Mr. and Mrs. George Peters
GEORGE PETERS FAMILY
George Peters, son of John and Dora Carstens Peters, and Milda Wegner,
daughter of William and Emma (Nagel) Wegner, were married March 23, 1927.
George was born July 30, 1901, in Arcadia. They later moved to Manilla where he attended school. He worked for various farmers in the community, and later as a painter with his brother Jack in Glidden, until they moved to Manning. He then worked in the Siem and Peters Tavern for a number of years.
Milda was born March 9, 1906 on a farm in the Aspinwall community. She attended the rural school and later attended school in Aspinwall.
After their marriage they moved into Aspinwall and lived in the house later bought by Claus Hansen, which is now owned by Warren Wegner (George's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jurgen Carstens, also lived in this house when George was a small boy).
They lived there until 1941, when they moved to Manning.
Two children were born to George and Milda while living in Aspinwall.
Danny Lee was born April 15, 1931, and attended school there. He later graduated from Manning High School and Iowa Stare University with a B.S. degree in Forestry. He married Lois Wilhelm June 15, 1952; she graduated from Iowa Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines. They reside in Monte Vista, Colorado, where Dan is with the Forest Service. They have five children.
Cynthia Ann was born October 22, 1938. She also graduated from Manning High School and later from the Iowa Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines, and is now the nursing supervisor of the Manning General Hospital. She married Larry Genzen August 30, 1959; he is a graduate of Iowa State University with a B.S. degree in Agriculture Education, and taught school a number of years. They are now residing on a farm two miles north of Manning. They have five children.
David was born December 20, 1941, after they moved to Manning. He graduated from Manning High School and Iowa State University with a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management. He is currently a biologist with the Federal Department of Water Pollution in Dallas, Texas, but he and his family are living in Plano, Texas. He married Deanna Grundmeier of Carroll September 6, 1964; she has a B.S. degree in Nursing from Iowa University. They have three children.
George had been an interior-exterior home decorator after moving to Manning, and he retired several years ago. He was a member of the Manning Fire Department for 37 years, from which he also retired this past year.
Milda had worked as a clerk for the Brown-McDonald Store in Manning, and for Johnson Department Store for a number of years. The family are all members of the Lutheran Church.
George and Milda have 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
ODDS AND ENDS
In October, 1906, Mrs. Lorenz Lorenzen, living south of Manilla, was killed in
a runaway accident, the horses becoming frightened at some coats hung on a
fence by the roadside. In November, John Segebart, an Iowa Township farmer, was
killed while crossing the Milwaukee track near Aspinwall. He failed to notice
the approaching train and he was thrown some distance when the engine struck
his wagon.
History of Crawford County, published in 1911
ODDS AND ENDS
Census figures show Crawford County having 18,894 people in 1890, with Iowa
Township listing 921, Hayes 830, and Nishnabotny (Nishnabotna is correct spelling) 1,222.
In 1900, Crawford County had 21,685 people, with Iowa Township having 952,
Hayes 736, and Nishnabotny 1,655. In 1910, Crawford
County had 20,041 people, with Iowa Township having 763, Hayes 560, and Nishnabotny 1,678.
History of Crawford County, published in 1911
ODDS AND ENDS
Many early settlers in Crawford County were of Irish
descent. This element has done much for the up-building of the county and
enrolls many of those who have been most prominent in the county's history.
Among the first Irish settlers were Michael McAndrews
and family, Westside Township, September 1865; James E. Walsh and family, Hayes
Township, 1871; Michael McMahon, Iowa Township, 1869; Patrick McGrath,
Nishnabotna Township, 1872.
History of Crawford County, published in 1911
Page 267
CHARLIE PFOLTNER
Charlie, son of Jurgen and Frauke (Hoffman) Pfoltner, was born November 6, 1888, north of Walcott in Scott
County. Emma Grau, daughter of Claus Henry and Mathilda
(Mohr) Grau, was born June 7, 1894, in Carroll County, south of Manning.
Charlie and Emma were married February 17, 1914, and they farmed near Manning,
where two of their children, Florence and Esther, were born. In 1918, Charlie
and his family moved to a farm 1/4 mile north of Aspinwall, where the Roland
Meeves family now resides. Another daughter, Alma, and a son and daughter who
died in infancy, were born there. Charlie and Emma lived on this farm until
1943, when they moved away. Charlie died May 27, 1961, and Emma October 15, 1966.
Florence married Woodrow Flenker of Manning, and they have four children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Florence and "Woody" lived in Manning, Dubuque, and now live in Maquoketa.
Esther married Amos Jahn, who lived northwest of Aspinwall, and they had a family of two daughters and one son. They now have seven grandchildren. Esther and Amos lived on various farms around the Manning and Manilla area for a number of years, and then moved to a farm near Adair. They are now retired in Adair.
Alma married Lewis Schroeder and had a son and a daughter. They have six grandchildren. Alma and Lewis lived on various farms around Manning and then purchased the farm of her grandmother, Frauke Pfoltner, in 1949. They lived there until 1975, when they moved to Manning.
ODDS AND ENDS
A young stranger -- a baby boy -- made his appearance at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Ebsen Tuesday.
Aspinwall News of Manning Monitor May 25, 1895
PFOLTNER-FLENKER
Florence Frances was born September 4, 1914, the oldest daughter of Charlie and Emma (Grau) Pfoltner. They
lived on the first farm north of Aspinwall and she attended Aspinwall and Manning schools.
Woodrow W. Flenker was born November 9, 1912, son of Charles and Anna (Fonken) Flenker. He and Florence were married November 7, 1937, at Manning.
They had four children: Roger Charles, born May 4, 1939 at Manning; Darlene Joy, born April 24, 1940, at Dubuque; Doris Jeanne, born August 8, 1944, at Maquoketa; and Richard Wayne, born December 2, 1945, at Clinton.
Roger has been in business with his father since 1958, and his wife, Mary Kay Hayward, is an Assistant Vice President of Jackson State Bank, Maquoketa. Their sons are Lyn, a student at UNI, and Kevin, a student at Loras in Dubuque.
Darlene is the wife of Allan L. Cook, the Lennox heating and air conditioning dealer in Maquoketa. She is the business bookkeeper and her outside interest is genealogy. Their children are Linda O'Connell, Lee Allan, Christene and Catherine.
Doris married Harlan Hazer, owner of Hazer semi-trucking business. Their sons are Brian, David and John.
Richard (Dick) is married to Trudy Williams. The U.S. Navy is his chosen career and he is at the present on the west coast. His wife and children reside in Maquoketa. The children are Melissa, Terra, Ricky and Randy.
Woody has been an auto mechanic all his life, in Manning, Dubuque and Maquoketa, their home since 1941. In 1953 he decided to enter the service station business.
Page 268
Maquoketa, like Manning, has a volunteer fire department. Because he felt this an important community service, Woody has always been an active member of the two departments. In 1940 he was presented a 10 year certificate from the Manning Fire Department, and in 1970 he received a gold watch for 25 years of service in the Maquoketa area.
Florence has been active in various church groups, with over 20 years of Sunday School teaching. Their 13 grandchildren, and great-grandson Joshua J. O'Connell, book work for Woody's Station, and ceramics as a favorite hobby, keep her busy.
GEORGE F. PFOLTNER
George Franklin Pfoltner was born in Manning August 10, 1922, son of Hans and
Rosie Pfoltner. He was raised in Manning and graduated from Manning High School.
Jean Ohde was born on a farm north of Manning May 23, 1923, daughter of George and Anna Ohde. She attended rural school and later graduated from Beauty School in Omaha.
George and Jean were married April 6, 1943. They farmed east of Manning for two years. In 1945 they moved to a farm 1/2 mile south of Aspinwall where they now live. George is a veteran of World War II, serving with the Marine Corps. They have three children: David, born February 14, 1945; Patricia, born December 24, 1949; and Brian, born January 31, 1962. They are all graduates of Manning High School.
David graduated from Iowa State University with a Masters Degree in Psychology. He served in the Army during the Viet Nam War. He married Donna Skarshaug of Ames, a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Degree in Nursing. They have two children, Christopher and Jennifer. They live in Sheridan, Illinois, where David is employed in a Medium Security Prison as supervisor of all records, clinical and counseling services.
Patricia graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City with a degree in Music Education. She married James Dinklage of Wisner, Nebraska, a graduate of Wayne State College. They are engaged in farming near Wisner. Patricia teaches elementary music in the Pender, Nebraska school.
Brian is a sophomore at Morningside College in Sioux City majoring in music. He is active in marching band, jazz band, concert band and choir.
ODDS AND ENDS
In 1876, the price of land in Crawford County varied from $4.17 an acre in
Soldier Township to $6.09 in Hayes Township.
History of Crawford County, published in 1911
ROBERT PHILLIPS FAMILY
Audrey Leinen, daughter of Andrew and Leone Leinen of Spencer, married Robert
Phillips May 28, 1956. Robert is the son of Harlan and Edna Wunder Phillips.
They are living on Robert's mother's farm five miles north of Aspinwall. They
farm that 160 acres and also 80 acres Robert purchased from Wilbur Schroeder in 1966.
Robert has one sister, Doris, Mrs. Larry Witt, who lives one mile east and 2 1/2 south of Aspinwall. Audrey has two sisters and two brothers in her family, Dale Leinen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Alan Leinen, Omaha, Nebraska; Ethel (Mrs. Loren Poeppe) of Torrington, Wyoming; and Doris (Mrs. Robert Semback) of Spencer.
Robert and Audrey had four children and two grandchildren.
Their first child was a daughter, Rebecca, born August 7, 1957. Rebecca married Steven Zinke June 26, 1976. They have two children, Jamy, five, and Elizabeth, two. They farm a dairy farm south and west of Gray.
Lynn was born February 10, 1960. He graduated from Manning High School in 1979 and farms with his father.
Lisa was born December 26, 1961. She graduated from Manning High School in 1981. She was married to Daryl Rohe June 12, 1982, and they farm east of Manning.
A son, Todd, was born January 25, 1966, and passed away three days later, on January 28th.
Robert is a trustee at the Five Mile House and is an agent for Carroll County Home Mutual Insurance Association. Audrey is a member of the Aspinwall Auxiliary and is bookkeeper at Soll's Service in Aspinwall.
Page 269
HARRY AND HERMAN PLOEN
Herman Ploen, born January 27, 1907, and Harry Ploen, born June 3, 1911, are sons of Peter C. and Lena (Moeller) Ploen. The family
lived one mile south of Manning until 1910, when they moved to the farm one
mile north of Aspinwall; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ploen purchased the original 80
acres from Carl Hagedorn. The family continued to live there until 1915, when
they moved to Manning and rented out the land.
Both Herman and Harry served in World War II and they are members of the V.F.W. and American Legion Posts at Manning. They both are members of the Hayes Township Schuetzen Verein, with Herman winning the annual King Shoot in 1981 and Harry in 1953 and 1970. They continue to make their home at 140 First Street, Manning.
Peter Ploen passed away in 1955 and Lena Ploen in 1941.
Herman worked for the Manning Light Plant and Harry for the Manning Water and Sewer Department for many years. They are now retired.
Tenants of the Ploen farm have included Helmuth Schroeder, Herman Oeser, John Rowedder, Albert Schroeder, Lorenz Clausen, Julius Dammann, Hugo Schrum, Louis Dammann, Hans and Merlin Jurgensen, Myles Dau, and presently, Raymond and Marian Irlbeck and their six children. An additional 80 acres across the road from the farm was purchased in 1923 from Jurgen Schroeder, giving the farm a total of 160 acres.
ODDS AND ENDS
We had quite a heavy rain last Sunday evening, which
took two county bridges away. Supervisor Harvey was dispatched for and arrived
Monday to haul them back and have them repaired without delay.
Manning Monitor, June 5, 1884
W. THOMAS AND EMMA RALPH
W. Thomas Ralph and Emma Hinrichs were married March 14, 1906, in Manning. They
went to live on the farm that is on the southwest corner of Aspinwall, now the
home of Chris and Mary Ann Brandt. At one time, the farm had a big white barn,
which burned. Another was built and it, too, burned.
Before their marriage, Thomas was a hog and cattle buyer in the Aspinwall area. During that time, he stayed with Jacob and Minnie Carstens. After their marriage, Thomas taught the Aspinwall School.
A daughter, Elva Mary, was born February 16, 1909. The family moved to a farm west of Carroll in December, 1910. Elva Ralph Arndt now lives in Bellevue, Nebraska, and her parents and brother are buried in the Iowa Township Cemetery.
ODDS AND ENDS
C.H. Woodard was killed May 27, 1906, while moving a house at Manilla. A rope
broke and the house commenced sliding down hill. Mr. Woodard attempted to put a
block under one of the trucks, but the house slipped from the trucks pinioning
him to the ground and killing him instantly.
History of Crawford County, published in 1911
Page 270
JULIUS RANNIGER FAMILY
Julius Ranniger was born in 1895 in Iowa Township, Crawford County, on a farm
one mile north of Aspinwall. He received his education in the Aspinwall
schools. In 1920 he married Emma Lorenzen of Irwin, and they moved to a farm
one mile east and 2 1/2 miles north of Aspinwall. They farmed there until 1954
and then moved to Manning. After retiring from the farm, Julius worked in the
Aspinwall Co-op for a few years. He passed away in 1959.
Two children were born to this union, MayDelle (Mrs. Charles Engelmann), who now lives in Denison, and Marian (Mrs. Gilmore Joens), who lives in Arthur.
LOUIE RANNIGER FAMILY
Louie Ranniger was born and raised one mile north of Aspinwall. He was the son
of William and Margaret (Hienricks) Ranniger. In 1914
he was married to Christine Lorenzen of near Manilla. They lived on the family
farm until 1923, when they sold it and bought a farm one mile east and 3 1/2
miles north of Aspinwall, now the home of Russel Ranniger and owned by Wilmer Ranniger.
Their children are Wilmer, who has retired from farming and lives in Manning; Irene (Mrs. Harry Jansen), who lives near Aspinwall; Eunice (Mrs. Ray Friedrichsen) of Denison; and Wayne, who farms several miles north of Aspinwall.
Louie and Christine moved to Manning in 1946 and Mr. Ranniger passed away in 1961. Several years later Mrs. Ranniger was married to Otto Tesch of Juneau, Wisconsin. Mr. Tesch passed away in 1974 and Mrs. Tesch is still living in her home in Manning.
ODDS AND ENDS
One of the most beneficent organizations of the county and one which has done a
great deal to promote the prosperity of the farmers is the Mutual Fire,
Lightning, Tornado, and Wind Storm Insurance Association of German Farmers of
Crawford and Ida Counties. The company was organized December 29, 1879, at the
home of C.J. Holling of Otter Creek Township. Holling served as president until 1884.
(Holling, great-grandfather of Caroline Stammer Clark, was later postmaster in Aspinwall.)
History of Crawford County, published in 1911
Page 271
WAYNE RANNIGER FAMILY
Wayne Ranniger, son of Louis and Christine Lorenzen Ranniger, was born in June
of 1922 in Crawford County, a mile north of Aspinwall. He was married in
February of 1946 to Viola Henkelman, daughter of Edward and Katherine Henkelman of Manilla.
They are the parents of five children. Carol, born in 1947, is married to Joseph J. Lally of Denison, and they have three children, J.J., Micha, and Meghan; he is employed by Farmland as manager of livestock services. James, born in 1949, lives at home and commutes daily to New Hope Village in Carroll. William, born in 1950, married Maureen Wenzel of Wall Lake, and their children are Ryan, Beth and Michael; he is an attorney and associated with Crandall Law Office in Manning. Gaylin, born in 1952, is married to Jan Arp of Manning and they are the parents of one son Alex; Gaylin is a Certified Public Accountant and has his office in Manning. Royce, born in 1957, is married to Kathy Youngers of Sheldon and is Administrative Assistant of South Sioux City School in Nebraska; they reside in Sioux City, Iowa.
Wayne purchased the Walter Ossenkop farm 3 1/2 miles north of Aspinwall in 1947, which he still farms and where they live.
ODDS AND ENDS
During the severe winter of 1855-6, Henry Custar had
just finished a small cabin on the Nishnabotna when the cold commenced. His
harvest consisted of some 12 bushels of buckwheat and a few bushels of corn. He
was so situated that he could not get to the mill and had it not been for his
wife's ingenuity, the family would hardly have lived through the winter. The
corn she converted into hominy, and the buckwheat she
ground in the coffee mill and by stinting the family a little she made the
stock last until the close of the winter. This was the winter preceding the winter of the deep snow.
History of Crawford County, published in 1911
WILLIAM RANNIGER FAMILY
William Ranniger was born in Holsteneindorf,
Holstein, Germany, May 4, 1854. He came to the United States at the age of 17
and settled in the Davenport area. After a couple of years, he came to this
part of Iowa, where he met and married Theresa Wunder.
The union was blessed with six children. Emma was the only one who lived. She married William Nagel and they moved to North Dakota.
Mrs. Ranniger (Theresa) passed away in 1886.
After a few years William married Margaret Heinrich, who was born in Clinton County. In 1891 they bought a farm one mile north of Aspinwall. Five children were born to this marriage, Louis, Anna (Mrs. Clyde Farrell), Minnie (Mrs. August Gruhn), Julius and Leona (Mrs. Louie Koester). Mrs. Ranniger (Margaret) passed away in 1922.
William Ranniger also owned property in Aspinwall and made his home there for a good many years. He owned quite a few acres of land in this area, and Louis and Julius bought their farms from their father. William passed away in 1940.
ODDS AND ENDS
Current market prices in Denison in August, 1869, were: wheat, $1.00, oats,
40c, flour, $3.50 per 100/weight, corn, $1.00, beef, 6 to 10c, potatoes, $1.00,
dried apples, 20c/pound, dried peaches, 20c/pound, butter, 15 to 20c, sugar, 14
to 19c/pound, syrup, $1.25 to $1.50/gallon, coffee, 27 to 40c/pound, candles,
30c/pound, lard, 20c, salt, $3.75/barrel.
History of Crawford County, published in 1911