-168- WILLIAM M. MUMMERT    William M. Mummert, a valued and representative citizen of Afton township, was born in Iowa, April 11, 1875, and is a son of Conrad and Sarah (Krout) Mummert, natives of Pennsylvania. The parents lived in their native state until 1870 and then came west, settling in Spring township, Cherokee county, where the father purchased land. This he operated for many years, although he retired from active life in 1908 and has since made his home in Aurelia. In addition to his farm in Afton township, he has also other land in Iowa and extensive acreage in South Dakota. He and his wife became the parents of seven children, of whom six are still living.    William M. Mummert acquired his education in the public schools of Cherokee county and when he married rented land. After a few years he bought two hundred and forty acres in partnership with his brother, but he has since disposed -169- of his interest in this farm. After doing so he purchased three hundred and twenty acres, to which he later added, owning today four hundred and eighty acres located in South Dakota and all well improved and in a high state of cultivation.    On November 22, 1899, Mr. Mummert married Miss Pearl Redman, who was born in Cherokee county, a daughter of Hiram and Violetta (Watkins) Redman. The parents came to Iowa among the early settlers in the state and lived for many years thereafter upon a farm in Cherokee county. They now make their home in Cherokee, the father having retired from active life. Mr. and Mrs. Mummert have become the parents of five children: Harry W., born August 20, 1901; Glenn I., who was born April 23, 1903, and died April 6, 1913; Gerald, who was born September 18, 1908; and Arleen H., born March 19, 1913. Mr. Mummert is well known in Afton township, where he has resided for many years, and he holds the esteem and confidence of all who are associated with him.

-169- SAMUEL MILTON WIXCEL    Samuel Milton Wixcel, a man of excellent business ability and enterprise, who has done much for industrial interests of Marcus through his development of the business operated by the Wixcel Manufacturing Company, was born in Lafayette, Stark county, Illinois, August 6, 1872. He is a son of Peter and Margaret (Prudon) Wixcel, the former a native of Sweden and the latter of Ohio. The father came to America with his parents when he was nine years of age and located at Bishop Hill, a Swedish colony in Illinois. He learned the blacksmith's trade at Rapids City, Illinois, and followed this during the remainder of his active life. He is now seventy-seven years of age and is living retired with his son, having survived his wife since 1885.    Samuel Milton Wixcel was reared and educated in Illinois and in 1884 accompanied his parents to Marcus. He afterward obtained employment with the Western Tube Works, at Kewanee, Illinois, and acquired his first manufacturing experience while with that concern. When he returned to Marcus he followed the decorative contacting business until 1900 and then engaged in the manufacture of farm implements at Sioux City, continuing there until 1908 when he moved his plant to Marcus. His business was operated under the name of the Wixcel Manufacturing Company, incorporated under the laws of the state with an authorized capital of five hundred thousand dollars. The officers are as follows: Samuel M. Wixcel, president; C. T. Hopper, vice president; E. J. Wallen, secretary; and T. A. Black, treasurer. The company owns a modern plant of two buildings, fifty by one hundred feet in dimension, and it manufactures farm implements, of which its main line is the celebrated "Wixcel Automatic Self-Hay Loader," invented and designed by Mr. S. M. Wixcel, besides designing and manufacturing special machinery. It controls a large patronage throughout the state and the concern is one of the most important of its kind in this locality. Mr. Wixcel is the inventor of a large number of labor-saving devices, and the products of his ingenious mind are favorably known throughout the United -170- States and many foreign countries; he has probably taken out more patents than any other individual in Iowa.    On April 26, 1899, Mr. Wixcel was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Barnes, a daughter of Frank S. and Sarah (Everhart) Barnes of Marcus. Mr. and Mrs. Wixcel have two children, Myrne, who was born June 28, 1900, and Ruth, born July 31, 1908.    Mr. Wixcel attends the Christian church and his wife is a member of the same church. He gives his political allegiance to the progressive party. He is an energetic and capable man of business and concentrating his attention upon the development of his extensive interests has met with gratifying and well deserved success.

-170- MERRITT G. SHERMAN   Full Size    Merritt G. Sherman, who since 1904 has been connected with financial interests of Cherokee county, rising by the force of his ability and energy to be president of the Farmers State Bank of Washta, was born in Fremont county, this state, September 21, 1858. He is a son of Byron and Catherine (Wilson) Sherman, natives of New York state, whence they afterward moved to Michigan. The father farmed there and later went to Fremont county, Iowa, where in 1853 he purchased government land at one dollar and seventy-five cents per acre. For thirty years thereafter he remained connected with agricultural interests of that locality, owning and operating the same farm. At he end of that time he disposed of his holdings and retired from active life, moving to Tampa, Florida, where he resided until his death, which occurred in March, 1905. His wife survives him and makes her home in Tampa.    Merritt G. Sherman was reared and educated in Fremont county and remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. He then rented land which he operated for four years, after which he moved to Ida county, this state, buying six hundred and forty acres on section 13, Douglas township. This farm he operated until February, 1901, when he rented his property and moved into Washta, where for three years thereafter he gave his attention solely to the supervision of his property interests. At the end of that time he accepted a position with the Farmers State Bank as assistant cashier and four years later, when this bank was reorganized, he purchased an interest in it and was made president, a position which he has occupied since that time. John Beazley, of Ida county is vice president of the concern and Malcolm McGregor is cashier. The bank has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, a surplus of five thousand dollars, and deposits amounting to one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, and is one of the strong and reliable financial institutions in this section of the state. Mr. Sherman gives practically all of his time to its affairs, filling with credit and ability a position calling for enterprise, sound judgment and executive power of a high order.    In December, 1886, Mr. Sherman married Miss Jennie Zupp, a daughter of Christopher and Julia (Crofoot) Zupp, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Michigan. The father moved to the latter state in his early years -173- and there engaged in farming until 1861, when he came to Iowa, following agricultural pursuits in the eastern part of this state for eight years thereafter. At the end of that time he moved to Ida county and bought land which he operated until his death, which occurred in January 1913. He had long survived his wife who passed away in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have become the parents of a daughter, Mabel, who is a student at Stetson University of De Land, Florida.    Mr. Sherman is connected fraternally with the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he attends the Methodist church. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as a member of the town council for nine years. He is recognized as a business man of marked energy and ambition who seldom fails to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

-173- H. STIER    H. Stier, a prominent and prosperous agriculturist of Cherokee county, who for the past twenty-nine years has lived upon his present farm in Spring township, was born in Michigan, January 24, 1861. He is a son of John and Dora Stier, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1847. The father worked in sawmills in Michigan and Indiana for a number of years, later turning his attention to farming. He moved to Illinois and settled in Shelby county, that state, where he cultivated the soil until the later '60's, after which he came to Iowa. In this state he made his home in Marshall county, farming in that vicinity until he retired from active life. He afterward made his home with the subject of this review until his death, which occurred October 12, 1897. He had survived his wife since 1885. To their union were born eight children, three of whom still survive: H., of this review; Mary, the wife of Ernest Tigges, of Marshall county; and Herman, also of Marshall county.    H. Stier acquired his education in the public schools of Marshall county and when he was twenty-one years of age began his independent career, working as a farm laborer for a short time. In 1884 he came to Cherokee county and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Spring township, a property upon which he has resided continuously since that time. In the course of years he has made substantial additions to his holdings and now has two hundred and eighty acres, two hundred of which are in a high state of cultivation. In connection with general farming Mr. Stier raises and feeds stock and he has made this branch of his activities an important source of income.    On March 1, 1894, Mr. Stier was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Stablefeldt, who was born in Benton county, Iowa, a daughter of John and Minie (Gateka) Stablefeldt, natives of Germany. Their marriage occurred in Will county, Illinois, November 28, 1863, whence in 1866 they moved to Iowa, settling in Poweshiek county. At the end of four years they moved to Benton county and there the father engaged in farming for ten years. At the end of that time he moved to O'Brien county and after engaging in agricultural pursuits -174- there for five years retired from active life, making his home in Hartley. Eventually he moved to Los Angeles, California, but in 1906 returned to Iowa, settling in Cherokee county, where he has since made his home with the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Stabelfeldt became the parents of seven children besides the wife of the subject of this review, namely: John, who has passed away; Fred, of Los Angeles, California; Louis, who makes his home in White Rock, South Dakota; a child who died in infancy; Frank, who has also passed away; George, a resident of Los Angeles, California; and Elta, the wife of Bert Lyman, of South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Stier became the parents of five children: Myrtle H., who was born June 29, 1895; Iva E., whose birth occurred January 13, 1899; Clara A., born September 18, 1901; Glenn, who died at the age of nine years; and Florence M., born February 21, 1910.    Mr. Stier is a member of the Evangelical church and is a democrat in his political views. His many years of residence in Spring township have made him widely and favorably known here and he bears an excellent reputation for enterprise and honesty.

-174- MICHAEL JAMES SHEA    Michael James Shea, who since 1909 has been engaged in the real-estate business in Cherokee, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 25, 1873, a son of James and Mary (Teefey) Shea, natives of Ireland. The father followed the mason's and contractor's trades for a number of years and during the latter period of his life resided in Iowa City, this state, where he death occurred. His wife survives him and makes her home at Anthon. They were the parents of two children: Mary Jane, who passed away; and Michael James, of this review.    The last named acquired his education in the public schools of Woodbury county, Iowa, and afterward learned the drug business, following it in Anthon and Danbury. He came to Cleghorn, Cherokee county, in 1893, and conducted a drug store there for nine years, after which he moved to Cherokee, resuming his former occupation. In 1909 he sold his enterprise to Leeds Brothers and turned his attention to the real-estate business, in which he has since continued. He deals in local farm lands, unimproved property in Canada, and improved farms in Iowa and southern Minnesota, and he has built up a large, representative and growing business, for he understands land values and is conscientious and straightforward in his methods of dealing.    On the 18th of July, 1896, Mr. Shea was united in marriage to Miss Abby Williams, a daughter of John E. and Melissa Adlake (Hems) Williams, of Cleghorn, this county. The parents were of Welsh descent and they came to Cherokee county in 1893, the father engaging in the mercantile business in Cleghorn until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Shea had three children: Stuart, at home; M. James, who has passed away; and Ruth Adelaide, at home.    Mr. Shea is a member of the Catholic church, is connected with the Knights of Columbus and the Fraternal Order of Eagles and is a democrat in his political beliefs. His excellent characteristics have gained him the friendly regard and -175- good-will with whom he has been associated through either business or social relations and he is well entitled to a place among the representative citizens of Cherokee.

-175- HENRY C. BUDDENHAGEN    H. C. Buddenhangen, who owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres on sections 11 and 14, Afton township, was born in Will county, Illinois, August 17, 1869, and is a son of Christian and Frederica (Went) Buddenhagen, natives of Germany. They came to America in 1865 and settled first in Will county, Illinois,where they lived for eight years. At the end of that time they moved to Iowa and in 1875 settled in Cherokee county, this state. The father purchased land in Afton township and engaged in farming there until his retirement in 1900. He then moved to Milwaukee, where his death occurred in 1909. His wife survives him and makes her home on a farm in Buena Vista county. She has reached the age of sixty-nine. Thirteen children were born to their union, two of whom have passed away.    H. C. Buddenhagen acquired his education in the public schools of Cherokee county,w hither he came with his parents when he was still a child. When he was twenty-two years of age he rented land and after operating this for a few years bought one hundred and twenty acres on sections 11 and 14, Afton township. To this he has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and eight acres, well improved and in excellent condition.    On October 16, 1891, Mr. Buddenhagen married Miss Sophia Rosenbrock, who was born in Will county, Illinois, a daughter of John and Dora (Jauhaugh) Rosenbrock. The parents came to Iowa in 1875 and the father engaged in farming in Cherokee county until 1890, when he retired from active life. He has survived his wife since 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Buddenhagen are the parents of a daughter, Rosa A., who was born in 1892. She is a graduate of the Aurelia high school and later attended school in Storm Lake, Iowa. She is now engaged in teaching.    Mr. Buddenhagen is a member of the German Lutheran church and is a republican in his political beliefs. He is widely known throughout the county as a representative citizen and he commands the confidence and respect of the entire community.

HERBERT E. LOVE    Herbert E. Love, living retired in Meriden, was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, January 29, 1854, a son of S. H. and Frances (Hunter) Love, natives of New York state. The parents went to Michigan as children and after the father grew to maturity he engaged in farming there, dying at Adrian, in that state, in February, 1900. He had long survived his wife,w ho passed away June 7, 1874. -176-    Herbert E. Love was reared and educated in his native state, attending district and town schools. He remained with his father on the arm until he was twenty-one and then came to Cherokee, Iowa, entering the employ of N. F. Burroughs, with whom he remained for three years. At the end of that time he rented a farm in O'Brien county and after another three years purchased one hundred and sixty acres there, operating this property for fourteen years thereafter. He then went to Dakota and bought one hundred and sixty acres. After remaining four years he sold his interests there, and came back to Cherokee county and bought the old Burroughs homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Cherokee township. He remained there about eight years, then sold this property and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Sheridan township. This land was operated by our subject's son Lloyd. In 1910 our subject returned to Dakota and took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, remained fourteen months, then returned to Meriden where he purchased an attractive residence, in which he is enjoying the leisure which has rewarded his many years of earnest and well directed labor.    On the 24th of January, 1877, Mr. Love married Miss Martha A. Lane, a daughter of James and Ann (Marks) Lane, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ireland. The father was a farmer by occupation and he came to Cherokee county at an early date, taking up a homestead claim eight miles south of Cherokee. He operated this during the remainder of his life, dying upon his farm in 1903, having survived his wife since 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Love became the parents of five children: Mabel, who married William Miles, a farmer in South Dakota; Arment B., engaged in the butcher business in Cherokee; Elwood B., connected with the railroad in Council Bluffs, Iowa; S. Lloyd, engaged in farming the home farm in Sheridan township; and Herbert H., who is attending the Cherokee high school.    Mr. Love is a member of the Presbyterian church and is identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as trustee of Sheridan township and is now a member of the town council of Meriden, proving a capable and conscientious public official. He is held in high regard by all who know him and is ranked with the representative citizens of this locality.

-176- W. E. BLANCH  Full size    W. E. Blanch is recognized as one of the substantial and representative farmers of Pitcher township, where he operates two hundred acres of valuable land. He was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, January 27, 1879, and is a son of G. W. and Sarah (Boop) Blanch, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. He came to Iowa with his parents in 1882 and he grew to manhood in this state, becoming early familiar with the details of farm operation and assisting his father until he was twenty years of age. He then began farming on the homestead and this he has since operated, making it by his practical methods and unremitting industry one of the most valuable properties in the county. In addition to general farming he raises and feeds stock -179- and his interests along this line are extensive and important. His farm comprises two hundred acres and in addition to this he owns three hundred and twenty acres of well improved land in Brookings county, South Dakota.    On January 18, 1902, Mr. Blanch was united in marriage to Miss Fredora Kubernus, who was born in Germany in 1880 and who came to America with her parents, Fred and Minnie (Hamp) Kubernus, when she was nine years of age. The family settled in Illinois, where Mr. Kubernus operated a farm for seven years, retiring from active life at the end of that time. In 1906 he moved to Iowa and in 1909 to South Dakota, where he now makes his home with one of his sons. He has survived his wife since February 13, 1894. In their family were eight children: Bertha, the wife of Fred Dierks, of South Dakota; Augusta, who married W. Sherman, of South Dakota; Minnie, the wife of Ernest Glawe, also of South Dakota; Fredora, wife of the subject of this review; Charley, a resident of Cherokee county; William, of the same locality; Fred, of South Dakota; and Erna, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Blanch have become the parents of three daughters: Alice L., who was born September 3, 1904; Ruth C., born June 25, 1905; and Minnie Adella, born January 18, 1907. The family are devout members of the German Lutheran church.    Mr. Blanch is a member of the Masonic order which, following the example of his father and brother, he joined when he was twenty-one years of age. He is a progressive republican in his political beliefs and is now in the tenth year of his able service as township trustee. In all the relations of life he has been found active, progressive and straightforward and he merits and holds the confidence and regard of all who are associated with him.

-179- HARRY MICH    Harry Mich, a well known general merchant of Marcus, was born in Brighton, Wisconsin, January 24, 1872, and is a son of Peter and Gertrude (Sunnen) Mich, natives of Germany. The father came to America and located in Brighton, Wisconsin, when he was twenty-two years of age, moving after a short time to Burlington, in the same state, where he engaged in the shoe business. He continued in this line of work until 1911 and then retired from active life, moving to Milwaukee, where he still resides. He has reached the age of eighty and has survived his wife since March, 1913.    Harry Mich acquired his education in the public schools of Burlington, Wisconsin, and after laying aside his books worked in his father's store until 1889. He then moved to Alton, Iowa, and was associated with his brother in the shoe business, remaining with him for two years. At the end of that time our subject moved to Le Mars and after working for three years in that city came to Marcus, clerking in various stores here until 1908. In that year he formed a partnership with Nicholas Kass, of Remsen, in the general merchandise business and established a store in Marcus, Mr. Kass remaining in charge of the one in Remsen. In this city the firm owns a building twenty-five by eighty feet in dimensions and carries a large and well selected stock of goods. Mr. Mich has -180- built up a large business and has been very successful in its conduct, ranking today among the able and representative business men of the community.    In February, 1897, Mr. Mich was united in marriage to Miss Anna Walsh, a daughter of John and Anna (Dugan) Walsh, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ireland. The mother came to America when she was eighteen years of age and her marriage occurred in New York. She and her husband afterward moved to Dubuque county and there the father farmed for many years. He later bought land in Cherokee county and improved and operated this until 1901, when he retired from active life, moving into Marcus, where he resided until his death. He passed away in 1904, at the age of seventy-three, and is survived by his wife, who has reached the age of eighty. Mr. and Mrs. Mich became the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy. the other is Hope M., aged five.    Mr. MIch is a member of the Roman Catholic church and is a democrat in his political beliefs. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen and an energetic and capable business man, and his worth is widely acknowledged.

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