USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 37
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O BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
JAMES C. BRIGGS.
For the past thirty years one of the representative and spirited men of Sutherland, O'Brien county, Iowa, has been James C. Briggs, who is now living a retired life in the city for which he has labored so long. He has made his influence felt for good in this city and his life has been closely inter- woven with its history for the past score and ten years. As city council- man and as mayor he did everything he could to advance the interests of his city and place it in the first ranks among the other cities of its size in this section of the state.
James C. Briggs, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edmond L. Briggs, was born in 1851 in Grant county, Wisconsin. He was given a good common school education and also graduated from the Bloomington, Wisconsin, high school. At the age of twenty-two years he began to work upon the farm in Wis- consin and for a number of years rented land in that state. He saved his money with the intention of coming farther west and investing in richer land than could be secured in Wisconsin. Accordingly in 1884 he came to O'Brien county, Iowa, on a prospecting tour and finally decided to start in business in Sutherland rather than embark in farming. He bought a re- tail meat market in Sutherland and operated it for one year. The next year he engaged in the harness-making business and for the next twenty- five years engaged in the harness and saddlery business in Sutherland. In 1910 he sold out his business and retired from active business.
Mr. Briggs was married in 1874 to Marilla C. Tubbs, who was born in 1857, and to this marriage have been born four children: Mrs. Dora Bidwell, of Union, Montana; Walter, of Primghar, Iowa; Mrs. Nellie Johannsen, of Sutherland, lowa, and Harry J., of Sutherland.
Mr. Briggs has always taken an active part in the public life of his city. During the thirty years that he has been a resident of the city he has done as much for the public welfare as any other man. He was city council- man and mayor for two different terms and brought about many reforms in the city government. He started the agitation for public improvements of all kinds and has the honor of establishing the fire limits in the city. At the present time Mr. Briggs is city assessor. He owns a fine modern home in the city, together with sixty acres of land inside the corporation limits. He has been a life-long Republican and has always taken an active interest in political affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and takes an active part in Masonic work. He is a
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great student of Masonry and is one of the best informed men upon the history of the institution in this section of the state. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Briggs' career exhibits a life of integrity, indefatigable industry and wholesome home and social rela- tions, and a most commendable career in every way. As a private citizen and as a public official, he has those traits of character which are of special value in such a state of society as exists in this country. Possessing a strong social nature and exercising a genial and friendly attitude towards those with whom he comes in contact, it is not strange that he has a large and loyal following among his acquaintances in Sutherland.
JOHN BOBZINE.
It was once remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that "there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not have been useful." Believing in the truth of this opinion, ex- pressed by one of the greatest and best of men, the writer of this review takes pleasure in presenting a few facts in the career of a gentleman who, by in- dustry, perseverance, temperance and integrity, has worked himself from an humble station to a successful place in life and won for himself an honorable position among the well known and highly esteemed men of the locality in which he resides.
One of the worthy descendants of German extraction who are counted among the prosperous farmers of O'Brien county is John Bobzine, who was born in 1873 in Johnson county, Iowa, the son of Fred B. and Dorothea (Possehl) Bobzine, both of whom were natives of Germany. His father was born in 1847 and was a laborer in his native country. To improve his con- dition, as well as that of his family, he came to America and settled in Johnson county, Iowa, and here he became engaged in farming and later came to Benton county, this state, where he lived the life of a farmer until his death, which occurred in 1894. To Fred Bobzine and wife were born eight children : Mrs. Mary Beulow, of Algona, Iowa ; Fred, deceased ; Henry, who is a farmer of this county; Louis, a resident of Dakota: Mrs. Tillie Bauserman, of Des Moines, Iowa: Mrs. Sophia Jones, who lives in Clay county, this state; Mrs. Martha Jones, also a resident of Clay county, and John, with whom this narrative deals.
John Bobzine was reared on his father's farm in Benton county, Iowa,
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and received his education in the schools of that county. He remained with his parents on the home place until the death of his father, which occurred in 1894. afterwards operating the homestead farm for his mother until her death, and in 1901 he came to O'Brien county and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Grant township. Later he sold this tract and purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln township, where he is now living. He has improved and cultivated this farm until it is one of the finest in the township. He has three acres of orchard and grove. an attractive and modern home, as well as large and commodious barns and other outbuildings on his place. He is progressive in his methods of agri- culture and as a result reaps the reward of excellent crops and handsome pecuniary returns for his efforts. He has an interest in the Farmers Elevator Company at Hartley. Iowa, an organization which is of immense benefit to the farmers of the community.
Mr. Bobzine was married in 1899 to Emma Kruse, of Clay county. Iowa, and to this union there have been born four children, Neva, Clarence. Esther and Glenn. Politically. Mr. Bobzine is a Republican and takes an active interest in the affairs of his party, but his farming interests have made such heavy demands on his time and attention that he has never as- pired to public office at the hands of his party. Religiously, he and his fan- ily are earnest and devoted members of the German Lutheran church and are actively interested in the work of this denomination and contribute liber- ally to its support. Mr. Bobzine is a man who is genial and unassuming in his manner and easily wins friends and by his sturdy integrity and upright living, retains them, and he and his family are highly esteemed members of the community in which they live.
EDWARD MANN.
Some one has said that there is work for every man if he can only find it. While most men are adapted peculiarly to some particular vocation in life, there are a few men who can do several things equally well. The men who are fortunate enough to have ability can make a success in several dif- ferent vocations while the men who are so unfortunate as not to possess much business ability have hard work to succeed in any vocation. Edward Mann, whose life history is here presented, has been successful as a farmer, as an implement dealer, and as a grain dealer, while as a public official he
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has been one of the most efficient men who has ever transacted official busi- ness at Calumet, Iowa, where he is now living. He has those characteris- tics of sterling honesty and integrity which mark every successful man, while in his administration of the duties of his public office he is wide awake and alive to the interests of his town.
Edward Mann, the present mayor of Calumet, was born in Scott county. Iowa, in 1873 and is the son of William and Elizabeth ( Schafer ) Mann. William Mann was born in Germany in 1834 and when nineteen years of age left his native land and came to this country. He traveled in several dif- ferent states in this country, before finally settling in Scott county, Iowa. where he engaged in the implement business. He was a business man and a highly respected citizen of the town where he lived for many years. He (lied in 191I.
Edward Mann is one of a family of seven children, all of whom are living but one. He was given a good common school education in the schools of Scott county and when nineteen years of age started to clerk in a merchan- (lise store. . \ year later he secured employment in a hardware store in Pier- son. Iowa, and for two years gave his employers good service. He after- wards bought a half interest in the hardware business at that place and re- mained there for the next seven years. He carried a complete stock of shelf and heavy hardware, furniture and undertaking supplies, and had a good trade in Pierson and the surrounding territory. In 1902 he sold out his in- terests there and came to Calumet, Iowa, and purchased the elevator at this place. He buys and sells grain and handles about one hundred and twenty- five car loads each year. He is a man of integrity and in all of his business transactions since coming to this county he has so conducted himself that he has gained the confidence of all with whom he has had dealings.
Mr. Mann was married in 1898 to Christene Benedix and to this union has been born one son, Randolph B., who is still living with his parents.
Mr. Mann is an active Republican in politics and has always taken a prominent part in public affairs in this town and county. He has the honor of organizing the first fire company and was instrumental in securing a chemical engine for the use of the city of Calumet. He was a member of the city council for eight years and threw his hearty support in favor of every measure which he thought would benefit his city. While secretary of the school board, an office which he held for three years, he did everything pos- sible for the educational interests. At the present time he is the efficient mayor of Calumet. In his executive capacity, he stands for strict enforce- ment of all the municipal laws and at the same time gives his hearty en-
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couragement to all measures tending to improve the welfare of the city. He subscribes liberally to both churches at this place. Fraternally, he is a men- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and takes a deep interest in the various activities of those fraternal organiza- tions. He has been one of the city's best counsellors, and since coming to this city his name has never been coupled with anything disreputable nor has there been a shadow of a stain upon his reputation for integrity and unflinch- ing honesty.
ADOLPH GOSCH.
Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of- door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterize true manhood and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful. life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned states- men and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were in- debted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have at- tained.
Adolph Gosch, a prosperous farmer of Linsoln township. O'Brien county, was born in Scott county, Iowa, in 1872, the son of Claus and Anna (Untiedt) Gosch, both of whom were born in Germany. Claus Gosch was born in 1828 and followed the trade of a miller in his native land until he came here in 1866. In that year he came to America and settled in Daven- port, Iowa, where he worked for a short time. He then engaged in farm- ing in Scott county until 1899, when he came to O'Brien county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lincoln township, where his son, Adolph, is now living. To Claus Gosch and wife were born four children : Mrs. Agnes Muhs, deceased; Henry, a farmer of Scott county, Iowa, who is living with his father; Gustave, a resident of Scott county, and Adolph, of Lincoln township, with whom this narrative deals.
Adolph Gosch received his education in the schools of Scott county, lowa, and remained with his parents until his marriage in 1896, at which time he moved to O'Brien county and began farming on his father's farm.
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA. 1057
He set out three acres of grove trees and has made many extensive im- provements on the land, amounting to more than three thousand dollars. since moving to the farm. In addition to his grain crops he raises a con- siderable amount of graded stock. which adds not a little to his annual in- come.
Mr. Gosch was married in 1896 in Scott county, lowa, to Ida Brehmer, and to this marriage have been born four children, Stella, Gustav, Mabel and Ida. all of whom are still with their parents.
In his political affiliations Mr. Gosch has identified himself with the Re- publican party and has taken an intelligent interest in the affairs of the body politic, and he has been especially interested in education and has served as school director of Lincoln township. He and his family are earnest mem- bers of the German Lutheran church and render to it faithful service at all tin.es. His life has been one of activity, and by reason of the success with which it has been attended it is safe to predict for him a future of greater usefulness. He is familiar with all the different phases of agriculture and is regarded as one of the most progressive and substantial farmers of his community. He is a man who wins many friends by his kindly manner and personality.
WILLIAM EGDORF.
The gentleman of whom we wish to speak in this review is an exem- plification of the accomplishment of a man who came to this country a stranger and, starting at the foot of the ladder, has, by his own efforts and by means of his intrinsic worth, placed himself in a position of affluence and prominence.
William Egdorf is a native of Germany, having first seen the light of day in the year 1864. His father, Charles B. Egdorf, was born in 1823 and remained in the fatherland until he reached mature years. His wife, Sophia, was born in 1830 and to them came six children, five of whom are now living.
The son. William, accompanied his parents to this country in his youth, soon after his arrival here finding employment as a farm hand. True to the teachings of his childhood, he labored diligently and lived with character- istic German thrift. looking toward a future of competence and independence. In 1889 the advantages offered to settlers in O'Brien county appealed to him, and to this locality he journeyed. settling in Caledonia township, where
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he rented a quarter section of land. So diligent was he and with such sound judgment did he direct his efforts that he was enabled at the expira- tion of four years to purchase a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Baker township and. later, eighty additional acres were added to his holdings. Mr. Egdorf has consistently adhered to his original manner of living, laboring at all times energetically for the improvement of his estate and the acquirement of those comforts which are a necessity for the en- joyment of a peaceful rest in the declining years of life. At this time he is the possessor of two hundred and forty acres of well cultivated land, and five thousand dollars' worth of improvements have rendered it a hand- some homestead.
ยท Mr. Egdorf is unmarried. Politically, he is an adherent of the Repub- lican party, which ticket he has voted from his youth. He is a faithful member and supporter of the German Lutheran church, but has taken no interest in fraternal affairs, being a member of no secret societies. He is known throughout the community as a conservative gentleman of unques- tioned integrity, upright and honorable in his dealings and a citizen of sterling worth.
GEORGE W. WALTER.
One of the enterprising and successful farmers of O'Brien county, Iowa, who traces his ancestry back to the land of the Kaiser, is George W. Walter, a man who has succeeded in his life work from no other cause than that he has worked, persistently and along proper lines. He has not only succeeded in his chosen vocation of agriculture, but has also won a reputa- tion for honesty and fair dealings throughout the county.
George W. Walter, the present trustee of Hartley township, and a prosperous farmer and stockman, was born in 1857 in Marshall county, Iowa. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Little) Walters. his father having been born in Germany in 1819 and his mother in Ohio in 1823. George Walter, Sr., learned the wagon-maker's trade in his native land and upon coming to this country, in 1837. followed his trade in the state of Ohio for a number of years. While living in Ohio he was married, in 1833. to Elizabeth Little. In 1855 he and his family moved to Marshall county, Iowa, where he continued to follow his trade until 1865, at which time he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of timber and prairie land in Mar- shall county and began to follow the vocation of a farmer. He added to his
GEORGE W. WALTER
THE
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land holdings from time to time until, when he retired, in 1890, he was the owner of three hundred acres of fine farming land. He lived with his children after his retirement until his death, which occurred in 1899. To George Walter and wife were born eleven children: Elizabeth, the wife of T. H. Jones, a retired druggist, now living in California ; Mrs. Mary Curtis, deceased : John, also living in California; Mrs. Carrie ( Havens) Conrad, who lives in Iowa ; William, deceased; Mrs. Emma Jones, of Marshalltown. Iowa; Frank P., who is a retired farmer of Iowa: Charles E., deceased : Albert. deceased; Warren, of Marshall county, this state, and George W., with whom this narrative deals.
George W. Walter remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age. He received a good common school education, and after completing his studies he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Humboldt county, Iowa, and, after farming it for five years, sold it and came to O'Brien county, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land in Hartley township in 1887, and broke the most of this tract himself the first time. He was very successful in his efforts after coming to this county and is now the owner of five hundred and ninety acres of land in the county. One hundred and sixty acres of his land ad- joins the city of Hartley. He is a large breeder of Shorthorn cattle and finds the sale of his cattle one of the important sources of his income. He also owns a share in the Hartley Lumber Company.
Mr. Walter was married in 1889. in Hartley township, to Alice Els- berry, the daughter of Carden and Anna (Lupton) Elsberry. Carden Els- berry was born in Wisconsin in 1822, and his wife was a native of Ohio, her birth having occurred in Belmont, that state, in 1834, their marriage occur- ring in 1868. George Walter and wife are the parents of five children : Veda Iona; John, a farmer who is living with his parents; Elizabeth, Oletha and George F. The two older children, Veda Iona and John, graduated from the high school at Hartley and the other three children are now at- tending school in Hartley. Mr. and Mrs. Walter are firm believers in the efficacy of a good education and are intending that their children shall have the best advantages along that line.
Politically, Mr. Walter has been identified with the Republican party ever since reaching his majority. His worth as a citizen is shown by the fact that he is now holding the office of trustee of Hartley township, and he is also school director of his township. He and his family are regular at- tendants of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they contribute lib-
(68)
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erally of their means. Fraternally. he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and takes an active interest in the work of that or- ganization. Mr. Walter has always looked upon the sunny side of life and as a result of this fortunate disposition he has made it pleasant for those with whom he comes in contact either in a business or social way. With kindly nature and social impulses he is recognized as a man of high moral character and thus enjoys the confidence and good will of all who know him.
ROSS L. RAYMOND.
Among the younger farmers of O'Brien county, Iowa, who take an active interest in the affairs of the community in which they live and at the same time are taking front rank as agriculturists, there is no one who deserves more praise than Ross Raymond, of Lincoln township. It has been said that the tendency of our modern education is to take boys away from the farm and yet Mr. Raymond turned to the farm after graduating from the high school and takes pride in being a farmer. That he is suc- cessful is evidenced from his well-kept farm and the appearance of thrift which is seen on every hand.
Ross Raymond was born in Cedar Falls. Black Hawk county, Iowa. in 1881, and is the son of Albert and Susan (Smith) Raymond. Albert Raymond was born in 1851 in Fond du Lac. Wisconsin, and when seven- teen years of age came to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he worked for a few years as a farm laborer. In 1893 he came to Lincoln township. O'Brien county, and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, only a part of which was improved. He put six thousand dollars worth of improve- ments on the farm and when he left the farm, in 1903. it was rated as one of the most productive of the township. He retired from active farm life in 1903 and moved to Cedar Falls, where he and his wife are now living. Albert Raymond and wife were the parents of seven children: Effie, living at Cedar Falls. Iowa, is a graduate of the Cedar Falls schools ; Myrtle, is a teacher in Colorado; Fannie is a teacher in Iowa: her twin brother, Fred. died at the age of twenty-one years: Wayne, who is manager of the gar- ment factory at Cedar Falls, Iowa : Rolla, a pharmacist at Cedar Falls, and Ross, whose history is here presented. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond are justly proud of their splendid family of children, all of whom have been given good educations and are filling useful positions in society.
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Ross Raymond graduated from the common schools and later graduated from the Sanborn high school. He has been operating his father's farm since 1902 and is fast forging to the front as one of the most progressive farmers of the county. He raises a large amount of stock each year, makes a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle and markets about fifty head of cattle each year, besides other live stock.
Mr. Raymond was married in 1904 to Amy Hakeman, daughter of Sarah Hakeman, and to this marriage have been born four children, who are still living with their parents, Merton, Faye, Lee and Fern.
Politically, Mr. Raymond is an adherent of the Republican party and sub- scribes to the principles of that political organization. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp at San- born. Mr. Raymond has taken an active interest in the educational affairs of his township and at the present time is acting as school director, and in this position he finds an opportunity to do great good in advancing the edu- cational interests of his township, favoring every measure which he feels will better the schools. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond move in the best circles of their community and entertain their friends in their home with genuine hospitality.
DR. GEORGE A. AUPPERLE.
Devoted to the noble work which his profession implies. the gentle- man whose career we essay to briefly outline in the following paragraphs has been faithful and indefatigable in his endeavors and has not only earned the due rewards of his efforts in a temporal way, but has also proved hini- self eminently worthy to exercise the important functions of his calling, by reason of his ability, his abiding sympathy and his earnest zeal in behalf of his fellow men. His understanding of the science of osteopathy is re- garded by those who know him as being broad and comprehensive, and the profession and the public accord him a distinguished place among the men of his class in Iowa. His has been a life of earnest and persistent endeavor, such as always brings a true appreciation of the real value of human existence-a condition that must be prolific of good results in all the relations of life.
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