USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
Mr. Hakeman was twice married, his first marriage being in 1861 to Sarah Albangh, and to this union nine children were born: Charles, de- ceased; Mrs. Margaret Alard, of Sutherland, Iowa; James, a hardware mer- chant at Sutherland, Iowa ; Clinton, of May City, Iowa; Mrs. Lily Bryant, of North Dakota; Nora, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Mrs. Mary Wagner, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Clare, of Sanborn, Iowa; Mrs. Nellie Fisher, of Belleplane, Iowa, and Sadie, now Mrs. E. Hendrickson, of Mason City, Iowa.
973
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
The second marriage of Mr. Hakeman was in 1882 to Sarah Delapp. She was born in 1855 in New York state and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Delapp. She came from New York state and lived with her uncle. Samuel Spencer. in Adair county, Iowa. She lived with her uncle for several years and then spent two years in Wisconsin. In 1879 she came back to Iowa and lived in O'Brien county with Mrs. D. C. Fields, her sister, until her marriage in 1882. To this second marriage were born two children, Callie. who is living with her mother, and Mrs. Amy Raymond, of O'Brien county.
Mr. Hakeman and his wife were long members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and subscribed liberally to its support. He was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Hakeman is a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. Hakeman is remembered by his friends as a man of fine presence and an influential man in the circles in which he moved. With a sound character and unflagging energy he stood as an example of the self- made man. His life was filled with good deeds and kindly thoughts and in all of life's relations he was true and faithful to his duty and thereby won the unqualified confidence and regard of his fellow citizens.
PATRICK J. DOUGHERTY.
This utilitarian age has been especially prolific in men of action, clear- brained men of high resolve and noble purposes, who give character and sta- bility to the communities honored by their citizenship, and whose influence and leadership are easily discernible in the various enterprises that have added so greatly to the high reputation which O'Brien county enjoys among her sister counties of this great commonwealth. Conspicuous among this class of men whose place of residence was in O'Brien county was the pro- gressive citizen under whose name this article is written, and to a brief out- line of whose career the biographer is herewith pleased to address himself.
Patrick Dougherty, a former clothing merchant of Sanborn and a mem- ber of the firm of Dougherty & Kelley, was born at Erin Prairie, Wisconsin, in 1876. He was the son of John and Julia (Crowe) Dougherty, his father being a native of Ireland. John Dougherty was born in 1817 and early in life left his native country and settled in Wisconsin where he became a farmer. After living fifteen years in that state he came to O'Brien county
974
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
in 1877 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land in Carroll township. For a number of years the family lived in a log house, but later he put up a substantial dwelling and improved his farm so that it became a valuable piece of property. John Dougherty was twice married, and to his first marriage were born four children: Thomas, a banker of North Da- kota: Mrs. Katherine Gifford, of Seattle, Washington; Frank, a farmer of Floyd township, in this county ; Charles, a real estate agent of Sheldon, Iowa. In 1869 John Dougherty was married to Julia Crowe and to this union four children were born: Mrs. Mary Beacom, of O'Brien county : James, a farmer of South Dakota : one which died in infancy, and Patrick, whose life history is here delineated.
Patrick Dougherty was educated in Northfield, Minnesota, and after leaving school he returned to his parents' home in O'Brien county where he worked for a time. His father dying, he and his mother moved to Sheldon. where he secured employment as clerk in a general mercantile establishment. For fifteen years he clerked in different stores in Sheldon and then in 1905 he went to Primghar, lowa, and managed the clothing department for the Williams Mercantile Company at that place. After a service of nine years with that company he moved to Sanborn and with his brother-in-law, Joe Kelley, bought a clothing store. He was in the firm only a short time, but had already become thoroughly familiar with all the details of the establish- ment. His long experience as clerk in different stores and as manager of the clothing department of the Williams Mercantile Company at Primghar had made him a business man of exceptional ability. He knew every angle of the purchasing part of the business, and was able to stock his store with the best judgment at the lowest prices.
Mr. Dougherty was married in 1901 to Mae Kelley, and to this union have been born two children. John and Winifred. The Democratic party had always claimed the support of Mr. Dougherty, but he had been so busy with his own interests that he had no time to indulge in politics. He and his family were loyal members of the Catholic church, while he was a member of the Catholic fraternity, the Knights of Columbus. He also held member- ship in the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Genial and unassuming in manner, Mr. Dougherty easily won friends and always retained them, and because of his high personal qualities and business success he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this nature. He was killed in the awful cyclone that struck Sanborn June 5. 1914, being on his way home. from the store to his supper.
975
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
MARTIN HICKEY.
The subject of this review is a representative farmer and stock grower of Franklin township, O'Brien county, Iowa, and he is known as one of the alert, progressive and successful agriculturists of this favored section of the Hawkeye state. In his labors he has not permitted himself to follow in the rut in a blind, apathetic way, but has studied and experimented and thus se- cured the maximum returns from his enterprising efforts, while he has so ordered his course at all times as to command the confidence and regard of the people of the community in which he lives, being a man of honorable business methods and advocating whatever tends to promote the public welfare in any way.
Martin Hickey, a farmer and stock raiser of Franklin township, O'Brien county, was born August 2, 1849, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of John and Mary (McCardel) Hickey, who were natives of Ireland. John Hickey was born in 1823. and left his native land with his parents and came to America, settling in Chicago when he was seven years of age. He grew to manhood in this city and became a stage driver and a miner in Illinois. Later in life he moved to Clinton county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for a few years and then moved to Buchanan county, where he followed the vocation of a farmer until his death in 1888. He was married in 1846 to Mary Mc- Cardel, who died in 1908, and to this union were born eleven children : Mar- tin : Peter, who is a farmer of this county: John, who was killed by an au- tomobile in this county in 1913; Michael, who is a resident of Montana ; Ellen, living with her brother, Peter; William, a farmer living in Minnesota ; Patrick, of Sheldon, Iowa; Thomas, a farmer in O'Brien county; two who died in infancy ; Mary, deceased, and Martin, with whom this narrative deals.
Martin Hickey started to work for himself when he was eighteen years of age and for several years worked as a farm laborer, and for a time he drove a cab in the city of Chicago and later freighted with a team across the Rocky mountains from Fairplay to Leadville, Colorado. In 1888 he came to O'Brien county, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for the first three years, after which he bought eighty acres of unimproved land in Franklin township. and is still operating this land. Since purchasing this tract he has made ex- tensive improvements in the way of erecting buildings, fencing and installing a splendid system of drainage. He makes a specialty of raising Norman horses and has taken first prizes on his Norman stock at the county fair.
Mr. Hickey was married in 1896 to Mary Rathford. Politically, he is a
976
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
member of the Democratic party, but has never taken an active interest in political affairs. Religiously, he and his wife are earnest and faithful mem- bers of the Catholic church and subscribe generously to its support. Mr. Hickey is a self-made man and is deserving of great credit for the success which has attended his efforts in the county. He takes an intelligent interest in local movements which make for the advancement of the best interests of his community. He is a man of social tendencies, kind and obliging and straightforward in all the walks of life, and is highly respected and popular with his fellow citizens.
JOHN J. NEUMAN.
The history of any man is merely a recital of those things which have marked his progress along his pathway in life. Every man fills his niche in society and the value of a man to society depends upon how important is the niche he fills. In this day of specialization there are so many hundreds of different occupations that it is impossible to set a comparative value upon the work of men, but it must be conceded that there is no occupation which out- ranks that of a farmer in importance.
John J. Newman, a prominent farmer and stockman of Franklin town- ship. O'Brien county, Iowa, was born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1856, the son of John and Martha (Wagner) Neuman, who were both natives of Germany and came to this country after their marriage in 1855. John Neuman, Sr .. settled in Lee county, Illinois, on a farm and remained there until a few years before his death, when he moved to Ashton, in Lee county, where he died in 1900. John and Martha Neuman were the parents of eight children: Mrs. Christina Teal, who lives in Hartley, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Krug, who is a resi- dent of Illinois ; Mrs. Elizabeth Heipenthal, who also lives in Illinois; Mrs. Sophia Kersten, deceased: Mrs. Katherine Kersten, of Lee county, Illinois; Henry, who lives in Lee county, Illinois; Mrs. Anna Schafer, who lives in Illinois, and John J., whose life history forms the thread of this narrative. In addition to these eight children. there were two others who died in infancy.
John J. Neuman received a good common school education in the schools of this native county in Illinois, and upon marrying in that state rented land from his father, on which he lived until 1904, after which he moved to O'Brien county, Iowa, and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Franklin and Lincoln townships, where he is now living. He has improved his farm in various ways by erecting buildings, constructing fences and put-
977
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
ting in an extensive system of drainage until the farm is now one of the most highly cultivated and productive, as well as among the most valuable of the township. In addition to the raising of all the grain crops common to this locality, he also engages extensively in the breeding of live stock and makes a specialty of Aberdeen Angus cattle, finding that this line of endeavor adds not a little to his annual income. He is also a shareholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Sanborn.
Mr. Neuman was married in 1882 to Sophia Krug, who died in 1900. and to this union there were born eight children, all of whom are still living in O'Brien county : William, a farmer; Mrs. Ida Neinthorp; Mrs. Minnie Muxlow: Albert, who is assisting his father on the home farm; Nora, Har- vey and Clara, who are still with their parents on the home place, and Char- lotte, who is living with her grandparents.
Mr. Neuman, from the time he attained his majority, has been active in the support of the Republican party, but his farming and stock interests hav- ing made such heavy demands on his time and attention that he has never felt that he had the time to take an active part in politics. He and his family have been earnest in their support of the Methodist Episcopal church and have advanced its interests in every way. Mr. Newman has always given his sup- port to every movement which was calculated to advance the welfare of his community along any legitimate lines. By his advocacy of wholesome living. pure politics and honesty in business, he has enjoyed the undivided respect and esteem of all who know him.
WILLIAM BRAHAN.
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary quali- ties of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self-improvement.
William Brahan, son of Michael and Catherine (Smith) Brahan, was born in 1870, in Jasper county, Iowa. Michael Brahan was born in 1818 in Ireland, while his wife was born in the same country in 1823. He died in
978
O BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
1913. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brahan were the parents of five children : Northrop, a resident of Baxter, Iowa: Mrs. Agnes Leamer, of Melbourne. this state: Mrs. Josie Jack, of Newton, Iowa ; Mrs. Agnes leamer, of Ashton, Iowa, and William, whose life history is here delineated.
William Brahan settled in Sanborn, Iowa, in 1887, and for the next three years worked as a farm hand in the immediate neighborhood, after which he rented land in Franklin township, this county, until 1907, at which time he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Franklin township, this county. Since acquiring a farm of his own he has improved the tract in various ways, so as to greatly enhance its value, and in addition to raising all the crops common to this section, keeps graded stock of high quality and is recognized as a farmer who is progressive in his methods and a man who understands thoroughly the details of modern agriculture.
Mr. Brahan was married on March 12, 1895, to Sarah Dummitt, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dummitt, a homesteader of Franklin township, this county, and to this marriage have been born two children, Beulah and Earl, who are now attending school.
The Republican party has claimed the support of Mr. Brahan since reaching his majority and, although he has never been a candidate for a pub- lic office, he takes an intelligent interest in political affairs. Religiously, he and his family are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church and try to live a life consistent with the teachings of that denomination. Mr. Brahan is recognized as a man of enterprising and progressive ideas and has not been backward in giving his support to every movement for the upbuilding and development of his county. Personally, he is a genial and companionable man and an appreciative member of the various circles in which he moves.
PATRICK L. PEISLEY.
A well remembered and honored pioneer citizen of Osceola county who passed to his reward many years ago was Patrick L. Peisley. He was a man who united those qualities of head and heart which insure success in any field of endeavor. Born of sturdy Irish parents, he was taught self-reliance, inde- pendence of thought and a sturdy belief in strict adherence to the accepted rules of life. He served with distinction in the Civil War and after the close of that struggle came to this county where he became one of the earliest pioneers.
PATRICK L. PEISLEY
979
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOW.A.
Patrick L. Peisley was born in Ireland in 1844 and died in Osceola county, Iowa, September 13. 1900. He came to this country with his father, Michael, when he was five years of age and the family settled in Grant county, Wisconsin, and there Patrick Peisley was reared to manhood. In that state he enlisted for service in the Union army in 1861, in Company C. Second Regiment Wisconsin Cavalry, and served until he was mustered out at Austin, Texas, November 15, 1865. He was appointed corporal June I, 1864, and finally discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, on December 11, 1865. with this rank. Among the battles in which he took part may be mentioned the following: Bayou Cache, Arkansas: Oakland, Mississippi; Liek Creek, Arkansas: Cold Water, Mississippi: Hour Lake. Tennessee ; siege of Vicks- burg: Clinton, Mississippi: Bayou Pierre and James Landing, Arkansas; Jackson, Mississippi; Mentonia, Missouri: Prairie Grove, Arkansas; Van Buren. Arkansas: Hall's Plantation, Mississippi; Woodville. Mississippi ; Yazoo City: Egypt Station and several skirmishes in Texas.
After being mustered out of the service in Wisconsin, Mr. Peisley re- mained there until his marriage in 1873. He and his wife then came to Osceola county and homesteaded on section 32, in Viola township, and on this farm they lived and reared a family. remaining there until 1910. In that year the widow moved to Sibley, where she is now living. Mr. Peisley was successful as a farmer and at the time of his death was the owner of two hundred and ninety-three acres of excellent farming land. He put extensive improvements on his farm in the way of new buildings, fencing and drainage until it became one of the most valuable tracts in the township.
Mr. Peisley was married on July 3. 1873. to Mary Jane O'Neil, who was born December 15. 1850. in Dutchess county. New York, and is the daughter of John and Julia ( Phillips ) O'Neil, who were both natives of Ire- land. They left New York in 1874 and settled in Grant county, Wisconsin, where they lived until 1883. In that year they came to Osceola county, Iowa, where the father and mother both died, the mother passing away in 1880 and the father in the year following. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil were the parents of three children : Mary J., the wife of Mr. Peisley: Eliza Ann. who died in the fall of 1906, and Daniel, who is the clerk at the Osceola House in Sibley. Mr. and Mrs. Peisley are the parents of four children: Mrs. Maria R. Corkell, who is living with her mother in Sibley; Mrs. Emma Walbran, who is a resident of Tracy, Minnesota : Daniel L., who is living on the homestead in Viola township, this county, and one who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Peisley were both members of the Catholic church and (63)
980
O BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
always rendered it their earnest support. In politics Mr. Peisley, was a Democrat and always took an active interest in local politics. He had been a school director in Viola township for a number of years preceding his death and served several years as trustee of Viola township. Mrs. Peisley is a woman of most estimable character and is highly esteemed by all who know her for her many deeds of kindness and charity. She and her hus- band lived a full and complete life and were happy in their home relations. Mr. Peisley thought much of the family name and strove to keep it untarnished before the world. He took pride in his children and did every- thing in his power for their welfare. To those who were very near to him and knew him well he was regarded as a good man in every sense of the word, faithful and true, a kind neighbor, and an honor to his county and state.
ROBERT W. BOYD.
The history of him whose name heads this biographical sketch is close- ly identified with the history of O'Brien county, Iowa, which has long been his home. He began his career in this locality in the pioneer epoch and throughout the subsequent years he has been closely allied with its interests and upbuilding. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a degree of success commensurate with his efforts. He is of the highest type of progressive citizen and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among those whose enterprise and ability have achieved results that have awakened the admiration of those who know them. The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than Mr. Boyd, and in all the rela- tions of life-family, church, state and society-he has displayed that con- sistent Christian spirit, that natural worth, that has endeared him to all classes. His integrity and fidelity have been manifested in every relation of life, an example which has been an inspiration to others and his influence has been felt in the community honored by his citizenship.
.
Robert W. Boyd, a distinguished veteran of the Civil war, and now living a retired life in Sutherland, O'Brien county, Iowa, was born in Ire- land in 1844. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boyd, whose family history is sketched elsewhere in this volume, in the history of Richard Boyd.
Robert W. Boyd came over to this country with his parents before the Civil War, and in 1862, although only a lad of eighteen, he offered his services for the cause of his adopted country and enlisted at Marion, Iowa.
98 1
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
on October 10, 1862, in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry. A short time after enter- ing the services he became sick with lung fever and was discharged on account of disability, on February 10. 1863. at Davenport. Iowa, having been in the active service only about four months. In 1865 he started to work in Linn county, Iowa, as a laborer, and continued to work in that county until 1871. In that year he came to Grant township, O'Brien county, and homesteaded a tract of land and eventually proved his title to his land. He put out one of the largest groves and orchard trees which has ever been set out in the township and his seventeen acres of trees is one of the pleasing sights of this section of the state. He is a progressive farmer in every sense of the word and erected a barn, which at the time it was built was the largest barn in the township. This barn was later destroyed by fire. For the first three years after coming here Mr. Boyd lived by himself in a sod house, and one must live in such a house in order to appreciate the dis- advantages and discomforts which he suffered. In 1874 his mother sent him money to build a little house, and the lumber had to be hauled from Sheldon, a distance of twenty-five miles. In the early days of the county he was a grain freighter, hauling grain from Primghar to Sheldon, and he has the honor of selling the first load of wheat which was sold in Shel- don, the purchaser being Benjamin Jones. He also hauled the first load of wheat to Hartley, where he sold it to a Mr. McAndrews. In the early days of the county there were no roads and the trails between towns was constantly changing, a fact which often caused travelers to be led astray and even lost. As well acquainted as Mr. Boyd was with the different trails in that early time, it has happened that he has been lost himself more than once on the prairies of O'Brien county, in the days gone by. Mr. Boyd continued to reside upon his farm until 1910, when he moved to Primghar to educate his only son and child. In 1911 he moved to Sutherland, where he is now living, having a fine home and four acres of land within the cor- porate limits of the town. Mr. Boyd at one time owned and operated a livery barn in Sutherland, but has disposed of his, interests in this busi- ness.
Mr. Boyd was married in 1878 to Hannah Snyder, the daughter of Palmer and Polly Snyder, who are now living with Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Snyder being one of the oldest women in the county, having reached the advanced age of ninety-six years in October, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have one son. John W., who is still living with his parents.
The Republican party has claimed the stanch support of Mr. Boyd since he was old enough to cast his first ballot. However, he has never had as-
982
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
piration along political lines, being content to devote his time and energies to his agricultural interests. However, he has been a school director for several years and in that capacity gave his aid to every measure which promised to benefit the schools of his township. He and his family are ear- nest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and subscribe liberally to the support of that denomination. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and takes a deep interest in the work of these fraternal organizations. Personally, he is popular throughout the community, possessing those amiable qualities which attract friends and is rightfully ranked among the leading citizens of his township and county.
JOHN BLAHAUVIETZ.
The prosperous farmer and stock raiser of O'Brien county, Iowa, whose career is here briefly portrayed is one of those self-made men who have put O'Brien county in the front ranks of the agricultural counties of the state of lowa. Although he has been in the county only ten years, yet such has been his life that he has gained the confidence and esteem of the people of his com- munity. He is justly termed a self-made man and as such his life is one which may be studied with profit by the young men of the rising generation.
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.