USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 41
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Mr. Dummett was married in 1869, in Benton county, Iowa, to Mary A. Daly, and to this union have been born ten children, five of whom are de- ceased : Mrs. Mary Merrill, Mrs. Sarah Brahan, Elmer, William and George. The first three are in O'Brien county and the last two are living in Minnesota.
Mr. Dummett was old enough to cast his first vote for Abraham Lin- coln in 1864 and since that time his vote has always been cast for the Re- publican candidate. He has always been active in local politics and has held various township offices, among them being that of school director, assessor and road supervisor. He is an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Sanborn and takes an interest in all its activities. He and his family are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church and give their earnest support to it at all times. It can be readily seen that Mr. Dummett has lived a long, busy and useful life and, whether in public office or in
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private life, he has ever been faithful to his duties as he saw them. As a soldier on the battlefield, as a public official and as a private citizen he has never let anything deter him from his duties or swerve him from the path of rectitude and honor. For this reason he is highly regarded by everyone with whom he has been associated and now in his declining years can feel that he has lived at life that has ben filled with usefulness to his fellow men.
WILLIAM FRIEDRICHSEN.
It is an undoubted fact that the history of O'Brien county, Iowa, owes a debt to its German citizens which never can be repaid. In fact, it is not too much to say that the present prosperity of the county is largely due to its citizens of German extraction. Without exception they have become prosperous citizens and in every township where they have settled they have taken active parts in the civic. intellectual and moral life of the community. They have those habits of industry which have not only made themselves successful, but their example has stirred others to greater action and thus they have acted as a leaven to less active plodders along the pathway of life.
William Friedrichsen, a prosperous farmer and stockman of O'Brien county, was born in 1858. in Germany and is the son of Herman and Liz- zie (Jackofsen) Friedrichsen. Herman Friedrichsen was a tailor by trade and was born in 1821 and lived all of his life in the land of his birth and died there in 1896.
William Friedrichsen was educated in Germany and came to this country in the same year that he was married. He felt that there were more and better opportunities for a man in the new world than in his native land, and with this idea in view he came to America and settled in Tama county, Iowa, in 1891. For the first three years he worked as a farm hand by the month, and then lived on rented farms for eleven years in Tama and Cherokee counties, and all the time was saving his money with the inten- tion of purchasing a farm of his own, and by the year 1910 he was able to buy one hundred and sixty acres of land in O'Brien county. On this farm he has made extensive improvements since acquiring it and has had the satisfaction of seeing it rapidly advance in value since taking charge of it. He had ample experience in agriculture before taking charge of his own farm and thus was enabled to put into execution all those ideas which he had learned while farming in different counties in the state. He had learned
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that the most successful farmers were those who raised live stock and for this reason he has stocked his farm with the best grades of Hereford cat- tle, Chester White hogs and draft horses.
Mr. Friedrichsen was married in 1884, in Germany, to Emma Manson, who was born in the fatherland in 1857, and to this union have been born eight children, seven of whom are still living: Mrs. Lizzie Stuart, of Chero- kee county, Iowa; William, who is also a resident of Cherokee county : Henry; Herman; John; George; Ella, deceased, and Caroline, who is at home with her parents.
Since acquiring the right to vote in this country, Mr. Friedrichsen has been casting his ballot for the best men at election time, rather than ty- ing his vote to any particular party. He and the members of his family are earnest adherents of the German Lutheran church and give to it their hearty support at all times. Considering what Mr. Friedrichsen has ac- complished since coming to this country, he is certainly deserving of much credit.
MRS. SARAH SHEARER.
A history of O'Brien county would be incomplete were mention not made of the lady whose name heads this article, she being one of the sub- stantial, progressive land owners of the locality, well known for her sound judgment and executive ability, and is highly respected by the community at large.
Mrs. Shearer was born in 1846 in Ontario. Canada, and there she spent her childhood and youth. Her maiden name was Sarah Shearer, she being the daughter of Archibald Shearer. In the year 1864 she was married to Archibald Shearer, also a native of Ontario. born September 17, 1836, and for many years their home was in this locality. Early in their married life they purchased a farm of one hundred nine acres, and here they labored together, building for themselves and the little ones which came to them a home, hallowed by all the memories of their early wedded life. In the year 1885, however, hearing of the vast amount of land awaiting development in the state of Iowa, and believing their labor in this climate would be pro- ductive of greater results, they sold their home in Canada and emigrated to O'Brien county, where they purchased a large tract of prairie land. An entire section of cultivated farm land eventually proved to be their home- stead, and since then improvements have been added to the place to the
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extent of about eight thousand dollars, thus vindicating their judgment in making the radical change from Ontario to Iowa.
Nine children came to bless their home, now located as follows : John, a plumber of Freeport, Illinois; Agnes, now Mrs. Bell, of Sioux Falls. South Dakota: Archie and Douglas, who are farming the home place ; William, whom death called in 1898: Sarah, a dressmaker in Primghar. Iowa; Harvey, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado: Ethel, a school teacher in Primghar, and Leona, whose death occurred on January 25, 1900.
In the year 1904 Archibald Shearer was taken from his family by the ruthless hand of the Grim Reaper, and the burden of this great estate was thrown upon the shoulders of the faithful wife, and so ably has she adminis- tered the affairs of the farm that it has steadily increased in value. Her two devoted sons, Archibald and Douglas, have proven faithful and able assistants in the work also, and their ability as successful agriculturists has been fully demonstrated. The place is in a high state of cultivation, and an acre of mixed fruit bountifully supplies their table, leaving also a very profit- able margin.
Mrs. Shearer has at all times sought the best things of life for her children, giving them educational facilities beyond those ordinarily enjoyed : nor is she lacking in interest in all movements for the improvement of the surrounding country.
Mr. Shearer, when living, was an adherent of the Democratic party, and attended the Congregational church, where Mrs. Shearer now has her membership. He was not interested in fraternal affairs, finding abundant scope for his energies in the cultivation of the farm and the upbuilding of his homestead. Industrious, thrifty, devoted to his home and family, he gave to the world a goodly number of respected citizens to perpetuate his name and work out the principles instilled into them from their youth.
DAVID F. SHUMWAY.
It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this re- view a man who has led an active and eminently useful life and by his own exertions reached a position of honor and trust in the line of industries with which his interests are allied. But biography finds justification, neverthe- less, in the tracing and recording of such a life history, as the public claims a certain property interest in the career of every individual and the time in-
DAVID F. SHUMWAY
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variably arrives when it becomes advisable to give the right publicity. It is. then, with a certain degree of satisfaction that the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon such a record as has been that of the subject who now comes under this review.
David F. Shumway, the son of Franklin and Laura ( Mixer ) Shumway. was born in Lake county, Illinois, in 1854. His father was born in Vermont in 1824 and later became a farmer in Lake county, Illinois, where he lived for several years. He then invested in farming land in Iowa and led an active life upon the farm until 1871, when he retired. He died in 1896. His wife was born in 1824 and died in 1859. Franklin Shumway and wife were married in 1845 and to their union were born seven children : Mrs. Marion Hunter, of Illinois; Emma, who is superintendent of the Jane Mc- Calester Hospital at Waukegan, Illinois: Eva, deceased ; Mrs. Evangeline Flagg, of Columbus, Ohio: Mrs. Florence Kingman : Roy A., of Waukegan, Illinois, and David F., whose history is here briefly portrayed.
David F. Shumway received a good common school education and re- mained with his parents until seventeen years of age. then secured work on the neighboring farms and for eight years worked as a farm hand. In 1881 he came to Waterman township, O'Brien county, Iowa, and bought a farm from Edward Brown. Shortly after coming to this county he was married and for six years after his marriage he and his family lived upon the farm. He was a successful farmer from the start and added to his possessions from time to time until he now owns five hundred and eighty acres in O'Brien county, three hundred and twenty acres in Clay county and one hundred and sixty acres in the state of Minnesota. In addition to his extensive land holdings he has eight shares in the Farmers Elevator of Sutherland, besides a beautiful home and several lots in that city. In 1889 he retired from farming and moved to Sutherland and in 1897 engaged in the implement business in that city. He carries a complete line of agricul- tural implements and has a large trade in Sutherland and the surrounding territory. He carries four thousand dollars worth of stock all the time and by good business methods has made as pronounced a success in business as he did in his farming. He has always taken an active interest in the fair association of Sutherland and is now a director in the association and super- intendent of the fair grounds.
Mr. Shumway was married in 1883 to Margaret Montgomery, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1865. They are the parents of four children: Mrs. Laura Mitchell, of Algona, Iowa, who graduated from
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Morningside College; Clarence A .. deceased : Gaylord, a student in the high school at Sutherland, and Margaret, who also is attending school.
Mr. Shumway is classed with the independent voters, belonging to that large and intelligent group of men who have freed themselves from partisan- ship and vote for the best man at election. He has been interested in every phase of the city life of Sutherland since coming to the city and has served a term as mayor of the city. During his term of office he gave excellent satisfaction and gave his hearty support to every movement which promised to improve the city in any way. For more than twenty years he has helped in the industrial. commercial and civic life of Sutherland. and his name merits a conspicuous place on the role of those who have worthily served the citizens of not only Sutherland, but of O'Brien county in general. His integrity has been of the most consistent and unswerving type and no shadow rests upon any portion of his career as a private citizen. as a public official or as a business man. He is a man of kindly motives and has taken a prominent part in the development and progress which has characterized Sutherland and his county.
DANIEL BYSOM.
In the early days of her statehood. as now. the beautiful state of Iowa held out to the man of ability and energy unlimited opportunities to ac- quire for himself and his descendants a home and a competence. Nor were these abundant opportunities limited to her own inhabitants, but newcomers were gladly welcomed and shared in the good things which she had to offer. Among these men who had the foresight and the determination to grasp at the opportunities which have come his way, we find one who has risen to prominence in this community and has brought forth from the barren soil an abundant harvest.
Daniel Bysom was born in the year 1850 in Berkley county, West Vir- ginia, and from his youth has engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. His father. John Bysom, was born in 1816. in Germany, but in 1837 he joined the westward tide of emigration and sailed for America. Immediately after his arrival he settled in Berkley. West Virginia. taking up the life of the farmer and breeder of live stock, and a year later was married, his wife Eliza- beth being also a native of Germany. In 1865, seeing the greater oppor- tunities of the West. he brought his family to Polo county. Illinois, and from
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there traveled with horse and wagon to Poweshiek county, lowa, where he again engaged in the pursuit of agriculture and stock raising.
Fourteen children were born to this worthy couple, as follows: Maria (Yearmans), deceased: Henry, a veteran of the Civil War, now in the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown, Iowa ; Elizabeth, deceased; Maggie ( Hall), of Belle Plaine, Iowa; Laura (Steffa), of Garwin, Iowa: Susie (Kester), of Valley Junction, Iowa : George, a farmer living at Mott, North Dakota; William, deceased; Fannie (Robinson), of Jackson, Mississippi; Mary (Kizer), of Irvine, Iowa: Charlie, of Braton, Iowa; Daniel, and two chil- dren whom death claimed in infancy.
Daniel Bysom spent his boyhood and youth in the county of his birth, in West Virginia, attending the schools of that locality and assisting his father with the work of the farm. Here the principles of agriculture were taught him, while his frame developed and his muscles hardened and the foundation of a strong physique, the most valuable asset of a successful farmer, was laid. He remained with his father, accompanying him in his journeyings westward until the year 1870, when he was married to Laura H. Stanley. She was the daughter of Horatio Stanley, a native of Penn- sylvania who had also sought larger opportunities in the state of Iowa, and spent his days here until he reached the ripe age of ninety-three years. With characteristic foresight, the young man wished to lay the foundation for his future home, and brought his bride to a tract of land in O'Brien county, homesteading the same and gladly enduring the toil and privation of the pioneer. Here they have remained, improving the place and build- ing for themselves a permanent home. 1
Four children have been born to them: Lillian, who is now Mrs. A. H. Whitmer, resides in Primghar; Nellie, now Mrs. Robert Miller, is a resident of Center township; Shirley, a graduate of Primghar high school, spent four years in the Capital City Commercial College of Des Moines, Iowa, taking a full business course, and after graduating entering the em- ployment of the Bank of Primghar. He soon left this position for the added responsibility of assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Dex- ter. Later, feeling that brighter prospects were before him in the life of a farmer, he followed the example set by his father and homesteaded a claim in the state of Montana. Leslie, the younger son, after graduating from Primghar high school, took a four-year electrical course in the college at Ames, Iowa, and is now employed as an architect in Des Moines.
Mr. and Mrs. Bysom are now in the full enjoyment of the fruits of their early labors and have vindicated the soundness of their judgment in
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starting a home for themselves early in life. Their farm supplies their needs abundantly and, with its comfortable buildings and beautiful orchards, bears little resemblance to the place which was their first abiding place. Their chil- dren have been blessed with unusual educational facilities and are well set- tled in life.
Mr. Bysom is well and favorably known throughout the county and has for many years served the community as justice of the peace, giving the same conscientious thought and energy to his duties in this capacity which has characterized his own undertakings in the past. He was also, for a time, a member of the school board of Center township. He is a strong adherent of the principles of the Republican party and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Not interested in fraternal affairs, he is a member of no lodges, preferring to give his energies to his own affairs and the service of the community which has placed the administration of justice in many respects into his hands.
JOHN SNIDER.
It is the dictate of our nature, no less than of enlightened social policy. to honor those whose lives have contributed in any way to the good of their community and their associates: to bedew with affectionate tears the silent urn of departed worth and virtue ; to unburden the fullness of the surcharged heart in eulogium upon deceased benefactors and to rehearse their noble deeds for the benefit of those who may come after us. It has been the con- mendable custom of all ages and all nations. Hence the following feeble tribute to John Snider, a gallant veteran of the Civil War and an honorable citizen of O'Brien county, and a man whom to know was to love. In con- templating the many estimable qualities of the late John Snider, industry and integrity appear as prominent characteristics. His devotion to every duty was intense, while his perception of truth and worth was almost intuitive.
John Snider, the son of Jesse and Katharine ( McLaughlin) Snider, was born in Wheeling. West Virginia, in 1837, and died in O'Brien county, Iowa, November 21. 1913. Jesse Snider was born on December 28, 1814, in Greenbrier county, Virginia, while his wife was born in Brownsville. Penn- sylvania, on January 8, 1818. John Snider was given a good, common school education, and when the Civil War broke out was living in Indiana, with his parents. He enlisted on March 11, 1862, at Muncie, Indiana, in
MR. AND MRS. JOHN SNIDER
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Company G. Thirty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in Tennessee on March 20, 1865. During his three years of service he participated in many hard-fought battles and always acquitted himself in a manner befitting the highest type of American soldiery.
Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Snider came back to Indiana. married and at once left the state for Iowa. He and his young wife began housekeeping in Madison county, lowa, on a rented farm and for seven years continued to reside in that county. In 1873 they moved to O'Brien county and were among the earliest pioneers in this county. They purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land in Liberty township, on which they lived until 1906, when they moved to Sutherland. They improved this tract in various ways until it is now yielding a good return on the original investment. The farm has eight acres of fruit and forest trees, which is one of the finest groves in the county. When they came to this county there were no horses, and practically all of the land had to be broken up by oxen teams. However, they prospered from the start and in the course of time Mr. Snider was recognized as one of the prosperous farmers of the township and he finally bought eighty acres more, making one hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Snider was married in 1865 to Catharine Yahne, the daughter of Frederick and Susan ( Kimley) Yahne. Frederick Yahne was born in Ohio in 1810 and lived the life of a farmer there all his days, his death occurring in that state. Mrs. Snider's mother, Susan Kimley, was born in Ohio in 1822, and is now living in Madison county, Iowa, with one of her daughters, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Yahne were the parents of seven children.
Mr. and Mrs. John Snider reared two children, both of whom are still living, Minnie F., who is living with her mother in Sutherland, and Mrs. Anna May Seaman, whose husband is a farmer in this county. Mrs. Snider sold the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres in 1914. but still owns forty acres adjoining the city of Sutherland.
Mr. Snider was a Republican in politics and always took an intelligent interest in political affairs. However, he was never an aspirant for any public office, preferring to devote all of his time and energies to his agri- cultural interests. He was a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church and always took a great deal of pleasure in the work of the church. Being a veteran of the Civil War, it was but natural that he should ally him- self with one of the Grand Army of the Republic posts which are found in this county, and for many years he was a loyal and faithful member of the
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post at Sutherland. Mr. Snider enjoyed a large acquaintance throughout this part of the county, and among those who knew him best he was con- sidered a man of unusual character, one who impressed his personality upon the locality which he honored with his citizenship. He was charitable to the faults of his neighbors and a man whose kindly impulses endeared him to every one with whom he came in touch, and he left a record which will be honored by his many friends and cherished by his children.
AUGUST KOPP.
Although he was only a boy of seventeen years of age when he came to this country and despite the fact that he had no money to make a start, yet today August Kopp is the owner of eight hundred and thirty acres of land in Grant township. O'Brien county, Iowa. Certainly the history of a man who comes to this country in young manhood, penniless, with no friends and with no knowledge of the English language, and with these handicaps becomes one of the most prosperous men of the county, is full of human interest. He has all those characteristics of the German people. such as thrift, economy, perseverance and honesty, and he has won not only material success, but also the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
August Kopp, the son of Charles and Katherine (Oberle) Kopp, was born in 1866 in Germany. His mother was born in that country in 1842 and is now living with her son. August. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kopp: John, a farmer of O'Brien county; Mrs. Kardula H. Weise, deceased, and August, whose history is here delineated.
August Kopp received a good common school education in his native land and when only seventeen years of age came across the broad Atlantic to seek his fortune. He immediately came west and settled in the state of Illinois, where he worked on a farm by the month for the first six years. In this way he secured a good knowledge of the English language, as well as ac- quainting himself with the methods of agriculture in vogue in this country. In 1899 he and his brother. John, went to O'Brien county, Iowa, and rented land in Waterman township, on which they lived for eight years. During this time their mother kept house for them until August was married in 1891. In 1899 Mr. Kopp bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Grant township, this county, and has since been adding to his possession«
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until he is now the owner of eight hundred and thirty acres of land in one body. He has made extensive improvements upon his land and now has the finest residence in Grant township. He now has thirty acres of timber land, which is very valuable in this section of the state. He is one of the most extensive stockraisers in the county and keeps graded stock of all kinds He feeds at least one hundred and fifty head of cattle for the markets annually, and besides his agricultural interests he is a stockholder in the Moneta State Bank, and also in the Farmers Elevator Company at Suther- land.
Mr. Kopp was married in 1891 to Elizabeth Litzel, who was born in Decatur county, Iowa, in 1874, and to this union have been born ten children : Charles (a bookkeeper in the Savings Bank at Primghar, Iowa), Mrs. Angusta Rose (who lives in Cherokee county, Iowa), Oscar, Edna, John. Elizabeth, Clara, Wilfred, Hazel and Harold, and all of these chil- dren except the two oldest are still with their parents.
Politically. Mr. Kopp is a stanch Democrat, but his heavy agricul- tural interests have prevented him from taking a very active part in politics. He and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church and give generously of their means to its support. Mr. Kopp is truly a self-made man, having started in life with practically nothing and now is one of the most substantial men of his township. He has led an upright life and has made many friends since coming to this county.
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