|
|
|
What's New | Bios | Birth/Marr/Death | Cemeteries | Census | Courts | Directories/Lists | History | Land & Property | Military | Photos & Postcards | Resources | Schools
| IRVIN OGDEN What Cheer is the somewhat odd name of a pretty little town situated in Keokuk county, Iowa. It is on the branch of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, twenty miles northeast of Oskaloosa, and is the center of an important mining industry, which adds considerable to the business prosperity of the town and surrounding country. Though not a place of great size What Cheer will compare favorably with places of larger population, as in addition to coal mining it has the benefit of vicinity to one of the finest agricultural sections of the state, noted for its fertile land and abundant produce. Not the least interesting feature of this prairie town and certainly an important aid to its enterprises is a newspaper called the Patriot, and the fact that it is published twice a week shows not only that it is appreciated but that it has an up-to-date editor and proprietor in charge. It is for the purpose of telling the readers of this volume something about this gentleman that this brief biography has been prepared, and its persual will disclose the leading events in his social and business life. It was in the summer of 1867 that F. J. and M. C. Ogden, husband and wife, decided to leave their old home at Blooming Grove in Franklin county, Indiana, and seek better opportunities in the rapidly growing commonwealth of Iowa. They made the intervening distance by team, as the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific was then the only railroad crossing Iowa, and it is needless to say that the journey was long and tedious. When they reached Keokuk county this little family of Hoosiers settled in Prairie township, which was at that time a sparsely settled community thirty miles from any railroad and giving little promise of the bloming prosperity that has since come upon it as part of the greatest agricultural state in the Union. The parents arrived in July, 1867, and it was in September of the following fall that Irvin Ogden, their youngest son, was born. Though an occurrence of this kind is not usually regarded as sensational, it seems that Master Ogden's advent into the world created somewhat of a stir in Prairie township, owing to the fact that the population was scattered and babies were somewhat of a rarity at that time. However this may be, it is duly recorded that the future editor made his entry without misadventure and announced his appearance with the lusty-lunged vociferation characteristic of infancy. It was noticed also a little afterward not only by the fond parents but by the admiring neighbors that the latest heir to the name of Ogden was an unusually bright boy and gave promise of an unusually successful career in whatever he undertook. Schools were rather scarce in the neighborhood in those days, and such as they were hardly ranked above the average, so Master Ogden was not given the early educational advantages which later in life he would liked to have been his youthful portion. But he learned farm work and became acquainted with practical affairs, to say nothing of the health of mind and body which comes only from contact with mother earth. This routine continued until he was seventeen years of age, from which time on for four years he divided his labors between the bituminous coal mines, then recently discovered, and his duties on the home farm. In the fall of 1888, about the time he reached that proud period called the majority and longingly looked forward to by all boys, he celebrated the event by taking a trip to Nebraska, but his stay there was cut short in the following summer by a summons to return on account of the death of his father. Shortly after coming back he purchased an interest in the North Star mine on the old homestead, but next year sold this and bought his older brother's share of the farm. For six years thereafter, while living with his brother on the farm, he was busily employed in the coal mines, and in this capacity proved himself to be a very valuable man to his employers. The truth is, and it was then fully manifested, that Irvin Ogden is a very ingenious-minded man with a natural talent for mechanics and machinery and a thorough understanding of the principles underlying most labor-saving devices. His mind is not only original but inventive, and he knows how to make machinery as well as run it. So, while working "down in the coal mines underneath the ground" or managing operations on the surface, there was seldom a difficulty which he could not meet or a problem which he could not solve. He acted as engineer, weighman, or in any other capacity called for around coal mines, and was always ready with some device to make things go along more smoothly and profitably. But Mr. Ogden had an ambition entirely aside from coal mines or farm work, and this was to own, edit and publish a newspaper, through which he could talk directly to the people and advocate any theory or cause in which he was interested. This aspiration was at length put in the way of realization by the sale of his royalties to the North Star Mining Company when that corporation with added capital opened up on a large scale. With the money thus received he purchased a half interest in the What Cheer Patriot, and with A. H. Holland as a partner commenced the publication of that bright periodical in 1895. The time which has elapsed since the maturing of his newspaper schemes has amply demonstrated that Mr. Ogden has a fitness for the business, as he showed aptitude in all its various branches from the start. His mechanical ingenuity enabled him to greatly improve the plant by putting in power, getting a new dress and rearranging and refurnishing everything about the office. In March, 1901, he bought the interest of his partner, and since then has been sole editor and proprietor. About the same time he received the appointment as postmaster, and with the assistance of his wife and deputy, George M. Paull, conducts both his office and newspaper with the efficiency and vigor that characterize his operations. The Patriot was established in 1880, and enjoys the confidence of a large circle of readers, which extends beyond the confines of the county of publication. It is especially popular with farmers, among whom the editor grew up and with whose needs and aspirations he is thoroughly familiar. August 11, 1895, the same year that witnessed the culmination of his newspaper venture, Mr. Ogden was married to Miss Eva O. Humes, descendant of an old Ohio family and in the following November went to housekeeping in the handsome residence constructed especially for their home. As he is still a young man Mr. Ogden's admirers confidently predict for him a prosperous future. He is popular with the younger element now at the front in Iowa Republican politics, and as he has adaptability and address as well as talent there seems no reason why he should not aspire to a conspicuous place in public life. His social standing is manifested by his popularity in that peculiarly young men's fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, and he is a regular attendant at the grand lodge of this numerous and widely diversified order. Altogether Mr. Ogden is a pleasant young man to know, and he is also one from whom it is possible to learn much that is useful and much that is interesting.   Click photo to enlarge GEORGE OLDENBURG On March 29, 1901, there died at his farm residence in German township a gentleman who was for long years connected with the development of Keokuk county, and in whose death the county suffered a severe loss. There have been few residents in this portion of Iowa who have enjoyed in a greater degree the esteem and friendship of a larger circle of friends than George Oldenburg. He was a man of sterling worth, of genial disposition and of unfailing courtesy, and these qualities rendered him popular, while his sterling character enabled him to retain friendship when gained. Mr. Oldenburg was a native of the fatherland, where he was born in Landesbergen, Hanover, May 15, 1843, son of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Bakehaus) Oldenburg. His parents lived and died in Germany. They had three children, viz., Henry of Oklahoma; George and Charlotte, of Hampton, Iowa, the last two being twins. The mother was the father's second wife, his first wife being a sister of the second. By the first marriage there were the following children: Diedrick, deceased; Wilhelmina, deceased; Louise, of Sigourney; Caroline, deceased; Fredrick, deceased; Dorethe, of Sigourney; Frederick, of Germany; and Sophie, of Sigourney. He passed his boyhood and youth in the old country, where he received the excellent education which the German people insist on giving to their children, and on arriving at maturity he, in 1864, came to America. He settled immediately in Keokuk county, where for a period he worked by the month. His habits of thrift and economy were such as to enable him to save a portion of his wages, with which in 1873 he bought the farm where his widow now resides. The farm was of primitive soil, and presented a very different appearance from what it does now after years of cultivation under a master hand. The original purchase was of eighty acres, to which he added at different times until it was increased to one hundred and seventy-four. All of the improvements on this valuable farm were made by Mr. Oldenburg. In political faith Mr. Oldenburg voted with the Democratic party until 1896, at which time he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party. As stated before, he was a man of sterling integrity, a kind husband, and a good father. Mrs. Oldenburg's maiden name was Anna Bruns. She was the daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Harmeling) Bruns and was born in Herzogthum Brunswick, Germany, on the 19th of August, 1853. Mrs. Oldenburg was one of a family of three children, two daughters and one son. The son and both of the parents died in the old country. The sister married Mr. H. F. Duensing, of this county, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Oldenburg is the youngest child of the family and came to America with her sister in 1867. She married Mr. Oldenburg in 1873, and became the mother of eight children: Minnie A., deceased; George F., who lives in Kansas; Doris L.; Adelheid M.; Louise D.; Augusta A. M.; Frederick H., deceased; and Charlotte A. Minnie A. died when an infant, and Frederick when nearly ten years old. Since the death of Mr. Oldenburg Mrs. Oldenburg continues the conduct of the farm, and is making a brave fight to educate her children to make them worthy and respectable citizens. She is [a] lady of many fine traits of character, of good business judgment, and merits the highest esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. LEONARD BRIGGS OLLILVER, M.D. Among the representative physicians and surgeons of Iowa, Dr. Leonard Briggs Oliver of Sigourney occupies a prominent place. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, January 20, 1858. His parents were Albourne and Eliza (Newhall) Oliver, both natives of Massachusetts. The progenitor of the Oliver family in America came from England and settled in Boston as early as 1632. Our subject's parents removed from Massachusetts to Iowa in 1856. They located in Davenport, and here spent the rest of their lives. The father died in 1877, aged sixty-three years. The mother's death occurred several years later, she being sixty-seven years of age at her demise. In Massachusetts, during his early life, the father was successfully engaged in the manufacture of morocco leather, but after removing to Davenport, the remainder of his days were spent in partial retirement. Unto these parents twelve children were born, our subject being the tenth in the order of birth. He received a liberal literary education, and in the fall of 1884 entered the medical department of the Iowa State University, where he graduated three years later. Locating at Dublin, Washington county, Iowa, he practiced there with success for a period of three years. He then took a post-graduate course at the Chicago Post-Graduate school and in May of 1891 located in Sigourney, where he has continued in an active general practice, also doing much work in surgery. He has gained reputation as a skillful physician and surgeon. In surgery he has performed innumerable and successful operations, and is local surgeon for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, and is a member of the International Society of Railway Surgeons. He is also a member of the Keokuk county and the Iowa state medical associations. The Doctor is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine - Kaaba Temple, Davenport. SAMUEL PARKHILL The subject of this sketch has resided in Keokuk county for thirty-four years and is one of its old substantial farmers, who has now retired from active life. Hugh Parkhill, his father, a native of Scotland, followed farming all his life and died there aged fiifty-six years. His wife was Sarah Fitzpatrick, a native of Ireland, and died there at the age of fifty-eight. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, all reaching maturity except the youngest daughter. Samuel Parkhill, the third child and third son, had his birth in northern Ireland, May 31, 1838; there he enjoyed the advantages of the schools until sixteen years of age. In 1853 he ventured alone on the voyage across the Atlantic and first settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, were for five years he engaged in the bakery business. In 1858, removing to Johnson county, Indiana, he conducted a farm until August, 1862, and then enlisted in Company K, One Hundredth Indiana Vohmteer Infantry, serving until the end of the war. He was mustered out as sergeant in 1865. In this long period of service Mr. Parkhill took part in the following engagements: Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge; he was with Sherman on the march to the sea, and took part in the review at Washington at the close of the war. At the end of his service he returned to Johnson county, Indiana, and was there married on November 15, 1865, to Louisa Young, born in that county, December 15, 1840. Her parents were Joseph and Mary (Moore) Young, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio, and they were early settlers of Johnson county. The father died at the age of seventy years and the mother in her sixty-fifth year, and they had nine children who grew to maturity, of whom Mrs. Parkhill was the seventh child; her parents came to Iowa in 1853 but returned to Indiana in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Parkhill moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1865, where they remained until January, 1869, and then bought a farm of eighty acres in Lancaster township, Keokuk county; to this he afterward successively added eighty, eighty and one hundred and twenty-six acres, making a finely cultivated estate of three hundred and eighty-six acres, of which he still owns one hundred and sixty-six acres. He carried on his successful farming operations until 1899, when he retired from active work to Sigourney. The family consists of four children, Laura E. having died when one year of age; Willard W. is a farmer in Lancaster township; Sarah A. Utterback resides in Sigourney; Charles D. is a farmer in Lancaster township; and Joseph Y. is also a farmer in Lancaster township. In his political views Mr. Parkhill is a staunch Republican, is a member of Robert E. Low Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and belongs to the Christian church. While not yet an aged man, Mr. Parkhill, after a life of such varied experiences, may well rest and enjoy the competency which he has earned. DR. ROBERT H. PAYNE No word of encomium is necessary to introduce this gentleman to the citizens of Keokuk county, for the simple reason that he has been known of them for a period of four decades. Dr. Payne is a native of Illinois, where he was born in Vermilion county, February 22, 1836. He came to Keokuk county when a young man and has been here continuously since that date. He has the distinction of having taught the first school that was ever held in loka. Dr. Payne is the son of a physician, his father having been Dr. Jesse D. Payne, who was for long years a successful physician in Vermilion county, Illinois, and who became one of the earliest settlers of the state of Iowa, locating in Henry county in 1836. He was a native of Jefferson county, Tennessee, and in medicine was a graduate of a medical school at Nashville, Tennessee. Upon his graduation he located at Georgetown, Vermilion county, Illinois, the date being about 1830, and as stated came to Iowa in 1836. He located at a point now known as Mount Pleasant, a town which he surveyed and in company with others, laid out. He continued the practice of medicine there until his death occurred in middle life, he being only forty-three years of age. Dr. Payne was a man of great energy of purpose, and was largely interested in the public utilities of his section of the country. He was one of a number who were instrumental in bringing Iowa Wesleyan University to Mount Pleasant, and was one of the trustees of that institution. He was very favorably known all over his section of the state. He served in the Iowa legislature one term and as clerk of courts in Henry County. The grandfather of our subject was also named Robert. He was a native of the Old Dominion state of Virginia, and had taken the family name to Tennessee in the early part of the century. The mother of our honored subject was Artemetia Earnest, and is of a family that was for long years connected with the religious interests of Tennessee. Her people were natives of Blount county, Tennessee, her father being Lawrence Earnest, a prominent minister of the Methodist church. Dr. Payne's father and mother were the parents of a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters. Only two of the family are now living, the other member beside our subject being Ellen E. West, at present a resident of Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Payne is next to the youngest child of the family and was only five months old when he landed in Henry county. He remained at his home in Mount Pleasant until he was about eighteen years of age and succeeded in acquiring a very good foundation in the common schools of that day for his later medical education. He entered the Iowa University, and after a course there came to Keokuk county, where he taught the first school at loka. He immediately began preparation for his profession by reading medicine with Dr. Myers of loka, and for the succeeding several years also followed the profession of teaching. On November 21, 1857, he married Martha J. Faulkner, and removing from loka, located at a point now known as Wayland, where he continued the study of medicine with Dr. D. A. Kittle. Here he later began the practice in company with Dr. Kittle, but in 1858 located in Troy, Doniphan county, Kansas. After three years' practice in this place he returned to Wayland, and entering Keokuk Medical College, remained in that institution until his graduation in 1862, this same date marking the year of his location in Richland, where he has been continuously engaged in the practice since that time. This makes him the oldest resident practicing physician in Keokuk county. Dr. Payne is an excellent physician and a man who is widely known for his many fine qualities of citizenship. He is prominent in his profession and keeps in close touch with his brother physicians, being a member of the American Medical Association, the International Association of Railway Surgeons, and the Keokuk County Medical Society. He is a prominent and worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his political affiliations lie with the Republican party. Dr. Payne and his wife are the parents of three sons and three daughters, namely: Dr. Jesse D. Payne, a prominent physician practicing at Los Angeles, California; Anna E., wife of Dr. W. R. Nugent, a leading physician in Chicago; Carrie M., wife of Martin Starr, Richland, Iowa; Dr. John E. Payne, whose sketch appears below; G. Logan Payne, of Chicago, being an advertising representative of leading Iowa daily papers; and two young members of the family that were deceased in infancy. Dr. Payne and his family are worthy members of the Methodist church, and have during their time been leaders in thought and movement in the community of Richland. Dr. John E. Payne, the fourth child of the above parents, was born in Richland, September 16, 1871. He was well grounded in education in the public schools of Richland, which was later supplemented by a literary course in the Penn College of Oskaloosa. He then entered formally upon the study of his profession with his father and finished at the old College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, in 1896. He began the practice of his profession at Harper and continued it for a period of three years, but in November, 1899, he became associated in practice with his father in Richland. Dr. Payne is an earnest student of his profession, having since his graduation taken a post-graduate course at the Illinois School of Electro-Therapeutics, from which institution he graduated May 24, 1902. Dr. Payne was married on the 29th of June, 1890, to Maggie Vittitoe, and has two bright children, Vera H. and Robert H. Like his father, Robert is keenly alive to the interests of the profession, being a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, and of the Keokuk County Medical Society, while both he and his wife are acceptable members of the Methodist church. The family name of Payne is an honored one in Keokuk county, and the authors of this volume are pleased to give it representation here. HENRY PFANNEBECKER Henry Pfannebecker, a prominent German-American citizen of Keokuk county, Iowa, who owns a fine farm in section 33, German township, was born in Germany, January 26, 1824, and since 1854 has been an esteemed resident of Keokuk county. He was reared until his fourteenth year in his native country and there attended school. In 1845 he entered the German army and faithfully performed the duties of a defender of his land for the succeeding two years, taking active part in the battle of Baden; the whole of his term of service covered three and one-half years. Our subject belonged to the German cavalrymen, a branch of the army which is justly regarded by all nations as one of the most perfectly drilled and effective in the world. Although he served as a private, official rank was offered him on more than one occasion, but he refused to accept so much responsibility. In 1848 Mr. Pfannebecker came to America, landing at the port of New York, and soon after came as far west as Burlington, Iowa, where he was employed in a nursery by Mr. E. D. Rent, remaining with the latter for a period of six years. In 1854 he came to Keokuk county and bought a farm of eighty acres, paying three dollars an acre for the same, built a comfortable log house and immediately began the clearing of the land and later the most careful cultivation of it. During the progress of the Civil war, in 1863, he enlisted for service in Company K, Ninth Iowa Cavalry as a private, but soon was promoted to the rank of sergeant, serving faithfully until he was wounded while on guard, falling from his horse and being so seriously injured that he was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa. Upon his return to his home he began farming again in German township and has been well known as an excellent agriculturist and successful stock raiser for many years. Gradually he accumulated two hundred and fifty-five acres through thrift and industry, and has provided his sons with farms, still retaining, however, eighty acres for himself. The marriage of our subject was in 1849, in Pennsylvania, to Eva Catherine Hofifman, who was born in Germany and reared there to womanhood. She passed out of life on February 16, 1896, having been the beloved and devoted inother of seven children, namely: Jacob; Henry, deceased; Christian; Mary; Eva; Frederick; and Dr. William, a leading physician of Sigourney. Mr. Pfannebecker is a staunch Republican and is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has taken a prominent part in public matters since locating here, and few substantial improvements in his township have been made without his approval and assistance. No man in German township is held in higher regard as a reliable, honest and upright citizen. WILLIAM PFANNEBECKER, M.D. The medical fraternity of Keokuk county has an active and honored member in the gentleman named above. He is proud to date his birth among the solid farming element of the county, the time being May 31, 1863, his parents, Henry and Eva (Hofmann) Pfannebecker, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Dr. Pfannebecker passed the life of the average country boy, securing a rudimentary education in the schools of his neighborhood, and later attending an academy in Iowa City. For a period of four years following he taught country schools in his home county with success. During the last year he formally began preparation for his life work by beginning the reading of medicine with Dr. W. A. Dorman, of Sigourney. Selecting Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, he continued his studies, and in 1891 finished the course. He immediately began practice of his profession in Sigourney and has more than realized the expectations of his friends by the splendid character of his work. The Doctor is a close student of his profession, and has supplemented his former course by post graduate work at his alma mater. He is a Republican in politics, and a worthy member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Miss Margaret Hensler, of Monroe county, Missouri, became Mrs. Pfannebecker in 1891, and their home is brightened by the presence of two lovely children. AUGUST POLKE August Polke, a prominent farmer and representative citizen of Van Buren township, Keokuk county, Iowa, was born in Germany, December 26, 1823, and is a son of Matthew and Flora (Kornauski) Polke, both of whom were natives of Germany, and lived and died in their own land. They were the parents of three children, namely: August, Albert and Ferdinand, the last of whom is deceased; all were born and reared in Germany. August came to America in 1857, accompanied by his younger brother; he was then about thirty-four years of age and for ten years thereafter worked on farms in the state of Illinois. In 1867 he came to Keokuk county, Iowa, and obtained one hundred and fifty acres of raw land, and immediately, with energy and perseverance, started upon its clearing and cultivation. This was but the beginning, for now Mr. Polke owns four hundred and twenty-four acres of fine land and is one of the most substantial men in the township. He has engaged in general farming and has been particularly successful in the raising of stock, hogs, sheep and cattle. In 1853 Mr. Polke was married in Germany to Henrietta Nickel, a native of Germany, who was reared there, and a family of ten children has been born to our subject and estimable wife, as follows: Helmont; Adeline, deceased; Henrietta deceased; Augusta; Albertine; Rudolph; Hannah; Edward; Richard; Rosa Paline. Mr. Polke and family belong to the Lutheran church in Sigourney, to the building of which he was a generous contributor. The family is one which is held in high esteem in Van Buren township and our subject is one of the leading citizens. DR. J. W. PORTER An instance of what persistence and concentrated eflfort will do for a man in any given line coupled with a mental temperament and educacional equipment adapted to that line may be found in the case of Dr. j. W. Porter of Hedrick. In the twenty-three years of his practice this gentleman has made for himself a reputation unsurpassed in Keokuk county. As a general practitioner, his broad and comprehensive knowledge of therapeutics causes him to be much sought after. He is a deep student of the profession, and is always on the alert for new methods of the treatment of disease. He was the very first physician that located in the city of Hedrick and has always commanded a large and lucrative practice. Mentioning briefly the salient points in the life of Dr. Porter, his birth occurred in Bourbon county, Kentucky, March 24, 1854, he being the son of Rev. H. C. Porter and Jane Dougherty. His parents were natives also of the Blue-grass state. Rev. Porter was reared in Paris, the county seat of Bourbon county, and educated at Georgetown College. He passed an active life in the ministry of the Baptist church, and is still living at the age of eighty years, though he has retired from the active work of the ministry. Dr. Porter's mother died in 1871. There were ten children in the family of which he was a member, eight of whom are still living, the doctor being the eldest of these children. Amid the refining influences of a good home our subject was reared, and in the public schools he secured his scholastic training, completing the prescribed literary course in the Normal school at Ottumwa. For ten and a half successive terms he engaged in teaching in the public schools. During this time, having decided to make the medical profession his life work, he began reading with Dr. W. B. Searle of Ottumwa, and matriculating at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago he became a graduate there in 1889. To evidence the light in which Dr. Porter regards his profession, and to show his character as a student, we note here that he has taken four special courses since that time in Chicago, and several others in different branches of his profession. He first located at Long's Mill, Iowa, but on the organization of the town of Hedrick he cast in his lot here, as stated, being the first physician on the ground. This was in the year of 1882, and he has been constantly engaged in that profession in the city of Hedrick since that time. During that time the doctor has kept himself in close touch with his brother physicians through being a member of the Des Moines Valley Medical Society and of the Keokuk County Medical Society. In religious belief Dr. Porter favors the Baptist faith, of which church he is a member at Hedrick. The doctor was united in marriage September 3, 1882, to Miss Phoebe Ebelsheiser, daughter of John and Caroline Ebelsheiser, old settlers of Keokuk county, where Mrs. Porter was born. To this marriage there were born one son and one daughter: Mamie and James Arthur. |
