USA > Iowa > Lee County > Story of Lee County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 26
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Mr. Walljasper gives his political allegiance to the democracy, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Mary's Catholic church of West Point. He has always resided in West Point and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous represent- ative and respected young men of the community.
A. R. HEYING.
The business spirit of the present age finds exemplification in A. R. Heying, who is now proprietor of a well-appointed furniture store of Fort Madison, an establishment with which the family name has been connected since the business was organized. He was born in Rhineland, Missouri, November 21, 1883, a son of Henry and Clara (Scholeten) Heying, who came to Lee county in the year the Santa Fe Railroad was built through. The father embarked in the furniture business on Front street, and subsequently removed his store to the corner of Second and Chestnut streets. In 1903 he erected a building at No. 919 Second street. This was a three-story brick structure and he used all three floors for his stock. In July, 1909, he retired, A. R. Heying succeeding to the business, of which he has since been proprietor. Through an extended period, however, the father was closely associated with commercial interests in Fort Madison and his business enterprise was a factor in the advance- ment of commercial activity and success.
After attending the public schools of Fort Madison, A. R. Heying continued his education in Johnson's Business College and then went to Chicago, where he also spent a year as a student in a business college. He then joined his father in the conduct of the furniture business and has since been identified therewith, succeeding to the ownership and control upon his father's retirement. He carries house furnishings of all description and has a large and well selected stock, Vol. II .- 17
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which prepares him to meet every demand of the public. His store is attractive in its arrangement and appearance and the convenience and wishes of the patrons are studied in his dealings with the public. His prices are reasonable, his methods honorable and his success is, therefore, assured.
On the 27th of June, 1910, Mr. Heying was united in marriage to Miss May Loveless, of Fort Madison, and theirs is a pleasant and hospitable home, in which their many friends delight to gather. Mr. Heying is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. He holds membership in the Com- mercial Club and in the Fort Madison First Club, and is interested in all movements for the benefit, upbuilding and progress of the city. In politics he is independent, nor has he ever sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, well conducted. are now bringing him substantial success.
STEPHEN H. JOHNSTON.
Stephen H. Johnston, who for years has filled the office of city assessor, his loyalty to the trust reposed in him being evidenced by the faithful and prompt performance of his duties, was born in Tompkins county, New York, April 12, 1840, his parents being Wil- liam and Amy E. (Parker) Johnston. He was the fifth in order of birth in a family of ten children and in his early youth he attended the public schools near his father's home. Ambitious to enjoy better educational opportunities, he earned money that enabled him to at- tend Ithaca Academy and the New York Methodist Episcopal Con- ference Seminary at Charlotteville, Schoharie county, New York. From early youth his life was one of unremitting and earnest toil. He worked as a farm hand and when eighteen years of age began teaching school, boarding around among the pupils and receiving a salary of eighteen dollars per month. He has always kept in touch with the questions of the day, and by reading, observation and expe- rience has become a well-informed man.
In the spring of 1860 Mr. Johnston left New York and came to the middle west, settling first at De Kalb, Illinois. He was there residing at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, when he en- listed for service in Company G of the Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry. He taught in the winter of 1860 and it was not until the fall of the following year that he offered his services to the government in
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defense of the Union cause. In March, 1862, he went to Tennes- see with his command and in the battle of Shiloh was taken prisoner. He was then sent to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where after some time he was exchanged. He suffered all of the indignities and hardships of prison life. There were absolutely no comforts for the soldiers and the fare was very poor. Mr. Johnston now has in his possession a charm which he made while in prison from a mule bone from which he had eaten the meat. In 1863 he became hospital steward in St. Louis and, after learning the duties of the position, he was transferred to Keokuk, where he did splendid service on behalf of the sick and wounded. There he was at length discharged by order of the war department on the 25th of August, 1865. He made his home in Keokuk and took up the study of law, but never engaged in active practice. During much of his life he has carried on busi- ness as a collector and in 1870 he was elected to the office of city collector. Six years ago he was chosen city assessor and still fills the position in a most creditable manner.
On the 24th of August, 1869, Mr. Johnston was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Mary A. Wylde, of Richmond, Indiana, and unto them were born three children : Frank M., a railroad man living in Boone, Iowa; Mrs. Amy E. Pulliam, deceased ; and Stephen Mow- ray. a minister of the Methodist Protestant church at Selma, Iowa.
Mr. Johnston belongs to Torrence Post, G. A. R., in which for twenty-two years he has served as adjutant. In 1864 he joined the Masonic lodge and has ever been loyal to the teachings of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He attends the services of the Baptist church, of which his wife is a member. They are well known in Keokuk, where they have resided throughout the entire period of their married lives. The hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them and they have a large circle of warm friends.
REV. PETER HOFFMAN.
A well-known representative of the Catholic priesthood in eastern Iowa is the Rev. Peter Hoffman, who was born in Dubuque county, on the 11th of January, 1862, and is now devoting his life to the work of the church as the pastor of Sacred Heart. His parents were Nicholas and Anna Hoffman, natives of the grand duchy of Luxem- burg, who left that country in 1854 and, crossing the Atlantic, made
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their way to Iowa. The father followed farming as a life work and thus provided for his family, but both he and his wife are now deceased.
Rev. Peter Hoffman pursued his early education in the parochial schools of St. Donatus, Iowa, afterward attending St. Joseph College at Dubuque and the St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee. He pur- sued his theological course in St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore and was ordained to the priesthood on the 26th of May, 1888, since which time his life has been given to his chosen work. For four years he had charge of a church at West Burlington, Iowa, and in 1893 came to Fort Madison, where he has since remained. The cause of Catholicism has grown under his guidance and substantial evidence of his work is seen in the improvement upon the church property and in other ways. Sacred Heart church, of which he is the pastor, was established July 7, 1893, and services were originally held in the schoolhouse. In 1900 the present church edifice was erected at a cost of fifty thousand dollars.
In 1912 the Sacred Heart Hospital was built and furnished, through his efforts, at a cost of fifty thousand dollars, being financed by the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Peoria. It contains thirty-six rooms and is most modern in all the equipments. The school was started in August, 1893, and has since been continually conducted, the dedication taking place on the 8th of December, 1893. The parish was started with one hundred families and now there are one hundred and fifty-five. There are two hundred and twenty en- rolled pupils in the school, under the guidance of six teachers. Work up to and including the ninth grade is given and there is also a business course. The school is conducted by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The various branches of church work are well organized and the influence of Catholicism has constantly broadened.
ALVA H. SATTERLY.
Alva H. Satterly is a retired farmer residing upon his finely improved place of two hundred and forty acres of land in Harrison township. His farm has three sets of improvements and is now oper- ated by his son, Roy A. Satterly. The subject of this review was born July 17, 1845, a son of Sylvester and Eleanor (Norris) Sat- terly, who are mentioned at length in the sketch of Sylvester Hugh Satterly. He was reared in Harrison township and has always made
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it his place of residence. He completed a course in the common schools and during the fall of 1869 attended Denmark Academy.
After leaving school Mr. Satterly farmed with his brother upon the home place for some time, and when he started out on his inde- pendent business career he decided to follow agriculture. His father was a wagonmaker and he had worked with him at that trade for one year, but found it less congenial than farming. The first land Alva H. Satterly owned was eighty acres, which was a part of his father's estate, and twenty acres of timber land. When the place came into his possession it was unimproved and he has made all of the improvements thereon. He has purchased other land until he now owns two hundred and forty acres, now under a high state of cultivation and provided with all buildings and machinery needed in modern farming. His practical knowledge of agriculture and his industrious application of that knowledge brought him a gratify- ing return and he is now able to live retired.
Mr. Satterly was married August 23, 1882, to Miss Gertrude J. Knapp, a native of Putnam county, New York, born January 22, 1849. Her parents were Newton and Margaret (Wright) Knapp, who came to Lee county, Iowa, in June, 1860, and located in the northeastern part of Harrison township. Her mother passed away in 1867, but her father survived until December, 1885, when he died at the age of sixty years on a farm he owned in Wayne county, near Allerton, Iowa. Mrs. Satterly is the eldest in a family of cight children. Annie Mary became the wife of Lewis Kelly, of Allerton, and passed away in 1907; Sadie gave her hand in marriage to Frank Seward, who died in June, 1886, leaving four sons and one daugh- ter. His widow resides at Corydon, Iowa, with her daughter. Emma K. married Henry J. Foster, and both are deceased; Jessie is now Mrs. William Secrest, and resides six miles south of Allerton; Frank Knapp lives near Chillicothe, Missouri; Reuben J. is a ranchman of Montana; William is a farmer living in the vicinity of Allerton.
Mr. and Mrs. Satterly became the parents of two children, of whom the younger, a daughter, born November 24, 1889, died in infancy. The son, Roy A., was born July 8, 1883, and on the 22d of February, 1906, married Miss Lizzie Neu, who died September 22, 1912, leaving two children, Frederick and Margaret, who live with their grandparents. Roy A. Satterly is operating his father's homestead.
The subject of this review is a republican in politics and takes a keen interest in all matters of public concern. He is particularly active in school matters and has served as secretary of his school
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district for the past twenty-six years and also served for five years in the district where he resided previous to removing to his present home. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist church of Farmington and can be counted upon to further all movements inaugurated for the improvement of the community.
F. E. STERNBERG.
F. E. Sternberg is senior partner of the firm of Sternberg & Lohman of Fort Madison, conducting a business that he established on the 15th of May, 1894. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Des Moines on the 23d of May, 1869, his parents being Lambert and Rosa (Fabian) Sternberg. The father came to Iowa in 1855 and settled in the vicinity of Des Moines, where he followed the occupation of farming. He is still living at the ripe old age of seventy-six years.
F. E. Sternberg had the advantage of a three years' course in the Indianola Seminary, following the period which he spent in the public schools, and thus was well qualified for the practical duties of life when he started out in the business world on his own account. Subsequently he engaged in the grocery business in Des Moines but eventually sold out, having in 1893 graduated from the United States College of Embalming, in New York. Having thus prepared for the undertaking business, he located in Fort Madison in 1894 and opened his present establishment with Charles Kistner as a partner. Not long afterward he purchased his partner's interest and was alone until the roth of January, 1909, when George Lohman became asso- ciated with him in the ownership of the business, the firm being known as Sternberg & Lohman. Mr. Sternberg opened his under- taking parlors at No. 739 Front street, where he remained for eight vears, after which he removed to No. 721 Front street, where he con- tinued for eleven and one-half years. On the 25th of October, 1913, he removed to his present place, which is at No. 621 Second street. He has splendidly equipped undertaking parlors, carrying a fine line of caskets and undertaking goods, and his reasonable prices and honorable methods, together with the tact and kindliness which he displays in conducting funerals has secured for him a liberal pat- ronage.
In 1895 Mr. Sternberg was united in marriage to Miss Ella Haessig, of Fort Madison, a daughter of Jacob Haessig, an early
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settler of Lee county. Mr. Sternberg is well known in. fraternal connections. He is a very prominent Mason, having taken the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is a past master of the blue lodge, past eminent commander of the commandery, and he has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Elks, while his religious faith is that of the German Evan- gelical church and his political belief that of the democratic party. His interests are wide and varied and indicate the substantial sup- port of many measures and movements for the general good. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished as it has been through his own efforts that he has reached his present position. He is now at the head of a business that is gratifying, and his energy and determination are unfaltering. He is well known in commercial circles of the city and wherever known is highly esteemed.
A. W. SALLANDER.
A. W. Sallander, well known in connection with the automobile trade in Fort Madison, sold the first motor car of this city and in 1903 opened a garage. He was born in Sweden on the 17th of Janu- ary, 1862, and after spending the first eighteen years of his life in the land of his nativity bade adieu to friends and the companions of his youth and sailed for America, thinking to have better oppor- tunities in the new world. It was in May, 1880, that he arrived in the United States, settling in Pulaski county, Missouri, where he remained for six months. He was a machinist by trade and was em- ployed in various places. He worked for a time in Burlington, Iowa, and it was during his residence there that he was married.
In 1890 Mr. Sallander came to Lee county and was employed in the Santa Fe Railway shops at Fort Madison. Mechanically inclined and developing his native powers along that direction, he has been able to cope with any mechanical problem and thus has steadily ad- vanced. In 1897 he opened a bicycle shop at Fort Madison and continued in that business for some years, when the bicycle trade was at its height. In 1903 he opened a garage and manifested much interest in the invention and development of the motor car. Orig- inally he handled the Oldsmobile, afterward the Cadillac and is now dealing in Buick cars. He has sold a large number of automobiles in this section of the country, and his business is now one of gratify-
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ing proportions. His garage is situated at Nos. 631-35 Front street, and he is ready to make all repairs upon cars, while as a salesman he is doing a good business in representing the car which he handles.
On the 27th of October, 1886, Mr. Sallander was married, in Burlington, to Miss Pauline Bergquist, of that city, and they have three children : Louisa, a teacher in the schools of the state of Wash- ington; Fred W., who is a practicing physician, now acting as as- sistant to Dr. Dean of lowa City; and Robert P., an osteopath, who married Miss Dorothy Roberts. Mr. Sallander is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in politics is a republican where national- issues are involved, but casts an independent local ballot. His life record indicates what may be accomplished when determination and energy lead the way. He has never had occasion to regret his decision to come to America; on the contrary, he has found the opportunities which he has sought and gradually progress- ing has gained a place among the substantial business men of his city.
HON. CONRAD SCHWEER.
The death of the Hon. Conrad Schweer, which occurred Sep- tember 11, 1894, was the occasion of widespread regret, as he was one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of Lee county. He was a man of note in public affairs, having served in the four- teenth and fifteenth general assemblies of Iowa as well as being influential in local politics. He was an extensive landowner and did much to aid in the agricultural development of the county.
Mr. Schweer was a German by birth, born in Hanover, February 6, 1825, a son of Christopher and Dora Schweer. He was the last survivor in a family of four sons and three daughters. In 1835 the father came to the United States, making his way up the Mis- sissippi river to a point above St. Louis, where he purchased land in Lewis county, Missouri. He remained there until April, 1836, at which time he came to Lee county, Iowa, taking up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land. He subsequently returned to Mis- souri, but remained there only a short time, when he came again to Lee county in the spring of 1837 and began improving his land. He prospered and in June, 1838, returned to Germany for his wife and children, the family shipping from Bremen October 8th of that year on a sailing vessel bound for New Orleans. The voyage was made in safety, and on the 4th of March, 1839, they arrived in
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Alexandria, Missouri, at which point they disembarked and pro- ceeded to the claim by wagon. The father was a great fruit enthu- siast and started the first nursery in Lee county. He brought trees with him from Germany, but the cold climate here killed most of them. He hauled his wheat to Keokuk, but prices were then so low that he received often no more than twenty-five cents a bushel. He was an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, as was also his wife. He passed away in 1886 when he was about ninety- one years of age, his birth having occurred October 17, 1795. He had survived his wife for many years, as she died October 9, 1859.
Conrad Schweer attended school in Germany and also in a pioneer log school house in Lee county. He did his share of the work on the farm while a boy and after he grew to manhood con- tinued to devote much time and attention to agriculture. He became the owner of six hundred and ninety-three acres of fertile land in this county, residing on section 27, Harrison township. Although his farming interests were extensive, they did not monopolize his time and he took an active and prominent part in politics and govern- mental affairs. He represented his district in the fourteenth and fifteenth general assemblies, voting in support of many measures which proved to be of great benefit to the people at large. He also held many local offices, discharging all duties incumbent upon him with dispatch and efficiency.
Mr. Schweer was married to Miss Sophia Klinder on the 24th of June, 1853. She was a native of Hanover, Germany, born No- vember 14, 1830, and has also passed to her reward. They became the parents of seven children, as follows : Charles resides at Spokane, Washington, where he is engaged in fruit raising. He is married and has several children. Mary passed away in 1886 at the age of twenty-nine years. She was the wife of Frederick Vornkahl, a resident of Lee county, and left four children. Louis H. is a farmer and stock-raiser of Harrison township and a sketch of his life appears elsewhere in this work. Martha resides at Salem, Oregon, and is the wife of Adolph Leisy, a blacksmith by trade. Sophia married Martin Scheuerman, a farmer residing in the vicinity of Primrose. Christopher passed away when about thirty years of age. Conrad, Jr., who was born in 1870, died in December, 1911, leaving a widow.
Mr. Schweer was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and a stanch democrat in his political allegiance. His extensive farm has been divided among his children and a part has been sold by them. Aside from the material wealth which their father left them, they received from him the priceless heritage of a name hon-
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ored and respected by all. The official record and the private life of Mr. Schweer were alike above reproach and his many friends were bound to him by his integrity and his kindness of heart.
GEORGE LOHMAN.
George Lohman, a well-known undertaker of Fort Madison, now engaged in business as a partner of F. E. Sternberg, was born in Lee county, March 23, 1862, his parents being Harmon and Catherine (Schiesbrock) Lohman. The latter was a daughter of Christ Schiesbrock, who brought his family to Lee county in 1859, becoming one of the early settlers. In the same year Harmon Loh- man arrived. All came from Germany on the same ship, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel which was seventeen weeks in com- pleting the voyage. They landed at New Orleans and thence made their way up the river, settling at West Point, Iowa. The party was brought to this country by Harmon Schulte, who had interests here. For an extended period Harmon Lohman continued his resi- dence in Lee county, but has now passed away. His widow, how- ever, survives.
ยท George Lohman acquired a parochial-school education and in his youth learned the painter's trade and also that of basketmaking, fol- lowing the latter in the winter seasons, while the summer months were devoted to the former occupation. He was thus engaged for fifteen years. He and his father and brother have made hundreds of dozens of willow baskets, having one of the largest business enter- prises of the kind in the county. In 1896 George Lohman pursued a course in Clark's School of Embalming at Burlington, Iowa, and also at the Hohenschuh-Carpenter School of Embalming at Des Moines. He now has both an Iowa and Illinois license. He em- barked in the undertaking business in 1896 at Fort Madison in con- nection with Henry Kuhn, the partnership continuing for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he withdrew from that connection and built a place of his own at No. 1322 Fifth street, where he continued in business alone for five years. He was then with O. R. Johnson for seven years, and in 1909 he became a partner of F. E. Sternberg, forming the present well-known firm of Stern- berg & Lohman, occupying a leading position among the under- takers of Lee county.
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In 1892 Mr. Lohman was united in marriage to Miss Therese Nelle, of Fort Madison, who was born in the city which is still her home and is a daughter of Herman Nelle, one of the old settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lohman had two children: Fred, at home; and Rhinehulda, who died at the age of two and one-half years. The parents are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, and Mr. Lohman is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In politics he is a demo- crat, and for four years he served as coroner of Lee county. Other- wise he has never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which, capably conducted, have brought him a substantial measure of success.
LOUIS H. SCHWEER.
Louis H. Schweer is a farmer and stock-raiser residing on sec- tion 27, Harrison township, this county, and was born upon the farm where he now resides. His birth occurred September 13, 1858, his father being the Hon. Conrad Schweer, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Schweer of this review was reared upon the homestead and is indebted to the public-school system for his education. His experience as a farm boy in assisting with the work of the homestead convinced him that agriculture was a congenial occupation and he has continued to farm since coming to mature years. He owns four hundred and forty acres of fine land, four hundred and twenty of which is a part of the land formerly owned by his father. The farm was in excellent condition when it came into his possession and he has kept it up and added still other im- provements, so that it is now one of the most valuable farming prop- erties in the county. He derives a gratifying annual income from his place and has never had any cause to regret his decision to devote his life to agriculture.
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