The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 113

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 113

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Margarite.

Sullivan, Henry (b. 1854), Cedar, Swen N. (b. 1871), a drug clerk, St. is a native of Wheeling, W. Va. At James, Minn., in 1894, married Eva the age of one year he moved with his Alfreda Krohn and has two children, parent, John and Ann Gibbons Sulli- Irena and Marion. van, to Green county, Wis , where he

Paul (b. 1875), a tailor, Lake City, grew to manhood. In 1890, he located in 1896, married Edna Clearwater and in Pocahontas county, Iowa, in the has one child, Pauline. vicinity of Fonda, and is now the Gustave T. (b. 1877), a Fonda gradu- owner and occupant of a farm of 160 ate in 1894, worked in the tailor shop acres near the town, on which he has several years, acquired a practical erected all the improvements. In 1882 knowledge of electrical engineering he married Ann Knight, of Green and became chief electrician for the county, Wis. Pacific Wireless Telegraph and Tele-

839

BIOGRAPHIES.

phone Company, San Pedro, Cal. In Rachel Bailey (b. 1820) and located at 1902, he married Edith, daughter of Erie, Pa., where he found employ- William and Rebecca J. Busby, Fon- ment as a carpenter and later nine da, and located in Los Angeles. years as a ship builder on the lakes. Minnie and Carl are at home. In 1858, he moved to Johnson county,

Mary Johnson Swenson (1808-1897), Wis. Oct. 4, 1861, he enlisted as a his mother, in 1872, the year after the member of Co. H., 13th Wis. Inf. and death of her husband, Swen Swenson, continued iu the service three years at the age of 64 years, came to Amer- aud two months. He belonged to the ica and lived with her son, Swen. J, army of the Cumberland and served at Brooklyn, Newell and Fonda, un- successively under generals Rosen- til her death at 89 in 1897. She was crans, Grant, and Sherman. the mother of four children, one of

His family consisted of eight child- whom, the eldest, died in childhood; ren, and three of his sons, William, Anna Bertha married August Foegel- George, and Marion, followed his pa- quist and lives in Minnesota; Augusta and Swen J. Swenson. She was a de- triotic example and rendered military married C. Ljungren, lives in Sweden; or naval service during the civil war. William served three years in the vout member of the Lutheran church. same company with his father and

Thatcher, Isham Clarence (b. died at Hillsboro, Wisconsin, in 1880. 1845), county auditor, is a native of George W. enlisted as a member of Williston, Vt., the son of Stephen and the 8th Wis. Inf., the eagle regiment, Helen Isham Thatcher. In 1853, he and served nearly four years. He is a moved with his parents to Indiana, carpenter and lives at Des Moines. in 1857, to Dodge county, Wis , and in Francis Marion entered the navy and 1863, to Minnesota, where his parents was under the command of Capt. Win- still reside. In 1888, he located in Des slow on the ill-fated Kearsarge.

Moines township, Pocahontas county,

Solomon H. in 1880, came to Fonda, where he soon won recognition as an Iowa, where he continued to reside enterprising and prosperous farmer. until 1900, when he and wife moved He was three times elected and served to Des Moines where he died at 85 in efficiently as auditor of this county 1901. six years, 1897-1902. Called from the

James J. Trude, his youngest son, plow to accept an important public came with him to Fonda and engaged trust he discovered to his friends that in draying many years. In 1900, he the man who successfuly stirs the sod located on a farm in South Dakota. can faithfully and efficiently perform In 1886, he married Mary A. Moulton the duties of the auditor's office. He and has a family of six children, John, is now serving as a deputy it the Nancy, Cora, Charles, Clarence and auditor's office.

Arthur.

Tucker, Seth Samuel (b. 1830),

Io 1869, he married Helen A. Faster who died in 1871 leaving one daughter hotel keeper and dairyman, Fonda, is now Mrs. H. B. White, Houston, a native of Erie county, N. Y., the Minn. In 1878, he married Ella C., son of George and Susan Tucker, who only daughter of Sanford and Ch'oe were natives of that vicinity. In 1850 Brown Ritter, and their family con- he married Jane Coyle a native of sists of one daughter, Eloise, a teach er.

Poughkeepsie. In 1878 he located on . a farm in Cedar township, north of Fonda. In 1883 he became proprietor of the Central House and four years later of the Ewing Hotel, Fonda. He

Trude, Solomon H. (b. 1816), car- penter, Fonda, was a native of Sara- toga, N. Y. In 1839, he married has maintained a dairy and sold milk

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

most of the time since 1899. His wife haffey, a mason. He died in 1891, died at 56 in 1888.

leaving three children, Judson, His family consisted of seven child- ren, two of whom died in childhood. Catherine and Leona. In 1894, she married Stewart B. Whitmore, a Mary Belle, an early Fonda teacher, farmer, lives near Rolfe and their in 1884, married Frank H. Covey, a family consists of three children, cigar maker, lives at Fonda and has Hazel, Harriet and Stewart. one son, Harry. Minnie in 1896, mar- August (b. 1870), merchant, is a ried John Weaver, one of the first native of Jo Daviess county, Ill. In engineers on the Wabash (now C., M. 1891, he married Nellie Hoard and in & St. P.)railroad, Des Moines to Fon- 1894, became the successor of his da, is now a master mechanic on the father in the general store of Weible Santa Fe railroad. They live at & Hauck, Rolfe. He is the owner of Marceline, Mo. Gilbert W. in 1893, considerable town property and in married Emma Jennings and lives at 1902, completed one of the most Marceline, Mo. Charles S. an engineer handsome residences in the town of on the Santa Fe railroad, in 1897, Rolfe. It is modern in its plan of married Susan Tucker and lives at construction and from cellar to attic Burlington, Kan. Hepzibah Lapen is supplied with the most recent in 1891, married Palmer C. Toy, lives facilities for comfort and convenience.

at Storm Lake and has one daughter, Opal.

Wilde, William (b. Dec. 25. 1849), is a native of Dodendorf, Germany.

Weible, Martin, (b. 1836) merchant, He came to America in 1869, and lo- Rolfe, is a native of Wittemburg, Ger. In 1846, he came with his par- employment on a farm. cated at Oregon, Ill., where he found In 1878, he

ents to America and located in Jo moved to Center township, Calhoun Daviess county, Ill. In 1861, he mar- county, Iowa, and in 1879, married ried Cathrina, sister of Valentine Amanda McNames, In 1884, he mov- Hauck. In 1878, he located in Carroll ed to Pomeroy and became an assist- county, Ill., later at Grundy Center, ant in a lumber office. Since 1890, he Iowa, and in 1882, associated with has been the manager of the lumber Valentine Hauck, he established a and coal business of the Woodford & general store in the new town of Wheeler Company, Fonda. Rolfe. This pioneer firm is still do- His family consists of five children, ing business at Rolfe under the old Morton Clyde, Guy, Hazel, Linn and name "Weible and Hauck," but Au- Iris. gust, his son, in 1894, became the ac-

Wolf, Joseph (b. 1859), Center, is a tive member of the firm. During the native of Tama county, the son of years 1894 to 1902, he found congenial Albert and Frances Wolf. In 1880, he and profitable employment as a dealer married Josephine Anderly (b. 1859) in stock. He is the owner of 360 acres and located on a farm. In 1889, he of farm land in the vicinity of Rolfe. came to Pocahontas county and after He was brought up in the Evangelic- one year in Sherman located in Center al Association or Albright church.

township. He served as clerk of the

ren.

His family consists of three child- township three years, 1895-98. His family consists of four children, Charles F., Mamie, Albert and Julia.

Margaret in 1881, married Jacob Yetter, a farmer, who owns and occu- Wolfe, Maurice (b. 1820; d. 1901), pies a farm of 320 acres in the vicin- Lincoln township, was a native of ity of Rolfe.

Ireland. At twenty-two he came to

Anna in 1885, married Charles Ma- Illinois, where he married in 1859. In

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BIOGRAPHIES.

1887, he came to Iowa and remained 1895, when he moved to Pocahontas, until his death at the home of his where he still resides. He is one of the daughter, Mrs. Geo. Bonne, Lincoln founders and liberal supporters of the township, in 1901. He left a family Catholic church at Pocahontas. of twelve children all of whom were

He raised a family of seven child- with them at the time of his death, ren, one having died in childhood.

namely, John, Robert, Edward and Catherine (b. Boh. 1859) in 1879 Jerry Wolfe, Mrs. Geo. Bonne, Mrs. married Anton Sedlacek and located W. J. Stegge, Mrs. John Alberts, on the net sec. 29, Center township, Agnes, Maggie, Julia, Josephine and which he improved, increased to 280 Cecilia.

acres, and occupied until his death in

Wykoff, William Marshall (1834- 1882. Heleft five children, Anton, 1902), farmer, Fonda, was a native Michael, Mary, Joseph and Wencel, of Canandagua. N. Y., the son of who, together with their mother, oc- James and Esther Gates Wykoff. He cupy his late farm. Mary in 1879, married Anthony

was the youngest of a family that consisted of five brothers and two Hudek, see Hudek.

sisters. At four he was bereft of his

Anna (b. Iowa 1866) in 1888, mar- father and at twenty-one went to ried Wencel Stoulil, see Stoulil.

Elizabeth in 1890, married Joseph

Elmira, learned the tinner's trade and later engaged in the hardware busi- Payer, who lives on his mother's farm ness at Brownsville, Minn. In 1876, in Center township, and has four he located three miles southwest of children, Mary, John M., Anna, and Fonda on a farm, which he was the Agnes.

first to improve and occupied it John (b. 1870) in 1894, married Anna until his decease at 68 in 1902. His Sinek, occupies a farm of 160 acres on house on the knoll west of Cedar sec. 29. Center township, and has four creek has always been a very promi- children, Frances, Agnes, Elizabeth, nent land mark. A happy home and and Albert.

family were the objects of his first

Ella in 1895, married Joseph L. Eral concern, and then the faithful per- who occupies a farm of 160 acres in formance of his duty as a good citizen. Lincoln township and has three child-

In 1858, at Brownsville, Minn., he ren, William, Lucia and Wencel.

married Phoebe Snyder and his family

Wencel (b. 1873) in 1894, married consisted of six children. Frank, Anna Schroeder, occupies a farm of William who married Lizzie Spiel- 160 acres in Center township and has man, Fobes, Esther who married one son, Wencel.

Virgil Heston, Dollie, and Mamie who married Geo. H. Stafford.

Bollard, Joseph B. (b, 1858; d. 1903) druggist, Fonda, was a native of ceived a good education and later graduated from Oberlin College. He

Bartosh, Matias (b. 1832), Poca- Crawford county, Pa., where he re- hontas, is a native of Bohemia, where in 1856. he served as a soldier under King Joseph in the war with Italy. began to teach school at the early age In 1858, he married Anna Stejskal of seventeen and pursued this employ- (b. 1829), and, coming to America in ment three years after he located in 1865, located in Winnesheik county, 1880, with his elder brother, Richard Iowa. In 1874, he located on the nw} D. Bollard, in Pottawattamie county, sec 29, Center township, Pocahontas Iowa, In 1883, he located on a farm county, which he was the first to oc- north of Fonda, and the next year be- cupy and improve. He increased this came a resident of that town, where farm to 320 acres and occupied it until he found employment as a drug clerk.

842 PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

In 1886, associated with Dr. M. F. the owner thereof and a just regard Patterson, he became proprietor of a for the old adage, "A rolling stone drug store and maintained it nearly gathers no moss." fifteen years. Others that were suc- cessively associated with him in this ren.

His family consisted of four child- Jennie May, a teacher, in 1892, business were Henry Brown, S. M. married Daniel A. Whitney, a farmer, Carleton and Wm. Bott. In 1891, he lives at Shelbina, Mo. and has two

children, Everett and Sarah Etta.

erected a two story brick block over the ruins of the frail structure that Kleber W. in 1885, located at Marsh- was destroyed by fire, Aug. 25th, that field, Wis., where in 1894, he married year. He served as a member of the May Beach and has two children. Fonda council six years, 1890-95, and Lester and Harry are at home.

served several terms as a member of Fremont Eugene Gates, a carpenter and younger brother of Jarvis, has been a resident of Fonda since 1895. the Board of Education, of which he was president two years, 1893-94. He performed a leading part in effecting Gezy, John (b. 1855), Fonda, is a the organization of the Big Four Fair native of Seneca county, Ohio, the Association, and was a member of its son of Joseph and Rosa Gezy, who first board of directors. During the were natives of Germany. In his boy- period of his official recognition he hood he moved with his parents to exerted a potent influence in the Pulaski county, Ind. In 1880, he management of the public affairs of found employment in Newton county, the community, especially those re- Ind., where in 1881, he married Lydia lating to its educational interests, E. Martin and located on a farm. Two and was an active participant in the years later he passed to Iroquois politics of the county. His pleasant county, Ill., and in 1885, to a farm of voice, genial nature and natural abil- 120 acres south of Fonda. He increas- ity caused him to be recognized as a ed this farm to 220 acres, improved it leader in the circles in which he mov- with good buildings and occupied it ed. He died at 45 in 1903.

until 1903, when he erected a pretty

In 1885, he married Jennie M., house in Fonda, which he now enjoys. daughter of William Bott, Fonda, He has one daughter, Maud, who is and his family consisted of five child- at home.

ren, Roy, Robert, June, Elzina, and Eva.

Gezy, Joseph H. (b. 1857), farmer, south of Fonda, is a brother of John.

Gates, Jarvis D. (b, 1859), farmer, In 1882, in Indiana he married Lucin- Fonda, isa native of Shabbona Grove, da Burritt, and the next year located Ill., the son of Isaac and Laura A. on 80 acres in Williams township, Gates. In 1870, he married Elizabeth, Calhoun county, Iowa. He has increas- daughter of Martin and Catherine ed this farm to 540 acres and improv- Welsh, and located on a farm. In ed it with good buildings. His wife 1879, he located south of Fonda, and died in 1902. His family consists of in the fall of 1880, on the farm of Geo. four children, Henry, Edward, Fred- Sanborn, which, after the lapse of eric and Pearl.

twenty-three years, he still occupies.

McEwen, William D. (b. 1865), He has met with good success in rais- banker, Pocahontas, is a native of ing stock and has manifested con- Ormstown, province of Quebec, Cana- siderable pride in keeping a flock of da, the son of Duncan and Mary Mc- fine sheep. His long continuance on Ewen, and nephew of W. D. McEwen, the same farm suggests the mainte- nance of a pleasant relationship with

Esq., Rolfe. He became a resident of Pocahontas county in September 1888,

843

BIOGRAPHIES.

first on his own farm and in 1893, at in 1903. He possessed a pleasing per- Pocahontas, where he became cashier sonality, was a faithful soldier and of the Pocahontas Savings Bank. He highly respected citizen. continued to fill this position in a In 1869, he married Sarah Detwiler and left a family consisting of two sons and three daughters, Mrs. Georgia Easthouse, Enola and Grace, teachers, Allan and Ernest. very efficient and satisfactory manner until January 1900, when he resigned, and, in partnership with Joseph Simpson, established the City Ex- change Bank of Pocahontas. He is still president of this bank and has been the sole proprietor of it since 1901. He built and occupies one of the fine residences at Pocahontas. In 1903, he was a member both of the council and school board of that city.

In 1893, he married Emma Tutt, of South Bend, Indiana, and has two children, 3 Lawrence R., and Leon Duncan.

McEwen, W. S., a cousin of Will D. MeEwen, succeeded him as cashier of the Pocahontas Savings Bank, which, in July 1902, was reorganized as the First National Bank of Poca- hontas. He continued to fill this position in the reorganized bank un- til Septemper 1903, when all the stock of this bauk was purchased by the proprietors of the Allen Bros. Bank, and the latter was merged into it,

Stoulil, Joseph (b. 1835), Pocahon- tas, is a native of Bohemia, where in 1859, he married Antonia Sramek. Some years afterwards he came to America and located in Tama county, Iowa, and in 1872, on 160 acres on sec. 19, Center township, Pocahontas county. He was the first to occupy and improve this farm and increased it to 440 acres. In 1875, when Center township was organized, he was elect- ed a trustee and also the first treas- urer of the school board. He is now a resident of Pocahontas, where he is the owner of considerable town prop- erty. His family consisted of four- teen children, nine of whom are liv- ing.

·Joseph (b. 1860), married and lives in South Dakota.

Wencel (b. 1865) in 1888, married under the new officers, J. H. Allen, Ann Bartosh, occupies a farm of 160 president; C. S. Allen, vice-president; acres in Center township and has six The children, Mary, Ella, Joseph, Wencel, and F. W. Lindeman, cashier. office was then transferred to the new William and Agnes. Allen bank building.

Mary in 1885, married Anton Smorkovsky, lives

Squire, George B. (1839-1903), near Pocahontas and has five children Fonda, was a native of Huron county, Mary, Wencel, Elizabeth, Alice and Ohio. He enlisted as a member Anna. Anna in 1888, married Joseph of the 3rd Ohio Cavalry, when the Hobart, lives in Arkansas, and has first call for volunteers was made at three children, Agnes, Josephine and the beginning of the Civil War, and, Allce. Frank (b. 1873) in 1899, married at the end of three years, re-en- Josephine Hudek, occupies a farm of listed and continued in the service of 160 acres in Center township and has his country until the close of the war. one son, Richard. Frances is a nurse He then came to Iowa, and located at at Sioux City. Edward is married Iowa City, then at Grinnell and later and occupies the old home farm on in Audubon county. In 1893, he lo- sec. 19, Center township. Emma and cated near Fonda, where he died at 64 William are at home.

XXIX.

GARFIELD TOWNSHIP.

"God give us men! A time like this demands Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands. Men, whom the lust of office does not kill; Men, whom the spoils of office cannot buy; Men, who possess opinions and a will; Men, who have honor; men, who will not lie; Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog In public duty and in private thinking. Lo! Freedom weeps, Wrong rules the land and waiting justice sleeps." -HOLLAND.

"Let us make ourselves members of a new and better race."

ARFIELD town- within the limits of the Independent ship (92-31, except School District of Rolfe (sections 5 section 5) is the new and 6, the w} of 4 and nt of 7 and 8) name given in 1903, into a new township, called to the rural sections, Garfield, Sept. 11, 1903. Center school 1-4 and 6-36, of Clin- house was designated as the place for ton township, the history of which holding the first election, Nov. 3, 1903, has already been given under its old and the following persons were ap- name of Clinton township. pointed to serve as the first election

In response to a petition signed by board, namely: Milt D. Wolcott, W. Geo. W. Henderson and many other C. Kennedy and James McCreary, citizens in the eastern part of Clinton judges; L. W. Ives and Nels Peterson, township, the Board of County Super- clerks. At this first election the fol- visors formed all that part of Clinton lowing officers were elected: W. C. township that was not contained Kennedy, B. C. Votlucka and H. G.

(844)

845

GARFIELD TOWNSHIP.

Mason, trustees for one, two and three

It was also ordered at this time years, respectively; John [Siefert and that the boundary lines of Clinton E. G. Fargo, justices for one and two township shall be those of section five, years, respectively; Nis Behrendsen, 92-31. This change made the incor- clerk; F. W. Ives, assessor; J. E. porate town of Rolfe a township, and Schnug and W. E. Campbell, con- rendered unnecessary the further stables.

election of township officers. The

Nov. 12, 1903, the board of super- officers of Clinton for 1903, were R. S. visors, in response to another petition Mather, B. C. Votlucka and H. G. Mason, trustees; and J. K. Lemon,

enlarged Garfield township by adding to it all the territory in Clinton except clerk. section 5, which was included within Garfield is still included in the first the incorporate limits of the town of supervisor district with Clinton, Des Rolfe.

Moines and Powhatan townships.

XXX.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

"Sow a thought reap an act, Sow an act reap a habit, Sow a habit reap a character, Sow a character reap a destiny."

N 1860, this county was organized as one school district, with Robert Struthers,

terests of the county, has been steady and permanent.

Perry Nowlen, the first one elected superintendent and for the year 1859, did not qualify, and the reason no doubt was, because there was no oc- casion for him to do so. Four of his immediate successors, Oscar F. Avery, Wm. H. Hait, Ora Harvey and Michael Collins, each of whom served about one year, during the period, 1860-1863, were appointed first by the county judge, or board of county su-

Ora Harvey and John A. James, di- rectors. The Lizard district, embrac- ing the south half of the county, was organized May 6, 1861, at the third meeting of the board of county super- visors. The county records, relating to this department of work in the early days, are no longer available for reference. The growth in education- pervisors. Fred E. Metcalf was the al matters, however, as in other in- first one to serve two years, 1864-1865.

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847

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

He was succeeded by W. D. McEwen, Tuttle. On April 21st that year he J. J. Bruce; David Miller and Geo. W. selected the site for the school house Hathaway, each two years. Oscar I. at Sunk Grove, the first one in Cedar Strong, after serving in 1874, resigned township and west half of the coun- and John F. Clark, being appointed ty. and afterwards elected, served three

The report for 1860, when all the years, 1875-77. David Miller and O. I. county was included in one district, Strong then served successively each shows 36 pupils in the county, thir-

a term of two years. In 1882, they teen of whom were enrolled with an were followed by J. P. Robinson and average attendance of eleven.

In 1865. there were two districts,

J. H. Campbell, both of whom served . terms of four years. Their successors and they contained, Des Moines 61, and Lizard 39 children of school age.

have been Fred C. Gilchrist two years, 1890-91; Clel Gilchrist six years, 1892- In 1870, there were in the county 97; A. W. Davis two years, 1898-99; 591 children, of whom 307 were en- and U. S. Vance 1900 to date, 1903.

rolled with an average attendance of

O. F. Avery, the second incumbent, 159. issued one certificate during his term In 1875, there were 13 districts and of office. This was given to Helen M. 902 children. In 1880, when Fonda Harvey and she taught the first appeared as the first independent school in 1860, in the home of W. H. town district with 86 children, there Hait, at old Rolfe. During the fall were 15 districts and 1401 children. of that year the first school house, a In 1890, when there were three inde- brick one, was built at old Rolfe. W. pendent town districts there were 19 H. Hait, the superintendent in 1861, districts and 3,339 children.

issued two certificates, and two

The annual report for 1903, was schools were taught that year, one by as follows: Subdistricts, 128; inde- Helen M. Harvey in the brick school pendent, 17, of which 8 were in towns, house and the other by Ellen Condun 8 in Lizard township and one, a joint in a vacant log cabin, later known as district at Gilmore City, where the the "Pioneer School House," built by school is in Humboldt county; 145 Patrick Collins on sec. 13, Lizard school houses, valued at $126,376; township. In 1866, W. D. McEwen teachers' places 174, employed during issued among others a certificate to the year 311, of whom 44 were males James J. Bruce. At that date there employed at an average of $40.15 a were only six school houses in the month, and 267 were females, at $34.26 county, namely, the "Brick"

and a month; children of school age in the (Robert) "Struthers" in Des Moines county 5,150, enrolled 4,681 with an township, the "Calligan" and average attendance of 2,756, and cost "Walsh" in Lizard, the "Malcolm" in of tuition per month $2.43; value of Clinton and "Strong" in Powhatan. apparatus $7,768; 218 certificates were No others were built after the one at issued, 16 teachers held state certifi- old Rolfe until the close of the war, cates and the amount paid the teach- or in 1865, and the first ones then ers was $51,582; volumes in libraries were those in the Calligan, Strong 10,887. More than 9,000 of these have and Malcolm districts. In 1869, when been obtained since 1900. Mr. Bruce was superintendent, he is-

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The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 113

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