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Truman Goodwater, who owns and operates a farm
of one hundred and eighty acres on section 7,
Pleasant township, was born in Huron county, Vermont,
on the 2d of June, 1833, and is a son of Benjamin
and Mary Louise (Caurier) Goodwater, the former
a native of Paris, France, and the latter of Quebec,
Canada. Both the father and mother passed away
in Winneshiek county, Iowa, whither they had removed.
In their family were fifteen children but only
three are now living, namely: Truman, of this
review; Mary, who became the wife of Barnhardt
Spinner and lives in Iowa; and Andrew, who makes
his home in Nebraska.
Truman Goodwater acquired his education in the
common schools and remained under the parental
roof until he had attained the age of twenty-two
years. He then took up a homestead claim in Minnesota,
on which he lived
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for two years, and while there he was united
in marriage to Miss Emma Jane Murphy, a native
of New York. They became the parents of two children:
George Edward, now a resident of Minnesota; and
Benjamin, who has passed away. The wife and mother
died in 1864 and her death was deeply deplored
by many friends as well as her immediate family.
As before stated Mr. Goodwater remained in Minnesota
but two years and then sold his homestead and
removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he purchased
a farm of eighty acres and erected thereon a log
house of one room. In 1864, his patriotism being
aroused by the continued attempt of the south
to overthrow the Union, he joined Company F, Forty-sixth
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving for one hundred
days. After being mustered out at Davenport, Iowa,
he returned to Winneshiek county, where he remained
until 1872, when he came to Pottawattamie county
and purchased sixty acres of land where he now
lives, only ten acres of which had been broken.
He erected a little shanty, twelve by sixteen
feet, in which he lived for seven years, and then
built his present comfortable residence in the
same yard. He has added to his original tract
until he is now the owner of one hundred and eighty
acres on section 7, Pleasant township, on which
he has placed all modern improvements and accessories.
His buildings are all in an excellent state of
repair and the success which has come to him in
his farming operations is entirely the result
of his own labors ana capao1e business management.
After his return from the war Mr. Goodwater was
married a second time, in Winneshiek county, to
Miss Gertrude Friedrich, who was born in Germany,
September 11, 1847, a daughter of Joseph and Anna
Mary (Theobalt) Friedrich. She accompanied her
parents on their removal to America in 1853, the
family home being established in Freeport, Illinois,
where the father engaged in teaching school. In
1857 he removed to Jackson county, Iowa, where
he remained for four years, and then went to Winneshiek
county. He came to Pottawattamie county in the
year 1872, and here he and his wife passed away,
leaving four children to mourn their loss, while
two others had previously died.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodwater have become the parents
of eight children, as follows: Charles W., who
lives in Washington; Eugene, also a resident of
that state; Anna Matilda, who was a school teacher
and is now the wife of Manuel Simas, of Spokane
Falls, Washington; Amelia, who was also engaged
in school teaching and married William Zimmerman,
now making her home in this state; Eva Lavona,
deceased; Frances Josephine, at home, who is a
graduate of the Shelby high school and taught
for three years in Pottawattamie county and for
two years in Washington; Gertrude Viola, the wife
of Frank J. Kessler, of Pottawattamie county;
and Frederick B., who is at home and is also a
graduate of the Shelby high school.
Mr. Goodwater is a member of Dick Yates post,
No. 364, G. A. R, of Shelby. He gives his political
support to the republican party and has served
as school director and as' supervisor. Both he
and his wife were reared in the Catholic faith
but their children are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. For more than a third of a century
Mr. Goodwater has successfully carried on agricultural
pursuits in Pottawattamie county and is widely
rec-
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ognized as one of the county's enterprising and
representative citizens and business men. The
family are well known in the community and the
hospitality of their pleasant home is greatly
enjoyed by their many friends.
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Fide Floerchinger, a practical and progressive
farmer living on section 1, Neola township, is
numbered among the early residents of Pottawattamie
county, where he has made his home since 1882.
He has for four decades been a resident of Iowa
and during an active business career he has worked
his way steadily upward from a humble financial
position to one of affluence, being now the owner
of an excellent farm of two hundred and twenty-four
acres.
A native of Germany, he was born in Bavaria,
July 2, 1856. His father, Casper Floerchinger,
was also born in that country, where he was reared
and married, following the occupation of farming
there until his emigration to the new world in
1867. He did not pause on the Atlantic coast but
continued his journey westward to Iowa, settling
in Johnson county, where he purchased a tract
of wild prairie land and opened up a farm with
the aid of his sons. His time and energies were
devoted to general agricultural pursuits until
his life's labors were ended in death. His wife
passed away some years previous to the demise
of her husband.
Fide Floerchinger was a lad of eleven years when
brought to the United States, so that he was largely
reared in Johnson county, Iowa, there becoming
familiar with the experiences and hardships of
pioneer life. He also assisted in the arduous
task of developing a new farm, remaining with
his father until he had attained his majority.
Coming to Pottawattamie county in 1880 when a
young man, he here purchased one hundred and twenty
acres of land and then returned to his old home
in Johnson county. In the spring of 1882 he took
up his permanent abode here. He had hired fifty
acres of the land broken before he located on
the place and with characteristic energy he began
the further development and improvement of the
farm, extending its boundaries from time to time
as he has seen opportunity for judicious investment
until he is now the owner of an excellent property
of two hundred and twenty-four acres. Upon this
place he has a large residence and good barns
and sheds for the shelter of grain and stock.
He has also set out an orchard, has planted shade
and evergreen trees until around his home the
place presents the appearance of the beautiful
forest. In fact he has made the farm what it is
today--one of the valuable, and productive properties
of this locality.
On the 26th of February, 1889, in Neola township,
Mr. Floerchinger was married to Miss Margaret
Gorman, a native, of Johnson county, who came
with her parents to Neola, when one year old.
Her father, Michael Gorman, was a Pioneer of that
county and later a resident of Pottawattamie county.
Mr. and Mrs. Floerchinger have five children:
John William,
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Leo M. Francis J., Paul J. and Joseph. They have
adopted two daughters, Anna and Marie Gorman,
nieces of Mrs. Floerchinger. The latter was born
in Elreno, Oklahoma, the mother dying when she
was but three days old, and Mrs. Floerchinger
went south, returning to her home with the baby,
Marie. The adoption of these two daughters indicates
in unm1stakable manner the kindly spirit of Mr.
and Mrs. Floerchinger. They were reared in the
Catholic faith and are members of the church at
Neola.
Politically Mr. Floerchinger has always been
a democrat and has frequently served as a delegate
to county conventions. He has been a member of
the school board but otherwise has never sought
nor held office, feeling that his time and attention
are fully occupied by his business interests which,
being carefully conducted, have brought to him
a gratifying measure of success.
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WILLIAM ORR.
William Orr is one of the leading stock raisers
and dealers of Pottawattamie county. He is now
the owner of five hundred and seventy-five acres
of rich and valuable land known as the Hardindale
Stock Farm, a property well improved for the
purposes to which it is put. It is located on
section 5, Keg Creek township, and Mr. Orr is
extensively engaged in feeding, buying and selling
stock there. He is a native of Harrison county,
Iowa, and of Irish lineage.
His father, William Orr, Sr. was born in the
north of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage,
and died January 27, 1899, at the age of seventy-two
years, upon the farm which is now the property
of his son William. The mother, Mrs. Margaret
Orr, died in 1889, at the age of sixty-two years.
In their family were eleven children, of whom
the following still survive: Mrs. Margaret Frank,
a resident of Council Bluffs; Mrs. Elizabeth
J, Knowles, also of that city; Lemont, who makes
his home with his brother whose name introduces
this review; William; and Mrs. Emma Cleary,
of Weston, Iowa.
The father first came to America in 1843 when
but sixteen years of age. However, he afterward
returned to Ireland and made several trips between
the two countries prior to 1850, when, at the
age of twenty-three years, he married and made
a permanent location in the new world. He first
settled in Pennsylvania, where he worked on
a farm and at stock-raising, thus gaining his
first knowledge and practical experience concerning
the live-stock business, which he afterward
continued to follow. In 1855 he sought a home
in the middle west and for a short time was
engaged in the stock business at Florence, Nebraska.
He then removed to Harrison county, where he
bought land and followed farming and stock-raising
until 1871. He then sold that property and came
to Keg Creek township, investing in four hundred
and eighty acres of prairie land on section
5. He improved this place, built a fine residence
and added to his original holdings until at
the time of his death his landed possessions
aggregated eight hundred acres. He carefully
managed his business af-
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fairs and his enterprise and labor made him
one of the prosperous agriculturists of the
community. He was a member of the Presbyterian
church, 1oyal to its teachings, and his good
qualities of heart and mind made him a valued
citizen of the community. In politics he was
a democrat.
William Orr was reared under the parental roof
in the usual manner of farm lads, and the public
schools afforded him his educational advantages.
He early became familiar with the stock business,
as he assisted in the care of the stock on the
old home place, and at his father's death he inherited
four hundred and eighty acres of land, to which
he has since added a tract of ninety-five acres.
The entire farm is in grass, affording excellent
pasturage for the stock and is known as the Hardindale
Stock Farm. Mr. Orr follows in the business footsteps
of his father and is now extensively engaged with
live-stock interests, feeding about five hundred
head of cattle and between six and seven hundred
head of hogs annually. His business interests
are thus large and his careful control thereof
makes his labors profitable. He belongs to the
Royal Arcanum of Council Bluffs, and is a democrat
in politics.
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Charles H. Stephan, deceased, was engaged in
the plumbing business in Council Bluffs for many
years and was a representative of a pioneer family
of the city. His birth here occurred April 27,
1857, his parents being Charles II. and Henrietta
(Fischer) Stephan, both natives of Germany. They
came to America in early life, landing in New
York city, where they resided for a short time
and then removed to Buffalo. From that city they
journeyed westward by wagon, arriving in Council
Bluffs in 1855. They found here a city of small
dimensions but with a good future before it, and
choosing it as a favorable location the father
established a brewery here, which he conducted
for many years or until he retired permanently
from active business. While on a trip to New York
city a few years ago, he passed away. His widow,
however, still resides in Council Bluffs, making
her home with her children at No. 709 Madison
avenue, and she is now seventy-two years of age.
In the family of Charles and Henrietta Stephan
were seven children: Amelia, who resides with
her mother and brothers at No. 709 Madison avenue
and is the widow of William A. McMillan, at one
time a prominent contractor here; Charles H.,
of this review; August, an optician of Chicago;
Walter F., who is engaged in the plumbing business
at No. 529 West Broadway and also residing with
his mother; Ernest, deceased; Mrs. Louise Hamil,
of Council Bluffs, who has likewise passed away;
and Ernestine, the wife of Maurice Woolman, a
retired jeweler at No. 116 Fourth street in Council
Bluffs.
The children were provided with good educational
privileges. Charles H. Stephan, like the other
members of the family, was a pupil in the public
schools of the city. In his youth he became familiar
with the brewery
626
business, working with his father for a few years,
after which he joined an uncle in the establishment
of a bottling business, which they carried on
with success for several years. He then joined
his brother Walter F. in a partnership under the
firm style of Stephan Brothers and they began
in the plumbing business and steam and hot water
heating at No. 529 West Broadway, where the brother
is still located. They were not long in securing
a very liberal patronage and employed several
men. Charles H. Stephan continued in this line
throughout his remaining days and became widely
recognized as a leading representa1ive of industrial
circles in Council Bluffs.
Mr. Stephan was married in this city to Miss
Ellen Hickey, a native of Lincoln, Illinois, and
a daughter of John Hickey, who came from Illinois
to Pottawattamie county at an early day and purchased
a farm near Armour, this county. There he engaged
in general agricultural pursuits throughout his
remaining days. There were two children born unto
Mr. and Mrs. Stephan, Louise Henrietta and Margaret,
both with their mother. The former is a graduate
of the public schools of this city.
The death of the husband and father occurred
on the 4th of July, 1905, when he was forty-eight
years of age. Fraternally he was connected with
the Eagles, and in politics he was independent,
supporting men and measures rather than party.
When the first fire department of the city was
organized he became one of its volunteer members
and so continued for several years. His mother,
Mrs. Henrietta Stephan, owns the old home at No.
709 Madison avenue, where the Stephan family have
resided for more than a third of a century and
where she and some of her children now make their
home. Mrs. Ellen Stephan owns a nice residence
adjoining the old homestead, where she and her
children reside. Mr. Stephan was a man of genial
nature, cordial disposition and kindly spirit,
which qualities made him popular with a large
circle of friends. His best traits of character,
however, were reserved for his family, and in
his own home he was a devoted husband and father.
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John Esplien Anderson, who for many years was
connected with railroad service in this state
and in Illinois, is now living retired in the
enjoyment of the competence which he gained by
reason of his well directed enterprise and industry
in former years. He was born in Forfar, Forfarshire,
Scotland, March 19, 1836, a son of John Anderson,
whose birth also occurred there about 1800. The
father was married in 1830 to Miss Jean Esplien,
who was born in Forfar, Scotland, about 1802,
her father being an agriculturist. John Anderson
was a weaver by occupation and departed this life
in Scotland in January, 1854. He had a family
of six children.
John Esplien Anderson was deprived of the advantages
of an education but through experience, reading
and observation in later years has become a well
informed man. He followed the weaver's trade in
his native land until nineteen years of age, and
then crossed the Atlantic to America in company
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with his brother, David Anderson, who is now
living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our subject took
up his abode in Chicago, where he entered the
employ of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad
Company, now the Chicago & Northwestern, in
the car-repairing department. After a year there
passed he went to Fulton, Illinois, where he was
engaged in a similar manner for two years. On
the expiration of that period he removed to Boone,
Iowa, being employed as foreman of the car-repairing
department for six months, after which he was
transferred to Marshalltown, Iowa, and there remained
for a short time.
On the 30th of October, 1867, Mr. Anderson located
in Council Bluffs, and was here employed by the
Northwestern Railroad in the car-repairing department
until the fall of 1881. He then left that company
in order to accept a position with the Union Pacific
Railroad in the capacity of car inspector, being
thus engaged for eight years, and served as air
inspector for the same company for the long period
of fifteen years. He was then retired on a good
pension and is now enabled to live comfortably
without recourse to further labor. His long continuance
in the service of one company is proof of the
able and efficient manner in which he discharged
his duties, and therefore the rest which he is
now enjoying is well merited.
On the 18th of January, 18131, John E. Anderson
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Taylor, the
wedding ceremony being celebrated in Fulton, Illinois.
She was a daughter of William and Barbara (Key)
Taylor and came to America with her father in
1857, the mother having previously passed away
in Scotland. The death of William Taylor, however,
occurred in Council Bluffs in September, 1869.
Mrs. Anderson was educated in the schools of Forfar,
Scotland, which was also the place of her nativity.
She was always a faithful companion and helpmate
to her husband, and her death, which occurred
on the 14th of November, 1906, came as a deep
bereavement to him, as well as to many friends.
She had been a faithful member of the Congregational
church and was also connected with the Rebekahs.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were two
children. Barbara Key Anderson, whose birth occurred
in Fulton, Illinois, June 17, 1863, was educated
in the schools of Council Bluffs and was here
married to Charles E. Tucker in 1892. He was an
inspector of weights at the transfer depot in
Council Bluffs for several years but passed away
on June 10, 1902. Fraternally he was connected
with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Rebekah
lodge and the Eastern Star. His widow, who is
now a teacher in the public schools of Council
Bluffs, owns a substantial residence at No. 1130
Fourth avenue. She is one of the three members
of the Iowa state board of examiners of the Rebekah
assembly, a responsible position. She has one
child, De Witt Anderson Tucker, whose natal day
was June 26, 1900. John James Anderson was born
in Fulton, Illinois, March 13, 1866, acquired
his education in the schools of this city and
is now employed in the roundhouse of the Northwestern
Railroad Company in Council Bluffs. He makes his
home with his sister, Mrs. Tucker.
Since the death of his wife Mr. Anderson has
also made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Tucker.
He owns some good property in Council Bluffs,
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which brings to him a desirable income, and also
has shares in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Hall Association. In his political views he is
an ardent republican but without desire for office.
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and of the encampment, and wherever he
is known Mr. Anderson is esteemed as a man of
genuine personal worth and sterling traits of
character, receiving the veneration and respect
which should ever be accorded one who has traveled
thus far on life's journey and whose actions have
at all times been above reproach and worthy of
emulation. As a young man he left his native country
in order that he might enjoy the better business
opportunities offered on this side of the Atlantic,
and that he has utilized these to good advantage
is shown by the fact that he has acquired a competence
sufficient for his needs.
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