USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 27
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On the 25th of December, 1887. Dr. Horton was united in marriage to Miss Grace Gallup, and to their union have been born three children : Donald Lyle, aged eighteen ; Joyce, aged fourteen ; and Glee, nine. Dr. Horton gives his politi- cal allegiance to the republican party, and, although he is not active as an office seeker, he takes a commendable interest in community affairs. He is a member of the Methodist church and, being a man of sterling character, has always merited and received the confidence and respect of all with whom professional or social relations have brought him in contact.
LOUIS T. HUBER.
Louis T. Huber has resided within the borders of Wineshiek county since pioneer times and has always been identified with farming in this part of lowa, making substantial contributions to the agricultural development of the county. He is now living retired in Calmar, having earned rest and leisure by many years of industry and well directed labor. He was born in Oldenburg, Franklin county, Indiana, in December, 1848, a son of Francis J. and Mary A. (Gaertner ) Huber, the former a native of Switzerland, and the latter of France. The father came to America in 1832 and the mother in 1833. They located in Indiana, where the father farmed for a number of years, later going to New Orleans, where for six- teen years he clerked in a general store. Returning to Indiana at the end of that time, he remained in the state until 1849 and then sold his farm and came to lowa. Upon arriving in Washington township, Winneshiek county, he purchased a tract of land which was formerly a part of the Indian reservation. Later he bought a whole section adjoining old Fort Atkinson and with characteristic energy carried forward the work of improvement and development, making it a valuable and well improved farm, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred November 23, 1888. His wife survived him some years, dying in 1901.
Louis T. Huber was not yet one year old when he was brought by his parents to lowa and, reared in a frontier region, he experienced many of the hardships and privations of pioneer times. He attended district school and when not engaged
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with his books aided in the operation of the homestead, thus becoming a practical and able farmer before he had attained his majority. When he was twenty-six he purchased twenty acres from his father and later bought one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township. This he cleared and improved, buying more land from time to time until he had acquired extensive holdings. Portions of his land, however, he afterward sold, retaining two hundred and eighty-seven acres lying on sections 34 and 27, Washington township, upon which he carried on general agricultural pursuits for many years. Alert, energetic and enter- prising, he won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his interests and is now able to spend the evening of his life in honorable retirement. He operated his farm until 1911 and then moved to Twin Springs, where he lived until April 16, 1913, when he purchased a comfortable home in Calmar, where he now resides.
On the 12th of May, 1874, Mr. Huber was united in marriage to Miss Helen Hess, a daughter of Charles and Margaret ( Becker) Hess, natives of Germany, who came to America in early times settling first in the state of New York and then as pioneers in Wisconsin. In 1855 they came to Winneshiek county and here the father operated a farm until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Huber have become the parents of twelve children: Francis S., who passed away September 25, 1876: Charles T., who is engaged in farming in Springfield township; Philip Joseph, a bookkeeper in Lincoln, Nebraska ; William H., who resides in Waterloo, lowa; George A., who is cultivating his father's farm; Annie, a teacher in a Catholic school in Carroll county, Iowa : Hugo A., a resident of Calmar ; Francis E., a banker in Fort Atkinson; Conrad F., who died on the 23d of August, 1889; Benjamin P., engaged in farming in Washington township; Anthony M., who is attending school; and Adlinda L., who lives at home.
Mr. Huber gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has ren- dered his township excellent service as trustee, road supervisor and school director. He is a stockholder in the Festina Creamery Company and known as a man of excellent business ability. Long a resident of this part of lowa, he has become widely and favorably known in the community and his life has been such as to win and hold the regard and esteem of his fellowmen.
WILLIAM A. DASKAM. 1
William A. Daskam owns twenty acres of land on section 28, Fremont town- ship, adjoining the town of Kendallville, and upon this property is engaged in raising bees and chickens and is meeting with gratifying success. He is a repre- sentative of a well known pioneer family and a native son of this county, born in Fremont township, September 19. 1872, his parents being James S. and Henri- etta MI. ( Eddy) Daskam, the former a native of New York and the latter of Vermont. The father came to Winneshiek county in the '50s and purchased and improved an eighty acre farm in Orleans township, operating this until the out- break of the Civil war. He then enlisted in the Union army under Captain Weiser. of Decorah, serving until almost the close of hostilities. He participated in many important engagements and was twice wounded on the battlefield. After his
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return he engaged in the mercantile business in Kendallville, so continuing until his death. His wife survives him and makes her home in that city.
William A. Daskam was reared in Fremont township, acquiring his early edu- cation in the district schools. He afterwards attended Breckenridge Institute in Decorah and then the State Normal School at Cedar Falls. For five years after leaving school he engaged in teaching in the country schools and then spent five years as principal of the schools in Fort Atkinson. At the end of that time he purchased twenty acres of land on section 28, Fremont township, and turned his attention to the raising of bees and chickens. He has met with most gratifying success, as is evidenced by the fact that while he began the year 1912 with fifty- nine swarms of bees he has now one hundred and fifty and he cleared one thousand dollars from the sale of his honey. He specializes in raising brown leghorn chickens and this branch of his enterprise is also extremely profitable.
On the 25th of December. 1901, Mr. Daskam married Miss Mabel B. Brown, a daughter of C. C. and Ida ( McCloud) Brown, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Daskam have two children : Marjorie H., aged seven ; and Glen Alson, aged five. Mrs. Daskam is a member of the Methodist church and he is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is at present clerk of Fremont township. Hle is progressive and public-spirited in matters of citizenship and reliable and trustworthy in business relations-a native son of whom Winneshiek county has every reason to be proud.
JOHN RICHERT.
. John Richert, one of the prominent stockmen of Winneshiek county, is the owner of the Evergreen Stock Farm, a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Hesper township, and by his practical methods and untiring industry has surrounded himself with a gratifying measure of prosperity. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine, when that province was a French possession, January 8, 1865, and is a son of Nicholas and Mary ( Gitz) Richert, also natives of that province. The family came to America in 1881, settling in the vicinity of Locust, Winneshiek county, Jowa, where the father engaged in farming for a number of years. He has now retired from active life and he and his wife make their home in West Decorah. In their family were six children: John, of this review ; Nicholas and Jacob, both of whom reside in Hesper township; George, a resident of Oklahoma ; Mrs. Kate Bennett, also of that state; and Philip, who makes his home in Oregon.
John Richert spent his childhood in Alsace-Lorraine and was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to lowa. For six years thereafter he worked as a farm laborer and for three years and three months of this time never lost a day's work. He saved enough money to rent land and after engag- ing in farming in this way for eleven years, purchased eighty acres on sections. 20 and 21, Hesper township. To this he has since added until the Evergreen Stock Farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. Mr.
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Richert's attention centers upon his stock-raising interests and he has been remarkably successful in breeding Hereford cattle and Chester White and Poland China hogs. He has exhibited at almost all of the local fairs and in 1912 had several entries in the International Stock Show at Chicago. He belongs to the Hereford Cattle Association of the United States, in which he is also a stockholder, and in this way he keeps in touch with the latest and most scientific methods of breeding.
On the 30th of November, 1889, Mr. Richert was united in marriage to Miss Cora B. Smith, who was born in Hesper township, November 17, 1870, a daughter of Walter A. and Samantha ( Hazel) Smith, the former a native of England and the latter, of Pennsylvania. Her father has passed away and his widow makes her home with the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Richert are the parents of a son, Lloyd W., who lives at home.
Mr. Richert is a devout member of the Lutheran church and is independent in politics, taking an especial interest in educational affairs. He has done able work as secretary of the school board for the past seven years and has held various other important school offices. For thirty-two years a resident of Winne- shiek county, he is recognized as a substantial and representative citizen by those with whom he has long been associated and one who from the beginning of his career has been deeply interested in the material, mental and moral wel- fare of the community.
EINAR KIPPE.
A young man of great ability and promise, Einar Kippe is prominently connected with business and financial interests of Burr Oak as half owner of a general store there and as cashier of the Burr Oak Savings Bank. He was born in Stenkjar, Norway, April 6, 1880, and is a son of John and Carrie Kippe, who still reside in that locality, the father engaging in school teaching. In their family are seven children, of whom the subject of this review is the fourth in order of birth. Two others came to America, namely: Olaf, who is engaged in the paint business in Amhurst, Minnesota; and Magne, a railroad contractor of Cordova, Alaska.
Einar Kippe acquired his education in the public schools of Norway and after laying aside his books clerked in a general store for three years. Seeking a wider field and better opportunities, he crossed the Atlantic in the spring of 1902 and settled in Mabel, Minnesota, where he worked as a painter with his brother. He afterward spent a similar period of time on railroad construction work and then turned his attention to farming, following this occupation until 1906. In that year he came to Burr Oak and entered a general store owned by F. C. Schink. He afterward was employed by Mr. Schink's successor's, Juell, Meyer & Company, and in 1912 he formed a partnership with John A. Thompson. They purchased the store in which Mr. Kippe now owns a half interest and they have developed the business to gratifying proportions, serving a large and rep- resentative patronage at the present time. Mr. Kippe has been connected with the Burr Oak Savings Bank since 1912, in July of which year he was made
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cashier of the institution. He has since held this position and has discharged his responsible duties capably and conscientiously, proving himself a reliable, resourceful and farsighted financier.
In 1902, in Norway, Mr. Kippe was united in marriage to Miss Lina Peter- son, who was born in Bodo, that country, June 29, 1880. They have become the parents of a son, Arthur, who was born in Burr Oak, December 15, 1911.
Mr. Kippe is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and is connected fraternally with the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Although still a young man he has already gained for himself a creditable position in the world of business and finance and he possesses in his ability and energy a guarantee of continued progress.
THOMAS M. PIERCE.
The business ability of Thomas M. Pierce has played an important part in the development of Calmar, Iowa, in which town he owns a first-class hotel conducted along modern and up-to-date lines. He was also instrumental in founding the Calmar Savings Bank and still serves as its vice president. More- over, he has important real-estate interests here as well as in Canada and South Dakota.
Mr. Pierce is a direct descendant of John Pierce, who came over in the May- flower, and he was born in Burlington, Pennsylvania, in April 1874, a son of Clarence and Morley Pierce, natives of that city. During his whole life the father was a commercial traveler, beginning his career in that capacity at the age of sixteen. His territory comprised the states of lowa, Minnesota and Wis- consin, and he followed that occupation until his death, which occurred in April, 1891. The mother still survives and makes her home in Pennsylvania.
Until twelve years of age Thomas M. Pierce attended school in Burlington, Pennsylvania, and then made his home with an uncle, continuing his education until eighteen years of age, when he left his relative to come to Decorah, Iowa, where his brother was then located. In this city he found employment with Frank Adams, receiving his board and room for his work, but no pay for the first two weeks, but he finally succeeded in reaching an agreement with his employer which entitled him to eighteen dollars per month. He remained with Mr. Adams from 1892 until July, 1803, when he came to Calmar, becoming night clerk at the Eaton Hlouse at a salary of twenty-five dollars per month. In that capacity he remained until 1894, when he bought the lunch room adjoining the hotel, with which he was connected until 1907. He had, however, previous to that time taken charge of the Eaton House, September 10, 1898, and continued to conduct it until September 1, 1907, when his lease expired. In 1902 Mr. Pierce had also purchased the old Ferguson Hotel and used the same as an annex to the depot hotel, so that when his lease of the depot hotel gave out he moved into the annex and in 1907 remodeled the place and built an addition. This hotel is now modern in every way, elegantly and comfortably furnished, has steam heat throughout and is equipped with all modern conveniences. He has conducted the same ever since with continually increasing success. In 1907 Mr. Pierce made another
THOMAS M. PIERCE
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addition and has now fifty rooms at the disposal of his guests, doing the fore- most hotel business in the town. He seems to be a born hotelkeeper and the position he has attained is the more creditable as he started out in life empty- handed. On the 4th of June, 1913, he purchased the Wales Hotel of Dubuque, which is the best hotel in that city, being five stories in height and containing one hundred and forty rooms.
In February, 1911, when the Calmar Savings Bank was organized with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, Mr. Pierce became one of its stockholders and has served as vice president since its organization. He also is an extensive dealer in real-estate and owns valuable tracts of land in South Dakota and Canada.
In his political affiliations Mr. Pierce is a republican, and although he has never cared for office keeps well informed upon all public questions, giving his eager support to all movements intended to upbuild and develop Calmar and sur- rounding territory. His faith is that of the Methodist church and fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge in Calmar, and also to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Pierce has come to be recognized as one of the substantial men of his community, in the development of which he has played no mean part. His career is but proof of the fact that industry and energy pave the way to success and that prosperity is but ambition's answer.
LOUIS A. JIRAK.
Louis A. Jirak is the proprietor of the Rosebud Farm, a fine property of one hundred and forty-five acres lying on sections 28, 29 and 32, Jackson town- ship and in its management has displayed both energy and ability, his work being rewarded with that success which always follows earnest, well directed and persistent labor. He is in addition well known in mercantile circles of Jackson Junction as manager of an important lumber concern there and in this connec- tion has proven reliable, efficient and discriminating, his business ability being undoubted and his business integrity standing as an unquestioned fact in his life. He is one of Winneshiek county's most successful native sons, his birth having occurred on the 25th of August, 1869. He is a son of Wenzel and Mary (Dvorak) Jirak, natives of Bohemia, who came to America in 1860, locat- ing in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming until his death which occurred on the 24th of July, 1901. His wife has also passed away, dying May 17, 1910. To their union were born twelve children: John, who resides in Jackson township; Joseph, of Chickasaw county, Iowa; Wenzel A .. who resides in Jackson township; a son and a daughter who died in infancy ; Frank, of Protivin, Howard county; Louis A., of this review; William, of Winneshiek county ; Mary, the wife of Antone Tupy, of Jackson township ; Anna, the wife of W. A. Busta, of Chickasaw county; Rosie, twin to Anna, who has passed away ; and Charles, of Chickasaw county.
Louis A. Jirak was reared on his father's farm in this county, gaining in his childhood an excellent knowledge of the best agricultural methods and of all the details of farm operation. At twenty-three he began his independent Vol. II-14
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career, turning his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared, and thereafter for five years he engaged in agricultural pursuits, success steadily attending his well directed labors. At the end of that time he removed to Fort Atkinson and became connected with a lumberyard there, retaining his position from 1896 until 1901, when he went to Jackson Junction. He assumed management of the lumber company in that community and he still continues in this capacity, being known as one of the most resourceful, farsighted and pro- gressive men in the town. He makes his home, however, upon his farm and is active in its operation, his general farming and stock-raising interests being today extensive and important. The Rosebud Farm lies on sections 28, 29 and 32 and is an excellent property in every particular, reflecting the intelligent care and supervision of its owner, who is an able and practical agriculturist.
Mr. Jirak married Miss Josephine Kupka, who passed away in March, 1896, leaving one daughter, Mamie, who married Charles Koudelka, of Sumner town- ship, this county. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Jirak was again married, his second union being with Miss Anne Pouska, by whom he has five children : Emil, who lives at home; Cyril, Lydia. Leo and Anna, also with their parents.
Mr. Jirak is a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church and guides his honorable and upright life by its principles. A stanch democrat, he is active and prominent in public affairs and has been honored by his fellow citizens by election to various positions of trust and responsibility, having served as town clerk of the Jackson Junction corporation and as township clerk of Jackson township. Both offices he still holds and in the discharge of his important duties has proved energetic, able and public-spirited.
FRANK A. SCHREIBER.
Frank A. Schreiber is one of the most prominent and important residents of Fort Atkinson, where he is known as a capitalist and man of affairs. He was born in Sumner township, Winneshick county, on the 20th of September, 1856, and is a son of Anthony and Christina (Vahman) Schreiber, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Holland. As a young man the father came to the United States and settled in Oldenburg, Indiana, whence in 1854 he came as a pioneer to Winneshiek county. He purchased land and from that time until his death, which occurred on the 14th of August, 1878, engaged in farming. His wife survived him many years, dying on the 29th of January, 1891. To their union were born two children: Joseph K., stock buyer for the Fort Atkinson Farmers Cooperative Produce Company; and Frank A., of this review.
Frank A. Schreiber acquired his education in the district schools of Wash- ington township and at the age of seventeen began his independent career, accepting a position as clerk in a general store at Spillville. This he held for two years and at the end of that time came to Fort Atkinson, where he went into business for himself, establishing a general store, which he conducted in partnership with his brother for twelve years, finally assuming entire control. For twenty-two years he continued in successful management of this enter-
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prise, each year witnessing his increased prosperity and the growing importance of the trade which he controlled. The liberal patronage accorded to him was the result of his straightforward business dealings and honorable methods and his activities formed an important element in the promotion of mercantile advancement of the community. Mr. Schreiber sold his store in 1898 and since that time has lived practically retired, having accumulated a comfortable fortune.
On the 19th of February, 1878, Mr. Schreiber was united in marriage to Miss Mary Krick, who passed away May 15, 1895. On the 26th of May of the following year Mr. Schreiber was again married, his second union being with Miss Josephine Brockamp, by whom he has one son, Frank C., who was born November 12, 1899. Mr. Schreiber is a member of the Catholic church and is a man of exemplary character, highly respected and esteemed in Fort Atkinson, where his genuine personal worth is well known to his fellow townsmen.
PAUL E. EGGE.
A half century seems a long period in which to reside in one locality. The residence of Paul E. Egge in Winneshiek county, however, dates from April 13, 1863, to the present time. It was on that date that he was born on the farm which is now his home and throughout the intervening years he has been connected with agricultural pursuits in this county. He represents one of the old, well known and highly respected pioneer families, his parents being Erick P. and Helena (Egge) Egge. They were natives of Norway, where they were reared. The father came to the United States in 1848, locating first in Wisconsin, where he resided near Racine for about a year, after which he came to Winneshiek county, Iowa. He purchased the farm on section 6, Frank- ville township, upon which his son Paul now resides, and that remained his home throughout his remaining days. He was a carpenter by trade, following that occupation for two or three years after his arrival in the United States, but later he took up agricultural pursuits. He was married in Winneshiek county to Miss Helena Egge, and they became the parents of eight children, namely : Carrie, the wife of E. E. Clement, of Springfield township: Peter A., residing in Chicago; Magdalena, the deceased wife of Gilbert Soland; Anna, who married Andrew Wasgard, of South Dakota; Maria, deceased; Paul E., of this review ; Emelia A., who married Austin Ode but passed away in South Dakota; and Helen, the wife of Edgar Anderson, of North Dakota. The father of this family died on the 30th of October, 1905, having survived his wife for three years, her death occurring in January, 1902.
Both were very active members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they were deeply interested. He also was a stanch supporter of higher education and gave liberally of his money and labor toward the building of Luther College, which was founded by the Rev. William Koren. Rev. Koren, who was the organizer of the Lutheran congregation on Washington Prairie, spent the first six months after his arrival in this district at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Egge. Both were people of the highest moral character, who were held in the highest esteem and good-will hy all with whom they came in contact.
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Reared on the old homestead amid the busy activities and wholesome environ- ment of the farm, Paul E. Egge has devoted his entire life to agricultural pur- suits. He has continued to reside on the old home farm upon which he was born and in the operation of which he has been most successful. He is now the owner of two hundred and fifteen acres all located on section 6, Frankville township with the exception of fifteen acres of timber land in Decorah township. This property includes the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres upon which his father first located on coming to Winneshiek county and which he brought to a high state of development prior to his demise. The original home of the family, built by the father in 1850, still stands on the place. It is a log house fourteen by sixteen feet and this Paul E. Egge has given to Luther College, and it will be moved to Decorah. Mr. Egge divides his time between general farming and stock-raising, in both of which branches he has been most successful for he has ever followed practical, modern methods. He possesses keen business sagacity and has always been actuated by a progressive spirit guided by sound judgment.
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