Ulster Township

Edward Crowell     Pages 1135 - 1136
Deceased, was born in the town of Half Moon, N. Y., in 1807. When about six years of age he moved with his parents to Allegany County, N. Y., where he made his home till about thirty-six years of age. In 1828 he and Miss Esther Felt were united in marriage. They had five children - Elmina, George W., Andrew J., Phoebe and Helen M. Mrs. Crowell died in 1840. In 1841 he married his second wife, Mrs. Caroline (Persons) Capen. They had nine children - Edward, Abigail, James M., Silas R., John H., Oren L., Charles W., R. Esther and Lily L. Mrs. Crowell had two children by her first husband. Their names were Richard W. and Sylvia Capen. Of this large double family all are still living except Sylvia, who died in 1860, at the age of twenty-two and Esther, who died in 1881, at the age of 29. She was the wife of Sereno Whitney. In 1856 Mr. Crowell moved with his family to Ulster Township, this county, where he resided till his death, which occurred March 11, 1881. Mrs. Crowell still makes the homestead her abiding place. Of Mr. Crowell it may be said he was one of the pioneers who helped lay the very foundations of the history of Floyd County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Crowell were members of the M. E. church for thirty years. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., and started the order in this county.

Edward Crowell, Jr.     Page1036
Was born in Centreville, Allegany County, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1840. In the year 1843 his father and family moved to Bloomfield, Walworth County, Wis., where they remained till 1856, when they came to Floyd County, Ia., and located in Ulster Township, upon a farm of 240 acres. Edward Crowell, Sr., had entered on sections 30 and 31 the year previous. This property the family called the old homestead. It is here the family grew to man and womanhood; it is here the father and mother lived happily together till death broke the ties by removing Mr. Edward Crowell, Sr., March 12, 1881; and it is here the mother still lives. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Edward Crowell, Jr., the subject of this sketch, enlisted in Company G, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served his full term, being three years; was mustered out May 6, 1865, at Davenport, Ia.; was never wounded nor taken prisoner, but was a hospital patient about fifteen months; was very low with typhoid pneumonia and erysipelas, and we are sorry to have this fact to chronicle that he is still a sufferer from the effects. His army experience was that of the usual faithful soldier - hard marches, hot skirmishes, and short rations, and the usual exhausting and undermining camp life. After his return from the army he moved upon his farm of eighty acres, which he had purchased in 1863, on section 29, Ulster Township. Here he lived till the year 1880, when he sold and purchased eighty acres on section 31, same township, where he still resides. He has under cultivation about fifty acres, and has usually about fifteen head of cattle, four horses and thirty hogs. June 3, 1864, he and Miss Sarah Y. Porter were united in marriage. She was a native of Steuben County, N. Y., born in 1846. They have five children - Dora L., Clarence H., Clyde A., Guy E. and Ida C. Politically Mr. Crowell is a sound Republican. Is at present Justice of the Peace, which he has been for many years, and has held various township offices. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

John H. Crowell     Page 1037
Was born in Walworth County, Wis., in 1847. He is a son of Edward Crowell, who came from Allegany County, N. Y., to Wisconsin about 1844, remaining till 1856, when he came to Iowa, and located upon 240 acres which he had bought the year previous, on sections 30 and 31, Ulster Township, this county, where he made his home till his death, which occurred in March 1881. Edward Crowell, as will be seen by these dates, was one of Floyd County's pioneers, and his position in those matters of early date shows that he was a man of public spirit, whose name will never be forgotten in the history of this county. The author of this work was one of his early friends and associates. An item of interest is well worthy of the space it takes here, and we give it as related by his son, J. H. Crowell: One day, when he and his little brother were in the field, W. P. Gaylord came and asked his father to accompany him that day. In answer to the boy's inquiry as to where he was going, Mr. Crowell replied that they were going to set the most important stake in the county, it being the staking off of the court house ground. This spot was in the geographical center of the county and near the east line of Ulster Township. History shows that this place was one of some contest and contention, and after some hot spirit and solid voting it was placed upon record as the county seat, by a large majority. But afterward some of the Charles City people, and those whose interests centered there, concluded there was some discrepancy in the voting, and, without thoroughly testing the technicality, proceeded to locate the county seat at Charles City and erect public buildings. J. H. Crowell accompanied his father to this county, and made his home with him till he was twenty-one years of age. At this date he married Miss Libbie Pyatt, a native of New York State, being born there in 1852. Their family consists of five children - Jennie G., Burton L., Irving R., Granville P., and Charles G., aged twelve, ten, seven, four and one respectively. Both Mr. and Mrs. Crowell are members of the Congregational church of Ulster Township. In the year 1861 he purchased forty acres on section 31, Ulster Township, where he still resides, and also a forty of section 30, making a farm of eighty acres, all under good cultivation. He usually puts in crop of from fifty to sixty acres, and keeps in stock, all told, about forty head.

S. W. Crowell     Pages 1037 - 1038
Was born in Bloomfield, Walworth County, Wis., in 1845. He is a son of Edward Crowell, who was one of Floyd County's pioneers, and whose biography will be found in this work. S. W. Crowell became a citizen of Floyd County in 1856; made is first purchase of real estate in 1864. This was a tract of forty acres on section 30, Ulster Township; this he afterward sold and bought eighty acres on section 29, which he also sold. He again made a purchase of forty acres on section 31. This he also soon sold, each transaction yielding him a fair profit. In the year 1866 he purchased fifty acres on section 5, where he now resides. In 1873 he bought forty acres on section 31, adjoining his other land, making a farm of ninety acres. He usually puts in crop about sixty acres, and keeps about six head of cattle, two horses, and from fifty to seventy hogs. He was married in Charles City in 1871 to Esther A. Collins, a native of New York, born in 1841. They have two children - Ralph, aged five years, and Nellie, aged two. Politically Mr. Crowell is a Greenbacker; has held the office of Assessor for two years.

August Gelhaus     Page 1040
Was born in Germany, July 5, 1847. In 1873 he came to America, locating first in Illinois. In December 1873 he became a citizen of Floyd County, purchasing his farm of eighty acres, on section 19, Ulster Township, where he still resides. He built a nice barn in 1877. In 1876 he purchased eighty acres on section 29, has in corn seventy acres, wheat twelve, oats thirty, hay twelve, and rye ten; has six horses, seventeen cattle and sixty hogs. Dec. 15, 1873, he and Miss Wilhelmina Winter were married. They have four children - August, Lydia, Clara and Matilda. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gelhaus are members of the Methodist church. Politically he is a sound Republican.

G. F. Heitz    Page 1041
Was born in Jo Davies County, Ill., Dec. 11, 1855. He is a son of John Heitz, who, in the year 1868, purchased 183 acres on section 2, Ulster Township, Floyd County, were G. F. Heitz and his brother, John Heitz, Jr., now reside. In the year 1876 G. F. Heitz came to Ulster Township and worked about one year on a farm. That fall he returned to Illinois, there he remained till the following March, when he, in company with his father and family, moved to Floyd County, Ia., where his father still resides. In the Fall G. F. returned to Illinois, and the 19th of February was married to Miss Mary Haas, who was also born in Joe Davies County, Ill. This same spring he and wife moved to Charles City, remaining only a short time, when he moved on to the piece of land formerly purchased by his father in Ulster Township; he and his brother each buying a half of 183 acres. In the year 1869 Mr. Heitz built himself a pleasant residence. His farm is one of the good ones of Floyd County. Up till the present he has turned his attention principally to farming, but recently has turned his mind toward stock raising. This year he has thirty acres of corn, eighteen acres of oats, fifteen acres of wheat, and twenty-eight acres in hay. Has on hand fifty head of hogs, eight head of cattle, and four horses. His family consists of two children - John William and an infant daughter. Is a sound Republican. Is at present the Constable of Ulster Township.

John Heitz, Jr.     Pages 1041 - 1042
Was born in Jo Davies County, Ill., Jan. 30, 1852. He is a son of John Heitz, Sr., who is now a resident of St. Charles Township, Floyd County. In the year 1875 John Heitz, Jr., left Illinois and came to Floyd County, and worked the first summer for Mr. Blunt, near Charles City. The spring following he moved upon the north half of the 183 acres his father had previously purchased on section 2, Ulster Township. This same spring he purchased this tract of land from his father. In the fall previous to moving upon the farm he built himself a pleasant residence, where he still resides. His farm has the appearance of thrift and of being under the care of a model farmer. He makes farming his principal avocation. This year has in crop fourteen acres wheat; oats, twenty; corn, thirty-five; one-half acre potatoes; has five head of cattle; usually keeps twenty-five or thirty hogs and three horses. He was married in 1876 to Anna Sabina Toepfer, a native of Germany, born May 6, 1850. Their family consists of three children - Henry John, Anna Elizabeth and Emma Louisa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heitz are members of the Methodist church. Politically he is a Republican.

Mathias August Hirsch     Page 1042
Was born in Grant County, Wis., March 4, 1853. He is a son of Fredric Hirsch, who emigrated to this country in 1847, from Germany, locating in Illinois; moved to Grant County, Wis., the following year, where he remained till his death, which occurred in the year 1866, leaving a family of five sons and one daughter. In 1875 M. A. Hirsch married Emma Stoeber, a native of Grant County, Wis., being born there in 1854. The family consists of three sons - Irving S., Henry W. and Charles A. Mr. Hirsch owns a nice place of forty acres which he purchased in 1874, all under fine cultivation and improvements, his building and surroundings surpassing many older homes and in older counties. Mr. and Mrs. Hirsch are both members of the German M. E. church. Mr. Hirsch is an old time sound Republican.

C. W. Hudson     Page 1042
Was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1830. When a young man he received a common school education. He remained in New York till about twenty-four years of age engaged in farming, principally in Steuben, Wayne and Oneida counties. In the year 1855 he went to Ogle County, Ill., where he worked by the month and day as a farm hand, remaining about four years. In the winter of 1859 he became a citizen of Floyd County, thus making him one of its pioneers. Located in Ulster Township. The first season rented a piece of land on section 30. Afterward rented for two years the farm of 140 acres which he now owns and where he resides, section 30, Ulster Township. This purchase was made in the fall of 1865, paying $1,090. Has since erected good farm buildings; has a splendid barn, built only last summer, 36 x 60. He used to put out twenty-five and thirty acres of wheat; oats, fifteen; and from sixty to seventy acres of corn. His farm is about the same now, with the exception of wheat, which he does not find profitable to raise. Of late years has turned his attention more to stock, keeping about twenty-five head of cattle, and from sixty to eighty hogs. In Rockford, Winnebago County, Ill., July 5, 1858, he and wife Susan Hellman, were united in marriage. They have no family. He votes the Republican ticket, and has several years held the office of Trustee. Though he never learned the trade he built his own barn, never drawing a draft.

W. R. Johnson     Pages 1043 - 1044
Was born in Ulster Township in 1858. He was a son of W. G. Johnson, who came from England in 1856 and purchased a farm of 380 acres in Ulster Township. Upon this farm he made many improvements - hauled brick from Waverly, a distance of fifty miles, and built a two story brick house, 16 x 20, with a one story L, the base of which was nearly as large as the two story part; he also built a log stable, 18 x 28. Here he and his wife made their home about four years, when Mrs. Johnson was killed by lightening while standing in the stairway of her house. Shortly after this event Mr. Johnson and his son, W. R. went to Chicago to live, renting the farm; returned in 1867, and lived here till the fall of 1869, when they both returned to Yorkshire, England, and there Mr. Johnson Sr., died in 1876. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Johnson, accompanied by an uncle and cousin, returned to America to look after his interest in the West. During his absence the place has been lying idle, and he found that the neighbors had hauled the house almost entirely away. The scarcity of brick of course made a valid excuse, but the stealing of the log stable and log house in the woods in the midst of timber scarcely excuses the act. His uncle and cousin assisted in the care of the farm till 1880, when W. R. assumed control, and has since that time been manager and proprietor of three fourths of the farm, having a sister in England. He has 140 acres under cultivation. While in England he spent eighteen months on the sea; visited Australia and San Francisco in a sailing vessel, touching Ireland on the return voyage. In 1881 he again visited England. He as married in the spring of 1881, in Charles City, to Miss Mary Blunt.

W. L. McEwen    Page 1051
Was born in Ulster County, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1831. In May 1856 he, in company with two brothers, came to Iowa. W. L. McEwen located upon a piece of land in Ulster Township which he had entered two years previous, his brother, O. McEwen, securing the Government deed. On this tract of land Mr. McEwen still resides, being situated on section 32. He received a practical business education in the East, and has most of the time since coming West been engaged in teaching school, which avocation, we are pleased to state, we found him engaged in, assisting in laying broad and deep the future history of the West. Nov. 30, 1853, he and Harriet Rhinehart were united in marriage. She was also a native of New York State, being born in Ulster County, July 4, 1832. Their family consists of three sons and one daughter - John Howard, Charles Eugene, Elmer Elsworth and Florence May; ages, twenty-six, twenty-four, twenty-one and thirteen respectively. Howard is married, and keeps the Putnam House at Rockwell; Eugene also married and has been a partner in the firm of Eggert & McEwen, publishers of the Rockford Reveille. The other children are at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. McEwen are members of the Congregational church. Mr. McEwen was elected Township Clerk at the first election, and has held that position will within the last two years; is at present Township Secretary. He was born with the Republican party.

Jacob Metz     Pages 1051 - 1052
Was born in Ohio in 1849. He was a son of Mr. John George Metz, who moved with his family to Wisconsin in 1854. Here Jacob Metz made his home till Sept. 28, 1876, when he became a citizen of Floyd County. At this date he purchased forty acres on section 9, Ulster Township; has since purchased twenty-two acres, making in all sixty -two acres. He built a good house in 1877, and has made many improvements, till now he has indeed a good farm and pleasant home. He has about seven acres in wheat, two in oats, eighteen in corn, besides fifteen he farms outside. He was married in Wisconsin in 1869 to Betsy M. Liske, a native of Germany. She came to this country when a child two years of age. They have five children - Emma M., William G., Anna M., Martha and Lilly. Both Mr. and Mrs. Metz are members of the Lutheran church. Politically he is a Democrat.

John Moll     Page 1052
Was born in Mechlenburg-Schwerin, Germany, June 17, 1832. In 1857 he came to America, locating first in Columbus, Wis., where he worked by the day and month for about five years. Afterward handled wheat in a warehouse for buyers about four years, then teamed for himself about five years, which he found quite profitable. In Columbus he built himself a good home, which he sold in 1870, and came to Ulster Township, Floyd County, and purchased 120 acres, where he still resides on section 28. He commenced improving his land, and soon had it under cultivation and adorned with shade tees, etc. In 1875 he purchased an adjoining eighty acres, on section 27. He used the splendid wheat crop of 1878 to build himself a fine residence and barn. Again, in 1882, he purchased another eighty acres, which joined his farm on the north, on section 28. We have had the pleasure of seeing this property, and must say that when the fine house and barn and its beautiful surroundings are considered, together the beautiful laying land, and under such prime cultivation, with fine looking crops, that it is not only one of the finest farms and homes in the State, but one of the grandest that it has ever been our privilege to behold. He raises about forty acres of wheat, forty-five acres of corn, and thirty-nine of oats, and cuts from fifty to sixty tons of hay. Keeps from thirty to forty head of cattle and about one hundred head of hogs and seven head of horses. Was married in Wisconsin, Jan. 10, 1861, to Miss Ustina Spicker, a native of Germany. They have five children - Mary, Henry, Frank, Lena and Benjamin. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moll are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Moll is politically a Republican.

H. H. Myers     Pages 1052 - 1053
Was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1843, where he made his home till he was twenty-one years of age. At this date he started West to see what it promised; spent the year 1864 in Michigan and Wisconsin. In 1865 he purchased eighty acres on section 32, Ulster Township, where he has since resided. Of this eighty he sold forty acres, and purchased eighty more on section 29. In the year 1867, at Rockford, Mr. Myers and Miss Emma J. Piatt were united in marriage. She was a native of Otsego County, N. Y., born there in 1849. They have a family of four children - John G., Nellie A., Maude A. and Jerome P. Both Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Congregational society of Ulster Township. He is a good sound Republican, but says he likes farming better than politics.