1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Schmitz, Adam |
Schmitz, Joseph |
Schmitz, Tony |
Schuster |
Shelby County State Bank |
Shomer
Smith, Jabez |
Smith, Lewis |
Sorensen |
Sterck
Click photo to enlarge
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career
on the part of the average agriculturist there is little to attract the reader
in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the actual
reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons
in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head,
strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and
unerring judgment, conquers adversity, and toiling on, finally wins not only
pecuniary independence but, what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect
and confidence of those with whom his active years have brought him in contact.
When these attributes and accomplishments have been strengthened by the
development and exercise of powers of leadership among his people, the
individual under observation becomes noteworthy and an interesting subject for
personal review. Such a man is found in the person of Adam Schmitz, a successful
retired farmer and pioneer citizen of Westphalia, Shelby county, Iowa. Mr.
Schmitz is one of the most prosperous and intelligent German-American citizens
of the county and is an able and well educated citizen who has been a valued
member of the famous Westphalia community for upwards of over forty years. He is
one of the sturdy figures of the pioneer era and is rated as one of the
wealthiest of the landed gentry of his county.
Adam Schmitz was born on July 22, 1849, in Cologne, Germany. He is the son of
John and Marianna (Mannus) Schmitz, who were the parents of four children, as
follows: Adam, of whom this chronicle directly reads; William, a retired farmer
of Westphalia; Antone, a farmer occupying the old Schmitz homestead; Christ, who
died about 1893.
It is a matter of record that in the fall of the year 1862 John Schmitz and his
family embarked aboard a sailing vessel which was leaving their home city bound
for the land of promise and opportunity America. He was imbued with the idea
that in this far off land across the great, wide ocean, would be found
opportunity to prosper and found homes for his children, and that they would
grow up free and independent Americans and in turn rear families of children
endowed with comfortable fortunes in their own right. It is probable that dreams
such as these engrossed the mind of the German emigrant as the slow moving
vessel followed the track of the trade winds which were taking them each day
nearer to this country. Adam was a child of thirteen years when this eventful
voyage was made and remembers the wonders of the great trip vividly. Six long
weeks were consumed in making the trip which is now a matter of days and hours
with the swift moving steam monsters plowing the mighty deep. The vessel landed
at New York city and the wonders of the New World began to unfold in reality
before the eyes of the immigrants. Then began the journey to St. Louis, which
consumed two weeks longer. They traveled by rail to the city of Pittsburgh and
then embarked on an Ohio river steamboat for Cairo, Illinois, there to take boat
again for St. Louis. John Schmitz left his family in the city and traveled over
Missouri, looking at the land. He journeyed as far as Jefferson City, and while
somewhat impressed with the opportunity presented in the cheap lands of this
state, he was deterred from making a permanent settlement here by the disrupted
condition of this war-torn border commonwealth. He also decided that the
Missouri lands were too rough and hilly and accordingly he left St. Louis in
February of 1863 and went to Freeport, Illinois, after a short period of labor
in St. Louis, where he was engaged as mule teamster. He also followed teaming
and railroad work at Freeport. He worked at farm labor on the farms contiguous
to Freeport and became the owner of a home. While residing in Freeport he heard
of the cheap, rich lands in Iowa and in 1866 he came here and invested his
savings in eighty acres of prairie land in Benton county. Here he erected a home
and increased his holdings to one hundred and sixty acres. Seven years later the
project of establishing a Catholic settlement in the county of Shelby attracted
wide attention among the German. Catholic agriculturists and John was induced to
come to Shelby county in 1873 and invest in a half section of fine, unbroken
prairie land in Westphalia township.. This land cost him eight dollars and fifty
cents an acre, fifty cents of which was a church tithe, the balance going to the
railroad land company which was establishing the settlers on the lands. John,
the father, sent Adam and William to the county in 1874 for the purpose of
breaking up a portion of the acreage and planting a crop. The sons returned home
in 1875 and Adam was sent hack to place more land under cultivation. On this
second trip Adam met his future wife and refused to return home. The father then
came and made arrangements for the erection of a large barn, forty by thirty-two
feet, for the building of which Adam hauled the lumber from Avoca. The lumber
and timbers for this building were purchased of Thomas Ludowitch. A carload of
stones was shipped from Jones county to Shelby to serve for the foundation and
these were hauled from the new town of Shelby. In the spring of 1875 carpenters
built the barn and fixed two rooms suitable for housekeeping. Thereupon, Adam
was married on May 20, 1875, and he and his young wife began housekeeping in the
barn and made their home in the two rooms fixed up for the purpose. John Schmitz
sent a carload of horses and cattle and Antone came on to help with the farm
work. On June 20, of 1878, the wife of John Schmitz died in Benton county and
John then sold out his holdings there and joined his sons in Shelby county. He
brought with him a carload of cattle, a carload of horses and a train load of
supplies, which were unloaded at Dunlap. John Schmitz became quite prosperous in
Shelby county and owned a great deal of land, at one time being the possessor of
over one thousand acres. After the father's death, on July 24, 1882, the land
was divided among the sons and Adam received one hundred acres in section 28, of
Westphalia township, on which he made his future home. To this farm he added
sixty acres a little later and prospered as his father had before him. He
continued buying land until he became the owner of over seven hundred acres,
which has been disposed of to his children on the contract sale plan, which
gives them ample time in which to pay for the lands. Adam now resides on a
forty-acre farm in the town of Westphalia and has been retired from active farm
work for the past ten years.
Adam Schmitz was married on May 20, 1875, to Marianna Zimmerman, who was born in
Westphalia, Germany. She is a daughter of John Zimmerman, and was born in 1851
and emigrated. to America in 1873. The Zimmermans came to Westphalia in 1873
direct from Germany. John and Marianna Zimmerman, his wife, were the parents of
four children, as follows: Emil, deceased in 1911 ; Marianna, the wife of Mr.
Schmitz; Joseph, a merchant of Panama; Mrs. Regina Kernan, of Westphalia
township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Adam Schmitz have been born four children: Mrs. Mary Schwery, of
Westphalia township; Mrs. Josephine Khule; of Westphalia; Emil, of the old
homestead; Mrs. Ida Kernan, of near Defiance, in Greeley township. They also
have one adopted daughter, Rosa, aged thirteen years, at home.
Politically, Mr. Schmitz has always been allied with the Democratic party. He is
not narrow and bigoted in his political affiliations, however, as he adopts an
independent attitude in local politics, preferring to vote for the individual
rather than for any political platforms. He believes that better government
results from independent voting and has consistently followed this policy when
it became necessary to exercise the right of suffrage in the selection of
township and county officers. Mr. Schmitz has filled practically every elective
and appointive office in his township and for the past twenty years has served
as clerk of the township school board and as justice of the peace. He is
treasurer of the Westphalia Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is one of the
prominent and useful members of the Catholic church at Westphalia, which is the
pioneer church of this denomination in Shelby county. Mr. Schmitz takes a keen
and active interest in all matters which have a tendency to advance and promote
the welfare of his home community and county and is greatly interested in
preserving the valuable history which has been made in Shelby county. The value
of this historical volume has been greatly enhanced by a special chapter giving
the history of the Catholic people of the county and especially the history of
Westphalia township, which has been written by him for insertion in the pages of
this work. He is a hale, hearty and genial individual, and is broadminded in his
attitude toward all public questions. A county and community is bettered and
made a desirable place in which to live by the acquisition of citizens such as
Mr. Schmitz.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1408 - 1411. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
One of the young farmers of Shelby county is Joseph Schmitz, the son of a
prosperous German farmer of the county and who is now the manager of his
father's large farm in Westphalia township. Raised on the farm, early in life he
decided to be a farmer. His father was one of the most successful farmers in the
county, and the son became thoroughly acquainted with methods which insure
success in agriculture. Joseph Schmitz, the son of William and Joseph
(Kirchhoff) Schmitz, was born in Westphalia township, November 19, 1885. The
reader is referred to the sketch of Antonio Schmitz for details concerning the
history of the Schmitz family.
Joseph Schmitz received all of his education in the schools of Westphalia, and
spent his summer vacations on his father's farm. In this way he studied every
phase of farming, and when he took active charge of his father's farm in 1914,
he was amply competent to manage it successfully. The farm consists of four
hundred acres of excellent land, and Mr. Schmitz is soon to make it a stock
farm. During the year 1914 he had two hundred and fifty head of hogs and ninety
head of cattle, and intends that this shall be only a minimum of his future
products. The farm is well improved with excellent buildings, fencing and
drainage.
Mr. Schmitz was married April 28, 1914, in Westphalia, Iowa, to Annie Reinig,
the daughter of John and Agnes (Newbauer), Reinig. Mrs. Schmitz's parents were
born in Germany and came to this country before their marriage. Mr. Reinig came
alone when he was a young man and located in Shelby county, in Westphalia
township. He first worked as a farm laborer in the township, then married and
bought a small farm. He has gradually increased his land holdings until he is
now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres in Cass township, where he and
his family are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Reinig are the parents of nine
children: Martha, Anna, August, John, Leo, Marie, Martin, Kathrine and Leon.
Martha is the wife of Henry Wingert and Anna, the wife of Mr. Schmitz. The rest
of the children are not married and still live with their parents.
Mr. Schmitz is a Democrat, but has not been active in politics. He and his wife
are loyal members of the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Roman
Catholic Mutual Protective Association of this county. Mr. Schmitz is still a
very young man, and has a long and prosperous career before him.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1167 - 1168. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
One of the worthy and highly respected young German farmers of Shelby county,
who has by indomitable energy and adherence to right principles benefited alike
himself and the community in general, is Tony J. Schmitz, a prosperous farmer of
Westphalia township. His whole life of thirty-three years has been spent within
the township where he was born and such has been his career that he has won the
esteem of his fellow citizens to a narked degree. Receiving a good education he
started in life as a school teacher and taught for two years with marked success
in this county. Endowed by nature with strong physical and mental powers and
possessing the courage and energy to direct his faculties, along proper channels
he has been as successful in agricultural pursuits as he was in the school room.
Tony J. Schmitz, the son of William and Josepha (Kirchhoff) Schmitz, was born
October 3, 1881, in Westphalia township, and has made his home here since his
birth. His father and mother were both born in Germany and came to this country
before their marriage. William Schmitz came to this country in 1854 with his
parents and located in St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained for only about
four months. The family then rented a farm near Freeport, Illinois, and remained
there three months, after which they moved to Benton county, Iowa, where they
farmed for eleven years, and then removed to Westphalia township, this county,
where William Schmitz bought three hundred and twenty acres of land. William
Schmitz married in this township and at the time of his marriage his father gave
him one hundred and sixty acres of land and with this as a nucleus, he rapidly
increased his land holdings until he was the owner of nine hundred acres of
excellent land at the time he retired to Westphalia. William Schmitz and wife
are the parents of seven children: John, Tony J., Henry, Joseph, Anna, Wliliam
and Marie. John married Anna Klepper; Henry married Mary Kramer; Joseph married
Annie Reinig; Anna is the wife of George Langenfeld, while William and Mary are
still single.
Tony J. Schmitz attended the common schools of Westphalia, and after finishing
the course there, entered Ambrose College, at Davenport, Iowa. After finishing
the course in this excellent institution he taught school in Westphalia township
for two years, but feeling that the agricultural career offered better
advantages for advancement, he left the school room and engaged in farming. He
began to farm, and at the same time worked in a general merchandise store for
about a year and a half, after which he helped his father on the home place
until after his marriage in 1906, when he rented one hundred and sixty acres of
his father's farm, and continued to rent for six years, and in 1913 bought his
present farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He has built new barns on the farm
since acquiring it and otherwise improved it, so that it is now ranked among the
most attractive farms of the township. He raises good crops and feeds his grain
to his stock, paying particular attention to the raising of hogs. He ships from
two to three car loads of hogs each year and is gradually increasing his output.
He keeps well informed upon the newest ideas in farming and does not hesitate to
introduce innovations when convinced that they will produce better results.
Mr. Schmitz was married September 2, 1906, to Kate Loehr, the daughter of
Frederick and Anna (Langenfeld) Loehr, and to this union have been born four
children: Valeria, Sylvia, Edmond and Delphine, who died in infancy. The reader
is referred to the biography of Jacob Loehr which is found elsewhere in this
volume for further details concerning the Loehr family.
Politically, Mr. Schmitz adheres to the Democratic party, but has never been
active in political matters, although taking an intelligent interest in the
great political issues of the day. He and his family are devout members of the
Catholic church and Mr. Schmitz is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the
Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society, being the secretary and treasurer of
the latter organization. The only public position which Mr. Schmitz has ever
held is not a political position. He is a member of the present school board of
the township and is actively interested in every movement which is proposed for
the benefit of the schools. He is a young man who is wide awake and progressive
in his ideas, and is in hearty sympathy with all public spirited movements which
are calculated to advance the general welfare of the community in which he
resides..
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1443 - 1445. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
An enterprising young farmer of Shelby county, Iowa, is George E. Schuster, who
was born in this county thirty-five years ago. He is a descendant of German
forbears and has inherited all of the sterling characteristics of the people of
that nation. He is one of the successful stock raisers of his township, and has
met with more than usual success in the handling of high class cattle and
horses. He takes a very active part in the life of his community and being a man
of excellent education he has won for himself a deservedly prominent position in
many phases of the life of his locality. He is a man of energy and industry and
his success has been well merited.
George E. Schuster, the son of Bruno and Freida (Snyder) Schuster, was born in
Shelby township, Shelby county, Iowa, in 1879. His father was born in Germany in
1851, and his mother was a native of the same country, born in 1853. Bruno L.
Schuster left Germany when he was sixteen years of age and came to America,
settling in Chicago. He was living there at the time of the great Chicago fire
in 1871. Becoming an agent for a grocery firm just after the fire he spent some
time selling butter and eggs to the fire-stricken people. He was married in
Chicago in 1874 and began farming in Cook county, Illinois. In the latter part
of the seventies he came to Shelby county, Iowa, and bought one hundred and
twenty acres of unimproved land for ten dollars an acre. Through indefatigable
industry and close attention to the necessities of the situation, Mr. Schuster
became remarkably successful as a farmer, and each year found him more
prosperous than the year before. At the time of his death in 1904 he was the
owner of eight hundred acres of land in this county, all of which was improved
and under a high state of cultivation. Bruno L. Schuster and wife were the
parents of ten children, six of whom are living.
George E. Schuster received his elementary education in the schools of Shelby
township, and later entered the high school at Shelby. In 1898 he entered
Highland Park College at Des Moines, and spent two years there taking a business
course. He decided, however, to return to the farm and came back to work for his
father on the latter's estate. He is now operating part of his father's farm and
owns eighty acres of his own. He is also a share holder in the Shelby Lumber
Company. He is especially interested in the raising of Hereford cattle and
Percheron horses and handles registered breeds of both.
Mr. Schuster was married in 1901 to Grace Leslie, who was born in Shelby county,
Iowa, in 1880, the daughter of Thomas Leslie, and to this union three children
have been born: Harold, born 1902; Francis, born 1904; and Alice, born 1908.
Mr. Schuster and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, in whose
welfare they are deeply interested, and to whose support they are liberal
contributors. Mr. Schuster is a Republican, but never has sought a prominent
part in political affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Woodmen of the
World. Mr. Schuster takes an active part in all measures pertaining to the
civic, educational or religious advancement of his community, and for this
reason is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens..
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1317 - 1318. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
The Shelby County State Bank has the reputation of being the oldest and
strongest bank in Shelby county, its initial organization dating back to 1880,
when a legally organized state bank was started in Harlan in December of that
year by B. L. Harding, Henry Stivers and W. W. Wick of Clark county, Iowa, and
W. E. Hazen, Alden K. Riley, James McConnell, Merrils Barton, and John Coenen of
Harlan under the name of the Shelby County Bank. The paid up capital was
$50,000. This was a very large capitalization for a bank at that time, but the
early policy of the founders of the bank was to have a large capital for the
accommodation of customers, and for the protection of its depositors. The policy
is still followed and its
capital and surplus have been increased with the needs and growth of the
business of the community until at the present time the capital is $100,000 and
surplus and profits over $40,000. The first officials of the bank were B. L.
Harding, president; John Coenen, vice-president; and W. E. Hazen, cashier. In
1881, Mr. Harding resigned from the presidency and Mr. Hazen, was advanced to
that position. G. W. Frost was chosen cashier. After serving for two years, Mr.
Frost resigned the cashier's position and M. K. Campbell was chosen in his
stead. H. B. Kees was chosen vice-president a few months later and has continued
in that position until the present time. No other changes occurred in the roster
of officials until 1887, when W. W. Wheeler succeeded to the bank presidency.
The fine three-story brick building, occupied by the bank, was erected in 1892
by a committee composed of W. W. Wheeler and E. M. Hertert and it is still among
the best business buildings in the city. In 1898 the name was changed to Shelby
County State Bank, the banking laws of the state having been amended so as to
require the word "State" as a part of the, name of every state bank. E. W. Davis
became president of the bank in December, 1899, and served until his death in
1903. He was succeeded in the presidency by M. K. Campbell. F. F. Wunder became
assistant cashier October 1, 1903, having commenced with the institution in
September of 1899, and has filled the post of cashier since 1906. G. H.
Messenger and George B. Frazier became president and vice-president,
respectively, in August of 1905.
The consolidation of the First National Bank and the Shelby County State Bank
was effected by L. F. Potter and W. H. Freeman in January, 1906, and the capital
stock increased to $100,000. When the merger was accomplished the following
officers were chosen: L. F. Potter, president; H. B. Kees, T. N. Franklin, and
W. H. Freeman, vice-presidents; F. F. Wunder, cashier, and M. I. Westerguard,
assistant cashier. W. E. Cooper was placed in charge of the farm loan department
of the bank in 1907. L. F. Potter and W. H. Freeman have since retired and H. P.
Dowling succeeded to the presidency in May, 1911. The present officers of the
bank are as follows : H. P. Dowling, president; Thomas N. Franklin and H. B.
Kees, vice-presidents; F. F. Wunder, cashier; M. I. Westerguard, assistant
cashier; W. E. Cooper, manager real estate and loan department; directors, H. P.
Dowling, Thomas N. Franklin, H. B. Kees, F. F. Wunder, W. E. Cooper, L. F.
Potter, W. T. Shepherd, Dr. E. J. Smith and M. Dowling.
An interesting and fairly accurate showing of the financial growth of the
county, and especially of this locality, is given by the following increase in
the deposits of this bank since its organization: At organization, 1880,
$3,612.05; November, 1885, $34,724.02; November, 1890, $144,589.80; November,
1895, $108,727.28; November, 1900, $250,700.97; November, 1905, $525,768.18;
November, 1910, $605,993.50; November, 1912, $780,144.81.
Another interesting item gleaned from the records of the bank is the fact that
it has paid to depositors, in interest, since its organization, over $216,000
and has paid in taxes over $32,000, a total of over $248,000 distributed to
assist in the up building of the community. The bank has also been profitable to
its stockholders, but following an early policy, it has always retained a fair
share of its profits as surplus, for the benefit and protection of its
depositors. The best personal service, with careful, conservative management is
the keynote of the system in which the business of this strong institution is
conducted..
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 982 - 984. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
A stroll about the pleasant streets of Panama, Iowa, will disclose the fact that
there are several retired farmers living within the city. This indicates that
prosperity has been their fortunate lot and that they have been able to leave
their farms and retire to the city where they can enjoy the comforts and
conveniences of city life. One of the many retired farmers of Panama, Iowa, is
Jacob Shomer, who after a long life of about forty years in this county has
accumulated a comfortable competence for his declining years. He also has had
the satisfaction of seeing his children reared to lives of usefulness and become
substantial citizens of the various communities in which they have settled. He
is one of the many farmers of German descent whose efforts have done so much to
make Shelby county, Iowa, one of the garden spots of the state.
Jacob Shomer, the son of Henry and Clara (Gardner) Shomer, was born in Prussia,
Germany, May 6, 1849. His father was a wagon maker in his native land and
followed that trade until he came to America in 1868. The wife of Henry Shomer
died in Germany, and in 1868 he came to the United States with his children and
located in LaSalle county, Illinois, where he lived on a rented farm for three
years. He then bought a farm in LaSalle county, on which he lived for eight
years and prospered, as do the majority of German farmers who come to this
county. From LaSalle county he came to Iowa in 1877, and located in Buchanan
county, where he lived until his death in 1906. Four children were born to Henry
Shomer and wife: John, who married Margaret Berg; Jacob, whose history is here
presented; Peter, who married Lena Williams, and Lena, now deceased, who was the
wife of Baltus Wirtz.
Jacob Shomer was seventeen years of age when his father came from Germany to
America. He received the greater part of his education in the schools of his
native land, although he attended school for a short time after his father
located with his children in LaSalle county, Illinois. He worked with his father
on the farm in LaSalle county, Illinois, until 1875, when he came to Shelby
county, Iowa, and located in Lincoln township, west of Harlan. There he bought a
farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he lived for fifteen years. After
buying another farm of two hundred and forty acres in Washington township he
removed to his second farm in 1890 and made his home on it until a few years
ago, when he removed to Panama. When he left the farm in 1910, he was the owner
of four hundred and forty acres of good land, but divided two hundred acres
among his children, leaving him two hundred and forty acres, to which he still
gives much personal attention. He has been notably successful as a general
farmer, giving the proper amount of attention to the raising of crops. At the
same time he has been an extensive breeder of fine live stock, with the result
that his prosperity has been increased from year to year.
Mr. Shomer was married at Westphalia, Iowa, January 7, 1879, to Katherine
Stoffels, the daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Leick) Stoffels, and to this union
nine children have been born: Anna; Margaret, the wife of Jacob Konradi, to whom
have been born three children, Sadie, Paul and Irene; Lena, who married Andrew
Klein; John, who married Mary Flehr and who has two children, Reta and Lorraine;
Mary became the wife of Albert Klein, and has three children, Cecelia, Urban and
Adaline; Peter married Josephine Thielan, and has one child, Caroline; Clara is
the wife of Michael Ollinger, and has one child, Jacob; Fred and Henry died when
young. Mrs. Shomer's parents were both natives of Germany and lived in that
country until after their marriage. They came to America in 1874 and located in
Mills county, Iowa, but a year later moved to Shelby county and located in
Lincoln township. There they bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and
lived the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Stoffels died May 20, 1873, and her
husband passed away in 1887, having lived the last few years of his life with
Mr. and Mrs. Shomer. Mr. Stoffels and his wife were the parents of ten children:
Peter, who married Mary Musleck; Wendel, deceased; Peter, who married Margaret
Dresen; Nicholas, who married Margaret Wilhelm; Annie, who died at the age of
five; Katherine, the wife of Mr. Shomer; Annie, the wife of Fred Kontz; Jacob,
who married May Moore; Matthew, also married, and Margaret, who died in youth.
Jacob Shomer has been a life-long Democrat, and has always been interested in
local politics. He has served as trustee of his township, and in this capacity
rendered his fellow citizens efficient service. He and all the members of his
family are loyal adherents of the Catholic church at Panama and always have been
generous contributors to its various activities. He is a man who has always
borne his full share of the burdens of community life, and in every way has
lived up to the highest ideals of the true American citizen. Upon moving to
Panama, Mr. Shomer bought a fine home upon which he has made extensive
improvements, securing to himself one of the pleasantest residences in the town..
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1305 - 1307. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
A man of sterling qualities who has long since passed to his reward was Jabez
Smith, a pioneer settler of Jackson county, Iowa, who came here in 1864. He was
a man who impressed all with whom he came in contact by his excellence of
character, consistency of purpose and devotion to Christian duty. He exerted an
influence for good which will be remembered by all who had the privilege of
knowing him. He never forgot to make his neighbors feel his conscientiousness as
to all moral questions of right and wrong. While knowing his own failures and
mistakes, he seemed desirous to convince everyone of the purity of his
intentions and the honesty of his purposes. To render an accommodation to any
one seemed to be one of the pleasures of his life and gladly did lie hasten to
help those who were in need. The chief element of his character and the one
which directed and controlled all the rest was his love for his religion and his
church. His love for his own denomination was manifested in the generous gifts
which he bestowed upon it and the sacrifices which he was willing to make to
sustain it.
The late Jabez Smith, of Sabula, Iowa, was born in Wiltshire, England, January
5, 1842, and was drowned near Savanna, Illinois, October 20, 1881, being
thirty-nine years, nine months and fifteen days of age at the time of his death.
He was educated in England and after leaving school, clerked in a store in his
native land until he came to this country in 1864. Upon locating in America, he
at once came to Iowa and located first at Miles, in Jackson county, and later
moved to Sabula, where he resided until the time of his death. He engaged in
farming for the first five years after locating in Jackson county, Iowa, and
then followed the general merchandise business at Sabula, in the same county,
for three years. He then became a railway mail clerk and was engaged in the
government service until the time of his death, in 1881.
Mr. Smith was married September 5, 1867, to Sarah Wirt, the daughter of William
and Elizabeth (Yound) Wirt. To this union five children were born: William, Ira,
James, Eliza and Minnie. William married Leora Teuill and has six children:
Charles, Harry, Jay, Mabel, Cecil and Bavia. Ira married Levian Richson and has
three children: Gladys, Bernice and Edith. James married Pearl Custer and has
two children: Vera and Harold. Eliza became the wife of Arthur Taylor. Minnie
married Edward Nicholas and has four children: Sherman, Gladys, Nona and Earl.
Mrs. Smith and her parents were born at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. William Wirt
was born May 10, 1817, and was married to Elizabeth Yound, September 24, 1840.
In 1833 Mr. Wirt and his wife and family drove overland from Pennsylvania with
an ox team and located in Jackson county, Iowa, near Sabula, where they farmed
until a short time before his death, when he retired and lived with his children
until his death, October 16, 1893. His wife died December 10, 1885. Ten children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wirt: James, deceased; Joseph, deceased; Margaret,
deceased; Sarah, the wife of Mr. Smith; Martha, deceased; William; Abraham,
deceased; Albert, deceased; Sophia; and James, deceased.
Mr. Smith was a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church throughout his
life. Fraternally, he was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and
politically he gave his support to the. Republican party. He was a man of
pronounced charitable tendencies and was always seeking to do good. As a
companion, a father, a friend, a citizen and a Christian, he is reverently
remembered by those who knew him. His children and his children's children are
now represented among the worthy citizens of Shelby county, where his widow is
still living. She makes her home in Harlan, where she enjoys the highest regard
of her large circle of acquaintances..
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1321 - 1322. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
Click photo to enlarge
The old Keystone state has furnished some excellent citizens for Shelby county,
Iowa, and among them is Lewis J. Smith, the manager and owner of the Shelby
County Feed Barn. He comes from a sterling family who have been prominent for
two centuries in the history of Pennsylvania and are still represented by many
worthy citizens in that state.
Lewis J. Smith, the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hittle) Smith, was born on
August 16, 1857, in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, near Dow. Benjamin Smith,
born in 1826, was the son of Peter Smith, who was also born in Schuylkill
county. Peter Smith was born in 1796 and lived the life of a farmer in the
county of his birth until his death, in 1868. Peter married Katherine Smith, who
was born in 1791 and died in 1864. To this union were born ten children, all of
whom are deceased; Peter, Daniel, John, Joseph, William, Elizabeth, Benjamin
(father of Lewis J.), Katherine, Hannah and one who died in infancy.
Benjamin Smith was married on October 20, 1856, to Elizabeth Hittle, the
daughter of John Adam and ________ (Machmer) Hittle. Elizabeth Hittle was born
in 1829 in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and her father was born in the same
county in 1795 and died there in 1880. Mrs. Hittle was born in the same county
in 1808 and died in 1874. To John A. Hittle and wife were born two children,
both of whom are deceased, John and Elizabeth, the wife of Benjamin Smith.
Lewis J. Smith received all of his education in a term of sixteen months in
Pennsylvania and when he reached the age of eighteen left home and worked for
one year as a laborer in Dayton, Ohio. He then returned to his home in
Pennsylvania, where he remained for the next two years. In 1878 he went west
again and this time found work at Mendotta, Illinois, on a farm, but before the
end of the year located at Lisbon, in Linn county, Iowa. Here he found plenty of
farm work to do for the next two years, after which time he permanently located
in Shelby county. He continued to work as a farm laborer until 1889, when he
rented a farm for the following three years in Lincoln township. He came to
Harlan in 1892 and bought the Shelby County Feed Barn and has since that time
been successfully managing the same. He has fed more horses in his barn than any
other man in the county and probably has as wide an acquaintance as any man in
the county. He is a man of genial disposition and kindly impulses, with a jolly,
happy disposition, and is held in high esteem by his many friends. Mr. Smith was
married on February 4, 1897, to Maude Hathaway. She is the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas M. Hathaway and was born in Harlan on February 28, 1877. Thomas M.
Hathaway was born in Ohio in 1848, followed the trade of a farmer and carpenter
in his native state and came to Shelby county in the early seventies. He located
in Lincoln township and in 1873 was married to Mary Ellen Babcock, who was born
in 1850 in Guthrie county, Iowa. Mr. Hathaway and his wife are now living at
Harlan, having reared a large family of children to lives of usefulness and
honor: Mrs. Lena Snyder, of Kingsley, Iowa; William, a railroad engineer, living
at Eagle Grove, Iowa; Maude, the wife of Mr. Smith; Mrs. Ada Nelson, of South
Dakota; Katherine, who is still with her parents; Mrs. Myrtle Allenson, of
California; Mrs. Hala Larsen, of Milford, Iowa. Mr. Smith and his wife have no
children.
Mr. Smith has an exceptionally strong constitution, as is shown by his complete
recovery from an accident which befell him in January, 1895: Mr. Smith, desiring
to go hunting, hoarded the train at Harlan for the purpose of riding a few miles
south, where he expected to alight. When the train reached the Ramsey farm, Mr.
Smith saw some one by the side of the track whom he mistook for Will Tallman,
the operator, who accompanied him but who was riding on the engine. Taking his
gun, Mr. Smith made a hasty exit and jumping from the step of the car, was
thrown forward about ten feet, striking his head, just over the right eye, on
the sharp edge of a tie or a bridge timber. Recovering from his fall be
scrambled to his feet and was then approached by the young men, one of whom he
had mistaken for Tallman. The young men, Harry Koolbeck and Cliff Frost, finding
that Mr. Smith was seriously hurt, took charge of him and assisted him to reach
Wilford Pitman's home, where a team was hitched up and the entire party brought
to town. Doctor Smith was called and an examination disclosed that the bridge
over the right eye had been crushed in and his face bruised. The doctor
proceeded to dress the wound, removing some eighteen pieces of bone, some about
as large as a nickel, from the injured part. When the splintered bone was
removed the brain was found to be exposed, though no injury was observed. The
wound was dressed and the injured man made as comfortable as possible and he
recovered.
The train from which Mr. Smith jumped was behind time and was running about
twenty-five miles an hour, and under these circumstances it is surprising that
he survived the fall.
Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and since living in Harlan has served for
six years on the city council. He and his wife are members of the United
Evangelical church. He is superintendent of the Sunday school and active in
church affairs, as is his wife. Mr. Smith is a man who has made his way in life
from the foot of the ladder and is eminently deserving of the respect in which
he is held by all who know him..
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1160 - 1162. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
The reader's attention is now directed to a brief sketch of the career of one of
the sturdy sons of the land of Denmark. He whose name initiates this paragraph
has been a resident of this county for the past five years and within that time
has won for himself many warm and admiring friends. He is a skilled
agriculturist and is taking his place among the leading farmers of his locality,
being recognized as a man uniformly successful in the raising of live stock.
Soren Sorensen was born on October 7, 1876, the son of Jens and Karen Sorensen.
While still quite a small child he suffered the loss of his mother (1883) and
his care fell to other hands. However, the father remarried in due time and
Soren was again taken into his father's home, where he remained until the time
of his marriage. The family was of the farmer class and Mr. Sorensen from his
earliest boyhood received careful training from his father in the secrets of
successful husbandry and while still a young man in his native land he purchased
a farm on which he established his home at the time of his marriage. This event
was solemnized in 1905, when he was united in marriage with Johannah Michelsen,
who was born near his boyhood home on July 29, 1880, a daughter of Anders and
Paulina Michelsen.
In 1909 Mr. Sorensen brought his wife and her mother to the United States, her
father having died some time previous, and they still have the mother in their
home. Mr. Sorensen came directly to this state and first located on the
Shelby-Audubon county line, where they remained for about a year. He then
invested in his present farm of one hundred acres in section I of Polk township
and eighty acres in section 36 of Jefferson township. He engages in general
farming and has ready for the market about one hundred Duroc Jersey Red hogs
annually. He is also feeding for the market about twenty head of cattle and has
fifty head in addition to that number. For assisting in the work of the farm he
has eight head of fine large draft horses in which he takes considerable just
pride.
Religiously, Mr. Sorensen, his wife and her mother are all members of the Danish
Baptist church and take an active part in its affairs. Owing to the fact that
Mr. Sorensen has never become a citizen of this country, he takes no interest in
politics. His career among us thus far has been a consistent and honorable one
and because of his stanch integrity and accomplishments he holds the sincere
confidence and good will of all who know him. He is one of those solid men of
brain and substance whose influence for right and honorable living is
incalculable..
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 835 - 836. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
The career of Dr. Prudens Sterck, of Earling, Iowa, has been full of interesting
incidents, and although he has lived in this county but a few years, he has won
the respect and admiration of all of those with whom he has been associated.
Born, reared and educated in Belgium, he has spent his whole life, with the
exception of five years, either in his native country, or in Congo Free State,
in Central Africa. In his extensive travels he has gained wide information and
experience, and as a physician is amply qualified to meet all the exigencies of
his profession.
Dr. Prudens Sterck, the son of Clemens and Leonia (Bruylant) Sterck, was born
February 21, 1872, in Belgium. His parents have never left the land of their
birth, his father being a contractor and architect. Clemens Sterck became one of
the most prominent architects of his city and became a man of means. Six
children were born to Clemens Sterck and wife: Alexis, who is married and lives
in Belgium and is city architect of Termonde; Joseph, deceased; Dr. Prudens,
whose history is here portrayed; Mary, deceased; Charlotte, who is living with
her parents in Belgium, and Edward, who is a priest in the town of Sinay,
Belgium.
Doctor Sterck attended the school at Termonde, Belgium, at the College of the
Holy Virgin, remaining there until he was eighteen years of age, when he entered
the Catholic University of Louvain, where he pursued the medical course offered
by that university. He remained in attendance here for six years, receiving his
degree of Doctor of Medicine on July 27, 1895, and at once began the active
practice of his profession at Termonde. He remained at this place for six years,
and in 1901 came to America and located in Earling. He practiced here for five
years and in April, 1908, returned to Belgium, and in July of the following
year, went to Congo Free State, a Belgium colony in central Africa, as a
physician in the employ of the Belgium government. He remained in Africa for two
years, and was then compelled to re-turn to his home in Belgium on account of
ill health. He remained in his native land until the spring of 1914, when he
returned to Earling, Iowa, and resumed his practice.
Doctor Sterck is a Democrat in politics, but owing to his short residence in
this country, has never been active in political matters. He is a member of the
Catholic church, and gives his hearty support to its various activities. Doctor
Sterck is a man of broad education and wide experience, and is rapidly building
up a satisfactory and remunerative practice in Earling and vicinity.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1183 - 1184. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
|
