USA > Iowa > Lee County > Story of Lee County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 22
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Coming to this county in 1855, John Junge was actively identified with agricultural pursuits here until about twenty years ago, when
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he laid aside all business cares and has since lived retired. He owns two residences which he erected in Fort Madison, and at the present time occupies one of these.
In 1867 Mr. Junge was united in marriage to Miss Marie Hoff- mann, who died five years later, leaving one child, Clara, now the wife of Albert Kammerer, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Mr. Junge was again married in 1873, his second wife being Ida Lange, who passed away in April, 1904. By that union there were two children, namely : Amelia, who married A. M. Lowrey and resides with our subject; and Julius A., a resident of Opelousas, Louisiana.
When age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Junge affiliated with the republican party but now gives his support to the democratic organization. While living in the country he held school offices and has served as alderman of Fort Madison for two terms. His course in life has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence of those with whom he has had business or social relations and, being industrious, enterprising and reliable in all things, he well merits the success that has come to him.
HENRY HARNAGEL.
Henry Harnagel, one of the most prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of West Point township, Lee county, resides on section 30, where he has remained continuously from his birth to the present time. He now cultivates one hundred and ten acres of land on section 30 and twenty acres on section 20. His birth occurred on the 3rd of September, 1862, his parents being Frederick and Mary (Halbasch) Harnagel. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1838, a son of Christoph Harnagel, who was also a native of Hanover and emigrated to the United States in 1858, settling in Lee county, lowa, on section 29, West Point township, where his demise occurred two years later. Frederick Harnagel crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1857, landing at New Orleans, whence he made his way to Lee county, lowa, settling in Franklin township. During the next six years he devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land and then purchased a tract of thirty acres. As the years passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he augmented his landed holdings by addi- tional purchase from time to time until he owned three hundred and
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twelve acres on sections 29 and 30, West Point township. In 1860 he wedded Miss Mary Halbasch, who was born in Prussia in 1840 and was a daughter of Martin Halbasch, who emigrated to America about 1855. She passed away in 1892 and in the following year Frederick Harnagel was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Henrietta Rolke, with whom he now resides in Franklin town- ship, this county. The period of his residence in Lee county covers fifty-eight years and he enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaint- ance within its borders, being widely recognized as a prosperous and representative agriculturist and esteemed citizen.
Henry Harnagel, the eldest in a family of five children, acquired his education in the Maple Grove school. After putting aside his text-books he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and throughout his entire business career has devoted his time and energies to the work of the fields. He cultivates one hundred and ten acres of land on section 30 and twenty acres on section 20, West Point township, and has brought his fields under a high state of produc- tivity, annually gathering rich harvests which find a ready sale on the market.
On the 3d of April, 1889, Mr. Harnagel was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Kast, whose birth occurred in Keokuk, Iowa, on the 26th of May, 1865, her parents being Fred and Mary ( Harnagel) Kast. She received her education at Franklin, Iowa, where the family home was established in 1873. By her marriage she has become the mother of the following children : Adelaide, born April 28, 1890, who is the wife of Herbert E. Winslow and resides in American Falls, Idaho; Herbert F., whose birth occurred October 3, 1892, and who is still at home; Elsie Anna, born January 10, 1894, who gave her hand in marriage to George Duker and lives at West Point, Iowa; Clara Fredonia, born December 24, 1895, who attends school at Fort Madison, Iowa; Verna S., whose natal day was February 18, 1900; Lester E., born January 30, 1902; and Ida H., whose birth occurred on the 17th of October, 1904. The three last named are still under the parental roof.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Harnagel has supported the men and measures of the democratic party. He has taken a very active part in township affairs, his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability and calling him to public office. He served first as school director and also acted as secretary of the school board, while for four years he held the office of justice of the peace and for three years served as a trustee. During the past sixteen years he has held the office of assessor and in that connection
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has made a most creditable and commendable record. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Evangelical church of Franklin, to which his wife also belongs and in the work of which she takes a prominent and helpful part. Mr. and Mrs. Harnagel have spent their entire lives in Lee county and are well known and highly esteemed within its borders.
SYLVESTER HUGH SATTERLY.
Sylvester Hugh Satterly is a well-to-do farmer and stockman, owning and operating two hundred acres on section 20, Harrison township. He is a native son of the township, his birth occurring upon the homestead located a few miles south of his present farm. He was born September 9. 1856, a son of Sylvester O. and Eleanor (Norris) Satterly. The father was born in Washington county, New York, August 31, 1812, and the mother in Coshocton county, Ohio, October 2, 1819. The maternal grandparents were Joseph and Martha (Wright) Norris, who came to Harrison township, Lee county, in the fall of 1839. The former passed away October 16, 1871, having survived his wife from March 30, 1870.
Sylvester O. Satterly came to Lee county in 1838 and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 31, Harrison township, later adding forty acres. He followed the trade of wagon-making until his health failed and also devoted considerable time to the operation of his farm, which was situated two miles east of Farm- ington. His marriage occurred June 25, 1844, and he and his wife became the parents of five children as follows: Alva H., who was born July 17, 1845, and is a retired farmer of Harrison township; Cornelia I., who was born November 27, 1847, and became the wife of Alexander Johnson of Kansas and passed away in that state in October, 1882; Henrietta, who was born in March, 1850, and died when but three years of age; Florence A., who was born May 16, 1854, and is the wife of T. J. Jack, a farmer of Harrison township; and Sylvester Hugh, the subject of this review. The father passed away February 27, 1872, and the mother died April 9, 1896. He was a Baptist in religious faith, while his wife was a Presbyterian.
Sylvester Hugh Satterly was reared in Harrison township and was afforded the advantage of a good education, attending the high school at Farmington. He removed to his present place in 1871 and has resided there continuously since that date. His farm is one
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of the valuable properties of the neighborhood and he has installed thereon all the usual modern improvements, thus facilitating the work of cultivating the fields. He has made agriculture a lifelong study and his scientific methods insure him abundant crops.
Mr. Satterly was married in Harrison township on the 25th of March, 1885, to Miss Louisa Carver, who was born at the old Carver home in that township, a daughter of John and Hannah (Sax) Carver. Her father is deceased, but her mother still resides at the old homestead. Mrs. Satterly was reared in that township and attended Denmark Academy in pursuit of an education. She subse- quently taught school for some time in this county and was very successful in that profession. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, as follows: William B., who died February 13, 1906, when nearly twenty years of age; Sylvester O., who married Nellie Pool, by whom he has one son, Willard Burton, aged six months, and who resides upon the home farm; and Glenn, Grace, Elsie and Hugh, Jr., all at home. The mother and daughters are members of the Presbyterian church and are active in the work of that organization.
Mr. Satterly is a republican in his political allegiance, as he believes that the policies of that party are calculated to promote the prosperity of the country. He is one of the successful farmers of Lee county and in cultivating his fields he contributes to the develop- ment of this county, which is one of the rich agricultural districts of the state. His upright life has commanded the respect of all who know him and his attractive personal qualities have won him many friends, who hold him in affectionate regard.
REV. PETER J. KERN.
Rev. Peter J. Kern, who has been in charge of St. Mary's church in Fort Madison since 1887, has had marked influence among his people in the direction of their spiritual interests and ofttimes has been of great assistance to them through the advice which he has rendered in material things.
He was born in Germany, March 28, 1853, and in May, 1869, when a youth of sixteen years, was brought to the United States by his father. He continued his collegiate work in St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and afterward studied for a year in St. Joseph's College at Dubuque, Iowa. He determined to enter the
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priesthood and was thus qualified by liberal educational training for holy orders. He was ordained on the 25th of February, 1876, and his first pastorate was at Harper, Iowa, where he remained for about eleven years, there building a church and school.
In 1887 Father Kern came to Fort Madison and has since been in charge of St. Mary's. There were about four hundred families here in the beginning, but in 1893 the church was separated, the new church of the Sacred Heart being organized. St. Mary's now has three hundred and ten families. Under his guidance St. Mary's church has made splendid progress and he has the confidence and love of his people and the respect of those of other denominations. He has made many improvements in the church property. In 1890 the spire of the tower, which had been blown down in 1876, was rebuilt and in 1892 new stained art glass windows were installed. In 1899 the magnificent new school was erected at a cost of about twenty-three thousand dollars, though at the present it could not be duplicated for twice that amount. It is three stories in height and ninety-four by one hundred and twelve feet in dimensions, equipped with all modern improvements. In 1909 the parochial residence was remodeled and is today one of the handsome homes of the city. The Sisters' Home was built in 1911 and the church has undergone many improvements in 1914.
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ASA TURNER HOUSTON.
Asa Turner Houston, a representative agriculturist and worthy native son of Lee county, resides on section 20, Denmark township, and devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising with excellent success. He was born on the old family homestead on section 34, Denmark township, August 18, 1868, a son of John Houston, Jr., and Maria (Sturges) Houston. A sketch of the father, who passed away December 23, 1898, is given on another page of this work.
Asa T. Houston acquired his education in the academy at Den- mark and after putting aside his text-books turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, which have claimed his time and ener- gies throughout his entire business career. The old homestead on which his birth occurred is now in his possession. He resides, how- ever, on section 20, Denmark township, and there carries on general
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farming and stock-raising, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.
In 1899 Mr, Houston was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Leverett, by whom he has two children, Clyde Leverett and Florence Sturges. In his political views he is a republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Congregational church, of which he serves as treasurer and to which his wife also belongs. He is likewise a trustee of Denmark Academy. Mr. Houston has always lived within the borders of Lee county and that his career has ever been upright and honorable is indicated in the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends and admirers.
N. J. BEVER.
N. J. Bever, manager for the Swift interests at Fort Madison, in which connection he is handling a produce business of over two hundred thousand dollars a year, was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, July 14, 1870, a son of Henry J. and Belinda J. Bever. In 1878 the family removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where the father engaged in the nursery business, but he is now a resident of Quincy, Illinois. The mother, however, has passed away.
N. J. Bever acquired a high-school education and after putting aside his text-books became associated with his father in the nursery business. In 1904 he came to Iowa, settling at Keokuk as an employe of the S. P. Pond Company, dealers in produce, and in 1909 he was transferred by that company to Fort Madison as manager of the busi- ness at that point and so continued in that position after the business was sold to Swift & Company, who purchased the Fort Madison establishment in 1911. The company does not handle meats but deals in poultry, butter and eggs, the business annually amounting to over two hundred thousand dollars. At the Fort Madison branch poultry is killed and dressed, and eggs are packed for storage. Mr. Bever buys mostly in Iowa. The company uses its own cars and the business is now one of the important and extensive commercial enter- prises of this section of the state, furnishing a splendid market to producers.
In 1890 Mr. Bever was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Logan, of Mercer county, Illinois, and to them have been born two
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children, Carl and Willard. Mr. Bever holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and in his religious belief is a Methodist. His political opinion coincides with the principles of the republican party and at the present writing he is serving as alder- man at large. His record as a business man and citizen is most creditable. He has ever been loyal to the best interests of the com- munity, while in commercial circles he is a most reliable, enterprising man, who carefully formulates his plans and carries them forward to successful completion. That he was retained in the service of Swift & Company indicates the endorsement that must have been given him by their predecessors and that he has continued as manager is an expression of the entire satisfaction of the corporation which he now represents.
FRANK W. DAVIS.
A modern bank serves the community in which it is located in many ways unknown to the banks of a half century ago. The Keokuk Savings Bank is one of the most progressive institutions of the city and its prosperity is due in part to the efficiency and loyalty of its cashier, Frank W. Davis, the subject of this sketch. He is a native of the city, having been born May 20, 1860, a son of C. F. Davis. The father was one of the founders of the bank of which the son is now cashier and was its first president. He was one of the leading men of Keokuk of his generation and always manifested a lively interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his town and county.
Frank W. Davis was educated in the public schools of Keokuk, attending until he was eighteen years of age, and then entered the business world as a collector for the Keokuk Savings Bank. He inherits his father's talent for financial matters and his aggressiveness and ability won him promotion to the position of teller, then to that of assistant cashier and finally to that of cashier. He has also served as vice president of the institution. He is a constant student of bank- ing in all its phases and sees to it that the business of the Keokuk Savings Bank is conducted in an efficient and systematic manner. He is largely responsible for the present standing of the bank as one of the reliable and prosperous moneyed institutions of the city.
Mr. Davis is quite prominent in local club circles, belonging to the Elks, being one of the original charter members of the Keokuk
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lodge. He is also a member of the Keokuk Country Club and an enthusiastic golfer. He realizes, as do so many of our representative business men, that out-of-door recreation is necessary if a man is to do his best work and he finds in golf not only much enjoyment, but the means of increasing his own efficiency. He is a member of the Episcopal church, in whose work he takes a laudable interest.
THOMAS R. ROBERTSON.
Thomas R. Robertson, a farmer of Harrison township, is engaged in the cultivation of a finely improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres, to which he holds title. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, October 10, 1848, a son of William J. and Catherine (Runyon) Robertson, who were married January 1, 1833. The father was born October 28, 1812, in Jefferson county, Ohio, and was reared in the Buckeye state, but in April, 1851, removed west- ward, locating in Lee county, Iowa. He spent a year in Keokuk and then bought eight hundred acres of land in Harrison township, which he farmed until 1860. As his children reached maturity he gave each one hundred and sixty acres, retaining a similar tract for himself. He passed away upon his farm January 9, 1901. His wife, who was also born in Jefferson county, Ohio, October 29, 1813, is also deceased.
Thomas R. Robertson was brought to this county by his parents when a child of three years and here grew to manhood. He assisted his father with the work of the homestead and thus familiarized him- self with effective methods of agriculture. He has devoted his life to that occupation and his finely improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres is a testimony to his ability and energy. Every- thing about the place is kept in excellent condition and his crops are invariably good, while his live stock is of a high grade.
Mr. Robertson was married January 1, 1872, to Miss Mary L. McGoun, who was born October 21, 1849, in Jefferson county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas S. and Margaret (Sutherland) McGoun. Her father was born September 14, 1822, and in 1854 came to Lee county, where he purchased land. His demise occurred August 10, 1906, his widow surviving until 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have the following children: Maggie Katherine, born March 27, 1873, now the wife of John W. Bargar; William Willis, who was
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born July 24, 1876, married Miss Emma Cook and is farming near Primrose ; and Thomas McGoun, born March 21, 1879, at home.
Mr. Robertson is a democrat in his political belief and has served as trustee of his township for three years. He has ably carried on the work of development begun by his father and is one of the valued residents of the county.
FELIX T. HUGHES.
Felix T. Hughes, a prominent citizen and successful attorney of Keokuk, has continuously practiced his profession in this city for more than a third of a century. His birth occurred at Milstadt, Illinois, in the early '4os, his parents being Joshua William and Martha Staton (Askins) Hughes, whose family numbered five chil- dren, four of whom still survive. This particular branch of the Hughes family is descended from Jesse Hughes, of Welsh nativity. who settled in Powhatan county, Virginia, in 1600, and Orlando Hughes on the maternal side who came from Wales in about 1730. Joshua William Hughes, the father of our subject, served as a cap- tain in the Black Hawk war and was stationed for a time at Warsaw, Illinois, in 1832.
Felix T. Hughes was reared at Milstadt, Illinois, and attended the public schools in early youth, subsequently pursuing an aca- demical course at Troy and Keosauqua, Iowa. He next took up the study of law at Memphis, Missouri, with Judge David Wagner, who afterward attained the supreme bench of that state. In 1869 he was admitted to the bar at Memphis and there practiced his pro- fession for a time, while later he maintained an office at Lancaster, Missouri. In 1880 he came to Keokuk, Iowa, where he has been actively engaged in the practice of law to the present time, enjoying an extensive and profitable clientage. In 1879, while at Lancaster, he became solicitor general of the Missouri, Iowa & Nebraska Rail- road, now the Keokuk & Western division of the Burlington system. In 1885, at the time of the changing of the name of the road to the Keokuk & Western Railroad, Mr. Hughes was elected its presi- dent and general counsel. This condition remained unchanged until 1901, when the property was sold to the Burlington system. Mr. Hughes has since legally represented the Burlington and most of the roads coming to Keokuk and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a leading member of his profession in Lee county.
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In 1868 Mr. Hughes was united in marriage to Miss Jean A. Summerlin, of Memphis, Missouri, and they had children, four of whom are living, as follows: Howard R., a resident of Texas, who has invented, among other things, a deep-well-digging apparatus that is of note because of the facility with which it penetrates rock; Greta, the wife of Herbert Witherspoon, of New York City ; Rupert, of New York City, who is an author of unusual promise and note; and Felix, living in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Hughes is a stalwart republican in politics and in 1894 and again in 1896 was elected mayor of Keokuk, giving the city a progres- sive, beneficial and businesslike administration. He was also judge of the superior court of the city. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Being of a social disposition he has the faculty of making friends, and the respect in which he is held wherever his name is known is a fitting tribute to his personal worth.
JAMES ANTHONY.
For four decades James Anthony has been a resident of Fort Madison and his position in industrial circles of the city is a promi- nent one inasmuch as he is master mechanic for the Iowa Farming Tool Company. He was born in Madison county, New York, on the 29th of July, 1839, and is a son of Joseph and Ann ( Bowen) Anthony, the former a farmer by occupation. In his childhood days James Anthony was left an orphan and from early youth has made his own way in the world, advancing steadily step by step as the result of his diligence and determination.
On coming to Iowa in 1874 he entered the employ of the Iowa Farming Tool Company in the capacity of master mechanic. He had learned the trade in New York and had there worked his way steadily upward, until he became master mechanic for the firm of Merrill, Wilder & Company of Auburn, New York. His previous experience thus well qualified him for the duties in which he engaged on reaching the city. In October, 1874, he entered upon his present connection and that his service has been entirely satisfactory and that his worth is widely acknowledged is indicated in the fact that he remains today in active association with the house whose employ he entered forty years ago.
In 1877 James Anthony was united in marriage to Miss Marietta R. Finch and to them was born a daughter, Mary T., who became Vol. II-15
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the wife of Arthur Hesbacher, of Keokuk, and died at the age of twenty-eight years.
Mr. Anthony gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally, he is a Mason, belonging to both the blue lodge and chapter, and he served as master of his lodge when in New York. Those who know him, and his acquaintance is wide, have for him a warm regard and those with whom he has been asso- ciated in a business way repose the utmost confidence in him. As a citizen, too, he occupies a place among those who are ever loyal to the best interests of the community.
GEORGE ROBERS.
In all Fort Madison there was no one who could more justly claim the friendship of all his fellow citizens than George Robers. Coming to Iowa when this city was a comparatively small and unimportant river town, he established a harness shop and with the growth and development of the section he advanced not only in business affairs with continually increasing success but also advanced equally in the regard and confidence of those who knew him. A native of Holland, Mr. Robers was born in Enschede on the 25th of August, 1833, and in 1837 was brought by his parents to the United States, the family home being established in St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained until 1840. They then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father engaged in the harness-making business. His son George learned the trade and was the representative of the family in the fourth genera- tion to continue in that line of business. His grandfather was regi- mental saddler under Napoleon Bonaparte.
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