Crawford County >> 1911 Index

History of Crawford County, Iowa
by F. W. Meyers. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1911.

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Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton.

AUGUST MAACK

One of the well improved and highly cultivated farms of Crawford county is that of August Maack, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Hanover township. He is a native of Germany , his birth occurring on the 17th of October, 1870 , just a few weeks before his parents, Ernest and Mary (Sachau) Maack emigrated for the United States . They first located in Moline, Illinois, and during the first twenty-one years of their residence in this country the father worked out, but in 1891 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hanover township, Crawford county, Iowa, which he operated until his death in 1895. Mrs. Maack is still living at the age of sixty-six years and continues to reside on the homestead. They were the parents of the following children: Henry, who lives on the homestead; August, our subject; Emma, the wife of F. W. Dorale of South Dakota; John, who resides in Hanover township; Annie, who is the wife of Henry Dorale of Soldier township, this county; Matilda, who married Andrew Namanny, of South Dakota; Mary, who is still at home; and Christ, who died at the age of seventeen years.

August Maack obtained his education in the common schools, remaining at home until he had attained the age of twenty-six years, during which period by means of thrift and close application he accumulated sufficient capital to buy one hundred and twenty acres of land in Goodrich township. He operated this for nine years and then sold it and bought his present homestead. He has added many improvements to his place during his occupancy; the buildings are all in good state of repair; the place is well stocked; and the fields are given the careful supervision which results in abundant harvests. Everything about his place bespeaks thrift and capable management, while the farm is considered one of the valuable properties of the township.

On the 12th of March, 1896 , the union between Mr. Maack and Miss Dora Johannsen, of Clinton , Iowa , was solemnized. Four children were born of this union and they are as follows: Henry, who s born on the 11th of October, 1896; Lonie, born on the 3d of April, 1899; Edna, born on the 27th of March, 1901; and the fourth who died in infancy. Mrs. Maack passed away on the 8th of January, 1904 , and on the 3d of March, 1907 , Mr. Maack was united in marriage to Mrs. Wiebke (Boyens) Thun, who was born in Germany on the 24th of December, 1876 . She came to America with her parents when five years of age and they first settled near Denison, Iowa, where the father worked for others for two years and then farmed as a renter for two years. Mr. and Mrs. Boyens possessed the perseverance, diligence and careful management which characterizes their nationality, and the result was at the end of that period he had the necessary means to buy the farm in Goodrich township which he cultivated up to the time of his retirement in 1899, at which time he removed to Charter Oak. He passed away on the 19th of September, 1906 , but Mrs. Boyens is still living and makes her home with her daughter Mrs. Maack. They were the parents of eight children, who are as follows: Peter F., a resident of Plainview , Nebraska ; Henry, living in Hanover township; Christina, the wife of Clouse Hendricksen; Mary, the wife of Casper Miller, of Charter Oak; Hans, who resides in Goodrich township; Mrs. Maack; and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Maack was first married February 18, 1896 , becoming the wife of Johannes Thun, who died October 4, 1905 , leaving three children, namely: Hilda, born May 9, 1900 ; Hans, born August 23, 1902 ; and Annie, born June 29, 1905 . All are still living. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Maack: August, born on the 22d of November, 1908 ; and Martha, born on the 6th of August, 1910 .

E. N. McCord

That the life history of E. N. McCord is a record of success is due to the persistent effort and intelligently directed industry which he has displayed through the many years of his connection with agricultural interests. He is a grandson of Allen and Nancy (Hezlep) McCord and comes of Scotch-Irish lineage. His father, David McCord, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1839, was there reared and educated, and he remained in the Keystone state until attaining his majority, when, in 1860, attracted by the opportunities of the middle west, he made his way to Illinois, locating in Douglas county, where he resided for twelve years. The year 1872 witnessed his arrival in Crawford county, Iowa, and he became one of the first settlers on Paradise creek. Here he made his home throughout his remaining days and passed away on the 7th of January, 1892. He had been a farmer all his life and at the time of his death was the owner of two hundred acres of land in Paradise township. His wife, who more the maiden name of Phoebe J. Schouten, was born in Saratoga county, New York, and when fifteen years of age removed with her parents to Illinois, the family home being established in Douglas county. There she met and married David McCord. She is yet living and resides during the summer months in Crawford county, Iowa, while the winter seasons she spends in Oklahoma. By her union with Mr. McCord she became the mother of five children, as follows: Mamie, the wife of Robert Grayson, a lawyer of Boynton, Oklahoma; E. N., of this review; Addie, who wedded James Bixler, of Centerville, South Dakota, where he engages in agriculture; Nannie, the wife of W. D. Suiter, a farmer of Boynton, Oklahoma; and Alma, the wife of Ed Duncan, also engaged in farming in Crawford county. There was also an adopted son, Allen, who is now a draftsman in the government employ, stationed at Santa Fe, New Mexico.

E. N. McCord, the eldest son of the family, was born in Arcola, Illinois, on the 23d of September, 1868, and was therefore but four years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Crawford county in 1872. In the schools of this county he gained a good education and while not engaged in his school work assisted his father about the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the country lad. He started out independent as a farmer when twenty-three years of age and in the following year, upon the death of his father, assumed charge of the old homestead and has since continued to make that his place of residence. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres of rich land which in its well improved condition and high state of development indicates the practical methods which he has employed and the industry, diligence and perseverance which have characterized his efforts. In addition to general farming he is an extensive raiser and breeder of high grade stock, the excellence of which is recognized throughout the district, and both branches of his business are so carefully managed that they have prospered under his careful supervision and keen business sagacity until he is today recognized as one of the substantial and successful agriculturists of Paradise township.

It was on the 15th of March, 1891, that Mr. McCord was united in marriage to Miss Idea Bixler, who was born in Jackson county, Iowa, a daughter of Isaac and Mary E. (Jones) Bixler. Her father, whose birth occurred in Ohio on the 14th of March, 1839, was taken to Jackson county, Iowa, when but a year old, and there he grew to manhood. In the spring of 1881 he came to Crawford county and located in Paradise township, where he made his home until his death in February, 1909. He was a farmer and followed that occupation throughout his lifetime. His wife, who was born in England, came to the Unites States when only six months and at the age of thirteen removed with her parents to Iowa, the family locating at Lyons. She was married in Springvale, Iowa, and still survives, making her home at present in Dow City. By her marriage to Mr. Bixler she became the mother of seven children, namely: Frank, a farmer of Paradise township; Mrs. McCord; William, a carpenter of Elk City, Oklahoma; James, engaged in farming in Centerville, South Dakota; Etta, the wife of Carey Saxton, of Denison township; Samuel, a farmer of Oaks, North Dakota; and Lottie, who resides with her mother in Dow City, Iowa. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCord has been blessed with four children: Clarence, now eighteen years of age; Gladys, aged sixteen years; Marcus, aged eleven years; and Ione, ten years.

Fraternally Mr. McCord is identified with Denison Lodge, I. O. O. F.., and the Modern Woodmen of America at Dow City, and in politics gives stalwart support to the republican party, believing that the principles of that organization are best adapted to conserve the interests of state and nation. He is insured in the Banker's Life Association and is progressive in all of his ideas both in personal and public matters. His has been a life of continuous activity, characterized by well directed efforts and close application, and the success that has attended his labors has been substantial and well merited.

GEORGE MENAGH submitted by Norm Prince

George Menagh, one of the most prosperous, enterprising and respected citizens of Denison, conducts an extensive business as a general merchant and miller. He is a native of County Down, Ireland, his parents being Hugh and Ann Menagh, who were likewise born in that country. The father, who was employed as an engineer by the Northern Counties Railroad in Ireland, crossed the Atlantic to the Untied States in 1869, coming direct to Denison, Iowa. On arriving in this county he turned his attention to farming in East Boyer township, first purchasing a tract of eighty acres and later buying forty acres more. It was all raw prairie when it came into his possession, but he set resolutely to work and soon transformed the property into a rich and productive farm. Since about 1882 he has made his home in Denison, being one of the well known and highly esteemed residents of the community. His wife was called to her final rest in August, 1902. They were Baptists in early life but later joined the Holiness Band. Unto them were born five children, as follows: George, of this review; Charles; Anna, the wife of A D Randall; Hugh; and Sarah, the widow of a Mr Chesney.

George Menagh spent the first seventeen years of his life int eh land of his nativity and there acquired his education. After putting aside his text-books he worked for some time as a cabinet maker but after emigrating to the new wold became identified with general agricultural pursuits, following farming in Crawford county, Iowa, until 1880. In that year he took up his abode in Denison but continued breaking prairie for the farmers of the vicinity. In 1883 he began buying grain in association with his brother Charles, the partnership being maintained for several years or until he purchased his brother’s interest. He still deals in grain, coal, hay and all kinds of mill feeds and enjoys an extensive trade along those lines. On the 2d of July, 1903, he established a grocery business in Denison, which he has developed into a general store, opening on two streets and having both south and west fronts. He manufactures harness and sells dry goods, meats, groceries and notions. His sons and daughter are associated with him in business and assist in the conduct of the extensive establishment, in which a large number of clerks are employed.

Mr Menagh was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Henderson, a native of County Antrim, Ireland. Her father died when she was an infant and her mother when she was fourteen years old, leaving her an orphan living with her uncle Thomas Luney. Unto our subject and his wife were born four sons and one daughter, namely: Elizabeth; Charles William, who wedded Miss Sadie Bohart and has one son, George; James; David; and John.

Mr Menagh gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. Throughout his business life he has been watchful of indications pointing to success, has utilized his opportunities to the best advantage and has been upright and honorable in all his dealings. Though born across the water, he is throughly American in spirit and interests and the town of Denison numbers him among its leading and valued residents.