Sherman Township

J. C. Adams, of the firm of Bently & Adams, is a native of North Carolina, and was born October 7, 1839.  He resided in his native State, helping till the soil, until 1859.  The family then removed to henry county, Indiana, and two years subsequently to Marshall county, Iowa.  J. C. Adams, when eighteen years of age, commenced teaching school, and this he continued most of the time until 1872.  During this time, in 1866, Miss Florence A. Bently became his wife, and in 1868 he located in Hardin county.  After giving up teaching Mr. Adams entered the Law Department of the Iowa State University, and June 26, 1873, graduated with the degree of LL.B.  He then returned to Union, Hardin county, and there carried on a general law and collection business until 1882, when he came to Radcliff and formed a partnership with S. T. Bently, and engaged in this present business.  Mr. Adams is a member of the Christian Church.  The children are -- Addie, Luther E., and Hattie May.

A. P. Baer of the firm of Bergfield & Baer is a young and enterprising merchant, who has had considerable experience in mercantile life.  He commenced as clerk in a store at Joliet, Illinois in 1873, and continued in a retail business until March, 1880; then entered a wholesale house in Chicago, and in 1881 formed a partnership with R. H. Bergfield; came to Radcliff and engaged in his present business.  Mr. Baer was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania in 1854.  His parents being David E. and Mary A. (Murry) Baer.  In 1857 the family migrated to Illinois.  A. P. Baer was married in September, 1879, to Miss Rose Weishaar.  They have had one son.

H. D. Ballard, of the firm of Thomas Hollis & Co., settled with his parents, M. R. and Eliza Ballard, in Story county, in 1857.  August 8, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, of the 2d Iowa Cavalry, but only served six months, when he was discharged on account of disability.  In December, 1862, he again enlisted, this time in Company A, of the 23d Iowa Infantry, and served until September 2, 1865.  He then returned to Story county, and followed farming until 1876, when he became associated with J. C. Mitchel, with whom he remained until February 8, 1881, since which time he has been at Radcliff.  Miss E. E. Nash became his wife in 1866.  They have one child -- Rollin B.

H. S. Bradford is a son of Townsend and Louise M. (Simons) Bradford, and was born in Knox county, Ohio, January 22, 1847.  In 1857 the family came to Hardin county and settled in Jackson township.  In 1864 H. S. Bradford enlisted in Company G, 1st Iowa Cavalry, and served two years and three months.  In 1870 he married Miss Mary Hughes, and in 1881 located where he now resides.  They have five children -- Allen, Nellie, Townsend, Cecil and an infant.

A. Bucholtz, a representative man in his township, as well as one of the leading farmers, was born in Germany in the year 1833, where he remained until fourteen years of age, when he came with his parents to the United States, spending the first winter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when they went to Indiana, remaining one year.  From there went to Michigan, and from there to Springfield, Illinois.  After remaining here one summer, went to Racine county, Wisconsin, where he followed farming until 1869, when he sold his farm and came to Sherman township, Hardin county, Iowa, and purchased the farm where he now resides, on section 1, it being the farm entered by Wilson Kennedy, where the first settlement in the township was made.  He has a well improved farm of 320 acres.  In politics, Mr. Bucholtz is a Republican, and since coming to the township has held local offices.  He was married in 1856 to Mary Cruger, also a native of Germany, by whom he has eight children, four boys and four girls, viz: Lizzie, William, Charlie, Annie, Polina, August, Mary and Louis.  Mr. and Mrs. Bucholtz are members of the German Evangelical Church.

J. A. Casebeer is a man who, in business relations, has the entire confidence of his fellow-men.  He holds the office of Justice of Peace, attends to collections and also deals in real estate.  He came to Sherman township and located on section 29, in 1881, his land lying just west of the village of Radcliff.  Mr. Casebeer was born in Cedar county, Iowa, June 5, 1850.  His parents, John and Laurinda (Humphrey) Casebeer, both being natives of Ohio.  He was educated at the Iowa College at Grinnell, where he graduated in 1876.  During the years he attended college, he at several different intervals taught school, in order to obtain means to pay his tuition and other expenses while at school, and subsequent to graduating he went to the Pacific Slope, and there taught until 1881.  In 1878 Miss Martha Loughridge became his wife, she being a graduate of the same class with Mr. Casebeer, and they now have two children -- Albert and George.

Edgar Crosley was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, February 16, 1855.  His parents being John and Catherine (Meyers) Crosley.  In 1857 the family removed to JoDaviess county, Illinois, and in 1867 to Grundy county, Iowa.  In 1874 Edgar Crosley married Miss Cordelia Best.  He then resided in Marshall county; afterward in Grundy, and in 1881 came to Hardin.  Their children are -- Montford, Blanche, Birdie, and an infant.

A. N. Drake

The first mercantile business of Radcliff was established by A. N. Drake.  He purchased his lot in January, 1881, erected the store building he now occupies, bought a small stock of general merchandise, and on about the 10th day of April opened business.  Mr. Drake had never had any experience in mercantile life, but he at once gained the confidence of the public, and as he met with good success in trade, he soon enlarged his stock of goods, and is now doing a good paying business.  Addison N. Drake is the oldest son of A. M. and Elizabeth Drake, and was born in Knox county, Ohio, march 6, 1858.  In 1867 the family removed to Decorah, Iowa, where they resided until 1870, and then returned to Ohio.  But like many other families who return to their native States, they then fully realized the advantages presented by the Western country.  They therefore in the spring of 1874 loaded their worldly goods into a wagon and again started for the grand old Hawkeye State, and soon settled in Tipton township, Hardin county.  Here the subject of this sketch helped till the soil during the summer seasons, while during the winters he taught school.  In May, 1880, Mr. Drake was united in marriage with Miss Carrie R. Coolidge, daughter of F. D. and Mary (Sibert) Coolidge, and they now have one daughter -- Mamie, she being the first child born in the village of Radcliff.  Mr. Drake is an honest and upright citizen, accommodating in business, and prompt in the discharge of his obligations.  he is a Republican in politics, and is at present serving as Postmaster and Notary Public.

Frederick Finn

Among the early settlers of Sherman township, Frederick Finn deserves special mention, because he has always been public spirited, being ever ready to lend a helping hand to anything that would be a public benefit.  Mr. Finn came to Hardin county in 1865, and for five years was engaged in a restaurant business at Iowa Falls.  Then, in 1870, he traded his property for land in Sherman township, change his place of residence, and commenced to develop his new home.  Being a carpenter by trade, he has also, at different intervals, done a considerable amount of contracting and building, erecting three church edifices at Hubbard in 1881.  He also has an office in Radcliff, and here attends to the duties of Justice of the Peace, besides dealing extensively in real estate.  He located on section 10, where he now resides.  Mr. Finn is a native of Prussia, Germany, born March 5, 1827.  He came to the United States in 1850, landing in the city of New York in the month of August; but he soon went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade as wood carver for two years.  In 1852 he came to Iowa, and engaged in cabinet-making; but, as his health would not permit him to work indoors steady, he, at different intervals, did carpenter work.  He also, in 1854, purchased 120 acres of government land, and improved the same.  The climate did not agree with him, however, as he was trouble with ague, etc.  He therefore, in 1856, sold out, with the view of going to the mountains, but when he got to Dubuque his friends persuaded him to remain with them.  He therefore engaged in mercantile business neat that city one year; then in Jackson county until he came to Hardin county.  Mr. Finn, in 1857, married Miss Elizabeth Heinzerling, daughter of E. Heinzerling.  They have had nine children, seven of whom are now living -- William, George, Charles, Ida, Rose, Frank and Clara.  Mr. Finn is a Republican in politics, and has held local town and school offices.  His religious connections are with the Lutheran Church.

Herman Flesner came to Radcliff as soon as the town was laid out; erected his present building, and engaged in the saloon business.  His first beer he hauled from Hubbard (as the side track was not yet laid to Radcliff), and was the first article sold in Radcliff, and he has since supplied the public with vinuous and malt beverages.  Mr. Flesner was born in Adams county, Illinois, in 1850, and lived in said State until 1873, when he came to Iowa, and followed farming in Sherman township, Hardin county, for three years.  He then returned to Illinois, and remained until 1878, when he again came to Hardin county.  In 1870 he married Miss Hilka A. Burnes.  She died in 1874.  Of the three children of this union, none are living.  In January, 1876, he married Augusta Zinch, and by this union has four children -- John, Henry, George and Albert.

John C. Gillham came to Hardin county in 1874, and lived in Pleasant township until 1881, since which time he has resided on section 24, Sherman township.  He was born in Madison county, Indiana, June 25, 1844.  In 1855 the family removed to La Salle county, Illinois, where, in 1871, Mr. Gillham married Miss Mary Johnson.  They have two children -- Melvin and Warren.

Emanuel Heinzerling, a prominent farmer of Sherman township, is a native of Germany, and was born in the year 1814.  He remained in his native land, receiving common school education, until twenty years of age, when he came to the United States, landing in New York City, where he remained one year; after which he went to Pennsylvania, where he worked at the carpenter trade, which business he followed until 1852, when he came to Jackson county, Iowa.  After remaining there eighteen years, came to Sherman township, Hardin county, and purchased the farm where he now resides, on section 2, and has a well improved farm of 125 acres.  He was married in 1834, to Regen Longa, a native of Pennsylvania.  They are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are now living -- Elizabeth, Catherine, Louis, Louisa, Mary, Jane, and Ellen.  Mr. Heinzerling is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Democrat.  Mrs. Heinzerling is a member of the Reform Church.

Charles P. Hough, a large and prominent farmer, resides on section 28, where he located in 1870.  He owns 348 acres of land, and has the same well improved.  Mr. Hough is a native of Germany, and was born October 6, 1832.  He came to the United States, landing the city of New York, January 19, 1854.  He spent the first summer in Pennsylvania, working at his trade -- stone-cutter.  He then went to New York State, next to Ohio, and subsequently to Wisconsin.  In 1856 he settled at Prairie du Chien, where he continued his trade until 1870.  He was married in 1856 6o Miss Theresa Faber.  They have four children -- Charles, Ida, Amelia and William.  Mr. Hough was a member of the committee who revised the history of Sherman township.  February 10, 1865, Mr. Hough enlisted in Company C, 48th Wisconsin, and served thirteen months, the field of operation in the West.

George C. Hough is an enterprising and well-to-do farmer, who came to Hardin county and settled on section 34, where he now resides, in 1880.  Mr. Hough is a native of Germany, born January 17, 1830.  He learned the stone-cutter's trade, and in 1854 came to the United States, landing in New York City on January 19.  He first worked in Brooklyn one year; then at North Hampton, Pennsylvania, about the same length of time after which he emigrated to Wisconsin.  In 1874 he came to Iowa, and lived in Dallas county until he came to Hardin county.  Mr. Hough was married in 1860, to Miss Maintainnie Hohanshalt, and they now have four children -- F. S., William H., Adaline M. and Della M.

J. T. Livengood, M.D., was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, January 17, 1854.  His father, William R. Livengood, enlisted in the United States' service 1862, and went out with Company D, of the 38th Iowa, and now fills a soldier's grave.  His mother, Sarah E. (Ridgeway) Livengood, died in 1877.  J. T. Livengood is the oldest of four children.  He was educated in the schools of Decorah, and resided in his native county until 1872.  He then came to Hardin county, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. A. H. Pearsons, of Union, as preceptor.  In 1874 he entered the Hahneoman College of Chicago, and remained until the following spring.  He then returned to Union, and formed a partnership with his preceptor, and continued with him until 1881, during which time, in 1877, he was again attending college.  Dr. Livengood then came to Radcliff, where he now has quite an extensive practice.  He was married in October, 1878, to Miss Cora L. Reinhart.  They have one daughter -- Lulu.

Leroy D. Pierson

The first blacksmith in Radcliff was Leroy D. Pierson, as he came to the village in the spring of 1881, erected his present shop, and, during the month of April, commence business.  He now employs several men, and is doing quite a large business in his line.  Mr. Pierson is a native of Jackson county, Michigan, and was born in 1850, his parents being John C. and Electa (Tucker) Pierson.  He learned horseshoeing, and followed the same in his native State until 1869.  He then came to Iowa, and located in Scott township, Hamilton county, and was there engaged in a general blacksmith and plow shop until he came to Radcliff.  Mr. Pierson was married in 1873 to Miss Bessie Carhart, a native of Wisconsin.

Rorem Brothers

The firm of Rorem Bros. commenced business on the 12th day of May, 1882, and, as they carry a good stock of general merchandise and furniture, they have established a good business.  They are both natives of Norway, being the sons of Torgino O. and Anna (Tedness) Rorem.  They came to the United States with their parents in 1867, and soon settled in Scott township, Hamilton county, Iowa, where they helped till the soil until they engaged in their present business.  Austin, the older of the brothers, was born January 7, 1855, and Ole J., the younger was born June 10, 1857.  They are Republicans in politics, and in religion Lutherans.

John Rumper resides on the west half of the southeast quarter of section 29, and it is on this land that one-half of the village of Radcliff is located.  Mr. Rumper was born in Germany, in 1843.  He came to the United States in 1870, and to the place where he now resides in 1874, having previously lived in Mason county, Illinois, three years, and a few months in Butler county, Iowa.  Her was married in 1870 to Mena Kuhlemkamp.  They have three children -- Ellen, Samuel and Amanda.  Mr. RUmper owns 300 acres of land, and also a one-half interest in 20 acres of the site of the town of Radcliff.

Jason B. Smith, of the firm of Smith & DeMarsha, was born in Wyoming county, New York, May 5, 1843.  His father, Daniel Smith, was a native of Vermont, and his mother, Harriet (Freeman) Smith, of Connecticut.  In 1848 this family immigrated to Wisconsin and settled in Walworth county.  At twelve years of age Jason B. Smith commenced clerking in a store at Delavan.  His school days were few, but by being ambitious and industrious he has secured a good practical business education.  In 1865 his father gave him the choice of several pieces of property, and after due consideration he accepted 130 acres of land located in Pleasant township, Hardin county, and at once, in accordance with the advice of the great journalist, started for his new home.  Mr. Smith had $1,000 in money, and with this he purchased a team and wagon, erected a house, and commenced a farmer's life.  During the lonely days that followed, he often wished he was once more under the parental roof, but his pride would not permit him to return home.  Mr. Smith did not permit matters to continue in this wife long, for he soon made the acquaintance of Miss Rebecca Penn, of Eldora, and in 1866 she became his wife.  In 1873 Mr. Smith left the farm and engaged in an agricultural implement business at Eldora, which he continued until 1881, when he came to Radcliff, and engaged in his present business, and is now meeting with marked success.  The children are -- Llewellyn D., Estella, Cady and Grace.

F. Stuckenberg of the firm of Stuckenberg & Thalman, was born in Ogle county, Illinois on the 10th day of July, 1849.  His parents, Frederick and Rebecca (Shaper) Stuckenberg, were both natives of Germany, who came to the United States and settled in Ogle county before there was a railroad west of Chicago.  The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and helped till the soil in his native State until 1873.  Then came to Iowa and followed farming in Butler county until 1882, since which time he has been at Radcliff.  Mr. Stuckenberg in 1874 married Miss Ricca Rattmyer, and they now have two children -- Minnie A. and Henry A.

George R. Willhoite, the gentlemanly and accommodating Station and Express Agent, of Radcliff, was born in Illinois, march 30, 1852.  At the age of fifteen years Mr. Willhoite commenced work at the harness trade, and followed the same until 1874, since which time he has been railroading.  He came to Radcliff May 10, 1882.  In September, 1875, he married Miss Addie Sutliff.  They have two children -- Grace and Roy.

Philo Williams, one of the pioneers of Sherman, settled on section 12, where he now resides, in January, 1869.  He had purchased the land in November, 1867, and in June, 1868, hired Peter Fryer to break 16 acres.  Mr. Williams is a native of Onondaga county, New York, born September 27, 1825.  In 1846 he went to Michigan, and in 1850 came to Iowa.  In 1854 he married Miss Elizabeth Finley.  In 1864 he enlisted in Company H, 12th Iowa, and served one year.  Mr. Williams is an earnest Republican, and in 1876 cast the only Republican ballot in Sherman township.  There were others who would have voted that ticket, but could not procure ballots.  Mr. Williams sent to Ellis township for his.  Their children are -- Harrison, Melisse, Frances, Joseph and Mary.

E. A. Windette is found among the first men who came to Radcliff. He was born in Randolph county, Illinois, February 11, 1856. His father, an Englishman by birth, came to the United States when but eight years of age. He died in 1881. His mother, Partheia (Calkins) Windette, is a native of the State of New York, and now resides at Mechanicsville, Iowa. E. A. Windette learned the painter's trade, and followed the same in his native State until 1873. He then came to Iowa, continued painting until 1881, since which time he has been at Radcliff. He was married in 1876, to Miss Emma I. Allen. They have one child - William Allen.