USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 57
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George S. Thompson acquired a common- school education in his native city and learned the hardware business there. He conducted operations along that line in Winthrop until 1869, when he removed to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where he carried on merchandising for several years. He afterward removed to St. James. When the James and Younger brothers raided the bank at Northfield, Min- nesota, Mr. Thompson was one of the posse that surrounded the grove where the Younger brothers were in hiding. He assisted in the capture of those notorious robbers and received his share of the bounty. While residing in Minnesota he was also at one time a candidate for state senator. In 1883 he sold his business at St. James, Minnesota, and came to Sioux City. Here he purchased the Pacific Hotel at the corner of Third and Jackson streets, then one of the best hotels of the place and for sev- eral years he continued its conduct. In Jan- uary, 1890, he was appointed bailiff of the district court by Sheriff Magner and received his first instructions from Judge C. H. Lewis, who said: "You just get an elm club and take your stand over there and when any of these lawyers begin to get noisy or offensive, you hit him over the head with your club." Bailiff Thompson did not find it necessary to obey the instructions to the letter, but it was soon seen from the firm stand that he took that he would permit no unseemly conduct and he did much toward maintaining the dig- nity of the law through the maintenance of a
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GEORGE S. THOMPSON.
MRS. E. R. F. LANCASTER.
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quiet, orderly courtroom. From that time for- ward he made such an excellent record and gave such uniform satisfaction as an official that he was retained in the office for eleven years and six months through various changes in administration, and notwithstanding the fact that he was a Demoerat and that most of the bailiffs were Republican, he continued to serve in that capacity until his death, and no word of reproach was ever uttered against his official career.
Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Flor- ence F. Thomson, a native of Boston, Massa- chinsetts, and a daughter of Dr. George N. and Eliza (Foster) Thomson. Her father was a prominent physician of Boston, Massachusetts, where he spent the greater part of his life and died in that city. His wife, who was born in New Hampshire, May 3, 1818, became the wife of Mr. Lancaster, of Minden, Louisiana, after the death of her first husband, and fol- lowing the death of her second husband she came to Sioux City to live with her daughter, Florence, with whom she remained until called to her final rest on the 4th of November, 1903, when she was eighty-five years of age. She was a very intelligent and cultured lady, pos- sessed a great memory, was prominent in so- ciety circles in Sioux City and had many friends. She assisted in organizing the Bry- ant Club in September, 1892, and was always deeply interested in the growth and develop- ment here. She was also noted for her talent as an artist and her daughter now has many fine paintings in her home that are her moth- er's handiwork. There were three children born, unto Dr. and Mrs. Thomson: Lizzie, George and Florence. Upon her death the re- mains of Mrs. Lancaster were taken by her grandson, Henry S. Herman, of Norfolk, Vir- ginia, to her old home in New Hampshire, where the interment was made.
Mr. Thompson left two children: Hannie, the wife of John M. Sammons, who is a con- ductor on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railroad and resides at Dalhart, Texas; and Lydia F., who resides with her mother at her home at 912 Jennings street. Mr. Thompson died June 26, 1901, and the funeral services were conducted by the Knight Templar Com- mandery, the interment being made in Floyd cemetery at Sioux City. Mr. Thompson had been a member of the Masonic fraternity from 1859 and was a prominent and valned repre- sentative of Columbia Commandery, K. T. In polities he was a Democrat and was well known to both parties in Sioux City. He was a very charitable man, ever willing to lend a helping hand to those in need and he assisted many a poor farmer out of trouble during the financial difficulties which followed the grasshopper plague in Minnesota. His sterling worth was widely recognized and his exemplary life made him one of the most widely esteemed citizens of Woodbury county, so that his death was the occasion of deep regret to many friends. He left his wife in comfortable circumstances and she and her daughter now reside at the family homie at No. 912 Jennings street. Mrs. Thompson is a member of Daughters of the American Revolution.
GODFREY DURST.
It is astonishing to witness the success of young men who have emigrated to America without capital and from a humble position have worked their way upward to one of affluence. The readiness with which they adapt themselves to circumstances and take advantage of opportunities offered brings to them success and wins them a place among the leading men of the community in which they reside. Such a man is Godfrey Durst, a well known citizen of Danbury, where today he is successfully en- gaged in milling and farming.
A native of Switzerland, he was born in Ruti, Canton Zurich, January 31, 1847, and is a son of Melchior and Rosina (Scheisser) Durst von
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Diesbach, both natives of Canton Glarus, the in 1882 and commenced its operation in the fall former born in 1804 and the latter in 1806. The mother died in Switzerland in 1864 and four years later the father came to America, living for a time with our subject in New Glarus, Wisconsin. He subsequently spent one year in Kansas and then went to Oregon, where he died in 1885.
Godfrey Durst was reared and educated in his native land, his boyhood being passed on a small farm belonging to his father. From the age of seven until twelve years old he attended the public schools and for two years pursued his studies in a college at Huttzingen, Switzer- land. Two years prior to his father's emigra- tion our subject came to the United States, landing in New York on the 15th of July, 1866. Having no money he worked for two months in a brickyard near Rondout, New York, and then cooked on a canal boat, run- ning between that place and Troy for one or two trips. In October, 1866, he went to Green county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in thresh- ing for a time but was there taken ill and on his recovery commenced learning the miller's trade. In February, 1870, he removed from Wisconsin to Valley Falls, Kansas, where he was employed in a mill until the following July, when he went to Omaha, Nebraska. On the 1st of September of the same year he ar- rived in Oto, Woodbury county, Iowa, where he worked in the mill for Charles Watts until the spring of 1871, and later rented and operated the same mill for two years. In the meantime he and his brothers built a mill at Battle Creek, Ida county, Iowa, but he afterward sold his share and returned to Kansas, where he spent one year. At the end of that time he returned to Woodbury county and worked in the new mill at Smithland until the fall of 1873. when he worked, starting a new mill at Castana, Mo- nona county. In the spring of 1874 he formed a partnership with James Horton and bought the Oto mill but sold his interest to his partner in 1879. He built the Banner mill at Danbury
of that year, since which time he has carried on business at this place. This mill has a capacity of two hundred barrels of flour and 1,000 car- loads of feed per day and is operated both by water and steam power. In connection with his mill, Mr. Durst also runs an elevator, which has a capacity of forty thousand bushels, and is engaged in the stock business and in farming, having two thousand two hundred and four and a half acres of land in Woodbury and Ida coun- ties, Iowa, and also a farm in Antelope county, Nebraska. He usually has about one hundred head of cattle and in all of his undertakings is meeting with well deserved success. He retains his office in Danbury, where he oversees the management of his large business interests, and he owns a fine country residence just outside of the town.
In 1875 Mr. Durst was united in marriage to Orient Dicus, whose parents were of Ameri- can birth and who by a former marriage has one son, Mark, who was born in 1871 and is now married. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Durst are: Rosa, who was born in 1876; Effie May, in 1878; Godfrey, in 1885; and Laura, born in 1895. All are now at home. Rosa was for two years a student at Cornell College and spent one year at Morningside College, while Effie May attended the latter institution for five years and was graduated on the 14th of May, 1903, receiving a gold medal in a musical contest over several contestants. Godfrey spent two years at the Culver Military Academy in Indiana and two years at Shattuck School, Fairbault, Minnesota, and is now engaged in business with his father.
Mr. Durst was confirmed in the Zwinglian faith but he and his family now attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Danbury. He is a prominent Mason, having attained to the Knights -Templar in the Scottish rite and is a member of the Mystie Shrine at Cedar Rapids. He cast his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant in 1878, but since that administra-
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tion he has been a Democrat. His life has been one of industry and usefulness and through his own well directed efforts and sound judg- ment he has acquired a handsome competence, which numbers him among the prosperous as well as the highly respected citizens of his adopted county.
THOMAS A. MCCURDY.
Thomas A. MeCurdy, a farmer of Rutland township, living on section 10, was born in Tama county, Iowa, September 3, 1867. Ilis father, Jolm R. MeCurdy, was born in Ireland and in early manhood sought a home in the new world, locating first in New Jersey, where he married Anna Amanda Young, who was a bride of sixteen years. He became one of the early settlers of Iowa, establishing his home in this state in 1858. IIe settled in Tama county, secured a tract of land and opened up a farm, upon which he reared his family, there spending his remaining days. In his family were the following children: Manches, who is in Minnesota; Esther, the wife of Peter Swan- son, of Marshalltown; John C., who is the sec- ond in order of birth; Jennie, the wife of John Waldo, of Marshalltown; Thomas .1., of this review; Emma, the wife of Robert Gray, of Iowa ; Robert W .: David J., who is living with his brother, Thomas; and Edward L.
T. A. MeCurdy, spending his boyhood days on the home farm in Tama county, beeame fa- miliar with all the labor incident to its enltiva- tion and improvement as he worked on year after year rendering his father such assist- ance as his age and strength permitted. He came to Woodbury county when a young man, worked on a farm by the month for several years and thus gained a start in life. After his marriage he rented a tract of land, which he operated for seven years and then bought the place which he now owns. This he began to further improve and he now has one hundred
and twenty acres constituting a good farm, upon which he is raising various cereals and also high grades of stock. He received no financial assistance from friends or family nor was any influence exerted in his behalf for business advancement and his prosperity have come as the result of his persistent, honest and indefatigable energy.
In Sioux City on the 29th of November, 1893, Mr. MeCurdy was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Livingston, a native of Shelby county, Iowa, and a daughter of Alexander S. Livingston, formerly of New York, and one of the pioneer settlers of this state. Mr. and Mrs. MeCurdy now have two children : Ferrol L. and Thomas A. Mr. MeCurdy proudly cast his first presidential ballot for Benjamin Har-
rison and has always given his support to the Republican party. He has always lived in Iowa and the progress and development of the state are matters of deep interest to him, while in local affairs in his community he has taken an active part, doing whatever he can for the general progress and upbuilding.
W. B. NATION.
W. B. Nation, proprietor of the Vendome Hotel at Sioux City, has throughout his entire business career been identified with hotel inter- ests and is therefore thoroughly equipped by broad and varied experience to minister to the wants of the traveling public. He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1867, and is a son of Fred and Margaret (Dunn) Nation. His parents removed to Os- kałoosa, Iowa, in 1875, and there the mother died in 1881, while the father is living with his son in Sioux City.
W. B. Nation was only seven years old when his parents came to this state and in the public schools of Oskaloosa he acquired his education. When fourteen years of age he began working in a hotel in Portland, Oregon, and afterward
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went to Los Angeles, California, where he was employed in a similar manner. His next posi- tion was in the Hotel Park, at Great Falls, Montana, and he afterward purchased the Windman House at Parkston, South Dakota. This he conducted for two years and then sold out and purchased the Sanborn House, at Mitchell, South Dakota. He disposed of that property on his removal to Sioux City in 1893, and here he accepted the position of clerk in the Chicago House. After filling that position for four years he became one of its proprietors and so continued until August, 1903, when he purchased the Hotel Vendome, which he now owns. He also secured the franchise that year for the Western Base Ball league and owns the same.
Mr. Nation was married in April, 1903, to Alice Christopher, a daughter of Eber Chris- topher, of Decorah, Iowa. They are members of the Presbyterian church and have a wide acquaintance in Sioux City, where they are held in high esteem by many friends. Mr. Nation, starting out in life for himself in early boyhood, has steadily progressed through his own efforts, his faithfulness and care in the performance of the duties assigned him, and is now conducting a good business in Sioux City, where he also owns a good hotel property.
CARL MEYER.
Carl Meyer, who is engaged in the insurance business in Sioux City, was born November 10, 1863, in Hamburg, Germany, his parents be- ing Heinrich and Anna (Giehs) Meyer, also natives of Hamburg. The father, a basket manufacturer, is still living in his native city at the age of eighty-two years, but the mother passed away in April, 1903, when seventy-six years of age. They were the parents of four children, all sons, and all became basketmakers in Germany. Carl Meyer, however, at the age of eighteen years crossed the Atlantic to Amer-
ica and made his way direct to Chicago. IIe had acquired his education in the Hamburg Seminary and had studied the art of acting, his mother having been an actress and from her he undoubtedly inherited much of his histrionic skill. In Germany he secured an engagement at the Wilhelm theater in 1880, and, establish- ing his home in Chicago in 1881, he became a member of a German stoek company, at that time filling engagements in various theaters. He remained in Chicago as a representative of his art for nine years and in 1890 he came to Sioux City, where he obtained an engagement with the Sioux City Turn Verein as instructor for members who took part in its amateur the- atrical performances. He continued in that po- sition until March, 1893. In the spring of 1895 he turned his attention to the insurance business, in which he has since been engaged and now has offices at No. 53-4 New Richard- son block. He represents a number of the old- est and most reliable companies, including the following: The Germania Life, the Equitable Fire and Marine, the Lumbermen's Insurance Company, the Mechanic's, the Milwaukee Fire, the Spring Garden Insurance Company, and the National Union Insurance Company. He writes a large amount of business each year, his poli- cies representing extensive sums.
On the 10th of June, 1893, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Meyer and Mrs. Phoebe (Hoefler) Schudell, the widow of William Schudell. She was born in Hessen, Germany, and came to the United States in 1875, making her way to a home of an uncle in Utica, New York. Mr. Meyer is a member of the Sons of Herman and is now grand secretary of the society, a posi- tion which he has filled since the organization of the order in 1896. He has also filled all of the chairs in the local society and he is a charter member of the Germania Society and also belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His politieal allegiance is given to the Democ racy. He is of social, genial nature and in- Sioux City he has made many friends not only
CARL MEYER.
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among the representatives of the fatherland in buying and selling real estate in Woodbury but among all people with whom he has come in contact.
H. B. WALLING.
H. B. Walling, who is one of the prominent young lawyers of Woodbury county and has now practiced his profession at AAnthon for sev- eral years, is a native son of Iowa, whose carcer reflects credit upon the state. He was born in Dubuque county, January 27, 1872, and is a son of Herman H. and Maria HI. ( Hiller) Walling. The father was born in Munster, Germany, April 11, 1842, and when a child of seven years was brought to Iowa, being reared in Dubuque. There he was married to Miss Maria H. Hiller, a native of Dubuque, born of German parentage. They removed to Wood- bury county in 1878, located upon a wild traet of land in Miller township, and in course of time Mr. Walling developed a well improved farm. He made a nice home, reared his family there and spent his last years on the farm which he had improved, passing away in 1890. His wife still survives him and has many friends in Woodbury county.
H. B. Walling acquired his early education in the common schools and supplemented his preliminary course by study in Carroll Busi- ness College. He pursued a course in law in the State University of Iowa and was gradu- ated with the class of 1897, after which he located for practice at Anthon on the 21st of July of that year. In his chosen profession he has demonstrated that he possesses the qualities which are always strong elements in the success of members of the bar. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness, is logieal in his de- ductions and presents his ease in a forceful manner and with clear and cogent reasoning. He practices in the various courts of this part of the state and has indeed made an enviable record for legal ability. Ile has also engaged
county and in lowa and his real estate dealings have been no unimportant element in the en- viable success which he has already achieved. Ile is likewise a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Anthon and was one of its founders.
On the 16th of August, 1900, in Stewart, Guthrie county, Iowa, Mr. Walling was united in marriage to Miss Mac C. Wolfe, who was born in Carroll county, Iowa, and is a daugh- ter of Edward and Catherine Wolfe, of that place. Mr. Walling has creeted a new resi- denee in Anthon and there hospitality abounds. The best homes of the community are also open for the reception of himself and wife and their circle of warm friends is an extensive one in this community. Both were reared in the faith of the Catholic church, of which they are now communicants, and he is connected with the Knights of Columbus fraternity. Politically he is a staneh Republican, supporting the men and measures of his party with unfaltering loyalty and he has twice been elected and served as mayor of Anthon, while at the pres- ent time he is a member of the city council. He has also been a delegate to numerous con- ventions of his party. He is one of the most prominent and influential residents of this place who by perseverance, determination and honorable effort has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to success and is travel- ing steadily upward to the goal of prosperity, where his genuine worth, broad mind and pub- lie spirit have made him a director of public thought and action in Anthon.
AUGUST RATIL.
Angust Rath, a mason and contractor of Sioux City, is one of the worthy sons that Ger- many has furnished to the new world, for his birth occurred in the fatherland in the year 1864. He is a son of William Rath, who was
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born in Germany and there followed the occupa- tion of farming for many years. He did mili- tary service in the wars of 1848 and 1864 in Germany and remained a resident of that land until 1882 when he crossed the briny deep to the new world, locating in Rock township, Woodbury county, Iowa. There he carried on farming for sixteen years and his death oc- curred on the 4th of October, 1901, when he was eighty years of age. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Rath bore the maiden name of Dora Hope and was also a native of Germany. Her death occurred in 1888, when she was sixty-four years of age. In their family were seven children, five of whom are yet living. August Rath, whose name introduces this review, acquired his edu- cation in the schools of his native country and when he had mastered the branches of learning given through public instruction he took up the trade of masonry, serving an apprenticeship, after which he followed the pursuit in Germany until he came to America with his father. Here he worked upon the home farm for eleven years and then resumed labor at his trade. In March, 1896, he located in Sioux City and began con- tracting as a mason. His work here has been attended with a full measure of success and he annually receives a good patronage which re- turns to him a gratifying financial reward.
Mr. Rath was married Angust 26, 1888, to Miss Johanna Grimsmann, a daughter of Clauz J. Grimsmann. She was born in Ger- many in 1863 and by her marriage has become the mother of ten children, nine of whom are yet living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rath are mem- bers of the Lutheran church and he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while his political allegiance is given to the Democracy. He is well known in business cir- eles here for his energy and reliability and his life record proves that success may be accom- plished through determination and persistent thrift, guided by intelligence and prompted by laudable ambition.
JACOB A. BUNN.
Jacob A. Bunn, who since 1893 has con- tinnously filled the office of county supervisor, a fact which is indicative of the trust and con- fidence reposed in him by his fellow men, is now living a retired life in Pierson, but for many years he was actively engaged in business as a farmer and contractor. He has resided in Iowa since 1855 and in Woodbury county sinee 1874. He is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Burkamstead near London, on the 1st of January, 1844, a son of James Bunn, also a native of England. The father crossed the Atlantic about 1850 and es- tablished his home in Ohio, near Cleveland. About 1855 he came to Iowa, settling in Du- buque county, and there Jaeob A. was reared, acquiring a good education in the common and high schools. He was just twenty years of age when he offered his services to the country in defense of the Union eause, enlisting in 1864 as a member of Company A, Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry. He went south to Tennessee and Mississippi, where he did guard duty, serving for about four months or until after the close of his term of enlistment. He was then hon- orably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in Oc- tober, 1864.
Upon his return home Mr. Bunn began work at the carpenter's and joiner's trade and in 1869 he removed to Ida eounty, where he con- tinned the work of carpentering until 1874. He then came to Woodbury county and located on a farm and in addition to general agricul- tural pursuits he engaged in business as a con- tractor and builder, erecting school houses in this county and building county bridges and school houses in Cherokee and Ida counties. His attention was directed to the dual pursuit for several years. He then bought additional land in Ida county, where he opened up a farm and later he bought land in Union township, Woodbury county, establishing his home there- on in 1874. He had two hundred acres and from time to time he added to this property
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J. A. BUNN AND FAMILY.
MR. AND MRS. M. N. PEARSON.
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until he owned two thousand six hundred and Jane, who is now the wife of Chris Mundy, a twenty-eight acres, but he has since deeded his resident farmer of Cherokee county, by whom she has two children, George A. and James; Cora, wife of Edward Kissinger, a resident farmer of Union township, by whom she has three children, Milo James, Nellie Florence and Martha Frances: Washington Andrew, who died at the age of four years; George, who is now a student in Montana; Florence, the wife of Charles Walters, a farmer of Union town- ship, by whom she has one son, Arthur. son one hundred and twenty acres in Union township, his daughter Cora May one hundred and sixty acres in Dakota and Mary J. a like amount in Dakota. Mr. Bunn now owns five hundred and twenty-four acres of rich and arable land, yielding to him a golden tribute. IIe has good buildings and improvements upon his place, in fact, he added to his farm all modern equipments and accessories and trans- formed the land into most productive fields. Annually he harvested good erops which brought to him very desirable financial return and thus in course of time he had accumulated the com- petence that now enables him to live retired. In 1899 he removed to Pierson, purchasing a lot on which he built a residence. Later he sold that property and built where he now re- sides, having just completed a modern and com- fortable home which stands on a traet of sixty- three acres of land. He has been one of the successful business men and farmers of the county and his prosperity has come to him as the just reward of his untiring labors.
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