Unless otherwise noted, these biographies were taken from A History of Clay County, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889. More biographies will be added as time permits.
Contributions are welcome. If you have any biographies of your Clay county ancestors that you would like to contribute, whether from other sources or written by yourself, please contact me at: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator
W - X - Y - Z
Wahlstrom, Malakias
Watts, John
Weaver, Charles S.
Webb, Roy G. (2)
Weir, A. S.
Wenig, Frank E.
White, E. La Clare
Whitney, Leroy J.
Wilcox, Charles M.
Wilcox, N. T.
Wilkinson, R. H.
Wilson, J. B.
Woodruff, Albert
Wunn, Jacob
Zahrt, Fred
Zishka, Carl H.
Zishka, Frank L.
Clay county biographies: A-B, C-D, E-F-G, H-I,
J-K-L, M-N, O-P,
Q-R, S-T-U-V.
Return to Index.
Malakias Wahlstrom, one of Sweden's industrious sons who settled in this country with little more than his health and strength, was born January 9, 1855, a son of Andrew and Anna Wahlstrom, his father and mother both having been natives of Sweden, where they resided on a farm until their death. In their family were four children, namely: Christina, who resides in her native land: Malakias, our subject; Charlie, who is an agriculturist of Lincoln township, this county; and Matilda, who resides in Spencer, Iowa.
Malakias Wahlstrom was reared on his father's farm in Sweden, where he learned the various phases of this occupation, and in the village schools he acquired his education, remaining on the home farm until 1880, when he came to the United States and located in Lincoln township, Clay County, Iowa. Shortly after his arrival he bought a tract of land, and meeting with splendid success in its cultivation, was soon able to increase his holdings to two hundred and forty acres, his land being located on sections 18 and 20. The land is now highly improved, Mr. Wahlstrom having himself built all the buildings and fences upon it, including a fine residence, barns and outbuildings, and the attention which he has given his property has made his farm one of the finest in the township. He engages in general agricultural pursuits, raising hay and the various kinds of cattle, sheep and hogs.
In the year 1880 he was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Goothblad, a native of Sweden, who came to this country during that year. Mr. and Mrs. Wahlstrom have been blessed with the following children: Ellen Amelia, who became the wife of Albert Barglof, an agriculturist of Greenville, Iowa; Carl Harry, who wedded Hilma Johnson, and is a farmer of this township; Alfred Rudolph, who wedded Esther Johnson, and also resides in Lincoln township; Anna Matilda, wife of Peter Mathison, who is engaged in blacksmithing in Moneta, Iowa; and Ernest Gerald; Gustave Edwin; Walter Edward; Edith Elizabeth; Olga Sylvia; and Julia Victoria, all at home. In Politics Mr. Wahlstrom is a republican and while he is not an active politician he takes considerable interest in public affairs. As to his religious faith, he is a Lutheran and with his wife attends divine services at the Swedish Lutheran church in Lincoln township. He is one of the most enterprising men in the vicinity, always ready and willing to do what he can for the general improvement of the township, and is held in high respect as a congenial and progressive neighbor.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 263.
Source: The History of Clay County, Iowa, W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, Clay Township, page 266.
Weaver, Charles S., merchant, was born in Waukesha county, Wis., June 24th, 1859. Here he remained until 1880, when he came to Spencer. After remaining here awhile he went to Dakota, and railroaded one year, and then returned to Spencer, and clerked for James Taylor & Co. and Smith, Green & Co. Subsequently he railroaded, was a book agent and representative for the Retail Merchant's Association, and engaged in organizing clubs. A short time ago he purchased of William Bissell his grocery store on Main street [CC note: Main Street, Spencer], and is now engaged in that line of trade. He was married in 1881 to Miss M. E. Hindes. They have three children, Mortimer, Nina, and Ethel.
Roy G. Webb, of Spencer, Clay county, needs no introduction to the readers of this work who know anything of the affairs of that locality, for he has for many years held a place in the forefront of those who have promoted the public welfare while advancing their individual interests. Mr. Webb has been a lifelong resident of Spencer, his birth having occurred here on the 30th of September, 1878, and is a son of William Henry and Eva May (Goodwin) Webb. His parents, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, came to Spencer in 1877, the father engaging in farming and stock raising, in which he was very successful. He took an active interest in public affairs and represented his district one term in the state legislature. He died May 3, 1914, and his wife passed away in 1906. Her father, James Goodwin, also was prominent in public affairs and served as a member of the general assembly of Iowa. He was one of the two first merchants in Spencer before the railroad was constructed to this point. To Mr. and Mrs. Webb were born three children, namely: A son who died in infancy; Roy, of this review; and Anna Grace, who died at the age of fifteen years.
Roy G. Webb was reared on the home farm and secured his education in the public schools. He has carried forward the operation of the farm since his father's death and has been more than ordinarily successful, being a man of sound judgment and energetic methods. His now farming three quarter sections of land and gives the major portion of his attention to the raising of live stock.
On October 2, 1900, Mr. Webb was united in marriage to Miss Mabel H. Crowther, who was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and they now have two children, Lola Mae and William Forrest. Politically Mr. Webb is an ardent supporter of the republican party, while his religious connection is with the Grace Methodist Episcopal church, which was named after his sister. His father was for many years a member of the board of trustees of this church and on his death Roy G. Webb was elected in his place, and has been president of the board continuously since. He is an active and appreciative member of the Masonic order, in which he has taken the degrees of the various branches while in 1921 he was made a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, the preliminary degree to the thirty-third and last degree in Freemasonry. He has presided in the chairs of three bodies and at present is the presiding officer of the Royal Arch Chapter and also commander of the Knights Templar Commandery. He joined the order in 1906 and one year later was elected to the office of junior warden and in January, 1908, was installed and has held office in other of the Masonic bodies continuously since, a period of nineteen years. In 1910, as master of the lodge, he conferred the degrees on his father. He was also president of the Masonic Temple Association for nine consecutive years and he belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has taken a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and was for seven years president of the Clay County Fair Association. Mrs. Webb was worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star for two years and has been very actively engaged in church work, having been for seven years district treasurer of the Women's Home Missionary Society. Mr. Webb is a man of strong individuality, earnest in motive and action, and intensely loyal to his community, of which he has long been regarded as a representative citizen.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.
ROY G. WEBB needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. The family name has figured conspicuously in connection with substantial progress in Clay county for many years and the subject of this review is now classed with the representative agriculturists of Summit township, his home being on section 36. In all of his business affairs he is energetic and progressive and as a farmer and stock-raiser is doing a successful business, being now the owner of some five hundred acres of arable land which includes his father's old homestead.
Mr. Webb is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Clay county on the farm which is still his home, his natal day being September 3, 1878. Here he was reared, and the public schools largely afforded him his educational privileges. His course in the Spencer high school was supplemented by two years' study in Mount Vernon College, and thus well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties, he later joined his father in South Dakota and assisted him in the management and conduct of his stores there. Like his father, he manifests notable enterprise in carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. In 1903 he returned to Clay county and to the old home farm, and has since given his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, being one of the active, wide-awake and alert farmers of this portion of the state. He makes a business of raising, feeding and fattening stock for the market, handling cattle, sheep and hogs. He now has a flock of six hundred sheep, about one hundred and fifty head of cattle and a large number of hogs. He fattens and ships several carloads of stock each year and this brings him a substantial annual income.
A wedding ceremony which was performed in Mount Vernon, Iowa, on the 2d of October, 1900, united the destinies of Roy G. Webb and Miss Mabel Growther, who was born in Correctionville, Iowa, but was reared and educated in Sioux City. They now have one daughter, Lola May. The parents are members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church at Spencer, to which his father also belongs. In its work they are much interested and are generous contributors to its support. Mr. Webb has never sought nor desired office, yet has always given unfaltering allegiance to the republican party and its principles. He has been identified, however, with the schools in an official capacity, serving as president of the school board for several years, during, which time he has done effective work in upholding the standard of public education. Prominent in Masonry, he belongs to the lodge and chapter at Spencer, while he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. He has served as an officer in both the lodge and chapter and is loyal to the teachings of the fraternity which is based upon the principles of mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness.
Source: History of Clay County,
Iowa, by Samuel Gillespie and James E. Steele. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing
Company, 1909.
Weir, A. S., grain dealer, was born in Scotland February 6, 1852, and when but two years old his parents emigrated to America and located in Chicago, where they lived ten years. They then moved to Iowa and settled in Tama county. He remained a resident of that county until 1885 when he came to Peterson and commenced business. Previous to locating in Peterson, he engaged in farming, was employed as a book-keeper and subsequently engaged in the banking business. In company with Mr. McMillan he built the Peterson and Everly elevators and also purchased a drug store at the former place. He is a wide-awake and thorough business man, shrewd and active and does an immense amount of business in the course of a year. He has held the office of county supervisor for the past three years and was a faithful and most efficient member of the county legislature.
FRANK E. WENIG, SPENCER. - Labor Commissioner, was born November 5, 1887, at New Albin, Iowa. When he was sixteen months of age, his parents, Jacob and Henrietta Wenig, moved to Inwood in Lyon county. He received his education in the public schools there and since 1907 has been employed by the Milwaukee railroad. Served overseas during the World War and has been post commander of the American Legion at Spencer, district commander and state vice-commander. Married and has two children: Ralph and Carolyn. He has been a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers for twenty-six years and has served on state labor legislative committees as well as being delegate to many labor conventions. Elected as a state representative from Clay county in 1932 and was appointed Labor Commissioner by Governor Herring during the session of the forty-fifth general assembly. A democrat.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough
Gerischer. Source: IOWA OFFICIAL
REGISTER 1933-1934, BIOGRAPHIES, OTHER STATE OFFICERS
E. La Clare White, a successful publisher, is well known in newspaper circles of northwestern Iowa as the owner of the News-Herald, and he also owns a half interest in storm Lake Register. For ten years Spencer has numbered him among its leading citizens. He was born August 4, 1884, near Fairfax, Missouri, and is the youngest in a family of four children. The others are: Lillian, the wife of H. E. Robinson, of Chariton, Iowa; Cline C., who lives in Riverside, California; and Chloe, who married Dr. F. S. Williams and resides in Villisca, Iowa. Their parents were James R. and Ruth May (Cadwell) White. The former, a native of Illinois, engaged in farming and merchandising as a young man and later spent several years in Denver, Colorado. He next purchased some orange groves in California and is now living retired in Riverside, that state.
In 1890, when E. when E. La Clare White was six years of age, the family moved to the town of Fairfax and there he attended the public schools until his parents migrated to Colorado. He was a student in the West Denver high school and went with the family to the Pacific coast, spending a year in the Golden state. He then returned to Colorado and for about nine years was identified with mercantile interests of Denver. On the expiration of that period Mr. White engaged in the printing business in Forest City, Missouri, and worked for some time on the local Forest City Press, then edited by Fred R. Barkhurst. Subsequently he located in Iowa, becoming a reporter on the Villisca Review. In partnership with B. C. Hullinger he afterward purchased a half interest in the Review and for about nine years was a resident of Villisca. In June, 1915, Mr. White sold his interest in the paper back to Mr. Hullinger and came to Spencer. Since March 1, 1916, he has been manager, editor and owner of the News-Herald, which combines the best elements of modern journalism, and now has a wide circulation. Its editorials are well written and his broad experience in newspaper work enables him to conduct the business without loss of time, labor or material.
On April 27, 1910, Mr. White married Miss Agnes E. Lundberg, who was born in Rhode Island. Mr. White is liberal in his
political views and regards the qualifications of a candidate as a matter of first importance, refusing to obey the dictates of
party leaders. He is a member of the Congregational church and shapes his conduct by its teachings. He exerts a strong
influence upon public thought and opinion and has made his paper an effective exponent of local interests, writing many
articles which have led to the accomplishment of valuable results.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume II, 1804-1926.
Among the highly respected residents of Spencer, Clay county, Iowa, is Leroy J. Whitney, who, after an active and successful business career of many years here, is now retired and spending the evening in his life well earned leisure. He is also a member of that rapidly, diminishing band of patriots, who, in the early '60s offered their services, and their lives, if need be, to their county. A native of New York state, he was born on the 15th of March, 1850, and is a son of R. L. and Louise (Moser) Whitney, also natives of the Empire state. In 1857 they moved to Winnebago county, Illinois, where the father engaged in the grocery business until 1870, when he went to Kansas and engaged in farming, he and his wife dying in that state. They became the parents of five children, three of whom are living.
Leroy J. Whitney was reared in Illinois, where he attended the public schools, and at an early age of fourteen years he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company C, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served with this command until the close of the war and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois. On his return home he learned the trade of harnessmaking, at which he was employed until 1881, when he came to Spencer, Iowa, and engaged in harnessmaking on his own account. He was successful and carried on the business for forty years, or until 1921, when he sold out and retired from active business affairs.
Mr. Whitney has been married twice, first, in 1880, to Miss Alice J. Christie, who was a native of Wisconsin. To them was born a son, G. C., who now lives in Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Alice Whitney died in 1905, being laid to rest in the Riverside cemetery, and on June 16, 1909, Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Anna b, Baldwin. Mr. Whitney has always given his political support to the republican party and has taken an active and effective part in the public affairs of his community, having served three years as a member of the school board and two terms as mayor of Spencer. He is a member of Annett Post, No. 124, Grand Army of the Republic at Spencer, of which he is commander, and of Spencer Lodge, No. 247, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the chairs and of which he was secretary for twenty years. His standard is a high one and he has always maintained it faithfully, being universally recognized as a substantial citizen, of lofty character, sturdy integrity and true to his ideals, so that he well deserves the exalted place which he holds in public esteem.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.
Wilcox, Charles M., of the firm Cotterell & Wilcox, was born November 9th, 1858, in Clinton county, N. Y. At a very early age his parents immigrated westward and settled in Oconomowoc, Wis., where they lived until 1868, when they removed to Elgin, Minn., when they again moved, this time to Lac Parle of that State. Charles remained there until 1880 when he went to Mitchell, Dak., and entered the drug trade, having previously engaged in that line of commercial pursuit. In April, 1889 he came to Spencer and formed a partnership with Mr. Cotterell, and purchased L. L. Wright & Co.'s drug store. By years of practice and constant handling of drugs, he has attained a degree of proficiency in compounding drugs that makes him a professional with the graduate, pestle and mortar.
Wilcox, N. T., was born in Wayne county, New York, in 1838. His education was gained from contact with the world. In 1853 he came with his parents to Wisconsin, returning to New York in 1859 with his brother. At the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted in Co. D., 102nd, N. Y. Volunteers and served over three years, being in the historic battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain, was in the Atlanta campaign and marched with Sherman to the sea. In 1866 he returned to Wisconsin and followed farming. The alluring cheap and productive lands of Clay county brought him here in 1880, and he has now one of the profitable farms in the township. He has served on the Township Board of Trustees for six years. He was married on March 1st, 1869. Mr. Wilcox is a thorough and progressive farmer and public-spirited citizen.
Wilkinson, R. H., jeweler, was born in Canada, Feb. 29th, 1864. He lived there until twelve years, and attended school a good portion of the time. He then went to Chicago, where, all told he spent about eight years. For three years he was a resident of Texas. During his residence in Chicago he learned the jeweler's trade and has since followed the vocation. Mr. Wilkinson is a thorough jeweler, and understands his business in all its minuties. He has a very fine line of watches, chains, and other jewelry; also a large and handsome assortment of silverware which for beauty and design are unexcelled. His prices are so uniformly low that it is almost impossible to resist the temptation to purchase. His display dazzles the eye, pleases the fancy and attracts the purchasers. In his repairing department he has all the necessary tools to do the very best of repairing and guarantees his work to be first class. Although a comparative new comer he has forged ahead and by close attention has a good and growing trade. He was married in 1887 to Miss Hattie H. Gedge. They have one child, Reginald.
Wilson, J. B., farmer, was born in Orleans county, Vermont, in 1843, where he lived for twenty years and then went to Boston, where for the next three years he engaged in the grocery and produce trade. He then went to Dodge county, Minnesota, and farmed for the five following years. In 1872 he came to Clay county and homesteaded an eighty on which he now lives. In addition to his farming he has taught nine terms of school since coming west; four in Clay and five in Minnesota.
Mr. Wilson is an excellent farmer and citizen and on account of his efficiency and general practical knowledge, has been chosen to fill various township offices. In 1888 he was elected a member of the county board of supervisors, by his district, a position he is well adapted to fill satisfactorily to his constituents and the entire county. By industry and careful management he has been successful financially, and he has a large farm with a good dwelling and outbuildings. He was married in 1868 to Miss B. Keller, of Union Springs, Dodge county, Minnesota.
Woodruff, Albert, traveling salesman, was born in Jackson county, West Virginia, March 4th, 1829, and remained a resident of that state until 1865, when he moved to Christian county, Illinois, where he remained six years, working at the carpentry trade. In April, 1871, he came to Clay county and located in Spencer and followed his trade for about ten years when he entered in partnership with Ackley Hubbard and engaged in the furniture business, subsequently selling out; he was in the millinery trade for two years. Since disposing of this he has devoted his time and energies to selling nursery stock for the past six years. During the late war he was a member of Co. C, 140th W. Va. Infantry, and was a member of one of the militia companies sent to Ohio at the time the confederate troops under Morgan made a raid through that State. He has been married three times. He has four children, Olivia, Mrs. C. M. Whitman; Alice G., Mrs. A. Wettstien; Lona, Mrs. H. Kunath and Homer, at present attending school at La Porte, Indiana.
Jacob Wunn, who after a long, busy and useful life as a farmer, is now retired from active labor and is living in his comfortable home in Spencer, Clay county, was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, June 23, 1858, and is a son of John and Louisa (Wagner) Wunn, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in youth, were married in this country and became the parents of ten children, only thee of whom are now living, the others having died in infancy. The survivors are, Charles H., of Coggsville, North Dakota; Lucy, the wife of Henry Darty, of Iowa Falls, Iowa; and Jacob.
The last named spent the years of his youth on the paternal farmstead and attended the public schools of that neighborhood. He then spent five years in farming at monthly wages, and in the fall of 1883 turned his face westward, going to O'Brien county, Iowa, where he rented two hundred and forty acres of land, to the operation of which he closely devoted his attention for ten years. On February 14, 1894, he came to Sheldon, Iowa, and located on the land that he had rented in the fall of 1893. Subsequently he came to Dickinson, Iowa, and bought a half section of land, on which he lived for twenty-one years, developing it into a good, productive farm, in the operation of which he met with very gratifying success. In 1915 he rented the place to his oldest son and moved to Everly, Iowa, and in 1922 he moved to Spencer where he is now living.
On January 15, 1884, Mr. Wunn was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Jones, who was a native of Wisconsin, but who died March 4, 1915. Their children were: Lula E., born January 5, 1885, died April 10, 1889; Charles H., born July 14, 1886, died July 16, 1886; William Harrison, born May 3, 1889, lives at Haverhill, Iowa; Amil Fremont, born October 12, 1891, is living in Everly; John D., born August 2, 1893, died September 20, 1893; Letha E., born August 15, 1897, is living at home with her father; and Wesley L., born October 20, 1900, is now living in Spencer. Politically Mr. Wunn has always given his support to the republican party, has kept well informed on the issues of the day and has maintained a deep interest in local public affairs. he was honored by election as mayor of Everly, in which position he gave a good administration, and in every possible way has contributed to the general welfare of his community. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, belonging also to the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite branch of that order, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious membership is with the Congregational church. A gentleman of unassuming manner, but possessing a forceful personality, he has long enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen, who look upon him as a representative citizen of their community.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.
Fred was born two miles north of Rossie, Clay County, Iowa, 20 September 1900, where he was a resident all of his life. He attended country school ad Rossie Consolidated School. His early youth was spent in farming with his parents. He was a mechanic for the Hjelm Implement Co. from 1926 until 1948 and the Herrig Implement Co. from 1948 until 1956, the Smith Implement Co. from 1956 until 1957.
At one time, the newspapers reported that Fred narrowly escaped more serious injury when he lost part of his right-hand thumb, while assisting in the repair of a windmill on a farm near Royal, Iowa. "His thumb was cut off at the first joint. He was rushed to a physician for medical treatment." It was later told, by relatives, that Fred didn't actually lose his thumb in that accident.
He married Rachael Violet Roberts, born 22 January 1904, in Linn Grove, Iowa on 24 February 1924, the daughter of John and Susie (Brown) Roberts. Rachael Zahrt was raised on a farm near Linn Grove, Iowa. She attended the Zion Church School and later, went by bobsled to the Rossie School. After her marriage to Fred Zahrt, Sr. they lived in Rossie, Clay County, Iowa. Rachael lived there for 59 years before moving to Spencer, Clay County, Iowa.
They had: Fred, b. 14 Oct 1927, married 29 May 1948 to Kathryn Sonius ; Beverly, b. 25 February 1931, Rossie, Clay County, married 18 September 1949 to Merle Duane Jeppeson; Darwin Charles, b. 24 August 1932, Rossie, Clay County, married 8 July 1951 to Ann Marie Lauritson; Roger, b. 19 October 1935, Rossie Clay County, married 3 February 1957 to Beverly Seirck; Gary, b. 22 May 1938, Rossie, Clay County, married 21 August 1960 to Marge Dirksen; Suzanne, b. 23 Apr 1940, Spencer, Clay County, married 20 June 1965 to Frank Edington; Sandra, b. 24 October 1943, married to James Dotson.
Contributed by: KKCS@aol.com
Germany has furnished a number of worthy citizens to Clay county and their enterprise and progressive spirit have constituted features in the county's upbuilding and development. Among this number is Carl H. Zishka, now living on section 16, Summit township. He follows general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, also feeds stock to a considerable extent and that he has prospered as the years have gone by is indicated in the fact that he now owns four hundred and eighty acres of fine farming land. He has lived in this county since 1881, arriving here when a young man of nineteen years. His birth occurred in Germany September 4, 1862, and he came to the new world with his father, Godfrey Zishka, who first located in Illinois. The same year, however, he came to Iowa, settling in Franklin county in 1874. Locating on a farm he continued to make his home there for seven years, and in 1881 removed to Summit township, Clay county, where land was purchased and the development of a farm was begun.
Carl H. Zishka was at that time a young man of nineteen years and his strength and energies were employed in tilling the soil and developing the property. He broke and fenced one hundred and thirteen acres of land, carrying forward the work of improvement until the place became very valuable. He remained with his father until twenty-fie years of age and then made arrangements for having a home of his own.
It was in Summit township in 1887 that Mr. Zishka wedded Miss Minnie Schuneman, a sister of G. H. Schuneman, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Following their marriage the young couple located on a farm adjoining his father's property, Mr. Zishka purchasing eighty acres which he cultivated and developed. As the years passed he continued the work of improvement and his industry was seen in the well-tilled fields that brought forth abundant crops. In 1889 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides on section 16, Summit township, beginning here with one hundred and sixty acres. Later by trade he extended the boundaries of his farm and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of rich land. The soil is very arable and responds readily to cultivation. That practical farming methods are employed is indicated in the rich harvests which are annually gathered for he secures extensive crops of corn and other cereals. In improving his property he has erected a large two-story residence built in modern style of architecture and supplied with modern conveniences. There are also two big barns upon the place, while cribs and granaries furnish shelter for the grain and houses have been built for hogs. He uses woven and barbed wire fences to enclose his fields and he has a feed grinder which is operated by a gasoline engine, ,in order to grind feed for the stock. He keeps stock of good grades, having now sixteen head of Aberdeen Angus cattle, with a pure-blooded, thorough-bred male at the head of the herd. In addition to raising find stock he fattens from one to two carloads of cattle and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty heads of hogs annually and his live-stock interest constitute an important feature in his success. in connection with his brothers, Frank and Dan, he owned and operated a steam thresher twenty-seven seasons, threshing for people all over this part of the country and in adjoining counties. Carl H. Zishka ins likewise a stockholder in the Fostoria Farmer's Elevator and the Cooperative Creamery there. He is a director in both enterprises and also of the Telephone Company.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Zishka has been blessed with two sons and six daughters, Gustav H., Carl, Lena, Annie, Minnie, Mary, Edna, and Richie. They also lost a son, Otto, at the age of four years.
In his political views Mr. Zishka is a democrat where national issues are involved, but casts an independent local ballot. He is now serving as township trustee of Summit township, has been identified with the schools for several years in an official capacity, and at the present time is acting as one of the school directors. He is a member of the Lutheran church and his life has been well spent, his religious principles constituting a moving force in all that he does. Great changes have occurred since he arrived in this country, where he has now
Frank L. Zishka, living on section 9, Summit township, has for twenty-eight years been well known in Clay county. He was but a little lad at the time of his arrival here and the fact that many of his staunchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood days is an indication that his life has been honorable and upright. His birth occurred in Illinois, October 25, 1873, and in his early childhood his parents removed to Iowa, settling in Franklin county, where he remained until 1882. The family home was then established in Clay county and here he continued his education as a public-school pupil. His training at farm labor was not meager for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields and continued to assist in the cultivation of the crops from the time of early spring planting until the harvests were fathered in the late autumn. His thorough training thus well qualified him to carry on business on his own account when he was married and started out for himself.
It was in 1899, in Spencer, that Mr. Zishka was joined in wedlock to Miss Ida Doeling, a native of Germany, in which land her girlhood days were passed, coming to American in early womanhood. Following his marriage Mr. Zishka took his bride to the farm upon which they have since resided. He has purchased one hundred and sixty acres here and in addition to that tract he also cultivates another quarter section, so that his time is now busily occupied with the care and improvement of three hundred acres of rich and productive land. He gives much of his attention to the cultivation of corn but also raises other crops, and livestock interests claim a part of his attention. He raises and feeds hogs and this proves a profitable branch of his business. In all of his work he is energetic and determined, brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort. Year after year he carefully tills his fields and raises hogs and there are few leisure moments in his life. Mr. Zishka and his brother, Carl, have owned and operated a steam thresher and corn sheller for seventeen years. Their first thresher was operated with horsepower but for fourteen years they have used a steam traction engine and have also employed steam in the operation of the corn sheller for about nine years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Zishka has been born three children, Alma, Erna and Louis. The parents are both consistent and faithful members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Zishka has been identified with the schools in an official capacity and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. Well known in Clay and adjacent counties by reasons of his business affairs, Mr. Zishka is accounted one of the active workers and progressive farmers of Summit township and has the unqualified confidence and esteem of the entire community.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 311.
