USA > Iowa > Clinton County > Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1 > Part 55
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GEORGE W. STEPHENSON.
Prominent among the stock farmers and breeders of De Witt township, Clinton county, stands the man with whom this sketch is concerned, one who has learned the stock business from the beginnings, commencing when a boy, and who is one of the best judges of stock in this region, and one of the most successful breeders. He realizes that the day is past when a "hog was a hog." and a "cow a cow," and that all the difference in stock farming and its profits is caused by the individual character of the animals raised, which difference depends mainly on their breeding.
George W. Stephenson was born August 21, 1861, in De Witt, Iowa, son of George and Maria (Cooper) Stephenson, both natives of England. His father was born in Lincolnshire, England, June 24. 1828, son of Robert and Maria (Woodliffe) Stephenson, who spent their life in Yorkshire, Eng- land. George was brought up by his grandparents, and came in 1852 with
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his wife in the "Try" sailing vessel to New York, then came west to Marietta, Ohio, where he was employed as engineer in a woolen factory and on public works. Later he was a butcher at the same place, continuing at the business five years there, and then was five years a butcher at West Columbia. In 1859 he came to De Witt and opened on Jefferson street the first meat market opened in De Witt. Later he bought a residence where he lived until his wife's death on October 31, 1906. In 1866 he began buying and feeding stock, and followed this until 1895, and was very successful in this work. Before leaving Virginia, where he resided for a short time before coming west, he had bought the farm which his son George W. now lives on, in De Witt township, north of De Witt. His family consisted of four children, one of whom died at the age of seven, the others of whom are living. He was a very well known man in this county.
George W. Stephenson received his education in the De Witt high school and the Davenport Business College. He grew up in the cattle and horse business with his father and in 1894 took up farming on the one hundred and twenty-acre farm before mentioned. He is a breeder to some extent of pure Belgian draft horses and Duroc Jersey hogs, and formerly bred Angus cattle.
Mr. Stephenson was married on June 20, 1888, to Emma Morey, daugh- ter of Edwin D. and Charlotte J. (Mather) Morey. Mrs. Morey was a na- tive of Pennsylvania. Edwin D. Morey was born in New Hampshire, July 22, 1830, the son of Samuel and Orvilla (Holdridge) Morey, his father a native of Connecticut, his mother of Vermont. Samuel Morey came in 1838 to Ashtabula county, Ohio, and was there a farmer until his death in 1857, his wife surviving until 1874. Edwin D. Morey spent his early life on the farm, and attended the district schools. At the age of seventeen he shipped on a lake sailing vessel and followed the lakes seven seasons, and then took up farming. He married, on September 14, 1851, Charlotte J. Mather, daughter of Sanford and Elizabeth (Lipper) Mather, he a direct descendant of Cotton Mather, of colonial fame, she also of good New England parentage. He came to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1853, and bought land about two years later, and located on a farm on which he lived many years. He improved his farm with excellent buildings, was a cattle feeder and farmer on a large scale and a man of much prominence in the township. He and his wife are now deceased. Of their nine children, five are living. He was a Democrat, and at various times held almost all the township offices in the gift of the people. Some years before his death he retired to Clinton.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson are the parents of two children, Lyle Morey and Anita Alberta. In politics he is a Republican, but has never cared for office.
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Mrs. Stephenson is a member of the Congregational church. It seldom falls to the lot of the biographer to record the history of a family of more excellent descent and whose ancestors are more worthy and more prominent than the family of whom we have just been writing. And the living representatives live up fully to their family's ancestral virtues.
HENRY ROHWEDDER.
The large lumber firms which were a few years ago in operation in Clinton were not only the source of large profits to their owners, but were also the means of developing many of their employes and of bringing them to places of responsibility and importance, and of making them well to do. The man who entered their service, and who showed ability, was quickly ad- vanced, and many of the men who are today occupying places among the fore- most citizens of the city began in the employ of the lumber companies, there rose by their ability, and perhaps later branched out into business of their own. Mr. Rohwedder is a good type of the men who have spent the greater part of their lives in the interests of the lumber companies, and have found their work profitable.
Henry Rohwedder was born on July 23, 1844, in Holstein, Germany, the son of Lex and Lena Rohwedder, who were born. lived and died in Germany. Henry Rohwedder received his education in the common schools in Germany, and there worked on a farm. In 1864 he came to America, seeking a better field for endeavor than the old country afforded, and first located in Center Grove, Clinton county, Iowa, and there worked on the farm for two years. He then came to Clinton to work for the Joyce-Higgins Company, starting in as salesman in the lumber yard. For forty-four years he has been contin- uously in the employ of the Joyce interests, was early recognized as one of their best and strongest men, and is now the general superintendent of the Joyce Lumber Company in Clinton. In politics Mr. Rohwedder is a Demo- crat. He has served two terms in the city council of Lyons, and two terms on the school board, being president of the latter for one term. He is an active Mason of the thirty-second degree, and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Rohwedder was married in December, 1867, to Margaret Urbahns, of Indiana, who was born in Germany in 1845. To this union was born one son, Carl H., of Clinton. Mr. Rohwedder is a man of high standing among
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HENRY ROHWEDDER
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the people of Clinton, and is reckoned among its influential citizens, while in his relations with the Joyce Company he has shown marked efficiency and trustworthiness, and great skill in the handling of men, which qualities have rendered him very valuable to the company.
PETER FARRELL.
Among the well remembered and highly honored citizens who in a past generation did much to improve the community near Grand Mound, Clinton county, was Peter Farrell, who is now sleeping the sleep of the just, but who will not soon be forgotten, owing to his life of good deeds and activity in pro- moting the general good of his locality, his walk before his fellow men having ever been such as to inspire others to lead useful and wholesome lives: He was not especially active in public affairs, but in an undemonstrative manner he went about his every day life in a straightforward and gentlemanly man- ner that did not fail to be noted by those with whom he came into contact.
Mr. Farrell was a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Ohio, November 12, 1851, and he was the son of Martin and Mary Farrell, both natives of the far-away and famous land of Erin, having been reared in Ire- land and spent their early life there, emigrating to America in an early day and .locating in the state of Ohio. But, having heard of the advantages of the newer country of Iowa, they were among the early settlers in Clinton county, having taken up their abode here in 1857 when the country was practically undeveloped, but they were courageous and did not shrink at obstacles and soon had developed a good farm and established a good home in which they spent the remainder of their active and useful lives and in whose soil they now rest awaiting the "sound of the last trump."
Peter Farrell, of this review, was six years old when his parents brought him to Clinton county and here he grew to maturity and assisted his father develop the home farm, attending the common schools during the winter months. He devoted his life to farming and stock raising and was very suc- cessful, being regarded among the leaders in these lines in his township. It was in 1894 that he purchased the fine farm of two hundred and eighty-six acres where his widow now resides and which he, by close application and good management, developed into one of the choice farms of the locality. He prospered and also became the owner of valuable land, three hundred and twenty acres, one mile from Mt. Vernon, South Dakota.
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After an eminently useful and successful life this excellent citizen was called to his reward while living on his farm in Clinton county, July 23, 1906.
On February 17, 1879, Peter Farrell was united in marriage with Mary A. Lenaghan, the representative of an honored old family, being the daughter of Patrick and Julia (Butler) Lenaghan, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in county Down, August 3, 1823, and from there he emigrated to New York City in 1844 and on October 13, 1852, he came to Clinton county, Iowa, and settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he still owns, he being now advanced in years. His wife, whom he married in Chi- cago in 1854, was called to her rest in 1875; their marriage was celebrated in famous old St. Peter's of that city. To their union five children were born, three of whom are now living.
Mrs. Peter Farrell was born, reared and educated in Clinton county, Iowa, the date of her birth being given as December 16, 1857. She proved a very faithful helpmeet to her husband and his success was due in no small measure to her counsel and encouragement and she is a favorite with a large circle of friends in this county. Her union with Mr. Farrell was blessed by the birth of the following children : Mary Ellen, deceased; Charles P., Catherine Frances, Martin A., Frank J., Genevieve, John L., Mary T., Helen J. and one who died in infancy.
Mrs. Farrell and her family all belong to the Catholic church, of which they are faithful members, and to which Mr. Farrell also belonged. Politi- cally, he was a Democrat.
ALEXANDER WORK.
Not only is farming the most necessary and one of the most important occupations, but it is also one of the noblest. It was regarded as such by the old Romans, in the days of their virtue, and was so considered in the early days of our republic. The Romans, Cincinnatus and Virginius, the Ameri- cans, Washington and Jefferson, are among the greatest historical figures of their age, and the noblest examples of farmers, for with all of these it may be said to have been their main occupation. It is only in decadent times that the respect for the farmer is lost.
Alexander Work was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, six miles from Uniontown, on July 25, 1837, son of Alexander Work, born in the same county January 8, 1808, and Frances (Barklew) Work, born also in Fayette county, July 5, 1808. His parents came to Clinton county, Iowa, in
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1843, and bought a one hundred and twenty-acre claim, and moved onto it. They added to the farm until it consisted of three hundred and twenty acres, and also owned eighty acres near Crystal lake. Alexander Work, Sr., built a mill forty by fifty, four stories high, and operated it for about forty years. He also built the Pacific Hotel at De Witt and kept it for some time, then sold it and went to Kearney, Nebraska, where he again engaged in the milling busi- ness. He died June 12, 1882; his wife was burned to death May 6, 1910, at the age of one hundred and one years. Of their six children, Alexander, Jr., is the only one living. Alexander, Sr., was a Democrat, served many years as justice of the peace and was once county recorder. He was a Mason and a member of the Congregational church. He was a man of much influence and highly respected in the community.
Alexander Work grew up on the farm and attended the common schools. He owns ninety-six acres of land and is a general farmer and stock raiser. In politics he is a Democrat. He was married on November 23, 1854, to Mary Kinkaid, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1834, the daughter of David and Belle (Huston) Kinkaid. Her father died in Pennsylvania, and her mother came to Iowa in 1848, located in Scott county, then removed to Clinton county in 1850, where she bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, and here she died in 1866.
Mr. and Mrs. Work are the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy; another, Annie, died at the age of nine years.
Mr. Work is a hard working man, and one of the substantial citizens of the township. His life has been such as to win the respect of all who know him. He is the oldest settler in Clinton county and he and his wife stand high in the esteem of all who know them. Their home, just outside De Witt, is a comfortable and attractive place, where the spirit of true hospitality is ever in evidence.
MERRITT G. TURNER.
Today the farmer is coming into his own. Once he seemed to be at the mercy of every other occupation and profession, all of whom were ex- ploiting him, while he drew from his acres a bare living and little more. But in those days there was a surplusage of farm population as compared with the city. Now the city has drawn so many within its portals that there is a practical scarcity of farmers to supply the demands made upon them, im- proved inventions have lessened the farmer's toil, and those who live in the
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rural districts today are reaping a rich reward for their labors, and winning the envy instead of the contempt of the city dwellers.
Merritt G. Turner was born in McLean county, Illinois, on October 2, 1887, the son of Thomas Hanson and Rachel Belle (Shaw) Turner. Thomas H. Turner was born in Grundy county, Illinois, on July 24, 1852, the son of George and Nancy (Gates) Turner, natives of Brown county, Ohio, who came to Grundy county, Illinois, in 1847, and settled on a farm, where Mr. Turner died in 1878, and his wife later. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living. Thomas H. Turner grew up on the farm and attended the Illinois public schools. He has followed farming for the greater portion of his life, and is also a cooper by trade. In politics, he is a Republican, while in religious affiliations he and his family are Methodists. His first wife, by whom he had six children, four of whom are living, was a native of Washington, D. C., and died in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1890. By his second wife, who was Lillie Evitts, he has four children, all living.
Merritt G. Turner was reared on the farm and educated in the schools of La Salle county, Illinois. He has followed farming since reaching man- hood, and in 1909 came to Clinton county, Iowa, where he and William E. Simpson are farming two hundred and forty acres of the land of Andrew Simpson, carrying on general farming and stock raising. In politics he is a Republican. Merritt G. Turner was married on March 17,. 1908, to Anna B. Simpson, born on the old homestead in Clinton county, the daughter of Andrew Simpson. As a result of this marriage, one daughter, Kathrina Isabelle, has been born. Mr. Turner has not long been a resident of Clinton county, but has been well liked by his neighbors wherever he has lived, and is a young man of ability and promise.
Andrew Simpson was born in England, on January 7, 1853, the son of George L. Simpson, who came to Clinton county in 1859, and settled on what is now known as the Naven farm, where his wife died. Later he moved to Welton township and lived several years on a farm which he bought there, then moved to Maquoketa, where he died in July, 1882. Three of his six children are living. He and his wife were members of the church of England. In politics he was a Democrat. Andrew Simpson was six years old when his parents came to this county from England. He was reared on the farm and attended the public schools, beginning to farm for himself as soon as he reached manhood, and in 1883 moved to Berlin township, where he purchased eighty acres of land, and later added to this one hundred and sixty more, making two hundred and forty in all. This land is very fertile, and highly improved, and has yielded Mr. Simpson an excellent income. At
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present the active work of the farm is carried on by his son and son-in-law. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. Mr. Simpson is a man of much influ- ence in his neighborhood, and his judgment is highly regarded as that of an able, honest, upright man, of much wisdom gleaned from his years of experi- ence. He was married in 1883 to Katie Barbara Nick, the daughter of Gottelieb Nick, a native of Germany, who came to Clinton county early, and is now living in Arkansas. To their marriage there have been born five children, all living: Anna B., George F., William E., Charley A. and J. Dewey.
ELI OLSON.
One of the farmers of Olive township, Clinton county, who may well be designated as a man of strong convictions is Eli Olson, being ever ready to maintain the soundness of his opinions on any subject, but is by no means ` unreasonable in his views, according every man the same rights which he claims for himself. He is energetic and progressive in all affairs affecting the general good and is highly regarded among his fellow citizens, his life having been singularly free from faults.
Mr. Olson was born in this county in 1860, and is the son of Edwin Olson, whose sketch appears in full in another part of this volume, to which the reader's attention is herewith directed. Eli Olson was educated in the public schools of this county in both English and Norwegian, and he was reared on his father's farm, on which he worked during his boyhood and early youth. He has always followed farming. He started out in a small way for himself and by hard work and economy has become the owner of . an excellent farm in Olive township, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He has put on nearly all the improvements on the same, which are modern and renders his place equal to any in that respect in the township. He has lived here fifteen years, and carries on general farming and raises. some stock.
Mr. Olson was one of the organizers and is president of the Farmers and Business Men's Mutual Telephone Company, of which he has been director from its organization, in 1903, until during the past year. This has been a very successful venture, the company having started with thirty-two subscribers, while there were in August, 1910, three hundred and seventy. This rapid increase and the splendid basis on which the company now rests has been due in no small degree to the judicious management and wise coun-
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sel of Mr. Olson, who is a business man of more than ordinary ability and foresight. Mr. Olson has been president of the township school board dur- ing the past three years, during which time the cause of education in this district has been considerably strengthened. Politically, he is a Republican, and in local affairs is active. He has served as constable and as road super- visor in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and to the entire satis- faction of all concerned. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Mr. Olson was married in 1891 to Ellen Jorgensen, who was born in 1870 in Norway, from which country she came with her mother to America at the age of two years, and this union has resulted in the birth of the fol- lowing children : Edward (deceased), Clarence, George and Betsy.
HENRY EDWARD BOUSSELOT.
Although a young man, Henry Edward Bousselot has made a record as an agriculturist and the farm which he operates in the vicinity of Buena Vista is as well kept and carefully tilled as any in Clinton county, for he is a persistent worker and manages well. and, judging from the past, he will in due course of time rank with the leading husbandmen of this locality. He comes from an old and highly honored family. He was born at Mar- shalltown, Iowa, in 1884, and he is the son of Eugene and Ellen ( Pickens) Bousselot, the father having been born in Clinton county, Iowa. His par- ents came from France in an early day and settled in this county. The paternal grandfather of the subject, Frederick Bousselot, bought land in Olive township, which now belongs to Eugene Bousselot, and farmed there the remainder of his life, becoming well known among the first settlers. Eu- gene Bousselot is a farmer by occupation and has been throughout his life. He has one hundred and thirty-three acres of rich, well improved land. upon which he has erected excellent buildings and improved in a general way. He has retired and now resides at Davenport, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Bousselot are the parents of three sons and three daughters.
Eugene Bousselot has been more or less active in local political affairs for many years, and for a period of seven or eight years he served very ably and acceptably as justice of the peace.
As the paternal grandparents of Henry E. Bousselot were prominent in the early history of Clinton county, so his maternal grandparents, Mr. and
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Mrs. Pickens, were well known among the early settlers of Scott county, Iowa, whither they moved from the East.
Henry E. Bousselot, of this review, was one year old when his parents brought him to Clinton county, and here he grew to maturity and was edu- cated in the public schools. He assisted his father with the general work on the home place and he has always followed farming. For the past five years he has had charge of the home place and has operated it very suc- cessfully.
In the fall of 1905 Mr. Bousselot was married to Bertha Bermester, a native of Clinton county, where she grew to maturity and was educated, and this union has resulted in the birth of two children, Henry Eugene and Albert Edward.
Mr. Bousselot is independent in politics, preferring to vote for the man instead of the party. He has been a school director in the local district, and he takes much interest in the welfare of his community. He is a member of the Great Western Accident Association.
EDWIN OLSON.
This worthy old pioneer and prosperous farmer is one of the none too numerous remaining links in the chain that connects the present age to a period long buried in the mists of the past. He has been a witness of Clinton county's development from the virgin forest and prairie to its present pros- perous condition as one of Iowa's most advanced and enlightened counties. Homes and villages have sprung up on every hand since he first saw the lo- cality in its primitive wildness and beauty. Forests have disappeared before the ax wielded by the strong arm of the woodsman; farms, with fertile, well tilled fields, fine orchards, comfortable buildings and all the adjuncts of civi- lization, have taken the place of the tangled wilderness which sheltered nu- merous beasts of prey and, at no very remote period, the painted savage. And he has taken part in this development and has succeeded remarkably well, for he came here from a foreign shore with no great amount of capital and had to hew his own fortune from a resisting nature, but he succeeded and is today living in honorable retirement, spending his old age in comfort and peace as a result of his early years of hard labor.
Edwin Olson was born in Norway, October 19, 1829, and he is the son of Ole and Malinda Olson, who lived and died in Norway. There Edwin
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grew to maturity and was educated and worked on the farm. In April, 1853, he left his native land and emigrated to America, landing at Quebec, Canada. He later came to Lisbon, Illinois, and remained there until 1859, when he came to Clinton county, Iowa, and bought forty acres of land. He set to work and prospered, and as the years went by he added to the same until he now has one of the choice farms of the township, consisting of two hun- dred and twenty acres, lying in Olive and Spring Rock townships. He is also the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Minne- sota. He has kept his land well improved and well tilled and it has yielded very satisfactory returns. Mr. Olson formerly worked very hard, but he has lived retired for the past twelve years.
In politics the subject is a Republican and he had the honor of first vot- ing for Abraham Lincoln. He has served his community as roadmaster, and has been trustee of the parochial schools. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and faithful in their attendance and support of the same.
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