Turck, Andes

TURCK, COURTRIGHT, HASKIT, MURPHY, RESSLER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/15/2009 at 18:25:06

Andes Turck

The stranger who for the first time visits Jasper County and drives upon a pleasant summer morning along the smooth roads of Palo Alto Township will not fail to notice with especial admiration the pleasant homestead on section 13, the property of Mr. Turck. Fields of waving grain meet the eye on every hand, while a commodious residence and substantial farm buildings form the foreground of the pleasant scene. The place consists of three hundred and thirty-one acres, acquired by the personal efforts of the owner. This fact in itself speaks better than words could do of his thrift and energy. As a tiller of the soil he endeavored to keep abreast of the latest improvements in machinery, etc, and pays especial attention to the cereals for which his farm is best adapted.

Born in Winnebago County, IL, February 21, 1840, our subject is a son of Anthony Turck and Mary (Courtright) Turck, natives of New York, the mother being a daughter of a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1853 he migrated to Jasper County, in company with his parents and settled in Buena Vista Township, of which he was a pioneer. There his mother died, his father passing away in Kansas some years later. Andes was reared to manhood in Illinois and Iowa, and received his education in the common schools. However, the knowledge he now possesses has been gained mainly through experience and observation, as his schooling was limited.

On the 26th of March, 1864, Mr. Turck enlisted as a member of Company E, Fourth Iowa Calvary and for a time was under the command of General Sherman. In the summer of 1864 he participated in the campaign around Memphis, TN, and later followed General Price into Missouri, where he took part in many skirmishes. At Louisville he was taken ill with smallpox, which resulted in the loss of one eye. On the 27th of May 1865, he was honorably discharged, and is now in receipt of a pension of $24 per month as a partial compensation for the loss of his eyesight.

Since returning from the army, Mr. Turck has resided continuously in Jasper County. With the exception of having engaged in the mercantile business at Newton for a time, his attention has been devoted exclusively to farming, and he has made a success of his chosen calling. He and his first wife, whose maiden name was Ann M. Haskit, had one son, Lee G., now living in Des Moines, Iowa. The second union of Mr. Turck was with Miss Mary S. Murphy and resulted in the birth of two children now living, Harry and Bertram. His third wife bore the maiden name of Mary E. Ressler.

As one of the early settlers of Jasper County, Mr. Turck has been interested witness of its growth and development, and has been an important factor in its progress. He is a Republican in political belief, devoted to the success of party Principles. For two years he served as Trustee of Palo Alto Township, and filled other offices of trust and responsibility and has discharged his duties and obligations to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 178.