Clayton co IAGenWeb bios

Baade, Gustave C.: Superintendent of Grain Co; born Clayton Co, Iowa July 10, 1876; son of John Baade & Dora Krambier; educated Clayton Co; married Rose Peterson June 18, 1917 Omaha, Neb; daughter Alice; 1905-22 superintendent of Homequist Elevator Co, Omaha, Neb; 1922-39 superintendent of Trans-Mississippi Grain Co, Burlington; 1939- superintendent of Norris Grain co. Plant, Burlington; Izaak Walton; past member Chamber of Commerce; United Commercial Travelers (UCT), BPOE, Omaha Neb, past member; Lutheran Church; Democrat; hobbies: pinochle, fishing; office Norris Grain Co; residence 604 Sweeny Ave, Burlington, Des Moines co., IA (pg 370)

Backhaus, August Gerhardt: Farmer; b. Clayton Co., Iowa Sept 26, 1877; son of Carl Henry Backhaus & Catherine Engle Walke; ed Garnavillo HS; m. Emma M. Meier May 2, 1901 Garnavillo; son Lorenz H.; daughters: Margaret Lucille (Mrs. C.O. Marsh), Beatrice K. (Mrs. E. Meyer), Grace M. (Mrs. Claude Callaghan) & Burnette Anna; 1917- farmer Clayton Co; 1937- secy-treas Garnavillo Co-op Creamery Assn, 1920-37 pres; past dir Eagle dist sch bd; twp committeeman AAA (Agri Adjustment Adm), past Clayton Co. chmn, past twp chmn; treas Garnavillo Comm Co; Clayton Co., Iowa State & Nat'l Farm Bureaus; St. Paul's Luth Ch, trustee; hobby: travel; res Route 1, Garnavillo. (pg 288 - 289)

Backhaus, Henry D.: Farmer & Stockman; born Garnavillo, Iowa Feb 27, 1874; son of Carl Backhaus & Katherine Walke; educated rural schools near Garnavillo; married Ida L. Schlake Feb 23, 1905 Garnavillo; son Harold John; daughter Esther Anna K.; while attending school worked on farm; 1900-04 carpenter; 1905- owner & operator farm near Manly, also stock raiser & feeder, practices soil conservaton & 3-year rotation when deficient of lime & phosphate was corrected, alfalfa took place in longer year rotation; 1928 Master Farmer; past secretary Farmers Co-op Creamery; secretary Farmers Co-op Elevator; past member school board, past president & past treasurer; past director & past president Manly State Bank; 1934 member temporary committee Agricultural Adjustment Admin. (AAA); member Master Farmers Assn; Worth Co. Farm Bureau, past director & past president 3 years; Evangelical Lutheran Church, past member of board; Republican; hobbies: driving car to see beauty of nature, cattle & hogs; residence Rout 1, Manly, Worth co., IA (pg 1302)

Baily, Mrs. Amie Williams: Homemaker; born Clayton Co, Iowa Sept 11, 1858; daughter of Elias Hewitt Williams & Hannah Larrabee; educated Clayton Co; McGregor HS 1877; married Eli Norman Baily June 22, 1886 Clayton Co. (deceased); son: Frederick W. (deceased); daughter Sarah Elizabeth (Mrs. Paul W. Dixon); 1886- homemaker, Sac City; member city library board; DAR, Sac City; PEO, Sac City; Fortnightly Club; Presbyterian Church; hobbies: reading, crocheting; residence 707 Audubon, Sac City, Sac co., IA (pg 1077)

Ballard, Mrs. Harriett L.: Homemaker; born Monona, Iowa May 28, 1894; daughter of James Ulrich & Sophia Sitterly; educated Monona HS 1910; Grinnell College, BA 1914; married John Wesley Ballard Sept 2, 1915, Monona; 1914-15 HS teacher, Perry; 1918- member Cedar Rapids Womans Club, 1921-23 recording secretary, 1923-24 president; 1924-28 district chairman of history and landmark committee of Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs (IFWC), 1928-32 district chairman of child welfare div; 1924- member board of directors Public Health Nursing Association of Cedar Rapids, president of board since 1925; 1927- vice chairman 7th medical district of Iowa on cancer control; 1937- president, board member section of Iowa State Nurses Assn; 1926-33 member, secretary of Sanitation Commission of Cedar Rapids; St. Pauls Methodist Church; Republican, 1928- vice chairman Linn Co. Republican Central Committee, 1934- vice chairman from 2nd district on Iowa Republican State Central Committee; hobby: development of camp good health; office 403 City Hall; residence 505 Forest Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Linn co., IA (pg 721)

Banze, Harry W.: County Superintendent of Schools; born McGregor, Iowa Jan 16, 1897; son of Adam Banze & Magdalena Henkes; educated Hettinger N.D. HS 1915; Cornell College, BA 1923; Univ. of Iowa summer school, educational work; Phi Beta Kappa; married Agnes Dietz Aug 29, 1925, Davenport; 1923-30 superintendent of schools, Walcott, 1930- Scott Co. superintendent of schoos; during World War enlisted in US Naval Reserve force 1917, discharged Feb 15, 1919; American Legion; Iowa State Teachers Assoc.; BPOE; Knights Pythias (KP), Mount Vernon; AF & AM; hobby: sports; office Davenport; residence Walcott, Scott co., IA (pg 1086)

Baumgartner, Alvin Charles: Superintendent of Schools; born Strawberry Point, Iowa Apr 7, 1899; son of Charles Baumgartner & Anna Nevenkirch; educated Strawberry Point HS 1918; Iowa State Teachers College, BA 1923; Univ. of Iowa, MA 1932 & grad work; married Eva McCormac Aug 22, 1925 Louisa Co.; daughters Maxine, Virginia & Carolyn; 1919 school teacher Clayton Co; 1921-22 HS teacher & coach, Lohrville; 1922-25 principal & coach, Elliott; 1925-30 HS superintendent & coach, Henderson, basketball team played in state meet 2 years & semi-finals 1 year; 1930- superintendent of schools, Wilton Junction; during World War 3 months Student Army Training Corps (SATC), Iowa City; Muscatine Co. Schoolmasters Club, past president; Mills Co. Schoolmasters Club, past president; Iowa State Teachers Association (ISTA); National Educational Assoc. (NEA); Lions, past president; Boy Scouts of America (BSA) past scoutmaster troop 151, Buffalo Bill area 6 years, county committeeman at large for BSA of Muscatine Co; AF & AM 167; Republican; hobbies: wood handicraft, hunting, fishing; both grandfathers came from Germany to Iowa in early 1850's, settled in Clayton Co, farmers; office: High School; residence: Wilton Junction, Muscatine co., IA (pg 880)

Baumgartner, August John: Plumber; born Clayton Co., Iowa July 26, 1874; son of Herman Baumgartner & Anna Marie ___; educated near Strawberry Point; married Emma Anna Schuchmann May, 1898 Strawberry Point (deceased Oct 6, 1926); son Alfred Herman; married Gertrude Custer Jan 31, 1933 Oelwein; step-daughter Nina Marie; 1898-1903 farmer Strawberry Point; 1903-13 pip fitter for Great Western Railway, Oelwein; 1913-16 plumber for Schlumbom & Bennett, Oelwein; 1916-17 partner of Russell Marshall in plumbing shop, Oelwein, 1917- owner & operator A.J. Baumgartner Plumbing & Heating Co, Oelwein; Chamber of Commerce; Lutheran Church, board member; hobby: hunting; office: 9 1st SE; residence 132 4th Ave SE, Oelwein, Fayette co., IA (pg 431)

Becker, Albert C.: Insurance Agent; b. Millville twp., Clayton Co., Mar 16, 1900; son of Christian Becker & Louise Weideman; ed Guttenberg HS 1919; m. Dorothy Thurow Apr 20, 1928 West Union; son: Alan; dau: Jean Marie; 1919-25 bkkpr, Guttenberg State Bank; 1925-30 asst cashier, 1930-31 cashier; 1931- agt, New York Life Ins Co., Guttenberg; 1928- secy Guttenberg bd of edn; Nylic; Century League; Comml Club; United Luth Ch; hobby: gardening; off & res Guttenberg. (pg 289)

Becker, Clarence Fred: Merchant; born Clayton Co, Iowa July 11, 1901; son of Charles F. Becker & Elizabeth Schmidt; educated rural school; married Verna May Durey Aug 15, 1925 Earlville; daughter Beverly Ann; prior to 1922 worked with father on farm; 1922-33 employed in grocery store, Manchester; 1933- owner & operator grocery & market, Manchester; breeder & raiser of shetland ponies; has 2 five-gaited saddle horses which have won many ribbons; Chamber of Commerce; Golf & Country Club; Lutheran church, 1930-40 member council, past member building committee, secretary; hobby: horseback riding; office 103 S. Franklin; residence 104½ S. Franklin, Manchester, Delaware co., IA (pg 363)

Beckman, Frederick William: Editor & Publisher; born Clayton Co., Iowa Sept 5, 1873; son of Herman F. Beckman & Louise Kurdelmeyer; educated Univ. of Iowa, PhB 1897; Sigma Delta Chi, honorary president 1922; Phi Kappa Phi; Alpha Zeta; Delta Sigma Rho; Gamma Sigma Delta; Kappa Tau Alpha; married Anna McCulloch June 18, 1901 Des Moines; son Richard William; daughter Elizabeth Louise; 1898 reporter on Council Bluffs Nonpareil; 1899-1902 employed on Sioux City Journal; 1902-03 editor Council Bluffs Nonpareil; 1903-09 managing editor Des Moines Register-Leader; 1909-10 editor Sunday Magazine Syndicate; 1910-11 associate editor Des Moines Register-Leader; 1911-27 professor of journalism Iowa State College; 1927-35 managing editor Farmer's Wife, 1935-39 editor; 1939- editor & publisher Journal, Knoxville; co-author 'A Desk Book of Style' with Blair Converse 1926, Technical Writing for Farm & Home with Blair Converse & H.R. O'Brien 1937; during World War 1918 army YMCA work, army educational corps, France & Germany 1919, secretary agricultural college faculty American Expeditionary Force (AEF), Univ. of Beaune, France 1919; 1924 founder & chairman of board Collegiate Press, Inc, Ames; member National Council YMCA; Minnesota State Committee YMCA; president St. Paul YMCA; vice-chairman board North Central Area YMCA; National Board YMCA; member American Assn Teachers of Journalism, president 1923; Congregational Church; Republican; office & residence Knoxville, Marion co, IA (pg 804)

Beerman, Henry Louis: Furniture Dealer & Mortician; b. Guttenberg, Iowa July 12, 1883; son of William Beerman & Christine Geuder; ed Guttenberg HS 1900; Hohenschuh-Carpenter Sch of Embalming 1905; m. Amanda Ortman June 30, 1910 Guttenberg; daughters: Violet Anna (Mrs. C.L. Uttenhove) & Betty Jane; 1904-33 ptr of brother William J. in furn store & funeral home, Guttenberg, 1933- after brother's death owner & opr furn & funeral business, Guttenberg; past city clk; 1932- mbr bd of edn, Guttenberg; Nat'l, Iowa State & NE Div of Iowa St. Funeral Dirs Assns; Comml Clib; Rotary, past pres; Luth Ch, past trustee, pres bd; hobby: fishing; off & res Guttenberg. (pg 289)

Benson, Charles August: Farmer & Stockman; b. Clayton Co., Iowa Apr 22, 1888; son of August Benson & Sarah Elizabeth Lycell; ed Highland twp; Iowa St Coll, 1914; farmer & stockraiser, specializes in purebred Shorthorn cattle; 1924-33 Iowa State Senate, 1934 org legislation to promote Iowa pavement; 1939 introduced bill creating state tax commission; 1929 introduced bill creating present Bovine TB Law, chmn of comm on Agr.; chmn of Com on Highways 1931; past mbr & dir Amer Legislative Assn; past mgr Highland twp Farmers Tele Co.; Amer Farm Bur; Iowa State Farm Bur; Clayton Co. Farm Bur, orgr & first mbr, first secy 1917-24, past acting co. agt; 1919-22 mgr Elkader Co-op Commission Co.; AF&AM 72; Luth Ch, second chmn of Deacons; Rep, past mbr of Speakers Bur, mbr state central com; hobbies: shorthorn cattle, politics; res Elkader. (pg 289)

Berg, Arthur Henry: Merchant; b. Read twp, Clayton Co, Iowa June 26, 1886; son of Henry Carl Berg & Minnie M. Garms; ed Read twp; Elkader HS 1902; m. Amelia Marie Overbeck June 5, 1923 Luana; prior to 1908 with father on farm & in gen store, Clayton Center; 1908-18 farmer, Clayton Co; 1918-21 with uncle Martin Steen in impl business, Hopkinton; 1921 owner & mgr impl & hdw business, Luana; 1932- opr electrical appliances business, Luana; past mbr city coun 4 years; 1934 assessor, Luana; 1923- secy Luana consolidated sch dist; lowa Impl Dirs Assn; Comml Club, past secy; Luth Ch, 1932 secy bd; Dem, 1934- pct committeeman of Dem Central Com; hobby: travel; grandfather came from Germany to Guttenberg 1840, worked in lead mines at 25c a week; wife's father C. H. Overbeck came from Germany to Guttenberg 1859, hauled rock for the Sears Church, wife's mother's name was Caroline Bierbaum; off & res Luana. (pg 289)

Bernard, Ranson D.: Physician & Surgeon; born Elkader, Iowa Aug 8, 1882; son of Henery Harrison Bernard & Maggie Drips; educated Elkader; The Wisconsin Academy; Univ. of Wisconsin, BA 1904; active in debate circles 3 years; Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill, MD 1907; Theta Delta Chi; Nu Sigma Nu; married Bernice Corlette Jan 6, 1909 Ames; daughter Bernice (Mrs. H.M. Black); 1907-09 interne Presbyterian Hosp., Chicago, Ill; 1909- practice medicine Clarion; 1910- owner & operator hospital, Clarion; past city physician; owner & operator farm, near Clarion; during World War entered U.S. army July 1917, 2 years in medical corps, overseas 11 months, commander major chief surgical base hospital, France, discharged June 1919; American Legion, past commander; Wright Co, Austin-Flint & Twin Lakes Medical Societies; Iowa State Medical Society, member legislative committee 8 years; American Medical Assoc (AMA); American Assn of Railway Surgeons; Iowa Intra-Profession Assn, past president; member American Red Cross (ARC); Clarmond County Club, past president; AF & AM; RAM; York Rite, Mount Lebanon; Congregational church, member official board, trustee; hobby: golf; office 118½ N. Main; residence 719 First Ave NE, Clarion, Wright co., IA (pg 1310)

Beyer, Arthur Edwin: Physician & Surgeon; b. Clayton Co., Iowa Mar 10, 1873; son of Jabez D. Beyer & Marie MacCrum; ed Edgewood HS 1888; Upper Iowa U, 1895; Northwestern U, PhG (graduate in pharmacy) 1896; U of Ill, MD 1901; m. Jessie Morse June 2, 1902 Elkader; m. Frances Andregg May 18, 1915 Dubuque; daughter: Jeraldene L. (Mrs. J.F. Kerr Jr.) & Adele F.; 1901- prac med, Guttenberg; past mbr bd of edn 20 years, pres 18 years; 1916- orgr & pres Guttenberg Cemetery Assn; dir Enderes Mfg Co., past chmn of bd; Clayton Co. Med Soc, past pres 2 terms; Iowa State Med Soc; AMA; Comml Club, past dir; Rotary, ch mbr & past pres; AF&AM 147; Scot Rite; El Kahir Shrine; Meth Ch, trustee; hobbies: fishing, big game hunting in Canada & Wyoming, maintaining stable of horses; off & res Guttenberg. (pg 289)

Bickel, LeRoy Phillip: Grocer; b. Giard, Iowa Aug 19, 1886; son of John Daniel Bickel & Mary Anna Hanson; ed McGregor HS 1905; m. Dori Elwell June 30, 1915 McGregor; sons: Herbert Elwell & John Phillip; dau Mary Elizabeth; 1905-07 with father in J.D. Bickel Produce Co., mgr branch La Crosse, Wis.; 1907- mgr groc store, McGregor, 1912 meat market & groc store combined which was 1st meat market & groc store in NE Iowa; 1922-23 dir First Nat'l Bank; 1934-37 dir First State Saving Bank, 1937- pres; 1922- secy McGregor Heights Assn; mbr McGregor Park Commission; McGregor Service Club; McGregor Golf Club; AF&AM 135; Meth Ch; off Bickels Grocery & Meat Market; res McGregor. (pg 289)

Bickel, Robert Ogden: Insurance Agent; born McGregor, Iowa Aug 29, 1902; son of John D. Bickel & Mary Hanson; educated McGregor HS 1922; Univ of Iowa, BSc 1926; Acacia; Delta Sigma Pi; married Doris Babcock Allen Dec 21, 1926 Waterloo; son Alan Bruce; daughter Jocelyn Jeanette; 1926- insurance agent, Cedar Rapids; 1929 received 1st chartered life underwriter degree in Iowa, only 21 in US; Cedar Rapids Life Underwriters Assn; president of Inter-Service Club Council, Cedar Rapids; Jr Chamber of Commerce, 1st president, 1937 received distinguished service award; Waltonians; Chamber of Commerce; AF & AM 25; Peoples Church; Republican; office 709 Dows Building; residence 2241 Grand Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, Linn co., IA (pg 724)

Bishop, Max Boyes: Postmaster; born Clermont, lowa July 31, 1885; son of Hiram Clay Bishop & Emma Kern; educated Elkader HS 1903; Drake Univ 1908; married Bessie Humphrey Oct 24, 1911 Fayette; daughters Jeanne H. & Elizabeth Ruth; 1908-14 clerk of dist court, 13th Judicial Dist, Elkader; 1914 owner Cho Teau Acantha newspaper, Cho Teau Mont, 1915-19 editor & publisher; 1919 owner & opr Clayton Co Abstract Co; 1934- P M, Elkader; past mbr Elkader city coun; Elkader Fair Assn, past secy; lowa Ch Natl Assn of P M's; Comml Club; Elkader Golf Club; AF & AM 72; RAM; KT; Scot Rite; El Kahir Shrine; Congl Ch, past chmn bd of trustees; Dem, past chmn Clayton Co Dem central com; hobbies: fishing, horses; off & res Elkader.

Bixby, Ransom James: Retired; b. Clayton Co, lowa Mar 29, 1854; son of Rev Newell Willard Bixby & Ruby Knapp; educated Lodomillo twp; Wilton Coll, Wilton Junction 1877; m Flora R Blanchard May 22, 1879 Edgewood (dec Oct 1, 1930); sons Ralph L. & Sylvan N.; daughters Ruby L (Mrs F I Smith) & Angeline F (Mrs W.F. Bellamy); 1871-77 sch tchr, Delaware, Clayton & Cedar Cos also National, Inland & Lamont; 1877-79 prin of schs, Edgewood; 1879-1884 in gen mdse & drug business, Edgewood; 1884-98 opr drug store; 1898-1909 farmer, Delaware & Clayton Cos; 1909- ins & real est agt, Edgewood; lowa State Representative in 30th, 31st & 32nd Gen Assembly; 1922- J P; past mayor, Edgewood; past mbr city coun; 1909-19 pres Edgewood State Bank; past mbr sch bd, 1st pres Edgewood indep sch bd; founder of Bixby Park, dedicated Aug 1896, state park since 1928; Comml Club, past mbr; MWA; KP; OES 434, past patron; White Shrine; AF&AM 606; KT; RAM; El Kahir Shrine; Republican, chairman 25 years Delaware Co Republican Central Com; hobbies: flowers, roses, gladiolus, & iris; office & residence Edgewood.