USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Past and present of Shelby County, Iowa, Vol. 2 > Part 30
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The education of Everette Starner was received in the common and
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high schools of Shelby. After graduating from the high school, he spent one year at the Western Vocational College at Harlan, where he took the commercial course offered by that institution. After graduating from the college at Harlan, in 1911, he at once began to work for the Shelby Lumber Company. So rapidly did he learn the business, that within two years he was appointed manager of the company and is now one of its stockholders. This company carries about fifteen thousand dollars' worth of general building material and also handles coal in connection with its other stock.
Mr. Starner is independent in his political belief, but on account of his age has not taken an active part in political matters, Ile is a member of the Presbyterian church and gives it his hearty support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Modern Wood- men of America.
JOHN SCHMIEDING.
Thousands of the native sons of Germany, appreciating the blessings of liberty and the unlimited opportunities for advancement to be found in America, were not slow to recognize the possibilities that opened out before their view in this republic. Accordingly, ever since the beginning of our government large numbers of these sturdy, thrifty citizens have crossed the Atlantic and sought homes in various parts of the United States, and here their descendants have become among the most intelligent. patriotic and in- dustrious citizens of our great cosmopolitan population. During the Civil War thousands of them enlisted in the Union army and performed gallant service for their adopted country. Among the many German citizens who have honored Shelby county, Iowa, with their residence, none stand higher in popular esteem than John Schmieding, the proprietor of one thousand acres of land.
. John Schmieding, the son of John and Elizabeth (Springer) Schmied- ing, was born in Westphalia, Germany, January 9. 1853. His parents were born, reared and married in Germany and lived there until 1858. In that year John Schmieding. Sr., and his family came to America and located in Delaware county, Iowa, on a farm.
The sea voyage which was made by the Schmieding family when they came to America was an eventful one for the children and occupied the long and weary time of fifty-eight days in all. They set sail from Liver- pool, England, after crossing the channel from the mainland early in the
JOHN SCHMIEDING AND FAMILY
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spring and eventually landed at New Orleans in the month of June. They then boarded a Mississippi river steamboat and went up the river, arriving at Delaware county, lowa. on June 20, 1858. They lived with Conrad Wardeoff until the spring and then rented eight acres of land. The second year they rented fourteen acres and put it in crops for a Mr. Schultz. whose land was located seven miles northwest of Dyersville. In the spring of 1862 they were able to break up fourteen acres of their own land. This was the beginning of the fortunes of this German family in America. They were very poor when they first came here and practically every member of the family is now wealthy.
After renting four years he bought a farm on which he lived until his death, July 9. 1870. John Schmieding and wife were the parents of eight children: Theresa, the wife of Anton Krogmann; Casper. who married Mary Phelsheim, and after her death, Josephine Mormann: John. with whom this narrative deals: Elizabeth, the wife of Barney Niehus; Katherine, the wife of John Ocken: Anna. the wife of August Schafer. and two, Mary and Henry, who are deceased.
John Schmieding was five years of age when his parents came from Germany to Delaware county, lowa, and in that county he received his education. He assisted his father on the home farm until the latter's death. in 1870, and then he remained with his mother, who removed to West- phalia township. Shelby county, in 1878. He took charge of the home farm until he was thirty-six years old. when he married and traded farms with his mother, securing the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he is now living. He has placed ten thousand dollars in improvements on this farm in such a way as to make it one of the most productive farms of the township and he devotes his attention to the handling of live stock and the raising of such crops as are common to this locality. He also owns forty acres adjacent to the town of Westphalia which cost him two hundred and twenty dollars an acre. He has eight hundred acres of good land in South Dakota.
Mr. Schmieding was married February 25, 1889, to Mary Reilander, the daughter of Christian and Anna ( Unks) Reilander, and to this union ten children have been born : Anna, John, Christian, Joseph, Henry. Peter. Casper, Elizabeth, William and one who died in infancy. All of the children are still single. Anna, Jolin and Christian are living in South Dakota on their father's eight-hundred-acre farm. Mrs. Schmieding was born April 22, 1868, in Dubuque county, Iowa. Her parents were born in Germany, in Prussia and Luxemburg, respectively, and came to the United States in
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1876, settling in Dubuque county, lowa. They lived on a farm in that county for thirty-one years and then moved to Exira, Audubon county. lowa, where her father died in 1900. His widow then moved to Dunlap, Iowa, where her death occurred in 1913. To Mr. and Mrs. Reilander were born eight children: Ilenry, Mary, Clara. Sophia. Maggie, Elizabeth, Lena and Anna. By a first marriage with a Mr. Clements the mother of Mrs. Schmieding had four children: John. Susie, Peter and Katherine.
Mr. Schmieding and all his family are loyal members of the Catholic church. Politically, he is a Democrat, but his extensive agricultural interests have prevented him from taking an active part in political matters. Mr. Schmieding has had remarkable success, as is indicated by his large holdings of a thousand acres. He has always kept fully abreast of the latest de- velopments in agricultural methods and keeps his farm stocked with the latest improved machinery, so that he is able to secure a maximum result from the soil. In his residence of more than thirty-six years in this county. he has so lived as to merit the hearty approbation which is given him by his fellow citizens, and being a man of genial personality and kindly disposition, has earned the high respect and esteem of all who know him.
JOSEPH B. REAMS.
The proprietor of the largest merchandise store in Shelby, Iowa, is Joseph B. Reams, who was formerly a merchant in Defiance, Iowa. His father was one of the first merchants of Defiance, and Mr. Reams has had the benefit of being connected with the mercantile business since his earliest boyhood days. His father was a very successful business man and one of the wealthiest men of his town at the time of his death. Samuel Reams was a man of great energy and enterprise and was not only one of the most successful merchants of Shelby county but one of the largest land owners of the county as well.
Joseph B. Reams, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bowlin ) Reams. . was born in Monroe county, Iowa, on February 20. 1872. His parents were both born in Pennsylvania, his father in 1831, and his mother in 1835. Samuel Reams learned the carpenter's' trade in his native state and fifteen years after his marriage moved to Wapello county, Iowa, where he worked at his trade until the Civil War began. He enlisted in August. 1862, at Keokuk, Iowa, and was a member of Company H. Thirty-sixth Regiment.
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Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. His com- pany saw the most of its service along the lower Mississippi river, engaging in many battles and skirmishes of more or less importance until the close of the war. He was not wounded in the service, but came back very much broken down in health on account of exposure and sickness.
After he was mustered out of the service, Samuel Reams returned to Iowa and located in Monroe county in 1870, where he engaged in farming until ISSI. In that year he moved to Shelby county, Iowa, and started one of the first general merchandise stores at Defiance. He continued in busi- ness at that place until some years before his death, in 1908. He owned three hundred and twenty acres of land in Union township and was not only one of the wealthiest men of the county, but one of the most highly re- spected. The wife of Samuel Reams died in 1909. There were born to Samuel Reams and wife seven children, five of whom are still living.
Joseph B. Reams was nine years of age when his parents moved from Monroe county, Iowa, to Shelby county and consequently his education was received in both counties. He attended the high school at Defiance and at the same time worked in his father's store. When his father retired he and his brother, Elmer, purchased the store and managed it together for six years. In 1900 Mr. Reams sold his interest in the store to his brother and moved to Shelby, where he bought a small stock of merchandise from Newell & Company. Mr. Reams at once proceeded to rent a large building. forty by eighty feet, erected first by the Bohlanders, in order to put in a larger stock of goods. This building has a basement which he uses for storing and heating purposes, a hall in the upper story and is known as the Opera House block. Mr. Reams purchased it in 1905. His store is now the largest in Shelby and carries a full line of general merchandise goods, such as are found in department stores of cities of much larger size. He employs five and six clerks the year round and his business is rapidly in- creasing. Mr. Reams has a beautiful residence in the eastern part of the city, which is equipped with all of the latest conveniences. In addition to his city property he owns land in Iowa. Minnesota and South Dakota.
Mr. Reams was married on December 9, 1896, to Lettie Lathrop, who was born in Greeley township, in this county, on November 9, 1876. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah ( Wilfong) Lathrop, early settlers of Shelby county, and now deceased. Benjamin Lathrop was born in Union county, Ohio, on June 10, 1843, and died at Manning, Iowa, on September 8, 1882. He was married in 1870 to Sarah Wilfong, who survived him until 1896. He enlisted in Company H, Eighth Regiment. Jowa Volunteer
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Infantry, in 1861, at Davenport, lowa, and served until the close of the war. He participated in many important battles, such as Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jack- son ( Mississippi), and many skirmishes, coming out of all the active service without being wounded.
Mr. Reams is a stanch Republican in politics. Owing to his extensive business and agricultural interests, he has always taken a passive part in political matters. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist church, while fraternally. he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Reams is a wide-awake business man and although he has been in Shelby but a comparatively short time, he has already won the con- fidence of all with whom he has been associated.
FRANK GROSS.
The 1910 census showed that there were more than ten million German citizens in the United States, who were either born in Germany or de- scendants of German parents, which means that one-tenth of the total popu- lation of the United States is of German descent. The great German migration to this country began in 1848, during the time of the great upris- ing in Germany of that year, and has continued uninterruptedly down to the present time. Thousands of the best farmers in lowa were born in Germany, and in Shelby county may be found several hundred who left their native land for this prosperous section of the state of lowa. Without ex- ception the German citizens of this county have been thrifty and have ac- cumulated land and property, while at the same time they have assumed the duties of American citizenship in a way which makes them American citi- zens of the highest type. AAmong the many German farmers of Union township who have prospered exceedingly, Frank Gross, the owner of two hundred acres, has an honorable place.
Frank Gross, the son of Adam and Joanna ( Kramer) Gross, was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, May 9, 1866. Both of his parents were born in Germany and came to America when they were children with their parents and settled in Wisconsin. Adam Gross received his education in Germany and worked in his father's brick yard there until he came to this country at the age of eighteen with his parents. The Gross family first settled in Racine county, Wisconsin, but a year later located in Walworth county, where they bought one hundred and twenty acres of land. The
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father of Adam Gross died shortly after the family came to Wisconsin. and Adam managed the farm and assumed the responsibility for the caring of the other children. He married in that state, bought the old homestead and farmed it until 1874. In that year Adam Gross brought his family to Mills county, Iowa, landing there on the 4th day of February, 1874. A month later he settled in Westphalia township, in Shelby county, where he bought forty acres of land and lived on this farm until 18So, when he retired from active farm life to Westphalia, where he and his wife are now living. Adam Gross and wife were the parents of eleven children : Frank, whose history is subsequently recorded in this connection: Louisa, the wife of Matthew Kool: Mary, who died at the age of six months: Joseph, who married Mary Engel: Aloyions, single: Kate, the wife of Matthew Schleier ; Frederick, who married Mary Allers: Mary, the wife of Emil Zimmerman ; Josephine, the wife of Frank A. Jacobs: Gertrude, the wife of Matthew Miller, and George, who married Clara Kinman.
Frank Gross, the oldest child of his parents, was seven years of age when the family moved to Shelby county, Iowa, and consequently received all of his education in Shelby county. After leaving the school room he worked as a hired hand on the farms in the township until he was twenty- three years of age. He then learned the carpenter trade and followed this vocation for five years, when he married and began the life of a farinr on a rented farm. He and his wife lived economically, and were soon able to buy a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Union township, where they now live. In 1909 Mr. Gross added eighty acres to his farm and built a fine modern home, new barn and various outbuildings, so that he now has one of the most attractive farms in his township. On his farm of two hundred acres he raises good crops and handles a large amount of live stock each year. He is thoroughly up-to-date in his farming methods and has all of the latest improved machinery, so that he gets the maximum results with the least effort.
Mr. Gross was married September 7, 1893, to Bertha Rueshenberg. the daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Sasse) Rueshenberg. The reader is referred to the history of Joseph Rueshenberg, which is found elsewhere in this volume, for further information concerning the family. Mr. and Mrs. Gross are the parents of fourteen children: Joseph, Bertha, Frank, Mary. Francis, William, John. Magdalena, Eleanor, Matthew. Alphonso. Raymond and Alvin. Frank, Mary. Magdalena and Alphonso died in infancy, while Bertha died at the age of eight. All of the other children are single and still living with their parents.
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Politically, Mr. Gross is allied with the Democratic party, and takes an intelligent interest in local political matters. He has served as supervisor of Westphalia township, and is now a school director in Union township, where he resides. He is a firm believer in good education and lends his hearty support to all measures which he feels will benefit the schools in any way. He and his family are consistent members of the Catholic church, in whose welfare they are intensely interested, and to whose support they are generous contributors. Mr. Gross is a member of the Knights of Col- umbus and the Catholic Knights of America, two Catholic fraternal or- ganizations which embrace practically all of the Catholics of this county. Mr. Gross is a man of genial disposition, and a man who, by his clean and wholesome life, has commanded the respect and admiration of his fellow citizens. He and his good wife have reared a large family and are prepar- ing them to become useful members of society.
ANDREW H. KROMAN.
The fertility of the land in Shelby county, Iowa, has attracted inen from all over the United States as well as from many foreign countries. Far away Denmark has sent to this county many sterling citizens and they and their descendants are prominent factors in the county's development. Andrew H. Kroman was born in this county of Danish parentage, and has met with that success which characterizes all of the Danish farmers of this county.
Andrew H. Kroman, the son of Peter HI. and Katherine (Andersen) Kroman, was born in Jackson township, Shelby county, Iowa, in 1878. Peter H. Kroman was a native of Denmark, born in 1841, and was the son of Andrew and Johannah Kroman. Andrew Kroman, Sr., was born in Denmark in 1800 and died in his native land in 1878. Johannah Kroman died in Denmark in 1843. Five children were born to Andrew and Johannah Kroman, two of whom are deceased.
Peter H. Kroman was reared in his native land and in I870 came to America and settled in Illinois. He worked in that state as a farm hand for seven years and as soon as he was married, to Katherine Andersen, in 1877, he brought his young bride to Shelby county, Iowa, where he pur- chased eighty acres of land in Jackson township. He set out two acres of
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fruit and forest trees and made extensive improvements upon his land. By good management and strict economy he was able to add to his holdings from year to year until, when he retired, in 19to, he was the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of excellent farming land in Clay and Jackson townships. Upon the marriage of his son, Andrew H., in 1910, he retired from the farm and moved to Elkhorn, where he and his wife are now living. There were two children born to Peter H. Kroman and wife, Johannah (deceased) and Andrew H.
The education of Andrew H. Kroman was received in the district schools of Jackson township, and later be became a student in the High- land Park College at Des Moines, Iowa. He took a normal course in this excellent institution in order to gain a good education. However, the fact that his father had a large farm and he was the only son caused him to give up his idea of a professional career and return to his father's farm. Upon his marriage, in 1910, his father left the farm and Andrew H. took active charge of part of the large estate of his father. He is now farming two hundred and twenty acres in such a way as to bring in a handsome revenue for himself and father. The farm is stocked with only the best grades of live stock and he feeds most of his grain to the stock, having found by experience that this is more remunerative than selling the grain. He is a progressive farmer, keeps in close touch with the latest methods of agricul- ture, and by his good management has risen to a place of prominence among the progressive and enterprising farmers of his county.
Mr. Kroman was married in 1910 to Christina. Christensen, who was born in Jackson township in 1884. She was the daughter of the late Albert Christensen, one of the early settlers of Shelby county. Mr. Kroman and wife are the parents of one son. Peter M. They are loyal and consistent members of the Danish Lutheran church and give their hearty support to the denomination of their fatherland. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party, and although he is one of the best informed men in his township on the political issues of the day. he has not taken an active part in political matters. The management of his large farm requires the most of his time and attention and, consequently, he has left political matters to others, although his advice is frequently sought by the leaders of his party. Mr. Kroman is a man who is deeply interested in the welfare of his town- ship and county and all publie-spirited measures find in him an enthusiastic supporter. He is a man of genial and kindly manner, and he and his wife are held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
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JOSEPH BOOK.
The German element in Shelby county has been responsible for much of the prosperity of the county, due to the fact that the citizens of German parentage are excellent farmers and business men. The habits of thrift, industry and economy are a part and parcel of the daily life of every Ger- man and, for this reason, the county is greatly indebted to these sterling people. They have not only been interested in the material growth of the county, but have taken an active part in educational, moral and civic affairs as well. Among the German families who have long been prominently identified with the history of this county, the Book family has borne an honorable part.
Joseph Book, the owner of "Maple Grove Stock Farm," the son of Peter and Elizabeth ( Fogel) Book, was born at Oltendorn, in Germany, his parents both being natives of Germany. Peter Book was given a good Ger- man education and after leaving school took up the trade of a mason. He also farmed for a while but gave most of his attention to his regular trade. In 1851 he came, with his family, to this country and first settled in New Orleans, but shortly afterward located in St. Louis, Missouri. The trade of a mason not offering the opportunity which he desired, he left St. Louis and moved to Clayton county, Iowa, where he followed his trade only long enough to save enough money to make a payment upon a farm. He first bought a farm of eighty acres in Clayton county and after making some im- provements upon it, sold it at a good profit, and purchased another farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the same county. He remained on this second farm for several years and then sold it and came to Shelby county, where he bought a farm in Westphalia township, the same now being owned by his son, Joseph. He continued to farm this until his death, March 14, 1906, his wife having passed away December 16, 1887. They were the parents of four children: John P., who married Katherine Crowley: Charles, who married Anna Kuhl; Mary, the wife of Joseph Kramer, and Joseph, whose history is given in this connection.
Joseph Book attended school in Clayton county, Iowa, and after leaving school worked with his father upon the home farm until his marriage, in 1886. At that time his father gave him some land and he began farming for himself. Success has attended his efforts to a marked ! gree and by hard work and good management he has accumulated a fine farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres. He raises registered Polled Angus, Hereford and
JOSEPH BOOK AND FAMILY.
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Shorthorn cattle. He has spent his whole life upon the farm and now has one of the most attractive farms in the county. He keeps fully abreast of the latest advances in agricultural methods and has the satisfaction of seeing his farm yield handsome returns each year.
Mr. Book was married November 9, 1886, to Hulda Huebner, the daughter of Herman and Bertha ( Ralmn) Huebner. To this union there have been born six children: Clara, the wife of Nicholas Bissen, and the mother of three children-Hilda E., Marie and Adelia; Annie, the wife of Carl Luetticke, and the mother of two children, Joseph Edward and Nina E .; Dora and Joseph, single: Emma, who was drowned in a tank of water on the farm June 24, 1897. being a babe of a year and eight months at the time; Mary, the youngest child, who died in infancy.
The Huebner family came from Germany, Herman Huebner serving in the Franco-Prussian War of 1866-1871. In 18SI Herman Huebner brought his family to this country and at once located in Westphalia township, in this county. Ile bought a farm of one hundred and forty acres, but a year later disposed of the farm and moved to Crawford county, in this state, and purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres. The family spent eight years in this latter county and then moved to Charter Oak, in the same county, where Mrs. Huebner died January 8, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Huebner were born eight children : Hulda, Albert, Charles, Bertha, Emma, . Otto, Augusta and Mary.
Mr. Book and all his family are members of the Catholic church, Mrs. Book joining the church at the time of her marriage. Politieally, he is a Demoerat, and has been honored by his party on more than one occasion. He was a member of the school board of his township as well as township trustee for eight years, filling these positions to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of his community. He has always been interested in all measures of public welfare and has long been one of the leaders in his community ..
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