1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Armentrout |
Buman |
Green |
Swinehart |
Madsen |
Wycoff |
Carmichael |
Maassen
A sketch of the life of the respected subject of this review must, of necessity, be brief and general in its character. In the career of
Cassie Armentrout there has been no striking nor tragic event to bring him before the eyes of the public, but his record is that of a clear-headed, practical
young man whose life is built upon the broadest and best principles a man who realizes fully his two-fold duty to home and community can cherish.
While numbered among the youngest farmers of Shelby County, he has displayed ability and foresight which would do credit to a man of riper years and
broader experience.
Cassie Armentrout was born on November 20, 1890, in Jackson Township, this county, son of Philip and Alice (ROSS) ARMENTROUT, the former of
whom was born in Richland County, Ohio, being a son of Jacob and Mary (HAMMOND) ARMENTROUT. These latter were both natives of Rickingham
County, Virginia, but the Armentrouts came to that state from Pennsylvania, where they located upon emigrating to this country from their native Holland. It is not known exactly when the first of the name arrived, but it doubtless was early in the history of the colonies, as they were prominent in the affairs of the new country prior to the Revolutionary War. Philip ARMENTROUT, father of the immediate subject, came to this County in 1872, locating in Jackson
Township. He married Alice ROSS, a daughter of Hugh W. and Millie (BARBER) ROSS, both natives of the state of Ohio.
The subject of this biographical review was one of a family of seven boys, there being no daughters. He received his education in the schools of Jackson Township and being a progressive young man in his ideas, he has devoted all his spare time to acquiring information relating to his chosen work. He remained with his father until the time of his marriage, after which he rented the farm southwest of his home and 160 acres located across the road therefrom. He, however, remained there only one year, when he moved to the 240 acre farm of his father, located in Jefferson Township, and there he has since resided. He carries on general farming, as practiced in this section, and employs the most modern approved methods in carrying on his
business. He also is quite successful as a raiser of cattle and hogs, devoting about 150 acres of his farm to the cultivation of grain and the balance for
pasturage.
On January 29, 1912, Mr. Armentrout was united in marriage with Miss Lillian SILVERWOOD, who was born February 6, 1889, in Greeley Township, this
county, daughter of Fred and Agnes (HAMILTON) SILVERWOOD, the former of whom was born in England, the latter in Ireland, the father of English
descent and the mother of Irish parentage. There were originally four children in ths family, but a child died in early infancy and another little daughter,
Carrie, died when eleven months old. Besides Mrs. Armentrout, the other remaining child is Bertha, Mrs. SPEAR.
Politically, Mr. Armentrout is a Democrat, but has never become especially interested in the active phases of the game of politics, feeling that his own
interests demanded his undivided attention. Though still quite a young man, his sterling characteristics already mark him as one of the leading men of
the county, and the years coming with their greater opportunities seem full of promise for him. He and his wife are prominent among the leading young
people of their community.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1407-1408.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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Among the earnest men whose enterprise and depth of character have gained a prominent place in the community and the respect
and confidence of his fellow citizens is the honored subject of this sketch. A leading farmer and stock raiser of the township in which he resides, and a
man of decided views and laudable ambitions, his influence has ever been exerted for the advancement of his kind, and in the vocation to which his
energies are devoted, he ranks among the representative agriculturists of the county.
Ludwig BUMAN, who is operating successfully one of the largest and most fertile farms in Shelby County, is a native of the German empire, born there in
1854, being the son of Frederick and Dora 9SCHROEDER) BUMAN, both of whom are natives of Germany and passed their entire lives in that country,
where they lie buried. Nine children were born to their union, the father dying when the immediate subject of this sketch was but four years old, and three
of the children have passed away.
In 1873 the subject left his native country, coming to Iowa, where he found employment as a farm hand in Scott County, and there he remained for seven
years. In 1884, he came to Shelby County and having lived frugally during his years of labor in Scott County, he was in position to invest in land for
himself, securing a tract in Westphalia Township. However, he disposed of this one year later and bought land in Lincoln Township, where he has since
made his home. Altogether, he owns 830 acres in Lincoln and Shelby Townships, and on this he has made some very extensive improvements since
purchasing same. For the past 32 years he has devoted considerable attention to the breeding of Shorthorn cattle, and in this phase of his business, he
has met with unqualified success, his average production being about 130 head per year. In addition to the business of his homestead, he is also a
shareholder and director in the bank at Tennant, this county, and is also interested in the co-operative store at the same place. He also owns some
building lots there and when it is considered that upon his arrival in Davenport, Iowa, when he first came from Germany, he had but twenty-one dollars to
his name, it will be readily appreciated what success he has had along financial lines. To his enterprise, he has brought to bear the patient toil, sturdy
perseverance and frugal living which are characteristic of his nation and this, coupled with a high ambition and keen mentality, has brought him to his
present enjoyable station in life.
In 1880, Mr. BUMAN was united in marriage with Mary BUTCHER, born in 1853 at Little Rock, Pennsylvania, and to their union have been born seven
children, namely: John, the eldest son, a sketch of whose career will be found elsewhere within the pages of this volume; Joseph, who is associated
with the father on the home farm; Anna and Rosa, both graduate nurses and following their profession in California, while Mamie, William, and George
remain at home. Mr. Buman has been quite a worker in the ranks of the Democratic party for many years and has served as school director. He is a
communicant of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a man of sound and practical intelligence, keenly alert to everything relating to his interests, and in
fact, with all that concerns the prosperity and advancement of his community. Because of his splendid personal characteristics and his genuine worth,
he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one in hand.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1472-1473.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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Among the prosperous farmers who are living a retired life in Harlan, Iowa, is Levi GREEN, who has a well improved farm of 200 acres in this county. He started agricultural life by buying a farm of 80 acres, and as he prospered from year to year added to his land holdings until he accumulated 200 acres of find land before he retired from active farm life and moved to the county seat. He has maintained his home in Shelby County for many years and has won a definite success by means of his agricultural industries. His career has been without a shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men in every way.
Levi Green was born in Illinois in 1857. He was educated in the schools of Jasper County, Iowa, coming to this county when a small lad with his parents.
He grew to manhood in Colfax, Iowa, and early in life began to work out on the farms in his immediate neighborhood in that county. At the age of 20, he
rented a farm and began to work for himself, and for four years operated a farm alone. He then married and moved to Shelby County, where he bought 80
acres to which he has since added 120 acres. His farm is well improved and ranks among the most productive of the county. He was in active service on the farm until 1909, when he retired and moved to Harlan, where he is now living.
Mr. GREEN was married March 28, 1880, to Julia BORDER, the daughter of George and Delilah (MOORE) BORDER, and to this union have been born five
children: Iva, Maude, William, Nellie, and Mary. Iva is the wife of William MARTINDALE and has five children, Ethel, Ivan, Pearl, Harold and one infant.
Maude, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Green, is deceased. William married Hannah JENSEN and has two sons, Earl and Virgil. Nellie is the wife of
Francis SNYDER and has three children, Cecil, Dale, and Goldie. Mary became the wife of Homer MARTINDALE and has two children, Eva and one
infant.
The parents of Mrs. Green were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively, and came to Jasper County, Iowa, early in its history. George BORDER
enlisted for service in the Civil War at the age of 20 and served throughout that struggle. At the close of the war, he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and
followed agricultural pursuits for several years. He is now living a retired life at Sedalia, Missouri. Eleven children wre born to George BORDER and wife, nine of whom are living, William, George, Edward, Charles, Lee, Mary, Pearl, Delilah and Julia, the wife of Mr. Green.
Politically, Mr. Green has always given his loyal support to the Republican Party and has always taken an intelligent interest in its welfare. He has served as school director in his township and gave universal satisfaction to the citizens of the township. He is now enjoying a well deserved rest after a long period of active farm labor. He has always lived such a life as to command the respect of his fellow citizens.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 738-39.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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The use of cement has revolutionized the building industry in this country. It has been estimated that there is enough cement
put in sidewalks each year to lay a walk four feet wide around the earth and yet the building of sidewalks is only one of the many uses to which cement is
now put. This industry has given employment to thousands of men throughout the country, and the manufacture of various articles out of cement has
grown to be a flourishing industry. Charles R. SWINEHART of Harlan, Iowa, is engaged in the manufacture of cement blocks, posts, tile, burial vaults, etc., and has built up a business in this city within a few years, the scope of which is little short of remarkable. He comes from one of the oldest families of this county, his parents being among the oldest pioneers to settle in Center township.
Charles R. Swinehart, the son of George and Elizabeth (CULLER) Swinehart, was born in Center Township, Shelby County, Iowa, June 9, 1889. His parents were both born in Starke County, Ohio, his father's birth occurring September 8, 1830. George Swinehart is the son of John A. and Elizabeth (HIMEBAUGH) Swinehart, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. John A. Swinehart and his family moved from Pennsylvania to Summit County, Ohio, and several years later located in Elkhart County, Indiana, arriving there in 1847.
George Swinehart was reared to manhood in Elkhart County, Indiana, and in 1857 moved to Jasper County, Iowa. He had previously been married in
October 20, 1863, to Eleanor PHILSON, of Pennsylvania, daughter of James and Susan (HEFFLEY) PHILSON. In 1865, George Swinehart moved to Shelby County and bought 155 acres of land from Leonard Bowman, the man after whom Bowman's Grove was named. He paid thirteen dollars and a half an acre for the treeless land and six dollars for the timbered part. The wife of George Swinehart died May 6, 1874, leaving her husband with a family of eight children: James, Effie, Emma, Owen P., Lemuel E., George, Susan B., and Edward E. On January 19, 1885, George Swinehart was married a second time to Elizabeth Culler, the daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Myers) Culler, natives of Pennsylvania and France, respectively, and to this second union two children were born: Goldie Mildred and Charles R. Goldie M. became the wife of Fred STEVENS and now lives in Harlan. George Swinehart farmed in Center township until 1892 when he retired and moved to Harlan, where he lived until his death July 23, 1912. His widow is still living and makes her home with Charles R.
The education of Charles R. Swinehart was received in the schools of Harlan, and after leaving school, he began to work with the Lana Construction
Company, and remained in their employment until 1912, in which year he bought the Harlan Cement Company from Mr. Lana, and has since been
engaged in the manufacture of a wide variety of things from cement. It is rapidly increasing and the quality of his work is such that he has no difficulty in
pleasing his patrons.
Politically, he is a Democrat but has never been active in political matters. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and deeply
interested in the work of that organization.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1122-23.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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One of the most substantial farmers of Shelby County, Iowa, is Peter H. MADSEN, who is a representative of the many excellent Danish citizens that have made this county their permanent home. He came here without any money and with no assets other than a hearty constitution and a willingness to work. With characteristic Danish energy, he applied himself as a farm laborer and eventually became a renter of land. He saved money and was soon able to buy a farm of his own. From that time forward, he has been remarkably successful. The four hundred twenty acres which he owns today is a glowing tribute to his skill as a farmer and his excellent business ability.
Peter H. Madsen, son of Mads and Anna Katherine (HANSEN) PETERSON, was born in Denmark, February 19, 1843. His parents lived all their days in
the land of their birth, his mother dying in 1872 and his father in 1875. His father was a shoemaker by trade and followed that occupation all of his life.
Mads Petersen and wife were the parents of five children, Mary, Peter H., Hans P., Annie and Anna Marie. Mary died in childhood, and all the other
children, with the exception of Peter H., are still living in Denmark.
Peter H. Madsen was educated in the common schools of his native land, and after leaving school worked as a farm hand and day laborer in towns until
he came to America in 1872. Upon arriving in this country, he first located in Rock Island County, Illinois, and for the first four years worked on a farm in
that state. He then rented a farm of one hundred sixty acres, on which he lived until 1883, at which time he came to Shelby County, Iowa, and bought a
farm of one hundred sixty acres in Jackson Township. The thirty odd years which he has spent in this county have brought to him prosperity in every way. He is now retired from active farm life himself and has turned the management of his large farm over to his son, John, and his son-in-law, Peter
CHRISTIANSEN. The farm produces one hundred head of hogs and at least one car load of cattle every year for the market. This land which Mr. Madsen
paid twenty-three dollars an acre for in 1883 is now worth two hundred dollars an acre.
Peter H. Madsen was married June 20, 1879, to Anna FEBRICUS, the daughter of Hans FEBRICUS and wife, and to this union five children have been
born: John, deceased; Hans, deceased; Tomenia, deceased; John, who is single and living at home; and Mary, wife of Peter Christiansen, who is the
mother of two children, Anna and Arley.
Mrs. Madsen was also born in Denmark, and came to America in 1874 and located in Rock Island County, Illinois, where she met and married Mr.
Madsen. Her father was a sailor during all of his life, and died in Denmark. Seven children were born to Hans Febricus by two marriages: Mads, Hans,
Carrie, Marie, Maren, Christiana and Anna. The wife of Mr. Madsen died February 28, 1904 at the age of sixty years, having been born September 15,
1844.
Mr. Madsen and his family are loyal members of the Danish Lutheran Church of Bowman's Grove, and for many years Mr. Madsen was a foreman in the
church. He has taken a prominent part in the local politics of the Republican party, and a few years ago served as trustee of Jackson Township. He has
served as a school director and the President of the school board of his township.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1149.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual
character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the
ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities, and duties, affords ample opportunities for
acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and improvement.
Eli L. WYCOFF, a prosperous farmer of Jefferson township, Shelby County, Iowa, was born October 21, 1871, in Peoria County, Illinois, the son of Carlos
Cushman and Virginia (SLYGH) Wycoff, married February 1, 1871. Carlos Wycoff was born December 13, 1848 at Elmwood, Illinois, and is the son of
George T. and Mary (CUSHMAN) Wycoff, natives of New Jersey and Vermont, respectively. The Wycoffs are of German extraction, while the Cushmans are of English descent, and came to this country with the Pilgrims on the Mayflower. Carlos C. Wycoff was one of the early settlers of Illinois, and in 1891 came to Shelby County, Iowa, where he located in the eastern part of Jefferson Township, on the county line, and here he lived for five years, at the end of which time he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in section 12, of the same township, where he lived to the time of his death, July 5, 1914. Carlos Wycoff and wife were the parents of six children, Eli L., whose history is here presented; Leonard D., Mrs. Mary E. Gordon, Stephen C., John D. deceased, and Mrs. Ollie Stoker. Mrs. Wycoff, mother of the subject, is still living on the home place.
Eli L. Wycoff received his education in the schools of his native county in Illinois, and also in Shelby County, Iowa. He was nineteen years of age when his parents came to this county from Illinois and attended school for some time after coming to this county. He remained at home until he was married,
since which time he has rented and farmed on various farms in this township. In 1909 he bought forty acres of land in section 15, of Jefferson Township,
but sold it isn 1911. For several years, Mr. Wycoff owned and operated a threshing machine and did a large business in this and Audubon County for
many years.
Mr. Wycoff was married June 28, 1899 to Bessie M. SPICKLER, who was born in Tama County, Iowa, September 17, 1879, daughter of Calvin and
Elizabeth (TRAVIS) SPICKLER. Calvin Spickler was born in Ogle County, Illinois, while his wife was a native of Maryland, daughter of George and
Catherine (CLINE) TRAVIS. The Travis family moved from Maryland to Illinois when Elizabeth was a very small girl. Calvin Spickler was the son of
Nicholas Spickler and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Spickler were the parents of three children, Bessie, the wife of Mr. Wycoff, Marcia and Charles. Mr. and
Mrs. Wycoff are the parents of six children, four of whom are living: Gladys, born July 9, 1901; Gordon L., born September 28, 1902; Norine, born March
14, 1909, and Virginia E., born June 13, 1912. The other two children were twins and died in infancy.
Mr. Wycoff carries on a general system of farming and stock raising, making a specialty of hog raising. In 1913 he had fifteen head of horses and colts on his farm, all of a high class breed. Mr. Wycoff is an independent in politics, believing that he is serving his country's interest best if he votes for the best men, irrespective of their politics. For this reason, he is regarded as one of the influential citizens of his township and county. For the past year or more, he has been a school director of his home township, in which capacity he has rendered efficient service to his fellow citizens. He has been successful as a farmer and has always dealt fairly with his fellow men, and is eminently deserving of what he has achieved in the way of material success.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1421.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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Among the things to be taken into consideration by the biographer in writing the life history of the individual, there must be
considered the nature of the success which has come to the subject under review, his moral attitude toward the issues of the day, the family which he
has contributed to his country, and his standing in the community in which he resides. If he has lived a worthy and upright life and done his part in the
upbuilding of his adopted community; if his career has been blameless -- then the task of compiling his personal history is a pleasure to the writer. No
citizen of Harlan is more worthy or more deserving of honorable mention in the annals of Shelby County than High CARMICHAEL, one of the pioneers of
this county who, beginning at the bottom of the ladder, has accumulated a considerable fortune, raised a large family and started each and all out in their
life work with a just share of his estate. Although born in Scotland, he is thoroughly American in his tastes and inclinations and has exhibited throughout
a long and successful career those inherent traits of sturdy thrift and integrity, which characterize his countrymen the world over.
Hugh Carmichael, retired farmer of Harlan, Iowa, was born in Lismore, Port Ramsey, Scotland, in March 1836, the son of Dugald and Sarah (Keith)
Carmichael. His father was a tailor by trade and emigrated to America with his family in May 1851, locating in Livingston County, New York, where he
engaged in farming. Here he worked as farm hand by the day until 1856, when he removed to Kent County, Canada, two and one half miles from
Blenheim, where he invested in a farm of three hundred acres. He paid ten dollars an acre for his land and cleared it with his own hands and with the
assistance of his sons. The land was originally covered with heavy timber, and it was quite a different task to hew a home from the wilderness in those
days than that required in the improvement of the prairie lands of Iowa. The hardest kind of labor was required continuously for years in clearing the land of the heavy growth of forest trees, a few acres at a time. Hugh did his part of this work, and in the course of years, the family had the satisfaction of
knowing the sense of ownership of a fine farm and a comfortable home. Dugald Carmichael was born August 7, 1800, and died in Canada at the close
of a long and useful life of ninety-two years. His wife was born September 7, 1799, and died when in her hundredth year. They were the parents of eleven children: Mary, Dorothy, Dugald, John, Margaret, Catharine, Hugh, Sarah, one dying in infancy, Duncan and Niel. All are deceased excepting Duncan, Hugh, Sarah and John.
Hugh Carmichael attended the schools of his native land and also went to school for three terms after the family had settled in New York. While still in his teens, he hired out as a farm hand at ten dollars per month and also cut cord wood at twenty-five cents per cord, boarding himself during the time of these labors. He accompanied his parents to the Canadian home in 1856 and remained at home until 1867. He then came westward and located in Missouri Valley, Iowa, where he and his two brothers, Niel and John, contracted to build the line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad from Missouri Valley to Sioux City, Iowa. Ten months were required for their fulfillment of this contract. Following the completion of this work, Hugh Carmichael went to the southern part of South Dakota and on February 18, 1868, homesteaded a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of government land. He remained on his claim until September 10, 1874, and was then forced to leave for the reason that the farm was swept clean of everything, including all growing crops, by the grasshoppers. Four years of the grasshopper war, 1869, 1870, 1873, and 1874, brought with them so much disaster and discouragement to Mr.
Carmichael as to cause him to leave Dakota and remove his family to Shelby County, Iowa, where he located on a farm in section 18, Union Township.
He remained on this farm until 1910, when he sold out his livestock and removed to Dunlap, Iowa, and resided there until 1914. On August 4 of this year,
he came to Harlan and is living at retired life in very comfortable circumstances.
When Mr. Carmichael settled in Union Township, there were but four families in the township. All their trading was done in Dunlap. Prices were very low
for farm products, and he sold corn for thirteen cents per bushel, wheat at twenty-five cents, hogs at two and one half cents a pound, by the carload in
Chicago. He paid eight dollars an acre for his first tract of land. Despite the hardships incidental to settling in a new and undeveloped country, Mr.
Carmichael prospered exceedingly and at one time owned the immense tract of one thousand four hundred and fifty three acres which he has since
divided among his children. This was a wise and generous act on his part and indicates that he possessed a broad-minded and whole-hearted
disposition, with a wholesome view of life and a keen desire to see his progeny prosper while he was yet among them. He owns at present a fine tract of
two hundred acres in Carroll County, Iowa.
Mr. Carmichael was married June 7, 1865, to Margaret McCALL, daughter of Douglas and Margaret (BUCHANAN) McCALL. To this union have been born
seven children: Douglas, Margaret, John, Edwin, Anna, Donald and Sarah Ann. Douglas married May TYBIE and has four children, Margaret, James, one who died in infancy, and Donald. Margaret is deceased. She was the wife of L. M. HOUTS and was the mother of four children, Wenona, Myrtle, Edwin and Ruth. Wenona Houts is the wife of Joseph Smith and has one child, Dwight. Myrtle Houts is the wife of Prof. Thomas E. Tacey and has one child, Virgil. Edwin Houts married Della DeJayne and has one child, Gerald. John, now deceased, married Platti Griffith and is survived by two children, Paul and Daniel. Edwin wedded Kate Shields and is the father of six children, Hugh, Clara, Anna, Edwin, deceased, Ronald and Marjorie. Anna is unmarried. Donald is deceased. Sarah Ann is single. The mother of these children was born May 3, 1838, in Nova Scotia and died April 19, 1906. Her parents were natives of Scotland who emigrated to Nova Scotia and resided there on a farm until their deaths. They were the parents of six children: John, Hugh, Margaret, Ann, Daniel, Niel and Belle, deceased.
Mr. Carmichael has long been identified with the Republican party and took an active part in the official life of Union township, having served as township
supervisor for some years and also as justice of the peace. He was usually found in the forefront of all movements tending to advance the good of his
community. He and the members of his family are members of the Congregational Church. During his long life and residence in this county, Mr.
Carmichael has made a wonderful and an enviable record as a citizen and successful tiller of the soil.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1351.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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Among the farmers of Shelby County, Iowa, who believe in following twentieth century methods is John F. MAASSEN of Lincoln Township. He comes of a splendid family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Such people are welcomed in any community, for they are empire builders and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields; they have constituted that sterling horde which caused the great Bishop Whipple to write the memorable line, "Westward the course of empire takes its way."
John F. MAASSEN, a prosperous farmer of Lincoln Township, was born on November 1, 1868, in Rock Island County, Illinois, and is the son of Reimer
and Mary (MYERS) MAASSEN, his father being born in Germany in 1846 and his mother in the same country in 1850. Reimer Maassen came to this
country in 1863 and settled in Illinois, where he first worked as a farm hand and later found employment in a paper mill. In 1878, he brought his family to
Scott County, Iowa, where he farmed for six years, and then settled in Shelby County and purchased two hundred and eighty acres of land in Fairview
Township. He was a progressive farmer, improved his land and added to it from time to time until at the date of his death he was the owner of four
hundred and eighty acres of excellent farming land in Fairview Township and two hundred acres in Lincoln Township. His widow died in 1910 and both
of them are now buried at Avoca, Iowa. To Reimer Maassen and wife were born twelve children, seven of whom are still living.
John F. Maassen was ten years of age when his parents left Rock Island County, Illinois, and came to Scott County, Iowa, and consequently received part
of his education in Illinois and a part of it in this state. Owing to the fact that his father had such a large amount of land, he remained upon the home farm
until he was thirty years of age, assisting his father until a few years before his death, and then assuming the management of the home place until his
marriage in 1899. After his marriage, he rented land from his father until 1908, and then bought two hundred acres in Lincoln Township, which was part
of the family estate. He has improved his farm with all the modern conveniences, having his home lighted with gas and heated with a furnace. He has
erected a fine country home at a cost of four thousand dollars and equipped it with all the latest conveniences and improvements. Mr. Maassen is one of
those sterling German farmers who take an interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community. He is a man who has the courage of his
convictions upon the issues of the day. In 1913 he had seventy acres of corn, which yielded him about forty-five bushels to the acre, a low average, due to the dry season.
Mr. Maassen was married in 1899 to Sophia PAUSTIAN, who was a native of Cedar County, Iowa, her birth having occurred there in 1874, and to this
union have been born three children who are living with their parents, Lillie Reimer and Edna.
In politics, Mr. Maassen has supported the policies of the Democratic party, but has never held any public office other than that of township trustee, a
position which he is holding at the present time. He and his family are earnest members of the German Lutheran Church, are very much interested in its
welfare and to its various activities contribute generously of their means. By his persistent advocacy of wholesome living, honesty in business affairs, and sterling integrity of character, Mr. Maassen has long enjoyed the undivided respect and esteem of all who know him and justly merits a place in this
volume of biographical memoirs of his county.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1144.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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