USA > Iowa > Lee County > Story of Lee County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 39
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description, which he guarantees to be pure. Everything about the factory is conducted along the most sanitary and cleanly lines, and he uses recipes which result in the production of most delectable iced delicacies.
In Estherville, on the 30th of April, 1913, Mr. Rousseau was married to Miss Lyda Nicholson, a daughter of George Nicholson, of that place. Their religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Rousseau also holds membership in the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given the repub- lican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for in this land he has found the oppor- tunities which he sought and in their improvement has made sub- stantial advancement, leading to desirable success.
CHARLES RENARD.
Charles Renard is now living in Keokuk and is numbered among its valued and respected citizens. He was for thirty years a member of the United States army and has well earned the rest which has come to him. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 15, 1853, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Renard, of whom mention is made else- where in this volume in connection with the sketch of their son, Henry Renard.
When a small boy Charles Renard accompanied his parents on their removal to Lee county, Iowa, and pursued his education in the schools of Charleston until he reached the age of ten years, when the family home was established in Kahoka, Missouri. There he attended school to the end of the year, after which he returned to Keokuk and completed his education in the German parochial school and the Lutheran parochial school. He devoted a portion of each year to his studies, but when quite young began to earn his own living and as a boy worked at anything that he could find to do which would yield him an honest dollar. He drove a mule team on the canal for seventy-five cents a day and also worked at farm labor, but military life attracted him and on the 15th of March, 1871, he enlisted for service in the United States army. For eight months he remained at Newport, Kentucky, drilling and doing other military duty, and was then assigned to the Ninth Infantry, which was stationed at Fort D. A. Russell in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He did
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guard duty and scouting for about two years and then began building forts in Wyoming. Upon the western frontier he also engaged in fighting the Indians and had the usual experiences of a soldier stationed in the far west. He was afterward transferred to Buffalo, New York, where he remained for three years. He was on active duty in the Spanish-American war in Cuba under General Shafter, and at various times he was stationed in different parts of this country, doing bravely, faithfully and loyally any task of a military character that was assigned him. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and was popular with his comrades in arms.
At the end of thirty years Mr. Renard returned to Keokuk, where he now makes his home. He married on the 30th of June, 1903, Miss Sophia Haessig, who was born in Keokuk June 11, 1862, a daughter of William and Sophia Haessig. Mrs. Renard was educated in the public schools of Keokuk and by her marriage has one son, Charles H., who was born December 4, 1905.
The parents are members of the Evangelical church and in the city where they make their home are highly esteemed, warm friend- ship being accorded them by many with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Renard votes with the republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office. Since returning to Keokuk he has lived retired and well has he earned this rest after thirty years of active service in connection with the military affairs of the nation.
W. L. HENKLE.
Until the summer of 1914 W. L. Henkle carried on farming and stock-raising on his fine farm of five hundred and seven acres in Van Buren township, this county, which was his birthplace and which he sold at that time. He was born October 20, 1864, and is a son of Amos Henkle, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
W. L. Henkle was educated in the public schools of Lee county and assisted his father during the summer periods in the work of the farm, thus learning practical agriculture. After reaching maturity he decided that the life of a farmer was the one most congenial to him and he continued to assist in the operation of the home farm, which came into his possession upon the death of his father. He used excellent judgment in his farming operations and as he utilized new inventions and new machinery which seemed adapted to his needs and as he was always willing to give a new method a fair trial he proved
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an efficient agriculturist, his fields yielding him abundant harvests. He was also well known as a breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle and had a herd of about fifty head of pure blooded animals.
Mr. Henkle was married in Lee county, on the 4th of May, 1892, to Miss Anna E. Herron, a daughter of the late David Herron, an early resident of this county. Her father was born October 15, 1834, in Columbus, Ohio, and was a son of John and Nancy ( Ross) Herron, who in 1846 removed to Lee county, Iowa, and located in Van Buren township. John Herron served in the Civil war as a member of the Iowa Volunteer Infantry and died while in the service at Island No. IO, Missouri. He had secured government land upon moving to Lee county and gave his time to its operation until he joined the army. His widow spent her last years at Quincy, Illinois, and died there in 1889 or 1890, when she had passed her ninety-second birth- day. She was a stanch Presbyterian in her religious belief. She was the mother of four sons and one daughter, as follows: David; William and James, of Nebraska; John, of Davenport, Iowa; and Mrs. Sarah Wilson, a widow living at Davenport at the age of eighty- two. David Herron attended school in Lee county and assisted his father in the work of the farm. He continued to follow that occupa- tion and remained the greater part of his life a resident of Van Buren township, this county. On the 16th of September, 1857, he married Miss Paulina Richardson, who was born September 27, 1836, in Indiana, and in 1848 came to Lee county with her parents, John and Lydia Richardson. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson remained in Van Buren township for a short time and then removed to the vicinity of Kirksville, Adair county, Missouri, where they passed the re- mainder of their lives. David Herron died at his home in Van Buren township, August 8, 1912, having for a number of years sur- vived his wife, whose demise occurred on the 26th of November, 1901. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: William and Levi, farmers of Osborne county, Kansas; Mary E., the wife of Scott Christy, of Farmington, Iowa; John, of Yuma, Colorado; Mrs. Anna Henkle; Charles, who is operating the Herron farm; and James B .. who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Henkle are the parents of three children, all of whom were born in Van Buren township : Roy L., who was born May 30, 1893, and is a high-school student; Lillian M., who was born in May, 1896, and is likewise a high-school student ; and Leila G., born August 2, 1898, in school.
Mr. Henkle gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has served in a number of township offices, discharging the duties devolving upon him with conscientiousness and ability. He is
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now a member of the school board and his influence is always used to promote the interests of the public schools of the district. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. He has not only been a successful farmer and won prosperity for himself but he has been at all times a public-spirited citizen and has lent his aid to many projects for the public welfare.
PETER HOTT.
The demise of Peter Hott, which occurred April 15, 1912, at the home of his son, Isaac Henry Hott, was sincerely mourned, as he was one of the representative and honored citizens of the county. He was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, September 29, 1834, a son of George and Jane (Dean) Hott, both of German descent. The father was born in the same county, February 22, 1812, and the mother's birth occurred in Robinson county, Tennessee, September 6, 1811. The parents left Ohio with their family, September 6, 1839, and drove through to Harrison township, this county, with team and wagon. The father purchased a claim of forty acres, later receiving a patent from the government for the same. The mother passed away the March following their arrival in this county, and was buried near the home farm on the old Poole place. They had four children: Isaac; Peter, the subject of this review; Aaron, who died when but six years of age; and Henry, who died in infancy. The father subsequently married Mrs. Jane Warren and removed to Cedar township. locat- ing on section 6. He prospered in his agricultural operations and at the time of his death owned four hundred and twenty-five acres, having bought out the heirs of Mr. Warren, the first husband of Mrs. Hott. For a number of years Mr. Hott worked at the cooper's trade in Farmington, Iowa, and was successful at that as well as in the cultivation of the fields. He passed away January 19, 1889. at the age of seventy-seven years, and was buried in the Boyles cemetery, as was his second wife, who preceded him in death, her demise occur- ring February 27, 1885. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party.
Peter Hott enjoyed but limited educational opportunities in youth, but his fine intelligence and habit of close observation made him a man of great practical wisdom. He was successful as a farmer and owned a valuable farm of six hundred acres, upon which were six houses. Much of his land he rented to others, as it was more than one
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person could cultivate. He received therefrom a handsome annual income and he enjoyed the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. At times he met with misfortune, as when his house was burned, but, as he invariably set himself to retrieving his losses, he erected a new and handsome residence, which embodied in its construction the most modern ideas and which was provided with the conveniences of an up-to-date dwelling.
Mr. Hott was married January 18, 1855, to Miss Mary Harlan, a native of Ohio, who passed away March 6, 1865, leaving two chil- dren. Dora married William Shaw and they had one child, Florence M., who became the wife of Lute Hixon and the mother of a son, Lester. Mr. Shaw is deceased and his widow is now the wife of Samuel Huddleston, of Hillsboro, Iowa. Cyrena, the second daughter, passed away at the age of twenty-eight years. Mr. Hott was again married December 7, 1865, Miss Anna Lane becoming his wife. She was a native of Highland county, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob and Charlotte Lane, who drove from Ohio to this county, settling on a farm near that of Mr. Hott. They later removed to Clark county, Iowa, where Mr. Lane entered eighty acres of land, and they spent their last days with Mr. and Mrs. Hott and are buried in the Boyles cemetery. One son, Isaac Henry, was born to the second marriage of Mr. Hott.
The latter was a republican and a member of the Christian church. He did his part in the agricultural development of Lee county and his sterling traits of character won for him many warm friends, who were sincerely grieved when he passed away.
J. C. SANDERS.
J. C. Sanders needs no introduction to the readers of this volume and his name is a familiar one to many throughout the country who are studying the grave problems that affect mankind, especially those which have to do with uplift work in the lowest stratas of society. He was called to his present position as warden of the state peniten- tiary at Fort Madison in 1908 and none can question the efficacy and the value of his labors. Mr. Sanders was born in Vinton, Iowa, January 23, 1865, his parents being Jonathan B. and Mary Jane Sanders. The father, who was born in Virginia, removed to Illinois upon leaving the Old Dominion and in 1846 arrived in Iowa, becom- ing one of the pioneers of Benton county.
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J. C. Sanders acquired a public-school education and afterward entered Western College at Toledo, Iowa, where he won the degree of Bachelor of Science. He is also a graduate of the State Normal School at Cedar Falls and further continued his education in Coe College at Cedar Rapids and in the State University. In 1884 he took up the profession of teaching and was active in educational circles for twenty-one years, serving much of that time as principal of schools. He was thus connected with the schools at Traer, Newell, Rockford and West Union, Iowa, and did splendid work in each con- nection. His professional standards were high. He inspired teachers and pupils with much of his own zeal and interest in the work and he imparted clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. All through the years he was a student, not only of his particular profession, but of many of the vital questions which affect public life and sociological and economic conditions in the country.
In 1908 Mr. Sanders was appointed warden of the state peni- tentiary and became a pioneer in prison reform movements, being among the first to introduce the parole system. He grasped the broader truth hitherto scarcely recognized-that imprisonment should be a source of benefit as well as of punishment to the individual, preparing him if liberty came later to enter upon a life of worth and value without returning to the haunts of crime. With this end in view he sought to promote uplift work among the prisoners and introduced music and athletics and gave special attention to sanitation. He developed the prison farm of one thousand acres, working this with the view of giving a portion of the earnings of convicts to their families, and twenty-five per cent of the net income goes to the men. He meets and knows the men who are in his custody and works with them from an individual standpoint. In addition to the medical attention furnished he has added to the corps of attending physicians a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and also competent dentists, knowing that good health gives a better and more cheerful outlook upon life and enables the individual to throw off sordid and lowering thoughts. In a word, he studies the men from the standpoint of humanity and is now well known throughout the entire country as one of the noted prison reformers.
In 1887 Mr. Sanders married Miss Lura M. Snider, of Kilbourn, Wisconsin. They have no children of their own but their kindness has prompted the adoption of two whom they are now rearing, Rodger Clay and Grace Harris. Mrs. Sanders is in entire sympathy with her husband in his reform work and discusses with him all the
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methods and plans which he has for benefiting the unfortunate class under his control.
Mr. Sanders is prominent in Masonic circles, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the Thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine and is most loyal to the teachings of the craft which recognizes the brotherhood of man. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and is an ex-chancellor commander of the Rockford, Iowa, lodge. Who can measure the extent of his influence and his work? Many a man has been heartened and encouraged by his sympathy and his understanding, and long after he has ceased from active con- nection with this state penal institution his good deeds will live in the lives of those whom he has sought to help.
GEORGE W. PHILLIPS.
George W. Phillips, one of the veterans of the Civil war, now living in Summitville, has made his home in Lee county since 1869 and in the intervening period, covering forty-five years, has enjoyed in large measure the respect and good-will of those with whom he has been brought in contact. He is now practically living retired, enjoying a well earned rest after many years of active labor.
He was born on a farm in Clermont county, Ohio, February 10, 1844. His father, Samuel H. Phillips, was also a native of the same county, born about 1816 or 1818. The grandfather, John Phillips, was a native of Pennsylvania, but removed to Ohio and spent his last days in Clermont county, where he had settled during pioneer times. He married Susanna Wyatt, a native of Maryland, who died in Cler- mont county, Ohio. They were the parents of four children, Samuel H., Thomas H., Jackson, and Mrs. Maria Hill, who died in Iowa. In fact, all of the children have now passed away. The eldest, Samuel H. Phillips, made farming his life work and always con- tinued his residence in his native county. He there married Rebecca Davis and he died when his son George was but ten years of age. To him and his wife had been born four children: John D., who married Josie Bredwell and died in Clermont county; Malissa, who became the wife of William Lorenson and died in this county; Thomas G., who became a bugler of the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was afterward promoted to the rank of sergeant of his
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company, serving for three years during the Civil war. He was married in Illinois and died in Ohio.
George W. Phillips, the youngest of the family, spent the first twenty-five years of his life in his native county and there acquired a public-school education. He was reared upon the home farm and following the outbreak of the Civil war responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting at Bethel, Ohio. While at Chillicothe he was mustered in as a member of Company L, Ninth Ohio Cavalry. This was on the 2d of September, 1864, when he was but twenty years of age. He was mustered out on the 13th of June, 1865, at Concord, North Carolina. He had gone with Sherman on the campaign from Atlanta to the sea and was on continuous duty from the time of his enlistment until his discharge, rendering gallant aid to his country.
At the close of the war Mr. Phillips returned to his home and engaged in teaming between Bethel and Cincinnati, Ohio, until 1869, when he came to Iowa, settling on a tract of land in Montrose town- ship, which he rented. There he continued to live for five years, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He then accepted a position as foreman at the county farm, under Superin- tendent John Sapp, and filled the office under every succeeding super- intendent for four decades. When the heating and pumping plant was installed he was placed in charge of it and so continued until February, 1914, when he retired after a long period of usefulness as a soldier and citizen. For more than forty years he was foreman at the county home and was most highly esteemed by the superin- tendents, both democrats and republicans. He was most faithful and loyal to his duty and made a most excellent record in office.
Mr. Phillips was reared in the Methodist Episcopal faith. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and fraternally he is connected with Torrence Post, No. 2, G. A. R., at Keokuk, that organization finding in him a loyal supporter. In days of peace he has always been as true and faithful to his country and to public duty as when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields.
ISAAC HENRY HOTT.
Isaac Henry Hott is a well-to-do farmer and stockman, residing on section 6, Cedar township, where his birth occurred in February, 1867. His father was the late Peter Hott, whose demise occurred April 15, 1912, and the last three years of whose life were spent with
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the subject of this review. Our subject has a half sister living, Mrs. Samuel Huddleston, of Hillsboro.
Mr. Hott was reared upon the home farm and since reaching mature years has continued in the calling in which he was trained as a youth. He owns five hundred acres of land in Cedar township, located on sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, and operates all of it except a tract of one hundred and eighty acres, which he rents. He raises grain and also stock, buying and selling some cattle and hogs in addition to what he raises. He resides upon his farm, forty acres of which was entered from the government by his grandfather. In December, 1898, the house was burned and the subject of this review erected his present fine modern residence. He keeps everything upon the place in ex- cellent condition and his land is under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Hott was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Yargus in 1887. She was a daughter of Michael Yargus, a pioneer of Henry county, and her demise occurred June 3, 1903. The two children born to that union are: Boyd, who assists in the operation of the home farm and who married Miss Pearl Wright, a daughter of Andrew Wright, of this county; and Edith, at home.
Mr. Hott is a member of the Christian church and is helpfully interested in its work. Politically he belongs to the republican party and fraternally is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, as is his son Boyd. Mr. Hott has ably carried on the work of develop- ing the fine farm, which was begun by his grandfather and continued by his father. He holds to the fullest extent the confidence and good- will of all who know him, as they recognize in him a man of sterling integrity.
JOHN M. HOBBS, D. D. S.
The dental profession of Fort Madison finds a worthy representa- tive in Dr. John M. Hobbs, who, practicing successfully, is today well established, being accorded a liberal patronage. He was born in Hancock county, Illinois, on the 4th of June, 1871, and is a son of L. A. and J. A. Hobbs, the former a farmer by occupation.
Spending his youthful days in his parents' home, Dr. Hobbs attended the public schools and, passing through the consecutive grades, was eventually graduated from the high school at Nauvoo, Illinois. He decided upon the practice of dentistry as a life work and with that end in view entered the Northwestern Dental College.
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He was graduated from the Keokuk Medical College on a comple- tion of a course in its dental department in 1899 and for five years practiced at Fort Madison in connection with Dr. Hazen. In 1904 their business association was discontinued, and Dr. Hobbs has since practiced alone. He has a well equipped office, displaying all of the latest facilities known to dental practice, and that his work is of a most satisfactory character is indicated by the constant demands made upon his time and energies for professional services. He is a member of the Iowa State Dental Society and of the Burlington Dental Society and is thoroughly conversant with the most advanced ideas of the profession.
On the 13th of September, 1894, Dr. Hobbs was married to Miss Emily Hibbard, a native of Nauvoo, Illinois, and to them have been born two sons, William L. and John Richard. Dr. Hobbs votes with the democratic party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Elks and the Eagles, in all of which organizations he is highly esteemed.
HENRY RENARD.
Henry Renard, who for many years was actively and successfully engaged in farming in Des Moines township, is now living retired in Montrose township, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He was born January 5, 1860, in Charleston, Lee county, and in this section of the state has spent his entire life. He was reared in Keokuk to the age of twelve years and during that period was a pupil in the public schools. When fifteen years of age he went to live with Mr. Harisch, of Jackson township,, with whom he remained for seven years. He was paid twelve dollars per month and board and also given the opportunity to attend school for a limited period each year. At the end of seven years he entered the employ of others, continuing to work by the month as a farm hand until 1891, when the capital which he had saved through his industry, frugality and careful expenditure was invested in a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Des Moines township. Upon that place he erected a comfortable residence, a good barn and other sub- stantial outbuildings and otherwise improved the place, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation. Carefully he cultivated his crops year by year and in time his substantial harvests made him
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possessor of a handsome competence. In the fall of 1913, therefore, he put aside further business cares and is now living retired in Mon- trose township. Although reared in the faith of the Catholic church, he is not a member of any religious organization at the present time. In politics he is a stanch progressive and believes in the careful con- sideration of the capability of a candidate rather than in the support of a party merely for the party's sake.
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