USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 45
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On the 22d of March, 1874, Mr. Tiedeman was united in marriage to Miss Anna Bremer, of Sioux City, Iowa, whose parents were resi- dents of Schleswig, Germany, where they spent their entire lives, the father there conducting a mercantile enterprise. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Tiedeman: J. Albert, born Jannary 9, 1877, was married on the 22d of June, 1904, to Miss May Mahanke, of Parkersburg, Iowa; Edmund II., was born December 3, 1879, and the brothers are now connected with their father in the grain trade, under the name of The Tiedeman Grain Ele- vator Company.
Mr. Tiedeman holds membership relations with the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is also a member of the
ALONZO TIFFANY.
Alonzo Tiffany, living on section 7, Kedron township, has been a witness of the develop- ment and progress of Woodbury county through more than thirty years and during the period of his manhood he has been identified with agricultural interests here. The greater part of his life has been passed in Iowa, for he became a resident of this state when a youth of eleven summers. He was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, on the 7th of March, 1859, and is a son of Albert D. Tiffany, whose birth occurred in Brown county, New York, where he was reared. Subsequently he went to Can- ada and was married there to Hannah Ten- nart, who was a native of that country and was of French lineage. Mr. Tiffany was a car- penter by trade and also worked at shipbuild- ing. He removed to Iowa abont 1870, locat- ing first in Wapello county and subsequently established his home in Greene county. In 1872 he came to Woodbury county, Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, his death occur- ring in October, 1893. His wife had passed away several years before. In the family were seven children, three sons and four daughters:
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Elwood, who is now residing in Chicago; Adel- bert, a business man of Moville, Woodbury county ; Alonzo, Viola, Mary, Paulina and Emma.
In taking up the personal history of Alonzo Tiffany we present to our readers the life rec- ord of one who is widely and favorably known in northwestern Iowa. He was reared to farm life and to a limited extent attended the public schools but is largely self-educated for his serv- ices were needed upon the home farm during the period of his youth. He assisted his father until twenty-two years of age and was then married and started out in life on his own account. It was in Sioux City, Iowa, in No- vember, 1884, that Mr. Tiffany was joined in wedlock to Miss Etta Chase, who was born in Bureau county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Lyman Chase, one of the pioneer settlers of Iowa, now deceased. The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farin on which they lived for five years and on the ex- piration of that period, with the money ac- quired through his industry and economy, Mr. Tiffany purchased sixty-two and a half acres of his present farm. He at once began its improvement, built a small house, plowed his land, planted his crops and in course of time reaped good harvests. As he found it possible he also extended the boundaries of his place and now has one hundred and twenty-five acres of cultivable land, which is yielding to him a good return. His farm is improved with mod- ern equipments: there is a neat substantial residence and a good barn, the latest improved machinery and other facilities to promote the farm work and render his labors valuable. He deserves much credit for what he has done be- cause he started in life without a dollar, and his labor and enterprise have been the founda- tion upon which he has builded his prosperity.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tiffany have been born three children: Lulu, Clara and Clinton. The parents are well known in Kedron town- ship and the hospitality of many of the best
homes of their locality is extended to them. Politically Mr. Tiffany is a stanch Republi- can and cast his first presidential ballot for Benjamin Harrison, but the honors and emol- umeuts of office have had no attraction for him. He is connected with the Masonic lodge at Anthon and his life is in harmony with its teachings, so that his history displays many characteristics which command respect and es- teem in every land and clime.
JOHN R. HEWINS.
In reviewing the history of John R. Hewins one is reminded of the words of a great New York financier. "If you are not a success don't blame the time you live in, don't blame the place you occupy, don't blame the cir- cumstances you're surrounded with- lay the blame where it belongs-to yourself. Not in time, place or circumstance, but in the man lies success. If you want success you must pay the price." Realizing the truth of this, Mr. Hewins has paid the price of concentrated effort, of indefatigable energy, of perseverance and well applied business principles, and has won the victory which he started out to win years ago. He is now one of the representative insurance men of Sioux City, conducting a suc- cessful business.
Mr. Hewins was born in Rockford, Illinois, April 26, 1857. His paternal grandfather, Sheardown Hewins, is still living in his na- tive town of Lincolnshire, England, where for many years he has carried on business as a contractor. John Hewins, the father, was born in England and on coming to the United States in 1856 located at Rockford, Illinois, where he engaged in business as a tea merchant, selling to the wholesale trade. He married Miss Emily Hewins, who though of the same name was not a relative. She, too, was a native of England and our subject was the only child of that marriage. His father died in January,
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1857, at the age of twenty-six years, about three or four months before the birth of his son, John R. The mother's death occurred in 1868 when she was thirty-three years of age.
John R. Hewins was then a lad of but ning years of age. He attended the public schools of Rockford, Illinois, through the period of his early youth and at the age of eleven years be- gan working upon a farm, being thus employed for five years. When a youth of sixteen he secured a position in a wall paper store in his native town, where he remained until four years had passed. As he neared his majority he left Illinois and settled in Omaha, Nebras- ka, where he was employed in a commission house for two and a half years. When twenty- four years of age he came to Sioux City, Iowa, and for thirty days worked for Sheriff Mc- Donald, carrying grain to the river boats. He was next employed by Tackaberry, Van Kaur- en & Floyd in a warehouse, and was afterward with the firm as a traveling salesman for a short time. A few months later he became a representative of E. C. Palmer & Company, wholesale grocers, and as one of their travel- ing salesman was upon the road for eight years. In 1889 he became solicitor for Foly & Ken- nedy, in the fire insurance business, and a year later he formed a partnership with E. D. Flynn, in the same line, and they soon won a reputation as one of the representative in- surance firms of the city. On the 20th of Oe- tober, 1903, Mr. Hewins purchased his part- ner's interest and has since continued the busi- ness alone, representing a number of the lead- ing companies of the country and annually writing many polieies representing thousands of dollars.
Mr. Hewins has a son and daughter, Robert A. and Ethel, the latter the wife of C. J. All- good, of Sioux City. He was again married November 12, 1902, to Elizabeth Marguerite Rhoton. His political allegiance was former- ly given to the Democracy, but he voted for MeKinley and is a warm admirer of President
Roosevelt, for whom he expects to cast his vote in 1904. He is identified with no fraternal organizations, but is a man of generous im- pulses, affable in disposition and of even tem- perament, and by reason of his strong traits of character and kindly spirit has gained many friends.
WILLIAM CARVOSO ESTES.
William Carvoso Estes, the representative of the Crane Manufacturing Company, of Chi- cago, acting as manager of its interests at Sioux City, Iowa, was born on a farm near Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, in 1852. His boyhood days were spent amid rural surroundings and his early education was acquired in the common schools, but advanced opportunities in that di- rection were afforded him and he entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, in which he was graduated with the class of 1874, upon the completion of a course in civil engineering. In early life he followed his pro- fession to some extent, also devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits and engaged in teaching school. In June, 1882, he removed westward, settling at Neligh, Nebraska, where he established a hardware store, which he con- ducted for more than six years with a fair measure of success. In November, 1889, he accepted the position of cashier in the First National Bank of Neligh, where he continued until November, 1894, when he resigned and went to California. On the 4th of July, 1895, he purchased a stock of plumbing and steam- fitting supplies at Sioux City and began busi- ness here on his own account, but after two years he sold out to the Crane Company of Chicago and since that time has been manager of this branch of the business here. This is one of the sixteen branches established by the company in various parts of the country and as its representative Mr. Estes is doing a good
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business, which renders his services profitable to himself and to the corporation.
On the 26th of December, 1877, occurred the marriage of Mr. Estes and Miss Henrietta J. Pilling, of Darlington, Wisconsin. They have two children, one of whom is deceased, while Elsie, the surviving daughter, is now the wife of Dr. R. W. Chamberlain, of North Prairie, Wisconsin. Mrs. Estes is a member of the Presbyterian church and is an estimable lady, who like her husband shares in the high regard of many friends. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is also a valued repre- sentative of the Ancient Order of the United Workmen and the Benevolent Order of Elks. His political support is given to the Repub- lican party and while residing in Neligh he served as mayor of the city for five years. In all matters pertaining to public progress and improvement he is deeply interested and his co-operation has been given to many movements for the general good during his residence in Iowa.
BENTON POTTER.
Benton Potter, whose property interests in Woodbury county comprise two hundred and fifty acres of rich land on section 7, Rutland township, was born in Carroll county, Illinois, September 10, 1845, a son of Jacob and Julia Ann (Kirk) Potter. The father was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1800 and when a young man emigrated westward to the new state of Indiana, casting in his lot among its pioneer settlers. There he was married to Julia Ann Kirk, who was born in that state. In 1832 they became residents of Carroll county, Illinois, and Mr. Potter purchased land from the government. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made thereon, the entire tract being just as it had come from the hand of nature. His labors, however, soon wrought a change in its appearance and where once waved the prairie grasses were now seen rich
fields of grain. He cultivated and improved three hundred and twenty acres and upon his farm he reared his family and spent his remain- ing days, passing away in 1867 after a resi- dence there of thirty-five years.
Benton Potter grew to manhood in Carroll county and was reared upon the home farm. He had but limited school advantages, but since at- taining his majority has added largely to his knowledge through reading, experience and ob- servation and is now a well informed man. In early manhood he went to Whiteside county, Illinois, and there he chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Nellie M. Bull, the wedding being celebrated on the 12th of May, 1870. The lady is a native of Rich- land, New York, and a daughter of J. W. Bull, who was born in St. Lawrence county near Watertown. Mr. and Mrs. Potter began their domestic life upon a farm in Whiteside county, but after a year came to Iowa, settling in Story county in 1876 near the town of Nevada. There Mr. Potter carried on agricultural pur- suits for five years and on the expiration of that period he removed to Woodbury county, where he engaged in cultivating a tract of rented land near Correctionville for a year. He then homesteaded his present property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Rutland township. It was wild and unimproved, but he worked on energetically in his fields to make them productive and his labors soon wrought a marked transformation. He added to the orig- inal, purchased a tract of one hundred and eighty acres but has since sold ninety acres of this so that his farm now comprises two hun- dred and fifty acres all in one body. The soil was tillable and very prodnetive and each year Mr. Potter harvested good crops as a reward for his labors.
Unto him and Mrs. Potter have been born the following children: J. W., a soldier of the United States army who for three years was in the Philippines and is now in San Francisco ; B. J., who is engaged in farming ; Julia A., the
BENTON POTTER AND FAMILY.
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wife of Alexius Burright. of Pierson; Cora, the wife of Fred Burright, of Pierson ; George W., William A. and Frankie, at home. Mrs. Potter is a professional nurse and has followed that calling from early womanhood. While not a member of any church organization at the present time, she is connected with numerous church auxiliaries, with the Ladies' Aid So- ciety and the Christian Endeavor Society and is also a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and with the Ladies' Relief Corps. She takes a very active and helpful part in benevolent and charitable work and her labors have been far-reaching and beneficial. Politically Mr. Potter is now a Democrat, but his first presidential ballot was east for James G. Blaine. He is accounted one of the substan- tial farmers of Rutland township and his prop- erty interests are the visible evidence of his life of industry, thrift and usefulness.
CHRIS E. HASS.
Chris E. Hass, prominent in the business circles of Woodbury county as a representative of banking interests in Anthon, was born in the city of Clinton, Iowa, June 13, 1871. His father was a native of Germany and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. In early manhood, however, he bade adieu to his native country and sailed for America. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but journeyed at once to Clinton, Iowa. He was engaged for some years in the milling business in Lyons, Iowa, and he later located on a farm in Clin- ton county, where he spent his last years. He married Miss Louisa Guht, also a native of Germany, and she still survives her husband at the age of sixty-seven years. In their fam- ily were. thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters.
Under the parental roof Chris E. Hass spent his early youth and his common-school educa- tion was supplemented by study in higher insti-
tutions of learning. In 1867, when a youth of sixteen years, he went to Holstein, Iowa, and there accepted a position in the bank of his brother-in-law. IIe also elerked in his store and lumber yard and continued that busi- ness connection for a few years, when he re- moved to South Dakota, establishing a lumber yard of his own at Warling. There he carried on a successful business for seven years and for about a year he was engaged in the bank- ing business at Baltic, South Dakota. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his business interests in that state and came to Anthon, arriving here in 1902. He took charge of the Anthon State Bank, of which he is a stockholder, director and cashier and un- der his management this institution has gained great favor with the public and receives a most liberal and substantial patronage. Mr. Hass has a thorough and intimate knowledge of the banking business and his modern and progres- sive ideas have gained for him a leading posi- tion in financial circles. Sinee coming to An- thon he has purchased a neat residence prop- erty and he also owns a good farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Wolf Creek township.
Mr. Hass was married in Sioux City, Iowa, iu 1894, to Miss Agnes Ford, a native of this state, who was reared and edueated in Sioux City, and was a daughter of Mrs. Bridget Ford, who died in Sioux City, March 6, 1904. Un- to Mr. and Mrs. Hass have been born three daughters, Louise, Florence and Henrietta.
Politieally Mr. Hass is a staneh Republican who east his first presidential ballot for Ben- jamin Harrison and his last vote for William MeKinley. He was never an aspirant for of- fice, but has given his attention to his business affairs with the result that his career has been characterized by steady progression and ac- complishment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hass were reared in the Catholic faith and are eommuni- cants of that church, while Mr. Hass is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen Camp. Almost his entire life has been passed in Iowa and
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he is thoroughly identified with the interests of Woodbury county. A young man of excel- lent business habits, of upright character and of laudable and commendable ambition, he has made for himself a creditable name and promi- nent position in this county and in social circles he has gained warm personal regard, which is extended him in recognition of his npright character and geniality.
L. J. RIORDAN.
Farming interests have a worthy representa- tive in L. J. Riordan, who is living on section 17, Union township, and whose time and energies are devoted to the further cultivation and im- provement of his farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He has been known in the county since 1882, the year in which he established his home here and throughout this period he has displayed many excellent qualities which mark him as a reliable business man and progressive citizen.
Mr. Riordan is a native of the Empire state his birth having occurred in Lewis county on the 31st of January, 1835. He is a son of John Riordan, who was born in the city of Lon- don, England, and was reared in that country. In early manhood he was pressed into the British naval service and was upon the sea for three years. When the vessel arrived at an American port he managed to make his escape on the St. Lawrence river. He then located in Jefferson county, New York, and was mar- ried there to Miss Eunice Jeffers, who was born near Saratoga, New York, and was a daughter of Joseph Jeffers, a native of that state and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Riordan carried on agricultural pursuits in Jefferson county up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was fifty-one years of age.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for L. J. Riordan
in his youth. He remained upon his father's farm until twenty years of age, worked in the fields through the summer months, assisted in harvesting the crops in the autumn and in the winter season attended the public schools. In the year 1855 he started westward, believing that he might have better business opportuni- ties in a section of the country less thickly settled where land was cheaper and competition not so great. He made his way to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and settled upon a farm near Beaver Dam. After his marriage he con- tinned farming in that locality for a number of years and in 1882 he came to Iowa, establish- ing his home upon the farm where he has since resided. He had purchased this land previous to his removal. It was, however, wild and un- improved and with characteristic energy he be- gan its development, placing the fields under a cultivable condition and continuing the work of improvement and progress along many lines until he now has a very excellent farm. He has also cultivated a half section of land adjoin- ing and his own farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres. He has built a good house, has recently completed a large barn, has planted a fine orchard, has also set out shade and ever- green trees and, in fact, has added to his place many improvements which have increased its value as well as. its attractive appearance.
While living in Wisconsin Mr. Riordan was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Howe, the wedding being celebrated in 1860. In 1891 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who had been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey for more than thirty years. They were the parents of nine children : Maybelle, who is now the wife of Frank Mof- fett, of Plymouth county, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Frank Leonard, of Woodbury county; New- ell, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Union township and is the present assessor of that township; Eunice Ward, of Pierson ; Hat- tie, the wife of Henry Dreeszen, a farmer of Plymouth county; John, who is carrying on
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MR. AND MRS. L. J. RIORDAN.
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the home farm; William, a carpenter and his children he brought his family to the new joiner, who resides in Idaho; Orlean, also in Idaho; and Albert, at home. On the 18th of May, 1895, Mr. Riordan was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Emma Mal- lert, the widow of Alexander Mallert. She was born in Kendall county, Illinois, and remained in that state until a maiden of thirteen years, when she came to Iowa. Her father, Henry Ahrens, was a native of Germany and became an early settler of Illinois. There are three children by the second marriage, Goldie, Orpha and Bertha. By her first marriage Mrs. Riordan had two daughters, Isabella, who is a young lady at home, Ethel, who died when seven years of age, and a son, Alexander Mal- lert.
In early manhood Mr. Riordan prondly east his first presidential ballot for John C. Fre- mont in 1856 and has since been a staneh and tried supporter of the Republican party. For twenty-two years he has lived upon the farm which is now his home and has borne his full share in the work of progress and improve- ment here. The hope that led him to leave New York and seek a home in the west has been more than realized and he is now enjoying the prosperity which comes as the reward of honest effort and diligence.
GEORGE H. WRIGHT.
George H. Wright is numbered among Iowa's native sons and is now successfully en- gaged in farming on seetion 21, Rock township, Woodbury county, where he owns a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres. He was born in Jackson county, September 15, 1860, and is a son of Thomas Wright, whose birth occurred in Cambridgeshire, England. There the father was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Susan Claw, who was also born in Cambridgeshire. Mr. Wright followed farm- ing in England and after the birth of fonr of
world, settling in Jackson county, Iowa, where he secured a tract of land and began farming. After several years he removed to Linn coun- ty, this state, and has since resided upon a farm there, being one of the well known and respected agriculturists of his community. In the new world other children were added to the family until the number had reached four- teen. These are Mrs. Sarah Ann Goodale, of North Dakota ; John, of Jackson county, Iowa ; William, of Linn eounty, Iowa; Thomas, also of Linn county; Mrs. Jane Glass, who is a widow and lives in Linn county; James, of Sioux City ; George H., of this review ; Maggie, the wife of C. B. Robenson, of Linn county; Alice, wife of J. B. Robinson, of Linn coun- ty; F. A., of Roek township; Susie, wife of John Neitert, of South Dakota; Albert, of Linn county; Charles, of Rock township, Woodbury county; and Ida, the wife of Otto Briney, of Linn county. This is a remarkable family reeord for the circle yet remains un- broken by death and all of the children are married and have reared families of their own.
George HI. Wright, spending his boyhood days in his parents' home in Linn county, was educated in the common schools and gave his father the benefit of his assistance until twen- ty-two years of age, when he started out in life on his own aeeount by operating a rented farm in Linn county. He was married there February 16, 1884, to Miss Alice Bice, who was born and reared in that eounty. They be- gan their domestic life there and Mr. Wright continued farming for three years in that local- ity, after which he removed to Osceola county, where he again followed farming for some time. His next place of residence was Wood- bury county and he rented a farm, upon which he now resides. After two years he rented another property, on which he lived for four years and then purchased the farm which had first been his home. With characteristic ener- gy he began its further development and im-
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