USA > Iowa > Clinton County > Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1 > Part 53
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The Doctor is a native of South Dakota, having been born there on July 15, 1884, and is the son of Samuel and Fannie (Nelson) Newbern. The mother is a native of Indiana, and she went to southern Iowa with her parents, Arbuckle and Jane (Greenly) Nelson. The mother of Doctor New- bern was twice married, her second husband being Charles Saddoris. Her death occurred in 1906.
Doctor Newbern was reared on a farm in South Dakota until he was about six years of age, when he was brought to Clinton county, Iowa, and he has been a resident here ever since. He was liberally educated, having attended the public schools and the DeWitt high school. graduating from the latter. He was always an ambitious lad and studied hard, having deter- mined while a small boy to take up the study of medicine, and with that
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end in view he entered the medical department of the University of Iowa, where he made a splendid record and from which he graduated in 1908. He soon thereafter began practice at Jolley, Calhoun county, Iowa, remain- ing there sixteen months, when he came to Grand Mound, and he has suc- ceeded in establishing an excellent practice in the brief time he has been here. He keeps well abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his profession and is a close student, keeping up with all research work in ma- teria medica. Politically, he is a Republican, and he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Doctor Newbern was married on November 25, 1909, to Elsie Marie Wendel, a lady of culture and refinement, a native of Clinton county, and the daughter of John and Mary Wendel, one of the highly honored families of Orange township, this county.
CHARLES F. SCHMIDT.
Having started in life a poor boy, Charles F. Schmidt, farmer of Orange township, Clinton county, deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, and, though yet a young man, he has become the possessor of a valuable landed estate and is one of the leading agriculturists of his community, through his efforts and good management and sound common sense, which always bring tangible results when properly exercised.
Mr. Schmidt was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, September 30, 1873, and he is the son of Carl and Carolina (Pankow) Schmidt, both na- tives of Germany, where they were reared and educated and from which country they came to America when young and located at Rock Island, where they were married. There the father worked in a saw-mill and lived there until his death. About 1890 the mother and her son. Charles F. of this review, came to Clinton county, Iowa. The son had been reared and edu- cated in Rock Island. He is one of a family of four children, two of whom are still living, two having died in infancy. William, the other living son, came to this county when his mother and brother, Charles F., made the trip. They located immediately on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres and here the mother spent the rest of her life, being now deceased.
Charles F. Schmidt has added to the original purchase until he now has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he has brought up to a high standard of improvement and on which he carries on general farming
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in a very successful manner, his work and careful management being amply rewarded from year to year by abundant harvests. He has also raised various kinds of live stock from year to year, which have always found a ready market, owing to their excellent quality.
Mr. Schmidt was married in 1894 to Sophia Baehnk, of Clinton county, and to this union these children have been born: Carl J .; Clara died when three months old: Lillian C .. Raymond E. and Margaret W.
Mr. Schmidt is a member of the German Lutheran church, and, politi- cally, he is a Democrat. He has long manifested a large interest in the welfare of his community and for some time he served as school director and he is now very acceptably performing the duties of road supervisor. He stands high in all the relations of society, being an honest, kind and generous man who, while laboring for his own advancement, does not neglect his duties to his fellow men.
ENGLE J. CHRISTENSEN.
Among the most progressive of the younger generation of agriculturists of Olive township, Clinton county, is Engle J. Christensen, who has been a hard worker and has made his influence felt for the general good in his community, for he believes in the modern ideas of advancement and in keeping abreast of the times in material, civic and social affairs.
Mr. Christensen was born in the township where he now resides, July 18, 1870, and he is the son of John and Jorna (Thompson) Christensen, both born in Norway, where they spent their childhood, and from which country they came to America when single and located in Clinton county, Iowa. The mother arrived in 1862, leaving her parents, Engle and Christie Thompson, in Norway, where they spent the rest of their lives. The par- ents of Engle J. Christensen were married in Clinton county, Iowa, and their family consisted of six children, of whom four are still living. The father was a farmer and became the owner of eighty acres of land and he had a very comfortable home, providing well for his family. Politically, he was a Republican, and he and his family were members of the Lutheran church. The death of John Christensen occurred in 1889 and his widow survived him many years, dying on June 19, 1910. at the advanced age of seventy- seven years. He was her senior a number of years and he was seventy years old at his death.
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Engle J. Christensen grew to maturity on the home farm and when but a lad he was put to work in the fields, assisting with the general work on the place, especially during the crop seasons. He attended the public schools during the winter months and when he left school he devoted himself to farming exclusively, which has always been his chief vocation. He is now the owner of an excellent and well improved place of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. He always keeps some good stock and has been very successful in handling the same.
Politically, Mr. Christensen is a Republican, but he has never sought public office, preferring to give his exclusive attention to his farm. In re- ligious matters he has followed the traditions of his family and belongs to the Lutheran church, which he attends and assists in supporting.
AUGUST F. VETTER.
In going over Clinton county one is impressed with the unusually large number of German inhabitants; he might even wonder if he were not trav- eling along "the hills all rich with corn and wine along the vine-clad banks of Rhine," instead of the valley of our great "father of waters." And no prettier picture of an agricultural district is to be found than right here, for these gentlemen from the fatherland have here established attractive and cozy homes and have well improved and tastily kept farms and are excellent citizens in every respect. One such is. August F. Vetter, of the vicinity of Calamus, who was born in Germany on April 30, 1866, the son of Gottlieb and Anna (Schmachel) Vetter, both also natives of Germany, where they were reared and spent their early youth. They came to DeWitt, Clinton county, Iowa, in the year 1867, locating not long afterwards in Olive town- ship on thirty-seven acres of land, to which forty-three acres were later added. The father's death occurred here in 1883. the mother surviving until 1895. They were the parents of six children, of whom five are now living. In politics the elder Vetter was a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran church.
August F. Vetter was reared on a farm and began working in the fields when a small boy. He received a common school education and he has always followed farming, being now the owner of a rich farm of one hun- dred and sixteen acres, where he carries on general farming and stock rais- ing. He is very successful in breeding and preparing for market well bred
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Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. He built a modern, commodious and attractive residence in 1909, and he has made most of the improvements on his place.
In politics Mr. Vetter is a Democrat and he has been school director for a period of three years, taking an active interest in local affairs. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Vetter was married on February 18, 1892, to Caroline Christen- sen, who was born in Germany on April 28, 1869. She is the daughter of A. B. and Mariam (Knudsen) Christensen, the former a native of Ger- many and the latter of Denmark. In 1882 they came to Clinton county, Iowa, and here the mother died in 1893. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living. The father was a farmer and he voted the Democratic ticket. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vetter, named as follows: Henry ; Arthur, deceased: Louis, Mariam, Clara, Ruth and Ellen.
LAUREN CHASE EASTMAN.
The character and business connections of Mr. Eastman are so well known to residents of Clinton that it is not necessary to use many words in speaking of him. His actions and his character speak for themselves sufficiently to those who know him.
Lauren Chase Eastman was born June 19, 1844, in Penn Yan, New York, the son of Moses W. and Matilda A. (Chase) Eastman. He is of Puritan descent on both sides, his ancestors coming from England about 1630, and several members of both families served in the colonial and Revo- lutionary wars. His father was born June 12, 1810, his mother December 17, 1817, and spent their lives in New York.
L. C. Eastman received a common school and academic education at Penn Yan, during the war served in a New York regiment, and then en- tered business employment. In 1869 he came to Clinton, Iowa, and on April 10th entered the employ of C. Lamb & Sons, the lumbermen, as head office man, and was with them continuously in that capacity for thirty- six years, until January 16, 1905, during which time he witnessed the growth and decline of their enormous saw-milling business. He is now vice-presi- dent of the Eastman Gardiner Company, incorporated under the laws of
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Iowa, and which is engaged in the operation of large lumber mills at Laurel, Mississippi. Besides his connection with this company, he is concerned in various Clinton enterprises. Mr. Eastman is, to use his own phrase, "not in politics." He is a member of all the bodies of both the Scottish and York rites of Masonry, in which he takes much interest.
On October 17, 1866, Mr. Eastman was married at Penn Yan, New York, to Sarah Elizabeth Gardiner, who was born in Penn Yan, March 9, 1848, the daughter of Stimson B. and Nancy B. Gardiner, who came to Clinton in 1867, where Mr. Gardiner was prominent in lumber interests. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman are the parents of two children: Nina L. was born May 15, 1871, and married Wallace B. Rogers, who is now in Laurel, Mississippi, connected with the Eastman Gardiner Company. They are the parents of one bright son, Lauren Eastman Rogers, born August 13, 1898. Ida Gardiner Eastman was born April 20, 1873, and died February 5, 1902.
Mr. Eastman is a member of the Presbyterian church. During his forty-two years residence in Clinton he has been closely identified with the interests of the city, and is well known as a citizen strongly influential in her advancement.
WILLIAM LEEDHAM.
The career of the well known and highly respected gentleman whose name heads this review illustrates forcibly the possibilities that are open in this fair land of ours to men of earnest purpose, integrity and sterling business qualifications. A well spent life and an honorable career constitute his record, and he is esteemed by a host of friends in the town of Lyons, where he maintains his cozy home, and throughout Clinton county.
Mr. Leedham was born in Lincolnshire, England, June 8, 1825, and his parents were Thomas and Martha Leedham. The father was a farmer and his death occurred in 1837, when his son. William, was one year old. The mother subsequently came to America and died here in the early eighties.
William Leedham was reared on a farm and early in life knew the meaning of hard work, but he took a delight in supporting his widowed mother and did everything possible for her comfort. The early training he received in that school of fortitude and self-denial was excellent discipline for him and he faced life's duties manfully. He served an apprenticeship to a butcher, learning the business thoroughly, and followed the same most of his mature life.
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In 1852, when twenty-six years of age, he came to America and settled in Lyons, Iowa, landing here with only twenty-five cents as the sum total of his capital, but having a boy's unconquerable will and restless desire to do something. he at once found employment and was soon very comfortably established. He was the first butcher in Clinton county, having started a shop as the outgrowth of peddling. He saw the future possibilities of this favored section of the great Hawkeye state and remained here, thus being one of our honored pioneers, and he has taken much more than a passing interest in the general development of the county, always willing to do what he could toward promoting the general good. His reminiscences of conditions as they existed here in the early days and how they gradually gave way to the larger life and fuller development of later years are indeed interesting as well as instructive,. for he has been a close observer and an interested spectator.
Politically, Mr. Leedham is a Republican and he has been assessor of Lyons for the past twenty-two years. His long incumbency of this office is a criterion of his fidelity to duty and of his popularity with the local citizens. In religious matters he is a Methodist.
Mr. Leedham was united in marriage with Mary Walters in 1847, while still living in England, and this union has resulted in the birth of nine children, namely : William W. lives in the state of Washington; Charles H. is in the postoffice at Lyons, Iowa; Mary Ann married W. H. Albin, of Lyons; Eliza- beth married E. H. Collins, of Cherokee, Iowa. The other children are de- ceased.
JOHN R. BATHER.
Among the well remembered and highly respected citizens of Clinton, Iowa, who deserve conspicuous mention in a work of this nature was the late John R. Bather, well known for many years as a popular florist and a man of high characteristics, a man who won the confidence and friendship of his fellow men because he was scrupulously honest, obliging and courteous in all his relations with them.
Mr. Bather was born at Manchester, England, on November 7, 1828, and there he spent his youth and received a good education. He was the son of Thomas and Agnes (Killett) Bather. a couple of many praiseworthy characteristics, who spent their early life in England. emigrating to America in 1848 and settled in Albany, New York, and they soon had a very comfort- able home established in this country. Thomas Bather's death occurred at the
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age of fifty-five years and that of his wife at the age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents of three children who reached maturity, namely : John R., of this review ; Emma M. and Andrew ; the other child died young.
John R. Bather was a young man when he came to America and here he became well established in business early in life. He came to Clinton, Iowa, in 1859 and engaged in business as a florist with his brother, Andrew. They soon had an extensive trade, which continued to increase and which was car- ried on most successfully for a period of thirty years, during which time the subject became known as one of the leading florists of eastern Iowa, being profoundly versed in all branches of floriculture and maintaining a large, well equipped and popular greenhouse. After these brothers had carried on their business thirty years, they dissolved partnership and divided the property. The subject accumulated a competency by his thrift and good management and had a very comfortable home in Clinton.
John R. Bather was first married in England to Mary Moody, who died on the ocean while emigrating to this country, and he was later married to Jane Maria Sipperly, a native of Troy, New York, whose death occurred on November 7, 1896, at the age of fifty-four years, having survived her husband, the subject, three years, he having been called to his reward on November 15, 1893. This worthy couple were the parents of twelve children, namely : Frank, deceased; Agnes, deceased wife of William Norman; Jessie; Mary, wife of N. Underwood; Fred, married B- Labour, of Des Moines; Walter, deceased; Ernest was born April 10, 1871, in Clinton, Iowa, and re- ceived a good common school education and he has been a florist all his life. having assisted his father from the time he was a small boy. On August 24, 1910, he was married to Mary Christian, a full sketch of her father appearing elsewhere in this work ; Ruth Bather, deceased; Arthur Bather, who is engaged as a florist also in Clinton, was born September 16, 1876, in this city, and here he received a good common school education and, like his brother, has devoted his life to floriculture, taking up the work of their worthy father in this line of endeavor, and the grounds which they occupy cover three acres; they make a specialty of cut flowers, plants, and funeral wreaths, always en- joying an extensive trade. He was married on June 23, 1908, to Glenn Crapser, of Clinton; Roy Bather, who married Gertrude Taylor, is a machin- ist; Carrie, deceased; Fannie is the wife of F. Dowhower.
Upon the death of the father, Jessie Bather, his daughter. mentioned above, succeeded to the business and has been conducting the same with rare tact and business ability, building it up to extensive proportions and increasing to a great degree the already firmly established standing of the firm.
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C. HENRY HILBERT.
Under former conditions the farmer's life was regarded as one of the most desolate of lives and which brought to the one who followed it but little of wealth or comfort. But modern machinery has revolutionized the hard work of the farm, and changing conditions have made agriculture probably today the most profitable of occupations, while there are no reasons why the farmer may not enjoy the comforts of modern homes and conveniences. Mr. Hilbert has witnessed this change during the years of his active life, and laid the foundations of his success in the times when farming was neither so pleasant or so profitable as now.
C. Henry Hilbert was born in Germany, on September 1, 1841, the son of Henry Hilbert, mentioned in this work. He attended school in Germany, and spent one year in the schools of Scott county, Iowa, where his parents had come in 1854. In 1860 his parents moved to Welton township, Clinton county, and there his father first bought eighty acres of land, to which C. Henry later added forty, then a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, then still later another quarter section, making a total of four hundred and forty acres in Welton township, while he at one time owned one hundred and sixty acres in De Witt township, thus holding six hundred acres in all. Mr. Hilbert was a general farmer and stock raiser, and since 1892 has given special atten- tion to the breeding of Aberdeen Angus cattle, his herds of which could be rarely excelled. For several years he has been retired from active labor. In politics he is a Republican and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church. He is a man of much force of character and of strong business ability. who is much esteemed and respected by his neighbors.
C. Henry Hilbert was married on April 27, 1870, to Anna Trulsen, born in Germany on June 2, 1848, who has been a faithful wife and true helpmate, and has borne to him eight children.
The oldest son, Henry, was born in Clinton county, on February 9, 1871, and attended the public and parochial schools. On arriving at manhood he began farming for himself and now owns one hundred sixty acres of land. He has followed his father in paying special attention to the breeding of Aberdeen Angus cattle, in which he has been very successful. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held in his township the offices of constable. trustee and road supervisor. The paternal Lutheran faith still claims his adherence. On March 2, 1896, he was married to Henrietta Hopp, born in Welton town- ship. the daughter of John Hopp, an early settler of Welton township. of which he is now a much respected resident. To this marriage were born two
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children, Raymond Henry, on December 7, 1897, and Elsie Anna, on June 2, 1902.
Abelina, the second child, is the wife of Henry C. Peters, mentioned in this work, and is the mother of two children, Amra and Ferdinand; Christina is the wife of Peter Boysen, and the mother of four children, Leroy, Lillie, Esther and Viola; Thomas is a farmer of South Dakota, and married Ella Keller, who has borne to him five children, Anna, Myrtle, Herold, Albert and Paul; Anna is the wife of Herman Timm, of South Dakota, and has borne to him two children, Ella and Alvin: Ernest was born in Welton township on November 1, 1879, resides at home, and is farming one hundred and twenty acres of his own, besides some rented land; Emma F. is at home; Bertha Johanna is also at home.
The life of C. Henry Hilbert can certainly be called a successful one. Not only has he gained considerable wealth, and made himself to be admired and respected by his neighbors, but he had brought up a large family of highly useful men and women.
JESSE SHERIDAN FIELDS.
Among the successful farmers and stock raisers of Clinton county, the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch holds a deservedly conspicuous ยท place, and he is also widely and favorably known as a public spirited citizen. Jesse S. Fields was born on the farm in Clinton county where he now lives, August 20, 1864, being a son of Levi and Elizabeth (Carmical) Fields, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. Levi Fields was reared to maturity in Ohio, and in 1844 came to Clinton county, Iowa, and for a year farmed about one mile north of the place now owned by his son. the subject of this review. In the spring of 1846, he bought eighty acres of land in Sharon township, which he cleared and improved, and to which he subsequently added, until be became the owner of quite a large farm, which he afterwards sold leaving nothing but the original homestead in his possession. He was very industrious and energetic, a leader in public and political affairs, and stood high in the confidence of his neighbors and fellow citizens. His death occurred in 1870, and his wife, who some years later married Thomas Penbold, a prosperous farmer of Clinton county, departed this life in 1903. Jacob Carmical, father of Mrs. Fields, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and a descendant of a sturdy old German family of that state. He married a Miss Conwell, of Virginia, whose antecedents came to this county from Ireland, and in an early age came
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to Clinton county, where he lived for some years, later removed to the county of Clayton, where he and his good wife spent the remainder of their lives, both dying when the subject was a small boy.
The early life of Jesse S. Fields was spent on his father's farm, where he learned those lessons of industry and thrift which served him such good pur- poses in after years, and in the Mt. Ida school, not far from his home, he re- ceived his educational training. He was about six years of age when his father died and as soon as old enough he assumed much of the labor and re- sponsibility of the homestead. He took charge of the farm at the early age of fourteen, and at intervals thereafter bought the several heirs' interests, until in due time he owned the place and forged rapidly to the front among the leading agriculturists of his township. The home farm at this time consists of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, on which are some of the best im- provements in the locality, and he also owns seventy acres in Cedar county, which, likewise, is under a high state of cultivation.
In connection with tilling the soil, Mr. Fields devotes a great deal of at- tention to live stock, in the breeding and raising of which he has earned a wide reputation throughout his own and adjacent counties. For some years he has been a breeder of full blooded Poland-China hogs, for which there is always a great demand, and is also quite extremely interested in high grade Shorthorn cattle, a number of which he markets every year, at liberal prices. He has been successful in all his undertakings, and is today not only one of the leading farmers and stock raisers in the township in which he resides, but occupies a prominent place among the financially solid men of the community also. A Republican in the full meaning of the term, and wielding a strong influence for the party in his township, he is not an office seeker, although elected from time to time to various local trusts. He served nine years as school director, and for several years was treasurer of the school board, in both of which positions he demonstrated business ability of a high order, and was unremitting in his efforts to promote the cause of education. In his fraternal relations, he holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, and the order of Royal Neighbors, but his good works are by no means confined to these organizations, being active in all laudable enterprises and generous in promoting the best interests of his fellowmen.
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