USA > Iowa > Clinton County > Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1 > Part 51
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GEORGE C. BUSCH.
As indicated by the name, the gentleman whose career is briefly sketched in the following lines is of foreign birth, his native land being Germany, where he first saw the light of day on September 20, 1845. His parents, Gerhart and Lena (Roebling) Busch, spent their lives on a farm in their native country and reared a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom George C. was the only one to come to the United States.
George C. Busch was reared and educated in Germany and grew to man- hood as a tiller of the soil. Thinking to improve his condition in a country where land could be easily procured and where better advantages obtained, he disposed of his interests in his native land in 1869 and came to the United States, making his way direct to Clinton county, Iowa, where he supported himself for a while at various kinds of manual labor. For several years he farmed as a renter, but about 1879 he purchased eighty acres of land in Sharon township, which he at once proceeded to improve, and which in 1884 he increased by an additional forty-acre tract. Still later, 1894, he bought eighty acres more, which, like the former, he reduced to a high state of cul- tivation, and otherwise improved, making a farm of two hundred acres, which in all that constitutes a fine country estate compares favorably with any like amount of land in the county.
With characteristic energy Mr. Busch has brought his land to an excellent state of tillage, and his buildings, fences and other improvements are among the best in the township. He has met with gratifying success as an agricul- turist and stock raiser and, being in independent circumstances, it is his intention soon to turn his farm over to his sons and move to Lost Nation, where he proposes to procure a home in which to spend the remainder of his life free from active labor. Since coming to Clinton county he has mani- fested a commendable interest in the affairs of the same, and all movements having for their object the general welfare have met his unqualified endorse- ment and support. His influence has ever been on the side of the right, and there is no man in Sharon township who enjoys a larger measure of confidence than he or is held in higher personal esteem. Politically, he supports the Democratic party and, religiously, subscribes to the creed of the German Reform church, to which body his wife also belongs and under the influence of which his children have been reared.
On February 23, 1877, Mr. Busch was united in the bonds of wedlock with Elizabeth Tebbe, whose parents, Albert and Hendrena Tebbe, came to the United States in 1874, and settled on a farm near Big Rock, Clinton
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county, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mrs. Busch was born in Germany, received a good education in the schools of her native place, and accompanied her parents upon their removal to the United States. She was a lady of sound practical intelligence, a true coworker and helpmate, and much of the success achieved by her husband is due to her judicious coun- sel and hearty co-operation. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Busch, namely: Lena, who married Louis Richtermann; Albert married Dora Burrichter and lives in Clinton county ; Henry, William, Ella, John and Emil. Thus in a very brief and cursory manner have been set forth the leading facts in the lives of one of Clinton county's enterprising farmers and representative German-American citizens. He came to this country in very moderate financial circumstances, but by industry, energy and economy, di- rected and controlled by sound judgment and superior business capacity, he gradually surmounted the obstacles of an unfavorable environment and in due time rose to a position of independence. By a life singularly free from fault he has gained the confidence and good will of the people of his commun- ity and among his neighbors and acquaintances his character and integrity have always been above reproach.
GEORGE W. BARBER.
One of the successful and well known farmers of the western part of Clinton county, and a man who richly merits the high esteem in which he is held owing to his life of integrity and industry. is George W. Barber. He has done much to advance the material and general interests of his locality and has, by his persistent labors and excellent management, developed one of the best farms of his township.
Mr. Barber was born in Orange township, Clinton county. Iowa, March 18, 1848, of a sterling old pioneer family, and here he has spent his life, wit- nessing the country grow from its wild, unimproved state to its present opu- lent condition, and he has taken his full share of the burden of development, being justly proud of his native community. He is the son of Nathaniel and Mary Ann (Pearsol) Barber, a full sketch of whom is to be found on another page of this work.
George W. Barber grew up on the home farm. where he assisted with the general work about the place during the crop seasons, attending the public schools in the winter time. As stated above, he grew up amid pioneer sur-
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MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. BARBER
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roundings, being one of the earliest white children born in Clinton county and he is now one of the oldest native sons of the county, and it is indeed interest- ing to hear him relate incidents of the early days and tell of this country when there was plenty of wild game, few settlers and scarcely any roads.
Mr. Barber has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and has been successful, owning now a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and seventy acres. He has a pleasant home and good outbuildings and is in comfortable circumstances, ranking among the substantial citizens of his com- munity. Besides general farming, he carries on stock raising, always keeping good stock of various kinds.
On March 23. 1869, Mr. Barber was married to Belinda Guy, a native of England and the daughter of John and Susan (Taylor) Guy, who were born in England, where they spent their early lives and from which country they came to America in 1851 and settled in Massachusetts. This family came to Clinton county. Iowa, in 1865 and settled on a farm in Orange town- ship and here became well established. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barber, namely : Susan M., born December 9, 1869, married Julius Hahn, and they have two daughters, Leone H. and Lulu Belle; Bruce G., born May 31, 1880, is living at home assisting his father with the farm work.
Politically. Mr. Barber is a Republican, and has always taken a lively interest in whatever tends to promote the general good of his county in all lines. He and his wife are pleasant people to meet and they have scores of warm personal friends throughout the county.
ALBERT H. BERNER.
The scion of one of the worthiest and most prominent pioneer families of Clinton county and a man of courage, self-reliance and of the utmost integ- rity of purpose is Albert H. Berner, one of the most extensive farmers and stock raisers of Liberty township. As the result of the qualities enumerated, together with many others, he has during his entire life stood high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends. He holds high rank among the financiers of this locality, whose interests he has ever had at heart and which he has ever striven to promote in whatever laudable manner that presented itself. His life has been led along high planes and he has been true to every trust that has been reposed in him.
Mr. Berner was born in Liberty township, Clinton county, Iowa, on April
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1, 1860. He is the son of William and Catherine (Jackson) Berner, the father a native of Germany, born May 28, 1826, the mother born in New York on March 4, 1824. William Berner accompanied his parents, Nicholas and Sarah Berner, to New York in 1835 and there they spent the remainder of their lives. The maternal grandfather, Joseph Jerome Jackson, was a native of the state of New York, and his wife, Annis Holcolb Jackson, was also a native of the Empire state and there they spent their lives. They were all people of sterling integrity and influence in their communities. The father of the subject was educated in New York and grew to maturity in his native community, and there he was married and reared a family of four children, three of whom are still living. He came to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1852, when the tide of emigration from the East was very strong in this direction, and he settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land which he entered from the government. He was a man of thrift and managed well and here he prospered, finally becoming the owner of eight hundred acres of land. He kept his place well improved and was one of the model farmers of his day and generation and was popular and influential in his community. In politics he was a Republican, but he never aspired to public office, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his family and large farming interests. He be- longed to the Methodist Episcopal church and was a liberal supporter of the same, as he was of any worthy movement looking to the betterment of his community. His death occurred on August 1, 1902. His widow, a woman of many estimable traits, is still living, being now eighty-six years of age, and, like her honored husband, she has a host of warm personal friends.
Albert H. Berner, of this review, was reared on the home farm and when but a boy he became acquainted with the general work on the farm, working in the fields during the crop seasons and attending the local public schools during the winter months. He also attended a business college in Davenport, and early in life turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He has been very successful, being a hard and persistent worker and a man of good judg- ment and excellent management. He is the owner of nine hundred and forty acres of as rich land as the county can boast and at one time he had twelve hundred acres. He keeps his land well improved and under a high state of cultivation, his home farm being one of the model farms and "show places" of the county. Everything about his place indicates thrift and prosperity and shows that a gentleman of good taste has its management in hand. He car- ries on general farming and stock raising, being considered one of the best judges of live stock in this part of the county, and no small part of his annual income is derived from this source, for the superior grade of his stock always
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insures them a very ready market. He has a beautiful and substantial home, attractive in all its appointments and which is known to the many friends of the family as a place of hospitality and good cheer.
Politically, Mr. Berner is a Republican, but he has never been an aspirant for public offices, though he has ever stood ready to support and promote any measure looking to the general uplift of his community and county.
On April 5. 1882, Mr. Berner was married to Martha Lillie, a lady of intelligence and refinement, who was born in Sharon township, Clinton county, September 28, 1862. She is the daughter of B. A. and Mary (Medley) Lillie. Her father was a native of Jericho, Vermont, his birth occurring on September II. 1824; the mother was also born in Vermont, her birth being recorded as November 28, 1826. They came to Ohio in an early day and on to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1856, and settled on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Sharon township. Mr. Lillie prospered here and bought and sold considerable land. He was a good business man and everybody liked him. Politically, he was a Democrat and he was at one time supervisor of his county, and held other local offices. His wife was a Universalist, while he was liberal in his religious views. Their family consisted of eight children, six of whom are living. Mr. Lillie's death occurred on March 3, 1894, and his wife passed to her rest on March 5, 1905.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Berner, namely : Ida May, now Mrs. Arthur Babcock, of Coleridge, Nebraska ; Albert H., Jr., of Tor- onto, Iowa; Neva, Norma, Adren and Marian all members of the home circle. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock are the parents of two children, Charles and Floyd. Albert H. Berner, Jr., married Sarah Welch, of Toronto, and they have two children. Glenn and Ivan.
Personally, Mr. Berner is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet. being genial, unassuming, straightforward and a man whom to know is to trust and respect.
OTTO DAVID PINGEL.
To the traveler through the prairies of Iowa. during the seasons when the pastures and meadows are green, their rolling slopes dotted with the graz- ing fat cattle, and the fields of corn offering their green banners to the winds, a most tempting picture is presented, and one is disposed to envy the lot of the fortunate Iowa farmer. And why should he not be envied? The farm- er's lot is beginning to be a desirable one in all localities, but especially is that
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of the Iowan farmer pleasant, for he is located in a region which is unsur- passed for farming purposes.
Otto David Pingel was born in Spring Rock township, Clinton county, Iowa. on Christmas day, 1878, the son of David Pingel, who is mentioned in this work. His early days were spent on the farm and in attendance on the district schools and the Wheatland high school. On reaching manhood he began to farm on his own account, and now owns eighty acres of land in the fertile regions of Berlin township, on which he carries on very successful general farming and stock raising. In politics he is a Republican, and has filled the office of school director. The Evangelical church reckons Mr. Pingel and his family among its faithful members.
On January 7, 1901, Mr. Pingel was married to Mary Reyelts, who was born in Cedar county, Iowa, the daughter of Claus and Annie Reyelts. Her parents were among the early settlers of Clinton county, where they still re- side. To this marriage have been born two interesting and attractive children, Esther and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Pingel are well known in their community and popular. Mr. Pingel has shown that he is the possessor of those qualities which make a man successful, and also influential in and valuable to his neighborhood.
HERBERT PINGEL.
To the young man in search of a pleasant, healthful and profitable occu- pation, the farm offers many advantages. The unpleasant features of farm- ing are each year growing less, with the improvement of machinery and the modern means of communication. Its healthfulness has never been questioned, and its profits are becoming all the time greater and more manifest. But it does not follow that one can succeed on a farm necessarily who would fail elsewhere, for there, as everywhere, systematic management and business- like methods bring their reward. Mr. Pingel has brought good management to his farming and has thus found it a very desirable occupation.
Herbert Pingel was born in Spring Rock township, Clinton county, Iowa, on September 26, 1882, the son of David and Mary (Grave) Pingel. both natives of Germany, his father born on February 7, 1840. David Pingel came to Clinton county in early days, located on a farm, increased his holdings until he at one time owned two hundred and forty acres of land. then sold off all but eighty acres and now lives in Wheatland, retired. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, in religion a member of the German Reformed church. A
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man of strong and upright character, his life has been such as to win for him the esteem of those who know him.
Herbert Pingel grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving his education in the public schools and the Wheatland high school. He is now carrying on general farming and stock raising, operating eighty acres of land. In politics he is a Republican.
On May 24, 1905, Mr. Pingel was married to Mabel Mowry, a native of Clinton county, the daughter of Frank and Ida Mowry, of Brookfield township. She has borne to him three children, Leroy, Chester, deceased, and Lavere.
Herbert Pingel has made a splendid start in life for a young man, has many friends, and on account of his ability and energy is one of the most promising young men of his community.
HANS C. BLUNK.
This sketch records the doings of a worthy citizen of the sturdy German race, a native of the Fatherland, who in his adopted country has developed his abilities and exemplified the value of the racial stock from which he is descended, has been prosperous, and has gained in a marked way the esteem of his neighbors. Such citizens as he show to the people of the nation what recent immigration has done and can do in bringing to our shores men whom we are proud to gain and would be loth to lose.
Hans C. Blunk was born in Germany on April 29, 1866, the son of G. Henry and Elizabeth (Blunk) Blunk. His parents were native Germans and came to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1884, where his father purchased seven hundred and twenty acres of land, which he improved and lived on until his death in 1905. at the age of sixty-three, his wife having preceded him to the unseen land in 1902. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters, all of whom, save one daughter, are living. In politics the elder Mr. Blunk was a Democrat, and he and his family were true to the Lutheran faith of their German ancestors. He was a man of strong character and of more .
than ordinary ability, whose judgment was highly regarded by his neighbors.
Hans C. Blunk was reared on a German farm and attended the public schools of his native country. When seventeen years old he came to the United States, spent one year in Nebraska, then located in Clinton county, where he has since lived. The owner of one hundred and thirty acres of
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land which he devotes to stock raising and general farming, he receives from it a competence and is accumulating a good estate. Politically, his affiliations are with the Republican party, and in religion he has not departed from the Lutheran faith.
Mr. Blunk was married in 1890 to Mary Husmann, a native of Ger- many, the daughter of Hans and Wiebke (Struve) Husmann. Her mother died in Germany, and her father came to this county in 1884, and now lives in Davenport, Iowa. Mrs. Blunk has been a faithful wife and true helpmate, and has borne to her husband four children: Elsie, who died at the age of eighteen; Werner, now eighteen; Emiel, aged fifteen, and Emilie, aged twelve. Mr. Blunk is considered by all who know him to be one of the solid and substantial men of his community.
GEORGE G. ACKERMAN.
Dairy farming is one of the most profitable branches of agriculture, but at the same time it requires better management and a higher degree of business ability to successfully operate a dairy than to carry on a gen- eral farming business. But to one who is as capable a manager as the head of the Ackerman Dairy and Poultry Farm, dairying presents an interesting and pleasant field and returns large profits.
George G. Ackerman was born in Toronto, Liberty township, Clinton county, Iowa, in 1865, the son of J. P. Ackerman. The latter was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1829, was educated there and learned the black- smith's trade. In 1856 he came to America and first stopped in New Jersey, then removed to Trimble county, Ohio, and about 1870 came to Toronto, Iowa, where he operated a blacksmith shop and kept a hotel for thirty years, becoming prominently identified with the interests of the village. In 1900 he moved to Hale, Missouri, and lived a retired life, but desiring to spend his latter days where the most of his active life had been passed, he re- turned to Liberty township, Clinton county, in 1907. He was married in Ohio, in 1857 or 1858, to Carolina Hartman, who bore to him three sons and one daughter. Henry, the oldest. is now state superintendent of schools in Oregon : George is at Toronto, Iowa; Frank is at Bettendorf, Iowa; Jennie (Mrs. Leo Klahn) lives at Hale, Missouri. Mr. Ackerman is a Lutheran, and in politics a Republican. Mr. Ackerman's life has been a very profitable one. and perhaps the greatest pleasure of his old age is to look out upon the achievements and lives of his three sons and one daughter, of whom he is justly proud.
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George G. Ackerman received his education at Toronto, and has farmed since he was old enough for the work. He is now operating ninety acres near Toronto, in Liberty township, and is a breeder of Poland-China hogs, Jersey cattle and Plymouth Rock chickens. His principal attention is given to dairying, and the farm has been since 1907 known as the Ackerman Dairy and Poultry Farm. His cattle are excellent for milk and butter purposes, and few poultry fanciers can excel some of the specimens of his favorite breed which he now has.
George G. Ackerman was married on July 4, 1887, to Emma Muhl, who was born and reared in Liberty township. As a result of this marriage three children have been born, Harry, Elsie and Walter.
Mr. Ackerman is a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican, and has been constable of the township for two terms. By his worth he has made many friends. Strong and enterprising, such citi- zens as he are most valuable in any community.
MATTHEW BERNARD CAVEY.
Liberty township is one of the most beautiful regions of Clinton county, and among its farms are some that cannot be excelled. Among the better farms of the township is that of Mr. Cavey, which presents an extremely attractive appearance to the passer-by, thus giving evidence that a careful and progressive farmer is its owner, for usually a farmer's capability can be ascertained from the appearance of his farm.
Matthew Bernard Cavey was born on the farm where he now resides in 1865. the son of Mathias and Margaret (Connelly) Cavey. His parents were born in Ireland and married there, emigrating to the United States in 1847 and first locating in Ohio, but after a short stay there they removed overland to Clinton, Iowa, each driving a cart over the long road. In 1856, when the western portion of Clinton county was still mostly unsettled, Mathias Cavey came to Calamus and worked as a grading contractor on the Northwestern railroad. then in process of construction. Farming seemed promising to him and for about eleven years he lived on a farm of ninety acres three miles north and a half mile east of Wheatland. In 1864 he bought two hundred acres one and one-half miles southeast of Toronto, a farm with but few improvements, on which he erected excellent buildings and brought the place to its present high condition. Mathias Cavey has lived a quiet life, giving his attention to his business and his family. He is a stanch Democrat, and a member of the Catholic church. He was the father
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of ten children, one of whom died in Ireland and two near Clarence, Iowa; seven of them now living. Mrs. Cavey, having been many years a faithful wife and loving mother, died in the spring of 1908.
Matthew B. Cavey received his education in the common schools and has always followed farming, never removing from the home place. Like his father, he has found general farming and stock raising the most profit- able method of disposing of the soil in this locality. In 1902 he was mar- ried to Katy Curran, of Cedar county, who has borne to him the following children : Merl Matthew, Ethel and Ward James. He and his family are members of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Cavey is a Democrat, but has never cared to become a candidate for office. A strong, honest, sub- stantial' citizen, he stands well in his community, is known as a successful farmer, and has a wife and family of whom any man might be proud.
LOUIS P. TRITSCHLER.
It is with no small degree of satisfaction that we advert to the career of such a man as Louis P. Tritschler, who is too well known in Clinton county to need any formal introduction to the readers of this history, for he has long enjoyed distinctive prestige among the enterprising business men of the thriv- ing city of Clinton, and as a neighbor and citizen is highly esteemed by all who know him. He has certainly earned the right to be called one of the pro- gressive men of eastern Iowa, having fought his way onward and upward to a prominent position in industrial circles, and in every relation of life his voice and influence are on the side of right as he sees and understands the right. He started out in life with little of this world's goods, but is now classed with the financially solid and reliable men of the city, having given strict attention to business and ever maintained a straightforward course, from which no motive has ever caused him to deviate. He has accumulated a handsome fortune, including valuable real estate in the city and large private capital not represented in his business enterprise. As intimated above, his personal rela- tions with his fellow men have ever been mutually agreeable, and the high esteem in which he is held indicates the universal hold he has on the confidence and respect of the people, regardless of class or condition.
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