USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 48
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DR. E. H. CRANE.
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party proceeded up the Mississippi river and near the ferryboat landing in the neighborhood of Monticello, Iowa, they seeured a team of oxen, wherewith they proceeded to Jones coun- ty, where Mr. Farragher pre-emptied a traet of land from the government. Ile began the cultivation and development of the property and in the course of years became quite wealthy.
Thomas Crane, father of Dr. Crane, re- mained with his unele until about fourteen years of age, when he ran away from home and began driving a breaking team at a sal- ary of six dollars per month. He drove the team that broke the ground upon which Mon- tieello now stands. He devoted his leisure hours in large measure to the study of veteri- nary surgery and became very proficient in the practice of his profession. At the age of nine- teen years he was married in Jones county, Iowa, to Miss Elizabeth Jones, who was born and reared in Kentucky and was a daughter of Enoch and Mary (Lightfoot) Jones, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and were of Welsh and Irish descent. Mrs. Crane was educated in Jones county, Iowa, and is well known as a writer under the sobriquet of Annt Betty. There were eight children born of this marriage, seven sons and one daughter, name- ly: Elmer E., Frank S., George II., William W., Jennie F., Charles E., Edward H. and Eudell S. Three of the sons are practicing physicians and two are veterinary surgeons. The family are remarkable for magnificent physiques and great strength. The Doctor's father is six feet and two inches in height and the average height of his sons is six feet.
Edward H. Crane was born in Cedar coun- ty, Iowa, on the 18th of December, 1875, and his early education was acquired in a country schoolhouse, where the usual English branches were taught. He worked upon the home farm until seventeen years of age, when he began teaching school, and after following that profes- sion for little more than three years he contin-
ned his education, matriculating in the lowa State Normal School at Cedar Falls. There he beeame noted for his oratorical ability. After leaving that institution he passed an examina- tion which won him a state certificate and again he engaged in teaching school for one term, this time in Marshall county, Iowa. During that time, however, he decided to study medicine and in the fall of 1900 he entered the Iowa State University, where he completed a course in the medical department by gradua- tion in the spring of 1904.
While in college Dr. Crane was considered one of the best athletes of the state, devoting much time to gymnasium work and he made the state record in the shot-put, using sixteen pound shot, the distance being thirty-nine feet and nine inches. He won the championship in the inter-collegiate meets in the shot-put on two different occasions. He was also class orator while in college.
Dr. Crane came to Correctionville on the 23d of June, 1904, opening an office and has already established a splendid practice for the length of time in which he has been connected with the medical fraternity of Woodbury coun- ty. He is a member of the Alpha Fidetus, a society of the Iowa State University, and he was reared in the faith of the Methodist church, but during his college course became a mem- ber of the Congregational church.
GEORGE B. TRAINER.
George B. Trainer, a representative of the building interests of Sioux City who through this avenne of activity has contributed in marked degree to the improvement and mate- rial development of the city, having here ereet- ed about one hundred houses, was born in Pike county, Missouri, in 1851. He is a son of A. F. and Hannah (MeCrum) Trainer, natives of Virginia. The father, a tailor by trade, be- came a prominent resident of Missouri and
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served as county judge of Montgomery coun- Lizzie. ty for two terms, elected to that office on the Republican ticket. He took quite an active interest in political affairs, being well fitted by natural qualifications and ability for lead- ership in political circles. He removed from Missouri to Iowa and spent his last days in Wisconsin, where he died at the age of seven- ty-five years. In the family were seven chil- dren, but only two are now living, Elizabeth and George B. One brother, Edward, was killed at the battle of Antietam, while William Trainer, a druggist, died in Middleton, Mis- souri. Another brother, Oscar, was killed by being thrown from a horse, and John died from the effects of injuries sustained in the Civil war. One child died in infancy and our subject is the youngest of the family.
George B. Trainer was a student in the pub- lic schools of Montgomery City, Missouri, while his parents resided there. He entered upon his business career as an employe on fence work for the Northern Missouri Railroad Company, whose line now forms a part of the Wabash system. When twenty years of age he began work at the carpenter's trade and re- moved to Davenport, Iowa, since which time he has been a resident of this state. At the age of twenty-four he located in Poweshiek county, where he remained for eight years and in March, 1884, he came to Sioux City, where he has since been identified with building ope- rations as a carpenter and contractor. He has built one hundred houses here and has also done considerable work in the southern part of the county and in South Dakota. He an- nually has a large number of important con- tracts and in his business is found to be re- liable and enterprising as well as energetic and resolute.
On the 31st of October, 1876, occurred the marriage of Mr. Trainer and Miss Hattie Barnes, a daughter of Benjamin Franklin Barnes, who was a native of New York. Their children are Warren, Nettie, Frederick and
The eldest son married Miss Ada Nelson and has one child, George, while Fred- erick married Dessie Rock. Mr. Trainer is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. He is a self-made man and in his business career has depended upon his own resources and labors for advancement, and whatever success he has achieved is the direct result of his energy and continued busi- ness activity.
JOHN H. DREESZEN.
John H. Dreeszen is now living a retired life in Correctionville and his rest is well merited as his labors covered twenty-one years of active connection with agricultural interests in Union township. He still owns his home place of one hundred and sixty acres and he also has an- other farm of a quarter section in the same township. Since the 29th of May, 1865, he has been a resident of Iowa, belonging to that class of substantial citizens, who are ever found faithful to the best interests of their respective communities and who in business life are en- ergetic and reliable.
Many men of this class in Iowa have come from the fatherland and Mr. Dreeszen is like- wise a native of Germany. His birth occurred in Holstein on the 19th of December, 1841, and in his boyhood days he mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools there, but his knowledge of English has been acquired since coming to America. He remained a resident of Germany until 1865, when he resolved to test the truth of the favor- able reports which he had heard concerning the new world. He, therefore, took passage at Hamburg on a sailing vessel which was thirty- seven days at sea on that voyage and encoun- tered some very severe weather, but at length anchor was dropped in the harbor of New York
MR. AND MRS. J. H. DREESZEN.
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and Mr. Dreeszen landed at Castle Garden on he is conducting a fruit ranch. He has five the 22d day of May, 1865. Hle came west to children : Hilda, Mabel, Phoebe, Mata and Max. Henry is a farmer of Plymouth county, Iowa, and owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land. He is married and has four children, Bryan, Archie, Fred and Bertis. Ferdinand, who is engaged in the operation of the second farm purchased by his father, is married and has one child, John Lonis. Rn- dolph, the youngest son in the family, is upon the old homestead. Davenport, lowa, and for a short time worked as a farm hand. Soon afterward he learned the mason's trade there and then removed to Wilton Junction, Museatine county. There he fol- lowed his trade until 1883, in which year he removed to Woodbury county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land situ- ated about three and a half miles west of Cor- rectionville. He took up his abode thereon, cleared the land, plowed the fields, planted his Politically Mr. Dreeszen is a Democrat, but not satisfied with the attitude of the party on some questions or of the candidates which it has placed in the field he has not voted in the past few years. While living in I'nion town- ship he served for eleven years as district treas- urer and for one year as road supervisor. He and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith, are members of that church and all of their chil- dren are identified therewith. erops and in due time gathered good harvests. He first erected a small house and later replaced it by a commodious modern residence. He also built a large barn and other substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He planted fruit and shade trees and continued the work of improvement along modern lines. He also bought another farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, but partially improved, and thereon he erected a new dwelling, barn and other buildings. He rents this farm. In the fall of 1903 he purchased a lot and built a resi- WILLIAM NEWTON FORD. denee in Correctionville. He has since ocen- pied this home and is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil while living retired from further business eares. He started out for him- self in Iowa a poor man and not only had no capital but was in debt. His labor, enterprise and diligence have been the materials with which he has builded his success. He has be- come the possessor of two valuable farms and a good home in the village and is now one of the most substantial citizens of Union township as well as one of its most respected.
William Newton Ford, secretary of the Ford & Hollandsworth Company, dealers in lumber and building materials at Sioux City, was born in Chicago, Illinois, October 6, 1866. He came to Sioux City in April, 1888, to take charge of the lumber interests of J. H. Queal & Company, and occupied that position for fourteen years or until he formed his present connection with G. H. Hollandsworth, who is now president of the company. The business was organized February 1, 1902, and succeeded G. II. Hollandsworth, who in turn had been the snecessor of the St. Croix Lumber Com- pany. Previous to that ownership the bnsi- ness had been the property of Sanborn & Fol- lett, its founders, who established the yard in 1854, becoming the first Inmber dealers of Sioux City. Mr. Hollandsworth, the president of the company, is a resident of Chicago.
On the 8th of April, 1865, in Holstein, Ger- many, Mr. Dreeszen was united in marriage to Miss Magdalena Scheer, a native of Holstein. Their wedding journey consisted of a voyage to America, on which they started the day fol- lowing their marriage. Seven sons were born of this union, but three died in childhood. The eldest son, Otto, is a carpenter and joiner and Mr. Ford was married September 28, 1893, is now married and resides in California, where to Frances Lincoln, a daughter of D. K. Lin-
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coln, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. They have three children : Lucy Lincoln, Burton Lincoln and Frances Dwight. Mr. Ford is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Odd Fellows society.
CHARLES COOPER.
Charles Cooper is a well known and worthy representative of the farming interests of Wood- bury county and resides on section 4, Rock township. Almost forty-five years have come and gone since he became a resident of Iowa. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, May 19, 1838, and is a son of John Cooper, who was born in England, December 4, 1806, and in his boyhood days was brought to America by his father, Joseph Cook, who settled in Mor- gan county. There John Cooper was reared and after arriving at years of maturity he married Frances Petty, who was born in Pern- sylvania, but spent her girlhood days in Ohio. She was a daughter of Edward Petty. After his marriage Mr. Cooper engaged in farming in Morgan county and there reared his faux- ily until 1859, when he came to Iowa, settling near Marion, Linn county, upon a farm. Sub- sequently he located in Woodbury county, where he spent his last years with his son Charles, of this review. In the family were nine chil- dren who reached mature years, while five are still living.
Charles Cooper spent the days of his bov- hood in the county of his nativity and was early trained in the work of the home farm. He attended the common schools and when a young man came to Iowa, joining his parents in Linn county. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Sarah J. Lutz, who was born in Linn county and is a daugh- ter of Barnett Lutz, a native of Pennsylvania who was one of the first settlers of Linn county, establishing his home there in 1838. The mar riage of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper was celebrated
on the 12th of April, 1863, and he then rented a farm in Linn county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1888, when he camne to Woodbury county. Here he invested his earnings in one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he broke and fenced. He lived upon that place for several years and during the last two years of his residence there he also operated another traet of one hundred and sixty acres. He expects soon, however, to put aside agricultural pursuits altogether and es- tablish his home in Cushing, where he will live a retired life. His has been an active and useful career, characterized by unflagging dili- gence and unfaltering perseverance and by rea- son of his earnest labor he has accumulated a handsome competence that will enable him to rest from further business cares throughout the evening of his life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have been born six children: Frauk B., who owns and operates a farm on section 9, Roek township; William E., also a farmer of Woodbury county; Calvin, who is living on the home farm; S. J., who is married and carries on farming; Anna M., the wife of George Horn, of Ida Grove, Iowa ; and Maude I., of Washington, D. C. They also lost one son, Orin, who died at the age of eleven years.
Mr. Cooper proudly cast his first presidential vote in 1864, supporting Abraham Lincoln, and since that time he has been a stalwart Repub- lican but has never sought or desired office for himself. His wife is a member of the United Brethren church. They started out on their married life with no capital, but they have persistently and energetically labored to achieve a competence and while Mr. Cooper has ably managed the work of the fields his wife has carefully conducted the affairs of the house- hold and thus their united efforts have brought excellent results. He has long been a wit- ness of the growth and progress of the state, has seen its wild lands transformed into ex- eellent farms, has seen towns and villages spring up, has witnessed the introduction of
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES COOPER.
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the railroad, the telegraph and the telephone, ment and development of his land. He planted and has watched with interest the progress that has been carried constantly forward until Iowa to-day ranks with the leading states of the Union.
ALBERT E. PRICE.
Albert E. Price, living on seetion 4, Union township, has been a resident of Iowa since 1865 and since 1867 has made his home in Woodbury county, where he is now engaged in general farming on a tract of land of one hun- dred and sixty acres. He was born in Sus- quehanna county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1846, and is a son of George Priec, who was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1813. The paternal grandfather, William Price, was born in Rhode Island and became one of the pioneer settlers of the Keystone state. George Price was reared in Pennsyl- vania and was married in Luzerne county on the 9th of October, 1842, to Miss Caroline Newberry, whose birth occurred in Pennsyl- vania October 29, 1820. Her father, George Newberry, was a native of Connecticut and was there reared and married. Mr. and Mrs. George Price began their domestie life in Sus- quehanna county, where he engaged in farm- ing for a number of years. He then sought a home in the west, taking up his abode in White- side county, Illinois, in 1833. He made his" home near Morrison for about two years and then removed to Wisconsin, locating in Jack- son county near La Crosse, where he developed a farm, making his home thereon for about ten years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and came to Iowa, loeating near Clear Lake, where he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits for two years and on the ex- piration of that period located upon his pres- ent farm, on which he built a log house. He resided there in pioneer style for several years, meanwhile devoting his energies to the improve-
maple seeds and later also set out a grove of trees. He likewise planted an orchard and small fruits and continued the work of culti- vation and improvement year after year until his labors resulted in making a great trans- formation in his farm. Ile continued to re- side thereon until his death, which occurred in 1874. ITis wife, who still survives him, yet resides on the old homestead with her son, Albert E. Although an invalid for eight years, able to go about only in a wheeled chair, she is yet of a cheerful disposition and has many warm friends through the neighborhood. In early life she joined the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which her parents were also members, and she has been a faithful follower of its teachings down to the present and is now eighty-four years of age.
Albert E. Price was reared on the old home- stead and is one of a family of four children. The eldest, Charles, was a soldier of the Civil war, serving for three years or until the ces- sation of hostilities. He now resides in Kings- ley, Iowa, and carries on a blacksmith and wagon shop; Albert E. is the second of the family; Helen M. is the wife of Alexander Church, of Washington ; and Mary is the wife of Alonzo Crother, of Oto, Iowa.
In his youth Albert E. Price received good common-school advantages and was early trained to habits of industry, economy and per- severance on the old home farm. He enlisted in Wisconsin in 1864 in response to his coun- try's call for aid, being at that time but eight- een years of age. He joined the Fourth Wis- consin Cavalry, went south to Louisiana and was engaged in guard and scout duty. There he was taken ill, was in the hospital for some time and later was sent home on a furlough, where he remained until the close of the war. IIe was then honorably discharged at New Or- leans.
After recuperating his health Mr. Price went to work upon the home farm and in 1867 he
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removed to Woodbury county with his father and assisted in the development of the old homestead, whereon he has since resided. Frontier conditions existed at that time and the pioneer had to meet many of the hardships and trials of frontier life. Mr. Price aided materially in the arduous task of developing the wild land and transforming it into produc- tive fields and as the years have gone by he has continued the work of improvement and development. In 1904 he erected a neat resi- dence and also built two good barns. He has all the sheds and outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock and the farm is very neat and thrifty in appearance. He is recognized as one of the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of his township and is a man of exemplary character and worth, highly es- teemed throughout the county.
Politically Mr. Price is a stanch Republican and east his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, while his last presidential vote was given to William MeKinley. He was elected and served for a number of years as supervisor, but whether in office or out of it he has always been loyal to the best interests of his com- munity and has been an advocate of many progressive measures. He is a man of integ- rity and worth, enjoying the high esteem of a large circle of friends among whom he has long resided.
JOHN ATKIN.
John Atkin, who became a resident of Sioux City in 1868 and for many years was con- nected with its industrial interests, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, October 4, 1830. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. John Atkin, also natives of England, where they spent their entire lives.
John Atkin, whose name introduces this rec- ord, acquired his education in the common schools of his native conntry, and after putting
aside his text-books was employed at various kinds of digging and excavating. His time was thus occupied until 1858, when, believing that he might have better business opportunities in America, he crossed the Atlantic and settled at Evansville, Indiana, where he began the business of building cisterns and doing other cement work. He followed that pursuit in In- diana for ten years, or until 1868, when he came to Sioux City. IIere he entered the em- ploy of Mr. Hedges, with whom he worked for a short time and then began taking contracts of his own for the construction of cisterns. He built the first cistern of this place and he con- tinned in business until 1872, when he disposed of his interests here and removed to Dixon county, Nebraska, where he purchased a farm. There he engaged in general agricultural pur- suits for four years, or up to the time of his death, which occurred April 21, 1876.
Mr. Atkin was married in England to Miss Mary A. Mole, who was born in Cambridge November 8, 1836, a daughter of John Mole, who resided in England throughout his entire life. Her stepfather was William Sutton, who was a shepherd, and died in Evansville, In- diana. There were eight children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Atkin: Sarah A. died in child- hood, in Evansville, Indiana; Rebecca is the wife of Jacob Berger, who follows farming near Potosia, Iowa, and they have seven chil- dren: George, Sadie, Mabel, deceased, Wil- ^liam, Catherine, Lillie and Walter. Sarah J. became the wife of John Hobbs and now resides with her mother in Sioux City. She has three children: John, Ethel and Zoe. Lilly is the wife of William S. Beagley, a cigar packer, residing at No. 314 West Fourth street in this city. Elizabeth is the wife of A. G. Slade, an undertaker of Chicago, and her children are Millicent, Blanche, Lawrence, Victor, deceased, and Gerold Atkin, deceased. Joseph married Lou Abbot and is now connected with the New Grand of Sioux City. Thomas wedded Anna Gallagher and resides in Sioux City. Lena be-
JOHN ATKIN.
MRS. JOHN ATKIN.
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came the wife of W. H. Harper, an electrician of this city, and they have one child, Mildred, born April 5, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Harper make their home with Mrs. Atkin.
In his political affiliation Mr. Atkin was in- dependent, supporting the candidate rather than party. He was well known in Sioux City, where he had many friends, and his reliability in business, as well as the many good qualities which he displayed in private life, won for him the confidence and good will of all with whom he was associated. After his death Mrs. Atkin resided upon the farm in Nebraska for a year and a half, and then returned to Sioux City, purchasing her present home at No. 316 West Fourth street, where she and her children are now living. They are all members of the Epis- copal church here and they have a wide and favorable acquaintance in Sioux City.
JAMES U. COBB.
James U. Cobb, a thrifty, practical and pro- gressive farmer of Union township, residing on section 35, where he is engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits and in the breeding of pure blooded shorthorn cattle and Duroe Jersey hogs, was born in Pennsylvania on the 14th of October, 1852. His father, Luman Cobb, was born in Genesee county, New York, whence he removed to Pennsylvania. He was married in the Empire state to Cordelia Francis, also a native of Genesee county, New York. After their marriage they removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, where they resided until 1861. Mr. Cobb enlisted there in the Thirty-third Wisconsin Infantry, as a member of Company D, and served for three years or until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He afterward sold his farm in the east and subsequently removed to Iowa, settling in Cor- rectionville, where he is now living retired.
James W. Cobb spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in his parents' home and oh-
tained good school privileges, attending the common schools and afterward the Plattville Normal. He was married in Grant county, Wisconsin, February 28, 1875. to Miss Amy Luella Hull, who was born and reared in that county, spending her girlhood days upon the farm where her marriage was celebrated. They lived for three years in Wisconsin and in 1878 removed to Kansas, settling in Har- vey county, where Mr. Cobb purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. There he carried on farming for five years, after which he sold that property and came to Woodbury county. Here he bought one hundred and twenty aeres of land in Union township and later added to this traet until he had three hun- dred and sixty aeres. He erected a good house and barn and continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits there until 1902, when he traded that property for his present farm adjoining the corporation limits of Correction- ville. Here he has one hundred and forty-four aeres of rich and arable land, upon which is a large, two-story residence, a substantial barn and, in fact, all modern equipments and ae- cessories. He also owns two houses and lots in the town. In addition to the cultivation of the fields he is engaged in the raising of pure blooded shorthorn cattle and Duroe Jersey hogs, and is to-day numbered among the sub- stantial and prosperous residents of the town- ship. He is a man of strong force of char- aeter, possessing keen business ability and marked enterprise and his prosperity is dne to his own well directed labors and the as- sistance of his estimable wife.
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