The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 112

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Iowa > Pocahontas County > The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 112

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

in Sherman township.

rials, for their first buildings, from

In 1895, he married Catherine, sister Fort Dodge. In October that year he of M. A. Hogan, and has one son, Vin- paid the man that lived on the bank cent.

of the creek, on the Harvey Eaton

Neal, Benjamin (b. 1823; d. 1903), farm, one dollar to ferry him across farmer and drayman, Fonda, was a the Cedar at Fonda. The wagon box native of Richmond, Va. At fifteen and fixings were put on the boat and he moved with his parents to Mason the oxen swam after it pulling the county, Ill., where in 1854, he married wagon through the water with a Eunice Howe. In 1875, he became a long rope.

His family consisted of five child-

resident of Pocahontas county, loca- ting on a farm in the vicinity of Fon- ren. da. In 1884, he moved to Fonda, be-

Nellie Marie in 1876, married Sam- came a drayman and continued in uel Way, a telegraph operator, and that employment until his decease located successively at Alta and at 75 in 1903. He was an industrious, Blairsburg, Iowa, and Glasgow, Mon- honest and honorable man.

tana, where he died leaving four

His family consisted of one son and children, Frank, Howard, Nellie and seven daughters. Susan Jane in 1883, Fred. She now resides at Fargo, N.

married Lewis Dishoff, a farmer, and D. lives in Greeley county, Neb. Charles

George Newell, (b 1861), a tinner, E, a farmer, in 1885, married Clara married Clara Roberts and located at Wright and lives at Cherokee. Sarah Fonda. His family consists of five C. in 1883, married Frank Messenger, children, Lola, Vere, Opal, Claude, a carpenter, lives at Fonda and has and Roy.

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

Charles Henry (b. 1863), a carpenter, home. She died at 93 in 1880 and was married Theresa Dorton and lives in buried on the south side of an eleva- Clayton county. tion on the south west corner of the

Frank, a farmer, in 1898, married farm near Cedar creek. . He was a Pearl McGeary, lives on the old home member of the Lutheran church but farm and has one child Laura Jean- his children became Seventh Day Ad- ventists. In 1885, he moved to San nette.

Cora in 1886, married George Marsh, Pasqual, Cal.

His family consisted of three child- a painter and decorator, lives at Prim- ghar, and has a family of five child- ren all of whom were born in Den- ren, Harry, Phoebe, May, Dora, and mark, and bear the name of Johnson, Joseph.

after the Danish custom of calling

('Donnell, Edward (b. 1853), Fon- the children after the first name of da, is a native of Schuylkill county, their fatber. Pa. In 1855 he came with his par- Henry Johnson in 1878, married Florence White, daughter of an Iowa ents to Allamakee county, Iowa,

where he grew to manhood. In 1877, clergyman, and in 1884, located in he located at Dyersville, where in California. He taught several terms 1878, he married Ellen Sayre. In May of school in the vicinity of Fonda and that year he located at Fonda, where now has a family of six children. he found employment as a carpenter. Frank, Harry, Arthur, Nellie, Roy, He was the postmaster at Fonda six and Jessie.

years, April 1, 1883, to Oct. 15, 1889, Lawrence Johnson, a teacher, after and during this period built for the his removal to California married office a fine brick building. He has Viola Darling and has two children, been the town assessor most of the Inez and Glenn.

years since that date.

Sophia Johnson, a teacher, pursued

His wife died in 1887, leaving four medical studies at Battle Creek. children, Carl, a clerk, who in 1902, Mich., in 1895, graduated later from married Vina Kennedy and located in the California Medical College and North Dakota, Edward, Hazel and has since been engaged in the prac- Lewis. In 1898, he married Susan tice of medicine at San Diego, Cal. McCartan.

She grew to womanhood at Fonda

Olson, John (b. 1826) occupant of and, having a conviction that there the south part of the Wm. Marshall was a more advanced sphere for wo- farm, Cedar, 1869 to 1885, is a native man than mere drudgery, pursued her of Denmark, where he grew to man- education, relying upon her own re- hood and married Mary Jensen. In sources. The success that has attend- 1867, he came to America with a fam- ed her unaided efforts is but another ily of three children and located in illustration of what a young lady may Maine. Two years later he bought accomplish if her will and energies the sw, sec. 33, Cedar township, this are rightly directed.

county, improved and occupied it the Patty, Clay C. (b. 1866), druggist, - next six years. The buildings that he Fonda, is a native of Benton county, erected were completely demolished Iowa, the son of Joseph M. and and the grove that he planted was Rachel J, (Greenlee) Patty, who lo- partially destroyed by the tornado of cated at Carroll during his childhood. 1893. During his residence here he Here he grew to manhood and secured returned to Denmark and brought his a good education. In 1888, after at- aged mother that she might spend tending the Illinois school of Phar- the remainder of her days at his macy at Chicago. he engaged in the

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BIOGRAPHIES.

drug business at Charter Oak. Com- mill at What Cheer. Three years later ing to Fonda in 1893, he established a he assisted in the erection and man- drug store, and, though its location agement of a mill at Greencastle. was changed several times, he has Three years later he built a mill at now one of the finest rooms in the Newton and when it was destroyed by town, the first floor of the brick build- fire three months after its completion ing built by Roberts, Kenning and he rebuilt it. In 1881 he moved this Wood, on the southwest corner of mill and its machinery to Fonda, Second and Main streets, in 1901. In erected there also the brick house addition to the usual stock of drugs, known as the McKee home, and was a stationery, school books, soda foun- resident of that place until 1889, when tain, etc., he keeps a news' stand and he moved to Wilbur, Neb., and in a wholesale ice cream establishment. 1893, to Parkston, S. D. During recent years he has attained

His family consisted of five daught- the reputation of making the best ice ers, four of whom engaged in teaching cream, not merely in the town, but at Fonda and vicinity.

in this section of the state. In order Laura Bell in 1898, graduated from to supply the large demand for the the classical department of the State smooth and velvety ice cream that he University, Lincoln, Neb., and be- makes, he has provided facilities for came principal of the historic depart- its manufacture, that are a credit to ment in the high school at Omaha. the town. They include, among other She is now teaching at Lincoln.

things, a pasteurizer, a cream separa- Louisa Jane, after pursuing a nor- tor, a mammoth freezer, and a steam mal course in Drake University and teaching several years, in 1895, mar-

engine. He can easily make one or more hundred gallons of ice cream in ried George H. Kerr, proprietor of a a day. During the season of 1902 and lineotype printing press, and lives at 1903, the milk of 100 cows was receiv- Des Moines. ed daily, and the product, which is called "Velvet Ice Cream" was ship- ped to most of the towns along the married George Taylor, clerk in a shoe Illinois Central and Milwaukee rail- roads within fifty miles of Fonda.

In 1894, he married Ginevra Ballard of Odebolt, and has one son, Frank.

after a residence of five years at Fon-

Emma Mary, teacher of the primary department Fonda two years, in 1888, store, Omaha, and died there in 1899, leaving seven children.

Rebecca Kate in 1891, married Bert F. Osburn, a clerk, lives at Parkston,

Dr. Louis G. Patty, his brother, S. D., and has two children.

Estella, a graduate in 1891, of the da, during which he was engaged in high school at Wilbur, Neb., and in the practice of medicine, in 1898, re- 1899, of the academic department of turned to Carroll. Frank L., a young- Yankton College, has since been en- er brother, after assisting him two gaged as a teacher. years in the drug store, died at 20 at Carroll in 1898.

Post, Charles H., farmer, Cedar, was a native of Painesville, O., the

Pfeiffer, Godfrey (b. 1837), miller, son of Daniel K. and Charity Post. Fonda, is a native of Germany. He both of whom died at Painesville, the came with his parents in 1846, to former at 79, and the latter at 91, Butler county, Ohio, and in 1860, to after raising a family of twelve child- Keokuk, Iowa. In 1861, he married ren all of whom grew to manhood. Sarah Farr, of Wapello county and Charles H., the seventh son, in 1870, located on a farm. In 1871, he became married Mary Matson and found em- the principal owner and manager of a ployment in a nursery. In 1880, he

834

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

located on the ninet sec. 36, Cedar township, Pocahontas county, where township, which he improved and he improved a farm of 120 acres with occupied until 1891, when he moved to neat and handsome buildings, and oc- the vicinity of Newell. In 1901, he lc- cupied it until 1900, when he moved cated on a farm near Burlington, to Laconner, Washington. His fam- Kan. His long experience in nursery ily consisted of three children. Amy work developed a taste for raising L. in 1883, married F. F. Fitzgerald. fine fruits and also the skill to do so Lena in 1891. married Charles A. successfully . He achieved good suc- Vaughn, a farmer. Ora married Miss cess in raising apples, plums, cherries, Christianson, of Gilmore City.

Rice, Walter (1845-1901), farmer,

and strawberries wherever he has been located. He received a good ed- Fonda, was a native of Schoharie county, N. Y., where in 1866, he mar-

ucation and both he and his estima- ble wife were efficient and prominent ried Elizabeth Chrystal and located helpers in the work of the M. E. on a farm. In 1877, he moved to Iowa. church and Sunday school.

His family consisted of four child- ren. Ella in 1890, married William he located on the net sec. 24, Cedar Shorts, a farmer, and lives near Stuart, Iowa. Alice in 1899, married William Reed, a farmer, and lives previous to his decease, which occur- near Burlington, Kan. Walter and red near Des Moines, March 9, 1901. Mabel are at home.

locating first in Story and then six years in Cherokee county. In 1887, township, Pocahontas county, and occupied this farm until a week During his long residence at Fonda family still occupies the farmo. It

Post. Wilbur Eugene (b. 1861), he became well known as an enter- farmer, Cedar, is a native of LaFay- prising and successful farmer. His ette county, Wis., (near Warren, Ill.), the son of Alanson and Mary Post. consisted of two sons and one daught- In 1885, he married Julia M. Church er. and lived one year on his father's Fred in 1892, married May Bennett, farm near Newell, Iowa. In 1886, he occupies the old home farm and has located on his present farm on sec. 25, two children. Ada in 1886, married Cedar township, which he has im- Verlin E. Hardy, farmer, Fonda. proved with good buildings and in- Frank in 1903, married Olive, daught- creased to 160 acres. He has taken er of Samuel S. Martin, Fonda.

an active interest in the management

Saunders, W. B. (1855-1901), deal- of the public affairs of the township er, Rolfe, was a native of Rensselaer and served as president of the school county, N. Y. At ten he came with board three years, 1896-98. His fam- his parents to Illinois and later to ily consisted of four children, Elliott, Black Hawk county, lowa. In 1879, who was accidently drowned at 17 in he married Alma Messinger and in 1903, Clayton, Glenn and Stella.

1886, located on a farm in Center

Reed, Joseph M. (b. 1842), Clinton, township, Pocahontas county. After is a native of Pennsylvania and in 1860 seven years he moved to Rolfe, where came with his parents to Deleware he became a dealer in hay and ice. He county, Iowa, In 1861, he enlisted as was a man of strict integrity and very a member of Co. B, 4th Iowa Cavalry, highly respected. He left a wife, five and continued in the service until the sons and two daughters.

Schoentahl, Henry, (b. 1844)

end of the war, four years. In 1895, he married Arminta Hayden, and in 1871, farmer, Fonda, became a member of located on a homestead in Palo Alto Co. M. 6th Iowa Cavalry. Oct. 16, 1862, county. In 1874, he located in Clinton at Dubuque, and went into camp at

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BIOGRAPHIES:

Davenport. He was mustered out at 240 acres. He is an intelligent and Sioux City, Oct. 15, 1865, after three highly respected citizen and has serv- years of service on the northwestern ed several years as assessor, trustee frontier. He participated in the bat- and treasurer of Cedar township. tles with the Indians at Hart Mound, His wife died in 1879, leaving four White Stone Hill, and the Black children, Richard, Joseph, Margaret Hills.

and Mary.

In 1868, he married Louisa Kruse,

Patrick Shea, his father, who came at Dubuque and they continued to to his home in 1882, died there at 74 reside there uut 1 1836, when they Jo- in 1887.

cated in the vicinity of Fonda. His Sherman, Perry H. (1838-1902), family consisted of six children, Emil, Rolfe, was a native of Cattaraugus Wilhelmina, Sadie, August, Ludic county, N. Y. At the age of four he

and Edward.

was bereft of his mother and was de- deprivde a offhome, circumstances that

Seifert, George Mrs. (1826-1902), Clinton, was a native of Germany. In compelled him to support himself as 1848, at Schenectady, N. Y., she be- soon as he was able. He grew to man- came the wife of George Seifert, who hood on a farm and in 1858, married died in 1885, at De Witt, Iowa, leaving Jerusha Smith. In 1865, he located in a family of nine children. In 1889, Jones county, Iowa, where he ex- Mrs. Seifert and her daughter, Anna, perienced the hardships common to became residents of Clinton township, the pioneers of that section, one of making their home with her daughter which was the protection of their Catherine, wife of W. C. Kennedy. lives and homes against the depreda- Anna in 1901, married Edward H tions of outlaws. During a part of Weigman and located at Barlow, N. this period he was captain of a band D. Three of her sons, Charles C., of vigilantes, who were organized for John and Amos Seifert, are still resi- the purpose of apprehending and dents of Pocahontas county. The punishing horse-thieves and other other children are Mrs. McKidd, violators of law. In 1892, he became Nebraska City, Mrs Page, Chicago, the owner and occupant of a farm ad- and Henry Seifert, DeWitt, Iowa. joining Rolfe and died at 64 in 1902. She was a loving mother and a noble By industry and frugality he acquired woman. She endeavored to exert a a comfortable competency. He was a good influence over all with whom she man of sterling worth, truthful in his associated. (John died in 1934).

word and exemplary in his conduct.

Shea, Patrick (b. 1837), owner and His family consisted of eight child- ren, namely, J. P. and F. H. Sherman, occupant of a farm of 240 acres on sec. 5, Cedar township, is a native of Ire- merchants, Mrs. O. B. Fuller, Nellie, land. At ten he came with his par- Fred A. and Benjamin Sherman, all ents to Canada and in 1862, located in of whom reside at Rolfe. Fred and

New York. The next year he went Benjamin in 1902, were students of to California and spent the next seven the State University at Iowa City, years mining copper at Stockton or having in view the practice of law doing other work at San Francisco. In and medicine respectively. One of 1869, he married there Mary Maher. his children died in childhood and In 1870, he left the Pacific coast, Alice, wife of F. F. Ellicker, died in visited friends in New York and 1900, at her home in Des Moines. Canada, bought and located on 80 Sinnett, James (b. 1836: d. 1903), acres of his present farm which he one of the pioneers of Pocahontas has nicely improved and increased to county, was a native of Ireland. He

836

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

came to America in 1853, and after a er Mary, who lives with her grand- residence of four years in New York mother, Mrs. Nemecek.

Tom Smith was a pioneer character

located in Michigan, where he was engaged in the copper industry the whose acquaintance or fame was not next twelve years. In 1869, he mar- confined to Pocahontas county. Dur- ried Julia Ryan (b. Ireland 1840), and ing the early days he kept large herds located in Pocahontas county, Iowa, of cattle on the prairies and as the first in Lizard, the next year in Bell- years passed became possessor of 560 ville, and in 1878, on sec. 23, Lake acres in Clinton township. His tastes township, where he secured a farm of were extremely primitive and during 240 acres. In 1900, he moved to Rolfe the summer months he scorned to and later to Gilmore City, where he wear anything on his feet. He made died at 67 in 1903.

his trips to the neighboring towns

Ilis family consisted of twelve and even to the cities without any children, seven of whom survive him, special change of clothing. As a M. T. in 1891, married Julia Murphy. trader in hay and cattle he did a After spending ten years in the min- large business each year. He was a ing districts of Colorado, he located at hard and persistent worker, often dis- Pocahontas and has a family of four regarding the time of day. He experi- children. Maggie in 1883, married enced the hardships of the pioneer through many years of wearing and Thomas Laihoff, lives at Marysville, Montana, and has seven children. wearisome labor. James in 1899, married Anna Kelleher

Ile was a brother of Mrs. John H. occupies his own farm in Lake town- Oldaker and Mrs. John Bush, a half ship and has two children. Kate in brother of James &. Smith, a cousin 1892, married M. J. Ford, a farmer, of H. C. Barnes, and was related to lives in Webster county and has six the Nemecek brothers and Votlucka children. Patrick in 1899, married families. Agnes Nugent, lives on his own farm

Smorkovski, Anton (1824-1881), in Lake township and has two child- Bellville, was a native of Bohemia, ren. Mary in 1895, married J. C. where in 185[, he married

Hood, a farmer, lives in Webster Dosa, who died a few years afterwards county and has two children. Julia leaving one daughter, Mary. In 1856, A., a teacher in 1903 at Gilmore City, he married Barbara Dosa, a sister of has been very successful in her pro- his first wife, and, coming to America fession, having taught three and one- in 1867, located in Livingston county, half years in Rolfe. Her mother lives Ill. In 1872, with a family consisting with her.

of wife, four sons and three daughters,

Smith, Thomas Brennan (1855-1902) he came to Pocahontas county, Iowa, Clinton, was a native of Peoria, Ill. and located on the e} sw} sec. 28, 80 He was the son of Andrew Brennan, acres, Bellville township. He was an who died when he was a babe. His industrious and thrifty farmer, and mother soon afterward married An- improved his farm with good and sub- drew S. Smith, father of James S. stantial buildings. At the time of Smith of Plover, and the name of his death at 57 in 1881, he was the Smith was adopted. In 1870, he came owner of 320 acres, all of which are with hisfather to Pocahontas county still owned and occupied by his wife and continued to reside in it until his and the younger members of his fam-' death at 48 in 1902. In 1878, he mar- ily. ried Julia Nemecek who died at his Mary, a daughter by his first wife, home on sec. 29. He left one daught- in 1875, married Peter Kemmer and

837

BIOGRAPHIES.

located on a farm of 160 acres on sec. with their own hands erected not only 13, Sherman township, which they their buildings, but also their most have improved, increased to 320 acres, important and delicate machinery. and still occupy. Their family con- The industry they have established sists of three children, Peter, Annie is one of the most important at Fon- and John. da and its management, under their

Anton (b. Boh. 1857) in 1885, mar- careful personal supervision, has been ried Mary Stoley. He owns and oc- very successful. They are the owners cupies a farm of 170 acres in Center of several hundred acres of land in the township and has a family of five vicinity of Fonda, and leading stock- children, Mary, James, Elizabeth, holders of the Northern Telephone Lois and Anna.

Company.

Anna (b. Boh. 1858) in1877, married Rudolph Beneke, (see page 345).

Lee S. Straight (b. 1860) completed his education at the Bryant & Strat- John (b. Roh. 1860) owns and occu- ton business college, Chicago. He is pies a farm of 100 acres on sec. 16, a director of the Northern Telephone which he has improved with good Co. and has served several terms as a buildings.

member of the Fonda council.

Donna (b. Ill. 1868) in 1890, married 1882, in Livingston county, Ill., he George Peters, who owns and occupies married Ida Tanner, a teacher, and a farm near Havelock, which he was his family consists of six children. the first to improve. Their family Halver 'and Fleda, Fonda graduates in 1902 and 1903, respectively, Gladys, Ina, Merton and Alma. consists of five children, George, Barbara, Anton, Joseph and John.

Sophia (b. Iowa, 1872) in 1895, mar- Guy H. Straight (b. 1868), junior ried John Clain, a farmer, lives in member of the firm of Straight Bros., Washington township, and has a fam- in 1891 during his residence at El ily of three children, Jennie, Anton Paso, Ill,, married Ida E. Mahoney, and Joseph. a teacher and resident of Fairbury,

Joseph, Frank and their mother oc- Ill. His family consists of three chil- dren, Oma, Leta and Lois, one having

cupy the old farm home.

Straight Bros., Lee S. and Guy died in childhood. He is now (1903) a H., manufacturers of brick and tile. member of the Fonda council.

Fonda, are natives of McLean county, Struthers, William (b. 1836), far- Ill., sons of Rufus C. and Francina mer, Des Moines, brother of Robert, R. (Abbey) Straight. They grew to (p. 171) is a native of Canada where in manhood and received their early 1860 he married Anna, daughter of education at Fairbury, Livingston John and Margaret Kilgour. Coming county, Ill. Lee in 1882 erected a tile to Pocahontas county that year he factory at Manhattan, and two years located on the nw} sec. 13, Des Moines later, selling this plant, bought an- township, which he improved and other one at El paso, III., where Guy occupied until 1877, when he located then became associated with him in on the net sec. 23, where he still re- business. In 1894 they came to Fonda sides and is the owner of 226 acres.

and erected a brick and tile manufac-

His family consisted of seven chil- turing establishment (p. 388), that dren, one of whom died in childhood. has since received their undivided at- John A. (b. 1862), a farmer, in 1892 tention and been successfully operated married Emma Norman, lives in Des by them. Both are skillful mechanics Moines township and has a family of and entirely familiar with every de- four children, Vernon, Gordon, Flor- partment of the work. They have ence and Robert.

838

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

William J. (b. 1865), a railroader, in

Sullivan, Jeremiah O. (b. 1840), 1894 married Hulda Elg, lives at is a native of Ireland. At the age of Gowrie and has a family of four child- nine he came with his parents to ren, Donald, Pauline, Clifton and Memphis, Tenn., and six months later Carl Eva.

to Jackson county, Iowa. In 1870, he Nellie in 1894 married Frank King, came to Pocahontas county and lo- a dentist, lives at Rolfe and has one cated on a homestead of 80 acres on daughter, Milfred Louise.

sec. 4, Cedar township, which he still Elizabeth in 1894 married Frank occupies, has increased to 430 acres Duvoe, a banker, and lives at Jeffers, and improved with good buildings. Minn.

In 1874, he married Mary Keefe and George D. (b. 1876), is the owner and has a family of three sons and three occupant of a farm of 170 acres on sec. daughters, Michael, Anna, Margaret, 13, Des Moines township. In 1900 he John, William, and Mary.

married Natalia Julmi and has one son, Melvin.

Leslie (b. 1879) is at home.

John Carey, James Griffin and Peter Byrne, who reside in the vicinity of Fonda, are married to sisters of Mr.

Struthers, James, brother of Will- Sullivan. His parents lived and died iam, after seven years spent in Aus- in Jackson county.

tralia, located across the line in Hum-

Swenson, Swen J. (h. 1840), tailor, boldt county near McKnight's Point, is a native of Sweden, where he grew a beautiful point of timber extending to manhood and in 1867, married Al- from the east bank of the Des Moines berta Eigil (b. 1843). In 1869, he came river out upon the prairie a few miles to America and lived nine years in northeast of Rolfe. He improved and Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1878, he located occupied this farm until his death in at Newell and in 1892, at Fonda, Iowa, 1898, at which time he was the owner where he established tailor shops that of a large and finely improved farm.

at times gave employment to several In 1861 he married Margaret. Jane, workmen besides himself and his two daughter of John and Margaret Kil- sons, Paul and Gustave. Nov. 1, 1900, gour, and his family consisted of eight he moved to Albert City. He is an in- children, five sons and three daught- dustrious worker, a man of sterling ers, namely George, a farmer; Mag- integrity and has raised a fine family. gie, deceased; Andrew J., who located His family consisted of six children. at Sioux Rapids and died at 36 in 1903 Bertha in 1891, married Carl E. leaving a wife and two children. Bar- Thorpe, a tailor, lives at Manson and bara, Robert, Fred, Anna, and Wat- has three children, Evelyn, Lloyd and son.

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The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 112

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846 Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn
Number of Pages: 1058