of the lives and deeds of those who have assisted in the upbuild- ing of the various interests of O'Brien county, Iowa. The rank that a city or county holds is very largely dependent upon the achievements of its citizens. The history of Iowa dates back many years, the first act of Con- gress concerning this territory being passed June 28. 1834. At that time the territory of Iowa was made a part of Michigan territory and four years later it was organized as a separate territory. It was admitted as an inde- pendent state on December 28, 1846, with twenty-seven counties and a popu- lation of one hundred thousand, and the state has grown until today it has ninety-nine counties and a population of over two and a quarter million. O'Brien county dates its organization from February 6, 1860, and at its first election, held in November of that year, there were only nineteen votes
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cast in the whole county, and from that time until the present the county has made as rapid progress in population and material prosperity as has any county in the state. The younger generation will never know the trials and discourgaments which faced their fathers and grandfathers in this county. Never again will this county have to go through with the terrible "grasshopper wars" which ate this county out of house and home in the latter part of the seventies. Among the younger generation of farmers who are to bear the burdens of agricultural life in the years to come is John Stein- beck. who is a native of this county.
John Steinbeck. the son of William and Anna (Merkord) Steinbeck, was born on April 20. 1891, in O'Brien county. Iowa. His father was born in Germany in 1855 and his grandfather, Henry Steinbeck, was born in the same country in 1816.
Henry Steinbeck married Mary Marie Isrell, and to this marriage were born five children: Frederick, deceased: Henry, deceased; Dick, who is a resident of Sutherland, this county: Mrs. Sophia Lang, who lives in New York state. and William, the father of the subject of this review. William Steinbeck received his early training in his native land and when thirty years of age came to this country and settled in Wisconsin. He came here on a prospecting trip in order to satisfy himself that this country was the land of opportunities, which had been pictured to him. He was satisfied that he could find a better opportunity for advancement in this country than in his native land. and accordingly he went back in 1886 and married Anna Merkord. immediately returned to the United States and settled in O'Brien county, Iowa, where he worked for two years as a laborer, after which he rented one hundred and sixty acres of land, and by thrift and frugality saved enough money so that he was able to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in 1897. He has been a prosperous and successful farmer in Hartley township, and is classed among the most successful agriculturists and stock raisers of the township. Mr. and Mrs. William Steinbeck were the parents of four children, Alfred. Mary, Laura and John, all of whom are still living with their parents.
John Steinbeck was given a good common school education and after leaving school continued to assist his father upon the home farm. He and his father are Democrats in their political affiliations. but have never taken an active part in public politics. All of the family are loyal. and earnest members of the German Lutheran church and subscribe liberally to its sup- port at all times.
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JOHN H. FOGLE.
One of the retired farmers and stockmen of Hartley, O'Brien county. Jowa, is John H. Fogle, who, after a strenuous life on the farm, is now quietly living a life of ease and retirement in the city of Hartley. Born of German parentage, he has inherited those characteristics which have made the German people prosperous citizens in whatever occupation thy chose to enter.
John Fogle was born in Henry county, Iowa, in 1867, and is the son of John and Katherine (Swalp) Fogle, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. John Fogle. Sr., was born in 1821 and, after receiving a common school education in his native land, began to learn the carpenter's trade. His wife was born in 1826 and they were married in 1845 in the land of their birth. Four years after their marriage they decided to come to America with the hopes of giving their children better opportunities. They first settled in Canada, remaining there until 1851 on a farm. From there they came to Henry c' inty, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of timber land, which they cleared and improved. Here they lived until the death of John Fogle, Sr., in 1896. John Fogle, Sr., and wife were the parents of nine children : Mrs. Mary Everts, of the state of Oregon; Mrs. Diana Franklin, who is a resident of California: Mrs. Katherine Hopfe, who lives in Minne- sota: Mrs. Lizzie Foster, deceased: Frank, a farmer of Minnesota; Mrs. Ella Fyler, also a resident of California : two who died in infancy and John H., Jr., with whom this narrative deals.
John H. Fogle remained with his parents until he was twenty-eight years of age and received such education as was afforded by the country schools of his neighborhood, and after finishing his common school education he assisted his father in the work on the farm. In 1895 he came to O'Brien county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Center township for thirty-two dollars and a half an acre. Here he set out four acres in orchard and forest trees and otherwise improved the place so that at the end of seven years he was able to sell the tract at a handsome profit. He then bought two hundred and forty acres in Hartley township, and within a few years had put six thousand dollars worth of improvements upon this land. While living on the farm he made a specialty of raising cattle and sold from one to four car loads of cattle from his farm each year. Recently he sold his farm and has built a home in Hartley, where he ex- pects to spend the remainder of his days. He still owns two hundred and
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forty acres of land in Minnesota, and has a share in the Farmers Elevator Company and the lumber company at Hartley.
Mr. Fogle was married in 1891 in Henry county, Iowa, to Katie Garick, who is a native of that county, born in 1865, and to this marriage three children have been born: Alma, a graduate of the Hartley high school. Ralph, deceased, and Walter, who is now attending the Hartley public schools. Mr. Fogle has been affiliated with the Republican party since reaching his ma- jority, and although he is deeply interested in all public questions, he has never found time to take an active part in political affairs. He and his family are earnest and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and give to this denomination their undivided support at all times. Mr. Fogle stands for the highest and best standards of living and has given his support unreservedly to such movements as promise to advance the welfare of his fellow citizens in any way.
WILLIAM WAGNER.
William Wagner, a son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Beitzel) Wagner. was born in 1891 in Wheatland, Clinton county, Iowa. His father was a native of Germany, in which country he was employed on a farm, later being apprenticed to a stone mason. In 1887 he was attracted to this country by reports of the opportunities which were to be found here. He first settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked at his trade for five years. Leaving St. Louis, he went to Clinton county, Iowa, where he rented land for a short time, a little later buying one hundred and sixty acres of raw land. On this farm he made his home until a few years ago. when he moved to Wheatland and retired from active farming. He was married early in life to Elizabeth Beitzel and to them were born eight children : Henry, who died in Germany; Elizabeth (Schnider), of Clinton county, Iowa; Albert, a mail carrier of Wheatland, Iowa; Anna (Balhorn), of Wheatland, Iowa; Lena (Morgan), of Clinton county, Iowa; Louis, a laborer of Clinton county, Iowa; Otto, who is at home with his parents. and the subject.
William Wagner has begun an active life. After leaving college he went to Davenport, Iowa, where he secured employment as a salesman of mill work. The company by which he was employed soon recognized his ability and he was promoted to the position of estimator. Finding a good
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opening in the restaurant business at Wheatland, he returned to his native county and conducted a restaurant. After being here for some time he disposed of his interests and purchased the Bader & Byers restaurant in Hartley, lowa. After a few years in this location he was able to purchase the Schlidt building, where he now owns his present cafe.
The subject of this review received a liberal education. After gradu- ating from the Wheatland high school he entered the College of M. H. C. in Wisconsin.
Mir. Wagner was married in 1913 to Velma Horstman of Wheatland, Iowa. Since that time they have made their home in Hartley. He is an Independent Progressive in politics. He and his wife are members and regular attendants of the German Reformed church and contribute of their means to its support. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeoman Lodges.
MICHAEL DENNY.
Change is constant and general. Nations rise and pass away and it is the duty of posterity, as well as the present generation, to place upon the printed page a true record of the lives of those who have preceded us on the stage of action and left to their descendants the memory of their struggles and achievements. The succeeding generations of O'Brien county, Iowa, will be interested to read of the hundreds and even thousands of citi zens of German extraction who have made this county their home. One hundred years from now this book will be invaluable in showing the early history of this county and the original homes of its first settlers. Not less than twenty-five countries of Europe have contributed of their best blood to this county, and there is hardly a state east of the Mississippi but what has sent some of her sturdiest sons as settlers to this county. However, this particular history deals with a son of Germany, who was one of the many who have come to this county and made a success.
Michael Denny, a farmer and stockman of Hartley, Iowa, was born in Germany in 1861, the son of George and Mary (Mahl) Denny. George Denny was born in Germany in 1810, and lived the life of a laborer there until his death. To George Denny and wife were born eight children, and whose life history is here presented is the only one of the family who left his native land and came to America. The other seven children are George. Jacob, Margaret, Anna. Katherine, John, deceased, and one who died in infancy.
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Early in life Michael Denny made his plans to come to this country, feeling that here was a good chance to get out of the rut into which he was afraid he would fall should he stay in his native land. Accordingly, when he reached the age of twenty years, he boldly crossed the Atlantic to seek his fortunes in a strange land. With little money, with no knowledge of the language. but with a brave heart, he landed on the docks at New York City. He had the good sense not to linger in the city, but immediately went out into the farming regions of New York, where he obtained employment on a farm. Two years later he had saved up enough in order to travel and look for a better position. He finally settled in Stevenson county, Illinois, where he worked as a laborer and farm hand for six years. In 1891, when thirty years of age, he came to O'Brien county and purchased four hundred acres of land in Hartley township. It is superfluous to add that he made a success, for from the very beginning he was unusually prosperous. He is now the owner of four hundred acres of fine farming land, on which he has placed six thousand dollars' worth of improvements. He has the honor of putting up the first fence and placing the first cornerstone of Hartley township. While raising all of the crops common to this locality, he has had his largest financial returns from the good grade of live stock which he has marketed each year.
Mr. Denny was married in LeMars, Plymouth county, Iowa, to AAnna De Vries, the daughter of Reka and Aljette ( Poppen) De Vries, and to this marriage have been born six children, George, Cora, August, Arthur, Mar- garet and Addie, all of whom are still with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Denny are justly proud of their children and are giving them the advan- tages of a good education.
Mr. Denny is a Republican in politics and for the past six years has been holding the office of school director in his township. He is deeply in- terested in educational affairs and everything which promises to better the educational system of his township has found in him a ready and enthusiastic supporter. He and all of his family are earnest and devoted members of the German Lutheran church and subscribe liberally to the support of that denomination. Mr. Denny is a man who deserves a great deal of credit for the success he has made of his career in this country. He is scrupulously honest in all of his dealings with the business world, generous and pleasant with his friends and advocates wholesome politics, clean living and honesty in business. It is needless to add that such a man who has lived such a life has a host of friends and acquaintances who admire him for what he has done for himself, as well as for the way in which he has helped his friends.
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ALEXANDER GRANT.
Under a popular government like that of the United States, where the democratic idea of equality is as fully developed as the present imperfect condition of mankind will permit, we expect as its legitimate result the triumph of individual worth and energy over all the competition that wealth and class may array against them. Here the avenues of wealth and dis- tinction are fully opened to all, which fact enhances rather than detracts from the merits of those whose energy and integrity have triumphed over all ob- stacles intervening between an humble position and the attainment of these laudable ends. Obscurity and labor, at no time dishonorable, never assume more attractive features than when the former appears as the nurse of those virtues which the latter, by years of honest and persevering effort, trans- plants to a higher and richer soil ; hence, the biography of those men of ster- ling worth, whose active enterprise has won for them distinction, pre-emi- nence and commanding influence in the society in which they niove, must be replete with fact which should encourage and instruct the young.
Alexander Grant, a prosperous farmer of Omega township, O'Brien county, Iowa, was born in Henry county, Illinois, in 1862. His parents were Daniel and Ellen ( Furguson ) Grant. His father was born in 1831 in Scotland and when a young man left his native country and settled in Penn- sylvania, where he followed the trade of a carpenter for several years, after which he went to Ohio, where he worked as a carpenter for a short time and then moved on west to Illinois, where he engaged in farming in Henry county until his death, which occurred in 1899. He married Ellen Ferguson in the state of Pennsylvania, and to this union were born three children. Mrs. Anna J. McMeekin, who lives in Illinois, John, deceased, and Alexander, with whom this brief biography deals.
Alexander Grant received a good common school education in the schools of Henry county, Illinois, and after finishing his school work continued to assist his father upon the farm until he reached his majority. Shortly after his marriage he came to O'Brien county, Iowa, where he bought eighty acres of land in 1885. For the past thirty years he has bought and sold several different farms and at the present time has one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land in Omega township. Since acquiring this farm he has made eight thousand dollars' worth of improvements on it in the way of erecting buildings of various kinds, constructing fences and making exten- sive drainage. He raises a large amount of stock and is counted as one of
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the most progressive farmers of his township. In addition to his agricul- tural interests he is a stockholder in the Moneta Savings Bank and in the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Moneta.
Mr. Grant was married in 1883 to Hattie Corns, and to this union has been born one son. John, who is now assisting his father on the home farm. Politically, Mr. Grant is a Republican, but has never held any official posi- tion other than that of road superintendent of his home township. He and his family are regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active interest in the work of the church. Mr. Grant is a man who has attained success through his own efforts, having been practically dependent upon his own resources since reaching manhood, and because of his business success, integrity of character and genial disposition he has won and retains a host of warm personal friends throughout this section of the county.
ROBERT P. JONES.
Inherent honesty in the individual is certain of being demonstrated in behalf of his fellow men at some time during the course of his life if the right opportunity presents itself. When that honesty of purpose is tested to the extreme and the man himself is able to resist every blandishment and proffers of reward if he would but betray his fellows-then he is marked as a man among men and one of nature's noblest creations. Sad to relate, there are many persons in the world who hesitate when tempted, prevaricate, stifle their consciences, and fall before the tempter. However, the world and the people in it is growing better. Nowadays a higher standard of morality pre- vails than ever before in history. Men and women are both growing more tolerant of others' opinions-instead of an honest man being the exception, he is everywhere prevalent. There are many reasons for this great change. Wider publicity is being given to the doings of mankind and people have learned that it is better, far better in the end, to lead honest and upright lives. Were Diogenes on earth today. searching for his mythical honest man, he would not have far to seek-such a man is found in the person of Robert P Jones, of Primghar, one of the most highly respected and best beloved per- sonages in O'Brien county.
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