USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Past and present of Shelby County, Iowa, Vol. 2 > Part 32
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Mr. Paulsen has two sisters who are now living in this country. Mrs. Eline Lage, Manning, lowa, and Mrs. Margarete .\. Zabel, Omaha, Neb- raska. In 1885, Mr. Paulsen's parents came to this country, where they re- sided with their children until the death of the father in 1902. The mother is now living at Manning, Iowa. 1
On June 2, 1914, Mr. Paulsen, his wife and Alice and Theodore started on a trip to Germany for the purpose of visiting relatives and seeing the old world as a part of the children's education. It is needless to say that the trip was very enjoyable in every particular. Politically, Mr. Paulsen is a
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stanch Republican in politics, but his political service has been confined to his membership in the town council of Irwin. He and his family are all loyal members of the German Lutheran church and contribute generously of their means to its support. Mr. Paulsen is a fine example of the self-made German citizen, a man who started at the foot of the ladder, and by his own exertions has attained a position of prominence in his county. He is a man of remarkable business ability and by the application of those German char- acteristics of frugality and honesty, he has built up a very lucrative trade in Irwin and the surrounding territory.
GUSTAVUS A. JUSTICE.
It would be a fine thing if every citizen of the United States would have the thrift and good judgment to lay aside enough of this world's goods to support him in comfort during his declining years. In England the gov- ernment has provided old age pensions, but in the United States we are told that every man should be able to provide for himself after he passes the meridian of life and is no longer able to work. For such as have not suffi- ciently provided for themselves in their old age our government provides beautiful homes and takes good care of those who are unable to care for themselves. It is .surprising to note in Shelby county, Iowa, the large number of men, and especially farmers, who have retired from active life and moved to the towns. Every town in this county has a large number of retired farmers living in it and each one of them is a living proof that farming in this county pays.
Gustavus A. Justice, who is now living a retired life in Defiance. Iowa, was born in Linn county, lowa, December 31, 1857. His parents, John and Margaret A. (Alsworth) Justice, were both natives of Pennsylvania, mar- ried in that state and then moved to Linn county, Iowa. They located in this state several years before the Civil War and were able to purchase their land at that time for one dollar and a quarter an acre. They lived in Linn county until 1865, and then moved to Jones county, in this state, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres, paying twenty-five dollars an acre for it. In 18SI the wife of John Justice died and he then sold his farm in Jones county and came to Shelby county, where he has since made his home with his son, Gustavus, who was living in this county at the time.
مخطط
MR. AND MRS. GUSTAVUS A. JUSTICE.
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John Justice and wife were the parents of four children : Edwin, Gustavus, Albert and George.
Gustavus A. Justice was educated in the common schools of Jones county, Iowa, and completed his education by taking the course in the high school at Mechanicsville, Cedar county, Iowa. After leaving school he went to the southern part of Nebraska, where he worked on a farm for one year. He then returned to Shelby county, bought some stock and farm tools and rented a farm southeast of Harlan, in Fairview township, living on this place for two years. He then rented a farm in Lincoln township two years. He next purchased eighty acres of land near Panama, in Washing- ton township, and seven years later added a tract of similar acreage. Upon this farm he lived for the next nineteen years, during which time he bought two hundred acres more land. making three hundred and sixty acres. He has now retired from active farm life and is living in Defiance. As a farmer he was considered one of the best stock raisers in the county and handled a large amount of Polled Angus cattle. He has since sold his farm in Wash- ington township and bought two hundred and twenty acres in Union town- ship and one hundred and sixty acres in Greeley township.
Mr. Justice was married on October 13, 1881, to Clara E. Miller, the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Grauel) Miller, and to this union have been born five children: One, who died in infancy: Effie. who married Fred Kolbe, and has two children, Mildred and Fred M .: Maude, the wife of F. P. Hulsebus; Lillie Fern, who died May 21, 1907, and Ralph, who married Alta Chamberlain, and has three children, Kenneth C., Earl and Harold E.
The Miller family were natives of Ohio. Joseph Miller was twice married. His first wife. Rebecca Granel, died in 1872, at the age of forty- one, leaving seven children living and three deceased. The seven living children are William H., Susan, Clare, Addie, Katherine, Minnie F., Jennie M. After the death of his first wife, Joseph Miller married Margaret Mc- Connaughey, and to this second marriage six children were born: Charles. Clancy, Clifford, Anna, Donia and one who died in infancy. Mr. Miller died in 1892, at the age of seventy-two years.
Mr. Justice has been a life-long Republican and has held several honors at the hands of his party. He is now a member of the Republican Central Committee of Shelby county. While living in Washington township, he was treasurer of the school board, and since moving to Defiance he has been city treasurer, as well as a member of the school board. He was also a member of the board of supervisors for Shelby county for five years, during which
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time he favored every measure which he felt would benefit the county in any way. Religiously, he and the members of his family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Justice is a trustee of the denomination at the present time. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at llarlan. Mr. Justice is the kind of a man who worked for the good of his county, having always given his influence to all worthy measures and movements and done everything within his power to make the county a better one in which to live.
PHILIP ARMENTROUT.
Among the most successful citizens of Shelby county, lowa, is he whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Armentrout has for many years been a resi- dent of Shelby county, where he is one of the largest land owners and stock raisers. Closely associated with him is his youngest son, Marion, one of the most widely known auctioneers in this section of the country. Having been brought up on the farm and in close touch with his father's business, he early acquired a knowledge of all relating to agricultural life and became an expert in his ability to properly judge live stock. Therefore, it is not surprising that in his business he makes a specialty of this class of sales and while he has barely attained his majority, he has a reputation as an expert in his line which might well be coveted by many an older man. He cried his first sale when but seventeen years of age, has attended the Missouri Auc- tion School at Kansas City, Missouri, and thus early in his career has cried sales in nine different state.
Philip Armentrout was born on February 28, 1847. in Richland county. Ohio, being the son of Jacob and Mary ( Hammond) AArmentrout, both of whom were natives of Rockingham county. Virginia. Jacob Armentrout was born in the year 1800. of Pennsylvania-Dutch parentage. There are no family records available showing when the first Armentrouts came to this country or from whence they came. Mr. Armentrout is one of a family of twelve children, but four of whom have passed into the great beyond. Their names are Allen (deceased), Nancy (Mrs. Armentrout. deceased), Annis (deceased), Annamelia (Mrs. Mckibben), Anita (Mrs. Wise), Catherine (Mrs. Rhodes), George, Abraham (deceased), Ansel. Albro, Dallas and Philip. the youngest of the family.
Mr. Armentrout remained with his parents in the family home in Ohio
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until the year 1872, when he came westward into Jowa and located in Shelby county. " After being here about a year he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Jackson township and added to this from time to time until he possessed some four hundred acres. There he made his home for about thirty years. prospering in his affairs. In 1908 he disposed of his holdings in Jackson township and purchased six hundred and eighty aeres located in sections 14. 22, 23 and 27 of Jefferson township and in 1913 he added two hundred and forty acres located in sections 10 and 15 of the same township, making his total acreage at this time nine hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Armentrout has retired from the active management of the farm, leaving this work to his efficient sons whom he has so well trained. Marion is quite successful in raising live stock and has an excellent herd of full blooded Hereford cattle. Ile also raises a great number of Chester White hogs.
On December 28. 1876. Mr. Armentrout was united in marriage with Alice Ross, born in Ohio on April 6, 1859. the daughter of Hugh W. and Millie ( Baber ) Ross, both being natives of Ohio. They had a family of six children, the eldest of whom is Mrs. Armentrout. The others are Elizabeth ( Mrs Ephart ). Archibakl, Joseph, Hugh and James, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs Armentrout has been born a family of seven children, namely : Lonie F .. born February 27, 18;8. Ile chose as his wife Elsie Brown and they are the parents of four children. Everett. Lawrence, Lloyd and Amorette. Will- iam O., the second son, was born March 21. 1880. On November 30. 1904. he was united in marriage with Maude Simmons who has borne him six children, Dallas, Lois. Helen, Ansel. Wilbur and Woodrow. Eldoras, the third son, was born July 18. 1882, and was married on March 5. 1906, to Bertha Slates. They have two children. Ival D. and Dorris F. Ralph L ... born December 20, 1884, married Laura Peterson in 1909 and has one child. Lyle. Robert. born July 24, 1887, married Rosa Peterson and has one child. Bernice. Cassie was born on November 31. 1880, and on January 28, 1913. was united in marriage with Lilly Silverwood. Marion. the youngest of this interesting family of six sons, was born September 9. 1893 and remains unmarried.
Politically, Mr. Armentrout is a Democrat and being a wide-awake man of affairs, has always taken more than a passing interest in the affairs of his party. Ile has served Jackson township as trustee for eight terms and has been active in other lines of public service. His fraternal affiliation is with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Marion also is a Democrat, pro- gressive in his views and gives promise of being one of the active men of the party in this section in time to come. His business engrosses most of
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his time and he has now established an office in Manning, Iowa, which he maintains during the winter seasons. .Altogether, he is a worthy son of his excellent father, possessing many of his attributes of character and ability.
Since Mr. Armentrout first came to this locality many marked changes have taken place. the section having passed from the pioneer stage into the era of modern improvements and advantages of every description. He has kept abreast of the times in every particular and during the years of his residence here has been considered one of the leading citizens, taking a keen and abiding interest in all that related to the welfare and advancement of various community interests. The manner in which he has built up his interests since coming to this section marks him as a man possessing unusual business ability and his manner of living is such as to win for him the highest degree of admiration and respect from all with whom he has been associated. Mr. Armentrout is a man of marked domestic traits, taking great pleasure in his home and family, especially delighting in the growing circle of grand- children, and among all the residents of Shelby county, there are none more deserving than he of honorable mention in a work of the character of the one in hand.
JOSEPH SCHECHINGER.
The history of Shelby county is replete with the successes which have attended the citizens of German birth. No other foreign country is so well represented in this county and without exception they have become prosper- ons and substantial citizens of their adopted country. The habits of thrift and industry which always mark the peoples of German extraction have made them welcome additions to the various communities in this country which have been honored by their residence. Probably no family has had more marked success in this county than the Schechinger family, one of whose representatives, Joseph Schechinger, is one of the largest land owners in the county.
Mr. Schechinger, the son of Martin and Katherine ( Reedel ) Schechin- ger, was born April 29, 1866, in Altbrein, Germany. Martin started to work out as a farm hand after leaving school and upon his marriage bought a small farm of twelve acres. He increased this to forty-four acres and then decided to sell it and permanently locate in the United States. In 1875 he came to this country with his large family and at once located in West- phalia township, in Shelby county, Iowa, where he bought eighty acres of
JOSEPH SCHECHINGER AND FAMILY
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land for eleven dollars an acre. A few months later he bought eighty acres more for eighteen dollars an acre. By thrifty methods and the valuable as- sistance of his four worthy sons he accumulated four hundred acres of land, which he divided among his four sons a few years before his death. To Martin Schechinger and wife were born eleven children: Katherine, the wife of Joseph Fromm; Crazens, the wife of Barttell Stoll; Martin, who married Anna Book : Mary, the wife of Valentine Flintner; Frances, the wife of Peter Kauffman: Theresa, the wife of Benjamin Blum: George, who married Elizabeth Blum: Caroline, the wife of Michael Schiltz: Joseph ; Anastasia (deceased), who was the wife of Jacob Cooker; Vitus, who mar- ried Barbara Hennis.
Joseph Schechinger attended school for three years in Germany and . completed his education in this county. He was nine years of age when his parents moved to Iowa and worked on the home farm while attending school, remaining at home until he was twenty-four. He then married and commenced farming on one hundred and sixty acres which has father gave him in Lincoln township and lived on this one hundred and sixty for the first three years after his marriage. In 1893 he bought two hundred and eighty acres of land in Westphalia township (the Joseph Smith farm), and by hard work along the most approved lines has accumulated additional land from time to time until he now has seven hundred and forty-six acres of land in this county. For four or five years before his marriage he and his brothers operated a corn sheller and threshing machine for their father. He is a breeder of Shorthorn and Hereford cattle and has about one hundred head of cattle on the farm.
Mr. Schechinger was married in 1890 to Katherine Hennis, the daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Hennis, and to this union there have been born seven children: Martin, Elizabeth, Barbara, John, Cecelia, Cunnie and Katherine. Martin and Elizabeth are deceased: Barbara is the wife of Charles Wageman and has two children, Anthony and Cecelia; all the rest of the children are single and living with their father. The mother of these seven children died November 13, 1910, at the age of forty years. She was born in Arcadia. Iowa, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Hennis, natives of Luxemberg. Germany.
The Hennis family came from Germany to America in 1873 and located in Arcadia, Iowa, but shortly afterward permanently settled in Shelby county. John Hennis became a prosperous farmer and at the time of his (46)
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death was one of the substantial men of his township. lle and his wife have both been dead many years. They reared a family of three children : Katherine, the wife of Mr. Schechinger : Barbara, the wife of Vitus Schecli- inger, and Elizabeth, the wife of Ilenry Ebert.
Mr. Schechinger and all his family are loyal members of the West- phalia Catholic church. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of America. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party but has never been active in political affairs. He is an independent voter and believes in sup- porting the best men for office regardless of politics.
CARL T. ANDERSON.
The sons of Denmark are found in many different enterprises in Shelby county, Iowa, and in whatever business they enter they are sure to be suc- cessful. The Danish citizens of this county are known as hard workers and whatever they undertake, they give to their business close attention and invariably make a success of it. Carl T. Anderson has been engaged in the creamery business for the past ten years in Shelby, Iowa, and has made a pronounced success in this line of activity. In addition to his creamery interests he is also engaged in the grocery business and has a well-equipped grocery in Shelby. He is interested in many different enterprises in the city and is one of its most enterprising men.
Carl T. Anderson, the son of Anders Otto and Nettie (Andersdatter) Larson, was born in Denmark on October 5, 1860. His father was born in Norway in 1834 and his mother was born in Sweden in 1820. After their marriage they moved to Denmark, where the father died in 1902 and the mother in 1910. There were seven children born to Anders Otto Larson and wife, five of whom are living. Only one sister is in this country, Mrs. Marie Martinson, who is living in Shelby township.
Carl T. Anderson received a common school education in his native land, and immediately after his marriage, in 1887, he came to America and located in Shelby, Iowa. He worked on the railroad for the first three years after coming to this country and then began to rent land in this county. He first had eighty acres and two years later assumed the manage- ment of a farm of two hundred and seventeen acres in Shelby township. In 1899 he bought eighty acres of land in Adair county, Iowa, but rented it out for two years and then sold it. He then bought one hundred and eighty
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acres in Shelby township and later sold that and bought eighty acres in Harrison county, which he still owns. In 1901 he moved to Shelby and became identified with the Waterloo Creamery Company, traveling for this company for two years. After this he became the manager of the Shelby Creamery Company and was soon connected with this company, assuming a half interest in the business, his partner being D. Cole. In 1911 Mr. Ander- son started a grocery store in Shelby and has given part of his time to its management since that year. He owns three business blocks in the city, is a stockholder in the Farmers Bank, the Shelby Lumber Company and the Tele- phone and Electric Light Company of Shelby. In fact, he is one of the leading business men of his city and by his enterprise has become recognized as one of its leaders.
Mr. Anderson was married in 1886 in Denmark to Marie K. Olsen, who was born in that country in 1862. To this union has been born one daughter, Olena, who is now the manager of her father's interests in the Shelby Creamery Company.
The Anderson family are devout members of the Danish Lutheran church. Politically, he is a stanch Republican and has taken an active part in the civic life of his city. He has been a member of the council for four years, giving his fellow citizens efficient service in this capacity. He is truly one of the representative men of his city and is. undoubtedly, deserving of a place among the representative men of the county.
NICHOLAS V. KUHL.
One of the most prominent bankers and business men of Shelby county, Iowa, is Nicholas V. Kuhl, cashier of the German Savings Bank, of Earling. He comes of German parentage, his parents being among the early settlers of this county.
The first bank in Earling was established in 1890 and was a private bank owned by J. F. Huntoon, and known as the Bank of Earling. In 1892 the bank was incorporated under the state law and rechristened the German Savings Bank, of Earling. The original stockholders were P. J. Korth, J. F. Huntoon. J. H. Kuhl. J. C. Heese. August Schnuettegen. Fred Scheel and Wenzel Hahn. Some of the original incorporators are still residents of Earling and continue to be interested in the bank, while others have moved away or passed to their reward. The bank is located in a locality peopled
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largely by citizens of German birth and parentage, from which fact the bank gets its name. From the thrifty habits of these same sturdy Germans comes the large patronage which the bank enjoys. At the present time its deposits aggregate more than two hundred thousand dollars with gross assets of more than two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The growth of this and other banks in the county is a thoroughly good index to the prosperity which has come to the people of the county. In 1896 the deposits in this bank averaged about forty thousand dollars, so it can be seen that they have in- creased five-fold since that time. This bank owns its own building in which all the accessories necessary to safe and successful banking are installed. The present officers are as follows: P. J. Korth, president : J. C. Heese, vice- president ; Nicholas V. Kuhl, cashier. The first charter of the bank expired in 1912, but it was at once renewed and the bank is now enjoying a period of prosperity which speaks well for its future career.
Nicholas V. Kuhl, the son of Joseph II. and Mary ( Finken ) Kunt, was born August 11, 1873, in Mills county, lowa. Joseph Kuhl was a son of Matthew and Margaret ( Glason) Kuhl, both natives of the Rhine province in Germany, and early settlers in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where they located in the early forties. Eight children were born to Matthew Kuhl and wife: Joseph. Peter. Michael, Matthew, Nicholas, Margaret and Lena. Joseph Kuhl was married January 9. 1870, to Mary Finken, the daughter of Matthew and Katherine (Gans) Finken, and to this union were born ten children, Kate, Nicholas, John, Mary, Michael, Edward, Anna, Clara, Joseph and Matthew. Kate is the wife of J. J. Weiland; John married Mary Scheuring: Mary is the wife of Chris Weiland; Michael married Minnie Tucker ; Edward married Rella Faus; Anna is the wife of John Foxhoven ; .Clara is unmarried and is living with her mother : Joseph and Matthew died in childhood.
Joseph H. Kuhl was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and when a young man his parents moved to Mills county, lowa, where he farmed with his father. After his marriage he rented a farm for two years and then moved to Shelby county, arriving here in the summer of 1872. Upon com- ing to this county Joseph H. Kuhl purchased a farm of eighty acres in West- phalia township. and by thrift and economy increased his land holdings to two hundred and forty acres. He was the first postmaster at Westphalia and later became the first postmaster at Earling. He served as county super- visor for two terms and as county treasurer for three terms. For a num- ber of years he was the agent for the Milwaukee Land Company and had charge of all of their land sales from Council Bluffs to Manning, Iowa. He
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was probably the most prominent man in the county during the early days of its history and never failed to give his best efforts to the advancement of his adopted county.
Nicholas V. Kuhl attended the Catholic school at Westphalia and later at Earling. After leaving school he farmed with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, and then attended a business college for two years. Upon leaving the business college he became a clerk in the German Savings Bank of Earling, and in October. 1902, was elected cashier of the bank, a position which he has since held. He has demonstrated his fitness to fill this position by his genial manner and well recognized ability and has won the confidence of the patrons of the bank.
Mr. Kuhl was married June 15, 1897, to Katherine Kelleher, the daugh- ter of John Kelleher, and to this union have been born three children, Marie, Edmund and Leona. Mrs. Kuhl's parents were born in Ireland and were early settlers of Audubon county, lowa, where he father was a section fore- man on the Rock Island railroad. Mrs. Kuhl's father died in March, 1900. while Mr. Kuhl's father passed away April 2, 1900. Eight children were born to John Kelleher and wife, Elizabeth, Ellen, Alice, Kate, Nora, Julia, Dennis and Jeremiah.
Politically, Mr. Kuhl is a Democrat and has always been active in local politics. He has served as councilman and mayor of Earling and in both capacities rendered faithful and efficient service to his fellow citizens. The family are all devout members of the Catholic church. Mr. Kuhl is the Grand Knight of the Earling Council of Knights of Columbus.
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