
The above
image is of my ancestors.
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Frank A. Kullbom, who makes a specialty of raising
and feeding stock as he carries on his farming
interests in Wright township, was born in Henderson
county, Illinois, December 8, 1875, his parents
being Gustav and Albertine Kullbom, natives of
Sweden. They arrived in the United States in 1873,
first settling in Henderson county, Illinois,
where they resided until their removal to Pottawattamie
county, Iowa. Here the mother still makes here
home but the father was called to his final rest
in 1896. Their family numbered six children, of
whom Frank A. is the eldest, while the others
are: Clarence E., now living in Nebraska; Charles
H., of Pottawattamie county; John P., of Mills
county, Iowa; and Albert G. and Lewis, both living
in this county.
Frank A. Kullbom remained with his parents until
he had reached adult age. He then returned to
Henderson county, Illinois, where he worked by
the month at farm labor for a year and a half.
On the expiration of that period he again came
to Pottawattamie county and took up farming on
his own account, renting land for six years. He
carefully saved his earnings during that period
and invested in eighty acres of land on section
17, Wright township, which he at once began to
cultivate and improve. He has since added forty
acres to the original tract and. now owns and
farms one hundred and twenty acres, his fields
bring forth rich harvests, while in his pastures
are found good grades of stock, as he is now largely
engaged in raising and feeding.
Mr. Kullbom made preparations for having a home
of his own by his marriage, in 1896, to Miss Bertha
May Orton, who was born in this county,
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a daughter of B. D. and Isora Orton, who are
now residents of Oakland, Iowa, Their family numbered
eight children, while unto Mr. and Mrs. Kullbom
but one daughter has been born, Gladys May.
The parents attend and support the Methodist
Episcopal church and Mr. Kullbom votes with the
republican party, which recognizes in him a stalwart
champion. Upon its ticket he was elected to the
office of township trustee, in which he is now
serving. He and his wife deserve much credit for
what they have accomplished as the years have
gone by. At the time of their marriage their possessions
practically consisted of but one team of horses,
By their good management, economical living and
unfaltering diligence they managed to save a sum
sufficient to purchase a fine farm and are now
living in comfort at their pleasant home in Wright
township, being classed with the prosperous farming
people of the locality.
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WILLIAM L.
THROP.
William L. Throp was the owner of The Maples,
one of the fine farms of Carson township, and
for a third of a century was identified with the
agricultural interests of the county prior to
the time when death terminated his labors on the
6th of October, 1906. He was a, native of Kingston.
Decatur county, Indiana, born January 21, 1846,
his parents being John C. and Margaret (Hood)
Throp. The father was born in New Jersey and was
descended from old Puritan stock The mother's
birth occurred in Kentucky and her father, Samuel
Hood, was of Irish extraction. The marriage of
John C. Throp and Margaret Hood was celebrated
in Indiana, to which state they had removed with
their respective parents from New Jersey at an
early day.
Unto them were born five sons and four daughters,
of whom William L. Throp was the sixth in order
of birth. His boyhood and youth were spent in
his native county and in its public schools he
acquired his education, while upon the home farm
he received ample training in the work of the
fields. He continued to reside in Decatur county
until twenty-six years of age, when in 1872 he
came to Pottawattamie county; where his remaining
days were passed. The trip to Iowa was made with
his brother, John W. Throp, and in the year of
his arrival he purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of what became his homestead farm. To this
he added as his opportunities increased until
within the boundaries of the property were comprised
two hundred and twenty-five, acres of rich and
productive land, It was, however, unbroken prairie
when it came into his possession and with characteristic
energy he began to break the sod and till the
fields, carrying forward the farm work until his
place became a splendidly developed property,
bearing rich crops and presenting a most attractive
appearance, He and his wife set out all of the
trees upon the farm, which add much to its beauty
and to its value. Mr. Throp erected good buildings
here and put his whole farm under cultivation,
giving undivided time and attention to its
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development and improvement. It was his desire
to live and die upon this place, which was appropriately
named The Maples, owing to the many fine trees
of that character which are seen here. He raised
both grain and stock, and while his fields produced
rich harvests his pastures also produced fine
grades of cattle.
On the 20th of January, 1876, in the first church
built in old Macedonia--a church of the Presbyterian
denomination--was celebrated the marriage of William
L. Throp and Miss Carrie Potter, who was born
in Rhode Island, October 21, 1857, and came to
Iowa with her mother and her brother in April,
1871. Her parents were Ira and Sybil (Winsor)
Potter. Her father died in Rhode Island just prior
to the removal of the family to the middle west
and the mother's death occurred in this county,
April 10, 1900, when she was eighty-two years
of age. She was bright and active to the last,
retaining her physical and mental faculties to
a remarkable degree. She was twice married and
by each union had two children. Fred Potter, a
brother of Mrs. Throp, died in 1879. Unto our
subject and his wife were born a daughter and
two sons: Jennie, the wife of E. C. Anderson,
who operates the farm for her mother and by whom
she has three daughters: Gladys Alae, Florence
Evelyn and Sylvia Caroline; Frederick, who is
living in Guthrie Center and is married and has
one son, Harold Edward; and Paul J., at home.
From the time that age conferred upon him the
right of franchise until his death William L.
Throp was a stalwart advocate of the republican
party and held minor township offices, including
that of justice of the peace. He was a devoted,
faithful and active member of the Presbyterian
church of Carson and at one time served as an
elder in the church. Both he and his wife became
charter members at the time of the organization
of the church and Mrs. Throp is today the only
survivor of the original membership. His life
was ever honorable, in consistent harmony with
his professions. He endeavored closely to follow
the Golden Rule and his religion was not a matter
merely of church attendance but constituted a
force in his everyday life and in his relations
with his fellowmen. He was never known to take
advantage of the necessities of another in a trade
transaction and his influence was ever given on
the side of progress, reform and righteousness.
His death thus became a matter of uniform regret
when, on the 6th of October, 1906, he was called
from this life.
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Charles Henry Talbott, engaged in farming and
stock-raising, making a specialty of feeding cattle
and hogs, is located on section 13, Grove township.
Here he has one hundred and sixty acres of rich
and productive land and the greater part of the
improvements upon the place stand as monuments
to his thrift and labor. His life record had its
beginning in Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 12th
of July, 1858. His parents, J. W. and Jane (Gowdy)
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Talbott, were pioneer residents of the state,
arriving here in 1840 or sixty-seven years ago.
The family home was established in Des Moines
county and for many years the father engaged in
farming, while for a considerable period he devoted
his energies to the conduct of an implement business.
At present, however, he is living retired, making
his home at Mediapolis, Iowa. He has now attained
the age of seventy-seven years and his has been
an active and useful life. He holds membership
in the Baptist church, of which his wife was also
a member. Mrs. Talbot passed away in 1905 at the
age of seventy-three years and thus the worthy
couple who had long traveled life's journey together
were separated by the hand of death. In their
family were six sons and two daughters, as follows:
Oscar, who is now residing in Cass county, Iowa;
Hamilton, living in Pottawattamie county; Melvin,
whose home is in Missouri; William, who resides
in Des Moines county, this state; John, who died
in Des Moines county in 1901; Bertha, at home;
and Nellie, deceased.
Charles H. Talbott was reared in Des Moines county
in the usual manner of farm lads of that period.
He attended the district schools and when not
busy with his text-books worked in the fields.
He has been dependent upon his own resources from
the age of twenty-one years and the success that
he has achieved is well merited. He has resided
in Pottawattamie county during the past twenty-three
years, locating in Waveland township at the time
of his arrival. For two years he cultivated a
rented farm and on the expiration of that period
he established his home in Barton county, Kansas,
where he also lived for two years. He then again
came to Pottawattamie county and settled in Grove
township, where he has since lived. His farm of
one hundred and sixty acres comprises the west
half of the southeast quarter and the north half
of the northwest quarter of section 13, Grove
township. He has placed substantial improvements
upon it and the land is now productive, owing
to the careful manner in which he has cultivated
his crops. His work results in bringing to him
large harvests annually and everything about his
farm is well managed. He raises stock and also
is engaged in feeding both cattle and hogs and
these branches of his business are proving remunerative.
On the 21st of December, 1891, Mr. Talbott was
married to Miss Emma J. Siefford, who was born
in Waveland township, a daughter of William Siefford,
one of the early settlers there. Mr. and Mrs.
Talbott are well known in the community and have
a large circle of friends, who esteem them highly
because of their possession of many excellent
traits of character. Mr. Talbott gives a stalwart
support to the democracy.
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S. L. Felt has since 1892 resided on his present
farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres of arable
land on sections 2 and 3, Wright township. He
was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 10, 1853,
and acquired his education in the public schools
while spending the days of his boyhood and youth
in the home of his parents, William L. and Matilda
(White) Felt, the former a
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native of Michigan and the latter of the Buckeye
state. Their family numbered eight children and
those who still survive are: S. L.; Rollie W.,
living in Madison, Nebraska, Mertilla, the wife
of Thomas Mortimore, of Nebraska; and Sadie, the
wife of Frank Anson, of the same state. The parents,
too, are now residents of Nebraska.
The educational and other advantages which S.
L. Felt received were quite limited, for it became
necessary that he earn his own living at the early
age of eight years. At the time when other boys
were attending school and enjoying the pleasures
of the playground he was busy with various tasks.
He continued to work as a farm hand until he reached
adult age and gave his parents all of his wages.
He then determined that his labors should benefit
himself and to this end he took up his abode upon
a rented farm in Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1878.
There he lived for two years and in 1880 removed
to Shelby county, Iowa, where he again cultivated
a rented farm for six years. On the expiration
of that period he became a resident of Valley
township, Pottawattamie county, where he leased
land and continued to engage in general agricultural
pursuits for six years or until 1892, when the
capital that he had saved from his earnings justified
his purchase of two hundred and thirty-five acres
of land on sections 2 and 3, Wright township,
where he now lives. In addition to tilling the
soil he has engaged quite largely in raising and
feeding high grade cattle and hogs, and both branches
of his business are bringing to him a gratifying
profit.
On the 5th of September, 1887, Mr. Felt was united
in marriage to Miss Mary Westfall, who was born
in Rochester, New York, a daughter of Charles
and Christina Westfall, whose family numbered
eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Felt have become
the parents of ten children, of whom seven are
yet living: Minnie, the wife of Ernest Franklin,
of Cass county, Iowa; and Etta May, Lena C., William,
Orrin, Martha and Esther, all of whom are at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Felt belong to the Christian church
and are much interested in its work. Fraternally
he is identified with the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, his membership being with lodge No. 94,
at Walnut, Iowa, and he has also filled all of
the chairs in the Odd Fellows lodge at Lewis,
in which he holds membership. He is now serving
as a school director and in politics is a democrat.
His influence is ever found on the side of advancement
and improvement, whether along material, intellectual,
social or moral lines.
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For thirty-seven years Joseph Jones has been
a resident of Pottawattamie county, having arrived
here in 1870, and for fourteen years he has been
a resident of the village of Macedonia. His birth
occurred in Bedford county, Virginia, in 1840,
and he is a representative of one of the old families
of that state. The ancestry, however, can be traced
back to Wales, where
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the great-grandfather was born. Leaving that
little rock-ribbed country, he crossed the Atlantic
to the new world and settled in Virginia, where
occurred the birth of James Jones, the grandfather
of our subject. Joseph and Mary (Dickey) Jones,
parents of Joseph Jones of this review, were also
natives of the Old Dominion, whence they removed
to Ohio and eventually became residents of Davis
county, Iowa, where both spent their remaining
days. Their family numbered nine children.
In taking up the personal history of Joseph Jones
we present to our readers the life record of one
who has become widely known in this section of
Pottawattamie county during a long residence here
and owing to his close connection with its business
development. He was only two years of age when
his parents removed from Virginia to Ross county,
Ohio, and the year 1848 witnessed their arrival
in Davis county, Iowa, where they cast in their
lot with the pioneer settlers, so that he was
reared amid the wild scenes, environments and
experiences incident to life on the frontier.
He aided in the arduous task of developing a new
farm and continued under the parental roof until
twenty-two years of age, after which he spent
six years in mining in Colorado. In 1870 he arrived
in Macedonia township, Pottawattamie county, and
has since been identified with its agricultural
interests. He has bought and improved two farms,
one lying in Carson township comprising two hundred
and forty acres on sections 8 and 9, which he
still owns. He also developed and improved a good
farm of eighty acres on section 16, Macedonia
township, which he has sold to his son. For a
long period he was extensively engaged in feeding
stock, which proved an important source of revenue
to him. During the past fourteen years, however,
be has lived in the village of Macedonia, being
pleasantly located in the town while giving supervision
to his property interests.
Two years after his arrival in the county Mr.
Jones was married in 1872 to Miss Mary E. Bryan,
who was born in Logan county, Illinois, in 1852
and in 1868 came to this county with her parents,
Alfred and Martha Bryan, who were natives of Kentucky.
The father died in Missouri arid the mother is
still living in that state. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Jones have been born two daughters and two sons:
Flora and Charles M., both now deceased; Ernest,
who is living upon the farm on section 16, Macedonia
township; and Minnie, the wife of Fred Gross,
a teacher in the high school of Macedonia.
Mr. Jones belongs to Ruby lodge, No. 412, A.
F. & A. M., and he exercises his right of
franchise in support of the men and measures of
the republican party. He has held some minor township
offices and in all matters of citizenship is loyal
to the best interests of his community. Prominent
among the energetic, far-seeing and successful
business men of the locality he is numbered, and
his life history most happily illustrates what
may be attained by faithful and continued effort
in carrying out an honest purpose. He is, moreover,
known not only as a capable business man but also
as one of the pioneer residents of the state,
having made his home in Iowa since 1848--just
two years after the admission of the state into
the Union. Almost six decades have since passed
and the work of improvement and progress
1009
begun in the early days has been carried forward
until almost every acre of the great state of
Iowa is cultivated, while in its commercial and
industrial interests it is not far behind many
of the older states of the east. It is preeminently,
however, an agricultural state, owing to its broad
prairies and rich soil, and in his community Mr.
Jones has borne his full share in its development
along this line.
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J. F. McGinty is actively engaged in farming
and in the raising and feeding of stock in Neola
township, where he owns and operates a farm of
two hundred and forty acres on sections 21 and
22. This is a neat and well improved property,
indicating the careful supervision and practical
methods of the owner, who is one of Iowa's native
sons, his birth having occurred in Clinton county,
February 28, 1869. His father, John McGinty, was
born in Ireland and was there reared to the age
of nineteen years, when in 1854 he crossed the
Atlantic to the United States. For four years
he remained a resident of Delaware and in 1858
came to Iowa, settling in Clinton county, where
he opened up a farm. In his agricultural pursuits
he met with gratifying success, becoming the owner
of four hundred acres of rich and productive land,
so that he was enabled to enjoy not only the necessities
but many of the comforts and luxuries of life
as well. He married Miss Ann McDemott, who was
also of Irish birth. Her death occurred in 1893,
while Mr. McGinty departed this life in July,
1899. They were the parents of eight children,
four sons and four daughters: Thomas, a retired
farmer living at Dewitt, Iowa; J. F., of this
review; John, who reached adult age and died in
1902 at the age of twenty-four years; Joseph,
a farmer, real-estate dealer and prosperous citizen
of Huron, South Dakota; Mary, the wife of John
Higgins, of Hartington, Nebraska; Sarah, the wife
of Daniel Lawler, of Dewitt, Iowa; Kate, at home;
and Theresa, the wife of Ambrose Hester, a resident
of northern Iowa.
In taking up the personal history of J. F. McGinty
we present to our readers the life record of one
who is widely and favorably known in this locality.
He was reared in his native county upon the home
farm, acquired a common-school education and during
the vacation periods assisted his father in the
work of field and meadow. When a young man he
removed to Pottawattamie county and located upon
the farm which is now his home and which was the
property of his father. After cultivating it for
a few years he bought the place, remodeled the
house and built a good barn and outbuildings.
He also put out fruit and in fact has made the
farm a valuable property. In addition to the cultivation
of grain and fruit he has also raised and fed
stock, keeping about one hundred head of hogs
on his place annually and also raising from one
to three carloads of cattle each year, feeding
all of his grain. In his home he has a telephone
line which he
1010
constructed and which connects with the public
phone on the main road, he paying for exchange.
His farm in all of its equipments is modern and
up-to-date and everything about his place is indicative
of his care, supervision and practical methods.
On the 14th of February, 1899, occurred the marriage
of Mr. McGinty and Miss Maggie Radigan, who was
born in Harrison county, Iowa, but was reared
in Neola township, where the wedding was celebrated.
They now have two children, John Edward and Anna.
Politically Mr. McGinty is a democrat where national
issues are involved but he does not consider himself
bound by party ties and frequently casts an independent
local ballot. He has never sought or desired office,
however preferring to give his undivided attention
to his business affairs. He was reared in the
Catholic faith and is now a member of the Catholic
church. In his business life his success has been
gained through unwearied industry guided by sound
judgment, and though he had no assistance at the
outset of his career he is now the owner of an
excellent property in Neola township.
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John Rankin, who has departed this life, became
a resident of Pottawattamie county in 1873 and
was here engaged in general agricultural pursuits
to the time of his demise. He was born near Allegheny,
Pennsylvania on the 24th of February, 1839, a
son of Archibald Rankin, also a native of that
state. Upon the home farm he was reared and resided
until he had attained middle age, when he removed
to Illinois, where he spent a year or two. About
1873 he arrived in Pottawattamie county and secured
a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of land
in Grove township. He purchased this property
of the Osler estate after the cyclone of June
9, 1880, which killed Mr. Osler, his wife and
two children. The buildings upon the place having
been demolished, Mr. Rankin rebuilt them, set
out trees, and otherwise developed the property,
adding many modern improvements and conveniences.
His entire life was devoted to farming, save for
a year or two in which he operated a sawmill in
West Virginia. In all of his farm work he was
practical, energetic and persevering, and it was
these qualities which enabled him to gain a measure
of success whereby he was enabled to leave his
family in comfortable financial circumstances.
It was on the 12th of February, 1862, in Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, that John Rankin was united in marriage
to Miss Alice Giles, who was born in Blythe, England,
May 3, 1836, and came to the United States at
the age of seven years with her father. She now
resides upon the old homestead with her son but
spends more or less time with her other children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rankin were born seven children:
Archibald, living at Salt Lake. Utah; Jennie,
deceased; Laura; John P., who has passed away;
William A., who resides on the old homestead;
Bruce, of Mills county, Iowa; and Mrs.
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Alice C. Hamilton, of Salt Lake, Utah. The son
William, who is now cultivating the old homestead
property, is recognized as one of the energetic
and enterprising farmers of the community, thoroughly
reliable in his business affairs. On the 10th
of October, 1894, he was joined in wedlock to
Miss Gertrude Pace, who was born in Logan county,
Illinois, January 13, 18i6, and was brought to
Pottawattamie county when two years of age by
her parents, Charles and Hannah (Sides) Pace,
who now reside in Carson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William
A. Rankin have been born five children: Glenn,
Claude, Gladys, Earl and John. The family are
much esteemed in the community, where William
A. Rankin is successfully carrying forward the
work instituted by his father in the improvement
and development of the farm.
John Rankin continued to cultivate this place
until his death, being killed by a horse November
9, 1892. He was prominent in Masonic circles,
belonging to Carson lodge, and he was also somewhat
influential in political affairs as a supporter
of the democracy. His fellow townsmen recognizing
hi, worth and ability frequently called him to
public office and he filled various township positions;
including those of justice of the peace and constable.
There were no exciting chapters in his life record,
for the years were devoted to the practical duties
of the work-a-day world, and yet his record is
not without valuable lessons concerning good citizenship,
trustworthiness in business, and fidelity to all
the ties of friendship and of home.
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William J. McCune, the efficient secretary of
lodge No. 531, B. P. O. E., at Council Bluffs,
was born in Solon, Iowa, April 11, 1855, was one
of the eleven children of John P. and Electa R.
(Sutliff) McCune. His paternal grandfather, William
McCune, was a native of Jefferson county, New
York, and was the son of William McCune, Sr.,
who was of Scotch-Irish lineage and became the
founder of the family in the new world, emigrating
from Scotland to the United States in the eighteenth
century. He settled in New York and there spent
his remaining days. The father was born in Jefferson
county, New York, in 1819, and seeking to better
his financial condition by removal to the middle
west, he came to Iowa in 1840. He was a farmer
by occupation and thus provided for his fami1y.
In 1843 he was married in Johnson county, this
state, to Miss Electa R. Sutliff, and his death
occurred in the year 1885. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCune
were born eleven children, of whom seven yet survive,
namely: Harriet E., the wife of Loren Clark; Tully
S., Dora M., the wife of Lewis Le Grand; William
J., of this review; Belle E., the wife of Mathias
Umbdenstock; Helen E., the wife of Hon. O. D.
Wheeler; and Nannie M., the wife of Charles D.
Maybauer.
William J. McCune was reared on a farm in Johnson
county, Iowa, early becoming familiar with the
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist and there he remained to the age
of thirty-two years. He acquired
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his primary education in the country schools
and afterward attended the academy at Iowa City,
being graduated therefrom in 1871. He next prepared
for a business career as a student in a commercial
college, from which he was graduated in 1872.
His education completed, he returned to the farm.
It had been his intention, however, to enter Yale
College but trouble with his eyes prevented him
from carrying out this plan. For some years his
time and energies were devoted to general agricultural
pursuits and in 1887 he went to Geneseo, Kansas.
The following year he located in Festus, Missouri,
where he remained for about three years, and in
1894 he removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he
entered upon arrangements to travel for a wholesale
grocery house. He was then upon the road for about
twelve years, or until 1906, when he retired from
that life. He had become a resident of Council
Bluffs in 1897, and in 1906 he was made secretary
of lodge No. 531. B. P. O. E., in which capacity
he has since served.
Mr. McCune was married in 1886, in Manchester,
Iowa, to Miss Anna Kent, and they have one son,
Ford E., born February 19, 1891. Mr. McCune is
quite prominent in Masonic circles and at the
time he served as worshipful master of Wayfaring
lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M., at Solon, Iowa,
he Ira, the youngest incumbent in such a position
in the United States. He also belongs to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and is demitted from the
Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees
and the American Yeomen. He is very popular in
the order to which he now devotes his time and
attention as secretary and he is well qualified
for the work by reason of his social qualities
as well as his good business capacity.
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The perseverance and energy so characteristic
of the German race are the dominant factors in
the success of Fred Heuwinkel, for, although he
came to America empty-handed, he has improved
his opportunities in this country and is today
the owner of a well improved and valuable farm
comprising three hundred and ninety acres; situated
on section 18, Keg Creek township, so that he
is numbered among the substantial citizens of
this part of the county.
Mr. Heuwinkel was born in Lippe, Detmold, Germany,
April 20, 1843. a son of Henry and Sophia (Meinold)
Heuwinkel, who engaged in agricultural pursuits
in the fatherland and there spent their entire
lives, the father passing away in 1860, when he
had reached the age of seventy-three years, while
the mother died in 1883, at the very advanced
age of eighty-six years. Their family numbered
eleven children, of whom seven still survive,
namely: Mrs. Mena Smith, a widow, who still resides
in Germany; Mrs. Louisa Weber, a resident of Quincy,
Illinois; Mary, who resides in the fatherland;
August, a resident of Evansville, Indiana; William
and Henry, who have always remained in Germany;
and Fred, whose name introduces this review.
Fred Heuwinkel spent the days of his boyhood
and youth in the home of his parents and acquired
his education in the schools of his native country.
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From the fact that he was the seventh son in
his father's family, he was not required to serve
in the army, which is the usual custom in that
country. He gained a partial knowledge of the
carpenter's trade during his residence in his
native land and at the age of twenty-three years,
having heard favorable reports concerning the
opportunities which America afforded, he determined
to try his fortune in this country, and accordingly
on the 19th of October, 1867, took passage on
a sailing vessel bound for the new world. Upon
reaching American shores he at once made his way
to Quincy, Illinois, where lived a sister, and
he there spent a couple of months, subsequent
to which time he made his way to Evansville, Indiana,
where for a year and half he worked at his trade
of carpentering. In1869 he continued his journey
into Iowa, settling at Council Bluffs, where for
two years he worked as a farm hand. Two years
later, in 1871, having saved his earnings, he
invested his capital in forty acres of land, this
tract comprising a portion of his present homestead
property. As the years have come and gone and
he has prospered in his undertakings he has added
to his original holdings until he is today in
possession of a valuable and well improved farm
property comprising three hundred and ninety acres.
He is here engaged in general agricultural pursuits
and each year gathers rich crops as a reward for
the care and labor which he bestows upon his fields.
His business methods, too, are reliable and he
has thereby won the confidence and respect of
all with whom he has dealings.
On the 19th of April, 1871, Mr. Heuwinkel was
united in marriage to Miss Mena Wittland, who
was born in Moniteau county, Missouri, April 11,
1853, a daughter of Frederick and Louisa (Frantrup)
Wittland, who were natives of Germany but emigrated
to America in the year 1848, at which time they
located in Moniteau county, Missouri, where the
father purchased land, on which he made his home
for some time. In 1861 he disposed of his land
in that state and took up his abode in Lewis township,
Pottawattamie county, Iowa, and in 1870 came to
Keg Creek township, settling on a farm on section.
18. There the parents spent their remaining days,
the father passing away in 1889, when he had reached
the age of seventy-five years, while the mother
passed away in 1893, at the age of seventy-four.
Of the nine children born of this marriage, seven
still survive, as follows: Gottlieb, who resides
in Council Bluffs; Mrs. Louisa Basch, of Keg Creek
township; Mrs. Annie Meyer, also of that township;
Mena, now Mrs. Heuwinkel; Mrs. Carrie Meyer, a
widow, who makes her home in Woodbury county,
this state; Mrs. Ricka Fisher, a widow, residing
in Lewis township, Pottawattamie county; and Herman,
a resident of Keg Creek township.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Heuwinkel has been
blessed with ten children, of whom two are deceased,
Sophia and Martha. Those living are: Henry, who
wedded Ida Funke and makes his home in Keg Creek
township; Mary, at home; Louisa, the wife of William
Burkhalter, also of Keg Creek township; John,
Fred, Lydia, August and Lena, all still under
the parental roof.
Mr. Heuwinkel has always given stalwart support
to the republican party and is a public-spirited
citizen, who has been called by his fellow townsmen
to fill some local offices. He has served as trustee
of the township for the past
1016
fifteen years and is the present incumbent in
that office, while at various periods he has filled
the office of road supervisor, justice of the
peace and assessor. Interested in education, he
has also filled some school offices. He and his
family are members of the German Evangelical church.
Mr. Heuwinkel has resided in Keg Creek township
for thirty-six years and during that time has
won a host of warm friends, all of whom speak
of him in terms of highest praise and commendation,
for he is a gentleman of high principle and manly
conduct.
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Charles H. Ayer, a farmer and stock-raiser of
Macedonia township, resides on section 24, where
he owns and cultivates one hundred and twenty
acres of good land. The improvements here were
made by him and the fine appearance of the farm
indicates the spirit of enterprise and progress
which dominates him in all that he does. He came
to this county from Mills county, Iowa, in the
spring of 1891 and his entire life has been passed
in the middle west, his birth having occurred
in Henderson county, Illinois, on the 16th of
December, 1867. His parents were J. H. and Elizabeth
E. (Debolt) Ayer, who in the fall of 1870 removed
from Illinois to Mills county, Iowa. There the
father purchased land and made his home until
a recent date. He was a native of Rhode Island
and resided in Canada, Minnesota and other points.
He has always followed farming as a life work
and upon his removal from Mills county he took
up his abode near McCook, Nebraska, where he owns
and cultivates a farm. He is now sixty-one years
of age and yet gives active supervision to his
agricultural interests. His wife died in Mills
county, Iowa, in January, 1905, at the age of
sixty-four years. In their family were three children,
the sister of our subject being Mrs. Samuel J.
Roush of Nuckolls county, Nebraska, while the
brother is John R, still living in Mills county.
Charles H. Ayer was three years of age when the
family came from Illinois to Iowa and therefore
was reared in Mills county. He acquired his education
largely in the public schools and also spent three
winters as a student at Carson. He began life
for himself when twenty-one years of age and has
since been dependent upon his own resources, so
that whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed
is attributable to his own labors. As a companion
and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss
Mary Belle Boicourt, whom he wedded in Pottawattamie
county when twenty-three years of age. Mrs. Ayer
was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, and on the 1st
of January, 1881, her parents removed to this
county with their family, settling in Silver Creek
township, where her father, Elihu Boicourt, still
resides. The mother died when Mrs. Ayer was but
nine years of age, passing away in 1882. The marriage
of Mr. and Mrs. Ayer has been blessed with a son
and daughter: Charles Mervin, born August 1, 1893;
and Mabel Minnie, born February 2, 1896.
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In his political views Mr. Ayer has always been
a republican and has taken an active interest
in the work of the party, doing all in his power
to promote its growth and insure its success.
Socially he is connected with the Masons of Macedonia
and his religious views are indicated by his attendance
at the services of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He is interested in every measure and movement
for the general good and gives to many his active
co-operation. At the same time he never neglects
his business affairs but on the contrary carefully
manages his agricultural interests and has developed
an excellent property, having one of the good
farms of Macedonia township.
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Hon. Joseph Lyman, who for many years was a distinguished
member of the bar of western Iowa and left the
impress of his individuality upon the judicial
history of the state, was born at Lyon, Oakland
county, Michigan, September 13, 1840. The following
year his parents removed with their family to
Defiance county, Ohio, and, passing through successive
grades in the public schools, Joseph Lyman was
eventually graduated from the high school of Defiance
with the class of 1856. Although he was then but
fifteen years of age he taught school through
the following winter, having in the meantime passed
the sixteenth milestone on life's journey. About
this time he received an appointment to a scholarship
at West Point but on account of hi, father's wish
that he should study law he declined the offer
and removed with his parents to Big Grove, Pottawattamie
county, Iowa, in the spring of 1857. Becoming
one of the early educators of this portion of
the state, he taught school at Stutsman Mills,
now Macedonia, in the winter of 1857-8 and afterward
attended school at Grinnell, Iowa, in 1859, 1860
and a part of 1861.
During the periods of vacation he engaged in
teaching until after the outbreak of the Civil
war, when in the fall of 1861 he offered his services
to the government, enlisting as a member of Company
E, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. He was at that time employed
in teaching at the north end of Big Grove in Center
township but put aside the duties of the schoolroom
in order to espouse the Union cause and served
with the Fourth 9avalry until the summer of 1862,
when he was appointed adjutant of the Twenty-ninth
Iowa Infantry, with which he continued until August,
1865. About a year prior to his return from the
army he was promoted to the rank of major and
he served as acting adjutant general on the staff
of Brigadier General Rice and Major General Steele
for several months. .
With the close of the military chapter in his
life history he took up the study of law in the
office of Judge C. C. Cole, of Des Moines, and
after thorough and comprehensive preliminary reading
he was admitted to the bar. Locating for practice
in Council Bluffs, he became connected with much
important litigation tried in the courts of his
district, ever presenting his cause with clearness
and cogency, his deductions being logical, his
reasoning sound
1018
and convincing. He continued in active practice
until appointed to the office of judge to fill
out the unexpired term of Judge Loofborough, resigned,
and in the fall of 1884 he was nominated for district
judge. Later he received his party's nomination
for congress and after serving for one term was
reelected in 1886. He proved a capable member
of the law-making body of the commonwealth, giving
to each question which came up for settlement
his careful consideration, followed either by
loyal support or strong opposition, as he believed
the weal of the state demanded. On his retirement
from the general assembly he resumed the practice
of law at Council Bluffs and continued an active
and prominent member of the bar until his death,
which occurred in July, 1890.
Soon after coming to Council Bluffs Major Lyman
was married to Miss Josephine Smith, who died
about a year later. In 1885 he was united in marriage
to Miss Rachel Shaw, of Olney, Illinois, and unto
this marriage was born one son, Aaron Lyman, who
is now a practicing attorney of Boston, Massachusetts.
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Bernhard Eichenbenberger, well known as a farmer,
stock-raiser and dairyman, lives on section 1,
York township, where he owns a neat, well improved
farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He came
to the county during a comparatively early period
in its development and settlement, arriving here
in 1876. A native of Switzerland, he was born
September 6, 1842, and was there reared and educated.
In early life he worked in a factory.
When he determined to seek a home in another
land there could be but one place that would satisfy
a representative of the liberty-loving Swiss people.
Born and reared in the oldest republic on the
face of the globe, when he changed his location
it was to become a resident of the greatest republic.
In 1865 he took passage on a vessel sailing from
Havre on the 13th of April, the day before Lincoln
was assassinated. In course of time the voyage
was completed and he landed at New York, whence
he made his way westward to La. Salle county,
Illinois. There he worked on a farm for eleven
years, on the expiration of which period he came
to Pottawattamie county in 1876. Four months prior
to this time he had visited Iowa and had purchased
a tract of raw land here, for he believed the
county had good possibilities and that it would
prove advantageous to him to change his location.
Taking up his permanent abode here, he at once
began the task of breaking the sod and cultivating
his fields, and in due course of time the land
was brought under a high state of cultivation.
He at first erected a little dwelling, in which
he lived for fifteen years, when this home was
replaced by the large, two-story residence which
now adorns the farm. He has added many other substantial
and modern improvements, including two good barns,
granaries and sheds. He has planted an orchard,
set out a grove of trees, and has continued the
work of developing his place along modern progressive
lines until the farm is now one
1019
of the attractive features of the landscape.
He uses good machinery in facilitating the work
of the fields and annually gathers rich crops
of the various cereals best adapted to soil and
c1imate.
On the 30th of May, 1876, in James township,
this county, Mr. Eichenberger was married to Miss
Louisa Vieth, a native of Germany, who was reared,
however, in Pottawattamie county. They now have
six children: Elnora, the wife of Walter Busse,
a farmer of James township; Tusanelda, the wife
of Francis Haas, of Corning, Iowa; Emma, the wife
of Jesse Busse, of James township; Eda, at home;
Alpha, who is a teacher in this county; and Gretchen,
who completes the family.
Mr. Eichenberger and his wife are members of
the Evangelical Association, in the work of which
they are much interested, Mr. Eichenberger serving
as one of the church trustees. Politically he
has been a stalwart republican since casting his
first presidential ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes
in 1876, his Inst vote supporting the present
popular chief executive, Theodore Roosevelt. He
is now serving as president of the school board
and has long been actively identified with educational
interests, believing the public-school system
to be one of the strongest bulwarks of our national
prosperity. He has also served as assessor for
several terms and as township treasurer, the duties
of these various offices being discharged with
promptness and fidelity. He has been chosen as
delegate to county conventions and his opinions
carry weight in the local ranks of the party.
In community affairs he takes an active and helpful
interest, giving loyal support to all those measures
which he deems of benefit to the community in
promoting its material, social, intellectual and
moral progress. He came to the county at a time
when there were comparatively few residents outside
of the cities and when Council Bluffs was but
a comparatively small place. Few roads had been
laid out and the land was largely unimproved,
but the rapid settlement of the county has brought
a wonderful transformation here, Mr. Eichenberger
bearing his full share in the work of general
improvement and development.
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