The above
image is of my ancestors.
Please do not copy.
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Herman E. Wittland, who is extensively and successfully
engaged in farming, stock-raising and feeding
on section 18, Keg Creek township, was born in
Moniteau county, Missouri, July 16, 1863, of the
marriage of Frederick and Louisa (Frantrup) Wittland,
both of whom were natives of Germany. In the year
1848 the parents crossed the briny deep to the
new world, taking up their abode in Moniteau county,
Missouri, where they purchased land and successfully
carried on agricultural pursuits until 1864, when
they sold the farm and removed to Lewis township,
Pottawattamie county. In 1870 they came to Keg
Creek township, where they resided until called
to their final rest, the father passing away in
1889 when he had reached the age of seventy-five
years, while the mother died in 1893, having attained
the age of seventy-four years. Of the eleven children
born unto this worthy couple, seven are yet living:
William, who died in July, 1886, at the age of
forty-five years; Gottlieb, who makes his home
in Council Bluffs; Mrs. Louisa Basch, of Keg Creek
township; Mrs. Annie Meyer and Mrs. Wilhelmina
Heuwinkel, also residents of Keg Creek township;
Mrs. Carrie Meyer, a widow residing in Woodbury
county, Iowa; Mrs. Fredricka Fisher, a widow who
makes her home in Lewis township; Mrs. Sophia
Ellerbeck, of Lewis township, who died the fall
of 1903; and Herman E., of this review. The others
died in infancy.
Herman E. Wittland was but a year old at the
time of the removal of his parents to Pottawattamie
county. He acquired his education in the common
schools and when he had attained his majority
began business life on his own account by renting
the old homestead farm, which he operated successfully
until the time of his parents' death. He then
received one hundred and sixty acres of the place,
on which he still resides, the old homestead having
therefore been his place of abode from early boyhood
to the present time. Through the exercise of diligence
and capable business management he has been enabled
to add to his original holdings until he is now
the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich
and arable land, eighty acres of which lies in
Lewis township. In addition to carrying on the
work of the fields Mr. Wittland is also engaged
in stock raising and feeding, both branches of
his business proving profitable and bringing to
him a gratifying financial return.
On the 26th of August, 1886, Mr. Wittland was
united in marriage to Miss Sophia Funke, whose
birth occurred in Missouri in 1864, her parents
1116
being Garrett and Freda (Ricke) Funke, both natives
of Germany. On coming to America in 1847 they
took up their abode in St. Louis, Missouri, but
after a year there spent removed to Moniteau county,
where the father carried on agricultural pursuits
until 1876, when the family came to Keg Creek
township, Pottawattamie county, Iowa. Here the
father was successfully engaged in farming until
1900, when he sold out and both he and his wife
are now living with our subject. Mr. Funke has
passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey,
his birth having occurred November 25, 1823, while
his wife, who was born April 19, 1833, is now
more than seventy-four years of age. They became
the parents of eleven children, five of whom still
survive: Mrs. Lizzie Kirchoff, living in Keg Creek
township; Mrs. Wittland; Mrs. Galena Syfert, who
makes her home in Idaho; Mrs. Katie Basch and
Mrs. Ida Heuwinkel, both of Keg Creek township.
Unto Mrs. and Mrs. Wittland have been born seven
children: Ida, Henry, Annie, Emma, Lydia, Lena
and Freddie, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Wittland is a republican
but does not care for office, finding that his
time and attention are fully occupied by his business
interests, the successful control of which has
brought to him a gratifying measure of success.
Both he and his wife are members of the German
Evangelical church and are esteemed throughout
the entire community as people of genuine personal
worth and sterling traits of character. Mr. Wittland
has spent almost his entire life in this county
and the fact that the friends of his early boyhood
are still his friends is an indication of the
fact that his life has been an upright and honorable
one.
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The life of Francis Marion Ashley in its various
phases as a merchant, a soldier and a champion
of those principles which develop the highest
in man's nature, furnishes an example that is
indeed worthy of emulation, commanding the respect
of all who know aught of his history. For many
years he was closely associated with the business
interests of Macedonia as a general merchant and
his close application and the concentration of
his energies upon a given field of labor brought
him a measure of success that enabled him to leave
his family in comfortable circumstances.
A native of Greenville, Ohio, Mr. Ashley was
born November 23, 1842, his parents being Joel
L. and Mary (Martin) Ashley, who were likewise
natives of Greenville, Ohio, where they .were
reared, educated and married. Their last days,
however, were spent in Lincoln, Illinois, where
the father died at the age of fifty-seven and
the mother when seventy-nine years of age. They
had a family of five sons: William, deceased;
Elisha, who is living in Woodbury county, Iowa;
Francis M., John, who is located at Lincoln, Illinois;
and Thomas.
Francis M. Ashley was a youth of fifteen years
when he accompanied his parents on their removal
from the Buckeye state to the vicinity of Lin-
1117
coln, Illinois. There he was reared on a farm,
remaining with his parents until nineteen years
of age when he offered his services to the government,
enlisting on the 12th of August, 1862, as a member
of Company F, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, under command of Captain William Beesley
and Colonel Robert Latham. The regiment was attached
to the Army of the West at Vicksburg and with
this command participated in all of the engagements
of that division of the army, being mustered out
on the 14th of July, 1865. When the country no
longer needed his aid he put aside the rifle and
the blue uniform and resumed farming on his own
account on rented land, which he continued to
cultivate for three years. In 1869 he became a
resident of Neosha county, Kansas, and entered
a claim from the government of one hundred and
sixty acres of wild land, on which he lived for
ten years. On the expiration of that period he
came to Pottawattamie county, settling in Silver
Creek township, six miles west of Macedonia, where
he purchased eighty acres of land. For five years
he was there engaged in farming and then sold
out, removing to the village of Macedonia, where
he turned his attention to general merchandising.
He had conducted the store with good success for
five years when it was destroyed by fire, and
on the expiration of that period he removed to
Living Springs, where he had a branch store, which
he conducted for two years. Returning to Macedonia
he again started in business here and successfully
operated as a general merchant until his death,
which occurred March 29, 1900, having the store
east of the bank. This remained the property of
Mrs. Ashley until the 8th of August, 1907, when
she disposed of the building. In his business
life Mr. Ashley was ever watchful of indications
pointing to success and so utilized his opportunities
that the best possible results were attained.
Moreover, his reputation in commercial circles
was unassailable, as he was always known for his
business integrity as well as enterprise.
On the 10th of December, 1863, Mr. Ashley was
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Covington,
who was born near Lincoln, Illinois, November
12, 1845, and there resided until her marriage.
She was acquainted with Mr. Ashley from the age
of fourteen years and they were the first and
only lovers that either had, their affection for
each other growing from early childhood until
it ripened into love and was consummated by marriage.
Mrs. Ashley was a daughter of James and Mary (Stahl)
Covington. The former, a native of Maryland, died
in Illinois at the age of seventy-seven years,
when his daughter, Mrs. Ashley, was a young child.
His wife was a native of Union county, Pennsylvania,
and became a resident of Illinois in 1816, before
the admission of the state into the union. The
Stahl family were among the first settlers there
and the Indians were far more numerous than the
white residents. The nearest market was a hundred
and twenty miles away, and a trip thereto entailed
much arduous labor and various hardships. Both
the Covington and Stahl families located on government
land in Illinois. Mary Stahl was married in Pennsylvania
before removing to the west, Mr. Covington becoming
her second husband, and she died in 1870,
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at the age of sixty-eight years. By her first
marriage she had seven children and by her second
union there were two children, the elder being
Joseph Covington, who for fifteen years has been
a teacher in the Chicago schools. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Ashley were born nine children: Nellie, who
died at the age of twenty-one years; Alice, the
wife of Charles Allen, who is living near Whiting,
Iowa; Mrs. Rose Owens, who died leaving three
children; Emma, who is the wife of Frank Ferguson
and is living in Lincoln, Nebraska; Lillian, the
wife of Leo Gordon, of Colville, Washington; Edgar,
who is the father's successor in merchandising
at Macedonia; Fred, a bookkeeper of Council Bluffs;
Bess, who became the wife of George Beckhart of
Atlantic, Iowa, and died in April, 1904; and Ralph,
a stenographer for the Missouri Pacific Railroad
Company at Omaha.
Mr. Ashley was a member of the Grand Army post
at Macedonia and assisted in organizing the Odd
Fellows lodge here. He also belonged to Ruby lodge,
No. 415, A. F. & A. M., and for seventeen
years prior to his death held membership in the
Christian church, his life being in harmony with
his professions. He strove to follow the Golden
Rule and his life was largely actuated by a spirit
of kindliness and of helpfulness. Although reared
in the faith of the democratic party he afterward
became a stanch republican but never sought nor
desired office, content to do his public service
as a private citizen. In days of peace, however,
he was as loyal to his country as when he followed
the nation's starry banner on southern battle-fields.
He was never neglectful of duty, but day after
day did the tasks which came to him, whether in
business or in social life or in citizenship.
It was thus that he left an enviable record and
one which in many respects may well serve as a
source of inspiration and, encouragement to his
children.
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Francis A. Turner, successfully engaged in the
practice of law in Avoca, made his entrance into
Pottawattamie county in a covered wagon in the
fall of 1857, and is therefore numbered among
its pioneer settlers-for at that time it was largely
an undeveloped region, the wild prairies covered
with their native grasses, while few wagon roads
led across them and the railroad had not yet been
built. He has lived to demonstrate his worth as
a citizen and lawyer, being now classed with the
leading residents of the locality.
A native of Des Moines county, Iowa, Francis
A. Turner was born on the 29th of November, 1856,
his parents being Jerome and Margaret J. (Perry)
Turner. The father was born near Unionville, Ohio,
in 1833, and was reared there to young manhood.
His father died about that time and in 1850 Jerome
Turner came to Iowa, settling in Davis county.
A short time afterward he returned to Ohio and
brought his mother to Iowa. Soon thereafter he
removed to Des Moines county, locating near Lefler's
Station, now West Burlington, where he married
and where the subject of this review
1119
was born. In 1856 the father and his brother
Charles came to Pottawattamie county, entering
one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting
the northwest quarter of section 23, Washington
township, in partnership. Jerome Turner then returned
to Des Moines county and in the fall of 1857 he
brought his wife and child -- Francis A. -- in
a covered wagon to his new home in Pottawattamie
county. Alice V. Turner, the daughter of Charles
Turner, was the first white child born in Washington
township, and John Turner, brother of our subject,
was the second white child born here. The father
kept .adding to his original possessions until
he owned more than five hundred acres of valuable
farm land, which he continued to cultivate and
improve until 1885, when he retired from active
life and removed to Harlan, Iowa, seeing favorable
chance for investment there. He continued to reside
in Harlan up to the time of his death, which occurred
in 1904. His first wife died in 1880 and in 1885,
soon after his removal to Harlan, he married Mrs.
Mary E. Leeson, who still survives him. In his
political views the father was a republican. He
held membership in the Methodist Protestant church
and for years was superintendent of the Sabbath
school. He was a man of sterling integrity and
earnest Christian character, ever just in his
relations with his fellowmen and kindly in spirit.
He came to Iowa with very limited capital and
on removing to this county he and his brother
Charles each had but one horse and one yoke of
oxen, together with such household furniture as
they could haul in the covered wagon. As the years
passed, however, Mr. Turner prospered and became
the owner of valuable property.
Francis A. Turner was one of a family of eleven
children, nine of whom are yet living, the others
being John H., a farmer of Taylor, Iowa; Elmer
A., a farmer and brickmason of Harlan, Iowa; William
P., who follows farming in Washington township;
Matthew L., a practicing physician of Des Moines;
Laura L., the wife of Truman H. Cleveland, of
Washington township; Thomas J. R., a farmer and
postmaster, at Taylor, Iowa; O. Bruce, also of
Taylor, Iowa; and Mildred D., the wife of Edward
Anthony, of Harlan, Iowa.
The educational advantages enjoyed by Mr. Turner
were those afforded by the district schools, supplemented
by one year's study in the high school at Allerton.
His course, however, was interrupted by illness
and he returned home. He afterward took up the
profession of teaching in the district schools,
being thus engaged for several years, and later
he became principal of the Oakland public schools,
in 1883. He was principal of the Neola public
school from September, 1884, until the spring
of 1885, and in the latter year was elected assistant
principal of the Harlan high school, so continuing
until 1886. In 1883, immediately after his resignation
as principal of the Oakland school, he took up
the study of law in the office of Smith &
Cullison, at Harlan, Iowa, where he continued
his studies while teaching during the succeeding
three years. In the spring of 1887 he was admitted
to the bar, one of the examiners being Judge Joseph
R. Reed.
Mr. Turner then located in Avoca and entered
upon the practice of his chosen profession, forming
a partnership with Smith & Cullison, Mr.
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Turner having charge of the office at this point.
The partnership existed until 1898 when Mr. Smith
withdrew from the firm at Harlan and the firm
of Turner & Cullison has since exi3ted. Mr.
Turner is a strong and able member of the bar,
sound in argument and logical in his deductions
and the firm has been entrusted with important
legal interests.
On the 8th of April, 1896, Mr. Turner was united
in marriage to Miss Rose M. Woodward, a daughter
of J. D. Woodward, now deceased, who was a prominent
farmer of Monona county, Iowa. Their children
are Joe W., Frances A., Robert G. and Howard Turner.
In his political views Mr. Turner is a republican
and served as postmaster of Avoca from 1882 until
1886. Since his admission to the bar, however,
he has not sought office but has given undivided
attention to his professional duties and is unfaltering
in his allegiance to the interests of his clients,
yet never forgets that he owes a still higher
allegiance to the majesty of the law.
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David Nixon is now living retired on a farm on
section 28, Hazel Dell township, but for many
years was closely associated with general agricultural
interests and did much to advance the development
of the county along that line. He was born in
Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June 22, 1848. His
father, William Nixon, was also a native of that
county, born October 20, 1802, and his last days
were spent in the home of his son David in Hazel
Dell township, his death occurring on the 3d of
February, 1885. He was a son of Moses and Jane
(Winn) Nixon, who were representatives of old
families of the Keystone state.
William Nixon followed the miller's trade in
early life but afterward became a farmer. He continued
a resident of the east until 1863, when attracted
by the discovery of gold in California and the
business interests which were there developed
as a result; he started with his family for the
Pacific coast. On reaching Kanesville, now Council
Bluffs, he decided to make this county his home,
being pleased with its attractive appearance and
future possibilities. He purchased from a Mr.
Scott a claim of one hundred and twenty acres
situated on sections 33 and 34 in what was then
Crescent township but is now Hazel Dell township.
There was a log cabin upon the place and a few
acres had been broken but otherwise there were
no improvements and upon Mrs. Nixon devolved the
arduous task of developing from .the wild prairie
a productive farm. Upon that place he resided
until 1878, when he went to live with his son
David. He had improved and cultivated a valuable
tract of land of two hundred and forty acres,
making it one of the rich farming properties of
the county, but in so doing had encountered many
of the hardships incident to pioneer life. These
he faced courageously and by determined spirit
overcame them, his labors enabling to surmount
all the difficulties that barred his path. His
work, too, was an
1121
essential element in the progress of the county
and his name is now found on the list of Pottawattamie
county's honored dead. His first vote was cast
for the candidates of the democrats but from that
time forth he was a stanch republican, believing
that the platform of the latter party contained
the best elements of good government. He held
minor township offices but was not a politician
in the sense of desiring official reward for his
fealty.
In early manhood William Nixon married Eliza
Collins, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
March 2, 1807, and died at the home of her son
David, May 20, 1878. Her parents were Joseph and
Margaret (Allen) Collins, the former of Irish
and the latter of English descent, her father
having been the famous Colonel Ethan Allen, who
won distinction as an officer of the Revolutionary
war in leading his Green Mountain boys to victory.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William Nixon was
celebrated on the 8th of March, 1824, arid they
became the parents of nine children. Margaret,
the eldest, died July 1, 1828. Joseph died October
2, 1828. Mary J. is the wife of Joseph Meginness,
a resident of Garner township. John, who enlisted
as a member of Company A, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer
Infantry, as color bearer, was taken prisoner
and died in the Camden stockade, April 29, 1864,
leaving a wife and one child. Hannah became the
wife of Benjamin Meginness, who for two years
was a soldier of Company A, Twenty-ninth Iowa
Volunteer Infantry. They afterward resided in
Hazel Dell but both are now deceased. Moses, who
also served as a soldier with the Twenty-ninth
Iowa, lost an arm at the battle of Helena, Arkansas,
and died November 25, 1883. Frances became the
wife of Caleb Kimball, a resident of Garner township,
who died August 23, 1883. Sarah became the wife
of W. H. Meginness, who for three years was a
faithful defender of the stars and stripes, serving
as a member of Company A, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry.
He was discharged as an orderly sergeant. Both
he and his wife died in California.
David Nixon, who completes the family, came with
his parents to Pottawattamie county in 1853, when
a lad of about five years. He was educated in
the country schools near his father's home, was
early trained to the work of the fields, and after
his marriage began farming on land given him by
his father. They first lived in a stable until
they could build a residence and continued upon
their first farm until nine years ago, when they
removed to their present place on section 28,
Hazel Dell township. Here Mr. Nixon has a beautiful
home, which he erected. He did all the inside
finishing, papering and so forth, for he can do
any kind of work, possessing much natural mechanical
skill and ingenuity. Around the house is a beautiful
and well kept lawn, adding greatly to its appearance.
The buildings are all well painted and everything
about the place is in a state of good repair.
This is indeed a model farm and there is not a
neater one in all Pottawattamie county. Mr. Nixon
owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, which
is very productive, and is now living retired,
enjoying the fruits of his former toil and the
income which accrues from his property.
1122
On the 24th of June, 1866, Mr. Nixon was married
to Miss Margaret J. Williams, who was born in
South Wales on Christmas day of 1849, a daughter
of Daniel and Margaret (Evans) Williams, who were
also natives of the same country. After coming
to the United States they spent a few years in
Pennsylvania and, then went west to Utah. They
remained in that territory, however, for but one
winter, after which they came to Pottawattamie
county. Mrs. Nixon was six years of age when brought
by her parents from South Wales to America and
in this country she was largely reared. By her
marriage she has become the mother of four children:
John, who was born June 4, 1867, and died on the
3d of August of that year; Eliza, the wife of
Alexander Vallier, a resident of Hazel Dell; William,
who follows farming in Hazel Dell township; and
Ira, who also owns a good farm in the same township.
The parents are devoted and faithful members
of the Methodist Episcopal church, recognized
throughout the community as good Christian people,
and Mr. Nixon is serving as one of the church
trustees, while in many other ways he has labored
to advance the interests of the organization and
to extend its influence. In 1864, when but sixteen
years of age, he enlisted in the Union army but
being so young his father would not allow him
to serve. His political views accord with the
principles of the republican party and he has
filled some local offices, acting as township
trustee and as school director. His life has ever
been honorable and upright, his actions manly
and sincere, and he has always upheld those interests
which promote the political and legal status of
the community and advance its material, intellectual
and moral progress. To know him is to respect
and honor him and his many good qualities have
gained him the warm friendship of the great majority
of those with whom he has been brought in contact
during a residence in Pottawattamie county which
covers more than a half century. He is well known
as a pioneer settler and can relate many interesting
incidents of early days when this district was
sparsely settled and. gave little evidence of
the development which was soon afterward to transform
it into one of the leading counties of this great
commonwealth.
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William Nixon, who carries on general farming
on sections 33 and 34, Hazel Dell township, was
born in this locality, October 3, 1871, and is
a son of David Nixon, who is mentioned elsewhere
in this volume, and who is one of the prominent,
honored and representative agriculturists and
pioneers of this part of the state. He was provided
with good educational privileges and after attending
the country schools became a student in the Western
Iowa College at Council Bluffs, where he pursued
a commercial course, thus becoming well qualified
for the practical and responsible duties of business
life. He afterward acted for three years as clerk
and bookkeeper in the Citizens State Bank but
in 1896 resumed the occupation to which he
1123
was reared, having early become familiar with
the duties and labors connected with the cultivation
of the soil and the care of the crops. He owns
the southwest quarter of section 34 and resides
upon a tract of land of one hundred and twenty
acres belonging to his father on section 33. The
property is well improved with a new house and
barns and other modern accessories and equipments,
all of which have been secured by the Nixon family,
who are prominent representatives of progressive
agriculture. William Nixon carries on general
farming, raising the cereals best adapted to soil
and climate, and is regarded as a most wide-awake
and enterprising businessman.
On the 22d of September, 1897, was celebrated
the marriage of William Nixon and Josephine Christiansen,
a daughter of Lars Christiansen, one of the farmers
of Hazel Dell township. This union has been blessed
with two children: Lila M. and Irving M. The young
couple have an attractive home, the hospitality
of which is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
Mr. Nixon is a republican, serving for ten years
as secretary of the school board, a fact which
indicates his deep and helpful interest in the
cause of education. He has likewise been township
clerk for six years and township assessor for
two years, discharging his duties in a manner
that indicates his progressive citizenship and
public spirit. Fraternally he is a member of the
Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.
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Willis C. Hills, owner and publisher of the Oakland
Acorn, was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, in 1858. His
father was Amos C. Hills, a native of Rumney,
New Hampshire, and of English ancestry. The first
representative of the family in America was Joseph
Hills, who came from England in 1638 and settled
at Malden, Massachusetts, near Boston. Amos C.
Hills was a farmer by occupation and continued
his residence in the east until 1855, when he
came to Iowa, settling in Maquoketa. Later, however,
he returned to the east, where he remained for
about eight years and then again came to Iowa
in 1866. He is now living retired at Oto, Woodbury
county, Iowa, at the age of eighty years. He was
an industrious farmer, whose life of activity
and intelligently applied effort brought to him
a very goodly competence. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served
as an officer, and in the work of the church he
is much interested, while to its support he contributes
generously. His political allegiance is given
the republican party. He married Elizabeth S.
Wilcox, who was born in Orleans county, Vermont,
and is now living at the age of eighty-two years.
She is of Scotch-Welsh ancestry and, like her
husband, belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Throughout their entire lives this worthy couple
have commanded the esteem and good will of those
with whom they have come in contact in the different
communities in which they have lived.
1124
Their family numbers three children, of whom
Willis O. is the youngest. The sister, Jennie
E., is the widow of the Rev. George R. Oake, a
minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who
in early life had been a circuit rider and who
died in Council Bluffs in 1906. Frank L. Hills
is a newspaper man of Sioux City, Iowa, and is
now serving as county recorder of Woodbury county.
Willis C. Hills was a pupil in the country schools
in his early boyhood and afterward attended the
normal school at Cedar Falls. A few years were
devoted to teaching and in 1887 he established
the Smithland Exponent at Smithland, Iowa, where
he remained until the fall of 1894. At that time
he was elected county recorder of Woodbury county
on the republican ticket and his capability and
trustworthiness in office led to his selection
for a second term. Upon his retirement from this
political position he conducted a printing plant
at Sioux City and for one year was proprietor
of a general store at Kirkman, Iowa. In January,
1901, he came to Oakland and purchased the Oakland
Acorn of M: F.. Morton, since which time he has
been engaged in the publication of this paper.
The Acorn was founded in 1881 and is a seven column
quarto, neat and attractive in appearance. It
has a good advertising patronage and liberal subscription
list and is a clean, newsy paper which would be
a credit to any community. It is independent in
politics and devoted to the best interests of
the town and county, championing every measure
for the public good.
Mr. Hills was married in 1894 to Paulina Gambs,
who was born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1860,
and they have one child, Vida. Mrs. Hills belongs
to the Congregational church. Mr. Hills gives
his support to the republican party. He served
as postmaster at Smithland and, as stated, was
twice recorder of Woodbury county. His interest
in political questions is that of a public-spirited
American citizen and in all community affairs
he manifests an activity which indicates; his
loyalty to the best interests of Oakland. His
fraternal relations are with the Masons.
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Edward Ward, deceased, was numbered among the
honored pioneers of Pottawattamie county who aided
in reclaiming this district for the purposes of
civilization at a time when many people believed
that the task was a hopeless one. His birth occurred
in Noble county, Ohio, April 8, 1829, of the marriage
of William and Wilhelmina (Youngblue) Ward, both
of whom passed away in the Buckeye state. He acquired
his education in the common schools of his native
state, and after his marriage conducted a general
store in Cannonsburg, Ohio, for about seven years,
when he sold out. In the year 1856, in company
with a hired man, he drove a bunch of cattle through
Iowa and, being pleased with the country, entered
land on Keg creek in what is now the southern
part of Keg Creek township. He then brought his
wife and family to this state, the journey being
made by
1125
train to Eddyville from which point they proceeded
with ox teams. Shortly afterward Mr. Ward sold
the land he had entered and purchased two hundred
and forty acres in Silver Creek township, which
he improved and cultivated for fifteen years.
He then traded the farm for a block of property
in Glenwood, Iowa, comprising a hotel, livery
and meat market. He conducted the hotel for four
years, after which he sold out and took up his
abode on the place where his widow now resides
on section 3, Keg Creek township.
On the 20th of December, 1849, Mr. Ward was united
in marriage to Miss Sarah Williams, who was horn
in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 25, 1825, a daughter
of Anthony and Sarah (Cook) Williams, who passed
away in the Buckeye state, where the mother's
birth also occurred, while the father was born
in Arnetstown, Maryland. Mrs. Ward received three
hundred acres of land from her father, who had
entered several thousand acres from the government
along Keg creek and gave some to his children,
Mrs. Ward, however, being the only one that ever
came to Iowa. She now owns two hundred and forty
acres of valuable farming land, which she rents.
All of the excellent improvements here seen stand
as a monument to the labor and enterprise of Mr.
Ward, who with the assistance of his estimable
wife labored diligently year by year until he
had transformed the wild prairie into richly productive
fields, placing thereon all the conveniences and
accessories of a model property of the twentieth
century. There is a fine orchard on the place
and also many shade trees, which greatly enhance
the attractive appearance of the farm. Mrs. Ward
resides in a beautiful home on this property and
is now enabled to enjoy all of life's comforts
and many of its luxuries in her declining years.
Five children were born unto our subject and
his wife. Reuben, whose birth occurred October
2, 1850, passed away on the 1st of June, 1870.
Union, born January 31, 1852, died in infancy.
Roland, born March 28, 1854, wedded Mattie H.
Ingram and now lives in Lewis township, where
he has a nursery. Artemus, born on the 22d of
December, 1861, passed away December 27, 1904.
Lucretia Wilmie, born February 8, 1858, was united
in marriage to Thomas D. Gayle on the 25th of
February, 1885, and now lives with her mother,
her husband being an expert carpenter by trade.
Mr. Ward passed away December 14, 1896, at his
home in Keg Creek township and his death was the
occasion of deep and widespread regret throughout
the entire community. For forty years he had been
actively connected with the business interests
of this portion of the state and his name stood
as a synonym for integrity and honor in all the
relations of life. Moreover, he had done his full
share in the work of pioneer development and progress
here, contributing in substantial measure to the
county's growth and upbuilding.
Mrs. Ward is remarkably well preserved for a
woman who has passed the eighty-second milestone
of life's journey and relates in interesting manner
many reminiscences and experiences of pioneer
days. She recalls the time when there were but
three houses between her home and Council Bluffs
and remembers seeing the Mormons going through
on their way to Utah, the terrible suffering which
some of them underwent being still vividly im-
1126
pressed upon her mind. Their goods were packed
in small carts and each cart was drawn by two
women. Mrs. Ward was an expert horsewoman in her
younger years and often rode for miles through
the then lonesome country without thought of fear.
Her mind forms a connecting link between the primitive
past and the progressive present .and during the
long period of her residence here has gained many
warm and lasting friendships.
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Adolph Clausen has since the spring of 1881 lived
in Pottawattamie county and is now well known
as a farmer and stock-raiser of Washington township.
He lives on section 33 and also has land on sections
28 and 29, his possessions aggregating two hundred
and forty acres, well improved. He came to this
county from Iowa county, Iowa, but claims Denmark
as the land of his birth. He was born in the northern
part of that country in 1856, his parents being
George and Maria (Missen) Clausen. The father
came to America in the early '70s, settling near
Waukee, Illinois, where he resided for a time.
He afterward spent two years in Mississippi but
in 1874 returned northward, at which time he established
his home in Iowa county, Iowa, where he engaged
in farming. Being pleased with that locality and
its possibilities, he continued there to make
his home until he was called to his final rest
on the 13th of April, 1892, when he was seventy-three
years of age. The mother is still living in Denmark.
One son of the family, Ludwig Clausen, came to
this country but died about seven years [years]
ago. He resided on a farm just east of the property
of Adolph Clausen. Another brother, Julius, and
a sister, Mrs. Georgia Jensen, are still living
in Denmark.
Adolph Clausen pursued his education in the schools
of his native country and of America. He was fifteen
years of age when in 1871 he crossed the Atlantic
to the new world. For six months he resided in
Chicago and then went to Mississippi with his
father, where he engaged in raising cotton for
two years. He next located in Marengo county,
Iowa, where he began farming and since that time
he has carried on general agricultural pursuits
and has also raised and handled well bred stock.
He is a self-made man and successful. All of the
improvements on the farm were placed here by him
and the tract of raw prairie which came into his
possession has been converted into rich and productive
fields, from which he annually harvests good crops.
Mr. Clausen has been married twice. In this county
he wedded Miss Van Sant, who died in July, 1892,
leaving a son, Charles, sixteen years of age.
In 1895 he was again married, his second union
being with Miss Maggie Schmidt, who was born in
Germany, a daughter of Hans Schmidt, of Silver
Creek township, who arrived here about 1884. He
is a successful farmer. The marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Clausen has been blessed with seven children
and the family circle yet remains unbroken by
the hand or death.
1177
These are, Ida, Harry, Otto, Roy, Mamie, Lily
and Irvin, all yet under the parental roof. .
The parents are members of the Lutheran church
and in the community where they reside have a
circle of friends almost co-extensive with the
circle of their acquaintances. Mr. Clausen affiliates
with the Masonic lodge of Carson and votes with
the republican party. He was elected to the office
of justice of the peace but did not qualify, as
he has never sought nor wished public office,
preferring always to give his attention to his
business affairs which, capably conducted, have
gained him a place among the men of affluence
in his community.
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JOHN B. McNAY.
John B. McNay carries on general agricultural
pursuits on section 26, Keg Creek township, and
is also engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred
Poland China hogs, having as fine a herd as can
be found in the entire county. His birth occurred
in Council Bluffs on the 3d of August, 1860, and
the house in which he was born is still standing.
His parents were Joseph B. and Mary (Smith) McNay,
the former born in Greene county, Pennsylvania,
April 11, 1825, while the latter was also born
in that county on the 30th of April, 1834. The
father was born and reared on a farm and supplemented
the education which he received in the common
schools by a law course at college. After his
graduation in 1853 he came west to Washington,
Washington county, Iowa, where he practiced his
profession for two years. In 1855 he went to Council
Bluffs and entered a section of land on section
23, While at that place his law library had peen
destroyed by fire and he returned to Pennsylvania,
being there married in December, 1856. After this
important event in his life he once more removed
to Council Bluffs, where he remained until 1876.
He never practiced law in this county but was
connected with the live-stock business, freighting
to Denver with ox teams. This was in many respects
a dangerous undertaking and he had a number of
narrow escapes from the Indians. His journey from
Pennsylvania to this state with his wife was also
fraught with many hardships and privations, as
they drove through from Burlington in the winter.
They often traveled for a whole day without coming
to a house or other sign of habitation. Council
Bluffs was as yet but a hamlet and there was only
one brick building in Omaha, this being used by
the legislature for the territory of Nebraska,
In 1876 Mr. McNay removed to his farm in Keg Creek
township, where he lived until his demise, March
12, 1906. He had lived to celebrate his golden
wedding and his widow still resides on the farm
with her two sons. Mr. McNay was active in politics
as a supporter of the republican party and held
all of the township offices. He was reared in
the Seceeders church but as there was no such
denomination here he joined the Methodists a few
years before his death. His widow now owns two
hundred and forty acres of land on section 23,
Keg Creek township,
1128
which is being farmed by her two sons, Preston
D. and Charles B., who are yet at home. She had
a family of eight children but only three are
now living.
John B. McNay relmained under the parental roof
in Council Bluffs until the time of his marriage
and also received a common-school education in
that city. In 1885 he purchased eighty acres of
his present farm, which was improved, but he has
since remodeled the house, refenced the place
and added many other modern and substantial improvements,
including the erection of a barn. Altogether he
has a fine home and his farm of one hundred acres
responds readily to the care and labor he bestows
upon it, annually yielding rich harvests. In addition
to the work of general farming he is much interested
in the breeding of thoroughbred Poland China hogs,
having a herd of sixty head of as fine specimens
of that breed as can be found in Pottawattamie
county. He has done much to improve the grade
of stock raised in this part of the state and
is recognized as one of the prominent stock-breeders
of the county.
On the 25th of February, 1895, Mr. McNay was
united in marriage to Miss Tishie McClellan, who
was born in Princeton, Indiana, October 18, 1871,
her parents being Adam and Mary (Wilson) McClellan,
both natives of Ohio. The father is still living
in Nunn, Colorado, at the age of seventy-seven
years, but Mrs. McClellan passed away in Indiana
in 1876 when forty-six years of age. This worthy
couple were the parents of seven children, of
whom four are living: Mrs. Dena Manse, of Oakland
City, Indiana; Mrs. Rena Gudgel, residing in Stillwater,
Oklahoma; Joseph F., of Nunn, Colorado; and Mrs.
McNay. Mr. and Mrs. McNay have three children:
Glen W., Vera M., and Ona M.
Our subject and his wife are both members of
the Methodist church and take an active and helpful
part in its work. Mr. McNay has been a resident
of this county throughout his entire life, and
has ever lived so as to merit the respect and
esteem which are uniformly tendered him. His business
methods have ever been such as have neither sought
nor required disguise, and in all the relations
of life he has been found honorable and straightforward.
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