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image is of my ancestors.
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Ira Nixon is a worthy representative of one of
the prominent pioneer families of Pottawattamie
county and needs no special introduction to the
readers of this volume for the name of Nixon has
figured conspicuously in connection with the history
of development and improvement here in agricultural
lines for many long years. He now resides on section
33, Hazel Dell township, and it was in this township
that his life record began on the 29th or March,
1874. The history of his father, David Nixon,
is given on another page of this volume.
A t the usual age Ira Nixon was sent to the public
schools, where he mastered the common branches
of English learning. In the summer months as
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his years and strength increased he aided more
and more largely in the work of the home farm
and became thoroughly familiar with the best methods
of cultivating the crops and caring far the stock.
He thus brought practical experience to his business,
when at the age of twenty-six he began farming
on his own account. He is the owner of one hundred
and twenty acres of rich and arable land on which
are fair improvements, including a new house and
barn that he has erected. He tills the soil after
the most modern methods and his labors find reward
in the rich crops which are annually gathered.
In addition to this work he raises thoroughbred
Shire horses and is meeting with good success
in this branch of his business.
On the 17th of October, 1901, Mr. Nixon was married
to Miss Lillian O'Donald, who was born in Hazel
Dell township, where her parents, Anthony and
Maggie (Frank) O'Donald, still reside. Three children
grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nixon, a son and
two daughters: David A., Viola Fern and Dorothea
May.
Mr. Nixon is a republican with firm belief in
the principles of the party, but without desire
for political preferment. Fraternally he is connected
with the Odd Fellows and with the Woodmen of the
World. He is well known in the community where
his entire life has been passed and where he has
displayed many good qualities that have gained
for him warm friendships. By nature he is genial
and social and has thus become popular.
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William P. Gardner is well known in agricultural
and financial circles in Neola township and is
meeting with a gratifying measure of success in
the operation of his excellent farm of two hundred
acres situated on sections 19 and 20. He became
a resident of Boomer township, this county, in
1876 and therefore for almost a third of a century
has been a witness of the changes which have occurred
in this part of the state as the county has emerged
from pioneer conditions and taken on all of the
evidences of a modern civilization.
Mr. Gardner was born in Hamilton county, Ohio,
on the 11th of July,1852. His father, Matthew
B. Gardner, was a native of Kentucky and was there
reared. When a young man he went to Ohio, in which
state he met and married Miss Mary Ann Glace,
a native of the Buckeye state. Following his marriage
Mr. Gardner engaged in farming in Hamilton, county,
Ohio, and later followed the same pursuit in Hamilton
county, Indiana, and he opened up a farm and reared
his family, spending his remaining days there.
His wife also died upon the home farm in that
locality. In their family there were four sons
and four daughters, of whom W. P. is the eldest.
The others are Frank, Henry, Leander, Alwilda,
Clara, Martha and Elizabeth. The eldest daughter
is now the wife of Albert Thomas. Elizabeth also
reached womanhood and was married but is now deceased.
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W. P. Gardner spent his boyhood days under the
parental roof and when a youth of sixteen started
out in life on his own account. He then went to
Putnam county and from that time has been dependent
entirely upon his own resources, so that whatever
success he has achieved has come to him as the
merited reward of his labor. His educational privileges
were limited and he had no special advantages
at the outset of his business career. In Putnam
county he worked as a farm hand by the month and
endured many hardships and privations in the early
days but resolutely set to work to overcome the
difficulties that barred his path and as the years
passed these diminished.
On the 22d of April, 1871, Mr. Gardner was married
to Miss Mary E. Wanker, who was born and reared
in Putnam county, a daughter of Zimri Wanker.
The young couple began their domestic life upon
a rented farm, which continued to be their home
for two years, when they removed to Cumberland
county, Illinois. There Mr. Gardner again rented
land and followed farming for two years but thinking
to find better opportunities to secure a farm
of his own in the newly settled districts of Iowa,
he came to Pottawattamie county in 1876 and took
up his abode in Boomer township, where he lived
for a year. In 1877 he removed to Neola township,
where he rented land for three years, and in 1888
he made his first purchase, thus becoming owner
of forty acres which was raw prairie. This he
broke and tilled and upon it he built a house.
With characteristic energy he began to farm this
place and as the result of his economy and industry
he was at different times able to add to his property
until he now has two hundred acres all in one
body. Here he has erected a large two story residence,
two good barns, a granary and corn cribs. There
is also a windpump on his place, a chicken house,
and in fact all the modern equipments which constitute
a part of progressive farming. He has a good orchard
and a fine grove of willow trees and the place
is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating
careful supervision and practical methods. His
fields annually bring forth good crops and in
addition to this he raises and fattens stock.
He continued to reside upon the farm until 1907,
when he left his son upon the place and removed
to Neola, where he is living retired from the
more active labors of the fields, although he
still gives supervision to his business affairs.
He also owns three hundred and twenty acres of
land in South Dakota, of which eighty acres has
been broken, while the remainder is being placed
under cultivation. The success which Mr. Gardner
has achieved it attributable entirely to his own
efforts and the assistance of his estimable wife,
who has indeed been a faithful companion and helpmate
to him on life's journey. He knew what it was
in boyhood, youth and early manhood to undergo
privations and hardships but success comes to
him who labors diligently for it and Mr. Gardner
has put forth strenuous effort. He is now regarded
as one of the substantial residents of the county,
deriving his income from two valuable properties.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have been born six
sons: Alvin, who is married and follows farming
in South Dakota, owning a tract of land there;
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Zimri, who is married and resides in Council
Bluffs; Henry, who is married and carries on farming
in Boomer township; George, who is married and
cultivates the home farm; William Gardner, a resident
farmer of Neola township; and Oscar, who is farming
with his brother in Neola. They also reared an
adopted daughter, Emma Gardner, who became a member
of the household when eight years of age.
Politically Mr. Gardner has been a life long
democrat, stanchly advocating the principles set
forth by Jackson. He has served as road supervisor
and as a member of the school board. While in
Illinois he joined the Odd Fellows society and
is now a member of Neola lodge, I. O. O. F., in
which he has filled some of the offices, while
his fidelity to the teachings and tenets of the
society make him a worthy exemplar of the order.
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William Southern is engaged in merchandising
at Honey Creek, where he carries a large stock
of goods and is meeting with gratifying success.
He was born in Yorkshire, England, January 30,
1863, and in that country his parents are still
living, but the favorable reports which he heard
concerning America and her opportunities led him
to try his fortune in the new world. At the age
of eighteen years therefore he bade adieu to home,
friends and family and sailed for America. He
went first to Canada, where he remained a short
time, and then came to Pottawattamie county, Iowa,
and worked by the month as a farm hand for a year
and a half. On the expiration of that period he
began farming on his own account, being thus engaged
until 1898, when he leased the store of Sievert
Rief, his father-in-law, and conducted it for
four years. He then bought a store in Honey Creek
and conducted this for eighteen months, after
which he sold out. A year later, however, he again
engaged in business, purchasing five lots on the
west side of the street. On one of these he erected
a small building and put in a stock of goods.
He has been quite successful in his commercial
interests and now owns other buildings and has
added to his stock until he now has an extensive
store, keeping everything in the line of groceries,
dry goods, notions, glassware, farm implements
and lumber. At times his stock is worth as high
as four thousand dollars and his check book shows
two thousand dollars' worth of business each month,
in addition to which there are hundreds of dollars
of which he keeps no record. He closely studies
the needs and the wishes of the public, is watchful
of the market as well and introduces goods of
the latest character. In manner he is genial and
courteous, and his earnest efforts to please his
patrons have resulted in making for him a very
large and gratifying business.
In 1890 Mr. Southern was united in marriage to
Miss Julia M. Rief, a daughter of Sievert Rief,
who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr.
and Mrs. Southern have become the parents of five
children: Martha L., Dora E., Ralph S., Raymond
W. and Margaret, all yet at home.
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Mr. Southern has never sought to figure prominently
in public affairs, but on the contrary has preferred
to concentrated his time and energies on his business.
His capital was limited when he came to America,
but in this country, where labor is unhampered
by caste or class, he soon gained a good start,
and as the years have gone by has so conducted
his commercial interests that he is now one of
the prosperous business men of his community.
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George S. Cutchall is the owner of a finely improved
farm of one hundred and seventy acres in James
township and the time and labor which he devotes
to the fields bring to him large harvests annually.
Moreover, his place is the visible evidence of
his life of thrift and industry, for all that
he possesses has been acquired through his own
labors.
He was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
on the 17th of September, 1863, his parents being
Abraham and Katharine (Steele) Cutchall, who were
likewise natives of the Keystone state, where
the mother is still living, but the father has
passed away. In their family were eleven children:
Sarah E. and Martha, both deceased; Jacob, of
Pennsylvania; Elmyra, the wife of A. M. Drorbaugh,
of Union county, Iowa; E. W., of Oklahoma; Mary,
the wife of D. J. Miller, of Pennsylvania; George
S.; Abraham, also of Pennsylvania; Florence, the
wife of Jacob Gaster, of Henry county, Illinois;
Carrie, the wife of Alexander Edward, of Pennsylvania;
and Elizabeth, who has departed this life.
George S. Cutchall was reared in the place of
his nativity and acquired a public-school education
while spending his boyhood days in the home of
his parents. At the age of eighteen years he came
to the middle west, first locating in Johnson
county, Iowa, where he worked by the month for
one season. He then went to Audubon county, this
state, where he remained for two years and then
again went to Pennsylvania, where he spent one
year. He afterward returned to Audubon county,
Iowa, and for a time was employed by the month,
after which he went to the northern part of the
state, there remaining until 1885. The succeeding
year was passed in Nebraska, after which he lived
for a time in Calhoun county, Iowa, and later
again in Audubon county, where he worked for one
season.
Next he removed to Shelby county, Iowa, and it
was while living there that he was married in
the fall of 1887 to Miss Pauline Albertus, who
was born in Sauk county, Wisconsin, a daughter
of Charles and Pauline Albertus, the former a
native of Germany and the latter of Switzerland.
In their family were nine children, while unto
Mr. and Mrs. Cutchall have been born five children
but one died in infancy. Those still living are:
Pearl E., who is a graduate of the Hancock high
school; May E., Charles A. and George A., all
at home.
After his marriage Mr. Cutchall rented a farm
for four years and with the capital he managed
to save through his industry and economy he purchased
eighty-two acres of land in Shelby county, Iowa,
where he resided for four
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years. On selling that property he bought one
hundred and seventy acres on section 13, James
township, Pottawattamie county, where he has since
made his home. Here he has erected a fine residence,
has put up a commodious and substantial barn and
other necessary outbuildings and in fact has added
all the equipments and accessories of a model
farm. He uses the latest improved machinery to
facilitate the work of the fields and in every
department his farm presents a neat and thrifty
appearance. In connection with the tilling of
the soil he has engaged quite extensively in raising
and feeding cattle and hogs and thus has largely
augmented his income. He has a thoroughbred shorthorn
bull.
In his political views Mr. Cutchall is a republican
and for several years he filled the office of
school director, while at the present writing
he is township trustee. He and his family attend
and support the Methodist Episcopal church at
Hancock and their influence is ever found on the
side of right, progress and improvement. Mr. Cutchall
is justly accounted one of the prosperous farmers
of James township and that he is now the owner
of a valuable property is due to his care and
labor in former years. He is still an active factor
in agricultural development and at all times keeps
in touch with the trend of progressive farming.
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H. L. Aldridge, who follows farming on section
1, Rockford township, was born in Putnam county,
Indiana, November 23, 1846, his parents being
John Sanford and America (Jones) Aldridge, who
were natives of the Hoosier state but were of
English and Welsh ancestry. The founder of the
Aldridge family in America came to the new world
at an early period in its colonization and located
in North Carolina, whence later generations of
the family removed to Indiana. All were farming
people. In the grandfather's family there were
six children, Ruth, John S., Elizabeth, Mary Ann,
Betty and Josiah. The eldest son, John Sanford
Aldridge, was born in North Carolina, June 15,
1819, and when quite young lost his father. In
the winter of 1846 he removed westward to Illinois,
bringing his mother with him. Her death occurred
in 1880, when she had reached the very advanced
age of eighty-eight years. The death of John S.
Aldridge occurred March 16, 1849. He was survived
by his widow and two children: H. L., of this
review; and Mary E., now the wife of George Frazier.
The mother in 1853 became the wife of Josiah Skelton,
a native of Tennessee, and in 1854 they brought
their family to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, settling
on Honey Creek, where they resided until the death
of Mr. Skelton in 1885. They became the parents
of the following children: John, Lewis, Josiah,
Jane, Albert, Alice, Allen, Margaret, Jonas and
Eddie. The last two mentioned are deceased.
H. L. Aldridge through the days of his boyhood
and youth remained with his mother and was reared
to farm life, early gaining practical expe-
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rience in the best methods of cultivating the
soil and caring for the crops. On the 14th of
April, 1867, soon after he had passed the twentieth
anniversary of his birth, he wedded Margaret E.
Selvy, a daughter of William and Mary (Foster)
Selvy, who were natives of Tennessee and were
of Irish and German extraction. On leaving that
state they removed to Missouri and after some
years came to Pottawattamie county. Later they
removed to Harrison county, Iowa, where the death
of Mr. Selvy occurred on the 10th of April, 1885.
His wife died November 22, 1903. In their family
were eleven children, as follows: Frank M., George
W., Martha J., Margaret E., Eliza Ann, Susan C.,
Mary E., Amanda B., William A., James Edwin and
one who died in infancy. Of this number Mrs. Aldridge
was born in Missouri, July 6, 1850, was reared
under the parental roof, being carefully trained
to the duties of the household, and at the age
of seventeen years was married.
Following his marriage Mr. Aldridge purchased
forty acres of wild land on the Missouri river
bottom in Harrison county and erected thereon
a log cabin fourteen by sixteen feet. With characteristic
energy he began to improve and develop this farm,
which he cultivated for eight years, when he sold
out and bought one hundred and fifty acres of
wild land in Pottawattamie county, totally unimproved
save that there was a small house upon it. He
also remained on that farm for eight years and
then purchased forty-four acres on section 1,
Rockford township, where he is now living. At
that time some improvements had been made but
the place was largely in a dilapidated condition.
Mr. Aldridge at once set to work to repair the
ravages and to bring his farm under a high state
of cultivation and he now has a fine modern residence,
substantial outbuildings, an excellent orchard
of peach and apple trees and much small fruit.
His fields, too, produce excellent crops and he
has dealt in stock to a considerable extent, making
a specialty of the raising of horses and Duroc
Jersey hogs. He has also kept bees for thirty
years, having a fine apiary and in, this work
has been very successful. That he has prospered
is indicated by the fact that he has extended
the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises
two hundred and forty-five acres, while the place
is equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences,
indicating not only the careful supervision of
the owner but also his close touch with ideas
of progressive farming. He is a self-made man,
deserving much credit for what he has accomplished
in a business way.
Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge have no children of their
own but his mother and wife's mother both reside
with them at an advanced age. A nephew, Willis
A. Selvy, who was born August 3, 1868, and was
left an orphan at a very early age, was reared
by Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge and now resides upon
an eighty-acre farm in Harrison county that our
subject helped him to get. They also reared a
niece, Annie Jones, who was born August 26, 1872,
but is now deceased.
Mr. Aldridge belongs to the Mutual Protective
Association and has been its treasurer since its
organization. He is a member of the Missouri Valley
lodge, No. 232, A. F. & A. M., and in his
life has exemplified the beneficent spirit of
the craft, which recognizes the brotherhood of
mankind
1169
and individual obligation. Politically he is
independent in local matters. He has served as
township trustee for twelve years and has also
been road supervisor for a number of years. Those
who know him, and his acquaintance is a wide one,
hold him in high regard for what he has accomplished
in a business way, for the methods which he has
followed and for the kindly, generous spirit that
he has ever manifested in his relations with his
fellowmen.
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Nature seems to have intended that man shall
enjoy a season of rest in the evening of life.
In youth, full of vigor, hope and ambition, he
starts upon his business career and in later years
his labors are guided by the sound judgment that
should come through experience and maturer wisdom.
If he be energetic in his chosen field of labor
and careful in his expenditures the years will
bring him capital sufficient to enable him to
enjoy the evening of life in well earned ease.
Such have been the characteristics of Mr. French,
now living retired in Loveland, where for many
years he carried on blacksmithing and carriage-making.
A native of Dutchess county, New York, he was
born October 8, 1837. His parents were Adoniram
and Betsey (Tobias) French, both of whom were
natives of Connecticut and spent their last days
in Dutchess county, New York. The father, who
was a shoemaker by trade, died at the age of seventy-five
years, while his wife passed away at the age of
forty years.
M. H. French was a youth of fourteen when he
started out in life on his own account and since
that time has been dependent upon his own resources,
meriting considerable credit for the success which
he has achieved. He began working on a farm for
his dinner and six cents per day and was later
employed for nine months for thirty-one dollars
and fifty cents. He received twenty-five dollars
for his first year's work while learning the blacksmith's
trade and served a three years' apprenticeship
in mastering that trade, also spending one year
in a wood shop and one year at carriage ironing.
In 1866 he came to Loveland, Iowa, and on Thanksgiving
day of that year, contracted an indebtedness of
two hundred dollars for shop and tools, having
left the tools which he had formerly owned in
New York. He also bought twenty dollars' worth
of material at Council Bluffs and that first afternoon
made ten dollars from his labor. He continued
to follow blacksmithing here for many years and
always had a good patronage because he was an
expert workman in his line. He likewise conducted
a store and implement house here for a long period
but recently turned these over to his daughter,
who is now the postmistress at Loveland. In the
meantime Mr. French had invested in property and
now owns one hundred and nine acres of good and
productive farm land nicely improved near the
village, together with his residence and store
property in the village.
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In 1858 Mr. French was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth Johnson, a native of Ireland who,
when twelve years of age, came to the United States
with her parents. She was born October 24, 1837,
and died on the 4th of December, 1904. In their
family were five children: Jennie and Arthur,
both of whom died in infancy; Edwin C., who is
a carrier on the rural mail route and is at home;
Nellie M., the widow of Frank Haldeman, who is
engaged in merchandising and also acts as postmistress
at Loveland; and William L., who is an engineer
employed by the Northwestern Railroad Company,
making his headquarters at Fremont, Nebraska.
Mr. French and his family are consistent and
faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church
and are much interested in its work. In politics
he was a democrat until the Bryan campaign, since
which time he has been a stalwart supporter of
the republican party. He has been prominent in
the history of Loveland, contributing largely
to its upbuilding and advancement and through
his business interests and through his activity
in connection with those movements and measures
which have for their object the upbuilding of
a community. He has now reached the allotted Scriptural
age of three score years and ten but in spirit
and interests seems yet in his prime although
he has retired from business life to enjoy his
remaining days without further recourse to labor.
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J. M. Axtell, without special advantages at the
outset of his career, has become one of the well
known and substantial agriculturists of Boomer
township. He has developed three farms in Pottawattamie
county since arriving here in1867 and he now owns
and cultivates eighty acres of land on section
10. He was, born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania,
on the 4th of July, 1838, and is a brother of
L. S. Axtell, who is mentioned on another page
of this work. He was the youngest child in his
father's family and remained, with his parents
until the death of his father, his boyhood and
youth being quietly passed, unmarked by any event
of special importance.
In 1857 Mr. Axtell was united in marriage to
Miss Sarah Franklin, a native of the state of
New York. They afterward removed to Sparland,
Marshall county, Illinois, where Mr. Axtell engaged
in farming. While there living he was called upon
to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the
19th of February, 1866, leaving four children.
On the 6th of June, 1867, he was again married,
his second union being with Mary Graham, a native
of Pennsylvania, who is still living.
The same year Mr. and Mrs. Axtell removed to
Pottawattamie county and from the wild prairie
he has, developed three farms, thus contributing
in substantial measure to the progress and improvement
of this part of the state. He now owns eighty
acres of land on section 10, Boomer township,
constituting a good property. He has one of the
best orchards in the town
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ship and his place is further adorned and beautified
by many shade trees which he has set out. His
fields, too, bring forth rich crops and everything
about the place is kept in good condition, showing
his careful supervision and practical, enterprising
methods.
By his first marriage Mr. Axtell had five children:
Samuel T., who resides in Harrison county, Iowa;
Albert E., of Danville, Illinois; Leona, the wife
of G. W. Howland, formerly of Harrison county,
now of Oklahoma; and two who died in infancy.
Unto Mr. Axtell and his second wife were born
ten children, namely: Milton, who makes his home
in Missouri; John, of Oklahoma; Gertrude, who
became the wife of John Roberts and resides in
Oklahoma; James and Daniel, both residents of
Harrison county, Iowa; Mary E., the wife of Fred
Swan, also of Harrison county; George, at home;
and three who have passed away.
For many years Mr. Axtell has been a faithful
representative of the Odd Fellows fraternity.
In politics he has always been a republican since
age brought to him the right of franchise and
for twenty years he has served as justice of the
peace. No higher testimonial of his capability
could be given than the fact that he has been
so long continued in this office wherein his decisions
have been strictly fair and impartial. He has
always taken special interest in school matters
and has acted as school director for many years.
His own educational privileges were limited to
the opportunities afforded by the common schools
but he has always been a careful observer and
wide reader and is today a well informed man upon
political questions and all subjects of general
interest.
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Thomas J. Smith, conducting a commercial enterprise
at Weston, and thus contributing to the commercial
advancement of the city as well as to his individual
success, has always resided in Pottawattamie county,
his birth having occurred in Boomer township,
June 24, 1872. His father, A. B. Smith, was born
in England and on coming to the United States
in 1856 established his home in this county, casting
in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were
reclaiming the region for the purpose of civilization.
He became one of the early farmers and is still
residing in Boomer township, well known there
as a worthy and respected citizen. His wife, Mrs.
Elizabeth Smith, is also living and, like her
husband, is a native of England.
Thomas J. Smith was the fifth in order of birth
in their family of eight children, and in the
common schools he acquired his early education,
which was supplemented by study in Western Iowa
College, at Council Bluffs. He was reared to farm
life, early becoming familiar with the duties
and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist,
but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial
he entered the field of merchandising on the 1st
of December, 1905, through the purchase of a general
stock of goods at Weston, from
1172
Williams & Barnes. He now carries a large
and well selected line of general merchandise
and deals in agricultural implements as well.
His business is continually growing and his extensive
patronage now brings to him a good financial return
annually. His store is well appointed in its equipments
and the tasteful arrangement of his goods adds
in no small degree to his success, for the attractive
display wins customers, while his reasonable prices
and courteous treatment secure a continuance of
their trade.
In 1897 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Dora Lowe,
a daughter of Henry Lowe, of Rockford township.
They had two children but one is now deceased,
the other being Viola, who is at home.
Mr. Smith is a democrat in his political views
and strongly endorses the principles of the party.
While on the farm in Boomer township with his
parents, he served for six years in the office
of township assessor and for twelve years as secretary
of the school hoard, discharging the duties of
both positions in prompt and capable manner. He
is always interested in everything pertaining
to general progress and improvement and in Weston
gives support to every measure calculated to prove
of general good. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen
camp and the Odd Fellows lodge at Crescent and
is also connected with the Woodmen of the World
at Council Bluffs. The fact that many who have
known him from boyhood to the present time are
numbered among his stanchest friends, is an indication
that his has been an honorable and upright life.
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George Oamek follows farming in Crescent township
and is a native son of Hazel Dell township, his
birth having there occurred November 6, 1869.
His father, Christopher Oamek, was a native of
Germany and was there married. He afterward emigrated
to the United States, establishing his home in
St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked at the bricklayer's
trade. His wife died there, leaving three children,
all of whom reside in Oregon. Later Mr. Oamek
came to Council Bluffs, where he followed bricklaying
until 1868, when he turned his attention to general
agricultural pursuits, purchasing land in Hazel
Dell township. He continued the further development
and improvement of his farm until his life's labors
were ended in death about six years ago. His second
marriage was celebrated in Council Bluffs, the
lady of his choice being Mrs. Mary Sigea, a widow,
whose maiden name was Mary Straub, and who died
about thirty years ago. They had five children:
Carrie, the wife of A. A. Frost, of Crescent,
Iowa; George, of this review; Frank, who is living
in Nebraska; Joe, who is upon the home farm in
Hazel Dell township; and Edward, of Omaha.
No event of special importance occurred to vary
the routine of farm life for George Oamek in his
boyhood and youth. He remained upon the old homestead
place in Hazel Dell township until twenty-two
years of age and in the meantime acquired his
education in the public schools. On leav-
1173
ing home he bought eighty acres of land on section
15, Crescent township, on which slight improvements
had been made. He then began the further development
of the place, has remodeled and improved the buildings
and now has a nice home and substantial farm.
He also owns thirty-eight acres on the Missouri
river bottoms and is carrying on general agricultural
pursuits.
In 1891 Mr. Oamek was married to Miss Nellie
M. Ritchie, a native of Iowa, and they have three
children, Robert C., Wallace E. and Doris E.,
all at home. They also lost a daughter, Agnes,
in infancy. Mr. Oamek votes with the democratic
party where state and national questions are involved
but at local elections where there is no issue
before the people casts an independent ballot.
He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp of Crescent
and enjoys the good will and trust of his brethren
of the fraternity and the confidence of those
with whom he has been associated in business affairs.
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The name of Saar is a well known and honored
one in agricultural circles of Pottawattamie county,
for throughout mDre than three decades representatives
of the family have been identified with its farming
interests and Otto Saar, whose name introduces
this review, is also thus engaged at the present
time, his home place comprising five hundred and
twenty acres of land situated on section 10, Keg
Creek township. Mr. Saar is a native son of the
state, his birth having occurred in Mills county,
January 10, 1863. He is one of the four surviving
members of a family of thirteen children born
unto Henry and Sophia (Plummer) Saar, both of
whom were natives of Germany, extended mention
of whom is made in connection with the sketch
of Henry F. Saar on another page of this work.
His brother. Julius T. Saar, is also represented
in this volume.
The boyhood days of Otto Saar were spent on the
homestead farm in Mills county, Iowa, where he
acquired his early education in the common schools.
This was supplemented by five terms' study in
Shenandoah College, so that he was well fitted
to assume the duties of a business career. After
completing his education he again resumed farm
labor and in 1896 located on his present place.
The greater part of this tract has been placed
under cultivation and there is a portion from
which he annually cuts a splendid crop of hay.
Mr. Saar has improved his place with good buildings,
including substantial barns giving ample room
for the shelter of grain and stock, while the
family occupy a commodious and modern residence,
this having been erected since Mr. Saar located
here. Mr. Saar follows the most modern methods
in prosecuting his labors and uses the latest
improved machinery in the cultivation of his fields
and the harvesting of his crops, and is today
numbered among the substantial residents of Keg
Creek township.
In 1898 Mr. Saar was united in marriage to Miss
Sophia Schrodt, who was born in Council Bluffs,
a daughter of Jacob Schrodt. Her father was an
1174
early settler of Iowa and for a long period engaged
in market gardening. He is still living in Council
Bluffs but the mother is now deceased. The home
of Mr. and Mrs. Saar has been blessed with two
interesting daughters, Gertrude and Elsie.
Mr. Saar gives his political support to the men
and measures of democracy and for several years
he has served as township clerk, discharging his
duties in prompt and able manner. The family are
highly esteemed in the community in which they
reside and the hospitality of their own pleasant
home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
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A finely improved farm of two hundred and eighty
acres, situated on section 16, Keg Creek township,
is the home of Julius J. Saar, who is a worthy
representative of the faming and stock-raising
interests of Pottawattamie county. He was born
in Jefferson City, Missouri, January 1, 1845,
a son of Henry and Sophia (Plummer) Saar, mention
of whom is made in connection with the sketch
of H. F. Saar on another page of this work. .
Julius J. Sarr is the oldest of the four surviving
children of his father's family. He was a little
lad of eight years when the father removed with
his family from Missouri to Mills county, this
state, and it was on the home farm there that
his time and energies were given to the prosecution
of the labors of field and meadow. His educational
advantages were very meager for at the time the
family settled in this state the only opportunities
afforded in this direction were those of the subscription
school, he being a lad of thirteen years when
he attended his first school. However, his training
at farm labor was not meager, for from an early
age he assisted his father in the development
and improvement of the homestead property and
shared with the other members of the family in
the hardships and privations which had to be endured
in what was then a pioneer district.
Desirous that his labors might more directly
benefit himself, Mr. Saar began farming on his
own account, at which time he established a home
of his own on the 16th of January, 1869, by his
marriage to Miss Catherine Schoening, who was
born in Germany, a daughter of Hans Schoening.
She was quite young when her parents emigrated
to the United States, the family home being established
in Silver Creek township, Pottawattamie county,
where the father still lives at the advanced age
of eighty years. Of their family of four children
but two are living: Theodore, a resident of Council
Bluffs; and Herman, of Silver Creek township.
Mrs. Saar passed away September 18, 1885, at the
comparatively early age of thirty-one years.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Saar
took up their abode on a tract of land which he
rented in Mills county. In the spring of 1872
he located on his present farm which was given
him by his father and which comprised two hundred
and forty acres, situated in Keg Creek township.
This was all wild and unimproved when it came
into his possession but with
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the energy and perseverance so characteristic
of the German race, Mr. Saar at once began to
improve his farm, to which he later added an additional
forty-acre tract, so that his home place now comprises
two hundred and eighty acres. This is supplied
with good buildings for the shelter of grain and
stock and he also occupies a comfortable dwelling,
all there having been erected by Mr. Saar. In
addition to tilling the soil he is also engaged
to some extent in stock-raising and finds this
a profitable source of revenue.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Saar have been born nine children:
Rosa, the wife of Rudolph Hopp, a resident of
Glenwood, Iowa; Henry, at home; Julia, the wife
of Robert Ingram, of Harrison county, Iowa; John
W., who wedded Emma Hartge and lives in Keg Creek
township; Otto C. and Edward, twins, at home;
August F., also under the parental roof; Fred,
who died in July 1903, at the age of twenty-one;
and Martha, the wife of William Tinn, a resident
of McClellan, Iowa.
A democrat in principle and practice, Mr. Saar
is ever found loyal in support of the men and
measures of that party. For two terms he served
as road supervisor and has also filled some school
offices. He is always prompt and reliable in the
discharge of his official duties and is a public-spirited
citizen, commanding the respect and high regard
of all with whom business or social relations
bring him in contact.
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Julius Muller is a retired farmer and now makes
his home in the village of Crescent, enjoying
there a well merited rest from the labor which
so long occupied his time and attention. He was
born in Colmar, Alsace, then a province of France
but since the Franco- Prussian war one of the
provinces of Germany. His natal day was April
8, 1836, and his parents were William and Madeline
(Rebert) Muller, who were likewise natives of
France. The father was a bookbinder by trade and
in 1851, leaving his family in their native country,
he sailed from Havre to New Orleans, where he
arrived after a voyage of eight weeks. He then
came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where
he secured employment at his trade. The following
year he sent for his family, who arrived in December,
1852. They became residents of Davenport, Iowa,
where they established a business of their own.
Julius Muller, who had served an apprenticeship
in his native country, remained there for a short
time. Later the father went to Cassville, Wisconsin.
He there entered one hundred and sixty acres
of land, which he began to improve, but soon afterward
he sold that property and removed to Rock Island,
where he carried on an extensive business until
he suffered losses by fire. After the death of
his wife in Davenport in 1875 he settled again
in Rock Island, where he lived until his death,
which occurred when he had reached the very advanced
age of ninety-six years. His wife had passed away
in Davenport at the age of seventy-two. In the
family were four children,
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of whom Julius and his brother William, now of
South Dakota, are the only ones living.
Julius Muller was reared in France to the age
of sixteen years when with the family he came
to America, spending his boyhood and youth in
his father's home. He was married on the 2d of
October, 1859, to Miss Ann Bird, whose birth occurred
near Quebec, Canada, on the 2d of May, 1838. She
was of Irish lineage and was taken to Illinois
by her parents in 1852, the family removing to
Clay county, Iowa, in 1855. Mrs. Muller died upon
the home farm near Crescent in 1883.
Soon after their marriage Mr. Muller and his
wife came to Pottawattamie county but purchased
a farm in Harrison county, which he sold in 1866.
In 1864 he had been drafted for service in the
Union army, was assigned to duty with Company
E of the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and
was sent to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was
detailed on a scouting expedition through Tennessee,
Georgia and Alabama. He afterward went to Annapolis,
Maryland, and thence was sent down the coast to
Morehead City, North Carolina. Later the command
was at Newberne and Kingston, North Carolina,
where they were engaged in a severe fight, Mr.
Muller having a narrow escape from the bullet
of a sharpshooter. He afterward joined Sherman's
forces on the march to the sea and at Raleigh
news was received of the assassination of President
Lincoln. Mr. Muller proceeded with his regiment
to Washington, D. C., and participated in the
grand review, the victorious army marching down
Pennsylvania avenue, over which swung a banner
bearing the device, "The only debt which
the country cannot pay is the one which she owes
to her soldiers." From Washington the regiment
proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, where they
were mustered out July 21, 1865.
Mr. Muller returned home with a creditable military
record, having faithfully discharged every duty
that devolved upon him during his experiences
as a soldier. After the war he went to Denver,
Colorado, in search of a location but he did not
like the mountainous region and returned to Iowa,
settling in Crescent township, Pottawattamie county,
a mile north of the village on forty acres of
unimproved land. There he made a good farm, erected
a fine house and substantial buildings, making
the place his home until 1893, when he sold his
farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres and retired
from active agricultural life, purchasing a home
in Crescent, where he has since lived. He has
added to the house here, has planted trees and
shrubbery and has developed one of the nicest
homes in the village, being now comfortably located
in the enjoyments of the fruits of his former
toil.
By his first marriage Mr. Muller had five children-Mary,
the deceased wife of Thomas Wilding; William,
who is residing in Missouri Valley, Iowa; Charles,
a resident farmer of Hazel Dell township; Minnie,
the wife of William Forsyth, of Council Bluffs;
and Thomas, who also follows farming in Hazel
Dell township. In 1894 Mr. Muller was again married,
his second union being with Mrs. Minnie Bostwick,
nee Frank, the widow of Daniel Bostwick, a member
of one of Pottawattamie county's early families.
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Mr. Muller was reared in the Lutheran faith but
is not now identified with any church organization.
He has always been a republican in his political
views but would never accept office, although
often solicited to do so. He has served only as
school director. He is a well posted man, having
ever been a great reader, and is interested in
all questions of general concern. Pleasantly located
in a home in Crescent, his rest is well merited
for it follows years of active and earnest toil
on the farm.
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