Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 39

Author: Acme Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Acme Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 702


USA > Iowa > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 39


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Peter Roth was married, March 31, 1873, to Miss Anna, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Schantz) Frienberger, who were both born, reared and married in Alsace, France, now a part of the Ger- man Empire. Four children were born to them, of whom only Anna, wife of Mr. Roth, our subject, is living. The others were Mary, Barbara and Mattie. Their mother was the second wife of Jolm Frienberger, who first wedded Elizabeth Rupp. who was the mother of several children, four of whom are living: Joseph, wedded to Mary Slaughter; Christian, married to Katie Fry; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Christian Rupp; and Katie. wedded to Jacob Rupp. The three latter reside on farms in Fulton County, Ohio. All the children of the Roth family are happily married. and well settled on farms, with the exception of our subjeet. who is a permanent resident of Wayland. Jacob


married Barbara Yoder. and lives a retired life at Louisville, Ohio. Fannie is now the widow of Joseph Mast. who died Nov. 29. 1887; her first husband being Christian Wise. Christian married Fannie Angsberger: Katie became the wife of Peter Wise; Joseph is the husband of Barbara. a daughter of Christian Eicher: and Mary died un- married.


Mr. and Mrs. Roth have no children of their own, but are rearing a pretty and vivacious little girl. Mamie Whitman, born Dec. 31. 1876. To her they give the love and care that parents could bestow upon their own child. and she never feels the lack of anything that affection can provide. In the enterprising village of Wayland the Roths are deservedly held in esteem.


ETER P. WALZ, a prominent farmer of Baltimore Township, was born in this county, June 29, 1858, and is the son of Dennis and Caroline (Herrmann) Walz. Both parents came from Baden, Germany, where they were schoolmates and friends from childhood. Dennis Walz came alone to America in 1852, and located in Canton, Ohio. He secured employment in the coal mines there, and after working for two years his heart went out to the bonny girl whom he learned to love in the German home across the sea, to whom his troth was plighted before he left his native land. lle had accumulated a few dollars, and decided to send for his betrothed. She came, and was met by her lover in Canton, where they were married, and where for two years the young couple remained. Their hearts were gladdened by the birth of a little daughter, Julia A., born in the Buckeye State. Two years after Caroline Herr- mann came to America, they emigrated to the Far West with their darling daughter and $60 in cash. They came direct to Des Moines County, and the husband engaged with Dennis Melcher, who gave him work in the woods at fifty cents per day. Mr. Walz worked early and late until he accumulated a small sum, and with that he purchased forty acres of land, upon which his son Peter P. now resides.


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTOR, LENOX AND TH.D N FOUNDATIONS.


John M. Hanson


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He erected a small cabin in the brush, which stands a few rods from where the fine farmhouse is situ- ated, and in this cabin the young wife with her baby was duly installed as mistress. Mr. Walz grubbed and otherwise improved his lands, and prosperity came as the days went by. His first team was a partnership one, he owning one steer, and his neighbor, B. Kleinkopf, the other, and in turn their lands were plowed and cultivated. Mr. Walz later purchased Kleinkopf's ox, and then had a team which was the beginning of his good fortune. Day by day the gains increased, and other acres became his. In the little cabin their first son, Peter P., was born, and the delighted father blessed the day when he first saw the light. While he was yet a baby the good mother had to aid the husband in tilling the land, and placing her baby in a secure place, would lead the ox while he guided the plow. The third birth gave them another daughter, Mary L. The three children came near getting killed at one time, being in the wagon when the oxen ran away, but becoming entangled in the trees, the children were rescued by their frightened parents, who be- lieved they had met a horrible death.


Other acres were added to the first forty, and when Dennis Walz and his wife left the old farm he was owner of 250 acres of land, which are hand- somely improved, and upon which grand buildings stand. There never was a man of greater energy than Dennis Walz, and as he became wealthy by his own labor and that of his good wife, they are entitled to much credit in the history of this county.


Their family is composed of the children men- tioned and Mary, who married Frank X. Ferry, a mer- chant of Rochester, N. Y .: Frances, the wife of John Walz, a business man in Burlington, and John, who is a partner with his father in the grocery busi- ness in Burlington.


Peter P. Walz was married to Miss Celestine M. Widerspoch, Feb. 10, 1885, who takes the place of her kind mother-in-law as mistress of the mansion. Celestine was born in Washington County, Iowa, Nov. 24, 1865, and is the daughter of Charles and Mary (Brum) Widerspoch, both of whom were natives of France. Her father came to America a single man, and his wife came when twelve years of age. They were married in Des Moines County,


lowa, and are the parents of six children, three of whom are now living-Celestine, Louisa and Edna.


We greet the young couple, who have taken the place of the fine family who did so much to im- prove and beautify this county, and ere their heads become silvered with gray, they may be as noted as were their ancestors.


OHN M. HANSON, deceased. was one of the pioneers of Henry County, and one of its most esteemed citizens. He was born in Deerfield, Franklin Co., Mass., July 25, 1807, and died on his farm in Center Township, adjoin- ing Mt. Pleasant, April 3, 1887, lacking but little of having completed fourscore years, a long life, well and worthily spent. He left a sorrowing widow and children, and a large circle of friends to mourn their loss, but comforted with the knowledge that he went to meet the reward earned by an upright Christian life. He was one of a large family, of whom but three are living at the present: Mrs. P. H. Fisher, of Mt. Pleasant, and two younger brothers, now residents of Mentor, Ohio. Like the great majority of New England boys of his day, he had his own way to make in the world, and received but the limited education common in those times. Early in life he was apprenticed to the trade of. cabinet-making at Shelburne, in his native county, working there until his marriage on Jan. 8, 1832, to Miss Lauretta Smith, a native of Massachusetts. Shortly after this event he removed to New York State, but did not stay long there, being, like many others, attracted by the more brilliant opportunities in the West, and removing to Ohio. That place did not suit him, and he went still nearer to the frontier, arriving in Chicago. III., in 1836, whence he started with a team to Joliet. There he traded his team for wild land, and set out for lowa, arriv- ing in Henry County in September of that year, and soon after settling on the farm where all his subsequent life was passed, with the exception of the time he spent in California. He was truly one of that band of noble pioneers who opened the way to the broad prairies of the State. When he located on his farm, there was not a settler between him and


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the Mississippi, whence all his supplies had to be procured. Nothing daunted, with unbounded en- ergy and faith. he began the work of making a home, and how well his confidence was founded is shown by the results he achieved. Besides farming he was for some years engaged in chair-making and turning, and many specimens of his skill are yet to be found in the houses of the earlier settlers. He was industrious and enterprising, and turned his hand to anything he found to do.


August 18, 1839, his wife died, leaving three chil- dren, of whom but one is now living. a son, Will- iam, in business in Mt. Pleasant. On the 10th of February, 1841. Mr. Ilanson was married to Miss Laura A. Wood, by whom he had six children. of whom four are now living: Charles A. and John C., residents of Chillicothe, Mo .; Lauretta A., now Mrs. Bayles, living in Nebraska; and Henry W., a resident of this county. Leaving his family pro- vided for, he started in 1852 for the gold fields of California, with a company of friends and neigh- bors, and accompanied by his eldest son, George. Shortly after he left home his wife died, on Feb. 21, 1852, but the sad news did not reach him until seven months afterward. He staid in California for six years, most of the time engaged in mining. In 1858 he returned to his desolate home in Iowa, and gathered his children around him. In his ab- sence two of them had found a home with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wood, cared for and attended by an older sister. The others had been reared by other relatives and friends. Aug. 26, 1859. death again invaded the family, the eldest son, George, who had remained in California, dying on that day, at Deer Creek.


June 10, 1862. Mr. Hanson was united in mar- riage to Eliza, daughter of Joel and Eunice (Hig- gins) Farr, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter born at Cape Cod, Mass. Mrs. Hanson was born in Chittenden County, Vt., June 9, 1817, and proved herself a worthy and loving helpuneet to her husband, whose memory she tenderly reveres.


Mr. Hanson was a man of marked intelligence, energy, good judgment. and decision of character. and took an active part in all movements tending to the interest of his adopted home. He was the first President of the Henry County Agricultural Society,


and chief promoter of its first fair. He held many town and school offices. and in 1871 was chosen to represent the county in the State Legislature on an independent farmer's ticket, and in every position to which he was called fully justified the confidence reposed in him. In his death the county lost one of its most valued citizens, who had done much for its advancement, and his many friends a counselor on whose judgment they had been accustomed to rely; his wife a noble and kind husband, and his children a wise and faithful parent. Though his days were prolonged to a decade beyond the Psalmist's three- score years and ten. yet to the last he was an act- ive and useful member of society. flis life was a model for all. Blessings and sorrows he accepted as coming from Him who "doeth all things well," and his memory is revered by many who honored his sterling integrity of character, his unswerving honesty, industry, unvarying cheerfulness and ready charity. His death, which was preceded by a severe illness, was not unexpected. but was not the less mourned, and his mortal remains were followed to their last resting-place by a large concourse of friends assembled to honor the memory of a just man, and were laid to rest to await the sounding of that trumpet which shall summon both the quick and the dead.


The portrait of Mr. Hanson, inserted by request of his widow, is a fitting tribute to the worth of one who was in every relation of life an upright man, and a true representative of the best class of Henry County's early settlers.


AVID O. WILSON, residing on section 3, Trenton Township, Henry County, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., March 13, 1837. His parents, William and Ellen (Orbison) Wilson, were also natives of Rockbridge County, Va. They came to this county in 1857, and settled in Trenton Township, where he was employed as a cabinet-maker in Trenton, which trade he followed until his death, which occurred Aug. 8, 1877. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church, and was Justice of the Peace for a number of years in Trenton Township. Hle was a


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Democrat in politics, and took an active interest in all political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the parents of seven children, of whom our subject was the eldest. John C., the second child, died while in the service of his country as a member of tlie Ist Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, at Butler, Mo., Aug. 6, 1862; James, also a soldier in the same regiment, died at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Nov. 30, 1861 ; William now lives in Trenton, and is a painter by trade; C. Givens, a farmer of Marion Township; Charles is a resident of Trenton ; Nannie M., wife of Oliver Cavenee, died March 21, 1878. The mother of these children still resides in Tren- ton, at the age of seventy-two, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church.


David O. Wilson, our subject, was reared upon a farm, and all his life has been spent in tilling the soil. Ile was married, April 3, 1862, to Ann Morrison, a native of the county, and a daughter of Joseph Morrison, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this vol- ume. Seven children have been born to this worthy conple: Ada, born March 29, 1863, died Jan. 20, 1881 ; Clarence, born Jan. 23, 1866, died Oct. 21, 1887 ; he was a student at the Business College in Burlington. May, born May 25, 1872, died Oct. 21, 1878; Ilarry, born Oct. 25, 1875, resides at home; Nellie, born April 30, 1880, died April 21, 1881, and James, born Nov. 14, 1884, completes the family now living ; one son died in infancy.


Mr. Wilson is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Christian Church. His business is that of general farming, and he owns 180 acres of fine land in Trenton Township. Politieally he is a Republican, and was elected Justice of the Peace of the township. Ile is well known and universally respected throughout the county.


W ILLIAM HENRY WHITNEY, architect, carpenter and builder, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was born in Ross County, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1840, and is the son of William and Mary A. (Ressel) Whitney, the former a native of Connecti- ent and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in Ross County, Ohio, to which point their respective families had moved at an early day.


William, who traces his ancestry back to nearly 1400-is of English descent, and early in life learned the trade of a blacksmith, at which trade he worked for many years. In 1845 he moved with his family to Indiana, locating first in Putnam County, where he remained a short time, and then moved to Montgomery, and later to Tippecanoe County, in the same State. While in Indiana he combined farming with blacksmithing. In 1854 he moved to Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa, where he remained a short time, working at his trade, and then moved to a farm in Marion Township, having entered 160 acres of land. Later he sold sixty acres, retaining the remainder till his removal to Nebraska, in February, 1888. To William and Mary A. Whitney were born six children, of whom five are yet living. Mrs. Whitney dying in 1859, in 1861 Mr. Whitney wedded Ann Eliza Miller, by whom he had two children. For many years William Whitney has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


When the family came to Towa, William H. Whitney, of whom we write, was fourteen years of age. He soon afterward engaged to learn the carpenter's trade, which he mastered. and in 1860 married Miss Angelina Miller, daughter of Arthur Miller. Two children were born of their nion : Mary F., born Nov. 15, 1861, and William A., born June 21, 1863. The former is now living in Colorado, and the latter died July 15, 1872. Mrs. Whitney died shortly after the birth of her second child, and Dec. 6, 1867, Mr. Whitney wedded Miss Naney A. Lamb, daughter of Jacob and Sidney (Ferrell) Lamb. She was born March 10, 1848, in Fulton County, Ill. Four children were born of the latter marriage, all sons. Charles II. was born Sept. 25, 1868; John L., Jan. 12, 1870; George W .. July 17, 1871 ; Edwin, March 2, 1873.


Mr. Whitney has been engaged in his occupation of contracting and building for upward of twenty- five years, and in that time has erected many of the best publie and private buildings in Henry County, among which may be mentioned the residences of P. Summers, Walter Gamage, James Harlan, Jacob Ilousman, Le Grand Chandler, Wesley Greenfield, Daugherty and Comick. The Catholic Church, at Mt. Pleasant, destroyed by the eyelone of July,


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1882, was rebuilt by him, and in the summer and fall of 1887 he erected a handsome church building for the Methodist Episcopal Society of New Lon- don. He is a first-class mechanic and a fine dranghtsman.


Politically Mr. Whitney is a Democrat, and socially a member of the K. of L. and the Good Templars. In the latter body Mrs. Whitney is also a member. Both are members of the Christian Church, at Mt. Pleasant, in which they take a lively interest, generally being found in their accustomed place during the hours of worship.


OHIN F. WYSE, residing on section 28. Tren- ton Township. Henry Co .. Jowa, was born in France, Sept. 15, 1828. His parents, Christian and Mary (Eicher) Wyse, were also natives of the same place. John received a good common-school edneation, and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker for a term of three years. having to pay $40 for the privilege of learning the trade. Christian Wyse was called from this earth in 1840. llis widow with her family. leaving her native home, emigrated to America in 1850. For a time she made Fulton County. Ohio, her home. Our subject, being the eldest son, was obliged to aid in the support of the family. lle purchased eighty acres of raw land in that county and from this developed a farm. In that county also he became acquainted with and wedded Mary Grafft, a native of Switzerland, and a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Spangler) Grafft. The young couple resided in Fulton County until 1868. Mr. Wyse, having added to his possessions, then owned 120 acres of land, which he sold at $85 an aere, and removed to Henry County, Iowa. Prior to his coming to this county he operated a saw- mill in Ohio for seven years, at which business he was very successful. He also purchased a mill here which he operated for a short time, but has devoted himself principally to farming and stock-raising.


Mr. and Mrs. Wyse have been the parents of ten children : Mary, wife of Oscar Swan, a resident of New London ; Christian, Barbara; John, who died Sept. 27, 1882, at the age of three years; Anna;


Solomon, who died Sept. 4, 1878; Benjamin died April 22, 1883; David died April 6, 1887, aged six years and seven months : and Josephine and Martha. On coming to this county, Mr. Wyse purchased 480 acres of land, mostly covered with brush and timber, and has now a finely improved farm. He has 250 acres under cultivation and the entire tract is under fence. In August, 1882, a new house was erected at a cost of $1,500. He has good barns and out-buildings, and his farm is well stocked with the best grades of cattle. Mr. Wyse has been very suc- cessful through life, notwithstanding he has been a cripple since boyhood. He came to this country poor, and had his widowed mother to support on a salary of forty-five cents per day. His home was his mother's home until the time of her death, which occurred in 1861. She was a devoted member of the Mennonite Church. Of her six children five are still living. Mr. Wyse keeps well informed on all questions of the day, and is a friend of education or any other interest which is beneficial to the people.


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OHIN F. LEECII, Mayor of the city of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, is a native of the State, born at Bloomfield, Davis County. July 9, 18.18. His father, Hon. Andrew Leech, was born in Washington County. Pa., in 1807. His mother, Agnes (Bell) Leech, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1811. They were married in the latter county in 1833, and emigrated to Van Buren County, lowa, in the summer of 1840. A year later they moved to Davis County and settled in Bloomfield, which at that time contained about a dozen houses. Here Andrew Leech purchased and developed a large tract of land adjoining the town. He took an active part in all public matters tending to the development of his adopted home, and in 1816 was elected a member of the first State Legislature at lowa City, and voted for the first United States Senators elected-Dodge and Jones. In 1855 he was appointed Land Receiver of the land-ottiee at Sioux City, holding the office six years. In 186-4 Mr. Leech emigrated to Madison County, Mont., and while there was elected Treasurer of the county.


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After four years he returned to Bloomfield, lowa, where he lived a retired life until his death, which occurred in 1886. Hle was a selfmade man of more than ordinary ability, and was an especially valu- able citizen in a newly settled region, his enter- prise, sagacity and foresight being of great benefit to the community, which rewarded him by placing him in responsible positions, none of which he ever sought. lle and his wife were life-long members of the Presbyterian Church. The latter, now a woman of advanced age, is still living at Bloomfield, where she is regarded as an estimable Christian lady, and is highly respected.


Andrew Leech and wife were the parents of eight children, namely : Mathew, a farmer in Cow- ley County, Kan .; Robert, a merchant at Omaha, Neb. ; Andrew, an attorney-at-law, Palisade, Neb .; William, County Clerk for several terms of Davis County, Iowa; John F., Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa: Emma and Margaret, living in Bloomfield, and Nannie, wife of Palmer Trimble, of Keokuk, Iowa.


The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native county, and spent four years in Montana with his father, during which time he learned the printing business. In 1868 he returned to his native place and there worked at his trade. 1870 he came to Mt. Pleasant, where he entered the Iowa Wesleyan University, graduating in the class of 1874, and during these four years also doing work in a printing-office. Subsequently, for sev- eral years he was connected with the Mt. Pleasant Journal as one of its editors. Ile afterward studied law and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1877, since which time, in connection with other business, he has been in the continuous practice of his profession. He is now Mayor of the eity of Mt. Pleasant, his present term completing his fifth year in that position, that being good evidence of the appreciation of his neighbors. Ilis training has been especially valuable in teaching him the prac- tical needs of a city, and the results are apparent in the admirable manner in which he discharges the duties of a responsible position. He takes a warm interest in educational matters, and for six years was Clerk of the School Board.


Mr. Leech was married, Sept. 28, 1880, in Mt.


Pleasant, to Miss Belle Requa, a daughter of Joseph Requa, 'one of the early settlers of Henry County. She was born in 1858 in Mt. Pleasant.


Independent in politics, advocating always the adoption of all measures designed for the good of the community, and a man of undoubted probity, Mr. Leech has in a marked degree the respect of all who know him.


W ILLIAM H. FEIISE, tobaceonist and news- dealer, Mt. Pleasant, lowa, was born in that city Dec. 8. 1856. Ilis parents, J. Frederick and Marie (Schultz) Fehse, were born in the Province of Saxony, Germany. His father is the son of James Fehse, and was born Sept. 3, 1822. He learned the wagon and carriage maker's trade in his native country, performed the required military duty dne the Government, and emigrated to Amer- ica in 1848, landing in Baltimore on the 16th of October of that year. Remaining but a short time in that city, he went to Indianapolis, Ind., where he worked at his trade till 1852, when he came to lowa and located at Burlington, where he worked at the plow business four years. In 1856 he came to Mt. Pleasant, where he has since resided, and has since continued to work at his trade, of which he is a master. For several years he was a silent partner of William Schultz in the wagon and carriage mak- ing business. He is now employed in the shop of Mr. A. II. Zuhn. Mr. Fehse is a hard-working, in- dustrious man, a good mechanic, and a very highly respected citizen. Ile was married in Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 9, 1849, to Miss Maria Schulz, a daughter of James Schulz. Mrs. Fehse was born in Saxony, Germany. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant. They have had four children-Fred, William H., Sarah and Frank. Fred, the eldest, is a soldier in the regular army, serving as a musician; Sarah is living at home; Frank is an upholsterer by trade, and lives at Omaha.


William H., the subject of this sketeh, learned the cigar-maker's trade with Dempsey & Ileits- meier, cigar manufacturers, of Burlington, Iowa.


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HENRY COUNTY.


Ile traveled as a journeyman and salesman, and worked at his trade through the Western States until 1877, when he began business for himself at Mt. Pleasant, lowa, since which time he has earried it on continuonsly. In 1884 he added the news business, and has worked up a fine trade in that branch. Mr. Fehse manufactures some of the finest stock in his line in the city, and also carries a full line of tobacco. Ile was married at Mt. Pleas- ant. Dec. 17, 1879, to Miss Hattie E. Kcefer, daughter of Joshua Keefer. Mrs. Felse was born in Sargent, MeKean Co., Pa., Dec. 8, 1862. Five children were born of their marriage, four sons and a daughter. Three died in infancy. Those living are James Howard and Jeanette Marie. Their youngest child, Josh Ralph, died only a short time since, aged seven months. Mr. Felse is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 8, A. F. & A. M., of Henry Chapter No. 8, R. A. M., and of Jerusalem Comandery No. 7, K. T. Politically he is a Democrat.




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