Mills County, Iowa
History of Fremont and Mills County, 1901
Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1901
Biographical Sketches
J - K
JACKSON, JAMES C.
Among the prominent business men of Silver City, Iowa, is the subject of the present review, James Campbell Jackson. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1851, a son of Robert Jackson, a native of the same county, who was born in 1812 and died in Washington county in 1894. Mr. Jackson traces his linage farther back, his grandparents, Andrew and Margaret Jackson, long having been residents of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where they died at the advanced age of ninety, leaving many descendants. The name of the mother of our subject was Margaret Snodgrass, she also passing away comparatively early, at the age of fifty five, leaving only three survivors of a family of five children, our subject and his sister, Lyda, now the wife of L. McCorrell, of Washington, Pennsylvania, who has one son. Mr. Jackson lost a sister, Keziah, at the age of eight years, and one babe died in infancy. His brother died thirteen years ago.
Mr. Jackson was reared on the Pennsylvania farm, but was not able to take advantage of educational opportunities as much as he would have enjoyed, on account of a weakness of the eyes. He remained with his parents until his marriage in 1875, to a most accomplished and intelligent lady, Miss Mary Denman, of Amity, Washington county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of J. W. and Mary (McDonald) Denman. Mr. and Mrs. Denman reared three children, Mrs. Jackson and her brother Austin being the survivors. The latter is a highly educated man, who graduated at Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, and is now a minister of the gospel in a Presbyterian church in New York.
James C. Jackson was engaged in merchandising in Washington, Pennsylvania, until 1888, when he removed to Silver City and engaged in his present business, that of undertaking and conducting a livery. He is fully equipped for any call that may be made upon him in that locality, having fifteen head of horses and seven double-seated carriages, with other conveniences. Together with his other lines, Mr. Jackson engages in some real estate dealings, owning considerable property himself.
Mrs. Jackson is a lady of superior attainments, having received a fine education in her native state. The only child in this family, Lydia, is the widow of N. J. Van Kirk, of this place, and she has a beautiful little daughter of six years, born in 1895. Mrs. Van Kirk has a musical education and a well cultivated soprano voice of great sweetness.
In politics Mr. Jackson is a Republican, firm in his convictions. Socially he is very popular in several fraternal associations, a Master Mason of five years standing, a Knight of Pythias and a Modern Woodman.
JOHNSON, THOMAS J.
Thomas J. Johnson is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war who upon the field of battle wore the blue and loyally aided in the defense of the Union. He is now a representative of the farming interests of Mills county, Iowa, and is a citizen of worth, enjoying the high regard of many friends. He was born on the 6th of June, 1827, in Montgomery county, Kentucky, and is a son of Hugh and Sarah (Knox) Johnson, both of whom were natives of the same state. He is of Scotch and German lineage and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, for in both branches of the family are found those who aided the colonies in their struggle for independence. Hugh Johnson, the paternal grandfather, was a native of North Carolina, and at an early day in the development of Kentucky removed to the "dark and bloody ground," where he served as a soldier under General Wing. He also aided in opening up that state to civilization and in performing the arduous task of laying the foundation for its future prosperity and progress. Both he and his wife lived to an advanced old age. On the maternal side the ancestry of the family can be traced back to George Knox, the great-grandfather of our subject, who served as chief of artillery with George Washington throughout the Revolutionary war. He lived to be a very old man. The father of our subject died in Kentucky, at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother passed away in the same state, after attaining the very advanced age of eighty years. She was an own cousin of Mrs. Jefferson Davis.
Thomas J. Johnson spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the Blue Grass state, remaining in his parents home and assisting in the work of the farm. On attaining his majority he began farming on his own account, and his practical experience in that line well fitted him for the duties which thus devolved upon him. After renting land for some time he purchased a farm with his savings of former years, and as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Mary Hall, their marriage being celebrated on the 18th of October, 1843. The lady was a daughter of Brazer and Sarah (Hammonds) Hall, both of whom were natives of Alabama. Her paternal grandfather was Major Hall, who won his title by his service in the war of the Revolution. Her maternal grandfather was also a soldier in the struggle for independence, and both lived to a ripe old age.
Mr. Johnson continued his farming operations in Kentucky until the time of the Civil war, when he aided in the preservation of the Union which his ancestors had assissted in establishing. At the beginning of the trouble he gave his influence on the side of the national government at Washington and throughout the period of hostilities he served with the Twenty-fourth Kentucky Regiment of Infantry, being mustered in at Lexington. He participated in many of the most hotly contested engagements of the war. He was severely wounded in the siege of Knoxville, a large buckshot and three other shots were imbedded in his hip and carried away a large portion of the pelvic bone. He was afterward wounded by the concussion of a cannonball and had to remain in the hospital for about six months before he was able to take up his duties. In 1865 he was mustered out, and with a very creditable war record he returned to his home.
In 1883 Mr. Johnson came with his family to Iowa, taking up his abode in Mills county, where he has since made his home. He has valuable farming interests, being today the owner of two hundred and twenty-one acres of rich land, which is under a high state of cultivation, the productive soil yielding excellent harvests. Upon the place are all the modern accessories and conveniences of the model farm of the twentieth century, and the neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision of an enterprising owner. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson has been blessed with seven children, and with the exception of Sarah, the fourth in order of birth, all are yet living, the others being Henry, who has been engaged in running the home farm; Alice, now the wife of John Allen; Hugh, who is at home; Elizabeth, the wife of Philip Allen; Lucy; now the wife of J. C. Buckingham; Clara, who married Ed DeLashmutt; and W. M., who completes the family. Mr. Johnson has given his children good educational privileges, thus fitting them for life's practical and responsible duties. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend, and he has done effective service in its behalf while serving as school director. He filled that position for a number of years, and is now school treasurer. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and in his political affiliations he is a Republican, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. His has been a busy and useful life, and at all times, he has been found as true to the duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag upon the battlefields of the south.
JOHNSON, WILLIAM R.
William Riley Johnson, who is now efficiently serving as trustee of Silver Creek township, is one of the most practical and enterprising agriculturists of Mills county, where he owns and operates a valuable and highly improved farm. His possessions have all been acquired through his own well-directed efforts, and as the result of his consecutive endeavor he has won a place among the substantial citizens of the community.
Mr. Johnson was born in Pettis county, Missouri, August 31, 1833, his parents being William M. and Sarah (Long) Johnson, natives of Kentucky and Maryland respectively. In 1856 the family came to Mills county, Iowa, and settled in Silver Creek township, where the father made his home until called to his final rest at the age of eighty-three years. Of their four children our subject is now the only survivor, though three reached years of maturity, married and reared families of their own. Our subject's paternal grandfather was William L. Johnson. He belonged to an old Kentucky family. In that state the grandmother died, but her husband's death occurred in Missouri.
On the home farm in Missouri William R. Johnson passed the days of his boyhood and youth, and acquired his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Mills county, Iowa, and remained with them until thirty-two years of age. On attaining his majority he continued to work on the farm for three years, and later was employed as a sawmill tender and carpenter for twelve years.
In 1865 Mr. Johnson married Miss Elizabeth Sloneker, a native of Iowa, and to them were born two children, namely: Alonzo, who is now engaged in mercantile business in Oregon; and Jennie, who married Sherman Hickson and has three children. The parents of Mrs. Johnson were born in Pennsylvania, and in 1852 came to Mills county, where both died, the father at the age of sixty-five years, the mother at the age of seventy-one. After his marriage Mr. Johnson located upon his present farm, his first home being a little shanty fourteen by eighteen feet, in which he lived from 1865 until 1873, when he erected his present comfortable and substantial residence. His first purchase consisted of seventy-five acres of land, only ten acres of which had been broken, but being a man of tireless energy and industrious habits, the entire tract was soon placed under cultivation and is now one of the best improved farms of Silver Creek township. As his financial resources have increased, he has added to his landed possessions until he now has two hundred and forty-eight acres, a part of which he rents. In connection with general farming he has also successfully engaged in stock-raising. His place is conveniently located, his pretty country seat being not more than one mile from Malvern.
Mr. Johnson has for many years been identified with the Mills County Central Fair Association, and has been one of its most active and influential workers. For a quarter of a century he has occupied one or another of its official positions, and in 1899 was elected its president, in which capacity he is now serving. Although reared a Democrat, his father being a supporter of that party, he has always affiliated with the Republican party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has been an active worker in its conventions. He attends the Christian church, of which his wife is an earnest and consistent member, and is an upright, honorable man who commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life.
JONES, GRAHAM F.
Among the prominent men and veteran soldiers of Mills county, Iowa, is Graham F. Jones, who was born in Ohio in 1837, a son of John and Margaret (Herin) Jones, the former a native of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio about 1820, the latter the daughter of a native of Ireland, who settled in Pennsylvania when the Indian tribes still possessed much of the country. A brother of Mrs. Jones, named John Herin, was captured by the Indians but was finally recaptured by a band of settlers, his brother Joseph being the captain of the party. The wild life of the Indian seemed to have pleased John Herin, however, for he returned to the tribe of his own accord and finally became their chief when they migrated to the Red river country, and died among them. Later Joseph Herin and his companions were captured and all were killed except him and one other, and they would probably have shared the same fate had they not been rescued by a French woman who ransomed them. Joseph then went into the war of 1812 and served with distinction, later settling in Pennsylvania, where he made a name in commercial circles, became a Mason of high degree, and finally, after an adventurous life, lost it in a duel with a Frenchman, over some trivial disagreement.
The brothers and sisters of our subject are either known or remembered in many sections of the country. They were: Edward, who was a soldier under Sherman in the great march to the sea and died from wounds received in his country's service; Mrs. Elizabeth Ellis, deceased, who lost her husband in the Civil war, he being killed at Winchester; Mrs. Martha Johnson, deceased; James, a soldier in the Civil war, deceased; John and Mary, who died when children; Joseph, who was a soldier of the Civil war, became blind, but notwithstanding this affliction studied medicine and is now one of the leading physicians of Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a large practice; Mrs. Ellen Matson; Mrs. Dorcas Smith, deceased; Nathaniel, a soldier in the Civil war, residing in Kenton, Ohio; and John Alexander, a soldier in the Civil war, who has only recently had a ball taken out of his shoulder blade, and resides in Missouri.
Our subject was reared in Ohio, where he received his education and employed his time on a farm until he enlisted in the army for a three-months service, during the Civil war. He has the distinction of having placed his name at the head of the list on the roll of Company G, Fourth Ohio Infantry, Captain Grubb, and accompanied the regiment under Colonel Robinson, to Camp Dennison. On June 3d of the same year he re-enlisted for a service of three years and was sent to Virginia, into General Rosecrans' division and saw a great deal of the hard fighting in that state and on the Potomac, later being transferred to General Shields command. Our subject recalls with vividness the battles of Rich Mountain, Laurel Hill, Fort Republic, Fredericksburg, and those in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry, where he helped to build the bridge across the Potomac. He was also in the battles of Blue's Gap, Winchester, Malvern Hill, Martinsburg and the seven days of fighting around Richmond. He had gone into the cavalry service and after an experience like the foregoing, without injury, suffered from the fall of his wounded horse and was thus incapacitated from further service and was honorably discharged, having made a record of the greatest bravery.
Our subject was married in 1870, to Miss Sarah Melissa Kimmey, who was born in Ohio, and the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the following: George B., Mrs Hessie Elwell, Robert, Mrs. Gretta Dosh and Grace. Mr. Jones, with his family, came to Mills county from Ohio in 1875, soon after being appointed superintendent of the county infirmary, which position he held for two years, faithfully performing the obligations of his office. At that time he bought his present nice farm, one and three-fourths miles from Hillsdale, and has resided there in comfort ever since. He has a good orchard, etc. Socially he is connected with the I.O.O.F. organization and is an active member of the lodge in Hillsdale. Both he and his excellent wife are members of the Methodist church, where they are regarded with the highest esteem, and no record of the prominent residents of Mills county, Iowa, would be complete without mention of them.
- K -
KAYTON, THOMAS P.
An honored veteran of the Civil war and one of the most prominent and prosperous farmers of White Cloud Township, Mills county, Iowa, is T. P. Kayton, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Virginia in 1832, soon after which event his family emigrated to Indiana. His father was David Kayton, who was born in Virginia in 1797, and died on December 25, 1876, in his seventy-ninth year. He was a cooper by trade, but also engaged in farming. He had a very well-known brother who served with distinction in the war of 1812. Henry, John and Robert were the names of his brothers.
The mother of our subject was also a native of Virginia, and died in Iowa in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. David Kayton did not make a protracted stay in Indiana, but removed to Mills county, Iowa, in 1856, settling on a farm in Anderson township. The facilities for obtaining an education were limited, but our subject, like many of the prominent men of the country, obtained a start in the common country schools and then did the rest himself, being, in a way, a self-made man. He learned the carpenter's trade in his youth, but his choice of occupation has been farming.
In October, 1861, Mr. Kayton enlisted in Company F, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, under Captain (Blackmore?) for service in the Union ------the Civil war, remaining until he was mustered out in 1864. (A flaw in the film makes a small portion illegible)--historical Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis, Missouri. After three weeks the regiment to which he belonged was sent south and took part in one of the most memorable battles of the war, the battle of Shiloh. Mr. Kayton was one of the brave men who fought at Corinth, was one in the memorable siege of Vicksburg, and with his company made a raid into Louisiana, where he was stricken with fever and sent to the hospital in Vicksburg. Being granted a furlough, our subject started for home. On the expiration of his leave of absence he started to rejoin his regiment, but had a relapse and could proceed no further than St. Louis. He was then transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. His regiment did not go to St. Louis the second time, but marched through Georgia to the seacoast with Sherman's army. After becoming a member of the reserve corps Mr. Kayton was sent to Indianapolis, where he faithfully performed valuable service in guarding prisoners at the military prison. He remained at this place until the close of his term and was mustered out in the latter part of November, 1864.
In 1869 our subject settled on eighty acres of land in White Cloud township, and has prospered and increased his possessions until now his farm consists of one hundred and thirty-eight acres of some of the best land in the county. The results of Mr. Kayton's industry are very evident in the great productiveness of the land and the substantial improvements. He occupies a beautiful residence, surrounded with flowers and ornamental shrubbery, testifying to the refinement of its occupants.
Mr. Kayton married Miss Celia A. Richardson, in Indiana. Her ancestors were of English descent, who had made a home in New York. One daughter is the only surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Kayton, Ella C., the wife of George F. Salyers, who is a farmer and grain dealer in White Cloud township. The family of our subject are members of the Methodist church, and in all the neighborhood no family stands higher in public esteem.
While not a strict partisan in local affairs, our subject is a staunch Republican in national politics and votes and works with that party. Personally Mr. Kayton is a very popular man, his reputation being that of one of the best representatives of his section on account of his energy, justice and liberality.
KELLY, JOHN J.
John J. Kelly, a well and favorably known resident of Mills county, was born in Ohio, in 1853, and represents one of the old families of the state. His grandfather, Elisha Kelly, was also a native of Ohio and had seven children, namely: Isaac; Elisha, deceased; Mrs. Hannah Fitzwilliams, who also passed away; Mrs. Mary Dill, deceased; Mrs. Vashti Drake, who makes her home in Bainbridge, Ohio; and Mrs. Emma Chenowith and Mrs. Maggie Cook, both of whom are deceased.
The first named, the Rev. Isaac Kelly, is the father of our subject. He was born in Ohio, in 1816, and is still living, his home being in Pomona, California, where he and his wife have resided for several years. He married Ruth Smith, who was born in Ohio and is a daughter of John J. Smith, who served in the war of 1812 and died in Missouri. Rev. Mr. Kelly is a Methodist preacher, having for many years been a member of the ministry of that church. He was one of the old-time circuit-riders both in Ohio and Iowa and is recognized as one of the leading divines of the west. He is especially well known in this state, where he is widely remembered as a patriarchal preacher of eloquence and strength and of exceptional purity of character. He removed from Ohio to Mills county, Iowa, with his family, arriving at his destination on the 3d of March 1853. Here he secured extensive landed possessions and the large body of fine farming land adjoining Hillsdale on the north, the major part of which is still in his possession, the other being now owned by his son, John J. Kelly and other members of the family. All the children were reared upon the farm, although the father devoted the most of his time and attention to proclaiming the gospel among the pioneers of Iowa. Lewis Edward, the eldest son in the family, is now a physician, engaged in practice in Oakland, California. At the time of the Civil war he joined the "boys in blue," enlisting from Mills county in the Fifteenth Regiment of Iowa Volunteers. He saw very hard service and was severely wounded on several occasions. At Pittsburg Landing he was laid out for dead, with his knapsack upon his breast. Although only sixteen years of age at the time of his enlistment, he was absolutely without fear and displayed a valor equal to that of many veterans more than twice his years. The other members of the family of Rev. Isaac Kelly are: Mrs. Demaris E. Lewis, who resides in Bartlett, Iowa; Mrs. Alice Pitzer, of Pomona, California; James Quinn, a farmer of Mills county; Willis M., who is living in Los Angeles; Elmer Ellsworth, a practicing physician located at San Francisco; Effie May, who is living with her parents in Pomona, California, and is successfully engaged in teaching; Winfield Scott, a Methodist minister, now acting as the pastor of a church of his denomination in California, and Pearl, who is now Mrs. Dr. Schutz, of Long Beach, California.
John J. Kelly, whose name introduces this sketch, was brought to Mills county, Iowa, during his early infancy and has here spent his entire life. He was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier and was early trained to the work of the home farm, assisting in the cultivation of the fields from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the autumn. He still lives upon a portion of the old homestead, his residence being pleasantly located only a quarter of a mile north of the town of Hillsdale. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, he chose Miss Laura Alice Sawyer, their marriage being celebrated in 1885. The lady is a daughter of Nicholas Sawyer, who was born in Tennessee, his people having removed to the north on account of their Union sentiments, and all of his brothers served as soldiers with the northern army in the Civil war. One of the brothers was captured by Rebels, drawn into a creek and there shot down. Nicholas Sawyer was prevented from enlisting by physical disability. At an early period in the development of Mills county he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers and is still living here, his home adjoining Hillsdale on the northwest. He has now reached the ripe old age of seventy-nine years and is one of the honored early settlers of the community. He married Miss Minerva Jane Skaggs, who also was born in Tennessee and is still traveling life's journey by his side as a devoted wife and companion. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer were born the following named: Laura Alice, now the honored wife of our subject; Alonzo S.; Eli M.; John; Mrs. Stella McConaha; William and James.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly has been blessed with three children: Clifford Nicholas, Bernice May and Ethel Laura. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kelly hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Hillsdale and are earnest Christian people doing all in their power to promote the welfare of the church. Socially Mr. Kelly is an Odd Fellow. He is now serving as a township school director and for ten years has filled the office of school treasurer. He is one of the most prominent Prohibitionists in Iowa. Believing firmly in the cause of temperance, he labors untiringly to secure the adoption of its principles. He is a man who esteems character above all else, and his life is a typical example of those whose ideals embrace uprightness, integrity and moral courage. He has clear, strong and decided views on all public questions and the religious ferver of his nature is manifest in a career over which there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
KILMARTIN, PATRICK
Patrick Kilmartin, who follows general farming in Mills county, was born in Connaught, in the county of Roscommon, Ireland, his parents being John and Ann (Martin) Kilmartin. In 1850 the parents emigrated with their family to the new world reaching the shores of America on the 1st of June. Taking up their abode in Albany, New York, they there remained for about seventeen years, removing on the 1st of April 1867, to Mills county, Iowa. they established their home in Lyons township, where the parents spent their remaining days, the father's death occurring on the 19th of April, 1884, when he was seventy-two years of age, while the mother passed away May 10, 1891, at the age of sixty-five.
At an early age Patrick Kilmartin started out in business life for himself. He has always followed farming and stock-raising, and in this has been very successful. In 1871 he took up his abode at his present location, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land, much of which is under a high state of cultivation. He is also engaged in feeding and raising stock and this branch of his business brings to him a good return. He is a good judge of stock, and in all of his work he is progressive, enterprising and energetic, and thus prosperity attends his labors.
In November, 1874, Mr. Kilmartin was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Wolf, a daughter of William and Mary (McPherron) Wolf, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, the former of Scotch-Irish descent, while the latter was of German lineage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kilmartin have been born eleven children, six living, namely: Anna E., William G., Mary G., Alfred P., Joseph E., and Florence. Mr. Kilmartin and his family are members of the Catholic church at Malvern. He votes the Republican ticket and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, although he never seeks or desires office, preferring that his time may be given in an undivided manner to his business affairs, for it is along that line that he is working his way steadily upward and providing for his family the comforts and conveniences which go to make life worth living. He is very highly esteemed, is liberal in all his dealings, generous in disposition and ever ready to assist or encourage any public enterprise. Upon such men depend the advancement of all movements intended for the general good and the benefit of the community.
KINNEY, CHARLES P.
Charles P. Kinney, who, February 1, 1901, retired from the office of county auditor with a most creditable record as a trustworthy official and is living in Glenwood, was born near Yellow Springs, in Greene county, Ohio, on the 27th of December, 1856. His paternal grandfather was John Kinney and he married Betsy Shaner, who died in 1823. After her demise he was again married, in the year 1825, his second union being with Margaret Brown. Both he and his second wife died in the year 1864. He was a farmer by occupation and was of German lineage. His son, Aaron Kinney, the father of our subject, was born March 2, 1821, in the state of Ohio, and throughout his entire business life carried on agricultural pursuits. He was identified with farming interests until 1889, when he retired to the town of Emerson, Iowa, where he spent his remaining days in quiet, passing away on the 25th of November, 1899. He was a very industrious man, honest and upright, and was held in the highest respect by all who knew him. His nature was quiet and unassuming and he preferred that others rather than himself should occupy positions of public prominence. He married Sarah Jane Foresman, who was born March 2, 1826, in Greene county, Ohio, a daughter of High and Mary (Quinn) Foresman. Her parents resided at a point on the Susquehanna river in Pennsylvania in their early married life, but later removed to Greene county, Ohio, where they died at a good old age. The marriage of Aaron Kinney and Sarah J. Foresman occurred on the 28th of March, 1849, and they became the parents of nine sons, seven of whom are yet living. The mother also survives her husband and resides in Emerson, Iowa. She possesses a strong Christian character, holding membership in the Presbyterian church, and has taken an active part in those matters which have had for their object the good of the community in which she has lived. She is of Irish lineage.
Charles Philip Kinney, whose name introduced this record, attended the country schools until thirteen years of age and from that time until the age of sixteen pursued his studies only through the winter season. He was afterward a student in the private school under the supervision of Samuel Howe, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and during the winter of 1871-2 and for a short time in the year 1877 he was a student at Tabor (Iowa) College. To his training in the last two schools he owes much of what he has accomplished in life, for the discipline which he there received was such as to fit him for practical duties in the business world.
He remained on the home farm and assisted his father in its operation until twenty-three years of age, when he engaged in buying and shipping grain at Imogene, with the firm of J. M. Strahan & Company, during the fall, winter and spring of 1879-80. He was afterward with the firm of Burr & Randolph at Strahan, Mills county, Iowa, in the same line of business from the fall of 1880 until the spring of 1882, when he entered into partnership with E. C. Kayton, at Strahan. They became dealers in grain, coal and farm implements and also conducted a grocery store, their business relations being maintained from the autumn of 1882 until the spring of 1885. Mr. Kinney then resumed agricultural pursuits, continuing the operation of his farm until the fall of 1894, when he was elected the auditor of Mills county. He entered upon the duties of the office on the 1st of January, 1895, and continued to serve in that capacity until the 1st of February, 1901, when he retired, having the commendation of all concerned by reason of his unquestioned fidelity to duty.
On the 20th of March, 1884, Mr. Kinney was united in marriage to Miss May Augusta Shay, a daughter of Richard H. Shay, of Strahan, Iowa. Her great-grandfather, David Shay, of New Jersey, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and her paternal grandparents had nine sons and six daughters, of whom three of the sons served in the Civil war. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kinney has been blessed with four children: Everett C., Adina G., Clara M. and Harry Paul.
Mr. and Mrs. Kinney hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a valued representative of several fraternal organizations, including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Although reared in the Democratic faith, he has always been a Republican and is recognized as a most stalwart advocate of its principles and one of the leaders of the party in his community. Public spirited and progressive, he withholds his support from no movement or measure that has for its object the general good. Through all life's relations he has commanded the uniform regard and confidence of his fellow men, and is one of the representative citizens of Mills county he well deserves honorable mention in this volume.
KOCHERSPERGER, JACOB
One of the farmers of Mills county, Iowa, is Jacob Kochersperger. His career is a striking example of the triumph of energy over adverse circumstances, of indomitable will over disheartening poverty, and of success at last, gained through legitimate channels. Our subject was born in the state of New York, in 1841, a son of Martin and Margaret (Plow) Kochersperger, both of whom were born and died in New York. He was reared on a farm, his school opportunities being of the most meager description, and when he came to Mills county, Iowa, in 1870, he was a poor man, who had seen little of life but toil and self-denial.
Locating at his present home, in Deer Creek township, Mr. Kochersperger applied himself with all the energy of his nature and in a short time success crowned his efforts. He endured hardships cheerfully for he soon saw it would only be temporary, and now after thirty years, he owns seven hundred and twenty acres of as fertile land as can be found in the state of Iowa.
Mr. Kochersperger married Anna M. Shindler, a daughter of Richard Shindler, a native of New York, and the children born of this union are Mrs. Minnie E. Northrop, Edwin M., Frank G., and Hattie Belle. In politics our subject is a staunch Republican, and has efficiently served as road supervisor, school director and as township trustee, in all relations of life proving himself a substantial, respected and self-respecting citizen. He has worked his way upward by his own efforts and well deserves the esteem in which he is held.
KRUSE, JOHN D.
An industrious and energetic career has brought to John D. Kruse creditable success, making him one of the substantial farmers of Mills county. He was born in Holstein, Germany, and his parents, Hans and Katrina (Miller) Kruse, were also native of the fatherland. Our subject and his brother Henry came to America in 1858, taking up their abode in Oak township, Mills county, Iowa, and three years later, in 1861, they sent for their parents, who also crossed the Atlantic to the new world and became residents of Oak township, where they spent their remaining days, the father dying when eighty-two years of age, while the mother passed away at the age of eighty three.
Of their six children John D. Kruse is the second in order of birth. After coming to the United States he spent three years in working for others and then with the capital he had acquired he began buying land and devoted his energies to its improvement and cultivation. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Katrina Schroeder, a daughter of Henry and Marguerita Schroeder. Their marriage was celebrated October 29, 1861, and they became the parents of six children, four of whom are yet living, namely: Lena, now the wife of Matt Patterson, a resident of South Omaha; Charlie, who resides in Silver City, Mills county, and is engaged in the stock business; Lewis, who is employed in a store in Emerson, Nebraska; and Henry, who is located in Mineola, where he is extensively engaged in dealing in stock. Those who have passed away are William, who died at the age of eighteen years, and August, who died at the age of twelve years. The mother of these children passed away in 1875, and for five years Mr. Kruse remained single. He was again married, on Christmas day of 1880, his second union being with Mrs. Jena Domand. By her first husband she had three children: Otto, who resides in Wayne county, Nebraska, where he is engaged in farming; Theodore; and Martha. By the second marriage there are three children: Metha, Herman and John. In 1896 Mr. Kruse lost his second wife, who died on the 28th of February of that year, at the age of fifty-three.
Since first purchasing a tract of land John D. Kruse has carried on agricultural pursuits, and as his financial resources have increased he has added to his possessions until he has owned nine hundred acres of fine farming land. He has engaged in the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to this climate and to the raising of stock, and both have brought to him an excellent income. He has made liberal provision for all his children, and those who are married he has settled upon good farms or else established them in business. He has earned the distinction of being what the world calls a self-made man. He has met difficulties and obstacles in his career, but has steadily advanced on the road to progress, for the trials which he has encountered have seemed to serve as an impetus for renewed effort. In politics he is independent. He and his family re members of the German Lutheran church at Mineola, and are people of sterling worth, enjoying the confidence and high regard of many friends. Mr. Kruse has never had cause to regret his determination to come to America, for he found in the new world the opportunity he sought and is today one of the substantial and valued farmers of Mills county.
KUHL, HENRY
German industry and thrift has had much to do with making the prairies of the west the garden spot of the world. Iowa has benefited materially by this good element in our population, and Mills county has its quota of German and German-American citizens who have been successful personally and have been influential for the general prosperity of the people among whom they have cast their lot. One of the best known farmers of German birth in Ingraham township is Henry Kuhl, whose farm is in section 25.
Henry Kuhl was born in northern Germany, May 5, 1857, a son of Peter Kuhl, a farmer, and was reared to the work of the farm. His father, who was born in 1817, is now living in Ingraham township, aged eighty-three. He married Anna Steffen in 1841 and of their ten children they reared five sons and three daughters. The first of the family who came to America was Anna, the wife of Hentz Snecklot, who came in the spring of 1864 and lives in Nebraska. In the following fall Hans Kuhl came, accompanied by his sister, Maggie, who is now the wife of James Kay, of Oak township, Mills county. John is a prosperous Nebraska farmer. Klaus Kuhl, another brother of Henry Kuhl, came three years later. In the spring of 1873 Katie, another sister, came and she is now Mrs. John Helkan, of Scott county, Iowa; and Henry, the subject of this sketch, came in the fall of the same year. William came about 1878 and Peter and Anna (Steffen) Kuhl in the spring of 1880.
When Henry Kuhl came to America he was between sixteen and seventeen years old. He joined his brothers and sisters who had come to Scott county, Iowa, and worked there on farms until his parents arrived early in 1880, with Ferdinand, his youngest brother. In 1884 he bought his first farm of two hundred and forty acres, on which he had located the year before as a tenant, at the beginning of his married life. He paid thirty-seven dollars an acre for the place and began with a debt upon him of seven thousand dollars, but applied himself so diligently to the task he had assumed that he overcame all obstacles and not only paid for the farm but made money on it and sold it in 1900 at sixty-four dollars an acre. He then bought three hundred and fifty-three acres south of Silver City at fifty-two dollars an acre, and in the fall of the same yer he bought eighty acres more. He owns also twenty acres of timber land. Beginning without cash capital he has made a marked success in life and now ranks as one of the heavy farmers and prominent stockmen of his township. He breeds shorthorns, of which he has about fifty head of registered stock, and forty three of which he purchased at one hundred and thirty-five dollars a head. He keeps also sixty head of grade stock, raises about forty calves each year, and has sold one yearling bull and two heifers at two hundred dollars each.
Mr. Kuhl was married August 20, 1883, to Johanna Bickel, of Mills county, a daughter of Fred Bickel, of Germany, and they have had children as follows: William, now fifteen years old; Lennie, fourteen; Ferdinand, thirteen; Fritz, eleven; Lizzie, nine; Rudolph, five; and Emil. Mr. Kuhl's father and mother celebrated their golden wedding in 1891. His mother soon afterward fell and broke her hip and the accident resulted in her death, in the spring of 1892, when she was seventy-five years old. His father, in fair health, has his home with his son, Henry. Mr. Kuhl was reared in the Lutheran faith and he is independent in politics.
copyright © 1998-2007 Cay Merryman
|