USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 43
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Michael Hodapp was born in Baden, Germany, in 1866, and is the son of Melchor and Katherine (Zink) Hodapp. His parents were born, reared and married in Germany and spent all of their days in the land of their birth. Melchor Hodapp died in 1870 and his wife in 1913.
Michael Hodapp was one of eight children, and received his education in the land of his birth. He left Germany in 1884 and came to America, where he settled in the state of Illinois and worked on a farm for four years and then rented a farm in Cherokee county, Iowa, and began farming for himself. Later he moved to O'Brien county and rented land in Omega and Union townships for seven years. All the time he was saving his money
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and in 1907 he was able to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Baker township, O'Brien county. Since buying this farm he has made ex- tensive improvements on it and otherwise enhanced its value so that today it is yielding him a handsome return upon his original investment. He raises all of the crops of this latitude and also deals largely in live stock.
Mr. Hodapp was married in 1893 to Mary Burter, who was born in Germany in 1870 and died in 1903 in O'Brien county. To this union seven children were born, William, Herman, Rosa, Martha, John. Lena and Clara, all of whom are still living with their father. Politically, Mr. Hodapp is a Democrat and has taken an active interest in politics since coming to this county. The esteem in which he is held by the citizens of his township is shown by his election as trustee of Baker township, a position which he has filled to the entire satisfaction of everyone in the township. He and his family are earnest members of the Catholic church and give it their unre- served support at all times. Mr. Hodapp has done well his part in life since coming to this country and it is a compliment well bestowed to say that O'Brien county is honored by his citizenship. He is devoted to his adopted country and he is now filling one of the most important offices within the suffrage of his fellow citizens ; thus it can be seen that he has won the confidence of his fellow men to a marked degree. It is needless to say that he is justly deserving of the enviable standing which he enjoys in the community which he honors with his residence.
JOHN GARDNER.
John Gardner, one of the sturdy sons of Ireland who has found in O'Brien county a pleasant home and the opportunity to amass a competence for the declining years of life, has risen to his present position by reason of his abounding energy and the exercise of the clear thought and keen intelli- gence which are characteristic of the inhabitants of the beautiful Emerald isle. He was born in 1855 in Fermanagh, Ireland, the son of John B. Gard- ner, also a native of Fermanagh, whose birth occurred in the year 1822. The father remained in his native country throughout his youth, and when he reached manhood's estate he was united in marriage to Helner Mayes, a na- tive also of his birthplace. For several years the young couple toiled bravely together, and little ones came to bless and brighten their home; but soon the support of the growing family in the congested counties of Ireland became
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a problem for the young father to face, and he longed for the opportunities of the New World. Finally he was enabled to realize his ambitions in this respect and sailed for the shores of America, selecting for his destination the broad fields of Canada. Here he was enabled to purchase a tract of land, which he improved and cultivated, and eventually sold at a profit and re- turned to Ireland, where he raised his family to maturity. Later he returned to Illinois where he remained some years, his death occurring late in Paul- lina, Iowa.
Seven children were born to this couple, as follows: James, who is now a farmer in Otis, Colorado; William, deceased; Robert, still in his native county, Fermanagh, Ireland; Anna, deceased; Archie, a resident of Otis, Colorado; Mary, now Mrs. Williamson, who resides in Paullina, Iowa, and the immediate subject of this article.
John Gardner, Jr., remained in Ireland until his eighteenth year, when he, too, left its verdant shores and sailed for America, locating in Warren, Illinois. Here he obtained employment in a flour mill, and so conscientiously did he labor that promotion came to him and he finally became the head mil- ler for the concern. Here, also, he became interested in the purchase and sale of the grain which he handled, and thus materially increased his income. In the year 1881 his marriage to Amanda Noble was solemnized, she being the daughter of James Noble, a native of Canada.
In 1891 Mr. Gardner came to O'Brien county, purchasing a flour mill of one-hundred-barrel capacity, located in the town of Paullina. Six years later this business was disposed of and his capital invested in a tract of eighty acres of land. Later a quarter section was added to his holdings, and the cultiva- tion and improvement of this place became his paramount interest. He was very successful in his agricultural ventures and particularly so in the breed- ing of Duroc Jersey hogs.
Later, Mr. Gardner purchased a beautiful home in Primghar, and here, with his faithful wife. he is enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil. So successful has he been and so ready to grasp at the opportunities which have come to him that he is now in a position to rest, if he so desires, for the remaining years of his life.
Two children have come to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner: Lillian 31., who is now Mrs. Smits and is a resident of Kelso. Washington, and Carl, who attended college at Cedar Rapids and is now a florist of Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Gardner is in all things a progressive man and when the new Inde- pendent party was organized he soon allied himself with the movement, to
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which he strongly adheres. He and Mrs. Gardner are both members of the Congregational church, where he is highly esteemed and his judgment re- spected. He is also affiliated with the blue lodge of Masons, at Primghar. Truly a self-made man, his sterling qualities and dependable character have won for him a host of friends among his associates.
WILLIAM W. BEEBE.
The gentleman whose name stands above is widely known throughout O'Brien county and is one of the honored citizens of Paullina, where he is living in honorable retirement after a strenuous life of activity in connection with agricultural pursuits. The town of Paullina is much indebted to him for the keen interest he has always taken in any movement having as its object the betterment of the social, moral, material or educational welfare of the town. Possessed of strong qualities of heart and mind, with a kindly consideration for the interests of others, his activities along civic lines during the years of his residence here have marked him as one of Paullina's best and most disinterested citizens.
William W. Beebe was born in the state of Michigan on May 17, 1841, the son of Daniel P. and Eliza Jane ( Green) Beebe, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. the former born on September 26, 1809, and the latter on September 25. 1814. Daniel P. Beebe went from his native state to Ohio, where for a few years he engaged in agricultural labors, fol- lowing the same line of work in Michigan where he lived for some years, later going to Illinois where he located in Kankakee county. At that place he passed the remainder of his life. his death occurring in December, 1881. His widow survived him about six years. Shortly after the death of her husband she accompanied the subject to this locality and here her life closed in 1887. and she rests in the cemetery at Paullina. Daniel P. Beebe and wife were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are still living.
William W. Beebe remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood and from his father receiving instructions in the secrets of successful husbandry. When twenty-one years of age he started out in life for himself, securing work on a farm in the home neighborhood and at this he continued until the year 1862. At that time war had been declared between the two sections of our nation and with his sympathies enlisted on the side of the North, he
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enlisted on August 5th of that year at Kankakee, Illinois, as a private in Company B. One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. Throughout his services to the Union he endured many hardships and privations. He was first injured in the right shoulder on the 22d of July. 1863. during an engagement at Jackson, Mississippi, and was taken captive to Libby prison for a few weeks. From there he was finally paroled on the 18th of December and for four months prior was a patient at the Richmond ( Virginia) hospital. While still far from well he was paroled and returned to Chicago the first of January. 1864. By May of that year he had so nearly regained his health that he became impatient to be in service again and rejoined his regiment at Memphis, Tennessee. Again he was taken prisoner and endured the hardships and privations of Andersonville prison and other prisons of the rebels. His release was brought about and on July 1, 1865, at Springfield, Illinois, he received his honorable discharge. He immediately returned to his home in Kankakee county, Illinois, and for twelve years engaged in farming there. He. had acquired some property there and in 1882 disposed of his holdings and came to O'Brien county, which has since been his home and with the affairs of which he has been largely identified. Shortly after coming here he bought six hundred and forty acres of prairie land in Baker township, for which he paid ten dollars per acre. It was his desire to bring this farm under an excellent state of cultivation and to this end he immediately set to work. He was an ex- tensive feeder of cattle, always priding himself on the fact that he raised nothing but graded stock. He succeeded in his endeavors in a most gratify- ing degree and in 1910 he retired from the active management of his farm and took up his residence in Paullina. He owns eight hundred acres in the state of Minnesota, and also has an interest in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany of Paullina.
Mr. Beebe chose as his wife Ellen A. Winnerstrand, with whom he was united in marriage on December 21, 1887. She was a native of Minnesota, born in 1855, and to their union were born three children, namely: Frank. who lives in Paullina: Bertha E. ( Mrs. McCauley), residing in the state of Minnesota, and the youngest daughter. Gladys, married Glenn Fanning, of Sherburn, Minnesota. Mr. Beebe was married on November 24. 1909. to Mary B. Adams, who was born near Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of John E. and Melinda (Bell) Adams, he an early settler of Ohio, being a native of Maine. The subject's wife came here in March, 1882, and has since lived in the vicinity of Paullina. Mrs. Beebe had four children by her former marriage : Frank, of Minnesota : Mae Belle, of O'Brien county ; Harriet, at
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home; Howard, of New Port, Washington. The family is one of the most highly respected and sincerely liked of the community, being prominent in the various social affairs of the town. Politically, Mr. Beebe has always been aligned with the Republican party and while not seeking office for himself, his influence at the polls is such as to be reckoned with by those seeking that honor. At one time he served as school director and is always ready and willing to do all possible to advance the cause of education, which ever lies near his heart. While he is a member of the Presbyterian church, he is extremely liberal in such matters and to all church societies gives generously of his means. His fraternal affiliation is with the time honored body of Freemasonry, in the work of which order he takes a pleasurable interest.
Mr. Beebe is one of those stanch men of intelligence and depth of char- acter so essential to the best growth and development of any community and fortunate indeed is that locality which can number among its citizens men of this type. Mr. Beebe can be said to have attained success in life along financial lines, which in itself is a worthy ambition when coupled with the higher desire of being of service to mankind. While primarily seeking the interests of himself and family, he has ever so ordered his life as to include in his efforts the welfare of those about him. Thus he has come to be re- garded with the kindliest feeling by those with whom he comes in contact and is in every sense worthy of the esteem and confidence in which he is held.
CHARLES S. CLARK.
When, after years of long and earnest labor in some honorable field of business, a man puts aside all cares to spend his remaining days in the en- joyment of the fruits of his former toil, it is certainly a well deserved reward for his industry.
"How blest is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of labor with an age of ease,"
wrote the poet, and the world everywhere recognizes the justice of a season of rest following an active period of business life.
Charles S. Clark, a well-known resident of Primghar, has labored dili- gently throughout the early days of his life, and now, as he looks forward to an "age of ease," it is fitting that he should rest in the full enjoyment of the fruits of his toil. He was born in Rockford, Illinois, being the son of
O'BRIEN AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES, IOWA.
Samuel and Mary Ann (Gibbins) Clark, natives of Gunthorpe, England. His father was born in the year 1813 and made his home in his native coun- try until the year 1833. when he took the then slow and tedious voyage across the Atlantic to American shores. He brought his family to Rockford, Illi- nois, where the rest of his days were spent, cultivating the soil and toiling to obtain sustenance for his growing family. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, of whom but four are now living, viz. : Sarah A. (Kin ;- ble). of Rockwell City, Iowa : Carrie ( Jones), now residing in Thor, Iowa, Charles S., of O'Brien county, Iowa, and Robert J., of Lake City, Iowa.
The gentleman in whom we are directly interested. Charles S. Clark, remained on the farm of his father until the year 1870, when he journeyed westward to the newer country and broader fields of Iowa, and here he ob- tained employment on a farm, working by the month. For three years he labored for others, after which he returned to the old homestead and rented from his father one hundred twenty acres of ground which he cultivated for himself. So successful was he in this venture that he soon began to look forward to having a home of his own. In the year 1877 he was united in marriage to Sarah Traver, of Sac City, Iowa, the daughter of Luther Traver, of New York, who later lived in Odebolt, Iowa, where he died in 1898. Mr. Clark soon returned with his bride to her home in Sac county, Iowa, where he rented a farm, and here the young couple established their first home. For three years they labored together here, economizing gladly with the hope that they would soon enjoy a home of their own, and at the end of that time. hearing of the splendid opportunities open to settlers in O'Brien county, they came to this locality to invest their savings. A quarter section of unbroken land was purchased and, after being thoroughly cultivated and improved, was sold at a profit and the money reinvested in a similar manner. Until the year 1886 Mr. Clark continued in the purchase and sale of farm land, working with tireless energy to cultivate and improve each piece as it came into his possession. At the end of this period he brought his family to Primghar and built a handsome residence which has become their perma- nent abiding place, hallowed by the associations which cluster around a place so long called home. Three city lots are included in the beautiful grounds of this property, in addition to which Mr. Clark is the owner of nine other lots in the city of Primghar.
Three children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clark. all of whom are near their parents in their native county. Webb, the eldest son, attended high school in Paullina, after which he took a four years' course in civil engineering at Ames College. He is now a resident of Primghar. El-
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mer, the younger son, is profiting by his father's example, and is engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in O'Brien county, while the daughter. Mavis, now Mrs. Shinkle, a graduate of Primghar high school and who taught school several years, also has her home in O'Brien county.
When the Independent Progressive party was organized Mr. Clark was soon interested in the principles which it espoused and is still a devoted ad- herent of this cause. He is a member of the Congregational church at Prim- ghar, but is not interested in fraternal affairs.
Mr. Clark and his family have always stood for what is highest and best in life and have been interested in all movements for the betterment of their surroundings, physically and morally. Conservative in some respects. he is yet progressive in his ideas, broad-minded and intelligent. truly one of our representative men and worthy the high position which he holds among his associates.
JOSEPH GEISTER.
The gentleman whose name appears as the heading of this article needs no introduction to our readers, for he is well known throughout the county, being one of the prominent farmers of Summit and Dale townships, and also an active business man of Primghar. A few facts, however, concern- ing his life cannot but prove to be of interest to his many friends. He was born in Cook county, Illinois, in the year 1863, his father being Joseph Geis- ter, a native of Brandenburg, Germany. This latter gentleman was born in 1833 and spent his childhood and youth in the land of his birth, and there he received his schooling. In the year 1859 he was married to Marie Stall- baum, also of Brandenburg, and to them were born six children, being now located as follows: William, of Julesburg, Colorado, a farmer; Augusta (Mrs. Krekow), of Cherokee county, Iowa; Caroline (Mrs. Grauer), of the same place : Henry, a resident of Primghar, Iowa : George, of Tunic county, South Dakota, and Joseph, Jr.
In the year 1861 Joseph Geister, Sr., left the fatherland and brought his family to America, settling in Cook county, Illinois, where they remained until 1872. when they journeyed westward to the sparsely settled state of Iowa, making their home in Marshall county until 1882, when they again mi- grated to Cherokee county, Jowa. Later, in Plymouth county, Iowa, the call of death came to the father.
Joseph Geister, Jr., remained with his father, assisting him with the
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multitudinous duties and labors of the farm, until after his marriage to Katherine Harges, which occurred February 10, 1886. Miss Harges was also of German parentage, her father being Frederick Harges, of Hanover. Germany. In the year 1888 the young couple left the homestead of the fa- ther and purchased a quarter section of prairie land in O'Brien county, Iowa. This was cultivated energetically, and soon another tract was added to the original purchase, and their holdings have steadily continued to increase until now they hold title to six hundred and forty acres of improved land. lying in Summit and Dale townships. In all his undertakings. Mr. Geister has found a faithful assistant in his loyal wife. Early in his career he was led to see the profit in keeping the best of live stock, and he has specialized in this branch of his work, taking great pride in breeding only the choicest of the various animals on his farm. He has at all times proven a reliable judge of real estate as well and a block of city lots in Primghar stands to his credit in this respect.
Notwithstanding the heavy responsibility of the administration of his large estate. Mr. Geister has by no means confined his activities to the pur- suit of agriculture, but has found time and energy for many other inter- ests, both for his own profit and for the good of the community in which he resides. Just now much of his attention is devoted to the upbuilding of this automobile sales business in Primghar. In this connection, he has proved himself an active, aggressive, energetic salesman, handling the Cadillac. Buick and Ford machines.
Mr. Geister has served the community in the official capacity of trustee of Summit township and as school director for the city of Primghar, in both of which capacities he has brought to bear the same conscientious efficiency which has characterized his own business undertakings. He also served as sheriff of the county from January, 1907, to January, 19II.
Mr. and Mrs. Geister are the parents of four children, viz. : Albert G., of Primghar: Anna, teaching school in Hartley, Iowa ; Lillian, at home, and Carl, also at home.
Politically, Mr. Geister is a stanch Democrat. He is affiliated with no fraternal orders, but is a prominent member of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Geister is known by his many friends throughout the county as a sincere, honorable gentleman who, though energetic in the conduct of his business affairs, is devoted to the welfare of the community at large. Broad- minded and able, he is closely allied to all movements for general improve- ment and uplift and is deserving the confidence of his associates.
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NOAH C. WILKINSON.
Noah C. Wilkinson, one of the prominent business men of Highland township, is essentially a self-made man, having risen to his present position through tireless energy, supported by sound judgment and keen business acumen. He was born in the year 1849 in Belmont county, Ohio, the son of Joel W. Wilkinson, also a native of Belmont county. The father spent the earlier part of his life in the county of his birth, engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, but in the year 1865 he migrated to Fulton county, Illinois, where he remained until the call of death came to him.
The son. Noah; came west with his father and assisted him in the la- bors of the homestead until the year 1870, when he found employment on a farm elsewhere in the vicinity, remaining thus employed for a year. At the expiration of this period he sought a change of scene and manner of living. and found in the city of Chicago a position as a carpenter, and for six months he labored diligently in this new field. But this work was abruptly brought to an end for him by the death of his father and the obvious duty of the son was to take charge of the homestead. Here he labored diligently, giving time and energy without stint for the continued cultivation and improvement of the home place.
In the year 1877 Mr. Wilkinson's marriage to Sue Negley, of Canton, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph B. Negley, of the state of Pennsylvania, was solemnized. The following year the young couple emigrated to Marshall county, Iowa, renting a farm which he cultivated for a season; but in the year 1883 the ardent wish which they both cherished for a home of their own was realized. In Buena Vista county, Iowa, they were enabled to purchase a tract of land containing two hundred acres, all improved, for the small sum of eighteen dollars and seventy-five cents per acre, and this became their home. For three years Mr. Wilkinson labored to still further improve the place, and at the expiration of that period sold the farm and moved to the town of Alta in the same county, investing his capital in the Alta Elevator. In 1900, this interest also was disposed of and he found in O'Brien county opportunity for still more profitable investment. Here, at Gaza, he engaged in the mill and elevator business, being also the proprietor of a feed store.
In the year 1902 Mr. Wilkinson joined with his son Ralph in renting a tract of two hundred forty acres of ground, and this the young man later purchased for seventy-seven dollars per acre and later sold at a net profit
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of twenty-three dollars per acre, this tract being the first land in Highland township to sell for one hundred dollars.
Mr. Wilkinson was interested in the organization of the Farmers Sav- ings Bank of Gaza, being a stockholder and director of this institution, and since then he has continued to invest and increase his holdings in various en- terprises of the place. He is now the owner of fifteen city lots, all of which are improved, on a number of them being erected substantial residences and business buildings. He has, throughout his business career, dealt largely in Shorthorn cattle. his shipments at times reaching fifty to a hundred car loads at one time. While on the farm, he was also interested in breeding these fine animals and found this department of his business one of the most profitable connected with agricultural pursuits.
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