USA > Iowa > Lee County > Story of Lee County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 40
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It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the family of which Mr. Renard is a representative. His father, Adam Renard, was born in Strasburg, Germany, in 1809, attended school there and afterward served in the Germany army. In early man- hood he learned the carpenter's trade and while still in the father- land he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wolfe, who was born in Strasburg, Germany, about 1821. In the year 1852 Mr. and Mrs. Adam Renard sailed for the United States and made their way to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they lived for eight years. At the end of that period they took up their abode upon a farm at Charleston, Iowa, where they resided until 1864. In that year they removed to Keokuk, where the father worked at his trade of carpentering, being thus identified with industrial pursuits to the time of his death, which occurred in 1884. He was a democrat in his political views and a Catholic in his religious belief. For twelve years he had survived his wife, who passed away in Keokuk in 1872. In their family were six children: Charles, extended mention of whom will be found on an- other page of this volume; Agnes, the wife of Robert Evers, in the same city; Henry, of this review; John, living in Nebraska; George, who makes his home in Keokuk; and Mary, the wife of Edward Willis, likewise a resident of Keokuk.
ALLEN PETTINGILL THOMAS.
Allen Pettingill Thomas, deceased, was a well known leather merchant of Keokuk, who ranked with the prominent residents and business men of this city. He possessed a determination that enabled him to overcome difficulties and obstacles and at all times his record was squared by the strictest principles of business honor and integrity. He spent a part of his youthful days in Canada and was living in that country at the time he attained his majority.
Mr. Thomas was twice married. First in Ontario, Canada, he wedded Miss Jones, who died in that country, leaving two children.
456
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
At a later date he crossed the border into the United States, settling in Buffalo, New York, his children, however, remaining in Canada. After living for some time in Buffalo he made his way westward to St. Louis and was there married again, his second union being with Margaret Thompson, the widow of Rev. William Avery Beers.
Mr. Thomas was a tanner by trade, having learned the business in early life. After his removal to St. Louis he owned and operated a tanyard in that city, carrying on the business continually until his removal to Keokuk about 1850. In this city he established a leather store on Main, between Fourth and Fifth streets, and became a well known leather merchant in the period of pioneer development in the city. He remained in active business up to the time of his death, which occurred in Keokuk on the 4th of April, 1856. He is yet remembered by the older citizens here as an enterprising, progressive business man, a valued citizen and a faithful friend. His native intelligence, his upright character and his sterling traits of manhood won him the warm esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He was a candidate for mayor of Keokuk at the time of his demise. He possessed many friends among the business men and in every rela- tion of life and his good qualities were, indeed, many. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He owned a fine home on Sixth and Morgan streets and none figured more prominently in the early history of the city than did Mr. Thomas.
Following the death of her husband Mrs. Thomas built a fine new residence in which she lived until she removed to the farm now owned by Laura Thomas, a daughter. Upon that place she spent her re- maining days, passing away February 7, 1897, at which time she was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Keokuk cemetery. Mrs. Thomas was born in Brompton, Yorkshire, England, in 1817, and when twelve years of age accompanied her parents on the voyage across the Atlantic to New York, where the family home was estab- lished. It was in that state that Mrs. Thomas grew to womanhood and was first married, becoming the wife of the Rev. Mr. Beers, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in Clarksville, Missouri, leaving his widow and one son, William A., who is now living retired in San Diego, California.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had four children, the eldest of whom, Emma, became the wife of William Gilfillan, of Seligman, Missouri. Laura, born in St. Louis, was an infant when brought to Keokuk. She was educated in the common schools and afterward took care of her widowed mother and uncle and aunt in their declining years,
457
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
her mother reaching the age of eighty years before death called her. The third member of the family was Henry Howland Thomas, who died in San Diego, California. He had married Kate Burns and was filling one of the county offices at the time of his demise. The youngest of the family, Iowa Lee, died in 1857. Throughout the latter half of the eighteenth century and unto the present day repre- sentatives of the Thomas family have figured prominently in Lee county and as one of the early merchants Allen Pettingill Thomas contributed largely to the material development and upbuilding of the city of Keokuk in pioneer times.
ISAIAH HOSIER.
Prosperity has attended the well directed efforts of Isaiah Hosier and he is today ranked among the representative and well-to-do citi- zens of Lee county, where he has spent his entire life. He was born in Pleasant Ridge township on the 12th of January, 1857, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Brunson) Hosier. The birth of his father occurred in Henry county, Indiana, June 3, 1832, and in 1852 he came to Iowa with his father, Isaiah Hosier, Sr., his mother having previously passed away in Indiana. Locating in Pleasant Ridge township, Lee county, Henry Hosier was there married to Miss Mary Brunson, a native of Ohio, who had come to this state with her parents, Thomas and Susannah Brunson, in 1842. Her family also settled in' Pleasant Ridge township, this county, and on the home farm there she died in October, 1908. The father of our subject subsequently removed to West Point township, where his death oc- curred on the 31st of January, 1911. Throughout his active business life he followed farming and was the owner of some valuable land. In politics he was a republican. His children were: William, deceased; Isaiah, of this review; Clara L., the wife of William Decker of Arizona; Mrs. Rebecca Welch, of Lee county; Alice, who died in childhood; and Belle, the wife of John Danover of Pleasant Ridge township.
Upon the home farm in Pleasant Ridge township Isaiah Hosier was reared to manhood, and in the schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education. After reaching manhood he engaged in farm- ing there until 1911, when he retired from agricultural pursuits and removed to Fort Madison, buying his present comfortable residence at No. 904 Fifth avenue. He still owns his home farm, however, and Vol. II-26
458
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
other tracts aggregating four hundred and sixty-five acres, and his wife has two hundred acres and an interest in another one hundred acres. On starting out in life for himself he operated rented land and at the end of the second year after his marriage found himself seven hundred dollars in debt. Not becoming discouraged, however, he steadily worked his way upward and success attended his well directed efforts, so that he is today numbered among the most pros- perous citizens of the community. In connection with general farm- . ing he gave considerable attention to stock and for twenty years shipped stock to both Chicago and St. Louis, handling large numbers annually.
In 1885 Mr. Hosier married Miss Sophia Tempe, who was born in West Point township, this county, May 29, 1857, a daughter of J. F. and Henrietta (Schultz) Tempe, both natives of Germany. Her father was born June 18, 1824, and was twenty years of age when he came to the United States, and here he was married in December, 1851, becoming the father of six children. In 1860 he purchased a farm in Pleasant Ridge township and so successful was he in agri- cultural pursuits that he eventually became the owner of one thousand acres of very valuable land, though he had only five cents left on his arrival in this county. He died June 12, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Hosier have two sons: Fred L., now a resident of California; and Harland I., who is living on the home farm in Pleasant Ridge township.
The republican party has always found in Mr. Hosier a stanch supporter of its principles and while living in the country he filled several school offices and also served as road commissioner. In 1908 he was elected county supervisor, and he is now serving his second term, being appointed to that position to fill a vacancy. He has most capably discharged the duties of his official positions and is a man who stands high both in business and public life.
ABRAHAM HOLLINGSWORTH.
Abraham Hollingsworth holds high rank among the lawyers of Keokuk; is reputed to be one of the best read members of the pro- fession in the state; and is recognized as an able advocate of what- ever cause he espouses. His birth occurred in this county on the 12th of October, 1865. His father was one of the pioneers of the county and was numbered among its most prominent citizens. He
459
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
was also the author of several articles concerning the early history of this section of the state.
Abraham Hollingsworth attended the district schools until he was a youth of about sixteen. Later he was under private tuition for a time and has always been an inveterate reader, thus acquiring much valuable knowledge. He remained upon the home farm until he was grown, in the meantime beginning the reading of law. In 1887 he read law in the office of Anderson, Davis & Hagerman and in the latter part of the same year he entered the State University at Iowa City, graduating from that institution in 1890. On September Ist of that year he opened his office in Keokuk. His thorough prepara- tion, his knowledge of court procedure and his legal ability secured for him a profitable clientage. He was also city attorney under Dr. Moorhead for two years and for one year under Mayor F. D. Hughes. He has contributed a number of articles to legal periodicals and is thus known to the profession throughout the country. He has also been an instructor in law to a large number of the younger mem- bers of the bar in this county. His practice is of a general nature, yet he has one of the largest corporation practices in the city, representing most of the public utilities companies in this section of Iowa. He is a member of the county and state bar association and takes an important part in their proceedings. On the 27th of December, 1894, Mr. Hollingsworth was united in marriage to Miss Stella Ried, of Keokuk, who attended the public schools and then took a collegiate course at Fulton, Missouri, in the Presbyterian College for Women, located there. She is prominent in social affairs of Keokuk, being president of the Alpha Trist Club. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth, as follows: James A., who is seventeen years of age; Mary M., aged thirteen ; and William Z., a lad of ten. James is an alumnus of the high school and the others are yet in school. James is to enter the State University at Iowa City in the fall of 1914.
Mr. Hollingsworth has been president of the library board for a number of years and takes an interest in the welfare of the public library. He has one of the largest and most complete law libraries in the state, consisting of some two thousand volumes, and also has a well chosen and comprehensive general library of about fifteen hundred volumes. He is a lover of nature and has a farm near Keokuk of three hundred acres, where he spends considerable time. He is a member of the Unitarian church and conforms his life to the high ethical standards of that organization. He is a believer in progress in political and social conditions but is also convinced of the
460
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
wisdom of holding on to that which is good in the old order of things. Politically he is a progressive republican. As a lawyer he has won for himself eminence and a financial competence and is one of the leaders of Keokuk in all matters pertaining to civic growth and betterment.
ELMER D. SEAMANS.
Elmer D. Seamans owns a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, where he carries on stock breeding, raising shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses, Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs. He is particularly proud of his splendid herd of cattle, as they are all pedi- greed stock. He was born in Lee county, January 11, 1862, the only child of David and Lydia (Dehaven) Seamans. The father was a native of New York, born near Fish Lake, and the mother was born in Richmond, Indiana, in 1826. David Seamans came to Lee county in 1840 before his marriage and settled on a farm which he operated for a time. He was also for many years a teacher, following that profession in the winter and farming during the summer. He later became a preacher and was one of the prominent ministers of the Baptist church. He died April, 1875, leaving his widow and son to mourn his loss. Mrs. Seamans passed away April 13, 1903.
The subject of this review was reared to manhood upon his father's farm and was given excellent educational advantages. as after com- pleting the course in the common schools, he attended high school at Pilot Grove. Upon the death of his father he took complete charge of the old homestead, which he has since operated and improved. He has devoted a great deal of attention to stock raising, and his herd of shorthorn cattle is known to include some of the finest animals in the county, for he is recognized as one of the most successful breeders in this section of the state. His stock is of the breed known as the Golden Drop, which originated in Kentucky and was brought to this county by Harvey Lusk. Mr. Seamans started his herd with two splendid animals, both registered in the state herd book. The sire, Max, was a three-year-old thoroughbred of deep red color and the dam, Lady Washington, was of equally fine blood and was also deep red in color. Mr. Seamans' present herd of shorthorns are descended from this pair and are as fine stock as can be found in Lee county. He also breeds Poland China hogs, the strain which he raises being descended from the Ohio herd brought to this county by
461
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
John Blackford. He likewise raises Shropshire sheep and Percheron horses of good stock. Mr. Seamans has done much to raise the standard of stock breeding in the county and in this way has aided in the agricultural development of this section of the state as well as gained a financial success for himself.
Mr. Seamans has always supported the republican party at the polls and manifests a keen and intelligent interest in all matters of public concern. He is willing to do anything within his power to further the material and moral progress of his community and holds the respect of all who know him.
HERBERT C. SIEMER.
Herbert C. Siemer is the proprietor of one of the largest furni- ture establishments in Fort Madison. An initiative spirit, progres- siveness and keen sagacity have featured largely in his growing suc- cess and made him one of the foremost merchants of this his native city. He was born July 30, 1875, and is a son of Clement and Sadonia (Ranembuehler) Siemer, the latter a native of Fort Madi- son and a daughter of Melcher Ranembuehler, who came to Lee county in pioneer times. Clement Siemer was born in Germany and the year 1866 witnessed his arrival in Fort Madison, where he conducted business as a brick-mason and contractor, becoming closely identified with the building interests of this city. His family num- bered seven children, of whom two have passed away.
Herbert C. Siemer is a graduate of the parochial school at Fort Madison and« of Johnson's Business College, where he received a thorough commercial training that well fitted him for the duties of later life. He first became connected with the grocery trade, con- ducting a business along that line for ten years. He then embarked in the furniture business in partnership with his brother, Clem F. Siemer, who had previously been engaged in the tea and coffee trade. They opened their furniture store in 1904 and now have one of the largest stocks of furniture in the city, the business being located at Nos. 814-816 second street. The store has a frontage of fifty feet and they occupy two stories and basement. Their purchases are carefully made and their sales are growing year by year, for they carry an attractive stock of furniture which is reasonably priced and which meets the demands of the city and surrounding country.
462
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
On the 14th of June, 1904, Mr. Siemer was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Neighbors, who was born in Fort Madison, a daughter of Theodore and Elizabeth Neighbors, who were early settlers of this part of the state and for a long period conducted the Metropolitan Hotel.
Mr. Siemer votes with the democratic party and gives his earnest support to all measures and movements which he believes will prove beneficial to his community. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and St. Joseph's Catholic church, associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct.
FRANK W. SWAN.
Frank W. Swan has been a continuous resident of Keokuk for the past twenty-seven years and has erected some of the best buildings in the city. His birth occurred at Alexandria, in Clark county, Mis- souri, November 9, 1864. He was the only child born to the marriage of Bryant and Margaret (Kime) Swan, both of whom are now de- ceased.
When Frank W. Swan was very small his parents moved to Illi- nois and his early education was acquired in the public schools of that state. After graduating from the common schools he attended for a part of two terms the high school at Nauvoo. At eleven years of age he began learning the carpenters' trade and before he was twelve years old he and a half brother, who was but thirteen, built a store building entirely by themselves. For a number of years he worked at his trade and for one year was employed in a lumber yard at Nauvoo. When nineteen years of age he engaged in farming for a year, after which he resumed his trade. He later removed to Keokuk as he had previ- ously visited here at various times and was convinced of the city's desirability as a place of residence. He continued to work at his trade after coming here and some of the best buildings in Keokuk were built by him. In 1890 he began contracting and was so engaged until 1913. In 1908, in partnership with F. L. Griffey, he entered the lumber business, but sold out in 1912 and then established his present lumber concern. He knows the lumber business thoroughly, being acquainted with all of its phases, and as a result his enterprise has prospered and returns to him good profits annually.
463
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
On the 26th of September, 1888, Mr. Swan was married to Miss Matilda Twesten, of Keokuk, by whom he has four children: Grace M., now Mrs. Herman Wirth; Clarence; Frank; and Helen Iowa. Mr. Swan is an independent republican in politics and fraternally is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. He has made many friends, all of whom respect and honor him for his high qualities of character.si
INDEX
Albright, W. G.
66
Dick, A. E. 97
Alvis, H. J.
104
Dierker, Barney 187
Anschutz, Friedolin
110
Dierker, F. H. 177
Anschutz, H. M.
111
Doering, V. T. 241
Anthony, James
263
Armentrout, C. R.
34
Armentrout. J. C.
210
Axt. J. II.
313
Ayres, D. J. 344
Baldwin, T. F. 50
Ballinger, William 292
Bank, A. H. 236
Bank, Henry, Jr.
31
Bank, Henry, Sr.
30
Bargar, J. W.
220
Bargar. M. L.
232
Bell, Isaac
162
Bever. N. J.
257
Bevering. C. L. 112
Blom, William
167
Brinek, Herman 102
Haessig. H. G. 205
Haffner, Chris 78
325
Brown, H. C.
60
Brown Paper Co.
192
Brownell. W. A.
8
Buek, Asaph
71
Hart. C. M. 426
HIart, R. H.
414
Hart. R. S. 193
Hazen, E. P. 129
Hazen, Samuel 182
Hemmings, T. W. 286
Casey. J. M.
25
Chambers, F. C. 32
Colby, N. E. 275
Collins, W. B. 152
Hesse, B. B., Sr.
124
Colvin, G. H.
361
Heying. A. R. 299
58
Hobbs, J. M.
453
Hoffman. Peter 301
458
Corsepius, Ernest
134
Hollowell. T. P.
418
Cosgrove, John
80
Holmes. W. W.
107
Courtright, E. E.
271
Honadel, J. G. 248
18
Hornish, J. P.
85
Hosier, Isaiah
457
Hott. I. H. 452
448
Houston, A. T. 256
57
Danover, J. C. 56
Houston, Ira 198
Daugherty, J. F. 116
Houston, John, Jr. 217
Davis, Frank 390
Houston, Samuel 72
Davis, F. W.
258
Hubenthal. Charles 38
Day. J. I. 205
Hughes, A. B. 389
De Yong, Edward
174 Hughes, F. T.
260
Vol. II-27
Drollinger. B. F. 415
Dunn. F. A. 405
Ellis, Craig 284
Faeth, L. W. 424
Fletcher. A. P. 350
Foggy. Andrew 157
Foggy. I. C.
19
Foster, Lee 69
Frailey, J. R.
240
Geese, F. M. 113
Glick, J. M.
Gray, T. P. 147
Haessig, G. G. 366
Brinck. Theodore 95
Brown, A. P.
188
Hamill, D. B.
Hamill, Smith 327
Hamilton. J. D. 88
Harnagel, Henry 252
Bufe, E. J.
341
Burk. George 148
Burster, Ernst
285
Carrick. I. C.
401
Henkle, Amos
430
Henkle, W. L. 446
Henn, H. L. . 106
Conley. J. W.
145
Hill. George
Connable, A. L. 398
Connable. H. L. 399
Cook, Seth 290
Hollingsworth. Abraham
Craig. J. E.
62
Hornish, J. P., Jr.
Craig, J. H.
86
Crane. E. B. 387
Crimmins, J. J. 340
Cruikshank, James 36
Hott. Peter
Daniel, W. B. 294
Houston, H. W.
465
466
INDEX
Hutchinson. A. M.
93
P'eebler, C. L. 141
231
Phillips, G. W. 451
Philpott. A. F. 332
Pohlmeyer, J. M. 29
Pond. C. S.
215
Pond. S. P.
214
Pranger, Nicholas
419
Johnson, R. N.
408
Johnston, S. If.
300
Racey. R. F. 388
Rand, G. D.
5
Reeves, James 54
Renard, Charles 445
Renard, Henry 454
Rice, J. 364
Rich, C. M. 159
Kammerer, Albert 250
Richey, James
288
Richey, Mary J.
223
Kellogg-Berge Co. 61
Kennedy, Cyrus 423
314
Rix, G. E.
228
Robers, George
264
Roberts. N. C.
413
Kenney, J. M.
360
Kent, F. B.
282
Rogers, G. E. 320
Rousseau. R. N. 444
149
Rowe, O. W.
317
Kiel. W. F. 269
Kilbourne, D. W. 434
Kilbourne, G. E.
434
King. J. R. 92
Kirch, C. J.
176
Sallander. A. W.
305
Sanders, Gerhard 224
Klopfenstein. J. P.
138
Sanders, J. C. 449
302
Koller, J. C.
83
Satterly, S. H. 254
Sawyer, I. A. 20
266
Schoene, Martin
276
Schulte, William
108
Schulte, W. D.
61
Lange, H. E.
331
306
Lange, Robert
328
309
Leazer, Isaac 44
Scovel, R. M.
195
Lee, J. A. .
185
Seamans, E. D.
460
Leveling, J. G.
175
Sherlock. W. P.
385
Siemer, II. C.
461
Sims, I. S.
400
Skyles. Thomas
336
Sloat. W. E.
440
Smith, J. F.
139
Smith. R. B.
140
South, W. H. 358
Meddangh, J. W. 133
230
Meigs, Montgomery
348
Meyer. A. P.
91
Miller, R. P.
270
Stellern, J. G. H. 311
Sternberg. F. E. 304
Stevens, A. S. . 417
212
Stewart, J. W.
267
Storms, A. D. 354
Struthers. William 393
Sullivan, C. 11. 221
Sullivan. James 160
Summers, J. W. 127
Swan, F. W. 462
.
Taber. B. P. 337
Pechstein, Conrad 168
Pechstein, Henry 169
166
Newlon, W. H.
235
Nichols, A. S. 206
Overton, F. C. 246
Paul, J. B. 432
Paul, T. S. 433
Pease, R. S. 52
Thomas, A. D. 76
Thomas, A. P. 455
Jacoby. William 15
Jenkins, G. F.
170
Jewell. B. B. 128
Johnstone, A. E.
278
Johnstone, Edward
242
Joy, C. R.
24
Judy. Henry
202
Junge, John
251
Keethler. J. L. 406
Richmond, A. C.
357
Riddle, M. E
318
Kennedy. H. J.
74
Kennedy, J. P.
372
Robertson, T. R. 259
Kent. W. G. 10
Keokuk Industrial Association 374
Kern, P. J. 255
Rudd, E. H. 346
Rump, George, Sr.
222
Sage. W. N. 386
Klopfenstein, David
161
Koller, David
126
Krebill, Edward 272
122
Krelibiel, F. B.
Landis, H. C. 429
Lange, Ernest 326
Lohman, George 308
McCann, John 27
MeFarland, C. F. 310
MeKee, E. T. 35
Markle. George 439
Starkweather, G. A. 238
State Central Savings Bank. Keokuk 201
Stellern, Frank 312
Stellern, Henry
431
Miller, W. A. 143
Moorhead, S. W. 404
Stewart, G. B.
Nagel, John
392
Peterson, T. L.
Hyde, C. J.
Irwin, W. M. 339
Logan, William 199
Meents. D. J.
Scherfe, W. A.
Schweer, Conrad
Schweer, L. H.
Satterly. A. H.
Kennedy, James
Rovane, Jolin
INDEX
467
Tieke, Henry
144
Walljasper, Henry 130
Tower, J. A.
287
Walljasper, J. F. 296
Traverse, I. W.
368
Walljasper. O. B. 150
Trimble, H. H.
178
Weber, C. A. 96
Trimble, Palmer
68
Weber, E. C. 216
Tucker, G. C.
421
Weil. J. B. 143
Tueker. G. S.
197
Wenke, H. W.
323
Tucker, S. W.
196
Wiesemann, F. C. 274
Williams, I. C.
163
Urfer, Edwin 289
Wilson, S. S. 98
Van Ausdall, L. H.
428
Wirsig, A. E.
115
Van Hyning, G. W.
330
Vaughan, E. G.
204
Vogt, Herman
355
Vogt, William
343
Vounkin, R. H.
132
. Walker, J. C.
409
Walker, J. R.
219
Zaiser, A. J.
396
Woodmansee, F. A.
427
Wustrow, A. C.
212
Wustrow, Charles
211
APR 4 - 1947
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