Ida Grove Iowa

Biographical Sketch of Charles G. Kolb

Charles G. Kolb was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 29, 1834. When he was 22 years of age, he came to America, making the journey on a Sailing Vessel that required 40 days for the passage. Altogether in his life, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean 13 times, the second trip being to bring back a bride, Catherine Weiler. The last journey was in 1910 when he visited his fatherland. He lived two years in New York State along the Hudson before he went for his bride. Upon their return, they settled on a farm near Harrisburg, Pa. in 1858. In … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William C. Forney

He was of Corwin Township, Ida County, Ida Grove, Iowa, and settled here in 1882. He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 13, 1854. His father was Michael Forney (born October 15, 1824 in Dauphin County, Pa.) who came here in 1885. His mother was Margaret Crownshield, born in Maryland. Michael and Margaret’s children were: Sarah C., wife of David O. Crum, and William C., the subject of this biography. William C. Forney received his education at Millersville Normal School, Pa., and entered the boot and shoe business. Since coming West in 1882, he engaged in farming and stock-raising. … Read more

Biography of Harrison Hackett

Harrison Hackett, one of the early settlers of Ida County, Iowa, was born in Orange County, Vermont, May 6, 1832. He was the son of Emery and Amanda (Hines) Hackett, both natives of Vermont, with the ancestors coming to this country from England generations ago. Harrison’s brothers and sisters were: Homer, Hellen, Henry, Angeline, Louisa, Edna, Arabell, John, Harriett, Clifton, Charley, and Augusta. Four of the brothers were in the Civil War. Harrison enlisted in June 1864 in Company G, Third Minnesota Infantry, and was mustered out in the fall of 1865 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. When Harrison was 14 … Read more

Andre, Thomas Jefferson, Dr. – Obituary

Dr. Andre Answers His Last Summons After Doing Good to Mankind for More than Forty Years, Dr. T. J. Andre Goes Down the Long, Long Trail The news of the earthquake in California was not half so startling as the news on Tuesday morning that Dr. Andre had passed away at about 4 o’clock that morning after an illness of only a few hours, of angina pectoras. On Monday evening he had an attack of the trouble and for a time was quite sick but appeared recovered from it and was feeling considerable better Tuesday. Dr. Armstrong came over from … Read more

Biography of Woodford P. Evans

Woodford P. Evans. Among the able and valued newspaper men of Kansas, one who gave the best years of an active and achieving life to journalism was the late Woodford P. Evans, whose closing twenty-one years were spent at Lebo as editor and owner of the Lebo Enterprise. He was well known in other parts of the state and in other sections of the country, and was an honored veteran of the Civil war. Throughout his entire career he was an earnest and fearless advocate of right, irrespective of class or station, and he inspired such universal confidence that many … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Bassett

He came to Ida County in 1877 and was identified with the contracting and building interests in Ida Grove, Iowa. He located there when the town was just starting and put up many of the best buildings in the city. Thomas Bassett and his son, William H., were partners for a number of years. Thomas was born in the County of Cornwall, England, August 2, 1828, son of Thomas & Jane (Pierce) Bassett. He married Eliza A. Rouse in his native land; and in 1854, came to America. He remained in Zanesville, Ohio, until 1875 and went to Greene County, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hans J. Lund

Mr. Lund was born February 7, 1845 in Denmark and came to America in 1864. He traveled to Chicago. He came to Ida County in 1883 and lived on a farm until 1904 when he moved to Arthur, and came to Ida Grove in 1910. He married Mrs. Geo. Heitman November 3, 1883. One son, Max Lund, was born to this marriage. He had four step-children: Andrew Heitman, Frank Heitman, Mrs. Geo. Baker, and Mrs. Martha Weed. He died of blood poisoning, which followed as an aftermath of an operation that was performed at Sioux City May 3 at St. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Smith

William Smith was owner and proprietor of the Central Roller Mills, Ida Grove, Ia. He succeeded Wilkinson & Smith in the milling business, this firm having succeeded Brown & Ream. Mr. Brown was the founder of the milling plant and erected the a two-story structure building in 1883. It was a buhrstone mill having a capacity of 40 barrels. In 1887 it was changed to a roller mill by Wilkinson & Smith and its capacity increased to 60 barrels per day. Mr. Smith then erected a new engine house, removed the old slide valve and replaced it with a Reynolds-Corliss … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mathias Clouse

Mathias Clouse was a pioneer of Silver Creek Township, Ida County, Ia. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, in 1843. He was the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Fisher) Clouse, natives of same country. The Clouse family had once lived in Amsterdam, and were a trading family. When the sons became of age they were sent up the Rhine River to establish trading posts. They emigrated to America and settled in Erie County, New York. Mathias received his early training and education principally in New York state. The grandfather Clouse also emigrated to the country, dying in Ohio at the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas S. Brannan

He was an attorney-at-law in Ida Grove, Iowa, and was a resident of Ida County since 1879. He was born in Keyesville, Clinton County, New York, August 15, 1839, and reared in Canada East until 14 years of age. In July 1861, being in the state for a visit, he enlisted in Co. C., 10th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and re-enlisted in the same company and regiment in January 1864 and served until the close of the war. He was twice slightly wounded. He was a member of the G.A.R., Matthew Gray Post No. 93. He was a Past Commander. In … Read more

World War 1 Gold Star Men of Ida County Iowa

A list of Gold Star men from Ida County Iowa. Gold Star soldiers were men who gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country, their life. This provides the name of the soldier, their home town, date of death as well as location and circumstances of it.

Kullman, Augusta Katherine Peterson – Obituary

Augusta Katherine, daughter of John Peterson, was born in Sweden October 24, 1857 and died at the hospital in Ida Grove, Iowa, July 17, 1920 aged 62 years, 8 months and 23 days. She was married to Axel Kullman in 1879 and the next year they came to America and located at Wall Lake, Iowa, where they made their home until her death. Mrs. Kullman was the mother of eight children of whom one has preceded her to the far beyond. She leaves to mourn her death a loving husband and seven children: Mrs. Roy Northrup, of Chicago, Mrs. Floyd … Read more

History of Mathew Gray Post – Grand Army of the Republic

This was organized in the fall of 1881 with 27 charter members. The final membership reached 127. It lasted until the last member, James Deal, died in 1930. The post was given its name in honor of Matthew Gray, a highly respected soldier who had died just before the organization. For many years, the Mathew Gray Post was very active and great enthusiasm was displayed in the observance of Decoration Day and the Fourth of July. Each year on those days, the Civil War Veterans would dress in their blue uniforms, one carrying a large flag and the rest a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John A. Brechwald

J. A. Brechwald was born near Mayence, in the German Rhineland, on June 21, 1858 and he passed away May 22, 1919. He came to Ida County with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Brechwald in the winter of 1881 and grew to manhood in this locality. He and his brother Ferd established and incorporated the cigar making firm of Brechwald Bros. in Ida Grove. He and his family went to Florida in 1907 and were engaged in the nursery business, doing carpentry work, and selling real estate. He was buried in the Ida Grove Catholic Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Yousling

George Yousling of Corwin Township, Ida County, Iowa, settled here in 1879 on Section 26. He was born in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa., October 28, 1825, the son of George Yousling, Sr., a native of Switzerland. His mother was Elizabeth Yousling, also a native of Switzerland. George Yousling was reared and educated in Dauphin County, living there until 18 years of age where he learned the trade of carpenter. His present farm was south of Ida Grove where he redeemed the farm from its original wild state. His residence was two stories in height, with an added L the same … Read more

Biography of John H. Moorehead

J. H. Moorehead came to Ida County in June, 1856. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 21, 1808. He was a son of Thomas Moorehead who was of Scotch ancestry. He had been engaged in shipping flour down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. In 1854, Mr. Moorehead came to Iowa City, Iowa, where he remained until 1856, when he and his family came to Ida County. He took an active part in all public affairs and assisted in the upbuilding of the county. He had been a man of business for many years and shouldered the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. E.C. Heilman

He located at Ida Grove, Iowa, August 20, 1877. He was born in Cedar County, Iowa, July 18, 1856, son of Samuel and Mary (Ranck) Heilman. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He was reared in Iowa, received his literary education at Cornell College and took his medical course at the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, graduating at the latter institution in March 1877. Upon his arrival here he entered into a partnership with Dr. F. D. Seeber, & was associated with him for 2 years. After conducting his practice alone for 2 years, Dr. … Read more

John Wesley Somers

John Wesley Somers, one of Ida Grove’s oldest and distinguished residents, died Saturday morning, August 2, 1919, at the age of 84 years, 8 months, and 15 days. The funeral was held at the late home Monday, in charge of Rev. John T. Pierce. The interment was at the Ida Grove Cemetery. The pall bearers were Charles S. Macomber, W. J. Scott, James E. Easton, B. S. Noble, A. Sykes, and Card Kiner. Mr. Somers was born at Rockford, Surrey County, North Carolina, on November 17, 1834. While still in youth, he moved to Rockford, Illinois, where he met Sarah … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. S. Wasser

This grocery and queensware establishment was formed in 1885 by R. S. Wasser and J. L. Bleakly of Ida Grove, Ia., Ida County. They first opened business at a stand, then moved to a brick building. R. S. Wasser, head of the firm, is a native of Northumberland County, Pa., born November 17, 1860. His parents were Joseph B. and Susan A. Persing Wasser. Mr. Wasser married Mollie L. Dutcher on September 19, 1888. She was a native of Franklin Grove, Illinois, and died at 26 years of age on August 1, 1891.