USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 40
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Mrs. Waterhouse before her marriage was Earla D. Briggs, daughter of Edmond Briggs, a sketch of whose career will be found elsewhere within the pages of this book. To their union have been born three chil- dren, namely: Bessie L., who is the wife of E. F. Broders, a banker of Hartley, this state; Edna May (Mrs. Yocom), who resides in Sutherland, and Marlow Alderson, who remains at home. Mr. Waterhouse is one of the stanch supporters of the old-line Republican party and has taken more than a passive interest in the affairs of that party as applied to local inter- ests. He is one of the wide-awake men of brain and substance who are able to exert such a beneficent influence upon the affairs of the community. An excellent type of manhood, he stands "four square to every wind that blows" and in every walk of life has proven to be of sterling worth. The family is well-known and highly respected, taking an active part in the best
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interests of the community, and being attendants at the Methodist Episco- pal church, to which they give generously of time and means. Mr. Water- house has proven true to every trust and is justly popular in his locality.
JAMES BROSH.
While practically every country in Europe has furnished some of its best citizens for O'Brien county, Iowa, there have been very few who have come from faraway Bohemia. Sutherland boasts of one enterprising citizen who was born in that land where human liberty is scarcely known and where oppression stalks about on every hand. It is no wonder that this country has furnished so many emigrants to the United States.
James Brosh, manager of the Frank Klema Automobile Company, of Sutherland, was born in Bohemia in 1849. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Brosh, who came to this country in 1855 and first settled in Davenport, lowa. Later John Brosh drove a team overland to Iowa City and engaged in farming in that neighborhood until 1901, when he retired from active life and moved to Solon, Iowa, where he spent his declining years. James Brosh is one of twelve children born to his parents and was only about six years of age when the family came over the ocean to this country. He re- ceived a very limited education, but has been a wide reader all his life. As soon as he could work out he began to work for himself and in 1870, having reached the age of twenty-one years, he came to O'Brien county and home- steaded in Highland township and continued to manage this farm in this township until 1907, when he moved to Sutherland and engaged in the real estate business. In 1913 he became manager of the Frank Klema Automo- bile Company and in that position is demonstrating his marked business ability. In addition to his eighty acres of land in Highland township, Mr. Brosh is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in Richland county, North Dakota.
Mr. Brosh was married in 1871 to Elizabeth Dobricka, who died in 1882, and to this marriage were born four children: Mrs. Anna Campbell. who lives in Canton, South Dakota; Mrs. Josephine Severance, who is a resident of this county ; William, who is now farming the old homestead in Highland township, this county; Mrs. Lillie Lowell, who lives at Canton. South Dakota.
Mr. Brosh has taken an intelligent interest in politics since reaching his
JAMES BROSH
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majority and his fellow citizens have recognized in him more than ordinary ability and consequently they have elected him to various township offices within their suffrage, and in all of these positions he has given faithful and efficient service, not only to those who voted for him, but to all other citizens of the township as well. In fact, his service as a public official has been so excellent that he has held no less than four township offices, a record which it would be hard to duplicate in O'Brien county today. He has been con- stable, road supervisor, school director and township trustee, and has given each office the same careful and efficient attention as he shows in his own private business affairs. Religiously, he and the members of his family are loyal and faithful adherents of the Catholic church and contribute liberally of their time and substance to its support. Mr. Brosh is a man who has entered heartily into all movements having for their object the welfare of his community, is energetic in his efforts and has built up a splendid reputation as a man of good business judgment. His actions have been prompted and controlled by the highest motives, so that at all times he has enjoyed the unqualified confidence of his fellow citizens.
MRS. ADDIE C. MCFARLAND.
Wholly devoted to home and domestic duties, doing through all the best years of her life the lowly but sacred work that comes within her sphere, there is not much to record concerning the life of the average woman. And yet what station so dignified, what relation so loving and endearing, what offices so holy, tender and ennobling as those of home- making wifehood and motherhood. As man's equal in every qualification save the physical, and his superior in the gentle, tender and loving ameni- ties of life, she fully merits a much larger notice than she ordinarily re- ceives, and the writer of these lines is optimistic enough to indulge the pre- diction that in no distant future she will receive due credit for the im- portant part she acts in life's great drama and be accorded her proper place in history and biography. The foregoing lines are prompted by a review of the career of one of Floyd township's grand ladies, who is numbered among the most respected and esteemed residents of this favored com- munity.
Mrs. Addie McFarland, who is now living a retired life on her beauti- ful Maplewood farm in Floyd township, O'Brien county, lowa, was born
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in Akron. Ohio. in 1859. She is the daughter of Robert and Prudence (Falor) Osborn. Robert Osborn was born in 1832 in Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Union army at Cleveland, Ohio, and was a fife major during the entire period of the war. He is now the leader of the martial band at Long Beach, California. He was at one time a furniture and shoe dealer in Sheldon, lowa, and a large land owner in Floyd township, in O'Brien county. He was married in 1856 to Prudence Falor, who was born in Ohio in 1838 and died March 14, 1891. Mrs. and Mr. Robert Osborn were the parents of three children: Eva, deceased: Pearl, who died February 25. 1900: Mrs. Addie McFarland, whose life history is here delineated.
Mrs. McFarland remained with her parents until she was eighteen years of age and then married James McFarland, who was born in Maysville, Kentucky, in 1851. He was the son of William and Louisa (Sutton) Mc- Farland. William McFarland was a homesteader of O'Brien county and he and his wife reared a family of four children: Mrs. Caroline Griffith, cieceased: Robert, who died during the Civil War; Mrs. Mary Virgil, of Sheldon, Iowa, and James, who died August 14, 1902. James McFarland homesteaded in Floyd township. O'Brien county, and was a very pros- perous farmer, leaving to his estate two hundred and forty acres of well improved land upon his death. He had fifteen acres of fine maple trees, the largest grove in O'Brien county. Addie Osborn and James McFarland were married in O'Brien county in 1877, and to this union were born five children : Mrs. Louise M. Williams, a graduate of Sheldon high school ; Mrs. Addie B. Harker, who is now living on the home place with her hus- band, who is farming it; Robert. who graduated from the Capital City Commercial College of Des Moines and is now farming in Saskatchewan, Canada : Mrs. Prudence Hoeven, who is now living in Alton, Iowa. She graduated from the musical department of Drake University, and is the leader of the Presbyterian church choir at Alton, Iowa: James, the young- est of the five children, is living in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Mrs. McFarland taught school in O'Brien county in 1876 and 1877 and has been prominently identified with history of the county from that time down to the present date. She kept and fed the men who built part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway through O'Brien county. She owns two hundred and forty acres in O'Brien county and has an interest in six hundred and forty acres in Canada. Her home is modern in every respect and is equipped with electric lights and hot and cold water. It is located two miles east of Sheldon, in Floyd township, and is one of the most modern and up-to-date homes to be found in the county. Mrs. Mc-
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Farland is a zealous member of the Christian church and contributes of her substance to its support in every phase. She takes a deep interest in every- thing which she feels will benefit the community in which she lives. She has a host of friends throughout the county who admire her for her noble character.
BRUNO SAUPE.
In the year 1875 there came to America from Germany a little lad twelve years old without any money at all and with no knowledge of the English language. He came direct across the country to Illinois where he worked for a time with his uncle and attended the German Lutheran school. This small German lad, who had no capital other than that of a clear brain and a strong hand, is now one of the most prosperous farmers of Carroll township, O'Brien county, Iowa.
Bruno Saupe, ex-trustee of Carroll township, this county, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1863. He worked for his grandfather in his native country until he was about twelve years of age, when he came to America. His parents were Theo and Christianna ( Miller) Saupe, who came to America later. He had six brothers and sisters, all of whom came to America, William, Anna, Frank. Emil, Minnie and Otto.
Bruno Saupe went to live with his uncle. Fred Miller, in Illinois, up- on coming to this country in 1875, and for three years attended the Ger- man Lutheran church school in his locality, after which he worked at farm labor, and in 1881. although he was only eighteen years of age, he came to Benton county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of land. Six years later he sold this tract and came to O'Brien county, where he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Carroll township. He was only twenty- two years of age at this time and yet he had such confidence in his ability to pay for the land that he did not hestitate to go into debt for it. This confidence in his own ability has made him the successful man that he is today. He has added from time to time to this original quarter section until he is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of fine farming land in O'Brien county and three hundred and twenty acres in Colorado. On his home farm he has placed ten thousand dollars' worth of improvements and has a fine orchard grove of six acres. He also has an interest in the Farmers Elevator Company at Archer, Iowa. He has also been a large breeder of cattle and sells annually at least two car loads of cattle.
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Mr. Saupe was married when he was twenty-four years of age to Sarrah Fritzsche, who was a resident of Illinois, and to this marriage have been born eight children: William, deceased; Edward, who is farming with his father: Anna, a graduate of the Sheldon high school and the Teachers' Course at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and is now teaching in Archer ; Fred, at home; Alice: Franklin: Herbert, and Lillian. The four younger children are still at home and attending school.
Mr. Saupe has been a Republican in politics and has been honored by his party by being nominated for the office of township trustee, and in this important office he administered its duties with entire satisfaction to all the citizens of the township, irrespective of politics. He is a regular and faithful attendant of the German Lutheran church and is interested in the various activities of that denomination. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Mystic Shrine. He has always been interested in the educational affairs of his township and has served as school director for ten years. During the period when he served as township trustee he was also instrumental in bringing the schools to a higher plane of efficiency and improving the schools in every way. Mr. Saupe and his brother. Otto. are fine examples of the German settlers who have made their home in O'Brien county, and are both esteemed for the wholesome lives they have led and the beneficent influence which they have shed upon the life of their respective communities.
WAYLAND M. BUNCE
Among the earliest pioneers of O'Brien county, Iowa, is Wayland M. Bunce, who has been a resident of the county for nearly twenty-five years. He was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, in 1847 and is the son of Eben S. and Elmira (Stage) Bunce.
Eben S. Bunce was born in the state of New York in 1822 and was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and the United Brethren church for sixty years. When a young man he settled in Wisconsin as a mission- ary and in 1862 came to Tama county, Iowa, where he farmed for a short time, then became the pastor of Western College, now known as Toledo College, at Toledo, Iowa. He served the congregation there for a few years and went to Muscatine, Iowa, where he was minister of the United Brethren church. From Muscatine he went to Wilkins, Iowa, where he preached for a few years. In 1879 he came to O'Brien county, where he
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purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Liberty township and lived upon it until his retirement in 1890, his death occurring two years later. Eben Bunce was twice married, his first wife being Elmira Stage, and to this first union were born four children, all of whom are dead but Wayland M .. whose history is here briefly presented. Eben Bunce's first wife died in 1850 and he then married Mrs. Salina A. Bramble, who was born in New York and died in 1890.
Wayland M. Bunce was given a good common school education in Wisconsin and Iowa and remained with his parents until twenty years of age, then went to work as a farm hand by the month and after a short time went to Tama county and secured employment as a breaker of prairie land. He had a yoke of oxen and with these found all the work he could do. Shortly after coming to Tama county he entered land and farmed for a year, after which he attended Western College at Toledo for a year. In 1870 he bought six yoke of oxen and started northwest from Tama county, Iowa, and finally landed in O'Brien county, on section 22 in Liberty township. He homesteaded the tract of land which is now occupied by the town of Calumet. He farmed this land until the railroad was built through the county and then laid the town out in 1887. For many years he held a half interest in the land where the town was platted, and has always taken an active interest in the upbuilding of the town. At the present time is living on his two-hundred-and-forty-acre tract just south of Calumet. He has been a successful farmer since coming to this county. notwithstanding the many discouragements through which he has passed. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of well improved land in the township and has it all under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Bunce was married in 1871 to Harriett E. Pray, who was born in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, in 1854, and to this union six children were born: Mina, the wife of E. E. Scott, of Primghar; Eben J., a horse trainer of Virginia: Harvey, deceased ; Elmar W., a dentist of Minnesota. and a graduate of the university of that state; Mrs. Laura M. Fredenberg, of Calumet. Iowa, and Clarence E., a chauffeur of Minnesota. In 1902 Mr. Bunce was married to Mrs. Ida Bell (Rerick) Harris, widow of Stephen Harris, an old settler of O'Brien county.
Politically. Mr. Bunce had always been a Republican up until 1912. having cast his vote for Republican presidents from Ulysses S. Grant down to and including W. H. Taft. In the summer of 1912 he allied him- self with the new Progressive party and cast his vote for Roosevelt. He has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his town and county
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and was the mayor of Calumet, as well as justice of the peace for several years. He and his family are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute liberally of their means to its support. Personally, Mr. Bunce is a genial and unassuming man, a splendid companion and good conversationalist and has always evinced those qualities which are bound to win success in any vocation.
A. J. W. EMERY.
O'Brien county is justly noted for its beautiful homes, well cultivated farms and the generally progressive character of its public officials, and this reputation is largely due to the unusual aggressiveness and high charac- ter of its citizens. The farmers and business men of the community, as a class, are virile, active, energetic men, thoroughly awake to the needs of the place and alive to the opportunities within their grasp. Among these gentlemen, few are deserving of greater praise for these characteristics than A J. W. Emery.
The love of the soil. the beauties of nature and the free, unhampered life of the farmer, together with the ability to draw from the earth bounti- ful harvests, is inbred in him, for his parents, and his grandparents for gener- ations back, were famed as successful agriculturists and breeders of fine live stock.
The subject's father, Eli Emery, is a native of Stark county, Illinois. where he was born in 1842, while his grandfather, Joseph Emery, who was born in Ohio in 1811 and came to Illinois in a covered wagon drawn by an ox team, was one of the pioneers in the vicinity of Toulon, Illinois. Here he purchased land and reared his family, making it his permanent home until death came to him in the year 1856, while on a visit to Osceola, Iowa.
Eli Emery purchased land in Stark county, Illinois, when he reached the age of maturity, and established a permanent homestead there. So successful was he in his ventures that he was known throughout the state as a breeder of Berkshire hogs and Merino sheep, by reason of his having exhibited his stock at numerous county fairs, where valuable premiums were awarded him. In 1904 he retired from active farming, having, by his energy and sound judgment, amassed for himself a competence for his later years, and he is now enjoying the fruits of his labor.
In the years 1865 Mr. Emery was married to Mary C. Johnson, a
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native of Indiana, and in her he found a faithful helper and companion. Eight children were born to them, as follows: Ella M. (Quinn), of Shel- bina, Missouri : Lora M. (Miller), of Wyoming, Illinois ; Gertrude ( Farley), of Toulon, Illinois; William L., of Edmondton, Canada ; Plessie (Win- nans), of Cherokee. Iowa; Grace ( Emery), of Toulon, Illinois; Harry Le- roy, of Toulon, Illinois, and the immediate subject of this article.
A. J. W. Emery was born in 1867. in Toulon, Stark county, Illinois, and there his childhood and youth were spent. There he received his schooling, and as he grew and developed into manhood he was his father's valued assistant about the labors of the farm. When he reached the age of twenty-one his father entered into an arrangement with him whereby the proceeds of the place were to be divided with him, he working "on shares." This arrangement continued until he reached the age of twenty-six years, when he purchased forty acres of land for himself in the vicinity of his father's home. So well and so wisely did he labor on this place that at the end of five years he was enabled to purchase eighty additional acres, and six years later one hundred acres were added.
In the year 1893 one of the most important moves of his life was made, for at that time he met and married Mary O. Kamerer, the daughter of Andrew Kamerer, of Germany, and from that time forth he was not alone in his ventures, but was assisted and encouraged by a faithful wife. Ten years after his marriage he disposed of his holdings in Illinois and with char- acteristic foresight, saw the future of the state of Iowa and invested his capital here. Bringing his family to Story county, he purchased a quarter section of land near Ames, paying the sum of eighty dollars per acre for the tract. Today this land is worth more than two hundred and fifty dollars per acre, an evidence of the sound business judgment and farsightedness which has characterized all the dealings of Mr. Emery. In 1909 he came to O'Brien county and purchased the northwest quarter of section 25 in Summit town- ship, and here he has established his homestead. Never content with medioc- rity, he has sought to make the very best of this place, and now, after five years of residence, beautiful groves have appeared, a splendid orchard boun- tifully supplies them with the various fruits in their season, the farm is in a high state of cultivation and stocked with various kinds of high grade live stock, and evidences of unbounded energy, directed by sound judgment, are on every hand.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Emery has been blessed with four children : Lois V., at home: Clifton H., who is now attending the high school at Primghar : Eddis E. and Forest H., who are in the elementary grades.
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Mr. Emery is a man of clear thought, decisive action and remarkable perseverance in his undertakings. Broad-minded, progressive and public spirited, he is deeply interested in all movements for the welfare and general uplift of the community at large. He served efficiently for a time as mem- ber of the school board of Gilbert, Iowa, fully justifying the confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens. His family attend the Congregational church, though he is not actively a member. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is, politically, a firm believer in the prin- ciples of the Independent Progressive party.
Mr. and Mrs. Emery are well known socially and are interested in affairs for the enjoyment of the younger element of society. Broad minded, intelligent and seeking the best in life. in the truest sense of the word, for their family and themselves, they are deserving of the high position which they hold in the estimation of their fellow men.
WILLIAM H. DUMMETT.
The early history of O'Brien county, Iowa, was made by the pioneers under conditions which were often very discouraging. The earliest pioneers were the men who planted the trees in this county, put in the drainage sys- tem and plowed the tough turf for the first time and built their rude domi- ciles. The broad and tractless prairie was made to yield its tribute under the effective endeavors of these forefathers of ours and slowly but surely did they lay the steadfast foundation upon which has been built the structure which we call O'Brien county today. Additional honors should be granted those pioneers of this county who fought the long and bloody fight of the Civil War, and under any conditions they deserve faithful honor. Among the earliest pioneers of this county is the distinguished veteran, William H. Dummett, who has been a settler of this county since 1872.
William H. Dummett was born in 1841 in New Jersey and is the son of Henry J. and Christina (Westkett) Dummett. Henry J. Dummett was born in 1809 in Pennsylvania and was a glass blower by trade. Later he moved to Ohio and still later came to Benton county, Iowa, reaching here in 1856. He lived the life of a farmer in Iowa until his death. His wife was born in 1815 and died in 1901. Henry J. Dummett and wife were the parents of eleven children, only four of whom are now living: Mrs. Susan Isabelle,
WILLIAM H. DUMMETT
PUIL
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of Cassville, Missouri; Mrs. Cassie Parshall, of South Dakota; Mrs. Agnes Hart, of Kansas, and William H., whose life history is here set forth.
William H. Dummett was educated in the schools of New Jersey and Ohio. He was fifteen years of age when his parents finally settled in Ben- ton county, Iowa, and when the war broke out in 1861 he was one of the first to enlist in his county. He enlisted in Company H. Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and served throughout the whole war, being discharged October 17, 1865, at Sioux City, Iowa. His record during his service was indeed a notable one and, although he was in many hard fought battles and went through many trying situations, yet he canie forth unwounded and with himself unimpaired.
Immediately after the war Mr. Dummett returned to his home in Ben- ton county. Iowa. where he farmed for two years. In 1872, having pre- viously been married, he came to O'Brien county and homesteaded in Frank- lin township on the farm where he and his wife now live. The house, which they built forty-two years ago, is still standing and a part of it is built in their present home. They went through some terrible tribulations during their first few years in this county. During the first year of their residence, the cold was so intense that their baby's death was hastened. Mr. Dummett has profited since moving to the county and now owns two hundred and forty acres on which he has made very extensive improvements. He owns twelve acres of fruit and forest trees, it being one of the largest groves in the county. He, is a large breeder of live stock, especially of Shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs. 1
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