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HISTORY OF
HAMILTON COUNTY
IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
Volume II
1912
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO
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THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
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Biographical
COLONEL GEORGE W. CROSLEY.
Colonel George W. Crosley was born in Xtw Haven, Huron
county, Ohio, on March 4, 1839, and moved to Illinois with his par-
ents when he was four years of age and grew- to young manhood in
that state. He came to Story county. Iowa, in 1856, and assisted his
father in improving the farm upon the site where the town of Ames
now stands. Two years later he moved to Nevada, the county seat
of Story county, and lived in that section until the outbreak of the
Civil war. On May 21, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third Iowa
Volunteer Infantry, and a few days later started out with his com-
pany to Keokuk, the rendezvous of the regiment w here he was mus-
tered into the service of the United States government as first ser-
geant. He was subsequently promoted to first lieutenant of his com-
pany and later to major of his regiment. He received the brevet rank
of lieutenant colonel and later colonel of his regiment for meritorious
service in battle. He was active during the entire period of the war
and participated in many of the most important engagements. At
the close of hostilities he received an honorable discharge and came to
Webster City, Iowa, in September, 1865. For a number of years he
was engaged in the general merchandise business and served for some
time as postmaster under the first Grant administration. Later he
was a commercial traveler and afterw^ard engaged in Inisiness for six
years on the corner east of the \\'illson House. He took an active in-
terest in politics being an ardent republican but did not become a can-
didate for any elective office until 1879, when having retired from
business, he was nominated and elected sheriff of Hamilton county,
which position he held for two terms and was tendered the nomina-
tion for a third term but declined. In 1884 he was made warden of
the low'a Penitentiary at Fort Madison and served for six years, re-
turning in 1890 to his home in W^ebster City. Since that time he has
served for six years as a member of the city council and has been
actively identified with every movement which had for its object the
6 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
best interests of the community and the growth and development of
the city wliich has so long been his home and where he expects to
spend the remainder of his life.
In 1907 he took up the work of compiling the "Roster History
and Records of Iowa Soldiers." Over four years he was engaged in
this great work and spent nearly all his time in the office of the adju-
tant general of Iowa at Des Moines, in order to have ready access to
the military records of the state. The work has been published in
six large volumes and constitutes a complete compendium of the mili-
tary history of Iowa from the time of its admission to the union in
1846. An immense amount of laborious research and investigation
which might well have tested the strength of a younger man was in-
volved in the preparation of this work. Since its completion Colonel
Crosley has been compelled to retire from active life on account of
impaired health.
This sketch is intended to deal only with the important events in
the life of its subject without attempting to enter into detail. If asked
w hat was the most important event of his life, Colonel Crosley would
promptly reply, "My marriage." Few men have been blessed with so
happy a domestic life. While on veteran furlough with his regiment
on April 16, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Edna M. Ris-
don, at the home of her parents, in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence county,
New York. Four children were born to this union: George R.,
Charles C, Charlotte E., and Varick C. The second son, Charles C,
died when nearing his tenth birthday, but his mother and other chil-
dren are living to comfort and bless Colonel Crosley in the declining
years of his life.
VARICK C. CROSLEY.
Varick C. Crosley was bom in Webster City on November 1 1 ,
1875, and is a son of Col. and Mrs. G. W. Crosley. His father is one
of the prominent and well known residents of this city and is an
honored veteran of the Civil war. More extended mention of Col.
Crosley is made in the preceding sketch. The subject of this
sketch was eaucated in the public schools of his native city and in
1884 upon the election of his father to the office of warden of the
Iowa Penitentiary at Fort Madison he removed with his parents to that
city.wherp he^r^majn^d until the spring of 1890, pursuing his studies
• • •
> • •
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 7
in the public schools during that time. He returned to Webster City
and in 1894 entered the R. N. Woodworth Abstract, Real Estate &
Loan office where he remained until the latter part of the year 1898
when he was employed by Hon. J. A. Fitchpatrick who was engaged
in the same line of business in Nevada, Iowa. Having received a thor-
ough education in his chosen line of activity Mr. Crosley detemiined
ro establish himself in business in his home city. Accordingly he re-
turned to Webster City in the spring of 1900 and at once opened an
office. Since then he has by the exercise of honorable business meth-
ods and persistent industry secured a large and constantly growing
clientage and has well earned his reputation as a substantial and re-
liable business man. His transactions are not confined to Hamilton
county alone, but extend into the adjoining counties and he has estab-
lished a wide acquaintance throughout the state. His business con-
nections are of the best and highest character. He has attained pros-
perity by reason of his experience, industry and centralized activity.
His investments have been made judiciously and he is now the owner
of a highly productive farm of two hundred and forty acres, located
about five miles west of Webster City. He also owns much desirable
real estate in the community in which he resides and has a pleasant
and comfortable home at No. 732 First street. He is one of the .stock-
holders and a member of the board of directors of the Farmers' Na-
tional Bank and is widely known as a promoter of progressive public
enterprises.
He is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in
Acacia Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M.. of \\hich organization he is
past master. He belongs to the Royal Arch Masons and the Knights
Templar of Webster City and is prominent in the affairs of the Za-
Ga-Zig Shrine Temple of Des Moines. He belongs to the Webster
City Outing Club and holds membership by inheritance from his
father in the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
He joined the First Congregational church of Webster City at the
age of sixteen and still retains his membership. In politics he has
affiliated with the republican party since he attained his majority, but
is very tolerant toward those who hold different political views from
his own. While taking an active interest in local, state and national
affairs he has never sought nor held any public office.
On September 15, 1906, Mr. Crosley was united in marriage to
Miss Gladys Call Whitley, a daughter of Dr. F. E. and Cora (Call)
Whitley, and a granddaughter of Rev. and Mrs. L. N. Call. Mrs.
Crosley was born at Traer, Iowa, on October 29, 1883, and is a
8 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
graduate of the Webster City high schools and of the State University
at Iowa City. Mr. and Mrs. Crosley have one daughter, Mary Elea-
nor, who was born on October 24, 1908. Our subject and his wife
occupy a prominent position in the social and intellectual life of their
community and their pleasant home is noted for its hospitality not
only among their friends in Webster City but among guests from
other towns and cities in the state.
HARTVIG M. SPARBOE.
Webster City has conferred upon Hartvig Al. Sparboe the
highest honor within her gift, having called him to the office of
mayor for the second term. He has been actively and helpfully
interested in municipal affairs for a number of years and looks
at vital questions relative to the city's upbuilding and the man-
agement of its Ijusiness interests in a practical yet progressive
way. His own life history serves as a source of inspiration and
encouragement to others, for Mr. Sparboe is a self-educated and
self-made man whose advancement is due to the wise use he has
made of his time and opportunities and not to any fortunate com-
bination of circumstances. He was born in Norway, March 5,
1867, and was only three years of age at the time of the death
of his father, Anthony Sparboe, who passed away in 1870, three
days before the l)irth of his youngest son, leaving the widowed
mother, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Bergitte
Karohison, with four sons. In 1873, with her little family, the
eldest being then ten years of age and the youngest a little more
than two years, she came to the United States and was also ac-
companied b}- her mother. After landing on the eastern coast
they made their way direct to Hamilton county, Iowa, and settled
in Scott township, where Mrs. Sparboe still makes her home upon
the farm which was purchased for her 1)y her sons, who display
tlie most filial love and devotion to the mother who made every
possible sacrifice during their childhood for their lienefit. She
has now reached the advanced age of eighty-three years. Her
surviving sons are: H. M.; John H., who is living- at Ellsworth,
Hamilton count}', and is a farmer owning four hundred and eighty
acres of productive land; and Carl, w-ho owns two hundred and
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 9
forty acres near Ellsworth, whereon he is engaged in l)reeding
shorthorn cattle.
The financial condition in which the famih' was left com-
pelled Hartvig M. Sparboe to work whenever it was possible for
him to do so, and thus his educational opportunities wxre some-
what limited. He pursued his studies during the winter terms
of school in Hamilton county but was not satisfied with the edu-
cation there acquired and bent his effort toward the attainment
of means which would enable him to continue his studies. At
length he entered St. Olaf's College at Northfield, Minnesota,
and afterward the Dexter Normal School at Dexter, Iowa. He
thus (|ualifie(l himself for the profession of teaching, which he
followed during the winter months after he reached the age of
seventeen years, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm
work. The money thus acquired enabled him later to enter Cal-
anan College at Des Moines and he afterward became a student
in the Iowa Business College of that city, from which he was
graduated in the class of 1890. Later he taught stenography in
the Iowa Business College for one year, after wdiich he joined
his brother, O. A. B. Sparboe, in opening and conducting a busi-
ness college in Story City, Iowa, known as the Story City Busi-
ness College, in 1891. Two years later because of the ill health
of the brothers they sold the school and O. A. B. Sparboe traveled
for his health but finally passed away in Europe in 1898. Hartvig"
M. Sparboe went to ]\Iinneapolis for hospital treatment and after
a two years' residence in that city returned to the home farm
in Hamilton county, devoting his attention to general agricul-
tural ])ursuits until he w^as appointed deputy county treasurer
under P. Mathre. He filled that position from January i, 1898,
until January i, 1900, but continued to work in tlie county treas-
urer's ofiice in collecting delinquent taxes for the county until
January i, 1901. He was then appointed bookkeeper for the
First National Bank of Webster City and after tw'o years was
made cashier of the Webster Citv Savings Bank. He acted in
the latter capacity for t\vo years and since that time has been
continuously engaged in the life insurance business, in which
connection he has secured a large clientage.
Mr. Sparboe has made an excellent record in public office.
He has not only served as deputy county treasurer but in the
fall of 1907 was appointed to fill a vacancy in the city council
for the -term ending April i, 1909, when, having been elected
10 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
mayor, he entered upon that position and at the close of his
first term was reelected in 191 1. He is therefore the chief
executive of the city at the present time. His reelection came
to him as the indorsement of the work of his first term, which
was characterized by various needed reforms and improvements,
with a careful businesslike administration of municipal affairs.
He does not bar progress with useless conservatism and yet he
carefully safeguards the interests of the city in the matter of
public expenditures. He has made an excellent record as presi-
dent of the Iowa State Drainage Association and is deeply inter-
ested in matters relating to the waterways and the conservation
interests of the commonwealth.
Mr. Sparboe was married June 3, 1893, in Webster City, to
Miss Gertrude Logan, a daughter of Christian Logan, of Roland,
Hamilton county, who was one of the pioneers of this part of
the state and is still living on the old home farm. Mr. and Mrs.
Sparboe had been friends from childhood. They became the
parents of four children but their first born, Bergitte, whose
birth occurred March 26, 1894, died at the age of four months.
The others are: Ole Anthony, born December 26, 1898; Thelma,
born May 31, 1901 ; and Jerome, born January 21, 1904. The
family live at No. 1000 Boone street. They attend the Christian
Science church, of which Mr. Sparboe is a member, and he
furthermore has membership relations with the Country Club
and also with the Webster City Commercial League, of which he
is the secretary. He is actuated in all that he does by a spirit
of enterprise and it is well known that his cooperation can be
counted upon to further any movement for the general good.
The consensus of public opinion places him in an enviable posi-
tion in the regard of his fellow townsmen both in his business
relations and in his citizenship. He was elected President of
Iowa State Drainage Association in 191 1, and reelected in 1912.
JULIUS M. JONES.
Julius M. Jones, one of the venerable and highly esteemed citizens
of Hamilton county, took up his abode here in the spring of 1856 and
has remained within its borders continuously since with the excep-
tion of two years' residence in Chicago. He bore his part in the
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 13
work of early development and upljuilding and through the able di-
rection of his business interests won a handsome competence that now
enables him to spend the evening of life in well earned ease. For
many years he was successfully engaged in general merchandising at
Webster City and he likewise held the office of president of the
Farmers National Bank, of which institution he was one of the or-
ganizers and of which his son is now at the head. His birth occurred
in Milford, Massachusetts, on the i6th of February, 1832, his par-
ents being John and Melinda (Chamberlain) Jones, the former of
Welsh ancestry. The maternal grandparents of our subject were
Nathaniel and Permelia Chamberlain.
Julius M. Jones was reared to manhood on the farm where he
was born and supplemented his early education by a course of study
in the Milford high school. In the spring of 1856, when a young man
of twenty-four years, he came to Iowa and Webster City, becom-
ing a sawyer in the old steam mill that stood on the east side of
town, near Bank street, just east of the track of the Chicago
& Northwestern Railroad. This mill, in which he owned a small
interest that he had bought on time, was a factor of the first conse-
quence in the early development and settlement of Webster City and
Hamilton county. Mr. Jones worked in the mill until the autumn of
1858, when he was elected clerk of the district court, to which posi-
tion he was reelected and in which capacity he ably served for six
years. As candidate for a third term he received the unanimous vote
of the county, and he was nominated without opposition for still
another term but the foUow'ing day received from Abraham Lincoln
the appointment of major and paymaster in the army. He was sta-
tioned at Louisville, Kentucky, until the cessation of hostilities be-
tween the north and the south. Of this period of his life Charles
Aldrich has written as follows : "His bond w^as fifty thousand dol-
lars, which some of his neighbors and friends made up among them-
selves without any consultation with him. At one time his pay-
master's safe contained nearly a million of dollars. In the ordinary dis-
charge of his duties under the government he seldom came into the
possession of more than about four hundred thousand dollars; but
this large sum was placed in his keeping by one of his old friends
who had know^n Major Jones in his early boyhood — a Mr. Walker,
an agent of the state of Ohio, to receive the pay of soldiers in the
field and take the money home to their families. Mr. Jones was only
individually responsible for the money and its loss would in no way
have affected his bondsmen. I mention this fact merely for the pur-
14 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
pose of stating how implicitly he was trusted by one who had only
known him in years long gone by, as a boy. Walker was compelled
to go across with Sherman in the latter's march 'from .Vtlanta to the
sea,' and the money remained in the safe of Paymaster Jones some
three months. When Walker finally 'got around' to take charge of
his great trust every dollar was forthcoming and the families of Ohio
soldiers were only inconvenienced by a few months' delay in receiv-
ing their money."
After the close of the war Major Jones was engaged in the whole-
sale stoneware trade at Chicago for two years, on the expiration of
which period he returned to Webster City and has here resided con-
tinuously since. For many years thereafter he devoted his attention
to general merchandising, being first associated for two years with
Kendall Young. After the retirement of the latter he continued in
the business for about fifteen years and during the last five years of
that period was associated with Cyrus Smith. Owing to failing health
he then retired for a time from active business pursuits and devoted
his attention to the supervision of his farming interests. In financial
circles he was also prominent, being one of the organizers of the
Fanners National Bank and directing its affairs as its president until
his son, Robert Emmons Jones, became the chief executive officer of
the institution. His business record is one of which he has every
reason to be proud and he richly deserves the xAmerican title of a self-
niade man. Coming to Webster City with little or no means, he made
his way steadily upward by dint of hard labor, close economy and
unfaltering perseverance.
On the 4th of March, 1869, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to
?^Iiss Jennie Fisher, a native of West Medway, Massachusetts, and
the oldest daughter of Elias T. and Martha B. (Ellis) Fisher, of
that place. They became the parents of three children, only one of
whom is living, Robert Emmons, who is a graduate of the State Uni-
versity of Michigan and who was formerly the vice president of the
I'armers National Bank. As above stated, he is now the j^resident
of that institution and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the suc-
cessful and representative business men of ^Vebster City. Airs.
Jennie (Fisher) Jones passed away at her home in Webster City on the
3d of November, 1909, at the age of sixty-seven years, after a linger-
ing illness. The following is an extract from an obituary notice
printed the next day: "Mrs. Jones was a pioneer woman here, widely
known and esteemed highly for her many excellent (jualities and
lovable traits of character. More than two years ago she was taken
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 15
with creeping paralysis, which the best of medical assistance could
not subdue. She was given treatment in Chicago, but returned home
with no hope of recovery. She was a patient and cheerful sufferer,
yet the final summons came as a sweet relief." We also quote in part
tile funeral address of Rev. F. O. Thrush. "* * * We are met
here this afternoon dominated by the vision of a Christian character,
the vision of one in all the grace and charm of womanhood, who has
passed from the scenes of our earthly life. Her going was as the
flashing of angels' wings as the shining gates opened and she passed
into the heavenly city. Mrs. Jones was born of Christian parents,
the daughter of a New England deacon. In that Christian home she
grew to womanhood. It is fair to presume that that home was the
great force which determined her character and influenced her whole
life. At the age of twenty-five she was united in marriage to Julius
AI. Jones and came to Webster City, where she lived for about forty-
two years. She was widely known in the city and entire community.
* * ♦ A^\'^ remember her as the perfect lady everywhere and al-
ways. I use that word 'lady' not in the ordinary and conventional
sense. I never mean to use it in that sense, and certainly I could not on
this occasion. She had the necessary refinement and gentleness of a
true Icidy. Her refinement and gentleness appeared when meeting
the high or the lowly, the rich or the poor, the educated or the un-
educated, her social equals or inferiors. Fler manner and attitude
were always those of the perfect lady. This was the secret of her
power to make friends. It has been said that one must be divinely
souled in order to make friends and that one so constituted need
not pass through life friendless. Then our departed friend must have
been divinely souled to an unusual degree, for her friends were legion.
* * ''' She who presided in this house made it a home — a refuge
from life's cares, an inspiration for life's duties, and an inner sanctu-
ary for life's confidences. While such women preside over our
homes we need not fear that this sacred institution will lose its i)o\\er
for good. I am certain that it cannot be construed other than fitting
that I should speak at this time of her passion for the liest things in
literature, for there are present here this afternoon those who. for
many years, were associated \\ ith her in reading and study. About
twenty-one years ago a few of the women of Webster City met and
organized the Wednesday Club. Mrs. Jones was one of those women,
and the club has maintained its organization for more than a score
of years, and to the time of her invalidism she was a faithful and dili-
gent reader in all the \arious departments of work the clul) under-
16 HISTORY OF HAAIILTON COUNTY
took. She thus became widely read in all the best things of literature.
* * * As I stand here in this beautiful home, now that she is gone,
and have a vision of her who presided here, I am in no sort of doubt
of what things are worth while; it is worth while for a woman to be
a lady, and a man to be a gentleman; it is worth while to have the
friendly nature, so that friends will gather about you to bless you in
health, comfort you in sickness, and hold you in affectionate memory
when you are gone. It is worth while for a noble man and a pure
woman, guided by love, to establish a home and bring up a family,
and find in that home the center for all life's activities, and the oppor-
tunity for the expression of the very best there is in them. It is
worth while to have the trained mind and the cultured heart and spend
much time with the great authors, for then you are associating with
the true royalty of earth — the men and women who have five talents.
It is worth while to seek to develop the spirit of benevolence that
looks upon all sentient life as affording an opportunity to do good
and bless. It is worth while to live in the faith of things unseen, and
not be shut up within the narrow circle of things seen and handled,
for life ever looks out upon the Infinite and Eternal. * * * j
spoke of Mrs. Jones' desire that 'Thanatopsis' should be read to her.
When living, her modest spirit would have resented the application
of those last words of the great poem to her life and character. But
now that she is gone, we, her friends, gathered in this home conse-
crated by her pure life and inevitable sufferings, may freely and truth-
fully make such application :
" 'So live that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan, which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent hall of death
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night.
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed,
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave.
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.' "
The following is a tribute by the Wednesday Club: "Among the
many whose hearts have been saddened by the death of Mrs. Jones
there are few, surely, who will more truly mourn her than the mem-
bers of the Wednesday Club; with Avhom she had been associated for
twenty-one years of study and loyal friendship. Her warm interest
HISTORY OF HAiMlLTON COUNTY 17
m the subjects studied, her friendly spirit, and the rare charms of her
nature, made her one of its best beloved members. Life seems
poorer when such as she are taken from us, but the benediction of her
influence and her dear memory will long be in our hearts a precious
heritage."
Major Jones has always given his political allegiance to the re-
publican party and has been honored by his fellow townsmen in elec-
tion to positions of public trust and responsibility. He was chosen a
member of the board of supervisors in 1869 ^^''^ acted as chairman
during his term. In the autumn of 1883 he was elected a member of
the Iowa house of representatives for the term of two years. He
was very active in behalf of the important temperance legislation of
the period, which resulted in the passage of the law totally prohibit-
ing the sale of intoxicating liquors and which was the foremost topic
of the times. His service in public office was always marked by great
prudence and efficiency and over the record of his official career there
falls no shadow- of wrong or suspicion of evil. There are few^ men
whose lives are crowned wdth the honor and respect which is uni-
versally accorded to Major Jones, but through more than a half cen-
tury's connection with Hamilton county's history his has been an
unblemished character. With him success in life has been reached by
his sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every manly princi-
ple. He has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate
to be right and honorable between his fellowmen and himself. He
has never swerved from the path of duty, and now after a long and
eventful career he can look back over the past with pride and enjoy
the declining years of his earthly pilgrimage with the consciousness
of having gained for himself by his honorable, straightforward career
the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he lives.
WILLIAM O. McCONXELL.
William O. McConnell, who owns and operates the "Long
View Stock & Seed Farm" is not only one of the leading agricul-
turists of his community, but has for some years been actively
identified with the political life of the county, and is now a mem-
ber of the board of commissioners. He was born in the vicinity
of Hooks Point, Hamilton county, on the 26th of August, 1856,
18 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
and is a son of Francis J. and iVrmilla (Cook) McConnell. the
former a native of Ireland and the latter of the state of Xew
York. At the age of eight years the father emigrated to the
United States, where he was reared and educated and learned
the molder's trade, which occupation he followed until he re-
moved to Iowa, when he turned his attention to agricultural pur-
suits. The parents were married in the state of New York and
there resided until 1856, when they came to Iowa and settled on
some land in the vicinity of Hooks Point. They remained there
for about one year and at the expiration of that time, in 1858, Mr.
McConnell bought a farm, on what is now section 30, Independ-
ence township, on which was a small house constructed from
native lumber. He devoted the remainder of his active years to
the further improvement and cultivation of this place, wdiich is
now the property of our subject. He was one of the foremost
citizens of his community and took an active and helpful interest
in all public affairs, particularly of a political nature, and served
with efficiency for a number of years as coroner and also as official
sealer of weights and measures. Both he and the mother passed
their latter years on the homestead, his death there occurring
on the 14th of December, 1889, and hers on January 17, 1887.
They were the parents of six children, our subject being the
eldest.
Reared at home, the education of William O. McConnell w as
begun in the district schools and completed in the AX'ebster City
public school, which he attended for three terms. He terminated
his student days at the age of eighteen years and began earning
his own living. For a year thereafter he engaged in teaching, but
at the end of that period he accepted a clerkship in a dry-goods
store at Webster City, where he was employed for eighteen
months. He subsequently obtained a position in a grain store,
but tw^o years later he likewise withdrew from this and resumed
his teaching, continuing to be identified with this profession until
he was married. Very soon thereafter he and his bride settled
on the old homestead, which he operated for a year. He subse-
quently rented another farm, located elsewhere in the county,
wdiere he continued his agricultural pursuits for three years, and
then returned to the home place, which he now owns. ]\tr. ]\Ic-
Connell's farm comprises two hundred and twenty-three acres,
one hifndred and seventy-five of which is tiled and under high
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 19
cultivation. His principal crops are corn and oats, a large por-
tion of which he markets, and for several years he has been rais-
ing a very superior quality of both cereals for seeding purposes.
All of his land is substantially fenced, one hundred and fifty acres
of it hog tight, and evidences by its general appearance careful
cultivation and systematic supervision. In connection with the
cultivation of his fields, Mr. McConnell makes a specialty of the
breeding and raising of high-grade Durham cattle, Poland-China
hogs and Norman horses. He also buys and prepares cattle for
the market and annually feeds all of the hay he raises. He is
one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the
county and his farm is provided with an excellent equipment.
The residence was built by his father in 1879 and as it has al-
ways been kept in repair is in good condition and thoroughh-
comfortable, but the majority of the other buildings have been
erected during the ownership of Mr. McConnell. In 1898, he
built a barn with a solid rock foundation, fifty-two by sixty-four
feet, and five years later he erected another, twenty-six by thirty-
two feet, with cement foundation and floors. A drilled well and
natural springs provide water for all purposes in both the house
and barns. Mr. McConnell is interested in various local enter-
prises, and owns stock in the First National Bank of Webster
City, the Fanners Mutual Telephone Company and the Fann-
ers Elevator Company at Kamrar. He is also a stockholder
and promoter, as well as a member of the board of directors of
the National Sewer Pipe Company, a recently organized industry.
Of recent years he has been acting as agent for The Iowa Mutual
Tornado Insurance Company of Des Moines, and The Webster
County Mutual Fire Insurance Association.
On the 23d of January, 1884, Mr. McConnell was married to
Miss AUie Andrus, who was born in the state of New York. May
24, 1865, and is a daughter of John P. and Sarah J. (Crawford)
Andrus. The parents were born, reared and married in the
Empire state, whence they removed to Iowa in the spring of
1869 and located on a farm of eighty acres east of Webster City.
They resided in this county until 1898, when they removed to
Fort Dodge, where Mrs. Andrus was killed in a runaway in 1908.
The father subsequently went to Tama City and opened a res-
taurant, which he conducted until March, 191 1, when he became
a resident of California, where he was married in 1912. Mrs.
McConnell, who is the second in order of birth in a family of
20 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
live, has become the mother of nine children: Mabel J., who was
born in 1884, the wife of Charles Nelson, a farmer of Boone town-
ship, by whom she has had two children; Bessie May, who was
born on May 17, 1887, and married Chadd Huddlestun, a resident
of this county, by whom she has had one child; Frank ]., whose
birth occurred August 24, 1889, unmarried and living at home;
Grace L., who was born on the 19th of November, 1891, engaged
in teaching in this county ; Harry E., who died in infancy ; Amanda
P., whose natal day was October 5, 1896; Harold P., who was
born on the 15th of August, 1899; Ralph W., whose birth oc-
curred on September 19, 1901 ; and Earl A., who was born on
October 5, 1907. The youngest daughter and the son, Harold,
are attending school.
The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and Mr. McConnell is a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America. He is a republican in politics, and served for a year
as township clerk and assessor and for several terms as treas-
urer of the school board, and he is now a member of the board
of county commissioners. Mr. McConnell has led a life of enter-
prise and well directed activity as is evidenced by the excellent
appearance of his farm and his circumstances. That he fully
merits the prosperity with which he has been rewarded is gen-
erally conceded by his fellow townsmen, who through long years
of acquaintance have found him to be a reliable business man,
progressive citizen and loyal friend.
R. E. CHANNER.
There is a thriving drug store in Webster City, located at No. 627
Second street, the title of which, "The Big, Busy Drug Store," gives
a complete picture of the nature of the enterprise and of the lines
along which it is conducted and developed. It is a large and most mod-
ern pharmacy and in its prescription department as well as in its
more popular lines does a gratifying and constantly increasing busi-
ness. At its head and directing its policy is R. E. Channer, who
founded the enterprise in February, 191 1, and whose expert know-
ledge of drugs combined with his business ability have advanced the
concern to its present degree of success. R. E. Channer was born in
Utica, New York, September 2, 1874. His parents, John L. and
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 23
Louisa J. (Rowe) Channer, were both natives of London, England,
where the family has been established for many generations. Mr.
Channer's grandfather was for many years an officer on the London
police force, holding the rank of sergeant in that organization and
being eventually retired on a pension. The American branch of the
family was established about 1849, when John L. Channer left Eng-
jand and came to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York.
The mother of our subject left London at about the same time and
located in the same city. Here their marriage occurred and was im-
mediately followed by their removal to Utica, where the father was
engaged as a shoemaker during the remainder of his life. He died
in 1909, at the age of eighty-six. His wife is still living and cele-
brated her eighty-third birthday on December 18, 191 2.
Mr. Channer was educated in the public schools of Utica, New
York, and even as a boy was interested in the drug business. He was
an employe of a local pharmacy when he was scarcely more than a
child and the early experience which he thus gained directed his later
ambitions and was a valuable asset to him in his life's career. His
residence in Iowa began in 1900, when he took a position with the Des
Moines Drug Company in Des Moines as city salesman and traveler.
He remained in this capacity for two years, eventually severing his
connection with the Des Moines Drug Company to take a similar po-
sition in the employ of the Iowa Drug Company. His headquarters
at this time were in Webster City, and he spent six years in traveling
in this vicinity in the interests of his employers. He was ambitious
and energetic and always attentive to the details of his business.
These qualities won him rapid success and continuous advancement.
He saved money and in September, 1908, was able to buy a half -inter-
est in W^ise Brothers Drug Store of Webster City. The firm was re-
organized and the name changed to the Channer & Wise Drug Com-
pany. The influence of Mr. Channer's energetic and capable business
methods was soon felt in their developing trade. He gave his entire
time and attention to expanding and reorganizing the business along
modern and systematic lines and met wjth a degree of success which
was the natural result of his liberal and broad-minded policy. In
February, 191 1; he purchased the interests of the Wise brothers in
the enterprise and conducted the concern independently. His phar-
macy is now known as The Big, Busy Drug Store, and fully justifies
its name.
On December 18, 1900, Mr. Channer was united in marriage to
Miss Emma D. Henning, a daughter of F. H. Henning, of Chicago.
Vol. II— 2
24 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Mrs. Channer is of German lineage and her parents were both l)orn
in the fatherland. Her mother is still living in St. Paul, Minnesota,
having survived her husband, who passed away in 19 lo. Mr. and
Mrs. Channer are the parents of a daughter, Evelyn Dorothy, born
April 22, 1902.
Fraternally Mr. Channer holds membership in Acacia Lodge, Xo.
176, A. F. & A. M., and belongs to Webster City Lodge, No. 302,
B. P. O. E. In the latter organization he held for two years the of-
fice of trustee and is now esteemed lecturing knight. He is also
prominent in Webster Eagle Council, No. 343, U. C. T., and in Web-
ster City Camp, No. 416, M. W. A. He is well known in social and
business circles in Webster City and holds membership in the Coun-
try Qub and in the Webster City Commercial League, in which or-
g-anization he is also a director. He attends the Christian Science
church and is a firm believer in the principles of that faith. His busi-
ness life is so intelligently ordered and so quietly efficient and his store
is so model an enterprise that Mr. Channer is regarded in Webster
City as representative of its business life and a valued addition to its
commercial world.
HON. FRANK J. LUND.
The life record of Frank J. Lund stands in contradistinction to
the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own
country, for in the district in which he was born and reared Frank
J. Lund has attained leadership in professional circles and has been
accorded honors in political circles. Recognizing and utilizing op-
portunities and advantages, his course has been marked l)y continuous
progress and without in\idious distinction he may be termed one
of the foremost citizens of Hamilton count}-. Within the borders
of this county his birth occurred Februai-y 5, 1876. His parents,
Nels John and Caroline S. (Johnson) Lund, were both natives of
Sweden and in 1867 came to America, settling in Hamilton county,
wdiere they still reside, their home being at Stratford. The father
attained the age of seventy-seven years on the 4th of April, 19 12,
and the mother passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey
on the 20th of June of the same year. For forty-five years they
have been worthy and valued residents of this county and at the
present writing the father is enjoying a visit to their nati\-e country.
HISTORY OF iiAMlLTOX COUNTY 25
Frank J. Lmid pursued his education in the pubhc schools of
Marion township and in the Highland Park College at Des Moines,
in which he spent a year and a half. He afterward lived upon the
home farm at Stratford and engaged in teaching school through the
winter months until 1899, while the summer seasons were devoted to
the work of the fields. In September of that year he was made dep-
uty county clerk of Hamilton county and served until the fall of
1900. He then accepted a clerical position with the Hon. Varick C.
Crosley in the abstract business and continued with him until the
spring of 1904, when he entered the office of Hon. J. L. Kamrar
for the ])ractice of law. He had previously studied in the office
of Jesse W. Lee of Webster City and was admitted to the bar by
the supreme court of Iowa in 190 1. While pursuing his law' course
he had been engaged in other duties, giving only his leisure hours to
his preparation for the profession. That his studies were thorough
and systematic is indicated in the success which has since come to
him. He remained in the office of Mr. Kamrar until elected county
clerk in November, 1904. He entered upon the duties of the posi-
tion on the 1st of January, 1905. and that he proved capable and faith-
ful is manifest in the fact that he was reelected in 1906 and again in
1908, thus serving for three consecutive terms and retiring from the
office on the ist of January, 191 1. In the previous November he
was elected to the state legislature from Hamilton county and took
his seat in the house when it convened in January, 191 1, so that he
is now representing his district in the halls of legislation. He was
made chairman of the county and township organizations committee
and is a member of the committees on judiciary, ways and means,
railroads and transportation, printing, congressional districts, food
and dairy, commerce and trade, enrolled bills and public charities. He
has always been a stalwart advocate of the republican party and is
thoroughly informed concerning the vital questions and issues of
the day. He gives careful consideration to matters which come up
for settlement before the legislature and is putting forth every effort
to uphold and promote the welfare of the state. While loyal to re-
publican interests, he does not believe in any blind following of party
leadership and therefore has acquainted himself with all questions
that relate to the interests of the commonw'ealth. Aside from his ac-
tivity as a member of the bar and in political circles he is known as
a representative of financial interests in Webster City as one of the
directors and the vice president of the Security Title & Loan Com-
pany.
26 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
There is also an interesting military chapter in the life history
of Frank J. Lund, who in April, 1900, joined Company C of the
Fifty-sixth Regiment of the Iowa National Guard and on the 28th
of January, 1908, was commissioned captain of his company. As its
commander he has maintained a high standard of efficiency and disci-
pline and has the warm regard of those who serve under him. His
fraternal connections are with Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B.
P. O. E. ; Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F. ; and Webster City Camp,
No. 416, M. W. A. He is also a member of the Country Club and
of the Webster City Commercial League.
On the 14th of February, 1900, Mr. Lund was married to Miss
Grace E. Bishop, a daughter of Joseph A. Bishop, who came to
this state from McLean county, Illinois, in 1891. He still resides
with his wife in Webster City and was formerly a farmer and hotel
proprietor here. Mr. and Mrs. Lund have three children, as fol-
lows : Herbert W., who was born on the 23d of July, 1901 ; Evelyn,
whose birth occurred on the 6th of February, 1907; and Stewart
Helmer Murphy, whose natal day was July 20, 191 1. The parents
have an attractive home near Webster City, and their circle of friends
is extensive. Mr. Lund possesses those qualities which not only win
popularity but also maintain it. Geniality and unfeigned cordiality
are with him supplementary characteristics to strong professional
ability and patriotic citizenship. His life work spells duty and yet
he is not one who regards duties as a burden that must be bonie or
a task that must be perfonned, but rather as a matter of interest and
the accomplishment thereof as a matter of pride and pleasure. His
life record is indeed well known to his fellow citizens among whom
he has always lived, and they hold him in highest regard.
H. F. ALLEN.
H. F. Allen, who is one of the estimable citizens of Blairsburg,
has passed the greater part of his life in this vicinity, having called
Hamilton county his home for more than forty years. He is a na-
tive of the state of New York, his birth having occurred at Oxford,
Chenango county, May 31, 1864. His parents, S. J. and Nancy
(Davis) Allen, were likewise natives of the Empire state. During
the early childhood of our subject the family removed from Chen-
ango to Madison county, coming from there to Iowa. Their desti-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 27
nation was Webster City, where they arrived on the 4th of March,
1870. Their first home in the county was on a farm a mile east of
Webster City, where the father continued his agricultural pursuits
for ten years. From there they went to a place a mile south of
Blairsburg, where they resided for a long period. Both parents are
deceased, the father having passed away in Wright county in 1893,
at the age of seventy-two years, while the mother, whose death oc-
curred in Liberty township, this county, in 1888, was sixty-three at
the time of her demise. To them were born five children, of whom
our subject is the youngest. In order of birth the others are as fol-
lows : Mrs. Sarah Jane Countryman, deceased, whose husband was
steward of the poor fanii for eight years, liaving been the first to
fill that office; George R., who is residing in Minnesota; Carrie, who
died at the age of twenty years ; and Mrs. Clara Fisher, who passed
away in 1900.
The first six years in the life of H. F. Allen were passed in his
native state. His boyhood and youth were not unlike those of other
lads living in this section of Iowa thirty years ago. At the usual age
he began his education in the schools of his home district, completing
his course of study in Webster City. He was reared in very much
the same manner as the sons of other farmers, his youthful energies
early being directed along agricultural lines. When not in school
his time was largely spent in the fields, but his tastes were purely
mechanical and he found his greatest pleasure working with tools.
Therefore, when old enough to decide upon a vocation he resolved
to become a carpenter and subsequently began his period of appren-
ticeship in this trade. He is also a capable paper hanger and painter,
but he has never followed these occupations regularly, confining his
energies to his own trade. A skillful artisan and trustworthy and
reliable in his methods, Mr. Allen subsequently extended the scope
of his activities by engaging in contracting. He has met with a fair
measure of success, owns a comfortable and well furnished residence
in Blairsburg and is acquiring a comfortable competence.
Mr. Allen was married in 1899 to Miss Bertha May Wilson, who
was born in Missouri, her natal day being the 14th of August, 1874.
Her father, Isaac Wilson was born in Maryland, April 24, 1824,
while the mother's birth occurred in Canada on the 15th of August,
1834. They came to Hamilton county when Mrs. Allen, who is the
youngest in a family of nine, was a month old. In order of birth
the other children were as follows : Elizabeth Jane, who was bom
on the 6th of February, 1854, and died June 30, 1863; Jeanette La-
28 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
mont, who was born October 20, 1855. and died on the 25th of
March, 1876; Mrs. Lucy Agnes Hogan-Hohlwegler, who was born
on the 5th of May, 1857, and is residing in Ellendale, North Dakota;
David Carlton, who was born February 14, 1859, and died July i,
1863: Joseph Lincoln, whose birth occurred on the i8th of Novem-
ber, i860, now a resident of Webster City; Mrs. Lillie Daugherty,
who was born June 20, 1863, a resident of Ellendale, North Dakota;
Mint}^ May, who was born on the 20th of June, 1870. and died March
16, 1872; and George Sears, who was born on the i8th of December,
1871, and died September 11, 1873. The first five were natives of
Illinois and the last named of Missouri. The father, who was a
farmer, was for many years identified with the agricultural inter-
ests of Hamilton county, but he was living in Blairsburg at the time
of his death, which occurred January 20, 1905. The mother passed
away on March 12, 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen are Congregationalists in religious faith, and
assist in the work of the various organizations of the local church of
that denomination. He belongs to the Blairsburg camp of the Mod-
ern Woodmen of America and was formerly a member of the Odd
Fellows lodge of Webster City. Politically he is a republican and
was a member of the election board at the time of the incoqx)ration
of Blairsbursr. He takes an active interest in local affairs and for
three years represented his ward in the town council. Mr. and Mrs.
Allen are well informed people of liberal \iews and practical ideas.
Thev are well known in this vicinity, where they ha\'e passed the
greater part of their lives, and have a large circle of friends.
WILLIA^I FIANLEN-.
Among the well known and public-spirited pioneers of Williams
must be mentioned ^^'illianl Hanlen. who was one of the incorporat-
ors of the town as well as a member of its first council, and has for
thirty-three years been actively identified with local business interests.
He was born in Richland county, Ohio, on December 2, 1846, and is
the eldest son and second child born to Sanuiel and Anna (Shields)
Hanlen. The father was born in \\'estmoreland county, Pennsylva-
nia, and died in Tama county, Iowa, but the mother was a nati\-e of
Richland county. Ohio, and passed away in Kansas in 1909, at the
venerable age of eighty-seven years. In the early youth of our sub-
HISTORfY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 29
ject the father came to Iowa and purchased an improved farm of
eighty acres in Linn Grove township. Cedar county. He had un-
hmited confidence in the agricuUural possibihties of the state and sub-
sequently extended his holdings until he held title to five hundred
acres of land, having the largest land interests of almost any one in that
section of the state. There were nine children liorn to iMr. and Mrs.
Hanlen, those beside our subject being as follows: Elizabeth, the de-
ceased ^\•ife of O. M. Haney; John, who is a resident of Texas;
James, of South Dakota; Robert, of Oregon; Ella, who married
H. Eldredge, of Kansas; Christopher, deceased; Albert, who is liv-
ing in Newton. Kansas; and Frank, who is a resident of Astoria, Ore-
gon. All but the two eldest, who are natives of Richland county,
Ohio, were Ijorn in Cedar county, Iowa.
The boyhood and youth of William ITanlen were passed on the
old homestead in Cedar county, his education being obtained in the
district schools of Linn Grove township. In 1879, he came to Hamil-
ton county and established a general mercantile store at Williams,
which he conducted with increasing success until 1895. In the latter
vear he disposed of his store and engaged in the real-estate and in-
surance business, with which he is still identified.
On the 27th of January, 1877, ]\Ir. Hanlen was married to Miss
E\a Curyea. who was born in Henry county, Illinois, June 12, 1859,
and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Irwin) Curyea. The par-
ents, who were natives of Virginia, came to Henry county during the
pioneer days. The family of Mr. and ]Mrs. Curyea numbered eight,
those besides the wife of our subject being; Alargaret, Bell, John,
Thomas, Nettie, Louis and Addie, all of whom are living with the
exception of Nettie, w^ho died in Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Hanlen are the parents of the following children;
^label, who was born June 4, 1878, the wife of T. D. Rutledge, ot
Blairsburg, Iowa; Clea, a resident, of San Francisco, California,
whose birth occurred in December, 1880; Addie, who was born Feb-
ruary 2, 1882, a resident of Williams; Maude, who was born Novem-
ber 2-j, 1884, the wife of F. A. Gillette, of Des Moines, Iowa; Bessie,
who was born January 4, 1886; Frank, whose natal day was Septem-
ber 8, 1890; Earl born May 27, 1894; Clella. born September 30,
1896; and Janice, born October 31, 1899. All are residing in Wil-
liams, where they were born with the exception of the eldest daugh-
ter, whose birth occurred in Tama county. Mr. Hanlen owns his
residence, which is one of the social centers of the town, its hospital-
ity being extended to a large circle of acquaintances.
30 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Mr. Hanlen gives his political support to the republican party and
during the period of his residence in Williams has served as a mem-
ber of the council and also as justice of the peace, having discharged
his duties in both connections in a highly creditable manner.
RUBE McFERREN.
Rube McFerren needs no introduction to the readers of this
volume, for he has been a lifelong resident of Hamilton county save
for a brief period of two years. Determining to devote his life to
the practice of law, he has made continuous progress in his profes-
sion through close application, thorough preparation and devotion to
his clients' interests. He was born January 31, 1868, about a mile
north of Webster City, representing one of the old families of the
county. His father, W. D. McFerren, came from Ohio to Iowa in
1855, settling in Hamilton county, where he secured a tract of land
and began farming. For many years he successfully carried on gen-
eral agricultural pursuits but is now living retired in Webster City
at the age of eighty-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden
name of Emma A. Bennett, passed away July 4, 1902, when sixty-
seven years of age.
Rube McFerren was educated in the public schools of Webster
City, in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls and in the Iowa
State University at Iowa City. In this liberal training he laid the
broad foundation upon which he has builded his professional knowl-
edge. He began reading law in tlie office of Wesley Martin of Web-
ster City and was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Iowa
in 1890, at which time he entered upon the active work of the pro-
fession. In 1895 ^^^ went to Lamar, Missouri, where he engaged in
the real-estate business for two years and then returned to Webster
City, where he entered into partnership with J. W. Lee for the prac-
tice of his profession. A year later this connection was dissolved and
Mr. McFerren has since been alone. He has remained a close and
discriminating student of the principles of jurisprudence and in his
work before the courts has displayed a comprehensive understanding
of legal principles, readily seeing their relation to the points in liti-
gation. For about two years, from 1907 until 1909, he served as citv
attorney.
i«HI Mb'
GL^/i.S'
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 33
On the 4th of November, 1893, Mr. McFerren married Miss Min-
nie Woolsey, of Webster City, who died August 30, 1896. In April,
1903, he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Klockman, her
father being Christ Klockman, an agriculturist of Hamilton county.
By his second wife Mr. McFerren has four children, as follows :
Donald, whose birth occurred in December, 1904; Robert, born in
May, 1907; Maynard, born in September, 1908; and June, born April
3. 1912.
In his fraternal relations Mr. McFerren is well known, being a
member of Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M.; Elmo Lodge, Xo. 62,
I. O. O. F. ; Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B. P. O. E. ; and Forest
Camp, No. 103, of the Woodmen of the World. y Always living in
this district save for the brief period spent in Missouri, Mr. McFer-
ren has become widely known and has a circle of friends who speak
of him in terms of high regard. He has always been interested in
matters of progressive citizenship and his public spirit has been mani-
fest in many tangible ways.
W. F. HUNTER.
A\'. F. Hunter, secretary and treasurer of the Freeman-
Tribune Publishing Company, was born in Eldorah, Iowa, June
9. 1863, a son of J. D. and -Sarah A. (Gates) Hunter, both of
whom were natives of Ohio. His paternal grandfather was a
newspaper man in Angola, Steuben county, Indiana, and was a
very prominent advocate of the abolition cause, utilizing his
paper as a factor in advocating his belief. He was a candidate
for congress in Indiana on the abolition ticket, and he gave direct
evidence of his opposition to slavery by making his home a sta-
tion on the famous underground railroad, whereby many a slave
was assisted on his way to freedom in the north. After some
years' residence in Indiana he returned to Ohio. His son, J. D.
Hunter, became a resident of Iowa in 1857, at which time he
settled in Eldorah and purchased the Eldorah Ledger. In 1866
he came to Webster City and purchased the Hamilton Freeman.
He was, thereafter, identified wath newspaper interests here until
his death and in 1900 he consolidated the Freeman wnth the
Tribune, which has since been published under the name of the
Freeman-Tribune. He kept in touch with progressive journal-
34 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ism in his search for news and made his paper both the mirror
and the molder of public opinion. He passed away in 1907 at the
age of seventy-three years and is still survived by his widow,
who makes iier home in W^ebster City.
AV. F. Hunter, whose name introduces this record, was edu-
cated in the public schools to the age of fifteen years, when he
began learning more difficult lessons in the school of experience.
He entered his father's newspaper office, gradually acquainting
himself with the business in principle and detail, and in 1900
took full charge. He has since continued at the head of the
paper and is now the secretary and treasurer of the company.
This is one of the old newspapers of Hamilton county, having
been established in 1857, and has ever maintained a foremost
position as a leading journal in this part of Iowa. In addition
to his publishing business, Mr. Hunter is a director of the Web-
ster City Savings Bank and is the owner of the Brenneck block.
His real-estate holdings likewise include about six hundred acres
of valuable land in Iowa, which contribute much to his success.
In 1887 ^Ir. Hunter was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Aletta
Young, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. D. Young. Her death
occurred in 1891 and in 1900 Mr. Hunter was again married, his
second union being with Miss Minnie Pettinger, the daughter
of Nicholas Pettinger, a farmer of this count}-. They now have
two children, Ruth, born in 1904; and Gayle in 1907. The family
reside at No. 12 19 Des Moines street, and the parents are widely
and favorably known in this city, where the name of Hunter has
long been an honored and respected one.
D. L. HUNTER.
D. L. Hunter, the vice president and manager of the Free-
man-Tribune Publishing Company of Webster City, was born
at West Unity, Ohio, May 27, 1854. In his boyhood, however,
he came with his parents to Iowa and continued his education
in the high school here. He made his initial step in business as
a clerk in a clothing store and later entered his father's news-
paper office. In 1872 he was appointed assistant postmaster,
which position he continued to fill for sixteen vears. Since
1892 he has devoted his time continuously to newspaper publica-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 35
tion and is no\v vice president and manager of the Freeman-
Tribune Company, owners of one of the oldest newspapers in
this part of the state. He is careful and systematic in the man-
agement of the business affairs of the company and, like his
brother, holds to high standards in giving to the public that
which is most interesting concerning local affairs and matters
of state and national importance.
In 1875 'Sir. Hunter was united in marriage to Miss Lunetta
Burden, a daughter of G. \\\ Burden, at that time proprietor of
the A\'illson Hotel in Webster City. They have become parents
of three children : Litta, who is the wife of Richard Closson and
resides at Sholes, Nebraska; ^Margery Belle, the wife of T. ]\L
Smiley, of \\'ashington, D. C, b}- whom she has one son ; and
John D., who was born in 1896 and is still with his parents. The
family residence is at No. 626 First street, A\'ebster City.
Mr. Hunter is a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp,
the Legion of Honor and the Webster City Commercial League.
He is a progressive and public-spirited man, interested in all that
pertains to the general welfare and his ideas concerning progress
and improvement are of a practical character.
REV. CHRISTEN H. HJORTHOLM.
Rev. Christen H. Hjortholm, pastor of ^^'est Trinity Norwegian
Lutheran church of Ellsworth, was born in Denmark on the 30th
of April, 1865, and is a son of Hans J. Hanson and Dorothy Chris-
tensen. The parents were born, reared and married in Denmark,
whence they emigrated to the United States in 1866. locating in Co-
lumbia county, Wisconsin. The father, who was a farmer, there en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits until 1882. when he removed with his
family to Brown county, South Dakota, where he filed on a homestead.
He engaged in the improvement and cultivation of his farm until his
death, which occurred on May 25, 1901, at the age of sixty-six
years. He was survived by the mother, who passed away on the
19th of December, 1905, in her sixty-third year. They were the
parents of thirteen children, our subject being the second in order of
birth.
Mr. Hjortholm was in his infancy when his parents emigrated
to the United States, and a youth of seventeen years when he ac-
36 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
companied them on their removal to South Dakota. In the acquire-
ment of his education he attended the public schools and later be-
came a student in The St. Olaf Academy and College. Having de-
cided to adopt the ministry for his life vocation, after graduating
from the latter institution he matriculated in the Lutheran Theo-
logical Seminary of the United Norwegian Lutheran church of
America, then located in Minneapolis but now in St. Paul. He was
ordained in 1896, and soon thereafter he went to Monona county,
Iowa, where his first -pastorate was located. He remained there for
four years, and at the expiration of that time accepted a call from
Zion Norwegian Lutheran church in Duluth, Minnesota. In 1904, he
resigned this charge to become pastor of West Trinity, the duties
of which he is still discharging. He has a large parish, and during
the period of his pastorate has greatly endeared himself to the mem-
bers of his congregation by the efficient and capable manner in which
he has directed its interests.
In 1889, Mr. Hjortholm was married to Miss Caroline Loben-
stein, a daughter of John and Anna Lobenstein, natives of Norway,
who came to America in 1851. They were married in Wisconsin,
and soon thereafter removed to Minnesota, where the father passed
away in 1862. He was long survived by the mother, whose death
occurred in 1902. Mrs. Hjortholm, who is the second in order of
birth in a family of three, was born on the 14th of December, 1859.
A son and a daughter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hjortholm.
The former, Herman, was graduated from St. Olaf's x^cademy of
Northfield, Minnesota, with the class of 191 1 and is now teaching in
Hainilton county, and Anna, their daughter, is a student in the pub-
lic school.
His political support Mr. Hjortholm accords to the republican
party. He is a man of high standards of citizenship and progress-
ive ideas, whose energies are largely expended in promoting the
general welfare of the community.
GEORGE C. TUCKER.
George C. Tucker, president of the Journal Publishing Company
and thus closely identified with newspaper publication in W^ebster
City and also equally well known in his support of and cooperation
with many public movements which have for their object the wel-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 37
fare and benefit of the city, was born October 27, 1879, in Homer,
Hamilton county, Iowa. A year later the family moved to Stratford
and in 1887 came to Webster City. His grandfather, Dr. Tucker,
was a pioneer physician from Wisconsin, who at a very early period
in the settlement and development of Hamilton county took up his
abode near Randall. His son, George F. Tucker, now a successful
practicing attorney of Webster City, married Emma Fans and among
their children is the subject of this review.
Having graduated from the public schools of Webster City, George
C. Tucker entered the Iowa State University and was nineteen years
of age when he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed
through the season of 1898-9. He afterward filled the position of
clerk in the Webster City postoffice for about one year and in 1901
entered upon active connection with newspaper interests in the pub-
lication of the Freeman Tribune. He was solicitor for that paper
for one winter and was then transferred to the reportorial staff,
with which he was connected until November i, 1906. At that
date, in connection with C. H. Haeger he purchased the Webster
City Journal and organized the Journal Publishing Company, of which
he became the president and editor with C. H. Haeger as the secre-
tary and treasurer. The paper pursues a progressive policy, keep-
ing in touch with modern journalism in its presentation of the news
and vital questions of the day. The Journal is attractive in its makeup
and because of its large circulation is an excellent advertising me-
dium.
On the 17th of September, 1902, Mr. Tucker was united in mar-
riage to Miss Grace Stuart, a daughter of ]Mr. and Mrs. James Stu-
art, of Webster City, belouging to one of the old pioneer families
of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have one son, Courtney Stuart, born
August 20, 1905. The family residence is a hospitable one and its
good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Tucker
is prominent in the Elks lodge. No. 302, and is now serving for
the third term as secretary, having been first elected in 1910. He
likewise belongs to Elmo Lodge, No. 62. I. O. O. F., of Webster
City and to Webster City Camp, No. 416, M. W. A. He is i*^
hearty sympathy with the principles of those organizations and is
equally loyal in the ad\'0cacy of the republican party. Everything
which tends to promote the welfare and upbuilding of Webster City
is of deep interest to him and in personal effort as well as through
the press he has done much for his home community. For five years
he was a member of the board of directors of the Webster City
38 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Chautauqua Association and in 191 1 and 1912 served as president.
Through this agency many speakers and attractive entertainments
have been brought to Webster Cit}-, much being of educational value.
Mr. Tucker likewise has served several years as a director of the
\\'ebster City Commercial League, and is thus active in the efforts to
advance the business interests here.
PETER J. BRANDRUP.
Peter J. Brandrup is the treasurer and manager of the North-
western Felt Shoe Manufacturing Company and has thus reached
a prominent position in the business circles of Webster City. He
has gradually worked his way upward since starting out in the
business world on his own account, his energy and enterprise
overcoming various oljstacles. He has never regarded any posi-
tion as final but rather as the starting point for still other achie^'e-
ments and while advancing his individual interests, he has at the
same time promoted public prosperity. He was born in Germany
in 1 87 1, a son of Clans and Marie (Nelson) Brandrup. The
parents came from the fatherland to the United States in 1872
and settled in \\ ebster City, where the father engaged in con-
tracting in stone and bridge work until about 1877. He was then
made sexton of the Webster City cemetery and still fills that
position, although now seventy-two years of age. His wife is
also living and is al)out sixty-three years of age.
Brought to Iowa in his infancy, Peter J. Brandrup has prac-
tically spent his entire life in Webster City. He attended the
public schools and in 1886, when a youth of fifteen years, went
to Story City, Iowa, where he occupied the position of assistant
postmaster until 1888. Realizing the necessity and value of a
business education, he then entered the Gem City Business Col-
lege at Ouincy. Illinois, and was graduated therefrom in 1889.
Thus well trained for the responsibilities of a commercial career,
he returned to Webster City and secured the position of book-
keeper in the grocery store of H. A. Fames. About a vear later
he became connected with Ellingson, 3ilathre & Company, whole-
sale dealers in butter, eggs and poultry. A year was spent with
that firm as bookkeeper and in 1891 he went to Kamrar, where
he ])ecame a partner in the firm of Bohning & Brandrup, gen-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 39
eral merchants. The following year, however, he disposed of
his interest to his partner and returned to his old home. Here
he again entered the employ of Ellingson, Alathre Sc Company,
taking charge of their office. He remained with the firm for four
years and then went upon the road, selling groceries for the
Webster City ^^'holesale Grocery Company, which he represented
until they discontinued business in 1897. He then became a
traveling representative of the Fort Dodge AMiolesale Grocery
Company, with whom he continued until elected to the office of
county treasurer in 1903. He entered upon the duties of that
position on the ist of January, 1904, and was custodian of the
public funds through four years, making a creditable record in
the office. He was financially interested in the Northwestern
Felt Shoe Company before his retirement from the position of
county treasurer and after his term had expired he became ac-
tively connected with the company as treasurer and manager. He
has since bent his energies to organization, constructive effort and
executive control and his sound business judgment and unfalter-
ing application have constituted valuable elements in the success
of the business. He was also one of the organizers of the ^\ el)-
ster City Gas Compan}- and from its inception served as a di-
rector and treasurer until October, 1910. He was also one of the
organizers of the Security Title & Loan Company and is still a
director and its treasurer. He is furthermore connected with
financial interests as a director of the ^^'ebster City Savings Bank.
Alert and enterprising, possessing what for want of a better term
has been called commercial sense, he has assisted in the develop-
ment of many of the different manufactories and industrial enter-
prises of Hamilton county and has labored for the welfare of the
business interests at large as a director of the Webster City Com-
mercial League since its organization in 1909. He was also its
first president and succeeded in placing the association upon a
good working basis, its organized efforts being productive of
most desirable results.
In November, 1901. Mr. Brandrup was married to ]\Iiss Ida
Baldwin, a daughter of William Baldwin, of Chariton, Iowa, who
follows the occupation of carpentering. Our subject and his
wife have two children, namely: Richard R., who was born on the
loth of January, 1903 ; and Carol Frances, whose natal day was
March 16, 1907. The family residence is at No. 908 First street
and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
40 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Brandrup hold membership in the Universalist
church and he also a prominent Mason, belonging to Acacia
Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M.; Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M.;
and Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of which he is a past
eminent commander. He is likewise a charter member of Za-
Ga-Zig Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Des Moines, having pre-
vious to its organization been made a Shriner in El Kahir Tem-
ple of Cedar Rapids. Both he and his wife are identified with
Sharon Chapter, No. 148, O. E. S., and he belongs likewise to the
Elks lodge, No. 302; and Webster City Camp, No. 416, M. W. A.,
of which he has been banker for the past ten years and is still
holding that ofifice. He was also a member of the Knights of
Pythias for a number of years or until it was disbande4 about
fifteen years ago. He is well known and popular in these dif-
ferent organizations and is ever most loyal to their teachings and
purposes. At the same time he is ever mindful of business duties
and responsibilities and of his obligations of citizenship. His
carefully systematized efforts leave him time for all these different
activities and for those social pleasures which constitute a well
adjusted balance to the more serious affairs of life.
FLORINGTON D. YOUNG.
Florington D. Young has figured conspicuously and honorably in
trade circles in Webster City. He was for a long period connected
with the lumber business and as the years passed his energy and
capably directed efforts brought him success, pennitting him at length
to retire from active business connections. At the age of seventy-
six, therefore, he is spending his time quietly in Webster City yet
keeps in touch with the general interests of the day and is thoroughly
informed concerning the problems which are of vital significance to
the individual and the community. He was born in Eden, Hancock
county, Maine, October i, 1836, the son of Elvin and Mary (Hop-
kins) Young. The father was a farmer and lumberman of the Pine
Tree state, in which he spent his entire life, having been born and
reared on Mount Desert island, now Bar Harbor. He died at the
advanced age of eighty-seven years and his wife had also reached
that age when she was called to her final rest. The latter was a
descendant of the Hopkins family whose American progenitor came
to the new world on the Mayflower.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 43
Florington D. Young was educated at home save for six months
spent as a pupil in the country schools of Maine. When he had at-
tained his majority, in 1857, he began to learn the trade of house
carpentering, serving his apprenticeship with a salary of twelve dol-
lars per month. \Mien the term of his indenture was over he went
to Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained for two years, work-
ing for a dollar or a dollar and a half per day until the fall of i860,
when he returned home. While in Boston he cast his first presidential
vote, supporting Abraham Lincoln.
Following his return home Florington D. Young worked for
his father in the lumber woods during the winter months and in
the spring of 1861 went to Magdalen island for a boat load of her-
ring. He then engaged in the fishing business, fishing for Porgies &
Menhaden until September, 1862, when he put aside all business and
personal considerations in order to actively engage in support of the
Union cause. He enlisted for the war as a member of the Twenty-
sixth Maine Volunteers and served for a year. On his return home
he worked at the carpenter's trade, remaining in the Pine Tree state
until the spring of 1874, when his uncle, Kendall Young, induced him
to come to Webster City and erected a residence for him. F. D.
Young arrived here on the 4th of June, 1874. In the fall of the fol-
lowing year he established a lumberyard under his own name and so
continued until 1884, when he was joined by J. W. Young under the
firm style of F. D. & J. W. Young. This connection was main-
tained uninterruptedly for eleven years, or until 1895, when the sen-
ior member sold his interest to his partner. In 1901 F. D. Young
went to the south, spending a year in Louisiana and seven years in
Texas, where he engaged in the cultivation of rice. He then disposed
of his interests in that state and returned to Webster City, where he
has since made his home. \Mien his uncle, Kendall Young, died, he
was made a trustee of the Kendall Young library under the pro-
visions of the will, was chosen chairman of its board of trustees and
still holds that position.
In February, 1864, occurred the marriage of Mr. Young and Miss
Mary J. McFarland, a daughter of Moses and Mary (Eaton) Mc-
Farland, of Hancock county, Maine. Her father was a ship carpen-
ter and took part in the Aroostook war in Maine, being captain of
his company and receiving from the government in addition to his
pay a grant of land in Iowa, which he converted into money. Ken-
dall Young, however, who was in the same company, retained his
allotment of land, which in time proved to be very valuable and is
Vol. n— 3
44 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
now the property of the Hbrary board according to the terms of the
will which he left. Mr. and Mrs. F. D. Young became the parents
of three children. Arietta, who married W. F. Hunter, of Webster
City, died in 1891. Elvin A., born January 22, 1872, married Esther
Welch and now resides in Kansas City, Missouri, being editor of the
Kansas City Weekly Journal. During the Spanish-American war
he served as a member of the Fifty-sixth Iowa Volunteers. Alene,
bom June 11, 1884, is the wife of Max Whitacre, formerly of New
Sharon, Iowa, but now of Des Moines, where he is connected with
the Des Moines Bridge &; Iron Company. They have one daughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Young make their home at No. 1201 Des Moines
street. Mr. Young figured for many years as a prominent business
man. He did not allow commercial pursuits to monopolize his time
to the exclusion of all other interests and duties. He was at one
time captain of Company C of the Sixth Iowa National Guard, now
the Fifty-sixth Regiment. He has been very prominent in fraternal
circles, holding membership in Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M. ;
Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M. ; and Triune Commandery, No.
41, K. T. He is a past master of the lodge, past high priest of the
chapter, and past eminent commander of the commandery. He is
also a member of Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F., in which he has
passed through all the chairs. He belongs to the Country Club and
is one of Webster City's valued and esteemed residents who for thirty-
eight years has made his home here and throughout the entire
period has enjoyed the good-will and confidence of his fellow towns-
men. His has been a well spent life in which activity and enterprise
have led the way to prosperity.
OLE O. EITTREIM, Jr.
Ole O. Eittreim, Jr., of the firm of Hanson. Eittreim Company,
is regarded as one of the leading business men and foremost citizens
of Ellsworth, where he is now serving his third term as mayor. He
is a native of Norway, his birth having occurred on the 4th of March,
1868, and a son of Ole O. and Martha Eittreim. The parents, who
were born, reared and married in the Norseland, came to America in
1868, locating in Illinois. Two years later they continued their jour-
ney westward to Hamilton county, where the father fanned as a
renter until 1876, when he bought one hundred and twenty acres of
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 45
land in Lincoln township. He is still actively engaged in the culti-
vation and improvement of this property, although he has now at-
tained the age of seventy-two years, while the mother is sixty-eight.
Ole O. Eittreim, Jr., was only an infant when he accompanied his
parents on their removal to the United States, and a child of two
years when they located in Iowa. He was reared at home and at the
usual age began his education in the common schools of this county,
and completed it in the seminary at Rechving, Minnesota, Upon ter-
minating his student days he engaged in teaching for two seasons and
then accepted a clerkship in a general mercantile store at Radcliffe,
Iowa. He continued in that employ for ten years, at the expiration
of which time he resigned his position and came to Ellsw'orth. Here
he became associated with H. L. Hanson and others in establishing
the mercantile business now conducted under the firm name of the
Hanson, Eittreim Company. They carry a large and well assorted
stock of general merchandise, which they offer at reasonable prices,
and are accorded a good patronage. The members of the firm are
enterprising and progressive men and in the conduct of their business
have adopted a policy which commends them to the confidence of all
with whom they have dealings.
In April, 1892, Mr. Eittreim was married to Miss Celia Digerness,
a daughter of A. J. and Mary Digerness, natives of Norway, and
they have become the parents of three children, Oren, Myrtle and
Ernest. The family affiliate with the Norwegian Lutheran church, in
the faith of which Mr. and Mrs. Eittreim were reared. In politics he
is a republican and is now sending his third term as mayor and he
has also been a member of the council. He is highly esteemed in the
community, w'here he has proven faithful to every trust reposed in
him either in public or private life, manifesting the same promptness
and efficiency in the discharge of his official duties as he exhibits in
the direction of his private interests.
JAMES BRICKER TEDROW, M. D.
Dr. James Bricker Tedrow has been engaged in the practice of
medicine in Williams for twenty-six years, and has the distinction of
ranking first in years of continuous practice among the medical fra-
ternity of Hamilton county. He was born in Somerset county, Penn-
sylvania, on the 20th of May, 1856, and is a son of Jonas and Catha-
46 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
rine (Long) Tedrow. The parents were also natives of the Keystone
state, where they passed their entire Hves, their deaths occurring at
Glade, Somerset county. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Jonas Tedrow, as follows: Norman, deceased; Louisa, the wife of
Franklin Hechler, deceased, of Somerset county, Pennsylvania; Si-
mon and Savilla, also residents of Somerset county; William, on
whom had been conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and who
held the pastorate of the English Lutheran church at Kalamazoo,
Michigan, at the time of his death, which occurred February lo, 191 1 ;
James B., the subject of this review; Lizzie, who died at Omaha, Ne-
braska, February 21, 1908, the deceased w-ife of Milton Hamilton;
Mary, who died at the age of ten years ; Charlie, who is residing on
the old homestead in Somerset county, Pennsylvania; and Bertha,
who died in Omaha, Nebraska, February 21, 1908, the deceased wife
of Edward F. Dodder. They w^ere all born and reared in Somerset
county, Pennsylvania.
The early years in the life of Dr. Tedrow were passed on the old
family farm in Somerset county, and at the usual age he began his
education in the common schools. He subsequently entered Mount
Union College at Mount Union, Ohio, from which institution he was
graduated in 1882. In considering the choice of a life vocation, he
decided in favor of the medical profession, and later matriculated in
the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he pursued his pro-
fessional studies. On July i, 1886, he was graduated with the degree
of M. D. and in September of that year he came to Williams and es-
tablished an office, which he has ever since maintained. Dr. Tedrow
was given the advantages of a most excellent course, and m addition
to his thorough preparation brought to his assistance the inherent
ability and personality so essential in this of all professions. As a re-
sult he has met with success and has built up a large and lucrative
practice, that extends throughout the surrounding country, and to the
neighboring towns.
On the 4th of June, 1890, Dr. Tedrow was married to Miss Nettie
Dalbey, who was born at Olin, Jones county, this state, on the 5th of
March, 1870, and is a daughter of Jasper and Catharine (Klise) Dal-
bey. The parents were both natives of Ohio, the father having been
born at Athens, Athens county, on April 29, 1832, and the mother in
Richland county, on September 28, 1843. They were among the
early settlers of Jones county, where the father was successfully iden-
tified with both agricultural and business interests, becoming one of
the foremost citizens of that vicinity. He has long been living re-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 47
tired and now spends his summers in Iowa and his winters at Jen-
nings, Louisiana. The mother, however, is deceased, having passed
away in Kansas, January 13, 1895. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Dal-
bey numbered five: Ahce, who was born on August 5, 1862, the wife
of Dr. F. W. Port, of Ohn, Iowa; Carrie, whose birth occurred on
the 19th of March, 1864, the deceased wife of Luther C. Brock, of
Alden, Iowa; Mrs. Tedrow; Lucien, whose natal day was July 31,
1871, a resident of Jennings, Louisiana; and Laura May, who was
born on ]\Iay 5, 1873. and died at the age of three months. They
were all born in Iowa and reared at Olin. Dr. and Mrs. Tedrow have
one son, Claire DeWitt, who was born at Williams, December 10,
1891. He was graduated from the high school with the class of 1908
and 'Spent the following year in the Cedar Rapids Business College,
and is now a student of Iowa College at Grinnell.
Fraternally Dr. Tedrow is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias,
belonging to the lodge at Alden, and he also belongs to the Mystic
Workers and W'illiams Camp, No. 1844, M. W. A. He maintains
relations with his fellow practitioners through the medium of his
membership in the Hamilton County and Iowa State Medical So-
cieties and the American Medical Association. He gives his political
support to the republican party, and has served with efficiency both as
city clerk and county coroner, during the period of his residence in
Williams. In matters of citizenship he is public-spirited and enter-
prising and takes an active interest in every movement that will for-
ward the intellectual, moral or social welfare of the communitv.
J. W. LEE.
Jesse W. Lee was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, July 16,
1868. He was the eldest son of F. O. and Alice E. Lee, and he was
five )''ears of age when his father and mother settled in Webster
City. He received his education in the public schools of Webster
City and graduated from the high school in 1886. He then
entered the Graphic office with his father and for six years per-
formed the duties of compositor, job printer, business manager
and assistant editor on the Graphic. In 1893, he commenced
the study of law in the office of A. N. Boeye. Later he formed
a partnership with H. G. Culp and the firm of Gulp & Lee con-
ducted an extensive real-estate and loan business until 1896 when
48 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
H. G. Gulp died. Mr. Lee was admitted to practice law by the
supreme court of Iowa in 1896 and except during a year when
he was in partnership with Rube McFerren, has conducted his
business alone.
J. W. Lee enlisted as a private in Gompany G, Sixth Regiment
Iowa National Guard, in 1888. He was advanced in rank to
corporal, then second lieutenant, then first lieutenant and in
1895 was commissioned captain of his company. On May 25,
1898, he was mustered into the service of the United States as
Gaptain of Gompany C, Fifty-second Regiment of Iowa Infantry
Volunteers and served in this capacity through the Spanish-
American war. On the reorganization of the National Guard
after the close of the Spanish war, he was again elected captain
of Gompany G, Fifty-sixth Regiment, and in June, 1899, was
promoted major. He retired from military service in 1904, after
serving sixteen years.
On November 19, 1890, Mr. Lee was married to Hattie E.
Howell, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Eyer) Howell and
on August 16, 1892, was born to them a daughter, Grace, their
only child. Mr. and Mrs. Lee reside at 934 Boone street, Web-
ster Gity, Iowa.
FLAVIUS QUINGY LEE.
Flavins Quincy Lee was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio,
in 1845. He was a son of Daniel and Mariah (Ruley) Lee. He
spent his boyhood days on his father's farm. His education was
• received at the public schools of Tuscarawas county, supple-
mented by a course at an academy. When a young man, he
taught school for a while, then studied law and was admitted
to the bar in 1869. In 1866 he was married to Alice E. Hughes,
the daughter of Elza and Mary Hughes of Tuscarawas county,
and to Quincy and Alice Lee were born seven children, Jesse
W., Ira Arthur, Albert Enos, John Quincy, Nora, Laura and
Daniel.
F. O. Lee moved to Iowa in 1872. He first settled in Clarion,
Wright county, when he commenced the practice of law, but in
1873, moved to Webster City and formed a partnership with
Judge N. B. Hyatt. The firm of Hyatt & Lee dissolved in 1876,
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 49
after which he was associated in business with George Patton,
later with James A. Snodgrass and later still with J. M. Blake.
In 1882 he purchased the Webster City Advertiser and edited
the paper for about eighteen months, when he sold it to George
W. Shaeffer. In 1886 he bought the Webster City Graphic of
Captain George W. Bell and abandoned his law practice and
g-ave his entire time to editorial work in which he took keen
delight. While editing the Graphic, he wrote a history of Ham-
ilton county, which was published in serial form in his paper.
In 1890, his health began to fail and in 1892 he sold the Graphic
and a year later moved to Hammond, Louisiana, in hope of regain-
ino- his health. While living there he founded the Hammond
Graphic, which he conducted until the time of his death. He
died in April, 1894, at the age of forty-nine years. At the time
of his death, J. D. Hunter in the W^ebster City Freeman, paid
him the following tribute :
"Brother F. O. Lee has gone the wav of all the earth. He
was a man of generons impulses and sincere convictions. He
worked when other men, with such bodily afflictions, would have
quit in despair. He loved contention for the truth's sake as he
measured it, and never skulked when duty called. The Freeman
had many a bout with him on political questions ; always found
him able, argumentative and sincere, manly, outspoken and
courteous. He was zealous in enhancing the interests of his
town and the promotion of the public weal. He wanted to do
right in all things, and his daily work and conversation was that
of a good man. To those who are left to mourn the death of
husband and father, his memory will be a perpetual benediction,
and in their hour of affliction and sorrow they will have the deep
sympathy of the entire communitv in which he lived so long,
and in which every man was a brother and friend. 'Good friend,
kind heart, hail and farewell." "
JOHN FREDERICK BERNARD SVENSON.
John F. B. Svenson, a photographer of recognized ability in
Webster City, has since August, 1904, conducted a studio at No.
802 Des Moines street. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany,
on the 17th of June, 1874, his parents being John Peter and Chris-
50 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
tine (Berlin) Svenson. He was educated in the schools of the
fatherland and there studied photography for four years. In
1903, when a young man of twenty-nine years, he emigrated to
the United States, remaining for seven months in New York,
where he was connected with Professor Smith in the West
Hoboken Art Company. Subsequently he came to Webster City,
Iowa, and in August, 1904, here embarked in business as a pho-
tographer, remaining a representative of that art to the present
time. His brother was for a short period associated with him.
He gained a thorough knowledge of photography in his native
land and enjoys an enviable reputation as a painstaking artist,
who carefully studies his subject so that pose and expression may
be natural.
In 1909, while on a trip to Europe, Air. Svenson was united
in marriage to Miss Martha Sarcy, a daughter of Leon Sarcy,
of Paris, France. Mr. Svenson has become widely known by
reason of his artistic ability and both he and his wife are welcomed
in social circles as people of worth and culture.
JOHN E. OUACKENBUSH.
John E. Quackenbush, who is well and prominently known as a
contractor and engineer of Webster City, has devoted practically his
entire life to the profession of civil and mechanical engineering. His
birth occurred in Schuylerville, Saratoga county, New York, on the
1 6th of December, 1850, his parents being James C. and Alary J.
(Shaw) Quackenbush. The father, a fanner by occupation, removed
with his family to Butler county, Iowa, in 1856, and in 1870 came to
Hamilton county, here spending the remainder of his life. The
mother of our subject also died in this county, passing away at the
age of seventy-four years.
John E. Quackenbush obtained his education in the schools of
Butler and Hamilton counties and when still but a boy began assisting
his father in the work of the home farm. He also commenced the
study of engineering in the field and when a youth of sixteen entered
the sendee of the firm of Ainsworth, Bradley & Brown, the chief
engineers for the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, now part of the
Illinois Central Railroad. In 1866-67 he was a member of the survey-
ing crew which ran the survey through Hamilton county in the inter-
^
JOHN E. QUACKENBUSH
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 53
ests of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, which was built in 1869.
Mr. Ouackenbush has always been actively at work and practically his
entire life has been devoted to civil and mechanical engineering. He
has been engaged principally in the building of bridges, and his serv-
ices have been in demand not only throughout Hamilton county and
the state of Iowa but also in Nebraska, North and South Dakota and
Minnesota. In addition to the construction of highway and railroad
bridges he has also erected many structures throughout the same
territory. He sensed as county surveyor and engineer of Hamilton
county for about six years and has long enjoyed an enviable reputa-
tion as a prominent and able representative of his profession. He is
a director of the Webster City Savings Bank and likewise owns con-
siderable farm land.
On the 14th of June, 1879, Mr. Ouackenbush was united in mar-
riage to Miss Sarah A. Boak, her parents being Wesley and Saman-
tha Boak of Hamilton county, Iowa, formerly of Tennessee. Wesley
Boak passed away in 1900 but his widow still resides in Webster
City. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Lorene Madeline,
who is the wife of Dr. F. F. Hall and resides in Webster City. Mr.
and Mrs. Ouackenbush live in a beautiful home at No. 1600 Willson
avenue.
The former is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, be-
ing a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M. ; Hope Chapter,
No. 88, R. A. M. ; Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T. ; and Sharon
Chapter, No. 148, O. E. S. High and manly principles have char-
acterized his entire life, winning for him a creditable position in the
regard of his fellowmen. Without special advantages at the outset
of his career, he has gained an enviable position in his chosen field of
endeavor and is, moreover, recognized as a valued resident of Web-
ster City.
ANDREW J. BARR.
Andrew J. Barr, a retired agriculturist residing in Webster
City, has lived within the borders of Hamilton county for the past
forty-five years and w^as long identified with its farming interests.
His birth occurred in Logan county. Illinois, on the 15th of Sep-
tember, 1833, his parents being Thomas and Elsie (AVatt) Barr.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was a Methodist min-
54 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ister. Thomas Barr, the father of Andrew J. Barr^ followed
farming in Illinois throughout his active business career.
Such education as Andrew J. Barr received in his youthful
years was acquired during a few short periods at school and
through his own efforts while working on his father's farm.
In later years, however, he continually augmented his knowledge
through reading, experience and observation. He worked on his
father's farm until twenty years of age, when he was married
and started out as an agriculturist on his own account in Illinois.
In 1856, with his wife and two children, he drove from Logan
county, that state, to Minnesota, the trip consuming twenty-one
days. He lived there for fourteen years, engaged in general
agricultural pursuits. On February 18, 1863, he enlisted for
service in the Union army as a member of Company C, Sixth
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command
until the close of the war. He was assigned to many duties of
trust, traveling between the regiment in the field and northern
points, and was engaged at various times to assist in the exchange
of prisoners between Camp Douglas and Richmond, Virginia.
After the cessation of hostilities between the north and south
he returned to Minnesota, where his wife had continued the
operation of their farm, keeping the land productive during his
absence and ably caring for the crops. Minnesota was at that
time infested with marauding bands of Indians, many of whom
frequently visited Mrs. Barr while her husband was at the front
with the boys in blue. Nevertheless she bravely continued her
work and cared for her children, and not only attended to the
cultivation and harvesting of crops but cared for the stock and
drove to town by ox team whenever her business required. On
disposing of his Minnesota property Mr. Barr came to Hamilton
county, Iowa, and purchased a farm in Freedom township, in
the cultivation of which he was actively engaged until 1887. In
that year he bought property and took up his abode in Webster
City, continuing to supervise the operation of his farm, however,
until a few years ago. He is now living retired, enjoying the
fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.
Mr. Barr married Miss Catherine Elizabeth Hoffman, her
parents being John and Catherine D. (Maricle) Hoffman, of
Mechanicsburg, Ohio, the former a cooper by trade. They were
born, reared and married in Maryland and later removed to
Virginia, their daughter Catherine being born in Frederick
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 55
county, that state, in 1835. In the early '50s John Hoffman
liberated his slaves and removed to Ohio, v^here he spent the
remainder of his hfe. Mr. and Mrs. Barr became the parents of
six children and they now have seventeen grandchildren and nine
great-grandchildren. Elsie C, w^ho was born in 1854, gave her
hand in marriage to Horace Robinson and resides in Story county,
Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have seven children and four
grandchildren, as follows : Nellie, who is married and has two
children; Benjamin, who is married and has one child; Maude;
James; Blanche; Hallis, who is married and has one child; and
Eva. • John T. Barr, whose birth occurred in Illinois in 1856,
married Miss Ann Beightol and resides near Homer, Hamilton
county, Iowa. He now has four children and one grandchild :
Grace, who is married and has one child ; Earl ; Elsie ; and Gay.
Martha gave her hand in marriage to William Meeks and lives
six miles east of Webster City. Mr. and Mrs. Meeks have four
children and two grandchildren, namely : Grace, who is married
and has one child; Merl; Ethel, who is the mother of one son;
and Florence. William Marion, who wedded Martha De France,
is a hotel proprietor of Brunswick, Nebraska. He has two chil-
dren and two grandchildren: Ettie ; and May, who is the mother
of two daughters. Lafayette Barr passed away when but five
years of age. Angle Barr died when seventeen months old.
Andrew J. Barr and his wife were married when still very young
— at the ages of twenty and eighteen years respectively. Their
married life has been an ideal and happy one, their mutual love
and confidence increasing as the years have gone by. During the
early days of struggle and hardship they never lost faith in each
other nor in God, and their earnest labors have been blest and
rewarded, not only in worldly goods, but also in a large and happy
family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They
reside at No. 929 Bank street in Webster City.
Since 1850, or for the past sixty-two years, Mr. Barr has been
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. From 1862 until
1892 he was actively identified with the Sunday school as superin-
tendent and general worker. He belongs to Winfield Scott Post,
No. 66, G. A. R., and served as its chaplain from 1901 until 191 1.
The Barr family came originally from the north of Ireland, and
Mr. Barr numbers among his valued possessions a bible, printed
in 1698, which was brought from that country by one of his
ancestors. Andrew J. Barr had the distinction of being the oldest
56 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
representative of his family at a reunion held in the fall of 191 1
at AVaynesville, Dewitt county, Illinois, where more than Jive
hundred of the name gathered together. He has now passed
the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey and his career has
ever been such that he can look back over the past without regret
and forward to the future without fear.
EDWARD ACKLEY.
One of the most successful general farmers and stock-raisers
in Hamilton county is Edward Ackley, who brings to the culti-
vation of the soil a personal experience in practical methods of
agriculture, which has enabled him to develop from a tract of
raw prairie land a fertile and productive farm. His land com-
prises one hundred and sixty acres and is situated on section 10,
Liberty township. Mr. Ackley has his property in excellent con-
dition. He was born in Fulton county, Ohio, on May 17, 1854,
and is a son of Calvin and Gertrude (\\'alker) Ackley, the former
a native of New York, born May i, 181 5, and the latter of New
Jersey. Calvin Ackley went to Fulton county, Ohio, from his
native state and was numbered among the pioneers in that sec-
tion. He cultivated the soil and was successful in agricultural
pursuits until his death on February i, 1906. His wife passed
away in Ohio when our subject was four years of age. To their
union five children were born : Leman, who resides in Hastings,
Nebraska; Dr. Winfield, a practicing physician of Juniata,
Nebraska; Mrs. Ella Acker, of Fayette, Ohio; Edward, the sub-
ject of this sketch ; and Mrs. Josephine Snow, also a resident of
Fayette. All the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ackley were
reared and educated in Ohio.
Edward Ackley attended the public schools of his native state
and aided his father in the work of the farm from his early boy-
hood. In this way he obtained a personal experience in the
details of agriculture which has been a valuable asset to him
in his mature career. He grew to manhood in Fulton countv and
at the age of twenty-eight moved to Iowa, where he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land in Hamilton
county. It was entirely unimproved and ]\Ir. Ackley broke the
soil and fenced it into fields. He has pursued a steady policy
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 57
of gradual expansion and as the years have passed his harvests
have grown more abundant. He quickly realized the advantage
of a grove and has a large section of his property planted in trees,
while his stock-raising interests form an important part of his
activities. He has erected his home upon his farm and it is one
of the most attractive and comfortable residences in Liberty town-
ship, equipped with all the comforts and conveniences of a
modern dwelling.
Mr. Ackley was married on October ii, 1882, to Miss Anna
Baker, a native of Decatur county, Iowa, where her birth occurred
on the /th of JNIarch, 1857. Her parents were Richard T. and
Sarah J. (Hankins) Baker, the former a native of Seneca county,
Ohio, born on the 14th of November, 1827, and the latter of
Indiana. Mrs. Ackley's mother was born on October 7, 1830.
and died in Hamilton county on the 22d of August, 1903. Her
father was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war,
enlisting in Company A, First Iowa Cavalry. His regiment
marched five thousand miles during its term of service and was
never in a defeat. Richard T. Baker died immediately after the
battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, on August 29, 1863. He and his
wife had four children : Ferridoon, whose birth occurred on the
26th of May, 1855, and who is now residing at Pomona, Cali-
fornia; Anna, the wife of our subject; Mrs. Lucretia Hankins,
born March 26, 1859, who is now residing near Hay Springs,
Nebraska; and Ruth, whose birth occurred on July 14, 186 1* and
who died on July 6, 1876. All the children of Mr. and Mrs.
Baker were born in Decatur county, Iowa, in which section the
family was prominent for many years. Daniel Hankins, the
grandfather of Mrs. Ackley, was among the earliest settlers in
that section, making his home there while the Mormons were still
at Garden Grove. The wife of our subject was educated in the
district schools of her native section and attended later the
Garden Grove Academy for four years. She remained with her
parents until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Ackley have been
born eight children: Lucretia J., who resides in Boise, Idaho;
Mrs. Nellie D. Beam, of Miles City, Montana; Ella B., twin to
Nellie, who is residing in Tilford, South Dakota; Florence Violet,
who is teaching in the district schools of Hamilton county; Paul
L., who is pursuing his studies in Ellsworth College; Ferridoon;
Lillian ; and Sybil. The younger children of Mr. and Mrs. Ackley
58 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
are still at school and in their leisure hours they assist their
parents in the work of the farm.
Mr, Ackley is a republican in his political beliefs and for
twelve years has done able and effective service as a member
of the school board. He has kept abreast of the steady advance-
ment which agriculture has made along systematic and scientific
lines. He has added personal experience to his knowledge and
his industry and intelligence have been rewarded by a beautiful
tract of land, every acre of which is cultivated to its highest
point of productiveness.
WILLIAM B. KEARNS.
William B. Kearns, a wholesale and retail dealer in cigars at
No. 707 Des Moines avenue in Webster City, has been engaged
in business at his present location for the past twelve years. His
birth occurred in Vinton, Iowa, in 1869, his parents being John
V. and Mary J. (Dostile) Kearns. It was in 1855 that the father
accompanied his parents on their removal to Benton county, this
state. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service in
the Thirteenth United States Infantry and lost his arm at the
battle of Vicksburg. In 1871 he came to Hamilton county and
embarked in the grocery business at Webster City, having here
successfully conducted an establishment of that character to the
present time or for more than four decades. He has served as
county recorder for twelve years and is well known as a repre-
sentative and esteemed citizen.
W^illiam B. Kearns obtained his education in the schools of
Webster City and when seventeen years of age began clerking in
a dry-goods store. He worked in a clerical capacity in various
other establishments until 1892 and then embarked in the cigar
business on his own account in the Willson House. In 1900 he
opened a store at No. 707 Des Moines avenue, where he has
remained continuouslv since, carrvino- on a g-eneral iobbins: busi-
ness and enjoying an extensive patronage as a wholesale and
retail dealer in cigars. He also takes an active interest in base-
ball, being owner of the team and park in Webster City as well
as manager of the team.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 59
In 1893 Mr. Kearns was united in marriage to Miss Anna
Stafford, her father being C. W. Stafford, a carpenter and con-
tractor of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Our subject and his wife have
one daughter, Arhne, who was born in 1898. The family resi-
dence is at No. 907 First street in Webster City.
Fraternally Mr. Kearns is identified with the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, being a member of Lodge No. 302,
of which he is a past exalted ruler. He was the representative to
the grand lodge at Salt Lake City and Atlantic City. The local
organization of the Modern Woodmen of America also numbers
him among its valued members. He has spent practically his
entire life in W^ebster City and enjoys an enviable reputation as
one of its alert, enterprising and progressive business men, while
in social circles his pleasing personality has made his popular.
CHARLES W'. BLACK.
Charles W. Black who is now a member of the dry-goods firm
of Shipley & Black and wdiose influence has been a progressive
factor in its success, was born in Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa,
on November 15, 1879. His parents are Joseph R. and Isabel
(Harris) Black, who came from Cambridge, Ohio, to Iowa about
1846 or 1848. His father is a representative and progressive
agriculturist in Davis county where he is still living with his wife.
Charles W. Black was educated in the public schools of his
native section, spending some time in the Cedar Rapids high
school. During the last four years of his student life he was
employed as clerk in the Fair dry-goods store at Cedar Rapids
and thus early became acquainted with the details of the opera-
tion of a modern and progressive mercantile enterprise. He
supplemented his high school education by a course at the
Southern Iowa Normal School at Bloomfield, from which insti-
tution he was graduated in 1902. His active career began in his
native city as stenographer, typewriter and bookkeeper for T. P.
Bence, a leading attorney at law in Bloomfield. Here Mr. Black
spent six months before he took a position as clerk for Hill &
Company, dry-goods merchants of the same city. He retained
his connection with this firm for three years and gained valuable
personal experience in commercial values and in the buying and
60 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
selling of goods. In 1905 he went to Centerville, Iowa, and
entered the employ of Strickler Brothers who operated a large
dry-goods store in that city. Mr. Black was given charge of the
dress goods and card writing departments and by his intelligent
activity made his branch of the enterprise successful and flourish-
ing. He remained in Centerville until March, 1909, in which
year he established his residence in Webster City. He entered
the employ of W. V. Shipley, and his services were so valuable
and progressive that in 191 1 he was allowed a half interest in
the business and the firm became known as Shipley & Black,
under which title it has been operating since that time. Much
of its success is due to the policy of modern expansion which is
the vital characteristic of Mr. Black's business career. He has
brought to the conduct of his dry-goods enterprise a discriminat-
ing and alert mind, an unwavering industry and an integrity
which never deviates from a narrow path of strict honesty.
On June 6, 1907, Mr. Black was united in marriage in Center-
ville, Iowa, to Miss Laura Pierson, a daughter of G. H. Pierson,
a coal mine owner of that city. Mr, and Mrs. Black reside at
637 Bank street, Webster City, and are well known and popular
in social circles. They hold membership in the Methodist
Episcopal church. Mr. Black seeks no distinction beyond suc-
cess in a purely business walk of life, preferring to spend kis life
quietly and hono;"ably in worthy lines of activity. Business men
of Webster City respect him for his liberal commercial intel-
ligence and for his upright business morality. His friends find
in him a genial and loyal companion. The two phases of his life
form true success.
HENRY F. WILLE.
Among the citizens of Williams who have actively and persistently
aided in the development of the town by enthusiastically cooperating
in every progressive movement and thus assisting in carrying to a
successful issue its various public projects, must be mentioned Henry
F. Wille, who for seven years has been most ef^ciently serving the
municipality in the capacity of mayor.
Mr. Wille is one of the thrifty, enterprising citizens Germany has
furnished Hamilton county, his birth having occurred in Mecklen-
HENRY F. ^A^LLE
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 63
burg-Schwerin, June i8, 1835. He is the only stindving member in
a family of eight children born of the marriage of Ralph and Hannah
(Wulke) Wllle, who passed their entire lives in the fatherland.
The first nineteen years in the life of Henry F. Wille were passed
in the land of his birth, where he received a common-school educa-
tion. Together with a sister he emigrated to the United States in
1854, landing in New York City. From there he went to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, and thence to Galena, Illinois, where he resided for two
years and during that period he made the acquaintance of General
U. S. Grant. He subsequently returned to Wisconsin, where he was
employed until October 13, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in
Company I, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and went to the
front in defense of the Union. On the ist of January, 1864, he re-
enlisted, remaining in the service until honorably discharged July 29,
1865. His first battle was Shiloh, where Captain Saxe, of Company
A, Sixteenth Wisconsin regiment. General Prentiss' division, was the
first man killed. Mr. Wille was under Grant's command until after
the fall of Vicksburg, when his regiment was attached to Sherman's
army. After his discharge, he returned to Grant county, Wisconsin,
where he resumed his agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1870,
when he came to Iowa and has ever since been a resident of Hamil-
ton county. Soon after coming here he acquired a farm in the vicin-
ity of Williams, which he successfully cultivated until 1892, when
he located in the town. He still retained his farm, however, until
about two years ago.
In Grant county, Wisconsin, on the 7th of September, 1867, Mr.
Wille was united in marriage to Miss Hannah M. Cullen, who was
born in Pennsylvania, October 25, 1843, and died in Williams on the
14th of August, 1897. She w^as one of three children born to Joseph
and Hannah Cullen, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America in
early life and passed their last days in Wisconsin. The other two
children of Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, Anna, now Mrs. Heil, and George,
are still living and make their home in Cuba City, Wisconsin. The
family of Air. and Mrs. Wille numbered six children, all of whom,
with the exception of the two eldest, were born in Hamilton county.
In order of birth they are as follows: Joseph H., who was born in
Grant county, Wisconsin, June 4, 1868, and is now a resident of
Williams; Hannah R., who was born in Grant county, December 13,
1869, and is the wife of Charles Scott, of Kankakee, Illinois; Charles
F., who was born January 7, 1872, and died on the 9th of February,
1904; George F., who was born on the loth of September, 1874, and
Vol. n— 4
64 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
is now a resident of Algona, Iowa ; Paul R., who was born July 5, 1877,
and lives in Buckeye, Iowa; and David W., who was born April 8,
1882, and died on the 31st of January, 1907.
Mr. Wille was reared in the Lutheran faith, but as there is no
church of that denomination in Williams he affiliates with the Presby-
terians. He maintains relations with his old comrades through the
medium of his connection v^ath Fairchild Post, No. 431, G. A. R., of
Williams, and he is a member of Lodge No. 458, I. O. O. F. In his
political allegiance Mr. Wille is a stanch republican. He is public-
spirited and possesses a full appreciation of the duties as well as the
privileges of citizenship and therefore takes an active and helpful in-
terest in all political affairs. He has held the various township offices
and is now serving his seventh year as mayor of Williams, the length
of his term being substantial evidence of his efficiency. He is a well
informed man, of broad, general knowledge with progressive, yet
practical ideas, lenient in his judgment and kindly in his criticism.
He has been successful in his business undertakings and has an attrac-
tive, comfortable residence in Williams and a competence that is more
than sufficient for his needs. Needless to say Mr. Wille is very popu-
lar personally as he is a man whom it is a delight to meet and a
privilege to know ; his radiant, wholesome personality, unfailing opti-
mism and faith in his fellowmen enabling him to win and retain the
confidence and esteem of those with whom he comes in contact.
BENJAMIN McCOY.
Benjamin McCoy, who is now living retired at No. 1029 First
street in Webster City, w^as for a number of years actively and
successfully identified with agricultural pursuits in Hamilton
county, operating a farm in Fremont township. His birth
occurred in Pendleton county, Virginia, on the 14th of March,
1834, his parents being Henry and Mary Ann (Botkin) McCoy.
The father, a farmer of Virginia, passed away in the fall of 1862.
The mother lived to attain the advanced age of ninety-tw^o years.
Benjamin McCoy obtained his education in a log schoolhouse
in Virginia. In 1857. when a young man of twenty-three years,
he removed to Lewis county, West Virginia, residing there at
the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He w-as thus in the
midst of the exciting and confusing scenes attending the begin-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUxXTY 65
ning of the strife, when every man took his stand in support of
either the Union or the Confederacy and many famiHes were
divided. After carefully considering the principles involved Mr.
McCoy decided to remain with the Union and in June, 1861,
enlisted in the Third West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. His
two brothers joined the Confederate army. One was capturcc'i
three days after his enlistment and died in a Federal prison. The
other fought for the south throughout the entire period of hos-
tilities. At the end of nine months' service Benjamin McCoy
was discharged on account of disability and returned home. Fie
was constantly harassed by the skirmishing rebels as well as by
the guerrillas who infested that section and on several occasion'^
barely escaped with his life, for his sympathy with the Union
cause was well known to these bands and aroused their bitter
enmity. When, only by exercising the utmost caution, he had
thwarted several of their plans to shoot him, he deemed dis-
cretion the better part of valor and concluded to leave that part
of the country, removing to Lexington, Illinois, with his family
March 1,1865. There he followed farming until 1893 and in that
year came to Hamilton county, Iowa, purchasing a farm in Fre-
mont township which he operated successfully until a few years
ago. Putting aside the active work of the fields, he took up his
abode in Webster City, where he has since lived in honorable
retirement.
Mr. McCoy has been married twice. In 1854 he wedded Miss
Cynthia Malcolm of Virginia, who died the following year. In
1856 he married Miss Emily Wilson, her father being James
Wilson of Ohio, who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy
have seven children, as follows: Rosina, who was born in 1862
and who is the wife of Robert Spielman, of Webster City;
William S., born in 1864, who resides at Pleasanton, Kansas;
Ida, who is the widow of S. H. Spielman and makes her home
in Webster City; John W., an agriculturist of Cass township,
Hamilton county; Eva, who is the wife of Alfred H. Harmon
and lives in Lexington, Illinois; Mary, who is the wife of William
S. Stelling, of Des Moines, Iowa; and Benjamin F., Jr., a farmer
living in Fremont township, Hamilton county.
Politically Mr. McCoy is a stanch republican. During most
of the period of his residence in Lexington, Illinois, he served
as a school director and for nine years acted as school treasurer.
He also held the office of constable for four years and that of
66 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
deputy sheriff for several years. He belongs to Winfield Scott
Post, No. 66, G. A. R., of Webster City, and is at present chaplain
of the post, while during the year 191 1 he served as adjutant.
His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United
Brethren church. He has now passed the seventy-eighth mile-
stone on this earthly pilgrimage and can look back upon a useful,
active and honorable life.
FREDERICK BAUER.
Frederick Bauer, a well known and highly respected resident
of Webster City, has here lived retired since 1910. He was suc-
cessfully engaged in the shoe business at Eagle Grove for twenty-
nine years and prior to his connection with commercial interests
devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits, still own-
ing about two hundred and forty acres of land on section 21,
Independence township, Hamilton county. He is the oldest sur-
viving original owner of land in that township. His birth
occurred in W\irtemberg, Germany, in July, 1840, his parents
being Carl and Christina (Byer) Bauer. The father emigrated
to the United States in 1852, settling in Sauk county, Wisconsin,
where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life.
The demise of his wife had occurred in 1848.
Frederick Bauer received only a limited education in his
youthful years, attending the country schools in Sauk county,
Wisconsin. Reading, experience and observation, however, have
constantly augmented his knowledge and broadened his mind.
He followed farming in Sauk county until the outbreak of the
Civil war and on the 3d of September, 1861, enlisted in the
Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry -at Portage city. In
the following November he was mustered into the service at
Madison, Wisconsin, under Captain Alexander Chrystie and
Colonel Charles L. Harris. On the 19th of November, 1861, the
troops left the state of Wisconsin for St. Louis, arriving there
two days later. They were then sent to Sulphur Springs, Mis-
souri, twenty-three miles below St. Louis, where they remained
during the winter or until March 12, 1862, when they moved to
Pilot Knob, Missouri, and were assigned to the Army of the
Frontier. With his regiment Mr. Bauer participated in the fol-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 67
lowing engagements: Bayou Cache, Arkansas, Jnly 6, 1862;
Port Gibson, Mississippi, May i, 1863; Champion Hill, Missis-
sippi, May 16, 1863; Black River Bridge, Mississippi, May 17,
1863; and the siege of Vicksbnrg, Mississippi, beginning May 18,
1863. Mr. Bauer was wounded on the 22d of May, 1863, during
the siege of Vicksburg^ losing the thumb on his left hand. After
three weeks spent in the Jefferson Hospital of Memphis, Ten-
nessee, and the Harvey Hospital at Madison, Wisconsin, he was
detailed as recruiting officer for his regiment at Madison, Wis-
consin, serving as such until honorably discharged in November,
1864, when his term of enlistment expired.
After the cessation of hostilities between the north and the
south Mr. Bauer returned to his home in Sauk county, Wis-
consin, and in 1866 came to Iowa, settling in Independence town-
ship, Hamilton county. Here he purchased a tract of two hun-
dred and forty acres of land on section 21, all of which he still
owns with the exception of about four acres used by the railroad.
When this property first came into his possession it was raw
prairie, but as time passed he brought it under a high state of
cultivation, erected fences and buildings and in fact made all of
the improvements found on a model farm. He resided thereon
until the fall of 1880, when he suffered the loss of four children
by diphtheria, all dying within ten days. This great bereave-
ment caused him to rent his farm, and with his wife and remain-
ing child he returned to Wisconsin on a visit. In 1881 he
came to Webster City, Iowa, but after a few months took up his
abode in Eagle Grove, this state, where he was successfully
engaged in the shoe business for twenty-nine years. In 1910
he returned to Webster City and has here lived in honorable
retirement for the past two years, his home being at No. 925
Division street.
On the 3d of July, 1865, at Merrimack, Wisconsin, Mr. Bauer
was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Schweppe, her parents
being Herman and Mary (Sturke) Schweppe, the former a
farmer of Dane county, Wisconsin. Mrs. Katherine Bauer was
born on the ist of April, 1846. By her marriage she became the
mother of five children, as follows: Minnie Mary, whose birth
occurred on the 17th of July, 1866, and who passed away on the
loth of August, 1880; Herman Carl, born April 21, 1868, who
is engaged in the lumber business at Larchwood, Iowa, and who
wedded Miss Kate Meier, by whom he has a son and daughter;
68 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Frederick John, whose natal day was April 25, 1870, and who died
on the 17th of August, 1880; Katie E., born September 5, 1872,
who passed away August 15, 1880; Albert, who w^as born Jan-
uary 30, 1879, and died August 20, 1880. As above stated, four
of these children died of diphtheria within ten days.
Mr. Bauer still maintains pleasant relations with his old army
comrades through his membership in W'infield Scott Post, No.
66, G. A. R. He is also identified with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, belonging to Golden Link Lodge, No. 68, at
Eagle Grove. His religious faith is indicated by his membership
in the Congregational church. His life has been a busy and
useful one, and his well spent years have brought him the suc-
cess which he now enjoys and have gained him the respect and
confidence which are so uniformly extended to him.
ALBERT- SOWERS.
Albert Sowers is one of the active, enterprising and successful
farmers of Ellsworth township and by his able cultivation of his
farm of eighty acres on section 34 has placed himself in the front
ranks of progressive agriculturists. He was born in Ellsworth
township, March 28, 1865, a son of Lindsey and Rebecca E.
(Ward) Sowers, who were among the early settlers in Hamilton
county and among the most enterprising and public-spirited of
its citizens. The father was born in Fountain county, Indiana,
December 25, 1833. and settled in Ellsworth township upon a
farm in the fall of 1856. Upon this property he carried on general
farming until his death, which occurred March 4, 191 1. The
mother of our subject was born in Crawford county, Ohio,
December 12, 1839, and came to Ellsworth township before her
marriage. Here her death occurred February 12, 1898. In their
family were eight children: Laura, who was born June 4, 1863,
and who died March 26, 1865; Albert, of this review; Henry,
who was born October 21, 1866, and who died May 26, 1867;
Pearley. whose birth occurred May 18, 1868; Mrs. Mary Hughes,
who was born February 7, 1871 ; Guy, a farmer of Ellsworth
township; Pliny, born January 29, 1876; and Charles, born
May 16. 1878. All of these children were born and reared in
Ellsworth township and are still residing there.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 69
Albert Sowers attended the public schools of Ellsworth town-
ship and from an early date has been identified with general
farming in this section. He owns eighty acres of excellent land
and has pursued a constant policy of improvement and develop-
ment, erecting the necessary buildings and planting in the most
suitable grains, being now the proprietor of an excellent modern
farm.
On March 20, 1888, Mr. Sowers was united in marriage to
Miss Maria E. Scott, who was born in Chickasaw county, Iowa,
March 30, 1866, and who taught school prior to her marriage.
Her father, John Scott, was born in Ohio, January 13, 1813, and
died in Wright county, Iowa, July 2^, 1887. He was twice
married. By his first union he had four children : Boone, who
was born May 21, 1842, and who is residing at Scranton, Iowa;
Mrs. Margaret Norris, born in Altaloma, Texas, February 14,
1844; Mrs. Phoebe Murray, who was born November 15, 1846,
and who lives in Oklahoma ; and La Vega, who was born Novem-
ber 21, 1848, and who is residing in Taylor, North Dakota. John
Scott's second marriage was with Sarah A. Johnson, who was
born in Virginia, October 26, 1833. and who is now residing in
Rutland, Iowa. To this union eight children were born: Jacob,
whose birth occurred April 26, 1853; Mrs. Susan Styles, who was
born May 6, 1865, and who is residing in Waterloo, Nebraska;
Mrs. Hannah Stewart, who was born April 6, 1857, and who
lives in Luverne, Iowa ; Mrs. Mary Upton, of Yoder, Colorado,
who was born March 28, 1859, and who taught school in Ham-
ilton county for a number of years ; Mrs. Martha Lawler, who
was born April 20, 1862, and who died at Eagle Grove, Wright
county, January 11, 1901 ; Mrs. Sowers, of this review; Martin,
who was born September 16, 1868, and who resides in Leeds,
South Dakota; and William, who was born March 16, 1873, and
who lives at Maple Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Sowers became the
parents of eight children: Alma, who was born March 9, 1889,
and who died March 22, 1893; Ralph, born March 8, 1891, and
who died March 24th of the same year; Alvin J., born July 12,
1893; Grace E., born August 29, 1894; Florence E., born August
I, 1896; Earl Lindsey, born December i, 1898; Albert Wilber,
born August 17, 1900; and Clarence P., born October 4, 1906.
All of these children were natives of Ellsworth township and
those surviving are attending the district schools.
70 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Albert Sowers gives his allegiance to the democratic party
and is serving as school director in his district. However, he
has devoted practically all his time since the beginning of his
active career to farming and by upright methods and honorable
standards has gained that prosperity which results from earnest
and well directed efTort, being accounted one of the leading a^ri-
culturists of his native section.
FRANK E. BROWN.
The successive steps in the business career of Frank E. Brown
are easily discernible and have brought him to a prominent position
in commercial circles. His present enterprise is one that contributes
to general business activity and prosperity as well as to his individual
success. He is now president and was the organizer of the Brown
Spring Ice Skate Company, which was organized in 1896. New
York claims him as one of her native sons, his birth having occurred
in Elmira in 1846. His father, Isaac M. Brown, was an inventor as
well as a pictorial painter of note. The later years of his life were
spent in Canada where he died in 1886. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Emily Alice Gardner, survived him for almost two
decades, passing away in 1905.
Frank E. Brown was educated in the common schools of Elmira
and at the age of fourteen years began learning the carriage build-
ers' trade in that city. He was about eighteen years of age when
in 1865 he offered his services to the country in defense of the Union
cause, enlisting in the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth New York
Volunteers, with which he served until the end of the war. Fie
then came to Iowa and spent two years in Cedar Rapids and in Spring-
ville, Iowa. He afterward worked in various capacities in the state
until 1870, when he took up his abode in Webster City and opened
a carriage and blacksmith shop. His business was extended in its
scope to include the manufacture of speed carts and this business he
carried on until 1889, when he sold a two-thirds interest in his speed
cart business. He then went to Des Moines, to which city the enter-
prise was removed, being there conducted under the name of the
Brown Carriage Company. About 1891 he disposed of his remain-
ing third interest and went to Anamosa, Iowa, where with his son,
William E. Brown, he established a drug business under the name of
F. E. BROWN
r
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 73
Brown & Son, the store, however, being known as the "Two Brown-
ies." Operations were there continued for five years, at the end of
which time Mr. Brown disposed of the store and came to Webster
City. Having patented a spring ice skate, in 1896 he organized the
Brown Spring Ice Skate Company and began the manufacture of
skates. He has continuously served as president of the company and
is now at the head of a large and growing business. The enterprise
has been developed along substantial lines and has been a paying one
almost from the outset. A number of employes are now engaged in
the manufacture of skates and the output is sent over a wide territory.
In 1870, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Phil-
lips Toogood, a daughter of Sidney Toogood, who is a farmer of
Linn county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two sons. William
Earl was born February 17, 1873, and wedded Miss Jeannette Fox, of
Iowa Falls, Iowa. He is now engaged in the drug business in Web-
ster City and is known as "Buster Brown." Bernice R. Brown is
the secretary of the Brown Spring Ice Skate Company. The family
residence is at No. 902 First street. Mr. Brown maintains pleasant
relations with his old army comrades through his membership in
Winfield Scott Post, No. 66, G. A. R. He is also a loyal represen-
tative of the Elks lodge of Webster City. His life has been one of
unfaltering industry and his intelligently directed efforts have brought
him to a creditable position in business circles where success crowns
his efforts. He is justly accounted one of the substantial citizens
here and the sterling traits of character which he has ever displayed
have firmly established him in public regard.
FRANK E. W^ILLSON.
Frank E. Willson, who spent his entire life in Webster City,
passing away here on the 29th of jNIarch, 1907, was widely recog-
nized as a prominent factor in business circles and acted as gen-
eral manager of the Crooked Creek Railroad & Coal Company.
His birth occurred on the nth of- June, 1859, his parents being
Walter C. and Calista (Rickerson) Willson. The father was the
founder of Webster City and had extensive business interests
here. He w^as one of the organizers of the Crooked Creek Rail-
road & Coal Company and erected a number of buildings, includ-
ing the Willson Hotel, which was rel^uilt by him in 1885.
74 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Frank E. Willson was educated in the Webster City public
schools and also pursued a commercial course in the Milwaukee
Business College. After putting aside his text-books he became
an associate of his father and when the latter passed away, in
1900, he assumed full charge of his father's affairs, becoming
the general manager of the Crooked Creek Railroad & Coal Com-
pany. He possessed excellent business ability and sound judg-
ment, conducting important interests ably and successfully. For
two years prior to his demise, however, he was an invalid.
In 1888 Mr. Willson was united in marriage to Miss Minnie
Arthur, a daughter of Horace and Mary Arthur, of Webster City.
They had one son, Walter C. Willson, whose birth occurred in
Webster City, June 29, 1893, and who is now engaged in the
news business with Richard Ferrall, under the firm name of
Willson & Ferrall, at No. 618 Des Moines avenue.
Frank E. Willson was prominent in the local organization of
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being past exalted
ruler of Lodge No. 302. His widow now supervises the affairs
of the Willson estate and has proven herself to be a woman of
splendid executive ability and keen discernment. She resides
in her home at No. 715 First street and has an extensive circle
of friends in Webster City.
WILLIAM ANDERSON.
William Anderson, now serving as mayor of Jewell, has long
been recognized as one of the leading and influential citizens
of the town. He twice represented this county in the state leg-
islature and was a prominent factor in financial circles as presi-
dent of the State Bank of Jewell, resigning that position on the
1st of January, 1912. His birth occurred near London, Ontario,
on the 8th of April, 1852, his parents being Duncan and Cath-
erine (Corsant) Anderson. The paternal grandfather of our
subject was born and educated in Glasgow, Scotland, but the
maternal grandfather was born in America, Mrs. Anderson's
ancestors coming to this country in the Mayflower. Mr. and
Mrs. Duncan Anderson had eighteen children, all of whom were
born and reared in Ontario.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 75
William Anderson obtained his early education in the public
schools of London, Ontario, and at Middlesex Seminary of
Komoka, Ontario, being graduated from that institution in 1869.
During the following four years he taught school in London,
Ontario, and in 1873 crossed the border into the United States,
coming direct to Hamilton county, Iowa. Settling in Lyon town-
ship, he there worked on a farm during the summer months and
in the winter followed the profession of teaching. In 1874 he
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 26,
Lyon township, and has since extended the boundaries of his
farm until at the present time it embraces five hundred acres.
He devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and also
taught school until 1883, when he was elected auditor of Ham-
ilton county, being reelected two years later and serving a second
term. In 1887 he was elected county superintendent of the Ham-
ilton county schools and, owing to the fact that he was reelected
in 1889, served in that capacity until 1892. The following year
he assisted in the organization of the State Bank of Jewell and
acted as its vice president until 1899, when he was made presi-
dent of the institution. On the ist of January, 1912, however, he
resigned his position as chief executive officer. From 1896 until
1899 he also served as cashier of the First National Bank of
Webster City, ably discharging his duties in this connection and
thus promoting the growth and success of the institution. He
is a director and treasurer of the Jewell Telephone Company and
likewise a director of the Jewell Electric Light Company.
In November, 1875, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to
Miss Morisini F. Everett, of Virginia, by whom he had seven
children, four of whom still survive. Cecil, a veterinary surgeon
residing at Jewell, married Miss Minnie Sweeney, by whom he
has two children. Charles E., also married, is a practicing dentist
of Madrid, Iowa. Hattie is a teacher in the high school at Boone,
Iowa. Keo A., the mother of one daughter, is the wife of Willard
Minert, a grain and coal dealer of Waukon, Iowa. Merle, who was a
student in the Chicago Veterinary College at Chicago, Illinois,
passed away September 19, 1912.
Politically Mr. Anderson has always been a stanch repub-
lican. In 1906 he was elected state representative from Ham-
ilton county and two years later was reelected, having won the
enthusiastic approval and renewed support of his constituents.
In March, 1912, he was chosen mayor of Jewell for a term of two
76 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
years and is therefore the present incumbent in the office, exer-
cising his official prerogatives in support of many measures of
reform and improvement. Few men are more prominent or more
widely known in the enterprising city of Jewell than Mr. Ander-
son. He has been an important factor in business circles and his
prosperity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the char-
acteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and in-
dustry that never flags. Both he and his estimable wife have a
host of warm friends throughout the community and justly merit
the regard and esteem which is uniformly accorded them.
WILLIAM T. OAKLAND.
Scientific efficiency is the standard of attainment in modern
agriculture and William T. Oakland has made it his end and
ambition in the cultivation of his excellent farm of two hundred
and forty acres in Liberty township. He was born in Illinois,
April 14, 1878. His father, Enoch Oakland, is a native of Nor-
way where his birth occurred on the 5th of May, 1849. ^'^
first journey to America was made in 1871 and at this time he
resided four years in the United States. At the end of that time
he returned to Norway and remained in his native country a"
year and a half. After his second journey to America he located
in Illinois, where he followed farming for a short time. In 1892
he came with his family to Hamilton county, Iowa, and with the
exception of two years during which he was a resident of Web-
ster City, he has cultivated the soil in Liberty township since
that time. He purchased here one hundred and sixty acres and is
now numbered among the representative and substantial agri-
culturists of his section. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss
Marie Erickson and she was also born in Norway. Unto their
union were born four children, namely: Mrs. Emma Jaycox, of
Minneapolis, Minnesota; William T., of this review; Edward, de-
ceased ; and Mrs. Ella Neveln, of Storm Lake, Iowa.
William T. Oakland was reared at home and was educated
in the district schools of Illinois and Iowa. He came to Ham-
ilton county with his father in 1892 and has followed farming
during all of his active life. He is the owner of a tract of two
hundred and forty acres in Liberty township which is in excellent
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 77
condition as a result of his well directed work. He has made
extensive improvements upon his holdings, has fenced, tiled and
drained his farm, built barns, granaries and other outbuildings
and has recently erected an attractive home in which is found
every modern comfort and luxury. In his farming operations
he has been active and energetic, his labor resulting in the very
gratifying success which he is now enjoying.
Mr. Oakland was united in marriage, March 25, 1903, to Miss
Lizzie Jaycox, who w^as born in Blairsburg tow^nship, Harnilton
county, on January 26, 1882. Her parents, Isaiah and Emma J.
(Ireland) Jaycox, were among the pioneers in this section of
Iowa. Her father w^as a native of New York who came to
Hamilton county before his daughter was born. He died in
Pipestone, Minnesota, on August 29, 1908. He had been twice
married. His first wnfe was in her maidenhood Miss Mary Van
Tassel, a native of Cold Springs, New York, wdio died in the
same section. To that union were born three children : Mrs.
Lucy Sayre. of Blairsburg; Howard, of Valentine, Nebraska;
and Mrs. Charles W. Hoag, of Williams township. After the
death of his first wife Mr. Jaycox was again married, his second
union occurring on August 29, 1868, when he wedded Miss Emma
J. Ireland, also a native of Cold Springs, New Y^ork, born Septem-
ber 12, 1851. To this union w^ere born seven children, as follows:
Benjamin, born December 27, 1869, now residing in Blairsburg;
Guy C, born August 24, 1872, who is living in Kamrar, Iowa;
Willard, born November 8, 1874, whose death occurred at the
age of two years; Louis E., born April i, 1877, a resident of
Minneapolis, Minnesota; LeRoy I., born December 15, 1879, who
is living at Woodstock, Minnesota; Mrs. Oakland; and Mrs.
Mary E. Evans, born October 28, 1885, wdiose home is in Blairs-
burg. With the exception of the eldest, Benjamin, who is a
native of Webster City, all of the children were born on a farm
north of Blairsburg, in Blairsburg township. Mrs. Oakland has
spent her life in Hamilton county with the exception of two
years during which she resided with her father in Minnesota.
She and her husband are the parents of two sons: Glen Adelbert,
was born September 8, 1905, and died in infancy; and Lloyd,
born on July 24, 1906, in Liberty township.
In his political views Mr. Oakland is a republican but takes
no very active part in local affairs. He belongs to the Congrega-
tional church of Blairsburg and is a member of the Modern
78 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Woodmen of America. He is a man of resourceful business
ability who looks beyond the exigencies of the present to the
needs of the future and utilizes the means at hand for the further-
ance of his success. In all his dealings he is thoroughly reliable
and honorable and is a worthy representative of that class of
citizens who lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives and
constitute the most forceful element in any community.
OLE J. HENDERSON.
Ole J. Henderson, a law^ graduate of the University of Min-
nesota and a practitioner at the bar of \\'ebster City since 1903,
is now filling the office of county attorney and is numbered
among the leading and successful representatives of the bar of
Hamilton county. He was born in this county in 1878, his
parents being Lars and Sarah (Mikelson) Henryson. The father
was born in Norway and in 1847 came to the United States. He
made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Illinois,
and in 1858 he took up his abode in Scott township, Hamilton
county, Iowa. He was prominent among the Norwegian set-
tlers of that section and held many official positions there, being
trustee, a member of the board of supervisors and postmaster,
in addition to holding other local offices. He was always loyal
to the land of his adoption while retaining the love for the land
of his birth. He died in 1896 and is still survived by his widow,
who in December, 191 1, passed the seventy-fifth milestone on
life's journey.
Ole J. Henderson was reared under the parental roof and
supplemented his public-school education by a course of study
in the Iowa State College at Ames, from which he was graduated
in 1898 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then pursued
the law course in the University of Minnesota and was gradu-
ated in 1902 with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He afterward
practiced for a short time in that state and then located in
Webster City, having been continuously identified with the bar
here since 1903. To him has been accorded a large and dis-
tinctively representative clientage, and his devotion to its in-
terests is proverbial. He prepares his cases with great thorough-
ness and care, is sound in argument and logical in his deductions.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 79
In 1910 he was elected to the ot^ce of county attorney for a
term of two years, so that he is now the incumbent in that posi-
tion. Since 19(^9 he has been lecturer on law in the Iowa State
College and in that connection is winning a reputation equal to
that which he has gained in the work of the courts. Aside from
his profession he is known in financial circles of Story City, Iowa,
as one of the directors of the First National Bank.
Mr. Henderson was married in 1906, in Boulder, Colorado, to
Miss Mary Brown, a daughter of James A. Brown, of Vinton,
Iowa, who was for many years secretary of the school for the
blind at Vinton. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson make their home at
No. 814 Bank street. They are members of the Congregational
church and Mr. Henderson belongs also to the Webster City
Country Club and to the Webster City Commercial Club — asso-
ciations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and
the rules which govern his life. His influence is always given on
the side of progress, reform and improvement, and his own record
is one of continuous advancement by reason of the wise use he
has made of his opportunities.
THEODORE SAGAR.
A man who has for many years been actively interested in
agriculture in Freemont township and who brings to his work
an intelligent and progressive mind is Theodore Sagar, now cul-
tivating one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land in that sec-
tion. He is also interested in the cause of education and in the
improvement of school facilities and has done ef^cient and intel-
ligent work along this line. He was born in West Virginia in
1870 and is a son of Amos and Catherine (Hishman) Sagar. His
parents were natives of the state in which he was born and his
father followed agriculture in that region all during his life.
Theodore Sagar was educated in the public schools of West
Virginia and followed the usual course of study. He laid aside
his books at an early age and in 1891 came to Hamilton county,
Iowa. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved
prairie, land on section 4, Freemont township, and upon this prop-
erty he is now residing. He has developed and improved his
place and his land is now under a high state of cultivation. He
80 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
erected the house in which he now resides and equipped it with
all the modern conveniences which make for comfort and pleasure
in life. He built barns and outbuildings upon his farm and tiled
his land. He is keenly interested in the cause of education, this
being one of the dominating activities of his life. He has been
a member of the school board for many years and has served as
its president since 1902. He brings to his work an intelligent
understanding of everything connected with school equipment
and requirements and during his period of office has added
greatly to country school facilities.
In 1894 Mr. Sagar was united in marriage to Miss Hattie
Jane Packman, a daughter of George Packman, one of the early
settlers of Hamilton county who has resided in this section since
i860. To Mr. and Mrs. Sagar have been born four children:
Robert Emery, Millie Catherine, Ethel and Theodore, Jr. Mr.
Sagar is well known in his community and numbers among his
friends most of the substantial and representative citizens of
Hamilton county.
JOHN PARRY.
John Parry, who is living retired in Webster City, was for many
years actively and successfully identified with the agricultural develop-
•ment of Hamilton county. He was born in England on the 12th of
October, 1848, and is a son of John and Eliza (Frost) Parry, who
passed their entire lives in the mother country.
The first twenty years in the life of John Parry were passed in
the land of his birth, but at the expiration of that period he decided to
become a citizen of America, so in 1868 he took passage for Quebec.
His destination was Bureau county, Illinois, and in June, 1868, he lo-
cated in the vicinity of the town of Sheffield, that county, where he
worked as a farm hand for two years. He was thrifty and temperate
in his habits and during that time he saved a sufficient sum from his
meager earnings to enable him to farm on his own account as a renter.
He continued to reside in Bureau county for another two years, but
at the expiration of that time he disposed of his interests there and
came to Iowa, settling in Cass county. After farming as a renter in
that county for fourteen years, he went to Cherokee county, where
he cultivated leased land until 1891. In the latter year he came to
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 83
Hamilton county and bought eighty acres of partially improved land
on section 28 of Freedom township. During the succeeding nine years
he applied himself energetically to the further improvement and cul-
tivation of this place, which he sold in 1900, investing the proceeds
in one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 16 in the same
township. Here he continued his agricultural pursuits until the ist
of March, 1908, when he retired from active work and removed to
Webster City, where he is now- residing.
In 1877, Mr. Parry was married to Miss Mary A. Powell, who
was born in England on the 8th of May, 185 1, her parents being
Alfred and Mary Ann (Webb) Powell, who were born, reared and
married in England, and there the mother also passed away. In 1869
the father emigrated to the United States, first locating in Iowa Falls,
and buying land in Hamilton county. This tract was raw prairie
land and while maintaining his residence in Iowa Falls he broke this
land and prepared it for cultivation. After four years spent in Iowa
Falls he moved onto his fami in Hamilton county, which he culti-
vated and improved until he finally retired from agricultural labors
and removed to Webster City, where he died on March 13, 1897, at
the venerable age of eighty-two years. He is buried in Graceland
cemetery, this city. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Powell,
Mrs. Parry being the third in order of birth. The family of Mr. and
Mrs. Parry also numbered four: John, the only son, who died in
childhood; Nellie Florence, the wife of William Carden, a farmer of
Webster county, by whom she has had one child ; Etheldra Sarah, who
married L. B. Cottington, a farmer of this county, to whom have
been born four children ; and Elizabeth Mary, who died in childhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Parry have a very pleasant residence and many friends
in Webster City, and by reason of their diligence and thrift in early
life are able to spend their latter years in well earned ease and comfort.
MARTIN L. HENDERSON.
Martin L. Henderson is numbered among the men of Ham-
ilton county who by keeping abreast of modern advancement in
agricultural methods, by being progressive, up-to-date and
systematic in their policies and by constantly improving and
developing their fine farms are rapidly raising agriculture to the
Vol. n— 5
84 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
plane of a definite science. He owns and operates three hun-
dred and seventy acres of productive land in Ellsworth township
and is ranked among the individual forces in the development
and advancement of his section. He is a native of Hamilton
county, a son of a pioneer in its settlement and has always been
identified with the agricultural interests of his community. He
was born in Scott township, January 19, 1864, a son of Lars and
Sarah (Mikelson) Henryson. His father was born in Norway,
March 22, 1822, and came to Hamilton county in 1858. Although
he was a carpenter by trade he engaged in general agricultural
pursuits during the greater period of his residence in America
and died in Randall, November 12, 1896. His wife was a native
of Norway, born in 1836, and she makes her home in Randall.
In their family were seven children: Martin L., of this review;
Michas, who is now living in Story City; Annas M., who is serv-
ing as postmaster of Story City; Alexander, of Story City; Mrs.
Jacob Williams, whose husband is serving as postmaster of
Randall; Ole J., who is county attorney of Hamilton county;
and Mrs. Maggie Sowers, who resides in Ellsworth township.
All of the children were born and reared in Scott township. Lars
Henryson, the father of our subject, was one of .the early set-
tlers in Hamilton county and his life and activities were identified
with a period of development and change. When he and his
wife came to this part of Iowa they had Indians for neighbors,
and there were but few log houses in the vicinity. They were,
indeed, pioneers and it can be truthfully said that Lars Henry-
son lightened the burdens of many poor settlers, rendering them
charity and able service, and aiding in the accomplishment of
their prosperity and success in order that Hamilton county might
in the future have the very best class of people as factors in its
development. That he was a splendid judge of men is best
evidenced by the rapid growth of this part of the country. This
history would be far from complete were we to omit reference
to one who did so much unselfish work in pioneer times and
who was such an important factor in making the people of Ham-
ilton county prosperous, happy and contented. He left a herit-
age to those who followed him greater than any accumulation
of material wealth — "He dealt fairly and justly with his fellow-
men, never seeking to take any advantage that would materially
aid himself." This is the sum and substance of his life work.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 85
IMartin Henderson was educated in the public schools of his
native section and his early life was spent upon his father's farm.
He has always been identified with agricultural pursuits and at
the present time owns three hundred and seventy acres in Ells-
worth township, equipped with all the improvements necessary
to the conduct and management of two model farms. He has
erected many large barns, sheds and silos and has the finest
granary in Hamilton county. This he has equipped with scales
to w'eigh the grain, an elevator to carry the corn and oats to two
large bins, each of which has a capacity of six thousand bushels.
A large gasoline engine does the elevating and in addition to
this Mr. Henderson has a grain cleaner and a sheller which is
also attached to the engine. He has been foremost in establish-
ing these advantages for the modern conduct of a farm and is
very enthusiastic over every new development and improvement
— a leader as it were in eliminating the drudgery of farm life in
the west. He resides upon his property in a comfortable, modern
and well furnished home, equipped with all necessary conven-
iences and accessories. He gives most of his time to stockraising.
Mr. Henderson was united in marriage June 4, 1889, to Miss
Josephine Johnson, who w'as born in La Salle county, Illinois,
December 25, 1863, a daughter of John and Sophia (Olson) John-
son, natives of Norway. Her mother passed away in Benton
county, Iowa, and her father died in the same section August 9,
1873. In their family were four children: Mrs. Delia Melberg,
of. Benton county, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Tjernagel, of Story City;
Josephine, the wife of our subject; and Martin, who resides in
Scott township. Mrs. Henderson came to Iowa with her parents
in 1865 and remained at home until her marriage. She and her
husband became the parents of seven children : Mrs. Myrtle
Josephine Erickson, who was born June 22, 1891, and who re-
sides in Randall ; Walter LeRoy, whose birth occurred June 29,
1892, who during his vacations assists his father in the conduct
of the home farm; Frances Cornelia, and Porter Irving, both of
whom reside at home; twins, who died in infancy; and Porter L,
who passed away at the age of three years. All the children
were born in Randall. Mrs. Erickson, in addition to securing
a common-school education attended Jewell College of Jewell,
while Walter has attended Morning-side College, and is at
present a student at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa.
86 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
In his political affiliations Mr. Henderson is a consistent re-
publican and has served as justice of the peace. For a number
of years he held the position of township trustee and was secre-
tary of the school board for almost fifteen years. He has carried
on his father's work of development and improvement, changing
his methods to keep pace with modern advancement but adhering
steadily to the old standards of honesty and industry. He has
shown a progressive spirit and intelligent business discrimina-
tion combined with a faculty for making his ability effective and
is a native son of whom Hamilton county has every reason to
be proud.
PETER SCHOMER.
Peter Schomer is well known in Webster City as one of its
leading coal merchants and is a man who has been prominent in
business circles of the community and active in the promotion
of its municipal progress since 1892. He is a native of Germany,
born September 26, 1858. His parents were Nicholas and Mag-
dalene (Schmalen) Schomer, also natives of Germany, who came
to the United States in 1863. They arrived in Chicago on the
4th of July of that year and went immediately to the vicinity
of Aurora, Illinois, where they resided for five years. In the
summer of 1868 they established their residence in Hamilton
county, Iowa, where the father successfully followed farming for
some time and later was engaged in a commercial enterprise in
Webster City until his death, which occurred when he was
seventy-three years of age. His wife passed away in Hamilton
county in the seventy-ninth year of her age.
Peter Schomer was educated in the public schools of Iowa
and as a boy assisted his father in the work of cultivating the
soil. He was actively engaged in this occupation until he was
eighteen years of age, when with his parents he removed to
Webster City and was associated with his father in business until
1892. In 1899 he formed a partnership with D. F. Shea in a
harness enterprise which he operated with some success for one
year. His present coal business was established in 1902 and has
grown since that time to be one of the important industries of
the kind in Webster City. Mr. Schomer has always given his
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY . 87
personal attention to the conduct of his business and his well
directed energy has resulted in a gratifying measure of success.
His business is operated under principles of honor and integrity
and its commercial standards are high and worthy.
On October 13, 1902, Mr. Schomer was united in marriage to
Mrs. Mary H. Murphy, a daughter of James Hennebery, of
Webster City. She died November 13, 191 1. By her first mar-
riage she became the mother of one child, Margie Murphy, who
is a teacher in the kindergarten connected with the Webster
City public schools.
Mr. Schomer resides at No. 221 Prospect avenue and has
many friends in Webster City who are attached to him by the
warm ties of personal regard. Politically he gives his allegiance
to the democratic party but has never taken an active interest
in public affairs. He belongs to Webster City Camp, No. 416,
M. W. A., and has held this membership since 1899. In the
Knights of Columbus he is afifiliated with Bishop Clement Smith
Council, No. 838, and has been connected with the organization
since 1906. He now holds the ofifice of trustee of the lodge.
Mr. Schomer is a member of the Roman Catholic church and his
religion influences and elevates his life. There are degrees of
financial success in the world but no one can gain more personal
recognition than is embodied in the title of an honest man. This
title has never been denied Mr. Schomer, for his honesty and
integrity of purpose dominate his activity and influence his busi-
ness and individual life.
EDWARD L. EPPARD.
Edward L. Eppard was born on section sixteen. Liberty town-
ship, Hamilton county, Iowa, on April 15, 1874, grew to manhood
there and has followed farming since the beginning of his active
career. He has his tract of land highly improved and intel-
ligently developed, and has achieved his prosperity by earnest
work along progressive lines. He is a son of George W. and
Emily E. (Huff) Eppard. His father was born in Miami county,
Indiana. He enlisted in the Union army for service in the Civil
war as member of Company K, One Hundred and First Indiana
Volunteer Infantrv, and after three vears received an honorable
88 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
discharg-e. He returned to Indiana and resided in various parts
of the state until 1873. In that year he moved to his farm, one
hundred and sixty acres of land in Hamilton county, Iowa, which
he had purchased in 1869. At the time he removed to this farm
the county was all an unbroken range and the conditions of living
were extremely primitive. He broke the soil, improved, devel-
oped and cultivated his property, and was numbered among- the
successful pioneers. He resided here until his death which oc-
curred in Liberty township, in January, 1897. The mother of
our subject was in her maidenhood Miss Emily E. Huff, and was
the parents of four children, three of whom are still living: Ed-
born in Wabash county, Indiana. She and her husband became
ward L., the subject of this sketch; J. W., of Liberty township;
and Edith M., who is residing with her brother upon his. farm.
Edward Eppard attended the district schools of Hamilton
county and later took a commercial course in Jewell College. He
supplemented this by a few years' attendance at Ellsworth Col-
lege, and since laying aside his books has follow^ed farming. He
is now residing upon his father's homestead which is one of the
best improved farms in Liberty township. His place is equipped
with large barns and granaries which have replaced the original
structures. Mr. Eppard has just removed one of the first build-
ings which his father erected. His residence which he built a
few years ago is one of the commodious, substantial and beauti-
ful homes in Hamilton county. Mr. Eppard's success has been
achieved by diligence and industry and he now owns one hun-
dred and sixty acres of the most fertile and productive land in
Iowa.
On December 20, 191 1, Mr. Eppard was united in marriage
to Miss Bessie Vogelsang, who was born in Arlington, Fayette
county, Iowa, January 29, 1886. She attended the public schools
of her native district and grew to womanhood there.
In his political views Mr. Eppard is a consistent republican,
and his influence is weighty in the affairs of local organizations.
He has been township assessor for six years and made a record
for ability and efficiency as a public official. He has been for the
past ten years a member of the republican county central com-
mittee. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, hold-
ing his membership in Blairsburg, and is a director of the Web-
ster County Mutual Insurance Association. He studies farming
in all its different phases and has been successful from the be-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 89
ginning because of his personal efficiency. He is ranked among
the enterprising and substantial citizens of his district, and his
activities are regarded as a valuable influence in agricultural de-
velopment.
E. D. BURGESS.
E. D. Burgess is now librarian of the Kendall Young Library
of Webster City, Iowa, and has done efficient work in this capac-
ity since 1898. He was born in 185 1 at Lafayette, New Jersey,
and is a son of Jesse Raymond and Huldah Lanning (Dodder)
Burgess. His parents came to Hamilton county in 1857 and
settled in Webster City where the father practiced medicine until
his death. The mother is still living in this city.
After he obtained his grammar-school education Mr. Burgess en-
tered the State University of Iowa and attended within a few
months of graduation. He studied civil engineering and followed
that profession until 1878. He studied law and was admitted to
the bar of Iowa and practiced in that state for twenty years. In
1898 he became librarian of the Kendall Young Library and has
retained this identification since that time.
In 1883 Mr. Burgess was united in marriage to Miss Eliza-
beth Bassett Sladden, a daughter of W. C. Sladden of Webster
City. Mr. and Mrs. Burgess reside at No. 902 Wilson avenue
and have many friends in the social circles of the city in which
they live. Mr. Burgess is a man of wide reading and has a
cultivated and well trained mind. He has been of valuable as-
sistance to patrons of the library in directing their reading.
ROY GRANT AUSTIN.
Roy Grant Austin is a civil engineer of Webster City and in
the practice of his profession is specializing in drainage work.
He was born October 8, 1879, in this city, his parents being A. H.
and Chloe (Scullin) Austin. The father came to Hamilton county
in 1877 and is a bridge contractor, still residing in Webster City.
He has long occupied a creditable position in connection with
90 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
industrial activity here, the excellence of his work bringing to
him a liberal and growing patronage.
At the usual age Roy G. Austin entered the public schools
and after completing a course of study therein matriculated in
the Iowa State College at Ames, from which he was graduated
in 1904 with the degree of Civil Engineer. He started in drain-
age work in Humboldt county, Iowa, and in the fall of 1904 be-
came connected with the American Bridge Company at Ambridge,
Pennsylvania, in the capacity of draftsman. He was with that
company for three years and in 1907 returned to Webster City,
where he opened an office. Here he does general civil engineer-
ing work, yet makes a specialty of drainage and in this connection
his services are in constant demand. He was county surveyor
from January i, 1909, until January i, 1912, when the office was
discontinued.
In November, 1910, Mr. Austin was united in marriage to
Miss Lola Derr, her father being S. D. Derr, who has been a
resident of Hamilton county for the past thirty-five years. Our
subject and his wife have one daughter, Margaret Ann, whose
birth occurred on the 12th of September, 191 1. Mr. and Mrs.
Austin have their home on Wilson avenue. They are widely
known here and occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr,
Austin is yet a comparatively young man but has made a credit-
able record in connection with his chosen profession. He has
given ample demonstration of his ability to handle complex en-
gineering problems and his work at all times has been followed
by such practical and excellent results that his patronage has
steadily increased.
STEPHEN DOUGLAS PRINGLE.
Stephen Douglas Pringle is successfully engaged in general agri-
cultural pursuits and stock-raising in Cass township, Hamilton county,
where he owns one hundred and eighty-four and a half acres of valu-
able and productive land located on sections 19 and 30. He is a na-
tive of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Keokuk county on the 26th
of October, i860, and a son of Thomas and Nancy (Welch) Pringle.
The father was a native of Indiana and the mother of West Virginia.
They were married in Iowa, and soon thereafter located on govern-
S. D. PRINGLE AND FAMILY
pv
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 93
ment land in Keokuk county. Thomas Pringle assiduously applied
himself to the further improvement and cultivation of his farm until
1874, when he sold it and came to Hamilton county. Here he pur-
chased two hundred and forty acres of land located on section 3, Cass
township, and continued his agricultural pursuits for nearly twenty
years. ' About 1892, he sold his farm and retired from active life,
having accumulated a competence that made it possible for him to
spend his latter days in well earned ease. For about six years there-
after he made his home in Webster City, but he subsequently removed
to Toledo, this state, and there he passed away in the spring of 1905,
at the venerable age of eighty-six years and eight months. He had
long survived the mother, whose death occurred on the 5th of Janu-
ary, 1884, when she had reached the age of sixty years. The family
of Mr. and Mrs. Pringle numbered fourteen, our subject being the
eighth in order of birth.
The education of Stephen D. Pringle was acquired in the common
schools of this state, and while engaged in the mastery of the com-
mon branches he was familiarizing himself with the practical duties
of an agriculturist by assisting his father with the work of the fields
and care of the stock. He remained at home until he was twenty-
three years of age, when he married and began farming on his own
account. For sixteen years thereafter he engaged in the cultivation
of one hundred and twenty acres of land which he had previously
purchased in Wright county, but at the expiration of that time he
disposed of his holdings and invested the proceeds in a hundred and
sixty-two acre tract in Cass township, this county. He likewise sold
this place in 1898 and purchased his present farm, comprised of one
hundred and eighty-four and a half acres. That Mr. Pringle is enter-
prising and progressive in his agricultural methods is manifested by
the general appearance and condition of his homestead. His entire
holding is fenced, one hundred acres of it hog tight, and his fields are
tiled and under high cultivation. One hundred and forty acres of his
land is devoted to general farming and in connection with this he en-
gages in stock-raising.
On the 22d of February, 1883, Mr. Pringle was married*to Miss
Nettie Segar, the fifth child in a family of fourteen and a daughter
of B. B. Segar. She was born on the 31st of March, 1862, and passed
away at the age of twenty-five years, her death occurring on May 5,
1887. On the 14th of April, 1888, Mr. Pringle was married to Miss
Mary Segar, a sister of his former wife and next to the youngest
member of the family, her natal day being May 26, 1868. Five chil-
94 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
clren have been born to Mr. Pringle and his second wife, of whom
three died in infancy. Elva May, the elder of the two daughters who
are Hving, is a student in, the high school at Webster City and Hattie
Alice is attending the district school.
Mr. and Mrs. Pringle are active members of the United Brethren
church. He is serving as class leader and superintendent of the Sun-
day school and for four years was trustee and steward. In politics
he is a democrat, but has never been identified with any official posi-
tion. Mr. Pringle is a public-spirited man and assists in forwarding
every movement which he feels will elevate the standards of the com-
munity along intellectual, moral or social lines, his influence always
being exerted in behalf of progress and development.
JOHN H. SPARBOE.
There is no family in Hamilton county spoken of in terms of
higher respect than the Sparboe, whose members have figured promi-
nently in the agricultural, business and political circles of the commu-
nities in which they reside. One of the representatives, John H. Spar-
boe, has for many years been actively and successfully identified with
the agricultural development of Scott township, where he owns four
hundred acres of land. He is a native of Norway, his birth having
there occurred on the 3d of June, 1863, and is the eldest in a family
of four sons, the youngest of whom, O. A. B. Sparboe, has passed
away. The other two brothers, Hartvig M. and Carl, are mentioned
at greater length elsewhere in this work under their respective names.
The parents, Anton and Bergitte (Karolusson) Sparboe, were born,
reared and married in the Norseland, where the father passed away
in 1870, three days before the birth of the youngest son. For three
years after the death of her husband the mother continued to reside
in her native land. Believing that America would afford her sons
better opportunities and greater advantages than the old country, she
resolved to establish a home for them here and in 1873 took pas-
sage for the United States, accompanied by her four sons and her
mother. Upon their arrival in this country the family made their
way from the Atlantic coast to Hamilton county, settling in Scott
township. Here Mrs. Sparboe, who has attained the advanced age
of eighty-four years, still makes her home. Her sons have all grown
up to be a credit to her and the community, but their success has not
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 95
caused them to neglect the mother, who made untold sacrifices for
them, and she is spending her latter years in comfort on a farm which
they purchased for her.
John H. Sparboe was a child of seven years when his father died.
Being the eldest of the family he was compelled to assume many of
the responsibilities of manhood at an age when the thoughts of the
average lad are largely devoted to youthful sports. His early ad-
vantages were necessarily limited, but his home training was such as
to cjualify him well for the duties of life, and as he has made the most
of every opportunity he is today numbered among the foremost men
of his community. He has always engaged in farming, in which he
has met with more than average success. Early in life he realized
that he w^as dependent upon his own efforts only, and applied
himself to anything he undertook with the diligence and determination
which pave the way to prosperity. He owns four hundred acres of
land located on sections 8, 16 and 17, on which he has placed two sets
of improvements, those on the home farm being as good as are to be
found in the county. Here he engages in diversified fanning and
also raises stock. He directs his work in a systematic manner, with
careful regard for every detail, and the results are satisfactory, his
fields annually yielding abundant harvests. His farm presents a most
attractive appearance with its substantial residence, large barns and
well-kept fields, and clearly manifests that its operation is being di-
rected in a methodical and business-like manner.
Mr. Sparboe was married on June 29, 1904, to Miss Nettie Bran-
jord, whose birth occurred in Scott township on the 24th of Novem-
ber, 1875, and there she was likewise reared. She had the privilege
of an excellent education, in the pursuit of which she not only at-
tended the Lutheran Normal School at Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
but also the Lutheran Ladies' Seminary at Redwing, Minnesota, in
1901-02. She is a daughter of Ole O. and Helen Christina (Rahto)
Branjord, natives of Norway. In the early years of their domestic
life they emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Iowa. They
first located in Hardin county, coming from there to Scott township in
1 87 1. Here the father, who was a farmer, continued his agricultural
pursuits for many years, but lives since the spring of 1906 retired and
he and the mother are spending their latter days in a comfortable
home in Ellsworth. They still own the home farm, however, known
as "Elm Lawn," which they have turned over to the management of
their youngest son. To them were born eleven children : Olena
Christina, Mary Antoinette and Martin, deceased; Berent M., a sue-
96 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
cessful attorney of Spokane, Washington; Olena and Mary, also de-
ceased; Mrs. Sparboe; Christina and Oluf, deceased; Nettie, second
of the name, wlio died in CHnton, Iowa; and Oluf Martin Christian,
a resident of Scott township, who is mentioned more fully elsewhere
in this work. The two first named were born in Norway, the next
two in Hardin county and the younger members of the family in
Scott township. To Mr. and Mrs. Sparboe has been bom one son,
John Henry, Jr., whose natal day was October 22, 1905.
Mr. and Mrs. Sparboe are members of the Congregational church
of Ellsworth, of which organization he is a charter member. He is a
man with high standards of citizenship, and has for many years taken
an active interest in political affairs, giving his support to the demo-
cratic party. He has served with efficiency as township trustee and
justice of the peace, while for two terms he was a member of the
board of county supervisors. Mr. Sparboe is interested in all mat-
ters affecting the upbuilding of the community, and can be depended
upon to support every progressive movement, which appeals to him
as being practical. In his business transactions as in the fulfilment of
his official duties he is straightforward and honorable, and is held in
high regard by his neighbors and fellow citizens, who through long
years of acquaintance have found him to be thoroughly trustworthy
and reliable.
F. P. HENDERSON.
F. P. Henderson, postmaster of Kamrar and prominently con-
nected with the furniture business in Hamilton county, was born in
West Chester, Chester county, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1855.
He is a son of Alexander and Harriet (Quay) Henderson, the
former a native of the Isle of Man and the latter of Pennsylvania.
Both were pioneers in Iowa, having crossed the plains to this
state in early times, making the journey in a covered wagon.
After his arrival the father took up land in Hamilton county and
farmed successfully for a number of years. Eventually, how-
ever, he removed to Benton county, where he died in the seventy-
eighth year of his age. His wife passed away in the same section
of the state and was sixty-eight years old at the time of her
death. In their family were eight children, all born in Penn-
sylvania : Mrs. Abbie Oppelt, who died in Benton county, Iowa,
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 97
in 1882 ; William H., who died while serving his country as a mem-
ber of the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the Civil war :
George G., w^ho gave his services to the Federal government as
a member of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry and who was drowned
at Fort Kearney; L. O., who resides in Kamrar; Joseph, of
Fort Dodge; John G., who died in Kansas; F. P., of this review;
and Mrs. Martha Jane Oppelt, who lives in Vinton, Benton
county.
F. P. Henderson was only two years of age when his parents
came to Henry county, Iowa. In 1861 they moved to Benton
county and remained in that section until 1876. Consequently,
Mr. Henderson's education was acquired in the public schools of
that section and he followed the usual course of studies until he
laid aside his books. At the age of twenty-one he came to Hamil-
ton county and purchased land, which he developed and im-
proved for four years. At the end of that time he gave his atten-
tion to the stone mason's trade, which he had learned in his youth,
and is still active at this occupation, although he does not work
at it so steadily as formerly. In April, 1910, he secured control
of an excellent furniture business in Kamrar and has been man-
aging it successfully since that time. He makes quality rather
than quantity his aim in selecting his goods and has thus been
unusually successful in having on hand the styles of furniture
most in demand. His patronage has substantially increased dur-
ing the two years of his activity, as a result of his progressive busi-
ness methods and his constant courtesy.
In the same year that Mr. Henderson came to Kamrar he was
appointed postmaster and has been serving since that time ably
and conscientiously and to the complete satisfaction of the gen-
eral public. He owns besides his furniture business his attrac-
tive home in Kamrar, which is supplied with all the appointments
and comforts found in a modern dwelling.
In Homer, Hamilton county, in 1880. Mv. Henderson was
united in marriage to Miss Mary Emma Dale, born in Clearfield
county, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1858. With her parents,
Joseph and Mary (Beightol) Dale, she came to Hamilton county
in the fall of 1863 and has made this section her home since that
time. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and died in
Bancroft, Iowa, at the advanced age of eighty-three. Her mother,
also a native of Pennsylvania, died near Homer, when she was
fifty-one years of age. Five of the children born to their union
98 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
grew to maturity, namely : William Bigler and James Buchanan,
both of whom have passed away; Mary Emma, the wife of the
subject of this review; Mrs. Julia Ann Graham, deceased; ana
Mrs. Lucretia Adella Graham, who lives in Burt, Iowa. To Mr.
and Mrs. Henderson have been born seven children, of whom four
daughters and one son are living. They are: Mrs. Maude Bau-
man, who resides at Primghar, O'Brien county, Iowa; Mrs. Nellie
Pearson, who resides near Ellsworth; Mrs. Evelyn Wille, of Buck-
eye, Iowa ; Mrs. Adella Woodward, who makes her home at
Maurice; and Harold A., who resides with his parents in Kamrar.
The other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Henderson died in
infancy.
Mr. Henderson gives his allegiance to the republican party
and has held several important local offices, including that of
township assessor of Kamrar. In this position he did successful
work for six years and is serving at the present time as post-
master. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He
and his wife are exemplary people, of broad and liberal inter-
ests, and constant readers of the best literature. The thirty-two
years of their married life have been passed quietly and serenely
in earnest work so that their fortune today is amply sufficient to
give them many of the pleasures, comforts and luxuries of life.
EDWARD J. KEEGAN.
Edward J. Keegan, who engages in the livery business in Will-
iams, is one of Hamilton county's self-made men, such success as
has come to him being the direct result of his own diligence and
enterprise. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 28th of No-
vember, 1 881, and is a son of John and Mary (Comiskey) Keegan.
The parents were born, reared and married in Illinois, the father's
birth having occurred in Putnam county, on the 27th of August,
1853, and that of the mother in La Salle county, that state. In
1883, they located on a farm in the vicinity of Streator, Illinois, re-
maining there until 1887, when they came to the city of Streator.
Here the mother passed away, but the father is still living and now
makes his home with the subject of this sketch at Williams. Mr. and
Mrs. Keegan had five children, the son Edward J. being the young-
est. In order of birth the others are as follows : Frank, whose
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 99
birth occurred on L^bruary 26, 1876, a resident of Louisville, Ken-
tucky; John M., whose natal day was the 13th of August, of Cov-
ington, Kentucky; Alaggie, who was born on the i8th of January,
1879, the wife of a Mr. Greenley, of Dubucjue, Iowa; and Lydia,
who was born in 1879, and died in that year.
Edward J. Keegan was a child of two years when his parents
removed to Streator and a youth of sixteen when he came to Iowa.
Having been reared on a farm, he was early trained to agricultural
pursuits and worked out as a farm hand in the ^'icinity of Williams,
when he first came to Hamilton county. He subsequently purchased
a dray line which he operated until 191 1, when he and his brother-
in-law, John Ricke, engaged in the livery business. They have one
of the best equipped barns in the county, having not only a fine line of
teams and vehicles of various kinds, but automobiles. They are
both energetic, capable men, and are meeting with success in the
development of their business. Mr. Keegan owns his residence and
has other property interests in Williams.
The 7th of February, 1906, was the wedding day of Mr. Keegan
and Miss Rose Ricke, who was born near East Dubuque, Jo Daviess
county, Illinois, on the i8th of March. 1883, and is a daughter of
Bernard and Theresa (Fleege) Ricke. The father was born in
Freren. Hanover, Germany, on April 25, 1837. and emigrated to
the United States in 1854. Here he subsequently met and married
Miss Fleege, who was born in Lengerich, Hanover, on the 7th of
October, 1842. and came to America with her family in 1846. They
resided for some years in Illinois, coming from there to Hamilton
county in 1884. Upon their arrival here they settled on a farm in
this township, located four and a half miles north of Williams, which
the father successfully cultivated until the spring of 1906, when he
retired from active work and removed to Williams. Here he passed
away on March 19, 1909, but the mother is still living and continues
to make her home in Williams in the residence which they purchased
when they first left the farm. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ricke
numbered twelve: Bernard, who was bom on the nth of August,
i860, and died at the age of four years; Henry, born on May 18,
1862, a resident of Kossuth county, Iowa; Mary, who was born on
March 30, 1864, the wife of Henry Hendricks, of Jo Daviess county,
Illinois; Christina, who was bom May 15, 1866, now Mrs. Fred
Engelking of Lyon county, Iowa; August, whose natal day was Feb-
ruary 13, 1868, a resident of Lyon county; Frank, who was born on
the 1 8th of February, 1870, a resident of Redwood county, Minne-
992521]
100 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
sota; William, who was born April lo, 1872, and died on the 8th of
December, 1907; Clemmons, whose natal day was January 30, 1874,
residing in Williams township; a son born on the ist of May, 1876,
who died in infancy; John, whose birth occurred January 18, 1878,
engaged in business with Mr. Keegan; Theresa, who was born on
July 20, 1880, now Mrs. Lutzke of Clarksville, Iowa; and Mrs. Kee-
gan. The latter is the mother of one son, Everett William, who
was born on March 25, 1908; and a daughter, Velora Agnes, whose
natal day was May 5, 19 10.
Mr. and Mrs. Keegan are communicants of the Roman Catholic
church and in politics he is a republican. He is a young man of
more than average capability, and is making rapid and orderly prog-
ress in his business career, which gives every assurance of being a
successful and highly creditable one.
J. PARKER TALCOTT.
J. Parker Talcott, who for more than twenty years has been en-
gaged in the hardware business in Williams, is a worthy representa-
tive of the commercial interests of Hamilton county, where he has
achieved the success that invariably rewards earnest and intelligent
effort in the honorable pursuit of a definite purpose. He was born
in Williston, Vermont, on the 8th of January, i860, and is a son
of Grove G. and Sylvia A. (Skinner) Talcott, also natives of the
Green Mountain state. They removed to Illinois in 1869, settling
in Cook county, whence they later removed to Hamilton county,
Iowa. The father passed away in Rose Grove township in 1892, at
the age of fifty-eight years. He is survived by the mother, who is
now seventy- four and makes her home in Cook county, Illlinois.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Talcott, three of whom
died in infancy. Of the six who are living our subject is the second
in order of birth, the others being as follows: Fred M., who is re-
siding in Rose Grove township, Hamilton county; Frances S., who
is librarian in the Lewis Institute of Chicago; Mary B., who was a
nurse at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, during the Spanish-Ameri-
can war, going from there to the Philippines, where she remained for
two years, and was subsequently appointed head nurse of the Illi-
nois State Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary, in which capacity she
is still serving; Z. S., who resides in Rose Grove township, Hamil-
J. PARKER TALCOTT
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 103
ton county; and Harry H., who was graduated from the University
of Michigan, and later took a four-year course, in the Chicago
Law School, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession in
the latter city. All of the family were bom in Vermont with the ex-
ception of the last named, who is a native of Cook county, Illinois.
J. Parker Talcott was a lad of nine years when he accompanied
his parents on their removal to Illinois, where he completed his edu-
cation in the public schools and was reared to manhood. His boy-
hood and youth were passed on the home farm, in the cultivation of
which he early began to assist his father, thus becoming familiar with
the work and duties of the agriculturist. After leaving home he be-
gan farming on his own account and in 1884 came to Hamilton
county, locating in the vicinity of Williams, where he continued his
agricultural pursuits for about eight years. In 1892, he gave up
farming and coming to Williams engaged in the hardware business,
and has ever since devoted his energies to commercial activities. His
store is not only one of the largest and most thriving enterprises of
Williams but of the entire county. He carries an extensive stock of
shelf and heavy hardware, cutlery, sewing machines, harness, farm-
ing implements, pianos, phonographs and automobiles, the quality of
which is fully commensurate in every respect with the price. With
the increase of his business Mr. Talcott has extended the scope of
his activities and he now maintains a branch store at Blairsburg and
owns a third interest in the Webster City Implement Company. He
also owns the business block where his store is located and his resi-
dence in Williams.
On the 7th of November, 1887, Mr. Talcott was married to Miss
Laura A. Laude, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, on the 6th
of October, 1864, and came to Hamilton county with her brothers in
1883. She is a daughter of Peter and Mary Laude, natives of France,
who came to America in early life and subsequently settled in Du-
buque county, where the mother passed away in 1873. The father
was living in Woodbury county, this state, at the time of his death,
which occurred in 1890, at the age of seventy-five years. The fam-
ily of Mr. and Mrs. Laude numbered fourteen children, seven boys
and seven girls.
To Mr. and Mrs. Talcott have been born five children, the two
eldest of whom are natives of Rose Grove township, while the other
three were born in Williams. In order of birth they are as follows :
Sylvia S., who was bom on the 4th of September, 1889, and after
graduating from the Williams high school continued her education
Vol. n— 6
104 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
in the Sisters School at Madison, Wisconsin, and is now studying
music in Chicago; George G., who was born January 31, 1892, and
following his graduation from high school studied at Ames for a
year and then began his business career in his father's store, where
he is in charge of the automobile department; J. P., Jr., who was
born August 26, 1894, a graduate of the Williams high school and
a senior in the high school of Webster City; Mary B., a student of
the Williams high school, who was born September 3, 1896; and
Frances A., who was born on the ist of February, 1898, and died
at the age of one year.
The religious faith of the family is manifested through their
membership in the Presbyterian church. Fraternally Mr. Talcott
is affiliated with Alamo Lodge, No. 547, A. F. & A. M. ; and he is
a charter member of Williams Camp, No. 1844, M. W. A. In poli-
tics he is a republican and has been a member of the board of educa-
tion and of the town council. In matters of citizenship Mr. Talcott
is public-spirited and enterprising and in the discharge of his public
duties manifests the same promptitude, exactness and general effi-
ciency that characterize his business transactions.
EUGENE S. BOUDINOT.
Gradually working his way upward, Eugene S. Boudinot is now
well established in the profession of civil engineering. He makes his
home in Webster City, where he has lived since the spring of 1909.
Although one of the more recent arrivals here, he has demonstrated
his power and ability to perform difficult and complex engineering
feats and has today a large professional clientage. He was born in
Danville. Illinois, January 18, 1877, and is a direct descendant of
Elias Boudinot, who was the first president of the continental con-
gress, then sitting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, E. E.
Boudinot, was a graduate pharmacist, being one of the first to com-
plete a course in pharmacy in the University of Pennsylvania. He
also won the degree of D. D. S., but never engaged in the practice of
dentistr}\ He was likewise a graduate of \\'abash College at Craw-
fordsville, Indiana, completing the course in the same class with
General Lew W^allace, Governor Morton and several other men who
rose to distinction in public life. For many years Mr. Boudinot was
a successful druggist of Danville. He became prominent in political
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 105
circles of the state and was a member of the one hundred and third
IlHnois general assembly, which elected John A. Logan to the office
of United States senator. He died in 1902 at the age of fifty-three
years, while his wife passed away in 1898 at the age of forty-seven
years. Mrs. Boudinot bore the maiden name of Sarah Stimson and
was a direct descendant in the maternal line of Governor Braddock
of Philadelphia.
Eugene S. Boudinot was educated in the public schools of Dan-
ville, the Rose Polytechnic Institute at Terre Haute, Indiana, and in
the University of Illinois at Champaign, where he pursued the engi-
neering course. He began working for the Illinois Central Railroad
Company on their extension from Fort Dodge to Omaha, Nebraska,
being thus employed until 1900, when he was elected county surveyor
of Vermilion county, Illinois. He occupied that position creditably
and continuously until 1907, after which he \\ent to Red Oak, Iowa,
and was city engineer there until the spring of 1909. In that year
he came to Webster City, where he has since followed his profes-
sion and, while he does all kinds of civil engineering work, he spe-
cializes as a drainage engmeer.
In 1903, Air. Boudinot was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret
Fisher, her father being M. E. Fisher, a wholesale grocer of Red
Oak, Iowa. Mr. Boudinot has an interesting military chapter in his
life history, having been a member of Battery A of the Illinois Na-
tional Guard of Danville during the strike period from 1892 until
1894. He acted as corporal of his battery and was on active duty
in connection with the strikes. His fraternal relations are with the
Masons of Danville and the Elks of Webster City and his religious
faith is evidenced in his membership in the First Presbyterian church.
His has been a well spent life, devoted to his chosen profession, the
duties of which he capably and conscientiously discharges.
GUY THOMAS McCAULIFF, M. D.
In the history of the medical profession in Hamilton county
it is imperative that mention be made of Dr. G. T. McCaulifif,
today recognized as one of the leading physicians and surgeons
of Webster City, his prominence and success being the legitimate
outcome of careful and thorough preparatory training and of un-
faltering devotion to duty since entering upon active practice.
106 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
He was born October 26, 1874, near Bristow, Butler county,
Iowa, and is a son of John and Susan Frances (Biggs) McCauliff.
His ancestry can be traced back to the Rev. John Robinson, who
was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1575, and who entered
Corpus Christi College at Cambridge in 1592, winning a fellow-
ship in 1598. He resigned in 1604 and entered upon his minis-
terial duties in and near Norfolk, England. In 1606 the church
at Scrooby, in Nottinghamshire, was formed by "divers goodly
Christians who entered into covenant to walk with God, accord-
ing to the primitive pattern in the word of God." Of this church
John Robinson became the preacher, together with Richard Clif-
ton. After about a year they resolved to go over into Holland,
in 1607, but it does not appear that Clifton went. The Rev. John
Robinson proceeded first to Amsterdam and in 1609 removed to
Leyden. In 161 1 his house was the place of worship for the con-
gregation. About 1617 they resolved to emigrate to the new
world, their plans being carried out in 1620. They were the pas-
sengers who made the historic voyage on the Mayflower. John
Robinson intended to follow at no distant date but died of the
plague at Leyden, February 19, 1625, o. s., or March i, 1625, n. s.
History says : "More than any other man of modern times, John
Robinson is regarded as the father of Congregationalism." He
married Bridget White and had seven children, his third child be-
ing Isaac Robinson, who was born in 1610 and who in 163 1 sailed
for New England. He settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and
was married June 27, 1636, to Margaret Hanford, who died in
1649. In 1650 he married again and his death occurred in 1704,
when he was ninety-four years of age. He had six children by his
first wife and four by his second wife. One of these, Peter Robin-
son, born between 1653 and 1666, in Barnstable, Massachusetts,
married Experience Manton and in 1723 moved to Scotland, Con-
necticut. His death occurred ten years later.
Peter Robinson, son of Peter and Experience Robinson, was
born about 1697 and married Ruth Fuller in 1725. He resided
in Scotland, Connecticut, to the time of his death. One of his
twelve children was Abner Robinson, an officer of the Revolution-
ary war, who served as an ensign at the battle of Bunker Hill and
later became a lieutenant and afterward a captain. His son. Ex-
perience Robinson, born in 1728, had three sons, including Elias
Robinson, who was born in Norwich, Connecticut, April 14, 1757,
and was married August 26, 1779, to Sybil Lillie, He was a sol-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 107
dier of the Revolutionary war and old documents give the follow-
ing record : "Elias Robinson, Windham, Connecticut : sergeant,
March 12, 1777; ensign, December 27, 1777; lieutenant, October
26, 1780; retired as lieutenant in June, 1782." He was also a
member of the Society of Cincinnati, and he died February 28,
1805. His son, Elias Robinson, born November 13, 1780. was
married in 1808 to Fanny Francis and they had a daughter, An-
geline, who was born March 2, 1812, and was married December
8, 1838, to James Biggs, of Milford Center, Ohio. A daughter
of this marriage was Susan Frances Biggs, who was born Septem-
ber 5, 1841, in Wiota, Wisconsin, and became the mother of Dr.
McCaulif¥. His grandfather, James Biggs, was a general in the
Black Hawk war, also represented his district in the state legis-
lature of Wisconsin and aided in framing the Wisconsin state
constitution, which was signed February i, 1848.
As previously stated, Susan Frances Biggs became the wife
of John McCauliff, who was a farmer by occupation and a veteran
of the Civil war, serving for three years with the Thirty-first
Wisconsin Regiment. He was with Sherman on the march to the
sea and participated in various hotly contested engagements. In
1870 he removed to Iowa and from 1895 until 1910 was post-
master at Aredale, Iowa, where he died in August, 1910, when
sixty-eight years of age. His widow still survives and is living in
Aredale.
Dr. McCauliff was a pupil in the public schools of Aredale
and in the Nora Springs Seminary at Nora Springs, Iowa, after
which he spent four years as a student in the Iowa State Uni-
versity. The following year was devoted to teaching and during
the succeeding two years he pursued a partial medical course in
the Iowa State University, while two more years were devoted to
the completion of his professional education in the Northwestern
University Medical School of Chicago. He was there graduated
in 1902 with the degree of M. D. He put his theoretical training
to the practical test in two years' experience as interne in St.
Luke's Hospital of Chicago and in 1904 he came to Webster
City, where he entered upon and has since continued in the prac-
tice of medicine. He has been a member of the United States
pension examining board since 1907, and he belongs to the Hamil-
ton County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, the
American Medical Association, the Cedar Valley Austin Flint
Medical Society and the Iowa Clinical Surgical Society.
108 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
In strictly fraternal lines Dr. McCauliff is connected with
Acacia Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M. ; Hope Chapter, No. 88,
R. A. M. ; Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T. ; Sharon Chapter,
No. 148, O. E. S.; Webster City Lodge, No. 342, I. O. O. F. ;
Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B. P. O. E. ; Brotherhood of Amer-
ican Yeomen, No. 517; and Webster City Camp, No. 416, M.
W. A. He also belongs to the Commercial League of W^ebster
City and to the Nu Sigma Nu fraternity of Northwestern Uni-
versity.
In June, 1907, at Milford, Iowa, Dr. McCauliff was united in
marriage to Miss Edna L. Lucas, a daughter of Mrs. C. M.
Coldren of that place. Her stepfather, two uncles and her grand-
father were all physicians. Dr. and Mrs. McCauliff have a very
wide and favorable acquaintance in Webster City and this part of
the state. His social prominence is indicated in the fact that he
is a director of the Country Club and his interest in the public
welfare finds tangible expression in his work as a member of the
school board, on which he has served since 1909. He takes a
deep and helpful interest in everything pertaining to public prog-
ress and his labors have been a vital and forceful element in the
upbuilding and development of Webster City. In his profession
he holds to the highest standards and his labors are bringing to
him gratifying success.
WILLIAM J. STREVELER.
Among the recent acquisitions to the commercial fraternity of
Blairsburg appears the name of William J. Streveler, who since
January first, of this year, has been here engaged in the imple-
ment business. He represents one of Hamilton county's pioneer
families and was born in Liberty township on the loth of July,
1879. His father, John H. Streveler, was born in Luxemburg,
Germany, on the ist of July, 1847. ^'"^ ^^^s early manhood he
emigrated to the United States, locating in this county in 1869.
Here he was subsequently married to Miss Margaret Behrens,
whose birth occurred in Washington county, Wisconsin, on the
i6th of August, 1857. She passed the first thirteen years of her
life in her native state, coming from there to Hamilton county in
1870. Mr. Streveler was for many years actively and success-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 109
fully identified with the farming- interests of Liberty township,
but in 1905 he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and purchased
the implement business now owned by his son, of which he held
possession for a year. He and the mother have removed to
Waterloo, this state, and expect to pass the remainder of their
lives in the pleasant home they own at that place. They are the
parents of six children : Mrs. Rosa Chaplinski, of Williams ; W^il-
liam J., our subject; Mrs. H. A. Dodge, of Iowa Falls; Tice S., of
Alden ; John, who is a resident of Waterloo ; and Clara, who is
living at home. The three eldest were born in Liberty township
and the three last named in Blairsburg township, all being reared
in this county.
Hamilton county has always been the home of William J.
Streveler, who obtained his early education in the country schools,
supplementing the course there pursued by three month's study
in Highland Park College, Des Moines. In common with the
majority of lads who are reared on a farm, his youthful energies
were early directed along agricultural lines. He remained at
home and assisted his father until qualified to begin his indepen-
dent career and then engaged in farming on his own account.
As he is a young man of diligent methods and practical ideas,
which he intelligently executed, he prospered in his undertakings,
and became recognized as one of the foremost agriculturists of
his community. He continued to engage in diversified farming
and stock-raising until the ist of January, 1912, when he pur-
chased the business he is now conducting in Blairsburg. He
carries a full line of farming implements, and he also sells wagons,
buggies and automobiles. Mr. Streveler is well adapted to his
present business, his years of practical experience as a farmer
well qualifying him to judge of the merits of the various imple-
ments and machines essential to the agriculturist. As he has a
wide acquaintance in the county and is known to be a man of
high principles and reliable methods, he is building up a good
trade and has every reason to feel gratified with, the patronage
he is enjoying.
Blairsburg was the scene of Mr. Streveler's marriage on the
28th of June, 1905, to Miss Hazel Segar, a daughter of Emmert
and Belle (Black) Segar and a descendant of well known pioneer
families in both lines. Mrs. Streveler was born in Cass township,
this county, and began her education in the rural schools, com-
pleting her course of study in the Blairsburg high school. Two
110 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Streveler: Leona,
whose natal day was the 4th of September, 1906; and Olga, whose
birth occurred on the 6th of August, 1907.
The fraternal connections of Mr. Streveler are confined to his
membership in Blairsburg Camp, No. 7848, M. W. A., and both
he and Mrs. Streveler belong to Camp No. 2892 of the Royal
Neighbors. He votes the republican ticket and served for six
years as school director in Blairsburg township, while for two
he discharged the duties of clerk. He retains the title to his
farm of eighty acres in Blairsburg township, in addition to which
he owns a well furnished, comfortable residence in town and a
quarter section of land in Canada. Mr. Streveler is a worker,
whose efforts while promoting his individual interests advance
those of the community at large, in the progress and develop-
ment of which he actively cooperates.
AUGUST F. MUELLER.
A little boy fourteen years old, journeying from northern Wiscon-
sin to Aberdeen, South Dakota, rich in the possession of four dollars
in money and a comfortable fortune in hope and ambition, finally
completed his travels at the home of an uncle and was taught the
hardware, tinning and plumbing trades. Today August F. Mueller
is a leading hardware merchant and plumber of Webster City, Iowa,
and his friends are numbered among the representative citizens of
that community. He has attained distinct success in the inter\'al be-
tween his start in business and the present time, and his prosperity is
entirely the result of his untiring efforts along worthy and useful
lines.
Mr. Mueller is of German ancestry. His birth occurred in Brown
county, Wisconsin, August 11, 1869. His parents, Henry and Sophia
(Wachtmann) Mueller, were born and married in Germany and came
to the United States about i860. They settled almost immediately in
Wisconsin where the father became a representative and progressive
farmer and carried on his activities in this line until his death in 1875.
His wife survived him for four years and passed away in 1879.
August F. Mueller was one of a family of six children. He was
only six years old when his father died and had reached the age of
ten at the time of his mother's death. He received an irregular edu-
AUGUST F. MUELLER
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 113
cation by attending the winter sessions of the Wisconsin pnbHc schools,
but in 1879, when his mother died, he was obhged to definitely aban-
don any hope of further study. He stayed upon his father's farm
with his brother and sisters until 1883, when the property was sold,
and August Mueller, then fourteen years of age, was given four dol-
lars and sent upon his way to Aberdeen, South Dakota, to an uncle
and cousin who were residents of that city. He finally reached his
destination and for six years remained in Aberdeen. In 1889 he went
to Columbia, South Dakota, and was successful as a hardware mer-
chant and plumber in that city for two years. He was actuated by
ambition and energy of a rare order and by a knowledge that any
success which he might gain could come only through his own un-
tiring efforts. His removals at various periods in his life were made
judiciously and with a view to his commercial advancement. He spent
one year in Sioux Falls after his residence in Columbia, and on De-
cember 15, 1 891, arrived in Webster City, where he was employed
by Charles Crary in his hardware and plumbing business for about
three years. Mr. Mueller brought his German thrift and economy to
bear in his industrial activities. He saved all the money he made be-
yond his expenses and in April, 1895, was able to buy the business of
his employer. In partnership with J. B. Huff he reorganized the con-
cern and commenced business under the firm name of Huff & Mueller.
This association continued until January 28, 1903, and was produc-
tive of a gratifying degree of success for both partners. In 1903 Mr.
Mueller purchased the interest of Mr. Huff and has since that time
been operating the business independently. He deals in all kinds of
general hardware and his heating and plumbing department is one of
the important sources of his prosperity. He brings to his activities
and open and energetic mind, honorable commercial methods and a
broad intelligence, which are the basis of his success. He adds to
this a personal experience in the mechanical details of his business
and an expert knowledge which is the result of his long connection
with one line of work.
On February 12, 1896, Mr. Mueller was united in marriage to
Miss Paulina Horn, a daughter of William Horn, who follows the
occupation of tailoring in Webster City. They have one daughter,
Clarine Naomi, bom June 27, 1897.
Mr. Mueller gives his political allegiance to the republican party
but is not personally interested in public affairs. He is a director of
the Northwestern Felt Shoe Manufacturing Company, but this is the
only commercial association he has beyond his hardware and plumbing
114 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
business. He is a prominent Mason, holding membership in the Aca-
cia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M. ; in Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M. ;
in Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T. ; and in Za-Ga-Zig Temple of
the Mystic Shrine. He is also prominent in Lodge No. 302, B. P. O.
E., and his fraternal relations form an important item in his life. He
belongs to the Congregational church of Webster City and he main-
tains his residence at 901 Division street. Mr, Mueller is, beyond all
question, a successful man. Besides being a credit to his energy and
enterprise his personal success may serve as an inspiration and help
to others who come after and who are struggling against adverse and
hampering obstacles.
PARKER MORSE BANKS.
Among the capable officials of Iowa is numbered Parker Morse
Banks, who for thirteen consecutive years has filled the position of
city clerk at Webster City, his reelection to the office standing as
incontrovertible proof of his ability, fidelity and the confidence re-
posed in him by his fellow townsmen. He was born in Bath, Maine,
January 9, 1841, the son of Charles and Alethea (Spinney) Banks.
The parents resided for many years in the Pine Tree state and at
one time the father went on a three years' whaling voyage from New
Bedford, Massachusetts, to the Pacific but returned and became con-
nected with industrial activities. He was a millwright by trade and
had charge of the construction of the celebrated Winnegance mills
at Winnegance, Maine. In 1861 he removed westward to Illinois
with his family and in 1866 took up his abode in Franklin county,
Iowa, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Wright county,
Iowa. Here he turned his attention to farming, which occupation
he followed until advanced age caused him to put aside the active
work of the fields. He passed away in 1898, at the age of ninety
years, having long survived his wife, who died in 1870, at the age
of sixty-five years.
P. M. Banks was a pupil in the common schools of Maine and
started in the business world as clerk in a country store in Winne-
gance, being thus employed until 1861, when he accompanied his
parents to Illinois. At Cherry Valley, that state, he enlisted for ser-
vice in the Civil war, marching to the defense of the stars and stripes
as a member of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry, which
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 115
was a part of the First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Army
Corps, under command of General, afterward President, Benjamin
Harrison. He participated in all of the battles near Atlanta and went
with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. He was wounded
in the engagement of Lost Mountain, June i6, 1864, but returned to
his regiment and served until the end of the war. He never faltered
in the performance of any duty, whether called to the firing line or
stationed on the lonely picket line, being ever valorous and loyal.
When the country no longer needed his military aid Mr. Banks
returned to Cherry Valley, Illinois, and was made assistant agent
at that place for the Chicago & Northw'estern Railroad. There he
remained until 1866, when he removed to Ackley, Iowa, where for
a year he was in the employ of the firm of Burns & Rath, lumber
dealers. He then purchased the interest of the senior partner and
the firm became Rath & Banks. This connection w'as continued until
1870, when Mr. Banks disposed of his interest in the lumberyard
and accepted a clerical position in the private bank of Werst & Cam-
eron. A year later, in 1871, he came to Webster City and engaged
in the clothing business with Gerson Levi under the firm style of
Levi & Banks. When a year had passed he was appointed assistant
postmaster under J. D. Hunter, serving in that capacity from 1872
until 1876, when he accepted a situation with the Hamilton County
State Bank, with which he was connected for three years. On ac-
count of his health he turned his attention to farming, renting a
tract of land at Woolstock, where he continued for two years. On
returning to Webster City he became assistant cashier in the First
National Bank, occupying that position for thirteen years, or from
1 88 1 until 1894. During the succeeding five years he was out of
business but in 1899 was elected city clerk and has continued in that
office to the present time, or for more than thirteen years, recently re-
signing, his resignation to take effect May i, 1913. The record
which he has made in this coimection is unassailable. He is system-
atic and methodical in all that he does and sound judgment and
loyalty are also features of his work in the office which he has so
long filled.
In June, 1871, Mr. Banks was married in Belvidere. to Miss Be-
linda B. Lane, a daughter of Samuel Lane, of Belvidere. who w-as a
farmer and removed from Maine to Illinois during the period of
its pioneer development, there spending his remaining days. The
death of Mrs. Banks occurred in 1883. The children of that marriage
were Ernie and Vernie, the first twins born in Webster City, and both
116 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
died in infancy. Bertie, born in 1872, married Lillian Bell and re-
sides in Clarion, where he is clerk of the court of Wright county.
They have three daughters and two sons.
Mr. Banks makes his home at No. 703 Des Moines avenue. He
is well known in various public connections, being an exemplary mem-
ber of Acacia Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M. ; Hope Chapter, No.
88, R. A. M. ; and Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of which he
is a past eminent commander, having served for two terms. He is
also a past commander of Winfield Scott Post, No. 66, G. A. R.,
and thus maintains close relations with his old army comrades. He
attends the Congregational church and is a citizen whose loyal sup-
port can always be counted upon to further any movement for the
material, intellectual, social, political or moral welfare of the com-
munity. His record in every relation of life, as a soldier, as a busi-
ness man and as a public officer, is most creditable.
THOMAS DELVIN RUTLEDGE.
Thomas Delvin Rutledge, who has for three years been man-
ager of the Blairsburg Hardware Company, is highly regarded in
local business circles, where he has shown himself to be a man
of commendable methods and honest purpose. He was born in
McLean county, Illinois, on the 28th of April, 1871, and is a son
of Robert Blackburne and Matilda (Johnson) Rutledge. The
father was born in McLean county, Illinois, in 1844, while the
mother is a native of Le Roy, that state, her birth having occurred
in 185 1. The father, who is a farmer, removed with his family
from McLean to Ford county, Illinois, where he continued his
agricultural pursuits for several years. In 1890, he came to
Hamilton county, locating on a farm just south of Williams in
Rose Grove township. He subsequently purchased a place in
the vicinity of Kamrar, but several years later he disposed of that
and removed to Kamrar. His had always been too active and
enterprising a life, however, for him to retire while his physical
strength enabled him to continue working, so he later rented a
farm in the vicinity of Kamrar in the cultivation of which he is
still engaged. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge numbered
eight, as follows: Mrs. Elva Rowan, who resides a mile and a half
north of Highview, this county; Thomas Delvin, our subject;
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 117
Robert Blackburne, Jr., who is residing in East St. Louis, Illi-
nois; Guy, who is residing in Kamrar; Beulah, who died while
the family were residing in McLean county, Illinois ; Charles C,
who is a resident of St. Louis, Missouri ; Roy Ford, who was born
in Ford county, Illinois, and is living at home ; and Blanche, a
native of Hamilton county, who is also living at home. The
elder children were all born in McLean county.
Reared on a farm, the education of Thomas Delvin Rutledge
was beguu in the district schools of his native state and continued
in the high schools of Le Roy and Gibson City, Illinois. Having
decided that he preferred a commercial to an agricultural career,
he left home soon after leaving school and entered the employ of
E. Crabb, a general merchant of Gibson City, for whom he drove
a delivery wagon. While there employed he had the misfortune
to be stricken with blood-poisoning and for seven years there-
after was compelled to use crutches. This affliction compelled
him to resign his position and for two years he remained at home,
giving such assistance as he was able about the fann. He then
took a position in the drug store of Schultz Brothers at Williams,
and subsequently w^as employed for two years in the restaurant
of William Gerber. At the expiration of that time he accepted
a position in the general mercantile establishment of Mrs. John
Birdsall of Williams, remaining there for two and a half years.
He was subsequently employed in the hardware store of J. P.
Talcott, also at Williams, following which he embarked in the
restaurant business. After successfully conducting this enter-
prise for three years he disposed of it and accepted a clerkship
in the hardware store of F. M. Bibler at Kamrar. The next year
he again entered the employ of J. P. Talcott, with whom he re-
mained until he accepted his present position as manager of the
Blairsburg Hardware Company on the loth of August, 1909. This
is one of the largest establishments of the kind in the county, and
in addition to a large stock of shelf and heavy hardware they carry
a full line of farming implements, gasoline engines, automobiles
and other vehicles. The policy of the house is well known and as
they enjoy the confidence of the people are accorded a large
patronage, not only in Blairsburg but from the surrounding coun-
try and the neighboring villages.
At Webster City, on the 12th of June, 1903, Mr. Rutledge was
united in marriage to Miss Mabel Hanlen, a native of Dysart,
Iowa, and a daughter of William Hanlen, a well known resident
118 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
of Williams, who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in
this work. There have been born of this marriage five children:
William Donald and Lois Elva, who were born in Kamrar;
Charles Marion and Doris Maude, who are natives of Williams;
and a baby daughter, whose birth recently occurred in Blairs-
burg. Mr. Rutledge owns his residence, which is comfortably
furnished and is providing his children with as good advantages
as the town affords.
The family attend the Congregational church, of which Mr.
Rutledge is a member, and fraternally he is affiliated with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Yeomen of Williams.
Politically he indorses the principles of the republican party and
is now representing his ward in the town council and served in
a like capacity while residing in Kamrar. Despite his physical
affliction and his many years of suffering, Mr. Rutledge has won
a place for himself in local business circles, where he is highly
regarded and is numbered among the town's desirable citizens.
CLAUDE H. RICHESON.
Claude H. Richeson, secretary, treasurer and general man-
ager of the Webster City Mercantile Company, has been identified
with commercial interests in Hamilton county since August, 1900,
and has been in his present connection since 1905. A spirit of
enterprise and laudable ambition prompts him to put forth earnest
and persistent effort and the intelligent direction of his labors is
bringing to him very gratifying success. A native of Iowa, Mr.
Richeson was born in Marshall county, February 7, 1877, his
parents being Martin and Elizabeth (Hughes) Richeson. The
father removed from Illinois to Marshall county in 1855 and there
followed the occupation of farming, becoming a well known
breeder of shorthorn cattle and in that way contributing in sub-
stantial measure to the improvement of the stock-raising interests
of the district.
At the usual age C. H. Richeson began his education in the
district schools and after attending the high school entered the
Iowa College at Grinnell and later was a student in the Capital
City Commercial College at Des Moines. In 1895. then eighteen
years of age, he entered upon the active work of life by teaching
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 119
school in Marshall county, following the profession from 1895
until 1898. He then opened a general store at State Center and
continued the business for two years or until August, 1900, when
he came to Webster City and organized the firm of Hughes &
R'icheson, opening a notion store known as the Kash Savings
Store. He was active in its conduct until August, 1905, when he
assisted in the organization of the Webster City Mercantile Com-
pany, becoming secretary, treasurer and general manager. This
is a well appointed establishment, carrying a large and carefully
selected line of goods, the attractive arrangement of which
together with the reasonable prices and honorable business policy
of the house secure for the company a liberal patronage.
On the 7th of July, 1903, Mr. Richeson was united in marriage
to Miss Laura B. Woolston. her father being A. P. Woolston, a
retired farmer and merchant of Webster City. Our subject and
his wife now have three children, namely: Marion, whose birth
occurred in 1904; and Frances and Dorothy, who were born in
the years 1907 and 191 1 respectively. The family occupy a pleas-
ant home at No. 745 Walnut street and are prominent in the
social circles of the city.
Mr. Richeson belongs to Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F. ;
Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B. P. O. E. ; and Webster City
Camp, No. 416, M. W. A. To their teachings he is loyal, rec-
ognizing the fact that in their tenets are found high standards
of manhood. Since 1910 he has been president of the Webster
City Commercial League and in this connection is putting forth
earnest and effective effort to promote the welfare of the busi-
ness interests at large. At the same time he is carefully and
systematically promoting his individual affairs and is an alert,
energetic, progressive business man, numbered among the valued
citizens of his community.
CARL H. HAEGER.
Carl H. Haeger, secretary of the Journal Publishing Company and
well known in Webster City, the place of his nativity, was born
September 29, 1884. His parents were W. F. and Henrietta (Bier-
haus) Haeger. The father came from Michigan to Boone, Iowa, and
there married Henrietta Bierhaus, a native of the latter state. They
120 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
remained at Boone until 1880, when they removed to Webster City.
The father was a pioneer cigar manufacturer here and continued in
the business to the time of his death which occurred in 1904. His
widow still survives and is widely and favorably known in Webster
City.
In the public schools of his native town Carl H. Haeger pur-
sued his education and when a youth of fifteen years began learning
the printer's trade in the office of the Freeman Tribune. He was
connected with that paper until he joined George C. Tucker in the
purchase of the Journal and in the organization of the Journal Pub-
lishing Company, of which he became the secretary and treasurer.
The Journal ranks with the leading newspapers in this section of the
state, holding at all times to high standards.
Mr. Haeger is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, his
local connection being wath Webster City Tent, No. 79. He is also
a member of the Webster City Commercial League. He is yet a
young man but has carefully established himself in business and the
course which he has followed has gained him a creditable position in
social as well as in commercial circles.
E. I. JOHNSON.
E. I. Johnson, president and founder of the State Bank of Wil-
liams, has been identified with the business interests of Hamilton
county for twenty-nine years. He w^as born in Kenosha county, Wis-
consin, on the 1 8th of November, 1859, and is a son of Isaac L. and
Delia (Benedict) Johnson. The parents were natives of the state of
New York, the father's birth having occurred in 18 12, and that of-
the mother in 1823. On leaving the Empire state they removed to
Wisconsin, locating in Kenosha county, which remained their place
of residence for many years. There the mother passed aw^ay in 1866.
She was survived by the father, whose death occurred in 1879. They
had another son, Herbert N., w'ho was bom on the 21st of December,
1856, and is now a resident of Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
E. I. Johnson was about seven years old when his mother died and
he then went to live with a widowed aunt at Appleton, Wisconsin,
where he remained for two years. At the end of that time he re-
turned to Kenosha county, where he lived with a farmer for three
years, or until his father was married again, after which he spent the
E. I. JOHNSON
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 123
winters at home attending the country schools, while during the sum-
mer months he worked for various farmers until he attained the age
of twenty years. In 1881 he attended a commercial college at l^adi-
son, Wisconsin, and from the fall of 1882 until May, 1883, worked in
a hardware store at Racine, that state. It was in the latter year that
t:e came to Williams, Iowa, where he first engaged in the hardware
business, but later became interested in merchandising and banking.
The latter business developed in a very satisfactory manner, and in
1888 he established the Exchange Bank. In 1890 this institution was
reorganized to conform to the state laws, with a capital stock of
twenty-five thousand dollars, the name being changed to the State Bank
of Williams. The capital has since been increased to thirty-five thou-
sand dollars, while the surplus and undivided profits now amount to
ten thousand dollars. A general banking and foreign exchange busi-
ness is carried on and the bank enjoys the confidence of the entire
community as is substantially evidenced by the amount of its de-
posits, which aggregate practically three hundred thousand dollars.
This was the first bank in Hamilton county to be organized under
the state laws and is recognized as one of the conservative and sub-
stantial financial institutions in this part of Iowa. This fact must
largely be attributed to the honorable, straightforward manner in
which Mr. Johnson conducts his transactions, his business methods
being such as to commend him to the confidence of those with whom
he has dealings. The company owns the building they occupy, which
is a modern structure and centrally located. In addition to his other
interests Mr. Johnson owns his residence and two hundred and
thirty-three acres of highly improved land in Williams township.
On the 17th of September, 1884, Mr. Johnson was united in mar-
riage to Miss Mary E. Tomlinson, who was born in Grant county,
Wisconsin, August 27, 1858, and is the eldest of the seven children
born to John and Leah (Armstrong) Tomlinson. Her parents were
natives of England, but the early years of their domestic life were
passed in Grant county, Wisconsin, whence they removed to Hardin
county, Iowa. The father is now residing in Arkansas, but the mother
passed away in Williams in 1903. The children of the Tomlinson
family are as follows : Mrs. Johnson ; William A. ; John E. ; Elizabeth,
now Mrs. Fred Bushman ; Frank W. ; Arthur ; and Robert. The
three last named were born in Hardin county, Iowa, but the four
eldest are natives of Grant county, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. John-
son are the parents of four children. Raymond T., who was born
July 9, 1885, and after completing the course of the public schools of
Vol. n— 7
124 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Williams, spent two years at Grinnell College, and then began his
business career in the State Bank of Williams, of which he is now
cashier. Earl E., born on the 5th of January, 1887, completed his
education at the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames, of which
institution he was a student for three years. Leah M., born January
5, 1889, attended the Denver high school and Grinnell College for
one year each and the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls
for two years, and has taught the primary department of the Wil-
liams public schools for two years. Ethel A., born December 10,
1893, was graduated from the Williams high school in 19 10 and is
now a sophomore at Grinnell College.
Mrs. Johnson and three of the children belong to the Presbyterian
church. Fraternally Mr. Johnson was formerly affiliated with the
Knights of Pythias, was local representative to the Grand Lodge, and
for a time he was also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks. He supports the republican party and has been chairman of
the county central committee. He has always taken an active and
helpful interest in all municipal affairs and has served with efficiency
as mayor and councilman and also as a member of the school board.
Mr. Johnson is numbered among the progressive, public-spirited men
of Williams, in the advancement and development of which town he
cooperates by assisting in promoting every movement that he feels
will prove beneficial to the welfare of the community.
IRVIN J. SAYRS.
Irvin J. Sayrs has been a resident of Webster City for only
five years but, although one of the more recent arrivals here, he
has succeeded in establishing himself in a creditable position as a
member of the bar and also as the secretary of the Hamilton
County Abstract Company. He w^as born in the neighboring
state of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Schuyler county,
August 10, 1876. His parents were Francis M. and Hulda C.
(Derry) Sayrs. His grandfather, Jonathan Sayrs, was a resident
of Harrison county, Ohio, remaining there until after his marriage
and the birth of two of his children. At an early day, however,
he became a resident of Illinois, being one of the first settlers of
Fulton county, where another child was added to the family circle
— Francis M. Sayrs, who remained a lifelong resident of Fulton
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 125
and Schuyler counties. At the time of the Civil war he entered
his country's service, becoming a member of the Thirty-sixth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry in response for troops to serve for
ninety days. Later he reenlisted in the Eighty-fourth Illinois
and continued with that regiment until the close of the war. In
1855 the Derry family, to which Mrs. F. M. Sayrs belonged, re-
moved from Mason county, Illinois, to Kansas, settling on a
homestead about forty miles south of Leavenworth. It was their
intention to remain in that state, but on account of the border war-
fare that there prevailed and because of their strong advocacy of
republican principles, they left that locality at the outbreak of
hostilities between the north and the south, selling their home-
stead, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land and
forty acres of timber land, for three hundred dollars. They then
returned to Illinois by way of Iowa, being afraid to go through
Missouri on account of the war and conditions thereby imposed.
It was immediately after the war that Francis M. Sayrs and
Hulda C. Derry were married.
The family home was maintained in Schuyler county, and
Irvin J. Sayrs was a pupil in the public schools there and in the
Rushville Normal College at Rushville, Illinois, He pursued his
law course in Highland Park College at Des Moines and was
graduated in 1901 with the degree of LL. B, After being ad-
mitted to the bar by the supreme court of Iowa he began practice
in 1903 in Jewell, Hamilton county, and on the ist of March,
1907, sought the broader field of labor offered by the county seat,
removing to Webster City, where he has since continued in the
practice of his chosen profession. His professional labors have
been entirely satisfactory to his clients, who have found him pa'ins-
taking and careful in the preparation of his cases and clear and
logical in their presentation. He has been accorded a large
practice and has also been the secretary of the Hamilton County
Abstract Company since its organization.
At New London, low^a, ]\Ir. Sayrs was united in marriage to
Miss Isabel M. Parrott, her father being J. E. Parrott, of Henry
county, Iowa, who is now living at Lamar, Colorado. Polly Par-
rott, the grandmother of Mrs. Sayrs, came to Burlington, Iowa,
when there were only four huts at that place. Our subject and
his wife have one daughter, Bonita Maurine Sayrs, whose birth
occurred on the 6th of July, 1905. Mr. Sayrs and his little family
126 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
have a pleasant home at No. 521 Walnut street and during the
period of their residence here they have gained many friends.
Mr. Sayrs belongs to Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M.;
Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M. ; and Webster City Camp, No.
416, M. W. A. He also holds membership in the Congrega-
tional church and these associations indicate much of the nature
of his interests and the rules that govern his conduct. Enter-
ing a profession where advancement depends entirely upon in-
dividual merit and not upon influence or any favorable external
circumstances, he is working his way steadily upward and is gain-
ing that success which is the merited reward of capability and
persistency of purpose.
ELMER E. CHEEVER.
Elmer E. Cheever, who owns and operates a farm of eighty-
five acres on section 4, Independence township, is a native of
Hamilton county, his birth having occurred in Webster City on
the 5th of October, 1870. He is a son of William M. and Cynthia
A. (Avery) Cheever, natives of the state of New York, where
they were also married. They came to Iowa in 1869, locating in
Hamilton county, and for three years thereafter the father farmed
as a renter, but at the expiration of that time he purchased forty
acres of land on section 4, Independence township, that is now
the property of his son, Elmer E. Mr. and Mrs. Cheever had but
two children, the elder of whom, George A., is married and en-
gages in farming in the vicinity of Carr, Colorado. The father
passed away on the 23d of June, 1909, at the age of seventy-four
years, and was buried in Graceland cemetery at Webster City.
The mother is still living at the age of seventy and is now visiting
her son in Colorado. William M. Cheever went to the front as a
private in Company E, One Hundred and Tenth Volunteer In-
fantry during the Civil war and served until the close of hostilities.
The exposure and hardships incident to camp life undermined his
health and he was sick for nearly a year, the greater part of that
time being spent in a hospital in the south. He saw considerable
active service, and was taken prisoner in battle and sent to An-
dersonville, but was soon released.
HISTOR/Y OF HAMILTON COUNTY 127
The entire life of Elmer E. Cheever has been passed in the
vicinity of his present home. He was reared on a farm and early
trained to the duties and responsibilities of an agriculturist, which
vocation he has always followed. He owns one of the well im-
proved and highly cultivated farms of the county and is meeting
with success in its operation. His land is tiled and fenced, and
all of it is hog tight, and equipped with everything essential to
modern agriculture. Mr, Cheever raises a high grade of cattle
and horses and makes a specialty of breeding and raising thor-
oughbred Duroc Jersey hogs.
In 1908, Mr. Cheever was married to Miss Lora Stevens, a
native of Iowa, and a daughter of John and Belle (Elwick)
Stevens. The father was born in the state of New York fifty-
eight years ago, and the mother, who is forty-eight years of age,
is a native of Illinois. They were married in Iowa and subse-
quently located in the vicinity of Webster City, where Mr.
Stevens engages in general farming and gardening. Their family
numbers four, Mrs. Cheever, who was born on November 11,
1883, being the eldest.
Fraternally Mr. Cheever is a member of the Modern Brother-
hood of America and gives his political support to the republican
party. He was township trustee for five years and served as
school director for twelve and is now secretary of the school
board. The religious faith of Mr, and Mrs. Cheever is manifested
through their connection with the Congregational church of
Webster City, in the work of which they take an active interest.
WESLEY MARTIN.
Wesley Martin is a veteran of the Civil war and his military ex-
perience also included service with the regular army. In this con-
nection his record is commendable but not more so than his record
as a member of the bar. He entered upon the practice of law in
Webster City in 1876, and has since been engaged in the work of
the profession, his ability, his legal learning and his devotion to
his clients' interests winning him high rank. He was born in
Navarre, Ohio, December 19, 1848, his parents being Samuel and
Mary Martin, who died when he was quite young, so that he was
reared by his grandparents. Wesley Martin was educated in the
128 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
public schools of New Philadelphia, Ohio, but was not yet sixteen
years of age when on the 2d of May, 1864, he enlisted for service
in the Civil war as a member of Company C, One Hundred and
Sixty-first Ohio Infantry. He was with that regiment for one
hundred and twenty-six days and in November of the same year
he enlisted in the Second New York Heavy Artillery, with which
he served until the close of hostilities between the north and the
south. Mr. Martin joined General Grant's army on the 27th of
November, 1864, in front of Petersburg, and was in the closing
battles of the war under that great commander until the sur-
render of Lee at Appomattox. Among Mr. Martin's valued
papers is the "President's Thanks and Certificate of Honorable
Service," signed by Abraham Lincoln and Edwin M. Stanton.
After the war he joined the regular army, with which he was on
duty in the south and west for three years. His military record is
indeed a creditable one and few men of his years can claim
the right to be numbered with the Civil war veterans. While but a
boy in his teens at the time of his enlistment, he displayed bravery
and loyalty equal to that of many a man of twice his years.
In 1873 Mr. Martin took up the study of law in the office and
under the direction of Colonel A. R. Mock of Cambridge, Illinois,
and was admitted to the bar by the supreme court at Springfield,
Illinois, on the 4th of January, 1876. On the 13th of May follow-
ing he arrived in Webster City and began the practice of law, in
which he has since continued. His progress in the profession has
been continuous. Experience and further study have advanced his
ability and he has proven his strength in connection with many liti-
gated interests which have attracted widespread attention. Aside
from his professional connections he is a director of the First Na-
tional Bank and a stockholder in the Hamilton County State Bank.
Mr. Martin has always given his political allegiance to the repub-
lican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. In
1 88 1 he was elected mayor. During his term he organized the city
as a city of the second class and was the first mayor under the
new organization. His administration brought about various
needed reforms and improvements and at the same time was
economically conducted, there being no useless expenditure of
public funds. He brought to the discharge of his duties in con-
nection with the business of the city, businesslike principles and
habits and the work of the office was carefully systematized.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 129
On the 24th of December, 1874, Mr. Martin was united in mar-
riage to Miss Elizabeth Wonders, a daughter of WilHam Wonders,
of Webster county, Iowa, who was a farmer by occupation and also
eneaeed in coal mining in that countv. Mr. and Mrs. Martin re-
side at Xo. 402 First street. They are members of the First Baptist
church and ]\Ir. Martin belongs also to Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. &
A. M., of Webster City; Winfield Scott Post, No. 66, G. A. R. ;
the Commercial Law League of America and the i\merican Bar As-
sociation. He is a man of genial, social nature, possessing attractive
qualities that have won him personal popularity, while his develop-
ing powers as a lawyer have long maintained him in a creditable po-
sition as a representative of the Webster City bar.
EARL FRANCIS .AIcCOMB.
Earl Francis McComb, who holds a responsible position with
the Blairsburg Hardware Company, is descended from one of the
pioneer families of Hamilton county of which he is a native, his
birth having occurred in Independence township on the 25th of No-
vember, 1883. He is a son of Samuel and Kate (Gerber) McComb,
the father a native of Belfast, Ireland, and the mother of Germany,
the maternal grandparents being among the very first settlers of Ham-
ilton county. Samuel McComb was for many years actively engaged
in farming in this county and passed away on his homestead in In-
dependence township. The mother subsequently removed to Web-
ster City with her family and there she still resides. Our subject
is the second in order of birth and the only son in a family of three.
The elder daughter, Mrs. Rachel Kennedy, was born on Christmas
day, 1879, and is now residing on the old home farm in Independence
township, while the youngest member of the family. Hazel, who was
born on March 12, 1890, is living in Webster City with the mother.
They are both natives of Independence township. The father had
one son by a previous marriage, W. F. McComb, of Waterloo, Iowa.
The education of Earl Francis McComb was begun in the dis-
trict schools and continued in the graded and high schools of Web-
ster City. Upon terminating his student days he obtained a certifi-
cate and for four years thereafter engaged in teaching in the coun-
try schools. At the expiration of that time he turned his attention
to commercial activities and engaged in the hardware and implement
130 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
business at Randall, where he was located for eight years. In Feb-
ruary, 191 1, he entered upon the duties of his present position with
the Blairsburg Hardware Company, in which capacity he is giving
most excellent service.
At Randall, this state, in 1905, Mr. McComb was married to
Miss Mabel Seymour, whose birth there occurred on the 28th of
October, 1888. She is a daughter of S. S. and Elizabeth (Jacobson)
Seymour, whose family numbered four: Annie, who is residing
at Roulette, North Dakota; Mrs. Stella Severs of Webster City;
Mrs. McComb; and Lulu, who is living with her mother in Randall.
The father is deceased, having passed away at Phoenix, Arizona. To
Mr. and Mrs. McComb have been born a daughter and a son : Leona,
who was born in Webster City, on March 20, 1907; and Earl Sey-
mour, whose birth occurred in Randall, October i, 1909.
Mr. McComb is a member of Blairsburg Camp, No. 7848, Modern
Woodmen of America, of which he is also clerk, and Mrs. McComb
is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Randall. His po-
litical allegiance is given to the republican party, and although he is
interested in the progress and development of the community he has
never figured in public affiairs, giving his entire time and attention
to his business interests.
LLOYD G. WALTERICK.
Lloyd G. Walterick, proprietor of the "Williams Wasp," which
paper he has been editing for the past three years, is highly regarded
in local business circles, being recognized as one of the town's most
capable and promising young men. He was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, on the 3d of December, 1890, and is a son of George B.
and Emma C. (Grove) Walterick, also natives of Franklin county,
the father's birth having occurred on April 26, 1867. In 1900 the
parents removed to Hamilton county, settling in Webster City, whence
they later came to Williams. Here the father, who is a carpenter by
trade, is successfully engaged in the business of contracting and build-
ing. Mr. and Mrs. Walterick have three sons, of whom our subject
is the eldest. Jay W., who was bom on the 21st of September, 1892,
is associated with his brother in the publication of the "Williams
Wasp," and Paul S., the youngest member of the family, his natal
day having been October 16, 1894, is attending the Iowa State Busi-
LLOYD G. WALTERICK
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 133
ness College at Des Moines. The two younger sons were also born
in Franklin county, Pennsylvania.
Lloyd G. Walterick was only a child of ten years when brought to
Hamilton county by his parents. He received most of his education
in the public schools of Webster City, and upon the completion of the
eighth grade he decided upon a journalistic career as his life work in
1905, and entered the serv^ice of the Hahne Printing Company of Web-
ster City in the capacity of apprentice. He is ambitious and enterpris-
ing, and, while there, not only fitted himself for the position of a com-
positor, but became thoroughly familiar with job printing work gen-
erally. On the ist of August, 1909, he came to Williams and took pos-
session of the paper he is now editing. He is a wide-awake, thoughtful
and progressive young man and his paper is in every way a credit to
him and the community. In matters of citizenship he is public-spirited
and through the columns of his journal indorses every movement
that he feels will promote the interests of the municipality. He is
absolutely fearless in his denunciation of wrong, but is equally ready
to commend good, fully appreciating that the press is the great medium
of reform and a dominant factor in the molding of public opinion.
That he is editing a clean, wholesome sheet and in the voicing of his
views expresses the opinions of the community generally is substan-
tially evidenced by his circulation list, which carries fourteen hundred
names. The paper has been issued under the name of the "Williams
Wasp" since 1906, and is popular in the community, particularly
among the business people, who have found it to be a good advertis-
ing medium. Mr. Walterick has a better plant than is to be found in
the average printing office of a town of this size, and is particularly
well equipped to do all kinds of job work, of which he makes a
specialty.
The Walterick family are English Lutherans in religious faith,
but as this denomination is not represented in Williams, they all
affiliate with the Presbyterian church. Lloyd G. Walterick is identi-
fied with the Masonic lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Modern Woodmen of
America and the Brotherhood of American Yoemen, and in addition
to the protection thus afforded he also carries insurance in the Equit-
able of New York, the Aetna of New York, and the American &
Bankers' Life of Des Moines. He gives his political allegiance to the
republican party and the columns of his paper strongly indorse the
men and measures of the progressive faction of this body. He is
meeting with success in the development of his business and has hut
recently purchased a residence property in Williams, which he antici-
134 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
pates occupying very shortly. He is a most estimable young man,
whose laudable ambition, upright standards and high principles of
conduct commend him to the confidence of all with whom he has
transactions and have been the means of his winning and retaining the
regard of a large circle of friends, who prophesy for him a very
promising future.
ELSTON FULLERTON KING.
Elston Fullerton King, who on the 29th of April, 1909, was
elected to the vice presidency of the First National Bank, has been
continuously connected with financial interests in Webster City since
the fall of 1893. He is a well known man of reliability and enter-
prise and his efforts have contributed largely to the success of the
institution with which he is connected. He was born in Springfield,
in the province of Ontario, January 30, 1873, his parents being Will-
iam Dance and Lucy (Fullerton) King. The removal of the family
to Iowa during his boyhood days led him to continue his education
in this state. He was graduated from Iowa College at Grinnell in
1894, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy and he then pur-
sued a two years' medical course in the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1898 he w^ent to Utah where he spent five years on a cattle ranch,
but in the fall of 1903 he returned to this state and has since been
a resident of Webster City. Here he \vas given the position of clerk
in the First National Bank and successive promotions have followed,
making him assistant cashier, cashier and vice president. He thus
has voice in the management of the bank and the policy which he
advocates is in keeping with the most progressive methods of bank-
ing. He realizes the fact that the bank most worthy of patronage
is that which most carefully safeguards the interests of its deposi-
tors and he has ever advocated a conservative course that is not,
however, detrimental to substantial growth and advancement. Aside
from his active interests at Webster City he is a director of the First
National Bank of Williams, Iowa, the Farmers Savings Bank of
Alden, Iowa, and the Farmers Savings Bank, of Buncombe, Iowa.
On the I St of June, 1904, Mr. King was married to Miss Kate
Miracle, a daughter of Judge Miracle, of Webster City, and they have
three children: Robert Fullerton, born June 25, 1905; Donald Mir-
acle, born January 14, 1907; and Eleanor Bell, born March 25, 1910.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 135
The family occupy a pleasant home at No. 13 17 Willson avenue and
its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
Mr. King is prominent in fraternal and social organizations. He
belongs to Sigma Chi, a national college fraternity and is a thirty-
second degree Mason, holding membership in Acacia Lodge, No. 176,
F. & A. M. ; Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M. ; Triune Commandery,
No. 41, K. T. ; Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, S. P. R. S. ; and Za-
Ga-Zig Temple of the Mystic Shrine, also of Des Moines. He like-
wise belongs to Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B. P. O. E. ; Web-
ster City Camp No. 416, M. W. A.; and Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O.
O. F. His name is on the membership rolls of the Webster
City Country Club and of the Webster City Commercial League,
and the latter indicates his interest in affairs relating to the welfare
and progress of the community in which he lives. His political alle-
giance is given to the republican party. His life has been one of con-
tinuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor
and he is today numbered among the substantial citizens of his coun-
ty. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of Webster City
and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any
movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance
its wonderful development.
EMMERT SEGAR.
Emmert Segar, who is connected with the Lane-Moore Lumber
Company of Blairsburg, was formerly actively engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits in this township, and is a representative of one of
those families to whose efforts Hamilton county is largely indebted
for its progress and development. With the exception of two years
spent in an overland trip to Oregon, his entire life has been passed
in this county, his birth having occurred in Cass township on the
20th of September, 1863. His parents, Horace and Ortense (Hager)
Segar, were both natives of Pennsylvania, but they came to Iowa in
their youth, the maternal grandparents being among the first set-
tlers of Cedar county. They located in Cass township during the
early period of their domestic life, and there they both passed away,
the father's death occurring in 1892. This section of the state was
but sparsely settled when they came here, and on every side of the
Segar homestead stretched vast expanses of wild prairie land, the
136 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
family living in true pioneer style. Here were reared the five sons
and three daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Segar, all but the eldest of
whom were born in this county. In order of birth they are as fol-
lows : Louis, who is a resident of Webster City; Mrs. Angelina
Himebaugh and Mrs. Emma J. Porter, both of Webster City; Jesse,
who resides a mile north of Webster City; Benjamin E., who died in
Blairsburg township, February 22, 1912; Roland, who is residing at
Meadow Grove, Nebraska; Emmert, our subject; and Mrs. Mabel
Jewett, of Webster City.
The early years in the life of Emmert Segar were in no way
unusual nor distinguished by any startling experiences. He spent
his time very much in the same manner as the other youths in the
community, acquiring his education in the district schools. When
his people first located in the county Webster City was known as New-
castle, and he can recall the time when there were but three houses
between their farm in Cass township and Blairsburg. The priva-
tions and hardships incident to pioneering tended to create a cohesive
citizenship through whose united efforts the wild wastes of prairie
land have been transformed into beautiful farms, the Hamilton coun-
ty of today bearing little resemblance to that of fifty years ago. In
all of this progress and development the Segar family have substan-
tially assisted through their agricultural activities. Having been
reared to the work of the fields, when qualified to begin his inde-
pendent career, naturally Emmert Segar chose the vocation of farm-
ing, which he successfully followed for many years. Although he
has for some years been making his home in Blairsburg, where he
owns a very pleasant residence and fourteen lots, he still holds the
title to a well improved fami of a hundred and sixty acres in this
township. He has accumulated a very comfortable competence, more
than sufficient to supply the needs of himself and wife, but he has
always been too active and enterprising to retire, so he is now as-
sisting in the yard of the Lane-Moore Lumber Company.
In October, 1884, Mr. Segar was united in marriage to Miss
Belle Black, whose birth occurred in Jackson county, Iowa, on the
20th of April, 1863. She is a daughter of Jesse and Mary Ellen
Black, who were early settlers of Hamilton county, where they both
passed away and were laid to rest in the cemetery in Cass township.
The father, who was a native of England, died in Webster City,
while the mother, who was born in Pennsylvania, was residing in
Jewell Junction at the time of her demise. Their family numbered
five, as follows : Mrs. Jesse Segar, who is residing a mile north of
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 137
Webster City; Mrs. Emmert Segar; Bert, whose home is in Bemis,
South Dakota; Jesse, a resident of Burt, Iowa; and Nora, who
passed away at the age of thirteen years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Segar have been born four children: Mrs.
Maude Hunt, who is living in Williams township; Mrs. Hazel Stre-
veler, of Blairsburg; Guy, who is living on the home farm; and
Joseph, who is still at home. The three eldest children were born
in Cass township and the youngest in Blairsburg township.
His political support Mr. Segar gives to the republican party,
and he served for nine years as road supervisor. He takes an active
interest in local affairs and represents that type of citizen who co-
operates in forwarding the welfare of the community by assisting
in promoting its various public utilities and such movements as will
tend to advance its moral, social or intellectual standards. The fam-
ily first located in this county in 1855 and during the fifty-seven years
intervening its various members have proven to be most worthy and
highly desirable citizens.
JOHN SCOTT.
Among the estimable citizens and capable agriculturists of
Blairsburg township must be numbered John Scott, who holds
the title to a hundred and twenty acres of well improved land,
which he devotes to diversified farming in connection with stock-
raising. He was born in Broadhead, Wisconsin, on the ist of
December, 1867, and is of Irish and American extraction, his
father, James Scott, having been a native of the Emerald isle,
while the mother, whose maiden name was Catharine Welch, was
born in Wisconsin. Eight children were born to this worthy
couple, of whom our subject is the eldest. In order of birth the
others are as follows : Edward ; Mrs. Nellie Wille, who is a resi-
dent of Webster City, Iowa; Mrs. Nora McFarland, who makes
her home in Los Angeles, California; George, who resides in
Williams towmship; Charlie, who is a resident of Vernon town-
ship, Wright county; Maze, a resident of South Dakota; and Mrs.
Susan Carpenter, of Lake township, Wright county. The four
last named are natives of Hamilton county, while the two eldest
sons were born in Wisconsin and the two eldest daughters in
Wright county, Iowa. The father passed away in Vernon town-
138 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ship, Wright county, on the 4th of March, 1893, but the mother
is still living and continues to make her home in Vernon township.
The family came to Iowa in 1869, locating in Wright county, and
have ever since made their home in this state.
As he was a child of only two years when he accompanied his
parents on their removal to Iowa, John Scott has passed prac-
tically his entire life in the vicinity where he now resides. His
boyhood was not unlike that of other youths who were reared in
this section at that period. In the acquirement of his education
he attended the district schools, and at the same time he was
qualifying himself for an agricultural career by assisting his father
about the work of the fields and care of the stock. He resided
in Wright county until after his marriage in 1899, when he pur-
chased the farm, where he is now living. He has been entirely
dependent upon his own resources since he became old enough to
earn his living and everything he possesses has been acquired
through his individual efforts. He has worked early and late,
earnestly and diligently applying himself to the achievement of
success, and has prospered correspondingly. The appearance of
his fields and condition of his stock are evidence of his capable
management and intelligent supervision. His place is well kept
up and provided with an equipment fully adequate to his needs,
while as his circumstances have warranted he has installed about
his premises various modern conveniences, which have minimized
the labor connected with its operation. He has a comfortable resi-
dence, which is well furnished and provided with a piano and good
books for the benefit of the children, who are being afforded bet-
ter advantages than their parents received. In connection with
his diversified farming, Mr. Scott is raising a high grade of stock
and is meeting with good financial returns from both lines of his
business.
In this county, in the year 1899, was celebrated the marriage
of Mr. Scott and Miss Annie Venner, wdio is likewise a native of
Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Henry and Frederika (Lentz)
Venner, natives of Germany. They came to America in early life
and were married in Wisconsin, whence they subsequently re-
moved to Iowa. Here they both passed away, the father's death
occurring in Hamilton county in 1906, and that of the mother in
Hardin county in 1904. Mrs. Scott is the youngest in a family of
six, five of whom are living. In order of birth the others are as
follows : Albert, who is residing in Williams township ; Mrs. Ber-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 139
tha Tilke, who makes her home in Vernon township, Wright
county; Mrs. Emma Butler; WilHam, who was born on March
13, 1S76, and resides in Blairsburg township; and Mrs. Ida Miers,
who is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott have become the parents of four children,
Irene, May, Margaret and James. They are all attending school
in their home district and are being given every advantage in the
way of self-improvement at the command of the parents.
The family attend the German Reformed church of Vernon
township, Wright county. Politically Mr. Scott is a republican
and he has for twelve years been a member of the school board
of Blairsburg township, and is now president of that body. He
is a man who takes an active interest in all movements affecting
the welfare of the community, and assists in promoting the de-
velopment of the various public utilities. He is highly esteemed
by his fellow townsmen, who have found him to be honorable and
upright in his business dealings and trustw^orthy and honest in
the discharge of his official duties.
HENRY WILLIAM LUNDELL, D. D. S.
Dentistry may be said to be almost unicjue among other occu-
pations, as it is at once a profession, a trade and a business. Such
being the case, it follows that in order to attain the highest suc-
cess in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of
the art, must be expert with the many instruments and appliances
incidental to the practice of modern dentistry and must possess
business qualifications adequate to dealing with the financial side
of the profession. In all of these particulars Dr. Lundell is well
qualified and therefore has attained prestige among the able rep-
resentatives of dentistry in W^ebster City. It was here that he
was born July 11, 1878. He comes, however, of Swedish ancestry,
his parents, August and Christina Lundell, having been natives of
Sweden. On coming to the new world they settled at Stratford.
Hamilton county, in 1872, and the father followed the occupation
of farming to the time of his death, wdiich occurred in 1890. The
mother still survives and is now living in Webster City.
Dr. Lundell was a pupil in the public schools here but was
resolved to obtain a higher education and utilized every means
140 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
possible toward the attainment of that end. Going to St. Paul,
Minnesota, he there worked in connection with the shoe busi-
ness and later was employed as a railway mail clerk. At the
same time he pursued a literary course in the University of
Minnesota preparatory to taking a course in dentistry at the
dental department of the Central University of Kentucky in
Louisville. His studies in the latter institution were completed
by his graduation in 1907, at which time the degree of Doctor of
Dental Surgery was conferred upon him and he received the
highest honors in both theory and practice. Between his junior
and senior years at the University of Kentucky he practiced his
profession in Ceylon, Minnesota, and after receiving his degree
in 1907 he came to Webster City and purchased the office of Dr.
G. W. Clark. Here he has been practicing continuously since
and is now accorded a liberal patronage. He does excellent work
according to the most modern scientific methods and his labors
have brought him a measure of success that is very gratifying.
On the 8th of June, 1910, Dr. Lundell was married in Webster
City to Miss Kathryn Arthur, a daughter of A. D. Arthur, who
was a prominent stock buyer of Hamilton county and formerly
of Dickinson county, Iowa. Dr. and Mrs. Lundell have a son,
Henry Arthur, born May 2, 191 1.
Dr. Lundell holds membership in the Catholic church and is
very prominently identified with the fraternal organization formed
among the Catholics known as the Knights of Columbus. He
is now grand knight of Bishop Clement Smith Council, No. 838,
of Webster City, to which he was elected in 191 1. He is likewise
a member of the Elks lodge, No. 302. He possesses a genial,
cordial manner which has won him popularity, and throughout
the community Dr. Lundell is spoken of in terms of high regard.
F. N. TAYLOR.
F. N. Taylor, who has been postmaster at Jewell since the 8th
of May, 1908, has been a resident of Hamilton county for thirty
years. He is a native of the state of New York, his birth having oc-
curred in Wyoming county on the ist of January, 1842, and a son of
Alonzo and Diana (Barber) Taylor. The father was from New
Hampshire and the mother from Massachusetts, but they passed the
MR. AND MRS. F. N. TAYLOR
HISTOIW OF HAMILTON COUNTY 143
early years of their domestic life in New York, whence they re-
moved in 1850 to Illinois. They first settled in Cook county, but
three years later they removed to Carroll county, that state, and there
the mother passed away on February 25, 1870. She was long- sur-
vived by the father, whose death occurred on the 9th of March,
1896.
F. N. Taylor was a child of eight years when he accompanied his
parents on their removal to Illinois, which state remained his home
until 1882, when he came to Hamilton county. He subsequently pur-
chased a hundred and sixty acres of land in Hamilton township, which
he improved and cultivated until 1905, when he withdrew from agri-
cultural pursuits and came to Jewell to live, selling his farm to his
eldest son. After removing to town he went to work at the carpen-
ter's trade, continuing to follow this occupation until he was ap-
pointed postmaster in 1908.
On the 24th of October, 1868, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss
Alice A. Hinds, whose birth occurred on the 17th of November, 1848.
She is the eldest of the seven children born of the marriage of Alonzo
and Laura (Greeley) Hinds, natives of Vermont. The family re-
moved to Illinois in 1866, and there the father passed away two
years later. The mother is still living, however, at the venerable age
of eighty-eight years, and makes her home with our subject. Mr.
and Mrs. Taylor have had eight children. Laura D., the eldest, mar-
ried George W. Davis by whom she had two children. He passed
away on the i6th of February, 1899, and on November 29, 1905,
she became the wife of W. G. Seamonds, of Webster City, and they
have become the parents of two children. Hattie, the second member
of the family, died at the age of two and a half years. Frank F.,
who now owns and operates the old homestead, was married in De-
cember, 1905, to Alexis Neely of Webster City, and they have two
children. Myrtle M., the widow of J. S. Riley, who died on April
19, 1898, is the mother of four children and makes her home in Jew-
ell. Iva was married on the 28th of May, 1902, to L. G. Burr, by
whom she has had five children and is residing in Illinois. Fred G.
died March 15, 1887, aged two years and eight months. Ralph C.
is acting as his father's assistant in the postoffice. Vernon M., the
youngest member of the family, resides at home.
Mr. Taylor is one of those who responded to the nation's call
during the Civil war, and went to the front as a member of Company
B, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He
was in the Army of the Cumberland, but was on provost and detached
Vol. II— 8 -
144 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
duty during the greater period of his service, which comprised a year,
having enhsted on the 9th of February, 1865, and received his dis-
charge at Savannah, Georgia, on February 9, 1866. He is a member
of Winfield Scott Post, No. 66, G. A. R. of Webster City, and he
also belongs to Jewell Lodge, No. 277, A. O. U. W. His ixDlitical
allegiance he gives to the republican party, and while residing in Ham-
ilton township served for five years as assessor and for six as a mem-
ber of the board of supervisors, having begun his duties in the latter
connection in 1889. Mrs. Taylor manifests her religious faith through
her affiliation with the Christian church, and numbers many stanch
friends among the members of its congregation.
WARREN C. PYLE.
Gradually working his way upward through the utilization of
his opportunities, Warren C. Pyle has become cashier of the First
National Bank of Webster City, remaining in this connection since
the 29th of April, 1909. He early realized that there is no royal
road to wealth and also that there is no excellence without labor, and
industry and perseverance have constituted the elements of his ad-
vancement. He was born in Hardin county, Iowa, May 22, 1873,
a son of A. H. and Lucretia L. (Percival) Pyle. The father went
to Hardin county when a young man, removing with his father from
Ohio to this state. He followed farming while living in Hardin
county but he and his wife now make their home in Webster City.
Warren C. Pyle was a pupil in the public schools at Iowa Falls
and at fifteen years of age began work in a book store there. While
thus employed he also pursued a commercial course in the business
college of that place. He occupied his first position for three and a
half years and then went to Dubuque, where he finished his business
education. In 1891 he returned to Iowa Falls and for a year there-
after was a clerk in the State Bank of that city. This was his ini-
tial connection with the banking business and upon that foundation
he has builded his subsequent success in that field. In 1892 he went
to Blairsburg, where he assisted in organizing the Exchange Bank
and remained as assistant cashier until the bank was sold in 1895.
He then came to Webster City and for a year thereafter was em-
ployed in the grocery store of H. A. Fames. He was next asso-
ciated with E. G. Popejoy in the furnishing goods business for about
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 145
a year and later held various positions in business circles here until
1898, when he became assistant postmaster of Webster City under
Charles D. Helen, serving in that capacity until January i, 1903,
when he became bookkeeper of the First National Bank. His loy-
alty and capability in that connection won him promotion to the po-
sition of assistant cashier and on the 29th of April, 1909, he was
made cashier. He is a popular official of the bank, always courteous
and considerate of the interests of his patrons and at the same time
carefully safeguarding the welfare of the institution with which he
is connected.
On the 23d of September, 1903, Mr. Pyle was united in marriage
to Miss Claire C. Carpenter, whose parents have both passed away.
Her father, George W. Carpenter, was engaged in the real-estate
business in Webster City. Our subject and his wife have three
children, namely: Kempster, who was born on the 28th of October,
1904; George Howard, whose birth occurred on the 9th of July, 1907 ;
^nd Frances Marjorie, whose natal day was February 15, 19 10.
Mr. Pyle belongs to Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M. ; the
Elks lodge. No. 302, of Webster City; and Webster City Lodge,
No. 342, I. O. O. F. In more strictly social connections he is a
member of the Country Club. He also belongs to the Commercial
League, of which he is a director, and since 1908 he has served on
the school board. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the
progress and upbuilding of W>bster City and his cooperation can
ever be counted upon to further movements for the general good.
His has been a well spent life, winning for him business advancement
.md the high esteem of his fellowmen.
FRANK H. BURCHAM.
Frank H. Burcham is one of the well known residents of
Blairsburg township, where he successfully engages in general
fanning and stock-raising. His boyhood was passed in La Salle
county. Illinois, where his birth occurred on the i8th of Novem-
ber, i86j. His father, the late A. V. Burcham, was born in New
York, while the mother, whose maiden name was Cornelia Schem-
merhorn, was a native of Pennsylvania. The family removed to
Iowa in 1878, first locating in the vicinity of Alden, Hardin county.
Three years later they came to Blairsburg township, locating on
146 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
the farm where our subject now resides. Here the parents passed
the remainder of their lives, the mother's death occurring on
October i6, 1901, and that of the father on October 29, 1908.
To them were born six children, five of whom are living. Those
beside our subject are as follows: D. B. and W. T., who are re-
siding in the state of Washington ; Stella, who is living in Seattle,
Washington; Grant G., of Blairsburg township; and Walter
James, who died twenty-seven years ago. They were all born in
Illinois.
The education of Frank H. Burcham was largely acquired in
the common schools of his native state, where he passed the first
seventeen years of his life. He came to Hamilton county with
his parents, and has ever since made his home in Blairsburg town-
ship. In common with the majority of youths who are reared in
the country, his energies were early directed along agricultural
lines, and by the time he had attained his majority he was thor-
oughly familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a farmer.
As his father's powers of activity began decreasing with the pass-
ing years he assumed more and more of the duties connected with
the operation of the home place, which he has ever since success-
fully cultivated. He is a man of earnest purpose and definite
ideas, and pursues his undertakings in a well organized systematic
manner, meeting with a corresponding degree of success. In
addition to his interest in the old homestead he holds the title to
another tract of a hundred and sixty acres of choice and well
improved land in this township.
On the 17th of February, 1904, Mr. Burcham was married
to Miss Elizabeth McNee, who was born in Blairsburg township,
her natal day being the nth of October, 1878. She was reared
and educated here, and with the exception of eight years spent
in Colorado has always made Hamilton county her home. She is
a daughter of J. C. and- Agnes J. (Aitkin) McNee, natives of
Delaware county. New York, the father's birth having occurred
on May 9, 1853, and that of the mother on the ist of May, 1855.
Mrs. Burcham is their eldest child, the other members of the
family being as follows : Mrs. Jessie Brown, who was born on the
2d of August, 1880, and died on June 16, 1910; James W., whose
birth occurred on the 31st of May, 1882, now a resident of Blairs-
burg; Mrs. Mary Stafford, who was born on August 3, 1884, also
a resident of Blairsburg township ; Harvey, whose natal day was
the 26th of September, 1886, of Blairsburg; Ralph, who was
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 147
born on December 23, 1890, of Blairsburg; Thomas, who was
born on March 2, 1893, and died in 1894; and Lela, who was born
on the I2th of June, 1896, and is Hving at home with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Burcham have become the parents of three sons:
Burdette Vincent, who was born on the i6th of November, 1904;
Franklin Homer, whose birth occurred on the 4th of May, 1906;
and Kenneth Harold, whose natal day was February 25, 1912.
They were all born in the old Burcham family home in Blairs-
burg township.
The family attend the religious services of the Congregational
church at Blairsburg, of which Mrs. Burcham is a member. Fra-
ternally he is affiliated w^ith the Modern Woodmen of America
and the Knights of Pythias, Mr. Burcham has always taken an
active interest in local politics, supporting the republican party.
He served for four years as assessor in his towmship, while for
nine years he has held the office of trustee and has been renomi-
nated for the same office. He manifests the same positive qual-
ities in the discharge of his official duties as characterize him in
business, meeting the responsibilities of his position promptly and
efficiently.
JACOB J. PETERSON.
Jacob J. Peterson is conducting a general insurance, real-estate
and loan office in Webster City. He has resided continuously in
Hamilton county since coming to America when twenty-three years
of age. He was born in Denmark, January 29, i860, and is a son
of Peter and Kjerstine (Nelson) Jacobson. The father always re-
sided in Denmark but died when his son Jacob was quite young. The
mother still lives in her native land.
Mr. Peterson, whose name introduces this record, was a pupil
in the public schools of Denmark and remained a resident of that
country until May, 1883, when he came to the United States, at-
tracted by the broader business opportunities which he believed might
be secured on this side the Atlantic. He did not tarry on the eastern
coast but made his way at once into the interior of the country, set-
tling at Jewell in Hamilton county. He engaged in farming for six
years in the eastern part of the county and then, abandoning agri-
cultural life for industrial pursuits, removed to Webster City in
148 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
1889 and began work at the carpenter's trade. He was thus em-
ployed for five years and in 1896 he organized the present real-
estate, loan and insurance business which he is now conducting.
Sixteen years have since passed, during which period he has nego-
tiated many important realty transfers, and no man of the locality is
better informed concerning realty values. He has also placed many
loans, and the insurance policies which he writes represent a large
figure each year. He is persistent, diligent and detennined, and the
success which has come to him is the merited reward and logical
result of his labors.
Mr. Peterson makes his home at No. 507^ Second street. He
is one of the charter members of Flaws Castle, No. 330, of the Royal
Highlanders, of which he has been secretary since 1903. He is also
a charter member of the Bankers Union and has been its secretary
since 1898. He belongs to St. Paul's Universalist church and is in-
terested in various projects which have for their object the welfare
and improvement of the community along material, social and moral
lines. He has never yet had occasion to regret his determination to
come to America, for here he has found the opportunities which he
sought and which are always open to ambitious, energetic young
men.
ORLANDO A. HALL, M. D.
Holding to high professional standards. Dr. Orlando A. Hall has
throughout the period of his practice in Webster City, beginning in
1876, made continuous progress in his chosen life work. He was born
in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1848, a son of Samuel
Clark and Lucy A. (Daniels) Hall. The parents came to Iowa in
1856, settling in Webster county, where the father followed farming
until 1864. He then left the fields to establish his home in the county
seat of Hamilton county, where he remained for a year. In 1865,
however, he purchased a farm a mile north of Webster City, upon
which he and his wife resided until he retired from active business
life, possessing a comfortable competency which enabled him to
spend his remaining days without recourse to further labor. Here
he passed away November 28, 1895. at the age of seventy-four years,
while his wife died in 1901, at the age of seventy-four.
Dr. Hall supplemented his public-school education by a more
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 149
specifically literary course in the Iowa State University at Iowa City.
A review of the great field of business led him to the determination
to make the practice of medicine his life work and with this end in
view he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk.
Later he became a student in the Medical College of Cincinnati and
was graduated in 1876 with the M. D. degree. He has since taken
post-graduate work in the New York Post Graduate Medical School
of New York city, receiving therefrom a diploma in 1888. He also
pursued post-graduate work at Edinburgh, Scotland. He opened an
office in Webster City in 1876 and has here remained continuously
since, save for a period of four years spent in the west on account
of his wife's health. His practice has steadily grown with the pass-
ing years as he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate
problems concerning the checking of the ravages of disease and the
restoration of health. He is physician for the Illinois Central Rail-
road and also was county physician for a considerable period. He
belongs to the International Railway Surgical Society and to the
State Railway Surgical Society and thus keeps in close touch with
the advanced work that is being done by eminent members of the
profession throughout the state and country. In addition to the
practice of medicine Dr. Hall is known in financial circles as a di-
rector of the Farmers National Bank of Webster City.
Dr. Hall has been married twice. In June, 1876, he wedded Miss
Frankie McFerren, a daughter of W. D. McFerren, who is a re-
tired agriculturist residing in Webster City. She passed away in
August, 1884, leaving one child, Ray E., whose birth occurred on
the 1 8th of December, 1881, and who is now a practicing physician of
Portland, Oregon. Dr. Ray E. Hall married Miss Susan Baker and
has two sons. On the loth of November, 1885, Dr. O. A. Hall
was again married, his second union being with Miss Ida McFerren,
a native of Webster City and a sister of his first wife. They are
the parents of three children, as follows: Forrest F., who was born
on the 30th of August, 1886; Ralph, whose birth occurred on the
24th of December, 1887; and Clyde W., whose natal day was June
27, 1890. Dr. Forrest F. Hall, a practicing physician of Webster
City, wedded Miss.Lorena Quackenbush in August, 191 1.
Dr. Hall and his family reside at No. 745 Bank street and theirs
is an attractive home — a favorite resort among their friends. Dr.
Hall gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in
addition to serving as county physician he was county coroner at
one time. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church.
150 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
At all times he is interested in the material, intellectual, social, politi-
cal and moral progress of the community and ever casts his influence
on the side of right and progress. His position is never an equivocal
one. He stands as a loyal supporter of all principles in which he
believes and of all projects which he deems beneficial to the commun-
ity. Almost his entire life has been passed in Iowa. He was a lad
of only eight years when his parents removed to Webster county and
through the ensuing period, covering fifty-six years, he has witnessed
many changes here, rejoicing ever at what has been accomplished
along the lines of progress and bearing his part in the work of gen-
eral development.
OLIVER GROVE METCALF.
In his active, useful and busy life as one of the leading dry-goods
merchants of Webster City, Iowa, Oliver Grove Metcalf is carrying
out the honorable traditions upon which his father founded the busi-
ness. He has been identified with this line of activity during practi-
cally all his business career, and by his intelligent use of favorable
opportunity, his unflagging industry and integrity of a high order, has
built up a flourishing business and won for himself a high place in
the regard of his community. His store is located at 620-22 Second
street, and is one of the prosperous dry-goods concerns of Webster
City.
Mr. Metcalf is a native of Ohio, having been born in Belmont
county in 1870. His parents, Jesse P. and Clara (Grove) Metcalf,
left Ohio and came to Iowa in 1871. Their first residence was in
West Liberty and later they made their home in Stuart, Iowa. The
family removed to California and spent a few years in that state be-
fore they returned to Iowa in 1894. In that year they settled in
Webster City, where Mr. Metcalf's parents are still living. The father
was a merchant during his active life and built up during the course
of his career a flourishing and prosperous dry-goods business. He
has been prominent in commercial circles of many different cities
and is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in an Ohio regiment.
On the maternal side Mr. Metcalf is a descendant of General John B.
Grove, who wrote the first peace petition during the time of the Re-
bellion and was a prominent officer in an Ohio regiment.
0. G. METCALF
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 153
Oliver G. Metcalf was educated in the public schools of Stuart,
Iowa, and supplemented this by a course at the Dexter Nonnal Col-
lege and study at the Davenport Business College. He has been con-
nected with mercantile business during his active career, beginning in
a humble capacity and -advancing to a prosperous position. His active
career began in Stuart, Iowa, where he was employed by a dry-goods
firm. After a short time he went to California, and returning east to
Chicago was engaged for three years as an employe of the Boston
Store. Another year he was connected with Mandel Brothers of the
same city. For a short time after this he abandoned the dry-goods
business and mined in Summit county, Colorado, until 1904. On the
25th of January in that year he came to Webster City and became a
partner in his father's mercantile enterprise under the fimi name of
J. P. Metcalf & Son. His influence was immediately felt in the rapid
development of the business and his energies and activities directed
along progressive and systematic lines soon made the institution flour-
ishing and prosperous. In 1909 Mr. Metcalf purchased his father's
interest and moved the store to its present location at 620-22 Second
street. He did not change the firm name but continues the active
conduct of the business under the old title although he is now the sole
owner.
On June 4, 1905, Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage to Miss
Veda Caraway, a daughter of W. A. Caraway, a retired merchant of
Webster City. They have two children : Wendell Oliver, born March
22, 1906; and Miriam Caraway, born on the loth of February, 1908.
Mr. Metcalf is one of the prosperous merchants of Webster City.
Through undeviating allegiance to high principles of business moral-
ity he has added to the city in which he resides a well developed and
expanding enterprise and to the ranks of her citizenship a thoroughly
honest man.
CHARLES CASTNER.
Charles Castner cultivates eighty-six acres of fertile and
highly improved land adjacent to Blairsburg, where he success-
fully engages in agricultural pursuits. He was born in Blairs-
burg, then known as Rose Grove tow^nship, on the 29th of March,
1872, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Blair) Castner. The
father was born in New Jersey on the 25th of November, 1842,
154 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
and there passed the first five years of his Hfe. The family re-
moved to Ilhnois in 1847, ^^'^^ six years later continued their
journey westward to Iowa. George Castner, who has been con-
tinuously a resident of Hamilton county since i860, was one of
the early stage drivers of Iowa. He drove the stage from Nevada
in 1865, and later from Iowa Falls to Fort Dodge, but after
the railroads were completed in this section of the state, he gave
up this occupation and turned his attention to agricultural pur-
suits and now owns one of the best improved and most valuable
farms in Hamilton county. The mother was a native of Ohio,
having been born in Delhi, that state, on March 15, 1842. She
came to Iowa with her parents in 1856, and thereafter made this
state her home, her death occurring in Blairsburg in January,
1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Castner were born three sons, of whom
our subject is the eldest. The second son, Roy, was born on the
25th of April, 1875, and is now residing in New Mexico; and
Daniel, whose natal day was March 8, 1878, is living in Blairs-
burg.
The entire life of Charles Castner has been passed in the
vicinity in which he now resides. His early years were not dis-
tinguished by any unusual occurrence from those of other lads
who were reared in the rural sections of Iowa at that period.
In the acquirement of his education he attended the common
schools, and while still pursuing his studies began assisting his
father with the lighter work of the farm, his duties being in-
creased with the passing years until he was thoroughly familiar
with the work and responsibilities of the agriculturist. By the
time he had attained his maturity he was well qualified to engage
in farming on his own account and has always devoted his ener-
gies to this line of activity. He is enterprising and progressive
in his methods as is evidenced by the general appearance of the
farm, which is well improved and equipped. The fields are sub-
stantially fenced and under high cultivation, and he raises a good
grade of stock. He gives his personal supervision to everything
about the place, directing his undertakings with intelligence and
foresight, and is meeting with a corresponding degree of success.
Mr. Castner was married in 1896, to Miss Grace Walsworth,
who was born in Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa, on April
25, 1872. She is a daughter of John C. and Sybil (Abbey) Wals-
worth. the former a native of Adams, Jefferson county, New
York, his birth there occurring on December 26, 1830; and the
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 155
latter of Aliddlebury, Vermont, her natal day having been April
5, 1830. They removed to Hamilton county in 1886, locating
on a farm in Blairsburg township, which the father cultivated
during the remainder of his active life. He passed away on the
29th of January, 1900, on the old homestead, and there the
mother's death occurred the year following. They were the
parents of two daughters, the elder being Mrs. Elizabeth Keith,
also a resident of Blairsburg, who was born on January 25, 1858.
To Mr. and Mrs. Castner there have been born two children:
George Frank, who was born on the 29th of June, 1898; and
Marie Helen, whose birth occurred March 2, 1900. They are
both attending the public schools of Blairsburg.
The family attend the Congregational church, in which the
parents hold membership, and fraternally Mr. Castner belongs
to Blairsburg Camp, No. 7848, M. W. A. He votes the repub-
lican ticket and takes an active interest in local politics. He was
for a time constable of Blairsburg township, and was a member
of the council when the town was first organized and is now
serving on the board of education. Having passed his entire
life in the county. Air. Castner enjoys a wide acquaintance among
its citizens, by whom he is accorded the respect and esteem he
well merits by reason of his high principles, integrity and hon-
orable methods of conducting his business transactions.
CHARLES A. DEO.
Charles A. Deo, who owns and operates a popular, up-to-date hotel
in Stratford, was born December 5, 1867, in Clinton county, Iowa,
and is a son of Anson and Mary (McCreary) Deo, the former a
native of Canada and the latter of Clinton county. The mother has
the distinction of having been the first child born in that county. Mr.
and Mrs. Anson Deo were married in Clinton county but in 1870
removed to Hamilton county, where the father engaged in farming
for a period of five years. He then moved with his family to Hooks
Point and there built the first hotel established in that place, suc-
cessfully carrying on the business for seven years. He then removed
to Stratford — the year in which that town was started — and estab-
lished himself in the hotel business. He conducted his hotel for one
156 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
year and then sold out and removed to Dayton, at which place he
conducted a hotel for one year. He next moved to Coon Rapids
and carried on an eating house for one year. He then went to Mad-
rid, where he was engaged in the lumber and wood business for a
period of six months after which he returned to Stratford and re-
purchased the hotel which he originally built in that place and suc-
cessfully conducted the house until his death, which occurred in
1907, at the age of seventy-four. His wife is still living at the age
of seventy-three and maintains her residence with the subject of this
review.
Charles A. Deo is the fourth in order of birth in a family of six
children, the others being: Claud and Adalaska, both deceased; and
Albert A., Harry and Hally, all residents of Stratford. Our subject
was reared in his parents' home and received his early education in
the public schools of Iowa. He remained under the parental roof
and as a young man assisted his father in the operation of the sev-
eral hotels with which the latter was identified. At the time of the
father's death he took charge of the hotel which he has since success-
fully conducted. He is now the owner of the hotel property and is
also the owner of the Nassig business block in Stratford. Mr. Deo
is afiiliated with the republican party and is one of the substantial,
enterprising and trusted business men of his town.
HOWARD HALE.
Howard Hale, a successful real-estate dealer of Blairsburg,
who is also selling automobiles, was born in Arlington Heights,
Illinois, on October 10, i860. He is a son of Anthony and Jane
(Crouch) Hale, the former a native of England, his birth having
there occurred on the 20th of September, 1833, while the mother
was born in Jefferson county, New York, on March 31, 1833.
They removed to Iowa in 1871, locating on a farm in Collins
township. Story county, where for many years the father was
successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is now living
retired, however, and he and the mother make their home in
Blairsburg where they own a very pleasant and attractive resi-
dence, and enjoy the ease and comfort provided by a substantial
competence. They are the parents of three children, of whom
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 157
our subject is the eldest. Alice, the second member of the family,
became the wife of Isaac Day, a well known resident of Ham-
ilton county, who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in
this work ; and James, the younger son, whose birth occurred on
December 17, 1873, is a resident of Collins township. Story
county.
The education of Howard Hale was begun in his native state,
where he passed the first eleven years of his life, and completed
in Story county, Iowa. As is usual with farmer lads he early
became familiar with the duties of the agriculturist and the prac-
tical methods of tilling the fields and caring for the crops. When
ready to begin his independent career he naturally adopted the
vocation for which he was best qualified, and subsequently
engaged in farming for himself in Collins township, Story county.
In February, 1896, he came to this county and purchased eighty
acres of land in Williams township, to which he subsequently
added another eighty, and then began improving it. He applied
himself to its further cultivation and improvement until March,
1912, when he withdrew from the work of the fields and removed
to Blairsburg, where he owns a residence. He is now devoting
his entire time to the buying and selling of real estate, in con-
nection with which he is also dealing in automobiles and is the
owner of one of the finest cars in the county. He is prospering
in his undertakings and has recently acquired a hundred and sixty
acres of well improved land located on section i, Blairsburg town-
ship.
In Story county, this state, on October 17, 1885, Mr. Hale
was married to Miss Etta J. Marsh, who was born in Eden town-
ship, Marshall county, Iowa, September 18, 1868, and was there
reared to womanhood. She is a daughter of Louis W. and Laura
(Milholland) Marsh, who were for many years residents of Mar-
shall county, whence they later removed to Story county, but
are now residing in Pasadena, California. The father, who is
seventy-five years of age was born in England, but came to Iowa
in his early manhood and was one of the pioneer settlers of Mar-
shall county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Marsh is as follows:
Ralph, who is a resident of Collins, this state ; Walter, of Granite,
Oklahoma; Scott, who makes his home in Mitchell County, Iowa;
Mrs. Hale; Mrs. Laura Keagles, of Collins; Mrs. Grace Weiss,
also of Collins; and Minnie and Blanche, both of whom died in
158 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
California. The children were all born in Marshall county, but
the younger members of the family were reared in Story county.
Mr. and Mrs. Hale have six children: Arthur, who resides in
Blairsburg; Mrs. Myrtle Burton, of Webster City; and Truman,
Rachel, Ruth and Millard. The four eldest were born in Collins
township, Story county, and the last two named in Williams
township, this county.
The family are members of the Congregational church, in the
work of which they take a helpful and active interest. Mr. Hale
votes the republican ticket and for two years served as assessor
in Williams township, and he has also been a member of the
school board. He is an excellent type of citizen, public-spirited
and progressive and always ready to cooperate in forwarding
every worthy movement, and is accorded the esteem and regard
of a large circle of acquaintances.
THEODORE CUTLER.
Farming in Hamilton county offers rich reward to well
directed energy and industry. The soil is fertile and productive
and an able and intelligent man is sure of acquiring through its
cultivation a comfortable competency. There were, however,
days when this victory over natural conditions was not so easy
of accomplishment, days when the land was a discouraging waste,
when the country was sparsely settled and when broad prairies
stretched endlessly between the scattered houses. Agriculture
under these conditions presented more difficulties and it was in
these times that Theodore Cutler did his most constructive and
useful work. He is now living in comparative retirement after
a long life spent in the cultivation of the soil and his intelligent
labor in a highly useful field of activity has won him many
friends whom his genial and kindly nature binds to him more
closely.
He was born March 19, 1845, ^t Sunbury, Delaware county,
Ohio. The family has been in North America for many genera-
tions and was represented in the War of 18 12 by General Cutler,
grandfather of our subject, who did distinguished service at the
battle of Sacket Harbor. Robert O. Cutler, the father of our
subject, was born in Canada and at an early date removed to
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 159
Ohio, where he taught school and farmed for some time. He
spent a few years in Illinois and came to Iowa in 1855, settling
in Clinton county where he remained for one year. His next
removal was to Jones county and the twelve years which he spent
in that vicinity resulted in his acquiring a high and respected
place among its citizens. In 1869 he moved to Hamilton county
and bought a farm on section ^^, Fremont township, where he
was active in the cultivation of the soil until his death, on March
I, 1876, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. His wife, Lydia (Black)
Cutler, survived him many years, dying on June 5, 1910, at the
age of ninety-two.
Theodore Cutler was the only child born to his parents and
received an ordinary country school education. He early became
familiar with the details of farming by his work upon his father's
property. When the latter died, in 1876, Mr. Cutler took full
charge of the management and direction of his large and con-
stantly growing enterprise. He is now the owner of three hun-
dred and forty-three acres of highly improved land in Fremont
township and through his efficient and intelligent work this prop-
erty has been converted from raw prairie land into a modern,
sanitary and highly productive farm. In the early days of Mr.
Cutler's activities, at the period of his first settlement in Iowa,
there was only one house east of his holdings as far as Maxwell's
lane and only one between the Cutler farm and the little town
of Buncombe on the west. The intervening territory was prairie
land which had never been touched by the plow. The farm which
Mr. Cutler and his father cultivated was at that time entirely
unimproved. There were no buildings, no farm equipment and
scarcely any facilities for the cultivation of the soil. The three
hundred and forty-three acres which constitute the homestead are
today tiled, fenced and equipped with large and commodious
buildings, and comprise one of the model properties in Hamilton
county. To this happy result the efficient management and skill
of Theodore Cutler has been a contributing cause and the stan-
dards which have influenced his activities during the years have
been influential factors in the upbuilding of Fremont township.
Mr. Cutler continued personally to supervise his farm until 1908,
when he met with an unfortunate accident. When he was feed-
ing his hogs one of the animals bit him on the knee and this
wound eventually necessitated the amputation of his leg. He is
now practically retired from active work and has rented the farm
160 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
to his son-in-law, Frank J. Webb. However, he still maintains
his residence upon the property and is the oldest pioneer in Fre-
mont township.
On January 15, 1868, Mr. Cutler was united in marriage to
Miss Belle Carter, of Monticello, Jones county, Iowa. The orig-
inal residence of the Carter family was in Virginia and Mrs. Cut-
ler's grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war in a
Virginia regiment. Joshua and Hannah Eliza (Randall) Carter,
the parents of Mrs. Cutler, came to Iowa at an early date and
settled in Jones county, removing in 185 1 to Dubuque county,
where they remained until they returned to Jones county. Late
in life they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and thence to Chicago,
where the father's death occurred when he was eighty-one years
of age and where the mother died when she was eighty years
old. To Mr. and Mrs. Cutler have been born three children.
Cora married on January i, 1902, Frank J. Webb, a farmer in
Fremont township, by whom she has one daughter, Elma lona,
born in September, 1903. Harry married Miss Myrtle Arm-
strong. He is now assistant cashier in the First National Bank
of Webster City, Iowa. The youngest child, Roy Verne, married
Sadie Sparks, by whom he has two children, Harold and Veva.
He resides with his family in La Veta, Colorado, where he occu-
pies the position of postmaster.
Mr. Cutler although he has retired from active life is still
prominent in agricultural circles of Hamilton county. The state
of Iowa owes him a debt of gratitude for his services as a capable
organizer and developer and it is paying the obligation in the coin
of universal honor and esteem.
FRANK E. LANDERS.
Frank E. Landers, who since the ist of May, 1899, has been con-
nected with the First National Bank at Webster City, and since May
I, 1910, has been its auditor, and whose record as a soldier and citi-
zen measures up to the high standard which he has attained as a
business man, was born at Upper Lisle, Broome county, New
York, July 17, 1844, his parents being John and Mary P. (Bidwell)
Landers. The father remained upon the farm on which he was born
in Broome county until 1864 and then, removing to the middle west,
FRANK E. LANDERS
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 163
settled in Woodstock, Illinois, where he remained for about four years.
In 1869 he removed to Hamilton county, Iowa, where his remaining
days were passed.'
Frank E. Landers was a pupil in the public schools of his native
county, dividing his time between the acquirement of his education
and the work of the home fanii to the time of his enlistment for serv-
ice in the Civil war. For a year or more the country had been in-
volved in a sanguinary conflict when he felt that he could no longer
content himself to remain at home and, although but a boy in his
teens, he offered his services to the government, enlisting in 1862 as a
member of the Sixteenth New York Battery, with which he served
for nineteen months, when he was honorably discharged on account
of physical disability. He then returned to the Empire state and in
1869 he came to Hamilton county, Iowa, with his father. For ten
years thereafter he was engaged in general farming and on the expira-
tion of that decade was elected auditor of the county, in which position
he served from the ist of January, 1880, until the ist of January, 1884.
On his retirement from office he spent a year in a clerical position in
the Farmers' National Bank and in 1889 he went to Des Moines,
where he was employed for nine years as clerk of the executive coun-
cil of the state of Iowa, continuing in that capacity until 1897. He
then returned to Hamilton county and became connected with the
First National Bank, of Webster City, of which he is now auditor.
In 1874 Mr. Landers was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary
Olive Barrows, a daughter of Lathrop H. S. Barrows, who was
a manufacturer of millwork in Woodstock, Illinois, and now
resides at Pasadena, California. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lan-
ders have been born four children, as follows : Leonora, whose birth
occurred in 1875 and who is now living in Pasadena, California; Lou
Cornelia, who was bom in 1877 and passed away in 1908 ; John Clem-
ent, who was born in 1879 ^"^ wedded Miss Sarah L. Yoeckel, by
whom he has a son and daughter; and Frank Lathrop, whose birth
occurred in 1888, and who resides in Webster City. John Clement
Landers, a civil engineer by profession, is engaged in the United
States irrigation work. These children are not only entitled to mem-
bership with the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution but
are also descended from soldiers who fought in the Pequot war, the
King Philip's war, and the French and Indian war, while one of
the founders of the family in America came to this country as one
of the passengers on the Mayflower.
Vol n— 9
164 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The military spirit of his ancestors found expression in Frank E.
Landers not only in his service in defense of the Union but again in
1884, when he organized Company C of the Sixth Regiment of the
Iowa National Guard, now the Fifty-sixth regiment. He was its
first captain and resigned only when he went to Des Moines. He be-
longs to Winfield Scott Post, No. 66, G. A. R., and is its present com-
mander, which position he also occupied twenty-nine years ago. His
political support is given to the republican party and for four years
he served as councilman of Webster City. His religious faith is that
of the Congregational church. His interest in all that pertains to the
material, political, social and moral welfare of the community is deep
and sincere and is manifest in many tangible and helpful ways.
HARRY DALLAS RICHARDS.
Harry Dallas Richards successfully engages in general agricul-
tural pursuits and stock-raising in Independence township, where he
owns a valuable farm of one hundred and eighty- four acres, located
on sections 31 and 32. He w^as born in Mattoon, Illinois, on the 5th
of February, 1872, and is a son of William and Almira (Campbell)
Richards. The parents were born, reared and married in Ohio, but
subsequently removed to Illinois. Two years later, in 1873, they
returned to the Buckeye state, and there the mother passed away in
the spring of 1904, at the age of fifty-six years. The father con-
tinued to make his home in Ohio until 1909, when he came to Iowa
and is now residing in Hamilton county. He is sixty-two years of
age.
The eldest in a family of nine, Harry Dallas Richards remained
at home until he had attained his majority. He was educated in the
common schools of Ohio, and while engaged in mastering the funda-
mental principles of English learning, was qualifying for his pres-
ent vocation by assisting his father with the work of the fields and
care of the stock. When he was twenty-one, he left the parental
roof and started out to make his own way in the w^orld. He spent
the first year he was away from home in Indian Territory, coming
from there to Boone county, Iowa, where he worked out as a farm
hand for four years. At the expiration of that time he began farm-
ing on his own account as a renter in Clear Lake township, this
county. He continued to cultivate leased land during the succeed-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 165
ing ten years, and then bought his present place on which he located
in the spring of 1908. His entire tract is fenced, one hundred acres
of it hog tight, and his fields are tiled. One hundred and thirty-five
acres of his land is under high cultivation and the greater portion
of it planted to corn and oats, his principal crops. He owns a full
blooded Aberdeen Angus bull and makes a specialty of this breed of
cattle and he is also raising Duroc Jersey hogs. In addition to feeding
his own stock he annually buys cattle which he also prepares for the
market.
On the 9th of March, 1898, Mr. Richards was married to Miss
Emma Goodman, a daughter of Jacob and Miranda Goodman of
Ohio. They were reared in their native state but married in Iowa
and subsequently settled on a hundred and fifty-six acres of govern-
ment land in Boone county, which the father cultivated during the
remainder of his active life. He passed away on his homestead on
December 4, 1898, at the age of seventy years, but was survived by
the mother, who died April 5, 1900. Mrs. Richards, who was bom
on the 30th of December, 1873, is the fifth in order of birth in a
family of eight, and the mother of three children: Leroy, Margaret
Wave and Gertrude.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church of which Mrs.
Richards is a member. He accords his political support to the repub-
lican party and is now secretary of the school board. Diligent and
enterprising in his methods, Mr. Richards is meeting with success
in the development of his interests and is numbered among the pros-
perous and efficient agriculturists of his community.
JAMES N. OMSTEAD.
James N. Omstead, vice president of the state bank of Wool-
stock, Iowa, holds a high place in the financial circles of the city
and has achieved success by reason of his upright methods, his
conservative but thoroughly liberal views and his policy of grad-
ual expansion. He is a native of Iowa, having been born in
Webster City, in October, 1858. His father. Nelson G. Omstead
was one of the earliest settlers of Hamilton county, coming to
that section in 1854. A more extended mention of his life appears
on another page in this book. Mr. Omstead's mother was Sarah
166 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
(Evans) Omstead, who settled in Iowa with her husband in the
early times.
James N. Omstead acquired his education in the public schools
of his native city and followed the usual course of studies until
he laid aside his books. In 1876 he engaged in farming in the
northern part of Hamilton county and was active in this occupa-
tion until 1881. He joined his father in that year in the opera-
tion of a grain and live stock shipping business at Woolstock,
afterward running the concern independently. He was success-
ful in the conduct of this enterprise until 1892 and his identifica-
tion with it was continuous with the exception of two years which
he spent upon his farm. j\Ir. Omstead early in his career felt that
agricultural and purely commercial walks of life did not oiTer
him a sufficient scope for his activities. He had a constructive
and original mind and possessed a power of initiative and control
which would have made him successful in any line of commercial
or professional activity. His organizing talents found vent in
the foundation in August, 1892, of the state bank of Woolstock
and he has been a dominating and influential force in its develop-
ment since that time. The first office which he held in the new
institution was that of cashier and he retained that position until
January i, 19 12, when he was elected vice president, his son.
Nelson C. Omstead, succeeding to his former position of cashier.
Mr. Omstead is well known as a conservative, sagacious finan-
cier, who is always eager to further the interests of his patrons
and who keeps his mind always open to every new development
in banking methods. He has brought the institution of which he
is at the head to an influential and prominent place in the business
world of A\^oolstock and the policy of broad minded and intel-
ligent activity upon which he founded it he has followed con-
tinuously since that time.
On March 5, 1884, Air. Omstead was united in marriage to
Miss Mary B. Tatham, the daughter of William and Mary Tat-
ham of Webster City, and they became the parents of four chil-
dren : William H., of whom more extended mention is made on
another page of this work ; Nelson C, of Woolstock, Iowa, who
married Miss Velva Neese and has one son, Lament Elston;
Mary Bell; and Edna E., both of whom are living with their
parents.
Although James Omstead carries on his business activities
in Woolstock, Iowa, he maintains his residence in Webster City
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 167
where he has a comfortable and commodious home at No. 608
Bank street. In banking circles he is looked upon as a sagacious,
honorable and high minded man whose constructive work along
lines of organization and progress has been one of the great indi-
vidual forces in financial upbuilding.
JOSHUA W. YOUNG.
Joshua W. Young is living retired in Webster City but for many
years was an active factor in its business circles, and the record which
he made in commercial connections is one that reflects credit and
honor upon the city as well as upon himself. He has never de-
viated from the course which he believed to be right between himself
and his fellowmen and, basing his principles and actions upon the
relations which govern strict and unswerving integrity and industry,
he gradually advanced until he gained a position of prominence and
prosperity in the business world. He was born November 30, 1843,
in Lamoine, Hancock county, Maine, the son of Stephen and Betsey
(McFarland) Young. The father was throughout his life a ship
carpenter of Maine, and died in 1890, when he was eighty-five years
of age. He had long survived his wife, who passed aAvay in 1874,
when sixty-four years of age.
Joshua W. Young pursued his education in the public schools of
the Pine Tree state during the winter seasons and at the age of fif-
teen years started out in life on his own account by following the sea.
He engaged in fishing along the Maine coast and off Newfoundland,
for several years but in 1873 became a house carpenter and ship-
joiner, which trades he followed until 1880. That year witnessed
his arrival in Webster City, where he entered the lumber yard of F.
D. Young, who though of the same name was not a relative. The
following year he returned to New England and after two months
brought his wife and children to Hamilton county. He then again
entered the employ of Mr. Young, with whom he continued for a
year, when he engaged in the contracting business on his own account.
In 1884, however, the lumberyard of F. D. Young was destroyed by
fire and at that time Joshua W. Young entered into partnership with
his fomier employer for the conduct of the lumber business under
the firm style of F. D. & J. W. Young. This relation was maintained
pleasantly and profitably until 1895, when Joshua W. Young pur-
168 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
chased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone until
1908, when he sold out to his son Calvin and C. H. Clifton, who are
now conducting the business under the fimi name of Young & Clif-
ton. The father then retired from active business connections save
for the management which he gives to his invested interests. He is a
director of the First National Bank of Webster City. His life has in-
deed been well spent, bringing to him success as the reward of earnest
and intelligently directed effort.
Mr. Young has been married twice. At Ellsworth, Maine, on the
i6th of January, 1866, he wedded Miss Margaret A. Millikin, a
daughter of John and Rosilla (Coats) Millikin, of Hancock county,
Maine. Her father was a prominent farmer there and a very in-
fluential citizen. He represented his district in both the house and
state senate of the general assembly and was active in shaping useful
legislation for the commonwealth. He died in 1890, while his wife
survived until 1892. The death of Mrs. Young occurred February 2,
1899, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to her
many friends as well as her immediate family. There were four chil-
dren of that marriage : Calvin, who wedded Grace Clagg and is well
known in business circles as senior partner of the lumber firm of
Young & Clifton of Webster City; Ethel, the wife of Seth W. Crab-
tree, of Newport, Washin^on; Martha, who is the wife of Lewis
Lenhard, of the firm of Cash and Lenhard, of Webster City, and Earl
R., also living in Newport, Washington. In 1903 Mr. Young was
again married, his second union being with Mrs. R. T. Holt, a daugh-
ter of F. D. Hodgkin, of Hancock county, Maine. By her first mar-
riage she had one son, Frank D. Holt, now a student in the Iowa
State College at Ames.
Mr. Young has ever been recognized as a man worthy of high
trust and this fact is further indicated in that Kendall Young, not a
relative, named him executor in his will. As stated, he had full
charge of all of the affairs of the Kendall Young estate and super-
vision of his bequest to the Webster City Library and its endowment,
and is still a member of the board of library trustees. He belongs to
the Christian Science church and to several other organizations, in-
cluding Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M., of which he is a past
master; Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., of which he is a past high
priest; Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of which he is a past
eminent commander; Sharon Chapter, No. 148, O. E. S., of which he
became a charter member and its first worthy patron ; and Iowa Con-
sistory, No. 3, A. A. S. R., of Des Moines, in which he attained the
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 169
thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, and Za-Ga-Zig Temple of the
Mystic Shrine, also at Des Moines. His political allegiance has ever
been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the
right of franchise and his opinions are the result of careful study and
investigation into the vital questions and issues of the day. For six
years he was a member of the Webster City school board and for two
terms he was the chief executive officer of the city. His record as
mayor is highly commendable, indicating his loyalty to and deep in-
terest in everything pertaining to municipal advancement.
In his business career Mr. Young always employed constructive
methods, building his interests upon a safe, substantial basis of
energy, close application and careful management.- He was never
known to take advantage of the interests of another and his upright
dealing, reasonable prices and earnest efforts to please his patrons
brought to him a continuous and growing patronage. From this he
derived a substantial income year by year until he was in a financial
position to retire and is now enjoying a well earned rest with leisure
for those activities which are of greatest interest to him.
FRANK REINHARDT.
Frank Reinhardt, who resides on a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres on section 4, Independence township, is one of the repre-
sentative agriculturists of Hamilton county. He was born in Illi-
nois on the loth of November, 1872, and is a son of Fred and The-
resa Reinhardt. The parents were born, reared and married in Ger-
many, whence they emigrated to the United States in 1866, locating
in Illinois. In 1874, they came to Hamilton county and the father
purchased a quarter section of partially improved land in Cass town-
ship. There he and the mother passed the remainder of their lives,
her death occurring in 1894 and his in 1900, and both are buried in
Graceland cemetery at Webster City. Our subject is the third in or-
der of birth in a family of eight children, the eldest of whom were
born in Illinois.
Frank Reinhardt, who was only a lad of two years when his par-
ents came to Hamilton county, received his education in the district
schools of Cass township. While still in his early boyhood he began
to assist his father with the work of the farm and was taught the value
of thrift and diligence in the acquirement of a successful career. He
170 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
remained at home until he had attained his majority, and then started
out to make his own way in the world. For five years thereafter he
worked out as a farm hand and during that time he accumulated suffi-
cient money to enable him to begin farming on his own account as a
renter. Twelve years ago he removed to the place where he is now
living and after the death of his father he bought the interest of the
other heirs in the old homestead, comprised of two hundred acres lo-
cated on sections 35 and 13 of Cass and Boone townships. All of
the improvements on the latter place were made by our subject and his
father and under their capable management it has been converted into
one of the valuable properties of the township. Mr. Reinhardt is cul-
tivating both places, consisting of three hundred and sixty acres, in
connection with which he is also breeding and raising a high grade
of stock. His cattle are all shorthorns and Herefords and he is rais-
ing Chester White hogs and Clyde horses.
In 1896, Mr. Reinhardt was married to Miss Minnie Jones, a
daughter of Christ and Caroline Jones. Mrs. Reinhardt was bom in
Germany on the 27th of February, 1876, and is the eldest of five chil-
dren born of her mother's second marriage. The parents emigrated
to the United States in 1885 and located in Webster City, where the
father is still residing, but the mother passed away in 1895. Four
children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Reinhardt, as follows : The-
resa, Arthur, Clarine and George.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church. Mr.
Reinhardt votes the democratic ticket and has served as school direc-
tor for three years and treasurer of the school board for one. He is
a diligent man, of persistent effort and detennination of purpose and
to these qualities must be attributed the success which has come to him.
FRANK A. HUDDLESTUN.
Frank A. Huddlestun is proprietor of the Edgewood farm at the
south end of Superior street, Webster City, Iowa, and is specializing
in the breeding of pure-bred Shire horses. He was born in DeWitt
county, Illinois, and is a son of Charles H. and Catherine (Campbell)
Huddlestun, both natives of Illinois. The father farmed in that state
for many years and was numbered among its scientific and progress-
ive agriculturists.
■»,<s
F. A. HLDDLESTU^
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 173
Frank A. Huddlestun received his education in the public schools
of his native state and laid aside his books at the age of seventeen
years. He then started to farm for himself and was successful in
this field of activity in Illinois until 1892, when he came to Hamilton
county, Iowa, where he purchased four hundred and seventy-six acres
of land in Hamilton township, upon which he resided until 1906. He
subsequently disposed of his holdings and moved to Webster City,
where he bought two hundred and twenty-two acres in the south part
of the city and proceeded to improve and develop his holdings along
progressively scientific lines. His property is known as the Edge-
wood farm and is the meeting place for horse lovers from all over
the state of Iowa. Mr. Huddlestun devotes his entire attention to the
breeding of pure-bred Shire horses and has at the head of the stud,
"Goadby Duke," a pure-bred, imported by the Pioneer Stud Farm of
Bushnell, Illinois, and from them purchased by Mr. Huddlestun. He
is thoroughly acquainted with the details connected with the breeding
and care of horses and has attained a gratifying degree of success in
this field of activity. His farm is a model property in Webster City
and Mr. Huddlestun is entirely responsible for his present degree of
prosperity. He started in life at an early age with no assets beyond
a clear and alert mind and an enterprising character. He is now one
of the substantial agriculturists of Hamilton county and Edgewood
farm is one of the most beautiful properties in this section of the
country. It is located in the south end of Webster City on Superior
street. Its many acres are under cultivation in the most suitable
grains and vegetables and Mr. Huddlestun's home is located in their
center, surrounded by beautiful lawns and shade trees. It is one of
the most modem dwellings in Hamilton county and perhaps in the
state of Iowa. It is built of native stone and is twenty-four feet long
by thirty-four feet wide with two stories and a basement. It is
equipped with running water on each floor and is lighted by electricity.
It has a modern and sanitary equipment, and its plumbing and bath-
ing facilities are models of their kind. Mr. Huddlestun has also re-
built his barn. It is forty-six feet wide by eighty feet long, and gives
ample room to his large stock of pure-bred horses. Mr. Huddlestun's
silo, dairy house, corn crib, and other necessary buildings upon his
property have all been erected during the period of his occupancy and
are all modem and improved structures.
In 1888 Mr. Huddlestun was united in marriage to Miss Cora
Campbell, a daughter of Elijah and Sarah Campbell, the former a
prominent farmer in Illinois. Mr. Huddlestun gives his allegiance to
174 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
the Methodist Episcopal church and has always been active in the re-
ligious circles of Webster City. He was chainnan of the church build-
ing committee and is largely responsible for the imposing structure
which this organization erected. As a member of the Shire Horse
Breeders' Association of America he meets men who are interested
and engaged in that line of occupation. He is noted among the most
extensive and representative agriculturists in the county. He has
added two hundred and twenty-two acres in a highly improved and
developed condition to the resources of the state of Iowa and Hamil-
ton county is the richer and the more progressive by reason of his well
directed activities..
CALVIN YOUNG.
Business success is not in itself a thing of unusual merit or value
but as an end which can only be achieved through industry; concen-
tration and skillful use of opportunity, it entitles a man to the respect
and esteem of his fellow citizens. The career of Calvin Young, senior
partner in the firm of Young & Clifton, lumber dealers, of Webster
City, is an exemplification of success gained by alertness and activity
of mind and business ability of a high order. Mr. Young is a native
of Maine, having been born in Lamoine, July 22, 1867. His parents
were Joshua W. and Margaret (Milliken) Young, of whom more ex-
tended mention is made on another page of this work. Mr. Young
came to W^ebster City with his parents in 1881 and finished the educa-
tion begun in Maine in the public schools of Hamilton county. He
began his active career in 1893 when he established the grocery busi-
ness of Calvin Young & Company. He met with success from the
beginning. He founded his prosperity upon industry, integrity and
a discriminating business sense which combined with his accurate
grasp of the details of an intricate situation brought him rapid ad-
vancement in the commercial world. Mr. Young was identified with
the grocery business for three years and at the end of this period of
time he accepted a position in his father's lumber yard and learned
the details of this business from the beginning. His advancement was
rapid, well deserved and based on merit. In 1906 his father offered
him a partnership in the business and the firm operated under the
name of J. W. Young & Son. The concern gradually developed along
progressive lines until it became one of the largest and most repre-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 175
sentative industrial enterprises in Webster City. Much of its growth
at this period was due to the energetic activity and resourcefulness of
Calvin Young, who, Ijesides being thoroughly versed in the details of
the occupation with which he is connected, brought to the conduct of
the enterprise modern and scientific ideas of commercial operation. In
1908 his father retired and Calvin Young formed a partnership with
C. H. and V. L. Clifton, running the lumber business under the finn
name of Young & Clifton. It is under this title that the enterprise is
now managed and as such it is known throughout Hamilton county.
The dominating factor in its success is the enterprising spirit of Cal-
vin Young, \\ho brings to his business operations a highly intelligent
and progressi\e mind and a keen discrimination coupled with the strict
honesty which influences every relation of his life.
On June 21, 1893, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss
Grace Clagg, a daughter of J. P. Clagg, who was a well know^n hard-
ware merchant of Webster City before his death in 1905. Mr. and
Mrs. Yoimg have three children: James, bom in 1901 ; Thelma, born
in 1907; and Julia, whose birth occurred in 1909. The family is very
prominent in social circles and the residence at No. 822 Second street
is a charming center of hospitality in Webster City. Mrs. Young is
prominent in club affairs and her pleasing and generous personality
make her widely popular among her many friends. She belongs to
the Six O'clock Club of Webster City and is active and interested in
the affairs of the leading organizations of that city.
Mr. Young is a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M.,
and was secretary of this organization for two years. He belongs to
Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., and Sharon Chapter, No. 148, O.
E.- S. In fraternal relations Mr. Young is popular and prominent for
he possesses an engaging personality and a genuinely honest character.
JAMES WALTER SAYRE.
James Walter Sayre, station agent for the Illinois Central Rail-
road at Blairsburg, was born in the township of which he is now a
resident, on the 8th of April, 1878. He is the eldest child of James
Edward and Lucy Jane (Jaycox) Sayre, the former a native of Wis-
consin, his birth having there occurred on Independence day, 1852,
while the mother was born in the state of New York on the 23d of
May, 1857. The parents came to Hamilton county in 1875, making
176 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
their home in Blairsburg until the year following the birth of their
son, when they removed, to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, where
the father engaged in farming for six years. At the expiration of
that period he and his family located in the vicinity of Valentine,
Cherry county, Nebraska. There he continued his agricultural pur-
suits for eleven years, and then returned to Blairsburg, where he and
the mother still reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Sayre were born seven
children, those beside our subject being as follows: Mrs. Jennie C.
Hawks, who was born on the 17th of June, 1880, a resident of Fort
Dodge, Iowa; Edward Howard, a foreman in the gypsum factory at
Fort Dodge, whose natal day was the 3d of March, 1882; Mrs. Lucy
Virginia Stouffer, who was born November 25, 1885, of Des Moines,
Iowa ; Herbert Jaycox, whose birth occurred on the 20th of November,
1894; Coe, whose natal day was March 10, 1896; and William Isaac,
who was born in January, 1898. The three last named are living at
home.
James Walter Sayre was reared at home and educated in the com-
mon schools. Fie early became self-supporting, his first em.ployment
being that of a section hand on the Illinois Central Railroad at Blairs-
burg. At the expiration of three weeks he withdrew from this work
and became station helper, devoting his energies to this employment
as well as that of towerman and fireman during the succeeding three
years. During that period he was devoting his leisure time to a mas-
tery of the telegraph code, and when qualified was appointed operator.
He proved efficient and capable in this capacity but his general knowl-
edge of station and railroad work well fitted him for a more responsi-
ble position and six months later he received his first appointment as
agent. During the intervening years he has been located at Alden,
Ackley, Parkersburg, Sinclair, Mona Junction, Webster City, High-
view, Gypsum, Fort Dodge, Knierim, Sherwood, Wall Lake, Ells,
Deloit and Grable. On the 29th of April, 19 10, he was given his
present appointment at Blairsburg, where he has since been located.
As he is genial, considerate and obliging, Mr. Sayre is not only popu-
lar with his fellow employes but is well liked in the community, where
he is familiarly addressed by both young and old as "Walter." He is
a man of thrifty habits and owns his residence and an additional lot
in Blairsburg and a house and four acres of land at Highview, this
county.
On the 29th of November, 1900, Mr. Sayre was married to Miss
Lennie Grace Forrest, who was born in Illinois on the 25th of May,
1880. She came to Webster City with her parents, Cyrus E. and
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 177
Ella (Watson) Forrest in 1896, and there she was reared to woman-
hood, completing her education in the public schools of that city. She
is the second child in order of birth in a family of five, as follows :
Bert, who is deceased; John, who resides in California; Benjamin,
who makes his home in Mora, Minnesota; and a sister, who is de-
ceased. The mother has also passed away, and the father has since
married again and to him and his second wife have been bom the fol-
lowing children : Lola, Esther, Clyde and Alvin. Mr. Forrest now
makes his home in Anoka, Minnesota.
Mr. and Mrs. Sayre have three children: James Elmer, whose
birth occurred at Gypsum April 2^, 1903; Melvin Edward, who was
born at Highview, this county, on the 20th of February, 1905 ; and
Lucy Opal, who is a native of Blairsburg, her birth having here oc-
curred on February 22, 191 1. The boys are both students in the pub-
lic school.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the
parents hold membership. Mr. Sayre is a charter member of the
local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, and he also belongs
to the Order of Railway Telegraphers. His indorsement in political
matters is accorded the republican party, and while residing at High-
view he was appointed postmaster, holding this office for four years.
Mr. Sayre is an honest, practical man, a trustworthy employe and a
worthy citizen, who adequately meets his responsibilities and fulfills
his duties from day to day to the best of his ability, his principles and
mode of life exercising an influence which helps to sustain and ele-
vate the standards of the community.
DENNIS MURPHY.
In the history of the agricultural development of Hamilton county,
mention should be made of Dennis Murphy, who has resided here for
twenty-eight years and is numbered among the county's representa-
tive citizens and most capable business men. He was bom in County
Monaghan, Ireland, in May, 1847, and is a son of John and Anna
(Jennings) Murphy, who were also natives of County Monaghan.
The family emigrated to the United States in 1849, ^"^ in June of
that year located on a farm in Lee county, Illinois. The father was a
stone mason, and in connection with the cultivation of his fields, also
followed his trade, and through his perseverance and unremitting dili-
178 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
gence ultimately became one of the substantial agriculturists of the
county. He came to America practically empty-handed but he pos-
sessed the energy and detemiination of spirit that form the most es-
sential factor in the acquirement of success, and through his own en-
deavors attained a position that commanded the respect of his com-
munity. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Murphy : Michael,
who is engaged in the cement business at Dixon, Illinois; Dennis, the
subject of this review; John, deceased; and Bridget, who died in in-
fancy. The two eldest were born in Ireland, and those last named in
Lee county, Illinois. Both parents spent their later years in Lee
county, where the father passed away in 1897.
Dennis Murphy was only a child of two years when he accom-
panied his parents on their removal to this country. He received a
common-school education, and while still in his early boyhood began
assisting his father with the fann work. He remained in Illinois un-
til 1884, when he came to Hamilton county, which has ever since
been his place of residence. Mr. Murphy possesses a wonderful ca-
pacity for work, which, together with his foresight and business sa-
gacity, has been the secret of his unusual success. His homestead,
containing six hundred acres, is located in Williams township, and is
one of the best improved and most highly cultivated fanns in the
county. In addition to it he owns three hundred and sixty acres of
land in Rose Grove township, having upon it two sets of improve-
ments, and another tract of one hundred and seventy-six acres, ninety-
three of which are in Hardin county and the remainder in Williams
township, this county, fully improved. Mr. Murphy's home place is
thoroughly modem and is equipped with everything deemed essential
to the agriculturist and stockman of the present day. In connection
with the cultivation of his fields he makes a specialty of raising stock,
and has a fine herd of graded Aberdeen Angus cattle and some regis-
tered Percheron horses. He owns two stallions, Ipocuit, No. 79449,
and Black Diamond II, No. 72941, and he formerly owned two full-
blooded Percheron mares, Mona and Nina. He now has in his pos-
session Flossy, No. 33125, and a young colt that is eligible to regis-
tration.
In November, 1869, Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Catharine
Fitzpatrick, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, in August, 185 1,
and is a daughter of Richard and Annie (O'Hare) Fitzpatrick. The
parents were both natives of Ireland l)ut in early life they emigrated
to the United States and for many years resided in Lee county, where
the father passed away. The mother was residing in Dixon, Illinois.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY i79
at the time of her death. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick
numbered twelve: Margaret, the deceased wife of James Duffy;
Mrs. Murphy; Julia, who married Thomas McVey, and resides in
Bureau county, Illinois; Ella, the wife of Edward Reilly, of Dixon,
Illinois; John, who died at the age of sixteen years; Carrie, who re-
sides in Omaha, Nebraska ; Sadie, who is a resident of Chicago, Illi-
nois ; Thomas, who resides in Indiana ; and four who have passed
away.
Mr. and ]Mrs. ]Murphy are also the parents of twelve children :
John, who is living in Williams township; Mary, the wife of Edward
McCoy, of Rose Grove township; Dennis, of Williams township;
Thomas, who lives in Hardin county; Edward and Philip, both of
whom are deceased; Michael, who died at the age of eleven years;
James, who is a resident of Rose Grove township; and Charlie, Frank,
Leo and George, who are living at home.
The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Murphy is a stanch democrat in his political views and has for
many years been a member of the school board, while he served as
township trustee for nine years. He is public-spirited in matters of
citizenship and takes an active and helpful interest in everything that
will tend to promote the welfare of the community generally, and
can be depended upon to give his support and cooperation to every
progressive movement. His career should prove an incentive to am-
bitious young men. as it clearly manifests what it is possible to
achieve through the intelligent concentration of energy when directed
toward a definite purpose. Mr. Murphy is a man of high principles
and incorruptible integrity, and in the attainment of his ends has not
found it necessary to sacrifice or betray his friends, his transactions
being conducted in the most honorable and upright manner.
WILLIAM HUGH OMSTEAD.
Dilisfence and determination are features in the life record
of William Hugh Omstead, who has attained a creditable posi-
tion in business circles of Webster City as the treasurer of the
Tuscolo Supply & Contracting Company. His advancement in
thfi business world has been gradual, resulting from his develop-
ing powers and his recognition and improvement of opportu-
nities. He was born in Woolstock, Iowa, June 27, 1885, and is a
180 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
son of J, N. and Mary Belle (Tatham) Omstead, both of whom
were representatives of pioneer families of this section of the
state. The son in the acquirement of his education attended suc-
cessively the schools of Woolstock, Webster City, the Ellsworth
College at Iowa Falls and the Iowa Business College at Des
Moines, being graduated from the last named with the class of
1905. His thorough training qualified him for a responsible posi-
tion and he secured employment as a clerk in the State Bank of
Woolstock, where he remained for two years. He afterward
occupied a clerical position in the Iowa National Bank at Des
Moines for a year and in 1908 he came again to A\ ebster City,
where he spent two and a half years in the employ of W. J- Zit-
terell. At the end of that time he became associated with the
Tuscolo Supply & Contracting Company as treasurer and is still
in that connection. The business of the finn is constantly grow-
ing and they have a liberal patronage which makes theirs one of
the important business concerns of the city.
On the loth of August, 1908, Mr. Omstead was joined in
wedlock to Miss Clara Louise Hunter, the wedding ceremony
being performed at Hartley, Iowa. She is a daughter of John
and Louise Hunter of Cranbrook, Ontario, the former a building
contractor of that place. Mr. Omstead belongs to Webster City
Camp, No. 416, M. W. A.; to Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F. ;
and to Superior Lodge of Rebekahs, No. 378. He is ever loyal
to the teachings of these different organizations and he holds
membership with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Omstead
is yet a young man, but the principles which he follows and the
ability and energy which he has displayed argue well for a suc-
cessful future in which he will become even more firmly estab-
lished as a valued, representative and prosperous business man
of Hamilton county.
STONE CHARLSON.
For more than forty years Stone Charlson has been identified with
the agricultural interests of Scott township, where he owns three
hundred and sixty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land.
He is one of the pioneers who came to Hamilton county practically
empty-handed and through the intelligent concentration of his effort
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 183
and unceasing energy has become numbered among the substantial
agriculturists and efficient business men of his community. He was
born in Norway in 1836 and is a son of Charles and Bertha Charl-
son, who were natives of the same country and there passed the
greater period of their lives. They subsequently emigrated to the
United States, and their latter years were spent in Scott township,
where they both passed away. They also had one daughter, Mrs.
Catharine Knutson, who is residing in Scott township.
The first eighteen years in the life of Stone Charlson were passed
in his native land, where he received his education. In 1854, he
emigrated to the United States, taking up his abode in Grundy
county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Sixteen
years later, in 1870, he came to Hamilton county, Iowa, which at that
time was but sparsely settled, and purchased eighty acres of land in
Scott township. He applied himself diligently to the cultivation of
his soil, and as soon as his circumstances warranted, increased his
holdings by the purchase of an adjoining tract. As the years passed
he continued to extend the boundaries of his farm until he now holds
title to three hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is well
improved and in a high state of cultivation. One of the most at-
tractive features of his fann is a beautiful grove of pine trees, which
he planted during the early period of his residence and carefully
tended and today it is one of the finest groves in Hamilton county.
In 1870, Mr. Charlson was united in marriage to Miss Julia An-
fenson, a native of Norway, the event being celebrated in Scott
township, which he visited on several occasions before pemianently
locating here. Mrs. Charlson came to the United States in early life
with her parents, George and Betsey Anfenson, who passed their
latter years in Scott township. The family also numbered two sons
and one daughter: Anfen, who is a resident of Scott township; Oren,
a veteran of the Union army, now residing at the Soldiers' Home
at Marshalltovvn ; and Alice, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Charlson
have been born thirteen children, in the following order : George and
Lewis, residents of Scott township ; Bert, who lives in Roland, Iowa ;
Gustave, of Scott township; Eric, who is living on the home farm;
Charlie and Austin, also at home ; Mrs. Turene Kalvig, a resident of
Scott township; Mrs. Bertha Williams, of Ellsworth township; Selma,
who is at home; Henry Thomas, deceased; Charles, deceased; and
Henry Thomas (2), also deceased.
The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church of
Scott township, and in politics Mr. Charlson is a stanch republican.
Vol. n— 10
184 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Practically the entire period of the domestic life of Mr. and Mrs.
Charlson has been passed in the immediate vicinity of their present
home, where they located during the first year of their marriage.
Their early experiences were very similar to those of the other pio-
neers of Hamilton county. They endured innumerable hardships and
privations, but they possess the tenacity of purpose and determination
which never recognizes defeat and ultimately achieved success. Their
latter years are being spent on the farm, which stands as a monu-
ment to their long years of thrift and industry, in a residence pro-
vided with every modern convenience and bearing little resemblance
to the crudely constructed house they first erected here.
FOSTER FURNITURE COMPANY.
The Foster Furniture Company conducts one of the oldest furni-
ture and undertaking enterprises in Webster City, Iowa. The firm
is composed of Arch, and William A. Foster, who are entirely re-
sponsible for the present flourishing condition of the concern and who
have directed its growth along progressive lines of expansion until
their partnership has become a significant force in the business develop-
ment of the city. The senior member of the firm is Arch. Foster, whose
birth occurred in Fayette county, Iowa, February 15, 1882. His par-
ents were John Allen and Jessie (McNaught) Foster, both natives of
Scotland. The father left his native country for the United States in
1852 and settled in Pennsylvania with his parents when he was twelve
years of age. In this state he was reared and educated, and subse-
quently married in 1865. In the following year he and his wife re-
moved to Iowa, settling in Fayette county, and in this section they
are now residing. The father is in the seventy-first 3^ear of his age
and the mother has already passed her sixty-sixth birthday, being
still active and energetic in the performance of her many duties. John
Allen Foster has been a prominent agriculturist all during his life
with the exception of his four years' service in the Federal army
during the Civil war. From 1861 to 1865 he was a member of the
Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and was present at many of
the principal engagements of the rebellion. He was wounded in serv-
ice but did not allow it to permanently interrupt his military career,
and was mustered out with his honorable discharge at the close of
the war. To Mr. Foster and his wife were born ten children: Allen,
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 185
now residing in Fayette county, Iowa; John, whose home is in Clay-
ton county, this state; Bessie, who became the wife of O. E. Finuf
and who died March 9, 1902; Thomas, residing in Clayton county;
Lizzie, who died in infancy; Belle, who married O. E. Finuf of Bu-
chanan county, Iowa ; Robert, who passed away at the age of twelve
years; Arch, and William A., whose business enterprise fonns the
subject of the present review ; and Jesse W., now a practicing physi-
cian at Lake Preston, South Dakota.
Arch. Foster was educated in the public schools of Arlington,
Fayette county, Iowa, and as a boy was active in the work of his .
father's farm. He remained at home until 1900 and then spent a
year in the lumber business in Elkader, Clinton county, Iowa. In
1 901 he went to Independence, Iowa, and worked as a clerk in a furni-
ture store in that city for six years. In 1908 he came to Webster
City with the intention of establishing himself in business here. He
bought out the furniture concern of J. W. Allington and in partner-
ship with T. S. Curtis started in active life for himself, establishing
the business under the firm name of Foster & Curtis. In 1909 his
brother, William A. Foster, bought out the stock belonging to Mr.
Curtis and the fimi was reorganized. It has since operated under the
present title of the Foster Furniture Company. The fimi carries a
complete line of modern house furnishings and conducts also an under-
taking department, in which the services of Arch. Foster have been
very valuable.
On August 29, 1907, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss
Evelyn Frances Rodney, a daughter of Mathew Rodney, who was for
many years a prominent agriculturist in Buchanan county, Iowa, but
who had retired from active life some years previous to his death,
November 12, 1902. The mother is still living in Webster City. Mr.
Foster and his family reside in a pleasant home at No. 817 First
street. In his political affiliations he is a consistent republican and
has been county coroner of Hamilton county since January i, 191 1.
His fraternal affiliations include his connection with Acacia Lodge,
No. 176, F. & A. M., and with Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B. P.
O. E. He is also prominent in Webster City Camp, No. 416, M. W.
A. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and his
exemplary life has gained him many friends in Webster City.
The business enterprise with which he is connected is located at
Nos. 633-635 Second street, and is one of the oldest and most pros-
perous mercantile concerns in the city. He is actively aided in its
operation by his brother and partner, William A. Foster, whose birth
186 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
occurred in Fayette county, February 15, 1884. William Foster's
childhood was spent in the same surroundings as that of his brother.
He was educated in the schools of Arlington and worked upon his
father's farm until 1904. In that year he entered commercial life as
an employe of a local grocery house and for five years kept up his con-
nection with this occupation. When he came to Webster City he
bought out the interest of T. S. Curtis in his brother's enterprise and
became a member of the firm known as the Foster Furniture Company.
On August 18, 1909, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss
Fern Deming, a daughter of George Deming, a retired farmer of
Fayette county, now a resident of Arlington. Mr. and Mrs. Foster
reside at No. 633 ^^ Second street and are well known in social cir-
cles of Webster City. Mr. Foster has always been a distinct aid in
the conduct of the prosperous enterprise with which he is connected.
The Foster Furniture Company owes its success to the harmonious
relationship existing between the partners in the concern, who are in
agreement on all vital questions of business ethics and morality.
They have no complex standard of commercial honor, believing in the
efficacy of simple honesty and good- will.
CHARLES ARTHUR SANDERS.
Charles Arthur Sanders, purchasing agent in Williams for the
S. P. Wadley Company, dealers in dairy goods, was born in West Jer-
sey, Stark county, Illinois, on the 14th of June, 1874, and is a son of
Frederick Edwin and Rebecca Ellen (Dancer) Sanders. The father
is also a native of West Jersey, and was born in the same house as our
subject, his birth occurring on February 16, 1850, while the mother
was born in Elmwood, Illinois, on the loth of May, 1853. They
passed the early years of their domestic life in Stark county, coming
from there to Hardin coimty, Iowa, and locating on a farm in the
vicinity of the present site of Owasa in the spring of 188 1. There
the father engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, but he has
now withdrawn from the work of the fields and is a solicitor for the
"Iowa Homestead," he and the mother residing in Iowa Falls. They
are the parents of the following children : Frank Edwin, who was
born on the i8th of March, 1872, and is engaged in fanning near
OA\'asa; Charles Arthur, our subject; Cora, who was born Novem-
ber 14, 1876, the wife of Edwin Fromm, of Iowa Falls; Sylvester
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 187
Marvin, who was born on the 14th of May, 1878, and is a rural mail
carrier at Iowa Falls ; Bertram Vincent, who was born October 29,
1879, and died in 1881 ; Frederick Edwin, Jr., who was born on the
2d of August, 1 88 1, farming in Black Hawk county, this state; Grant
Leslie, who was born on April 14, 1885, a member of the senior class
in Ellsworth College, where he has been a student for seven years
and who also attended the Northwestern University at Evanston,
Illinois, for a year, and upon his graduation w'ill engage in school
work; Jacob Glenn, who was born on the 29th of November, 1887,
printer on the Iowa Falls Sentinel ; Ernest, who was born on March
17, 1889, a graduate of the commercial department of the Ellsworth
College, of which institution he was a student for three years, now
private secretary to the manager of the Columbia River Lumber Com-
pany, of Golden, British Columbia; Luverne, who was born on the
19th of April, 1 89 1, and graduated from the Iowa Falls high school
wath the class of 191 1, and is now engaged in teaching in the vicinity
of Burdette, this state; Ina May, who was born on the 17th of March,
1893, a member of the Iowa Falls high-school class of 191 1, also
teaching near Burdette; and Vera B., who w-as born on Christmas
day, 1894, and will graduate from the Iowa Falls high school in 191 3.
The first five named were born in Illinois and the remainder in Iowa.
The paternal grandfather, Sylvester Sanders, was one of the pio-
neers of Stark county, Illinois.
The education of Charles Arthur Sanders w'as begun in his native
state and completed in the schools of Hardin county. Reared on a
farm in common with the majority of country lads he early became
familiar with the work and duties of the agriculturist. He remained
at home and assisted his father with the work of the fields and care
of the crops until he had attained his majority, when he engaged in
farming for himself. At the expiration of two years he withdrew
from this occupation, and purchased a grocery store at Owassa.
About the same time he was appointed postmaster, but a year later
his wife was appointed to take his place and he took a rural delivery
route. He held this position for seven years and six weeks, and then
resigned, and disposing of his store became associated with Walter
Schofield in the purchase of a grocery business at Iowa Falls. Nine
months later he likewise withdrew from this enterprise and became
the local representative of S. P. Wadley Company, and has e\'er since
been in their employ. He purchases butter, eggs, poultry and cream
for this company, and some conception of the amount of business
they do in Williams can be formed from their April, 1912, record,
188 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
which shows that they paid the farmers of this vicinity in that one
month eleven hundred dollars for cream and eggs alone.
At Owasa on the 12th of January, 1899, Mr. Sanders was married
to Miss Bertha Luella Manley, who was born in Milledgeville, Carroll
county, Illinois, January 9, 1879. She is a daughter of George Hor-
ace and Eliza Jane (Finfrock) Manley,' the former a native of Penn-
sylvania, having been born in the vicinity of Harrisburg, that state,
on November 24, 1830, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio on
January 26, 1840. They came to Hardin county in 1881, and settled
on a farm near Owassa, in which place the father established a black-
smith shop which he operated in connection with the cultivation of his
fields. Both parents passed the remainder of their lives in Owassa,
the mother's death occurring on the 29th of September, 1902, and
that of the father on the i ith of October, 1906. The maternal grand-
father served through the entire period of the Civil war and is buried
in Berlin cemetery near Owassa. Eight children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Manley: Clara, who was born on January i, 1859, the wife
of Dr. O. H. Barthel, of Pocahontas, Iowa; Jennie, who was born on
December 25, i860, and died in January, 1861 ; Willis, who was born
on the i6th of September, 1862, a resident of Waterloo, Iowa; Ada
N., who was born on the 4th of December, 1864, the wife of Prentiss
Ransom, of Owassa; George H., who was born September 30, 1869,
residing in Ellis township, Hardin county; Martin Henry, who was
born on the 30th of January, 1874, of Santa Rosa, California; Mrs.
Sanders; and Maude Mae, who was born on April 7, 1883, a resident
of San Francisco, California. All are natives of Illinois with the ex-
ception of the last named, who was born in Iowa. They received
good educational advantages, Mrs. Barthel, Mrs. Ransom and the son
Willis having graduated from the high school at Milledgeville, and
Mrs. Barthel was also a student of the college at Mansfield, Ohio.
Miss Maude M. Manley upon completing the public-school course
spent two years at Ellsworth College, after which she taught for two
years and was connected with the Iowa State Industrial School at
Eldora, Iowa, for a year. She subsequently graduated from the busi-
ness college at Santa Rosa, California, and is now employed in San
Francisco, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have one son, George
Arthur, who was born in Jackson township, Hardin county, Iowa, on
the 9th of September, 1899, and is now a student in the \A^illiams
public school.
Fraternally Mr. Sanders is affiliated with Alamo Lodge. No. 547,
A. F. & A. M. ; and Jungle Camp, No. 1844, M. W. A. He formerly
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 189
belonged to the Odd Fellows lodge at Iowa Falls, and while engaged in
the mail service he was secretary of the Rural Letter Carriers
Association of Hardin county. He has qualified as mail carrier in the
city service, but never sought an appointment. The political allegiance
of Mr. Sanders is accorded to the republican party, but he has never
held any official position save that of postmaster. The course of his
business career has been interrupted by various obstacles and misfor-
tunes, which would have completely discouraged a man of less deter-
mination of purpose, but he is always optimistic and cheerful. He
formerly owned a good residence property at Owasa, but the house
was destroyed by fire on December 23, 1908, and he has never re-
built. Mr. Sanders has many friends in Williams, where he has
proven himself to be a man of integrity and good business principles.
ROLLAND W. POTE, D. D. S.
Dr. Rolland W. Pote has for the past five years been successfully
engaged in the practice of dentistry at Webster City, with offices at
No. 6183/2 Second street. His birth occurred at Stuart, Iowa, in
the year 1885, his parents being Daniel W. and Emma (Perkins)
Pote. The father, who w^as an early settler of Adair county, Iowa,
now' resides in the town of Stuart, this state. The mother passed
away in 1909.
Rolland W. Pote obtained his early education in the public schools
of Adair county and subsequently attended the high school at Stuart,
from which he was graduated in 1905. Having determined upon
the professison of dentistry as a life work, he entered the Iowa State
University at Iowa City, which institution conferred upon him the
degree of D. D. S. in 1908. Immediately thereafter he opened an
office in Webster City and has here remained to the present time, en-
joying an extensive and lucrative clientage because of the excellence
of his work.
In February, 19 10, Dr. Pote w^as united in marriage to Miss
Edna Smith, her father being Lon Smith, a druggist of Stuart, Iowa.
They now have a little daughter, Jean, born July 27, 191 2. Mrs.
Pote is an accomplished musician, being a graduate in music of
Drake University and also of the Northwestern University at Evans-
ton, Illinois.
190 HISTORY OF HAAIILTON COUNTY
Dr. Pole is a member of the Psi Omega fraternity of the Iowa
State University and also belongs to the following organizations :
Acacia Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M., of which he is at present
junior warden; Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., in which he serves
as scribe; Lodge No. 302 of the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks; and Webster City Camp, No. 416, M. W. A. He has served
as president of the Webster City Country Club since its organization
in 1910 and is likewise a valued member of the Congregational
church. Courteous, genial and approachable in manner, he easily
wins friends, and gains high regard through his personal worth as
well as his professional ability.
FRED HAHNE.
The printing business requires for its successful operation a de-
gree of general knowledge which amounts to labor, culture and a
technical proficiency in the details of the trade in addition to the
executive ability and commercial instinct required for success in any
business walk of life. Fred Hahne, proprietor of the printing estab-
lishment at No. 547/^ Second street, Webster City, Iowa, owes his
prosperity to his long period of personal identification with the
printing trade and to the progressive and systematic principles, which
have ahvays marked his activity. He is a native son of Webster
City, where his birth occurred on March 17, 1877. His parents were
William and Sarah (DeFrance) Hahne, the former of whom a
native of Hanover Germany, whence he came to the L'nited States
in 1870, and the latter a native of Tama county, Iowa. They settled
in that year in Hamilton county, where they have since resided.
Fred Hahne was educated in the public schools of his native city,
and laid aside his books at the age of fifteen years. Since that time
he has been identified with the printing trade, becoming acquainted
with its different branches. He began his career in the office of the
Webster City Graphic in 1892 and was employed by this concern for
two and one-half years. He rose in that period of time by his evi-
dence of ambition and desire to better his condition from a humble
capacity to the position of foreman of the shop, which he
w^as holding when he severed his connection with the Webster City
Graphic in 1894. In that year he entered the employ of the Webster
City Freeman aud was active and successful in this connection for
FRED HAHXE
r'
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 193
one year. He resigned this position to accept the foremanship for the
Webster City Journal and after two and one-half years of successful
identification with this paper removed to Spencer, Iowa, in the fall of
1898, where he spent a year and a half as foreman of the Spencer
Reporter. He was successful here as he had been before in Webster
City and gained eighteen months' experience as a valuable asset, when
he returned to Webster city in 1899. From that year until 1903 he
was active as foreman of the Webster City Journal. In that year he
definitely brought to a close his connection with newspaper work in
the composing room. His long career had given him a knowledge
of the technical details of his business and a self-confidence which has
never deserted him since that time. It added to the breadth of his
culture and to his general knowledge and was a valuable asset to him
in independent business life. In 1903 he established his present enter-
prise under the name of the Fred Hahne Printing Company. He
does a general line of printing, but makes a specialty of pedigreed
live-stock sale catalogs and in this department of his enterprise has
exclusive rights in Webster City. It is the largest exclusive live-stock
catalog printing establishment in the United States and does busi-
ness for the owners of live-stock sales throughout America. It re-
quired for its management and development an executive, whose abil-
ity lies along concentrative lines, and these, qualities are vital forces
in Mr. Hahne's commercial career. He maintains personal control
over the large and still expanding business, of which he is the head,
and his capacity for detailed organization and his shrewd and dis-
criminating mind make him one of the greatest individual forces in
trade circles of \\'ebster City. Moreover he is interested in a num-
ber of local manufacturing institutions, which benefit by his sound
judgment and commercial ability.
On December 29, 1897, Mr. Hahne was united in marriage to
Miss Clara Adams, a daughter of George T. Adams, at one time a
prominent agriculturist of Hamilton county, who lived retired in
Webster City for some years prior to his death on the ist of January,
1912, in his seventy-sixth year. Mr. and Mrs. Hahne are the parents
of four children: Myron D., born October 29, 1899; Georgianna,
whose birth occurred on the 5th of August, 1903; \\'inifred, born
August 8, 1906; and Richard Howard, born February 25, 1912. The
family residence is at No. 517 Webster street, Webster City.
Mr. Hahne gives his political allegiance to the republican party
and does his duty in political circles with the same energy and con-
scientiousness which he brings to bear upon the management of his
194 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
enterprise. He served his city in various capacities, having been a
member of the council from April, 1908, to April, 1910, representing
constituents from the old second ward. Since 19 11 he has been coun-
cilman at large for Webster City and his public service has been dis-
tinguished by a broad intelligence and a keen interest in every phase
of civic development. He is a member of num.erous societies affiliated
with the live-stock business. He holds membership in the American
Short Horn Breeders Association of Chicago, The American Here-
ford Breeders Association of Kansas City, The American Aberdeen
Angus Breeders and the American Poland China Breeders Associa-
tions of Chicago, and is also prominent in the American Chescer
AVhite Breeders x\ssociation with headquarters at Columbus, Ohio.
In exclusive fraternal circles Mr. Hahne is prominent, holding mem-
bership in Acacia Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M. ; Webster City
Lodge, No. 302, B. P. O. E. ; and in Forest Camp, No. 103, Wood-
men of the World. He is also a charter member of the Court of
Honor in Webster City. He is a devout adherent of the United
Brethren church and is known in Webster City as a man of exemplary
private and public character. His business is rapidly expanding and
developing into an institution of national scope and his commercial
enterprise and ability are progressing with it. He judges his col-
leagues in the business world by the same high standards of honor
and integrity which he has set for himself and by which he moulds
his business development, his political activity and his private life.
JOHN VAN WINKLE.
Two hundred level acres of land neatly tiled, fenced, and im-
proved, with modern and sanitary buildings grouped together at ir-
regular intervals, fields productive in many various grains and slop-
ing pastures, well filled with high-grade stock — these are the princi-
pal elements in the picture which the Hereford farm presents to the
visitor in Fremont township. The owner of this property and the
man who is directly responsible for its present flourishing condition
is John Van Winkle, who has been connected with farming interests in
various sections of America all during his active life. He was born
on July 19, 1 85 1, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. His father was
Oliver Perry Van Winkle, a native of New York, who came to Penn-
sylvania in his early manhood and was one of the prominent agri-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 195
culturists in that state for many years. He removed to Kewaunee,
Henry county, Illinois, in 1862, and followed his chosen occupation
in that section. He eventually took up his residence in Lennox, Tay-
lor county, Iowa, and here his death occurred at the age of sixty-five
years. John Van Winkle's mother was Irene (Cox) Van Winkle,
who died in Lennox, Iowa, when she was seventy-one years old.
John Van Winkle's educational opportunities were extremely lim-
ited. He attended school in Pennsylvania and Illinois, but was
obliged to lay aside his books at the age of twelve years in order to
lend his assistance in the operation of his father's fann. In 1875 he
began farming independently in Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, and
remained in that section until he came to Hamilton county, Iowa, in
1884. The condition of his present property attests his success as an
agriculturist in Iowa and is the result of his industry and intelligent
labor along scientific lines. He purchased two hundred acres in Fre-
mont township on sections 27 and 28 and this property he still owns.
It is known as the Hereford stock farm and is one of the model and
representative agricultural enterprises in the state of Iowa. It is
often shown to visitors as an example of the results to be obtained
by farming along modern, economic lines. It has been improved
by tiling and fencing and various sanitary and commodious build-
ings have been erected during the course of years. The fields are
divided conveniently by barbed and woven wire fences into divisions
planted in various kinds of grain and the arrangement of the build-
ings has been influenced by conditions of sanitation and neatness of as-
pect. Seen from a distance the Hereford stock farm presents a beau-
tiful pastoral picture. It has been evolved from raw prairie land and
into its development have gone all the energy and work of a progres-
sive and scientific agriculturist.
On March 30. 1875, Mr. Van Winkle was united in marriage to
Miss Elinor Doyle, a daughter of Patrick and Elinor (Graham)
Doyle, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Henry county, Illi-
nois, at an early date. Mrs. Van Winkle's father died December 5,
1879, at the age of seventy- four and her mother's demise occurred
on the 6th of October, 1883, when she was seventy-two years of age.
To Mr. and Mrs. Van Winkle have been born the following chil-
dren : Edgar Bert, whose birth occurred March 31, 1877; Delmer
C, whose birth occurred April 24, 1882, and who became the wife of
Elma Veach, a prominent farmer of Nashua, Iowa, by whom she has
one son, Elston; and Roy, whose birth occurred on May 25, 1884,
196 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
and who married Miss Grace Maricle, by whom he has two children,
Vera and Donald, the former born in 1907 and the latter in 1909.
Mr. Van Winkle is today one of the most substantial and enter-
prising agriculturists in Hamilton county and one of the most valued
citizens of the state of Iowa. Under his supervision and control
prairie land has been evolved into a productive farm. No man can
serve his state better nor do his duty in a more lasting and useful way.
. MARTIN LUTHER McCOLLOUGH.
Martin L. McCollough has been identified with business
interests in Webster City since he left his father's farm when
twenty-eight years of age. He is today the best knowm auc-
tioneer in the city and his influence is powerful in various lines
of municipal expansion. He was born in Monroe county, Ohio,
October 2^, 185 1, his parents being William and Isabelle (Arnold)
McCollough, both natives of Ohio. The father followed the trade
of shoemaking and later engaged in agriculture in that state and
was a prominent citizen of Ohio until he removed to Iowa in
1866. In that year he settled in Marshall county wdiere he
farmed until his death which occurred on December 22, 1896, in
the seventy-fifth year of his age. His wife survived him until
the 20th of May, 1900, dying at the age of sixty-six years. Air.
and Mrs. William McCollough were devout adherents of the Pres-
byterian church and were the parents of seven children: George,
who married Miss Anna Pyle, and who died in 1886; Martin
Luther, the subject of this sketch ; James, who resides in Mar-
shall county, Iowa, with his wife wdio in her maidenhood was
Miss Lena Lucas ; Laura Belle, who became the wnfe of Thomas
Eaton of Pocahontas county, Iowa; W^illiam A., wdio married
Bertha Ritchie, and who resides in W^ebster City ; Oscar, who
married Miss Elizabeth Ritchie, and whose home is in Poca-
hontas county; and Bertram B., who maintains his residence in
Webster City.
Martin L. McCollough was reared at home and received his
education in the public schools of Marshall county. His father
was a prominent farmer in that region and Mr. McCollough spent
his early boyhood and youth as an agriculturist. He remained
upon his father's property, actively assisting in the labors of
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 197
tilling- the soil until 1879, when he moved into Webster City and
began a career which has made his name prominent in many dif-
ferent commercial capacities. His first business connection was
with Ira W. Packard with whom he was associated in the buying
and shipping of grain for three years. In 1883 he spent a year
at Woolstock buying grain for N. G. Omstead. He returned
to Webster City the same year and entered the employ of Frank
Brothers as a salesman in their clothing store. This association
continued for five years and gained for Mr. McCollough a repu-
tation for keen business insight and true discrimination of values.
In September, 1888, he established himself in business in partner-
ship with F. S. Currie under the firm style of Currie & McCol-
lough. They dealt in clothing and men's furnishings, and in the
eight years of their business connection established a flourishing
and prosperous concern which gradually grew to be one of the
largest clothing enterprises in Webster City. In 1896 the part-
ners disposed of their interests in this line of activity and opened
a real estate, loan and insurance business which they conducted
under the name of Currie & McCollough until 1903. In this
year the partnership was definitely dissolved and Mr. McCollough
gave his entire attention to his auctioneering business which he
had started as a side line twenty years before. Up to this time
he had given it very little attention, but when his real-estate busi-
ness was disbanded he gave all his energies to the reorganiza-
tion and development of his auctioneering. He subsequently had
a sale and feed barn which he at present operates. In 1908 he
extended his activities to include a grain business in connection
with the two other departments of his enterprise but discon-
tinued this in 191 1. Mr. McCollough is a man whose influence
is powerful in almost every phase of municipal life in Webster
City. He is a director of the First National Bank and has held
this office since 1904. He holds a large amount of stock in the
Queen Manufacturing Company and is also prominent in political
circles. His citizenship is of the high order which is becoming
representative of the middle west and his life and activities have
been a dominating factor in the civic growth of Webster City.
On November 25, 1875, Mr. McCollough was united in mar-
riage to Miss Frances Shewalter, who was born in Clinton county,
Ohio, on October 30, 1846. She is a daughter of John Wesley
and Martha J. (Baker) Shewalter, who came to Marshall county
in 1858, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until
198 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
his death in 1871. He was survived by his wife until 1891, in
which year her death occurred. Both were meml3ers of tlie
Episcopal church. They had six children: Roberta, who married
James Evans, of Oakland, California; John, who resides in Chase
county, Nebraska; Mary, who became the wife of A. H. Hall,
and who resides in Marshall county, Iowa; Clayton, who also
makes his home in Marshall county ; Edward, who passed away
when he was twenty-four years of age ; and Frances, the wife of
our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin McCollough has been born
one daughter, Almeda, whose birth occurred on the 28th of
March, 1886, and who married on December 31, 1908, Harry
Ambrose, of Webster City, by whom she has one son, Robert,
born March 29, 191 1.
Mr. and Mrs. McCollough reside at 819 Second street, Web-
ster City, and are well known and popular in social circles. Mr.
McCollough gives his political support to the republican party.
He has been a prominent factor in local political affairs and
gained the recognition of his fellow citizens for ability and
efficiency during his service on the city council in 1888. From
1890 to 1896 he acted as supervisor of the county, and in this
line of activity was distinguished by the same shrewdness and
ability which have marked all the departments of his active career.
He has not concentrated upon one line of activity but has engaged
in various enterprises, in all of which he has been successful and
all of which have been forceful factors in the advancement of
Webster City commercially, financially and politically.
CLEMENCE RICKE.
One hundred and twenty acres of excellent land in Williams
township is comprised within the well improved farm of Clemence
Ricke, whose sound judgment and energy find visible evidence
in his growing crops and golden harvests. He was born in Jo
Daviess county, near East Dubuque, Illinois, on the 30th of Jan-
uary, 1874, and with his parents came to Hamilton county, Iowa,
at which time the family home was established upon a farm four
and one-half miles north of Williams. On that place he grew to
manhood, his experiences being such as usually fall to the lot
of farm lads. He early bore his part in the work of plowing.
MR. AND MRS. CLEMENX'E RICKE
MAURINE AXD BERYL RICKE
200 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
religious faith is that of the CathoHc church, while his wife is a
member of the Presbyterian church, both being identified with
congregations at Williams. A long residence in Hamilton county-
has made Mr. Ricke well known and his salient traits of char-
acter have been such as have brought to him the warm and
enduring regard of those with whom he has been associated.
ALEXANDER LINCOLN FOWLER.
Alexander Lincoln Fowler, who has been a resident of Hamilton
county for about twenty-nine years, during which period he. has been
identified with various enterprises, was born near Pawpaw, in De
Kalb county, Illinois, April 15, 1862, and attended the rural schools
in that vicinity. In 1874 the family moved to a farm four and one-
half miles southwest of Manson, Calhoun county, Iowa. Here he
assisted his parents on the farm until one year after his marriage,
the wedding ceremony being performed about a half mile southwest
of Blairsburg, Hamilton county, Iowa, at the home of the bride's
parents. He returned to Calhoun county with his bride and a year
later came back to Blairsburg, Hamilton county, the young couple
being employed on the Eiker farm for eight months. Mr. Fowler
cultivated the A. L. McCarthy farm during the following year and
has remained a resident of Blairsburg continuously to the present
time. After engaging in farming these years he closed out his stock
at public sale on the 14th of October, 1891, and purchased the meat
market in Blairsburg, which he conducted for one year. He immedi-
ately thereafter purchased the barber shop in the above place and
successfully conducted this for a period of about fifteen years. In
1905 he was appointed (in the will) administrator of the McCarthy
estate arid satisfactorily settled the same. He is at present engaged
in cultivating his land adjacent to Blairsburg, his home being located
in the latter place. His father, Hugh Fowler, was born near En-
niskillen, in County Fermanagh, Ireland, and died near Valentine,
Nebraska, September 11, 1906, at the age of about ninety-three years.
His mother, Jane (Gallagher) Fowler, born near Enniskillen, Ire-
land, November 28, 1824, died near Valentine, Nebraska, April 6,
1889. They made their home with the son Daniel, at whose home
they passed their declining years. They were among the early set-
tlers of Iowa. There were seven sons and one daughter in the fam-
1—1
<
Pi
O
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 203
ily, as follows : James, who was born in County Fermanagh, Ire-
land, on the 6th of July, 1847, and is a street car conductor of Sioux
City, Iowa; Thomas, born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, on the 3d
of June, 1849, who is an assistant in a mission at Rosebud, South
Dakota; Daniel, who was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, on the
20th of January, 1852, and died on the 20th of August, 1906; Henry,
whose birth occurred in County Fermanagh, Ireland, on the 14th of
April, 1854, and who is residing near Seneca, Missouri; Robert, who
was born in Megantic county, Quebec, Canada, on the 14th of January,
1857, and who is now a city mail carrier in Sioux City, Iowa; John,
who was born in Megantic county, Quebec, Canada, on the nth of
January, 1858, and who now resides four and one-half miles north
of Blairsburg; Sarah (Fowler) Wells, born in Megantic county,
Quebec, Canada, on the 6th of December, i860, who now resides at
Pomeroy, Iowa, her husband being a retired farmer of that place;
and Alexander Lincoln, of this review.
On the I St of February, 1883, near Blairsburg, Alexander L.
Fowler was married to Elsie Emeline McCarthy, who was bom five
miles southeast of Wenona, La Salle county, Illinois, on the ist of
April, 1863. She came with her parents to Hamilton county in No-
vember, 1872, and with the exception of one year in Calhoun county,
iowa, has been a continuous resident at Blairsburg. The McCarthy
family were among the early and most successful settlers of Hamilton
county. Abram L. McCarthy, the father of Mrs. Fowler, was bom
near Decatur, Otsego county. New York, on the 2d of March, 1836,
a son of Patrick and Catherine (Cooper) McCarthy, both natives of
the Empire state. Thfe father was of Irish descent and the mother
of German lineage. Abram L. McCarthy died in Blairsburg, Iowa,
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fowler, Saturday evening, No-
vember 25, 1905. His wife, Mary (Mason) McCarthy, was bom
near Home City, Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 24th of October,
1842, and now resides in Webster City^Iowa. Her grandson, Charles
Allen McCarthy, whom she has reared, is living with her. Charles
Allen McCarthy, the son of Charles Emery (deceased) and Jennie
(McCarthy) McCarthy, was born August 8, 1894, at Blairsburg,
Hamilton county, Iowa. Mrs. Fowler's parents were married in
Marshall county, Illinois, September 2, i860. They came to Iowa in
November, 1872, and purchased land a half mile southwest of Blairs-
burg. On the 8th of May, 1900, Mr. McCarthy went to Enid, Ok-
lahoma, invested in real estate there and continued to live there until
twelve days before his death. There were nine children born to this
Vol. II— 1 1
204 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
union, as follows: Mrs. Elsie Emeline Fowler; Charles Emery, who
was bom on the 15th of July, 1865, and died on the 8th of October,
1897; Ella May (McCarthy) Wells, born March 28, 1869, who now
resides in Roswell, New Mexico ; Walter Sherman, whose birth oc-
curred on the 23d of January, 1872, and who passed away on the 23d
of May, 1880; Lois Aline, who was born on the 30th of April, 1874,
and died on the 9th of June, 1880; Bertie Burdette, who was bom
on the 2ist of June, 1876, and died on the 14th of May, 1880; Cora
Edith, who was bom on the 19th of August, 1878, and died on the
8th of May, 1880; Everett Adelbert, whose birth occurred on the
7th of April, 1880, and who no\v resides in Webster City, Iowa; and
Bertha Mary, who was born May 31, 1883, and passed away on the
8th of August, 1899. The four eldest children were born southeast
of Wenona, La Salle county, Illinois, the younger ones a half mile
southwest of Blairsburg, Hamilton county, Iowa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have been born two daughters : Pearl
Blanche (Fowler) Alford, whose natal day was March 15, 1886; and
Mary Jane, who was born on the 20th of November, 1892, and died
on the 3d of April, 1895. Mrs. Alford attended the rural and high
schools of Blairsburg, graduating from the latter in 1904. She sup-
plemented the same with a temi in music at Morningside College,
Sioux City, Iowa. She was married on the 3d of February, 1909, to
Adolphus Edison Alford, who was born at Mooers Forks, Clinton
county, New York, on the 8th of October, 1882, a son of Leslie (de-
ceased) and Elmina Dorcas (Chesbrow) Alford. Leslie Alford was
born at Beekmantown, Clinton county, New York, on the 21st of
January, 1855. He was a gentleman of American descent and a
farmer by occupation. His demise occurred on the i6th of May, 1886,
and his remains were interred at Mooers Forks, New York. His
wife, who bore the maiden name of Elmina Dorcas Chesbrow, was
born at Beekmantown, Clinton county, New York, on the 8th of June,
1857, and is also of American descent. They were married at West
Chazy, Clinton county. New York, on the 4th of July, 1877, and be-
came the parents of six children, as follows : Alice Mary, who was
born at Mooers Forks, New York, on the 8th of April, 1878; Herbert
Franklin, who was born at Mooers Forks, New York, on the 22d of
January, 1879, and died on the 23d of March, 1899; Wallace James,
whose birth occurred at Saranac Lake, Franklin county. New York,
on the I St of August, 1881 ; Adolphus Edison, whose birth occurred at
Mooers Forks, Clinton county. New York, on the 8th of October,
1882; Bertha Elizabeth, who was bom at Mooers Forks. New York,
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 205
on the 20th of March, 1884; and Fred Leslie, who was born at Ma-
lone, Franklin county. New York, on the 15th of April, 1886. In
June, 1892, the mother of this family gave her hand in marriage to
J. Griffith, by whom she has two living children, Lorenzo and Fran-
cese.
It was in 1890 that Adolphus Edison Alford removed to Cropsey,
Illinois, with his mother, brothers and sisters, attending the schools
of that place. His parents were farmers in New York. He and his
brother Wallace came to Iowa in September, 1906, and together rented
a fami four and a half miles southwest of Blairsburg. Mr. and Mrs.
Alford own a fami of choice land about three miles north of Blairs-
burg, with good improvements. ,
The politics of both families is republican. Both families are mem-
bers of the Congregational church of Blairsburg. Mr. Fowler united
with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1875 and Mrs. Fowler, No-
vember 25, 1877, ^t the organization of the Wesleyan Methodist
church at Blairsburg. Both Mr. and ]\Irs. Fowler remained members
of Wesleyan church until the building and organization of the Congre-
gationalists at Blairsburg, which took place in 1891, when at that
time they united and have been members ever since, Mr. Fowler now-
serving as treasurer. For six years he held the office of deacon. He
has served as recorder of the town of Blairsburg four years, has
served as a member of the board of education in times past and at the
election held in March, 1912, was elected again. He has been a
member of the town council and is one at the present time. He is
held in high regard by his fellow townsmen, as he is a man of good
standards and upright principles whose influence is always exerted on
behalf of every progressive movement.
PETER W. KEITH.
Peter W. Keith, who engages in the insurance business in Blairs-
burg, is one of those who valiantly served the Union during the time
.of its terrible need in the early '60s. He was born in Washington
county, Ohio, on the 8th of January, 1842, and is a son of Robert and
Anna (Boone) Keith, whO' were born, reared and married in the
Buckeye state. They came to Iowa in 1854, locating in Delaware
county. This section of the state was but sparsely settled at that
period, which was prior to the advent of the railroad, and the father,
206 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
who was quite extensively engaged in buying hogs, used to drive
them to Anamosa, the nearest shipping point. He passed the re-
mainder of his hfe in Delaware county, where he died at the age
of ninety years. The mother was fifty-two at the time of her death,
which occurred in Keithsburg, Ohio. She was a near relative of
Daniel Boone, of Kentucky pioneer fame, and in the maternal line
was descended from a long lived family, her mother having passed
the one hundred year mark at the time of demise. The family of Mr.
and Mrs. Keith numbered five: Sylvester, who died in infancy; W.
B., who is a resident of Los Angeles, California; Peter W., our
subject; Mrs. Mary Hunt, who died in Kansas City, and John, a
locomotive engineer on, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, one
of the company's oldest living employes, who will soon be eligible to
pension.
Peter W. Keith was a lad of twelve years when his parents set-
tled in Delaware county, where he completed his education and was
reared to manhood. During the early period of the Civil war he
enlisted in Company G, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, remaining
at the front for three years, his regiment being in the western army.
When mustered out he returned to the home farm in Delaware county,
and there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1878. In the lat-
ter year he went to Strawberry Point, where he conducted a hotel
for twenty years. During that period he began writing insurance,
subsequently devoting his entire time to this business. On the 6th
of April, 191 1, he came to Blairsburg and has ever since made this
place his home. He has here established an office and is the local
representative for the Continental, Aetna, St. Paul Fire & Marine,
Hawkeye of Des Moines, State of Des Moines and State of Keokuk
companies, and is also agent for a number of reliable and well known
life insurance companies, and is doing a good business.
Mr. Keith has been twice married, his first union being with Miss
Martha Abbey, who was born at Euclid, Ohio, on the 23d of March,
1843, and died in 1902. In March, 1905, Mr. Keith w'as married
to Miss Emma Walsworth, who was born in Adams, Jefferson, New
York, on January 25, 1858. She is the elder of the two daughters
born of the marriage of John C. and Sybil (Abbey) Walsworth,
pioneer settlers of Delaware county, Iowa. The father was born in
Adams, Jefferson county, New York, on the 26th of December, 1830,
and the mother in Middlebury, Vermont, on April 5, 1830. They
came to Hamilton county in 1886, locating on a farm in Blairsburg
township, where the father continued his agricultural pursuits un-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 207
til his death, which occurred on January 29, 1900. The mother
passed away in 1901. Their younger daughter, Grace, is the wife
of Charles Castner, who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere
in this work.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Keith belong to the Congregational church,
having been identified with this denomination for more than forty
years, and she is one of the charter members of the Blairsburg
church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Standard Lodge, No. 351,
A. F. & A. M., of Waucoma; Mirabeau Chapter, No. 96, R. A. M., of
Greeley, Iowa; and Language Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M., of
West Union. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star
at Waucoma, and Waucoma Lodge, No. 303, I. O. O. F., and he was
formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Waucoma.
He maintains relations with his old comrades of the field through the
medium of his connection w^ith Sutherland Post, No. 171, G. A. R.,
of Waucoma, of which he was commander for ten years. In politics
he is a republican, and while residing in Strawberry Point served for
four years as postmaster and as justice of the peace for two. He has a
very pleasant home in Blairsburg and he also owns a residence prop-
erty in Waucoma, while Mrs. Keith holds the title to forty acres of
well improved land in Blairsburg township. They are both most
estimable people and have many friends who accord them the regard
and respect due those who represent the highest type of citizens.
CLEMUEL ROBBINS.
Clemuel Robbins now lives in retirement at No. 308 East
Dubuque street, Webster City, Iowa, where he is well known as
a man whose agricultural activities for many years have been
a substantial asset in the upbuilding of county and state. His
history extends back to the early days of settlement when most
of the farms which are now the pride of Iowa were raw and unde-
veloped prairie lands. He was born January 5, 1830, in Franklin
county, Ohio, his parents being Mathias and Sarah (Couder)
Robbins, natives of Pennsylvania. They left that state for Ohio
where the father was active in various capacities until his wife's
death in 1848. He then moved to Illinois, where he resided until
his demise which occurred at the age of eighty-six years and
sixteen days.
208 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Clemuel Robbins received his early education in the public
schools of Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1854 he came to Iowa
and with three companions walked from Dubuque to Homer in
that state in order to enter his claim for one hundred and twenty
acres of land. His original intention had been to take up one
hundred and sixty acres at the government price of one dollar
and twenty-five cents per acre. When he reached Homer, how-
ever, he found that some of his money was in bad Kentucky bills
and consequently his purchase was limited. When he proved his
claim he went to Illinois and in the summer of 1856 again re-
turned to Iowa. He remained in this state for one year but did
not make it his permanent home until 1862. In that year he
added to his one hundred and twenty acres by the purchase of
forty acres adjoining and thus finally completed his original in-
tention of having a one hundred and sixty acre farm. The rise
of land values in Iowa made his second purchase of land more
expensive than his original holdings. He paid eight dollars per
acre in 1862 for land adjoining that which he bought in 1854 at
one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. His farm is all in
Freedom township and is one of the prosperous and flourishing
enterprises in that section.
When Mr. Robbins had completed his buying of land he im-
mediately proceeded to put his one hundred and sixty acres under
cultivation. He broke the prairie, built a house and barn and
erected all the necessary outbuildings upon his property. He
gave his personal attention and supervision to the tilling of his
land and watched its evolution from an undeveloped state into
one of the flourishing agricultural enterprises in the state of
Iowa. His farming was practical and for that reason produced
good results. Iowa land is fertile and rich and if a man is intel-
ligent and industrious he can almost always gain from it a com-
fortable competency. Mr. Robbins' labors were always along
progressive and scientific lines and in 1891 he was enabled to
give up the arduous duties incident to the development of his
holdings and to move to Webster City where he is now living a
retired life among his friends. He still owns his original farm
of one hundred and sixty acres and has rented it to his son,
William M. Robbins, who is carrying on the operation of the
enterprise along the developing and expanding principles which
his father instituted.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 209
In December, 1862, Clemuel Robbins was united in marriage
to Miss Sarah Royster, a daughter of Wilham and AdeHne Roys-
ter, who came from Indiana in 1856 and settled in Webster town-
ship, Hamilton county. Mrs. Robbins died September 12, 1887.
Mr. and ]\Irs. Clemuel Robbins became the parents of four chil-
dren. Elmer, whose birth occurred in 1863, was in 1891 married
to Miss Alice Butler, a daughter of John F. and Martha Butler,
who came to \\'ebster City in 1854 and are now among its oldest
living pioneers. Elmer Robbins is a farmer in Freedom town-
ship where he now owns two hundred and forty acres of highly
developed land. He is the father of three children: Leah M.,
whose birth occurred in 1893; Ella, born in 1899; and Bessie,
born in 1904. The second son of Clemuel Robbins is William M.
He was born in 1868 and in 1898 married Miss Estella B. John-
son, a daughter of Jacob W. and Barbara Johnson of Webster
township. It is William M. Robbins who is now renting his
father's home farm of one hundred and sixty acres and is operat-
ing this in addition to eighty acres which he owns in his own
right. He is one of the representative and leading citizens of
Freedom township and is prominent in fraternal and agricultural
circles. He is at present noble grand of Elmo Lodge, No. 62,
I. O. O. F., and has been through all the chairs of the Ridgeley
Encampment, No. 9, of that organization. He is also a member
of Eureka Canton. No. 23, and with his wife belongs to the
superior Rebekahs Lodge, No. 378. Susan, the eldest daughter of
Clemuel Robbins, in 1896 married Mr. B. C. Letts, a farmer in
Freedom township, and she lives in that section with her husband
and son, Harold D., born 1902. Nora was married in 1898 to
James R. Silver, whose birth occurred in Scotland in 1871. He
spent his youth in his native country and came to the United
States in 1893, arriving in Iowa in March of the same year. To
this union were bom three children, Donald Cameron, Ada B.
and Alta Catherine. James R. Silver is one of the representative
men of Freedom township and is prominent in many lines of
activity in that district. He holds membership in Elmo Lodge,
No. 62, I. O. O. F., has passed through all the chairs of Ridgeley
Encampment, No. 9, and is a member of Eureka Canton, No. 2^,
of the same organization.
The family of Clemuel Robbins is well known in many sec-
tions of Iowa and its name has been prominent for many years
in ag-ricultural activities in that state. Mr. Robbins is representa-
210 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
tive of a wide class of men who bring to farming a practical
knowledge of the details of the occupation coupled with an in-
telligent and scientific and progressively developing method of
work which are rapidly making the state of Iowa one of the
most prosperous agricultural regions in the United States.
WILLIAM L. WHITHAM.
William L. Whitham is engaged in the real-estate 'and insurance
business at suite No. 4, Hamilton County State Bank building, Web-
ster City, Iowa. He has an exhaustive knowledge of agricultural
values and has sold land in all parts of the United States and Mexico.
He is known throughout Hamilton county as a reliable and enterpris-
ing business man and has built up an extensive patronage in his chosen
line of activity. He was born in 1866, at Elk Grove, Lafayette county,
Wisconsin. His parents were William Cameron and Fanny (Brewer)
Whitham. His father was born in Philadelphia in 1833 and came to
Wisconsin when he was still a young man. He was acti\-e and pros-
perous in the live-stock business and was also well known as a suc-
cessful auctioneer, until his death, which occurred in 1904. when he
was seventy-one years of age. Mrs. Fanny Whitham died in 1896,
when she was fifty-four years of age.
William L. Whitham was educated in the common schools of
Wisconsin, where he pursued the usual course of study. He supple-
mented his education by attending the Northern Illinois Nonnal
School at Dixon, Illinois, from which institution he was graduated
in 1 89 1. He commenced his business career as a bookkeeper and
general manager in a merchandise business at Lead Mine, Wisconsin,
and was successful in this field for four years. In 1895 he moved to
Webster City, where for eight years he was engaged as a traveling
salesman for a Dubuque and also a Milwaukee boot and shoe house.
In 1903 he entered upon an independent commercial career by estab-
lishing himself in his present real-estate and insurance business. His
success has been continuous and rapid since that time and is founded
on his well proven integrity and his upright and honorable principles.
He makes a specialty of farm lands in various parts of the United
States and is an expert judge of their value. He has sold property
in nearly all the agricultural states of America and has even extended
W. L. WHITHAM
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 213
his activities into Mexico. He also deals in city property and this
part of his business is rapidly becoming important.
In 1893 Mr. Whitham was united in marriage to Miss Minnie
Frances Cameron, a daughter of John D. Cameron of Montfort, Wis-
consin. They have two children: Matred, born in 1895; and Ruby,
whose birth occurred in 1897. Both of Mr. Whitham's children are
natives of Webster City.
In his political views Mr. Whitham is republican. He is a promi-
nent Mason, holding membership in Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A.
M., of which organization he was master in 1909. He is also con-
nected with Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., of which he is at pres-
ent high priest. He belongs to Triune Commandery, No. 41, Knights
Templar, and is active in the affairs of the Eastern Star order, of
which he was worthy patron in 191 1. He holds membership in the
Congregational church. The family residence is at No. 826 Walnut
street. Webster City. Mr. Whitham is well known as a public-spirited
man, interested in every movement looking toward civic development
and welfare. He is serv^ing his city as a member of the council and
has been active in this public office since 191 1. He was a director of
the Webster City Commercial League and this affiliation afforded him
an adequate field for his municipal ideas. He is one of the substan-
tial and valued citizens of Webster City, where his activities have in-
fluenced- business development. As a real-estate agent he never takes
advantage of his patrons and has built up upon the solid basis of
commercial honor and morality an enterprise which in its expansion
and development is keeping pace with the civic progress and upbuild-
ing of Webster City.
PEARLY SOWERS.
Pearly Sow^ers is farming eighty acres of land on section 34,
Ellsworth township, and is numbered among the successful and
representative agriculturists of this district. He is a native son
of Iowa, born May 18, 1868, and he has spent his entire life in
Hamilton county. His parents, Lindsey and Rebecca E. (Ward)
Sowers, were among the earliest settlers in this part of the state,
coming to Ellsworth township in the fall of 1856. His father was
born in Fountain county, Indiana, December 25, 1833, and died
upon his farm in Ellsworth township March 4, 191 1. The mother
214 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
of our subject was a native of Crawford county, Ohio, born De-
cember 12, 1839. Her death occurred upon her husband's farm
February 12, 1898. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey
Sowers were eight children: Laura, born June 4. 1863, who died
March 26, 1865; Albert, who was born March 25, 1865; Henry,
born October 21, 1866, who died May 26, 1867; Pearly, the sub-
ject of this review; Mrs. Mary Hughes, who was born February
7, 1871 ; Guy, whose birth occurred August i, 1873; Planey, born
January 29, 1876; and Charles, whose natal day was May 16, 1878.
They were among the early settlers in this section of the state,
coming here when there were no groves upon the prairies and no
human dwelling between the place of their settlement and the
Boone river. They established a home, reared a large family
of sons and daughters and were among the most highly respected
of the pioneers in Iowa.
Pearly Sowers attended the district schools of his native sec-
tion and has always been identified with agricultural interests in
Hamilton county. The farm of eighty acres which he is now
cultivating is one of the fine properties of this section of the
state, equipped with modern improvements and intelligently de-
veloped in every department. Upon it Mr. Sowers lives in a com-
fortable and well furnished home, being numbered among the
successful and enterprising general farmers.
In September, 1895, Mr. Sowers married Miss Anna Templer,
born October 14, 1870, a daughter of Daniel D. C. and Nancy
(Ennis) Templer. Her father was born in Schenectady county.
New York, May 2, 1838, and went to Hardin county, Iowa, in
1867. Three years later he settled in Ellsworth township where
he cultivated a fine farm of one hundred and seven acres on sec-
tion 15 and thereon resided until his death which occurred Octo-
ber 17, 1897. Mrs. Sowers' mother was born in Princeton, New
York, December 8, 1845, ^^^^ ^^ residing on the homestead in
Ellsworth township. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Tem-
pler were six children, five of whom are still living: Anna, the
wife of our subject; Jane, who is residing with her mother on the
home farm and who is one of the most successful school teachers
in Hamilton county; Ettie, who is acting as assistant in a photog-
rapher's studio in Des Moines; Maggie, who died October 14,
1910; and Camie and Archie, who are associated in the operation
of the homestead. Mrs. Sowers before her marriage taught in
the Hamilton county public schools and was well known and sue-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 215
cessful in this line. She and her husband have three children :
Pearly, Jr., born May 15, 1900; Ruby, who was born April 21,
1902; and Walter, whose birth occurred March 15, 1904. All
of the children are attending school in the community.
Mr. Sowers gives his allegiance to the democratic party. His
wife is a member of the Congregational church at Jewell. He
is well known in this district where he has resided all his life
and has won universal trust and good- will by reason of the straight-
forward and honorable principles which he advocates and to which he
consistently adheres.
CHARLES T. SMITH.
The largest clothing house in Hamilton county is operated
by the firm of Charles T. Smith & Son at Nos. 609-613 Second
street. The enterprise has been intelligently controlled and its
policy well directed by Charles T. Smith, its organizer and
founder and in the eleven years of its existence has developed
into a flourishing business enterprise. Mr. Smith has been con-
nected with the mercantile line in Iowa since he left school and
every year of his activity has marked a new stage in his com-
mercial prosperity. He was born on the 3d of August, 1857, at
Pennsville, Morgan county, Ohio. Here his father, James Smith,
was a prominent merchant for many years. He later moved to
Tama City, Iowa, in 1865, and was successful in the general mer-
chandise business in that city until he went to Marengo, Iowa,
where he remained for three years. He eventually moved to
Mount Vernon, Iowa, where for fifty years he was a representa-
tive and prominent citizen. He died here on the 15th of Decem-
ber, 1901, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. Mr. Smith's mother,
who in her maidenhood was Miss Ruth King, is still living in
Mount Vernon where she is widely and favorably known.
Charles T. Smith was reared at home and was educated in
the public schools of Iowa. He later attended Normal College
in Mount Vernon and upon his graduation began work in his
father's store in that city. He early learned the foundations of
a successful business career by the standards of commercial
honor and unwavering integrity which characterized his father.
He became proficient in the systematic conduct of a mercantile
216 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
enterprise and acquired by personal experience the knowledge neces-
sary to insure his future success in his chosen field of endeavor. In
1880 he was taken into partnership by his father and remained in this
association for ten years. He subsequently removed to Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, where from 1890 to 1901 he was well known in the
shoe business, the enterprise which he conducted being one of
the progressive and representative mercantile concerns of that
city. His residence in Webster City began in 1901 when he
started in his present business independently. For some time he
confined his activities entirely to men's furnishings but subse-
quently expanded his enterprise along affiliated lines. He added
a general shoe department and reorganized his business gen-
erally, at this time taking his son into partnership. The firm of
Charles T. Smith & Son is now the largest clothing house in Hamil-
ton county and its operations extend beyond the limits of Webster
City and influence the commercial development of the state of Iowa.
In 1882 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Georgia S.
Ayres, a daughter of James Ayres, of Dixon, Illinois. ]\Ir. Ayres
was a prominent Civil war veteran, who during his term of active
service in the Federal army edited a paper giving the war news
in a condensed form. He died in 1907 at the age of sixty-five
years and is survived by his wife who resides in Dixon, Illinois.
The Ayres family is of Scotch descent and trace their ancestors
to representatives of the Cameron Clan in that country. Mr.
and Mrs. Smith have two children. Harold James, born in 1884
and a graduate of St. John's College, Salina, Kansas, is now a
partner in his father's clothing business. He is also prominent
in fraternal circles in Webster City, holding membership in Acacia
Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M. ; in Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M.;
and in the Triune Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templar. He
is also a member of Company C, Fifty-sixth Regiment, Illinois
National Guards and serves as first lieutenant in that organization.
Gladys A., the youngest of the family, was born in 1886. She is
a graduate of Mount St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, Iowa, and of
the School of Oratory of the Northwestern University of Evans-
ton, Illinois. The family residence is at No. 12 19 Prospect avenue,
Webster City.
In his political allegiance Mr. Smith is a consistent republican,
but beyond casting his vote at each election does not take a per-
sonal part in public affairs. His father's family were affiliated
HISTORIY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 217
with the Quaker church in Ohio in early times, but Mr. Smith
now holds membership in the Episcopal church of Webster City,
His only fraternal affiliation is with the Masons, in which organi-
zation he holds membership in the Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. &
A. M. He is one of the practical and intelligent business men
who are the foundation and support of municipal life in America.
His high intelligence and his ambitious mind directed from his
boyhood into business channels have influenced his career, en-
abling him to conduct his commercial enterprise of today with
great efficiency.
C. C. NELSON.
C. C. Nelson has many claims to recognition as a man whose
past activities have been effective for good and whose present
career is useful and worthy. He was among the early settlers in
Hamilton county and has witnessed the development of the sec-
tion and participated in it. He served with distinction during the
Civil war and at the present time is one of the prosperous, en-
terprising and representative farmers of Ellsworth township. He
owns eighty acres of choice land in this section and by capable
management of his enterprise has gained a place in the front
ranks of progressive agriculturists. He was born in La Salle
county, Illinois, March 26, 1844, a son of Jonas and Sophia
(Olson) Nelson, natives of Norway. His father came to America
and settled in Illinois at a time when there were but two log
cabins on the site where the city of Chicago now stands. He
was twice married. By his first union he had two children : Mrs.
Julia Christianson, deceased; and C. C, of this review. He and
his second wife became the parents of four children: Mrs. Delia
Melberg, of Benton county; Mrs. Josephine Henderson, of Ran-
dall; Mrs. Sarah Tgernagel, who resides in Story City; and Mar-
tin of Scott township. All the children in this family were born
in Illinois with the exception of the last mentioned whose birth
occurred in Hamilton county.
Mr. Nelson attended the public schools of his native section
and grew to manhood in La Salle county. His early life was
spent upon his father's farm and he was still active in its various
duties at the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted in the One
218 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was in the
First Division Fourteenth Army Corps, serving under Generals
Rosecrans and Grant. He participated in the engagements at
Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, his regiment
planting the first flag upon the battlefield at the latter place. At
tlie time of his enlistment he was a member of a regiment of
one thousand men and when he was mustered out there were but
three hundred and fifty-three of this number surviving. One half
of his comrades w^ere captured by the famous John H. Morgan,
at Hartford, Tennessee, but were later paroled and exchanged.
Mr. Nelson received his honorable discharge at the close of the
war and immediately returned to Illinois, where, however, he
remained only a short time. In 1866 he came west and located
in Hamilton county where he has resided since that time. He
is now the owner of eighty acres of choice land in Ellsworth towai-
ship, constituting one of the finest farms in the district. The
improvements which he has made upon his property and the new
and progressive standards to which he has steadily adhered have
made a model agricultural enterprise and have gained him rec-
ognition as a deservedly successful farmer. He lives upon his
holdings in a pleasant home, well furnished and supplied with all
modern conveniences and accessories and has many friends in
Hamilton county, which he has seen develop and progress dur-
ing his period of residence.
Mr. Nelson was married in Ellsworth township in 1866 to
Miss Bertha Tgernagel, a native of Norway. They became the
parents of six children : Carl, who is residing in Jewell ; Jonas,
who makes his home in Ellsworth township; Henry, of Minne-
apolis, Minnesota; Frank, who is residing in Portland, Oregon;
John, also of Portland; and Mollie, who makes her home in
Minneapolis. All the children in this family were born in Ells-
worth township, with the exception of the eldest son whose birth
occurred in Scott township.
Mr. Nelson gives his political allegiance to the republican
party and takes an intelligent interest in local affairs. Fie has
served with ability and efficiency as school director and has also
held the position of road supervisor. He is the sole survivor of
the Civil war in Ellsworth township and is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic, of Webster City. He is one of
the important and successful citizens of this section of the state
and has based his attainments in agricultural pursuits upon ex-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 219
perience and efficiency. In the business activities of his hfe he
has been successful because his methods are practical and his
standards of integrity high. He is a valuable addition to the
resources of the county in the progressive qualities of his public
spirit and is an early settler whose career has been an effective
force in local development.
FRANK ALFRED BOYSEN.
The dental profession finds a worthy representative in Dr. F. A.
Boysen, whose activities in this line have been successful since he was
graduated from the Iowa State University in 1892 with the degree of
D. D. S. He was born in Minnesota City, Minnesota, in 1869. His
parents, Charles Henry and Francisco (Norton) Boysen, came to
Iowa, and established their residence in that state about 1881. His
father was a prominent hotel keeper at Dysart, Iowa, and a represen-
tative and progressive citizen of that city until his death in 19 10 when
he was sixty-nine years of age. He survived his wife for two years,
her death having occurred in 1908 at the age of sixty-one.
Dr. Boysen is one of a family of four children. He received his
early education in the public schools of Minnesota City and carried
on his studies in Dubuque, Iowa. When he had completed his high-
school course he entered the Iowa State University at Iowa City and
was graduated in 1892 with the degree of D. D. S. His professional
career began in Dubuque, Iowa, where he established an office and
remained for two years, gaining practical experience in his chosen
field of activity. He then spent four years practicing at Bellevue,
Iowa, and in 1898 came to Webster City where he opened his present
business under his own name. In 1900 he was joined by his brother,
Harry Alvin Boysen, who is also a dentist with a degree from the
Northwestern University of Chicago, from which institution he was
graduated with the class of 1897. When Dr. Harry A. Boysen
joined his brother they carried on good professional practice in part-
nership, and following a policy of expansion and development soon
had branch offices in six towns in Hamilton county and had also es-
tablished an office in Wright county. The connection of the two broth-
ers continued for three years, from 1900 until 1903, and gained for
both a widespread reputation which has been a valuable aid to them
in their separate careers. Since 1903 Dr. Frank Boysen has carried
220 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
on the practice of his profession in Webster City independently and
his field of activity is extending every year.
On October 24, 1895, Dr. Boysen was united in marriage to Miss
Jessamine Lora Ives, a daughter of Adelbert Ives of Iowa Falls, Iowa.
Mrs. Boysen is a cultured and well educated woman. She is a gradu-
ate of the Iowa State Normal College and before her marriage spent
some years teaching. She and her husband affiliate with the Congre-
gational church of Webster City and for six years Dr. Boysen w^as
superintendent of its Sunday school. The office of primary super-
intendent is now held by Mrs. Boysen who is doing useful work in this
field. They are the parents of three children: Mildred Mavis, born
July 5, 1896; Norton Ives, born in October, 1899; and Lora F'anny,
whose birth occurred on the 21st of July, 1901. The family resi-
dence is at 830 Walnut street, Webster City.
Politically Dr. Boysen gives his allegiance to the republican party,
but he takes no active interest in public affairs, preferring to give
his time and attention to his professional duties. He is prominent in
Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F., and also holds membership in
Webster City Lodge, No. ^2, Purity Rebekahs. His professional
career is distinguished by an expert knowledge of the details of his
work, technical skill and mechanical dexterity. He is well versed
in the science of dental surgery and belongs to the modern and pro-
gressive school of practitioners. His increasing patronage attests his
success.
EMERY E. ANDERSON.
Emery E. Anderson, who has been identified with the commercial
interests of Ellsworth for the past five years, owns and conducts a
hardware store which is numbered among the thriving enterprises of
the town. He is a native of Illinois, having been born in Kane county,
that state, on the 7th of December, 1856, and is a son of Ole A. and
Elizabeth (Lakin) Anderson, the father a native of Norway. The
father emigrated to the United States in his early life, first locating
in Kane county. He subsequently came to Iowa and engaged in
farming north of Ellsworth, and there the mother passed away in
1859, and was laid to rest in a cemetery in that vicinity. Later the
father married again and removed to Holly, ten miles east of Webster
City, where he conducted a tavern for several years. He subsequently
EMERY E. ANDERSON
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
223
returned to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Kane county, which had
been left to him by his father, and there engaged in agricultural pur-
suits until 1897, when he withdrew from active work and removed to
Elburn, Illinois, where he now lives retired.
Emery E. Anderson was only a child when his parents removed
to Hamilton county, where he was reared to manhood, obtaining his
education in the common schools. After laying aside his text-books
he turned his attention to commercial activities and for three or four
years thereafter was employed in the general store of Morrison &
Sibley. He then went back to Illinois, and during the succeeding ten
years clerked in a general store in Elburn. Later he went to Chi-
cago, where he clerked for a time, coming from there to Story county,
Iowa, accepting a position in a store at Colo. He subsequently pur-
chased a farm and for four years thereafter devoted his entire time
and energies to its further cultivation and improvement. At the ex-
piration of that period he sold his place and returned to Elburn, Illi-
nois, and went into the implement and manufacturing business. After
being so identified for several years he sold out and accepted a posi-
tion with the Walter A. Wood Harvester Company, remaining in
their employ for five years. He next w-ent on the road as traveling
salesman for the Deering Harvester Company, but he resigned this
position at the end of five years and purchased a farm in Brule
county, South Dakota, which he operated for four years. On May i,
1907, Mr. Anderson once more became a resident of Ellsworth, and
has ever since made this his home. When he first returned he became
associated in the hardware business w^ith his cousin, but twenty-one
months later he purchased his partner's interest and has ever since
conducted the enterprise alone. Last year, 191 1, he erected the build-
ing he now occupies, which is thoroughly modern and especially
adapted to the particular needs of his business. He carries a large
and well assorted stock of shelf and heavy hardware, invoicing eight
thousand dollars, and is enjoying an excellent patronage. He is pro-
gressive and enterprising in his methods and in the conduct of his
business strives to please and accommodate his patrons, believing that
the best mode of advertising is through well satisfied customers.
Mr. Anderson has been twice married, his first union being with
Miss Hattie Moore on the 24th of November, 1881. She w-as a
daughter of John O. and Sarah A. (Cox) Moore, the father a native
of Pennsylvania and the mother of Tennessee. Three children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson: Chime I., who is a farmer in Ore-
gon; Earl G., who passed away in 1901 at the age of sixteen years:
Vol. n— 1 2
224 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
and Welcome H., the wife of Belvin Ellis, a resident of Academy,
South Dakota. The wife and mother passed away in January, 1905,
after a brief illness, and on the 19th of November, 191 1. Mr. Ander-
son was married to Mrs. Fanny Christian, a daughter of Alonzo and
Martha (Goldsbury) Garrison.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson affiliate with the Congregational church,
and fraternally he belongs to the Masonic lodge of Chamberlain,
South Dakota; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the
Modern Woodmen of America, of Ellsworth. Politically he is a re-
publican, giving his allegiance to the progressive faction of that body.
Mr. Anderson is very active and enterprising and is recognized as
one of the representative members of the commercial fraternity of
Ellsworth. Together with A. B. Staples he owns and operates a large
skating rink, thirty-six by one hundred and eight feet, which is one
of the town's well patronized and popular places of amusement. He
is public-spirited in matters of citizenship and takes a personal inter-
est in forwarding the development of the town by giving his coopera-
tion to every progressive movement.
C. A. DICK.
The name of C. A. Dick is w-ell known in business circles of
Webster City and is a synonym in that community for honorable
and upright methods and for an unblemished personal integrity.
Mr. Dick is now the proprietor of a prosperous notion business
located at No. 603 Second street, and his rapidly advancing suc-
cess is the reward of well directed energy along useful lines.
He was born in Coles county, Illinois, in i860, and has made this
section of the state his home since that time. His parents were
Solomon B. and Julian (Kearns) Dick. The father was a native
of Kentucky, being born in that state in 1822. When he was five
years old he moved wnth his parents to Illinois, where he married
and resided for some time. In 1864 he established his residence
in Hamilton County, Iowa, and was a representative and pros-
perous agriculturist of that section until he retired from active
life and moved to Webster City, where he is now residing in the
ninetieth year of his age. His wife passed away in 1895, when
she was sixty-seven years old. They were the parents of eleven
children: John; Mary, who is now deceased; Jacob; Martha;
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 225
Rebecca; Rosetta, who has also passed away; Chester; Charles
A., the subject of this sketch; Horton; William; and Oscar.
Solomon B. Dick is a member of the Presbyterian church of Web-
ster City and has been for many years active in religious circles.
C. A. Dick was educated in the schools of Hamilton county
and his early youth was spent upon the farm. In 1882 he became
identified with the hardware and implement business at Stan-
hope, Iowa, and was successfully engaged in commercial enter-
prises until 1889, when he moved to Webster City. For six years
he operated a prosperous drug business under his name and did
not abandon this occupation until 1902. In that year he started
his present notion concern and has developed it along modern
business lines since that time.
In 1888 Mr, Dick was united in marriage to Miss Cora E.
Lane, a daughter of Richard Lane, of Hamilton county, who
farmed in that section from 1867 until his death in 1884. Mr.
Lane was a veteran of the Civil war and a prominent figure in
the councils of the Grand Army of the Republic. To Mr. and Mrs.
Dick have been born three children: Myrtle M., whose birth
occurred in 1890; Jay, born in 1892; and Charles Harold, born
in 1902. The family reside at No. 1305 Seneca street.
In his political affiliations Mr. Dick is a democrat, but his
attention is absorbed by his growing business and he gives very
little active attention to public affairs. He is a member of Elmo
Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F., and is well known in the affairs of
the Christian church of W^ebster City. His business career, like
his private life, is marked by honorable activity in all its branches
and by a thoroughly broad and intelligent liberality which is the
distinguishing quality of his character.
PETER ZEIHAN.
Peter Zeihan, who is devoting his time and attention to general
agricultural pursuits and the raising of stock in Independence town-
ship, IS one of Hamilton county's highly promising and enterprising
young farmers. He is a native of this county, his birth having here
occurred on the 15th of September, 1881, and a son of John and
Catherine (Young) Zeihan, natives of Germany. The parents emi-
grated to the United States in their early life and were married in
226 HISTORY OF HAAIILTON COUNTY
Wisconsin, where they resided until 1875.. In the latter year they
came to Iowa and settled in Webster City, which was their place of
residence for about two years, Mr. Zeihan being employed in one of
the construction crews of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.
They were thrifty and enterprising and from his meager earnings
managed to save enough money to purchase twenty acres of land
in the vicinity of Webster City. He subsequently disposed of this
and invested the proceeds in eighty acres of partly improved land
in Hamilton township. The cultivation of this proved so remunera-
tive under his capable management that he was later able to extend
the boundaries of his farm until he held the title to three hundred
and twenty acres. He passed away in 1894, at the age of fifty-five
years, but was survived by the mother, who continued to live on the
homestead for fifteen years and during that period increased her
holdings by the purchase of a quarter section of land in Hamilton
township. She left the farm in 1909 and went to Eagle Grove to
reside, but two years later she returned to Webster City, where she
died in 191 1, at the age of fifty-nine.
Peter Zeihan, who was a youth of thirteen years when his father
died, was the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven. He was
educated in the common schools and remained at home assisting his
mother with the cultivation of the farm, until he was married at
the age of twenty-nine years, when he began fanning for himself.
He is a man of energetic methods and practical ideas and has met
with more than average success in his undertakings. His home farm
contains one hundred and sixty acres located on section 15, Inde-
pendence township, all of which is fenced hog tight and has been ex-
tensively improved. It is all tiled and one hundred and forty acres
have been brought to a high state of productivity. In addition to
his homestead he owns one hundred and twenty acres in Boone
township, making his holdings aggregate two hundred and eighty
acres, all of which he is cultivating, his principal crops beng corn,
oats and hay. In connection with general fanning Mr. Zeihan also
engages in stock-raising, which is netting him gratifying returns.
Mr. Zeihan is residing on his farm in Boone township one mile east
of Webster City.
On the 28th of September, 19 10, Mr. Zeihan was married to
Miss Addie Moose, a daughter of Joseph and Emma (Feuerstein)
Moose, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio.
They were married in Illinois and continued to reside in that state
until the spring of 1908, when they came to Iowa, locating in Fre-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 227
mont township, this county, where they still reside, the father hav-
ing attained the age of fifty-three and the mother fifty-two years.
]Mrs. Zeihan is the fourth in order of birth in a family of five, and
is a native of Illinois, her birth there occurring on May 22, 1889.
In politics Mr. Zeihan gives his support to the democratic party
and is now serving as a member of the school board. His fraternal
relations are confined to his membership in the Knights of Columbus,
and both he and his wife are communicants of the Roman Catholic
church of Webster City. He is highly respected in Independence
township, where he has proven to be not only diligent and enter-
prising but efficient and capable, and is meeting with well deserved
success in his undertakings.
JOHN WEHRHEIM.
The record of the pioneer settlement and agricultural develop-
ment of Hamilton county contains no more honored name than
that of John Wehrheim, who came to this section when it was an
unbroken prairie and developed and improved from a tract of raw
land one of the finest farms in his township. He was born in
Randolph county, Illinois, August 12, 1843, ^"d is a son of Con-
rad and Mary Wehrheim, the former a native of Germany and
the latter of Illinois. The mother of our subject died in Ran-
dolph county, Illinois, in 1845, ^^^ some time afterward Conrad
Wehrheim was again married. To this union were born the fol-
lowing children: Mrs. Phoebe Jane Madden, deceased; Mrs.
Emaline Hickey, of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Virginia Ryan, who
has passed away ; Julia and Frank, both deceased ; Lyman, who
resides in Strawberry Point, Iowa; George, wdio makes his home
in Clayton county, in the same state; and Conrad, who has passed
away. The elder children in this family were born in Illinois and
the younger ones in Clayton county, Iowa. All w;ere reared and
educated in the latter state.
John Wehrheim remained in his native state until 1845 ^"*^
then came to Clayton county, Iowa. About 1870 he first made
his home in Hamilton county, settling in Clear Lake township.
In the following year he came to Hamilton township, where he
has resided since that time. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union
army as a member of Company C, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer
228 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Infantry, and was mustered in at Dubuque. After serving nine
months he received his honorable discharge and returned to Clay-
ton county, where he engaged in farming until his removal to
Hamilton county. Here he found nothing but a broad, unbroken
prair-ie, sparsely settled and entirely undeveloped. With no re-
sources beyond his unfaltering industry, his perseverance and
progressive enterprise, he set to work to make his fortune from
the soil. Acre by acre he brought his land under the plow and
planted it in suitable grains. His energy was rewarded by abun-
dant harvests and as his financial prosperity increased buildings
were erected, more land tilled and adjoining tracts added, until
at one time Mr. Wehrheim owned six hundred acres of the finest
land in the section. At the present time he has four hundred
acres in a high state of development. That he has accomplished
his early ambition is evidenced by the excellent condition of his
fann. Where once was an untilled waste there are now fertile
fields, fine farm buildings and everything which goes to make a
model agricultural property, and the poor young man of a quarter
of a century ago is one of the most successful and representative
farmers of Hamilton county.
In Clayton county, Iowa, October 6, 1866, Mr. Wehrheim
married Miss Mary Ann Swift, who was born in Wisconsin in
1844. She came with her parents to Clayton county in 1864 and
afterward removed to Boone, Iowa, and thence to Hamilton town-
ship, Hamilton county, where her family have since resided. Her
father, John Swift, was born in Ireland and died in Hamilton town-
ship, at the age of seventy. He married Miss Ellen Murray, also a
native of the Emerald isle, who passed away in this section when
she was eighty-two years of age. Both were among the earlier
settlers in this section of the state. In their family were nine
children: Mary A., the wife of the subject of this review; Mrs.
Ellen Transue, of Sioux City, Iowa ; Margaret, who makes her
home with her sister, Mrs. Wehrheim ; Hugh and William, who
live in Jewell ; James and Michael, both deceased; Edward, who
resides at Estherville, Iowa ; and Peter, a resident of Palo Alto
county in the same state.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wehrheim have been born twelve children:
Conrad, whose birth occurred in Clayton county and who is re-
siding in Rose Grove township; John Francis, also bom in Cla}d;on
county, who lives near Dows, Iowa; Simon, a native of Hamilton
county, residing near Peterson; William, who lives at Eagle
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 229
"Grove, Iowa; George, of Alden, Iowa; Michael, who is farming
near Woolstock; Sylvester, who makes his home at Jewell; Val-
entine and Lawrence, twins, who are assisting their father with
the work of the farm; Mrs. Mary Urell, of Minnesota; Mrs. Jennie
Hollihan, of California; and Mrs. Lucy Brown, also of California.
All the children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Wehrheim have had
the advantage of excellent educations. Jennie and William
attended Jewell College in Jewell, Iowa. Michael and Sylvester
took a complete course at the college at Waterloo and Simon
completed the usual course of studies in Humboldt College. Too
much cannot be said of the faithful aid which Mrs. Wehrheim has
given to her husband in the development of his success. In every
way possible she has supplemented his efforts, managed the
affairs of the household economically and has been his greatest
aid in the accumulation of the fortune which places him among
the most wealthy farmers in the section. Her children have been
reared by a wise and kind mother and have never been denied
the advantages or the comforts and luxuries of life.
i\Ir. Wehrheim is progressive in his political beliefs and has
always taken an active interest in the affairs of his community.
He has served as township trustee and school director for ten
years and has done able and competent work in both capacities.
He has also served as road supervisor. In community affairs
ciffecting the material, political or moral progress of the section
he has always been prominent and is recognized today as one of
the loyal and public-spirited citizens of Hamilton county.
M. J. MATTICE.
M. J. Mattice, for ten years a practitioner at the Webster City
bar, during which period he has made continuous progress, was born
here February i8, 1874, a son of John W. and Emmaretta (Van
Bramer) Mattice. The father arrived in Hamilton county when
this was a pioneer district in which the work of development and
improvement had scarcely been begun. With the business interests
of the county he became closely and prominently identified. He
became a stock and grain buyer and his operations in that line were
quite extensive, and also engaged in banking and subsequently served
as president of the Farmers National Bank. He died in California
230 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
in 1888, at the age of forty-two years. He is survived by his widow,
who is a resident of Los Angeles, California.
M. J. Mattice mastered the elementary branches of learning in
the public schools of Webster City, and in private schools in Cali-
fornia, to which state he removed when thirteen years of age. He
subsequently entered for professional training Drake University at
Des Moines and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1902, the
degree of LL. B. being conferred upon him. His training was thor-
ough and established him so well in his profession that he secured
immediate admission to the bar upon examination before the su-
preme court. He then returned to Webster City, where he has since
engaged in practice.
In September, 1906, Mr. Mattice was married to Miss Blanche
Russell, a daughter of D. D. Russell, of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and
they reside at No. 925 Water street.
ANDREW JACKSON FRAKES.
Although he is now residing in Wright county, Andrew Jackson
Frakes was for many years actively identified with the agricultural
development of Hamilton county, which was his home during his
youth and early manhood. He was born in Logan county, Illinois,
May 7, 1840, but at the age of thirteen years he accompanied his par-
ents on their removal to Iowa. They located in Hamilton county,
where the father entered a half section of government land which he
cultivated during the remainder of his active life.
The education of Andrew Jackson Frakes was begun in the schools
of his native state and completed in those of Hamilton county. At
the age of twenty-two years he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-sec-
ond Iowa Volunteer Infantry and remained in the serv^ice for three
years. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Pleasant Hill, April 9,
1864, but his parole was effected two months later and he was ex-
changed February, 1865. Shortly thereafter he was seriously wounded
in the left leg and was sent to the Marine hospital where he was re-
tained for three months. The wound sustained was so serious as to
cripple him practically for life and in consequence he has been a suf-
ferer therefrom to this day. At the expiration of the three months
in the hospital he was given a three-months furlough and returned
home, and while here he bought some land in Hamilton county. He
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m
HISTORY OF HAAIILTON COUNTY 233
was mustered out on August 23, 1865, and upon his return home im-
mediately began cuhivating and improving his fami, upon which he
located after his marriage. Three years later he sold this place and
bought another fami in the county, which he cultivated for ten years.
At the end of that time he likewise disposed of it and removed across
the boundary line into Wright county, and bought a half section of
land. Mr. Frakes cultivated the latter place until 1898, when he with-
drew from active work and removed to Woolstock, where he bought
a residence and has ever since lived retired.
Soon after returning from the war Mr. Frakes married Miss Mary
Calkins, of Hamilton county, and they were the parents of twelve
children, seven of whom are living and five married. In order of
birth they are as fohows: Anna M., who became the wife of A.
Baine ; Hattie E., who married F. A. Doolittle; William W. ; Andrew
]., Jr. ; Fannie, who is the wife of James Pierce; and Charles A. and
Walter C.
Mr. and Mrs. Frakes are members of the Baptist church at Wool-
stock, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Webster City Post of
the Grand Army of the Republic. His political allegiance is given
to the democratic party. Both Mr. and Mrs. Frakes enjoy a wide
and favorable acquaintance among the citizens of Hamilton county,
where they resided for many years and have a large circle of stanch
friends.
CHARLES F. HAMMER.
Charles F. Hammer is numbered among the representative and
public-spirited citizens of Webster City, Iowa, where he is now living
retired after an active and honorable life spent in agricultural pursuits
and in mercantile enterprises. He owes his success to his personal
ability and energy. He started in life as a poor boy and has been
guided in the expansion and development of his career by many out-
side influences. At seventy-eight years of age he has laid down the
implements of his labor and is living among his friends in a happy
and dignified old age. He is a native of Germany and his birth
occurred in the province of Wurtemberg, in 1834. His parents, Fred
and Christina (Meyer) Hammer, came to the United States in 1854
and settled in Houston county, Minnesota, where the father spent
his youthful and active life as an agriculturist.
234 . HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Mr. Hammer received an efficient education in the public schools
of his native county and remained in Germany until he was twenty
years of age. He learned the details of farming and of the general
merchandise business before he came to America and had already de-
termined upon developing his career along one of these lines before
he settled in Minnesota. He remained in the latter state until 1871
when he went to Gallatin, Missouri, where he established an independ-
ent dry goods and clothing business. His commercial career was
distinguished by honorable, sagacious and high-minded methods and
the ten years which he spent in Gallatin were rewarded by financial
success and by the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. When
he came to Webster City in 1881 he still continued his identification
with the dry-goods business and became associated with his father-in-
law in a large mercantile enterprise under the name of Hammer &
Altmeyer. The copartnership was continued until 1899 and the
energies and activities of Mr. Hammer resulted in the upbuilding
of a flourishing and progressive enterprise. He continued his con-
nection with the dry-goods business until 1899, when the stock of
the concern was sold and Mr. Hammer retired from active life.
He had always been keenly interested in the agricultiiral develop-
ment of the state of Iowa and was actuated by a firm faith in its
future prosperity along this line. With the judicious discrimina-
tion which always distinguished his investments Mr. Hammer in 1895
bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Blairsburg township,
six miles from the town seat. He paid for his property thirty-one
dollars per acre and held it until 1910. During this time he received
a large income from the rent of his land and eventually sold it for
one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. He always regarded
this as an evidence of the rapid rise of land values in Iowa and as
a prophecy of the future prosperity of the state.
Mr. Hammer has been thrice married. In 1867 he* wedded Miss
Mary Altmeyer, whose death occurred in 1872. In the following
year Mr. Hammer was united in marriage to his first wife's sister,
Miss Rachel Altmeyer and their married life continued until her
death in 1903. In 1904 occurred Mr. Hammer's third marriage. He
wedded Mrs. Emma Hyatt, the widow of Judge Hyatt, a prominent
politician and lawyer of Webster City, by whom she had one son,
who is now residing in California. Mrs. Hammer gives her alle-
giance to the Christian Science church and is a practitioner in that or-
ganization. Mr. Hammer keeps his religious views independent and
liberal and acknowledges the right of every man to think for himself.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 235
His life was representative of the conservative German idea of un-
wavering and conscientious activity. With him retirement has not
meant a mere quiescent waiting for the final summons. It is rather
a pause after the heat of a struggle, a rest after a well lived life and
a leisure for enjoying the advantages of intercourse with his many
friends.
PETER TODNEM.
Farming interests in Hamilton county, Iowa, owe much to the
life and activities of Peter Todnem, who, during the course of his
life in this section, was one of the foremost factors in its agricultural
development. His death, which occurred upon his farm in Liberty
township, Hamilton county, in 1892, was the occasion of deep and
widespread regret, and brought a distinct loss to the community
in which he lived. He was born in Norway in 1851. His father,
Olson Todnem, was also a native of that country and came to Amer-
ica at an early date. He followed fanning in Liberty township and
died in this section. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Carrie
Skilbred, also a native of Norway. She is still residing in Liberty
townshp at the age of eighty years. Seven children were born to
their union, only one of whom still survives, namely, Mrs. Olena
Holt, of Liberty township.
Peter Todnem came to America in 1873 and first located in Illi-
nois where he was prosperous as a general farmer for seven years.
His residence in Hamilton county dates from 1880, in which year he
settled in this section and rented a tract of land which he improved
and developed. He soon had his acres under cultivation, and increas-
ing harvests every year rewarded his energy and enterprise. He
saved his money, and by thrift and industry secured a sufficient sum
to purchase a tract of eighty acres in Liberty township upon which
he moved. Until the time of his death he never abandoned per-
sonal activity in the development and expansion of this enterprise.
He planted his soil in the most suitable grains, fenced his fields and
constantly improved and developed his land along modern agricultural
lines. After Mr. Todnem's death the family acquired by purchase
eighty additional acres, making one hundred and sixty now devoted
to general agriculture.
236 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
In 1875 Mr. Todnem was united in marriage to Miss Inger M.
Hofland, who was born in Norway and is at present residing on the
old home farm in Liberty township. Her parents were born in Nor-
way and died in that country. Of the ten children born to their
union three are still living: Mrs. Hannah Knutson, who resides in
NorAvay; Mrs. Mary Todnem, of Canada; and Mrs. Todnem, the
widow of our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Todnem were born nine
children, four of whom died in infancy. Those living are : Ole, a
resident of Minnesota; Benjamin, who is living at home; Carl C,
who also resides upon the home farm; Albert, of Mimiesota; and
Mrs. Martha Olson, a resident of Williams, Iowa.
In his political views Mr. Todnem was a consistent republican, and
although he never sought public office was always intelligently inter-
ested in local affairs and active in promoting the welfare and progress
of his section. His widow holds membership in the Norwegian Luth-
eran church of Rose Grove township. The usefulness and value of the
life of Peter Todnem is readily discernible. He was a man of in-
telligent public spirit and comprehensive grasp of the modern trend
of agricultural conditions, and his activities as a farmer, centralized
and directed by business discrimination, were a controlling factor in
the growth of his section.
HENRY R. DODGE. •
Henry R. Dodge has gained success as a business man and by
reason of the honorable and upright policy which he has always
maintained in his identification with the partnership of Dodge &
Baker, marble and granite workers, has attained a reputation in
Webster City as a representative factor in its industrial development.
He was born in New Boston, New Hampshire, in 1846, and is a son
of Israel and Priscilla (Andrews) Dodge. His father's family were
early settlers in Massachusetts, representatives of the line having been
prominent in that state since 1629. The first American of the name,
Solomon Dodge, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a first
lieutenant of a Massachusetts regiment during the Revolutionary war
and he it was who founded the family in New Hampshire'. On the
maternal side Mr. Dodge comes of early Massachusetts stock. His
maternal grandfather was a captain of an American privateer dur-
ins: the Revolution and afterward maintained his residence in Ver-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 237
mont. The Dodge family was founded in Webster City, on October
2, 1869, by the parents of the subject of this review. His father
was extensively engaged in agriculture in Hamilton county for a
number of years and died in that section in 1908 in the eighty-eighth
year of his age. He had long survived his wife who passed away in
1882 at the age of sixty-two.
Henry R. Dodge received his early education in the public schools
of New Hampshire and later received an academic course in that
state. Even before his removal to Webster City he started in active
life for himself as an agriculturist in his native state. When his
parents removed to Hamilton county Mr. Dodge accompanied them
and taught school near Webster City until 1880. He met with a
gratifying measure of success in this line of activity but eventually
abandoned it to form a partnership with J. A. Viquesney in the granite
and marble monument business. This association existed for one
year and in 1882 the partnership was dissolved. In the same year
Mr. Dodge, in conjunction with Mr. G. W. Baker, established his
present enterprise under the name of Dodge & Baker, and the as-
sociation in the monument business is today the oldest copartnership
in Hamilton county. They have kept exclusively to their original
line and have always specified in high-grade monuments and granite
work.
In 1875 Mr. Dodge was united in marriage to Miss Galatea Jen-
kinson, a daughter of Jesse and Mary (Funk) Jenkinson of Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Dodge resided in the latter state until
her mother's death and was brought when a child of six years to
make her home with her aunt, Mrs. Margaret (Funk) Entriken, who
established her residence in Webster City in 1872. Mrs. Dodge's
father died two years later in 1874. To our subject and his wife
have been born eight children : Jessie, who became the wife of Mr.
C. O. Barr of Webster City; \\'arren B., who married Miss Mabelle
Joy, and who makes his home in Webster City; Bayard, born in 1888,
who resides in the same place; John F., whose birth occurred in 1894;
Almon v., born in 1886, and who passed away in 1889; Acis J., born
in 1876, and who died in 1882; Earl E., who was born in 1883, and
whose death occurred in 1884; and Emma, who was born in 1892 and
died in 19 10. The family reside at No. 717 Walnut street, Webster
City.
Fraternally Mr. Dodge is active in the Order of Odd Fellows,
holding membership in Elmo Lodge, No. 62, of which he is past
238 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
grand, and a member of Ridgeley Encampment, No. 9, of the same
organization. His success has been won by indefatigable and un-
wavering promotion of worthy principles in his life and has been
attained at the expense of hard work and industry. He is a business
man of marked ability and shrewd discrimination combined with a
high standard of civic conscientiousness. Mr. Dodge is representa-
tive of the spirit of industry which upbuilds our American municipal
life, spreads our commerce and makes us great among commercial
nations.
THOMAS E. PEDERSOX.
Thomas E. Pederson, who in partnership with his brother, Peter, is
conducting a modern blacksmithing enterprise in Randall, is repre-
sentative in all his activities of high business standards and excel-
lent qualities of citizenship. In achieving the prosperity which has
come to him he has been aided by a natural mechanical ability, by
long personal experience and by his unusual energy and determina-
tion. He was born in the section where he now lives on January 2,
1889, a son of Thomas G. and Ellen (Moe) Pederson, natives of
Norway. His father was born July 8, 1851, and came to America
in 1881, landing in this country July 2d of that year. He journeyed
westward, staying for a short time in Illinois, where he followed the
carpentry trade although he had been a blacksmith in his native
country. In 1887 the family moved to Randall where the father pur-
chased a blacksmith shop which he continued to operate until 1906
when he sold the business to his eldest son, Peter. He and his wife
were the parents of the following children: Peter G., who was born
in La Salle county, Illinois, October 15, 1881, and who is associated
with the subject of this sketch in the general blacksmithing business
in Randall; Anna, whose birth occurred March i, 1883, and who
is residing in Randall; Julia, who was born September 19, 1884,
and who makes her home in the same section ; John, whose natal
day was August 26, 1885, and who makes his home in Randall-
Thomas E., the subject of this sketch; Henry, who was born May
7, 1896, and who died June 26, 1896; and Alvina, whose birth oc-
curred June 8, 1900, and who also makes her home in Randall. The
three youngest children were born in Randall and the older ones in
La Salle county, Illinois.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 239
Thomas E. Pederson was reared at home and attended the Ran-
dall public schools. When he was twenty years of age his brother
took him into partnership in the conduct of the rapidly expanding
blacksmithing business which his father had founded and since that
time the two brothers have worked hannoniously and have achieved
distinct and substantial success. They do general blacksmithing,
woodworking and horseshoeing. Both are natural mechanics and
have by industry and intelligent activity made their business grow
into one of the most important enterprises of its kind in this section
of the state.
Mr. Pederson gives his allegiance to the republican party but
has never been active as an office seeker. He is a devout adherent of
the Norwegian church. He makes his home with his parents who
own one of the most pleasant and comfortable dwellings in Randall.
He has many friends in this city where he has spent his entire life.
He is always active in his support of movements for. the general
growth and advancement and is intelligently interested in the af-
fairs of his native city. Honorable, broad, liberal-minded, and never
mercenary, he has always made financial attainment secondary to
the methods by which it is achieved, and thus in gaining wealth and
prosperity for himself he has influenced the general welfare only for
good.
C. A. RODINE.
C. A. Rodine is the junior member of the prosperous mercantile
company operating under the firm name of Peterson, Rodine & Co.,
located in Stratford, Iowa. He was born July 22, 1881, and is a
son of C. O. and Augusta (Swanson) Rodine, both of whom were
natives of Sweden. The father emigrated to America with his
parents who located first at Des Moines. He reached the shores
of the new world when he was a boy of fourteen years and shortly
after his father established his family at Des Moines, he went to
Boone and there took up work in the hardware store owned and oper-
ated by Crary Brothers, remaining in the employ of that firm until
1 88 1. In that year he came to Stratford, Iowa, and erected a build-
ing and engaged in the hardware business in partnership with Crary
Brothers. He continued in that business until 1886, after which he
purchased a farm near Stratford and upon that property he moved
240 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
and was engaged in the cultivation of his land until 1889, when he
rented the place and returned to Stratford. He then, in company
with O. F. Swanson, opened a general mercantile store, with which
he was identified until 1898, when he sold out and lived a retired life
until the time of his death, which occurred January 13, 1900, at the
age of forty-six years. The mother is still living at the age of
fifty-two.
C. A. Rodine was reared at home and received his early education
in Stratford. As a young man he was employed in a general mer-
cantile store until 1901. He then rented of his mother a farm lo-
cated in Webster county and was there engaged in general farming
for five years, after which time he returned to Stratford and purchased
an interest in the mercantile firm of Swanson, Peterson & Company.
In January, 191 1, the name of the firm was changed to Peterson, Ro-
dine & Company, since which time Mr. Rodine has continued to give
his entire attention to the interest of the business. In addition to
his mercantile interests he is also the owner of the fine residence in
which he lives in Stratford.
Mr. Rodine was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Angstrom
on the 5th of September, 1900. She is a daughter of Olaf and Ella
Angstrom, both of whom are natives of Sweden. To Mr. and Mrs.
Rodine four children have been born : Zola, Caro, Maurice and
Clarence A., aged respectively eleven, nine, seven and four years.
Mr. Rodine belongs to the republican party and has fraternal relations
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Wood-
inen of America. He and his family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Stratford. Mr. Rodine by public opinion is
placed among the enterprising and successful business men of Strat-
ford and is in every way entitled to be known as a desirable and use-
ful member of the community in which he lives.
NICHOLAS F. CFIRISTEXSON.
Nicholas F. Christenson is a prominent feed and grain merchant
in Webster City and is influenced in his business life by sound princi-
ples of integrity and by intelligent industry, which qualities have domi-
nated his career from its beginning and have brought it to its pres-
ent successful issue. His offices are maintained at No. 539-541 Sec-
ond street and his operations include dealings in flour, feed, seeds, hay,
'IflPIl HlU.llfcWt'^,
N. F. CHRISTEXSOX AND FAMILY
"1
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 243
poultry remedies and many other kindred commodities. Mr. Chris-
tenson is a native of Norway in which country his birth occurred on
August lO, 1862. His parents, Nicholas N. and Elizabeth (Peterson)
Christenson, left their native country and came with four children
to the United States in 1869. They settled in ^^^ebster City, in June
of the same year, where the father followed the trade of tailor and
was also active as a gardener until December 31, 1882. On this date
his death occurred, when he was sixty-four years of age. Two years
later, in February, 1884, his wife passed away when she Vvas fifty-
eight years of age. They were the parents of seven children: Adolph,
who died in 1882; Nicholas, the subject of this review; Sigwal, who
is a resident of Webster City; Dena, w^o is married and lives in
Emmett county, Iowa; Lena, who is a trained nurse in ^Minneapolis ;
Anna, who married and removed to Wright county, Iowa; and Olaf,
who is still a resident of Webster City. The four oldest children of
this family are natives of Norway, while the three youngest were
born in \\'ebster City.
Nicholas F. Christenson was seven years old when his parents
came to America. He received a limited education in the public
schools of Webster City but was forced by the necessity of earning
his livelihood to lay aside his books at the age of eleven years. At
that early period in his life he started on his active career, finding em-
ployment in the nursery business of G. D. Sutton, of \\^ebster City,
under whom he worked for nine months, receiving for his sen-ices
seven dollars per month. He then became a farm hand, working by
the month on neighboring farms and continued in this line until 1882.
He was economical in an intelligent way and was in that year en-
abled to rent the Kendall Young farm in Hamilton county which he
improved and developed for four years. In 1886 he entered the em-
ploy of his father-in-law, Thomas Pringle, but this association lasted
only four months. At the end of that time Mr. Christenson rented a
part of the LI. E. Schroeder farm and there carried on agricultural
pursuits for two years. From 1888 to 1890 he was active in the cul-
tivation of the Robert Foster farm which he had rented. Although
his success was gratifying in all of these activities and his han^ests
abundant he made various removals, always farming upon land which
he rented. In 1890 he moved to Wright county, Iowa, on the M. A.
Michelson farm, four miles east of Woolstock and here he remained
for four years before he moved back to Hamilton county. In 1892,
however, while living on the Michelson farm he bought eighty acres
of land known as the Tatum farm, one mile northwest of Woolstock,
Vol. n— 13
244 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Wright county. In 1894 he rented the jMattice section near WilHams
and his practical and progressive methods of agricuhure brought him
a substantial success. His dwelling house was then destroyed by lire
and, in 1895, he abandoned his policy of farming on rented land and
disposing of the eighty acres he had formerly purchased, l^ought the
Phil Morris farm of eighty acres in Mulberry Center, Hamilton
county, and brought his holdings to a highly improved and developed
condition. In the spring of 1901 he sold his holdings and moved to
Webster City with the intention of entering the commercial field of
activity. In 1900 he had also bought a quarter section of land in
Brookins county, South Dakota, and this he disposed of in 1904.
His business career in ^^'ebster City has been distinguished hy
shrewd intelligence and active interest in various lines of commercial
development and a well deserved success in his chosen field of occu-
pation. In 1903 he bought an interest in the Pringle & Company im-
plement business and continued his identification with this concern
for five years. In 1908, however, he met with an accident which in-
capacitated him for his duties in this capacity and he sold out his
interest. In the same year he purchased the A. J. Brewer feed store
and has since successfully conducted the enterprise under the name
of N. F. Christenson. His dealings extend to all kinds of feed, grain
and kindred articles. He does an extensive business in poultry reme-
dies, oil meal, salt, hay, straw, flour and seeds, and is constantly in-
creasing his activity. He owes his commercial success to energy and
enterprise along modern lines and to his wise use of every favorable
opportunity. His business has developed into an important concern,
dominated by his forceful personality and guided by his undeviating
policy of strict honor and integrity.
In 1882 Mr. Christenson was united in marriage to Miss Delfrata
Pringle, a daughter of Thomas Pringle of Webster City. Mrs.
Christenson died in June, 1892, leaving one son, Ray, whose death oc-
curred in 1910. In March, 1893, Mr. Christenson was again married.
His second wife was Miss Laura E. Rutledge, a daughter of G. T.
Rutledge, a prominent farmer of Hamilton county. They have three
children: George, born in 1895; Ruth, born in 1899; and Howard,
whose birth occurred in 1907. The family reside at No. 526 Division
street, Webster City.
Mr. Christenson gives his political allegiance to the prohibition
party. He does not seek ofiice and prefers to devote his attention to
the successful operation of his business enterprise. Like many
other men of today he planned and accomplished his own advance-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 245
ment and has come through a series of hampering obstacles to a place
worth attaining in commercial circles in Hamilton county. Success
is always honorable if worthily attained and Mr. Christenson's pros-
perity redounds to his own credit and is a contributing factor toward
the commercial upbuilding of ^Vebster City.
T. M. RICHARDSON.
J. M. Richardson has given all his energies and activities since
he left his father's farm in his boyhood to the jewelry business and
has attained a degree of success in that line inseparable from his
specialized knowledge. He is now operating one of the largest
jewelry stores in Webster City, maintaining his business at No. 6oi
Second street, where he has been located since 1890. He was born
in Mexico, Oswego county, New York, October 24, 1865. His par-
ents were Marcus D. and Mariette (Calkins) Richardson, the former
a prominent farmer in New Y^ork state during his entire life. The
father died in that section of the country when he was about sixty-
eight years of age and his wife passed away. in 1887, when she was
sixty years old.
J. M. Richardson began his studies at the usual age and pursued
the regular curriculum in the common schools of his native city. As
a boy he became acc^uainted with the details of modern and progres-
sive agriculture by assisting his father in the work of the farm, but
his ambition soon led him away from the tilling of the soil and di-
rected his energies to commercial enterprises. When seventeen years
of age he left home and went to Pulaski. New Y^ork, with the definite
intention of learning the jewelry trade. His apprenticeship continued
for three years and at the end of that time he was an expert work-
man in the mechanical details of his chosen business and an intelli-
gent and discriminating judge of precious stones. In the fall of 1886
he came to Webster City and entered the employ of B. Detlor, a
prominent jeweler in this city, with whom he remained for four
years, gaining valuable personal experience in business methods and
in the details of his occupation. In July, 1891, i\Ir. Richardson
formed a partnership with H. J. Arthur under the name of Arthur
& Richardson and carried on a prosperous jewelry business to which
was attached also a drug department. The copartnership continued for
eight vears and the business grew rapidly under the able management
246 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
of Mr. Richardson. In 1899 he started an independent jewelry con-
cern under his own name and has continued in this Hne of activity at
No. 601 Second street since that time. He has become weh known
in business circles of Webster City as an intelligent and broad-minded
man interested not only in his own enterprises but in every move-
ment which makes for the industrial and social development of the
community in which he resides. His cooperation is eagerly sought
in many financial enterprises. He is a director of the First National
Bank of Webster City and vice president of the Northwestern Felt
Shoe Company. His activities are gradually extending as his promi-
nence in the business world increases and his feet are upon the path-
way which leads to distinguished business success.
On July 13, 1893, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage to
Miss Hattie Estes, a daughter of L. L. Estes, one of the pioneer resi-
dents of Hamilton county and a prominent business man of Webster
City. They have two children: Lewis E., whose birth occurred
in 1894; and Claire, born in 1897. The family residence is at No.
1 2 18 Des Moines street, \\'ebster City. In his political views Mr.
Richardson is consistently republican, but, although he keeps himself
well informed upon public cjuestions of national and local character,
he gives very little attention to politics. He holds membership in
Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M.; in Hope Chapter, No. 88, R.
A. M. ; and in Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T., holding in the
latter branch of Masonry the office of past eminent commander.
He belongs to Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B. P. O. E., and his
name is well known in. that organization. He is a member of the
Congregational church and is recognized as a man of exemplary
character, both in private and public life. His increasing business
is gratifying evidence of his advancing prosperity. His fellow citi-
zens recognize him as a successful man who is actively interested in
the development of his personal enterprise as a valuable municipal
asset.
WASHINGTON IRVING WORTHINGTON.
Washington Irving \\^orthington, whose residence in Webster
City dates from October 20. 1855, was for a number of years ac-
tively engaged in business here as a carpenter and builder but is
now living retired, spending the evening of life in well earned rest.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 247
His birth occurred in Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York, in
1829, his parents being Theodore and EHza (Irving) W^orthington.
In 1835 the family home was estabhshed in Tioga county, Pennsyl-
vania, and two years later in Michigan, where the parents of our sub-
ject spent the remainder of their lives. Theodore \\'orthington was
an agriculturist by occupation and also worked at the carpenter's
trade.
W. I. W'orthington was educated in the country schools of Michi-
gan and during his early life worked at farm labor through the sum-
mer months and taught school in the winter seasons. At the same
time he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1848. when a youth of
nineteen, he left the parental roof and spent the following four
years in Illinois and Wisconsin. Returning to Michigan, he there
remained until his removal to Ohio and in 1855 came to Iowa. In
April, 1855, he arrived in Des ]\Ioines, having journeyed to that
place from Muscatine by stage. After a few months he made his
way to Webster City and here he has resided continuously since, or
for a period of fifty-seven years. During the early '60s he went to
Pike's Peak in search of gold and when he returned to this state, at
the end of two years, offered his services as a Union soldier in the
Civil war but was rejected on account of physical disability. He
spent two years in the south, however, acting as sutler's clerk for J.
C. Cheney, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. After the cessation of hostilities
between the north and the south he gave his entire attention to car-
pentering and building and gained an enviable reputation as the fore-
most carpenter of his time, being identified with the erection of many
of the homes and business structures of ^^'ebster City.
Mr. \A^orthington has iDeen married three times. In 1857 he
wedded Miss Caroline Brewer, a daughter of William Brewer of
Webster City, who was a cooper by trade and one of the pioneer
settlers of Hamilton county. By this union there was one son, Charles
Irving Worthington. whose birth occurred in 1857 and who now re-
sides in Omaha. He is married and has three children. In 1863 W.
I. Worthington wedded :Miss Helen Skinner, a daughter of Jacob
Skinner, an attorney of Webster City. She passed away about
1874, leaving four sons, while Fred died before her death. The others
are George J., Frank, John and :\larion. In 1876 Mr. Worthington
married Miss Anna Carmony, her father being Peter Carmony, an
agriculturist of La Salle countv. Illinois. Unto W. I. and Anna
(Carmony) Worthington was born a daughter, Grace Lee, whose
natal year was 1877 and who gave her hand in marriage to Harry
248 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Moore of Webster City. Mrs. Moore was called to her final rest
in 1909.
At the polls Mr. Worthington has always voted independently.
He served in the capacity of assessor for two years and acted as
marshal of \\'ebster City for one year. At the time of his arrival
here Hamilton county was still but sparsely settled and largely un-
developed, and he has therefore witnessed the wonderful transfor-
mation which has occurred as pioneer conditions have given way be-
fore the onward march of civilization. His home is a comfortable
and attractive residence at No. 402 Division street. He has now
passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey and enjoys the
respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has
traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has
been at all times upright and honorable.
GEORGE D. THOMPSON.
George D. Thompson, more familiarly known by his associates
as "'Dell" Thompson, was born in Bureau county, Illinois, June 12,
1867. His parents were Hiram E. and Maria L. (Studley) Thomp-
son. They moved from Illinois to Hamilton county in 1873. Hiram
Thompson was a fanner and most of his life in Hamilton county was
spent in Cass township. He died in 1897 ^^ the age of fifty-nine years.
Maria Thompson survived her husband nine years. She passed to
her reward in 1906 at the age of sixty-two years.
G. D. Thompson's early education in books was accjuired at the
country schools of Cass township but he learned to work on a farm
in those strenuous days when farming was done by hand and when
to bush or shirk was an unpardonable offense. His early associates
were the sons of Angus jMcLaughlin, "Dave" Douglass and Simon
Day, and it is a significant fact that an unusually large per cent of
these rugged farmer boys from Cass township have grown up to
be lawyers, doctors, and ministers and nearly all of them have at-
tained positions of distinction.
It is curious how an apparently trifling incident will make a tre-
mendous impression on the mind of a growing boy. It must have
been in 1879 that the famous Daniels-Van Winkle cow case was tried
at the McLaughlin schoolhouse. The opposing lawyers were Oscar
Hall, young, brilliant and audacious, and the vigorous and somewhat
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY ' 249
pugnacious J. L. Kamrar. "Dell" Thompson and the ^McLaughlin
boys attended the trial and the forensic affray was as vigorous as it
was interesting. After the trial,- the boys crowded quickly to the
schoolhouse door. They expected to see a fight when the lawyers
met outside. Surely after the terrific arraignment of each other
that had just occurred, these lawyers could not meet without fighting!
Imagine then the wide-eyed wonder and almost disgust of the boys
when the lawyers met with smile and joke and finally got into the
same buggy and rode home together ! The trial made a tremendous
impression. Five of those boys became lawyers.
In 1884 young Thompson came to \Vebster City to attend the
high school. He worked for his board, in the meantime, for George
Smith at the Grand Central Hotel. Today he is one of the owners of
the hotel in which he worked as "bell hop" while attending school.
After leaving the high school he attended the Iowa State Teachers
College at Cedar Falls and graduated from that institution in 1890.
He then adopted teaching as a profession and for six years held the
position of principal of the schools at Rippey, Greene county, Iowa.
\Miile teaching school he read law and in 1898 was admitted to prac-
tice by the supreme court of Iowa. He did not at once commence
active practice but accepted the presidency of the Lehigh Y'alley
Bank at Lehigh, Iowa, which he held for two years. In 1900 he
came to Webster City and formed a partnership with J. H. Richard,
and the fimi of Richard & Thompson at once took an active and
prominent position at the bar of Hamilton county. This partner-
ship continued until 1902, when J. H. Richard was elected judge.
Since that time Mr. Thompson has continued his practice alone.
G. D. Thompson is a lawyer who devotes all his time to the prac-
tice of law. His development as a lawyer has been gradual and con-
tinuing. He is not of the flashy, brilliant type whose reputation is
made by the trial of a single case, but rather of that more solid and
steady type whose success is the result of hard work. He is a strik-
ing example of a self-made man. He has a logical, well trained mind
and is an elocjuent forcible speaker, and these qualities have given
him a leading position as a trial lawyer.
In politics ]Mr. Thompson is a stanch republican and has been ac-
tive and prominent in local politics for the past ten years. For six
years he was chairman of the county republican central committee.
Several years ago he was a prominent candidate for the state legisla-
ture and he has received flattering mention as a candidate for con-
250 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
gress. He is now and has ])een for several years a member of the
board of county commissioners of insanity.
On January 23, 1891, G. D. Thompson was united in marriage
to Mary Howd, a daughter of C. A. and Ann Howd of Cass town-
ship. To them have been born four children, Irene, Ruth, Bessie
and George D., Jr. Irene, the eldest, is now attending the college
from which her father graduated. The family reside at 11 14 Sec-
ond street, Webster City, Iowa.
FREDERICK OLSON.
No history of Hamilton county would be complete without the
record of the life of Frederick Olson, who for many years was one
of the most valued and honored citizens of Ellsworth township and
an important factor in its agricultural development. He was among
the early settlers in this section and his life was closely identified with
its progress and growth and his death a distinct loss to the commu-
nity at large. Mr. Olson was born in Norway, October 2, 1824, a son
of Ole J. and Margaret (Stime) Hopperstaff, natives of that country.
His father died in Norway at the age of sixty-four and his mother
passed away at the age of eighty-two. In their family were seven
children : Mrs. Auberson, Mrs. Anna Brecha and Mrs. Anna Hop-
perstaff, all of whom are deceased; Frederick, of this review; Mrs.
Laura Thompson, who has passed away; John, who resides in Capron,
McHenry county, Illinois; and Julia, deceased. All of these children
were born in Norway and all eventually came to America.
Mr. Olson received his education in the public schools of his na-
tive country and remained at home until he w^as twenty-seven years
of age. He then determined to try his fortune in America and,
crossing the Atlantic, he settled in Chicago, Illinois, in 185 1. In that
city and in its vicinit}- he remained until 1882, when he came to Ham-
ilton county, arriving in March of the same year. Here he purchased
two hundred acres of land on section 35, Ellsworth township, and
gave his entire time to its development and improvement. He erected
substantial buildings upon the premises and also a well furnished,
modernly appointed home, into which he moved his valuable library
of choice literature Being a man of splendid ability and executive
force and of keen discernment, he gradually became successful and
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 253
attained a position of prominence among the representative citizens
of the section.
In Chicago, IlHnois, in 1852, Mr. Olson was united in marriage
to Miss Laura Butler, a native of Norway, born September 2, 1834.
She came to America with her parents in 1838, being about eleven
weeks en route from Norway, and settled with them in Fort Dear-
born, now the great metropolis of Chicago. Her parents were among
the earliest pioneers in that section and found upon their arrival only
three crude buildings. For many years they struggled against the
primitive conditions and the father, Marquis Butler, is known today
in Chicago history as one of its first and most prominent builders.
Four brothers of Mrs. Olson, as w'ell as a sister of Mr. Olson, are
buried where Lincoln Park is located. Members of this family have
always been interested in history and have taken pleasure in collect-
ing valuable antiques. Mrs. Olson is in possession of a family Bible
over four hundred years old, which is said to be one of the oldest
books in the state of Iowa and is extremely valuable. Mrs. Olson's
father died in La Salle county, Illinois, at the age of seventy-nine.
Her mother, who w^as in her maidenhood Miss Alice Peterson, passed
away in the same section when she was seventy-four years of age.
Ten children were born to their union, including John, deceased;
Laura, the wife of the subject of this review; Nellie, who lives in
Aurora, Illinois; Lorinda; Herman and Albert, both deceased; and
Martina Grover. Mr. and Mrs. Olson became the parents of twelve
children: Ole Julius, deceased; Henry and Margaret Louisa, w-ho
have also passed away; Alice Josephine, who lives at home; Fred-
erick Lawrence, who resides in Adams county, Colorado; Joseph
Eugene, deceased; Lida Eugene, who lives in Los Angeles, California;
Frantz, who has passed away; Esther Julia Ann, who makes her
home with her mother on the farm; Josephine Matilda and Bertha
May, who also live at home; and Frances Hartwig, who lives in
California. The four eldest in this family were born in Chicago
and the others in La Salle county, Illinois.
Mr. Olson was a stanch republican but his public spirit never
took the form of office seeking. He was a devout member of the
Norwegian Lutheran church, holding membership in Story City,
Iowa. His death occurred in Ellsworth township, January 14, 1904,
when he was nearly eighty years of age. At that time he owned two
hundred acres of fine land, with excellent improvements, and this
property he left to his wife and children, who are carrying on its
development along modern and progressive lines. They are among
254 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
tb.e most honored and highly esteemed people in this part of the
state, where the integrity, public spirit and loyalty which are tradi-
tions in their family are widely known and honored. The death of
Mr. Olson deprived Hamilton county of one of its upbuilders and
developers, a man of broad and liberal mind, a cultured scholar, a
public-spirited and enterprising citizen. All the undertakings with
which he was identified were profitable and prosperous, yet his truest
success lay in the honor and esteem which he has won from his as-
sociates and friends.
ALFRED JA^IES SIMPSON.
Alfred James Simpson, who is employed in the general mercan-
tile store of J. P. Talcott, was born at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on
the 6th of December, 1855, and is a son of James and Elizabeth
(Patterson) Simpson. The father was a native of Langdale End,
England, his birth having there occurred in 181 5, and the mother of
Dublin, Ireland. In 1869, the family removed to Iowa, making the
journey from Wisconsin to Hamilton county in a prairie schooner.
They spent the winter in Webster City, and in the spring the father
traded an old horse and fifty dollars in money for a forty acre tract
of land, which now forms part of the ]\Iurphy farni in Williams town-
ship. He subsequently increased his holdings by the purchase of
eighty acres lying north of his homestead and another eighty lying
south. The further improvement and cultivation of this place en-
gaged his attention until 1885, when he disposed of it and removed
to Wright county, where he bought and sold three different farms
and then settled in Dows. He and the mother subsequently retirrned
to Williams and spent their latter years in the home of their son,
Alfred James, where they passed away, her death occurring on Sep-
tember 15, 1899, '^1''*^^ ^^^^ on the 5th of April, 190 1. They were the
parents of three sons, our subject being the eldest. The next in order
of birth. Frederick, was born in Wisconsin, Octol)er j, 1858. and died
at Iowa City, this state, on the 7th of January, 1906, and was buried
at Dows. Edgar Patterson, the youngest member of the family, is
also a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred there on Feb-
ruary 28, 1862, and is now residing at Armstrong, Kossuth county,
Iowa.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 255
Alfred James Simpson was educated in the common schools of
liis native state, where he passed the first fourteen years of his life.
The greater part of his youth and early manhood was devoted to
agricultural pursuits, but he has for some years been engaged in
• mercantile activities.
On the 1 6th of September. 1880. Air. Simpson was married to
Miss Ellen Lister, who was born at Farley, Dubuque county. Iowa,
on the 1 2th of November, 1857. She removed from there in 1870
to Rose Grove township, Hamilton county, with her parents, who are
mentioned at greater length under the sketch of Thomas Arthur Lister.
Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Simpson : Mildred May,
who was born on the 29th of May, 1881, the wife of Frank ^^'ood, of
\\'illiams ; ]\Iorton Le Roy, \\hose natal day was December 18, 1882,
a resident of Porter, Minnesota ; George Edgar, who was born on
March 13, 1885, of Webster City, Iowa; Pearl Lurene. who was lK)rn
December 28, 1887, the wife of James Bowen. residing in Rose Grove
township; Benjamin Harrison, a resident of Williams, who was born
on the 6tli of February, 1889; Helen Elizabeth, who was born on
the 1st of November, 1890, the wife of Roy Burket. of Williams:
Myrtle [Maud, oi Williams, who was born on the 15th of September.
1892; Floyd Herbert, whose birth occurred on July 24. 1894. of Will-
iams; and Flossie Belle, who was born on the 29th of March, 1899,
and is attending public school. Mrs. Bowen and the son Benjamin
are natives of \\'right county, but the other members of the family
were born in Hamilton county.
Fraternally, Mr. Simpson is identified with Silver Link Lodge.
No. 458, I. O. O. F., and has been secretary of the same for the
past fifteen years. He is one of the oldest members of the local
order of this organization, ha\ing" been initiated at their second meet-
ing. He also belongs to the ]\Iystic Workers of the World and is
secretary of the Williams lodge. In politics. Mr. Simpson is a re-
publican and takes an active interest in all municipal affairs. He has
several times been called to public office, having served as mayor for
two terms. Axhile for eight years he discharged the duties of con-
stable. The family affiliate with the Presbyterian church and numljer
among the members of its congregation man}- close friends. Mr.
Simpson has passed the greater part of his life in this section of the
state, nmch of his time having been spent in the immediate vicinity of
Williams, which contained but two houses when he first came here.
He has witnessed the town destroyed by fire on three occasions. For
many years he has actively cooperated in its progress and de\elop-
256 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ment, and is numbered among its public-spirited and enterprising
citizens. He owns his residence, which is one of the attractive prop-
erties of the town, and expects to spend the remainder of his hfe in
the community endeared to him by associations of many years.
ARTHUR C. HUGHES.
Arthur C. Hughes was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. May 19, 1873,
a son of George W. and Julia A. (Bracken) Hughes, in whose family
were six children : Mrs. Lizzie Hay ward, of Lincoln, Nebraska :
Jimmie; Harvey L., a resident of Superior, Nebraska; Mrs. Jennie
Callahan, of Amarillo, Texas; Arthur C, of this review; and Mrs.
Jessie Short, of Omaha, Nebraska. George W. Hughes passed away
February 25, 1906, and his wife on the 29th of January, 19 12.
Arthur C. Hughes moved with his parents to Missouri when he
was ten years of age and received his education in the public schools
of that state. He came to O'Brien county, low^a, in 1890 and spent
several years in that section, going to Nebraska eventually and dy-
ing at Beatrice, August 2, 1909, when he was only thirty-six years
of age.
On the 20th of February, 1896, Mr. Hughes was united in mar-
riage to Miss Mary L. Sowers, a native of Ellsworth township, Ham-
ilton county, born February 7, 1871. She is a member of one of
the pioneer families in this section of Iowa and grew to womanhood
in her native township. She and her husband became the parents
of ten children : Claude Guy, who was born in O'Brien county, De-
cember 22, 1896, and who died on February 25, of the following year;
Arthur Ray, who was born January 24, 1898, and who is residing
with his mother; Royal Herbert, who was born February 2t,, 1899.
and died March 3, of the same year; Lloyd Elmer and Floyd Delmer.
twins, born October 24, 1900, the latter of whom passed away No-
vember 19, 1909; Chester Lee. born March 16, 1902; Edward Neal
and Edgar Noel, twins, born December 16. 1904, both of whom
are deceased, the former passing away August 2, 1905, and the lat-
ter on August 4, of the same year; Roland Lester, born February 3,
1907; and Julia Rebecca, born July 30. 1908. The family are mem-
bers of the Christian church.
After the death of her husband ]Mrs. Hughes removed to the
family home in Ellsworth townshi]:) and has nobly assumed the re-
HISTOID' OF HAMILTON COUNTY 257
sponsibility of raising a large family of children. She owns forty
acres of the old Sowers' homestead on section 35, one of the most
attractive farms in the section. The improvements were pnt up
by Mrs. Hughes' father, who also planted the grove and large or-
chard, which add beauty and attractiveness to the appearance of the
place. Here she has made a real home for her children and is de-
voting her energies to their upbringing, cheerfully and willingly
making the utmost sacrifices in order that they may become good,
upright and worthy men and women.
ALBERT W. ROSS.
Albert W. Ross, \\ho is engaged in the hardware business in Will-
iams, was born in the vicinity of Epworth, Dubuque county, Iowa, on
the 226. of August, 1875. His father, Xorman A. Ross, was born
in Massachusetts, but has long been a resident of Iowa, and now
makes his home in Council Bluffs. In 1879, the family removed to
Waterloo, Iowa, going from there to Fort Dodge, thence to Sedalia,
^Missouri, and subsequently to Williams, Iowa. Shortly before re-
moving to A\'aterloo the father had entered the service of the Illi-
nois Central Railroad Company in the capacity of telegraph lineman,
but he only followed this vocation for about two years and then en-
tered the train service and is now passenger conductor between
Fort Dodge and Omaha, Nebraska. The mother, whose maiden
name was Leola Ann Jaques, was born near Findlay, Ohio, whence
she removed with her parents to Dubuque county, Iowa, in 1868.
Her father was one of the trustees of Epworth Seminary, at Epworth,
this state, and her brother \Y. K. Jaques, is a well known physician
of Chicago. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ross numbers three, two
sons and a daughter, our subject being the eldest. The daughter,
Hattie Leola, who is the next in order of birth, was born near Ep-
worth, Iowa, on the 9th of February, 1877, and graduated from the
Williams high school with the class of 1892. She is the wife of
R. S. Goulden, a graduate of the Iowa State College at Ames, who
is engaged in teaching mathematics and manual training in one of the
Arkansas state schools, at Monticello, that state. Ozro N., who is the
youngest member of the family, was also born in the vicinity of Ep-
worth, his natal day being December 29, 1879. After graduating
from the Williams high school he attended the Iowa State College
258 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
for a year and subsequently became deputy clerk of the courts of
Hamilton county, in which capacity he served for four years. He
is now residing in Webster City and is employed in the abstract of-
fice of Varick C. Crosley.
The education of Albert \\'. Ross was begun in the public schools
of Fort Dodge and continued in those of Sedalia, Missouri, and
Williams. He was one of the first four graduates of the Williams
high school and was a member of the class of 1892, as was also his
sister. After leaving school he apprenticed himself to the tinner's
trade in the shop of Tomlinson & Talcott of Williams, being identi-
fied with this firm for three years, with the exception of one winter,
when he attended the seminary at Epworth. In 1896, he became as-
sociated with S. E. Aumiller, under the firm name of Ross & Aumil-
ler, in the hardware business at Vincent, Iowa. The next year he
withdrew from this enterprise and went to Bancroft, Kossuth county,
accepting a position as tinner with Bronson & Company of that place.
They subsequently sold out to Nemmers Brothers, but their succes-
sors retained the services of Mr. Ross, who was connected with
this concern for a year. At the expiration of that time he returned
to Williams, and was employed in the hardware store of William
Sawyer, until it was destroyed in the big fire, in February. 1899.
Very soon thereafter, Mr. Ross once more engaged in business for
himself in the old school building at the corner of Main and Third
streets, where he conducted a tin shop and bicycle store until 1901,
when he moved to his present location. He carries a good assort-
ment of shelf and heavy hardware, cutlery, and tinware in connection
with \\ hich he maintains a repair department and tin shop. He owns
the building where his store is located and is meeting with success,
having built up a good trade in Williams and the surrounding coun-
try.
At Woolstock, Iowa, on the ist of January, J900. ^Ir. Ross was
united in marriage to Miss Maggie Gerard, a native of Lee county.
Illinois, who died in W^illiams on November 2. 1900. Her parents
were residents of Woolstock. to which place they had removed from
Illinois in 1892. On the 19th of August, 1910, Mr. Ross was mar-
ried to Miss Emma Mills, whose natal day was November 24. 1888.
She was graduated from the Williams high school in 1906 and subse-
quently took a stenographic course in the Waterloo College of Com-
merce. She is a daughter of Samuel Fillmore and ]Mary L. (Hizer)
Mills, the former a native of Oak Park, Cook county, Illinois, his
1')irth having there occurred on the 7th of January, 1850, while the
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 259
mother was born in Steuben, Oneida county. New York, on August
15, 1853. They located in the southern part of A\'right county, Iowa,
in 1877, and there the father eng-aged in farming for several years.
In 1907 Mr. Mills withdrew from active work and removed to Wil-
liams, where he purchased some property and erected a modern resi-
dence on the site where stood the first house built in the town. Six
children were born to ^Ir. and Airs. ]^Iills, of whom ]\Irs. Ross is the
youngest. In order of birth the others are as follows: Clara S.,
who was born in the vicinity of Rockford, Illinois, on July 17, 1874,
the wife of E. D. Harding, who is operating the old Mills' farm in
Vernon township; Sarah J., who was born on the 14th of January,
1876, and became the wife of M. C. Peterson, of Dolliver, Iowa; Lucy
L., w'hose birth occurred December 17, 1877, the wife of L. V.
Vaughan, of Rockford, Illinois; Charles Willard Francis, whose natal
day was December 11, 1879, residing near Rockford, Illinois; and
James Lee Martin, who was born on the 5th of December, 1883, of
Wright county, Iowa.
]\Ir. and Mrs. Ross attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal
church, of which she is a member. Fraternally Mr. Ross is affiliated
with Alamo Lodge, No. 547, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled
all of the chairs; and Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., of Webster
City. He also belongs to Jungle Camp. 1844, M. W. A.; the Royal
Neighbors, of which he is one of the managers of the local order, Xo.
633 ; and the Yeomen. He votes the republican ticket, and has been
town recorder for four years and chief of the fire department for
ten. Mr. Ross is one of the public-spirited, enterprising business men
of the town, where he is widely known and held in high esteem.
J. A. DUNKEL.
J. A. Dunkel is a thoroughly equipped civil engineer and to his
activities in this line brings a scientific and technical knowledge of the
details of his business and a sound theory often successfully tested in
practical work. Mr. Dunkel w-as born in Illinois in 188 1, and is a son
of John M. and Annie (Hall) Dunkel. the former a prominent farmer
and stock-raiser in Illinois. In this state the father still makes his
home, but the mother has passed away. The public schools of his
native state afforded J. A. Dunkel his early opportunities in an edu-
cational line and he pursued his studies until he had completed the
260 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
usual course of studies. His engineering career began in 1900, A\hen
he entered the employ of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Rail-
road, where he perfected himself in civil engineering. He had an
apt and alert mind, scientifically inclined and he was also endowed
with a degree of mechanical skill. These qualities stood him in good
stead in his chosen field and after five years of continuous applica-
tion he had achieved a special education along this line which put
him in the front rank in his profession. In 1905 he was employed by
the city engineer of Tuscola, Illinois, and became in 1906 identified as
a partner with the newly organized Tuscola Supply & Construction
Company, formed to do business in Iowa and having its office in
^^'ebster City. In the following year Mr. Dunkel removed to the lat-
ter city and took up his active duties in the construction line of activi-
ties. He remained with the Tuscola Supply & Construction Com-
pany until February i, 191 1. In that year he disposed of his inter-
ests to W. H. Omstead and established an enterprise of his own
which he has since conducted. He makes a specialty of drainage
work. He thoroughly understands engineering, construction and the
various intricate mechanical details of the profession with which he is
identified. He has a systematic and technical mind, stored with a
large amount of broad general knowledge and a wide accjuaintance
with the special details of his profession.
In January, 1906, Mr. Dunkel was united in marriage to Miss
Clara Stimson, of Ellettsville. Indiana, and to their union has been
born one son, James Stimson, whose birth occurred in October, 1908.
The family residence is at No. 908 Second street, Webster City, Iowa,
and Mr. and Mrs. Dunkel are well known in the younger social circles
of the city. He believes firmly in specialization as a factor in effi-
ciency and has conformed his own business activities to this theory.
His youth makes his present degree of attainment a mere preliminary
to greater future success to which his many friends in W^ebster
City look forward as a certainty.
PETER T. OKLAND.
One of Hamilton county's sons whose business career, reflects
credit upon himself, family and community is Peter J. Okland, one of
the foremost representatives of the commercial activities of Randall.
His birth occurred in Ellsworth township on the 24th of March.
p. J. OKLAND
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 263
1879, his parents being Nels P. and Julia M. (Ellingson) Okland.
The father is a native of. Norway and the mother of Benton county,
Iowa, where they were married and began their domestic hfe. They
came to Hamilton county during the pioneer period, locating in Ells-
worth township, where for many years the father engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits, but he has now withdrawn from active work and he
and the mother are residing in Randall. To them were born the
following children: Peter J., who was born in Benton county in
1875 and died in infancy; Mrs. Julia G. Thompson, who resides in
tlie vicinity of Williams; Peter J., our subject; Ellen, who is deceased;
John, who is a resident of Ellsworth township ; Halver, who lives
in Minnesota ; and Alma, who is deceased. All but the first named
were born in Hamilton county, where they were likewise reared.
Peter J. Okland was born and reared on a farm and educated
in the rural schools of Ellsworth township, and also attended the
Jewell Lutheran College for two years. His life has not been un-
usual in any way but has passed in the routine which is characteris-
tic of small communities. The son of a self-made man. as a child
he had instilled in his youthful mind many valuable precepts on thrift
and diligence and the important part they played in the achievement
of a successful career. In common with the majority of youths who
are reared in the country he early began to assist in the tilling of the
fields and care of the crops, continuing to follow agricultural pur-
suits until 1902. Believing that commercial activities afforded better
returns he then gave up farming and accepted a clerkship in a general
mercantile store in Randall, preparatory to fitting himself for a
business career. Five years later, feeling that he was fully qualified
to engage in the operation of a like enterprise for himself, he re-
signed his position and established a general mercantile store under
the firm name of Okland & Company. The marked development of
his business and the excellent patronage he enjoys leaves no doubt as
to the wisdom of his decision, but on the contrary is substantial proof
of his possessing clear foresight and sound judgment. He carries
as large and varied an assortment as will be found in any similar
establishment in the county and draws his patrons from the surround-
ing country for a radius of several miles. His success must be at-
tributed to a careful study of the varied needs and circumstances
of his customers, no less than to his gracious, accommodating manner
and upright business methods.
Mr. Okland was married on the 6th of December, 1906, to Miss
Bertha G. Anderson, who was born in Jewell Junction, this state,
Vol. 11—14
264 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
on the same day and month in the year 1884. Her father, John P.
Anderson, is a native of Denmark, whence he emigrated to the
United States in early life. Here he met and married Miss Marv J.
Idso, a native of Kendall county, Illinois. They resided in Story
county, Iowa, during the early period of their married life, coming
from there to Hamilton county, locating here during pioneer days.
They now make their home in Randall. Nine children have been
born to them in the following order : Carl, who was born in Story
county on the i8th of October, 1878, and is associated in business
with Mr. Okland; Bertha, deceased; D. jMartin. a hardware merchant
of Randall; Mrs. Okland; Mabel, who is clerking for Okland & Com-
pany; Anna, deceased; Rasmus, a resident of Randall; and Alfred
and Albert, who are deceased. The three eldest were born in Story
county, this state, but the last named are natives of Hamilton county.
Mr. and Mrs. Okland have two children: Lloyd H., who was born
on the i2th of October, 1908; and Ralph L., whose natal day was
October 18, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Okland are members of the Norwegian Lutheran
church and his political support ^Ir. Okland accords to the repub-
lican party. The owner of his residence, one of the best in the town,
and a thriving business, he takes an active and helpful interest in
forwarding the development of the community and is in every sense
of the word a most desirable type of citizen.
N. H. BA\\DEN.
Business success is a direct result of centralized energy, an alert
mind and an intelligent power of discrimination. Political ability
comes from a discerning sense of the values of men, constructive or-
ganization and genuine honesty. These qualities united in the char-
acter of N. H. Bawden, no^^• serving as supervisor of Hamilton
county, where he has made his home for many years, a representa-
tive business man in \\'el)ster City and one of the efficient public
officials of his county. He was born near Galena. Illinois. Decem-
l>er 21, 1852. His parents. Nicholas and Anna (Harris) Bawden.
were both natives of England and their families for many generations
were residents of Cornwall. Representatives in the paternal line
w-ere engaged in mining in that vicinity w'hile the maternal side of
the family ha\'e been agriculturists for a long period. Mr. and Mrs.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 265
Nicholas Bawden were married in England and jjoth came to the
United States prior to 1850. the father, however, preceding the
mother by about two years, the latter bringing with her their eldest
daughter. Mr. Bawden made the journey across the Atlantic on a
sailing vessel and it was accomplished under difficult conditions. Ves-
sels at that time were entirely deiDendent upon the winds and these
being adverse at the time of Mr. Bawden's crossing, lengthened the
journey to over four months. When he finally landed in America
he pushed on immediately to Lafayette county, \\'isconsin. and thence
to Jo Daviess county, Illinois. Here the father followed his occu-
pation of mining and l)ecame a well known citizen of his adopted
district before his death, in 1858. His wife survived him until 1880.
in which year her death occurred. Beside the daughter born in Eng-
land Air. and Mrs. Bawden were the parents of seven sons, whose
births occurred in the United States.
N. H. Bawden was reared at home and educated in the public
schools of Jo Daviess county. Illinois. He pursued the usual course
of study until he was fourteen years of age and then laid aside his
books to accept a position in the iron mines of the northern peninsula
of JMichigan, near Marquette, where he remained for seven years. He
then went to Apple River. Illinois, and engaged in the butcher business
with some success until 1877.' In that year his residence in Webster
City l)egan and has continued with an interruption of two years since
that time. In 1877 he started a meat market in Webster City and was
active and successful in its operation for a few months. \Mien the
mining rush to the Black hills of South Dakota commenced he aban-
doned his business interests in Webster City and removed to the
ore fields, where he spent one year prospecting with, however, but
little success. In 1878 he returned to Webster City and eventually
purchased a tract of land in Freedom township, Hamilton county,
which he developed and improved along modern agricultural lines
for ten years. His farming was practical and productive of good
results and during his period of identification with this line of ac-
tivity Mr. Bawden accomplished much for the farming interests of
his county. In 1890 he again removed to Webster City and has re-
mained there since that time engaged in various commercial enter-
prises. His ambition and energy and his undoubted business ability
have always been directed towards expanding and (le\-eloping ends.
He has been for many years a prominent figure in Inisiness circles
of Webster City and his citizenship has been a valuable asset in the
municipal progress. He has been identified with the grocery business
266 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
and has spent two years in the creamery hne. He successfully con-
ducted for five years a flour and feed business, which under his man-
agement and direction became one of the largest concerns of its
kind in the city. During the last few years he has given his time
principally to the political activities and duties incident to his public
career. He has never deviated from his allegiance to the republican
party and has served his community in various positions. From
1902 to 1903 he was constable in Webster City and did effective
work in this capacity. He was deputy sheriff from 1909 to 1910
and was elected to his present office of county supervisor on the ist
of January, 191 1. He is a capable and efficient public ser\ant, keenly
interested in the public welfare and thoroughly awake to developing
conditions. His political activities have been distinguished by a rare
honesty of purpose and a high intelligence in the promotion of the
interests of his constituents.
On January 26, 1876, Mr. Bawden was united in marriage to Miss
Canzetta J. Fovab a daughter of George Foval, of Jo Daviess county,
Illinois. To this marriage were born four children: Earl, a cement
contractor in Oklahoma, who married Miss Rose jNlikel, by whom he
has one son. Harold; Irene, who became the wife of Fred Knudson,
a hardware merchant in Sibley, Iowa, and is the mother of two
children. Jack and Virginia; Beyel, who became the wife of J. W.
Mason, of AA'ebster City, and passed away in 1908; and Arthur
Grant, who resides on a farm in Freedom township, Hamilton county,
Iowa, with his wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Susie Mason.
The first Mrs. Bawden died on August 28, 1898, and on December
10, 1902, our subject was again married. His second wife was Mrs.
Carrie Mullen, a daughter of A. H. Malcolm, one of the pioneer set-
tlers of the state of Iowa. He is a representative and valued citi-
zen of Rolfe, that state, and has been identified with some of the
leading interests in its pioneer development. He took part in the
troubles following the Spirit Lake massacre and is a distinguished
veteran of the Civil war. He is now in the eightieth year of his
age and is living in Rolfe with his wife, who is sixty-eight years old.
Mrs. Bawden is the mother of two children by her first marriage:
Jean Alullen. born in 1889, a resident of Pocahontas. Iowa; and
]\Ialcolm. whose birth occurred in 1891 and who is residing in Web-
ster City. Mrs. Bawden is a charming and hospitable woman and
is well known in social circles of the city. She is a member of the
Order of Rebekahs. and her religious work in the interests of the
Methodist Episcopal church is active and efficient.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 267
Mr. Bawden is i>rominently identified with various fraternal or-
ganizations in his city. His connection with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows has existed since he attained his majority. He now
belongs to Webster City Lodge, No. 342. I. O. O. F., and is a past
grand of that organization and for the last fifteen years has served as
its banker. He also holds membership in Ridgley Encampment, No.
9, and is past chief patriarch and banker for this branch of the
order. He belongs to ^^^ebster City Lodge, No. 23, Eureka Canton,
and has held the position of banker in this organization also. His
fraternal affiliations form one of the active interests of his life and
his business ability and organizing skill have been valuable assets
to the societies with which he is connected. Mr. Bawden is a man
whose broad and intelligent citizenship makes him representative and
prominent in business, political and social circles of Webster City.
Honorable and broad-minded in his purposes, always careful to con-
serve the interests not only of his constituents but of the general
public, active, energetic and discriminating, his political labors are
of the expanding and developing kind which bring definite and cer-
tain results.
GEORGE B. BERGESON.
George B. Bergeson, who is engaged in the piano business, is one
of the well known residents of Ellsworth, wdiere he has been identi-
fied with commercial interests for twenty years. He was born in La
Salle county, Illinois, on the 17th of May, 1875, and is a son of Peter
and Anna M. (Peterson) Bergeson, natives of Norway. They came
to America in the early '50s and were married in La Salle county, Illi-
nois, where the father subsequently engaged in farming. In 1883
the family remo\-ed to Hamilton county, Iowa, settling on two hun-
dred and forty acres of partially improved land in Lincoln township,
where ]\Ir. Bergeson continued his agricultural pursuits. He dili-
gently applied himself to the further improvement and cultivation of
his farm until 1901, when he removed to Ellsworth, where he lived in
retirement until his death which occurred on January 15, 1906, at the
age of seventy-five years. The mother, who is seventy-seven years of
a?e, resides in Ellsworth.
The youngest member in a family of five George B. Bergeson was
reared at home and educated in the common schools. He assisted
268 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
his father until he was twenty-one, when he engaged in fanning for
himself on the old homestead. He continued his agricultural pursuits
there for five years and at the expiration of that period bought eighty
acres of land. After cultivating this place for a year, he disposed of
it and came to Ellsworth, where he purchased the furniture and un-
dertaking establishment of O. N. Sexy. He subsequently extended
the scope of his activities by adding a stock of pianos and musical in-
struments, in which line he built up an excellent trade. On the ist
of May, 19 1 2, Mr. Bergeson sold his furniture and undertaking
business and now devotes his entire time and attention to his music
store.
In 1897, Mr. Bergeson was married to Miss ^Martha Swenson,
who was born on the 28th of August, 1872, and is the twelfth in
order of birth in a family of thirteen. Her parents, Aad and Sarah
(Nelson) Swenson, were born, reared and married in Norway, whence
they emigrated to America with their family in 1886, locating in this
county. Here the father passed away on Februar}' 13, 1902, at the age
of seventy-six. but the mother was eighty-one at the time of her
death, which occurred on the 6th of August, 1910. Mr. and Mrs.
Bergeson have four children, Anna Mabel, Sylvia Agnes, George Mar-
shall and Porter Benton.
The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and
fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, be-
ing secretary of Enterprise Camp, No. 4100. He is a democrat in
politics and has represented his ward in the town council for the past
seven years. Mr. Bergeson owns his residence and a business block
here and is one of the stockholders of the Ellsworth Mutual Tele-
phone Company, of which he is the secretary. He is a man of dili-
gence and enterprise in matters of business, while as a citizen he is
progressive and public-spirited, and is held in high esteem by his
neighbors and fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM A. ALLINSON.
William A. Allinson is the owner of a barber shop in \Mlliams,
which he has successfully conducted since 1902. He was born in
Illinois, on the 15th of August, 1870, and is a son of William and
Jane (Armstrong) Allinson. The father, who died in Williams,
February 22, 1901. was also a native of Illinois, Imt the mother was
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 269
born in Grant county, Wisconsin. She is now sixty-six years of age
and is a resident of this city. In 1875. Mr. and :\Irs. Ahinson came
to Iowa with their family and located on a farm in the vicinity of
Williams, where they remained for two years. At the expiration of
that time they removed to town and the father here established a
wagon and blacksmith shop, which he .conducted for many years, and
for a time he also served as postmaster. In religious faith he was a
Methodist and his widow and family affiliate with the same church.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Allinson numbered four, our subject be-
ing the third in order of birth. The others are as follows : Ada, who
was born in 1865 and died at Zion City, Illinois, in September, 1903,
the deceased wife of John I. Johnson; Jennie, whose birth occurred
in July, 1869, the wife of Frank Millsap, of Rose Grove township;
and John \\'., a resident of Williams, whose natal day was the 7th of
June. 1S84. The two eldest are natives of Illinois, but the last named
was born in Hamilton county.
William A. Allinson was only a child of fi\e years when he ac-
companied his parents on their removal to Hamilton county, where
he has ever since made his home. He obtained his education in the
public schools of Williams and subsequently assisted his father in the
operation of the wagon shop. Later he turned his attention to agri-
cultural pursuits, and for a time worked out as a farm hand, giving
this u[) to enter upon the duties of assistant postmaster under H. N.
Hurd. He retained this position under his father and John Hurd,
and served the present incimibent, C. M. Stevens, in a like capacity
for three and a half years, the length of his term being substantial
evidence of his general efficiency. After resigning this office he en-
gaged in the meat business in Williams for three years, and then
clerked for \Vilde & Company for a year. In 1902 he purchased the
barber shop of Charles jMifler, and during the intervening years has
succeeded in building up a lucrati\-e business in this line. He has
many friends in the town and surrounding country, and through his
efficient work, accommodating manner and unfailing graciousness has
won a large patronage, which is constantly increasing.
On the 24th of May. 1892, Mr. Allinson ^^as married to Miss
Adeline Millsap, who was born near Toronto, Canada, on the 2Sth
of August, 1874, and is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Graham)
Millsap, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Canada In
1880, the family came to Hamilton county, settling in Williams, but
later they removed to a farm and subsequently located in Hardin
county. There the parents passed away, the father's death occurring
270 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
in May, 1901, and that of the mother on the 4th of June, 1894. Their
family numbered nine, Mrs. Alhnson being the youngest. The oth-
ers are as follows: Joseph; Sinclair; Frank; Edward; May, the wife
of Albert Grose; Lydia, who became Mrs. John Dickey; Jennie, the
wife of W. F. Shields ; and Nellie, who married Amos Fenwell. Mr.
and Mrs. Allinson have had three children : Harold Vincent, who
was born October 2, 1893, graduated from the Williams high school
with the class of 191 1 and is assisting his father in the barber shop;
Thomas LeRoy, who was born February 17, 1895, a meml^er of the
high-school class of 1912; and Angle Leah, who was born on the 6th
of October, 1898, and is a student of the public schools. She was
one of the members of her class who was accorded the privilege of
taking the state examination this year and made a creditable record.
The eldest son was born in Hardin county, but the births of the other
two occurred in Williams.
Mrs. Allinson and the children belong to the Methodist Episcopal
church, and fraternally he is affiliated with Alamo Lodge, No. 547,
A. F. & A. M.; and Williams Camp, No. 1844, M. W. A. Mr. Allin-
son is one of the public-spirited men of the town and takes an acti\e
interest in all political affairs, giving his support to the republican
party. He is a member of the board of education and served for two
years as township clerk. He is a most desirable type of citizen, as he
is diligent and enterprising in his business, owns his residence and is
personally interested in promoting the development of the community
along permanent, substantial lines. Despite the fact that his business
claims much of his time and attention, he finds opportunity to indulge
his fondness for baseball, and is pitcher for the local team, which is
one of the best nines in the county, and has established a recor/:l by
defeating the teams of the surrounding towns.
JAMES RANKIN.
Among the loyal and patriotic citizens of Iowa who donned the
blue in defense of the Union in 1861 is numbered James Rankin,
who for more than thirty years was identified with the agricultural
development of Hardin county, but is now living retired in Williams,
enjoying in his latter years the competence acquired by his early
thrift and diligence.
HISTORY OF HA^llLTOX COUNTY 273
He was born in Ireland in 1838, and is a son of John and Esther
(McBurney) Rankin, who were born, reared and married in the Em-
erald isle. In 1839, they emigrated to America, locating in Canada,
where they resided until 1855, when they crossed the border into the
United States, settling in Cedar county, Iowa. They subsequently
remo^'ed to Greene county, this state, and there the father passed
away in 1875. He was long survived by the mother, who died in
Harrison county, Iowa, March 29, 1899, and was buried in the fam-
ily lot in Greene county. The family of Mr. and ]\Irs. Rankin num-
bered nine, the first two of whom were born in Ireland, the next four
in Canada, and the remainder in Cedar county, Iowa. In order of
birth they are as follows : Abraham, who is a resident of Wood-
bine, Iowa; James, our subject; William, who is living in Harrison
county, Iowa; George, of Clear Water, Nebraska; Belle, now Mrs.
William Ayers. of Grand Junction, Iowa; Margaret, who married
John Tipton, of Armstrong, Iowa; Letitia, the wife of John Sullivan
of Beaver, this state; Sarah, who married George Smith, of Soldier,
Iowa; and Esther, who became the wife of Fred Bowers, of Paton.
this state.
James Rankin was only an infant when his parents emigrated to
America, and a youth of seventeen years at the time they located in
Iowa. He was reared on a farm and given the advantages of a com-
mon-school education, which he obtained in Canada. When the call
came for troops in 1 861, he responded as also did a brother, and went
to the front as a private in Company E, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer
Infantry. His term of service expired on the 31st of December.
1863. and he was honorably discharged at Vicksburg. He reenlisted
the same day and served until the close of the war, being under the
command of Colonel Hall. When mustered out he returned to Iowa,
•where he resumed his agricultural pursuits. In 1868, he removed to
Hardin county, and there engaged in general farming and stock-rais-
ing until 1902. when he went to North Dakota to avail himself of
his homestead rights as a veteran of the Civil war. He remained
there for two years and at the expiration of that time came back to
Iowa and purchased a residence in Williams, where he and his wife
have ever since made their home.
In Cedar county, this state, on the 30th of August. 1866, Mr.
Rankin w^as married to Miss Jane Cash, who was born in Oneida
county. New York, on January 4. 1847. She is a daughter of Wil-
liam and Sarah (Webb) Cash, the former a native of Ireland and the
latter of England. They came to Iowa during the pioneer days and
274 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
settled in Cedar county, and there the mother passed away in 1868,
at the age of fifty-five years. She was long survived by the father,
who was eighty at the time of his death, which occurred in Cedar
county in 1884. They had another daughter, Sarah Ann, who was
born in New York state on April 4, 1832, and died in Cedar county
in June, 1894. She was the wife of Henry Britcher. To Mr. and
Mrs. Rankin were born six children : Albert, who was born in Cedar
county, Iowa, July 22, 1867, residing at Armstrong, Iowa; Sarah,
Avhose natal day was October 16, 1869, the wife of John A. Cams,
of Boise, Idaho; Ella, who was born March 13, 1872, and became the
wife of Albert J. Palmer, of Hollister, Idaho; Henry, who was born
September 30, 1875, and married Rose Johnson, a resident of Long
Hill, Hardin county, Iowa; David, who was born on the 22d of April,
1877, and married Mary Craig, residing in the vicinity of Alden,
this state; and Mar}?-, who Avas born on the 2d of July, 1883, the
wife of Nelson Button, residing at Herdsfield, North Dakota. All
but the eldest son were bom in Hardin county, this state.
Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are Methodists in their religious faith and
hold membership with the church of that denomination in Williams.
His fraternal relations are confined to this connection with C. Fair-
child Post, No. 431, G. A. R., and in politics he is a republican. In
his early years Mr. Rankin led an active, enterprising life, meeting
with the success that invariably crowns earnest effort when intelli-
gently put forth. He is now numbered among the substantial citi-
zens of Williams, where he has property interests which are yielding
him a good annual dividend.
ALEXANDER CARUTH.
Alexander Caruth, who is extensively engaged in general farming
in Williams township, having under cultivation five hundred and
twenty acres, has been identified with the agricultural interests of
Hamilton county for twenty-three years. His birth occurred at
Bridgeport, Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 23d of October, 1861. He
is of Irish extraction in the paternal line, his father, Matthew Ca-
ruth, having been born on the Emerald isle, in November. 1842. The
mother, whose maiden name was Mar}^ Jane Cochran, was born and
reared in Ohio, but passed away in Williams, April 2, 1909. The
early domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Caruth was passed in Ohio, whence
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 275
they remo\-ed to Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois, residing there until
1889. On March i of that year, they came to Hamilton county, locat-
ing- on a farm in Williams township in the cultivation of which the
father was engaged for many years. He has now^ retired from active
work, however, and is living in Williams. Our subject is the eldest in
a family of eight, the other members in order of birth being as fol-
lows : Sarah, the wife of Al \\'alters, of Waterloo. Iowa; William,
who is a resident of La Salle county, Illinois ; Robert, deceased ; Adam,
who is engaged in the implement business in La Salle, Illinois ; Andrew-
of Williams; John, a resident of Williams; and Mary, who became
the wife of Dr. Moorehouse, residing at Harlan, Iowa. The two elder
children were born in Ohio and the others in Illinois.
The education of Alexander Caruth was obtained in the common
schools of La Salle county, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood
and fitted for the vocation he is now following. He came to Hamil-
ton county after his marriage and has ever since been a resident of
Williams township, where he owns a farm of one hundred and twenty
acres. Mr. Caruth is enterprising and diligent and is meeting with
success in his undertakings. In addition to the cultivation of his own
tields he rents four hundred acres of land from his father, from
which he annually reaps abundant harvests. He takes great pride in
his homestead and has devoted much time and expense to its cultiva-
tion and improvement. His land is substantially fenced, he has ample
barn room for the shelter of his stock and grain and a comfortable
residence, all of which are kept in repair. His fami presents a good
appearance and manifests the exercise of capable management and
systematic supervision in its operation.
On the nth of December, 1886, Mr. Caruth was married to Miss
Mattie Cummings, who was born twelve miles from Albany, New
York, on the 9th of October, 1861, and is a daughter of Henry and
Perces (Chappell) Cummings. The father was born in the state of
New York on February 14, 1836, while the mother is a native of
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, her birth having there occurred on February
14. 1835. They passed their early married life in New York, but in
1865. removed to Illinois, subsequently coming from there to Iowa,
and are now residing in Iowa Falls, Hardin county, this state. The
family of Mr. and Mrs. Cummings numbers four: Mrs. Caruth;
Irene, who was born in August, 1862, the wife of James Chase, of
Weblake, Wisconsin; Orlando, whose birth occurred on October 5,
1864, a resident of Texas; and Ethel, whose natal day was the 2d of
June, 1876, the wife of Arthur Ragan, of Hardin county. All were
276 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
born in Xew York, with the exception of Mrs. Ragan, who is a na-
tive of Ilhnois.
Mr. and Mrs. Caruth have had tweh-e children : Iva Fay and
Myrtle Irene, both of whom are deceased; Ina, who was born March
14, 1889, the wife of A. E. Howes, who is mentioned at greater
length elsewhere in this work; Harry, whose birth occurred October
10, 1 89 1, a resident of Williams township; Cyril, born on the 17th
of July, 1892, living at home; Henry Alatthew, w^hose natal day was
April 25, 1894; Clifford, born on the 3d of November, 1895; one,
who died in infancy; Frederick, whose birth occurred on the 28th of
December, 1897; Mary Jane, who died in infancy; Raymond, who
was born August 6, 1901 ; and Robert, whose birth occurred on the
14th of January, 1905. The three eldest were born in Illinois and the
younger members of the family in Hamilton county, this state.
The family affiliate with the Presbyterian church of Williams, and
Mr. Caruth belongs to the local camp of the Modern \\'oodmen of
America. He is a stanch democrat in his political views. He is not
remiss in matters of citizenship and takes an active interest in all
things pertaining to the progress of the community or the general
welfare of its residents. ,
ALVIN C. HENDERSON.
Alvin C. Henderson, a former agriculturist of Hamilton countv.
who is now residing in \\"illiams, was born in De Kalb county, Illinois,
on the 26th of June, 1873. He is a son of James W. and Eliza (Hip-
pie) Henderson, natives of Perry county, Pennsylvania, the father's
birth having there occurred on August 12, 1834, and that of the
mother on May 5, 1837. They removed from the Keystone state to
Somonauk, De Kalb county, Illinois, in i860, where for many years
the father engaged in farming. He is now deceased, his death having
occurred in July, 1897, but the mother is still living, and continues to
make her home in Somonauk. Eight children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Henderson, our subject being the seventh in order of birth and
the youngest son. The other members of the family are as follows :
Laura, now Mrs. J. L. Carms, of Courtland, Nebraska; Ida, the wife
of J. M. Skinner, of Beuhler, Kansas; John A„ a resident of Somo-
nauk, Illinois; Matilda, who married W. A. Hines, of Sandwich,
Illinois ; James F., a resident of Somonauk. Illinois ; Mary, deceased :
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 277
and ]\Iartha, now Airs. A. Gletty, of Courtland, Nebraska. Thev
were all born and reared on the old homestead in De Kalb county,
Illinois.
The early years in the life of Alvin C. Henderson were passed on
the farm where he was born, his education being obtained in the dis-
trict schools and the high school at Somonauk. As is common with
farmer lads he early began assisting his father with the work of the
tields and care of the crops, thus familiarizing himself with the prac-
tical duties of the agriculturist. On the ist of March, 1899, he came
to Hamilton county, Io^^•a, where the December preceding he had pur-
chased one hundred and twenty acres of land located in Rose Grove
township. He diligently applied himself to the further cultivation
and impro\ement of his farm during the succeeding thirteen years,
meeting with fair success. In August, 19 10, ^Lr. Henderson began
auctioneering, and as he was efficient and capable the demand for his
services steadily increased until he decided to give up farming and
devote his entire attention to the former vocation. He, therefore,
rented his farm and bought a residence in Williams, where he removed
with his family on the ist of March, 19 12.
On the 27th of June, 1894, Mr. Henderson was married to Miss
Sarah C. Davis, who was born in Somonauk, Illinois, on October i,
1878, and there she was reared to womanhood, acquiring her edu-
cation in the common schools. She is a daughter of J. W. and Mary
A. (Arnold) Davis, the former a native of New York, his birth there
occurring on October 30. 1848, while the mother was born in Batavia,
Illinois, on the ist of November. 1855. They removed from Illinois
to Hamilton county, and now reside in Rose Grove township, this
county. Their family numbered ten, all of whom were born in De
Kalb county, Illinois, with the exception of the youngest, who is a
native of this county. In order of birth they are as follows : Lizzie,
the wife of John Johnson, of \Vebster City; Mrs. Henderson; Edgar
T., who is a resident of ^^'yoming; Anna, now Mrs. L. B. \\'ood, of
A\'illiams ; Clara, who is living in Williams; George, deceased; and
Roy, Frank, Melvin and Jay, all of whom are living in \\'illiams.
Mr. and Airs. Henderson have five daughters : Ethel, who was
born on the 6th of July, 1895; Grace, whose natal day was the 2d of
January. 1898; Ella, who was born June 8. 1900; Fern, whose birth
occurred on the 12th of October, 1902; and Vira, who was born No-
vember 7, 1904. The two eldest were born in La Salle county, Illi-
nois, and the remaining three in this county.
278 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church
of Williams, of which Mrs. Henderson is a member. Fraternally he
is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and his political support he accords
llic rcpul)lican party. He served for eight years as clerk of Rose
Grove township and he was also a member of the school board during-
his residence there. Mr. Henderson is one of the highly esteemed
men of the community and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he
has dealings, as he is straightforward and upright and conducts his
transactions in an honorable manner.
J. WILLIAM WILKINSON.
J. William Wilkinson, senior partner of the firm of \\'ilkinson
Brothers, dealers in general merchandise, is one of the highly es-
teemed members of tlie commercial circles of Williams, where he has
been successfully engaged in business since 1909. He was born in
Grant county, Wisconsin, on the 3d of July, 1871, and is a son of
William Austin and Elizabeth (Tomlinsonj Wilkinson. The father
was born in Missouri but the mother is a native of Grant county,
Wisconsin. Both parents are living and now make their home in
Alden, Hardin county, Iowa. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin-
son numbered four, our subject being the second in order of birth.
The others are as follows: Maude, who was born July 2, 1869, the
wife of J. H. Watson, of Hardin county; Walter, who was born on
the 5th of March, 1876, and studied for a time at the Iowa State Col-
lege at Ames and subsecjuently pursued a law course in Drake -Uni-
versity, now a resident of Quincy, Illinois; and Clifford A., who was
born November 19, 1884, and is engaged in business with his brother.
J. W., in Williams.
J. William Wilkinson was reared at home and at the usual age
began his education in the public schools, terminating his student days
before completing his high-school course at .\lden. this state, where
he resided for sixteen years. In 1909, together with his brother,
Clifford A., he established a general mercantile store in \\'illiams,
which has proven to be a lucrative undertaking. Their store is fa-
vorably located, they have a well assorted stock of merchandise that
they offer at reasonable prices, are accommodating and considerate of
their patrons and as a result are building up a large trade and have
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 279
every reason to feel gratified with the development of their undertak-
ing. They are practical, far-sighted men of enterprising methods
and in the conduct of their husiness have conformed to a policy that
commends them to the confidence of the community.
On June 19, 1895, Mr. Wilkinson was married to Miss Kate AIc-
Cue, w^ho was born in Amboy, Illinois, on the nth of February, 1869.
She is the seventh in a family of nine children born to Lawrence and
Elizabeth McCue, natives of Ireland, who passed their latter years in
Williams. In order of birth the other members of the family are as
follows: Anna, the wife of James Gelday, of Fort Dodge, Iowa;
James, who is a resident of Waterloo; Mary, who married C. H..Ball,
of Chicago; Thomas, who is deceased; Ella, the wife of W. H. Mi-
nard, of Williams; Lawrence, who is residing at Nashua, this state:
Bart, who lives at Seattle, Washington; and John, a regular in the
United States army. The family have long been residents of Hamil-
ton county, the two youngest children having been born here. Mr.
and Mrs. ^^'ilkinson have a son and a daughter : Harold T., who was
born at Malcom, this state, on September 19, 1897, and is now a stu-
dent of the local high school; and Leona E., whose natal day was the
1 2th of January, 1899, a student in the public school.
The political support of Mr. Wilkinson is given to the republican
party, and although he takes an active interest in municipal affairs he
has never held ofiice. He is a man of high principles, energetic and
dilio-ent in his business, owns his residence, cooperates in promoting
the progress of the community and is in every way a desirable citizen
and a useful member of society.
CARL J. THORESON.
Carl T- Thoreson, who is engaged in the harness and automobile
business, is numbered among the enterprising members of the com-
mercial fraternity of Ellsworth. His birth occurred in Hamilton
county on the 12th of September, 1876, and he is a son of Gustav and
Anna (Egland) Thoreson. The father, who is now sixty-one years of
a^^e is a native of Norwav, while the mother was born in Illinois fifty-
nine years ago. They were married in this county and here for many
years the father devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, but they
have been residing in Jewell since 1895. Our subject is the eldest of
the five children born to his parents.
280 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The boyhood and youth of Carl J. Thoreson were passed on the
farm where he was born, his education being obtained in the common
schools. He remained at home until his people removed to Jewell,
when he started out to make his own way in the world. For three
years thereafter he worked out by the month, but at the expiration of
that time he came to Ellsworth and opened a meat market, which he
conducted for a year. He then disposed of this enterprise and went
into the livery and dray business. A year later he likewise sold this
business, investing the proceeds in a restaurant, which he conducted
four months. In 1902 he bought out the harness shop of Oscar Gor-
man,, and seven years later he extended the scope of his activities by
building and equipping a garage and putting in a line of automobiles.
As Mr. Thoreson is an active, wide-awake man of affairs and has es-
tablished an excellent reputation for reliability and trustworthiness,
he is accorded a large patronage. He has met with more than aver-
age prosperity and, besides his place of business and residence in Ells-
worth, owns a hundred and sixty acres of land in Kossuth county.
In 190 1, Mr. Thoreson was united in marriage to Miss Anna
Olson, a daughter of Nels Olson of Randall, this county. She is the
fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children, and was born on
the 30th of January, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Thoreson have become the
parents of five children: Hazel R., Leo C, Lurine, Curtis L. and
Mamie.
The family attend the services of the United Norwegian Lutheran
church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Thoreson ac-
cords his political support to the republican party and has served for
five years as school director. He is held in high regard by his fellow
townsmen, as he 1)elongs to the progressive type of citizen and takes
a personal interest in forwarding the development of the community.
ROBERT PELZ.
Robert Pelz has contributed to the agricultural resources of Lib-
erty township one hundred sixty-four and one-half acres of land in-
telligently operated and improved, and to the quality of citizenship
in his section a life spent usefully and honorably in the pursuit of
worthy ambitions. He was born in Germany on the 30th of April.
1865, and is a son of Ernest and Mary (Pelz) Pelz, both natives of
the fatherland. His mother is now residing in Washington. TUi-
r*ww^j,
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT PELZ
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 283
nois, but his father Hved and died in his native country. Mr. Pelz
has one half sister, Mrs. L. E. Grove, who makes her home in Wood-
ford, IlHnois.
Robert Pelz came to America in 1874, and his active career has
been entirely devoted to agricultural pursuits. His first location was
made in Tazewell county, Illinois, where he remained until he was
twenty-three years of age and engaged in farming. He removed to
Livingston county and spent four years in that section following
the same line of occupation, coming thence to Stanhope, Hamilton
county, where he rented a tract of land and began its cultivation.
He was extremely successful in the development of his farm. When
his first lease expired he was able to purchase one hundred sixty-four
and one-half acres on section two, Liberty township, and on this he
is now residing and has won such a gratifying measure of success
in his work that he is numbered among the substantial and represen-
tative farmers of his locality.
On the 24th of July, 1888, Mr. Pelz married Miss Lena Reeser,
a native of Tazewell county, Illinois, born July 23, 1869. She is a
daughter of John and Mary (Rinkleberger) Reeser, the former a
native of France and the latter of Germany. Her father died in
Woodford county, Illinois, in 1891, at the age of ninety-one years.
He had long survived his wife who died in Illinois in 1886, at the
age of fifty-three. To their union were bom eight children : Jo-
seph, who is now deceased; Christ, who is in business in Peoria, Illi-
nois; John, who is farming near Eureka, Illinois; Benjamin, who
makes his home in Kansas; Mrs. Fannie Springer, who has passed
away; Mrs. Anna Householder, of Fairbury, Illinois; Mrs. Lizzie
Albright, a resident of Lombardville, Illinois; and Mrs. Pelz. Mr.
and Mrs. Pelz became the parents of nine children: Benjamin R.,
bom August 19, 1889, in Cullom, Illinois, who is now residing in
Blairsburg township, Hamilton county; John E., born May 14, 1891,
in Cullom, who is now assisting his father in the work of the home
fami; Mrs. Mary Hamitt, whose birth occurred February 5, 1894,
in Cullom. and who is now residing in Blairsburg township; Esther,
bom August 7, 1896, in Stanhope, Iowa, who is now residing with
her parents on the home farm; Sadie F., born in Liberty township,
September 25, 1899; William Mclvinley, born September 14, 1901 ;
Clara E., born November 10, 1905; Fred, whose birth occurred on
the 29th of October, 1906; and Robert Irvin, born June 21, 191 1.
In his political affiliations Mr. Pelz is a republican and takes an
intelligent interest in everything connected with the welfare of his
Vol. n— 1 5
284 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
section. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, hold-
ing membership in Williams, Iowa, but is not otherwise active in
fraternal circles. He is a member of the Congregational church of
Blairsburg, and is widely known as a man of high and exemplary
character. He and his family are numbered among the most highly
respected citizens of the community in which they reside, and their
home is a center of hospitality for their many warm friends. Mr.
Pelz is a successful man in the truest sense of the word — a man of
unusually broad-minded and intelligent views, of broad tolerance
and wide experience ; not mercenary, not grasping, believing in some-
thing greater in importance than material wealth. In the course of
a life spent simply and unostentatiously, he has been a factor for
good in almost every phase of community development, and has given
his energies to lasting, useful and worthy things.
CHARLES MARTIN TILGHMAN.
Charles Martin Tilghman, who was formerly identified with the
agricultural development of Hamilton county, but is now living re-
tired in Williams, is an honored member of the rapidly thinning ranks
of the Civil war veterans and belongs to a family distinguished for
its loyalty and patriotism. He is a native of Michigan, his birth hav-
ing occurred in Oakland county, that state, on the nth of March,
1836, and the third in order of birth and the oldest surviving member
in a family of thirteen. The father, James M. Tilghman, was born
in Westmoreland county, Maryland, July 14, 1807, but in his early
manhood he located in Michigan where he passed the remainder of his
life, his death occurring in Bay City, that state, on the 20th of March,
1890. The mother, whose maiden name was Ann Chapman, was born
in Pennsylvania on the 26th of November 1819, and passed away on
the old homestead in Oakland county, Michigan, on December 24,
1886. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Tilghman were all born in
Oakland county. In order of birth those beside our subject are as
follows : James Henr}^ who was bom in Avon, Michigan, on the 2d
of May, 1833, and died in Colorado, November 3, 1887; Sarah, who
was born July 11, 1834, and died April 10, 1835; Mary Ann. who was
born January 24, 1838, and died at Haworth, Illinois, November 5.
191 1, the deceased wife of Leander Rutledge; Martha Elizabeth, the
wife of Alexander Pittenger, who was born May 7, 1840, and died
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 285
at Orion, Michigan, in 1905 ; William Henry H., a resident of Flint,
Michigan, whose natal day was the 5th of February, 1842; Vernelia,
the deceased wife of Martin Hummer, born on the i6th of Septem-
ber, 1844, and died in Orion, Michigan, in 1909; Ellen, who was born
on April i, 1846, and died on the 20th of January 1865; Worth, who
was born on the 2d of February, 1848, and died August 31, 1854;
Devillo, who was born February 10, 1850, and died August 26, 1854;
Juliet, who was born May i, 1852, and died the same day; F>ank
Earlington, who was born on the 29th of September, 1854, and is
now residing at Hagerstown, Indiana; and Rush Elmore, who was
born January 7, 1857, and died on the 4th of May, 1874. The parents
were among the early pioneer settlers of Michigan, where for many
years the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a public-
spirited man, notable for his loyalty not only to the community but to
the state and nation, and although he had attained the age of sixty
years when the Civil war opened, he enlisted as a private and went to
the front with the Seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry.
The boyhood and youth of Charles Martin Tilghman were passed
on the old family homestead in Michigan, in the common schools of
which state he received his education. Being one of the elder mem-
bers of a large family in moderate circumstances, he early began to
assist his father with the work of the fields and care of the stock, and
long before he had attained his majority was a useful member of so-
ciety and a skilled agriculturist. At the age of twenty-one years he
purchased a farm in McLean county, Illinois, thus laying the foun-
dation for an independent career. He resided in that county for
thirty-five years, devoting his energies to general agricultural pur-
suits in which he met with a fair measure of success. When the call
came for seventy-five thousand volunteers after Fort Sumter was
fired upon, Mr. Tilghman enlisted for seventy days. In 1862 he re-
enlisted in Company B, Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and
served for three years. His division commander was General Her-
ron, of Dubuque, Iowa, but at the siege of Vicksburg he was under
the command of General John A. Logan. He participated in many
of the notable battles of the war, and was wounded in the arm and in
the leg at Prairie Grove, Arkansas. When mustered out he returned
to Illinois and resumed farming. In 1892, Mr. Tilghman disposed of
his interests in that state and on March i, of that year, together with
his wife and family he started for Hamilton county, Iowa, and the
day following arrived in Williams, where he has ever since resided.
Here he purchased a farm of three hundred and five acres, one htm-
286 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
drecl and sixty of which is located in Wright county and the remain-
der in Williams township, Hamilton county, and for eleven years
thereafter devoted himself to its further improvement and cultiva-
tion. It is well improved and highly cultivated and is numbered
among the valuable farming properties of this section of the county.
In 1903, Mr. Tilghman retired from active work and removed to
town where he owns a pleasant residence, and he and his wife are
spending the latter years of their life in well earned ease, enjoying a
competence that supplies them with every need and many luxuries.
On the 27th of February, 1868, Mr. Tilghman was married to
Miss Mary Kinsey, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on
March i, 1846, and there passed the first seven years of her life. She
is a daughter of Thomas and Esther (Gwyn) Kinsey, natives of
Pennsylvania, the father's birth having occurred on August 8, 1809,
and that of the mother on December 17, 1807. They subsequently
located in \Vayne county, Indiana, where they resided until 1853,
when they removed to McLean county, Illinois, and there they both
passed away, the father on February 13, 1884, and the mother on the
1 8th of January, 1886. Seven children w^ere born to Mr. and Mrs.
Kinsey, those besides Mrs. Tilghman, who is the youngest of the fam-
ily, being as follows: Henry, who was born June 19, 183 1, and died
on the 4th of June, 1882 ; Joseph, who was born on January 29, 1833,
and died in August, 1910; Martha, the wife of James Washburn,
born August 17, 1835, and died in 1900; William, whose natal day
was the 31st of August, 1837, now residing at Le Roy, Illinois, where
he celebrated his golden wedding on March 5, 1912; Alfred, who was
born on the 19th of March, 1839, and died December 5, 1840; and
Emeline, who was born on June 18, 1843, and died August 10, 1873
Mr. and Mrs. Tilghman have had eight children : Thomas Martin
who was born February 25, 1869, and is now residing at Canby, Min
nesota; Anna, who w-as born in Ford county, Illinois, January 4
1873, t^^ ^"^'^^^ o^ Charles Stipp; Joseph F., who was born March 20
1875; Emma May, who was bom February 14, 1877, and died April
16, 1906; Dora Belle, who was born June 18, 1879, the wife of John
Ranger, of Rose Grove township; Mary, whose natal day was the
20th of June, 1882, living at home with her parents; Maude Pearl,
who was born August 5, 1886, the wife of Ray T. Johnson, of Wil-
liams; and Harry K., who was born August 3, 1889, and is living in
Rose Grove township. Mr. and Mrs. Tilghman also have living with
them a granddaughter, Letha Fern Tilghman, who has been with
them since she was eighteen months old. She was bom on the 30th
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 287
of November, 1896, and is a daughter of their eldest son, Thomas
Martin. All of their children were born in McLean coimty, Illinois,
with the exception of the eldest daughter.
The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Tilghman is manifested
through their connection with the Methodist Episcopal church, with
which he united on the 23d of February, 1858, and he has held all of
the offices it is possible for a layman to fill. His fraternal relations are
confined to his membership in Alamo Lodge, No. 547, A. F. & A. M.
He is one of the oldest if not the oldest Mason in the county, having
been affiliated with this order for forty-eight years. Mr. Tilghman
cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and he has ever since given his
support to the men and measures of the republican party. While
residing on the farm he was elected trustee of Williams township, and
served in this capacity for six years. He was formerly a stockholder
of the State Bank of Williams, and served as a director of this in-
stitution for nine years, but is no longer actively identified with busi-
ness enterprises of any nature. He is a most estimable man, and is
held in high regard in the community, where young and old accord
him the respect and veneration earned by an honorable, well spent life.
Three years ago, in 1909, Mr. Tilghman visited the old homestead
and the scenes of his childhood in Michigan, and while there attended
an old settlers picnic, and had the distinction of being the oldest native
of Oakland county present on that occasion.
WILLIAM GERBER.
William Gerber, who is at present mayor of Williams, Iowa, was
born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 19th of February, 1855. He is
a son of Jacob Gerber, who was born and reared in Germany to the
age of eighteen years, when he emigrated to the United States. He
subsequently returned to the fatherland and there he was married
to Miss Barbara Ziegler, the mother of our subject. After the death
of his wife, Jacob Gerber decided to return to the United States, feel-
ing assured that his children would find here better opportunities
and greater advantages than were afforded in the old country, so in
1868 he took passage for America accompanied by all members of
his family with the exception of his eldest daughter, who has al-
Mr. and Mrs. Gerber: Jacob, who died in infancy; Margaret, the
ways made her home in Germany. They first located in Peoria, Illi-
288 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
nois, but after a sojourn there of about two months continued their
journey westward to Hamilton county. Soon after his arrival here,
Mr. Gerber bought a farm south of Webster City, which was the
family home for many years. The following children were born to
wife of Jacob Becker, who is living" on the old family homestead in
Bavaria; Caroline, who married Ernest Schroeder, of Blairsburg,
Iowa ; Daniel, who is living in South Dakota ; Charles, of Webster
City; Louis N., who for three terms served as county superintendent
of Hamilton county, but is now residing in Mount Vernon, Iowa;
William, the subject of this review; Kate, the wife of Samuel Mc-
Coombs, of Webster City; Anna, who died at the age of four years;
and Mary, whose death occurred when she was nine. The father
passed the remainder of his life in this county, his death occurring in
\\'ebster City, in 1904.
William Gerber was a lad of thirteen years when he accompanied
his father to America. He was reared on the home farm in this
county and completed his education in the district schools, after which
he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He subsequently en-
gaged in farming on his own account, following this vocation until
1890, when he removed to Williams and went into the drug and
jewelry business with his brother Louis N., under the firm name of
Gerber Brothers. They were associated in the conduct of this en-
terprise for some time, and after withdrawing from it, Mr., Gerber
purchased the pool room and bowling alley he now operates, in
connection with which he also handles a stock of tobacco and cigars.
In March, 1878, Mr. Gerber was married to Miss Amelia A.
Bruseau, who was born at Hook's Point, Hamilton county, Iowa,
March 30, 1861, and is a daughter of William and Adeline (Lavalla)
Bruseau, who passed the latter years of their lives in this county.
Mrs. Gerber is the eldest of the seven children bom to her parents,
the other members of the family being as follows : Riley, who is a
resident of Fremont, Nebraska; Albert, who lives in Memphis, Ten-
nessee; Stella, the wife of Albert Hartman, of Alberta, Canada;
George, of Memphis, Tennessee ; Minnie, now Mrs. DeFrance, of
W^ebster City; and Harry, who lives in Omaha, Nebraska. They
were all born and reared in Hamilton county. Mr. and Mrs. Gerber
have had three children, all of whom are at home : Harvey H., who
was born December 29, 1878; Ada J., whose birth occurred on the
TOth of March. 1880; and Jessie M., whose natal day was October
15. 1892. After graduating from the Williams high school, they en-
gaged in teaching and the two daughters are still following that
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 289
profession, Miss Ada having the seventh and eighth grades of the
Williams school, and Miss Jessie having a district school in the vicin-
ity of her home. The two elder children were born near Webster
City, but the youngest is a native of Williams.
Mrs. Gerber and the two daughters belong to the Presbyterian
church, and fraternally Mr. Gerber is affiliated with Alamo Lodge,
No. 547, A. F. & A. M. ; Silver Link Lodge, No. 458, I. O. O. F. ;
Williams Camp, No. 1844, M. W. A. ; and he is correspondent of
Yeomen Lodge, No. 618, of W'illiams. His political allegiance is
given to the democratic party in national elections but he casts an
independent ballot for county and municipal officers, giving his sup-
port to those candidates he deems most likely to serve the highest in-
terests of the people, regardless of party affiliation. He serv^ed for
seventeen years as councilman, and he has also discharged the duties
of justice of the peace and been a member of the school board. At
present he serves as mayor of Williams and discharges his duties of
this, the highest office in the gift of the city, in a most commendable
manner. The greater part of Mr. Gerber's life has been passed in
Hamilton county, of the early history of which he possesses a wide
and authentic knowledge, being regarded as one of the best informed
men in Williams on this particular topic.
LEWIS WESTRE.
Lewis Westre engages in general farming and stock-raising in
Lyon township, this county, where his mother owns eighty acres of
land located on section 29. He is the seventh in order of birth of
the eight children born of the marridge of Oliver and Bertha (Ole-
son) Westre. his natal day being the 13th of August. 1883. The
parents were born, reared and married in Norway, whence they emi-
grated to America about 1874, coming direct to Mahaska county,
Iowa. There they purchased eighty acres of land, which the father
cultivated until 1882, when he sold his farm and coming to Hamilton
county invested the proceeds in a quarter of section 29, a portion of
which is now owned by our subject's mother. Mr. Westre here con-
tinued his agricultural pursuits until his death in June, 1903, at the
age of sixty-three years. The mother, who is now sixty-seven, con-
tinues to reside on her homestead.
The entire life of Lewis Westre has been passed on the farm.
290 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
where he now resides. In the acquirement of an education he at-
tended the district schools until he had mastered the common branches,
and then devoted his entire attention to the work of the farm, remain-
ing at home until he was married. His principal crops are corn and
oats and in connection with general farming he engages in raising
stock. The land is all fenced and tiled and under high cultivation, and
annually produces abundant harvests. The improvements on the
place were made during the lifetime of his father, and as they were
substantially' constructed originally and have been kept in repair, are
in good condition.
On the 6th of March, 1912, Mr. Westre was married to Miss Amy
Johnston, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Stevenson) Johnston,
natives of Ireland. They came to America in early life and were
married in Connecticut, but in 189 1 they came to Iowa, locating in
Wright county. There the mother passed away in 1904, at the age of
forty-five years. The father, who is now sixty, resides in Wright
county, where he follows the carpenter's trade. He takes an active
interest in all local affairs, particularly of a political nature, and for
eight years held the office of marshal at Dows. Mrs. Westre, who
was born on the 12th of April, 1887, is the eldest of three children
born to her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Westre attend the Norwegian Lutheran church, and
in politics he is a republican. He is one of the energetic, ambitious
and capable young men of his community, and is directing his under-
takings with a foresight and intelligence which give assurance of con-
stantly increasing success.
E. E. ASHPOLE.
E. E. Ashpole, a substantial and enterprising farmer living on
section 4, Blairsburg township, Hamilton county, Iowa, is one of the
prosperous and successful native sons of the state and is giving the
most forceful and active years of his life to promoting agricultural
development in the section where he was born. He has been dur-
ing his entire career not only a loyal and enterprising citizen but a
cooperative factor in the development and upbuilding of his com-
munity and his present prosperity is only a part of the broader suc-
cess which has come to him as an individual force in progress. Mr.
Ashpole was born near the present limits of Webster City, Iowa, on
MR. AND MRS. E. E. ASHPOLE
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 293
October 7, 1866. His parents were Frederick and Lucy Elizabeth
(Lee) Ashpole, both natives of Huntingdonshire, England. They
came to America at an early day and settled in Clinton county, Iowa.
They made the trip overland to Hamilton county in an emigrant
wagon and settled on a farm in Cass township. The father broke
the soil and developed his holdings from a raw stretch of prairie
land into an improved property. The family suffered all the hard-
ships and trials incident to pioneer life when there were practically
no roads through the township and when the facilities for operating
the farm were meager and ineffectual. The elder Mr. Ashpole re-
mained upon his original holdings for eleven years and at the end of
that time was considered one of the substantial and enterprising
agriculturists in Hamilton county. He died in Blairsburg township,
in 1903, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife died while on a
visit in Clarion, Wright county, Iowa, on December 25, 1910, when
she was eighty-five years old. To their union were born twelve chil-
dren, six sons and six daughters, but only six are now living as fol-
lows: Cyrus, of Thompson, Iowa; Stillman, of Clarion, this state;
Mrs. Mary Carpenter, a resident of Thompson; E. E., of this re-
view; Mrs. Stella Hock, of Knox, North Dakota; and Albert, of
Bagley, Iowa. The three eldest children were born in Clinton county,
Iowa.
E. E. Ashpole has spent his entire life in Iowa and from his ear-
liest childhood has been identified with the agricultural development
of this state. He was educated in the public schools and aided his
father in the work of his farm, gaining when he was still very
young a personal experience in the details of planting and harvest-
ing the crops. His farm today comprises eighty acres of the choicest
land in Blairsburg township and is a model for every agricultural
enterprise in this state. It is equipped with the latest devices in
farming machinery, Mr. Ashpole taking a great interest in all those
inventions which during the past ten years have changed agricultural
conditions in the middle west. His fields, practically and intelli-
gently operated, yield annually abundant harvests. His barns, gran-
aries and other outbuildings are clean and sanitary and of modern
construction and his farm is an exemplification of what can be ac-
complished by intelligently directed effort combined with progres-
sive methods.
Mr. Ashpole has been twice married, his first union being with
Miss Minnie King, to which union was born one son, Glenn. On
October 7, 1908, Mr. Ashpole was again wedded, his second union
294 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
being with Miss Magdalena Eckstein, who was born in Webster City,
Iowa, in 1876 and who is a daughter of John and Clarinda (01m-
stead) Eckstein. Mrs. Ashpole is one of thirteen children born to
her parents, as follows: John L., residing in Wisconsin; Mrs. Eliza-
beth Monroe, of Webster City; Eddie and Clara, both deceased; Mrs.
Ashpole; W. J., of Algona, Iowa; N. C, also residing in Webster
City; Mrs. Edith Ashpole, of Wright county. Mrs. Edna Butler, of
Rutland, Iowa; Frank, of Chicago, Illinois; Ella, who has also passed
away; Fred, residing in Perry, Iowa; and Clark, a twin brother of
Fred, whose home is in Kellogg, Idaho. To Mr. and Mrs. Ashpole
has been bom one daughter, Helen Maurine, whose birth occurred'
on the 22d of July, 1909.
In his political affiliations Mr. Ashpole is a member of the re-
publican party and has been school director and road supervisor. He
is a prominent Mason holding membership in the lodge. He has
seen the development of his section of Iowa which in his boyhood
had not entirely passed beyond the conditions of a frontier territory.
He has not only witnessed the gradual evolution into its present
flourishing state but as a progressive and public-spirited citizen has
borne his part in the general upbuilding.
WILLIAM H. RICK.
One of the rapidly developing and thriving business enterprises
of Williams is the furniture establishment of William H. Rick, which
he has been conducting with unusual success for the past eleven years,
running in connection therewith an undertaking department. He is
a native of Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, his birth having oc-
curred there on February 20, 1868, and a son of John G. and Mag-
dalena (Saunders) Rick. The parents were both born and reared
in Germany, but in early life they emigrated to the United States and
for a time resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Later they removed
to Illinois, locating in Princeton, where they resided until 1869,
when they settled in Buda, Illinois. Nine years later, in 1878, they
came to Hamilton county, Iowa, locating on a farm two miles east
of Williams, which was their home for many years. The family
of Mr. and Mrs. Rick numbers four, our subject being the third in
order of birth. The others are as follows : Theodore J., a resident of
Rutland, Iowa, who was born in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, on
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 295
May 15, 1861; George C, who was born in Princeton, Illinois, on
the 13th of March, 1867; and Nellie C, born March 2, 1870, the
wife 'of Robert P. Orris, a native of Buda, Illinois, but now a resi-
dent of Lehigh, Webster county, Iowa. The father, who was a vet-
eran of the Civil war passed away in Williams on the 26. of April,
191 1, but the mother is still living and continues to make her home in
this city.
William H. Rick was a child of eighteen months when his par-
ents removed to Buda, Illinois, and a lad of nine years when they
settled in Hamilton county. He obtained his education in the com-
mon schools and was early trained to habits of thrift and industry,
which qualities have been dominant factors in promoting his suc-
cess. In 1885, at the age of seventeen years, he left the farm and
came to Williams to take a position in the store of Crabtree & Mor-
rison, having decided upon a commercial career in preference to
agricultural labors. He was identified with this enterprise for six-
teen years, although during that period the store passed under a
different management, and the fact that he was retained by the
different proprietors is substantial evidence of his efficiency and trust-
worthiness. In 1901, Mr. Rick resigned his position and on March
I, of that year, opened the doors of his own business establishment,
in the upbuilding of which he has met with more than an average de-
gree of success. He had become widely known to the retail trade of
Williams and the surrounding country during the long period of his
clerkship and had built up a large personal following. He had al-
ready established a reputation for trustworthiness and reliability
which commended him to the confidence of the community, w'hile
his accommodating manner made it a pleasure to deal with him, so
that he was accorded a large patronage from the first. Mr. Rick is
a judicious buyer, and carefully selects his stock to meet the varied
tastes and requirements of his patrons. He keeps a large assortment
of household furniture, carpets, rugs and curtains and in connection
wath this he maintains an undertaking department, that is complete
in every respect.
On Christmas day, 1891, Mr. Rick was married to Miss Eva L.
Johnson, who was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, on February 9,
1872. She came to Hamilton county in 1881 with her parents, Tru-
man G. and Margaret (Carey) Johnson, both of w^hom are now de-
ceased, the mother having died in Rose Grove township in Decem-
ber. 1890, while the father passed away in Williams in September,
19 10. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson numl^ered five, Mrs.
296 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Rick being the second in order of birth. The others are as follows :
Walter, who is a resident of Dows, Iowa; Truman J., who lives in
Webster City, this state; Edward N., who is a resident of Williams
township; and Anna, the'wife of John McCarley, of Williams. They
are all natives of Grant county, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Rick
have two sons: Harry A., who was born on the loth of July, 1894,
and was graduated from the W^illiams high school in 1909, and is
now a sophomore at Grinnell College ; and Carroll G., whose birth
occurred on the 14th of August, 1899.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, and fra-
ternally Mr. Rick is affiliated with Alamo Lodge, No. 547, A. F. &
A. M. ; and Williams Camp, No. 1844, M. W. A. His political al-
legiance he accords the republican party, and although he is not re-
miss in matters of citizenship he has never sought political honors.
He is one of the substantial, diligent, enterprising and progressive
citizens of the community, where he is accorded the esteem which
justly belongs to every man who utilizes his opportunities to the
best advantage. He is meeting with success in the development of
his business, owns an attractive and comfortable home and is rearing
his children to be useful members of society, — in fact, he is a de-
sirable citizen and a credit to his community.
BENJAMIN F. VORHES.
Benjamin F. Vorhes, junior member of the firm of Vorhes Broth-
ers and manager of the Williams elevator and business of the com-
pany, was born in Athens county, Ohio, on the 5th of October, 1863.
He is a son of Peter and Sarah Jane (Jolley) Vorhes, both natives
of Washington county, Pennsylvania, the father's natal day being
the 23d of February, 1830, and that of the mother December 2^,
1 83 1. They removed to Ohio in the early pioneer days and there for
many years the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now
resides in Albany, Athens county, that state, with a daughter, Mrs.
Vorhes having passed away on the 4th of February, 1908. In the
paternal line the family is of Dutch extraction and trace their de-
scent in an unbroken line from one of the first settlers of New Am-
sterdam. A portion of the original land grant is still in possession
of some of the descendants, who have now held the title for nearly
three hundred years. The Jolleys are an old Pennsylvania famil}''.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 297
the parents of Mrs. Vorhes having been pioneers of Washington
county. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vorhes, as fol-
lows : Ernest D., who was born August 21, 1854, a member of the
firm of Vorhes Brothers and a resident of Webster City, Iowa;
Edith, whose birth occurred Christmas day, 1856, now residing in
Ohio with the father; Hattie, who died at the age of sixteen years;
Benjamin F., our subject; and Luther, who died when he was seven
years of age. After completing the common-school course, those
who attained maturity, with the exception of Benjamin F., continued
their educations in the Ohio University.
Benjamin F. Vorhes was reared amid the refining influences of a
good home, and at the usual age became a student in the common
schools, and after completing the course there he attended the acad-
emy of Albany. He remained in his native state until 1886, when
he came to Iowa, first locating in Woodbury county, which continued
to be his place of residence for five years. In 1891, he came to Wil-
liams and became associated in business with his brother under the
firm name of Vorhes Brothers. They have an elevator in Williams
and another in Brushy, Webster county, and engage in buying and
selling grain, in connection with which they also deal in coal. They
have a well organized business and are meeting with financial suc-
cess in the promotion of its development.
In Athens county, Ohio, on the 30th of June, 1888, Mr. Vorhes
was married to Miss Sadie Dent, who was bom on the 23d of Janu-
ary, 1869. She is also a native of Athens county and there she was
reared to womanhood, acquiring her education in the common schools
and the Ohio State University. Mrs. Vorhes is a member of the
same family as Mrs. Grant, the wife of General U. S. Grant, and
is a daughter of Shiveley and Malvina (Evans) Dent, natives of
Ohio, the father having been born in Belmont county. Mr. and
Mrs. Dent are both living and reside in Athens county, Ohio. They
are the parents of the following children: Elmira; A. E. ; Octa,
deceased; Sadie, the wife of our subject; Evans; Royal; and Bessie.
All of the children living are married. Mr. and Mrs. Vorhes have
two children: Arthur Dent, who was born in Woodbury county,
Iowa, on the 22d of December, 1890, and after completing his course
in the Williams high school, entered Highland Park College, at Des
Moines; and Nona Bess, whose birth occurred in Williams, August
30, 1898. She is a high-school student and will be graduated with
the class of 19 13. Mr. Vorhes owns his residence, which is one of
298 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
the attractive properties of the town and is thoroughly modern in
its appointments.
The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and frater-
nally Mr. Vorhes is affiliated with Alamo Lodge, No. 547, A. F. &
A. M. He gives his political support to the republican party and has
served as a member of the board of education and has also repre-
particularly on historical subjects, on which he has read widely, and
sented his ward in the town council. He is a well informed man,
has a well chosen library containing representative works of the best
historians.
CLAUDE V. CAMPBELL.
Claude V. Campbell, proprietor and editor of the Jewell Record,
was born in Story county, this state, on the 13th of December, 1882.
He is the second in order of birth in a family of six, his parents being
J. A. and Ada (Hall) Campbell, also natives of Story county. The
father, who was born on the same farm as his son, devoted his energies
to agricultural pursuits until 1896, when he withdrew from the work of
the fields and went to Ames. There for a time he dealt in real estate
but he subsequently engaged in the grain and coal business, which he
is still following. The grandparents in both lines were homesteaders
in Story county, with the progress and development of which the fam-
ilies have been actively identified for three generations.
Reared at home in the acquirement of his education, Claude V.
Campbell attended the public schools of Ames. He was graduated
from the high school with the class of 1900, and subseciuently enrolled
in the Iowa State College, from which institution he was awarded his
degree in 1904. After leaving college he obtained a position as re-
porter on the Webster City Journal, where he acquired a general knowl-
edge of the newspaper business. From there he came to Jewell Junc-
tion and bought a half interest in the Record and two years later he
bought out his partner, thus becoming sole proprietor of the paper. He
subsequently extended the scope of his activities by the purchase of the
Stanhope Mail and the Randall Roundabout, which he consolidated
with the Record, maintaining a separate department for each. In 191 1
he added Kamrar to his circuit. Mr. Campbell is an active, enterprising
man, as is evidenced by his paper, the columns of which heartily in-
dorse every progressive movement and enthusiastically cooperate in
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 299
promoting the welfare of the community. He possesses high standards
of citizenship and, fully appreciating the power of the press in m-
fluencing public opinion, is absolutely fearless in his denunciation of
wrong, but equally ready to commend good. His circulation list car-
ries the names of fourteen hundred and fifty subscribers, and in con-
nection with the publication of his paper he engages in job printing
for which he is well equipped, his plant, valued at six thousand dollars,
being more modern and complete than is usually found in a town of
this size.
Mr. Campbell is a member of the republican county committee and
the columns of his paper stanchly support the men and measures of this
party. He was formerly identified with the Iowa National Guard and
for three years held the office of second sergeant in Company C, Fifty-
fifth Regiment. In his religious views he is a Lutheran and is affiliated
with the Norwegian church of that denomination. Mr. Campbell pos-
sesses many admirable traits of character and is popular in local busi-
ness and social circles, being numbered among the representative citi-
zens of the town.
OLIVER G. NELSON.
Oliver G. Nelson has for five years been postmaster of Ellsworth
and here he also engages in the real-estate business. He is a native
of Lincoln township, Hamilton county, his birth having occurred on
the loth of June, 1881. His parents are Nels J. and Emma (Jacobs)
Nelson, who are mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work.
Oliver G. Nelson was reared at home and at the usual age began
his education in the common schools of this county, completing his
course of study at Jewell College. His health failed about the time
he was ready to begin his business career and for several years there-
after he was unable to do anything. Later he went to Des Moines
to receive medical attention and while there worked in a real-estate
office. He subsequently purchased a half interest in the Empire
Land Agency, being identified with this enterprise for three years.
At the expiration of that time he came to Ellsworth, and has ever
since been engaged in the real-estate business here, making a specialty
of Texas lands. On the ist of November, 1907, he was appointed
postmaster, the duties of which office he has filled with general sat-
isfaction to the community.
300 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
On the 15th of April, 1908, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage
to Miss Lena Reisetter, a daughter of Osmund and Adolphina (Jaas-
tad) Reisetter, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have
become the parents of two children : Elmer Arnold, who is three
years of age ; and Orvill Noel, who is a babe of fifteen months.
The family attend the Lutheran church, m which the parents hold
membership. The political support of Mr. Nelson is accorded to the
republican party, and for three years he held the office of township
assessor.
EDWARD PAYSON LYON.
Edward Payson Lyon has for forty-two years been identified with
the agricultural development of Williams township, where he owns
a valuable farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres. He was born
in Salisbury, Herkimer county, New York, on the 226. of October,
1838, and is a son of David N. and Deborah (Peek) Lyon, also
natives of the Empire state, the father's natal day being in 1809, and
that of the mother in 1813. They passed the early years of their
domestic life in the state of New York, but in 1844 they removed to
Ohio, locating in Doylestown, Wayne county, where the father passed
away the same year. He was long survived by the mother, whose
death occurred in 1879. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lyon numbered
six: Cornelia, who is a resident of Wooster, Ohio; William, who
makes his home in Doylestown, Ohio ; Edward P., our subject; Rachel,
the deceased wife of James Frank; David, a Presbyterian minister,
formerly a missionary in China, but now the pastqr of a church in
Seneca Falls, New York; and Sarah, the wife of A. B. Chidester,
of Wooster, Ohio. After the death of the father the mother married
a Mr. Chidester, and to them was born one son, Samuel Willis, a
Presbyterian minister, who has for many years been in charge of the
church of that denomination at Waukegan, Illinois.
The first six years in the life of Edward Payson Lyon were
passed in his native state. His education was acquired in the com-
mon and subscription schools of Ohio, in which state he resided until
1856. In 1862, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fourth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining in the sen-ice until the close
of hostilities. His regiment was first assigned to the Fourteenth
Corps under the command of Colonel A. B. Moore, who was sue-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 303
ceeded by Colonel Douglas Hatman. The company to which he be-
longed was captured by Morgan at Hartsville, Tennessee, but they
were paroled three days later and sent to Rosecrans camp at Nash-
ville. They were subsequently assigned to Shennan's army and were
with this general when he made his famous march. Mr. Lyon was
in many of the notable engagements of the war, among them Mis-
sionary Ridge. Chickamauga and Peachtree Creek, more than half
of the right wing of the regiment having been killed in the latter bat-
tle in less than half an hour. After the close of hostilities he par-
ticipated in the grand review of the army at Washington, and was
mustered out in Chicago in 1865. Following his discharge, Mr.
Lyon resumed his agricultural pursuits in Illinois, where he con-
tinued to reside until 1871, when he came to Iowa and purchased
the farm where he is now living in Williams township. He has
prospered in his undertakings and his is one of the best improved
and most highly cultivated farms in the community, and annually
yields him a goodly income.
On the 6th of March, 1866, Mr. Lyon was married to Miss
Flora M. Marsh, who was bom in La Porte county, Indiana, on June
II, 1838, and is a daughter of Harry and Catharine W. (Smith)
Marsh. The father was born in Connecticut in 1800, but in his
early manhood settled in the west and died in Illinois on March 4,
1880. He was a member of an old New England colonial family
and was a veteran of the War of 1812. The mother was born in
Newburg, New York, in 1807, and was a daughter of Hezekiah Smith,
who was a soldier in the Revolution. She passed away in Lee county,
Illinois, shortly before the father, her death occurring in February,
1880. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh were the parents of ten children: Shel-
don, a veteran of the Civil war, who resides in Missouri; Mrs. Lyon;
DeWitt Clinton, also a veteran of the Civil war, of Tobias, Ne-
braska ; Adeline and Angeline, twins, the former the deceased wife
of Lyman Messecar, and the latter Mrs. Ross Harmon, of Creston,
Illinois; Catharin, the wife of Judge Farrand, of Dixon, Illinois;
Miles, who lives at Greene, Iowa; Dorinda, who married Oskar
Kuhn, and resides in the vicinity of Greene, this state; Henry G., who
is also a resident of Greene; and Maria, who died in infancy. The
eldest member of the family was born in New York state, but the
others are natives of Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Lyon have had four children: Willie E., who was
born in Lee county, Illinois, on the 6th of January, 1867, superin-
tendent of the Gade Engine Works at Iowa Falls, this state; David,
Vol. n— 1 6
304 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
who was born March 28, 1870, and died July 27, of the same year;
a daughter, who died in infancy; and Elbert Percy, who was born
on the homestead in Williams township, October 10, 1878, and is
residing with his parents.
The family have long been attendants of the Presbyterian church
at Williams, of which Mr. and Mrs. Lyon are charter members. He
is affiliated with C. Fairchild Post, No. 431, G. A. R., of Williams,
and his political allegiance he accords to the republican party. He
served for several years as assessor in his township. Mr. Lyon has
ahvays led a quiet, unobtrusive life, and has never sought to figure
prominently in public affairs, but he has wielded a strong influence
in his community by reason of his high standards, upright principles
and incorruptible integrity as evidenced in his business transactions
and daily conduct. Among his most highly prized possessions is a
letter written the day after his birth and bearing the date of October
23, 1838, prior to the advent of the envelope and at a period when cor-
respondence was the luxury of the few, as postage on all letters was
then ten cents.
ISAAC SMITH.
Perseverance and diligence have been the salient factors in the career
of Isaac Smith, who is numbered among the highly successful and en-
terprising agriculturists of Independence township, where he owns two
hundred and forty acres of well improved and fertile land located on
section 21 and 16. He was born in New York city on the 24th of May,
1848, and is a son of David and Sarah ( Richardson) Smith. The par-
ents were natives of England, whence they emigrated to the United
States in early life and were married in New York city in 1846.
There the father, who was a shoemaker, followed his trade for nine
years, but at the expiration of that time he removed \vith his family
to Syracuse, where he engaged in the same occupation during the
ensuing four years. Their next removal was to a little village in
the vicinity of Cortland, and there he resumed his trade, which he
followed at that point until 1863. In April of that year he joined a
colony going to Yankton, South Dakota, leaving his family in New
York state. On his way westward he stopped at Fort Dodge, this
state, coming from there to Webster City, where he worked at his
trade until August, 1863, when he returned to New York, and in
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 305
November, of the same year, came back to Webster City with his
entire family. He remained here until 1885, when he again started
westward, leaving his wife and family in Webster City. For two
years thereafter he worked at his trade in Barber county, Kansas,
going from there to California, where he passed away on the 7th
of September, 1893. The mother's death occurred three days later
in Webster City, the father being seventy-six years of age at the
time of his demise and the mother sixty-one. The family of Mr.
and Mrs. Smith numbered four, of whom our subject is the eldest.
The education of Isaac Smith was obtained in the public schools
of the state of New York, where he passed the first fifteen years of
his life. After coming to Iowa he turned his attention to agricul-
tural pursuits and has ever since followed this vocation. At the
age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself, having ac-
quired one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land, which formed
the nucleus of his present homestead. He subsequently extended
the boundaries of his farm until he now holds the title to two hun-
dred and forty acres, all of which is under high cultivation and an-
nually yields abundant harvests which amply reward him for his
hard labor. Mr. Smith has all of his land fenced hog tight and
his fields are tiled. In connection with general farming he makes a
specialty of breeding and raising Duroc Jersey hogs and he also
buys and feeds cattle for the market. He is diligent and enterpris-
ing as well as progressive in his methods and takes great pride in
keeping up his place, the general appearance of which evidences
the exercise of sound judgment and systematic supervision in its
operation.
In 1 87 1, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Maila Churchill, who
is a native of Michigan, her birth occurring on the 26th of January,
1853, and the youngest of the three children born to James and
Maila (Harwood) Churchill. The parents were born and reared
in Michigan, and there they were also married. They subsequently
came to Iowa, locating in Blackhawk county, which was their place
of residence for many years. The father passed away in 1875,
at the age of sixty-four years, while the mother was fifty-six at
the time of her death, which occurred in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
are the parents of three daughters : Isabel, who married Charles
Pierce and passed away at the age of twenty-six, leaving a child,
which is being reared by her parents; Mamie, who married Frank
Seamonds of Kamrar, and is the mother of one child ; and Emma,
306 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
who, with her husband, E. W. Brewer, and their child, is Hving at
home.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and frater-
nally Mr. Smith is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, being a member of Webster Lodge, No. 342. In his political
views he is republican and has served for six years as member of the
school board. From early youth Mr. Smith has been entirely de-
pendent upon his own resources, and such success as has come to him
through the intervening years is the result of earnest, persistent ef-
fort and the determination of purpose that refuses to acknowledge
defeat. He is held in high regard in his community, where he has
resided for forty-three years and is known to be a man of sterling
worth and integrity.
PETER LEWIS PETERSON.
Peter Lewis Peterson is a native son of Iowa, whose life record
has been a credit to his community, being in all its phases upright,
straightforward and honorable. He has by capably and scientifically
cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 1 1 , Liberty
township, Hamilton county, gained a comfortable fortune for him-
self and has added to the resources of his section a model agricultural
enterprise. Mr. Peterson was born in a log cabin near Randall,
Hamilton county, on February 19, 1868. His parents were Nels and
Larcina (Anderson) Peterson, both natives of Norway. The father
spent his childhood and early manhood in his native country. He
came to America in 1863 and in July, of that year, settled in Hamil-
ton county, Iowa. He was among the pioneers in the settlement of
the state. There were at that time no railroads and Mr. Peterson
was obliged to come to Hamilton county overland from Nevada,
Iowa, which was then the terminus of the Northwestern Railroad.
Many of the houses were log cabins, there were no educational facili-
ties and there were still many reminders of the frontier days. Mr.
Peterson cultivated the soil and was steadily successful. He is now
living at Randall, Iowa, and his wife is also surviving and makes her
residence in the same city. To their union were born eight children,
of whom Peter Lewis, of this review, is the eldest. The others are :
Mrs. Swenson, of Fort Dodge, Iowa ; Mrs. Owenson, of Randall ;
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 307
Regina, of Fort Dodge; Agnes, of Randall; Martha, deceased; John,
residing at Randall ; and Carrie, at home.
Peter Lewis Peterson is a type of the native sons of Iowa, who
have been successful in adding to the resources of the state. He grew
to manhood in Hamilton county and has maintained a continuous
residence in this section. He has been identified with agriculture since
his early childhood, first assisting his father and finally as an inde-
pendent fanner. He is now numbered among the substantial and
prosperous citizens of his section, owning one hundred and sixty
acres of land on section ii. Liberty township. His fann is highly
cultivated and equipped with all modern conveniences and accesso-
ries, including the latest machinery to facilitate the work in all the
departments of agriculture. He has given his own personal and
practical efforts to making his fann flourishing and has been re-
warded for his persistent and well directed industry by a comfortable
fortune.
Mr. Peterson was married in Morris, Illinois, on December 17,
1890, to Miss Rena James, who was bom in Norway on November
19, 1867. Her father, Jens Card, was born in Norway and is still
living at Etne, that country, at the age of seventy-seven years. Her
mother, who was in her maidenhood Miss Engeboarg, lived and died
in her native country, her death occurring in 1907. To them were
born six children, as follows: Mrs, Anna Frette, of Norway; Mrs.
Engebart Waagen, of Centerville, South Dakota; Mrs. Peterson;
Mrs. Hallan Thorson, also of Centerville ; James, of Owatonna, Min-
nesota; and Jacob, residing in Norway. All of these children were
born in the land of the midnight sun. Mrs. Peterson passed away in
Liberty township, on July 16, 1904, leaving five children, namely:
Truman, born in 1891 ; Hendrick, born June 29, 1894; John, January
29, 1896; Carl, August 19, 1900; and Louisa, March 30, 1902. All
are residing with their father on the home farm and received their
education in the district schools of their native section.
Mr. Peterson is a consistent republican and is active in the affairs
of the local party organization. He has served as delegate to several
county conventions and has recently served in this capacity from
Hamilton county in the state convention of 1912. He has been
township trustee for twelve years and has done able and efficient work
as school director. His public activities are distinguished by a high
conscientiousness and a sense of his responsibility to his constituents
which make him a remarkable type of broad-minded and intelligent
official. He affiliates with the Norwegian Lutheran church of Rose
308 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Grove. Outside of his business interests Mr. Peterson's tastes incline
toward the musical art. He was one of the organizers of the River-
side Cornet Band of Randall, which was founded in 1879 and in
which organization he has taken a deep interest until it was, disbanded.
For nine years Mr. Peterson was an active member of this band, in
which he played an E-fiat alto, and his virtuosity upon this instrument
was perfected to a remarkable degree.
Agriculture requires for its successful development a practical
knowledge of the details of soil cultivation in all its branches and
personal experience in farming. It calls also for business discrimina-
tion of a high order and for judicious supervision and management.
Mr. Peterson has manifested these qualifications in his life as an
agriculturist and his native state is today richer in resources and
citizenship for his useful, straightforward and unassuming life.
FRANK O. SATTER.
Frank O. Satter, one of the proprietors of the Ellsworth News,
which he has been publishing since 1906, was born in Cass county,
Iowa, on the 22d of June, 1876. He is a son of Andrew and Ida
(Ostrus) Satter, who were born and reared in Illinois and there they
were also married. In 1874 they came to Iowa, first locating in Cass
county, where the father engaged in farming until 1892, when he dis-
posed of his interests there and went to Palo Alto county. He pur-
chased eighty acres of government land in the latter place and dili-
gently applied himself to its further improvement and cultivation un-
til 1907, when he withdrew from active work and removed to Ells-
worth. Here he lived retired until his death, which occurred on the
22d of December, 1910, in his sixty-second year. The mother, who
is fifty-one, still resides in Ellsworth.
The second in order of birth in a family of six, Frank O. Satter
was reared at home and educated in the common schools. After leav-
ing school he learned the barber's trade, and when he was twenty-one
left home and went to Cylinder, this state, where he opened a shop,
which he conducted for seven years. During that period he extended
the scope of his activities by establishing a newspaper known as the
"Cylinder Press," in connection with which he also conducted a job
printing plant. He disposed of his paper when he sold his barber
shop, and subsequently returned to Ellsworth. In 1906 he bought
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 309
the "Ellsworth News," which he conducted alone until the spring of
191 2, when he took his brother, Otto A. Satter, into partnership with
him. He possesses high standards of citizenship, upright principles and
progressive ideas, and the columns of his paper heartily indorse every
movement which will tend to promote the intellectual, moral, social or
commercial welfare of the community. In connection with the publi-
cation of his paper he operates a job plant, and as the quality of his
work is good, his terms reasonable and deliveries prompt, he has built
up a lucrative trade. His circulation list carries eleven hundred
names, the majority of his subscribers being located in the southern
part of the county. He has a better equipment than is to be found in
the average newspaper office in a town of this size, and values his
plant at twenty-five hundred dollars.
In 1898, Mr. Satter was married to Miss Grace Harrison, who is
the third in order of birth in a family of four, and was born in Palo
Alto county, Iowa, on the ist of January, 1882. She is a daughter of
George and Anna (Bumbee) Harrison, natives of Wisconsin, in
which state they were married and passed the early years of their
domestic life. They came to Iowa in 1877, locating in Palo Alto
county, where the father bought two hundred and forty acres of gov-
ernment land, and through diligence and perseverance converted it
into one of the valuable farms of the county. He continued his agri-
cultural pursuits until 1902, when he leased his homestead and bought
a residence in Emmetsburg, where he is now living retired at the age
of sixty-five years. The mother, who is also living, is fifty-five. Mr.
and Mrs. Satter have had two children, both of whom died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Satter is a republican, and supports the candidates
and principles of that party. Both he and Mrs. Satter manifest their
religious faith through their affiliation with the United church, and
number among the members of its congregation many stanch friends.
KNUD HANDLEND.
Knud Handlend, who is a well known and respected resident of
Lincoln township, Hamilton county, is successfully engaged in the
cultivation of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he owns,
located in Lincoln township. He was born in Norway, June 2, 1853,
and is a son of Christopher and Engborougli Handlend, both of
whom were natives of Norway. The father followed farming foi a
310 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
livelihood in his native land, where he died in 1898 and the mother
died December 25, 191 1.
Knud Handlend was reared at home and received his early edu-
cation in his native land, where he remained until he was twenty-
seven years of age. He then emigrated to America and located first
in Lee county, Illinois, where he was engaged at work as a farm hand
for two years. He then came to Marshalltown, Iowa, and took up
work in one of the factories in that place, continuing in that work
for the seven following years. He then purchased a farm in Marshall
county, on which he was engaged in general farming for three years,
after which time he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land lo-
cated in Lincoln township, Hamilton county. On that property he
established his home and has since continued to give his entire time
to the cultivation and improvement of his land. Among the other
improvements he has made on the property is that of a perfect tile
drainage system. In addition to his fann property he is a stockholder
in the Randall Lumber Company and also a stockholder in the Ells-
worth Creamery Company.
Mr. Handlend was united in marriage to Miss Anna Kaltveldt in
1884. She is a daughter of Even and Anna Kaltveldt. both of whom
are natives of Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Handlend six children have
been born, namely: Elmer; Eddie, deceased; Matilda; Elma; Eddie,
second of the name; and Cora. Mr. Handlend is affiliated with the
republican party and is one of the present road supervisors of the
township in which he lives. He and his family are members of
the Lutheran church. Mr. Handlend is a man of well known in-
tegrity in business matters and is numbered among the successful up-
to-date and enterprising farmers of the community in which he lives.
HARVEY B. TROTTER.
Harvey B. Trotter, who is living retired in Blairsburg, was one
of the first to respond to the country's call for volunteers in "61, re-
maining in the service for more than three years. He was born in
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of July, 1837. and is of Irish
extraction, his parents, James and Eliza Trotter, having been bom
in the Emerald isle. In 1842, the family removed to Steubenville,
Ohio, where they resided until after the opening of the war when
they continued their journey westward to Iowa. The father passed
HARVEY B. TROTTER.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 313
away at Talleyrand, this state, at the age of seventy-two years, but
the mother was ninety-two at the time of her death, which occurred
at Des Moines in 1900. They were the parents of the following chil-
dren : Thomas, William, Mrs. Elizabeth Cable, James and Alexander,
all of whom are deceased; Harvey B., our subject; Richard and John,
twins, both of whom are deceased, the latter having died in infancy;
Letitia, whose death occurred in childhood; and Mrs. Sarah Miller,
of Webster City. The elder members of the family were born in
Pennsylvania, and the younger ones in Ohio.
Harvey B. Trotter was a child of five years when he accom-
panied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where he was reared to
manhood and acquired his education. After leaving school he learned
the trade of paper finishing, which occupation he was following when
Fort Sumter was fired upon. Together with several of his fellow
employes he responded to the call for volunteers by enlisting for
ninety days in Company I, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under
Captain Cable, theirs being one of the first regiments to go to the
front. When discharged upon the expiration of his period of ser-
vice he came to Iowa, where his parents had removed while he was
at the front. In the community in which they were residing the citi-
zens were organizing a company for the infantry service and asked
Mr. Trotter to join them, offering him a lieutenancy. He accepted,
becoming a member of Company F, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, their
regiment subsequently being attached to Crocker's famous brigade.
He remained in the service for three years, three months and
eighteen days this time, and during that period participated in many
notable conflicts, including Vicksburg and Corinth, and he was also
with Sherman when he made his famous march to the sea. When
mustered out he joined his brother in California, and finding plenty
of work, for which he was well remunerated, and a delightful cli-
mate, remained on the Pacific coast for fifteen years. At the expira-
tion of that time he returned to Iowa, and located on a farm in Blairs-
burg township, this county, where he followed agricultural pursuits
until 1890. In the latter year, he disposed of his farming interests
and went to Woolstock, Wright county, this state, and engaged in
the restaurant business. Two years later he withdrew from this en-
terprise and returning to Hamilton county, purchased a residence in
Blairsburg, which has ever since been his home.
Mr. Trotter has been married twice. His first union was with
Miss Jane Dennison and they became the parents of three children :
Charles B. ; Mrs. Almira Fairbank, who is residing in Washington ;
314 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
and Mrs. Laura May Worley, of Keokuk county, Iowa. The wife
and mother passed away in 1882, and Mr. Trotter subsequently mar-
ried Miss Nancy A. Moore, of Coatesville, Missouri, and to them
have been bom the following children: Ernest and Fred, who re-
side in Blairsburg; Elmer, who makes his home in Wisconsin; Har-
vey, who is a resident of Illinois; and May, Ralph and Dale, who are
living at home. Mr. Trotter is a member of the Grand Army of
the Republic, belonging to the Webster City post, and his political
allegiance is given to the republican party.
CLIFFORD A. WILKINSON.
Clifford A. Wilkinson, of the firm of Wilkinson Brothers, is re-
garded as one of the highly capable and promising young business
men of Williams, where he has been identified with commercial activi-
ties for the past three years. He was born on a farm near Alden,
Hardin county, Iowa, on November 19, 1884, and is the youngest son
of William Austin and Elizabeth (Tomlinson) Wilkinson. The
father is a native of Missouri and the mother of Grant county, Wis-
consin, where they passed the early years of their married life. They
subsequently came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Hardin county,
in the cultivation of which the father was actively engaged for many
years. He has now retired from the work of the fields and he and
the mother are making their home in Alden. The other children of
Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson are as follows : Maude, who was born July
2, 1869, and married John H. Watson, of Hardin county; J. W.,
who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work; and
Walter, who was born on the 5th of March, 1876, and is residing in
Quincy, Illinois.
The early years in the life of Clifford A. Wilkinson were passed
on the home fann. In the acquirement of his preliminary education
he attended the graded and high schools of Alden and subsequently
matriculated in the dental department of the Iowa State University at
Iowa City. He was a member of the United States Marine Corps for
four years, spending half of that period in the Philippines, and has
visited many of the principal ports of the world, and seen a large por-
tion of the United States. In 1909, he became associated in the gen-
eral mercantile business with his brother, J. William Wilkinson, in
Williams, and they have met with gratifying success in the develop-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 315
nient of their enterprise. They have an attractive store and through
their dihgence, accommodating methods and reasonable prices have
managed to build up a trade that under their policy will prove sub-
stantial and permanent.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the 15th of May, 19 10, Mr. Wil-
kinson was married to Miss Mabel Nielsen, who was bom in St. Paul,
Minnesota, on the 20th of September, 1892, and is a daughter of
N. C. and Anna (Petersen) Nielsen, natives of Denmark. The
father makes his home in Minneapolis, but the mother is deceased,
her death having occurred on January 2, 1901. The family of Mr.
and Mrs. Nielsen number seven: Anna, the wife of Adolph Skog-
land, of Minneapolis; Jennie, now Mrs. J. K. Wynne, of Hopkins,
Minnesota; Ada, who married George Schnelle, of St. Paul; Mrs.
Wilkinson; Harold, who died on the 30th of May, 1907, at the age of
fourteen years; and Ella and Helen, who are living in Minneapolis.
Mrs. Wilkinson completed her education in the Minneapolis high
school, which she attended for one year. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin-
son has been born one daughter, Irene Agatha, whose birth occurred
in Williams, April 22, 191 1.
Fraternally Mr. Wilkinson is affiliated with Radiant Lodge, No.
266, A. F. & A. M., and his political allegiance is given to the re-
publican party. He is a wide-awake, enterprising young man, who
has made a very favorable impression in the business circles of Wil-
liams and has won many stanch friends during the period of his resi-
dence here.
CHARLES M. ARTHUR.
Charles M. Arthur, who resides at 826 Second street, Webster City,
owns and operates a farm of two hundred and sixty- four acres, lo-
cated on section 17, Cass township. He was bom in Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin, on the 29th of April, 1847, and is the eldest in a family of
six children. His parents, Horace and Mary (Green) Arthur, were
born, reared and married in the state of New York, whence they later
removed to Wisconsin. There the father died in 1864, and four years
later, the mother removed to Hamilton county, Iowa. She is still liv-
ing at the venerable age of eighty-four years, and now makes her home
with a daughter.
316 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUXTY
The iirst seventeen years in the Hfe of Charles M. Arthur were
passed in the state of his birth, where he was given the advantages of a
common-school education. In 1864, he came to Hamilton county and
for four years thereafter worked for a stock buyer. He subsequently
embarked in the livery business on his own account, but seven years
later disposed of his stable and engaged in buying and selling stock. He
followed this occupation for eight years, and at the expiration of that
period bought a creamery which he operated until 1887. In the latter
year he disposed of his interests here and went to the Black Hills coun-
try, where for thirteen years he engaged in ranching and stock-raising.
In 1900, he returned to Hamilton county and opened a restaurant in
Webster City, which he successfully conducted for twelve years, and
then sold it. He is now^ devoting his entire attention to the operation
of his farm, which comprises two hundred and sixty-four acres and is
located on section 17, Cass township. The entire tract is fenced, eighty
acres of it hog tight and is well improved and equipped. His land is
naturally drained and one hundred and fifty acres is under high culti-
vation and planted to such cereals as are used for the feeding of cattle.
In connection with general farming he raises and buys and sells stocks
and feeds cattle for the market, using for that purpose all the hay and
grain he raises. His place is well adapted to stock-raising, as he has
fine pasture and an abundance of w'ater, his supply being obtained from
a drilled well and the river. Mr. Arthur owns his residence in Webster
City and a fann of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Hancock
county, this state, which he rents out.
On the 13th of October, 1868, Mr. Arthur w-as married to Miss
Martha Frank, a daughter of John and Anna (Bear) Frank. They
were natives of Pennsylvania and there they were also reared and
married, coming to Iowa in 1853. Upon their arrival here the father
bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in the vicinity of Web-
ster City, for which he paid eight dollars per acre. His energies were
devoted to the improvement and cultivation of his farm during the re-
mainder of his active life, and there he passed away in 1907, at the age
of eighty-five years. He was survived by the mother who w^as ninety-
one, when she died in May, 191 1. They are buried in Graceland
cemetery, this city. Mrs. Arthur, who was born on the 3d of Novem-
ber. 1848, is the second in order of birth in a family of four, and be-
came the mother of one daughter, Kittie. Kittie Arthur married
Ward Moore, of Pueblo, Colorado, in which city she passed away
on August 22, 1893, and was laid to rest in the family lot in Graceland
cemetery, this city. xAt her death she left a little daughter, Edna E.,
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 317
who was born on the 17th of August, 1893, and has been reared by
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur, with whom she still makes her home.
The family affiliate with the Congregational church, and fraternally
Mr. Arthur holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, Brotherhood of American Yeomen and Woodmen of the World.
In politics he is republican. He is widely known in Hamilton county,
w^here he first located more than forty-eight years ago, and enjoys
the esteem and respect of a large circle of acquaintances, as a man of
high principles and integrity, who conducts his business transactions in
a straightforward, upright manner.
JOTHAM N. LYON.
High in the annals of pioneerdom in Hamilton county stands the
name of Jotham N.- Lyon, who for more than forty years was actively
and prominently identified with the progress and development of
Boone township, where he owned a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres, which he had converted from raw prairie land into one of the
best improved and most highly cultivated properties in the county.
Mr. Lyon w^as a native of the state of Indiana, his birth having
occurred in Fountain county on the ist of August, 1837. His father,
Peter Lyon, was born in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio, in 181 1, but
in his early manhood he w^ent to Illinois, and there he was married in
1833 to Miss Margaret Black, also a native of Ohio. Very soon
after their marriage the young couple went to Wisconsin, but a year
later they located in Indiana, making that their place of residence for
two years. At the expiration of that time they returned to Illinois,
settling in Vermilion county, where they made their home until 1852.
In the latter year they came to Hamilton county and the father took
up a half section of government land which he industriously culti-
vated with the assistance of his sons for sixteen years. There were
very few settlers in Hamilton county at that time, and only one house
stood on the present site of Webster City. The woods abounded with
wild game of all kinds, deer being very plentiful, while herds of buf-
falo were frequently seen on the prairies. Peter Lyon soon became
an expert hunter, his skill being developed very largely through his
efforts to exterminate the wolves, which killed many pigs and smaller
stock. In 1868 the father disposed of his interests here and again
started westward. Jefferson county, Kansas, being his destination on
318 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
this occasion. There the mother passed away in February, 1885, and
in April, 1889, Mr. Lyon disposed of his interests and returned to
Hamilton county, making his home with his son, the subject of this
review, until his death on the 20th of February, 1897. He is buried
in the family lot in Graceland cemetery, Webster City. Nine chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Airs. Lyon, all of whom are now deceased
with the exception of three, as follows : Mary A., the wife of Rufus
Butler; Richard T., who is living in the state of Washington; and
George, who is a resident of Hamilton county. Mr. Lyon gave his
political support to the republican party and took an active interest in
all local affairs, but never held ofifice.
Jotham N. Lyon, who was the second child born to his parents,
was a lad of fifteen years when the family located in Hamilton county.
He remained at home until after the opening of the Civil war, when he
enlisted in the Sixth Iowa Regiment of the Frontier Guards, where he
served for fifteen months. After the Spirit Lake massacre in 1863
and 1864 his regiment was stationed at that point to guard the settlers
whose safety was still menaced by the Indians. When mustered out
Mr. Lyon returned home and resumed his agricultural pursuits. In
1865, he was married and soon after this event settled on the farm
in Boone township, where his widow still resides. The remainder of
his life was passed on his, homestead, the further cultivation and im-
provement of which claimed his time and energies until his death on
March 21, 1899. His youngest son, Wyatt E., has succeeded him in
the management of the property and is engaging in both general
farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding Poland
China hogs, and he also buys and feeds cattle for the market. The
entire holding is fenced, the greater portion of it hog tight, while the
fields are tiled and under high cultivation. The appearance and value
of the property has been greatly enhanced by the recent erection of a
nine-room residence, which is heated with a furnace and is thoroughly
modern in all of its appointments.
On the 19th of October, 1865, Mr. Lyon was married to Miss
Mary Willis, who was bom in Adamsville, Ohio, March 15, 1844,
and is the eldest of six children bom to Robert and Louisa (Stanger)
Willis, natives of Ohio. They came to Hamilton county in 1856 and
Mr. Willis entered a homestead on a land warrant presented by the
government to his father, who was a veteran of the War of 1812.
Mr. Willis passed away in 1865, but he was long 'survived by his
widow, whose death occurred in 1901. They are both buried in
Webster City. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lyon :
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUXTY 319
Archie, who died at the age of twenty-three years ; Caddie, who is the
wife of Arthur Maxon of Webster City and the mother of four chil-
dren; Bessie, who upon completing the public schools attended a
young ladies' seminary in Kentucky for a year and then took a course
in the State University at Iowa City, and is now instructor in history
in the Webster City high school; Benton, who was a student in the
Washington School of Electrical Engineering, Washington, D. C,
where he passed away on the loth of February, 1907, at the age of
twenty-seven years; Grace, who married Homer Butler, a farmer of
this county, by whom she has had a daughter, Mariam; and Wyatt E.,
w^ho married Alda McFarland of Webster City, by whom he has a
daughter, ]\Iary Elizabeth, born in 1912, and is living on the old
homestead with his mother and sister.
Fraternally ]\Ir. Lyon was a member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen and gave his political allegiance to the republican
party. He was held in high esteem by the citizens of his community,
toward the development and advancement of which he had contrib-
uted his full quota. He was progressive and public-spirited in mat-
ters of citizenship, and could alw^ays be relied upon to support every
movement which would promote the welfare of the community. He
hewed the logs for the first schoolhouse in his district, and in later
years rendered most efficient service to the township while serving in
the capacity of trustee. Mr. Lyon was in every way well adapted to
meet the varied recjuirements of pioneering, both as a private citizen
and a public official, as he was not only diligent and persevering, but
was resourceful and adaptable, and in matters of business manifested
discretion and foresight.
JACOB WILLIAMS.
Jacob Williams is a popular and well known citizen of Randall,
low-a, in which place he has tilled the important position of post-
master since 1901. He was born in Norway in July, 1864, and is a
son of Frederick and Isabelle Williams, both of whom were natives
of Norway. The father was a lawyer by profession and was a mem-
ber of the judicial bench in Norway, where he died in 1893. The
mother is living in her native land at the age of seventy-six.
Jacob Williams was reared in his parents' home and received his
early education in Norway. He remained under the parental roof
320 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
until he was twenty-five years of age. In 1889 he emigrated to
America and located in Hamilton county, Iowa, where he was en-
gaged at work as a farm hand for one and a half years. He then
came to Randall and found employment with the Seymore & Hen-
derson Company, who were proprietors of a hardware and imple-
ment business. As an employe of that finn he continued for five
years, after which time he purchased the business, which he success-
fully conducted until 191 1, when he sold out. In 1901 he received
the appointment of postmaster for Randall, which position he has
since continued to hold and now devotes his entire time to that office.
On April i, 1897, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss
Anna Henderson, a daughter of Lars and Sarah Henderson, both of
whom were natives of Norway. The father, with his wife and family
emigrated to America in 1857, locating in Hamilton county, Iowa.
The father later bought and improved land in Scott township in this
county and continued to add to his original purchase until he was
the owner of twenty-two hundred acres of land, all of which he suc-
cessfully operated until the time of his death, which occurred in Oc-
tober, 1896. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-five,
and maintains her home with the subject of this review. To Mr. and
Mrs. Lars Henderson twelve children were born.
Mr. Williams belongs to the republican party and has served as
clerk of Ellsworth township for a number of years. He and his wife
are members of the Lutheran church of Randall. Mr. Williams is
one of the highly respected citizens of Hamilton county and num-
bered among the enterprising and influential men in his part of the
state.
ALEXANDER B. McNAB.
Alexander B. McNab, who is spending his latter years in well
earned ease and retirement in Blairsburg, where he owns an attrac-
tive and comfortable residence, belongs to the rapidly thinning ranks
of the boys who donned the blue and went to the front in defense
of the Union in the '60s. He is a native of New York, his birth hav-
ing occurred in Livingston county, that state, on the 17th of Decem-
ber, 1837. His parents, John and Anna (Mclntyre) McNab, were
born and reared in Scotland, but in early life they settled in New
York and there they both passed away at the age of seventy years.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 323
Their family numbered thirteen children, all of whom were born and
reared on a farm in Livingston county, New York, which the father
secured from the government and cleared and placed under cultiva-
tion. Our subject was the twelfth child born to his parents, the
others in order of birth being as follows : Christina, who passed
away at the age of eighty years ; Mrs. Helen Stewart, who was thirty
at the time of her death; Peter, who was a resident of Colorado at
the time of his demise; John, who died in Livingston county, New
York, when he was sixty-five; Daniel, a resident of the same place,
whose death also occurred at the age of sixty-five years; Mrs. Mary
Milroy, who was living in Canada when she passed away; James and
Malton, twins, the former a resident of Cassopolis, Michigan, where
the latter was also residing at the time of his death, which occurred
at the age of eighty years; Margaret, who makes her home in York,
Livingston county. New York; Allen and Isabella, twins, both of
whom are now deceased, the former having passed away in York at
the age of fifty, while the latter was fifty-five at the time of her death ;
and Joseph A., a Presbyterian minister in Linn county, this state, who
is now seventy-two years of age.
The early years in the life of Alexander B. McNab were passed
on the old homestead in New York, where he became familiar with
the practical methods of tilling the fields and caring for the crops,
thus qualifying himself for the duties of an agriculturist. He sub-
sequently removed to- Illinois, first locating in McLean county, that
state, whence he later removed to Livingston county, where he en-
gaged in farming. In May, 1862, he enlisted in Livingston county
in Company G, Sixty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and went
to the front, where he remained for ninety days. At the expiration
of his period of service he resumed his agricultural pursuits. In
1 89 1, Mr. McNab removed with his family to Hamilton county, lo-
cating in Webster City. The next year he purchased two hundred
and fifty acres of land, ninety acres of which were in Williams town-
ship and the remainder in Blairsburg township, which he cultivated
until his retirement. He has since disposed of all of his land with
the exception of ninety acres in Williams township.
At Bloomington, Illinois, on the 4th of June, 1864, Mr. McNab
was married to Mariah Warrick, whose birth occurred in Ohio, No-
vember 17, 1839. She is a daughter of George and Eliza Warrick,
who removed from Ohio to Illinois in 1855, first settling in Wood-
ford county. Later they went to Livingston county, where they both
passed away at the age of eighty years. They were the parents of
Vol. n— 1 7
324 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
seven children : Mrs. Mary Johnson, who died when she was forty
years of age; John, who was thirty at the time of his death; Mrs.
McNab; Henry, who is residing at Fairbury, Illinois; Mrs. Harriet
Skein who died at Pontiac, Illinois; Charles, who resides in the vi-
cinity of Harris, Osceola county, Iowa; and Jacob, whose home is in
Fairbury, Illinois. They were all bom in Ohio, but were reared in
Illinois. It is interesting to note that the marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
McNab was performed by Judge David Davis, who came into promi-
nence about that time through a controversy arising regarding his
right to be retained as a member of the body of presidential electors,
it being maintained that he became disqualified through subsequently
accepting an appointment to the senate. His is the only case on rec-
ord of a man having resigned from the bench of the supreme court
to become a United States senator. Mr. and Mrs. McNab had two
children : Mrs. Mariah Belle Pollock, who was bom in McLean
county, Illinois, in July, 1865, and passed away in Mercer county,
that state, in 1905; and James Alexander, also a native of McLean
county, who owns a farm in this vicinity, but is a resident of Osceola
county, this state.
Mr. McNab cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has ever
since given his support to the republican party. He maintains re-
lations with his old comrades through the medium of his connection
with the Grand Anny of the Republic, being affiliated with the post
at Webster City. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian de-
nomination but he and Mrs. McNab belong to the Congregational
church of Blairsburg and number among its members many stanch
friends. Mr. McNab is of the rugged Scotch type of character, honest
and upright in his principles, absolutely loyal to every trust reposed
in him and fearless in his defense of what he deems to be right.
EMMETT A. ROTHROCK.
Emmett A. Rothrock has given his energies and activities for
many years to scientific agriculture. He is now cultivating one hun-
dred and twenty acres of choice land on sections 10 and 11, Liberty
township, Hamilton county, Iowa, and his success is the evidence of
his well directed and intelligent labors. Mr. Rothrock was born in
Butler county, in this state, on December 25, 1865, and his early life
was spent upon a farm. His parents were Isaac and Mary (Snee)
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 325
Rothrock, natives of Pennsylvania, where his father was born in
Mifflin county, and his mother in Union county on September lo,
1833. She was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Fisher) Snee,
both of whom were natives of Union county, Pennsylvania, where
they made their home and passed away. The elder Mr. Rothrock fol-
lowed fanning all during his active life, first in his native state and
later in Butler county, Iowa. He and a brother participated in the
Civil war. He spent his last years upon his property in Liberty
township, Hamilton county, and died there in 1897. His wife sur-
vives him and makes her home upon her husband's farm. In their
family were eight children, seven of whom are living, as follows :
Mrs. Mary Lenhart, a resident of California; Sarah, living in Web-
ster City, Iowa; Willis, whose home is in Minnesota; Emmett A., of
this review ; Mrs. Emma Almira Stanton, a twin sister of Emmett A.,
who lives in Minnesota; Ellen, residing with her mother in Liberty
township; and Mrs. Ada Welch, of Webster City.
The family came to Hamilton county in 1882 and Emmett A.
Rothrock has been a resident of this section since that time. His life
has been identified with agriculture from an early period. He assisted
his father upon the home farm when the family resided in Butler
county and during the winter terms he attended school. When his
parents moved to Liberty township Mr, Rothrock remained with his
father, aiding in all of the farm work and becoming familiar with
every detail of agriculture. His efforts in his independent career
have been steadily successful and he is now the owner of one hundred
and twenty acres of choice land on sections 10 and 11, Liberty town-
ship. The fann which he is cultivating is one of the valuable prop-
erties in the district and is thoroughly ecjuipped with all that is essen-
tial to a successful conduct of a modern agricultural undertaking.
Mr. Rothrock has given his time and attention to its details and has
won that prosperity which is the natural result of system and pro-
gressive methods.
In February, 1897, Mr. Rothrock was united in marriage to Miss
Lillie Blackmore, a native of Woodford county, Illinois, where her
birth occurred October 28, 1866. Her father, John Blackmore, was
a native of England and came to America at an early day. He died
in Illinois on June 16, 1884, when he was fifty-seven years of age.
Mrs. Rothrock's mother, who was in her maidenhood Miss Elizabeth
Runbelow, was also bom in Great Britain and died in Illinois on
June'28, 1885, when she had reached the age of fifty-three years. She
and her husband were the parents of twelve children, nine sons and
326 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
three daughters, namely: John, deceased; James, residing at Pax-
ton, Ihinois; William, whose home is in Minnesota; Mrs. Sarah Card,
living near El Paso, Illinois ; Eli, of Panoli, Illinois ; Emma, who died
in early life; Albert, residing near Panoli, Illinois; Lincoln, whose
home is near El Paso, Illinois; Mrs. Rothrock; Charles, living near
Panoli ; Mrs. Hattie Agnew, who also makes her home near El Paso ;
and Grant, who has passed away. All of these children were born in
Illinois.
In his political beliefs Mr. Rothrock is consistently republican and
while he has never sought public office he perfonns the duties of his
citizenship conscientiously. He has done able and efficient work as
township clerk in Liberty for eleven years and has made a good rec-
ord as public official. He and his family affiliate with the Congrega-
tional church at Blairsburg. In his systematic labors, in his straight-
forward, honorable and reliable business policy and in the high stand-
ards of attainment by which he directs his activities, Mr. Rothrock is
worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens
and in him modern agriculture finds a worthy and successful repre-
sentative.
ELBERT LEROY UNDERWOOD. '
Well known in the annals of pioneerdom in Hamilton county is
the name of Elbert Leroy Underwood, who owns three hundred acres
of well improved and highly cultivated land in Cass township, where
he has been actively identified with the agricultural development for
forty-five years. He is a native of New York, his birth having oc-
curred in Madison county on August 9, 1846, and a son of Marcus L.
and Lucretia (Lacy) Underwood, who passed their entire lives in the
Empire state. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Underwood,
three of whom are now deceased, our subject being the third in order
of birth.
Elbert Leroy Underwood was reared at home and educated in the
public schools of his native state. At the age of twenty-one years he
left the parental roof and came to Hamilton county, Iowa. Upon his
arrival here he purchased eighty acres of prairie land on section 22,
Cass township, and has ever since made that his home. He was am-
bitious and energetic, and diligently applied himself to the cultivation
of his land and the establishment of a home. The county was but
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 327
sparsely settled, money was scarce and pioneer conditions prevailed
throughout this section of the state, and all of the hardships and pri-
vations incident to life on the frontier devolved upon Mr. Underwood
and his young wife. He was not discouraged, however, and perse-
vered in his efforts with the determination of purpose that invariably
brings success. As he was able he extended his holdings and later ac-
quired two hundred acres of land on section 24 and twenty acres on
section 22, of this township, that is now being cultivated by his son.
Mr. Underwood is enterprising and progressive in anything he under-
takes, and his homestead is one of the best improved and equipped
farms in the community. The barns and outbuildings as well as the
residence are substantially constructed and modem in their appoint-
ments, while his fields are fenced and partially tiled. Everything
about the place from the condition of his stock to the appearance of
his fields manifests capable supervision and intelligent and competent
direction.
Mr. Underwood has been married twice. His first union was
with Miss Marion Earl, and to them were bom two children : Lena
L., deceased; and Earl, who is residing on his father's farm on sec-
tion 24. He is married and has one child. In 1878, Mr. Underwood
married Miss Mary Johnson, a daughter of William and Julia John-
son of Webster City, and they became the parents of one daughter,
Maud, who married John Bosworth, a farmer of this county, by
whom she has had three children.
Mr. and Mrs. Underwood are members of the Christian church at
Cass Center, and his political allegiance is given to the republican
party. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance in the county,
where he has achieved success and is numbered among the capable and
substantial agriculturists.
WALLACE H. HILL.
Wallace H. Hill is one of the prosperous stockmen and general
agriculturists of Cass township, where he owns a valuable fami of
two hundred acres located on section 7. He was born in Pike county,
Illinois, on the 22d of January, 1862, and is a son of Floyd W. and
Elmira (Cohenhour) Hill, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and
the mother of Ohio. They were married in Illinois and subsequently
settled on a fami in McLean county, that state, where the father
328 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
passed away in August, 1894, at the age of fifty-six years. The mother
who is now seventy-three, is still living on the old homestead. They
were the parents of eight children, of whom our subject is the eldest.
The education of Wallace H. Hill was obtained in the district
schools of his native state. In common with the majority of lads
reared in the country he early began assisting his father about the
farm, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of the duties and responsi-
bilities of the agriculturist. He remained at home until he was
married, at the age of twenty-nine, after which he bought a farm of
one hundred and twenty acres in Illinois, which he cultivated for
three years. At the end of that time he disposed of his place and
came to Hamilton county, purchasing a hundred and sixty acres of
land four miles east of Webster City. Six years later he sold his
holdings and invested in a three hundred and ten acre tract near Wil-
liams, this county, which he cultivated for a year. Selling this farm
he next bought one hundred and eighty-five acres located on sections
18 and 19 of Cass township, where he continued his agricultural pur-
suits for seven years. He likewise disposed of this property, invest-
ing the proceeds in a half section of land in Freedom township, that
he cultivated for two years, and then sold it. In the fall of 19 10 he
bought his present farm, one hundred and seventy acres of which
is fenced hog tight, tiled and under high cultivation. He engages in
general farming and stock-raising and as he is a diligent and enter-
prising man, is meeting with fair success in his undertakings.
On the 26th of November, 1891, Mr. Hill was married to Miss
Minnie Bige, who was bom April 21, 1871. She is the second of the
six children born to Alexander and Lurinda (Razor) Bige, the father
a native of Italy, and the mother of Kentucky. The parents were
married in Illinois and resided there until 1891 when they came to
Iowa, settling in Hamilton county. The father formerly owned and
operated the farm belonging to Mr. Hill, but he is now living retired
in Webster City at the age of seventy-two years. The mother passed
away in January, 1905, and was laid to rest in Graceland cemetery,
Webster City. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have eight children, as follows:
Alvin Glenn, George W., Earl A., Hazel M., Jacob Howard, Allie M.,
Jessie M. and James Garrett, all of whom are at home
The family are members of the Methodist church, and fraternally
Mr. Hill is affiliated with the Modem Woodmen of America, He is
independent in his political views, giving his support to such candi-
dates as he deems best qualified for the office, irrespective of party
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 329
affiliation. He is a man of enterprising and progressive methods and
is meeting with creditable success in the development of his interests,
being numbered among the substantial and capable agriculturists of
the community.
JAMES J. RAMSAY.
James J. Ramsay is owner of a farm of one hundred and fifty-
four acres on section 36, Cass township, which he has been actively
cultivating for the past two years. He is a native of Scotland, his
birth having occurred on the 29th of September, 1870, and the eldest
of three children born to Thomas and Sarah (Jamieson) Ramsay,
who passed their entire lives in the old country.
James J. Ramsay, who was only a child of five years when his
mother passed away, was reared by his maternal grandparents until
he had attained the age of twelve. He then started out to earn his own
living and for three years thereafter worked for a farmer in Scotland.
It was the dream of his life to come to America, and at the age of
fifteen he procured passage for Montreal, and for eighteen months
after his arrival worked on a farm forty n]iles from Toronto. At the
expiration of that time he crossed the border into the United States,
locating at Joliet, Illinois, where he continued to work as a farm hand
for four years. He next removed to Indiana and engaged in tiling
for four years. He had been thrifty and diligent and at the end of
that period was able to engage in farming for himself, renting land
which he cultivated for two years. Disposing of his interests in that
state, in February, 1899, he came to Iowa, settling in Webster county,
where he continued to farm as a renter for four years. His next re-
moval was to Hamilton county, and during the first seven years of
his residence here he cultivated leased land, but in 1909, he purchased
his present farm in Cass township, on which he located the following
year. His entire holding is fenced with barbed wire, a portion of it
hog tight, and his fields are tiled and under high cultivation. Mr.
Ramsay makes a specialty of stock-raising and he also feeds stock for
the market. He is very enterprising and diligent in his methods and
is meeting with success. During the brief period of his ownership he
has made many improvements in his place, ^^•hich is well kept up and
evidences systematic supervision and a careful regard for details.
330 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
In Indiana, on the ist of February, 1899, Mr. Ramsay was mar-
ried to Miss Elizabeth Debo, a daughter of Edward and Margaret
Debo, natives of Canada and Ireland, respectively. They were mar-
ried in Indiana and there the father passed away in March, 19 10, but
the mother is still living and makes her home in Lafayette, that state.
Mrs. Ramsay, who is the third in a family of seven, was born on the
loth of September, 1878, and was reared and educated in Indiana,
continuing to reside in that state until after her marriage.
The political views of Mr. Ramsay accord with the principles of
the republican party, to whose candidates he gives his support. Fra-
ternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and both he and Mrs. Ramsay are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, and number many friends among its congregation.
CHARLES A. BRATNOBER.
Charles A. Bratnober, one of the proprietors and manager of the
Williams Clothing Company, has been identified with the commer-
cial interests of Williams for five years, and is recognized as one of
the town's representative business men. He is a native of Iowa, his
birth having occurred in Fort Dodge, this state, on the 14th of June,
1878. His father Ralph H. Bratnober, was born in Brandenburg,
Germany, on October 8, 1846. He emigrated to the United States in
1854 and was for some years a resident of Fort Dodge, whence he re-
moved to Prince Albert, Canada, with his family in 1882. Eight
years later he returned to Iowa, locating on a farm in the vicinity of
Waterloo. From there he came to Williams, where he now makes
his home with his son, Charles A. The mother, whose maiden name
was Minnie Wagner, was a native of Schwabach, Germany, and
passed away in Prince Albert, Canada, February 14, 1883. The fam-
ily of Mr. and Mrs. Bratnober numbered seven: Louisa, who was
born September 2, 1869, the wife of Charles Byrne, of Prince Albert,
Canada; August C, who was born November 5, 1871, and was
drowned at Gooseberry Falls, Minnesota, on the 7th of August, 1901 ;
while engaged in superintending the floating of a raft over the falls;
Molly P., who was born on January 30, 1872, the wife of J. R. Owen,
of Dunkerton, Iowa; Henry, who was born in Calhoun county, this
state, and died near Manson in 1879; Charles A., of this sketch;
Pauline, whose birth occurred December 24, 1880, the wife of T. M.
CHARLES A. BRATNOBER
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COU-NTY 333
O'Keefe, of Waterloo, Iowa; and Minnie, now Mrs. Lister, who was
born in Prince Albert on the nth of February, 1883, manager of a
department of the Williams Clothing Company.
Charles A. Bratnober was reared at home and obtained his edu-
cation in the common schools of Iowa and Canada and the Iowa
State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls, this state, which he attended
in tlie years 1898 and 1899. The year following was spent in travel-
ing in the north and northwest, where he visited various points of
interest. In August, 1907, together with his father he established
the Williams Clothing Company, of which he is the manager. They
carry a large and well assorted stock of clothing, furnishing goods
and shoes, and in the conduct of their enterprise have adopted a policy
that commends them to the confidence of all with whom they have
dealings. Theirs is generally recognized as one of the best clothing
stores in this section and they enjoy a large and constantly increasing
patronage.
On the 6th of June, 1907, Mr. Bratnober was married to Miss
Ruby A. Lane, who was born at Seward, Illinois, on the 20th of
November, 1881. She is a daughter of Fred A. and Martha (Haugh-
ton) Lane, the father a native of Winnebago, Illinois, his birth oc-
curring August 8, 1853, while the mother was born in Pecatonica,
Illinois, on the 8th of October, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Lane came
to Iowa in 1882, locating at Odebolt, Sac county, where they resided
for four years. At the expiration of that period, they settled on a
farm near Early, that county, and there the father engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits until March, 1900. The mother is deceased, having
passed away at Trenton, Nebraska, on December 10, 1899, but the
father is still living and now makes his home at Storm Lake, this
state. Five children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Lane : Ellen, whose
birth occurred on January 16, 1879, the wife of Walter Meade, of
Steele, North Dakota; Mrs. Bratnober; William, whose birth oc-
curred on the 3d of May, 1885, a resident of Marathon, Iowa; The-
resa May. who was born on the 26th of March, 1888, now Mrs.
Hartman, of Marathon, this state; and Walter, who was born on
April 3, 1894, residing with his father at Stomi Lake. All are na-
tives of Sac county, this state, with the exception of the two first
named. Mrs. Bratnober was only a babe of three months when her
parents removed to Iowa, where she was educated and reared to
womanhood. After graduating from the high school at Early, she
began teaching and for four years thereafter was employed in the
district schools of Sac county, at the expiration of which time she ob-
334 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
tained a position in the intermediate department of the WiUiams
schools, which she retained for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Bratnober
have a daughter, Marian Alberta, who was born in Williams, June
5, 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Bratnober are members of the Presby-
terian church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Alamo Lodge, No. 547,
A. F. & A. M., in which he has held nearly all of the chairs, his last
office being that of secretary. In his political views Mr. Bratnober
is a republican. He owns his residence, which is modern and well
furnished. He is one of the substantial, as well as enterprising and
public-spirited citizens of the community, and wherever known highly
esteemed for his many fine qualities of heart and mind.
SIMON SOGARD.
Simon Sogard, one of the well known residents of Ellsworth,
was born in Norway on the 24th of August, 1858, and is a son of
T. A. and Maren (Hoye) Sogard. The parents passed the early years
of their life in the old country, where the father engaged in farming.
In 1867 they emigrated to the United States with their family, locat-
ing in Racine county, Wisconsin, which was their place of residence
for three years thereafter. At the expiration of that time, in 1870,
they came to Iowa, settling in Winnebago county. There the father
bought eighty acres of land located a mile east of Forest City, where
he continued in agricultural pursuits until his death in August, 1882.
He was survived by the mother, who is now seventy-nine years of
age and makes her home in Ellsworth.
Simon Sogard was a child of nine years when he accompanied his
parents to the United States. Two years prior to that he had begun
his education in his native land, continuing his studies in the schools
of Wisconsin and Winnebago county, Iowa, until he was qualified to
engage in teaching. He followed this profession for seven or eight
years, withdrawing from it in 1884, in order to assume the duties of
clerk of the district court, in which capacity he sensed for two tenns.
At the expiration of his period of office he removed to his wife's
farm in Lincoln township, this county, and turned his attention to
agricultural pursuits. When the State Bank of Ellsworth was or-
ganized three years later, he accepted the position of cashier and came
to town to live. He remained with the bank for three years, but
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 335
owing to the state of his health he deemed it advisable to spend some
time in the open air, so he resigned his position and returned to the
farm. Having recuperated, he accepted, a few months later, the po-
sition of assistant cashier in the First National Bank of Webster City,
where he also remained for three years, subsequently returning to
Ellsworth, which has ever since been his home.
On the 17th of March, 1887, Mr. Sogard married Miss Annie L.
Larson, a daughter of Henry and Susan (Questad) Larson, also na-
tives of Norway, who emigrated to America in early life and located
in Lee county, Illinois. They remained there until 1874, and then
came to Hamilton county, taking up their residence in Lincoln town-
ship, where the father bought one hundred and six acres of land.
He subsequently increased his holdings by the purchase of another
eighty acres, devoting his energies to the cultivation of his farm until
he passed away. The mother is also deceased. Mrs. Sogard was
born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1868, and there passed the first six
years of her life. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sogard is as follows :
Henry, W'ho died in Webster City in 1899, at the age of eleven years;
Mabel A., who is teaching school south of Ellsworth; Silas A. ; Selma
L. ; Clara A. ; and Harold T.
The family affiliate with the Lutheran church, in which faith the
parents were reared. Mr. Sogard is republican in his political views
and was chaimian of the county central committee during the Mc-
Kinley campaign.
GEORGE B. SEGAR.
George B. Segar engages in general farming and stock-raising
on section 17, Cass township, where he rents one hundred and sixty-
four acres of land. He was born in Hamilton county on the 7th of
January, 1856, and is a son of Benjamin B. and Catherine ( Berg-
dor f) Segar, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother oi
the state of New York. They were married in Illinois whence they
removed to Iowa in 1854, locating in this county where the father
bought government land which he cultivated for many years. Both
parents are now deceased, the father having passed away in 1892,
and the mother in 1905, and are buried in the cemetery at Cass
Center, The family of Mr. and Mrs. Segar numbered seven, our
subject being the second in order of birth.
336 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
George B. Segar was reared at home and educated in the district
schools. At the age of twenty-one he married and began farming for
himself as a renter, following this plan for ten years. In 1887 he
bought one hundred and sixty acres which he cultivated for four
years, but at the expiration of that time he sold his place and has
ever since been leasing land.
In 1877, Mr. Segar was married to Miss Olive Nicholson, a
daughter of Nelson and Polly Nicholson, who were born, reared and
married in Pennsylvania, whence they came to Iowa in 1856. For
eleven years thereafter the father farmed in Winneshiek county, but
in 1867 he came to Hamilton county, and here he and the mother
passed the remainder of their lives. They are buried in Graceland
cemetery at Webster City. Mrs. Segar was born on the i8th of
January, 1854 and is the third in order of birth in a family of six
children. Mr. and Mrs. Segar have three sons and three daughters.
In order of birth they are as follows : Helen, the w'ife of Earl Un-
derwood of this county, by whom she has had two children one of
whom is deceased; Emma, who married Wesley Crandall of this
county; Ida, who became the wife of Boyd Mellinger, also of this
county, by whom she has had one child ; Arthur, who is married and
living in Wright county; Ralph, a resident of Kamrar, who is mar-
ried and has one child; and Ray, who is living at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Segar are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church and fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen
of America, while in politics he is a republican. Having passed his
entire life in this county, Mr. Segar enjoys a wide and favorable
acquaintance among its citizens, where he is known to be a man of
sterling worth and integrity.
JOHN S. SLOAN.
There is not a citizen in Williams who has made a more creditable
record during the period of his residence in the community than John
S. Sloan, who in the space of ten years has acquired a good residence
property, farm property amounting to six hundred and forty acres
and a comfortable competence, all the result of his own effort. He
was born in Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois, on the 26th of
December, 1859, and is a son of John and Catharine (Kearney)
Sloan, natives of Ireland, the father's birth having occurred in 1822,
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 337
and that of the mother in 1834. The father, who was an agricul-
turist, passed away in lUinois in September, 1909. He had long
survived the mother, who died in McLean county in 1869. They
were the parents of the following children: John S., our subject;
Richard, who was born on the 3d of March, 1861, and died on
June 22, 1894; Kate who was born in 1861, and died in December,
1907, formerly the wife of John E. Holland; and Sarah, who died
in infancy.
The early advantages of John S. Sloan in acquiring an education
were limited, but he was trained in habits of thrift and industry and
these home lessons have proven of inestimable value to him and
formed the basis of his success. While a small lad he began to as-
sist his father with the work of the farm, his duties being increased
as his strength and sense of responsibility developed with the passing
years, and thus, long before he had attained his majority, was he
thoroughly familiar with the practical methods of agriculture and
fully competent to operate a farm. In February, 1902, he removed
to Hamilton county, and purchased a farm of three hundred and
twenty acres in Rose Grove township. Diligent and enterprising,
as well as progressive in his methods he has witnessed every year a
marked improvement in his farm, which is now one of the most
valuable properties in the community, and to which he has recently
added a three hundred and twenty acre purchase, making his holdings
six hundred and forty acres. For two years he resided in Blairs-
burg township, where he owned four hundred and fifty-six acres
of. land, which he sold in 191 1 at an appreciable advance over his
purchase price. He is now living in Williams, where he owns one
of the best residences in the town, which is provided with all mod-
ern appointments and handsomely furnished.
On the 2 1 St of January, 1891, Mr. Sloan was united in marriage
to Miss Nora C. Lynch, who was born in Bloomington, Illinois, on
the 2 1 St of February, 1865 and is a daughter of Michael and Mar-
garet (Gleason) Lynch natives of Ireland. The father passed away
in Ottawa, Illinois, at the age of forty years, but the mother is living
and now makes her home in Williams with Mrs. Sloan. Four children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lynch : Michael, who was born on the
i6th of March, 1862, and died on January 24. 1889; Mrs. Sloan;
Tames, who was born September 10, 1867 and died at the age of
"two years, ten months and four days ; and Catharine who was born
on August 5, 1870, the wife of T. P. Donahue, of Fort Dodge, Iowa.
338 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The two first named were born in Bloomington and the latter two
in Ottawa, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Sloan have had six children: Catharine Theresa,
who W'as born on the nth of November, 1891, and died October 4,
1892; John Joseph, whose natal day was the 13th o£ December, 1892,
residing with his parents in Williams; Richard Francis who was
born on the 21st of May, 1895, and died August 14, of the same
year; a son, who died in infancy; William Bernard, who is a student
in St. Joseph's College at Dubuque, Iowa ; and Margaret Cecelia, who
was born on the 23d of March, 1900, and is attending the public school
of Williams.
The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and
fraternally Mr. Sloan is identified wath the local camp of the Mod-
ern Woodmen of America. He is a democrat in his political views.
He is highly deserving of commendation, as his achievements are
the result of unceasing diligence, perseverance and the determination
of effort that refuses to recognize defeat. His record should be an
inspiration to every ambitious, enterprising young man, as it is
substantial proof that success is the result of unremitting effort, per-
sistently and intelligently applied rather than favorable circumstances.
ISAAC DAY.
Isaac Day is among the enterprising and well known agricultur-
ists of Hamilton county, where he is sucessfully engaged in the cul-
tivation of eighty acres of land located in Williams township. He
was bom in Marion county, Indiana, October 2, 1863, and is a son
of John and Mary (Stoner) Day, both of whom were natives of
Indiana. They celebrated their marriage in their native state. The
father removed with his family in 1870 to Marshall county, Iowa,
and established his home in Eden township, where he remained for
two years and then purchased a farm located four miles northeast of
Collins in Story county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming for
seven years, after which time he moved to Qear Creek township,
Jasper county, Iowa. He died in 1906 at the age of seventy years.
The mother died many years previously in Indiana. They w^ere the
parents of six children, as follows : Mrs. Hadassa Kuhns, deceased ;
James W., who is a resident of Spokane Falls, Washington; Frank,
who has passed away; Mrs. OlHe Thompson who makes her home
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 339
near Spokane Falls, Washington; Isaac, of this review; and Mrs.
Effie Baker, living at Mingo, Iowa. All the above named were na-
tives of Indiana.
Isaac Day was reared at home and received his early education
in the public schools. As a young man he was engaged in work on
his father's farm and some time after attaining his majority he
purchased eighty acres of land located in Williams township, where
he established his home and has since been successfully engaged in
general famimg and stock-raising, and also makes a specialty of rais-
ing full-blooded Plymouth Rock chickens.
Mr. Day was united in marriage, in 1891, to Miss Alice Hale,
who was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where her birth oc-
curred May 6, 1862. She is a daughter of Anthony and Jane
(Crouch) Hale, the former a native of England and the latter of
New York. Her father's family now resides in Blairsburg, Iowa. To
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Day six children have been born, namely : Mrs.
Vera Seger, who is a native of Collins township. Story county, Iowa,
and who is a resident of Blairsburg township; Clarence, who was
born in Collins township and resides with his father on the home
farm; Elsie, who was bom in State Center, Iowa, and is yet under
the parental roof; Earl, a native of Williams township, Hamilton
county who is also at home ; and Irene and Arlyne, likewise natives
of \\'illiams township.
Mr. Day is afifiliated with the republican party and is a man who
by a well directed life has made a most commendable success of his
chosen vocation as a farmer. He is well and favorably known through-
out his part of the state as a man of unquestioned integrity and is
numbered among the esteemed and useful citizens of the community
in which he lives.
B. E. SEGAR.
B. E. Segar was bom June 10, 1858, in the log house that stood
on a farm northeast of Webster City. He passed away Febmary 20,
19 1 2, at his home on the fann on which he located in 1888 and which
is one of the finest farm properties of Hamilton county. On the 24th
of October. 1880, he was united in marriage by the Rev. Moore to
Miss Marion Miller, a daughter of William and Jessie ]\Iiller of Web-
340 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ster City, Iowa, and they became the parents of two daughters, Ahna
and Henrietta.
Mrs. Segar was born in Canada, October 28, i860, and in her girl-
hood days was taken by her parents to Porter county, Indiana, while
in 1876, at the age of sixteen years, she came to Webster City, Iowa,
with her parents. The journey was made with two teams and covered
wagons and their first night in the county was spent in Cass township,
at the home of A. G. Nail. The same year Marion Miller returned
east and remained for two years, after which she again came to Iowa,
and has since made her home in this state. Her brothers are Peter
and Edward Miller, of Webster City. Her sisters are : Mrs. Cyrus
Ashpole, of Thompson, Iowa; Mrs. William Montgomery, of Canada;
and Mrs. Henry Sizemore, of Clarion, Iowa.
Alm.a' Segar, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B, E. Segar, was born July
24, 1881, near Webster City, and was married November 25, 1903,
by the Rev. Prewitt to Wallace W. Clark, who was born in Jackson,
Calhoun county, Michigan, October 17, 1878. They made their home
in Webster City until March i, 19 10, when they removed to Marshall,
Lyon county, Minnesota. They have six children : Zelma Gladys,
born November 20, 1904; Bernice Marie, December 21, 1905; George
Robert, July i, 1907; Mabel Frances, October 16, 1908; Hazel Anna,
April 25, 1910; and Edmund Wallace, July 11, 191 1. The first four
were born in Webster City and the other two in Minnesota.
Henrietta Segar was born near Webster City, June 16, 1883, and
was married March i, 1905, by I. W. Hyatt, J. P., to John R. Ziegler,
who was born in Freiburg, Auglaize county, Ohio, December 26, 1880.
They reside in Webster City and have three daughters : Marion
Josephine, born April 15, 1906; Margie Irene, November 21, 1907;
and Mildred Adelle, October 23, 1909.
LEVI COTTINGTON.
Levi Cottington resides at No. 719 Bank street, Webster City,
Iowa, and is well known in this county as a man who has spent his
life in the improvement and cultivation of the soil. He is also a
prominent veteran of the Civil war and his loyalty and patriotism are
still active forces in his life. He has now retired, having passed the
seventy-second milestone on life's journey. He was born in Sussex,
England in 1840 and came to the United States in 1841 with his par-
n
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 343
ents, Jesse and Rebecca (Forward) Cottington. They landed in
New York and settled immediately in Oneida county, that state, where
they remained for ten years. In 185 1 they removed to Sauk county,
Wisconsin, where the father farmed with much success during the
remainder of his life.
Levi Cottington attended the public schools of Wisconsin and pur-
sued the usual course of study until he laid aside his books. In 1864
he enlisted in Company F, Third Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, and
served with honor until the end of the war. When he was mustered
out he returned immediately to Wisconsin, where he farmed for two
years. His experience in agriculture at this time gave a definite bent
to his ambitions for the future. He determined to make farming his
life work and in order to be successful in this branch of activity he
gave his entire time and attention to a systematic study of its details.
Much of his success he owes to his scientific and efficient knowledge
and to the practical nature of his work, which was always productive
of good results. Although his farming in Wisconsin was successful
and his harvests abundant, he, nevertheless, abandoned that state in
1867 to come to Hamilton county. Here he bought two hundred and
ten acres in what is now Webster township. The land was unde-
veloped and the encroaching prairie was only partially broken. There
was a crude log cabin upon his place but this Mr. Cottington de-
stroyed and built a modern dwelling, conveniently furnished. He is
responsible for all the improvements which make his farm today one
of the model properties of the locality. He built fences in order to
divide his fields into convenient portions for the cultivation of grain,
tilled the land and was successful in agriculture until 1900, when he
removed to Webster City and rented the farm to his son, Levi B. Cot-
tington, who now resides upon the place and is carrying it on along
the scientific lines instituted by his father.
In 1867 Mr. Cottington was united in marriage to Miss Achsa
A. Brown, a daughter of S. J. and Jennett Brown, of Wisconsin.
Mr. and Mrs. Cottington became the parents of six children : Elinor
C, who married Leonard Hill, a farmer living near Stanhope, Iowa,
by whom she has two sons; Sidney J., a farmer of Webster town-
ship, who married Rena Kent, and has five children; J. R., a fanner
of Curlew, Iowa, who married Charlotte Ankstrom, and had three
sons, one of whom was drowned August 18, 1912; Omro, who mar-
ried Miss Ethel Neese, by whom he has one son and who is now resid-
ing in Curlew, Iowa, where he follows the occupation of farming;
Faith, who is the wife of Robert R. Downes, a farmer of Freemont
Vol. n— 1 8
344 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
township, by whom she has one son; and Levi B., now engaged in
agricultural pursuits in Webster township, who married Ethel Parry
and is the father of four children. Mr. Cottington's descendants, in-
cluding his children and grandchildren, now number twenty-four.
Mr. Cottington loves to remember the days of the Civil war, and
his loyalty and patriotism is as active now as it was in those troublous
times. He keeps up his connection with the various organizations of
veterans and is, well known as an enthusiastic old soldier. He belongs
to Winiield Scott Post, No. 66. G. A. R., and has held nearly every
office in that organization. Since 1892 he has belonged to the
Soldiers' Relief Committee of Hamilton county and has given his time
and energies without pay to furthering the comforts and improving
the living conditions of the poorer class of veterans. He is justly
proud of his work in this connection and his activities connected with
the Grand Army of the Republic and other military organizations
form a dominating influence in his life.
Mr. Cottington is a man who has made his influence felt in pub-
lic affairs. For over thirty years he was prominently connected with
educational circles of Webster township and held the office of school
director during that time. He was supervisor of Hamilton county
from 1883 to 1885 and when he became a resident of Webster City
served that municipality for one term as a member of the city council.
His public life has been distinguished by an intelligent grasp of munic-
ipal conditions, a thorough honesty and consistent work toward bet-
ter and improved standards. He is a genial and kindly man and now
in the seventy-third year of his age can look back upon the early
events of the pioneer agricultural development with which he was as-
sociated. He can remember the gradual evolution of his farm from
raw prairie land into a flourishing and productive property. He has
now retired from the labor of life with the peaceful consciousness
that his share of the duties and activities of the world are well
accomplished.
JOHNSON BROTHERS.
F. A. and San ford Johnson are joint partners in the firm of
Johnson Brothers engaged in the drug business, in Stratford, Iowa.
They are the sons of Gustav and Anna C. (Larson) Johnson, both
of whom were natives of Sweden and emigrated to America in 1859,
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 345
settling first in Orion, Illinois, where the family remained for one
year. They then removed to Boone county, Iowa, where the father
purchased two hundred and forty-seven acres of land, upon which
he established his home and continued to live until his death, which
occurred in 1895 when he was fifty-nine years of age. The mother
later took up her residence in Dayton and there died in 1907 at the
age of sixty-two.
They were the parents of seven children, of whom F. A. of this
review was second in order of birth. He was born in Orion, Illinois,
and received his education in the public schools. He came to Strat-
ford in the fall of 1899 and established the drug business in which he
is now engaged. In 1908 he admitted to a partnership, his brother
Sanford, since which time the business has been conducted under the
name of Johnson Brothers. F. A. Johnson was graduated from the
Drake Highland School of Pharmacy, May i, 1894. Sanford pursued
a course in the same school and obtained his license as a registered
druggist December i, 1908. F. A. Johnson owns the building in
which Johnson Brothers carry on their drug business, also eighty
acres of farm land in Iowa and his residence in Stratford, and is
a stockholder in the State Bank of Stratford.
F. A. Johnson was united in marriage in 1898 to Miss Minnie
Lush, of Superior, Iowa, and they became the parents of one son,
Gerald, who resides with his father. The mother died in April, 1902,
and the father was married again in 1894 his second union being
with Miss Louisa Erickson, of Hamilton county. They are the par-
ents of two children, Cecil and Beulah.
F. A. Johnson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and also of the Rebekahs. He is affiliated with the repub-
lican party and has been a member of the school board for several
years. He and his family hold membership in the Methodist Epis-
copal church.
Sanford Johnson was born February 29, 1876, and was the fifth
child in the order of birth in his father's family. He came to Strat-
ford in 1901 and was employed in the drug store of his brother,
until 1908, at which time he purchased an interest in the business
and has since continued as joint partner in the firm of Johnson
Brothers. He is also a stockholder in the State Bank of Stratford
and is now building for his own use a suitable residence.
Sanford Johnson was united in marriage in 1899 to Miss Tillie
Bloomberg, of Boone county. They are -the parents of four children,
Irene, Melvin, Mildred and Helen, but the first born passed away at
346 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
the age of seven years. Mr. Johnson is affiliated with the republican
party and has been a member of the board of councilmen of Strat-
ford for the past six years. He is a member of the Acorn Lodge,
M. W. A.; Stratford Lodge, No. 6oi, A. F. & A. M., of which he
has served as junior warden and is at present filling the chair of the
senior warden, and also belongs to Hope Chapter, No. i8, R. A. M.
of Webster City. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 673, of Stratford, and Re-
bekah lodge. No. 538. He and his family are members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church.
F. A. and Sanford Johnson are numbered among the progressive,
substantial business men of Hamilton county and both are always
interested in every public enterprise which gives promise of im-
proving the business or educational conditions of the community in
which they live.
JOHN H. MURPHY.
John H. Murphy is one of the respected citizens of Williams town-
ship, Hamilton county, Iowa, where he is successfully engaged in
the cultivation of a farm of three hundred and twenty acres which he
owns, located on section 2, Williams township. He was born in Lee
county, Illinois, November 17, 1870, and is a son of Dennis Murphy,
of whom a sketch appears on another page of this work.
John H. Murphy came with his parents to Hamilton county in
1884 and as a young man spent his early days under the parental
roof, where he was engaged in work with his father. He is now the
owner of three hundred and twenty acres of highly developed land
located on section 2, Williams township, on which he resides with
his family. In his farming operations he is making a specialty of
stock-raising and enjoys the reputation of having a herd of the very
best graded live stock in Hamilton county. His fann is highly im-
proved, with an excellent drainage system and modern, up-to-date,
commodious buildings of all kinds, belonging to a perfectly equipped
fann.
Mr. Murphy was united in marriage on October 7, 1896, to Miss
Annie Chaplinski, a native of Poland, and a daughter of Simon and
Paulina (Yonovska) Chaplinski, both of whom were natives of Po-
land, the father's birth having occurred in 1837 and that of the
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 347
mother in 1844, The father emigrated to America in 1873 a-^d his
family followed him to the new world one year later. They settled
first in Pennsylvania, and later moved to Blackhawk county, Iowa,
where the father was for some time employed on the railroad. In
1880 the family moved to Wright county, Iowa, and for a number
of years were numbered among the most prosperous farmers of the
community in which they lived. The father died in Williams, Iowa,
in March, 191 1, and the mother still maintains her residence at their
old home in Williams. They were the parents of seven children, as
follows: Gust, who is a resident of Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Emma
Schroeder, living in Dows, Iowa; Mrs. Annie Murphy; Fred, who
was born on the 15th of December, 1870, and who is the owner of a
dray line in Williams; Mary, who resides in Williams; Mrs. Susie
Murphy, who makes her home in Williams township; and John V.,
of Chicago. All the above named are natives of Poland.
To Mr. and Mrs. John H. Murphy three children have been bom,
namely : Lawrence Matthew^ whose birth occurred on the 3d of
August, 1897, and who assists his father in the operation of the home
farm; Edward Henry, who was born on the 8th of December, 1900,
and is attending school; and Philip Francis, whose natal day was
September 4, 1908. All three sons were born in Williams township.
Mr. Murphy is affiliated with the democratic party. He and his fam-
ily are members of the Catholic church of Williams. Mr. Murphy,
by a life of well directed industry and frugality, has succeeded in his
chosen vocation as an agriculturist and is numbered among the very
influential and most useful citizens of the community in which he lives.
P. A. SWANSON.
P. A. Swanson is the pioneer merchant of Stratford, being the
first man to open a general mercantile house in that place. He has
been identified with nearly all of the leading business enterprises of
the city since its organization and is at present the president of the
State Bank of Stratford. He was born October 28, 1839, in Sweden,
and is a son of S. P. and Anna Maria (Clementson) Swanson, who
emigrated to America in 1849, and settled in Jefferson county, near
Fairfield, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming for seventeen
years. He then removed with his family to Hamilton county, and
348 HISTORY OF Hx\MILTON COUNTY
here maintained his residence until his death, which occurred in
1869. The mother died in 1892.
P. A. Swanson was reared at home and received his early educa-
tion in his native country. He emigrated with his parents to Amer-
ica in 1849 and in early manhood he went to Ridgeport, Boone county,
Iowa, where he clerked in a store for seven years. He then, in part-
nership with his brother, bought the store in which he had been em-
ployed and successfully conducted it until 1881, at which time he sold
out. Previously to this, however, in 1880, he had come to Stratford
and opened a store, leaving the one at Ridgeport in charge of his
brother. Here he built the first store building in that city and en-
gaged in general merchandising for two years and then sold out. He
has since been engaged in various business enterprises and is at pres-
ent the president of the State Bank of Stratford, of which he is one
of the principal stockholders. He has also been a heavy dealer in
real estate but has sold most of his land in recent years, being still the
owner, however, of forty acres of farm land in Hamilton county. He
is also a stockholder in the creamery at Stratford.
Mr. Swanson has been a lifelong republican. He was employed
in the provost marshal's office of Burlington, Iowa, for two years
during the war. He was treasurer of Dodge township, Boone county,
for several years and for ten years was postmaster at Mineral Ridge,
Boone county. He is at present treasurer of the town of Stratford.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is one of its
board of trustees. Mr. Swanson is one of the widely known men of
Hamilton county and one who has been intimately connected with
the business, political and religious development of his part of the
state. His well known reputation for integrity in all business matters
and his high ideals of life have placed him among the very desiraBle
and useful citizens of the community.
ELMER J. HARMON
Elmer J. Harmon is a prosperous farmer located on section 31,
Lincoln township, Hamilton county. He was born February 10,
1888, on the place where he now lives and is a son of Mons and
Martha (Nelson) Harmon. The father was born on the water a
day's journey from New York, while his parents were on their way
from their native country — Nonvay — to America. The mother of
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 349
our subject was born in Norway and in early life emigrated to this
country. The parents were married in La Salle county, Illinois, but
shortly afterward settled on a farm in Iowa, which place is now the
home of the subject of this review. They improved the property and
there continued to live during their remaining years. In addition to
the original home farm the father also owned eighty acres on section
32, Lincoln township. He died February 17, 1891, and the mother
passed away February 19, 1893, both being buried in a cemetery lo-
cated three miles east and one mile south of Ellsworth. They were
the parents of two children: Elmer J., of this review; and Monsie
May. After their parents' death the children were brought up in the
family of their uncle, Isaac Harmon.
Elmer J. Harmon was educated in the public schools of Leland.
Illinois, and after completing his elementary education he pursued a
two years' course in the university at Urbana, Illinois. He was then
appointed a clerk of committees in the general assembly at Spring-
field, Illinois, where he served until the close of the session. He then
obtained work with the Buckbee Seed Company at Rockford, Illinois,
and continued in the employ of that house for six months, after
which he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his sister, who
wished to finish her education there. In that city he remained for
one year, during which time he was city collector for the hardware
house of Hamilton Fosseen Company. He then went to Leland,
Illinois, but in the spring of 191 1 returned to Hamilton county and
settled on his father's old homestead, which he inherited. After the
death of his parents and during the period of guardianship the ad-
ministrator of his father's estate purchased eighty acres of land ad-
joining the eighty acres on section t,2, which belonged to the estate,
and that one hundred and sixty acres was inherited by Monsie, the
sister of Mr. Harmon. He is engaged in general farming and stock-
raising and also buys and feeds cattle, which he sells in the open
market. His land is all under the plow and the entire farm is tiled
and ten acres of the property is surrounded by a hog-tight fence.
The water for all purposes is secured from a drilled well and is abun-
dant for all domestic and stock uses. In 191 1 Mr. Harmon built a
modern seven-room residence, finished in hardwood throughout; is
supplied with bath, electric light and running water, and is heated
with a modern hot water system.
On August 9, 191 1. Mr. Harmon was united in marriage to Miss
Bessie L. Miller, a daughter of Fred J. and Ella (Jacobs) Miller, the
former a native of Illinois and the latter of Norway. The parents
350 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
were married in Nebraska and later removed to Aurora, Illinois,
where they now reside. In their family were three children, of whom
the eldest, Bessie L., was born April 26, 1893.
Mr. Harmon is a member of the Masonic blue lodge of Leland,
Illinois, and is affiliated with the democratic party. He is one of the
enterprising, up-to-date farmers of Hamilton county, and a man
whose habits of industry and consistent living place him among the
influential and useful people of the community in which he lives.
WILLIAM A. JOHNSON.
Among the residents of Hamilton county who were at one time
actively associated with agricultural interests but are now living re-
tired is William A. Johnson, who maintains his residence at No. 1627
Wilson avenue, Webster City. He is still in the prime of life, having
reached the age of fifty-seven years and has given up his farming in
order to devote his attention to the general supervision of his exten-
sive real-estate interests and to the many details incident to his con-
nection with various phases of municipal activity.
He is a native of Massachusetts, bom in Northampton, in 1855.
His parents were William S. and Julia (Leonard) Johnson, who re-
sided in Massachusetts for a number of years. His father was a
carpenter by trade and with his family came to Webster City in 1858.
His death occurred in 1902 when he was eighty-four years of age
and his wife died in 1892 when she was sixty-two years old.
William A. Johnson pursued the usual course of study in the
public schools of Webster City, at the same time working on a farm
during his leisure hours. He early became acquainted with the best
methods of agriculture and his boyish activities gave a definite bent
to his more mature ambitions. In 1871, when he was sixteen years
of age, his natural energy and resourcefulness had enabled him to
acquire enough money to rent a farm in Hamilton county. He later
bought one hundred and sixty acres but lived on rented land until he
was able to pay for his farm, which he continued to improve and
operate until his retirement from agricultural life in 1905. For
many years Mr. Johnson was successful and prominent as a farmer
and brought his land to a high state of cultivation by his practical
efforts along scientific lines. He made his place productive and lucra-
tive and was recognized among his fellow agriculturists as a worthy
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 353
representative of this line of activity. In 1905 he abandoned farm-
ing altogether and removed to Webster City. He has since devoted
his time and attention to the management of his extensive real-estate
interests and to his public duties. He is a director in the Hamilton
County State Bank and is well known as a careful and conservative
financier. His fellow citizens regard him as a man whose life and
energies are a valuable addition to the civic welfare and whose co-
operation in the promotion of municipal advancement is always ready
and eager.
In 1880 JMr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Elmira T.
Entriken, a daughter of William and Margaret (Funk) Entriken,
who came from Pennsylvania to Hamilton county in 1872. The father
was a representative and substantial farmer in this section where he
cultivated the soil until his death in 1887. His wife survived him
until 1 89 1 and died when she was seventy-three years of age. To
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were bom two children: Leah, who became
the wife of T. H. Russell and who now resides in Canada ; and Maris,
who was born on the nth of December, 1897, and is now a resident
of Webster City.
Fraternally Mr. Johnson is prominent in the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, holding membership in Elmo Lodge, No. 62, and
Ridgeley Encampment, No. 9, of that organization. His position
among his fellow citizens is prominent and assured. He is recognized
as a man shrewd, competent and strictly honest in business transac-
tions and is highly esteemed wherever known.
F. R. MASON & SONS.
■ The hardware firm of F. R. Mason & Sons is one of the oldest
concerns in this line in Webster City and stands for conservative ideas
of honor and integrity, combined with a progressive policy of busi-
ness expansion. The firm was founded by Franklin R. Mason in
1896 in conjunction with his nephew, B. C. Mason, whose interests
were subsequently purchased by Franklin Mason and his son Harold,
and the business reorganized under the firm name of F. R. Mason &
Son. The founder of the concern is deceased, but his energetic busi-
ness spirit lives in his sons, who have added to it the progressive and
strenuous principles of a later generation and are carrying on a repre-
sentatively modern enterprise.
354 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Franklin R. Mason was born near Cummington, Massachusetts,
March 2^, 1836, and was a son of Jesse and Sally (Thompson)
Mason. The son received a limited education by attending the coun-
try schools of his native district during the winter sessions. At the
age of nineteen he laid aside his books and journeyed westward to
Webster City, Iowa, where he arrived on the 29th of November, 1855.
His history is prominently identified with the pioneer settlement and
upbuilding of the state of Iowa. In 1857 he was appointed second
lieutenant of a state regiment and participated with distinction in the
campaign against the Indians, following the Spirit Lake massacre.
Returning to Webster City he left Iowa in i860, for Pike's Peak,
Colorado, with his brother, B. S. Mason. The party searched there
for gold but returned after an unsuccessful prospecting tour which
lasted only a few months. In the following year, 1861, Franklin
Mason went to Canada, where he had received the offer of a responsi-
ble position in the tannery of F. Shaw & Brother, located at Roxton
Fall, Quebec. At that time this enterprise was the largest tannery in
the world and Mr. Mason gained a practical knowledge of the man-
agement of a prosperous and flourishing factory. He remained there
as foreman until June, 1869, in which year he returned to Webster
City and engaged in different enterprises until 1879, and then selling
implements for the firm of James Clagg, a connection which lasted
eighteen years. His connection with the hardware and implement
line dates back, therefore, to his early active career. Before he be-
came connected with the house of James Clagg he was also in the
employ of Cox & Worthington, implement dealers, in Webster City.
In 1896 in company with his nephew, B. C. Mason, he began a com-
mercial career for himself, establishing the Mason Hardware Com-
pany. He founded his business upon the principles of high commer-
cial integrity and honorable methods which dominate the policy of
his sons at the present time. The original partnership continued un-
til 1899, when Harold P. Mason bought out the interest of B. C.
Mason and the enterprise became known as F. R. Mason & Son,
under which title it is today operating. Franklin Mason retained his
connection with the enterprise which he had founded until 1905, when
his interests were purchased by his son, Jesse W. Mason. The busi-
ness since that time has been conducted by Harold and Jesse Mason
under its old title of F. R. Mason & Son. In 1905 Franklin Mason
definitely retired from active life and lived in Webster City until his
death, on July 31, 1909, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He
was a fine example of the business man of a former generation, con-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 355
servative but liberal in his policy and never influenced by the question-
able commercial methods of our modern age. His death was a dis-
tmct loss to the commercial development of Webster City, in which
his life had been an influencing and dominating factor. The policy
of strict integrity and conscientious business morality which he in-
augurated and which he followed during his active career is now be-
ing carried on by his two sons, who are carrying on the hardware busi-
ness of which he was the founder in a capable and systematically
efficient manner.
In 1858 Mr. Mason wedded Miss Lucy A. Howes, a native of
Cummington, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Henry Howes. Mrs.
Mason passed away on August 11, 1873, leaving five children. Alli-
son E., the eldest, was for many years a teacher in the Webster City
schools and is now engaged in teaching in Des Moines, Iowa. Rosa-
mond M. is the wife of D. G. Ross and they reside at Summerland,
British Columbia. They have two sons : George M., who is married
to Helen Bartholomew and also resides in Summerland; and Donald
G. Ross. Lovina B. is the wife of Henry Bailey, of Colchester,
Connecticut, and they have four children, Charles M., Harold, Jessie
and Allison R. Abbott L. and Jennie L., both deceased, complete the
family. On July 11, 1876, Mr. Mason was united in marriage to
Miss Belle R. Wilson, a daughter of Stephen Wilson, of Clay county,
Iowa. The father came to Iowa in 1854, taking up his residence in
Hardin county, but in 1871 moved to Clay county, this state, where
his death occurred in 1871, at the age of fifty-eight, his wife passing
away when in her eighty-sixth year. By his second marriage Mr.
Mason became the father of two children, Harold P. and Jesse W.
Harold P. Mason was the first of the present members of the
firm to become connected with his father's enterprise. He was born
on December 31, 1879, and is a native son of Webster City. He was
reared at home and received his education in the public schools. His
active career began in 1895, when he was employed as a clerk in the
First National Bank of Webster City, in which connection he re-
mained for seven years. In the meantime, in 1899, he had purchased
the interests of B. C. Mason in his father's enterprise, then known
as the Mason Hardware Company. He did not take an active part in
the management of the concern until 1902, when he resigned his po-
sition in the First National Bank in order to devote his entire energy
and attention to the duties connected with his new line of business.
His energy and shrewd business insight were from the very beginning
a valuable addition to the assets of the F. R. Mason & Sons Hard-
356 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ware Company. He has always been an upright and honorable man,
well versed in the details of the enterprise with which he is connected
and thoroughly systematic and efficient.
Mr. Mason was united in marriage to Miss Harriet H. Fenton, a
daughter of Charles T. Fenton, of Webster City, who at one time
was a well known stock buyer in that place and who in his later years
was connected with the lumber business. He was a representative
and able citizen and served his community for four years as- its mayor.
His death occurred in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have two children:
Franklin, who was born March 17, 1900; and Charles, born August
10, 1904. The family reside at No. 544 First street and have many
friends in Webster City. Harold P. Mason is a public-spirited and
liberal-minded man. He takes an active part in progressive politics
and served from 1905 to 191 1 as councilman of Webster City. Fra-
ternally he belongs to Acacia Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M., and is
prominent in the local lodge. No. 302, B. P. O. E. His business hours
are all devoted to expanding and developing the enterprise with which
he is identified along scientific and progressive lines. In this he is
aided by his brother, Jesse W. Mason, with whom he works in har-
monious relations to promote the prosperity and success of the con-
cern, which their father founded and which they are today repre-
senting.
Jesse W. Mason was born April 10, 1884, and he also is a native
son of Webster City. He was educated in the public schools and all
during his life has been connected with the hardware business. He
worked for his father on a salary for some years and did not enter
into his present partnership until 1905, when he purchased his father's
interest and became associated with his brother, Harold P. Mason.
Under their united management and direction the firm is still oper-
ating and each year sees a constantly increasing degree of prosperity.
Mr. Mason has been married twice. On June 14, 1905, he wedded
Miss Beryl Bawden, a daughter of N. H. Bawden, of Webster City,
who is at present serving as supervisor of Hamilton county. The first
Mrs. Mason died on April 25, 1909, and on January 31, 191 1, Mr.
Mason was united in marriage to Miss Grace Bueghley, a daughter
of D. D. Bueghley, who is a prominent farmer of Liscomb, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Mason reside at No. 848 Second street, Webster City.
The prosperity and success of the enterprise which Jesse W. and
Harold P. Mason are now operating is due in a large measure to their
harmonious relations and to their agreement upon vital matters of
business morality. It is one of the prosperous and substantial com-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 357
mercial enterprises in Webster City today. Its founder was a gentle-
man of the old school, a believer in conservatism in business and in
courtesy and consideration in every-day affairs. The sons have built
up on their father's dignified foundation a modernly progressive in-
stitution which in its essential business policy holds firmly to the hon-
est and upright standards inaugurated in an earlier and more simple
generation.
L. M. CROSLEY.
Probably no one citizen of Randall has contributed more largely
toward the commercial development of the town than L. M. Crosley,
who is here engaged in the drug business and is also a member of the
firm of Crosley & Nelson, real-estate dealers. He is a native of
Iowa, his birth having occurred at Liscomb, Marshall county, on the
29th of September, 1875, and a son of Edgar and Cora E. (Best)
Crosley. The father's natal day was the i6th of February, 1855,
Nvhile that of the mother, whose birth occurred in the vicinity of Can-
ton, Ohio, was October 21, of the same year. He is descended from
one of Iowa's very early settlers, his paternal grandfather, John
Crosley, who was born about 181 6, having been one of the pioneers
of Dubuque county. He subsequently removed to Nebraska, passing
away at Rushville, that state, in 1892, at the age of seventy-six years.
The grandmother, whose maiden name was Catharine Myers, died in
Grundy county, this state, wdien she was fifty-six years of age. The .
Bests w^ere among the pioneers of Ohio and are connected with the
Moore family, which figured prominently in the early history of cen-
tral Ohio. Edgar Crosley is still actively identified with the commer-
cial interests of Jew^ell, w^here he is engaged in the poultry, egg and
produce business. The mother, however, is deceased, having passed
away in Jewell, on the 12th of July, 1903. To them were born six
children, of whom our subject is the eldest. In order of birth the
others are as follows: Mrs. Blanche Smith, deceased; Birdie, who is
cashier for the Credential Life Insurance Company of Des Moines;
Sadie, the wife of Walter De Armand, a workman in the Des Moines
Saddlery Company of Des Moines, Iowa, whom she met while at-
tending the deaf and dumb institute at Council Bluffs, of which he
w^as also a student ; Leonard, w^ho is a printer by trade and a resident
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Bessie, a milliner of Randall.
358 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The three eldest members of the family were born in Marshall county
and the last named in Hardin county.
The boyhood and early youth of L. M. Crosley were passed on a
farm in the vicinity of Radcliffe, where the family located in 18.78.
This period of his life was passed in very much the same manner as
that of other lads who are reared in the rural sections. His education
was completed in the high schools of Radcliffe and Hubbard, and at
the age of seventeen he began his business career as a clerk in a drug
store. Two years later he successfully passed the state examination
and was granted his license as a registered phamiacist. On January
I, 1898, he came to Randall and established the drug store he is now
conducting. Being a young man of more than average foresight and
sagacity, he readily recognized the opportunities the town afforded in
a business way and began to avail himself of its advantages. He es-
• tablished the first restaurant and ice cream parlor in the town and
also installed the first soda fountain. To him also belongs the honor
of having opened the first jewelry store in Randall, and he has been
prominently identified with various other local enterprises. Later he
engaged in the real-estate business with Mr. Nelson, under the firm
name of Crosley & Nelson, and as they are both men of marked enter-
prise they have met with a gratifying degree of success in the de-
velopment of this undertaking. In addition to local town and coun-
try properties they engage in the buying and selling of Minnesota
farms and are general agents for the Rio Grande Valley lands. Mr,
Crosley takes an active and helpful interest in forwarding the de-
velopment of the town and was one of the promoters of the Fanners
Telephone system in Ellsworth township. Despite the exactions made
on his time by his varied interests they are all given due attention.
His store is unusually well equipped, up-to-date and presents an invit-
ing appearance, and his lines of drugs are always fresh, up-to-stand-
ard and of the very highest grade. In addition to drugs and patent
medicines he carries toilet articles and sundries such as are found in
establishments of this kind, while he has become widely known
through the surrounding country by reason of his large and carefully
selected stock of holiday goods, which draw customers from a radius
of miles. Mr. Crosley's business career has not been free from ad-
versities, but he has self-reliance, energy and confidence in himself
and others, and he finds his greatest incentive to further effort in set-
backs, utilizing these as lessons and stepping-stones to a larger and
more secure success.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 359
On the 5th of May, 1898, Mr. Crosley was united in marriage to
Miss Edith May Beecher, who was bom in the vicinity of New Provi-
dence, Hardin county, on May 30, 1878. She is the only child of
G. W. and Amanda (Hall) Beecher, who are residing on a farm
near Lawn Hill, Hardin county. She was educated in the academy at
New Providence and was subsequently postmaster at Lawn Hill. To
Mr. and Mrs. Crosley has been born one daughter, Bessie, whose na-
tal day was the 2d of January, 191 1. Mr. Crosley recently disposed
of his residence to good advantage. He holds title to some business
lots in town, however, which are becoming more and more valuable.
He has made creditable progress in the development of his career,
which must be attributed entirely to his enterprising spirit, — his deter-
mination of purpose which refuses to recognize failure.
Mr. and Mrs. Crosley attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and
fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Story City, hav-
ing been initiated in this organization at Hubbard, and of the Benevo-
lent Protective Order of Elks of Webster City. Politically he is a
republican and has served for two terms as township trustee, while
on several occasions he has been sent as a delegate to county con-
ventions.
EDWARD PETERSON.
Edward Peterson is one of tlie well known and respected citizens
of Stratford and is engaged as cashier of the State Bank of Stratford.
He was born July 20, 1869, in Webster county, Iowa, and is a son of
Daniel A. and Hattie S. (Hanson) Peterson, both of whom were na-
tives of Sweden and emigrated with their parents to America in
early childhood. They were married in Webster county, where they
have since continued to reside. The father has been engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits during his entire residence in this country. In the
family were five children, of whom the subject of this review is the
eldest.
Edward Peterson was reared at home and received his elementary
education in the public schools. He remained under the parental
roof until he was twenty years of age and at that time started out in
life for himself as a telegraph operator in the employ of the Chicago
& Northwestern Railroad Company at Dayton. At the end of two
years he accepted the position of deputy county recorder of Webster
380 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
county, and in that office he served for two years. In 1894 he came
to Stratford, becoming cashier of the State Bank of Stratford, and
to the interests of that institution he has since given his attention.
He is one of the stockholders in the bank and is the owner of ninety-
five acres of farm land in Hamilton county, owning also three hun-
dred and twenty acres of land in Webster county. He is also a stock-
holder in the Security Title & Loan Company of Webster City. The
State Bank of Stratford was established in 1891 with a capital stock
of twenty-five thousand dollars, which was owned by local investors
and by citizens of Fort Dodge. The first officers of the bank were
Augustus Anderson, president ; Jonas Fallin, vice president ; and J. T.
Drug, cashier. In 1909 the bank was reorganized and the capital
stock increased to thirty-five thousand dollars. It now has a surplus
and undivided dividends, in addition to its capital stock, of fifteen
thousand dollars. At the time of the reorganization the stock held by
non-residents of Stratford was purchased by the present officers, who
are now the exclusive owners of the entire issue. The officers are
P. A. Swanson, president ; F. E. Lundell, vice president ; and Edward
Peterson, cashier. The State Bank of Stratford is one of the solid
financial institutions of Hamilton county and its officers and board
of directors a.re among the most enterprising and trusted citizens of
this part of the state.
Mr. Peterson was united in marriage in 1903 to Miss Hilma Peter-
son, of Dayton, Iowa. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Peter-
son, in whose family were five children, of whom Mrs. Peterson is
the fourth in order of birth, born October 11, 1878. Edward Peter-
son is well and favorably known throughout business circles of Hamil-
ton county and is a man who by virtue of his well known integrity
and constant attention to business is placed among the reliable and
trustworthy members of the community in which he resides.
GEORGE STEWART BARNER, LL. B.
George Stewart Barner, a prominent and leading resident of Web-
ster City, has served in the capacity of city solicitor since January,
1908. He was born at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of
October, 1878, being the only child of John L. and Ella M. (Long)
Barner, who still reside at Shippensburg. John L. Barner acted as
agent of the Cumberland Valley Railroad for twelve years and sub-
GEORGE S. EARNER AM) FAMILY
1
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 363
sequently assisted his father-in-law in the various undertakings with
which he was connected, involving real estate and other interests.
George Stewart Earner acquired his education in the public schools
of Shippensburg, the Chambersburg Academy and the Washington
and Jefferson College of Washington, Pennsylvania. Having deter-
mined upon the legal profession as a life work, he entered the Dick-
inson School of Law at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which institution con-
ferred upon him the degree of LL. B. in 1906. Coming at once to
Webster City, Iowa, he began the practice of law here in partner-
ship with M. J. Mattice under the firm style of Earner & Mattice.
This association was maintained with mutual pleasure and profit un-
til January, 1908, when it was dissolved, Mr. Earner being at that
time appointed city solicitor to fill out an unexpired term. His ser-
vices in that connection proved so satisfactory that he was elected to '
the office in 1909 and reelected in 191 1, making him the present in-
cumbent.
On the 30th of October, 1906, Mr. Earner was united in marriage
to Miss Romayne H. Brennemah, her parents being Lemuel Todd
and Florence (Hertzler) Brenneman, the former a famier of Car-
lisle, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Earner have three sons: John
Lemuel, George Erenneman and Richard Long, who were born in
the years 1907, 1908 and 191 1 respectively. The family reside in a
beautiful home at No. 407 Des Moines street, Webster City.
Mr. Earner is a prominent and actice worker in the local ranks of
the republican party and since June, 19 10, has served as secretary
of the republican county central committee. In Masonry he has at-
tained high rank, belonging to the following organizations : Cumber-
land Valley Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., of Shippensburg, Pennsyl-
vania; St. John's Chapter, R. A. M., of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Tri-
une Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Webster City; Za-Ga-Zig Tem-
ple, N. M. S., of Des Moines; and Des Moines Consistory, No. 3,
S. P. R. S. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, belonging to Elmo Lodge, No. 62, of which he is past
grand, Ridgley Encampment, No. 9, and Eureka Canton. He is like-
wise connected with the Eenevolent Protective Order of Elks and
is past exalted ruler of Lodge No. 302. His religious faith is that
of the Presbyterian church and he is a valued member of the Country
Club of W^ebster City, the Commercial League of Webster City and
the Grant Club of Des Moines. Mr. Earner is very popular both in
professional and social circles and is a young man who has the re-
spect and confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact. He
Vol. II— : 9
364 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
has made advancement through the wise utilization of the oppor-
tunities that have come to him and the simple weight of his char-
acter and ability has carried him into important professional and
political relations.
WILLIAM HENRY WILLSON, M. D.
Nine years of conscientious devotion to the demands of his pro-
fession has not only enabled Dr. William Henry Willson to build up
a lucrative practice in Randall but has placed him in the front rank
of the medical circles of Hamilton county. By birth he was a Brit-
. ish subject having been born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on
the 28th of November, 1873. He is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth
(Morgan) Willson, also natives of Ontario, where for many years
the father was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. They are
now residing in Wardsville, one of the oldest towns in Ontario, hav-
ing been founded before London, of that province. Their family
of whom our subject is the eldest, was as follows : Walter, deceased;
Mrs. Jennie Burden, a resident of London, Ontario; Rilla, the wife
of John Atcheson, of the Cobalt district, 'Canada; Bertha, who is
living at home; Ernest, deceased; Morgan James and Mordecai Jud-
son, twins, who are cultivating the old family homestead in Ontario ;
Arthur, who is a resident of Wardsville; and E. G., a telegrapher in
the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, who passed away in
1911.
Being the eldest child in a large family of moderate circumstance,
the early advantages of Dr. Willson were somewhat limited. He
was reared at home and educated in the public schools of his native
province, tenninating his student days a year before completing his
high-school course. His father was a famier and when not in school
his time was largely spent in the fields, in the tilling of which he
began to assist when little more than a child. Ambition to enter
professional ranks early took hold of William Willson and he de-
cided upon the medical profession, knowing full well that the achieve-
ment of his desire entailed much work and self denial, as it would be
necessary for him to earn the money to complete his education. Vari-
ous occupations claimed his attention during the ensuing years but
ultimately his circumstances permitted him to begin his professional
course and he matriculated in the Medical College at Keokuk, this
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 365
state. He was awarded his degree with the class of i903*and subse-
quently went to Pioneer, this state, and established an office. Con-
ditions there, however, came not up to his expectations and he later
removed to Randall, locating here on the 14th of May, 1903. Dur-
ing the first few years of his residence he met with the usual diffi-
culties experienced by the majority of young men who are striving
to gain a foothold in the professional world, but the memory of those
early struggles has been cast into shadow by the light of his more
recent successes. His rise has not been at all phenomenal, but is in
every way consistent with the determination of purpose and un-
ceasing effort of this man, whose sympathetic nature and conscien-
tious devotion to his patients have been important factors in winning
him recognition. He has always been a zealous student and keeps
in close touch with the progress of science and his profession through
the medium of the various medical journals. Feeling the need of
a more practical knowledge of modern surgical methods, he has
twice pursued post-graduate courses in Chicago, once at the Poly-
clinic and on another occasion at the Post Graduate Hospital. His keen
powers of discernment and excellent mental qualities seldom lead
him astray in a diagnosis, which has served to strengthen his faith
in himself and enabled him to inspire confidence in all who seek his
services. The hardships and struggles Dr. Willson has experienced
in his own life, have not, as is so often the case, hardened him. but
given him a sympathetic understanding and appreciation of human
nature, which compels him to recognize the bond of fellowship and
brotherhood, and extend to the less fortunate a helping hand.
On the 5th o.f August, 1905, Dr. Willson was married to Miss
Elizabeth Grace Heywood, who was born in Ontario, Canada, on
the 15th of July, 1877, and there she was reared to womanhood,
completing her education in the Wardsville high school and the Ridge
Town Academy, which she attended for two years. She is a daughter
of Thomas and' Sarah (Stephens) Heywood, to whom were born
eight children: Mrs. Cora York, a professional nurse, residing in
Chicago, Illinois; Alice, deceased, who also was a trained nurse;
Mrs. Jennie Harper and Edith, milliners, of Chicago; Mrs. Willson;
William Thomas, who is a resident of Montana; Mrs. George Ade-
nam. whose home is in the Canadian northwest; and Bert, who lives
in Cleveland, Ohio. The father still resides in Wardsville, but the
mother, who was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away in 1892.
Dr. and Mrs. Willson have two children: Florence Sarah, who
366 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
was born on the i8th of May, 1906; and William Henry, Jr., whose
birth occurred October 28, 1907.
In matters of religious faith the parents are both Methodists, Dr.
W'illson holding membership in Chatham Square church of Keokuk.
Fraternally he is affiliated with Hammond Lodge, No. 327, A. F. &
A. M., of the Erie district, Ontario; and with Briar Lodge, No. 679,
I. O. O. F., of Story City. He maintains relations with his fellow
practitioners through the medium of his connection with the county
and state Medical Societies and the American Medical Association,
He owns one of the attractive residences of the town and a well
equipped office and a good medical library. He is one of the highly
esteemed citizens of Randall, where he has many stanch friends, who
accord him the respect he merits by reason of his many fine quali-
ties, no less than because of his professional skill.
HOWARD CLARENCE SMITH.
Howard Clarence Smith, president and one of the organizers of
the First National Bank of Jewell, has for twenty-eight years been a
resident of Hamilton county, and is numbered among its most enter-
prising and progressive citizens. He was born in Kenton, Hardin
county, Ohio, on the 28th of December, 1858, and is the youngest
member in a family of six. His parents, Nathan and Mary (McLain)
Smith, were born in Zanesville, Ohio, but were married in Hardin
county, that state, where the mother, who is now ninety years of age,
still resides. The father, however, is deceased, having passed away
in October, 191 1, in his ninety-fourth year. His energies were al-
ways devoted to agricultural pursuits.
The boyhood and youth of Howard Clarence Smith were passed
on the old homestead in Ohio, and were very similar to those of other
lads who are reared in the country. At the usual age he began his
education in the common schools of his native county, and completed
it in the Ohio Wesleyan University, located at Delaware, that state,
being graduated from this institution wdth the class of 1884. The
same year he came to Hamilton county and purchased three hundred
and twenty acres of unimproved land in Lyon township, and engaged
in farming. A man of practical and intelligent ideas and earnest pur-
pose, he applied himself diligently to the development of his fann,
converting it into one of the most attractive and valuable properties
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 367
in the community. In the spring of 1901 he became associated with
others in the organization of the First National Bank of Jewell, of
which he was made president, and the year following he rented his
farm and removed to tow^n, where he purchased a very pleasant and
comfortable residence. Mr. Smith has proven as efficient and capable
in the discharge of his present duties as in the development of his
agricultural interests, and without doubt it is largely due to his efforts
that the bank has progressed so successfully. It is now numbered
among the well established and stable financial institutions of the
county and is doing an excellent business. Mr. Smith is also a stock-
holder in the Farmers' State Bank of Kamrar, and together with
Alpheus Alexander owns the building in which the First National
Bank is located in Jewell.
On the 8th of September, 1909, Mr. Smith was married to Miss
Ida Watsabaugh, a daughter of Peter Watsabaugh, of Leon, Decatur
county, Iowa, and the third in order of birth in a family of nine.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith affiliate with the Congregational church, and
fraternally he is identified W'ith Republic Lodge, No. 468, A. F. &
A. M. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party. He
has served as mayor of the town of Jewell, and takes an active and
helpful interest in the development of the town and the advancement
of its various public utilities.
BERENT M. BRANFORD.
While Berent M. Branford is now a resident of Spokane, Wash-
ington, where he is engaged in the practice of law, he has a wide ac-
quaintance in Hamilton county, where the earlier years of his life
were passed and where his people still reside. He was born near
Randall, this county, August 27, 1869, a son of Ole O. and Helene
Christina Branjord. The father was born in Gudbrandsdalen. Nor-
way, and for convenience sake the spelling of the family name was
changed to its present form in 1901. His wife was born near Tor-
nea, Finland, and they were married in Hammerfest, Norway, in
1 86 1. Coming to the United States they settled in Hardin county,
Iowa, in 1864 and in 1867 removed to the vicinity of Story City, Iowa.
In the spring of 1869 they took up their abode on a prairie farm near
Randall, Hamilton county, and there through industry, economy and
careful management they have succeeded in acquiring a comfortable
368 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
competence, enabling them at length to leave the farm and live retired
in Ellsworth, Iowa, where they now make their home.
The son, Berent M. Branford, spent his youth largely upon the
old homestead and supplemented his early education, acquired in the
district schools, by study in St. Olaf's school (now a college) at
Northfield, Minnesota, during the winter of 1885-86, while in 1892-3
he attended the Drake University at Des Moines and from January,
1899, until June, 1900, was a student in the State University of Iowa.
While there he gave his attention to preparation for the legal profes-
sion and was graduated from the law department with the degree of
LL. B. In the same month he was admitted to practice at the Iowa
bar and has since followed his profession. Attracted by the rapidly
growing west, he went to Spokane in May, 1901, and has since been a
representative of the bar in that city. His progress has been con-
tinuous and in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon
individual merit, effort and ability, he has steadily worked his way
upward.
In Spokane, on the 28th of June, 1905, Mr. Branford was mar-
ried to Miss Ellen Johanna Ove, a daughter of T. T. Ove, now resid-
ing in Spokane, and a twin sister of the Rev. T. T. Ove, now of Los
Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs. Branford have two children :
Bernice Eleanor, who is six years of age; and Margaret Christine, two
years old. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church.
Mr. Branford has for years voted with the republican party but is
now identified with the progressive movement which holds to the
teachings of Roosevelt, believing that the time is ripe for a forward
step in politics rather than the blind following of party leaders who
seek the advancement of self rather than the welfare of the country.
FRANK E. LUNDELL.
Frank E. Lundell is numbered among the influential citizens of
Stratford, of which place he has been postmaster since 1908. He
was born in Boone county, Iowa, and is a son of John and Augusta
(Peterson) Lundell, both of whom are natives of Sweden. The
paternal grandfather, Lars Larson, a native of Sweden, who fol-
lowed farming for a livelihood, died in his native country in 1852.
The grandmother, Sophia (Olofson) Larson, was later married
to Swan Hossellstrom, and with her husband emigrated to America,
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 369
settling in Marion township, Hamilton county, in 1873, on a farm
where she has since continued to reside, being now eighty-one years
of age. The father of our subject. John Lundell, was reared and
educated in Sweden and in 1871 he emigrated to America locat-
ing first in Chicago, at which place he established his headquar-
ters. Shortly after reaching Chicago he engaged in work in the
pineries of Michigan and during his time of employment in the north-
ern lumber woods he lost all of his personal belongings in the great
Chicago fire. On his return to Chicago he removed to Hamilton
county and there rented a fann, which he operated until 1881, after
which time he came to Stratford and engaged in the livery business.
He also bought and sold cattle and hogs and speculated in real es-
tate, continuing in that business for a period of fifteen years. One
of his principal real-estate transactions was the purchase of sixty-
six acres of land within the corporate limits of Stratford. He platted
that property and recorded the plat as Lundell's addition to the city
of Stratford. Since 1900, with the exception of two years, he has
been identified with the mercantile business. John Lundell was united
in marriage to Augusta Peterson in December, 1875. She is a daugh-
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Peterson, both of whom are natives of
Sweden. To Mr. and Mrs. Lundell six children have been born:
Frank E.. the subject of this review; Samuel, who is manager of the
elevator at Stratford; Amy, at home; Adelia, the wife of Roy Coulter,
of Stratford; Olga, who married George Harmon, who is employed
as bookkeeper in the State Bank; and Maudie, who is engaged in
teaching school. Mr. Lundell is affiliated with the democratic party
and has served as councilman for eighteen years. He and his wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Stratford.
Frank E. Lundell was reared in his parents' home and received
his education in the public schools of Hamilton county, Iowa. After
completing his school course he accepted a clerkship with the mercan-
tile firm of Swanson & Rodine, with whom he remained until 1896.
During that year he suffered a severe accident which resulted in
the loss of his left leg above the knee, in consequence of which he
was incapacitated for further service of any kind until 1898. He
then became manager of his father's business and continued in that
position until 1907. On February 17, 1908, he was appointed post-
master of Stratford and has since continued to serve with great ac-
ceptability in that office and has this year been reappointed. He is
the owner of the business block which is occupied by the postoffice
and is the vice president of the State Bank of Stratford.
370 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Mr. Liindell was united in marriage to Miss Jessie R. Hakes on
the 1 8th of March. 1903. She is a daughter of David Brainard and
Maria A. (Cleveland) Hakes, the former a native of New York and
the latter of Wisconsin. The father came to Hamilton county at an
early day and was engaged in work at Hooks Point for some time.
He later acquired an interest in a general store, which he conducted
for several years. He then purchased an improved farm located east
of Stratford, which he operated for a number of years and then re-
moved to Dakota, where he was successfully engaged in the cattle
business. He later returned to Hamilton county and reestablished
his home on his farm located in Marion township, where he still
lives.
Mr. Lundell is affiliated with the republican party and he and his
wife are members of the Methodist church of Stratford. Mr. Lun-
dell enjoys the confidence and esteem of all his fellow citizens and
is a man who readily gives his influence to the advancement of any
public measure which will improve the conditions of the people in his
state and county.
ANDREW OWENSON.
Andrew Owenson cultivates two hundred acres of fine farm land
on section 35, Ellsworth township, and owns fourteen ac /es in the
same district. The care which he bestows upon the development
and improvement of the farm together with his modern methods
rank him among the representative agriculturists of Hamilton county.
He is a native son of the section in which he now resides, having
been born in Ellsworth township on October 29, 1864. His parents
were Owen and Carrie Owenson, natives of Norway. His father was
born in 1830 and came to America at an early date. He died in
Ellsworth township, August 4, 1878. The mother of our subject
was born in 1831 and died April 24, 1902. They became the parents
of five children: Mary, who passed away April 5, 188 1, when she
was twenty-seven years of age; Gertrude, deceased; Andrew, of this
review ; Mrs. Carrie Boyd, who was born in Ellsworth township,
January 8, 1867; and Peter, whose birth occurred June 12, 1869,
and who is now residing in this section. The two elder children in
this family were born in Norway, but the others are natives of Ells-
worth township.
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Pi
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 373
Andrew Owenson was educated in the public schools of his na-
tive section and since the beginning of his active career has been
identified with progressive farming. He now cultivates two hun-
dred acres of fertile and productive land on section 35 and is one
of the most Avidely known and highly respected citizens of his com-
munity. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and is a
devout adherent of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Randall. He
has won success by steadily adhering to high business standards and
by keeping pace with the modern advancement of agricultural meth-
ods, while the firm qualities of honorable industry and unquestioned
integrity which are elements in his character, rank him aniong Ham-
ilton county's most deservedly honored sons.
PETER FROHLING.
Peter Frohling, who lives on a farm of three hundred and thirty-
seven acres located on section 35, Cass township, which he has been
cultivatmg for the past fourteen years, was born in Ost Friesland,
Germany, on the 12th of February, 1865. He is the youngest of
the five children born to George and Nettie Frohling, natives of
Germany, where the father is still residing at the age of seventy-eight
years. The mother, however, is deceased, her death having occurred
in 1890, at the age of sixty-five years.
At the age of twenty years Peter Frohling took passage for the
United States, with Monticello. Illinois, as his destination. He was
familiar with agricultural pursuits and readily found employment
on a farm, where he worked for three years. As he was thrifty and
diligent he managed to save enough money during that time to begin
farming for himself, so he rented some land which he cultivated
until 1892. In the latter year he removed to Indiana, continuing to
fami as a renter in that state until 1898, when he came to Hamilton
county. Upon his arrival here he rented the place where he now
resides and he has ever since engaged in general farming and stock-
raising, meeting with a fair measure of success. Since locating here
he has bought a farm comprising eighty acres of land, on section 36,
this township, which he is renting to his son-in-law, W. A. W^alker.
The place is well improved and his fields are tiled and fenced, partly
hog tight, and under high cultivation. Mr. Frohling devotes much
of his attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of Duroc Jer-
374 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
sey hogs and Belgian horses, and he also buys and feeds cattle for the
market. He is prospering in his undertakings, his persistency of
purpose and honorable, straightforward methods in the conduct of
his undertakings bringing him well merited success and the esteem and
respect of his fellow citizens.
In 1889, Mr. Frohling was married to Miss Fannie Hayungs
who was born in Germany on the 9th of July, 1865, and is a daughter
of John and Hannah Hayungs, who came to America in 1902. Both
parents are now deceased, the father's death occurring in February,
1909, and that of the mother on the nth of April, 1912. They are
buried in Graceland cemetery, Webster City. Mrs. Frohling, who
is the second in order of birth in a family of six, had six children, as
follows: John, who died at the age of seventeen years; Nettie, the
wife of W. A. Walker of Cass township and the mother of one
child; George, who is living at home; Henry, who died at the age of
two years; and Henry and Hannah, who are also at home.
Mr. Frohling enjoys the full rights of citizenship, but he has
never identified himself with any political body, giving his support
to such men and measures as in his opinion are best adapted to serve
the interests of the people. Before coming to the United States he
served two years in the German army, and while he has never had
occasion to regret transferring his allegiance to this country and is
perfectly loyal to its institutions, he yet finds much to commend and
admire in the land of his birth.
TIMOTHY C. O'CONNOR.
Timothy C. O'Connor, who owns and operates a farm of two
hundred acres located on section 12, Independence township, was born
in Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, and is a son of Michael and
Elizabeth (M'Cauliff) O'Connor. The father was born in Ireland
but when a youth of sixteen he emigrated to the United States, and
for four years thereafter worked on a farm in the vicinity of Roches-
ter, New York. He subsequently went to Rockford, Illinois, where
he was married about i860, and during the next three years was em-
ployed in a foundry. At the expiration of that time he once more
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and during the succeed-
ing eight years farmed as a renter in the vicinity of Henry, Marshall
county, Illinois. In the spring of 1871, he came to Iowa with his
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 375
family and settled on forty acres of land in Independence township.
He diligently cultivated his farm for twenty-one years, but in 1892
he sold it and invested the proceeds in the place owned by our sub-
ject, which they operated jointly for eight years. Both parents are
now deceased, the mother having passed away in 1884, and the father
on the 29th of March, 19 10. The family of Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor
numbered eight, our subject being fifth in order of birth.
Timothy C. O'Connor was reared on his father's farm and edu-
cated in the common schools. He passed the early years of his life
in very much the same manner as other lads who are reared in
rural districts, and after leaving school assisted with the work of the
fields and care of the stock until his father bought the place, where
Mr. O'Connor is now living. For eight years thereafter the father
and son engaged in cooperative farming, but at the end of that time
they sold their equipment and stock and the latter bought eighty acres
of land near Kamrar, which he cultivated for five years. He subse-
c[uently disposed of that place and bought the old homestead to which
he returned in the spring of 1907. Here he engages in general farm-
ing and the raising of stock, making a specialty of Percheron horses
and Duroc Jersey hogs, and he also buys and feeds cattle for the mar-
ket. His. land is tiled and fenced, some of it hog tight and his fields
are largely devoted to the raising of corn and oats, which are his chief
crops. Mr. O'Connor takes a great deal of pride in keeping up his
property and his farm is equipped with everything essential to its
operation. In 1907 he erected a large barn, forty by fifty feet, and
four years later he remodeled the residence, which was built in 1901.
He holds the original deed from the government for his land, bearing
the signature of Franklin Pierce.
In 1905 Mr. O'Connor was married to Miss Dorothy Waddell,
a daughter of John and Margaret (Wright) Waddell. The parents
were born and reared in Ireland and there they were also married,
coming to the United States upon their wedding journey. They first
located in Boston, where he was engaged in contracting and building
until 1876. In the latter year they came to Iowa and for four years
thereafter the father farmed as a renter, but at the end of that time
he gave up agricultural pursuits and went to Eagle Grove and re-
sumed contracting and building. The first white child born in the
town was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waddell, who were among the
very early settlers there. He erected the first hotel, and the first re-
ligious services were held in his carpenter shop. The remainder of
his life, with the exception of seven years spent on a farm in South
376 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Dakota, was passed in Eagle Grove, where he passed away on the
14th of September, 191 1. He is survived by the mother, who is now
seventy-seven years of age and continues to make her home in Eagle
Grove. Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waddell, Mrs.
O'Connor being the thirteenth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs.
O'Connor have one child, Claude Waddell, born October 15, 1908.
Fraternally Mr. O'Connor is affiliated with the Benevolent Protec-
tive Order of Elks, and his political support he accords the republican
party. He and Mrs. O'Connor attend the Congregational church at
Blairsburg, and contribute toward its maintenance.
LAEL M. AND CARL E. PETERSON.
Lael M. and Carl E. Peterson, owners and publishers of the
Stratford Courier and also dealers in musical instruments, are num-
bered among the enterprising, successful citizens of Stratford. Lael
M. Peterson v.as born January 3, 1880, at Moline, Illinois, and Carl
E. Peterson was born August 6, 1 881, at Des Moines. They are the
sons of Clement P. and Josephine C. (Lindstrom) Peterson, the for-
mer a native of Sweden. The father at the age of seven years emi-
grated to America with his parents, who located first at Chicago and
later at Moline, Illinois, where the grandfather was engaged as super-
mtendent of the woodworking department of the John Deere Plow
Works and continued to be identified with that company for thirty
continuous years, after which time he took up his abode in Chicago,
and died in the spring of 1910. The grandmother died in 1900.
Clement Peterson, the father of our subject, was reared at home
and received his elementary education in the public schools of Mo-
line, Illinois. After completing his school days he engaged in work
in a drug store and later bought a drug store, which he conducted un-
til 1880. He then moved to Des Moines and there became connected
with the drug business, in which occupation he continued until 1884.
He then came to Stratford, Iowa, and in company with J. D. Math-
ews established himself in the drug business under the firm name of
Peterson & Mathews, and continued in that partnership until 1897.
In that year he was appointed postmaster of Stratford, a position
which he held until the time of his death, which occurred June 29,
1905, at the age of forty-eight years. The mother, now fifty-six
years of age, lives in Boulder, Colorado.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 377
L. M. and C. E. Peterson were reared at home and received their
early education in the schools of Stratford. Immediately following
the close of their school years, on March i, 1899, they purchased the
Stratford Courier, a weekly paper, which they have since continued
to publish. In 1909 they added to their publishing business a musical
business and in that department they handle the Hobart M. Cable
piano, the Moline and Baldwin, making a specialty and leader in their
business of the Hobart AI. Cable instrument. The Peterson brothers
own their own plant and building in w^hich it is installed and each of
them also owns his own residence.
L. ]\I. Peterson was united in marriage August 8, 19 10, to Miss
Maude Tuel, a daughter of John and Alice (Van Wonner) Tuel, the
father a native of Iowa, and the mother of Michigan. C. E. Peter-
son was married on the 4th of July, 1904, to Miss Grace Wliiteman,
a daughter of \\^illiam and Mary (Atkinson) Whiteman, the fonner
a native of Illinois, and the latter of California. The brothers are
stanch progressives in their political beliefs. C. E. Peterson was ap-
pointed postmaster of Stratford in 1905, in which office he served
until April, 1908. He has fraternal relations with the Modern Wood-
men of America. L. M. Peterson is a member of the Masonic lodge
and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
the Rebekahs. The brothers are members of the Swedish Lutheran
church of Stratford. They are business men whose integrity has
never been cjuestioned and they are numbered among the progress-
ive and useful citizens of that part of the state.
PETER M. PHILLOPS.
One of the representative agriculturists of Scott township is Peter
M. Phillops, who owns four hundred and forty acres of choice land
located on section 33, which he devotes to diversified farming and
stock-raising. His entire life has been passed in this immediate vi-
cinity, his birth having occurred on the farm where he now resides
on the i8th of January, 1869. His father, Canute Phillops, was born
in Bergen, Norway, on September 12, 1834, and there passed the
first sixteen years of his life. In 1850, the family emigrated to the
United States, arriving in this country after a long and exceedingly
rough passage, which occupied ten weeks and three days. They first
settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, but later they removed to La Salle
378 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
county, Illinois. The family consisted of two sons and two daugh-
ters, Ann M., Helen, Canute and Peter. When the call came for
troops during the early days of the Civil war, Peter and Canute en-
listed as members of Company F, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry. They gave valiant service to the land of their adoption, Peter
having given his life to the cause, his death occurring in the hospital
at Murfreesboro in February, 1864. Canute participated in the bat-
tles of Pea Ridge, Perryville and Stone River. At the latter place
he was taken prisoner, but was subsequently paroled and sent to An-
napolis, where he did provost duty until 1863. He rejoined his regi-
ment just prior to the battle of Missionary Ridge and was also at
Adairsville, where he was wounded in the thigh. The succeeding few
weeks were spent in army hospitals at various points, and in Septem-
ber, 1864, he was discharged and returned to La Salle county. Very
soon thereafter he came to Hamilton county, where he accjuired the
land now owned by our subject, in Scott township, and devoted the
remainder of his active life to the development of his farm. Here
he was married on the 9th of July, 1865, to Mrs. Melinda Christian-
son Larson, who was born in Norway on May 12, 1827, and passed
away in Scott township on the loth of July, 1896. The maternal
grandparents passed their entire lives in the Norseland. To Mr. and
Mrs. Phillops was born, beside our subject, one daughter, Petra Chris-
tina, who died in infancy. The father, who was one of the highly es-
teemed pioneer settlers of Hamilton county, passed away on his farm
on the 2d of April, 1906. Among the valued possessions of the Phil-
lops family are two letters written by the brothers, Canute and Peter,
while at the front during the Civil war. The one from the father is
from Camp Hoffman and bears the date of April 2, 1862, while the
other is a joint letter from the two brothers, and was written on No-
vember II, of the same year.
The experiences which came to Peter M. Phillops during
his minority were very similar to those which fell to the lot of other
lads reared in this section during the pioneer period. He obtained his
education in the common schools of the community, his advantages
being neither better nor worse than those of the average youth of that
time. He early began rendering his father such assistance about the
fields and barns as his age and strength permitted, thus qualifying
himself for the duties of the vocation he is now following. As the
years passed he assumed more and more of the responsibility about
the farm, of which he had the entire management prior to succeeding
to the title of the property. His fields are operated in accordance
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 379
with the advanced methods, of agriculture and in connection with gen-
eral farming he is engaged in the breeding and raising of high-grade
stock. He is a man of progressive ideas and enterprising methods,
as is evidenced by his well improved place, which is provided with the
most up-to-date machinery, implements, comforts and conveniences.
Naturally he takes great pride in keeping up his farm, which is en-
deared to him by associations of a life-time and was the birthplace of
his children.
On the 6th of February, 1890, j\lr. Phillops was married to Miss
Anna Maria Peterson, whose birth occurred on a farm a mile north
of Story City, Story county, Iowa, on the 14th of June, 187 1. There
she was likewise reared to womanhood and educated, her entire life
having been passed in this section of Iowa. She is a daughter of Eric
J. and Julia (Johnson) Peterson, the father having been born in Nor-
way on the nth of June, and the mother in Dane county, Wisconsin.
The father, who is a veteran of the Civil war, was for many years
. actively engaged in farming in Story county, but he has now retired
and he and the mother are spending their latter years in a comfortable
residence in Story City. Their children, twelve in number, are as fol-
lows : Mrs. Caroline Nordskog, who was born on the 6th of July,
1867, a resident of Des Moines ; Mrs. Phillops ; Michael P., whose birth
occurred on November 27, 1873, of Wyoming; Eric D., whose natal
day was the 28th of November, 1875, living on the old homestead a
mile north of Story City; Mrs. Julia Wick, who was born on January
23, 1878, a resident of Roland, Iowa; Mrs. Johanna Holland, who
was born on the 6th of April, 1880, of Scott township; Peter J., whose
birth occurred on the 2d of December, 1882, residing in Wyoming;
Mrs. Sarah Holland, who was born July 2, 1884, of Ellsworth town-
ship; Margaret, whose natal day was the 4th of April, 1887, living on
the old homestead; Gerhart R., who was born on June 26, 1891, also
on the home farm; Peter J., who died at the age of eleven years; and
one. who died in infancy. The parents located in Story county in
1858. and there their children were all bom and reared.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Phillops numbers seven, all of whom
have been born on the old Phillops homestead. In order of birth they
are as follows : Mrs. Julia Melinda Vangness, who was born on the
27th of April, 1891, and is now a resident of Story county; Clarence
J., whose birth occurred January 6, 1895 ; Jennie Christina, whose na-
tal day was the 5th of November, 1896; Myrtle Marie, who was born
February 20, 1899; Harvey Davis, whose birth occurred February 11,
1902; Joseph El Roy, who was born on the 5th of March. 1907; and
380 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Mildred Ruth, born March 25, 191 1. All but the first named are liv-
ing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Phillops also have one grandchild, Obert
Melbourne Vangness, who was born on the 3d of March, 19 12.
The family are devout members of the Norwegian church. Po-
litically Mr. Phillops is a republican and has serv^ed creditably both as
constable and school director. He is public-spirited in matters of
citizenship and is ready and willing to support every worthy project.
As a business man he is honorable and upright, conducting his trans-
actions in an honest and straightforward manner, and is held in
high esteem throughout the community, as was also his father, who is
well remembered by many of the older residents and is spoken of in
terms of the highest respect.
O. N. SEXY,
One of the representative citizens of Ellsworth is O. N. Sexy,
who was fomierly identified with the agricultural development of
Lincoln township, but eighteen years ago withdrew from the active
work of the farm and removed to town, and here he has ever since
made his home. He is one of the public-spirited, enterprising men of
the community and served with efficiency as mayor of the town, while
for the past nine years he has been a member of the board of trus-
tees of Lincoln township.
He was born in Norway, in June, 1852, and is a son of M. M. and
Emily (Ophdahl) Sexy, who were born, reared and married in Nor-
way, where the mother passed away in December, 1859. The father,
who always engaged in farming in the old country, emigrated to
America with his family in 1868, locating in Lee county, Illinois.
There he worked out by the month until 1875, when he came to Story
county, Iowa, and five years later he took up his residence with his
children in Hamilton county, continuing to make this his home until
he died in December, 1897.
O. N. Sexy was a youth of fifteen years when he emigrated to the
United States with his father. He completed his education in the com-
mon schools of this country, and then worked out by the month as a
fann hand. He was ambitious and enterprising and subsequently ac-
quired sufficient money to begin fanning for himself, so he rented some
land in Illinois, which he cultivated for two years. In 1875 he came
to Story county, Iowa, where he continued to farm as a renter for a
0. N. SEXY AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 383
few years. At the expiration of that period, in 1879, he bought
eighty acres of land in Lincoln township, Hamilton county, and assidu-
ously applied himself to its further improvement and cultivation. His
efforts in this direction were gratifyingly rewarded and at various
periods he increased his holdings until he at one time held the title to
three hundred and sixty acres of land. He engaged in general farm-
ing and stock-raising until 1894, when he withdrew from agricultural
pursuits and removed to Ellsworth, where he owais a very pleasant
and attractive residence property.
In August, 1877, Mr. Sexy was married to Miss Julia Reisetter, a
daughter of Hogen and Maria (Sampson) Reisetter. natives of Nor-
way. The parents emigrated to America in their early life, locating
in Lee county, Illinois, where Mrs. Sexy was born on the 23d of De-
cember, 1855.
]\Ir. and Mrs. Sexy are members of the Lutheran church. Frater-
nally he is affiliated with the Masons, being a member of the Shrine,
and he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. In poli-
tics he is a republican and takes an active interest in all municipal af-
fairs, and has served both as a member of the council and mayor.
Mr. Sexy is a man of many estimable qualities, and his record should
be an incentive to every ambitious, enterprising youth, as it clearly
manifests that perseverance and diligence are more essential factors
in the acquirement of success than favorable circumstances. He
started out in life with no capital save an inexhaustible supply of
energy and unlimited faith in his own pow-ers to achieve his ambition,
and has attained a position that fully entitles him to the esteem and
respect he is accorded by his fellow townsmen.
OLUF MARTIN CHRISTIAN BRANJORD.
Diversified farming and stock-raising successfully engage the en-
ergies of Oluf Martin Christian Branjord, who is cultivating two
hundred acres of the old Branjord homestead located on section 18
of Scott township and known as "Elm Lawn Farm." His birth oc-
curred on the place where he now resides on the 30th of April, 1883,
his parents being Ole O. and Helene Christina (Rahto) Branjord.
They are both natives of Norway and there they were likewise reared
and married. After the birth of their second child they emigrated
Vol. n— 20
384 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
to the United States, first settling in Hardin county, where were born
their next two children. In 1871, they became residents of Scott
township, and here the father successfully engaged in farming for
many years. He has now retired and he and the mother are spending
their declining years in a comfortable residence in Ellsworth. To
this worthy couple were born eleven children, of whom our subject
is the youngest. The other members of the family are as follows :
Olena Christina, Mary Antoinette and Martin, all of whom are de-
ceased; Berent M., an attorney in Spokane, Washington; Olena and
Mary, both deceased; Nettie, the wife of John H. Sparboe, whose
biography appears in this work; and Christina, Oluf and Nettie de-
ceased. The younger members of the family were born on the old
homestead in this township, where they were all reared.
Practically the entire life of Oluf M. C. Branjord has been passed
amid the scenes with which he is familiar. At the usual age he be-
came a student in the district schools, completing his education with
a business course pursued in the Capital City Commercial College
at Des Moines in 1903. Having been reared on a farm, his energies
were early directed along agricultural lines and upon his return home,
he leased two hundred acres of the old homestead, and has ever since
been engaged in its cultivation. In connection with diversified farm-
ing he is raising full-blooded Shorthorn cattle and Chester White
hogs, and is meeting with a good measure of success. He is a man
of progressive ideas and energetic methods and in the development of
his interests is winning the prosperity which invariably accompanies
intelligently applied effort.
In April, 1905, Mr. Branjord was united in marriage to Miss
Anna Christena Charlson, who was born in Scott township, Hamilton
county, on the 17th of May, 1882, and was there reared to woman-
hood. She is a daughter of Ole I. and Sarah (Knutson) Charlson,
natives of Norway, and pioneer settlers of Scott township, where
for many years the father engaged in farming. They subsequently
removed to Story City, where the father lived in retirement until
his death on August 15, 191 1. The mother is still living and con-
tinues to make her home in Story City. The Charlson family num-
bered eight, Mrs. Branjord being the sixth in order of birth. The
others are as follows: Edward, a resident of Canada; Chris, who is
living in Minneapolis ; Annis, \\ hose home is in Minnesota ; Mrs.
Henrietta Knutson, who resides in the vicinity of Jewell, Iowa; Oscar,
who is living on the home farm in Scott township; Mrs. M. G. Ol-
son, of Randall ; and Henry, who is deceased. They were all born
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 385
and reared on the home farm in Scott township. To Mr. and Mrs.
Branjord have been born two daughters and two sons, as follows:
Olive Amanda, whose birth occurred March 15, 1906; Myrtle Leona,
whose natal day was the 7th of February, igo8; Donald Lawrence,
who was born on the 15th of December, 1910; and Vernon Marion,
whose birth occurred on the 19th of August, 191 2.
Mr. and Mrs. Branjord are members of the United Lutheran
church and are rearing their family in that faith. In politics he is
independent, giving his support to such men and measures as he
deems best qualified to subserve the highest interests of the people,
and is now serving on the local school board. Mr. Branjord is a
young man of many estimable qualities and enjoys the esteem and
respect of his neighbors and fellow townsmen, many of whom have
known him from childhood and regard him as a worthy representa-
tive of an honored pioneer family.
JOHN E. PETERSON.
A man who makes his way alone in a foreign land from early
youth, and through his individual efforts attains a position that com-
mands the respect of his fellow townsmen, is deserving of high com-
mendation, as it not only bespeaks the possession of unusual powers
but the persistency, energy and detennination of purpose, which never
recognize defeat. Of such as these is John E. Peterson, who is en-
gaged in the retail drug business in Ellsworth, and is recognized as
one of the representative business men in local commercial circles.
His birth occurred in Norway, on the 14th of February, 1873.
The parents were born in the Norseland, where the mother still re-
sides, but the father has passed away. When a child of twelve years,
John E. Peterson left the parental roof and came to America in search
of his fortune. He made the long, tiresome journey alone, coming di-
rect to Ellsworth. Here he worked out by the week as a farmer's
assistant and was accorded the privilege of attending school during
the winter months. He was ambitious and enterprising, and deter-
mined to make a name and a place for himself among the respected
citizens of his community. Every moment of his leisure time was
spent to good advantage in improving his education, while he saved
his money with equal care, thus acquiring the means to continue his
studies. He early resolved to become a druggist, and with this pur-
386 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
pose in view, subsequently went to Highland Park College, Des
Moines, Iowa, where he took a course in pharmacy. He satisfactorily
passed the state examination and was awarded his license in 1904,
following which he returned to Ellsworth and found employment in
the store of C. D. Knapp & Company. In 1906 he bought out this
fimi and engaged in business for himself. He has been very success-
ful, as he has manifested in the development of his business the same
unabating energy, perseverance and unswerving purpose that char-
acterized him in boyhood. He carries only drugs of first class cjual-
ity, and also handles toilet articles and such sundries as are usually
found in establishments of this kind. Mr. Peterson owns his resi-
dence in Ellsworth and he is also a stockholder in the Randall Lum-
ber Company.
In 1898 he celebrated his marriage to ]\Iiss Laura Igon, a daugh-
ter of M. G. Igon, formerly of this county, but now of Colorado.
Mrs. Peterson is the second child in a family of five and was born on
February 29, 1882. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Peterson: one, who -died in infancy; Ruth E. ; and Mildred P.
Mr. Peterson gives his political allegiance to the republican party.
He is public-spirited and takes an active interest in all local affairs
and serv^ed for six years as committeeman from Lincoln township.
Mr. Peterson is held in high esteem in the community and numbers
among its citizens many stanch friends. He is a man of laudable am-
bition, high standards of conduct, and unceasing diligence, and is
meeting with the success in his career that invariably rewards capa-
bly organized and intelligently directed activities.
HENRY THOMPSON.
Henry Thompson is one of the enterprising and prosperous farm-
ers of Lincoln township, in which he resides and where he is success-
fully operating a highly developed farm of two hundred and forty
acres. He was born in Illinois, January 28, 1855, and is a son of
Knud and Christina (Erickson) Thompson, both of whom were na-
tives of Norway and who emigrated to America at an early day and
located in Kendall county, Illinois, where the father was engaged in
the cultivation of rented land for a period of ten years. He then
purchased a farm on which the family lived for ten years, after which
time he sold that property, and in 1862 he bought two hundred acres
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 387
of land in Story county, Iowa, for which he paid ten dollars per acre,
and on that property he continued to reside until the time of his death,
which occurred in 1899. The mother died in 1902.
Henry Thompson was reared in his parents' home and received
his early education in Story county, Iowa. He remained under the
parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time.he
started in life for himself as a lessee of his father's farm, which he
successfully operated for three years. Subsecjuently, in 1881, he re-
moved to Hamilton county and there purchased one hundred and
sixty acres of land located in Lincoln township and later bought addi-
tional property adjoining his original purchase until he is now the
owner of two hundred and forty acres, all of which he has improved
by an expenditure of five thousand dollars invested in tile, with which
he has established a perfect drainage system over his entire place.
On his property he has a herd of fifty head of well selected dairy cat-
tle and in his business he uses fifteen head of draft horses. He also
raises an average of one hundred hogs per annum.
Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Belle Sexy in May,
1877. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Sexy, of whom addi-
tional mention is made in the sketch of O. N. Sexy, published in an-
other part of this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson twelve children
have been bom, as follows: Cornelius, who passed away on the i6th
of April, 1902 ; and Nelson, Elmer, Harry, Andrew, Edward, Evelyn,
Christina, Lillian, Olive, Cora and Cornelia. Mr. Thompson belongs
to the republican party and was elected trustee of Lincoln township
but refused to accept the office. He is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows of Ellsworth, Iowa, and he and his family are
affiliated with the Lutheran church. Mr. Thompson is successfully
engaged in agricultural pursuits and is numbered among the most
enterprising and up-to-date farmers of the community in which he
lives. He is a man who is interested in every public measure affect-
ing the welfare of the people in his county and state.
JAMES CARUTH.
The late James Caruth was for more than a quarter of a century
actively and successfully identified with the agricultural develop-
ment of Hamilton county, where he acquired five hundred acres of
valuable farming land in addition to his residence in Ellsworth. He
388 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
was born in Ireland on the 5th of August, 1848, and is a son of An-
drew and Jennie Caruth. The parents were born, reared and married
on the Emerald isle. The first two years of their residence in Amer-
ica were passed in Washington county, Pennsylvania. They subse-
quently went to West Virginia and after a sojourn there of two years
located in Belmont county, Ohio. Nine years later they settled in
Lee county, Illinois, which remained their place of residence during
the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eight chil-
dren, the two youngest being our subject and his twin brother.
James Caruth was a child of five years when he came to America
with his parents. He was reared at home and acquired his education
in the common schools of the various states in which they resided.
He remained with his parents until his marriage at the age of twenty-
five years, and shortly afterward came to Iowa, purchasing eighty
acres of government land in Williams township, this county, which
he cultivated for two years. Later he sold his place and returned to
Illinois. At the expiration of a year he once more took up his resi-
dence in Hamilton county, where he bought one hundred and sixty
acres of partially improved land in Lyon township. He was a man
of great energy and determination of purpose, and diligently applied
himself to the further improvement and cultivation of his farm, in
which he met with more than average success. As his circumstances
permitted he added to his property until he held the title to five hun-
dred acres of excellent land. In 1903 he left the fann and removed to
Ellsworth, where he purchased an attractive residence and lived in
retirement until his death, which occurred on the 6th of May, 1905.
He is buried in Homewood cemetery.
On New Year's day, 1873, Mr. Caruth was married to Miss
Esther M. Mayne, a daughter of Thomas and Jane (McBroom)
Mayne, natives of Ireland, who came to America with their parents
in early life. They were married in St. Lawrence county, New York,
and there the mother died. In 1861 the father removed with his
family to Illinois, where he resided until 1875, when he came to
Iowa and in this state he passed the remainder of his life, his death
occurring about the year 1892. Mrs. Caruth, who was born January
8, 1849, is the seventh in a family of fifteen children, and became the
mother of four. In order of birth they are as follows : Charles,
who is married and residing on the old homestead in Lyon township;
Jennie May, the wife of John Candle, a farmer of Rose Grove town-
ship, this county, by whom she has had four children; Sarah E., the
wife of Zan Slade, a farmer of this county and the mother of two
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 389
children; and Harvey J., a farmer of this county, who is married
and has two children.
Mr. Caruth affiliated with the Congregational church, as does
his widow and family, and fraternally he was identified with the
Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he was a democrat
and served for two terms as school director. His residence in Ham-
ilton county covered the formative period in the development of this
section of the state, the prairies of which he saw converted into highly
improved farms, while settlements and villages became thriving towns
and cities. IMrs. Caruth still resides in Ellsworth, where she has
many friends.
GEORGE M. FLAWS.
George M. Flaws, who is successfully engaged in the cultivation
of one hundred and twenty acres of fertile land located on section
23, Cass township, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 12th of June,
1875, and is a son of John and Jane Flaws, natives of Scotland. The
parents emigrated to the United States in early life and were married
in Chicago, where they resided until 1882. In that year they removed
to Nebraska, and there for twenty years the father devoted his ener-
gies to agricultural pursuits. In 1902 they came to Iowa, where Mr.
Flaws cultivated rented land for six years, but at the expiration of
that time he bought a farm on section 23, Cass township, which our
subject is now cultivating. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Flaws in-
cluded : John, and Jessie, the wife of W. F. Bateman, twins ; George
M. and Robert J., who are also twins; Grace, who married G. A.
Fatter; Cecelia, the wife of W. W. Gilmore; Ella, who married B. F.
McCoy; and Mabel, who became the wife of John W. Lee. They are
all married with the exception of our subject, who is living at home
with his mother. The father passed away, June 25, 1910, and is
buried in Graceland cemetery at Webster City. Fraternally Mr.
Flaws was a member of the Royal Highlanders and the Maccabees,
while in politics he was a republican. In matters of religious faith
he was a Baptist and his widow and children belong to the same
church, in the work of which they have always taken an active inter-
est. At the time of his death Mr. Flaws held the office of deacon in
his church.
390 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The education of George M. Flaws was acquired in the pubHc
schools of his native city and Nebraska, following which he assisted
his father with the work of the farm. After the latter's death he
took charge of the home place and is rrieeting with success in its de-
velopment. The father had effected many improvements on the farm
during the brief period of his ownership, and the son has continued
the work along the same lines. The buildings are kept in good re-
pair, the fields are substantially fenced and everything about the place
evidences capable supervision and a watchful regard for details that
invariably accompanies thrift and prosperity.
Fraternally Mr. Flaws is a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America and the Royal Highlanders, and in politics he is repub-
lican. He is active and enterprising in the conduct of his affairs and
by reason of his progressive methods is numbered among the capable
agriculturists of the township.
WALTER CHURCH.
General farming and stock-raising engage the attention of Walter
Church, who owns one hundred and twenty acres of land located on
section 25, Cass township, which he has cultivated for thirty years.
He was born in Hamilton county on the 28th of May, 1861, and is a
son of Ebenezer and Caroline (Claflin) Church, natives of Vennont
and Canada respectively. They were married in Illinois and in 1856
came to Iowa and purchased a tract of government land in this county,
that Mr. Church cultivated until he died in 1883. He was seventy-
seven years of age when he passed away while the mother was eighty
at the time of her death, which occurred in 1899. They are both buried
in Graceland cemetery at Webster City. In politics he was a republican
and in religious faith a Methodist while the mother was a Baptist.
Mr. Church had been previously married and our subject is the young-
est of the four children born of the second marriage.
Walter Church was reared on the farm where he ^^■as born and
educated in the common schools, remaining at home until he had at-
tained his majority. He began to assist his father with the work
of the fields and care of the stock when he was a young lad and by the
time he had reached his maturity, he was a skilled agriculturist. Upon
leaving home he located on the place which he now owns and began
farming for himself. The place was partially developed when he pur-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 391
chased it, but he has erected all of the buildings thereon and fenced
and tiled the fields. All of his land, with the exception of about four
acres, is under cultivation and is devoted to diversified farming, in
connection with which he also raises stock, and has met wdth success.
In 1883, Mr Church was married to Miss Elizabeth Lachmiller, a
daughter of Fred and Marie Lachmiller, w^ho emigrated to the United
States soon after their marriage and first located in Ohio, coming from
there to Iowa about 1880. The father, who was an agriculturist, en-
gaged in farming in this county until his death in 1892. He is buried
in the family lot in Graceland cemetery at Webster City. The mother
is still living at the age of seventy-seven years. Mrs. Church, who was
the eldest in a family of eight, was born October 15, 1863, and died
on the 1 2th of March, 1900, and was laid to rest in Graceland ceme-
tery. Four children w^ere born to Mr. and Mrs. Church : Malissa
Esther, the wife of Benjamin Goehring of this county, by whom she
has had one child ; and Carrie, Grace and Fred, all of whom are living
at home.
The family attend the German Lutheran church at Webster City,
in which the mother held membership. Mr. Church votes the republi-
can ticket and takes laudable interest in matters of public import, al-
though he has not held any other office save that of school director, in
which capacity he served for seven years. Brotherhood spirit and so-
cial diversion Mr. Church finds in his membership with Webster City
Lodge, No. 302, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, which is his
only fraternal connection.
.LEONARD NELSON MASON.
Leonard Nelson Mason, who is engaged in the cultivation of his
father's fami of four hundred and eighty acres located on sections
3 and 10, Independence township, is one of Hamilton county's en-
terprising and highly promising young agriculturists. He was born
in Webster City on the 28th of October, 1887, and is a son of Bridge-
man C. and Clara (Olmstead) Mason, natives of Iowa, the father
having been the first white child born in Webster City. The paternal
grandparents, who were of English birth, located in Iowa during the
early pioneer period and were among the first settlers in Hamilton
connty. As is true in every new country, but little provision had been
made for schools at that time and the early education of Bridgeman
392 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Mason was very limited, but he was an ambitious, enterprising youth
and through study and reading well qualified himself for a business
career. He early became identified with the First National Bank in
the capacity of cashier, retaining that position for twenty-two years.
Since 1900, he has been dealing quite extensively in Texas real estate,
and he is also interested in oil wells in that state. At the present he
is devoting a large portion of his time to the brick and tile business
in Missouri, but he still retains his residence in Webster City. Mr.
Mason is now fifty-six years of age and his wife is fifty-five. The)'
are the parents of three sons, our subject being the second in order
of birth. The eldest, Clyde B., is married and living at Lawrence,
Kansas ; while the youngest, who is also married, is residing in Web-
ster City, where he holds the position of assistant cashier in the First
National Bank. After graduating from the public schools, the latter
attended the Wentworth Military Academy at Lexington, Missouri,
continuing his studies there for three years.
Leonard Nelson Mason was reared at home and at the usual age
began his education in the public schools. Having early manifested
a desire to become an agriculturist, he spent, after completing his
high-school course, three years in the Iowa State College at Ames,
qualifying himself for his chosen vocation. He then returned to
Webster City and for two years thereafter was employed on his
father's farm, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of the duties and
responsibilities of an agriculturist. At the expiration of that time
he leased the farm from his father, and has ever since been engaged
in its cultivation and is meeting with success in his undertakings.
Four hundred acres of the four hundred and eighty is tiled and un-
der cultivation, and under the capable supervision and direction of
Mr. Mason is annually yielding abundant harvests-. In connection
with tilling the fields he engages in stock-raising, making a specialty
of breeding mules, Duroc Jersey hogs and Shorthorn cattle. He also
buys and feeds large quantities of cattle for the market. The Mason
farm is one of the best improved and most highly cultivated proper-
ties in the township. The entire tract is fenced, two hundred and
sixty acres of it hog tight, and it is equipped with two complete sets
of buildings, consisting of two residences and about twelve barns and
sheds. The house occupied by Mr. Mason was erected in 1909, and
is a thoroughly modern frame structure, provided with furnace heat,
gas lighting system and running water. The place is well kept up
and presents a most attractive appearance, its condition generally
HISTORiY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 393
manifesting capable management and efficient and systematic super-
vision.
On the 28th of October, 1909, Mr. Mason was married to Miss
Irene Merrill, a daughter of W. N. and Sophia Merrill, natives of
Iowa and residents of Webster City, where the father conducts the
Willson hotel. Mrs. Mason whose natal day was the 28th of October,
1888, is the eldest in a family of twelve.
Mr. Mason gives his political support to the republican party and
is now serving as president of the school board, to which office he has
but recently been elected. He is an energetic young man with high
ambitions and is making highly creditable progress in the vocation
he has elected to follow.
R. L. DOOLITTLE.
Among the many worthy residents of Liberty township, whose
activities have so largely contributed toward forwarding the agri-
cultural development of Hamilton county, must be mentioned R. L.
Doolittle. He located here twenty-eight years ago and during the
intervening years has increased his realty interests until he now holds
title to six hundred and twenty acres of land, the greater portion of
which is under cultivation. He is descended in both lines from old
colonial stock and is a member of one of Iowa's pioneer families.
His birth occurred on the old family homestead in Story county on
the 24th of May, i860, and he is the fifth child of W. R. and Fidelia
F.. (Ward) Doolittle. The father, a native of Rochester, New York,
passed away at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on Christmas day, 1893. He
is survived by the mother, who is living at Roland, this state. She
was born and reared in Ohio. The family took up their permanent
residence in Story county on the 6th of June, 1856, being among the
first settlers in that section. Mr. Doolittle had made a previous trip
to the county, looking for a location and land, which he purchased
at a dollar and a quarter per acre. In common with the majority of
the pioneers they came to their new home in an emigrant wagon, as
there were very few railroads west of the Mississippi at that period,
the only complete line in the state running from Muscatine to Wilton
Junction. Their nearest trading point was Iowa City, while the
nearest gristmill was located at Des Moines, to which point they had
to haul all of their grain. Owing to the small demand for produce
394 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
and the limited and inadequate shipping faciHties, prices were low
and money scarce. Eggs were three cents a dozen, and all other
commodities of the famier were equally low, which fact together with
the uncertain seasons and the innumerable obstacles encountered by
the pioneer, made the life of the agriculturist of that period hard
and discouraging. It was not unusual at that period to have the
trading post forty miles distant and the postoffice fifteen, while any
one was a neighbor, who lived within a radius of ten miles. Books
and papers were scarce and the members of a household were almost
entirely dependent upon their immediate family circle for society.
There was a strong bond of unity among those pioneer men and
women, however, as their circumstances were practically the same,
and their interests largely one. Visitors were few and the traveler
who sought their hospitality was cordially received and offered the
best shelter their crude homes could give, while the good housewife
spread the table with what her pantry afforded, which often was
limited in variety if not in quantity. It was in such a home as this
that the family of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle were reared. Aside from
our subject, the children were as follows: E. C, deceased; Mrs.
Lillie Carlton, a resident of Rolfe Junction; A. P., also deceased;
F. D., a resident of Story county; Mrs. George Brown, who is a
resident of Gilbert, Iowa; Emma, who lives at Roland with the
mother; W. J., of Story City; Elvira, who is deceased; and Ira D.,
also of Story City. The three eldest members of the family were
born in Crawford county, Illinois, and the other seven in Story county,
Iowa. They all take much pride in the fact that their maternal an-
cestors were numbered among the colonists who bravely fought for
what they considered to be their rights. Mrs. Doolittle is connected
with the family of Dueese, the last of whose male members fell at
the Battle of Bunker Hill. An old pocket-book belonging to George
Dueese, an uncle of hers and one of the heroes of that famous bat-
tle, is still numbered among the valued possessions of the family. Her
father, Jonas Ward, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was
within thirty feet of Tecumseh, when that valiant warrior was killed
by Colonel R. ]\I. Johnson. IMr. Doolittle, the father of our subject,
was one of the volunteers who accompanied the regular soldiers to
Spirit Lake at the time of the Indian uprising in that section, his
services always being tendered in time of need, despite the fact that
his personal interests might suffer thereby.
Although the boyhood of R. L. Doolittle seemed uneventful to
him at the time, to the youth of today it must seem full of interesting
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 395
happenings. He can recollect when the country from Fort Dodge
to Story county was largely unbroken prairie, and has been an inter-
ested observer of its development into one of the finest farming sec-
tions of the state. He was educated in the district schools and re-
ceived much the same training as other farmer lads, remaining at
home with his parents until he had attained his manhood. One year
before his marriage he purchased a hundred and sixty acres of land
in Liberty township, this county, on which he and his young wife
took up their residence on the 26th of February, 1884. His capital
was limited but he was descended from the sturdy stock which sub-
dued the west, and not only possessed faith in his own powers and
the unfailing optimism of youth, but the tenacity of purpose and de-
termination of spirit which belongs to the conqueror in any walk of
life. Those early years were most difficult, but he would not have
had them different, for -the greatest happiness of his life was found
in conquering adverse conditions, which at times almost engulfed
him. He worked early and late in the fields, and Mrs. Doolittle aided
his efforts by her capable management- of the household affairs, her
resources at times being sorely taxed to meet the many needs of an
increasing family. The passing years brought prosperity, however,
and as his circumstances warranted Mr. Doolittle extended his hold-
ings until he held title to five hundred and sixty acres of land, lo-
cated on sections 23 and 24. This has been divided into practically
three farms, each of which is provided with a full set of improve-
ments. He also owns sixty acres of unimproved land located a mile
south of the courthouse at Webster City. Although his extensive in-
terests absorb much of his time, his home and family are his deepest
concern. The house is well furnished and provided with good books
and music for the benefit of his children. Mr. Doolittle leads an ac-
tive life as is evidenced by the general appearance of his farm, the
condition of which manifests efficient and systematic supervision and
management.
In Story county on the 4th of October, 1883, Mr. Doolittle was
united in marriage to Miss Annie C. Brown, whose birth occurred
there, April 11, 1864. She is a daughter of James F. and Rebecca
(Smiley) Brown, natives of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, the
fathers birth occurring, December 8, 1832, and that of the mother
on the 20th of February, 1833. They came to Story county on the
13th of April, 1856, and began their pioneer life on a tract of gov-
ernment land in a house fourteen by sixteen feet. Here they reared
their children which were born in the following order: O. S., whose
396 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
natal day was the 8th of April, 1857; George P., who was born on
December 2, 1858, and died on the home farm north of Gilbert, Iowa,
on the 20th of May, 1908; Charlie, a resident of Ames, whose birth
occurred on October 12, 1861 ; Mrs. Doolittle, born April 11, 1864;
and Grant, who was born on the 8th of August, 1868, living on the
old homestead near Story City. The parents, who are still living,
celebrated their golden wedding January i, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs.
Doolittle have been born six children : Charles Frank, who was bom
February 2, 1885, and died four days later; Effie F., now Mrs. Grein-
er of Lakefield, Minnesota, who was bom March 5, 1887; Fred B.,
whose birth occurred on the 8th of March, 1890; Guy H., who was
born February 11, 1893; Clyde G., who was born on the 13th of
October, 1895 ; and Harry S., whose natal day was the 29th of De-
cember, 1900. All are living at home with the exception of Mrs.
Greiner, who has two children : Loren Marion, who was born on
the 9th of March, 1908; and Lyman Wade, whose birth occurred on
February 8, 191 1. They are also natives of Liberty township.
Fraternally, Mr. Doolittle is identified with Silver Link Lodge,
No. 458, I. O. O. F. of Williams. He gives his political support
to the democratic party and has ser\^ed his township as trustee, while
for fifteen years he has been a member of the board of education.
He is liiglily esteemed in his community and is a worthy representa-
tive of a respected pioneer family. His home contains several in-
teresting relics among them an old kettle and a skimmer, which were
used in the Ward family more than a hundred years ago and were
presented to him by his maternal grandmother, and Mrs. Doolittle
has a newspaper containing President Lincoln's message to Congress
in 1863.
NELS PEHRSON.
•Nels Pehrson, who is living retired in Ellsworth, is one of the
pioneer settlers of Hamilton county, having located here over forty
years ago. He was born in Sweden on the 6th of January, 1837, and
is a son of P. and Anna (Neilson) Pehr Swenson, likewise natives of
Sweden. The father was one of the prominent citizens of his com-
munity, where he owned five farms and a packing house and was also
interested in a line of ocean vessels and owned a windmill. He and
the mother always resided in the old country, where they both passed
away in 1871.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 397
The education of Nels Pehrson was acquired in his native land,
and after leaving school he turned his attention to agricultural pur-
suits and for some years thereafter operated one of his father's farms.
In 1869 he resolved to come to America, and with his wife took pas-
sage for the United States. The first four months of his residence in
this country were spent at Mendota, Illinois. From there he came to
Hamilton county, Iowa, where for several years thereafter he worked
out by the month, and for a time he carried mail from Williams to
Ames, making the journey on horseback. He subsequently removed
to Dubuque, entering the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad
Company. He also assisted in constructing the bridge across the
Mississippi at that point, and for a time conducted a boarding house.
Later he went to Clinton, and for three years worked in the sawmill
of W. J. Young. In 1876 he once more became a resident af Hamil-
ton county, locating on a fami of one hundred and sixty acres in
Lincoln township. He made all of the improvements on this prop-
erty and engaged in its cultivation until 1905, when he sold out to his
sons and came to Ellsworth, having since made his home at the hotel.
In Sweden on the 29th of December, 1864, Mr. Pehrson was united
in marriage to Miss Carriene Turwerson, and to them were born four
children : Johanna, the wife of Allen Carter, who is residing in the
vicinity of Des Moines; and Nicholas P., Anna and Fritz, all of whom
are living on the farm, as is also the mother.
In matters of religious faith both Mr. Pehrson and his family are
Lutherans. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party,
and while residing in Lincoln township served for four years as road
supervisor and he also discharged the duties of school director. Mr.
Pehrson has witnessed many changes in Hamilton county during the
long period of his residence, in which the conditions of the pioneer
period have disappeared with the advent of modem improvements
and inventions.
HAROLD H. KEESEE.
Harold H. Keesee, who is engaged in the hotel and livery business
in Ellsworth, and is also mail carrier on rural route No. i, was bom
in Hamilton county, on the 226. of Alay, 1874. He is the youngest
of the four children born to Harry R. and Sophia D. (Staples) Kee-
see. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother of Maine, but
398 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
they were married in this state, and soon thereafter settled on a farm
in Lyon township. There the father continues to reside but the mother
passed away in July, 1893, and is buried in Lakins Grove cemetery.
At the age of nineteen years Harold H. Keesee became self-sup-
porting. He followed various occupations, severing his connection
with one enterprise and identifying himself with another, whenever
he saw an opportunity of advancing his interests. In 1902 he was
appointed carrier on the rural mail route from the postoffice at Ells-
worth, and is still holding that position. In 19 10 he became associated
with A. B. Staples in the livery business in Ellsworth under the firm
name of Keesee & Staples. This proved to be a profitable venture,
and in March of the next year, he still further extended the scope of
his activities by engaging in the hotel business. Mr. Keesee is meeting
with good returns from his various interests and owns thirty acres
of land in Lyon township, which he has accptired through the judicious
management and direction of his undertakings.
On March 6, 1894, Mr. Keesee was married to Miss Bertha M.
Dalbey, a daughter of F. R. and R. S. Dalbey, of Ellsworth. Mrs.
Keesee, being second in order of birth in a family of four, was born
on March 10, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Keesee have four children, Ver-
nal M., Royce R., Beatrice and Roxana Levan.
Fraternally Mr. Keesee belongs to Ellsworth Lodge, No. 619,
I. O. O. F., and Enterprise Camp, No. 4100, M. W. A. Politically
he is a stanch republican. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaint-
ance among the citizens of Hamilton county, where he has passed
his entire life, and has many friends.
FRED A. SCHRODER.
Fred A. Schroder has for the past twelve years been successfully
engaged in business as a carpenter contractor of Webster City. He
is a native of Germany, in which country his birth occurred in the
year 1868, his parents being John and Minnie (Paup) Schroder. In
1 87 1 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Wright
county, Iowa, where they still reside. John Schroder has lived re-
tired for the past few years, having won a comfortable competence
during his career as an agriculturist. He is now sixty-eight years
old and his wife is sixty-six years of age.
MR. AISTD MRS. F. A. SCHRODER
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
401
Fred A. Schroder obtained his education in the country schools
of Wright county and after putting aside his text-books worked at
farm labor, at the same time learning the carpenter's trade. He
abandoned the work of the fields in 1897 and gave his entire atten-
tion to carpentering. In 1900 he took up his abode in Webster City,
where he has since been engaged in business as a carpenter contrac-
tor, his ability being now so widely recognized that his sen^ices are
always in demand.
Mr. Schroder has been married twice. In 1892 he wedded Miss
Kate Sweet of Weight county, by whom he had a son, Ray, who was
born in July, 1893. In 1909 he married Anna Bohning, a daughter
of August Witte, who is a retired agriculturist, residing in Webster
City. The two children of this union are as follows : Leo, whose birth
occurred August 25, 19], i ; and Ruth, who was born January 29, 1912.
The family residence is at No. looi Bank street in Webster City.
In politics Mr. Schroder is a stanch democrat and while a resident
of Wright county he served as school director. Fraternally he is
identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to
Webster City Lodge, No. 342. His religious faith is indicated by his
membership in the German Lutheran church. He is a wide-awake,
energetic business man of known reliability, who has won success
along lines which bear close investigation and scrutiny, for he has
never sacrificed the interests of others to further his own prosperity.
OLIFF B. OLSON.
Oliff B. Olson, who owns and operates forty acres of well im-
proved land in Ellsworth township, is one of Hamilton county's pio-
neers but a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in La Salle
county, that state, on the 13th of October, 1851. He is a son of Lars
B. and Uber Olson, natives of Norway. The father was born on the
29th of September, i8o6, and the mother on June 21, 1829. It re-
quired six months for the former to make his first journey to America,
a trip which can now be made in less than that many days. Having
decided after two years residence in the United States to locate here
permanently, he went back to Norway for his bride. Upon his return
he settled in La Salle county, Illinois, residing there until June, 1856,
when he removed with his family to Hamilton county, Iowa, locating
Vol. n— 21
402 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
on a farm in Ellsworth township. They made the journey from Illi-
nois in an emigrant wagon, as tliere were but few railroads west of
the Mississippi at that time. The Indians still inhabited the forests,
and although they were near neighbors and frequent visitors never
caused any trouble. There were but few white settlements and these
were scattered along the river, and where today are highly cultivated
farms and thriving towns, stretched miles of unbroken prairie. Mar-
ket facilities were very poor and there was but little demand for the
products of the farmer, butter only bringing four cents per pound at
Nevada, Iowa, while dressed hogs commanded two dollars and twenty-
five cents per hundred. The first butter the father sold he hauled to
Iowa City, a distance of one hundred and five miles. Their nearest
trading point at that time was Iowa City, and as the roads were little
more than wagon tracks across the prairie they only made the jour-
ney at rare intervals. The hardships and privations endured by those
brave men and women who formed the advance guard of civilization
can hardly be imagined by the present generation, as the farm house
of today is very often provided. with all the comforts and conveniences
found in the modern city residence.
To Lars B. Olson and his first wife there were born two children,
Oliff and Mrs. Esther Knutson, both of whom are now deceased. By
his second marriage were born the following children: Oliff B., our
subject; Mrs. Melinda Henderson, whose birth occurred on the 29th
of June, 1853, and who died November 16, 1900; Caroline, whose
birth occurred June 13, 1855 ; Lizzie, who was born June i, 1857; Ida,
born May 5, 1859; Mrs. Melinda Millang, born July 6, 1861 ; Ida,
who was born January 2, 1864, and passed away on the 23d of Febru-
ary, 1888; and Gertha, who was born August 15, 1866, and died on
the 25th of February, 1871. The father passed away in Ellsworth
township on the 12th of October, 1878, but he was long survived by
the mother, whose death occurred in the same place, May 18, 19 10.
Oliff B. Olson was a lad of only five years when he accompanied
his parents on their removal to Hamilton county, and here he has
since made his home. He passed his 1)oyhood and youth in very
much the same manner as other pioneer lads, obtaining his education
in the district schools. Mr. Olson relates in a most entertaining man-
ner many interesting experiences of those early days, of which
he has a vivid recollection. His energies have always been devoted
to agricultural pursuits, in connection with which he has engaged in
veterinary surgery for more than twenty years. In this connection
he has traveled all over Iowa and the neighboring states and has met
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 403
with unusual success. His farm is comprised of forty acres of rich,
fertile land, which under his supervision has been brought into a high
state of productivity. He is enterprising and progressive and has still
further enhanced the value of his place by the erection of substantial
buildings, while his ecj[uipment is complete and modern.
Mr. Olson was married on the 13th of October, 1875, to Miss
Betsey Henderson, whose birth occurred in Kendall county, Illinois,
March 26, 1855, her family having located there July 12, 1847. She
is a daughter of Lars and Anna (Rafdahl) Henderson, natives of
Norway, the father born March 27, 1822, and the mother on the 2d
of January, 1826. They removed to Hamilton county in 1857, locat-
ing in Scott township, where the mother passed away on the nth of
January, 1862. The father survived her for many years, his death
occurring in Ellsworth township, November 12, 1896. He w^as the
second postmaster of Randall, in which capacity he served for a
number of years, the office being located in his residence. The first
postoffice in the town was located in the old Biggs homestead. Mrs.
Olson is the youngest in a family of five children, the others being:
H. L. and Mrs. Anna Sheldahl, both of whom are deceased; Oscar,
a resident of Scott township; and Thomas.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Olson is as follows : Louis A., who was
bom on the 6th of December, 1877, and is residing in Elmore, Minne-
sota; Ubert S., who was born on March 5, 1879, and is living in Ran-
dall; Martin G., who was born on the loth of February, 1881, and is
engaged in the creamery business in Randall ; Mrs. Anna T. Hall, who
was born on the 26th of November, 1883, and resides in Lawn Hill,
Hardin county, Iowa; Hiram I., who was born April 28, 1887, and
lives in Scott township; Orvel Elmer, who was bom December 26,
1889, and died on the 20th of January, 1890; Orvel Milton, who was
born January 30, 1891, and is employed in a hardware store in Ran-
dall; Ida Belle, who was born on the 5th of May, 1894, and died De-
cember 5, the same year; Melvina Belle, who was born September 11,
1896, and is living at home; and Clarence Henry, who was bom De-
cember 23, 1898, and died on Christmas day, the same year. They
were all born on the family homestead in Ellsworth township.
In matters of faith the family are Lutherans and belong to the
Norwegian church of that denomination at Randall. His political
support Mr. Olson gives to the republican party and since granted the
right of franchise has been more or less actively connected with town-
ship affairs. He was clerk for twelve years and a member of the
school board for fourteen, while for a long period he was road super-
404 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
visor. Mr. Olson has a letter written by his maternal grandmother
Avhen she was eighty years of age. Naturally the advanced age at
Avhich it was written makes it a dearly prized possession, but added
to this is the fact that comparatively few Norwegian women of that
period were educated. He is equally proud of a curious old writing
desk of quaint design, which was formerly the property of his pater-
nal grandfather, and is therefore considerably more than a hundred
years old. Among his more recently acquired treasures is a combina-
tion Derringer scalping knife presented to him by a friend at Ma-
rengo in 1872. Mr. Olson is widely known and highly esteemed in
Ellsworth township, as he is a man of high standards of conduct and
good business principles, of which he has given substantial evidence
in both public and private life.
HENRY HEINS.
Henry Heins, who owns and operates a farm of three hundred
and twenty acres on section 9, Independence township, is one of the
enterprising citizens Gennany has furnished to Hamilton county.
He was born in the province of Hanover, on the 27th of February,
1857, and is a son of Frederick and Elsie Heins, who passed their en-
tire lives in the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Heins were the parents of
seven children, our subject being the second in order of birth.
Henry Heins was reared and educated in his native land, where he
passed the first twenty-four years of his life. In 1882 he emigrated
to the United States, coming direct to Hamilton county, where he
worked on the railroad with a section crew for a year and then found
emplovment as a farm hand, following the latter occupation for five
ypars. At the expiration of that time he leased his father-in-law's
fami, which he cultivated for seven years, thus acquiring sufficient
money to buy a hundred and twenty acres of land in Independence
township. There he continued his agricultural pursuits for another
seven years, and then disposing of his property invested the proceeds
in a quarter section of land located in the same township. The fur-
ther improvement and cultivation of the latter place claimed his atten-
tion during the ensuing eight years, at the end of which period he
likewise sold it and purchased his present farm, where he has been
residing since 1910. Here he engages in general farming, his fields
being largely in corn, oats and hay, his principal crops, in connection
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 405
with which he makes a specialty of raising stock, breeding Percheron
horses, Shorthorn cattle and Poland China and Duroc Jersey hogs.
Mr. Heins also buys and feeds large quantities of cattle for the mar-
ket. He is a man of tireless energy, perseverance and determination
of purpose, and is meeting with the success in the development of his
interests that invariably crowns well organized and definitely directed
effort. His farm is one of the best in the township. It is all fenced,
forty acres of it hog tight, and his fields are tiled and in a high state
of productivity.
In December, 1887, Mr. Heins was married to Miss Annie Loh-
man, a daughter of John and Annie Lohman, natives of Gennany,
where the mother passed away. The father subsequently emigrated
to the United States with his family and located on a farm in Hamil-
ton county, which he cultivated until his death in 1902. Mrs. Heins,
who is the second in order of birth in a family of four, was bom in
Germany on the 21st of January, 1857, and has become the mother
of seven children. The two eldest, Carl and Louisa, have rented a
farm in this township, which they are cultivating, while the next four,
Otto, Ernest, Matilda and Lena, are at home. Augusta, the youngest
of the family, died at the age of two and a half years.
The family hold membership in the German Lutheran church, of
which ]\Ir. Heins has been a trustee for the past five years. He en-
joys the privileges of citizenship and accords his political support to
the democratic party, but has never been identified with the official
life of the township. He is deeply absorbed in his undertaking, and
gives his entire time and attention to farming and stock-raising. At
the same time he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and can
always be relied upon to sustain every movement that he feels will re-
dound to the general benefit of the community.
COLONEL NORMAN PRESTON HYATT.
Colonel Norman Preston Hyatt, a representative of the Web-
ster City bar whose success had its foundation in liberal college train-
ing and whose ability has grown through experience and study since
his college days were over, was born here October 28, 1866, his par-
ents being Norman B. and Mary F. (Prouty) Hyatt. The father was
a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and on removing westward
settled in Chicago, where he married. Later he came to Webster
406 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
City, arriving on the 2d of February, 1866. Immediately afterward
he opened an office and continued in the practice of law throughout his
remaining days. He also served as district judge by appointment for
a year and his work in the profession called forth approval and pat-
ronage because of his devotion to his clients' interests and his careful
preparation of his cases. He died in 1901 at the age of sixty-four
years, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1879 when
thirty-five years of age.
After leaving the public schools of Webster City, Colonel Hyatt
attended the low^a State University, and was graduated therefrom in
1886 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He then studied
law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar by the supreme
court of the state in 1888. He began practice as his father's partner
under the firm name of Hyatt & Hyatt, which relation was continued
until the death of the senior partner, since which time the Colonel
has remained alone. He makes a forceful presentation of his cause,
basing his arguments upon sound logic and correct application of legal
principles to the points in litigation. Aside from his professional in-
terests he is the proprietor and manager of the Orpheum Theatre and
is manager of the Armory Opera House.
On the 2 1st of May, 1891, Colonel Hyatt was united in marriage
to Miss Edith A. Merry, her father being S. H. Merry, a physician
of low^a City. Our subject and his wife have one son, Nonnan, who
was bom on the 22d of May, 1895. Colonel and Mrs. Hyatt extend
warm-hearted hospitality to their many friends at their pleasant home
at No. 828 Elm street.
Colonel Hyatt is well known in both fraternal and military con-
nections, belonging to Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F, & A. M. ; Hope
Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M. ; and Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T.,
of which he is captain general. On July 26, 1888, he enlisted as a
private in Company C, Sixth Regiment Iowa National Guards, and
in a short time received the appointment of sergeant in the same com-
pany. On August 8, 1892, he was appointed battalion adjutant of the
Fourth Regiment Iowa National Guard with the rank of first lieuten-
ant and held that position until May 25, 1898, when he was mustered
into the service of the United States as battalion adjutant in the Fifty-
second Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers, with the rank of first
lieutenant. He served through the Spanish-American war with the
First Battalion of that regiment, under command of Major S. J.
Parker. Upon the reorganization of the National Guard after the
close of the Spanish-American war, he was elected and commissioned
HISTORlY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 407
first lieutenant of Company C of the Fifty-sixth regiment. On June
I, 1899, he was elected and commissioned captain of that company.
In 1908 he was elected major in the Fifty-sixth regiment; three years
later he was promoted to lieutenant colonel; and in September, 1912,
was elected colonel of his regiment. His military service covers a
period of twenty-four years and his record is unique by reason of the
fact that he enlisted as a private and rose from the ranks to be colonel
of the regiment in which he first enlisted. He occupies a creditable
position in professional, military, fraternal and social circles and in
all these his influence is a factor for progress and improvement.
D. MARTIN ANDERSON.
Diligence and enterprise are marked characteristics of D. Martin
Anderson, who for several years has been successfully identified with
the commercial interests of Randall, where he owns and operates a
hardware store. He was born in Story City, Iowa, on the i8th of
March, 1882, and is a son of John P. and Mary J. ( Idso) Anderson.
The father was born in Denmark, whence he emigrated to America in
early life, and here he met and married Miss Idso, a native of Ken-
dall county. Illinois. The early period of their domestic life was
passed in Story county. Iowa, whence they removed to Jewell Junc-
tion, coming from there to Randall, where they now reside. To them
were bom nine children in the following order : Carl, who was bom
on the 1 8th of October, 1878, and is now associated in business with
his brother-in-law, Peter J. Okland ; Bertha, who is deceased ; D. Mar-
tin, our subject; Mrs. Peter J. Okland; Mabel, who is clerking in the
store of Okland & Company ; Anna, deceased ; Rasmus, a resident of
Randall ; and Alfred and Albert, who are deceased. With the excep-
tion of the three first named all are natives of Hamilton county, where
the parents located during the pioneer period.
Randall has always been the home of D. Martin Anderson, who
acquired his education in the public school. On leaving school he be-
^an his business career, which has been in every respect a highly
creditable one. For two years he was manager of the B. L. Willis
Lumber Company of Randall, and during the five succeeding years
was employed as bookkeeper in the general mercantile store of Peter-
son & Christianson. He next became assistant cashier of the Randall
Bank, which position he resigned at tlie expiration of two years in
408 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
order to engage in business for himself. He subsequently purchased
the hardware store he is now conducting, and although practically
unfamiliar with this particular line of business has met with good
success and has built up a trade among a desirable class of patrons.
He carries a well assorted stock of shelf and heavy hardware, which
he offers at reasonable prices, the quality of his goods being fully
commensurate with the price.
On the 30th of October, 1903, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss
Minelva N. Olson, who was born in Roland, Story county, Iowa, on
the 5th of July, 1881, and there she was reared to womanhood and
educated. She is a daughter of Jeremiah and Inger Olson, the father,
a native of Norway. Mrs. Anderson is the youngest in a family of
six children, the others being : Osmond ; Edward ; Josiah ; Mrs. Julia
Sigmund; and Mrs. Paulsrud, the wife of G. O. Paulsrud, pastor
of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Randall. Mr. and Mrs. x\nder-
son have two children : Viola, who was born on the 4th of March,
1906; and Kenneth, whose natal day was the 24th of June. 19 10.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Norwegian Lutheran
church, in which faith they were reared. He is a progressive repub-
1 cm in his political views and is a member of the board of education
of Ellsworth township. He is one of the popular citizens of Randall,
where he has hosts of friends, the majority of whom have known him
from boyhood and have watched with interest the development of his
career.
JOHN E. OLMSTEAD.
John E. Olmstead is a successful cement contractor of Webster
City, Iowa, and maintains his business at No. 745 Boone street. He
was born in Hamilton county, June 10, 1872, and is a son of John and
Harriet (Howard) Olmstead. The father was a native of Bureau
county, Illinois, and left that section at an early date to become one
of the pioneer settlers of Hamilton county, Iowa. He fanned here
until his death in 1888, when he was thirty-eight years of age. His
wife is still living in Des Moines, Iowa, where she is well known
and highly respected.
John E. Olmstead was educated in the public schools of Hamilton
county and followed the usual course of study until his father's
death in 1888. At that time the entire management of the farm de-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 409
volved upon him and he carried on agricultural pursuits in Hamilton
county until 1892. In that year he removed to Webster City to accept
a position in the employ of Ellingson Mathre & Company, with whom
he remained until 1895. His identification with the contracting busi-
ness began in that year and he did general contracting for some time.
He gradually evolved a special branch of his enterprise by his con-
stant activity in the cement line of work, and now gives his entire at-
tention to cement contracting. He abandoned the general field in
1900 and has since been identified solely with his present department.
He makes a specialty of cement sidewalks and in this line has added
to the beauty of Webster City. Over two-thirds of the sidewalks of
the city v;ere laid by Mr. Olmstead, as well as the walk which sur-
rounds the magnificent new postofiice building. His operations are
not confined exclusively to Webster City and his field of activity ex-
tends over the entire state of Iowa. He is known in Webster City
as one of its representative and successful business men.
On November 19, 1892, Mr. Olmstead was united in marriage to
Miss Anna Giffroy, a daughter of William Giffroy, who is a success-
ful carpenter of Nebraska. To their union have been born four sons :
Myron Roscoe, Francis Edwin, Earl and Glen, all of whom are living
with their parents in Webster City.
Fraternally Mr. Olmstead is affiliated with Webster City Camp,
No. 416, M. W. A. ; Forest Camp, No. 103, W. O. W. ; and also holds
membership in Webster City Tent. No. 79, K. O. T. M. He gives his
political affiliation to the republican party but has never sought public
office. His business absorbs his entire attention and its flourishing
condition at the present time is evidence of his effective methods and
his honorable reputation.
REUBEN J. HURD.
High in the annals of the progress and development of Hamilton
county stands the name of Reuben J. Hurd, whose residence here
covers a period of forty-six years, during which time he has witnessed
the state's marvelous transformation from vast stretches of pran-ie
and scattered settlements to highly cultivated farms and thriving
towns and cities. Believing implicitly in the country's wonderful agri-
cultural possibilities, he invested as extensively as his circumstances
would permit in farm land in Rose Grove and Williams townships.
410 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY ^
increasing his holdings as he was able until he now holds title to over
seventeen hundred acres in these two townships, and in all to two thou-
sand, seven hundred acres in Hamilton and Hardin counties. He
also owns property in Kansas and Minnesota, and is without doubt
one of the largest if not the largest landowner in the county.
The life record of Reuben J. Hurd began on a farm in Olean
township, Cattaraugus county. New York, on the i6th of August,
1846. In the paternal line he is descended from one of the old colo-
nial families, being a direct descendant of one William Hurd, who
located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1623, and has a complete
genealogical history of the family back to the year 1639, the records
prior to that period having been destroyed in one of the early Indian
wars. His father, Elisha H. Hurd, was born in Fabius, New York,
on the 1 8th of June, 1809, and passed away in Rose Grove township,
this county, in March, 1879. The mother, whose maiden name was
Fannie M. De Kay, was born in New Jersey on the i ith of May 181 5,
and died in Austin, Minnesota, October 10, 1906. The family of Mr.
and Mrs. Hurd numbered eight, as follows : Thomas D., who was
born in Allegany county, New York, on May 5, 1838, and for many
years engaged in farming in Hamilton county, but is now living re-
tired in Williams; David E., who was born on April 21, 1843, the
owner of a large ranch at Hurdsfield, North Dakota, living retired in
Monticello, Minnesota; Reuben J., our subject; Addison L., who was
born November 11, 1848, and died in 1882; Hannah E., who w^as
born on February 6, 1851, the wife of William J. Snyder, and a resi-
dent of Albert Lea, Minnesota; Alpheus E., who was born on the
17th of February, 1853, and resides near Marshall, Minnesota; Hor-
ace N., who was born on the 17th of November, 1857, and died in
March, 1894; and John H., whose birth occurred on the ist of Sep-
tember, i860, a, resident of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. The elder mem-
bers of the family were born in the state of New York, but the two
last named are natives of Winneshiek county, Iowa. The early years
in the domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. LIurd were passed in New^ York,
whence they removed in 1853 to Woodstock. McHenry county, Illi-
nois, which was their place of residence for a year. In 1854, they
continued their journey westward to Winneshiek county, Iowa,
whence they later removed to Mower county, Minnesota, and subse-
quently came to Hamilton county, locating in Rose Grove township
in 1866. The first member of the family to become a resident of this
county was David E. Hurd. who with Charles Vail located in Rose
Grove township on the shores of Iowa Lake in June, 1866. He be-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 4li
came one of the prominent men of the county and was for many
years associated with Judge Rose in the management of the schools
in the township. His wife was a daughter of Randall Fay, a veteran
of the Civil war, and one of the first ministers to settle in the county.
The first seven years in the life of Reuben J. Hurd were passed
in his native state, where he began his education, completing it in the
district schools of Winneshiek county, Iowa. His boyhood and youth
were not distinguished by any unusual event from those of the ma-
jority of lads who were reared in the middle west during the pioneer
days. He accompanied his family on their removal from Winneshiek
county to Mower county, Minnesota, in the spring of 1866, coming
from there to Rose Grove township, Hamilton county, in the autumn
following. At that time there was only one house, the Hawley House,
between Alden and Webster City and no settlement west of Alden.
The members of the family, who were eligible, filed on government
land in Rose Grove township, in the progress and development of
which they were dominant factors during the pioneer period. Mr.
Hurd has always been distinguished for his diligence and enterprise
and to these qualities as well as his foresight and sagacity in business
affairs must be attributed much of the success that has attended his
efforts. Money was very scarce at that period in this section of the
country, and owing to the limited market facilities and poor trans-
portation such crops as were raised did not command a very high
price, so the Hurd brothers were compelled to follow any emplo\inent
that would enable them to earn money in an honorable way. For a
time Reuben Hurd and his brother David worked in a stone quarry,
w^hich was located a distance from their home, for a dollar a day,
walking to and from their work morning and night. The former, for
some years, also freighted between Iowa Falls and Fbrt Dodge. In-
numerable hardships and privations were endured by the pioneers of
that day. and such as Mr. Hurd who withstood the many discour-
agements and overcame the obstacles they constantly encountered,
highly merit all the success won by their persistence and determina-
tion. He extended his holdings as his circumstances pennitted until
he now owns twelve hundred and six acres of land in Rose Grove
township, with six sets of improvements, five hundred and twenty-
seven acres in Williams township, with two sets of improvements,
and six hundred acres in Hardin county with two sets of improve-
ments. He also owns residence and business property in Williams,
and land in both Minnesota and Kansas, which is constantly increas-
ing in value. He was one of the organizers of the First National
412 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Bank of Williams and was its first president and now holds the office
of vice president. Mr. Kurd has never entirely withdrawn from agri-
cultural pursuits, although he has not resided on his large farm in
Rose Grove .township since February, 1896, when he removed to his
present place adjacent to Williams. This is one of the very attractive
and pleasant properties of the community, and it is his expectation to
make it his home during the remainder of his life.
On the 15th of January, 1881, Mr. Kurd was married to Miss
Winnie Crane, who was born in Clayton county, Iowa, May 3. 1861,
and is a daughter of Samuel J. and Mary J. (Filer) Crane. The
father was a native of the state of New York, his birth having oc-
curred on the 15th of October, 1833, and the mother was born in the
vicinity of Pittsburg, Pennsylv^ania, her natal day being May 27, 1833.
The early years of their married life were passed in Clayton county,
this state, where their six elder children were born. In 1866, they re-
moved to Hamilton county, locating in Rose Grove township, and
there for many years the father engaged in farming. Mrs. Crane re-
lates many interesting experiences of the pioneer days, and recounts
how, for two winters, they had to grind their corn in a coffee mill.
The father is now deceased, having passed away in Webster county,
this state, on the 27th of December, 1893, but he is survived by the
mother, who makes her home with her children, residing in various
parts of the country. To Mr. and Mrs. Crane were born three sons
arid seven daughters, as follows: Melissa, who was born October 14,
1855, the v^ife of John E. Parker, residing in the vicinity of Webster
City; Lillie, whose birth occurred on the 27th of March, 1857, now
Mrs. Lee A. Trudell, of Deering, North Dakota; Edmund J., who
was born August 31, 1859, a resident of Lebanon, South Dakota;
Mrs. Hurd; Alice, who was born October 27, 1863, now Mrs. James
Beckner, of Spencer, Colorado; Shemian W., whose natal day was
June 12, 1866, of Lebanon, South Dakota; Charles, who was born on
the 22d of September, 1867, of Epswich, South Dakota; Rosamond,
who was born Christmas day, 1869, and died in November. 1889;
Millie May, who was born on April 3, 1871, the wife of Richard
Goodrich, residing in the vicinity of Lehigh, Webster county, Iowa ;
and Louie, now Mrs. George E. Dingham, who was born on Febru-
ary 22, 1873, and resides at Lehigh. The four last named are natives
of Hamilton county, and here they were reared and educated.
Mr. and Mrs. Hurd are the parents of six children, four sons and
two daughters, all of w^honi are living. Lulu Belle, the eldest, who
was born on the 7th of March, 1882, after graduating from the Wil-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 413
Hams high school continued her education in Ellsworth College, ter-
minating her course there to become bookkeeper and assistant cashier
in the First National Bank of Williams. She is now the wife of
Robert P. Lynch, and is living on a farm in Rose Grove township,
this county. Walter L., who was born on the 14th of December,
1884, after graduating from Grinnell College went west and in Febru-
ary, 1912, proved up on a claim in Montana and is now a resident of
Columbus, that state. Ralph R., whose natal day was October 13,
1887, after graduating from the Williams high school attended Grin-
nell College for a year, and then matriculated in the engineering de-
partment of the Iowa State College at Ames, of which he is a gradu-
ate. He is now following his profession in Williams and is" residing
at home. Gladys L., who was born on the 20th of August, 1890, is
the wife of Ivan L. Smith and lives in Williams. Stanton F., whose
birth occurred on April 27, 1893, received his preliminary education
in the schools of Williams, supplementing the course therein pursued
by a term of study in a business college at Cedar Rapids. Howard
H., the youngest member of the family, was born on the 22d of April,
1897, and is attending the public schools.
The family attend the religious services of the Methodist Episco-
pal church of Williams, of which Mrs. Hurd and her daughters are
members. His political allegiance is accorded to the republican party,
and while residing in Rose Grove township he served both as clerk
and assessor, and he has been a trustee of Williams and a member of
the town council for several years. Mr. Hurd is widely known in the
county and held in high respect, as he is a man of good principles and
incorruptible integrity, whose word is regarded as good as his bond.
He manifests much sagacity and keen discernment in the direction of
his business affairs and such success as has come to him is the highly
merited reward of honest and intelligent effort.
SAM J. LARSON.
Among the sturdy Norsemen whose tireless energy and detennina-
tion of purpose have largely contributed toward promoting the agri-
cultural development of Hamilton county must be numbered Sam J.
Larson, whose extensive acreage in Ellsworth township with its highly
cultivated fields and modem improvements stands as a monument to
a life of intelligent and persistently directed activity. His birth oc-
414 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
curred in Norway in 1849, his parents being John and EHzabeth Lar-
son, both of whom are now deceased, the father having passed away
in Scott township, and the mother at the home of our subject in Ells-
worth township. They emigrated to the United States with their
family in 1858, first settling in Kendall county, Illinois. At the end
of a year they continued their journey westward to Iowa, crossing the
prairies in an emigrant wagon, as there were no railroads in this sec-
tion oi the country at that time. They came direct to Hamilton
county, settling on a tract of government land in Scott townshp, be-
ing among the very first settlers in this vicinity. Aside from a few
log cabins scattered along the Skunk river, the country was practically
uninhabited, their nearest trading post being Iowa City. They were
practically without funds, but were rich in hope, energy and determi-
nation of purpose, believing implicitly in the possibilities of this won-
derful land, where so many of their countrymen had fared wel-l.
From the youngest to the oldest they worked toward the achievement
of a single purpose — the establishment of a home. Those first years
were difficult indeed, but they were true pioneers and were absolutely
undaunted by either hardship or failure. No obstacles served to di-«-
courage them, but on the contrary renewed their zeal and spurred
them on to yet greater effort. Each year witnessed an improvement
in their circumstances and the conditions amid which they lived, and
in time theirs became one of the productive and valuable farms of the
township. Mr. and Mrs. Larson had eight children, all of whom were
born in Norway. In order of birth they are as follows : Mrs. Inger
Charleson, deceased; Andrew J., who is residing on the old family
homestead in Scott township; Lars, who is living in Story county,
Iowa; Ole J., who passed away in Illinois in 1909; Mrs. Anne Heg-
land, deceased; Sam J., of this sketch; O. J., who is residing south of
Jewell; and Mrs. Melinda Rendo, deceased.
Sam J. Larson was a child of only nine years when he emigrated
to the United States with his parents, and a lad of ten when they set-
tled in Hamilton county. A member of a family in limited circum-
stances his early advantages were meager, but he early had instilled
in his youthful mind lessons on the value of thrift and diligence as
factors in the achievement of success. His early training w'ell cjuali-
fied him for the battle of life, as he can scarcely remember when he
did not have some regularly assigned task to perform, his duties be-
ing increased as his strength and sense of responsibility developed
with the passing years. Naturally he developed early, and when still
in his early youth was a useful member of society, while he was doy
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 415
ing a man's work long before he had attained his majority. Upon
leaving the parental home to make his own way in the world, practi-
cally his entire capital consisted of a well developed body, tireless
energy and the tenacity of purpose, which ultimately led him to the
goal of his ambition. Today Mr. Larson is regarded as one of the
most prosperous agriculturists and substantial citizens of his com-
munity, but without doubt he finds his greatest satisfaction in the fact
that he is indebted to no one but himself for tlie success he has en-
joyed. He holds title to six hundred and thirty acres of land in
Hamilton county, and a c^uarter section in ^Minnesota. His home-
stead is one of the best improved and most attractive properties in
the township, evidencing by its general appearance and condition the
competent supervision and intelligent direction of a capable agricul-
turist and intelligent man of business. Mr. Larson is thoroughly prac-
tical, is progressive and uses systematic methods, and as his circum-
stances have permitted has installed about his premises many modem
conveniences. His equipment is most complete, comprising practically
every implement or appliance known to the modern agriculturist. The
buildings on his place are substantially constructed and in good con-
dition, ample provision having been made for the housing of stock,
machinery and grain. Mr. Larson has well provided for the comfort
of his family, who live in an attractive residence with modern ap-
pointments. An automobile adds to their enjoyment and helps them
to get about quickly, to reach the city, visit neighbors or provides a
pleasant hour of riding in the country. He is one of the highly
esteemed men of his community, where his upright methods and un-
questionable integrity make his word as good as his bond.
Mr. Larson married Miss Carrie E. Svellin, a native of Illinois
and a daughter of Thor and Carrie Svellin, natives of Norway. They
were long residents of Hamilton county, where the father passed
away but the mother is still living and now makes her home with a
daughter in North Dakota. Four daughters were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Svellin, as follow^s: Mrs. Melinda Scorpon, of North Dakota;
Mrs. Larson; Mrs. Sarah Ouom, of Clear Lake township; and Mrs.
Celia Thomson, who is deceased. They are all natives of Illinois.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Larson numbers six : Mrs. Annie Jacob-
son, who is a resident of Minnesota; John and Thomas, who are liv-
ing at home and assisting their father in the cultivation of the farm;
Alfred, w^ho lives with his sister on his father's fann in Minnesota ;
and Clarence and Richard, who are at home.
416 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The family are Lutherans in reHgious faith and are members of
the Norwegian church of that denomination in Randall. Mr. Larson
is republican in his political views, giving his support to the progress-
ive faction of that body. He has never figured prominently in the
political life of the community, but he is an34hing but remiss in mat-
ters of citizenship, and can be depended upon to support any move-
ment that he feels will promote the interest of the people or advance
the general welfare of the township. Mr. Larson is thoroughly
American in his ideas and sentiments and stanchly loyal to the insti-
tutions of this country, which he regards with a veneration oftentimes
lacking in her native sons.
CAPTAIN JOSEPH R. C. HUNTER.
Captain Joseph R. C. Hunter was born in Carroll county, Ohio,
March 30, 1844. He was a son of William A. and Nancy (Day)
Hunter, whose family consisted of six sons and three daughters,
namely: John D. ; Samuel L. ; Joseph R. C, of this review; William
A., Jr.; S. C. ; Charles E., who died in childhood; Almira; and two
daughters who died in infancy.
On September 14, 1861, when seventeen years of age, J. R. C.
Hunter enlisted in Company A, Twelfth Iowa Infantry, as eighth cor-
poral, being enrolled at Eldora, Iowa. He at once entered upon a
most active military career. He participated in the engagement at
Fort Henry, Tennessee, February 6, 1862, and at Fort Donelson,
Tennessee, February 13, 14, 15, 1862. At the battle of Shiloh, Ten-
nessee, on the 6th of April, he was with the invalids under the com-
mand of Lieutenant D. B. Henderson, and he participated in the siege
of Corinth, Mississippi, in May, 1862. He was promoted second
lieutenant on the ist of May, 1862, being at that time one of the
youngest men in his company. He participated in the battle of Cor-
inth on the 3d and 4th of October, and was wounded on the latter
day. He was promoted first lieutenant on the 5th of April, 1863, ^^^
became captain of his company the following May, when not yet
twenty years of age. He took part in the engagement at Raymond,
Mississippi, May 12, 1863, and at Jackson, Mississippi, May 14, 1863.
At Vicksburg, Mississippi, his command took part in both the assault
and siege, which lasted from May 18 to July 4, 1863. He was present
at the engagement at Jackson, Mississippi, July 10 to 16, 1863, at
CAPTAIX J. C. K. HUNTER
?i
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 419
Brandon. ^lississippi, July 19, 1863, and at Brownsville, Mississippi,
October 16. and 17, 1863. In June, 1864, he was placed in command
of a military post at the mouth of White river in Arkansas, having
two companies of soldiers in his garrison. While stationed here he
performed distinguished military service, of which the following is a
brief account:
After the breaking up of the famous Banks expedition, a large
force of Confederates passed north, their object being to take the
state of Missouri. These troops passed near the WHiite river post and
a small detachment from them attacked some negro wood choppers,
who were under the protection of the garrison, killing several of
them. This attack and the presence of so many Confederates in the
neighborhood was a warning, and Hunter took prompt measures for
defense. All of his force and all of the negroes under his protection
were immediately pressed into service and logs were cut and a heavy
stockade erected. It was scarcely completed when, just at daybreak,
on the morning of June 22,. 1864, Hunter's garrison was attacked by
a Confederate regiment from General Mamiaduke's command. The
attack was planned as a surprise. The Confederates advanced on
two sides of the stockade, but Hunter's men, though called to arms
so suddenly that they had no time to dress, met the enemy with such a
destructive fire that they were forced to retreat. The Confederates
re-formed and made another attempt, this time concentrating the at-
tack on one side of the stockade. They were again repulsed with such
heavy loss that they fled, leaving their dead and mortally wounded on
the field. Captain Hunter lost five men. The Confederate's loss was
equal to the entire force under Hunter's command. The Confederate
wounded were taken care of by the Union soldiers. Some time later
General Marmaduke was captured and placed in charge of the lieu-
tenant colonel of Hunter's regiment, and from him was learned the
true extent of the Confederate loss and also that the Confederates
judged from the vigor of the defense that the stockade had been
heavily reinforced. They had no idea that they were opposed by but
two small companies commanded by a mere boy. Captain Hunter re-
ported this engagement to General Buford, in command of the Dis-
trict of Helena, who at once came to his assistance with heavy rein-
forcements. When he left the post. Captain Hunter was placed in
charge of three companies. After this incident Captain Hunter and
his command joined an expedition to drive the Confederates out of
Missouri. The march was one of most distressing hardship. At
one time, one hundred and ten men in the Twelfth Regiment were
Vol. n— 2 2
420 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
without shoes, and among the number was the captain of Company A.
At another time they were seventeen days without government ra-
tions and were forced to Hve "on the country." Our subject was
mustered out on the ist of December, 1864, by reason of the expira-
tion of his term of service, and at that time was senior captain of his
regiment.
In 1869 Captain Hunter was married to Hannah Luella Philhps,
of Mahaska county, Iowa, and to them were born four children:
Mary, William Garl, Sadie Elmira and Josephine. ]\Iary is now the
wife of Charles Segar and resides in Cass township. William G. re-
sides in Montana, while Sadie and Josephine reside with their parents
in Webster City.
Captain Hunter came to Webster City in 1882 and engaged in
farming in Cass township. In 1890 he was elected county recorder
of Hamilton county and was reelected in 1892. At the close of his
second term as recorder he retired from active business and is now
living quietly and modestly at No. 917 Elm street, W^ebster City. Iowa.
Politically Captain Hunter is a republican. Fraternally he affiliates
with the Masons, Modern Woodmen of America and the Grand Anny
of the Republic.
HENRY F. REINHARDT.
Henry F. Reinhardt engages in general farming and stock-raising
in Independence township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres
of highly improved and well cultivated land located on section 4. He
is one of Hamilton county's enterprising native sons, his birth hav-
ing occurred on the 24th of September, 1877. He is the third in or-
der of birth of six children born to Fred and Theresa Reinhardt, who
were born and reared in Gennany. There they likewise passed the
early period of their married life, emigrating to the United States in
1866. They first settled in Illinois, which remained their place of
residence until 1874, when they came to Hamilton county. Here the
father purchased a quarter section of partially improved land in Cass
township, to the further improvement and cultivation of which he de-
voted his energies during the remainder of his active life, adding to
his holdings as his means pemiitted. Both parents are now deceased,
the father having passed away in 1901 and the mother in 1894, and
are buried in Graceland cemetery at Webster City. At the time of
. HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 421
his death the father owned two hundred and seventy acres of land,
aside from valuable town property in Webster City.
The boyhood and youth of Henry F. Reinhardt did not differ par-
ticularly from those of other lads who were reared in the rural sec-
tions of Iowa at that period. He was given the advantages of a
common-school education, and while still in his early youth began
assisting his father and brothers with the work about the home place.
By the time he had attained maturity he was thoroughly familiar with
the duties and work of an agriculturist and when he was twenty-two
he left the parental roof and began farming for himself as a renter.
In 1903 he returned to the old homestead — comprised of two hun-
dred and seventy acres located on sections 35 and 36 of Cass and
Independence townships — one-half of which belonged to him — and
there continued his agricultural pursuits for seven years. At the ex-
piration of that time he sold his interest in the property to his brother
Frank, who still owns a portion of it, and purchased a quarter of sec-
tion 4, Independence township. His entire tract is fenced hog tight
and under cultivation, and his fields, which are tiled and in a high
state of productiveness, annually produce abundant harvests, his prin-
cipal crops being com, oats and hay. He also owns one-haJf interest
in eighty acres located in Boone township. In connection with gen-
eral farming he raises shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Per-
cheron horses, being the owner of a valuable Percheron stallion, and
he also buys and feeds cattle for the market. During the period of
his ownership of his present place, Mr. Reinhardt has made various
improvements, including the erection of three cattle sheds and a com
crib; he also remodeled his barn, its present dimensions being forty-
eight by fifty feet.
On the 5th of October, 1898, Mr. Reinhardt was married to Miss
Anna Jones, whose birth occurred on December 31, 1881. She is
the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven and is a daughter of
Christ and Caroline Jones. The parents were born, reared and mar-
ried in Gennany, whence they emigrated to the United States with
their family in 1885, locating in Webster City. There the mother
passed away in 1895, but the father is still living and continues to
make his home in Webster City. Mr. and Mrs. Reinhardt have two
daughters, Caroline and Bertha, both of whom are attending school.
William Reinhardt, a brother of our subject, met death suddenly
on Independence Day, of 191 2, when he with his brother-in-law were
on their way to Webster City. While crossing Bank street he was
shot by a stray bullet in the side and expired within thirty minutes.
422 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
He had made his home on an adjoining- farm in Hamihon county and
left behind him a daughter, Grace, who found a home in the house-
hold of Mr. and Mrs. Reinhardt, where she receives loving and tender
care.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church. His
political allegiance Mr. Reinhardt gives to the democratic party and
is now serving his third year as school director. His unabating en-
ergy, perseverance and intelligently directed activities have been duly
rewarded and he is meeting wath the prosperity he highly merits by
reason of persistent effort.
BARNEY N. THOMPSON.
Barney N. Thompson, who owns and operates one hundred acres
of fertile land on section 7, Cass township, was born in Norway on
the 22d of April, 1865, and is a son of Torkel and Bertha Thompson,
who passed their entire lives in the old country.
In 1887, at the age of twenty-two years, Barney N. Thompson
emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Webster City. His
first employment was with a construction crew on the Crooked Creek
Railroad, but later he worked as a farm hand. In 1889, he wended
his way w^estward to Colorado, where he filed on a homestead, ^vhich
he cultivated for two years. At the expiration of that time he sold
his claim and returned to Hamilton county, and worked as a farm
hand. Llaving ultimately accumulated enough money to engage in
farming for himself, he rented in 1893 a tract of land which he culti-
vated until 1904. In the latter year he bought forty acres in the
southwestern part of the county, where he continued agricultural pur-
suits until 1 9 10, when he purchased his present farm in Cass town-
ship. He has been residing on this place for two years and during
that time has effected many improvements. His land is fenced with
barbed wire and tiled, seventy-five acres of it being devoted to gen-
eral farming. In connection with the cultivation of his fields, which
annually yield abundant harvests, Mr. Thompson is engaged in stock-
raising and is finding in both lines of business ample remuneration.
In 1906, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Rebecca Larson, a
daughter of Lars and Bertha Larson, and a native of Norway, her
natal day being the 24th of January, 1881. Her parents emigrated to
the United States in 1889, locating in Hamilton county, where they
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 423
still reside, the father owning and operating the farm adjoining that
of our subject. Mrs. Thompson is the eldest of the seven children
and the mother of four daughters, Ruth, Bertha, Bessie and Esther.
The family attend the United Brethren church and the political
support of Mr. Thompson is accorded the republican party. He is
a man of sterling worth and integrity, whose success must be at-
tributed to thrift and unceasing diligence as he came to this country
empty-handed and has through his own unaided effort attained the
position he now holds.
EMIL H. SCHWEPPE.
Emil H. Schweppe is actively engaged in general farming and
stock-raising in Independence township, where he owns eighty acres
of highly cultivated land located on section i6. He is a native of
Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Dane county, October lo,
1852, and is a son of Hennan and Mary (Stork) Schweppe. The
parents were both natives of Gemiany, whence they emigrated to the
United States in early life, subsequently locating in Wisconsin. There
the father died in 1866, but the mother was living in Hamilton county
at the time of her death, which occurred in 1876.
Emil H. Schweppe, who is the fifth child in order of birth in a
family of seven, was reared on a farm and educated in the public
schools of his native state. In common with all farmer lads he w^as
early trained to the work of the fields and care of the crops and has
devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. In the
fall of 1893, with his wife and family, he removed to Hamilton
county, which has since been his place of residence. For two years
thereafter he farmed as a renter, but at the expiration of that time
he went to digging wells, devoting his energies to that occupation until
1897, when he bought his present farm, the further cultivation and
improvement of which have since engaged his entire time and atten-
tion. During the period of his ownership Mr. Schweppe has wrought
extensive improvements in his place, including the erection of a fine
large barn, fifty by fifty-t\w feet, in 1902, and of an eight-room resi-
dence in 1909. His entire tract is fenced hog tight, while his fields
are tiled and have been brought to a high state of productiveness. In
connection with his general farming Mr. Schweppe breeds and raises
424 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and is meeting with fair suc-
cess in his undertakings.
- In Wisconsin, in 1875, Mr. Schweppe was married to Miss Emma
Kirchner, a daughter of Emil and Amelia Kirchner, natives of Ger-
many, but long residents of Wisconsin, in which state they both passed
away. Mrs. Schweppe, whose birth occurred in New York state,
May 27, 1856, is the second in order of birth in a family of four
children, and is the mother of seven children, all but two of whom died
in infancy. Louis C, the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Schweppe, is
now an engineer. He married Grace Schopp of Spokane, Washing-
ton, and is there employed in the service of the city. The other son,
Emil T., married Annie Dodge, of Kossuth county, this state, and
they reside in Webster City, where he follows the carpenter's trade.
Mr. and Mrs. Schweppe were reared in the faith of the German
Lutheran church, and his political support he gives to the republican
party. He is a man of upright principles and earnest purpose, who
has led an active life, utilizing to the best of his advantage every op-
portunity that was presented to him.
JULIUS J. MILLER.
Diversified farming and stock-raising engage the energies of Ju-
lius J. Miller, who owns and operates a one hundred and twenty acre
tract of land located on sections 6 and 16, Ellsworth township. He
is a native of Hamilton county, his birth having occurred on the farm
where he now resides, on the 22d of September, 1882, and a member
of an honored pioneer family of Ellsworth township. His father, An-
drew Miller, was born in Denmark on the 24th of May, 1843, and
there passed the early years of his life. In 1869, he emigrated to
the United States, coming direct to Hamilton county, and as the
railroad had not then been extended beyond Nevada he was compelled
to walk from that point to his destination. As he possessed an abun-
dance of energy and was a strong, vigorous young man he readily
found employment as a farm hand and for some years thereafter
worked for C. P. Christianson. He continued to follow that occu-
pation in Story and Hamilton counties for about seven years. At
the expiration of that time he went back to Denmark on a visit and
soon after his return, in 1877, he purchased forty acres of land in
Ellsworth township and began farming for himself. He applied
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 425
himself to the development of his place with characteristic Danish
energy, and met with well deserved success in his undertakings. As
his circumstances penuitted he extended the boundaries of his place
until he acquired four hundred and eighty acres of choice land, on
which he erected two sets of improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew
Miller had four children, our subject being the third in order of
birth. The others are as follows : Mrs. Annie Knudson, who is a
resident of Ellsworth township; Hans E., who was born on the nth
of January, 1880, and is residing on a portion of the old home farm
in Ellsworth township; and Carl P., cashier of the Bank of Jewell.
The father has now withdrawn from active life and he and the
mother are residing in Randall, enjoying the comfort and ease made
possible by reason of their long years of arduous toil and thrifty
management.
Julius J. Miller has passed his entire life on the fami where he
now resides, his early years being passed in very much the same man-
ner as those of other lads who are reared in the country. He was
given the advantages of a common-school education and while en-
gaged in the mastery of the elementary branches of English learning
began qualifying for his present vocation by assisting his father with
the lighter duties about the farm. As his strength and sense of re-
sponsibility developed with the passing years his duties were in-
creased, and by the time he had attained his maturity he was a skilled
agriculturist. In addition to the one hundred and twenty acres com-
prised in his own holdings Mr. Miller leases an adjoining eighty acres
which he also cultivates. His chief occupation is general farming
but he engages in connection with this in the breeding and raising of
high-grade stock, and is meeting with a good measure of success
in both lines. He has also done some threshing and ditching, utiliz-
ing his time and opportunities to the best possible advantage in his ef-
forts to forward his interests.
Ellsworth township was the scene of Mr. Miller's marriage in
fanuary, 1906, to Miss Anna Melinda Larson, who was likewise bom
and reared here, her natal day being the 28th of July. 1880. She is
a daughter of Oliver J. and Martha (Anderson) Larson, natives of
Norway. The father's parents located in Kendall county. Illinois,
during the pioneer days, coming from there to Scott township. Ham-
ilton county, in 1859, being among the very first settlers in this sec-
tion of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are still living and now reside
on one of the valuable farms of Ellsworth township. To them have
been born five sons and five daughters, in the following order: John,
426 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
who is residing northeast of Jewell ; Andrew, who is living in Ells-
worth township; Mrs. Miller; Mrs. Martha Green, who is deceased;
and Lewis, Henry, Elizabeth, Emil, Alydia and Olive, all of whom
are at home. They were all bom and reared on the home fami in
Ellsworth township. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had five children :
Myrtle Amy, whose birth occurred on the 28th of October, 1906;
Harvey Merle, whose natal day was the 6th of March, 1908; Law-
rence Castner, who was born November 30, 1909; and on the 5th
of February, 19 12, twin daughters, one of whom died soon after
birth. The other has been named Martha.
Mr. Miller is not affiliated with any religious organization but
Mrs. Miller was confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran church. His
political support he accords to the republican party, but has never
held any public office save that of school director. He is one of the
successful agriculturists and respected citizens of Ellsworth town-
ship, where he is widely acquainted and has many friends.
ALBERT W. SWANSON.
A man who is well known in business circles of Webster City,
Iowa, by reason of his success as contractor and builder in that city
is Albert W. Swanson. He has been active in this line for many years
and has built up an increasingly successful business in cement work,
specializing in the building of bridges. His enterprise is conducted
along progressive and modern lines of expansion and he is well
known in Webster City as an individual force in its municipal progress.
He was born in Sweden in 1866 and is a son of Sven Johan and Ellen
(Parson) Swanson. The father lived and died in his native country
but the mother has been a resident of Webster City since she left
Sweden in 1888.
Albert W. Swanson has not had the advantage of an extended
education. He went to school for a short time in Sweden but upon
coming to America was prevented by the need of earning a livelihood
from pursuing his studies to any great degree. He left his native
country when lie was seventeen years of age, in 1883, and established
his residence immediately in \\'ebster City. With his brother he
opened a stone quarry near this city and was active in its operation
for several years. By a natural business evolution he soon became
interested in the stone mason line and achieved success in this line
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 429
in a short time. He gradually expanded his business and from a
general acti\'ity in stone masonry has now become known as an ex-
pert in the building of cement bridges. Most of the rivers in Hamil-
ton and Hardin counties are spanned by bridges which are the result
of Mr. Swanson's activity and many of the ornamental bridges in
the parks and public properties of those districts also owe their beauty
to his artistic skill. His field of activity extends beyond Webster
City into the state of Iowa and his name is well known in the mid-
dle west.
On March 3, 1892, ]\Ir. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss
Mary H. Greenwood, a daughter of William and Anna (Alton)
Greenwood, of Hamilton county. The father pursued the occupation
of agriculture for many years in this section and died in 1910. He
had long survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1900. To Mr. and
Mrs. Swanson have been born four children : Reckard Edgar, whose
birth occurred February 11, 1893; Edna Louise, born April 28, 1899;
William Dean, born December 17, 1904; and Margaret Gwendolyn,
born January 15, 191 1. The family is well known and widely popu-
lar in Webster City and their home is located at No. 119 Des Moines
street.
Mr. Swanson is prominent in fraternal circles of the city, be-
longing to Bankers Union, No. 109, of the Fraternal Bankers Re-
lief Society, and is a member of Flaws Castle, No. 330, of the Royal
Highlanders. He also holds membership in the Fraternal Union
of America. He has always devoted his attention aside from his
affiliations with these brotherhoods to the expansion of his business
and this has reacted in no small measure upon the general prosperity
of his community.
GEORGE NOURSE WELCH.
George Nourse Welch, who owns and operates a farm of two
hundred and forty acres located on section 13, Cass township, is a
native of York county, Maine, his birth occurring on the 5th of De-
cember, 1854. His parents, Nehemiah and Margaret C. (Nourse)
Welch, were likewise natives of New England and resided in Maine
until January, 1868, when they came to Iowa. Here the father bought
a quarter section of land, all but twenty acres of which was raw prai-
rie, and diligently applied himself to its cultivation and improvement
430 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
until his death in 1876. He is buried in Graceland cemetery, Webster
City. Mr. Welch was an alert and enterprising farmer. During the
period of his residence on his farm he erected a comfortable house,
barns and outbuildings and fenced his fields and put them under cul-
tivation. In politics he was a democrat and served for several years
as school director. The mother is still living at the venerable age of
seventy-nine years and continues to reside on the old homestead.
The second in order of birth of the seven children born to his par-
ents, George Nourse Welch was reared at home and received his edu-
cation in the common schools of his native state and those of Iowa.
In common with the majority of country youths he was early trained
to the duties and responsibilities of the agriculturist, and has always
followed this vocation. He remained at home until his marriage,
and then removed to the place where he is now living. He has made
all of the improvements on his farm, which is one of the attractive
and valuable properties of the township. The greater part of his
land is under cultivation and is devoted to diversified farming, his
fields annually netting him large returns.
In 1 89 1 Mr. Welch was married to Miss lola May Welch, who
was born in Maine on the 17th of April, 1871, and is the youngest of
five children born to Barzillai and Dorcas Ann (Murray) Welch,
who passed their entire lives in Maine. The family of Mr. and Mrs.
George N. Welch numbers four: Florence, the wife of Fred Drae-
ger, of Kamrar, this county, by whom she has had one daughter;
and Pearl, Wallace and Helen Dorcas, all of whom are living at home.
The family affiliate with the Christian church and in his political
views Mr. Welch is a democrat and has served for four years as as-
sessor and at the present time is a member of the board of school di-
rectors. He has led a life of diligence and enterprise and is num-
bered among the representative farmers of his community.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON EVERMAN.
Alexander Hamilton Everman is one of the well known citizens of
Williams, Hamilton county, Iowa. He owns and operates a highly
developed farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres located on sec-
tion 20, Williams township. He was bora in PoAvell county, Ken-
tucky, May 28, 1866, and is a son of Gibson and INIary (Bettershell)
Everman, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, where thev cele-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 431
bratecl their marriage and continued to live during the remaining
years of their hves. The father died March i, 1903, at the age of
eighty years, and the mother July 15, 1905, at the age of sixty-eight.
They were the parents of eight children, as follows : Mrs. Sarah
Post-Groves, who is a resident of Hancock county, Iowa; Mrs.
Amanda Anderson, who makes her home in Kentucky; Mary Eliza-
beth, who passed away in Kentucky; Alexander H., of this review;
Martha, who is deceased; Georgiana, who died in infancy; Joel, de- •
ceased ; and Holt, living in Kentucky. All the above named were born
in Kentucky.
Alexander Hamilton Evennan was reared in his parents' home
and received his early education in the public schools of the district in
which he lived. In 1887 he removed to Champaign county, Illinois,
and there engaged in farming. In 1901 he moved with his family to
Williams township, this county, where he purchased a farm of one
hundred and forty-seven acres on section 20 and has since continued
to be successfully engaged in the cultivation of that land. His farm
is one of the best equipped and most highly developed places of the
township, and the residence in which the family lives is artistically
furnished and contains a well selected library for the use and literary
culture of the family.
Mr. Evennan was united in marriage in Champaign county, Illi-
nois, January 2^, 1892, to Miss Alma E. Swartz, who was born in
Putnam county, Indiana, February 22, 1862, and is a daughter of
Michael and Elizabeth (Lane) Swartz, the former a native of In-
diana, and the latter of Kentucky. The father resides at Olney, Illi-
nois, and is now living retired at the age of seventy-eight years. The
mother died at Olney, September 23, 1899, at the age of seventy- four
years. They w^ere the parents of six children, as follows : Sylvester
A., who was bom on the 3d of September, 1858, and is a resident of
Illinois; Laura E., whose birth occurred on the 3d of September, i860,
and who resides in Carbondale, Illinois; Mrs. Alma E. Everman;
William C, whose natal day was June 10, 1863, and who makes his
home in Danville, Illinois ; a son who was born in Illinois and died in
infancy; and John Melvin, who was born in Champaign county, Illi-
nois, on the 31st of July, 1869, and, died at the age of fifteen months.
The first four named are natives of Putnam county, Indiana.
To Mr. and Mrs. Everman four children have been born, namely:
Frank M., born on the 30th of March, 1894; Joseph Oscar. February
5. 1897; Mary E., on the 22d of September, 1898; and Charles A.,
September 2. 1900. All are natives of Champaign county. Illinois.
432 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
They attend the public schools of Williams and assist their parents in
the work of the home farm.
Mr. Everman belongs to the republican party and has his frater-
nal relation with Alamo Lodge, No. 576, F. & A. M., of Williams.
His early religious training he received in the Methodist church and
his wife was reared in the faith of the Disciples of Christ. Mr. Ever-
man is one of the esteemed citizens of his township, and is a man
always to be found on the progressive side of every public enterprise,
seeking to improve the moral and intellectual advancement of the com-
munity in which he lives, and he is entitled to be numbered among
the desirable and influential citizens of his county and state.
ISAAC W. AND WILLIAM J. MONROE.
Tlic name of Monroe is so well known in agricultural circles of
Boone township that the subjects of this review need no introduction
to our readers. The name has stood for intelligent labor in the clear-
ing, development and cultivation of the soil in a former generation
and today is a synonym for all that is progressive and up-to-date in
scientific farming. Its representatives in Boone township are Wil-
liam J. and Isaac W. Monroe, who are now associated in the develop-
ment of two hundred acres of the most productive and fertile soil in
the locality. Their holdings constitute the original farm of their
father with one hundred and twenty additional acres which they ac-
quired by purchase.
The Monroe family was founded in Iowa by Barnett Monroe, who
came to Hamilton county in 1880. He was a native of New York
state and was successful as a farmer in that section of the country for
many years. He was influenced in his removal to Iowa by his brother-
in-law, Tolman Wiltsey, who was an enthusiast in Iowa lands and
wrote to Barnett Monroe graphic descriptions of the many opportu-
nities which the country offered in agricultural development. The
latter came to Hamilton county in 1880 accompanied by his wife,
Mary E. (Wiltsey) Monroe, and his five children, Isaac W., Eliza N.,
John B., William J. and Sallie M. Here he purchased eighty acres
on what is now section 13, Boone township, and farmed actively and
successfully until 1890, when his health failed and he was obliged to
give up his farm work. His sons, Isaac W. and William J., then
operated the farm until the father's death February 26, 1901. His
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 433
wife had long since passed away, her death having occurred Septem-
ber 3, 1896. When Barnett Monroe bought his eighty acres very ht-
tle of the land was even broken and the buildings thereon were of the
poorest and most inconvenient kind, but he soon had his property
under cultivation. Early in life Isaac W. and William J. assisted in
the farm work. They aided in the construction of the buildings upon
the property and became acquainted with all the practical details con-
nected with the tilling of the soil and the care of stock and grain.
When the father died in 1901 the farm reverted to these two sons, who
have added to their holdings by the purchase of one hundred and
twenty acres in Freedom township, and their property now aggre-
gates two hundred acres of the finest farm land in Iowa under care-
ful cultivation.
Isaac W. Monroe was united in marriage, July 8, 1890, to Miss
Ida L. Harris, a daughter of Major Charles H. and Helen M. (John-
son) Harris, of Webster City. Her parents settled in Hamilton
county in 1882 and her father is one of the patriotic and loyal citi-
zens belonging to the fast diminishing ranks of the Grand Army of
the Republic. He enlisted at the first call for troops in 1861, as a
member of an Ohio regiment. His first term of service ended in three
months, but he immediately reenlisted and served for three years.
His military record is distinguished, and his advancement in the Fed-
eral army was rapid. He was changed to the Eleventh Kentucky Cav-
alry a short time after his reenlistment and w^hen mustered out and
honorably discharged held the rank of major. His father was a vet-
eran of the Mexican war and his grandfather was prominent in the
American service of the Revolution and the War of 1812. Major
Harris is still living in Webster City at the age of seventy-eight years
and is well known and highly esteemed.
William J. Monroe is also married. On March 4, 1898, he was
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Eckstein, a daughter of John
and Clarinda (Omstead) Eckstein, of Hamilton county. Mr. Eck-
stein has been an architect in this district since his arrival in Iowa in
1854. He was prominent in his profession and superintended the
construction of the present courthouse of Webster City. His public
spirit is evidenced by the fact that he gave his services in this capac-
ity to the municipality without charge and he further contributed
eighty acres of swamp land toward defraying the expense of con-
struction. He died in 1892 at the age of sixty-eight years, and was
survived by his wife until 1905, when her death occurred in the fifty-
seventh year of her age. To William J. Monroe and wife have been
434 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
born six children: Arnold B., whose birth occurred May 22, 1899;
John Harley, born September 4, 1901 ; Helen S., born on the 28th of
February, 1905; Mary E., born May 28, 1907; and Myrtle and Wil-
liam Isaac, twins, who were born November 15, 1910, and have
passed away, the former dying July 24, 191 1, and the latter August
3> 1911-
The careers of \Mlliam J. and Isaac W. Monroe have been in-
separably connected almost since their birth. They spent their boy-
hood together, were educated in the same country school and aided
their father in the cultivation of the soil. They are now associated
in harmonious relations in extensive fanning operations, the conduct
of which is never hampered by strife or dissension. Both are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and are prominent members
of the Odd Fellows lodge at Webster City, in which they have filled
all of the offices. William is a charter member of that lodge and is now
serving on the finance committee of the grand lodge of Iowa. They
are members of the encampment and belong to the uniformed rank,
and Isaac was a representative to the encampment at Dubuque in
1905, while William was a representative to the grand lodge in 1909
and 19 10. They witnessed the raising of the flag over the Odd Fel-
lows Orphan Home at Mason City, Iowa, William being lieutenant
colonel of the canton at that time — 1902. They and their familiars
are also members of the Rebekah lodge at Webster City. They are
charter members of the Yeomen lodge at the same place, being in-
strumental in its establishment, and both have held office in the same.
The wife of William Monroe is also a member of the Yeomen, while
he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Webster
City. The brothers are both republicans in politics and William has
taken a very active and prominent part in local affairs, being com-
mitteeman of the third ward for some years and also representing
that ward in the city council for two years.
ERNEST D. BUSING.
Ernest D. Busing engages in general farming and stock-raising
in Independence township, where he owns twrj hundred and forty
acres of land, one hundred and sixty of which comprises the old fam-
ily homestead, on which his birth occurred on the i6th of December,
1 87 1. He is the third in order of birth of the five children, now liv-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 435
ing, who were born to Hami and Anna (Weppel) Busing. The par-
ents were born, reared and married in Germany, whence they emi-
grated to the United States about 1864, locating in IlHnois, where
they resided for seven years. In 1871, they came to Hamilton county,
the father purchasing a quarter of section 16. Independence town-
ship, in the cultivation and improvement of which he engaged during
the remainder of his life. There he passed away on October 15,
1910, at the age of se^'enty-three years, but the mother, who has
passed the seventy-second anniversary of her birth, is still living and
makes her home in Kamrar, this township.
Agricultural pursuits have always engaged the attention of Ern-
est D. Busing, who began assisting his father with the tilling of the
fields and care of the crops in his early boyhood. His services were
given to his parents until he attained his majority, after which his
father hired him for ,two years at the usual wages paid for fanii
labor. At the expiration of that time he began farming for him-
self as a renter, continuing to lease land six years. During that
period he acquired the necessary capital to buy eighty acres of sec-
tion 17, on which he located in 1900, and has ever since made this
his home. After the death of his father he bought the interest of
the other heirs in the old homestead and is now engaged in the
operation of both places. His land is fenced, one hundred and sixty
acres of it hog tight, and his fields are tiled and under high cultiva-
tion, and annually yield abundant harvests. In connection with gen-
eral farming, Mr. Busing raises shorthorn cattle. Shire horses and
Duroc Jersey hogs, and is meeting with a good measure of success
in his undertakings. All of the improvements on the old home place
were made during the lifetime of his father, but Mr. Busing has
enhanced the value of his own farm by the erection of new buildings
and the addition of various conveniences.
In 1898 in this county was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Busing
and Miss ^largaret Gerber, a daughter of Charles and Alary
(Hermann) Gerber, natives, respectively, of Gennany and Illinois.
They were married in the latter state and in 1878 removed to Iowa,
locating on a farm in Hamilton county, in the cultivation of which
the father engaged until his retirement. He is now sixty-one years of
age and the mother fifty- four and they make their home in Webster
City.
Fraternally Mr. Busing is a member of Elmo Lodge, No. 62,
I. O. O. F., of Webster City, and he is also affiliated with the Modern
Woodmen of America. He votes the democratic ticket and has been
436 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
a member of the school board for the past six years while he served
for one temi as assessor. " Mr. Busing is enterprising in his methods,
practical in his ideas and persevering in his purpose, and in the de-
velopment of his interests is meeting with the success he justly merits.
FRED A. WILDER.
Fred A. Wilder is successfully engaged in general agricultural
pursuits and stock-raising on section 28, Cass township, where he
owns ninety-two acres of land known as "Wild Rose Farm." He
was born in Webster City on the loth of September, 1873, and is a
son of Edward C. and Jessie M. (Dyer) Wilder, the father a native
of the state of New York and the mother of Pennsylvania. They
came to Iowa in early life and were married in Webster City, where
the father passed away in 1881, at the age of thirty-six years. Ed-
ward C. Wilder was residing in Illinois at the opening of the Civil
war and in 1861 enlisted in Company A, Seventh Illinois Volunteer
Cavalry, for eighteen months. At the expiration of his period of
service he reenlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-third
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining at the front until the close of
hostilities. He participated in many of the notable battles, and was
with Sherman when he made his famous march. He was buried in
Graceland cemetery at Webster City with full military honors, the
obsequies being conducted by the local post of the Grand Army of the
Republic, of which he was a loyal member. The mother, who is now
fifty-eight years of age, is making her home in Colton, California.
Fred A. Wilder, who was the second child born to his parents,
was educated in the public schools of Webster City, terminating his
student days upon his graduation from the high school, at the age of
fifteen years. He subsequently learned telegraphy and was employed
as telegraph operator and station agent by the Chicago & Northwest-
ern Railroad Company at various points on their line for twelve years.
At the expiration of that time he turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits and settled on "Wild Rose Farm," which he had inherited.
In 1908 Mr. Wilder had the misfortune to have his residence and all
the contents destroyed by fire, after which he erected his present house
at a cost of twenty-eight hundred dollars. He is a very practical man
and uses good judgment and systematic methods in developing his
undertakings. His land is tiled, and fenced with barbed wire, a large
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 437
portion of it hog tight, and seventy acres is under high cnhivation.
He keeps in close touch with the methods of the modern agricultur-
ist and is meeting with success in his work. In connection with the
cultivation of his fields he is raising stock, and is preparing to make
a specialty of thoroughbred Holstein cattle. He is also raising White
Rock chickens.
On the 3d of April, 1894, Mr. ^^'ilder was married to Miss Hattie
E. Peacock, a daughter of William and Ellen (:\Ieeks) Peacock. The
parents were natives of Iowa, the grandparents on both sides having
been among the early pioneers of the state. Mrs. Wilder is the third
in order of birth in a family of seven and was born on the 7th of
July, 1879. Her mother died when she was a child of about four
years and was buried in Graceland cemetery. The father, however,
who died in 1908. was buried at Le Mars, Iowa, where he was re-
siding at the time of his demise. Mr. and Mrs. Wilder have had six
children, as follows : Sylvia and Raymond, who are attending high
school ; Ellen ; Frieda ; Justinia. who died at the age of eighteen
months ; and Grace.
The family attend the Christian church, in which the parents
hold membership, and fraternally Mr. Wilder is affiliated with the
Modern Woodmen of America. He is a republican in his political
views and has served as school director for five years. He is one of
the enterprising and progressive citizens of the community and is di-
recting his business with the intelligence and foresight that invariably
bring success, and is numbered among the township's representative
agriculturists.
HERMAN FRANK BRIGGS.
Herman Frank Briggs is owner of one hundred and seventeen
acres of land located on section 17 of Boone and 18 of Independence
townships, where he engages in general farming. He is a native of
Hamilton county, his birth having occurred on the 14th of April,
1862, and a son of Ulysses and Ellen (Brown) Briggs. The father,
who was born in Derbyshire, England, was apprenticed to the pot-
ter's trade when a child of eight years. His services covered a period
of eight years, during the first half of which he received twelve and
a half cents a day, this amount subsequently being increased to twenty-
four cents. Later he found employment in the mines, where he
Vol. n— 23
138 HISTORY OF HAMILTON- COUNTY
worked until 1845. ^^^ December of that year he and his wife emi-
grated to the United States, locating in the vicinity of Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, which continued to be their place of residence for eight
years. They continued their journey westward to Iowa in 1853, lo-
cating on a farm in Jackson county which the father cultivated for a
year. He next removed to Dubuque county, where he spent twelve
months working in a gristmill, coming from there to Hamilton county
in 1856 and settling on a farm in Cass township. Later he came to
Independence township and purchased the farm now owned by our
subject, where he and the mother passed the remainder of their lives.
The entire tract was uncultivated when Mr. Briggs acquired it and
a large portion of it was covered with timber. His entire holdings
at the time of his death, which occurred on the 26th of August, 1890.
comprised two hundred acres, eighty-five of which his son, Charles L.
inherited. The land was all cleared and under cultivation and had
been improved by the erection of substantial buildings, fences and the
addition of various conveniences. The father was sixty-nine when
he passed away, but the mother had attained the venerable age of
eighty years at the time of her death on December 3, 1898. They
are buried in the family lot in Graceland cemetery. The family of
Mr. and Mrs. Briggs numbered eight, three of whom are deceased.
Thirza, the eldest, was married on the 13th of November, 1898, to
the Hon. Charles Aldrich, who passed away on the 8th of Marcli,
1908, and is buried in Graceland cemetery. He was one of the fore-
most citizens in this section of the state and had achiexed consider-
able local prominence, his services to the community being fully de-
tailed in the historical portion of this work. Mrs. Aldrich is no>\-
residing with her brother, our subject. The second member, of the
family is Agnes, who became the wife of G. C. Olmstcad. Her
death occurred on October 17, 191 1, and she is buried in Graceland
cemetery. Stephen, the eldest son, died at the age of thirty-twO' years.
Ella married J. W. Bates, who died about 1896, leaving her two chil-
dren. She subsequently married again and is now residing in Cali-
fornia. Charles L., who is a resident of Hamilton county, is mar-
ried and has three children. Ulysses N., who is the next in order of
birth, is married and makes his home in California. Marian, who
is the youngest of the family, died on the i6th of April. 1889. at
the age of twenty-three years.
Herman Frank Briggs, who is the seventh child and youngest
son born to his parents, was reared at home and educated in the com-
mon schools. Practically his entire life has been passed on the farm
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 439
which lie now owns and is cuhivating with such excellent success.
His land is all fenced, four acres of it hog tight, and has natural
drainage. Forty acres of his farm is under high cultivation, and a
large portion of the remainder is devoted to pasturage, as he makes a
specialty of raising shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs.
Fraternally Mr. Briggs is affiliated with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, belonging to Elmo Lodge, No. 62, of Webster City.
He votes the republican ticket. Having always resided in the imme-
diate vicinity of his present home, ]\Ir. Briggs enjoys a wide acquaint-
ance in the community and has many stanch friends.
JOHN L. SCH\\'EPPE.
John L. Schweppe is residing on a farm of two hundred and
forty acres located on section 21, Independence township, where he
engages in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Web-
ster tov.nship on the 17th of May, 1872, and is a son of John H.
and Martha E. (Brock) Schweppe, the former a native of Germany
and the latter of Illinois. The father came to the United States when
a lad of twelve years with his parents, who located in Wisconsin.
In his early manhood he came to Iowa, where he was married and
subsequently purchased forty acres of land on which had been built
a log cabin and here he and his wife lived for a time and then pur-
chased a farm in W^ebster township, Hamilton county. Mr. Schweppe
energetically applied himself to the cultivation of his farm until 1875,
when a mental affliction necessitated his transference to the state hos-
pital at Cherokee, this state, of which institution he is still an inmate
at the age of seventy-three years. He was a veteran of the Civil war
and it has always been supposed that this experiences there were the
direct cause of his condition. The mother, who is now entering upon
the seventieth year of her life, was subsequently granted a divorce
and remarried and is now residing in W^ebster City. The family of
Mr. and ]\Irs. Schweppe numbered five, our subject being the second in
order of birth.
The greater part of the life of John L. Schweppe has been passed
in the immediate vicinity of his present residence, his education hav-
ing been obtained in the common schools of Hamilton county. He
remained with his mother until he Avas twenty years of age, and
then started out to make his own way in the world. Having l)een
440 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
reared in the country he had been trained to the work around a farm,
and for five years thereafter worked as a farm hand. At the ex-
piration of that time he took up carpenter work, which he followed
in connection with coal mining during the succeeding seventeen years,
when he again resumed agricultural pursuits. In 1908 he located
on the place where he now resides, which is the property of his uncle
and here he has ever since engaged in general farming and stock-
raising. The land is all fenced, ten acres of it hog tight, and one
hundred and sixty of the two hundred and forty acres are under culti-
vation and about one-half of it is tiled. Mr. Schweppe is breeding
Durham cattle, Shire horses and a high grade of Duroc Jersey hogs,
and is meeting with a gratifying measure of success in this line of his
business as well as in general farming.
On the 19th of Xovemebr, 1898, Mr. Schweppe was married to
Miss Mary Etta Stage, who was born on the 6th of March, 1882,
and is a daughter of David and Ella (Williams) Stage. The father
is a native of Ohio and the mother, who passed away in 1892, at
the age of thirty-one years, was born and reared in Wisconsin, but
they were married in Eldora, Iowa. Mr. Stage, who is now fifty-
nine years of age, is residing in Hamilton county. Mrs. Schweppe
is the third in order of birth in a family of seven. Mr. and Mrs.
Schweppe adopted a child, by name Dewey Hanson, who is now
twelve years of age.
The political allegiance of Mr. Schweppe is accorded to the re-
publican party and he is president of the school board. He has never
identified himself with any religious denomination but attends the
United Brethren church, of which Mrs. Schweppe is a member. Fra-
ternally he is affiliated with Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F. of Web-
ster City, and he also belongs to Ridgely Encampment, No. 9. of
that city.
CARL SPARBOE.
A fine farm of two hundred and forty acres located on section
]6, Scott township, stands as a monument to the thrift and industry
of Carl Sparboe, who is one of the progressive agriculturists and en-
terprising business men of that community. Although the greater part
of his life has been passed in Hamilton county, Mr. Sparboe is a
native of Norway, his birth occurring on the 9th of Septem1)r, 1864.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 441
He is a son of Anthony and Bergitte (Karoliison) Sparboe, who
were born, reared and married in Norway. The father passed away
in 1870, just three days prior to the birth of his youngest son, leav-
ing his young wife with a family of four children, the eldest of
whom was but seven years of age. The first three years of her wid-
owhood the mother passed in the Xorseland, but concluding that
better opportunities would be afforded her sons in the new world, she
resolved to establish a home for them in America. Therefore, in
1873. she took passage for the United States accompanied by her
mother and small family. It was a tremendous undertaking, but
she was a woman of dauntless courage and tireless energy and the
love she bore her sons and her overwhelming desire to give them the
best possible advantages strengthened her detennination and gave her
the fortitude necessary to carry out her plans. From the eastern port,
where they landed, she made her way to Scott township and there
established a home. She was not able to give her sons more than a
common-school education, but they were early trained in habits of
diligence and thrift, while in their youthful minds she instilled the
fine moral precepts v.hich enabled them to develop into men of excel-
lent character. They were appreciative and have always tried to re-
pay her for her many sacrifices for them, and in later years purchased
and presented to her the farm on which she is now spending her
remaining days. She is still living at the venerable age of eighty-
three years and is highly respected in Scott township by reason of
her many excellent qualities, not least of which is her noble mother-
hood. Her sons have all become honored citizens of the community
and are in every way a credit to her and the county of which they
have long been residents. Her first born, John H.. is one of the suc-
cessful agriculturists of Scott township and was formerly a member
of the l3oard of county supervisors. Hartvig M.. the third member
of the family, has also figured prominently in the public life of Ham-
ilton county and is now sen-ing his second term as mayor of Webster
City. O. A. B. Sparboe, the youngest of her sons, founded the
Story City Business College, which he conducted until forced to re-
tire owing to the state of his health and went abroad, where he passed
away in 1898.
Carl Sparboe was only nine years of age when he came to America
with his mother, and has ever since 1)een a resident of Scott town-
ship. He acquired an education in the district schools, but he early
terminated his student days and assisted in supporting the mother
and vounger members of the family. His energies have always been
442 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
devoted to agricultural pursuits in which he has met with a good
measure of success, being the owner of one of the best improved
farms in the county. In connection with diversified farming he is
extensively engaged in raising shorthorn cattle and a high grade of
horses and hogs, thus substantially increasing his annual income. Mr.
Sparboe takes great pride in his farm on which he has erected a fine
residence, barns and other buildings and has installed about the prem-
ises many modern conveniences. He is very considerate of the com-
fort of his family and the home is liberally supplied with an abun-
dance of good literature, musical instruments and everything else
which will add to its attraction.
In this township on February 27. 1892, Mr. Sparboe was married
to Miss Nellie Nelson, whose birth occurred in Grundy county, Illi-
nois, on January 31, 1864. Her parents, Kanute and Ella (Tystal)
Nelson, were born and reared in Norway, the father's natal year be-
ing 1832, and that of the mother 1829. They came to America in
early life, locating in Grundy county, Illinois, in 1854, and there
were born" their five eldest children. After ten years residence there,
they came to Iowa, settling in Scott township, where they both passed
away, the mother's death occurring in 1895 and that of the father
in 1898. To this couple were bom ten children, in the following or-
der: Betsy, who is a resident of Scott township; Mrs. Carrie Kas-
sem, who is deceased; Mrs. Sarah Romsdahl, who makes her home
in St. James, Minnesota; Mrs. Ella W'eltha, of Ellsworth township;
Mrs. Carl Sparboe; John, a resident of Scott township; Emma, now
Mrs. Resting, of Ruthton. Minnesota; Ida, of Scott township; Mrs.
Mary Hotchkiss, M. D., of Webster City, Iowa ; and Nelson, of Scott
township. The six last named are natives of Hamilton county, where
the entire family was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Sparboe have
had seven children, but their first born, Bennett, is deceased. In order
of birth the others are as follows : Elvira, whose birth occurred May
29, 1895; Carter, who was born October 6, 1896; Anton, whose natal
day was June 21, 1900; Carl, whose birthday was January 14. 1902;
\\^illiam, who was born on the 6th of December, 1904; and Irvin,
whose birth occurred April 15, 1906. The parents are gi\'ing their
children good advantages, but they are being trained to become use-
ful members of society, and each is assigned regular tasks about the
home and fann, the girls thus becoming familar with the duties of
a housewife, while the boys are becoming proficient in the work of
the fields and care of the stock.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 443
The family hold membership in North St. Peter's Norwegian
Lutheran church of Scott township and are regular attendants of
the services. Mr. Sparboe is a democrat in his political views, but
in local elections he often casts an independent ballot. He has al-
ways taken an active interest in the affairs of the township and for
fifteen years held the office of justice of the peace while he has also
served as school director. He belongs to the broad-minded, progres-
sive type of citizen and despite the many exactions of his business man-
ages to keep in touch w-ith the vital issues of the day, and strives to
keep his community abreast with the times by supporting every move-
ment that will promote its development.
FRANKLIN J. DRAKE, AL D.
Dr. Franklin J. Drake, engaged in the practice of medicine ac-
cording to the precepts of the homeopathic school, won his degree in
1895 and has since been an active representative of the profession in
Webster City. He was born October 4, 1869, at Kingsville, in the
province of Ontario, Canada, and is a son of Joseph H. and Sarah
P. (Haynes) Drake. The mother died at the birth of her son Frank-
lin, and two years later the father, who was a physician and surgeon,
removed to Mount Vernon, Iowa, and practiced his profession there
and in other places in this state to the time of his death, which oc-
curred in 1906.
Dr. Drake, whose name introduces this re^'iew, was educated in
the public schools and in the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount
Pleasant, gaining a liberal education to serve as the foundation upon
which to build his professional learning. His medical course was
pursued in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, from which
he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of M. D. Immediately
afterward he located in Webster City, where he has since remained.
A liberal practice is accorded him and gives evidence of the confidence
reposed in his skill and ability. He is very careful in the diagnosis
of his cases and keeps in touch with the most scientific methods of
the present day.
On the 2d of May, 1895, Dr. Drake was united in marriage to
Miss Eda E. Smith, a daughter of the Rev. Samuel C. Smith, a
Methodist minister of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. They were separated
bv death, however, on the 8th of September, 1896. when Airs. Drake
444 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
passed away. On the 2d of November, 1898, Dr. Drake was again
married, his second vmion being with Miss Emma Handel, of Web-
ster City. They reside at No. 613 First street and theirs is a hos-
pitable home, always open for the reception of their many friends.
Dr. Drake is a member of the Universalist church, active and promi-
nent in its work, and is now president of the Iowa State Universalist
Convention. He has attained high rank in Masonry and is a worthy
exemplar of the craft. He belongs to Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. &
A. M., and to Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, S. P. R. S. He has
likewise crossed the sands of the desert with the nobles of Za-Ga-Zig
Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Des Moines. He is a member of
Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F., of Webster City, and of Webster
City Camp, No. 416, M. W. A., and he likewise belongs to the Country
Club. He has a very wide acquaintance in the county seat and
throughout the surrounding districts and is held in high regard, both
socially and professionally. He is a dependable man under all cir-
cumstances and his quietude of deportment, his easy dignity, his
frankness and cordiality of address, with the total absence of any-
thing sinister or anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is ready
to meet any emergency or any obligation of life with the confidence
and courage that come of conscious personal ability, right conception
of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of
human activities.
GEORGE W. COOPER.
George W. Cooper, the present mayor of Blairsburg, where he
also engages in the real-estate business, was born in Stark county,
Illinois, on the 9th of August, 1856. He is a son of John and Mary
(Hazelbaker) Cooper, natives of Pennsylvania, both of whom are
deceased, the father having passed away in 1870 and the mother in
1907. The early years of their married life were passed in the Key-
stone state, whence they subsequently remox'ed to Illinois. They were
the parents of seven children: William Valentine, born August i,
1821, who served in the Civil war as member of Company C, Eighty-
sixth Reg^iment, Illinois Volunteers, and died in Nashville, Tennes-
see, January 13, 1863; Mrs. Margaret Griffith and James Fenimore,
both deceased; Cassius C, who passed away in June, 191 1 ; Apollos,
a resident of St. Joseph. Missouri; George W., of this review; and
Ikffi. AND MRS. G. W. COOPER
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 447
Mrs. Eva Kinney, who makes her home in Seattle, Washington. The
five eldest members of the family were born in Pennsylvania but the
two last named are natives of Illinois.
The boyhood and youth of George W. Cooper were passed on the
old homestead in Illinois, his education being obtained in the common
schools. As his parents were among the pioneer settlers of Stark
county he well remembers when the country surrounding their home
was nothing but unbroken prairie. At the age of twenty-two years
he left the parental roof and started out to make his own way in the
world, first locating in Nodaway, Missouri, which was his place of
residence until 1893. In the spring of 1893 he removed to Furnas,
county, Nebraska, coming from there to Hamilton county. He de-
voted his time to agricultural pursuits until 1897, when he moved to
Blairsburg and engaged in shipping stock until 1903. He then went
into the real-estate business, continuing therein until the spring of
1907, when he removed to Ames, Iowa, where he resided for four
years. In 191 1 he once more became a resident of Hamilton county,
locating in Blairsburg. which has since been his home. Mr. Cooper
engages in the real-estate business, dealing in property in Blairsburg
and the vicinity and is meeting with success. He owns his residence
and is numbered among the town's substantial citizens.
In August, 1877, Mr. Cooper married Miss Carmelia Phillips,
who was born in Marshall county, Illinois, in 1858, and is a daughter
of John and Evaline (Sickles) Phillips, the former a native of New
Jersey and the latter of Illinois. In his early manhood Mr. Phillips
removed to Illinois and there he passed away in 1909. He is survived
by the mother, who resides at Speer, Stark county, that state. Their
family numbered four : Hamilton, who is a resident of Speer, Illi-
nois; Mrs. Delia Saggers, who lives in Chicago; Mrs. Ollie Nickerson,
who lives at Lawn Ridge.. Marshall county, Illinois ; and Mrs. Cooper.
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have two sons : Clifford W., who was born in
Nodaway county, Missouri, September 21, 1885, and who after
completing a common-school course studied electrical engineering at
the Iowa State College at Ames, of which institution he is a graduate,
and is now employed in the switching station of the Public Service
Company at Evanston, Illinois; and Edison W., who was born Octo-
ber 14, 1887, and terminated his student days upon the completion of
the grammar grades and is now engaged in the restaurant business in
Blairsburg.
In political matters Air. Cooper is a republican. He has served
both in the council and on the board of education of Blairsburg, and
448 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
in March, 19 12. was elected mayor, the duties of which office he dis-
charges most creditably. The family attend the Congregational
church of which Mrs. Cooper is a member, and figure prominently in
the social life of the community.
CHARLES ADELBERT HOWD.
For more than forty years Charles Adelbert Howd has been iden-
tified with the progress and development of Cass township, where
he lives on a farm of two hundred and eighty acres located on section
19 and engages in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising.
He is a native of Madison county, New York, his birth having oc-
curred on the 7th of January, 1846, and a son of Eli S. and Phoebe
A. (Kenyon) Howd, who passed their entire lives in the Empire
state. They were the parents of five children, our subject l>eing the
eldest of the family.
Charles Adelbert Howd was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-six years
of age and then came to Iowa, locating on the place where he now
lives. The entire farm is fenced with barbed wire, twenty acres of
it hog tight. Wherever needed the land is tiled, and one hundred
and twenty acres of it is in a high state of productivity and is largely
planted to such cereals as can be used in the feeding of stock. Mr.
Howd has always made a specialty of stock-raising and he also buys
and feeds cattle for the market.
On the ist of November, 187 1, Mr. Howd was married to Miss
Sarah Ann Sears, who was born in Madison county. New A^ork, on
the I2th of May, 1847, and is a daughter of Louis and Mary (Sev-
erance) Sears. The parents, who were also natives of the Empire
state, came to Iowa in early life and located on the farm Mr. Howd
is now cultivating, continuing to reside here until their death. Six
children have been born to Air. and Mrs. Howd, as follows : Mary
Phoebe, who married G. D. Iliompson, an attorney at Webster City,
and is the mother of four children; Hattie, the wife of F. H. Abbey
of Iowa Falls, by whom she has had two children; Eli L., a resident
of Fremont township, who is married and has two children; Arthur
S., who is married and living in Independence township, this county;
F. S., a resident of Hancock county, who is also married; and Otto
O., who is a ci\il engineer in Webster City.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 449
Air. Howd is a member of the loAva Legion of Honor, and gives
his political support to the republican party. He has served the town-
ship at various times in the capacity of assessor, trustee and clerk, and
in 1874 he was elected county superintendent of schools, which office
he held for five years, while he has been secretary of the school board
for twenty-eight years. He is one of the highly esteemed citizens
of Cass township, where his enterprise and progress have been domi-
nant factors in promoting the community welfare and the develop-
ment of various public utilities.
HENRY T. YUNGCLAS.
Henry T. Yungclas is a farmer on section ^2, Fremont town-
ship, Hamilton county, Iowa, where he is cultivating four hundred
and fift)?^ acres of land and is bringing it constantly to a higher de-
gree of improvement. He was born in Connecticut in 1862, and is
a son of John H. and Katherine (Kober) Yungclas. His father was
bom \n Hesse, Germany, in 1835 and came to the United States by
sailing vessel in 1854. The journey across the Atlantic took forty-
seven days. Upon its completion John H. Yungclas settled in Con-
necticut where he married, and removed to Tama county, Iowa,
on November i. 1862. He remained in that vicinity and cultivated
the soil successfully until 1868, when he removed to Hamilton county.
Here he bought two hundred and forty acres of land in Fremont
township and spent his active life in its cultivation. Gradually adding
to his holdings he now owns six hundred and thirty acres as a result
of extensi\e investments and was one of the representative and pro-
gressive asricuhurists in the state of Iowa. He has now retired and
is living with his wife in Webster City.
Henrv T. Yungclas received his education in the common schools
of Tama and Hamilton counties and pursued the usual course of
studv until he laid aside his books. In 1883 he rented land from
his father and started an independent agricultural enterprise. He
was a practical farmer and had gained a knowledge of the details of
his occupation in the efficient school of experience. He was success-
ful upon his rented land and was enabled in 1887 to purchase a fann
of his own. He bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 32,
Fremont township, paying for his land ten dollars per acre. He has
subsec[uently made substantial increases in his holdings l)y purchas-
450 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ing adjoining farms and his property now aggregates four hundred
and fifty acres of the most fertile land in Hamilton county. He is
responsible entirely for all the improvements upon his holdings. In
1904 he built his present barn, one hundred and twenty-eight feet
long by thirty-six feet wide. The posts which he constructed twenty
feet high gave him ample space for one hundred tons of hay and
capacity for sixty-five head of stock. The barn is ecjuipped with all
the most modern farm machiner3^ There is a twehe-horse-power
gasoline engine which puts the hay into the barn automatically and
no new development in mechanical farm implements escapes Mr.
Yungclas' attention. His farm is a model enterprise in every respect.
His harvests increase in quality and abundance every year in pro-
portion to more intense and scientific cultivation. His stock is thor-
oughbred and is an important source of Mr. Yungclas' prosperity. He
keeps a large herd of graded horses, cattle and hogs and gives careful
supervision to this branch of his enterprise.
In 1886 ^Ir. Yungclas was united in marriage to Miss Emma
Stahl, of Geneseo, Illinois, who died in 1888, leaving one daughter,
Florence. In 1890, Mr. Yungclas was again married. His second
union was with Miss Anna Argubright, a daughter of J. W. Argu-
bright, one of the early pioneer settlers of Cass township, Hamilton
county. His period of residence in that section dates from 1869 and
he is one of the representative citizens at the present day. To Mr.
Yungclas' second union have been born three children, James. Wil-
liam, and Claire, who all reside with their parents on the home farm.
Science and a progressive spirit are the basis of prosperity in any
active line and to these qualities Mr. Yungclas owes his success. His
advancement in agriculture has been along lines of development and
his present farm is the natural culmination of well directed labor
in fields of economic agriculture.
THOMAS ARTHUR LISTER.
Thomas Arthur Lister, who was one of Williams' first settlers,
having located here in 1869, was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, on the
30th of January, 1852, and is a son of Thomas Arthur and Helen
(Stevenson) Lister, who were l3orn. reared and married in Fifeshire.
They emigrated to America with their family ^vhen our subject was
a babe of three months, locating in Dunleeth, East Dubuque. Illinois.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 451
This continued to be their place of residence for some years, during
which time the father, who was a stone cutter and mason, was em-
ployed in building the wharves then in course of construction along
the :\Iississippi. They subsequently removed to Farley, Dubuque
count};, going from there to Anamosa, this state, where for some
time Mr. Lister Avas engaged in quarrying and cutting the stone for
the state penitentiary at that point. He was a very efficient and capa-
ble workman, excelling as a stone cutter, and he and his son David
were awarded the contract for cutting the stone for the foundation
of the courthouse at W'el^ster City, and they were employed in a
similar capacity on the capitol at Des Moines. The latter years of
both parents were passed in this county, the father's death occurrmg
in Rose Grove township, while the mother died in ^^^illiams on the
7th of September, 1896, at the age of seventy-one years, her natal
day having been the 12th of December, 1824. Nine children were
born to ]Mr. and Mrs. Lister, as follows: James, who is deceased;
Jane, the wife of D. O'Neill, of Barnum. Minnesota; David, who is
deceased; Thomas Arthur, our subject; Mary, now Mrs. J. N. Hough-
talling, of Webster City; Ellen, who was born on the 12th of No-
vember, 1857, the wife of A. J; Simpson, of A\^illiams, Iowa; Mar-
garet, the deceased wife of J. P. Tuttle ; John, who resides in the
vicinity of Iowa Falls ; and George, who is also deceased. The four
first named were born in Scotland, but the others are natives of this
country.
Thomas Arthur Lister was reared and educated in Illinois and
Iowa, the greater part of his life having been spent in Hamilton
county. He was only a youth of seventeen years when he first be-
came a resident of Williams, which at that time was just a railway
station. For two years he made his home at Iowa Falls, being then
engaged in the construction of the railroad between that point and
Fort Dodge.
On the 26th of August, 1880, Mr. Lister was married to ]\Iiss
Ella J. Coppher, whose birth occurred at Mendota, Illinois, on August
9. 1855. She is a daughter of A. B. and Rachel (Meeker) Coppher,
the father born in the province of Lorraine, France, his natal day be-
ing the 20th of May, 1829, and the mother born in Homer, Illinois, on
the 24th of November, 1835. Airs. Lister accompanied her parents
on their removal to Alden, Hardin county, this state, in 1865, and
completed her education in the public schools of that place. There
the mother passed away on October 31, 1869, but the father was
living in Williams at the time of his death. Six children were born
452 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
to Mr. and Mrs. Coppher, Mrs. Lister being the eldest, in order of
birth the others are as follows : La Fayette, who was born on the
13th of February, 1857, and died six days later; Charlie, who was
born July 15, i860, and died September 15, 1881 ; Elizabeth, who
was born on July 6, 1862, now Mrs. W. H. Alilnes, of Clarion, this
state; Belle, who was born November 13, 1867, the wife of R. B.
Johnson, of Des Moines, Iowa; and Albert, who was born on the
30th of September, 1869, and died on Noxember 14, 1869. The four
eldest \\ere born in Illinois, and the remaining ones in Alden. The
father, who was a carpenter by trade, erected many of the early resi-
dences and buildings in this section of the state.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lister were born two sons. The elder, Charles
William, was born on July 12, 1881, and died in Williams township
on April 8, 1910. He was married on the 22d of August, 1906, to
Miss Minnie' Bratnober, who was born in Canada on the 12th of
February, 1883, and to them was born one daughter, Ruth Ella
Marie, whose natal day was May 21, 1907. Since the death of her
husband, Mrs. Minnie Lister and her daughter have resided with our
subject and wife. A second son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Lister on
September 2^,, 1884, but he died at the age of nine days.
The family affiliates with the Presbyterian church of Williams,
and fraternally Mr. Lister l>elongs to Jungle Camp, No. 1844, M.
W. A. He accords political support to the democratic party and has
served as constable of Williams for the past ten years. He owns
his residence and has always taken an active and helpful interest in
forwarding the progress and development of the town, among whose
citizens he numbers many friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lister are
well read and own a carefully selected collection of books, one of
their most highly prized volumes being a Bible that has been in the
possession of Mrs. Lister's family for three generations.
ENOS GEORGE HOWES.
Enos George Howes, the owner of a highly cultivated and valu-
able farm of two hundred and one acres in Williams township, has
been identified with the agricultural development of Hamilton county
for thirty-nine years. He was born in Ashfield, Massachusetts,
on October 9, 1844, and is a son of Enos and Bathsheba (Vincent)
Howes, both of whom were born in Ashfield in 1800, the father's
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 453
natal day being July 19 and the mother's being March 30. They
passed their entire lives in Massachusetts and attained a ripe old
age, the father's death occurring September 23, 1880, and that of
the mother on the i6th of March, 1891. The Howes family is de-
scended from the old English house of De Huse, the form of spelling
used in 1066, which was changed from time to time until, in 1457, it
appears in the record as Howys and subsequently took its present
form. Our subject possesses a genealogical record from 1637, which
is two years prior to the settlement at Yarmouth, now Dennis, Mas-
sachusetts, of Thomas and Mary (Burr) Howes, who became mem-
bers of that colony in March, 1639. There Thomas Howes passed
away in 1665, at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Howes is very
proud of his descent from this worthy couple, who were among the
first settlers of the Massachusetts colony, and furnished many worthy
citizens to the commonwealth. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Enos
Howes numbered six, of whom our subject is the youngest. In
order of birth the others are as follows: Mary, subsequently Mrs.
Elisha Wing, who was born November 8, 1828, and died on the 2d
of November, 1897; Olive, the wife of Cyrus Allan Hall, who was
born February 28, 1830, and died August 12, 191 1; Francis S., born
on the 30th of May, 1832, died December 10, 1904; Rachel T., whose
natal day was August 24, 1837, the wife of Charles L. Hubbard, of
Wilbraham, Massachusetts; and Elisha B., a veteran of the Civil
war, who was born on the 23d of July, 1839, and died August 27,
1909.
The boyhood and youth of Enos George Howes were passed in
his native town, his education being obtained in the public schools
and Sanderson Academy. Having, been reared on a farm,
he was early trained to the work and duties of the agriculturist,
which vocation together with that of lumbering he followed until
he came to Illinois in 1867. For six years thereafter he resided in
Bureau county, that state, devoting his entire time and attention to
farming. At the expiration of that time, in 1873, he removed to
Hamilton county, and located on a farm one-half mile east of Wil-
liams, which at that time contained but seven houses. He diligently
cultivated this place for four years and then removed to a farm two
and one-half miles from the village, where he remained until he set-
tled on his present place in 1880. Here he has ever since engaged in
general farming and stock-raising, meeting with more than average
success in his undertakings, and is numbered among the substantial
and capable agriculturists of the community.
454 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
At Mendota, Illinois, occurred Mr. Howes' marriage, on Febru-
ar}^ 12, 1869, to Miss Delia Rose Hill, who, like Mr. Howes, was
born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, her birth occurring on the i8th of
December, 1843, the union being broken by her death on August 16,
1912. She was educated in the common schools and was a daughter
of Austin and Lydia (Shaw) Hill, both descended from old Bay
state families. The father was born in Ashfield on November 3,
1802, and the mother in Plainfield, on the 25th of October, 1804.
They long outlived the Psalmist's alloted span, Mr. Hill's death oc-
curring on June 24, 1887, and that of the mother three days later.
Mrs. Howes was the youngest of the four children born to her par-
ents, the others being as follows : Clarissa, who was born on Au-
gust 22, 1833, the wife of Charles Barrus and a resident of Goshen,
Massachusetts; Mary Augusta, whose birth occurred on the 24th of
October, 1835, the wife of David Thayer, of Plainfield, Massachu-
setts; and Leander V., a Civil war veteran, who was born on March
4. 1839, and died in October, 1909. Both ]\Ir. and Mrs. Howes were
descendants of Revolutionary soldiers, the maternal grandfathers of
each having been veterans of that war.
To Mr. and Mrs. Howes was born one son, Archie Ernest, whose
birth occurred at Lamoille, Bureau county, Illinois, on the 31st of
December, 1870. He was reared in Hamilton county and obtained
his education in the Williams public schools and the high school
of Iowa Falls, having graduated from the latter institution, w^ith
the class of 1893. He has ever since been associated with his father
in the cultivation of the farm and continues to reside on the old home-
stead. On the ist of September, 1909, at Iowa Falls, Iowa, he was
married to Miss Ina Faith Caruth, who was born at Mendota, La
Salle county, Illinois, on March 14, 1889, and they have become the
parents of a daughter, Edith Rosetta, whose natal day was the 23d
of July, 1910.
Bioth father and son vote the republican ticket and take an active
interest in local politics. The former served for four years as con-
stable, having been the incumbent of this ofiice when the township
was yet known as Blairsburg and having continued in the same capacity
after the name was changed to Williams. He also served as town-
ship trustee and as a member of the school board for four years,
while he discharged the duties of justice of the peace for eight. The
son, A. E. Howes, was assessor for six years, while he served as
trustee and also a member of the school board for two years. He
and his wife are members of the Presbvtrian church at \\^illiams as
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
455
was also the mother and both father and son Ijelong to the Iowa
Leg-ion of Honor. Air. E. G. Howes is one of the widely known
citizens of AA'ilHams township, where l)oth he and his son are held
in high regard, lieing known as men of honor and integrity, whose
lousiness transactions are above question.
J. A. NELSON.
J A. Nelson, ^\•ho has been conducting a piano and music store in
Ellsworth since 191 o, is one of the capable and highly regarded younger
men of the commercial circles of the town. He is a native of La Salle
county, Illinois, his birth having occurred on April 5. 1879. and a son
of Nels G. and Emma (Jacobs) Nelson. The father was born in Nor-
way, but when a child of five years he came to America with his par-
ents, who located on a farm in Wisconsin. There he was reared to
manhood and educated and when old enough to become self-support-
ing, left home and went out to work by the month as a farm hand.
He subsequently went to Illinois and engaged in farming for himself.
In 1855 he came to Iowa but shortly afterward returned to Illinois,
where he remained until 1880, when he came to Hamilton county, lo-
cating on a farm which he had previously purchased. He is thrifty
and energetic and so intelligently directed his undertakings that he
has met with more than average success. As iiis circumstances war-
ranted he extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprised
two hundred and eighty acres. He also has extensive realty inter-
ests in Minnesota and South Dakota, and is numbered among the
substantial citizens of Hamilton county. The mother, who was also
a native of Norway, passed away in 1896.
J. A. Nelson was still in his infancy when his parents located in
Iowa, where he has ever since made his home. He was reared on the
farm and began his education in the district school, continuing it in the
college at Jewell, this state, being graduated from that institution with
the class of 1897. For two years thereafter he engaged in teaching,
but at the expiration of that time he resolved to identify himself with
commercial activities, so he came to Ellsworth and became associated
in the general mercantile business with Mr. Eittreim under the firni
name of Nelson-Eittreim Company. They carried a large and varied
stock, \\luch they offered at reasonable prices, and as they were gra-
cious and accommodating to those who accorded them their patronage.
Vol. n— 24
456 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
succeeded in building up a good trade. Mr. Nelson sold his interest
in the enterprise to Henry L. Hanson in 1910, and opened a piano
and music store.
On the 14th of June, 1905. Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Helen
E. Hanson, a daughter of Alex and Carrie (Johnson) Hanson, na-
tives of Norway. They were among the early settlers of Hamilton
county, where for many years the father engaged in farming, but he
is now living retired in Ellsworth. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have one
child, Vernon C, who is five years of age. They have a very pleas-
ant residence, which has only recently been completed and is thor-
oughly modern.
In matters of religious faith, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are Luther-
ans, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belong-
ing to the lodge at Jewell, and he also holds memebrship in the Benev-
olent Protective Order of Elks of Webster City. He votes the re-
publican ticket, and has for some time served on the county central
committee, while for two years he was clerk of the town council. Mr.
Nelson is a man of laudable ambition, progressive spirit and enter-
prising methods. His undertakings are directed with intelligence and
foresight and he is meeting with success in the development of his in-
terests.
OSCAR F. DONALDSON.
Oscar F. Donaldson has for the past eight years been successfully
engaged in the real-estate and insurance business at Webster City, his
office being at No. 501^ Second street. He has also devoted consid-
erable attention to literary work and in this connection has won fav-
orable recognition." His birth occurred at Iowa City, Iowa, in 1872,
his parents being Oscar C. and Mary ( Sinnett) Donaldson. The
father, who was born near Baltimore, Maryland, in 1830, came to Fort
Dodge, Iowa, in 1858 and preempted four hundred acres of land on
section 22, Independence township, Hamilton county. Subsequently
he took up his abode in Iowa City, there residing until 1878, when
he came to Webster City. Here he opened a store for the sale of boots
and shoes exclusively, this being the first establishment of its kind in
the city. He successfully conducted the same throughout the re-
mainder of his life, passing away on the 3d of April, 1892, when sixty-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY ' 457
two years of age. His wife was called to her final rest in 1902, being
at that time also sixty-two years of age.
Oscar F. Donaldson acquired his education in the graded and high
schools of Webster City, the year of his graduation being 1892. He
then pursued a commercial course in the Ottawa Business College at
Ottawa, Illinois, and after his father's death managed the latter's es-
tate. From 1895 until 1904 he likewise acted as office manager for the
Litchfield Manufacturing Company of Webster City, resigning that
position when the concern moved to another town. During this period
he siDent a year in travel throughout the west by wagon and team in
order to regain his health and strength. Since 1904 he has devoted
his time and energies to the real-estate and insurance business and has
enjoyed a gratifying clientage. In 1905 he began the publication of
The Christian Socialist, which is now being published in Chicago and
has a circulation of about fifty thousand copies per issue. He is still
interested financially in this publication and also contributes articles on
socialism and kindred subjects. He is likewise the author of a book
entitled "Workingman's View of the Bible" and is well know^n as a
forceful and virile writer.
In 1899 Mr. Donaldson was united in marriage to Miss Ella C.
Cameron, her father being John C. Cameron, now of Hamilton county
and formerly of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson have four chil-
dren, namely : Ralph F., Ruth Mary, Frances and Helen. The fam-
ily residence is at No. 1204 Superior street in Webster City.
For five years Air. Donaldson served as councilman of the second
ward in Webster City. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fra-
ternity, belonging to Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M., and he is also
a valued member of the Congregational church. In all life's relations
he has been true to his obligations and duties and is greatly esteemed
in Webster City, where he has lived from early boyhood.
THOMAS FRANKLIN.
Thomas Franklin is engaged in the contracting and building busi-
ness in Williams, where he is meeting" with very good success. He
w^as born in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, on the 23d of October, 1876,
and is a son of John and Bridget Franklin. The parents are natives of
Ireland, whence they emigrated to the United States in early life, and
for some years resided in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, wliere all of
458 * HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
their children were born with the exception of the youngest daughter.
They came to Iowa in 1878, and located on a farm in the vicinity of
Williams, in the cultivation of which the father engaged during the
remainder of his active life. He subsequently removed to Williams,
where he is now living retired at the age of seventy-six years, while
the mother is seventy-five. Their family numbers six, and all are resi-
dents of Williams with the exception of the youngest. In order of
birth they are as follows : Margaret, who was born on the 9th of
June, 1866, the wife of George D. Doyle, who is mentioned at greater
length elsewhere in this work; William, whose natal day was the 226.
of February, 1868; Mrs. Mary Doyle, who was born in October, 1870;
John, whose birth occurred on the 2d of June, 1872; Thomas, our
subject; and Nellie, whose birth occurred on the 2d of June, 1879, in
Hamilton county, now a resident of Sioux City, Iowa.
Thomas Franklin was a child of only two years when he accom-
panied his parents on their removal to Hamilton county. Here he
was reared to manhood on his father's farm, obtaining his education
in the common schools. He was early trained to agricultural pursuits,
but later turned his attention to other activities and subsequently
learned the carpenter's trade. He is now engaging in contracting and
building, and as he is efificient and reliable is meeting with very good
success in his undertakings.
Mr. Franklin resides with his parents. He is a communicant of
the Roman Catholic church, and his political support he accords to
the democratic party. He is widely known in this vicinity, where he
has passed the greater part of his life and has many friends, the major-
ity of whom are comrades of his boyhood days.
FRANCIS EDMUND ^^'HITLEY.
In a profession in which success depends entirely upon individual
merit and in which failure has such dire results Dr. Francis E. ^^^hitley
has attained in more than twenty-five years of earnest and able work
a place of prominence and importance. For over a quarter of a cen-
tury he has been located in Webster City and is recognized as one of
the most deservedly successful physicians and surgeons in the com-
munity. He was l^orn in Chautauqua county, New York, February 23.
1857. a son of J. and Sarah Whitley, who came from England nearly
seventy years ago and settled in that section of the Empire state.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 459
Dr. Whitley received his primary education in the Jamestown
(New York) Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated in
1875, and then supplemented this by a two years' course in the Cedar
Valley Seminary. Determining to study medicine, he set about the
acquirement of the first and most important requisite for success, a
thorough special education. Entering Rush Medical College of Chi-
cago, he received his degree of M. D. from that institution in 1881 and
immediately afterward enrolled in the Chicago Polyclinic. Besides
this he did other important post-graduate work and when he finally
began practicing had a splendid equipment and training. He first went
to Traer, Tama county, Iowa, and there spent six years before settling
in Webster City, where he has been active for over twenty-five years,
during which time his practice has reached gratifying proportions,
^ledical ability soon gains recognition and it is the simple foundation
of Dr. Whitley's success. Always a close and earnest student of the
underlying principles of medicine, he keeps in touch with the most ad-
vanced thought of the profession and has personal contact with many
of its most able representatives through his membership in the Central
District Medical Association, of which he is an ex-president and vice
president, in the Hamilton County Medical Association, of which he is
also an ex-president, in the Iowa State Aledical Society and the Amer-
ican Aledical Association. He was also brought into close connection
with a special phase of his work in Tama county, where he was trustee
for the Hospital for the Insane, at Independence, for seven years
and this interest he has carried forward into his later career, being
now a member of the board of commissioners of insanity for Hamil-
ton county.
Besides his private work Dr. Whitley gives a great deal of his time
to the practice of medicine in connection with railroads. He is local
surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and his special in-
terest in this line of work has led to his membership in the American
Association of Railroad Surgeons and in the Surgical Association of
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He is also examining surgeon
for Company C, Iowa National Guard, and examiner for numerous
life insurance companies of this district.
On January 2, 1883. in W^ebster City. Dr. Whitley was united in
marriage to Miss Cora Call, a daughter of Rev. L. N. Call, and they
have three children : Gladys, a graduate of Iowa State University and
the wife of Varrick C. Crosby; Grace, also a graduate of the State I'ni-
versity; and Guyon.
460 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Dr. Whitley gives his allegiance to the republican party and al-
though never active as an office seeker, he has done able and effective
work along the lines of his interests. In Tama county he was for sev-
eral years school director and was for some time health officer of Web-
ster City. In this capacity his work was an important factor in the
spread of knowledge of the value of health, the effect upon it of sanita-
tion, exercise and general cleanliness. During the many years of his
residence in the city he has attained a success which in itself is a proof
of his ability and his practice, although definitely established, is con-
tinually increasing as the quality of his work becomes more widely
known.
GUY SOWERS.
Hamilton county numbers among its citizens many progressive and
enterprising farmers, who were born and reared uix)n the acres which
they are cultivating and who are carrying on farming along lines of
development inaugurated by their fathers and grandfathers. Guy
Sowers, who is operating a homestead of forty acres of fine land in
Ellsworth township, is an agriculturist of this type. He was born
August I, 1873, a son of Lindsey and Rebecca E. (Ward) Sowers,
who were among the earliest settlers in Hamilton county. The father
was born in Fountain county, Indiana, December 25, 1833, and died
in Ellsworth township upon his farm March 4. 191 1. The mother of
our subject was born in Crawford county, Ohio, December 12, 1839,
and came to Ellsworth township with her husband in the fall of 1856.
Here her death occurred February 12. 1898. In the family of Mr. and
Mrs. Lindsey Sowers were eight children: Laura, born June 4. 1863.
who died March 26, 1865; Albert, who was born March 2^, 1865;
Henry, born October 21, 1866, who died May 26. 1867; Pearly, whose
birth occurred May 18, 1868; Mrs. Mary Hughes, who was born Feb-
ruary 7, 1871; Guy, of this review; Planey, born January 29, 1876;
and Charles, whose natal day was May 16, 1878. All of the chil-
dren were born and raised in Ellsworth township and are still residing
there.
Guy Sowers attended the public schools of his native section and
since laying aside his books has given his entire attention to general
fanning and well drilling. He owns forty acres of land on section
33. Ellsworth township, and to their cultivation brings long experience
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUXTY 461
in the details of farming. His soil is fertile and productive and he
gathers rich harvests every year as the reward for the intelligent care
and labor which he bestows upon his place. His methods are modern
and his farm is equipped with the most approved machinery. He lives
in a comfortable and well furnished home upon his property and has
many friends in this district where he is well known and prominent.
Mr. Sowers married Miss Maggie Henderson, who was born in
Scott township, January 9. 1880. She attended the public schools of
her native section and remained at home until her marriage. Mr. and
Mrs. Sowers have three children, all natives of Ellsworth township;
Bessie, born August 30, 1899; Irma, who was born May 30, 1902;
and Sarah, whose birth occurred December 24, 1909. The two eldest
daughters are attending school in the community. The wife of our
subject is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, of Randall.
Mr. Sowers gives his allegiance to the democratic party but never
seeks public office, preferring to devote his entire time to his agricul-
tural pursuits. His farm is intelligently operated and responds to the
careful supervision and practical methods of its owner in increased
productiveness, so that Mr. Sowers is classed among the enterprising
and successful farmers of Hamilton county.
REV. MICHAEL K. NORTON.
Rev. Michael K. Norton, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic
church of Webster City, was born in Raines ville, Ohio, May 12, 1856.
His parents were John and Mary (Codde) Norton, both of whom came
to the United States when quite young. They resided in Ohio until
after their marriage and then removed to Wisconsin, where they still
make their home.
Father Michael K. Norton was quite young at the time of the re-
moval to the Badger state, in the public schools of which he acquired
his early education. He afterward attended St. Francis Seminary of
Milwaukee and pursued his philosophical studies in St. Joseph College
at Dubuque, Iowa. He was ordained for the priesthood on the 28th
of May, 1882, by Bishop Hennessey and was assigned to duty for
three months in Clinton, Iowa. He then took charge of the mission
and remained in that capacity for five years. His field of labor in-
cluded the towns of Spencer, Spirit Lake and Esthen-ille, Iowa, in
each of which he succeeded in organizing a good congregation and in
462 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
erecting houses of worship. He was next sent to Allamakee county,
Iowa in 1887 and for eighteen years thereafter was pastor in that
county. In 1905 he came to Webster City as pastor of the church of
.St. Thomas Aquinas. His labors here have been marked by con-
tinuous progress. He has cleared off the church debt, has built the
present parish house and has made other improvements in the church
property, while the congregation has advanced steadily in spiritual
growth. He has the good-will and high regard of his parishioners, who
often come to him for temporal as well as spiritual advice. He is
chaplain of the Knights of Columbus and those who meet him find
that he possesses pleasing social cjualities. His wide study has made
him a broad-minded man and he keeps informed on many questions
that affect the general interests of society.
MARSHALL HOMER BRINTON.
In all Hamilton county there was never a man more greatly loved
than Marshall Homer Brinton. His memory is enshrined in the
hearts of all who knew him. He was a most capa1)le business man
and won a substantial measure of success, but it was not success gained
at the cost of another's failure. He ever followed constructive meth-
ods and as he builded for himself contributed also to the welfare and
prosperity of the community. It was not his material advancement,
however, that made Mr. Brinton so popular and so well liked. It
was because he was a manly man. true to the highest principles, loyal
to his friends, . devoted to his family and unpretentiously but un-
hesitatingly faithful to his religious professions. The character which
he builded is his best monument, for it left an indelible impress upon
all with whom he came in contact, inspiring others to good deeds
and to higher ideals.
Mr. Brinton was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, on the
i6th of September, 1856, his parents being Stephen Marshall and
Mary (McGrew) Brinton. His early educational opportunities were
supplemented by study in the \\'ashington and Jefferson College of
Washington, Pennsylvania. He lived the life of a farmer and
financier and in all of his business connections displayed notable
business ability, sagacity, enterprise and determination. He became
a resident of Hamilton county in 1884 and in the interval to the
time of his death, which occurred on the 6th of Tune, 1912. he man-
-{^^
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 465
aged and controlled important business activities which resulted
beneficially to the district at large as well as to himself. His invest-
ments in real estate w^ere judiciously made and he became the owner
of jiiore than a thousand acres of fine farm land in Hamilton county
in addition to farming properties in North and South Dakota and
Minnesota. He was also the founder and president of the Ellsworth
State Bank, making this a substantial financial institution which grew
along healthful lines because of the safe, conservative business policy
followed. Extending his financial connections still farther, he be-
came one of the heavy stockholders and the president of the Amer-
ican Life Insurance Company of Des Moines and largely guided its
policy, making it one of the most reliable and trustworthy enterprises
of this character in the middle west. In all of his business career
there was not a single esoteric phase. He was fair and honorable
and straightforward in every relation. The splendid success that
came to him was the merited and well earned reward of persistent
labor, of sound judgment and unfaltering perseverance. Moreover,
as he prospered he generously extended a helping hand to many a
traveler on life's journey- A well known banker of the county said
that probably no banker in all Iowa ever took more or greater chances
loaning money to young men to start their business careers than Mr.
Brinton, and many a business man now prosperous owxs his present
position in large measure to the aid which he received from Mr.
Brinton at the outset of his career.
On the 13th of June, 1888, in Pennsylvania, Mr. Brinton was
united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Scott and unto them were
born four children, Alary Inez, Scott Marshall, Edward Donald and
May Esther. Mr. Brinton was a member of the Congregational
church and for many years served as superintendent of the Sunday
school at Ellsworth. He took active part in all lines of church work
and contributed most generously to its support. But this was not
all : this man of wealth and large business interests did not hold him-
self above doing the janitor work in the church when the congrega-
tion was struggling for an existence. He did not regard it as menial
but rather as an honor to thus serve in promoting the cause of
Christianity. He was a valued member of various fraternal organi-
zations, having attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry, while
also holding membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mutual Brother-
hood of America. Nor were duties of citizenship in any wise neg-
lected. He realized the obligations as well as the privileges that de-
466 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
volved upon him as an American citizen and loyally supported the
principles which he deemed of most benefit to the public, voting ever
with the republican party, which in 1893 elected him to represent
Hamilton county in the state legislature and indorsed his first tenri's
service in a reelection in 1895. His political honesty equalled his
business integrity, neither fear nor favor swerving him from a course
which he believed to be right and just. Nor did he neglect local
interests, for one of the home papers said : "AH that Ellsworth is
today it owes to M. H. Brinton, and every man, woman and child
in that town and for many miles around loved and honored him as
though he were a close relative." Young and old, rich and poor,
called him Homer. This was indicative of the character of the man,
his brotherly spirit, his unfaltering kindness, his helpful attitude
toward all and his unfeigned cordiality and geniality. No funeral
service in the county was ever more largely attended and no ex-
pression of grief was more extended and heartfelt than that mani-
fested when M. H. Brinton passed away. All who knew him feel
that he has passed on to a higher life with broader opportunities,
joining "the choir invisible who live -again in lives made better by
their presence."
JAMES M. BELL.
James M. Bell is conducting an up-to-date grocery store at No.
921 Seneca street, Webster City, Iowa, and has gained during the
years of his connection with this enterprise a reputation of the highest
character for fair and honest dealing and true ability along this line.
He was born in Webster county, Iowa, in 1855, and is a son of Alonzo
and Sarah J. (Neese) Bell. His father was a native of Indiana and
came to Webster county with his father, Isaac Bell, who was one of the
pioneers in the early settlement of Iowa. He had two sons. Alonzo
and Preston, both of whom have been prominent in various sections
of Iowa from an early date. Alonzo Bell settled in Webster county
in 1852 and his brother Preston was successful in Hamilton county
as early as 1849. The Bell family have been prominent in business,
commercial and social circles of Webster county for many years and
Benjamin Bell, the great-grandfather of our subject was the first man
buried in Vigers cemetery in that section. Alonzo Bell was married in
\\^ebster county and died there in 1903 at the age of sixty-nine years.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 467
His wife passed away in 1857, when she was only twenty-one years of
age.
James M. Bell was reared at home and educated in the public
schools of Webster and Story counties. His early life was spent upon
the farm which his father was operating and he was active in agri-
cultural lines until 1876 in which year he attained his majority and
purchased property for himself in Story county which he developed
and improved for four years. In 1880 he made a journey to the
American northwest and located in Vancouver, Washington, where
he was employed in a general merchandise store for seven years. He
eventually returned to Story county to his original farm and spent two
years as an agriculturist in that section followed by a like period of
activity in Hamilton county. In 189 1 he again went to Vancouver,
where he engaged in various lines of mercantile endeavor until 1900,
when he returned to Webster City and after spending four years in
various capacities established his present grocery business in 1904.
He has been identified with this concern since that time and each year
has seen a marked advancement in his prosperity.
In 1888 Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Ella S. Storey,
a daughter of O. W. Storey, of Hamilton county, who was one of the
re]iresentative and enterprising agriculturists of that region until his
death in 1887, when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife survived
him until 1905, dying at the age of eighty-two. To Mr. and Mrs.
James M. Bell have been born two children: Ernest 'C, born in 1892;
and Esther I., whose birth occurred in 1895. They reside with their
parents at No. 921^ Seneca street, Webster City.
Mr. Bell has been successful as a grocer because he buys and sells
the right goods at the right prices and is systematic in his expenditures.
He is prosperous and honored for his business integrity and sagacity,
which qualities are the basis of his successful career as a merchant.
CASH & LEHNHARD.
The clothing and tailoring establishment of Cash & Lehnhard. one
of the leading enterprises of the kind in Webster City and Hamilton
county, was established in 1869 by F. I. Cash, the father of the senior
partner of the firm as it now exists. He had as a partner a Mr. Smith
and later was joined in the business by W. W. Wells. This part-
nership was maintained for about two years, after which F. I. Cash
468 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
conducted his tailoring establishment alone until 1890, when he was
joined by his son, F. F. Cash, who has been connected with the business
from that time to the present. The partnership between father and
son still exists under the style of F. I. Cash & Son and prosperity at-
tended the undertaking as it had previously done. In 1900 Fred F.
Cash and L. A. Lehnhard became partners in the clothing business
under the firm name of Lehnhard & Company, which in 1909 was
changed to Cash & Lehnhard. They opened a men's furnishing store
and carry ready-made clothing and also conduct a merchant tailoring
business. The latter is presided over by Emil Beck, acknowledged to
be one of the best cutters and tailors in Iowa. Mr. Cash spends much
of his time upon the road soliciting trade, and the patronage of the
house is steadily growing. The partners are men of recognized busi-
ness ability, enterprising, alert, active and detemiined, and their even-
paced energy is carrying them steadily forward to success.
Fred F. Cash was born in Webster City, Iowa, in 1869. his parents
being F. I. and Nancy A. (Johnson) Cash. The father's birth oc-
curred in Danville, Indiana, November 20, 1832, and in 1867 he wed-
ded Aliss Nancy Johnson, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in
1835. They became the parents of three children. Maud A., Fred F. and
Emma M. The elder daughter is now the wife of \\'. R. Ryan, of
Webster City, and Emma M. is the wife of R. E. Towle, of Boston.
Massachusetts. The father died in 1904, having for almost a quarter
of a century survived his first wife, who passed away in 1880. Both
were laid to rest in the cemetery of Webster City. The father was
again married and is survived by his second wife, w-ho bore the maiden
name of Harriett Johnson and is living in Webster City. Throughout
the period of his residence here F. I. Cash maintained an enviable
place and reputation in business circles, having the warm regard of
many friends, for he was ever found trustworthy and reliable.
Fred F. Cash has practically spent his entire life in Webster City,
pursuing his education in its public schools and here passing the period
of his boyhood. Since starting out in the business world he has been
connected with tailoring, clothing and the sale of men's furnishing
goods. He became associated with his father, under whom he received
liis business training, and since 1890 has been a partner in the store.
In 1907 Mr. Cash was united in marriage to Miss Linda Bart-
lett, of Disco, Wisconsin, a daughter of L. and Jennie ( O'Hearn )
Bartlett. Her father was engaged in farming and the implement busi-
ness at Melrose, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Cash have become the par-
ents of one son, Frank Jackson Bartlett, who w-as born March 20, 1909.
HISTORY OF HA^riLTOX COUXTV 469
Louis Lehnharcl, junior partner in the firm of Cash & Lehnhard,
was born in Ohio, June 17, 1875, and is a son of Louis C. and Mary
(Blankenbuhler) Lehnhard. The father was also a native of Ohio,
while the mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania. In their family
were two sons and one daughter. In the schools of his native state
Louis Lehnhard acquired his education and in 1890 he came with his
mother to Iowa. The following year he entered the employ of F. I.
Cash and with the reorganization of the business was admitted to part-
nership in 1900. He is a practical tailor and thoroughly understands
the business in every phase and detail. In manner he is social and
genial and one with whcjm it is a pleasure to trade.
In December, 1900. Air. Lehnhard was married to Miss Martha M.
Young, a daughter of J. W. Y^oung, and they have become the parents .
of two children: Margaret L., born July 22, 1903; and Mary F.,
December 8. 1905. Both partners are well known and representative
business men of Webster City, wdiere they have long resided. They
give close and unremitting attention to their business affairs, and seek
success along honorable lines by straightforward business methods.
ALBERT P. HOLT
Albert P. Holt is one of the well known citizens of Ellsworth.
Hamilton county, Iowa, and is numbered among the enterprising and
successful farmers of the township in which he lives. He was born
September 9, 1869, in Norway and is a son of Peter K. and Martha
Plolt. both of whom were natives of Norway. The parents emigrated
to America in 1875. settling first in Illinois. In 1882 they removed to
Iowa, where the father rented a farm and was engaged in the cultiva-
tion of that land for a period of six years. He then bought one hun-
dred and eighty-five acres located on section 30. Lincoln township,
Hamilton county, which he improved and on which he continued to
reside until the time of his death, which occurred in 1904. The
mother died in 1905 and she and her husl^and are buried in Homewood
cemetery. They were the parents of eight children.
Albert P. Holt was reared in his parents' home and received his
early education in the public schoofs. He remained under the parental
roof until after the death of his parents, when in company with his
brother, Bardinus P. Holt, he continued the cultivation of the home-
stead until 19 1 2, at which time his brother, who was the sixth child in
470 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
order of birth in his father's family, his birth having occurred August
5, 1864, became the owner of the old homestead, on which he has since
continued to live. On June 15, 1896, Bardinus P. Holt was united
in marriage to Miss Inga Olson and they became the parents of two
children, both of whom 'died in infancy, while the mother's death
occurred July 26, 1902. On September 29, 1904, the father was again
married, his second union being with Miss Emily Olson, of Hamilton
county. She was the youngest member of a family of six children and
was born May 9, 1873. The two children of this marriage are Martha
T. and Raymond P. Bertil Holt, the brother of the subject of this re-
view, was born September 29, 1858, and now resides on his fanu of
one hundred and sixty acres located on section 30, Lincoln township.
Hamilton county, which property he purchased in 1890. He was the
fourth in line of birth in his father's family and was united in mar-
riage in 1 89 1 to Miss Helen Arre, a native of Norway. To their union
five children were born, Martin, Adolph, Clarence, Otto and Helen.
The mother of these children died in 1900 and in 1908 Mr. Holt
wedded Miss Bartina Eik, of Norway, and they are the parents of two
children, Berghat and Perry.
The three brothers, Albert P., Bardinus P. and Bertil Holt, are all
engaged in general farming, each on his own land in Hamilton county.
They belong to the republican party and are affiliated with the Nor-
wegian Lutheran church. They are numbered among the substan-
tial, reliable men of Hamilton county and have made a gratifying
success in agricultural pursuits.
GEORGE O. PRESCOTT.
George O. Prescott, who owns and conducts a meat market, has
been a resident of Ellsworth for more than twenty years, during
which time he has been successfully identified with various commer-
cial activities, and is numbered among the town's most capable busi-
ness men. He was bom in Norway on the 12th of October, 1874, and
is a son of Odde and Curo (Prestegaard) Prescott. The parents still
reside in Norway, where the father, who for many years followect
the blacksmith's trade, is now living retired at the age of eighty, while
the mother has passed the seventieth anniversary of her birth.
George O. Prescott was a youth of only seventeen years when he
left his native land and emigrated to the United States, where he com-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 471
pleted his education. He came direct to Hamilton county, and dur-
ing the first year of his residence here was a member of a section crew
on the railroad. He next obtained employment drilling wells, but
after following this occupation for two years, he engaged in the same
business for himself, and during the succeeding five years drilled sixty-
six deep wells. At the expiration of that period he disposed of this
business and purchased a livery barn and dray line, which he operated
until 1899. In the latter year he likewise disposed of this enterprise
and went into the restaurant business, but in 1903 he withdrew from
the latter enterprise and turned his attention to commercial pursuits.
For two years thereafter he engaged in the general mercantile busi-
ness, but at the end of that period he sold his store and went back to
Norway on a visit. Six months later he returned to Hamilton county
and rented a farm, and for six years thereafter devoted his entire time
and attention to agricultural pursuits with excellent success. During
that period he purchased the meat market he now owns, hiring a man
to operate it until ]\Iarch, 191 1, when he left the farm and moved to
town to take charge of his business. In 1910, he erected the fine two-
stor}^ brick building, where his market is now located, and in April,
191 1, he built his present residence, the two costing him about fifteen
thousand dollars. His home is thoroughly modern in all of its ap-
pointments and is one of the very attractive places of the town. Air.
Prescott still engages in farming, cultivating the twenty-five acres of
land where his residence is located in addition to eighty acres which he
rents. He has manifested clear judgment and much sagacity in the
direction of his undertakings and has met with a corresponding de-
gree of prosperity. He has an interest in one hundred and twenty
acres of land north of town, and owns stock in the Ellsworth Cream-
ery and Ellsworth Telephone Company, having been one of the organ-
izers of the latter.
In Chicago, on the i8th of February. 1908, Mr. Prescott was united
in marriage to Miss Dora Tonneson.a daughter of Xels and Thora
Tonneson, natives of Norway, and they have become the parents of
two children: George Oliver, who is three years of age; and Melda
Thelma, who has passed the first anniversary of her Ijirth.
The parents affiliate with the Lutheran church, and fraternally Mr.
Prescott is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, be-
ing identified with the Webster City lodge. His political allegiance
he gives to the republican party and served for three years as road
supervisor. He is one of the enterprising, progressive citizens of Ells-
worth. Avhere he is held in high esteem by reason of his upright prin-
472 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ciples and honorable methods of conducting his transactions. Mr.
Prescott has never had occasion to regret transferring his allegiance
to this country, as he has found here the opportunities he sought and
is prospering in his undertakings.
L. G. OMVIG.
L. G. Omvig is one of the most prosperous, enterprising and suc-
cessful farmers in Ellsworth township and has been identified with ag-
ricultural pursuits since his early childhood. He was born upon the
farm which he now operates January 8, 1879, a son of T. J. and
Alice (Mason) Omvig, natives of Norway, who came to America,
July 17, 1861. and settled on a farm near Morris, Illinois. From
there they removed to Hamilton county, Iowa, upon the homestead
now operated by tlieir sons. They had twelve children : Mrs. Anna
Osman, whose home is at Story City; John, a resident of Hardy;
Mrs. Martha Malmanger, who lives at Ames; Thomas, a resident of
Hardy; Mrs. Inger Stout, of Jewell, Iowa; L. G. : Mrs. Ellen Mal-
manger, of Crookston, Minnesota; Mrs. Bertha Sylvester, of Crooks-
ton, Minnesota ; Mrs. Louise Stout, of Clear Lake township ; Edward,
who resides with the subject of this sketch on the old home fann:
Martin, of Story City; and Emil. of Hardy. Anna and John were
born near Norway, Benton county, Iowa, and the younger children
were born in Ellsworth township, Hamilton county.
L. G. Omvig attended the district schools of his native section
and from an early date aided his father in the work of the farm, gain-
ing thus a detailed and valuable knowledge of methods and standards
of operation. In 1909 he and his brother Edward took charge of
the old homestead of two hundred acres in Ellsworth township and
are engaged in its improvement and operation, bringing to their agri-
cultural pursuits experienced, knowledge and the business ability to
make this knowledge effective. They have one of the finest farms in
the district and are ranked among the most important and progressive
agriculturists in Ellsworth township.
Mr. Omvig was married in 1901 to Miss Belle Olson, who was born
in Clear Lake township, Hamilton county, March 16, 1881. Her father,
Benedict Olson, was born in Norway and is now residing in Clear
Lake township, in the seventy-third year of his age. Her mother,
Tillie Olson, is also a native of Norway and is seventy-two years old.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 473
The parents came to America in 1871 and were among the earhest
settlers in Hamilton county. To them eight children were born : Mrs.
Ora Jackson, of Oklahoma; Mrs. Hannah Mathia, of Story City,
Iowa; John, whose home is in Fargo, North Dakota; George, a resi-
dent of Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. Ella Extrand, of Tacoma, Washing-
ton; Belle, the wife of our subject; Ivor, of Clear Lake township; and
Benjamin, of Morehead, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Omvig have two
children: Burnett Tilden, born April 22, 1902; and Arnold Byron,
born November 25, 1907.
Mr. Omvig gives his allegiance to the republican party but has
never been active as office seeker, preferring to devote his entire time
to his fann. Upon it he raises high-grade cattle in addition to general
farming and has been remarkably successful in this branch of his ac-
ti\-ities. The farm, which was a tract of wild prairie land when his
parents settled in Hamilton county, is now one of the most highly im-
proved in this section of the state and its owners are ranked among
Ellsworth township's most prominent native sons.
DANIEL D. C. TEMPLER.
Daniel D. C. Templer was for many years one of the most promi-
nent and valued residents of Hamilton county. He lived in this sec-
tion for over a quarter of a century and was closely identified with its
business and agricultural interests. He died upon his farm in Ells-
worth township, October 17. 1897, having by that time accomplished
a distinct and substantial success. Mr. Templer was born in Sche-
nectady county. New York, May 2, 1838, a son of William and Ann
(Staley) Templer. natives of New York, both of whom died in that
state. Members of the Staley family, however, were among the
earliest settlers in Hamilton county. Mr. and Mrs. Templer had
three sons, all of whom have passed away, Oliver, Daniel D.
C. and William. All of the children in this family were born and
reared in New York.
Daniel D. C. Templer received his education in the public schools
of the Empire state and was twenty-nine years of age when he left
home. In 1867 he went west and settled in Hardin county, Iowa,
where he remained for three years, coming to Ellsworth township,
Hamilton county, in 1870. He purchased one hundred and seven acres
of land on section 15 and improved and operated this property until
Vol. n— 2 5
474 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
his death. His methods were practical and progressive and conse-
quently productive of good results and his farm is one of the finest
in this section of the state. He gave all of his time and attention to
its development for over twenty-five years and upon it he passed away
October 17, 1897, in the fifty-ninth year of his age.
Mr. Templer was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Ennis, who
was born in Princeton, New York, December 8, 1845, a daughter of
Joseph and Ruth Ann (Norris) Ennis, natives of New York, who
died in that state. In their family were five children besides the wife
of our subject, Robert, Nathaniel, William, Jennie and IMaggie. Of
these one daughter and two sons still survive. Mr. and Airs. Templer
became the parents of six children : Mrs. Ann Sowers, residing in
Ellsworth township ; Jane, who is engaged in teaching school and who
is residing with her mother on the home farm ; Ettie, who is employed
as assistant in a photographer's office in Des Aloines; Maggie. wh<t
died October 14. 1910; Cammie ; and Archie. The two oldest are
cultivating the homestead and Archie has recently purchased eighty
acres adjoining his father's farm.
Air. Templer gave his allegiance to the democratic party and was
intelligently interested in the growth and progress of his section.
He was a man of broad culture and had gained a liberal mind and a
breadth of view by constant and well selected reading. His love of
books was one of the vital interests of his life and he was familiar with
the choicest literature of modern times. Public enterprises looking to-
ward further growth and advancement found in him a loyal supporter
and his intelligent comprehension of local conditions enabled him to
make his public spirit effective. Those who mourn his departure re-
member also his integrity of character, his kindliness and his honor-
able and upright life.
FRED C. RUNKLE.
In his chosen lifework as an educator Fred C. Runkle has made a
most excellent record, and the consensus of public opinion places him
with those residents of Patterson, who have had greatest influence in
molding the intellectual, political and moral development of the city.
He was born in Aladison county, Iowa, April 15. 1876, and in Sep-
tember, 1902, became a resident of Hamilton county. His father.
Thomas Runkle, a native of Virginia, came of German ancestry, the
HISTORY OF HA.:\IILTOX COUNTY 475
family being founded in i\merica in 175 1. In his boyhood Thomas
Rnnkle accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana and in
October, 1851, arrived in Madison county, Iowa, taking an active part
in its early development. He wedded Mary A. Berry, who was born
in Indiana, of Kentucky parentage, and became a resident of Madison
county in 1854.
In the ac(iuirement of his education Professor Runkle attended
the Patterson high school, the Ackworth Academy and the Iowa State
Teachers College. He has remained throughout life a student, broad
reading and wide study continually promoting his knowledge and in-
creasing his efficiency in the educational field. He began teaching in
the rural schools of Madison county in 1895. Later he became prin-
cipal of the Patterson schools, had charge of the Stanhope school for
eight years and is now serving for the third year as principal of the
Ellsworth schools. For four years he was editor of the Stanhope
Mail. He has made an excellent record as an educator, imparting in
clear and concise manner the knowledge that he has acquired and at
all times stimulating in his pupils a desire for further intellectual prog-
ress. He studies the specific needs of the individual and he inspires
teachers and pupils with much of his own zeal and interest in the work.
On the 19th of June, 1903. in Stanhope, Iowa, Professor Runkle
was married to Miss Mabel M. Jenkins, a native of Fayette county,
Iowa, and a daughter of F. R. Jenkins. Her grandfather, Major Jen-
kins, a native of Vermont, followed the lake route westward, walked
through the \\'isconsin wilderness and settled in Iowa in 1835. He
was driven out by hostile Indians but returned in 1837 and became one
of the honored pioneer residents of this state, aiding in its reclamation
for the purposes of civilization. Professor and Mrs. Runkle have
become the parents of two little daughters: Maurine, aged three:
and ]Maxine, aged one. The parents hold membership in the Church
of Christ, in which Professor Runkle has held the offices of clerk,
deacon and elder, taking an active and helpful interest in all parts of
the church work. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of
America and has served as adviser and counsel of the local camp. His
military record covers three years spent as a member of Company G,
Fifty-fifth Regiment of the Iowa National Guard.
While not a politician in the usually accepted sense of the term,
he has served as mayor of Patterson and gave to the city faithful serv-
ice, his administration being characterized by practical reform and im-
provement. He is a progressive republican, actively interested in the
party, holding Avith its prominent leaders that each year should show
476 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
advancement made along political lines whereby the interests of the
public at large would be conserved and heightened. Professor Runkle
is a recognized leader among those seeking continuous improvement,
nor is he ever willing to accept the second best.
ALBERT J. PETERSON.
On the roster of county officials appears the name of Albert j.
Peterson, who in November, 1910, was elected to the office of county
auditor after having previously filled out an unexpired term. He was
born in Sweden, December 17, 1864. His parents, John A. and Anna
Peterson, came to the United States with their family in 1868, settling
first in Illinois, but in 1870 they removed to Webster county, Iowa,
taking up their abode upon a farm which continued to be their home
until the mother's death in 1901 when sixty-nine years of age. The
father has since lived with a son in Calhoun county, Iowa.
Albert J. Peterson was not yet four years of age when the emigra-
tion to the United States was made and in the schools of Knoxville,
Illinois, he pursued his education, attending college there for a time.
It was necessary, however, for him to go to work and in 1889 he
entered the employ of a coal company in Webster county, Iowa, re-
maining with them for two years. In 1891 he removed to Pomeroy,
Iowa, where he engaged in merchandising on his own account for two
years. He then sold out and became cashier of the Bank of Modale,
Iowa, in which capacit}^ he continued until 1899. He next spent a
year in Alaska, after which he returned to Webster City in 1900.
For several years thereafter he was employed as a clerk or as a travel-
ing salesman, but in 1907 changed his active interests by accepting an
appomtment as deputy county auditor, which office he continued to
fill until he 1)ecame deputy county treasurer. He served in that ca-
pacity from January i, 1909, until January i, 1910. when he was ap-
pointed county auditor to fill a vacancy for the term ending on the
1st of January, 191 1. In the previous November he was elected to
the office for a term of two years that will continue until the ist of
January, 19 13. He is making a creditable record in this connection
and loyalty and progressiveness have ever characterized his official
service.
In 1897, at Webster City, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage
to Miss Annie Wonders, a daughter of William and Catherine Won-
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 477
ders, of Webster county, this state. Her father is an agriculturist
clnd coal mining operator. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson reside at No. 408
First street and their home is justly celebrated for its warm-hearted
hospitality.
Mr. Peterson belongs to Acacia Lodge, No. 176. F. & A. M., and
is a past master of Acmode Lodge, No. 412, of Modale, Iowa. He
also belongs to Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., in which he is serv-
ing as high priest; to Triune Commandery, No. 41. K. T. ; Elmo
Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F., and to Purity Lodge of Rebekahs in Web-
ster City. He is likewise connected with the Country Club and the
Commercial League and is much interested in the work of the last
named in its efforts to advance business activity and promote the prog-
ress and uplDuilding of Webster City. Mr. Peterson possesses many
of the sterling characteristics of the Swedish nation, including the de-
termination, perseverance and integrity which have usually character-
ized the people of that kingdom.
WILLIAM H. MINARD.
William H. Minard, who is engaged in the drug and jewelry busi-
ness at Jewell Junction, has been a resident of \\'illiams for three years.
He was born in Livingston county, Illinois, on the 7th of June, 1865,
and is a son of Levi and Phoebe A. (Hall) Minard. The father was
born in St. Thomas, Canada, but in his early manhood came to Illinois,
where he met and married Miss Hall, a native of La Salle county,
that state. The father is now deceased, having passed away in Wil-
liams, but the mother is still living and makes her home in South Da-
kota with a daughter. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Minard numbered
five: Charles, who was born on November 20, 1858, died at the age
of six years; George A., whose birth occurred September 12. i860, a
resident of Ellendale, North Dakota ; Fred, who was born on the 7th
of October, 1862, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; William H., our subject;
and Mrs. Cora E. Rick, who was born on the 30th of July, 1874, and
is residing in South Dakota. All of the family are natives of Illinois
with the exception of Mrs. Rick, whose birth occurred in Rose Grove
township. They resided in Illinois until October. 1869, when they
crossed the prairies to Iowa, making the journey in a covered wagon,
as at that time there were no railroads west of Chicago. L'pon their
arri\-al here they settled on a farm in Rose Gro\-c township, where the
47s HISTORY OF HAMILTON COl'XTY
father continued in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his
active life.
\\'illiam H. ]\Iinard was a child of only four years, when he accom-
panied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He was reared to man-
hood in Hamilton county, obtaining his education in the common
schools. In common with the majority of country youths he early
became familiar with the practical methods of agriculture, devoting
his energies to general farming and stock-raising in Rose Grove town-
ship until 1909. In March of that year he withdrew from the work
of the fields and removed to \\'illiams. About the same time he
became associated with H. L. Dow in the drug business at Story City.
They conducted this enterprise until October. 191 1. when they disposed
of it and engaged in the drug and jewelr)^ business at Je\vell Junction.
They have an attractive store, and as they carry a well assorted stock
in both departments are enjoying a lucrative trade. Mr. Alinard still
owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in Rose Grove township,
which is well improved and highly cultivated. He* is a man of enter-
prising and progressive methods and was instrumental in laying the
first successful drainage ditch in Hamilton county, which has e\er
since been known as Minard's ditch.
In this county on the 22d of J\Iay, 1889. Air. Alinard was united in
marriage to Aliss Ella A. AlcCue. who was born at Amboy, Illinois.
May 15. 1864. and is a daughter of Lawrence and Anna (Fox) McCue,
natives of Ireland. The family removed from Illinois to Iowa, settling
in Hamilton county, in 1875. Airs. Alinard is the third in order of
birth in a family, as follows : Airs. Anna Gilday, who is residing in
Fort Dodge. Iowa; Airs. Alary Ball, of Chicago; Airs. Alinard;
Thomas, who died in the vicinity of Fort Dodge ; Airs. Kate \\'ilkin-
son, of Williams; Lawrence, station agent for the Illinois Central Rail-
road Company at Xashua, Iowa ; Bart, who resides in Oregon ; and
John, whose whereabouts are unknown. They are all natives of Am-
boy, Illinois.
Air. Alinard was reared in the faith of the Alethodist Episcopal
denomination, but Airs. Alinard is a communicant of the Roman Cath-
olic church. Fraternally he is a member of Alamo Lodge. Xo. 547,
A. F. & A. AL. of Williams; Silver Link Lodge. Xo. 458. I. O. O. F..
also of Williams ; and he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks at Webster City. He votes the republican ticket and has served
as trustee of Rose Grove township and also as school director. A\'hen
Air. Alinard came to Iowa with his parents Hamilton county was but
sparsely settled, the greater portion of its acreage being prairie land.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY 479
and diUMiig the intervening years he has not only been an interested 0I3-
server of the marvelous changes wrought by the enterprise and dili-
gence of the settlers, but has contributed his quota toward forwarding
its agricultural and commercial development.
GEORGE D. DOYLE.
George D. Doyle is a well known resident of Williams, and a mem-
ber of one of Hamilton county's pioneer families. He was born in
Albany, New York, on the ist of January, 1864, and is a son of Patrick
and Mary (Nash) Doyle, the former a native of Ireland and the lat-
ter of Canada. In 1865. the family removed to Julien, Dubuque
county, Iowa, which was their place of residence for four years. At
the expiration of that time, in 1869, they came to Hamilton county,
settling in Williams, which at that period contained but one house north
of the railroad. Here both parents passed away at the age of sixty-
nine years, the father's death occurring in 1906 and that of the mother
in 1902. To them were born the following children, those beside our
subject, who is the second in order of birth, being: J. H., who is a
resident of Seattle. Washington; Carrie, the wife of C. E. Kane, of
Williams; F. A., also living in Williams; Marcella, the deceased wife
of Thomas Tilghman, her death occurring in Williams ; Honor, who
married Fielding \\^oods, of Williams; Stephen, who resides in North
Dakota; Elizabeth, now Mrs. J. M. Murphy, of W^aterloo; and a
daughter, who died in infancy. The father was previously married
and to him and his hrst wife was born one daughter, Ellen, no\\- Mrs.
James McCue. a resident of Waterloo, Iowa, and a nati\e of Ireland.
George D. Do\-le was only an infant when his parents settled in
Dubuque countv and a child of five years when they came to Williams.
He obtained his education in the public schools and subsequently en-
Sfao-ed in railroad work, but later turned his attention to farming. In
1912 he moN'ed into the comfortable residence he owns in Williams,
surrounded by eleven and a c|uarter acres of land.
In 1877 Mr. D()}-le was married to Miss Margaret Franklin, who
was born in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, on June 9, 1866, and is a
daughter of John and Bridget Franklin. The parents are both natives
of Ireland, Init were among the earlv settlers of Hamilton county and
now make their home in ^^'illiams. The father was for a long period
engaged, in farming in this vicinity, but is now living retired at tiie
480 HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
venerable age of seventy-six years, while the mother is seventy-five.
Mrs. Doyle is the eldest of the six children born to her parents, the
others in order of birth being as follows : William, a resident of Wil-
liams, whose birth occurred on February 22, 1868; Mary, now Mrs. F.
A. Doyle, of Williams, whose natal day was the 23d of October, 1870;
John, who was born on July 5. 1872, of Williams; Thomas, whose
birth occurred on the 23d of October, 1874, also a resident of Wil-
liams; and Nellie, who was born on June 2, 1879, of Sioux City, Iowa.
With the exception of the last named they were all born in Dixon,
Lee county, Illinois, but were reared and educated in Hamilton county.
Mr. and Mrs. Doyle are the parents of twelve children, all of whom
are residing in Williams : George Arthur, whose birth occurred on
January 26, 1888; John Henr}^, who was born in Cherokee, Iowa,
February 3, 1890, a carpenter by trade; May, the wife of B. H. Simp-
son, whose birth occurred at Fort Dodge, Iowa, on the 19th of Feb-
ruary, 1892; James, who was born March 13, 1894; Carrie, whose
birth occurred on January 23, 1896; Leslie, born December 6, 1897;
Vincent, who was born on the 22d of January, 1900; Florence, whose
natal day was January 22, 1902 ; William Edward, whose birth oc>
curred on December i, 1903; Frances, who was born on the 13th of
April, 1906; Everett, whose birth occurred March 10, 1908, and his
death a,t the age of twenty-two months ; and Margaret, who was born
on the i6th of March, 1910. The older members of the family were
reared and educated in Hamilton county.
The parents are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, in
the faith of which denomination they have reared their children. Fra-
ternally Mr. Doyle is affiliated with Jungle Camp, 1844, M. W. A. ;
Silver Link Lodge. No. 458, I. O. O. F. ; and Alamo Lodge, No. 547,
A. F. & A. M. His political allegiance he accords the republican party
and has served as township trustee. He is public-spirited and enter-
prising and both he and his family are highly esteemed in Williams,
where the Doyle and Franklin families are well known, having located
here when a large portion of Hamilton county was nothing but prairie,
and during the intervening years have contributed their quota toward
forwarding its progress and development.
INDEX
Ackley, Edward 56
Allen, H. F 26
Allinson, W, A 368
Anderson, D. M 407
Anderson, E. E ' 220
Anderson, William 74
Arthur, CM 315
Ashpole, E. E 290
Austin, R. G 89
Banks, P. M 114
Earner, G. S 360
Barr, A. J 53
Bauer, Frederick 66
Bawden, X. H 264
Bell, J. M 466
Bergeson, G. B 267
Black, C. W 59
Boudinot, E. 8 104
Boysen, F. A 219
Brandrup, P. J 38
Brandford, B. M 367
Branjord, 0. M. C 383
Bratnober, C. A 330
Briggs, H. F 437
Brinton, M. H 462
Brown. F. E 70
Bureliam, F. II 145
Burgess, E. D 89
Busing, E. D 434
Campbell, C. V 298
Carutli, Alexander 274
Caruth, James 387
Cash & Lehnhard 467
Castner, Charles 153
Channer, R. E 20
Charlson, Stone ISO
Cheever, E. E 126
Christenson, N. F 240
Church, Walter 390
Cooper. G. W 444
Cottington, Levi 340
Vol. II— 2 c
4«1
Crosley, G. W 5
Crosley, L. M 357
Crosley, V. C 6
Cutler, Theodore 158
Day, Isaac 338
Deo, C. A 155
Dick, C. A 224
Dodge, H, R 236
Donaldson, 0. F 456
Doolittle, R. L 393
Doyle, G. D 479
Drake, F. J 443
Dunkel, J. A 259
Eittreira, 0. O., Jr 44
Eppard, E. L 87
Everman. A. H 430
Flaws, G. M 389
Foster Furniture Company 184
Fowler, A. L 200
Frakes, A. J 230
Franklin, Thomas 457
Frohling, Peter 373
Gerber. William 287
llaeger. C. H 119
Hahne, Fred 190
Hale, Howard 156
Hall, 0. A 148
Hammer, C. F 233
Handlend. Knud 309
Hanlen. William 28*
Harmon. E. J 348
Heins, Henry 404
Henderson, A. C 276
Henderson, F. P 96
Henderson, M. L S3
Henderson, 0. J 78
Hill. W. H 327
Hjortholm, C. H 35
482
INDEX
Holt, A. P 469
Howd, C. A 448
Howes E. G 452
Hiuldlestun, F. A 170
Hughes, A. C : . 256
Hunter, D. L 34
Hunter, J. R. C 416
Hunter. W. F 33
Hurd, R. J 409
Hyatt. N. P.. 405
Johnson. E. 1 120
Jolinson Brothers 344
Jolinson, W. A 350
Jones, J. M 10
Kearns, W. B 58
Keegan, ' E, J 98
Keesee, H. H 397
Keith. P. W 205
King, E. F 134
Landers, F. E 160
Larson, S. J 413
Lee, F. Q 48
Lee, J. W 47
Lister, T. A 450
Lund, F. J 24
Lundell, F. E 368
Lundell, H. W 139
Lyon, E. P 300
Lyon, J. N 317
MeCauliff, G. T 105
McCollough, M. L 196
McComb, E. F 129
McConnell, W. 17
McCoy, Benjamin 64
McFerren, Rube 30
McNab, A. B 320
Martin, Wesley 127
Mason, F. R. & Sons 353
Mason, L. N 391
Mattice, M. J 229
Metcalf, 0. G 150
Miller, J. J 424
Minard, W. H 477
Monroe, I. W. & W. J 432
Mueller, A. F 110
Murphy, Dennis 177
Murphy, J. H 346
Nelson, C. C 317
Nelson, J. A 455
Nelson, 0. G 299
Norton, M. K 461
Oakland, W. T 76
O'Connor. T. C 374
Okland, P. J 260
Olmstead, J. E 408
Olson. Frederick 250
Olson. O. B 401
Omstead, J. N 165
Omstead. W. H 179
Omvig. L. G 472
Owenson, Andrew .iTO
Parry. John 80
Pederson, T. E 238
Pehrson, Nels 396
Pelz. Robert 280
Peterson, Edward 359
Peterson, J, E 385
Peterson, J. J 147
Peterson, L.'M. & C. E 376
Peterson, P. L 306
Phillops, P. M 377
Pote, R. W 189
Presoott, G. 470
Pringle, S. D 90
Pyle, W. C 144
Quackenbush. J. E 50
Ramsay, J. J 329
Rankin, James 270
Reinhardt, Frank ..." 169
Reinhardt, H. F 420
Richards, H. D 164
Richardson, J. M. 245
Richeson, C. H 118
Rick, W. H 294
Ricko, Clemence 198
Robbins, Clemuel 207
Rodine, C. A 239
Ross, A. W 257
Rothrock, E.' A 324
Runkle, F. C 474
Rutledge, T. D 116
Sagar, Theodore 79
Sanders, C. A 186
Satter, F. 308
Sayre, J. W 175
Sayrs. L J 124
Schomer, Peter 86
Schroder, F. A 398
Schweppe, E. H 423
Schweppe, J. L 439
Scott, John 137
Segar, B. E 339
Segar, Emmert 135
INDEX
Segar, G. B 335
Sexy, 0. N 380
Simpson, A. J 254
Sloan, J. S ' 336
Smith, C. T 215
Smith, H. C." 3G6
Smith, Isaac 304
Sogai'd, Simon 334
Sowers, Albert 68
SoAvers, Gviy 400
Sowers, Pearly 2 1 :]
Sparboe, Carl 440
Sparboe, H. M 8
Sparboe. J. H 94
Streveler, W. J 108
Svenson, J. F. B 49
Swanson, A. W 426
Swanson, P. A 347
Talcott, J. P 100
Taylor, F. X 140
Tedrow, J. B 45
Templer, D. D. C 473
Thompson. B. X 422
Thompson, G. D 248
Thompson, Henry 386
Thoreson, C. J 279
Tilghman. C. M 284
Todnem, Peter 235
1
Trotter, H. B 310
Tucker. G. C 36
Underwood, E. L 326
•
\^an Winkle. John 194
Vorhes, B. F 296
Walterick, L. G 130
Wehrheira, John 227
Welch, G. X 429
Westre, Lewis 289
Whitham, W. L 210
Whitley, F, E 458
Wilder, F. A ". 436
Wilkinson, C. A 314
Wilkinson, J. W 278
Wille, H. F 60
Williams, Jacob 319
Willson. F. E , 73
Willson, W. H 364
Worthington, W. 1 246
Young, Calvin 174
Young, F. D 40
Young. J. W 167
Yungclas, H. T 449
Zeihan, Peter 325
m
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