Biographies

~ Saak, Herman Jr. ~

One of the enterprising young agriculturists and stock raisers of Malaka Township, Jasper County, who possesses the respect and good will of all who know him and is classed with the representative men of the township in which he lives, is Herman Saak, Jr. The sturdy German element in our national commonwealth has been one of the most important in furthering the substantial and normal development of this country, for it is an element signally appreciative of practical values and also of the higher intellectuality, which transcribes all provincial confines. Well may any person take pride in tracing his lineage to such a source. Although the subject is an American by birth, he is only of the second generation in this country, his parents claiming the fatherland as their place of nativity, and in his life he has displayed the strongest and best traits of character of the German nation.

Mr. Saak was born in Malaka Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on July 30, 1876. Here he grew to manhood, received his education in the common schools and has always followed agricultural pursuits in his home community.

Mr. Saak is the son of Herman, Sr., and Elnora (Reineke) Saak, both born in the province of Lippe-Detmold, Germany. There they spent their childhood days and from there emigrated to the United States, located in Jasper County, Iowa, where, through industry, economy and thrift, they became well established and are now living in their pleasant home in Baxter. They became the parents of seven children, five of whom are living, named as follows: Mrs. Minnie Wehrman died in Marshall County; Louis, born September 15, 1876, lives in Malaka Township; Herman, of this sketch; Edward died in Malaka Township; Mrs. Anna Tinnermier lives in Malaka Township; William lives in Marshall County; Henry lives in Malaka Township. These children were all born in Jasper County.

Herman Saak, Jr. was married on March 5, 1902, to Sophia Kanne, who was born in Malaka Township, this County, on October 23, 1877, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. She is the daughter of Henry and Louisa (Paul) Kanne, natives of Germany, the father born on September 19, 1834, and the mother on November 17, 1840; they came to America in early life and located in Jasper County, where they became one of the foremost families, owning a large body of valuable land and for many years farming on an extensive scale, and here they spent the balance of their days, the father dying on October 14, 1901, and the mother on October 17, 1911. They were among the early arrivals in Malaka Township and before there were many permanent settlers in this locality. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Mrs. Minnie Alleman, Levi H., Frederick A., Mrs. Louisa Krampe, Louis, Sophia, who is the wife of our subject; Mrs. Lydia Tinnermier, Mrs. Martha Saak

To Mr. and Mrs. Saak has been born one daughter, Florence Leona, whose birth occurred in Marshall County on January 27, 1907.

Politically, Mr. Saak is independent, preferring to vote for the man who, in his estimation, is best qualified for the office sought, rather than for the party. He and his family are members of the German Reformed Church of Independence Township and faithful in their support of the same.

Mr. Saak has been very successful as a general farmer and stockman and he is the owner of a valuable, fertile and well-improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Malaka Township, one of the choice farms of his community. He believes in raising a good grade of livestock and, through his enterprise and close application, he has secured a competency. He has a commodious modern and well-furnished home and is well established. Page 1108.

~ Saak, Louie ~

One of the most active, thoroughgoing and enterprising young farmers of Malaka Township, Jasper County, is the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, a representative of one of the highly esteemed old families of this locality whose worthy record he has sought to keep unsullied, his integrity and industry having ever been unquestioned. He has succeeded at his chosen life work because he has tried to do well whatever he deemed worth doing at all, nothing in a half-hearted manner and he has also been quick to adopt the most approved methods in his work.

Louie Saak was born in Newton, Iowa, September 15, 1874, and all of his life has been spent in this community, his parents having been early settlers here. He is the son of Herman and Elnora (Reineke) Saak, both born in Germany, the father in Lippe-Detmold. There they spent their early days and were married, and from there they emigrated to America, coming direct to Jasper County, Iowa, where they made an humble start, but not being afraid of hard work they in time had a good home and lived comfortably, making their home at present in a pleasant dwelling in Baxter. In their family were seven children, five of whom are living, named as follows: Mrs. Minnie Wehrman is deceased; Louie of this review; Herman lives in Malaka Township; Edward is deceased; Mrs. Anna Tinnemier lives in Malaka Township; William lives in Marshall County; Henry lives in Malaka Township. They were all born in Jasper County.

Louie Saak grew up on the home farm, where he worked during the crop season when of proper age and he received his education in the district schools. He was married on April 14, 1909, to Anna Exter, who was born in this Township on November 27, 1887, and here she grew to womanhood, received her education in the rural schools and she has always lived in the County. She is the daughter of Simon and Caroline (Holscher) Exter, both born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, where they spent their early years, finally emigrating to America and settling in Jasper County, Iowa, where they have become well established through long years of industry in connection with agricultural pursuits, and they are still living in Independence Township.

There were nine children in the Exter family, six of whom are living at this writing, namely: Mrs. Emma Brisel lives in Independence Township; Anna, wife of Mr. Saak, of this sketch; Simon and Fred, twins, died in infancy; William, born September 15, 1890, lives at home; Paul died in 1910; Lena, born January 8, 1896, lives at home; Elvina, born April 2, 1899; Ella, born May 27, 1900. These children were all born in Jasper County, their parents having located here early in life.

Politically, Mr. Saak is a Republican, and religiously he and his wife belong to the German Reformed Church of Independence Township.

Mr. Saak is the owner of one of the choice farms of Malaka Township, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of improvement and cultivation and he has been uniformly successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, having secured a competency. He has a good home, well furnished and many of the luxuries of life. Page 1175.

~ Sanderson, Benjamin ~

It is with a great degree of satisfaction that reference is made to the life of one who has made a success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of prosaic endeavor or radical accomplishment, abounds in valuable lesson and incentive to those who have become discouraged in the fight for recognition or to the youth whose future is undetermined. For many years Benjamin Sanderson, of Richland Township, Jasper County, directed his efforts toward the goal of success in the great arena of agriculture, and by patient continuance had won. But we are not surprised at this when we consider the fact that he was of sterling New England stock; that he had been persistent and self-reliant, and that his every relation with his fellowmen had been characterized by honesty.

Mr. Sanderson was born in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, June 10, 1832, the son of Abner and Sally (Sanderson) Sanderson, both natives of Massachusetts, but not related. The paternal grandfather, also named Abner Sanderson, was a well-known Puritan and a prominent man in his town. The maternal grandfather, Nathan Sanderson, was also influential in his community, and a blacksmith by trade. The father of the subject of this sketch devoted his life to farming near Waltham, Massachusetts. His family consisted of nine children, all now deceased. The parents are also deceased. They were excellent people.

Benjamin Sanderson was educated in the common schools of his native community and reared on the home farm, where he worked during the summer time when a boy. At the age of twenty years, in 1852, he moved to Ohio, but returned to Massachusetts, then a year later he went to Kansas, and in 1856 moved to Minnesota, located at Minneapolis and spent eight years in all in that country. It was during his residence in the Gopher State, that the great Civil War came on, and on October 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in which he served with much credit until discharged for disability as the result of wounds received on the expedition of Generals Banks and Steele, having been twice wounded, once so severely that he was left on the field for dead. According to his comrades he was a brave and efficient soldier. Returning to Minnesota, he lived in that state until 1868, and there he was married in 1866. He came to Jasper County, Iowa, and located on eighty acres where he lived until his death, having worked hard, managed well and consequently, at time of his death, he was very comfortably established, owning two hundred and eighty acres of rich, desirable land in Richland Township. On this he had placed modern and extensive improvements of all kinds and carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, but for a number of years he had been practically retired, merely overseeing his farm. Politically, he was a Republican, and he had been township trustee.

On March 15, 1866, Mr. Sanderson was united in marriage with Catherine McKay, a native of Waterloo County, Ontario, and the daughter of Alexander and Catherine (Calder) McKay, the father a native of New York and the mother of Scotland. They were married in Canada about 1835 and in 1855 moved to Minnesota and there spent the balance of their lives. Mr. McKay devoted his life to farming.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson, namely: Sarah Jeannette, who married D. A. Brooke, lives next to the old homestead; Benjamin died when six months old. On September 14, 1911, at the old homestead, surrounded by family and friends, Mr. Sanderson passed to the great beyond, loved, honored and respected by all who knew him. Page 884.

~ Sauerman, Charles F. ~

One of the best known men in Jasper County and one of her worthiest and most representative citizens is Charles F. Sauerman, for many years a leading farmer and stock raiser, but now living in retirement in his beautiful home in Newton. He is a fine type of the truly public-spirited citizen, and withholds his cooperation from no movement, which is intended to promote public improvement, and as president of the Jasper County Agricultural Society he has done a very commendable service to this locality. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfastness of purpose, his own persistent and well directed efforts winning him not only material success, but also the good will and confidence of his fellow men.

Mr. Sauerman was born in Frederick County, Maryland, October 24, 1851. He is the son of William F. and Sarah A. (Kershaw) Sauerman, the father a native of Hanover, Germany, and the mother of Maryland, her family having been more or less prominent in the Oriole State for many generations, and there she grew to maturity, was educated, met and married Mr. Sauerman, who emigrated to America in 1840 and located at Baltimore. He learned the trade of shoemaking in his youth, which he followed successfully until he was sixty years of age when he went to farming. He came west when Charles F., of this review, was three years of age, in November 1854, locating among the pioneers at Blue Grass, Scott County, Iowa, where he developed a good farm, became well established, and where he remained until his death, in June 1902, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years; his wife survived him until 1905, dying at the age of eighty-six years. Mr. Sauerman was strong in his allegiance to the Union, although he was too old to serve in the Federal Army. He was a greatly beloved old gentleman and he and his wife numbered their friends by the scores in their vicinity in Scott County. They were the parents of ten children, four of whom are living at this writing: Henry A., now deceased, served in the Union Army for four years; William E. lives at Garner, Cherokee County, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah E. Spratt, of Sac City, Iowa; Mrs. Anna E. Mewshaw, of Huntsville, Texas; Charles F., of this review.

The subject was three years of age when his parents brought him to Iowa, and he grew to maturity on his father's farm, where he worked when a boy. He attended the public schools during the winter months and received a fairly good education. He took up farming for a livelihood, which he followed successfully until March 1, 1910. He remained in Scott County until he was thirty-two years old, then, in 1884, he went to Poweshiek County, Iowa, where he lived sixteen years, moving to Jasper County in the spring of 1900, locating five miles south of Newton, where he lived five years, then bought a farm north of Colfax and lived there five years, moving to Newton on March 1, 1910, and retired from active life. He improved a number of good farms and by persistent labor and good management became well established. Besides general farming he made a success of stock raising. He has a modern, commodious, attractive and neatly kept home on East Main Street, the presiding spirit of which is a lady of many attractive characteristics, who was known in her maidenhood as Mary E. Agar, to whom Mr. Sauerman was married on March 31, 1876. She is the daughter of Thomas and Lucy Agar, and her birth occurred in Livingston County, New York, where she was reared and educated, coming west with her parents in 1865. To this union seven children have been born, five of whom are living, namely: Harry C., of Lawton, Oklahoma; Leroy T. died in 1906; Anna L., Lollie P., Henry A. are all at home: Ernest E. died when two years old; Nellie E. is at home.

Mr. Sauerman is a member of the Board of County Supervisors, to which he was elected in 1908, on the Republican ticket and he is still in office, having very ably and conscientiously discharged the duties of the same and winning the hearty commendation of all concerned. This board of three members had charge of building the new courthouse, which is one of the finest buildings in Iowa. Mr. Sauerman has given a great deal of his time and attention to this work, as well as looking after the bridges and roads of the country. Mr. Sauerman has been president of the Jasper County Agricultural Association for the past three years, during which time he has done much to encourage and strengthen this work, having always taken a great pride and interest in the work of the association, and he has worked for it in a manner that has won the admiration of all concerned. He is active in the Republican Party, and he has often refused public office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Page 631.

~ Saunders, Charles H. ~

Success has attended the efforts of Charles H. Saunders, one of Jasper County's progressive native sons, because he has worked for it persistently along legitimate channels, and he comes of one of the old and highly honored pioneer families of this County, members of which have done much for the general development of the same. His birth occurred in Elk Creek Township, this County, on January 17, 1861, and he is the son of M. V. and Theodata (Hews) Saunders, natives of Illinois, but who came to Iowa in their youth and were married here, the father coming to Jasper County in 1850, settling near Reasnor. Prior to the war he rented land, but at the close of the conflict purchased eighty acres, to which he subsequently added until he finally became the owner of over two hundred acres of good land, which he managed in a manner that brought large returns for his labor. He was also successful as a stock raiser. Selling out about twelve years ago, he engaged in the implement business in Newton, where he met with success; he retired from active work in 1894, since which time he has led a quiet life. His wife, born in 1839, still survives. His birth occurred in 1836. He has always been a man of great energy and public spirit and he has won and retained a host of warm personal friends by his life of industry, honesty and kindly nature. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. M. V. Saunders, five of whom are living, Charles H. of this review, being the oldest; Marion died when thirteen years of age; Clara is the wife of George Woody, who resides in Missouri on a farm; Fanny married Charles Parsons, a Missouri farmer, also; James died when ten years old; Hiram died in infancy; Harvey resides in Texas; Anna is the wife of Robert Lohr and lives in Newton.

On January 17, 1883, Mr. Saunders was married to Ida Black, daughter of Jonathan and Debora (Van Dorn) Black, natives of Ohio. They came to Jasper County at an early date and here engaged in farming, becoming well established; both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Saunders has been born one child, a son, Howard, whose birth occurred October 20, 1884. He is employed in a tile factory near Des Moines.

Charles H. Saunders began life for himself, after finishing school in the public schools, when twenty-one years of age, by taking up farming, which he followed until the spring of 1903 when he opened a general dry goods store, also handling notions and groceries, shoes and sundries, at Reasnor, which business he still conducts, enjoying an extensive and satisfactory patronage and maintaining a neatly kept and well-stocked store of up-to-date and carefully selected goods. His customers are always treated with uniform courtesy and fairness, so that they remain not only his customers but his friends also. He is well known over the County and at this writing is very ably serving his third term as justice of the peace of Palo Alto Township. He is a member of Monumental Lodge No. 311, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Galesburg, and is also a member of the Woodmen of the World of Reasnor, Maple Leaf Camp No. 173. Politically he is a Republican. He takes an abiding interest in whatever makes for the general good of his community. Page 1000.

~ Schmitt, Henry ~

The family name of the subject of this sketch is familiar throughout the County of Jasper and as highly esteemed as any other in this locality, and Henry Schmitt is recognized as one of its creditable representatives, a true type of a broad-minded, straightforward agriculturist who has not been afraid of hard work and who has succeeded because he has diligently and persistently followed a legitimate course, and while he has been laboring for his own advancement he has not been neglectful of his general duties to the community at large.

Mr. Schmitt was born in Lee County, Iowa, on May 6, 1860, the son of Jacob and Henrietta (Rauscher) Schmitt, the father born in Bavaria, Germany, on September 10, 1831, and the mother was born on the ocean while her parents were emigrating to this country from Germany. The father of the subject was brought to Fort Madison, Iowa, by his parents in 1847. He learned the blacksmith's trade which he followed successfully for many years in Missouri and Iowa, later in life turning his attention to farming, becoming the owner of a good farm in Washington Township, Jasper County, in 1881, where he has since resided, being now advanced in years. His family consisted of five children, namely: Philip, Henry of this sketch, Mrs. Anna Anderson, Lizzie and George, the latter dying in infancy.

Henry Schmitt attended school first in Lee County, then in Louisa County, later in Jasper County, his parents moving to various places when he was a boy. While they were living in Louisa County, Henry went back to the town of Franklin in Lee County to attend a German school and while there his father moved to Prairie City, Jasper County, and there, in connection with blacksmithing, conducted a wagon shop, in which the subject assisted, doing the painting. Three years later the family moved south of that town on a farm where they remained four years, then moved to the home farm in Washington Township, in 1881, as before stated.

When Henry was married he began renting land in order to get a start, continuing thus for two years on the farm which he now owns. It was in 1893 that he purchased his farm of eight acres and this he has greatly improved and made a good living from the same. He has remodeled the buildings and has a comfortable home.

Mr. Schmitt is school director in his district, and, politically, he votes for the best man, irrespective of politics. He was born and reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church, from which he has not departed.

Mr. Schmitt was married on September 23, 1891, to Anna Warner, a native of Jasper County, and the daughter of Mathew Warner, who came from Indiana to Des Moines Township, in a very early day. Three children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Edwin Lyle, Clifford Vernon and Mildred. They are being very carefully reared by their parents. Page 743.

~ Schmitt, Jacob ~

Among the enterprising Germans who have found homes within our borders and to whom the country has always been ready to extend a hearty welcome, Jacob Schmitt, farmer of Washington Township, Jasper County, is deserving of specific mention in the list of worthy citizens of Jasper County. He is one of the pioneers of Iowa and has spent most of his long and useful life in the Hawkeye State, having come here when a boy sixty-four years ago, so he has lived to see and take part in the development of the state from the epoch of the wild plains, when wild beasts and painted-faced Indians roamed at will, and it is interesting indeed to hear him tell of the early days. He has won a good home and valuable farmstead through his own indomitable efforts and while he has been laboring for his own advancement he has never let a good opportunity pass whereby he could contribute in some way to the progress of his locality, having ever had the general good of his adopted country at heart. He has led a life of honesty and he has ever commanded the respect and good will of his neighbors and many friends.

Mr. Schmitt was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 10, 1831, the son of Jacob, Sr., and Elizabeth (Beebinger) Schmitt, both born in Bavaria, he in 1799 and she in 1805. The paternal grandfather was also named Jacob. The father of the subject was a weaver by trade and worked his own loom for linen weaving. In July 1847, he brought his family to America, landing at New Orleans after a tedious and trying voyage of sixty-two days. They found it so hot in the Louisiana metropolis that the family decided to ascend the Mississippi to Iowa, so they came to Fort Madison and there located, the father securing employment in a brickyard. Later he rented a farm in Lee County and lived there until his death, in 1863. His family consisted of seven children, of whom Jacob, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the second in order of birth. He attended school in Germany until he was fourteen years of age. Although but sixteen years of age when the family came to America he left them and started out in life for himself. For some time he worked in Keokuk, Iowa, and he was in the employ of a steamboat pilot, receiving during the first year only three dollars per month. Later he began learning the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a time in Missouri, later locating in Franklin, Iowa, where he conducted a blacksmith shop of his own. He worked two years in Louisa County and in 1874 he moved to Prairie City, Jasper County, where he established a blacksmith and repair shop and made wagons which were of such superior quality that they were eagerly sought for. He was in business with his brother Philip for some time. Although he had been very successful as a blacksmith and wagon maker, the subject finally turned his attention to farming and rented land for three years, there bought one hundred and sixty acres in Washington Township, in 1881, and here he has continued to reside, having enjoyed a very comfortable income from his well tilled land.

Mr. Schmitt is a Republican in politics, though in his earlier life he voted the Democratic ticket. He has been road supervisor for five years. Religiously, he belongs to the German Lutheran church.

On October 26, 1856, Mr. Schmitt was united in marriage with Henrietta Rauscher, who was born on the ocean while her parents were emigrating to America. She is the daughter of Henry Rauscher, who came to Ohio in 1833 and in 1848 moved on to Lee County, Iowa, thus starting life twice in the new world as a pioneer. To the subject and wife the following children have been born: Philip, Henry, Mrs. Anna Anderson, Lizzie and George, who died in infancy. Page 740.

~ Schnell, John W. ~

The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage well calculated to arouse the pride of their family and of the community and it is a source of regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men, in the ranks of whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, teachers, business and professional men of all walks of life. Among the leading citizens of Richland Township, Jasper County, is John W. Schnell, and as such he has made his influence felt among his fellow men and earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor, that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume, he being a worthy representative of one of the sterling old pioneers of this section.

Mr. Schnell was born in Buena Vista Township, this county, on February 4, 1871, and he is the son of John A. and Caroline (Schutts) Schnell, both natives of Germany, the father born in Schleswig-Holstein, in 1843. He was twelve years of age when he accompanied his father, John Schnell, Sr., and the rest of the family to America. They located in the state of New York where they remained two years, then moved to Illinois, in which state they also remained two years. In 1861 they came to Iowa and located in Richland Township, Jasper County, the father buying forty acres. He was a hard workingman and he prospered, in due course of time establishing a good home and adding to his original purchase until he owned a section of as fine land as Richland Township afforded. This he farmed in a general way paying considerable attention at the same time to stock raising until he accumulated a comfortable competency and retired in 1905, moving to Newton, where he has a beautiful home and where he and his wife still reside.

The elder Schnell is a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran Church He is a man whom to know is to admire and he has a wide acquaintance and everybody is his friend.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John A. Schnell, three sons and three daughters, named as follows: Henry, deceased; John W. of this review; Ada is deceased; Mrs. Ella Sharp; Louis C., of Richland Township; Mrs. Emma McDonnough and Mrs. Mary Sparks.

John W. Schnell grew to maturity on the home farm in his native community and was educated in the common schools of that vicinity. He assisted with the general work about the home place until he was twenty-four years of age, then rented of his father for a period of three years, then bought eighty acres. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-eight acres of valuable land in Buena Vista and Richland Townships, and he is known as the most progressive of our young agriculturists. He has an attractive home and all the comforts of life.

Politically, Mr. Schnell is a Democrat and he and his family are members of the Lutheran Church at Elk Creek. On December 4, 1894, he was united in marriage with Maggie M. Castorf, who was born in Elk Creek Township, this county, the daughter of Fred Castorf, one of the early settlers of this county, having emigrated here from Germany in an early day. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schnell, Eddie M., Leora and Enid. Page 812.

~ Schnell, Louis C. ~

Among the younger generation of agriculturists of Jasper County who are especially worthy of notice as having been active in the improvement and prosperity of their localities and have acquired valuable property through their individual enterprise, at the same time building up a reputation which shall endure the test for generations to come, none have exerted a more beneficent influence on those about them than the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical review.

Louis C. Schnell, representative of a well known old family and a leading farmer of Richland Township, was born in Buena Vista Township, this county, on December 2, 1878, the son of John A. and Caroline (Shutts) Schnell, both natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to America when young, the father being twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents to the state of New York, where the family remained two years, then came to Illinois, where two years was spent. The family came to Iowa in 1861, and the father bought forty acres of land, to which he has added other land until he now owns a section in Richland Township and is one of the leading agriculturists of the same; however, he is now living retired, having done practically no active work for over fifteen years, he and his wife having lived in Newton since 1905. He is a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran Church. His family consisted of six children, an equal number of sons and daughters, namely: Henry, deceased; John W., of Richland Township; Ada, deceased; Mrs. Ella Sharp; Louis C. of this review; Mrs. Emma McDonough and Mrs. Mary Sparks.

The subject attended the public schools in Richland Township and grew to maturity on the home farm which he helped develop, in fact, he worked on the home place until he was twenty-six years of age, and he rented three hundred and twenty acres of his father when the latter retired and moved from the old homestead. In 1908 he bought eighty acres of the home place and there he still lives, operating the three hundred and twenty acres. He has kept the place under excellent improvements and well tilled, carrying on general farming in a successful manner. He is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in South Dakota.

Mr. Schnell was married on January 27, 1904, to Myrtle B. Rohdanz, a native of Jasper County and the daughter of Robert Rohdanz, who was one of the early settlers in Jasper County, having emigrated to this country from Germany, where he was born. Three children, sons, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schnell, Raymond, Wilber and Claire.

~ Schnug, Henry Peter ~

The farmers who constitute the bone and sinew of Jasper County, or, indeed, any section of this or any other state, are not those who are unstable and unsettled, who change from one occupation to another, who do not seem to know how to discharge the duties of citizenship until they are told and who take no active and intelligent interest in public affairs, or who hesitate in the support of schools, churches and property. The backbone of this country is made up of the families which have made their homes, who are alive to the best interests of the community in which they reside, who are so honorable in their everyday affairs of life that it is no trouble for the neighbors and associates to know it, and who, attending strictly to their own business, are thus too busy to attend to that of others, who work on steadily from day to day, taking the sunshine and the storm, and who rear a self-respecting, honest family to a comfortable home and useful life. Such people are always welcome in any community. They are wealth producers and the country is blessed with many of them, among whom is the Schnug family of which Henry Peter Schnug, farmer and stock raiser of Elk Creek Township, is & worthy representative.

Mr. Schnug was born in Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on September 16, 1866. He is the son of John and Anna Elizabeth (Strate) Schnug, both born in Germany, the father in the town of Weidselters, the duchy of Nassau on January 6, 1827, and the mother in Filbach Herzogthum, in the duchy of Nassau, August 6, 1833. They grew up in the fatherland, received such educational training as was possible and there the father learned the miller's trade, running mills for various employers, and when a young man, in 1850, he decided to cast his lot with the North Americans and accordingly boarded a slow sailing vessel for our shores. He located in Richland County, Ohio, and there worked in a flouring mill, and there he was married to Anna E. Strater, who had emigrated to that county in 1842, when a young girl, with her parents. After the marriage of the subject's parents, which occurred on September 21, 1851, they established a home in Richland County and remained there until in 1856, when they immigrated to Jasper County, Iowa, and here Mr. Schnug found employment in a flouring mill at Galesburg; later he ran Warren's Mill, Marion County, on the Skunk River, and across that stream he assisted in building one of the first bridges that spanned it. He worked a great deal at the carpenter's trade and he finally turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, buying eighty acres of prairie and one hundred and twenty acres of bottom land on the Skunk River, and he became very well established, developing one of the best farms on that historic stream and there he continued to reside, engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1905 when he moved to Manson in Calhoun County, Iowa. He has been blind for the past twenty-one years.

He has long been a consistent member of the German Lutheran Church, and, politically, he is a Democrat. He has always borne an exemplary reputation and his life work has been characterized by industry and fairness to his fellow men. He came to this country when it was wild and sparsely settled and he lived to see it grow into one of the first farming sections of the great commonwealth of Iowa.

Three sons and three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Schnug, named in order of birth as follows: Mrs. Catherine Pahre is deceased; Mrs. Mary Strater is also deceased; John Edward lives at Ralph, Iowa; George is making his home in Pocahontas County, this state; Mrs. Esther Walker lives in Council Bluffs; Henry Peter, of this sketch, was the youngest in order of birth. Henry P. Schnug assisted his father in his general work when a boy, spending his boyhood days in Elk Creek Township, this county, attending the common schools in the winter time. When twenty-three years of age he bought eighty acres of land, part of the home place, and set to work with a will; he has accordingly prospered and he is now the owner of one of the choice farms of the community, which consists of one hundred and ninety-three and one-half acres, in Elk Creek Township. He has here carried on general farming and stock raising in a manner that has stamped him as being fully abreast of the times in these matters. He has placed his under a fine system of improvements and keeps his soil well tilled, so that it has retained its old-time fertility. In the year 1902 he built a modern, convenient and tastily arranged dwelling and he has other substantial buildings. He keeps a fine grade of livestock, making a specialty of Percheron horses, Hereford cattle and he feeds large numbers of cattle and hogs, no small part of his annual income being derived from this source.

Mr. Schnug is a Democrat politically and he has served his community as township trustee.

On April 1, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Henry P. Schnug and Margaret Kling. The latter was born in Elk Creek Township on March 5, 1867, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. She is the daughter of Henry Kling and wife, one of our honored pioneer families.

To Mr. and Mrs. Schnug have been born the following children: Murlin, born February 12, 1892; Pearl, born November 21, 1893; Ruby, born June 19, 1895; Clifford, born February 4, 1897; Florence, born January 15, 1901; Harold, born May 19, 1904; Helen, born September 25, 1906; Eldred, born April 7, 1909. Page 685.

~ Schultz, Lewis F. ~

There is something fine and high in the German character, something of wondrous gentleness and keen appreciation of the beauty which life holds. In music the Germans have given the world a magic gamut of sound, from the soft lullaby of the young mother crooning to her pink-heeked babe to the mighty thunders of dynamic masterpieces. In art, the German school is easily first with the wonderful galaxy of painters and sculptors whose fame is as broad as the world, while in science and in literature, in poetry and in the sweet pastoral beauty of their folk lore the sons and daughters of the fatherland stand almost without an equal. And what father and mothers they make! What homes they build! What garden-like farms they till!

"This is a German settlement," we say, and behold! on every hand are clean, fertile fields, neat hedge rows, great barns bursting with plenty, grunting droves of fat swine and homes resplendent with good will, good health and honest contentment.

Lewis F. Schultz is a German, as is also his good wife. Their parents came to this country as raw emigrants, ignorant of its language, its customs and its vicissitudes, but by that inherent thrift and inborn ability to make any place home, they prospered and thrived until their efforts blossomed forth in broad farms and generous roof-trees, and in the happy and contented faces of American-born children and grandchildren. And from the first they commanded the respect they so well merited and when they journeyed onward into that dim and unknown vista which lies beyond the grave, they each left that void in the hearts of those who knew them, which the passing of a good soul always leaves.

Mr. Schultz was born in Pommerania, Germany, kingdom of Prussia, April 2, 1849, his father being Christopher C. Schultz and his mother Caroline (Severt) Schultz, both natives of the same place. The coming to the new land had long been planned by the shrewd old grandmother of the subject of this review, but it was not until in October of 1854 that the emigration was actually made. Landing safely in New York, the family, consisting of Mr. Schultz's father and mother and their children, the grandmother and two brothers of the father, came at once to Bureau County, Illinois, to which place two brothers had already come, and engaged in farming. In connection with this the father and brothers worked as carpenters, mostly in the building of barns for the settlers. In 1858 they came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, coming in the employ of E. P. Judd and Fred Mousley, two large landowners of the county at that time, and continuing to work for them for two years. At the end of this time, 1860, the father of the subject of this review started out for himself by purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land of his own. As his faithful wife had died in the spring of 1855, soon after coming to America, the grandmother, who was the father's mother, kept the house until such time as the sister of the subject became old enough. Thus it was that little Ludwig, now Americanized to Lewis, was practically without a mother's sympathy and care from babyhood, but he kept right on bravely facing each drawback or sorrow that came to him until at the time this review is penned his life is full of that sweet contentment which an honest and successful career holds in store.

It was in the fall of 1873 that he came to Jasper County and began farming. With some assistance from his father and father-in-law he purchased one hundred and ten acres of land which he still owns, and to this, as the fruitful years have rolled by, he has added until at the present writing he is one of the County's largest land owners, owning six hundred and eighty-seven acres of fine and valuable land besides other property of value. All his life he has been a farmer, .for he has that deep love of the German for growing things, but he has also paid considerable attention to stock raising.

Mr. Schultz is one of three brothers and one sister, of whom two are living: Augusta Booknen, wife of George Booknen, a farmer, was born in 1851. She died in 1895, while residing in Poweshiek County; Carl A., born in 1853, resides on a farm east of Grinnell; Henry H., born in 1854, died in Poweshiek County in 1883.

Mr. Schultz was united in marriage January 1, 1874, to Christie L. Rohrdanz, the daughter of John J. and Marie (Price) Rohrdanz, both of whom were natives of Germany. Her parents came to America in 1853, settling in Niagara Falls, New York, where her father was employed upon the first of the great suspension bridges ever built across the great gorge. It was here Mrs. Schultz was born, November 26, 1854. Mrs. Schultz is one of three children, all of whom are living: Marie, born April 9, 1857, is the wife of Carl Birkenholtz, a farmer of Jasper County; Fred, born in Jasper County, February 13, 1858, is a farmer and still resides in the County. Mrs. Schultz's parents came to Jasper County in 1855 after the completion of the big bridge, and there is much of romantic interest surrounding their early struggles. When they arrived in Jasper County, all the money they had in the world was the small sum of two dollars and a half, and some of this precious hoard was much treasured coins about which sentiment lingered. The country was new and more or less primitive, and hardships were many, but energy and courage conquered all, for after a long and weary struggle forty acres were secured and with this as a start they finally came to own over three hundred acres. The fathers of both Mr. and Mrs. Schultz served in the Prussian army. Mr. Schultz's father being a man of powerful build was guard of artillery, while Mrs. Schultz's father was an infantryman. During the rebellion of the provinces of Holstein and Schleswig, he was awarded a medal by the German government for signal bravery.

To Mr. and Mrs. Schultz have been born six children, all of whom were boys, and one of whom, Joseph Christopher, died in infancy; William Carl Henry, born January 4, 1875, in Jasper County, is a farmer and resides in the County; Walter Albert Lewis, born March 8, 1876, died November 9, 1905, leaving surviving him a widow and one child, a little girl, who died the following spring; Lewis Martin, born June 24, 1868, is a farmer residing in this County; Henry Fred Lewis, born April 12, 1882, is a farmer, also of Jasper County; John C., born May 9, 1885, is a farmer and resides in this county.

Mr. Schultz, while he has never aspired to or sought office, has served as township trustee one year, three years as township clerk, six years as assessor and four years as justice of the peace. At one time he was supervisor of roads. He retired from active life in the spring of 1910, since which time he has resided in Reasnor. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 277, at Monroe, and also of Company 26, Uniform Rank of that order at Newton. His sons are all members of the order, Mr. Schultz paying their way through. Both he arid Mrs. Schultz are members of the German Lutheran Church and are people of native culture and refinement. Their home life is rich in the things which make for real happiness. They are both vigorous, healthy and strong, their sons are settled about them on farms which they have allotted to them, they each have the love and respect of their hosts of friends. Kindly, simple hearted German people, they have read the riddle of true happiness aright and are living to enjoy the peace and plenty they richly merit.

It can be truthfully said of Mr. Schultz that he is a man of far more than the ordinary ability as a writer. His command of language is very fine, his writings showing a beauty and power that is rare indeed. The soul of honor, genial and original, his friendship and companionship is courted wherever he goes. He is one of the best known and best liked men in Jasper County. Page 994.

~ Schultz, William Carl Henry ~

One of the best known and most painstaking of our younger generation of Elk Creek Township farmers and one of the worthy representatives of one of the leading German families of Jasper County is William Carl Henry Schultz, a man who could hardly help succeeding at whatever he turned his attention to in view of his thrifty ancestral blood and his excellent early training.

Mr. Schultz was born in the township where he still resides on January 4, 1875. He is the son of Lewis F. and Christie L. (Rohrdanz) Schultz, he, a native of Germany. Their parents came to this country in an early day, and although they found a strange language, strange customs and conditions in general, yet they were tactful and hard-working and in due time had established a good home and had an excellent farm under cultivation, at the same time winning the friendship and good will of all with whom they came into contact. The father was born in Pommerania, kingdom of Prussia, later a part of Germany, on April 2, 1849, and he was the son of Christopher C. and Caroline (Severt) Schultz, both natives of the same place. After long planning, the Schultz family set sail for the shores of the New World in October 1854, when the subject of this review was six years old. After the usual prolix voyage of those early sailing vessel days, they landed at New York and they proceeded at once to Bruce County, Illinois, where two other members of the family had previously settled and there they engaged in farming and carpentering, building many barns for the early settlers. Remaining there until 1858, they came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and here worked for some of the large landholders of the County for two years. In 1860 Chris C. Schultz started in life for himself, buying one hundred and twenty acres there. His wife had died in the spring of 1855 and thus the subject's father was reared by his grandmother. It was in the fall of 1873 that he came to Jasper County and began farming. With some assistance from his father and father-in-law he purchased one hundred and ten acres, which he still owns, and, having met with a large measure of success, he has added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of a large amount of the County's richest land, in fact, Lewis F. Schultz has long been regarded as one of our largest land owners and most enterprising agriculturists, his holdings now aggregating six hundred and eighty-seven acres besides other property. He has devoted his life to husbandry, having the inherent love of his race for the soil and growing things, and he has also devoted much attention to the raising of livestock, in connection with his extensive farming.

Christie L. Rohrdanz, mother of the subject of this sketch, was the daughter of John J. and Marie (Price) Rohrdanz, both natives of Germany, who immigrated to America in 1853, locating at Niagara Falls, New York, and there the father was employed in the construction of the first great Suspension bridge ever built across the great gorge near the falls. Then Mrs. Schultz was born on November 26, 1854, she being one of three children, all of whom are living, the other two being Marie, born April 9, 1857, is the wife of Carl Birkenholtz, a Jasper County farmer; and Freda, born in Jasper County, Iowa, February 13, 1858, is still living in this county. Mrs. Schultz's parents came to this county in 1855, after the completion of the big Niagara Bridge. They reached here without much of this world goods, their sole capital being two and one-half dollars. The country was new and they were compelled to undergo the hardships and privations incident to the times, but being people of courage and thrift they did not permit anything to discourage them and each year found them further advanced than the preceding until they finally had a pleasant home and a good farm of three hundred acres. The father of Mrs. Schultz served in the Prussian Army, as did the father of Lewis F. Schultz. During the rebellion of the provinces of Holstein and Schleswig, Mr. Rohrdanz was awarded a medal by the German government for signal bravery. Lewis F. Schultz was one of a family of three sons and one daughter, two of whom are living: Augusta Brooknew, wife of George Brooknew, a farmer, was born in 1851 and died in 1895 while residing in Poweshiek County, Iowa; Carl A., born in 1853, lives on a farm near Grinnell, this state, and Henry H., born in 1854, died in Poweshiek County in 1883.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis F. Schultz were married on January 1, 1874, and to this union six children have been born, namely: Joseph Christopher died in infancy; William C. H., the immediate subject of this sketch; Walter Albert Lewis, born March 8, 1876, died November 9, 1905, leaving a widow and one child, a daughter, who died the following year; Lewis Martin, born June 24, 1878, is a farmer and resides in this County; Henry Fred Lewis, born April 12, 1882, is also a Jasper County farmer; John C., born May 9, 1885, resides in this county and is engaged in farming.

Lewis F. Schultz is a public-spirited man and has held a number of local offices, covering many years, such as Township clerk, trustee, assessor and justice of the peace, also supervisor of roads. He retired from active life in the spring of 1910, moving at that time to his commodious residence in Reasoner. He is prominent in the Knights of Pythias Lodge and he and his wife belong to the German Lutheran Church. They are both held in high esteem by all who know them for their many commendable personal traits.

William C. H. Schultz, of this review, grew up on the home farm and assisted with the general work about the place during his boyhood days. During the winter months he attended the McKinney district school. When only seven years of age he was found following a plow, driving a team. He assisted his parents on the homestead during his early youth and when twenty-one years old he farmed for his father on the halves for a year, then bought one hundred and thirty-three acres in 1907 and has improved the place in an up-to-date manner, keeping it well tilled and under a high state of cultivation and he is making a success as a general farmer and stock raiser.

Mr. Schultz is a Democrat in his political relations, but he has not sought to be a public leader. Religiously, he belongs to the German Lutheran Church.

To the subject and wife have been born two children, namely: Lawrence Kenneth, born August 10, 1907, and Raymond Elmo, born January 25, 1911. The subject is a tall, strong young man, a hard worker and a genial fellow to meet, having an easy manner and a straightforwardness that impresses the stranger. Page 724.

~ Schultze, William ~

There is a great difference in this world of ours as to how we get our property, whether by small degrees and hard toil or by suddenly making it in one or a few lucky ventures or even by inheriting it from successful and thrifty ancestors. It makes a wonderful difference in a man's life also, whether he earns his home by severe toil or by easy methods or secures it from his parents. One important fact will not be disputed, that if a man earns it by hard knocks he is much more likely to retain it than if it had been handed down to him by some hard-working, economical progenitor. One of the up-to-date farmers of Elk Creek Township who has made his property solely by hard licks, who was taught to depend upon himself early in life and has therefore been independent and self-reliant all his life, is William Schultze, who was born in Hanover, Germany, August 17, 1858. He is the son of Henry and Tobina (Lutman) Schultze, both natives of Germany, the father born in 1829 and the mother in 1828. There they grew up and were married, in fact, spent their lives in the fatherland, never having come to America. The father was a ship carpenter by trade and was regarded as a very skilled workman. His death occurred in 1904.

William Schultze, of this review, was the oldest of a family of five sons. After attending school in the community where he spent his boyhood, he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked, hiring to various persons, until 1888, when, believing that greater opportunities existed for him in the United States, he set sail for our shores and has since been content to make his home among us, much to our mutual advantage. He at once took up his residence at Orange City, Polk County, Iowa, establishing a shop there, which he conducted for one year. Then he went to Missouri, where he spent nine months, later worked in Chicago five months, then ran a shop of his own in Polk, Iowa, coming to Sully, this state, a year later, where he maintained a blacksmith shop until the spring of 1908 then turned his attention to farming, having saved considerable money from his earnings at the forge. He was regarded wherever he worked as a very skilled blacksmith and always had plenty of work. The place he purchased consisted of one hundred and sixty acres in Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, and he moved thereto at once and soon had a good home and the place under good improvements and in a high state of cultivation and here he still lives, being now very comfortably established as a result of his long years of hard and constant toil.

Mr. Schultze has never been much of a public man and he adheres to no political party, preferring to vote for the best man seeking the office within the gift of the people, irrespective of party. He is a member of the Christian Reform Church.

Mr. Schultze was married on April 29, 1890, to Anna Van Vorkum, who was born in Holland, from which country she immigrated to America when young and they were married in Pella, Iowa. To the subject and wife have been born seven children, named as follows: Artie, Henry, Gilbert, William, Lena, Adolph and Jennetta. Page 699.

~ Schumann, August C. ~

Endowed with a liberal share of good common sense and possessing sound judgment, backed by a well founded purpose to succeed, August C. Schumann, farmer, of Mariposa Township, Jasper County, has labored with the object primarily in view of making a good home for himself and family and acquiring a competency for his declining years. This laudable desire is being realized, and he is in what we sometimes call "easy circumstances," with a sufficient surplus for the proverbial "rainy day," which sooner or later comes to every individual, and which, when not provided for results in at least much inconvenience and unhappiness if not downright suffering. It is perhaps possible for every able bodied young man to prepare against such a time, but some, instead of doing so, trust to luck, which is an elusive and capricious thing, and so, believing in the optimism of the future, they spend all on the present. Mr. Schumann, it seems, has been wiser and his prudence has urged him to pursue a different course, which, all contemplative minds will agree, is the wiser, and therefore his example and that of his worthy father before him as well, are to be commended to the younger readers of this work whose destinies are yet matters for future years to determine and who are hesitating at the parting of the ways, apparently unable to determine which course it were better to pursue.

Mr. August C. Schumann was born in Mariposa Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on May 10, 1868. He is the son of Peter Chris Schumann and Christina R. (Schaefer) Schumann, the father born in Roden, duchy of Waldeck, Germany, on December 18, 1823, and the mother was born in the city of Goeppingen in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, on January 28, 1838. Peter C. Schumann grew up in Germany and there received his education and learned the wagon maker's trade, which he followed with much success. In 1854 he was united in marriage with Henrietta Mueller, and in 1856 they emigrated to the United States, the trip being a tedious one, as such trips went in those days of slow-sailing vessels and few railroads. They came on to Muscatine County, Iowa, and there decided to make their future home, consequently renting a farm, but in 1859 he moved to Scott County, this state, and there his wife died. In September 1867, Mr. Schumann moved to Jasper County, and on October 3d of that year he was united in marriage with Christina R. Schaefer, mother of the subject. She was the mother of one son, Otto F., who has since borne the name of Schumann.

Upon arriving in Jasper County, Peter C. Schumann purchased eighty acres of land in section 29, Mariposa Township. Here he at once began to prosper for he had found a favorable locality and he added to his original purchase from time to time until he became the owner of four hundred and forty acres, one hundred and twenty acres of which was in Marshall County. It was all valuable and desirable land and he farmed on an extensive scale, keeping his land well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. He became one of the leading agriculturists in his community and was well known and influential, always evincing his desire to see the same grow and aiding in its progress in every way possible. Politically, he was a Democrat and he served his district as school director. He was baptized, confirmed and reared in the Lutheran Church, from whose faith he did not depart, liberally supporting the congregation in his vicinity. His second wife, the mother of the subject, passed to her reward on April 22, 1885, and the elder Schumann was again married, his last wife, who still lives, being Barbara Werner.

To Peter C. Schumann and his second wife were born the following children: August C., of this sketch, is the eldest; Gustav is living at Albion, Iowa; Mrs. Amelia Garregan lives in Grinnell, Iowa; Albert is a resident of Marshall County; Christian is living in North Dakota. Fred Schumann was born to Peter C. Schumann and his third wife. In 1903 the father of the subject moved to Laurel, Iowa, and retired from active life, and there his death occurred on February 18, 1909.

August C. Schumann grew up on the farm and assisted with the general work about the place and he has made this his life work. He had the advantages of a good common school education, having attended the schools of districts Nos. 1 and 4, Mariposa Township, Jasper County. He was only nine years old when he began driving a team for his father on the farm and when twenty-two years old he worked by the month for a year, then rented a farm for four years and thereby got a start. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Mariposa Township, where he still resides. This he has greatly improved and kept well tilled, so that it ranks with the best in the community. In connection with general farming he raises some good livestock of various grades. In 1906 he erected an attractive, commodious and convenient dwelling, substantial barns and other convenient buildings. Everything about his place denotes thrift and good management.

Politically, Mr. Schumann is a Democrat and he has long manifested an abiding interest in the affairs of his Township and County. He has served his community as Township clerk for two terms.

Mr. Schumann was married on December 17, 1890, to May E. Lanz, who was born in Scott County, Iowa, on March 11, 1873, the daughter of Herman and Hattie (Gettings) Lanz, who came to Jasper County from Scott County. Mrs. Schumann's father was of German descent, while her mother was of English extraction. To the subject and wife have been born three children, namely: Lee H., born March 25, 1892; Verne, born April 1, 1897, died March 23, 1900; Mamie, born December 31, 1900. Page 892.

~ Schweinebart, Frederick S. ~

Mr. Schweinebart was born in Independence Township, Jasper County, Iowa, in 1881, and here he grew to manhood, received his education in the public schools, and with the exception of six months spent in the butcher business in Baxter, he has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He owns and tills two hundred and forty acres of as choice land as the locality can boast, the Schweinebart farm, lying just over the line in Eden Township, Marshall County. He has kept it under a high state of improvement and cultivation and has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, always keeping a fine grade of livestock, having gathered the nucleus of one of the finest shorthorn herds in this locality. He has an attractive and substantial home, large and substantial outbuildings and everything about his place denotes thrift and prosperity and that a gentleman of good taste and good judgment has its management in hand.

Fred and Etta Schweinebart, parents of the subject, were born in Germany, from which country they immigrated to America and located in Jasper County, Iowa, and they are now living in a very comfortable home in the town of Baxter. Four children were born to them, two of whom are living, namely: William, of Independence Township; Mrs. Mary Wintermier, deceased; one son died young; Frederick, of this sketch. These children were all born in Independence Township, Jasper County.

Fred Schweinebart was married in 1906 to Opal Stinson, who was born in Independence Township, this county, April 24, 1888, and here she grew to womanhood and here received her education in the common schools.

Mrs. Schweinebart is the daughter of Thomas and Emily F. (Sego) Stinson. The father, one of the largest landowners and influential citizens of Jasper County, was born in Indiana, May 5, 1847. When a boy he came with his parents to Jasper County, Iowa, here grew to manhood, was educated and has spent the balance of his useful and successful life, he being the son of Jeremiah and Delila (Wyatt) Stinson. On April 12, 1874, he was united in marriage with Emily F. Sego, who was born in this county, January 19, 1857, the daughter of Greenberry and Sarah D. (Goodman) Sego, early settlers of this locality where they spent the latter parts of their lives, both being now deceased; their family consisted of eleven children.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stinson, namely: Mrs. Florence Elba Dodd lives in Colfax; Maggie Edith is deceased; John Berryl lives in Madison County, Iowa; Mrs. Audra Belle Tipton lives in Independence Township, this County; Mrs. Sarah Fern Kracht also lives in this township; Opal, wife of Mr. Schweinebart, of this review; Frank G. lives with his parents on the home farm.

Thomas Stinson has been very successful in a business way, and he owns a fine, productive and well-improved farm of seven hundred and twenty acres in Jasper County and one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Madison County. He carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, taking rank in the front of our leading agriculturists, and is a much admired and influential man. To Mr. and Mrs. Schweinebart two children have been born, the eldest, Harmon, dying in infancy; Nile was born on March 29, 1909.

Politically, the subject is an independent voter, and he takes much more than a passing interest in the affairs of his community, and, in view of his youth and past success, the future has much of promise for him. Page 1342.

~ Scott, Hugh ~

Herein is recorded the life of one of the representative men of Jasper county, a capable and prominent farmer, who has a unique distinction in that he reared to manhood and to a sense of duty five stalwart sons, who offered their lives to their country and from each of whom she accepted the gift. Few men have been called upon for such a sacrifice as this.

Hugh Scott was born on November 15, 1799, in Fleming County, Kentucky, the son of Thomas and Hannah Reid Scott. Thomas Scott, who was born on June 1, 1766, was the son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Jackson) Scott, and married Hannah Reid, the daughter of Hugh and Jemima (Carmon) Reid, on November 24, 1789. Jemima Carmon was the daughter of John and Hannah Carmon, and was born on May 20, 1745. Hugh Scott's brothers and sisters were: Robert Jackson Scott, who was a lieutenant in the War of 1812, lived later in Ohio, and then in Paris, Illinois; John Carmon Scott, who served in the Ohio Militia in the War of 1812, and remained in Ohio; Joseph Scott; Matthew Reid Scott, of Paris, Illinois; Sarah Scott Fuller; Mary Trewit Scott Means, Asenath Scott Pownall.

Hugh Scott came to Jasper County in 1856, and located in Washington Township. He had resided for more than twenty years previously in Vigo County, Indiana, near Terre Haute. Mr. Scott bought a farm of raw prairie, and cultivated and improved it and made from it an excellent farm, becoming known as one of the best farmers in the county. His success was entirely deserved and was due to his ability and character. He died on September 16, 1882, aged eighty-three years lacking two months.

In 1827 Hugh Scott was married to Mary Lewis, who was born in Kentucky in 1811, and died on June 8, 1852, in Vigo County, Indiana. She bore to him nine children, whose records follow: Charles T. Scott enlisted in the Union Army in the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry in 1862, and died in 1863 in the service of his country. Hannah Scott married George Linford, of Mound Prairie Township, Jasper County, and died in 1863. Henry Scott enlisted in 1861 in Company B., Fifth Iowa Infantry, and died in the service in March 1863. Albert Scott, of Vigo County, Indiana, enlisted in the Eighteenth Indiana Battery of Light Artillery, and died in Tennessee in 1863. Lewis Scott enlisted in 1861 in the Eighth Iowa Infantry, and died in the Keokuk (Iowa) hospital in 1862. Foster Scott enlisted in 1863 in the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, and met his death on the field at Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas. Thus of the sons of Hugh Scott five served in the armies of the Union, and all of these five gave their lives in the nation's cause

Asenath Scott married first Thomas Malcomson, of Washington Township, who came to Jasper County in the fall of 1865. He served three years in the Second Wisconsin Infantry. To this marriage were born two children, Riley Malcomson, of Colfax, and Henry Malcomson, a builder, of Minot, North Dakota. Mrs. Malcomson married later G. O. Barnes, who came to Jasper County in the eighties, and died in 1896, at the age of fifty-two.

Harriet Scott married George Linford after the death of her sister, Hannah Scott. Harriet Scott died June 20, 1911. Jacob Scott, a farmer of Washington Township, died on April, 1886, at the age of thirty-six.

Hugh Scott took an active and prominent part in the affairs of his community. He was an old-time Whig, and later a Republican. He filled the offices of township assessor and trustee, was a justice of the peace, and at one time a member of the school board in Prairie City. His character was strong and his individuality impressive. Page 443.

~ Scott, Robert Alexander ~

One of the influential citizens of Jasper County is Robert Alexander Scott, who, after a strenuous life as an agriculturist, is now living in honorable retirement. A man of excellent endowments and upright character, he has been a valued factor in local affairs and has ever commanded unequivocal confidence and esteem, being loyal to the up building of his community and ever vigilant in his efforts to further its interests along material, moral and civic lines.

Mr. Scott was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, March 30, 1845, the son of John G. and Isabel J. (Smith) Scott. The father was born in Wales and was the son of Job Scott, who came with his father to America when the former was only four months old, locating in Pennsylvania, near Parkersburg, and later moved to Belmont, Ohio, and there the death of Job Scott occurred in February 1884, at the advanced age of ninety-five years, he having been born on May 25, 1789. There were eight children in his family, an equal number of sons and daughters, namely: John G., father of Robert A., of this review, was born June 30, 1816; Harrison, now deceased; Henry died in Warren County, Iowa, in 1911; Jefferson went to the frontier at the age of twenty years and was never again heard of; Mary Ann, who married a Mr. Green, lived in the southern part of Iowa, and she died in 1911; Sarah Jane married a Mr. Balderson and lives in Chicago; Elizabeth Scott Robinson lives in Illinois; Rebecca Scott-Burkis living in Ohio. The family is of a sturdy stock and all live to an advanced age.

John G. Scott, father of the subject, was a cooper by trade, but after he came to Iowa he engaged in farming, becoming well known in the county and was influential among the pioneers, being a fine old gentleman personally of whom it was said, "He has no enemies." Being a man of exemplary character, he was highly respected by all who knew him; he was fearless in the discharge of his duties when he knew he was right and he held various township offices. His death occurred on August 7, 1905, at the age of eighty-nine years, his widow, who was a native of Ohio, surviving until February 25, 1910, reacting the age of eighty-four. They were the parents of three children, Lovina J., who married David Tipton, lives at Baxter, Iowa, they being retired; Sarah Frances, who married Joseph Miskimins, is now deceased; Robert Alexander, of this review, was the oldest of the three.

Mr. Scott received a good common school education in his native county and he lived at home until his marriage, on January 10, 1867, to Eliza Moore, the daughter of John and Eliza (Hutchinson) Moore. Her father was born in Ireland and he came to America when a child with his parents and settled on a farm in Guernsey County, Ohio, and there the daughter, Eliza, was born on May 25, 1845. She was the next youngest daughter in a family of six children, namely: Nancy J., deceased, married J. B. Wherry, who formerly lived in Jones County, Iowa; Mary, who married William J. Wherry, lived on a farm near Wyoming, Jones County, until Mr. Wherry's death; William James is living retired in Jackson County; Samuel G. is in the mercantile business in New York city; John Humphrey, the youngest, enlisted in the Union army for service in the Civil War, at the age of sixteen years, and he was captured and confined in Andersonville prison, where he died.

Soon after the marriage of the subject he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and located on a farm south of Baxter, of one hundred and twenty acres. Here he devoted himself to farming successfully until about twelve years ago. He then bought two hundred and twenty acres nine miles south of Newton, a part of the Jesse Long place, which he still owns. It is a valuable and well-improved place. About ten years ago he bought property in Newton and retired from active farming and stock raising, having since lived quietly in his beautiful home in this city. He was very successful in his life work, having always applied himself very carefully to whatever he had in hand.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott are the parents of three children, namely: Alice Orena, born September 25, 1867, married George Alfred, and they are now living in South Dakota and have three children. John A., born March 14, 1871, lives on a farm south of Newton, and they have one child. Elba Job, born May 25, 1875, lives in Newton.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Baxter; Mrs. Scott is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps.

Mr. Scott has always taken an abiding interest in the general development of Jasper County and has always stood ready to aid in any worthy movement. He has made a host of warm personal friends since coming to this county by his exemplary life, his public spirit and his industry. Page 576.

~ Scoville, Charlie B. ~

Charlie B. Scoville was born September 18, 1860, in Buena Vista Township, Jasper County, Iowa, and was the son of Joseph and Mary A. (Trotter) Scoville. His father was born near Utica, New York, and his mother was born in Hendricks County, Indiana. His father was born April 13, 1823, and at the age of nine years went with his parents to live in Ohio. Here he stayed until after coming of age. He then lived in Wisconsin for about four years, but in 1854 he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and entered land from the government, he and his two brothers, Bennett and Oratio Scoville, entering about three hundred and sixty acres, one hundred and twenty acres apiece. Bennett Scoville afterwards enlisted in the war in an Iowa regiment and died while in the war. Joseph R. Scoville died in Jasper County, October 29, 1889.

Mr. Scoville's mother was born September 16, 1836, and died in October 1897, while on a visit to a son in Nebraska. Charlie Scoville was one of five children: William A. lives near Sumner, Nebraska, where he owns a fine farm and conducts a real estate business and farming; James E., born January 10, 1863. For a good many years this brother was lost track of, but after an extensive search he was located in Minnesota, suffering from tuberculosis, from which disease he died six weeks after being brought back home to Jasper County. He was unmarried; Hattie M., wife of Robert S. Miller, born February 8, 1865, lives on a farm in Kellogg Township, near the home of the subject; Martha E., wife of Ed. Van Epps, born January 25, 1867, lives in Buena Vista Township on a farm; he died in 1911.

The subject of this sketch was married to Lucy J. Mark, daughter of Samuel and Fanny Mark, June 17, 1895. She was born September 16, 1868, in Marion County, Iowa. Her parents were both natives of Ohio. They removed to Iowa and settled in Marion County, and when the daughter, Lucy, was six years old (1876), they moved to Jasper County and bought land in Buena Vista Township. Here the father died in 1893. The mother still lives on the place and is sixty-three years old at the time this sketch is written.

Mrs. Scoville was one of seven children, two of whom died in infancy: Rosaltha, who married William Drake, lives on a farm in Kellogg Township near the Scovilles; Ada, widow of George Sampson, who was killed by foul air while engaged in boring out a well, lives with her mother at the old home place; and Daisy, who married Charles Sampson, a brother of George, mentioned above. They live on a farm in the northern part of Iowa. Mrs. Scoville's father enlisted in Ohio for the Civil war, and served about three years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Scoville were born four children: Robert Mark, born May 10, 1897; Viola, born February 25, 1901; Emerson, born September 21, 1902; Lester, born May 1, 1899, died in infancy.

Mr. Scoville is the owner of two hundred and twenty-one acres of splendid land, well improved, a part of it being that which his father entered in 1854. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 376 at Kellogg. He has held township offices, such as road commissioner and supervisor, and school director. In politics he is a Republican. He is not affiliated with any Church. Mrs. Scoville is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Page 969.

~ Sellman, Frank ~

The death of Charles O. Sellman occurred in June 1886, while middle aged, having been born in 1842. His wife is living in Buena Vista Township, this county. The father devoted his life to farming and he held a number of minor local offices. He was a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted in Company E, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served faithfully for three years. He was in the siege of Vicksburg and many other engagements. His family consisted of four children, two of whom are living: Hattie died when seven years old; Blanche is the wife of Grant Wheatcraft, of Buena Vista Township; Jessie died in infancy; Frank, of this review.

Frank Sellman worked on the home farm during his youth and lived there until he came to Newton in 1906. He received a good education in the common schools, which has since been supplemented by home reading and actual business experience. He was seventeen years old when his father died, and after that he farmed for himself. (The father died from the effects of a kick from a horse.)

The subject received his business training in the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa, from which he was graduated. In 1906 he was elected County Auditor on the Democratic ticket, and he made such an excellent record that he was re-elected in 1908, filling the duties of this office in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and gained the admiration of all concerned. His term expired January 1, 1911, and he is now devoting his time exclusively to the hardware business, having been in partnership with H. M. Cox for some time, at Newton. They carry a large and carefully selected line and have built up a very satisfactory patronage.

Mr. Sellman was married on February 17, 1895 to Laura Cooper, daughter of A. V. Cooper, a well known citizen, living near Prairie City, Iowa, and to this union eight children have been born: Jessie, Jean, Robert, Florence, Arthur, Urith, Frances, Esther, all at home and all in school except the two youngest.

Mrs. Sellman is a member of the Christian church, and fraternally Mr. Sellman is a Mason, belonging to the Knights Templar and the Shriners. Page 491.