USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 42
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JOHN WOLF.
While every nation in Europe has contributed its quota to the popula- tion of O'Brien county, there has been no country that has sent better settlers to this country than Germany. It is safe to say that there is not a German settler or a descendant of the German settlers who has not become prosperous since settling in this county. The thrift which marks the Germans in their native land, when applied to the fine soil of O'Brien county, is sure to make them successful. Among the many Germans who have come to O'Brien county to make their home, there is no one more de- serving of mention than John Wolf. of Carroll township.
John Wolf was born in Germany in 1849 and is the son of John and Katherine ( Benter ) Wolf. John Wolf, Sr., was born in Germany in 1829 and came to Lee county, Illinois, in 1851 with his family. There he pur- chased two hundred acres of unimproved land and gradually became a very
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prosperous farmer. He kept adding to his land holdings until he had seven hundred and eighteen and a half acres in Illinois. In 1896 John Wolf. Sr., came to Sheldon, O'Brien county, where he bought property and made his home until 1899. then went to California and returned to Sheldon. where he died in 1904. He was buried at Mendota, Illinois. John Wolf, Sr .. was married in 1848 to Katherine Benter, and to this union were born six children: Nicholas, who is living a retired life in Sheldon: Mrs. Mary Englehardt, of Sheldon; Adams, who is living a retired life in Illinois: Jacob, in Illinois: Mrs. Elizabeth Mass, of South Dakota. and John. Jr .. with whom this narrative deals.
John Wolf, Jr., remained with his parents in Lee county, Illinois, until he was twenty-three years of age. He then took charge of one hun- dred and seventy acres of land and farmed it for three years. He then sold this farm and bought one hundred and forty acres of unimproved land. and after improving it he sold it at a good profit. In 1884 he came to O'Brien county, Iowa, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of unimproved land. He was the first man in O'Brien county to run a wire fence between O'Brien county and Sioux county. He was successful from his first venture in O'Brien county and now owns three hundred and twenty acres of well improved land. He has three acres of orchard and grove trees, as has practically every other farmer in the county. He is a breeder of Hereford cattle and keeps a high grade of this particular breed. Since moving on to his farın he has put twelve thousand dollars' worth of im- provements on it. He owns a share in the Farmers Elevator at Hospers. Sioux county.
Mr. Wolf was married in 1880 to Lenoro Singer in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois. To this marriage have been born ten children: Lydia. deceased : Mrs. Sophia Benson, of Sanborn, Iowa: John F., a farmer in Carroll town- ship. O'Brien county; Edward, a farmer of Canada: Mrs. Louise Benson. of Wisconsin; William, a farmer of this county: Daniel ; Michael: Mary. and Sadie. The two youngest girls were twins, who are now fourteen years of age.
The Wolf family are loyal members of the German Lutheran church and are interested in all the activities of that denomination. Politically, Mr. Wolf is a progressive independent, with pronounced progressive tenden- cies. He has always taken an active interest in the educational affairs of his township and has been school director for the past fourteen years. He is a man who is well liked by everyone and has a host of friends throughout the county.
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ALEXANDER L. MARTIN.
From the land of the bagpipe have come several citizens who have made their home in O'Brien county, Iowa. These Highlanders, with their accoutrements, are among the most picturesque people of Europe. From the earliest period of English history they have struggled against the Eng- lish and it was not until 1702 that they were finally united to England. Those sturdy characteristics which they now possess have come about as a result of centuries of bloody fighting and today they still exhibit those qualities which kept them independent for so many centuries.
Alexander L. Martin, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Water- man township. O'Brien county, lowa, was born in Scotland in 1850. He came with his parents, William and Mary ( Lumsden ) Martin, to this country in 1852. His father was born in Scotland in 1807 and lived the life of a farmer in his native land. Upon coming to this country he engaged in farming in Wisconsin until his death in 1893.
Alexander L. Martin was one of a family of twelve children, five of whom are still living. At the early age of ten, he left home and worked out by day's labor. Before he reached his majority he had come to lowa and homesteaded in Clay county. In 1881 he moved to O'Brien county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land, put up build- ings, erected fences and otherwise improved the farm, so that when he sold it he realized a handsome profit upon his investment. He then bought one hundred and sixty acres in Waterman township and has added to that from time to time until he now owns four hundred acres of excellent farming land in this county. Mr. Martin has gone through some very trying experiences since living in this county. During the terrible blizzard of 1882 he drove a distance of sixteen miles in one of the worst days in the history of the county. During this terrible winter he found frozen bodies in Clay and O'Brien counties. In addition to farming his own land he has done a great deal of threshing in his time. At one time he owned a ma- chine, threshing by horse power and since this machine was the only one in this part of the country he found plenty of work to do. Like many of his neighbors, he owns a share in the Farmers Elevator Company at Sutherland. He has always been interested in the raising of live stock and has exhibited cattle and poultry at the various fairs in this section of the state. He is one of the organizers of the O'Brien County Fair Asso- ciation and is one of the directors of that organization at the present time.
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Mr. Martin was married in 1875 to Kate Huxley, who was born in Massachusetts in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of ten chil- dren. all living. Lewis. Nellie, Lawrence, Charles, Albert. Rose. Jane. Etliel, Jasper and Alta. Nellie and three sons are married. All of them are living in this county. Jane and Ethel are teaching school. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are justly proud of their children and have given them every edu- cational advantage, in order that they may be better prepared to fight the battles of life.
Politically, Mr. Martin belongs to the class of men who are known as independents in politics, that is, men who vote for people rather than for an emblem at the top of a ticket. He has always been especially interested in the educational affairs of his township and has the honor of being the man to locate the first school house in his township. Religiously, he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute liberally of their means to its support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He is a man of clean character and genial impulses, so that he unconsciously makes friends of all with whom he comes in con- tact.
JOHN H. IRVINE. .
Many of the leading citizens of O'Brien county have come to us from over the sea and. as a rule, we find these to be men who are persevering. aggressive and not afraid of any amount of toil which leads to success. The beautiful Emerald isle has produced many such men. and a few of them have come over the seas to us, bringing their progressive spirit and brilliance of thought to add strength to the body politic of our vicinity.
One of these is John H. Irvine, a native of county Fermanagh, Ulster, Ireland, who spent his childhood and youth among the green hills of that county and there his schooling was received. His father. William Irvine, was born in 1822 in this same environment. and in his youth studied for the profession of civil engineer. In fact. throughout his life he found his pleasure, as well as his vocation, in this line, and when death came to him in the year 1874 it found him still actively employed in that capacity. He was married to Margaret Maise, also of county Fermanagh, and to them were born ten children. The two eldest. Isabel and William, are both deceased. Andrew is still a resident of Ireland, a farmer. Jane ( McCauley) resides in O'Brien county. Iowa, and Arthur, a retired farmer, also has his home in
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this county, at Primghar. Mary died at her home in Ireland. James is a resident of Primghar, Iowa. Margaret (Cummings) lives in Troy, Kansas. Thomas is a retired business man in Ireland.
John H. Irvine emigrated to America in 1882. coming directly to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he found employment as a farm hand. The following year he returned to Ireland, but after a couple of years had passed he again journeyed westward across the sea, and made his way to Jo Daviess county, Illinois. Here he remained until the year 1888. At this time he married Grace Hay, of Warren, Illinois, the daughter of Cameron Hay, of Scotland, and from this time forth his energies were bent toward the acqui- sition of a home for his bride.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Irvine continued his journey west- ward and found in the broad prairies of O'Brien county the opportunity which he sought. Here he rented a quarter section of land, and so ener- getically did he labor and so wisely did he plan that the young couple were soon enabled to purchase a tract of one hundred sixty acres of improved ground. Mr. Irvine proved to be a successful farmer and was also inter- ested in the breeding of live stock. A herd of fine Shorthorn cattle were soon added to his establishment and proved a profitable adjunct to the place.
Many improvements have been added to the homestead since its pur- chase and now the place is one of luxurious comfort. Four acres of trees, many of them fruits of various kinds, have been planted and add greatly to the beauty, comfort and value of the home. while other improvements to the extent of several thousands of dollars have been made.
Three children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ir- vine, all of whom are enjoying the comforts and protection of the parental rooftree. Miss Mary is her mother's valued assistant, while Thomas labors with his father about the farm. Andrew has been attending high school at Primghar, but is now at home.
In manner, Mr. Irvine is genial and sincere, inspiring confidence with those with whom he comes in contact. Broadminded and aggressive, he is closely allied with all movements for the improvement of the surrounding country and the general uplift of the community.
When the Independent Progressive party was organized he was among the first to join its ranks. He is an attendant of the Congregational church of Primghar, and is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at that place. Mr. Irvine, though a loyal American, is still true also to the land of his nativity, and maintains his membership in the order of Orangemen of Ireland. The order of Good Templars also, of Wisconsin.
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numbers him among its members. A man of large acquaintance, he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, as is evidenced by the fact that he has efficiently served the community as road overseer, justice of the peace and as a member of the school board and also school treasurer of the township for years. In all of these official capacities he has given of his time and his energy without stint, evincing the same sound business judgment that has characterized his own successful career.
Among the young people of the community Mr. and Mrs. Irvine are well known and liked, and their hospitality has been enjoyed by many of these. Truly, he has found the best in life, a charming family, a luxurious home and the well-earned respect of his fellow citizens.
WILLIAM CIN.
In glancing through the contents of this volume the reader will doubt- less be interested in observing the places of birth of the various men whose careers are herein noted. Few indeed are those who can claim this as their native soil, and this is not to be considered strange when it is remembered that a comparatively few years ago these wonderfully productive acres still remained in their primitive state. And when once the first settlers, those caring and hardy pioneers, came and the great opportunities offered here became noised about, small wonder it is that men from all the thickly popu- lated sections of our own country as well as many from other lands should hope to find here their golden opportunity. Many there came who could not be considered desirable citizens of any place, but for the most part these passed on, not possessing the stamina which characterized the successful pioneer, and to those of genuine worth who remained, enduring privations and hardships for a time, unqualified success has come and they had the privilege of witnessing wide stretches of prairie land grow into well tilled acres, dotted here and there with towns and villages and gradually attaining to the standard of civilization of the present day.
William Cain, retired farmer and banker, who has attained a gratifying degree of success and popularity in this locality, is a native of mother Eng- land born in that country in 1850, the son of John and Elizabeth ( Creer) Cain, who passed their entire lives on their native soil, the former having been born in 1818 and the latter in 1816. The father followed the vocation of farming throughout his life and died in 1859 while still actively engaged
WILLIAM CAIN
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in this pursuit. The mother survived him several years, passing away in 1870. They were the parents of an interesting family of twelve children, eight of whom are still living.
The subject received his early education in his native home, and when sixteen years of age emigrated to America, settling in Canada. There he worked for several years as a farm hand, when vague stories reached him of the better chances in "the states." For a while he remained in Michigan, where also he engaged in farming, and then went westward into Nebraska where he remained for nine years. In 1879 he came to Sac county, Iowa, remaining there until 1884, when he came to O'Brien county and home- steaded on squatter land in Dale township. Having followed farming all his life, he was ably qualified to convert his raw land into a desirable farming property. In this attempt he was eminently successful, bringing to bear upon his enterprise not only unfailing energy and firm determination, but an excellent judgment and judicious management. He made it a point only to raise fine grade stock and for a time fed from eight to ten cars of cattle annually. In 1901 he sold his home farm and took up his residence in Paullina where he is identified with the Farmers State Bank, being a share- holder in the same and also serving as its vice-president. He is also largely interested in a bank at Randolph, Nebraska, with which his son William is identified, being its cashier. In addition to these banking interests, he owns two hundred and forty acres of land in Union township. Throughout his career, Mr. Cain has given evidence of far more than ordinary financial ability and success is inevitable to one possessing this trait coupled with honesty of purpose and unfailing energy.
In 1881 Mr. Cain led to the marriage altar Hattie Hiersche, a native of Clinton county, born in 1861. Their union has been blessed with five chil- dren : Harry, the oldest, is engaged in farming in Union township: Will- iam is interested in the bank at Randolph, Nebraska, as above stated; Zada (Mrs. Jehu) is the wife of a farmer of O'Brien county: George W. is at present attending the Iowa State University, and Dorris, the youngest daugh- ter, remains at home with the parents.
Politically, Mr. Cain is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, in the success of which he has taken a keen interest and has been largely identi- fied with that party's affairs as applied to local matters. He has served as a member of the school board and was treasurer of Dale township for several years. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church, with which organization the family has been prominently identified. They move in (71)
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the best social circles of their community and are deservedly popular among their acquaintances. Mr. Cain is genial and unassuming, easily makes friends and always retains them. He gives his support to every movement which promises to be of benefit in any way to the people and because of his success in life and his genuine worth he is eminently entitled to representa- tion in this work.
OTTO CALLENIUS.
There are many men of agricultural pursuits who find complete ab- sorption in their vocation, and it is indeed pleasant to review the life of a man who finds time and ability to vary his life work with an occasional digression, or to devote time to educational pursuits, or to serve his town or community in political capacity. Not many years ago farming was con- sidered almost entirely a physical occupation. With the improved machinery of this age, and the granges and institutes, the physical requirements are less and the mental requirements are greater. Farming has developed like many other lines of business. Two dollars must grow where one grew be- fore; so in farming, two ears of corn must grow where formerly but one grew, and the ears must grow larger. the cobs smaller and the stalks must be placed in the silo and kept green and moist for winter feeding. These things were practically unheard of fifty years ago. They have been brought about largely by men such as the one dealt with in this sketch.
Otto Callenius was born in New York City in 1862. His parents. Adolph and Metta (Eggrs) Callenius, were both natives of Germany, the former having been born in 1834 and the latter in 1832. The father lo- cated in New York City in 1848 where he was engaged in mercantile busi- ness. Toward the close of the Civil War his business interests suffered, as did many other Northern enterprises during that period of internal strife. and he found it advisable to move westward to Illinois. Here he conducted a general merchandise store for several years. In 1883 he bought one hun- dred and sixty acres in Baker township, O'Brien county, Jowa, which he farmed till 1913, when he retired and moved to Primghar to enjoy the sunset of his life. Four years before this a shadow had been cast upon the household by the death of the wife and mother. There were six children in the family, four of whon! are living.
Mr. Callenius received a liberal education. After having completed the common branches in Illinois he entered the college at LaMoille. Illinois,
O BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
where he won distinction in his studies. Later he attended a German col- lege at Clarion, Illinois. After this he remained with his father, helping in the general merchandise store or on the farm.
The advantages arising from being a land owner had appealed to him early in life, and at the age of thirty-two he began farming for himself. first purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Baker township, O'Brien county. In 1901 he moved to Peterson, Iowa, where he entered a partnership with a Mr. Schutz, and the two conducted a general merchandise store for five years. He then sold out his interests and returned to the farm, on which he made very extensive improvements. His attention was directed toward live stock and he soon became one of the most successful raisers of Hambletonian horses and Duroc-Jersey hogs in that neighbor- hood. Mr. Callenius is a man with a well developed mind and has written numerous articles in various papers and farm journals, dealing with ques- tions of political and agricultural import.
The subject was married in 1893 to Kathrine Claussen, who was born in 1864 in Wheatland. Iowa. To this union have been born three children, all of whom inherit their father's appetite for mental development : Metta, the eldest. finished the common school branches and attended Highland Park College, after which she returned home with her parents: Mrlynn, the second, is at present attending high school at Hospers, Iowa: Lester is at home.
Politically, Mr. Callenius is an Independent Progressive. He has faith- fully served his community on different occasions as member of the school board, township trustee and assessor.
DANIEL A. SMITH
The history of Daniel A. Smith is of unusual interest to us, not alone for his achievements in the community as a successful farmer and stock man and a public spirited citizen, but also for the remarkable record of his an- cestry, which takes us back to the colonial period of our nation's history.
The father of Mr. Smith, Henry V., was born in Fayette county. Pennsylvania, in 1827, and here he grew to manhood, engaged in active farming. In 1850 he was married to Matilda A. Deyarman, daughter of Alexander D. Deyarman, of Fayette, Pennsylvania. With untiring energy he toiled at his chosen vocation, ably assisted by his faithful wife, and suc-
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cess crowned his efforts; but as the years passed. the lure of the golden West loomed before him and in 1874 he brought his family to Butler county, Iowa. Here he engaged in farming until the year 1891, when he came to O'Brien county, purchasing a tract of one hundred sixty acres in Center township. The soundness of his judgment in making these journeys has been fully vindicated, for the tract on which he established his permanent home in this county has increased in beauty and value as the years have passed, and the homestead which he founded for his family at that time has become a source of both profit and pride. Four children were born to him and his wife, viz. : Hugh, who is now a retired farmer, living in Pringhar, Iowa; Marion, an active farmer of O'Brien county ; John D., an attorney of Lincoln, Nebraska, and the subject of this article, Daniel A.
The father of Henry Smith was Daniel Smith, of Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, born April 1, 1806, and who spent his entire life in that locality. He, in turn, was the son of Henry B. Smith, whose birth occurred in 1750, in Harguas, Maryland. Life, in those days, was far removed from the luxurious existence enjoyed by this generation, and no man could call himself safe in the bosom of his family while the bloodthirsty Indians were abroad in the land. So Mr. Smith was drafted to fight the savage red man, under Capt. Louis Weysel, a scout in and around Morgantown, West Virginia. Later, when the call to arms came for the colonists to fight for freedom from England's oppression, he joined the Revolutionary army, fighting bravely for its cause, and leaving the glorious heritage of an honored name for his descendants until the present day.
The immediate subject of this article, Daniel Smith, came to Butler county, Iowa, with his father in 1874, and assisted with the labor of the farm until 1887, when he obtained employment as a carpenter in the Santa Fe shops at Nickerson, Kansas. He was later transferred to Arkansas City, Kansas, where he remained until 1895. In 1896 he came to O'Brien county and took up his residence upon the farm purchased by his father, and has been most successful in its cultivation. While living in Nickerson, Kansas, he met and married Mary J. Thomas, daughter of David Thomas, of that place. Three children have come to bless their home, all of whom are now happily residing with their parents in the old homestead. These are Eva V., a graduate of the high school at Primghar; William H., also a graduate of the same school, and formerly teacher in the schools of Lincoln township: David A., named for three grandfathers, is also a high school graduate. Mr. Smith and his charming family occupy a prominent position in the so-
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cial life of the community and many of the young people of this vicinity have been recipients of their bountiful hospitality.
In politics, Mr. Smith is deeply interested in the Independent Progres- sive movement, and is a well-known member of the Congregational church. He was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Arkansas City, but of late years has not been actively interested in fraternal affairs. Well informed, broadminded and aggressive, he is deeply interested in all movements for the progress of the surrounding country and the gen- eral uplift of the community.
MICHAEL HODAPP.
The virile and wholesome blood of the fatherland, which has steadily flowed in all its enriching and purifying power into the arteries of every industry and occupation of this land, has probably been more marked in the development and uplift of agriculture than in any other vocation. With wholesome minds and sturdy bodies, these welcome emigrants from the Kaiser's domain have formed a part of the vanguard of almost every band of pioneers fighting their way through forests dense. braving untold dangers and suffering severe privations that they might do their full share in making their adopted land the glorious nation it is today. No more worthy son of the Teutonic race could find a place in the pages of this work than he who forms the caption of this brief sketch. The phrase "a self-made man" has been so frequently abused and so carelessly applied that its full import is often lost, but the friends and acquaintances of the subject of this narra- tive will readily grant and insist that, in all its broadest meaning. it but justly and truthfully describes the one whose life inspires this article.
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