Past and present of Shelby County, Iowa, Vol. 2, Part 36

Author: White, Edward Speer, 1871-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 874


USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Past and present of Shelby County, Iowa, Vol. 2 > Part 36


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Mr. Thillen was married August 31, 1897, at Westphalia, Iowa, to Katherine Stoll. the daughter of Bartol and Crysanthia Stoll, and to this union one daughter, Marie, has been born. Mrs, Thillen's parents were both natives of Germany and came to this country before their marriage, locating at Peru, Illinois. They were subsequently married in that place, and immediately came to Shelby county, Iowa, and located in Lincoln township, where they


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rented a farm for a few years. Mr. Stoll then bought eighty acres of land and at the time of his death, in 1905. he was the owner of a tract of seven hundred and eighty acres of fine farming land in this county. Mrs. Stoll is still living in Westphalia. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stoll: Katherine, the wife of Mr. Thillen ; Mary, the wife of Peter Willmes; Caro- line, the wife of Henry Schomers; Joseph, who married Margaret Coenen ; Louis, who married Cecelia Betshie: Vitus, who is a Catholic priest at Rose- mount, Iowa; Agnes and Clara, who are living with their mother, and three, Martin, Cecelia and Jacob, who are deceased.


Politically, Mr. Thillen is a Democrat, and has been active in political affairs, having served as township master eight years and on the council of Panama. He and his family are members of the Catholic church at Panama. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, belonging to the Dunlap Coun- cil at Dunlap, Iowa.


FRANCIS L. KERR.


No profession has made greater advancement in the last half century than the agricultural profession and today the farmer is making more money with less effort than ever before in the history of the world. The agricul- tural colleges which are springing up all over the United States are doing an incalculable amount of good for the farmers and the young man who takes a course in one of these schools is in a position to make farming a paying proposition. Every year finds an ever increasing number of bright young men in agricultural schools and the future history of farming is going to tell a different story as a result. The career of Francis L. Kerr shows what may be accomplished by a scientifically trained young farmer and the course in animal husbandry which he has taken in college will make him a leader in his county along stock raising lines.


Francis L. Kerr, the son of Calvin and Carrie (Lambert) Kerr, was born June 8, 1887, in Jasper county, Iowa. His parents were both born in Ohio. His father went to Missouri with his parents in 1866 and in about 1873 or 1874 located with them in Jasper county, Iowa. In 1879 Calvin went to Sannders county. Nebraska, where he had entered a piece of railroad land and on this he lived for the next five years. He then returned to Jasper county, Iowa, and a few years later located at Manilla, Crawford county, Iowa. He now engaged in the vehicle and harness business and followed this line of activity for the next seven years. In the meantime he had bought


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eighty acres of land in Jefferson township in this county and in 1894 moved on this farm. Later he bought another eighty acres adjoining and on this farm of one hundred and sixty acres he lived until the fall of 1913 when he retired and moved to Manilla where he is now residing.


Francis L. Kerr is the only child born to his parents and after receiving a good common and high school education entered the Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa. and graduated from the course in Animal Husbandry in that excellent institution in 1909. While in college he took the course which he thought would benefit him on the farm and it is not too much to say he is one of the best equipped farmers in the county. His success since taking hold of his father's farm indicates that he will one day be classed among the best farmers of the state. He keeps fully abreast of everything pertaining to the farm and is rightly regarded as a leader in his county.


He has a good strain of Duroc Jersey red hogs and general purpose horses. In the fall of 1914 he purchased a bull gas tractor which is adapted to all kinds of farm work and will do the work of four or five horses. Mr. Kerr built a silo in 1911. He was one of the first farmers to raise alfalfa in northern part of the county and now has about seventeen acres which he cut three times in 1914.


He is a breeder of Guernsey cattle and in 1910 brought the first cattle of this breed into the county. At the present time there is only one other herd of the cattle in the county. He now has fifteen head of full blooded regis- tered Guernseys and is all the time adding to his herd. He is secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Guernsey Breeders' Association and is actively inter- ested in the work of the association. In 1911 he exhibited three head of his cattle at the Iowa State Fair and took first prize on one of his three-year- old heifers. His mother has taken first prize on butter at the Manilla corn show for the past four years. He milks from twelve to fifteen cows the year around and has found it a very profitable business. No young man in the county is making a better showing on the farm and his striking success so far presages promising things for him in the future.


Mr. Kerr was married June 4, 1913, to Lottie Vennink. She is the daughter of William and Georgiana ( Helm) Vennink and was born February 18, 1889. in Crawford county, Iowa. To this union has been born one daugh- ter, Madelyn Frances, born July 9, 1914. Mr. Kerr and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is an independent voter and has never been an aspirant for public office. They are genial and friendly young people who have a large circle of friends and acquaintances through- out the county.


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JOHN HUBER.


The nations of the world have contributed of their best blood to the population to the United States, but no nation has given to this country bet- ter citizens and more loyal subjects than has Germany. The various revolu- tions which occurred in Germany during the nineteenth century, while they were unfortunate for that country, were, on the other hand, a blessing for this country, for during that time thousands of the best people of Germany fled to the United States and became eager citizens of this country. No more patriotic citizens fought for the North during the Civil War than did the thousands of German soldiers who enlisted under the Stars and Stripes and gallantly defended the honor of their newly adopted country. We will never forget the services of such men as Carl Schurz, one of the best soldiers of that conflict, and a man who made a great name for himself afterward in the political life of this country. Without exception, the German settlements of this country are characterized by thrift and industry and Shelby county, Iowa, owes a debt to its German population which it can never repay. One of the many excellent German citizens of this county is John Huber, a prosperous farmer of Center township.


John Huber, the son of Frederick and Anna (Seeland) Huber, was born in 1853 in Schleswig, Germany. His father and mother were born in the same state in 1824 and lived in the land of their birth all of their days. the father dying in 1907.


John Huber was one of three children born to his parents, one of whom is deceased. It would be very interesting to know the reasons which induced so many thousands of young Germans to come to this country, but it is safe to assume that they felt that this country offered better opportunities for pe- cuniary independence for themselves and their descendants. There can be no question but that it has so proved. as can be testified by hundreds in Shelby county alone. In 1873 John Huber was nineteen years old, had a good com- mon school education, was a young man of strong physique and fully able to take care of himself. When he came to this country in that year, his chief asset was his willingness to work, and with this as his capital he felt no hesi- tancy in leaving his native land and settling in a new country. He first lo- cated in Illinois and readily found work on the farms of that state. Two years later he permanently settled in Shelby county, Iowa, and for the first two years worked upon different farms in the county. He then bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Center township, and as the township


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was then very thinly settled, he secured his land at a low price. Ilis farm still has on it about forty acres of natural timber land and this one feature has made the land very valuable. He has placed several thousand dollars worth of improvements upon the farm since acquiring it and now has a farm which is casily worth fifty thousand dollars. He has always been a large stock raiser and markets about twenty beef cattle each year.


Mr. Huber was married in 1893 to Elizabeth White, who was born in Harlan in 1866. To this union there have been born three children, Anna, Ethel and Fred. Anna is a graduate of the Vocational College at Harlan and is teaching school in Westphalia township. Ethel graduated from the high school at Ilarlan and is now teaching in the county. Fred is still in school.


Politically, Mr. Huber is allied with the Democratic party but has never been an aspirant for office. He takes an intelligent interest in good govern- ment, however, and gives his hearty support to all movements which will bring it about. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church.


NELS P. HANSEN.


The excellent farming land of Shelby county has attracted farmers from all over the world and the success which has accompanied the farmers of this county shows that its fame is well-founded. The little kingdom of Denmark has sent hundreds of its best citizens here and they have been important fac- tors in the development of the county. Among the younger farmers of the county of Danish birth is Nels P. Hansen, one of the progressive farmers of Clay township and a man who is doing his share toward making the county one of the best in the state.


Nels P. Hansen, the son of Jurgen and Marie Hansen, was born in Denmark in 1875. His father was a brick mason in his native land and fol- lowed his occupation until his retirement, a few years ago. His mother died in Denmark in 1909, leaving two children, Nels and a daughter, who is still living in Denmark.


Nels P. Hansen received most of his education in the schools of his native land, although he attended the schools of Cass county, Iowa, for a short time after coming to this country. Many of his friends and relatives had come to America before he decided to leave his home and cast his lot in this country. This fact, together with the desire to better his opportunities,


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induced him to come to America in 1894. At that time he was nineteen years of age and felt that he was amply able to care for himself in a new country. On arriving in the United States he at once went to Cass county, Iowa, where he had no difficulty in finding plenty of work. During the first winter in Iowa he attended school and in this way got a much better grasp of the English language. He continued to work on the farins in Cass county until 1900, when he came to Shelby county and rented a farm. He is now renting a farm of two hundred and forty acres of land in Clay township and is meeting with marked success in his work. In 1914 he planted eighty acres of corn and twenty-five acres of oats and other crops in proportion. He also raises live stock and feeds most of his grain to his cattle and hogs.


Mr. Hansen is not married. He is a loyal member of the Danish Luth- eran church and is a contributor to its support. Politically, he is a Democrat but has never been active in the work of his party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Danish Brotherhood. Mr. Hansen is a young man who is making his way slowly and surely to the front, and it is safe to assume that he will one day be classed among the substantial farmers of his township.


WILSON ALLISON.


One of the few farmers of Shelby county, Iowa, who was born in Pennsylvania is Wilson Allison. He is now living a retired life upon his fanın in Shelby township. He has been a resident of this county since 1882 and his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres is the result of his own individual efforts. He has been interested in political affairs of his com- munity and has filled several official positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to the citizens of his township. He is a man of fine character and his life since coming to this county has been such as to commend him to his fellow citizens.


Wilson Allison, the son of Jacob and Katherine (Segar) Allison, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania. on January 28. 1845. Jacob, also the son of Jacob, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and followed the trade of a carpenter in that county until his death, in 1878. His mother was born in the same county in 1810 and lived until 1890, being ciglity years of age at the time of her deatlı. There were seven children born to Jacob Allison and wife, three of whom are still living: Wilson; George, of


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Pittsburg. Pennsylvania : Jacob, of Altoona, Pennsylvania. The great grand- father Allison was killed in the Revolutionary War.


Mr. Allison was educated in his native county in Pennsylvania and as a youth worked among the mountains of his neighborhood. Later he worked as a farm laborer and was an employe in a saw mill. He also teamed in his native state for some years before coming to Shelby county, Iowa. In 1882 he came to this county and began to work on the farm which he now owns. He worked by the month for two years and then rented one hun- dred and forty acres in Shelby township for three years. He then rented one hundred and sixty acres for three years, then two hundred and sixty acres for three years; then rented two hundred acres for two years. He cultivated rented land in Shelby township for eleven years, after which he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in this township for forty dollars an acre. He has placed extensive improvements upon it and has so farmed it as to keep it at a high state of productivity.


Mr. Allison was married on May 20, 1869. to Margaret Ellen Kern, of Huntington county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Allison was born November 2, 1840, in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Peter and Anne Elizabeth (Stinson) Kern, natives of Huntington and Fulton counties, Pennsylvania, respectively. Peter died in Pennsylvania in May, ISSO, and the mother accompanied Wilson Allison and wife west and resided with them for two years, residing part of the time with her son, Frank, in Harri- son, Kentucky. She died in 1886. The Kern children' are John W., of Pennsylvania : Frank. of Harrison county : Margaret Ellen : Emma G. Price, deceased; Sarah ( Zimmerman), of Shelby; James, of Harrison county. To this union have been born six children, five daughters, who are living, and one son, deceased. The five living daughters are : Mrs. Minnie E. Haley, of Minnesota ; Mrs. Anna Evans, of Minnesota : Mrs. Bertha Mowry, of Shelby township, Shelby county, Iowa : Mrs. Ida Mowry, of Tennant, Iowa; and Mrs. Sadie Myers, of Shelby county. John S., the only son, deceased, was married to Verna Quick and left one son. Glen Wilbur. Elmer Myers, who married Sadie Allison, is cultivating the Allison farm. They have one child. Margaret Arvilla.


The Democratic party has always had the loyal support of Mr. Allison and he has taken an active part in the political councils of his party. Ile has served as township supervisor and school director for many years in Shelby township and has administered the duties of both offices in a satis- factory manner. He and his family are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Shelby and render it their hearty support.


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PETER HERKENRATH.


The Ilerkenrath family has been prominent in the history of Shelby county, lowa, for the past thirty-eight years, and three generations of the family have been prominent factors in every phase of the county's growth and development. In agricultural circles, business circles and in official life they have taken an active part, and wherever they have directed their ener- gies, they have been successful. With true German thrift and resourceful- ness they have used their capable qualities to the benefit of their adopted county and there are no more highly respected citizens than the members of this family.


Peter Herkenrath, the most prominent business man of Portsmouth, Iowa, was born in Cologne, Germany, February 21, 1851. He was the son of Joseph and Gertrude ( Korth) Herkenrath, his parents living in Germany until several years after their marriage. Joseph Herkenrath worked on the railroad in his native land and when he came to America, in 1869, lie located in Keokuk county, Iowa. He bought a farm of seventy acres in that county and lived there for seven years. In 1876 he removed to Shelby county and located in Cass township on a' farm of forty acres. He lived on this farm for fourteen years and then removed to Portsmouth and lived until his death, November 7, 1894. His wife died March 24, 1889. Two children were born to Joseph Herkenrath and wife, Peter and Anna, who became the wife of Matthew Ohlinger.


Peter Herkenrath was educated in the common schools of Germany and was eighteen years of age when he came to America with his father. He worked with his father on the farm in Keokuk county, lowa, for three years, and then married and came to Shelby county. He settled in Cass township and bought a farm of eighty acres, and with that energy which characterizes the Germans everywhere in this county, he prospered and increased his acre- age until he owned four hundred and thirty-five acres of excellent farming land. In 1891 Peter Herkenrath moved to Portsmouth, Iowa, and became engaged in the general merchandise business with Mr. Dohrman, under the firm name of Herkenrath & Dohrman. Fifteen years later Mr. Herkenrath bought out the interest of Mr. Dohrman and took his son. John, in with him as a partner. In 1912 another son, Anthony, joined the firm and since then the firm has been known as Peter Herkenrath & Sons. Mr. Herkenrath is president of the State Bank of Portsmouth and one of the most substantial business men of the county.


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Peter Herkenrath was married January 23, 1873. to Mary Ohlinger, the daughter of Peter and Angeline Ohilinger, and to this union eleven chil- dren have been born. Angeline, John. Anna. Peter, Matthew, Anthony and William, four being deceased. Angeline is the wife of William Thomas, and has one child, Francis. John married Dorothy Whaley, and has two chil- dren, Bernice and Bernard. Anna is the wife of Giles S. Bendon. and has two children, Marie and Peter. Peter, the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Herkenrath, married Mayme Caufield. Matthew is single. Anthony mar- ried Anna Skalla. William is single.


Mrs. Herkenrath's parents were born in Germany and came to America early in the history of Keokuk county, Jowa, and lived in that county until their death. The family are all devout members of the Catholic church and Mr. Herkenrath holds his membership in the Roman Catholic Mutual Pro- tective Society. He has been largely interested in the civic life of his com- munity and has served two terms as township trustee, two terms as mayor of the city of Portsmouth, and has sat in the city council. He has also been county surveyor for two terms. The Democratic party has always claimed his support and he has been one of its leaders in local affairs for many years.


John Herkenrath, the oldest son of Peter Herkenrath, is a prominent man of Portsmouth, and looks after the greater part of his father's interests. He is a director in the State Bank of Portsmouth. He and his father own the lighting plant and pumping station of Portsmouth and have built up this public utility until it is one of real benefit to the citizens of the city. He is a charter member and the chief of the fire department, which was organized in 1896, and has acted as chief since 1902. Ile has been the clerk of his town- ship for the past eight years and administers the affairs of this office in a very efficient and satisfactory manner. He has served as city clerk for six years, assessor for two terms, secretary of the independent school district since 1901 and treasurer of Cass township school district for two ternis. John Herkenrath is one of the most enterprising young men of his city and no enterprise is launched for the benefit of the city that does not meet with his approval and his enthusiastic support. He is now serving his fifth term as treasurer of the Firemen's Interstate Association. He was a notary pub- lic for four years. He owns a half interest in seventy acres with his father in the southeast part of Portsmouth and also a half interest in store building and stock of merchandise. It is safe to say that he is one of the representa- tive men of his city, and being a young man he is now in the prime of life, with a long sphere of usefulness before him.


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FRANK JOSEPH RUSCHENBERG.


The agricultural interests of Shelby county. lowa. are largely indebted to the many excellent German farmers who have made this county their per- manent residence. The Ruschenberg family have been identified with the history of this county for more than forty years and during all of this time has been active in everything pertaining to its welfare. Frank Joseph Ruschenberg came with his parents to this county when he was six years of age and has spent his life sinee 1874 in this county.


Frank Joseph Ruschenberg, a prosperous farmer of Douglas township. was born in Germany July S. 1858. His father, Joseph, who was the son of Frank and Theresa ( Hense) Ruschenberg, was born January 10, 1841, in Westphalia, Germany, and was one of five children, the others being Peter. John, Frank and Lazetta. All of these children are now deceased with the exception of Joseph and Peter. the latter living on the old home- stead in Germany. at the advanced age of ninety-seven. Joseph Ruschen- berg learned the shoemaker's trade in his younger years and followed this occupation for three years in different parts of his native land. He served with distinction in the Seven Weeks' War of 1866, a war which made Prussia independent of Austria. Joseph Ruschenberg was also in the Franco-Prussian War of IS70. In 1874 he brought his family to America and located in Shelby county, lowa, where he has since resided. Joseph Ruschenberg was married October 17, 1867, to Josephine Sasse, and to this union eleven children have been born: Frank Joseph, whose history is here presented; Robert, who married Kate Mumshrad; Ernest and Joseph, single ; Christina. the wife of Albert Mages; Bertha, the wife of Frank Gross: Anna, the wife of Frank Mages: Elizabeth, the wife of John Blum; Clara, single, and two who died in infancy. The mother of these children was born December 26. 1844, and died March 10, 1914. Joseph Ruschenberg. after an active farming and mercantile life of many years, is now living in Westphalia. He owns three hundred and twenty aeres of fine land in Shelby county and one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota, besides valuable property in Westphalia.


Frank Joseph Ruschenberg. the oldest child born to his parents, was a lad of six years when his parents came from Germany to Shelby county. Iowa, and consequently all of his education was received in the schools of this county. He was educated in the Catholic schools at Westphalia and


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FRANK J. RUSCHENBERG AND FAMILY.


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after leaving school worked with his father on the farm for twelve years. He then clerked in his father's store at Westphalia until his marriage, in 1897, at which time he began farming. le first rented a farm of two hundred acres and four years later bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he lived for eight years. In 1909 he moved to Douglas township and bought one hundred and ninety-three and one-half acres, and in the spring of 1914 added eighty acres in Greeley township. It is needless to say that he has been very successful in his farming opera- tions, for the fact that he has been able to accumulate this much land solely through his own efforts speaks well for his persistence and industry. He raises thoroughbred Hereford cattle and Chester White hogs, and has had remarkable success in handling them. He raises about eighty-five acres of corn and seventy acres of other grains each year. His corn averages about sixty bushels to the acre. He feeds about eighty-five head of hogs for the market each year and also feeds out a large number of cattle.


Mr. Ruschenberg was married February 23, 1897. at Westphalia, Iowa, to Mary Magdalena Ruden, the daughter of Peter and Magdalena ( Miller) Ruden, and to this union six children have been born: Lena, Leo, Lenora, Elizabeth, Lawrence and Elvin. All of these children are still living with their parents.




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