Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages, Part 61

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Greene County > Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages > Part 61
USA > Ohio > Carroll County > Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages > Part 61

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

C., Edwin C., Ira G. and Herbert W. (de- ceased). Mr. Hoff has always been an earn- est worker and a close student in his business and stands at the head of his profession, and by honest dealing has seenred the confidence of all.

F. SOAT, the junior partner of the firm of Rieke & Soat, was born in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, July 26, 1863, son of Bernard and Catherine Soat. He was reared in his native county, and graduated at Bayliss College, September 17, 1885, and came to Breda that same year. The firm of Rieke & Soat, dealers in hard- ware and agricultural implements at Breda, is one of the leading business firms in that town. They carry a stock of about $5,000, with annual sales amounting to $12,000. This business firm was established in Octo- ber, 1885, succeeding H. Olerich, Sr., who had been in business here for several years. It was first established by Richard Ricke and II. Olerich, and was the first hardware store in Breda.

- F. COUCH, an enterprising farmer and stoek-raiser of Jasper Township, re- siding on section 19, is a native of Illinois, born November 7, 1855, a son of B. C. and Martha Couch, who were natives of New Hampshire. C. F. Conch, the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents till seven years of age, when lie went to live with an uncle, remaining with him till attaining the age of twenty years. He then began farming on his own account, which he fol- lowed in Illinois until coming to Carroll County in January, 1882. Ile was married

in Illinois to Miss Jennie Shreves, a dangh- ter of G. W. and Isabell Shreves, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but early settlers in Illinois. Mrs. Conch was born in the State of Illinois, May 1, 1857. To Mr. and Mrs. Coneh has been born one child, Herbert B., the date of his birth being February 5, 1885. When he came to Carroll County Mr. Couch purchased 160 acres of raw prairie land, which he has since improved and cultivated, making it one of the best farms in Carroll County. Mr. Coneh has met with excellent snecess in his agrienltural pursuits, and now owns besides his home farm of 160 acres eighty aeres on section 20 and forty acres on section 17 of Jasper Township. In polities Mr. Coneh affiliates with the Republican party.

D. F. RICHMANN, proprietor of Car- roll's Cigar Factory, No. 194, Third Dis- trict of Iowa, is a native of Schleswig, Germany, born December 23, 1861, a son of Frederick and Lena (Speck) Richmann. The family immigrated to America in 1868, and settled at Davenport, Iowa, and there our subject was reared and educated. At the age of fourteen he began serving an appren- ticeship in a cigar factory, where he learned all the details of the business. In May, 1884, he started a cigar factory at Ida Grove, Iowa, No. 178, Third District of Iowa, in company with Frank Degen, with whom he was associated until July, 1885, when he sold his interests in the business. IIe then came to Carroll, and in August of the same year he established his present business, which is located on the corner of Fifth and Maine streets. Ile does quite an extensive business, and manufactures 200,000 eigars per annum. Three men are constantly employed, Mr. Richmann attending to the office work and

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acting as traveling salesman for the establish- ment. He is an active and enterprising business man, and under his skillful manage- ment the factory is in a flourishing condition. January 20, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Molkenthin, of Carroll Coun- ty, Iowa.

SAAC N. GRIFFITII, retired merchant, is one of the pioneers of Carroll, and has been identified with the interests of the town since 1869. lle was born in West Virginia March 3, 1813. ITis father, John Griffith, was also a native of Virginia, and of Welsh ancestry; he served in the war of 1812. His mother, Hannah (Thornburg) Griffith, was reared a Quaker near Winches- ter, Virginia. The parents reared eight chil- dren, four sons and four daughters. Isaac was the seventh child and youngest son. His father died when he was two years old. IIc remained at home on the farm until he was twelve years of age, at which time the mother and children removed to Greene County, Ohio, and our subject went to learn the trade of tanner and currier and shoemaking, which he followed many years. He married Miss Paulina Johnston, a native of Virginia, who had been reared a Quaker. Her parents were Pleasant and Nancy Johnston. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have had six children-Han- nah Ann, Benjamin T., John H., J. E., Eli P. and IFelen E. Mr. Griffith remained in Greene County until he eame to Iowa. He first located in Henry County, near Mount Pleasant, where he lived until 1849, then re- moved to Mahaska County, where he im- proved a farm of 160 acres. Mrs. Griffith died December 30, 1850. For his second wife Mr. Griffith married Miss Cordelia Law- rence, a native of Chautauqua County, New

York, and daughter of Jonathan and Charity (Hathaway) Lawrence, natives of Massachu- setts. In 1852 Mr. Griffith removed to Marshall County, this State, where he pur- chased a saw and grist-mill. While here his wife made the first bolt of cloth used in a mill in Marshall County. After operating the mill two or three years, he removed to Poweshiek County, where he followed the mereantile trade until 1869, when he came to Carroll, as previously stated. Ile sold the first dry goods that were sold in the town. Hle had a large trade, his customers coming from Carroll, Sac, Crawford and Calhoun counties. Ile bought large quantities of furs one season, about $10,000 worth. In 1883 he retired from active business. He says language would fail to depict the trials, hard- ships and good times the early settlers had. To his second marriage have been born two children-Ella and Isaac N. Politically he is a Democrat and a strong Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Masonic order, Signet Lodge, No. 264.

H. RICKE, senior member of the firm of Ricke & Soat, is a native of Ger- many, where he was born in 1854, son of John B. and Mary Rieke. When he was three years of age bis parents came to the United States, locating in Io Daviess County, Illinois, where he was reared and educated. In 1870 he came to Carroll Coun- ty, and lived with his brother Richard until 1877, when he went to California and lived there about six years. While in that State he was engaged in farming about two years, and for four years was employed as conductor on a street car in San Francisco. In 1883 he came back to Carroll County for a short time, then returned to Jo Daviess County

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

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and remained two years. May 19, 1885, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Soat, of that county, and again returned to this county. He first went into the grain business with his brother Richard, and con- tinned in that business until he engaged in his present business.

ONRAD GEISELHART, of Union Township, is one of the early pioneers of Carroll County, he having settled here in the woods in 1855. He is a native of Germany, born November 10, 1822, a son of Joseph and Julia Geiselhart. He was reared in his native country, where he at- tended school until fourteen years of age. He then worked at the stonemason and plas- terer's trade for four years. In 1841 he came to America, first locating at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade, and some time later removed to Lisbon, Co- lumbiana County, Ohio. He was united in marriage in 1846 to Miss Nancy Butts, a na- tive of Columbiana County, who died March 15, 1884, leaving at her death six children- John, Maggie, Ella, Ida, Frank and Ira. In 1851 Mr. Geiselhart returned with his family to Pennsylvania, locating in Mercer County, and one year later located at Pittsburg, where he remained until 1855. He then came West via the Ohio River, then up the Mississippi River, thence to Keokuk, and from there to Des Moines, Iowa. His first location in Iowa was where Coon Rapids is now situated, and some time later he removed about six miles to the west, on Brushy Creek. In 1858 he located on his present farm, where he first built a log cabin, 14 x 18 feet, and here he experieneed many of the hard- ships and privations incident to pioneer life. Ile has improved his farm from a state of

nature and brought it under a fine state of cultivation, and his log cabin of pioneer days has given place to his present good frame residence, and the rude sheds to a fine barn and other comfortable out-buildings. He is a thorough, practical farmer, as the surround- ings of his farm well indicate. His farm contains 170 acres of as good land as can be found in the county, and is located one and a half miles from Coon Rapids. He has also a fine orchard which covers two aeres. In his political views Mr. Geiselhart affiliates with the Democratie party. Since becoming a resident of Carroll County he has filled most of the township offices, serving with credit to himself and to the best interests of his township.

R. THOMAS ELWOOD, one of the most prominent men of Glidden, and an old pioneer physician of Carroll County, is a native of New York City, born in September, 1834. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and was appointed hospital steward. He was in the army until Angust, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge. The same year he was married to Miss N. J. Beal, of Dallas County, Iowa, and two ehil- dren have been born to this union-Laura and Ephai. Dr. Elwood came to Carroll County, Iowa, in 1865, when he located at old Carrolltown, and here he experienced many of the hardships and privations inci- dent to pioneer life. IIe would frequently ride on horseback, thirty or forty miles, to visit patients, and in the early days his prac- tice extended into Greene, Calhoun, Guthrie, Sac and Carroll counties. The doctor came to Glidden in 1873, where he has sinee re- sided, and has established a large practice,

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and has gained the respect and confidence of all who know him. He is a publie spirited and enterprising eitizen, and has held the office of county judge, and for one term held the office of county auditor, serving with eredit to himself and to the best interests of his county. In polities he casts his suffrage with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonie lodge and chapter at Glidden.

LERY L. PATTON, the leading grain dealer of Manning, established his residence and business at this place in 1882, taking in his first load of grain Septem- ber 1 of that year. He now owns and oper- ates a steam elevator which has a capacity of 20,000 bushels. He is handling on an average abont 300 ears of grain per annum. He is also engaged in the live-stoek business. Mr. Patton dates his birth March 24, 1836, in Wayne County, Indiana, his parents, George and Magdalena Patton, being natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. lle was reared principally in Carroll County, Indiana, coming thence to Iowa in 1855, locating with his parents in Marshall County, who were pioneers of that county. In 1869 he began dealing in lumber and live-stock in Albion, that county, and later engaged in the grain trade, which he followed at Albion till he came to Carroll County. He also owns a fine farm, loca ed two and a half miles from Albion, which he occupied until the opening of the Iowa Central Railroad led him to engage in more active business at Albion. The engine and elevator now used by him was brought from that point. November 29, 1860, he was married to Miss Ziłpha Elmira Rosseau, who was born in the State of Indi- ana in 1840. Of their children, the first born, Renben, died aged one year; Clara

Belle is the wife of Il. W. Reed, and Dwight, WV., Blanche and Lulu are living at home. Mr. Patton is one of Manning's leading men, publie spirited, and liberal toward any enter- prise which he deems for the advancement of his town or county. Ile has been a member of the council since the first city election, and since the organization of the Union Fair and Driving Park Association he has held the position of president, and to his individual efforts the success of that enterprise can be largely attributed. Ile is a prominent and influential member of the Masonie fraternity. belonging to Mannal Lodge, No. 450, of which he was a charter member, and is also a member of Signet Chapter, No. 34, and St. Aldemar Commandery, No. 30, at Marshall- town, lowa. Ile has always voted the Republican ticket since casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He owns and ocenpies one of the finest residences in the city, situated at the corner of Second and Aun streets.

OHN BOYCE resides on section 5, Pleasant Valley Township, where he owns 210 acres of land, 130 acres being on section 5 and eighty acres on section 4. The 130 acres were purchased of the Iowa Railroad Land Company by Mr. Quint, who began to improve the place. Mr. Boyce was born in Berrien County, Michigan, April 27, 1863. His parents were John H. and Lydia (Pennell) Boyce, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of the State of New York. They removed to Michigan early in life, where they were married, and where the father died when his son was seven years of age. April 6, 1873, the mother married Bryce M. Qnint, and in October, 1875, the family came to Carroll County. Mr. Quint

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

purchased the farm now owned by Mr. Boyce, as before stated. Later, Mr. Quint removed to Carroll City, where he died July 28, 1883. December 22, 1886, Mrs. Quint married Mr. Josiah Willey, of this township. The parents of our subject had five children, four of whom died when quite young, Mr. Boyce being the only one living. He was married December 22, 1886, to Lulu Willey, daughter of Thomas Willey, of Pleasant Valley Town- ship. Mr. Boyce is one of the intelligent and enterprising young men of his township.

H. BRUNING, the present recorder of Carroll County, was elected to that position in the fall of 1886, to succeed John P. Iless. He was elected by the Demo- cratic party, with which he affiliates. The opposing candidate was Charles Heitz, Mr. Bruning receiving a majority of 129 votes. Mr. Bruning was born in Grant County, Wisconsin, in 1858, son of C. Bruning, a prominent citizen of Breda. He was edu- eated in the schools of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, and reared a farmer. Previous to his election he was engaged in business at Breda. He married Miss Amelia Gnam, daughter of A. L. Gnam, a native of Illinois. Ile was mayor of Breda, Carroll County, Iowa, in 1886.

AMES W. HOBBS, one of the pioneers of Carroll County, and a prosperous agricultorist of Jasper Township, was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 2, 1837, a son of William and Sarah (Chalk) Hobbs, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. They were the parents of twelve children, seven sons and five

daughters, our subject being the ninth child. In early life he learned habits of industry and self-reliance, which have been of lasting benefit to him. When quite young he was obliged to maintain himself, and left his home for the home of a Mr. Thornburg, with whom he lived for four years. At the age of nineteen years he began working by the month, which he followed five years. Mr. Hobbs has been three times married, the maiden name of his first wife being Matilda Smith, and for his second wife he married Nancy J. Pucket. For his third wife he married Miss Sarah English, and to this union. have been born two children- Charles Blaine and John William. By his first marriage he had two children-Oscar, who died in infancy, and Erastus L., living in Western Nebraska on a farm of his own. By his second mar- riage he had four children-Ada J., Elias Grant, Clara Bell and James F. In 1864 Mr. Hobbs immigrated to Carroll County, Iowa, when he settled on the farm where he has since made his home, then being in a state of nature. The first years spent in Carroll County he was engaged in farming, clearing and improving his land during the summer months, and in the winter seasons trapping and hunting. His milling was done at Oxenford's mill, in Calhoun County, and his trading was done principally at Boone. By industry and good management he has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, and accumulated his present fine property, which consists of 572 acres of rich bottom land well watered by Coon River, 240 acres being on section 8, Jasper Township. In connection with his general farming he is engaged in stock-raising, and is making a specialty of short-horn cattle. He has a good substantial residence, and one of the largest barns in Carroll County, being 72x108 feet in size, and other out-buildings in good

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condition. Mr. Hobbs is an Odd Fellow, and a member in good standing of Lake City Lodge, No. 330. In polities he affiliates with the Republican party, and received the nomination for Representative to the General Assembly in the fall of 1883, but the oppos- ing party being largely in the majority he was defeated, although he ran far ahead of his tieket. He is really a self-made man, having had very limited facilities for acquir- ing an education when young. Few men are as well posted on the leading topics of the day. Jasper Township has no better man to represent it than Mr. J. W. Hobbs.

ENRY CARPENTER, hardware dealer, Arcadia, Iowa, is the oldest business man of the place. He located in the village June 8, 1872, and erected a business house, the first one in the town, that season, and engaged in general merchandising. He continued in business until 1875, when he sold out and engaged in farming and stoek- buying. From September 18, 1881, until October, 1885, he was postmaster at Arcadia, and since that time has been in the hardware business. He has been a notary publie sinee 1872, school treasurer a number of years, and also township trustee. In polities he is a Republican. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the defense of his country, and was assigned to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry, and served three years, engaged the most of the time in guerrilla fighting. llis regiment was with Sherman to the sea, but at that time Mr. Carpenter was on detached dnty at Nashville with Gen- eral Thomas when he destroyed IIood's army. He contracted disease while in the service, from which he will probably never recover. After the war closed he returned to Sandwich.

Illinois, where he worked for the Sandwich Manufacturing Company until he came to Iowa in 1872. Mr. Carpenter was born in Onondaga County, New York, in 1834, a son of Henry and Roxanna M. (Fay) Car- penter, natives of Vermont and New York. In 1836 his father moved to Ottawa, Illinois, where he soon after died, and his mother afterward pre-empted land in De Kalb County, where the family were among the first set- tlers. Ile was married in De Kalb Connty to Mary E. Hlasbrook, a native of Dutchess County, New York. They have two children - Lillian H., wife of Byron Yant, of Mercer County, Ohio, and Wallace F., at home. One daughter died at Areadia in December, 1881, aged twenty-eight years, and two chil- dren, Frank and Hattie, died in early child- hood.

ILLIAM BANNISTER, farmer. sec- tion 15, Carroll Township, was born in Willshire, England, in 1815, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Davis) Bannister, who were the parents of seven children, of whom our subject was the second child and the eldest son. He remained at home until sixteen years of age, and was then employed on the railroad for several years, working three years at boiler-making. He was mar- ried in 1840 to Miss Priscilla Parker, who was born in Somerset, England, and a dangh- ter of William and Elizabeth (Smith) Parker. Her parents had eleven children, Mrs. Ban- nister being the fifth child. Mr. and Mrs. Bannister resided in England until 1856, when they came to America, first settling in Gilbert, Kane County, Illinois, where they lived six months, then removed to Cook County, same State, where they lived about seven years. They then went to IInntley,

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Mc Henry County. remaining two years, thence to Carroll County in 1865, locating on the land where he now resides, which was in its primitive condition. He held the posi- tion of section boss on the railroad for ten years. ITis farm contains 160 acres of good land, which is in a good state of cultivation. He has a good, well-furnished residence, with buildings for stock. Mr. and Mrs. Bannister are the parents of nineteen children, five of whom are living-Sophia, Frances, Frederick, Addie and Rosie. In politics Mr. Bannister is a Republican. He has by fair and honest dealing secured the confidence of all who know him.

EORGE JEFFRIES, farmer, section 10, Grant Township, was born in Sonth Wales, England, November 15, 1851, son of George and Esther Jeffries. When he was sixteen months old his parents came to America, and settled in Alleghany County, Maryland, in 1853. Here he was reared to manhood and received his education. His youth was spent in farming and working in the coal mines. He came to this county in 1874 and bought 160 acres of wild land of the Iowa Railroad Land Company. The first year he broke forty-five acres. For several years he worked at farm work during the summer, and in the coal mines during the winter. Ile was married March 17, 1880, to Miss Clara Sherman, a native of Keokuk County, and a daughter of Wilbur Sherman, who was a soldier in the late war, and Mary (Fulton) Sherman. Since 1880 he has re- sided on his farm, and has it in a good state of cultivation. He has a good house, and comfortable farm buildings for stock and grain. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries have two sons -Alfred Sherman and James Blaine. Politi-

cally Mr. Jeffries is a Republican. He has served creditably as member of the school board and as assessor. Himself and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Glidden.

ENRY GEORGE, of Union Township, has been identified with the interests of Carroll County since 1872. He was born in Racine County, Wisconsin, August 17, 1848, son of William and Jane (Moyle) George, natives of England. His youth was spent in assisting at farm work, and his edu- cation was received in the common schools of his native State. At the age of twenty-two years he came West and located in Dallas County, this State, where he lived one year, and in April, 1872, he came to Carroll County, settling on section 35, Union Town- ship. He and his brother, Theophilus George, purchased a farm, which was then in its wild state. They improved it, and Mr. George lived upon it until November, 1881, when he came to his present farm. This farm was also in its wild condition. He first bought eighty acres, but has since added to the original purchase until he now has 200 acres of as good soil as can be found in Carroll County. The farm is in a good state of cul- tivation and well improved. Ile has a good story-and-a-half residence, a commodious barn for stock and grain, a granary 16 x 20 feet, and a wind-mill that furnishes the power for supplying the stock with pure water. Every- thing about the place indicates thrift and energy. Mr. George was married April 2, 1876, to Miss Cyrinthia Chevalier, who was born and reared in Mahaska County, this State, and daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hetzer) Chevalier. To this union have been born five children-Elizabeth Jane, Thomas

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Franklin, John, Armilda and Henry Ells- worth. Politieally Mr. George affiliates with the Republican party. He belongs to the Masonic order, No. 197, and is also a mem- ber of Plantagenet Lodge, No. 108, K. of I'., Coon Rapids, Iowa.

M ROSES ROBERTS, farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 15, Eden Township, Carroll County, was born in Marshall County, West Virginia, October 6, 1819. Ilis parents, John and Elizabeth Roberts, were natives of Maryland, and were among the pioneers of Des Moines County, settling in that county as early as 1839. Moses Roberts, our subject, was reared to the occupation of a farmer, his boyhood being passed in assisting his father on the farm during the summers, and part of the winter seasons attending the distriet schools, where he obtained such education as could be obtained at that early day, walking to seliool a distance of from three to five miles. 1Ie came with his parents to Des Moines County, Iowa, in 1839, where he assisted in the main- tenance of his father's family, the father being disabled. Ile was a soldier in the war of 1812, where his health became greatly im- paired. He died in Des Moines County, the mother having died some years previous in West Virginia. Moses Roberts was married in Des Moines County, August 10, 1851, to Miss Barbara Rosenberger, who was born in Pennsylvania, May 9, 1830, her parents, Henry and Deborah Rosenberger, being natives of the same State. They came to Iowa in 1850 and settled in Des Moines County, and later removed to Tama County, where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have had born to them two children, one of whom is living, a daughter,

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 728

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 728