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William B. Gardner


     William B. Gardner, a lifelong resident of Iowa, is now carrying on general agricultural pursuits on section 29, Howard township, in Howard county. He was born in Deerfield township, Chickasaw county, July 23, 1878, and is a son of William and Mary (Brokamp) Gardner, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Cumberland, Maryland, and her parents came to this country from Germany. William Gardner crossed the Atlantic in his childhood days with his father and mother and became a resident of Iowa. He was married in Festina, Winneshiek county, this state, and immediately afterward he and his wife began their domestic life upon a farm in Deerfield township, Chickasaw county, where they resided for many years. There the father passed away in 1907, but the mother survives and yet occupies the old homestead.
     William B. Gardner attended the Normal & Commercial College of New Hampton and the Highland Park College of Des Moines, Iowa. Following his graduation from the latter institution as a member of the class of 1906 he returned to the old homestead and began farming on his own account, purchasing eighty acres of his present place from his father. This was a tract of wild prairie land upon which not a furrow had been turned for an improvement made. He erected farm buildings and began the further development of the property and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting one of the splendidly improved farms of Howard township. There are good buildings upon it and the place is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. He uses the latest improved machinery to promote the work of the fields and annually gathers large crops as the reward of his labors.
In 1907 Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Mayme Butler, of Dyersville, who is a graduate of St. Francis Academy of Dyersville of the class of 1895 and who for nine years was engaged in educational work prior to her marriage. She has become the mother of six children, five of whom are living, namely: Linus J., Frank W., Joseph C., John P. and Marcella E. Marie Z. was killed by an automobile at the age of six years.
     In politics Mr. Gardner is a democrat and in religious faith he and his family are Catholics. Political honors and emoluments, however, have no attraction for him as he has always preferred to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and aside from farming he is a stockholder in the Elma Cooperative Creamery Company, of which he is the president, and a stockholder in the Howard County Equity Cooperative Association of Elma. His interests are therefore broad and varied, making him a leading and representative business man of Howard county.

 

James Praska


     James Praska, who is carrying on general farming on section 34, Paris township, is a native son of Howard county, his birth having here occurred on the 20th of July, 1895. He is a son of Frank Praska, who was born in Bohemia and who came to the United States when a youth of eighteen years. Crossing the Atlantic, he made hip way direct to Howard county and for several years was employed as a farm hand. When about twenty-five years of age he invested his earnings in a tract of farm land, which he sold a few years later. About nineteen years ago he purchased the present home farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land.
     James Praska was reared in the usual manner of the farm-bred boy.  He attended the district schools and in vacation periods worked in the fields, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He continued to assist his father in the further development of the home place until twenty-two years of age, when he took over the home farm, which he has since cultivated, bringing the fields under a high state of development and adding many modern improvements to the farm as the years have passed on. He rotates his crops and keeps the soil in good condition and annually gathers good harvests.
     On the 29th of October, 1918, Mr. Praska was married to Miss Celia Panoch, of Howard county, a daughter of Frank and Barbara Panoch, farming people of this section of the state. Mr. Praska and his wife are members of the Catholic church at Protivin. He votes with the democratic party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is yet a young man but already has made for himself a creditable position in agricultural circles and the qualities that he has displayed argue well for a successful future.


James Praska


     A valuable force in the development and upbuilding of Chickasaw county and northern Iowa is that furnished by its citizens of Bohemian birth, of which class James Praska is a representative. He now makes his home on section 19, Jacksonville township, but was born in Bohemia, November 5, 1857, his parents being Frank and Katie Praska. The first thirteen years of his life were passed in his native land and he then came to the United States with his parents, the family home being established in Deerfield township, Chickasaw county, where the father purchased land. His remaining days were devoted to agricultural interests in this part of the state and his death occurred in Deerfield township in 1913. His wife had passed away on the old homestead two years before.
     James Praska obtained his education in the parochial schools of his native country and after coming to the new world with his parents devoted his time and efforts to the work of assisting his father in the improvement of a new farm. His training along that line was comprehensive and constituted the foundation upon which he has built his success in later life. He is now the owner of one hundred acres of land, which is at present being cultivated by his son-in-law, with whom he now resides.
     It was in 1883 that Mr. Praska was united in marriage to Miss Katie Mashek, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vencil Mashek, who came to America from Bohemia. Mr. and Mrs. Praska had three children, of whom two have passed away. The daughter Carrie is now the wife of James Chihak and they reside upon the farm of Mr. Praska, for his wife died about twenty-one years ago in Paris township, Howard county.
     Mr. Praska is also the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Paris township. After a busy and useful life he is now in considerable measure living retired, leaving the further development and improvement of the farm property to his son-in-law. He and his family are members of the Catholic church of Lourdes, and his political endorsement is given to the democratic party.

Charles L. Pecinovsky


     Charles L. Pecinovsky, who is engaged in farming on section 23. New Oregon township, Howard county, was born on the old homestead farm just north of Protivin on the 1st of March, 1888, and is a son of Joseph F. Pecinovsky, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. He obtained his education in the public schools of Protivin and of Cresco the period of his youth being largely devoted to the mastery of the branches of learning constituting the curriculum of the public schools in those places. On the 29th of October, 1912, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Berka, of New Oregon township, Howard county, a daughter of James Berka, who was also a native of Howard county and a son of Joseph Berka, who was one of the pioneer settlers of this section of the state, coming to Iowa from Bohemia in pioneer times.
     In the spring following his marriage Mr. Pecinovsky began farming on his own account on the land which he. now owns but which then belonged to his father. In 1916 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead and has since given his attention to its further development and improvement. He has brought this land under a high state of cultivation so that he annually harvests good crops. The farm presents a most neat and thrifty appearance, indicative of the careful supervision and the practical and progressive methods of the owner.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Pecinovsky have been born three children, two sons and a daughter: William L., Anna S, and James. The parents are members of the Catholic church and in his political views Mr. Pecinovsky is a republican, having always supported the men and measures of the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is one of the successful farmers of the district who never stops short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose if his object can be won through earnest and honorable effort.

Herman L. Piehn


     Herman L. Piehn, proprietor of the H. L. Piehn Telephone Company of Alta Vista, was born in Chickasaw county, August 10, 1871, a son of August and Bertha (Schoenfeldt) Piehn, who are natives of Germany. The father came to cite United States in his boyhood days with his parents, while the mother had attained young womanhood when she crossed the Atlantic. They were married in Chickasaw county and located on a farm in Washington township, whereon they resided until about 1909, when Mr. Piehn sold the farm to two of his sons and removed to San Jose, California, where he has since lived.
     Herman L. Piehn mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools and through vacation periods and after his school days were over worked in the fields on the old homestead until 1894, when he left the farm and established his home in Alta Vista. He turned his attention to photography and in addition to conducting a gallery he afterward opened a jewelry and watch repairing establishment, building up a good business along those lines. In 1905 he organized the H. L. Piehn Telephone Company, starting in a small way. He has built up a telephone system with almost three hundred patrons and is making every effort to give to these an excellent service. In 1913 he withdrew from the photographic business but still continues in the jewelry trade. He is likewise a stockholder in the Alta Vista Parmers' Lumber & Coal Company and his position is that of one of the foremost business men of his town.
     On the 30th of September, 1897, Mr. Plehn was united in marriage to Miss Emma Walters, a daughter of William Walters, of Howard county. They now have three children: Melinda, Orville and Waldon. The parents are members of the Evangelical church, while in political faith Mr. Piehn is a republican. He is a public-spirited citizen and his devotion to the general welfare is attested in many practical ways, but he has never been an aspirant for office. Business activities have claimed his time and attention and he has developed various interests which have featured in connection with the material progress of his section of the county.

Albert Zipse


     One of the attractive farm properties of Chickasaw county is that owned by Albert Zipse. It is a tract of two hundred acres situated on section 30, Utica township, and the improvements which he has placed upon it are many, ding to the beauty and value of the farm, while his labors are continually enhancing its productiveness. Mr. Zipse is a native of Cedarville, Illinois. He was born March 16, 1866, of the marriage of Christian Zipse and Caroline Smith, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Switzerland. Both came to the United States in 1844 and took up their abode in Buffalo, New York, where they were married, and for seven years thereafter they continued to reside in Buffalo, where Mr. Zipse worked at the trade of shoemaking, which he had previously learned in his native country. With their removal to the Mississippi valley they took up their abode in Cedarville, Illinois, and while they were there residing their son Albert was born. The father continued to work at the trade of shoemaking for twelve years and subsequently he established his home three miles north, west of Cedarville, where he turned his attention to farming, and that occupation claimed his time and energies throughout his remaining days. His first purchase of land made him owner of seventy acres, and as his financial resources increased he added to his holdings until at the time of his death he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. His wife also passed away on the old home farm near Cedarville, Illinois.
     Albert Zipse had no especial advantages at the outset of his career. In fact his youth was quietly passed, and he pursued his education in the common schools of Red Oak or assisted his father in the work of the home farm. He continued with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-three years and on the 10th of January, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Heiselman. Immediately afterward the young couple started for Iowa and established their home three miles south of Lawler, where Mr. Zipse engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm for six years. They practiced close economy and industry in order to gain a start and bravely faced the difficulties and hardships incident to settlement in a new locality. Eventually their labors brought to them a sufficient sum to enable them to purchase property and they made investment in one hundred and twenty acres. This constituted the nucleus of their present farm, the boundaries of which have since been extended until it now embraces two hundred acres of the rich and fertile land of Chickasaw county. The improvements which have been placed thereon and the care and labor manifest in the development of the fields have made it one of the excellent farm properties of northern Iowa.
     Mrs. Zipse was a daughter of Michael and Frederika Heiselman and the mother is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Zipse, the father having passed away about thirty-five years ago. The other members of the household are their five living children: Lloyd W., Edward B., Arthur V., Myron M. and Martha M. The family belong to the Congregational church of Lawler and in the social circles of that part of the county they occupy an enviable position.
     Mr. Zipse is identified with the Farmers Equity Association of Lawler and in matters of citizenship is always found on the side of progress and improvement. For three years he has served as school director in Utica township, and his aid can always be counted upon to support any project that looks to the material, intellectual, social and moral development of his community.

John Zipse


     John Zipse is the proprietor of the Forest Hill Stock & Dairy Farm, one of the fine farm properties of northern Iowa. Ii comprises three hundred acres of valuable land and upon this place he has made his home since 1902, continually promoting its development and improvement. The farm is situated on section 19, Stapleton township, Chickasaw county, and is the visible evidence of the life of well directed energy and thrift which Mr. Zipse has lived. Born in Stephenson county, Illinois, on the 12th of December, 1858, he is a son of Jacob and Katherine (Northacre) Zipse, who were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married. Coming to the United States, they established their home in Stephenson county, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming until his death on the 27th of January, 1874. His widow survived him for a decade, passing away on the old home place in Illinois, April 27, 1884.
     At the usual age John Zipse entered the district school near his father's home and mastered the common branches of learning. When his textbooks were put aside he worked in the fields and continued to assist his father until the latter's death and then took charge of the farm, which he conducted for the benefit of his mother, the property being sold soon after his mother's death.
     John Zipse was married on the 18th of December, 1884, to Miss Jane Hershman, a daughter of Joseph and Anna Hershman, natives of Germany. Mrs. Zipse, however, is a native of Stephenson county, Illinois, and it was there that she met and married Mr. Zipse. After his marriage Mr. Zipse began farming his father-in-law's land of eighty acres in Stephenson county, Illinois, and subsequently he bought that tract and thirty acres additional, which he continued to cultivate for fifteen years. He then disposed of his property and moved west, locating upon his present farm in 1902. Today he is the owner of three hundred acres of fine land. The tract is arable, responding readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it, his activity being crowned with splendid results. The place is appropriately termed the Forest Hill Stock & Dairy Farm, for thereon Mr. Zipse is engaged in raising stock and in conducting a successful dairy business. He has put practically all of the improvements upon his land and there is no accessory or convenience of the model farm property that is not to be found upon his place. At one time he milked as high as thirty-five cows and the sale of his dairy products adds materially to his income. In addition to his dairying he has engaged in stock raising and is the owner of a registered Poland China boar and a shorthorn Durham bull. Thus breeding to fine stock, he is continually improving the grade of hogs and cattle which he raises, and his live stock interests constitute an important feature of his business.
     Mr. and Mrs. Zipse became the parents of twelve children, of whom eleven are living, Joseph having died in infancy. The, others are: John Franklin, Mrs. Laura AT. Benz, Mrs. Martha Trewin, Mrs. Edith E. Judge, Charles C., Mrs. Katherine R. Whitman, Esther V., William R., Clarence O., Lula I. and George C. The last named served with the One Hundred and Fortieth Infantry of the Thirty-fifth Division of the United States Army in France, being overseas for a year and participating in all of the engagements in which that division took part. He was in some of the most hotly contested sectors of the war, bearing his part in winning the victory that finally crowned the American arms, giving the army an important place in promoting the democracy of the world.
     Mr. Zipse is identified with the Farmers Equity Association. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Fredericksburg, while he and his family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church of that place. His life has ever been characterized by high and honorable principles, his acts prompted by upright motives, and his career indicates that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

 

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