USA > Iowa > Lee County > Story of Lee County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 14
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
JAMES SULLIVAN.
James Sullivan, deccased, belonged to that class of self-made men whose life records should ever serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished through energy, determination and honesty. Born in London, Eng- land, on the 19th of November, 1825, he passed away in Keokuk on the 18th of August, 1897. He was a son of James and Elizabeth (Hull) Sullivan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of London. In 1832 the family crossed the Atlantic to the United States and established their home in Peoria, Illinois. After a time they removed to St. Louis and there the parents died.
James Sullivan was a little lad of scarcely seven summers when the family made the voyage to the new world. He had little school training, but always read broadly and kept abreast of the times. When a comparatively young lad he started out in life on his own account, learning the tinner's trade, which he followed for many years. In 1875 he came to Keokuk and again followed his trade until he was able to save from his earnings a sufficient sum to enable him to embark in business on his own account. At length his indus- try and economy supplied the necessary capital and in 1883 he opened a store and began dealing in stoves. He was joined in part- nership by a Mr. Gibbons and the relation was maintained until 1895, when Mr. Sullivan retired from active business life. He had won substantial success through close application, through the study of every phase of the business and through commercial methods that neither sought nor required disguise, and he retired with a handsome competence, sufficient to supply him with all the necessi- ties of his later life and enable him to leave to his family a sub- stantial bank account.
In 1849 Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Le Faivre, a daughter of Antoine Le Faivre, of St. Louis. They
161
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
became parents of five children, Alice, Elizabeth, James, Oscar and William, all of whom are yet living.
Mr. Sullivan was entitled to wear the Grand Army button, for he formed and was captain of the first company that left St. Louis for the Civil war. Later he joined a Missouri cavalry regiment, with which he served throughout the remainder of hostilities, mak- ing a most creditable military record. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church, and his political belief that of the demo- cratic party. He died August 18, 1897, and his wife survived until October 4, 1913. They had an extended and favorable acquaintance in this county and enjoyed the high regard of all with whom they came in contact. Mr. Sullivan ranked for some years as a leading representative of commercial interests in Keokuk, and his life record proved that success and an honored name may be won simultane- ously.
DAVID KLOPFENSTEIN.
David Klopfenstein, who was long and successfully identified with agricultural interests in Lee county, passed away on the old home farm in Denmark township, August 10, 1905. He was born near Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa, on the 30th of January, 1852, a son of Peter Klopfenstein. The family home was established in Lee county when our subject was still very small and here he spent the remainder of his life. Throughout his entire business career he devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock raising, being very successful in his undertakings and enjoying an enviable reputation as one of the most prosperous and enterprising agricul- turists of the community.
In 1876, in Des Moines county, Iowa, Mr. Klopfenstein was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Melcher, a daughter of Den- nis and Mary Ann ( Faust) Melcher, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in Baden and the latter in the Rhine section. Mrs. Klopfenstein was the third born of their six chil- dren, three of whom have passed away. Dennis Melcher died in 1879, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1893, in her seventieth year. To Mr. and Mrs. Klopfenstein were born four children, as follows: Lenora, who is the wife of John Foggy, of Pleasant Ridge township, Lee county ; Julius, mentioned at greater length on another page of this work, who is an agriculturist residing on section 7, Denmark township;
162
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
George, who died when not yet three years of age; and Kathryn, who teaches music and who has resided at West Point with her widowed mother for the past five years. Mrs. and Miss Klopfen- stein attend the Presbyterian church and are well known and highly esteemed here.
Mr. Klopfenstein was a democrat in politics and held various local offices, ever discharging his public duties in a most commend- able and capable manner. He was reared in the Mennonite faith but did not identify himself with any particular church, maintain- ing an impartial interest in all religious work and worthy causes, to which he contributed generously of his time and means. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons, being a member of the blue lodge at Danville. A man upright and honorable in every relation of life, he won the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact and his demise was therefore the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret.
ISAAC BELL.
Isaac Bell was one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Cedar township and his death, which occurred August 1, 1912, at his home on section 21, was widely regretted. He resided upon his farm for almost fifty years, as he located there April 1, 1863, shortly after his marriage. He was born four miles cast of that place, his birth occurring at the old Bell homestead in Marion town- ship, Lee county, May 17, 1840. His father, John Bell, is men- tioned elsewhere in this work.
Isaac Bell was reared at home and became an experienced agri- culturist under his father's direction. After his marriage, as pre- viously stated, he located on section 21, Cedar township, where he devoted his time to farming and stock raising. He dealt extensively in mules, horses, cattle and hogs and, as he was a man of more than usual business ability, he became one of the most prominent stock raisers of the county. The sale of his stock and his other agricul- tural operations brought him in a good income and, as he was a man of thrift, he became the possessor of comfortable competence. He believed in investing in local enterprises and was a stockholder in the Farmers & Traders Savings Bank of Hillsboro. His family still retain his interest in that institution.
Mr. Bell was married in March, 1863, to Miss Margaret Cyrena Fashinger, who was born near Columbus, Ohio, October 23, 1841,
163
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
a daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Taylor) Fashinger. Her father was a cabinet maker and building contractor who was reared near Allentown, Pennsylvania. He passed away in Ohio in 1843 and his widow subsequently married Hiram Courtright and removed to Lee county, Iowa, locating in Washington township near the pres- ent town of Sawyer in 1855. Previous to coming to Iowa they had resided for five years near Peoria, Illinois. Mr. Courtright was a successful farmer and highly respected. He passed away upon his farm in 1881, and his demise was sincerely mourned by many friends. He and his wife were both members of the Methodist church. To their union were born four children: Mrs. Mary Smith, of Portland, Oregon; Edward, who died in Canada in 1909; Julia, who married William Powell, of Lents, Oregon; and Emma, who died in infancy. Mrs. Bell is the only child born to the mother's first marriage. She was reared in Lee county from the age of four- teen years and her schooling was acquired in the Denmark Acad- emy. By her marriage she became the mother of three children : Charles R., who looks after two adjoining farms of three hundred and twenty acres and one hundred and . sixty acres respectively besides five hundred and forty acres of land situated on sections 8 and 9, Cedar township; Luella E., who is residing at home; and Della A., the wife of Dr. Clyde Van Winkle.
Politically Mr. Bell was a democrat and was stanch in his sup- port of the policies of that party. His widow and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are highly esteemed by all who know them. He was at the time of his death one of the largest landowners in the county and during his many years of farm- ing did much to raise the standard of agriculture in his locality. The material success which came to him was but a part of the reward of his well-spent life, as he possessed also those immaterial riches, the respect and the affectionate regard of his fellowmen.
ISAAC C. WILLIAMS.
Isaac C. Williams is now living retired in Keokuk, having at a recent date disposed of his coal business at No. 916 Orleans avenue. He was born in Hamilton, Hancock county, Illinois, on the 21st of November, 1854, and is the adopted son of Phillip and Mary (Jenkins) Williams, his own parents having died during his very early childhood, leaving also a child who was then a babe in the
164
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
cradle, while there were also one or more children older. Mr. Wil- liams was taken to the home of his foster parents and, though he has since tried to locate his brothers and sisters, he has been unable to do so, not knowing their names. It is believed, however, that some of the family are now residents of the east. His foster parents were both natives of Wales and came to the United States when young, Mr. Williams leaving a sister in Wales. He was married in Ohio in 1854, his bride being at that time but sixteen years of age. As this was a runaway match, she was disinherited by her par- ents. For many years, however, she lived as the happy wife of Phillip Williams, they being separated by death on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1894, when he was called to his final rest. His widow sur- vived until February 27, 1911, and was then laid by his side in the cemetery at Kahoka, Missouri. They were both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Williams was almost a lifelong member of the Odd Fellows Society, which he joined on the 5th of November, 1850. His political allegiance was given to the republican party.
It was in the year 1860 that Isaac C. Williams was taken by his foster parents to Keokuk and about 1861 they removed to Water- loo, Clark county, Missouri, which was then the county seat. There Isaac C. Williams was sent to school, but after pursuing his studies at that place for a year the family removed to Kahoka, Missouri, at which time there were but five houses in the town. They occu- pied a little old log cabin, which was afterward removed to the five- acre tract which Isaac C. Williams obtained from his father's estate. The Simpsons, who conducted a boarding house in Keokuk during war times, were great friends of the family.
Isaac C. Williams was sent to school in Kahoka, pursuing his studies in a small frame building in which a company of militia met and drilled, his father being captain of that company. He put aside his text-books at the age of fourteen years and began work, from which time forward he has depended upon his own resources. The father was a stone mason by trade and was employed in the erec- tion of important buildings, such as the Carthage jail and the peni- tentiary at Fort Madison, Iowa. He was also superintendent of the erection of the old packing houses in Keokuk and when the work was completed the firm made him a present of a fine hat as a token of their appreciation of the value of his service. On start- ing out in the business world Isaac C. Williams assisted his father, but not finding that employment congenial, did not learn the trade. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age and in Sep-
165
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
tember, 1876, began working for himself at Kahoka. In the spring of 1877 he arrived in Keokuk and was employed in railroading until 1880, but in the fall of that year returned to his old home in Kahoka.
There, on the 23d of March, 1881, he married Miss Marie Made- line Kirchner, who was born in Kahoka, Clark county, Missouri, July 2, 1863, and was there educated in the public schools. She is a daughter of George and Margaret (Brisner) Kirchner. Her father learned the weaver's trade in Germany, but throughout the period of his life in the new world followed farming. About 1860 he settled in Clark county, Missouri, and there passed away about 1875. His widow, who was born in Berlin, Germany, and came to the United States when seventeen years of age, still occupies the old home at Kahoka and is now about seventy-five years of age. In their family were the following children: Barbara, now Mrs. Mar- cus Wilson, of Clark county, Missouri; Mrs. Williams; Fred, who married Josie Henslow and makes his home in Clark county, Mis- souri ; Ferdinand, a blacksmith at Antioch, Missouri, who married Miss Gertie Falkenburg; Elizabeth, the wife of James McAfee of Clark county, Missouri; William, who wedded Florence Bougner and resides in Clark county, Missouri; and Annie and George, who passed away in infancy.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Williams removed to Keokuk and for several years he did general work. He after- ward spent five years upon the road as a traveling salesman, repre- senting a company handling windmills. He next engaged in the plumbing business, in which he continued for twenty years, and he executed some important contracts in that particular, such as the steam-heating plant of St. Joseph's Hospital. He became very pro- ficient in that line and his services were sought in various parts of the country. He next managed the business of the National Refin- ing Company, dealers in oil, and subsequently established a coal- yard in Keokuk, which he conducted with success for two years and then sold out in June, 1913. He is now living retired, enjoying a well earned and well merited rest.
By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Williams have become parents of two children, George Fred, and Margaret Clara. The former, born in Keokuk, was educated in the public schools and has become an expert machinist. He married Ethel Hamilton, of Keokuk, and has a son, Fred Carl. The daughter, born in Keokuk in 1885, attended the public schools and is now the wife of Edward J. Peter- son, by whom she has one child, Mildred Marie. Throughout his
166
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
entire life Isaac C. Williams has been a resident of the middle west and has displayed much of the spirit of enterprise and progress which has dominated this section of the country and led to its present devel- opment and upbuilding. The prosperity which has attended him has been the just reward of his labors and now makes it possible for him to rest from further business cares and yet enjoy all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
JOHN NAGEL.
John Nagel, who died December 31, 1872, and who enjoyed enviable recognition as one of the well-known and respected busi- ness men of Keokuk, was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, where he was reared and educated. When a young man, in 1852, he left the land of his nativity and, taking passage on board a sailing vessel, landed safely in New Orleans. On board this boat were two pas- sengers who, although each had previously been a stranger to the other, were destined to have an important interest in the career of John Nagel in the new world. From New Orleans he came to Keokuk, later taking up his abode on a farm near Charleston, in Lee county, Iowa, where he was engaged in the work of the fields and also devoted considerable attention to teaming.
It was during this time that Mr. Nagel wedded Miss Mary May- bauer, who crossed the ocean to America on the same vessel in which he sailed and who was one of the two passengers mentioned above. In 1860, in association with Conrad Pechstein, the other voyageur to whom we have referred, he embarked in the brewery business in Keokuk, continuing therein until his demise, which occurred at a comparatively early age. The period of his residence in Lee county covered two decades and he was widely recognized as one of its substantial business men and esteemed citizens. The demise of his widow occurred on the 15th of March, 1906. They were devoted members of the German Evangelical church and became the parents of seven children, two of whom still survive, as follows : Elizabeth, who is the widow of Louis Loeffler; and John, named for his father.
The latter was born in Lee county, Iowa, on the 26th of June, 1856, and practically his entire adult life has been passed in Keo- kuk. From an early age, owing to the untimely death of his father, he has been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood, and
167
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
as soon as his years permitted became identified with the brewing industry founded by his father and Mr. Pechstein, in the conduct of which he has remained an active factor to the present time. He now serves as president and treasurer of the Pechstein & Nagel Company and his able efforts have contributed in large degree to the continued growth and success of the firm.
Mr. Nagel gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served for a number of years as a member of the Keokuk city council and of the board of supervisors of Lee county, proving an efficient and trustworthy public official. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His entire life has been spent in this county and he has gained an extensive and favorable acquaintance in both business and social circles.
WILLIAM BLOM.
William Blom, who for many years prior to his death was regarded as one of Keokuk's most successful and enterprising busi- ness men, came of Holland ancestry and his entire life was exemplary of the thrift characteristic of the race. He was born on the 15th of November, 1834, a son of Peter Blom. He came to the United States in 1857 and, making his way into the interior of the country, established his home at Keokuk, being then a young man of twenty- three years.
In his native land he had been a sailor and after arriving in Iowa, Mr. Blom worked diligently in an endeavor to earn an honest living and gain a start. For a time he was in the employ of the Kellogg-Berge Company, and later, in connection with a Mr. Heule, founded a soap factory which they conducted for a time. At length, however, he sold out and turned his attention to the retail grocery business. A desirable measure of prosperity attended him in that connection and made it possible for him to still further broaden the scope of his activities and business interests. He then embarked in the wholesale commission business, handling meats and other com- modities, and again he was successful in winning a liberal patronage. He afterward became interested in establishing a wholesale gro- cery business and founded the Blom-Collier Company. He was also at one time interested in the Keokuk Pickle Company. What- ever he undertook seemed to prosper. In business affairs he readily.
168
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
discriminated between the essential and the non-essential and mak- ing use of his opportunities, he worked his way steadily and per- sistently upward. He seemed to know just how to produce maxi- mum results with a minimum expenditure of time, effort and material-and this is the secret of all success. His business inter- ests, too, were of a character that promoted the material prosperity and business activity of Keokuk while adding to his individual wealth.
In 1862 Mr. Blom was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Teloff, of Swedish nativity and descent. They had no children of their own but out of the kindness of their hearts they adopted a daughter. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blom continued residents of Keokuk until called to their final rest, the former pasing away February 25, 1904, and the latter May 31, 1913. Mr. Blom was a republican, giving stal- wart support to the party at the polls, yet he never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. Mr. Blom was unusually inter- ested in the Methodist church and was active in charitable work of all kinds. He and his wife gave freely of their means to assist worthy benevolent objects and frequently extended a helping hand to those less fortunate upon life's journey. Mr. Blom twice visited his native country after coming to the United States. He was a man of many sterling characteristics; in business he displayed thrift, energy and honesty; in friendship, trust and loyalty; and in citizenship, pro- gressiveness and patriotism. Thus it was that he won for himself high rank among the representative and valued residents of Keokuk.
CONRAD PECHSTEIN.
Conrad Pechstein was one of those sturdy, reliable citizens of German birth who did so much toward the upbuilding of the cen- tral west. His birth occurred in Bavaria, October 17, 1828. After doing military service in the cavalry he decided to come to America and accordingly sailed for this country in 1852. On board the same vessel were two people whom he had never previously met but whom he was destined to know intimately. One of them, John Nagel, was for years his business partner in Keokuk and Mary Maybauer sub- sequently became the wife of his partner.
Mr. Pechstein made his home in New Orleans for a year after his arrival in the new world and then came to Keokuk, arriving in
169
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
this city in 1853. He worked for a time as a day laborer, as it was necessary for him to earn his living and he could find no better open- ing. He was employed for a time in the Lautenschlaeger brewery on the corner Ninth and Fulton streets, and when the proprietor died Mr. Pechstein conducted it for the widow until about 1860. In that vear, in connection with John Nagel, he embarked in the brewery business on his own account, to which occupation he devoted the remainder of his life. The business founded by Mr. Pechstein and Mr. Nagel is now conducted by their sons, John Nagel being presi- dent and treasurer, Henry Pechstein, secretary, and George C. Pech- stein, vice president and brewmaster. The founders were honest and industrious and understood the business in all of its details. Prosperity came to them with the passing years and they had every reason to be glad of the fact that they had sought their fortune in the United States.
Conrad Pechstein married Katharine Kirchner, who came from Bavaria with her father, Adam Kirchner, in 1847, when a girl of eleven years. Mr. Pechstein passed away on the 24th of April, 1873, but his widow surives at an advanced age. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living, Henry, Elizabeth, John W. and George C.
The parents were members of the German Evangelical church and manifested a laudable interest in its work. Mr. Pechstein was the founder of one of Keokuk's business enterprises and was known as a man of incorruptible honesty. He left behind him a name re- spected for the integrity for which it stood.
HENRY PECHSTEIN.
Henry Pechstein was born January 16, 1859, in Keokuk, a son of Conrad Pechstein. He has always made this city his home and succeeded his father in the brewery, with whose management he is connected at the present time as secretary, his brother, George C. Pechstein, being vice president and brewmaster. The business was incorporated in 1905, being capitalized for fifty thousand dollars. It is well managed and returns satisfactory dividends, but the quality of the product is not sacrificed to financial gain.
On the 25th of May, 1881, Mr. Pechstein married Miss Eliza- beth F. Burger, a daughter of August Burger and Mrs. Johanna (Hopp) Schowalter. The Schowalters were among the earliest
170
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
settlers in Lee county, arriving here in the carly '3os. Mr. and Mrs. Pechstein became the parents of six children, as follows: Albert Magnus, who passed away in infancy; Paul T .; John H .; Alberta; George C .; and Conrad August.
Mr. Pechstein has been a lifelong democrat, casting his first presidential vote for General Hancock, but has never cared for office. Since 1881 he has been identified with the Independent. Order of Odd Fellows and is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Eagles and the Moose. Religiously he holds membership in the German Lutheran Evangelical church.
GEORGE F. JENKINS, M. D.
In the field of medical education and practice the name of Dr. George F. Jenkins was widely and favorably known. He was honored with the vice presidency of the American Medical Association, which indicates his high standing among his professional brethren. His honors were well earned, for he was ever a close and logical student and one who in the performance of his duties displayed the utmost conscientiousness and fidelity to high standards. He was born in Clark county, Missouri, July 15, 1842, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Rambo) Jenkins. The family is of Welsh lineage, the ancestry being traced back to David Jenkins, who became a resident of Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, in 1700. Robert Jenkins, the father of Dr. Jenkins, came to Missouri in 1837, settling in Clark county. His wife's people came to the United States with a Swedish colony in 1665 and Ezekiel Rambo, the great-grandfather, participated in the American Revolution.
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.