USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 58
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
Mr. Bunn was married in Cherokee county, Iowa, September 3, 1872, to Miss Frances A. Pearson, a native of Livingston county, Illionis, born near Pontiac, and a daughter of Moses H. and Mary Jane (Pindell) Pearson. Moses Pearson was born in New Hampshire and be- came one of the early settlers of Illinois. He was married in the latter state to Miss Mary Jane Pindell, a native of Brown county, Ohio. Mr. Pearson removed to Towa about 1854, settling in Woodbury county, and within its borders he developed several farms. On more than one occasion he was driven out by the In- dians and he later took up his abode in Cher- okee county. He is now living in Wyoming, where he is identified with agricultural inter- ests. Pearson creek was named in his honor as was also the town of Pierson, though the name is spelled differently. Mr. and Mrs. Bunn are the parents of five children: Mary
Politically Mr. Bunn is a Republican where national issues are involved, but at local elec- tions does not consider himself bound by party ties. He was elected and served as township school treasurer, as trustee and director and in 1893 he was elected supervisor of the county and has served continuously since, being chair- mau of the board for three years. He is the only member that has served continuously throughout this period and the fact that he has so long been continued in office is proof of the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fel- low men, who regard him as a gentleman of excellent business ability, of unquestioned loy- alty in citizenship and of marked devotion to the public good. He belongs to the Grand Army post at Correctionville and was its com- mander for one term.
JACOB S. EGGER.
For twenty-three years Jacob S. Egger has been actively identified with the agricultural and industrial interests of Woodbury county and is accounted one of the valued citizens of Willow township. His early home was in Ohio, for he was born in Monroe county, that state, on the 9th of May, 1851, a son of Sam- nel and Magdalena (Chrismann) Egger. His paternal grandfather was born in Switzerland and came to America about 1815 or 1820, and after spending five or six years in New Jersey, removed to Monroe county, Ohio, locating in that region when it was almost an unbroken
722
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
wilderness. In his family were six sons and one daughter. The subject of this sketch had five brothers and two sisters.
In his native state Jacob S. Egger passed the days of his boyhood and youth and obtained the greater part of his education in the common schools, though he attended a normal school for four weeks. He remained under the pa- rental roof until twenty-four years of age and continued a resident of Ohio four years longer. It was in 1881 that he came to Iowa and took up his residence in Woodbury county, being in the employ of Henry Steinehoff for one year. During the following two years he rented the old Hopper farm and engaged in its operation. Having saved a little money, he then pur- chased his present place in Willow township, and to its cultivation and improvement he has since devoted much time and attention. Dur- ing early life he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, who followed that pursuit, and since coming to Iowa he has erected many houses and barns in his locality and also built the Evangelical church at German City. He is now building a fine house of his own, which is a two-story structure with garret and con- tains ten rooms. There is a cellar under the entire house, having a cement floor, and con- tains the bath room. The walls of the rooms are finished in hard plaster and the inside wood work is of cypress. The house will be modern and thoroughly up-to-date in all its appoint- ments. It is Mr. Egger's intention to build a reservoir on a hill just above the house, into which he will force the water by means of a wind pump, and have pipes laid to house with a hydrant in the kitchen. Upon his place he has a fine orchard with ninety bearing peach trees and about two hundred apple trees which vield their frnit in season. He is a very progressive and energetic farmer and in connection with the enltivation of the soil is engaged in rais- ing horses, cattle and hogs of a good grade.
Mr. Egger was married in Ohio in 1875 to Miss Angusta Steinhoff, who was born on the
6th of June, 1856, and they have become the parents of ten children, four sons and six danghters, namely: Henry S., who was a car- penter by trade, died June 17, 1903, at the age of twenty-seven years. Edward J., Albert F. B., Charles, Rosa, Annie, Freda, Lyda and Lydia, twins, and May are all at home. Al- bert also follows the carpenter's trade.
In his politieal affiliations Mr. Egger is a Democrat, and in religions faith is connected with the Evangelical church. Upright and honorable in all his dealings he commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he is brought in contact and the success that he has achieved in life is certainly well merited, it having been seenred through untiring indus- try, perseverance and good management.
E. E. SELMSER.
E. E. Selmser, whose carefully directed ef- forts as a real estate operator of Sioux City, have made him one of the successful and lead- ing representatives of the business here, was born in Johnstown, New York, in 1859 and ac- quired his early education there, but completed it in New Haven, Connecticut, where he at- tended the Collegiate & Commercial Institute. He entered upon his business career as a repre- sentative of commercial interests, securing a clerkship in Jackson, Michigan, and when he came to Sioux City in 1882 he accepted a posi- tion as salesman with the firm of Jundt & Tompkins. He was afterward engaged in the boot and shoe business for six years, but not- ing the rapid and continuous growth of the city of his adoption he believed that he would find a more profitable field of labor in real-estate dealing, and severing his connection with mer- cantile pursuits in 1889 he has since devoted his energies to the purchase and sale of prop- erty. The success that has attended his efforts bears witness to the wisdom of his choice of a vocation. He is now engaged extensively in
E. E. SELMSER.
725
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
buying and selling both improved and unim- proved property, with an office on the second floor of the Brown block and he negotiates many important real estate transfers. Ile is thor- oughly conversant with realty values and own- erships, has made judicious investments and profitable sales and is well known as a success- ful and reliable real estate dealer.
Mr. Selmser was married September 27, 1884, to Miss Georgie Hagy, a daughter of John and Mary ( Post) Hagy, of Sioux City. Mrs. Sehuser was born in this city, May 24, 1863. Mr. Selmser is a prominent Mason, and among his brethren of the craft he has won many warm friends. Coming to the middle west in early manhood his business ea- reer has breathed the spirit of enterprise and advancement so characteristic of this seetion of the country and to his own discernment, care- ful management and intelligent effort he owes his prosperity.
MATHIAS C. CARLSTROM.
Sweden has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left their native country to enter the business eireles of America with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advance- ment more quickly seeured. Among its number is Mathias Carlstrom, who in early manhood songht wider fields in which to give full seope to his ambition and industry-his dominant qualities. He found the opportunities he sought in the freedom and appreciation of the growing western portion of America and though born across the water he is thoroughly Ameri- can in thought and feeling and is furthermore sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career is identified with the history of Sioux City, where he has acquired a compe- tence, and where he is now an honored and respected resident.
Mr. Carlstrom was born in Sweden in 1839, spent the days of his boyhood and youth there and acquired his education in the public schools.
In the year 1870 he bade adieu to friends and native country and crossed the Atlantic, estab- lishing his home in Sioux City, Iowa, where he secured employment in the marble works of Wingert & Nicholson. He had learned the trade of marble-cutting in Sweden and he worked for that firm for four years, when with the capital he had acquired through his indus- try and economy he embarked in business for himself, establishing a shop of his own in 1877. He was first on Pearl street and later on Doug- las street. In 18SS he established his present business. He is now the oldest representative of this line of industrial activity in Sioux City and in connection with his marble-cutting busi- ness he is an importer of marbles and granites. His shop is located at No. 812 Fifth street, and he has done most of the fine work in his line in the state of Iowa since embarking in the en- terprise. He keeps thoroughly in touch with the progress that has been made in the trade and some fine specimens of his handiwork are seen in the cemeteries of this part of the state.
Mr. Carlstrom was married in Sweden, June 16, 1857, the lady of his choice being Miss Helen Peterson. Unto them have been born four children, three daughters and one son: Henrietta Louise, the wife of Abel Anderson, president of the Northwestern National Bank, of Sioux City; Annie, the wife of N. Neilan, who is in partnership with Mr. Carlstrom; Mary, who is a student in the Bethany College at Louisburg, Kansas, and the only son, who is associated with his father in business. The family hold membership in the Swedish church, of which Mr. Carlstrom was one of the organ- izers and charter members. The church was formed with only eight members, but has had a steady and continuous growth and Mr. Carls- trom has been an active factor in its work and upbuilding. His study of the political ques- tions and issues in his adopted country has led him to give an carnest and unfaltering support to the Republican party. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seck a home
726
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought-which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, en- ergetie man-and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolution, perseverance and relia- bility so characteristic of people of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Sioux City, Iowa.
ERNEST A. REYMAN.
Ernest A. Reyman, whose home farm of four hundred and seventy acres is pleasantly lo- cated within a mile and a half of Cushing, is classed with the enterprising and progressive agriculturists and stock-raisers of Rock town- ship. He is an old settler of the state, having located in Clinton county, Iowa, in 1855. His residence in Woodbury county dates from 1891. Mr. Reyman is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Saxony on the 11th of March, 1851. His parents were John and Anna Dorothy (Schneider) Reyman, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born August 4, 1810. They became the pa- rents of six children while still living in the fatherland and in 1852 they crossed the Atlan- tie to the new world, locating first at Milwan- kee, Wisconsin, where he remained for some time. Subsequently they settled in Illinois, where they lived for four years and on the expiration of that period they took up their abode in Clinton county, Iowa. Mr. Reyman engaged in railroad construction work for sev- eral years, but afterward took up his abode on a farm in Clinton county, renting land there for seven years. With the capital he thus ac- quired he purchased a tract of land six miles west of Lyons, Clinton county, which he oper- ated until 1876. He then lived with his son Ernest, with whom he remained until his death, which occurred about December 28, 1882. His wife passed away in 1875.
Ernest A. Reyman passed his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads, being reared upon the old home place in Clinton county, while in the public schools of the neigh- borhood he acquired his education. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty-five years of age and then started out in life for himself. As a companion and help- mate on life's journey he chose Miss Louisa Heitt, their marriage being celebrated in Clin- ton county on the 4th of October, 1875. She was born in Racine, Wisconsin, and was of German parentage, being a daughter of John and Louisa Heitt, both natives of Baden. In her girlhood days she went with her parents to Illinois and subsequently came to Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Reyman began their domestic life upon a farm in Clinton county, where they resided until 1891, when he sold his property there and came to Woodbury county, purchas- ing the quarter section on which he now re- sides. Here he began to improve his farm and the same fall he built a good house. Later he bought more land and from time to time has extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises four hundred and seventy acres in one tract. He also has eighty acres in Douglas township, Ida county. Upon this place are good farm buildings, well kept fences, the latest improved machinery and all modern accessories of a model farm. He is engaged in stock-raising, feeding stock for the market, and he sells annually about six carloads. His business interests have thus developed to ex- tensive proportions and his enterprise and en- ergy have been resultant factors in winning him a success which is most commendable and desirable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reyman have been born ten children, who are yet living, and they also lost their first born in infancy. The others are George W., Lnella E., John A., Charles F., William G., Hattie E., Loretta C., Florence Cora, Frank L. and Ernest Rodney, all at home. Politically Mr. Reyman is an earnest Repub-
?
E. A. REYMAN AND FAMILY.
229
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
liean, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, yet never seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He was but one year of age when brought by his parents to the United States and has since lived in Iowa, during which time his life has been in accord with the progressive spirit of the time, which has led to the rapid and marvelous do- velopment of this portion of the country.
WILLIAM M. BAKER.
William M. Baker, who is residing on section 4, Union township, where he is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising, has a valuable property of three hundred and twenty acres. IIe is a native of Iowa, his birth having oc- eurred in Johnson county on the 29th of No- vember, 1859. His father, Lloyd Baker, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1833, and was there reared and educated. When a young man he went to Johnson county, Iowa, and later removed to Benton county, this state, where he owned and operated two hundred and forty acres of land which he im- proved. In Johnson county, he married Miss Mary E. Alt, who was born February 28, 1837, a daughter of J. W. and Jane (Malory) Alt, pioneer settlers of Johnson county. Her father who was born in April, 1813, is still living.
William M. Baker was reared in Benton county, Iowa, upon his father's farm. Hle re- ceived fair school advantages and when not en- gaged in the duties of the schoolroom continued the tasks of the farm until twenty-one years of age, rendering capable assistance to his father. He was then married in Benton county on the 3d of November, 1882, to Miss Jennie E. Whit- ing, who was born in Linn county, this state, September 9, 1861, and is a daughter of Samuel and Jane (Richardson ) Whiting. During the Civil war her father enlisted in the Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and died in the ser-
vice. Her mother afterward married again and removed to Benton county. Mrs. Baker, however, was principally educated in Lin county. Mr. Whiting was a relative of Abra- ham Lineoh.
In the spring following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Baker removed to Woodbury county, locating on their present farm. Ile at first had but one hundred and sixty acres of land. This he began to develop and cultivate and later as his financial resources increased he purchased an additional tract of a quarter section, so that he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of the rich farming land of Iowa. He has built a good house and barn, has planted an orchard and, in fact, has made the farm what it is to- day, one of the desirable properties of this por- tion of the county. He raises the various cereals adapted to the soil and climate and in addition he raises good grades of stock. He now makes a business of feeding from eight to ten carloads of cattle each year, together with a large number of hogs and his annual sales reach a very profitable figure. He is widely recognized as a successful agriculturist and business man, and he certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished as all that he possesses has come to him through his own labor. He has worked persistently and his dili- gence and enterprise have formed the basis of a very desirable success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been born three children ; Della, who is the wife of George Elser, of Union township; Orpha and Lloyd, both at home. Politically Mr. Baker is a Re- publican, but has never sought or desired office. IIe and his wife are members of the United Evangelical church and he belongs to Pierson Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is one of the prosperous and successful farmers and business men of Woodbury county, where he has lived for over twenty years. He is thoroughly interested in its development and progress and in all matters of citizenship he has taken a public-spirited part.
730
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
JOSEPH SHAY.
Joseph Shay, a farmer and stock breeder re- siding on section 26, township 26, Union conn- ty, South Dakota, just across the border line from Woodbury county, Iowa, and well known in the latter county and in Sioux City, was born in Canada, July 2, 1834. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Patrioad) Shay, are both now deceased. In early life he began work as a farm hand and in 1855 he went to Illinois. Subsequently he removed to Michigan, where he was employed in a sawmill and on the 21st of October, 1856, he arrived in Sioux City, where he began the work of driving an ox-team from Sioux City to Fort Randall and Fort Pierre. In those pioneer days, accompanied by Mr. Brugular, he went to Fort Pierre to trade with the Indians and when they no longer had any stock Mr. Shay was sent back to Sionx City for further supplies. While he was gone the Indians made his partner a prisoner and when he returned they also captured him. It was the plan to put both men to death in the morning, and to avert this Mr. Shay and his partner gave the Indians all of their stock, amounting to about five thousand dollars and while they were dividing this the two white men made their escape to an island over the river, there remaining for cleven days before they could proceed on the return trip to Pierre. Engaged in driving cattle in South Dakota during the memorable winter of 1837 the party with which he was associated suffered many hardships. Through six weeks they subsisted upon wild wolf meat and corn. In April they arrived at their destination and upon their re- turn trip they found that the swollen waters of Shiloh creek impeded their progress. How- ever, they crossed in a canoe, which was later lost in the current of the river. With his four comrades Mr. Shay floated down the St. James, but they lost their clothing and pro- visions. At that point they found two men and for supper the party of four dined upon a single duck. From that point they traveled
four days without food. Continuing on their way they, however, at length arrived in Sioux City in safety. In the fall of 1858 Mr. Shay went to Pikes Peak, where he engaged in min- ing, returning, however, in the fall of 1860. On his way back in 1859 he was taken prisoner by the Indians at Running Water, Nebraska, together with his comrades. Then again they gave the Indians all their supplies and money in order to obtain their release. Some of the savages wanted to kill the prisoners and some objected to this course and Chief Little Thun- der befriended them and sent six or eight of the braves to accompany them on their way after they were released.
On again reaching Woodbury county Mr. Shay entered the claim on which he now lives, thus becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres. As his financial resources in- creased, however, he extended the boundaries of this farm and he now has four hundred acres of fine land in Union county, South Da- kota. In addition to general farming he is engaged in the breeding of black Galloway and black polled cattle. He is also buying cattle on an extensive seale and his efforts in this line of business are bringing to him very de- sirable success.
On the 28th of October, 1863, Mr. Shay was married to Miss Julia Lemoges, a dangh- ter . of Peter and Julia Lemoges, natives of New York. Her parents are now deceased. They were, however, among the first settlers of Jefferson, and St. Peter's church now stands on a part of the old homestead; in fact, the land was given by Mr. Lemoges for that pur- pose. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shay have been born twelve children: John, who died at the age of sixteen years: Mary, the wife of Phil Pac- quett, a contractor at a brickyard at Riverside ; Celene, the wife of Frank Bany, of Armour, South Dakota; Charles, who died when only three days old; Fred, who is married and fol- lows farming at Lincoln, South Dakota : Peter, who is married and is engaged in farming in
JOSEPH SHAY.
133
PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
Union county, South Dakota; Ida, the wife of Gunther Thompson, of Castlewood, South Da- kota; Albert, deceased; Josephine, the wife of Oscar Unger; Joseph; Clarence, deceased; and Ernest. Albert and Clarence were killed, the latter May 24, 1904; and Albert, on the 25th of May. They were both murdered apparently in cold blood by John St. Piene, within fifty- three rods of Mr. Shay's home. The unmar- ried children are all at home.
Mr. Shay has taken an active interest in the material, educational and moral development of his community. He has been school trustee for twelve years, has also been school director for several terms and assisted in building the first schoolhouse in his locality. He and his family are members of the Catholic church of Sioux City and are widely and favorably known in the community where they make their home.
JOHN H. WRIGHT.
One of the extensive land owners and pros- perous farmers of Woodbury county is John H. Wright, who is living on section 21, Arling- ton township. He has a very rich and arable tract of land of seven hundred and fifteen acres, and his farm is improved with all modern equipments, so that his place is one of the most desirable properties of his part of the county.
Mr. Wright is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in 1858, in Guthrie county, about twenty miles from Des Moines. His parents were Anderson and Martha (Brown) Wright. The father is a native of Indiana and removed to Iowa about forty-five years ago, becoming one of the early settlers of Guthrie county. After a number of years he removed to Woodbury county, establishing his home on section 4, Arlington township, where he took up a homestead claim. With charac- teristie energy he began the enltivation and improvement of the place, and though he lived here during the period of the grasshopper
scourge and through hard times, he persevered in his work and at length triumphed over many difficulties and obstacles. About 1902 he re- moved to Oklahoma, where he is now living at the age of sixty-eight years. Ilis wife, who was a native of Missouri, died in Guthrie coun- ty, Iowa, at the age of twenty-seven years, when her son John was but nine years of age. He was the eldest of four children.
Two years after the removal of the father to Woodbury county John HI. Wright also came and was here reared and educated. Ilis train- ing at farm labor was perhaps more compre- hensive than his training in the schoolroom, for his services were needed on the okdl home- stead. After arriving at years of maturity he began farming on his own account, securing a traet of land of forty acres, upon which he now resides. He worked hard and persistently and soon his erops brought to him a substantial return for his labor. As his financial resources increased he invested in other land from time to time until his possessions now aggregate seven hundred and fifteen acres. He has erected a good residence, well furnished, has also built a fine barn, has secured the latest improved machinery and indeed has one of the best improved and equipped farms of his town- ship and county, and all has been acquired through his own labors.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.