Welcome to
Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
|
|
|
|
Andes
Turck The
stranger who for the first time visits Jasper County and drives upon a pleasant
summer morning along the smooth roads of Palo Alto Township will not fail to
notice with especial admiration the pleasant homestead on section 13, the
property of Mr. Turck. Fields of waving grain meet the eye on every hand, while
a commodious residence and substantial farm buildings form the foreground of the
pleasant scene. The place consists
of three hundred and thirty-one acres, acquired by the personal efforts of the
owner. This fact in itself speaks
better than words could do of his thrift and energy.
As a tiller of the soil be endeavor to keep abreast of the latest
improvements in machinery, etc, and pays especial attention to the cereals for
which his farm is best adapted. Born
in Winnebago County, IL, February 21, 1840, our subject is a son of Anthony
Turck and Mary (Courtright) Turck, natives of New York, the mother being a
daughter of a soldier in the War of 1812. In
1853 he migrated to Jasper County, in company with his parents and settled in
Buena Vista Township, of which he was a pioneer. There his mother died, his
father passing away in Kansas some years later.
Andes was reared to manhood in Illinois and Iowa, and received his
education in the common schools. However,
the knowledge he now possesses has been gained mainly through experience and
observation, as his schooling was limited.
On the 26th of
March, 1864, Mr. Turck enlisted as a member of Company E, Fourth Iowa Calvary
and for a time was under the command of General Sherman.
In the summer of 1864 he participated in the campaign around Memphis, TN,
and later followed General Price into Missouri, where he took part in many
skirmishes. At Louisville he was taken ill with smallpox, which resulted in the
loss of one eye. On the 27th of May
1865, he was honorably discharged, and is now in receipt of a pension of $24 per
month as a partial compensation for the loss of his eyesight. Since returning
from the army, Mr. Turck has resided continuously in Jasper County.
With the exception of having engaged in the mercantile business at Newton
for a time, his attention has been devoted exclusively to farming, and he has
made a success of his chosen calling. He and his first wife, whose maiden name
was Ann M. Haskit, had one son, Lee G., now living in Des Moines, Iowa.
The second union of Mr. Turck was with Miss Mary S. Murphy and resulted
in the birth of two children now living, Harry and Bertram. His third wife bore
the maiden name of Mary E. Ressler. As one of the
early settlers of Jasper County, Mr. Turck has been interested witness of its
growth and development, and has been an important factor in its progress.
He is a Republican in political belief, devoted to the success of party principles.
For two years he served as Trustee of Palo Alto Township, and filled
other offices of trust and responsibility and has discharged his duties and
obligations to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, IL, 1894, p. 178. |
|
|
